CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Tim sat in the wheelchair on the sunny deck outside the hospital. It was a lovely day for March. The sun was out and the temperature mild. Tim closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth of the sun's rays on his face. It had been a long time since he'd been outside. His life seemed to be restricted to his hospital room and the physical therapy rooms. Today one of his nurses asked him if he'd like to sit outside for a while. He jumped at the chance.

He had come a long way in the past two months. He still couldn't walk, but he was able to feed himself again and could use his computer for short periods of time. Dr. DeKay was pleased with his progress and assured him it was only a matter of time before he was back on his own two feet. There were days when Tim was frustrated that it all seemed to take so long, but then he reminded himself that he was supposed to be dead. He was a medical marvel and should thank his lucky stars that he wasn't six feet under instead of sitting here in the sun.

It had been a very strange time. Just recovering from the effects of the rabies infection was hard, but dealing with his father had been even harder. For a long time, Dr. DeKay refused to let anyone but Ducky visit. Eventually, he allowed his mom and grandmother along with Sarah to visit. In the beginning, Dr. DeKay would only allow visits when he was around. He was afraid Tim would have another relapse.

Tim thought about that episode. He didn't remember much. He did remember talking to Gibbs when his father appeared. There was a lot of shouting and then…well, that was it. It all went dark. When he woke up, it was four days later and he was back in the ICU.

"Hello, Timothy." Tim turned at the sound of the voice and smiled as Ducky approached. "How are you feeling today? Your nurse told me I would find you here. I am delighted to see you out in the sun."

"Hi, Ducky," said Tim. "I'm doing okay. It's been so long since I felt the sun and wind on my face. There was a time when I didn't think I'd ever the sun again. Or the leaves on the trees."

"It has been a terrifying experience for you."

Tim nodded. "Yeah. Something about facing your own death changes you. Little things seem more important. And things I thought were so important, seem trivial." He paused. "They finally let my dad in to see me last week."

"Oh?"

"Dr. DeKay would have allowed it sooner but my mother wouldn't let him in." Tim shook his head and laughed. "I've learned an awful lot about my mom through all of this. She's a lot tougher than I ever suspected." He looked at Ducky and grinned. "Did you know she really ripped into my dad and Gibbs right after my relapse? According to Penny she totally raked them over the coals. In all my years at home, I never heard my mom yell at anyone. Man, I wish I could have seen that!"

Ducky laughed. Oddly, Gibbs had neglected to mention that little item, nor had Abby or the others brought it up. "I find it hard to imagine your dear mother taking down Gibbs or the admiral. It would have been an interesting sight."

Tim's grinned widened, then he grew serious. "I had a long talk with Dad. And this time, I think he actually listened to what I was saying. He's not going to fight me returning to NCIS. He's still not happy about it, but I think he's finally accepted that it's what I really want to do."

"I think when he almost lost you that second time, your father suddenly realized that life is too short. No parent wants to outlive their child, and when your father understood that his stubbornness almost cost you your life, he knew he had to change. He had to consider things from your perspective. Let you choose your own path in life. Your mother and grandmother tried to tell him that, but he was so certain he knew what was best for you that he refused to listen. It took your brush with death to make him realize he wasn't always right."

Tim laughed again. "And believe me that would be a real shock for my dad. I can't remember him ever admitting he was wrong. I'm just glad he's backed off. I have no idea what the future will bring. I mean, maybe I'll be able to go back as a field agent eventually, or maybe I'll be forced to work strictly from my computer, but that's okay, too. I feel like I'm doing something worthwhile when I'm working on a case. Sure, I could help develop some new phone or whatever at a big tech company, but there's no gratification in that. I want to feel like I'm doing some good in the world. I think Dad could understand that."

"I'm glad you were able to work things out with your father, Timothy."

"Yeah, me too."

The two sat in companionable silence for several minutes. Tim was glad he and his father had a least reached a mutual understanding. After their talk, he'd felt a huge weight lifted from his shoulders. His father was back in Okinawa now, but he checked in regularly.

"Gibbs would like to come see you," said Ducky after awhile. Tim glanced at him. Abby, Tony, and Ziva had been by several times to see him once DeKay gave them the green light but so far, Gibbs had been absent.

"I thought he would have come sooner," said Tim. "I mean once Dr. DeKay said I could have visitors."

"Jethro wanted to wait," replied Ducky slowly. "He knew how sensitive you are to stress, and he wanted to make sure you were strong enough before he came. He didn't know how much you recalled from the altercation between himself and your father. He didn't want to upset you further."

Tim thought about this. "I appreciate that. I think that's what my mother thought about Dad. She wanted to make sure I was good and ready before letting him come. She didn't want a replay of that day. I'm not sure I would have been ready to see Gibbs until I worked out things with Dad. It would have been too stressful. Tell Gibbs he can come anytime he wants."

Ducky smiled. "I know Gibbs will be thrilled. He didn't want you to think he didn't care or had forgotten you."

Oddly enough, Tim hadn't thought that. He'd suspected the reason Gibbs hadn't returned before now. And since he hadn't felt up to seeing Gibbs until after he'd worked things out with his father, not having his boss show up had been a relief. But, he was ready now. Tim knew he wanted to go back to NCIS. More than anything else in the world, and he wanted to work for Gibbs. He honestly believed that things would be different. He missed his team.

"Excuse me. Tim? They told me I would find you here." Tim looked over in surprise to see Jimmy Palmer, Dr. Mallard's assistant, standing hesitantly in the doorway. He carried a huge vase of flowers.

"Jimmy?" Tim hadn't seen Palmer since this had all started.

Jimmy set the flowers down and pushed his glasses back up his nose. Awkwardly, he straightened up, then glanced down at the flowers. He flushed. "I…uh…wanted to come see you. Everyone else has, and I felt bad that I haven't been by." he began. "And, well, I thought I should bring something, but didn't know what, so I, um, picked these up downstairs."

Ducky and Tim exchanged amused glances. "That was very thoughtful of you," said Tim with a grin.

Jimmy shrugged, still looking a little embarrassed. "Well, they're colorful at least. Hospital rooms can be pretty dismal." He glanced at Dr. Mallard who gave him a little nod. Jimmy turned back to Tim. "I didn't come alone. Agent Gibbs is waiting in the lobby. He figured I should make sure it was okay for him to come up."

"It's fine, Mr. Palmer," said Ducky calmly. "I shall go down and speak to Jethro before I send him up, if that is acceptable to you, Timothy?"

Tim shook his head with an amused smile. "Yeah, that's fine, Ducky."

"Then, I shall return shortly."

Palmer stood near Tim's wheelchair looking uncomfortable.

"You okay, Jimmy?"

Jimmy gave him an unhappy look. "I know you've had a really hard time, Tim, and well, I wanted to apologize for not really taking you seriously when you were worried about rabies. It's just that hardly anybody gets rabies in the US anymore unless they get bitten by a bat or some other wild animal. No one thought it was remotely possible to get rabies from that dog."

Tim sighed. "Jimmy, honestly, it's all right. I think there's been enough guilt going around. And you're right, why would anyone suspect a military drug dog of carrying rabies? If Petty Officer Perelli had told us right off the bat that she'd switched dogs, we could have tracked Jethro down and found out he was a research dog. Then I could have gotten the shots and been done with it."

Jimmy gave him a crooked grin. "That's true, but then you wouldn't be famous. You do realize you're considered a medical miracle, right? Doctors and scientists all over the world are going to want to study you."

McGee frowned. "No way. I have no intention of being some kind of scientific guinea pig. They can study my records all they want, but I refuse to prodded, poked, or tested any more than necessary." Tim decided to change the subject. "I guess Abby is back in the lab now."

Jimmy nodded. "Yeah. I thought Gibbs was going to go nuts with both her and you gone. It took ten times as long to get anything done. They have some other tech guy filling in until you get back, but he can't hold a candle to you. I doubt he's ever hacked into so much as the FBI's personnel directory."

Tim ducked his head and laughed. It was nice to feel wanted.

"Timothy?"

Tim and Jimmy looked up to see Ducky in the doorway. Gibbs stood beside him.

"Oh," said Jimmy standing up. "I guess that's my cue. Get well, McGee. We really do miss you." He glanced at the enormous bouquet. "And, uh, I hope you like the flowers." With that, he turned and followed Dr. Mallard back inside.

Gibbs stepped closer to Tim. He gestured to the empty chair. "Do you mind?"

"No, Boss," said Tim feeling a little anxious. "Please, sit."

Gibbs nodded and lowered himself into the chair. He studied Tim for a moment. "How are you, Tim?"

Tim gave a little shrug. "I'm getting better. Can't walk yet, but the doctors all think it's just a matter of time. I've got much better control of the arms and hands, so that's a plus. I've been able to use my computer again. At least some. My memory still has its ups and downs, but I'm learning to cope."

Gibbs smiled. "I'm really glad to hear that, Tim. I've been worried about you. I know Ducky told you why I haven't been by. I didn't want to put any pressure on you."

"I know, Boss." Tim looked down at his hands. "You know, I didn't even see my dad again until last week. My mother wouldn't let him in. Not until she was sure seeing him wouldn't, well, you know." Tim shrugged again.

"Yeah, I know," replied Gibbs softly. "I should never have let your father get under my skin, Tim."

Now Tim laughed for real. "Believe me, Boss, my father gets under everyone's skin. I know both of you only were doing what you thought was best for me. I, uh, had a long talk with Dad shortly before he returned to Okinawa. He's agreed to let me live my own life. I think he's finally accepted the fact I'll never be like him. Shoot, Sarah's more like him than I am. He's still not happy that I want to return to NCIS, but he's promised to support me in whatever I choose to do."

"That's great, Tim." Gibbs smiled. "You know you'll have a place at NCIS if that's what you want to do."

"Boss, coming back is all that keeps me going. I'm going stir crazy in here. I mean, I have therapy every day, which is good for my body, but I feel like my brain is going to mush."

Gibbs grinned broader. "Tim, I'm happy to hear you say that." He reached down and picked up something near his feet. It was a small briefcase. Tim hadn't noticed him carrying it in. "I've got a few cold cases here that need looking into. I figured since you were just sitting around on your butt goldbricking, you might like to make yourself useful and not just decorative."

Tim blinked in confusion, then slowly smiled as comprehension dawned on him. "You want me to go back to work now?"

Gibbs shrugged. "You got something better to do? I mean if you're too busy, I'm sure Tony would love to take them on."

Tim's eyebrows rose in amused disbelief. "That'll be the day." He eagerly reached for the briefcase, and began pulling out the files, his face suffused with pleasure.

Gibbs sat back and simply watched, enjoying the sight of Tim actually starting to look like his old self. He smiled to himself. "Welcome back, McGee."

THE END

A/N: Thanks again to all of you who took the time to read the story all the way to the end. Special thanks to those of you who sent reviews and comments. It's always nice to have feedback. This story took some unexpected turns as a result of those comments (Special Agent Ali: Palmer's appearance is thanks to your suggestion! ;-) )

I think all of us McGee fans found this to be a frustrating episode. Why Abby treated him so badly is a real mystery. I know there were many of you howling for Abby's blood and definitely did not want McGee to forgive her. However, I think that would have been out of character for McGee. He always forgives Abby, but at least in my world, he's not as trusting any longer. I think of my stories based on episodes as kind of like side trips. I still need to bring the characters back to fit into the general canon timeline of events. That meant Tim had to return to the team. So for those of you who thought Abby should have had her head handed to her on a platter, I guess you'll just have to write your own version of the story! ;-)

Anyway, thanks again. It's been a fun ride. You guys have been great! Maybe I'll write another NCIS story one of these days. You never know!