"Agent Gibbs?"

Gibbs eyes snapped open. He hadn't meant to fall asleep but the stress of the events over the past several days had caught up with him. He looked up to see the head nurse watching him, an apologetic smile on her face.

"I'm sorry to wake you, but I finally found out something about your missing agent, Timothy McGee."

Gibbs was instantly awake. "Is he alive?"

The nurse nodded. "Yes, at least I believe so. He was in surgery earlier but suffered some kind of set back while in recovery and he's back in surgery again. Blast injuries are notoriously unpredictable. I wish I had better news for you." She sighed. "Another agent has asked to see you. Anthony DiNozzo? He's awake."

Gibbs leaned over and gently shook the sleeping Abby. She opened her eyes and stared at him in confusion. "C'mon, Abs, Tony wants to see us."

Abby struggled to sit up and take stock of the situation. "Tony? We can see him? What about Ziva? And Tim? Have you heard anything about Tim?"

"Tim is in surgery," replied Gibbs pulling Abby to her feet. He looked at the nurse. "Do you know know anything about Ziva David?"

"Uh, yes. I forgot. She underwent surgery for a compound fracture of the left arm. She's sleeping but I'm sure you'll be able to see her later. I expect she'll be discharged in the morning if there are no complications."

Abby clasped Bert to her and looked at Gibbs. "Let's go see Tony. I have to see he's okay."

The nurse nodded and led them down a labyrinth of hallways. There were numerous patients on gurneys still awaiting attention. Most were minor injuries but still needed care. One called to Gibbs.

"Jethro!" called the man. "Any word on what's going on? What the hell happened?"

Gibbs paused and spat one word. "Dearing."

The man's eyes went wide, then narrowed. "Goddam sonofabitch! Two members of my team were killed in that blast!" His voice broke.

Gibbs put a comforting hand on the man's bloodstained arm. "Don't worry, Mark, we'll get him. Even if it's the last thing I ever do."

"I'll be right beside you, Gibbs."

Gibbs nodded and hurried on. Sometimes it was hard to remember that this blast had affected others just as hard, if not worse, than himself. He wondered if killing so many NCIS personnel would appease Dearing's lust for revenge, or would he continue his reign of terror?

Tony sat up in bed, a snowy white bandage wrapped around his brow. He grinned widely as Abby and Gibbs entered his room.

"Tony! Tony! Tony!" wailed Abby as she threw herself in his arms. Tony winced but he tightly hugged her. "Oh, god, Tony, I was so worried about you and Ziva! But you're okay, right? Please tell me you're okay!"

"I'm fine, Abs," said Tony softly as he stroked her hair. "Really, other than a bump on the head, I'm right as rain."

"Oh, your poor head!" Abby gently touched the bandage.

"Really, Abby, it's nothing. Just a bad headache and a few stitches. As soon as they let me out of here, I'll be back on the case." He turned to Gibbs. "Have you seen Ziva? Or Tim?"

"The nurse told us Ziva is still sleeping off the anesthesia from surgery on her arm. Compound fracture, but she'll be fine." Gibbs noted the look of relief in Tony's eyes. "Tim is back in surgery. That's all I know right now." He started to say more when he was interrupted by the soft trill of his cell phone. Heart pounding, he stared at the caller ID. It was Jimmy. He flipped it open, trying to steel himself for the worst.

"Gibbs here."

Agent Gibbs, this is Jimmy Palmer. I'm sorry it's so late but I knew you'd want to know the minute I heard anything about Dr. Mallard. The doctors said he suffered a mild myocardial infarction, but they performed an angioplasty and inserted a stent. They say he should make a complete recovery.

Gibbs closed his eyes for a moment as he felt a flood of relief course through his body. Ducky was going to be all right. He hadn't wanted to admit, even to himself, how scared he was over the possibility of losing the older man.

Agent Gibbs? Are you there? Dr. Mallard will be okay! The joy and relief in Jimmy's voice was unmistakable.

"Yeah, Jimmy, I heard you. That's great news. Thank you for letting me know right away. When you see him, tell Ducky I'll call him as soon as I can."

I knew you'd want to know. I plan to stay another day or two until I'm sure the doctor will be alright and then return to Washington. Breena offered to stay here to look after Dr. Mallard. Now there was a note of pride in Jimmy's tone. Gibbs had to agree. Breena was a real find.

Agent Gibbs? Jimmy's voice continued. Have you learned anymore about Tim? How are Abby, Tony, and Ziva?

"Tony and Abby are right here, Jimmy. All I know about McGee is he's back in surgery. Here, Abby wants to talk to you." He handed the phone to the eager Abby.

Tony was watching Gibbs suspiciously. "What's going on with the autopsy gremlin? Shouldn't he be on his honeymoon?"

Gibbs gave him a small smile. "He called to tell me that Ducky is going to be okay."

Tony sat up straighter, his eyes wide. "Ducky? What's wrong with Ducky?"

"Apparently, Ducky had a heart attack when he heard the news about the bombing. Fortunately, Jimmy found him in time and called an ambulance. Just told me the doctors there say he should make a complete recovery."

Tony's breath came out in a whoosh as he settled back against his pillow. "Damn. I figured nothing bad could happen to Ducky and Jimmy down there in Florida. A heart attack?" He shook his head in disbelief. "Damn." He looked back to Gibbs. "But you're sure he'll be all right?"

"That's what Jimmy said."

Tony was silent as he digested this. "Poor Ducky. Not much of a wedding day for Jimmy, huh?"

"No, it wasn't"

Abby handed the phone back to Gibbs. "Jimmy said he'd tell Ducky that you'd call when he's allowed. I feel so bad that all this happened on Jimmy's wedding day."

"How are you feeling, Tony?" asked Gibbs, changing the subject. He felt oddly at a loss of what to do next. Yes, they had to get Dearing, but where should they look now? Had the data on the case been lost? Vance had said he saw McGee downloading something off of his computer. Knowing Tim's conscientious nature, Gibbs would bet it was that data. Question was, where was it now? Had Tim had it on him or had it been lost in the explosion? He'd need to look through Tim's personal belongings to answer that question.

"I'm okay, Boss." Tony. "Ready to rock and roll." He grinned but Gibbs could see the strain.

"You're not going anywhere until the doctors clear you," replied Gibbs gruffly. "Head injuries are nothing to fool around with. Believe, me, I should know."

Tony sighed, knowing when he was beaten. However, Gibbs had no doubt the younger man was trying to figure out how he could convince the doctors to release him as soon as possible.

"Excuse me, are you Agent Gibbs?"

The three of them turned to see a man clad in bloodstained scrubs. The dark circles and gray cast to his stubbled face were testament to his exhaustion.

"I'm Gibbs."

The man nodded and rubbed his eyes. "I'm Dr. Stanley. I understand you've been asking about Timothy McGee?"

"Yeah," said Gibbs stepping forward. The tension and fear had returned. "He's my agent. How is he?'

The doctor looked at them, his eyes full of grief. "I'm so sorry. I…I couldn't save him. The damage was just too severe. The effects of such an explosion on the internal organs can be devastating. I wish there had been something more we could have done." He ran his hand through his graying hair. This was not the first time he'd had to deliver bad news this day, but it only got more difficult.

Abby broke down immediately, throwing herself sobbing into Gibbs' arms. Gibbs felt numb. Not another one. Kate had been difficult enough, but for seven years, Gibbs had nurtured McGee from an insecure, terrified probie into a confident, capable agent. It was like losing a son.

"Do you know how we can contact his next of kin?" asked the doctor quietly.

"I'll do it," said Gibbs trying to regain his focus. He tightened his arms around Abby's shaking frame and glanced over at Tony. Tony's stricken face said it all.

Tony felt cold. He couldn't believe McGee was dead. No! It wasn't possible. McGee must have gotten out. He was smart. He would know to get out immediately. He wouldn't have dawdled. They must have mistaken him for someone else. Yes, that was it. They had the wrong guy. With all the injured people coming in, it would be easy to mix up victims' identities. He looked to Gibbs for reassurance, but there was none. Gibbs' expression was the same one Tony had seen when Kate had died in their arms. It was a combination of shock and grief so deep that Tony knew there had been no mistake. McGee was dead.

Tony closed his eyes as a wave of dizziness washed over him. His head began to throb worse than ever. He wanted to cry, scream, punch something. But most of all, he wanted this not to be true. He wanted his partner back. How many more times was he going to have to go through this? Kate, Paula Cassidy, Mike Franks, and now Tim. It was getting to be just too hard. He wanted to go find Ziva, wrap her in his arms and keep her safe. He looked over to where Abby still sobbed in Gibbs' arms. Her ragged grief stabbed him through the heart. He yearned to take away her pain. None of them were safe, not in this business, but why did the bad guys always have to exact such a high toll? How many others, all good people, had died today? All because of one monstrous, crazy son of a bitch by the name of Harper Dearing.

xxxxxxxx

The morning came just as it always did. The news was filled with little besides continued coverage of the explosion in the Navy Yard. There were interviews with rescue personnel, survivors, people who had lost loved ones. It seemed the tales continually jumped from those of tragedy to those of heroic survival. Vance spoke more than once.

Gibbs had finally returned to his house to take a shower and change clothes. His plan was to then return to the temporary NCIS headquarters Leon had already established and continue the hunt for Dearing, but first there was a stop he had to make.

Penelope Langston lived in an old nineteenth century Victorian, her love of plants evident in the elaborate displays of shrubs and flowers surround her home. It looked like something out of a fairy tale. Gibbs felt like the Big Bad Wolf about to come in and destroy the idyll.

He stood outside the door for a few moments composing himself. He was still having trouble accepting the death of his youngest agent. He fingered the small thumb drive in his pocket. He'd found it among Tim's personal belongings. It contained everything they'd discovered related to Dearing. It was invaluable, but was it worth Tim's life?

Gibbs took a deep breath and knocked. It was still early and Penny's car was in the driveway. She must be home. Several moments later, she appeared looking drawn and exhausted. For a moment her eyes lit up at the sight of Gibbs, then all the color drained from her face.

"He's dead, isn't he?" Her voice was flat, expressionless.

"Yes." Gibbs looked directly into her dark, empty eyes. As an admiral's wife, she'd had plenty of experience burying her emotions.

"You'd better come in, Agent Gibbs." Gibbs followed Penny inside. The interior was a riot of color with flowering plants everywhere. The place was cluttered but in a homey sort of way. Gibbs approved.

Penny had settled into a wingback chair. Gibbs sat on the couch across from her. He took a deep breath.

"Ms. Langston, I can't tell you how sorry I am about Tim. He was one of the best agents I've ever worked with."

Penny's eyes narrowed as she studied Gibbs. There was a dreadful pain in her eyes but she was very much in control of herself. "Why? Why did he die?"

Gibbs briefly explained what he could concerning the Harper Dearing case.

Penny was silent for a very long time. "So, you're saying because of a problem in the wiring, a ship exploded killing Dearing's son, and now he's trying to get revenge? Is that it? You're saying that some lunatic killed dozens of people because of his son?"

"Yes, ma'am, I'm afraid that's about it."

Penny stood and began to pace. "When we heard about the explosion, I immediately called my son. He's an admiral, as I'm sure you know, and yet, he couldn't find out anything concerning Tim. We had no idea if he was hurt or killed or just unable to call. It was the uncertainty that was so hard." She turned to study Gibbs. "But, I'm sure you understand that."

Gibbs nodded. He understood all too well. Not knowing was so much harder to bear than finally learning the truth no matter how painful.

Penny stared out the window at the rose garden beyond. "How did he die, Agent Gibbs?" Her voice was faint.

"He was in the squad room, downloading information on the case to a thumb drive. Director Vance told him to get out, but it was too late. He was still there when the bomb went off just outside. He died of internal injuries."

A tear now trickled down Penny's cheek. Impatiently, she brushed it away. He knew she wouldn't lose control as long as he was there, but he hated the idea of her mourning alone. She turned to him, her eyes now blazing.

"Was it worth it, Gibbs? The information on that drive? Was it worth my grandson's life?"

Gibbs's jaw tightened. No, it wasn't worth Tim's life, but he would damn well make sure it counted. If the information on this drive helped them stop Dearing even one second sooner, saving even just one more person's life, then maybe Tim would have felt it was worth the sacrifice. Penny was still watching him, expectantly.

"I don't know, Ms. Langston. Without this information, our investigation would be set back significantly. With it, I hope we can bring down Dearing that much sooner saving the lives of future victims."

Penny's lifted her head and nodded. "If Tim knew that his death would save the lives of others, then he wouldn't hesitate. Just make sure his sacrifice is not wasted, Agent Gibbs. You bring down this Dearing asshole before he kills anyone else." She wiped the tears from her cheeks and wrapped her arms around herself. "I…I hope your other agents are all right?"

"Yes, ma'am, they will be."

"Good." Again a long silence. Gibbs wondered if he should leave.

"Agent Gibbs," Penny was looking at him again. "I just want you to know how much I appreciate what you did for Tim. I've seen the changes in him since he started working for you. You let him shine."

"He did that himself. He was extremely talented."

Penny smiled faintly. "Yes, he was, but he was so much more than that. He was such a decent, good hearted person. Law enforcement was the last thing I would have expected Tim to choose as a career. But that was what he wanted to do and you gave him the opportunity. You believed in him. If only his father had."

This last was so faint, Gibbs barely heard her. He knew McGee's relationship with his father was strained. Tim had spoken to his father for the first time in seven years just a few months ago. Tim never spoke about what happened or if things had improved.

Penny sighed deeply and lowered herself back onto the sofa. Tears, unnoticed, still trickled down her cheeks. "I'll have to call Michael and let him know. God, it'll kill him." She shook her head. "My son is not a demonstrative man, Agent Gibbs. His idea of love was trying to "improve" his son. Nothing Tim ever did was good enough for Michael. He kept saying Tim could do better. After awhile, that begins to whittle away at a person's self-confidence. But, still, Michael loved Tim more than his own life. I knew it ate at him how estranged they'd become, but he's proud and bullheaded, just as his father was. Perhaps that's a requirement for being an admiral, but it didn't win him any points with Tim."

Penny closed her eyes. Gibbs could see her fighting to maintain her composure. He reached out and gently took her hand.

"I am sorry, Ms. Langston. Tim meant a lot to me and to the entire team. We're like a family and losing Tim will leave a very large hole that will never be filled. I've lost loved ones. I know. If there is anything we can do, please, don't hesitate to ask."

Penny smiled at him through her tears. "Agent Gibbs, don't let time get away from you. My son will spend the rest of his life regretting that he let his only son drift away. There will be no second chances. Tim…Tim is gone." She abruptly stood and turned away from him to again stare out the window.

"Thank you, Agent Gibbs. For…for everything. But, if you don't mind, I think I would like to be alone now."

Gibbs rose and stared back at her helplessly. He wished there was something he could do or say to help ease her pain, but she had erected a wall and would keep it there as long as she needed to protect herself. He turned to leave.

"Gibbs." Penny's voice was rough with anguish. "Kill that son of a bitch."

"I will."

A moment later, Gibbs stood outside his car. Sorrow lay upon him like blanket of lead. He took a deep breath. Grieving would have to wait. Right now, he had a job to do and Dearing would pay for what he did even if was the last thing Gibbs ever did.

THE END

If you read this far, thanks! Like I said, I mainly wrote this to make myself feel better about waiting four months for Season 10 to begin when we'll find out what really happened.