Celeste was never able to give a coherent account of the forty eight hours following the news of the loss of Tony's helicopter. All she had was a series of impressions, mental snapshots of who she was with and what they said and did. There was a roller coaster of bad, good and then bad news again.

The first bad news was that Tony's helicopter had disappeared on its way out to the Calvin Coolidge in the North Atlantic. It was thought that it had been caught in the sudden storm and had had to ditch in the sea. The better news, relayed by McGee later that day, was that the signal from the aircraft's emergency beacon locator had been picked up. The bad news, which Celeste was given when she went to the Navy Yard later in the day, was that the storm was still going strong and with the light fading and visibility poor, the search by air had been called off until the morning.

After an hour or so of sitting in the squad room, Gibbs announced,

"No point staying here. I'm going home. They'll call us if there's any news."

"Quite right, Jethro," said Ducky stoically, "better to get some rest and be ready for what the morning brings. Come along, Mr Palmer."

"I'll just go and say goodnight to my guys and give them an update," said Abby, "And let Bert know that I'm leaving."

"Can I give you a ride, Celeste?" asked McGee, knowing that she had taken a cab to the Navy Yard.

"Thanks, Tim," said Celeste feeling a little puzzled. She knew that going home was the sensible thing to do but she hadn't quite expected the MCRT to do it. A few minutes later, seated in McGee's car, she realised her mistake.

"Um, this isn't the way to my apartment, Tim," she said, "or yours."

"No," agreed Tim, "we're all going to Gibbs' place."

"Oh," said Celeste, wondering how they all knew that was where they were going.

It felt odd to Celeste to be at Gibbs' house without Tony there. They all sat in Gibbs' sitting room, drinking coffee and eating takeout which had been ordered without Celeste noticing. The conversation was a bit stilted and the takeout mostly went cold but they each found comfort in not being alone as they listened to the wind and rain beating against the windows. As Celeste finally dozed off, her last impression was of the comforting glow coming from the open fire and of Gibbs watching over them all.

NCISNCIS

Celeste went to work the next day. She found that working kept her mind occupied a little and stopped her thoughts from going round and round in the same relentless circle of despair. Being busy gave her moments of forgetfulness but as soon as she stopped, the dread and fear came rushing back in once more.

Gibbs arrived at lunch time. He saw her eyes widen in sudden worry and he hastened to say,

"The weather's improved out there and they've got planes going out to the beacon's location."

"Thank you, Agent Gibbs," said Celeste, "you could have phoned. You didn't have to come all this way to tell me that."

"No problem," said Gibbs, "I can't do anything at the office and they'll let me know if anything comes up. And I remembered that Tony sometimes goes to lunch about now and slips out to eat with you. I thought we could go and eat."

"I'm not really hungry, Agent Gibbs," said Celeste.

"Nor me but Ducky keeps telling us all to eat so why don't we do one another a favour and go out and not eat together?"

Celeste managed a shaky laugh, "OK. There's a Brazilian place round the corner that Tony likes, they make great coffee."

"Sounds good," agreed Gibbs, "although Tim said there was some sort of Welsh/Himalayan place he went to with you."

"That was when I was helping out at another branch," said Celeste, "I'm surprised Tim told you about that. It was the start of his dairy intolerance phase."

Gibbs and Celeste went to the Sugar Loaf Café where they had Bauru, a traditional Brazilian sandwich and coffee in varying degrees of strength. Gibbs could see why Tony liked the place; apart from interesting food it was decorated with stills from movies of the 1950s and 60s.

"I wonder if Tony is boring the crew of the helicopter with movie quotes," said Celeste as she picked at the crust of her sandwich.

"Do you like movies?" asked Gibbs.

"Not as much as Tony."

"I don't think anyone likes movies as much as Tony," said Gibbs, "I bet he knows a movie with a plot like this."

"I hope it's one with a happy ending," said Celeste, "sorry, Agent Gibbs, I keep thinking about him being out there, lost and cold. And then I can't help but think of him not being out there …"

"Tony's a survivor," said Gibbs firmly, "don't give up on him yet."

"Is that a rule?"

"More like a way of life," said Gibbs ruefully.

"You know," said Celeste, "until I met Tony I'd never been to an Emergency Room. That soon stopped!"

They continued to eat and drink for a few more minutes and then Celeste looked at her watch and said, "I need to get back."

Gibbs agreed and he walked her back to the library. At the library steps she handed him a cardboard box,

"I got these when you went to the bathroom. Although I suppose I should call it 'head' now. Take them back for the others."

"What are they?" asked Gibbs.

"Bolinho de chuva, Brazilian donuts. Tim will like them even if they haven't got sprinkles."

"I'll tell him," said Gibbs, "come to the Navy Yard when you finish work. If Tony hasn't turned up we'll probably head back to my place again. So come, if you think it will help."

"Thank you," said Celeste, "I will."

She went back and finished an odd day's work. She spent some time putting returned books back on the shelves thinking that would be a useful thing to do. It was only later that she realised that Millie and Tillie were patiently going round after her and putting the returned books on the right shelves; in her distraction she seemed to have invented a new version of the alphabet. Celeste finally called it a day when she found herself in tears listening to story time and remembering the times when Tony had led it on Saturdays.

A suspiciously red-eyed Abby greeted her with a hug when she got to the Navy Yard.

"They found the helo," said Gibbs.

"And?" asked Celeste.

"It had sunk," said Gibbs, "they managed to send divers down and it was empty."

"That's good, isn't it?" said Celeste as she struggled to keep her composure.

"Yes," said Abby firmly, "it is. Because it means that they got out alive." She looked round defiantly as if daring anyone to contradict her.

"The life raft was gone," said Tim, "so it's possible …"

"Probable," corrected Abby.

"…er, probable, that Tony and the crew got into it."

"How do they find the life raft?" asked Celeste.

"It should have a beacon of its own," said Gibbs, "they'll start looking for it when it gets light."

"Another night at sea," said Celeste.

"Anthony's very resilient," said Ducky encouragingly.

"And the crew of the helicopter is highly trained," said Jimmy, "They'll look after him."

Celeste looked round at Tony's co-workers and, for the moment at least, decided she loved all of them.

"And Tony's always going missing," said Jimmy.

"Yes," said Abby eagerly, "there was the time he got lost in the sewers with that marine."

"And then he was chained to that serial killer," said McGee thoughtfully.

"And locked in that shipping container," said Ducky reflectively, "Anthony does find lots of interesting ways to get into trouble."

Celeste's feeling of love for the MCRT did a rapid retreat in the face of these gloomy anecdotes. Surprisingly, it was Gibbs who picked up on this,

"He's always come back," he said, "always."

Celeste put on a brave smile and tried not to think that, if Tony was a cat, how many of his nine lives had been used up.

"Come on," Gibbs said, "let's head out."

They followed the same pattern as the previous night but at least at this time they didn't have to ignore the sound of wind and rain; the storm had blown itself out and all was calm.

The phone call came just after 0200 and Gibbs answered it on the first ring. Everyone else woke up immediately and waited to hear the news. McGee hoped it was news and not dispatch forgetting they weren't on call and wanting to send them off to Rock Creek Park.

"They found the life raft," said Gibbs as he ended the call, "luck was with them. A destroyer heard their signal and went to pick them up."

"Are they all right?" said Abby.

"No details yet," said Gibbs, "but they're flying them back to Walter Reed. Should be there in a few hours."

"Them?" asked Ducky, "who is 'them'? Do we know?"

"They picked up four survivors, Duck. Three crew members and a passenger. As far as we know DiNozzo was the only passenger. Where you going, Abs?"

"To the hospital," said Abby, "and I need to buy balloons on the way."

"I'd hold off on the balloons for the moment, Abby," said Gibbs, "Let's wait until we know what we're dealing with."

"But we can go to the hospital?" said Abby.

"Sure," said Gibbs, "but they might not know what hit them." He briefly put an arm round Celeste and whispered, "Told you he's a survivor, let's go see him."

NCISNCIS

The MCRT and Celeste occupied one of the hospital's waiting rooms for several hours as they waited for Tony and the helicopter crew to be brought there. Gibbs told the others what Celeste had said about having never visited an emergency room before meeting Tony. That seemed to open a floodgate of memories,

"There was the time his nose was broken by that marine who went berserk on steroids," remembered Tim with a wince.

"When he broke his arm," remembered Jimmy.

"When his face got beaten up when he was posing as an assassin," said Abby.

"And he should have gone when he ran the car into that fire hydrant," said Ducky, "and indeed I've had to patch him up far too many times in autopsy."

Celeste was horrified to hear of all Tony's escapades but finally realised that his co-workers were exaggerating his accident proneness when Abby said,

"And don't forget when he had the plague."

"Bubonic or pneumonic?" asked Celeste drily.

"Pneumonic," said Abby, "bubonic wouldn't have been nearly so bad."

Celeste smiled. She'd thought that Tim was the one with the vivid imagination but now she realised that the whole team had their share. Gibbs nodded approvingly recognising that Celeste was made of firm stuff if she wasn't fazed by learning that Tony had survived being infected by a disease from the Middle Ages.

After a couple of hours, with no end to the wait in sight, Gibbs and Celeste went to buy drinks and snacks from the cafeteria. With their vigil about to end it seemed that appetites had returned and the rest of the team looked up eagerly when Gibbs and Celeste returned. Gibbs handed out the drinks and Celeste looked through the bags of cakes they'd brought.

"I got you a donut, Tim," said Celeste, "but I don't think you should eat it."

Tim decided to assert himself at last, "You know, Celeste, I think it's really great that you take such an interest in what people eat but …"

"I know," said Celeste mournfully, "I try not to do it but I think it's in my genes. My mom is worse than I am. When Tony came with me to meet my parents, it nearly drove him mad. In the end he and Dad went into the den and tucked into Dad's secret fudge store."

"Tony's been to see your folks?" said Abby.

"The other weekend," said Celeste, "we flew up to Alaska. I never knew so many movies were made in Alaska."

"And Tony knows all of them," said Jimmy.

"It certainly felt like it," said Celeste.

"And did the meeting go well?" asked Ducky.

"Yes," said Celeste, "but, then, who doesn't like Tony?"

"Oh, lots of people," said Abby earnestly, and then seeing Celeste's frown, hurried on, "I mean crooks and bad guys and …"

"The women in the Evidence Garage," added Tim.

"And then there's…" began Jimmy.

"Well, my parents loved him" said Celeste firmly, "and everyone at the library thinks he's wonderful."

"Even Tillie?" asked Tim a little meanly.

"Even Tillie," said Celeste, "she said that if she'd met Tony before she hooked up with Susan she might not be a founding member of WAM."

"All right," said Tim hungrily, "Tony is the most popular guy in DC. Now can I have that donut you got me?"

"I really don't think you should have it, Tim, it won't be good for you." said Celeste.

"Celeste. You've just admitted that it's a bad habit monitoring what people eat. Take the first step towards a cure … let me have my donut."

"But …" said Celeste trying once more to dissuade Tim.

Tim grabbed the bag and took out the donut. "Hmmm," he said, "it looks delicious, and it's got chocolate sprinkles. My favourite." He raised it to his lips.

Gibbs coughed, "Celeste was trying to tell you. I dropped the bag. Those 'chocolate' sprinkles are from where it landed in a pile of trash; it was plain before."

Tim pulled the donut away from his mouth, "Thanks, Boss. And thanks, Celeste. Sorry."

"Always trust your librarian, Tim," she said solemnly, "here, you can have half of mine."

An hour later the news came that the helicopter carrying the crew and Tony had landed. Four gurneys were soon wheeled into cubicles so that the patients could be examined. The doctors allowed Ducky and Jimmy to go and help but the others had to wait more or less patiently. After half an hour, Ducky returned.

"Good news," he said, "they are all a battered, bruised and shaken up but, all things considered, they are doing well. "

"And Tony's OK?" asked Abby.

"He will be fine," assured Ducky, "he has twisted his knee a little but said it was no worse than when he tried to assume the Fish Pose, whatever that is. In fact, from what the helicopter crew were saying, our Anthony did very well in keeping their spirits up. It seems he knew the plots of several movies involving being lost at sea and they all have undertaken to get together for a movie marathon to watch them all. They may all be suffering a bit from exposure and they will need to stay here for a few hours at least for observation. The doctors have done a remarkable job. It reminds me of a …"

"And are we allowed to do any observation?" asked Gibbs drily.

"Oh, of course, I should have said," said Ducky, "yes, do follow me and I will take you to him. He may have fallen asleep by the time we get there, however, he was having difficulty in staying awake. I fear they have all been running on adrenalin for some hours and are beginning to feel the reaction. It is a common occurrence, I once contributed to a paper on the subject …"

"Ducky," implored Abby, "can we go see him. You can tell us about your paper some other time?"

"Certainly," said Ducky grandly, "follow me."

They all crowded round Tony's bed and he sleepily received a number of hugs, handshakes and manly gestures of affection.

"Next time, you're going on the big bad ship, Tim," he said, "I don't care if you get seasick or not. Although you would have hated being on that life raft, you really would have been calling Earl, delivering street pizza, tossing your cookies …"

"Yes, yes, Anthony," said Ducky with an uneasy look at Tim, "we get the drift. Some of us more than others."

"Oops, sorry McQueasy," said Tony, "I'll take it easy," and he giggled.

"Had some painkillers, Tony?" asked Gibbs.

"Only some very mild ones," said Ducky, "I think it is probably weariness as much as medication which is delivering this effect."

Gibbs realised that Celeste hadn't had a chance to say anything yet so he made one of his proclamations,

"OK, let's give Tony a bit of peace and quiet. Let's go. It's all right, Abs, we'll sit outside."

Such was the power of Gibbs' personality that not only the MCRT but Celeste as well began meekly to file out. Gibbs grinned and pushed Celeste back.

"Hi, there," she said as she went back and took him by the hand, "good to see you." She was surprised to see how alert Tony looked and went on, "Tony DiNozzo, were you pretending to be drugged up so that your loyal co-workers, who have been sleepless with worry over you, would have to leave?"

"Yes?" he said a little sheepishly.

"Good job," she said approvingly, "although I seem to remember that you are rather interesting when you're on painkillers."

"Miss Jones," said Tony in a mock disapproving voice, "I am shocked. Actually, the doctor said he'd give me a prescription."

"I'll make sure it gets filled," said Celeste.

A few minutes later, as Celeste lay on the bed with Tony, he said, "I've got something for you. It should be in my jacket pocket. Could you get it for me?"

Outside in the waiting area the MCRT heard a scream of fear and shock from inside the cubicle. They rushed in, not knowing what to expect. What they did not expect was to see Celeste throwing a dead fish down on to the floor,

"Tony! Did you do that on purpose? You nearly scared me to death, you idiot!"

The MCRT tactfully backed away. They would have Tony's six in many situations but he was on his own with an irate girlfriend.

"It must have got in the pocket when we went into the water," said Tony, "I wish I'd known. I'd have got McGee to put his hand in there. Here, just give me the jacket and I'll go looking. After the trauma of the last couple of days nothing will shock me."

Celeste stared hard at him but decided to acquit him of putting dead marine creatures in his clothes to scare her. She handed him the jacket and he took something out of an inside pocket.

"I was going to give this to you in a more romantic setting," he said, "but being nearly drowned, focuses the mind, so I won't wait. Here."

Celeste took the small box and opened it with hands that were shaking slightly. She opened it to reveal a rather sticky ring pop candy.

"I thought we could choose a real ring together," said Tony hesitantly, "it could be our first real decision together?"

"The first of many?" said Celeste.

"I hope so, Frances."

"Frances?" queried Celeste, "have you gone off Celeste?"

"Never," said Tony, "but I think calling you Frances shows I've moved past just loving you for your admittedly gorgeous body, I don't just love the model. I love the librarian too."

"And I love all of you too," said Frances, "and yes, I want to make lots of decisions with you in the future. Even if it means being with your crazy team … you'll never guess what their latest tall story was. They tried to get to believe you'd had the plague … the really serious type according to Abby, not just the usual everyday type."

"Ah, yes," said Tony, "about that."

NCISNCIS

When the general excitement about the engagement had died down and when Abby had stopped cooing over both the candy ring and the rather elegant sapphire one, Frances cornered Tim.

"Tony tells me you're about to start work on a new Tibbs book," she said.

Tim nodded, he was relieved that inspiration had come back at last.

"So, I thought I'd say this just once. If I read your next novel and find that Agent Tommy's new girlfriend is called Heavenly or Divine and happens to be a librarian or a bookseller … well, just remember that authors should never ever get on the bad side of a librarian. Bad things can happen. Do you understand me?"

Tim nodded nervously. He went home that night and destroyed the first twenty pages of the new book. Celeste had brought chaos down on him when she wasn't even trying. He couldn't begin to imagine what she could do if she put her mind to it.

AN: thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed this story and especially to the guest reviewers who I couldn't thank directly.