It was the one year anniversary of the accident which shattered the lives of Jimmy and Tony. Jimmy awoke bright and early that morning and made his way to the memorial tree. He still had not been able to find Breena and Tori's bodies. While it hurt him more than he could explain to lose them again. The tree was roughly the same thing as cemetery plots. It was a peaceful place to come and reflect. To remember the ones he had lost. Most times he would ask Tony or Gibbs to accompany him but today was different. Today he needed to be on his own. Gibbs had been there before and understood but Tony was hurt by not being invited. In his still fragile state, he assumed that Jimmy was being resentful towards him. Until Gibbs explained that Jimmy just needed to be alone on the anniversary. That, that day was Jimmy's day to grieve and if he needed to be alone. They had to let him. Tony stated that he understood and apologized. Still Jimmy felt it best to come to the tree early in the morning. Around sunrise was the best time to be there. It was just so beautiful, peaceful, and quiet. He arrived to the grove. He found the tree planted in honor of his girls and sat down at the base. His mind flashed back to the morning of Tori's death. It really was just an ordinary day. He kissed Tori on her head and tousled her soft hair. She was still dressed in the soft, pink, cotton kitten pajamas that he had bought for her. He went to work and joked around with Tony and the rest of the team. Then he came home and prepared to go out with Breena. When he found out why Tony was late. He came so close to telling Breena that Tony had fallen ill and offering to stay home with Tori. It's not like Ed would have missed his presence that much anyway. Instead he allowed Tony to come over and that's when his entire life was destroyed. He would give anything to change that night but he could not. All he could do was change the rest of his life. He knew that when she was well Breena loved him and he was Tori's world, and that is what gave him peace of mind. He also knew that even though they were gone, he was not alone. He had his new family. Which consisted of himself, Tony, and Gibbs. Ducky and Vance were his family as well but Tony and Gibbs were the close in distance family. He was eternally grateful to his new family because not only did he lose Tori and Breena last year but he also lost Breena's family. Not that he missed him that much. They never cared much for him at all. They only tolerated him because he was married to Breena. Thankfully he had learned long ago that family was not related by blood but by love. Sadly the accident taught him a hard truth about family. That sometimes the family you created by love could fall apart. Just as easily as the blood family did. Which was unfortunately the case with Abby, McGee, and Bishop. They had broken his heart when they attacked Tony. First of all he did not blame Tony for the accident and secondly even if he did. Beating Tony senseless would do nothing for his peace of mind. Tori would still be dead, Breena would still be broken, and he would still be lost.

The past year had been full of pain and true healing had only begun in the past few months. Gibbs was settling into retirement and handyman work. While Tony and Jimmy had settled into their jobs.

Jimmy had put pictures of his girl's up in his room and had come back to social media. He had weeded out all the people who attacked Tony but had made so many new friends. Between the people of Stillwater and the members of his therapy groups. He still was not ready to date and unsure if he would ever want another child but he could be around other families and not fall apart.

Slowly but surely the old Tony was coming back. He was still damaged but at times the old Tony would slip through and he would joke around. On one occasion a kid had called Jimmy "Harry Potter" and Tony had joked that he had won a Harry Potter look alike contest ten years ago and never took off the costume. He had also been dating Christina Aldrin for the past six weeks or so. She had moved up from DC and was now working with the Stillwater Police Department.

Gibbs was loving retirement and getting re-antiquated with his home town. After the third divorce and then Jenny's death. He had sworn off of relationships but he was happy just being with his boys.

Ducky was planning a trip to the states during the Holidays. From about a week before Christmas to the end of January or early February. He adored being in his home country. Though he did miss his family back in America.

Vance was still the director of NCIS but he had brought Jared and Kayla up a few times and was looking to move to the area when he retired from NCIS. Even though that was a long way off because he would be staying on until the kids were through with college.

As for Abby, McGee, and Bishop nobody had heard from them since the trial but nobody cared one bit. After what the did to Tony. They deserved what they got and it was clear that they would never be a part of the family again. If they had ever been a part of the family.

Tony was in desperate need of support on the anniversary. His support group was not supposed to meet that day and Reverend Allen was preforming a Memorial Service out of town. Still, Tony found himself sitting at Stillwater Community Church. He had Christina Aldrin right by his side. She had been his near constant companion since moving to Stillwater the month before.

"How are you holding up?" Christina asked.

"As well as I can." Tony sighed.

"You are not alone Tony. You are my boyfriend, you are Gibbs's son, and Jimmy's brother. The accident was tragic but you are not alone" Christina assured.

"She's got a point kid." Gibbs added.

"You are the reason I stayed sane. You supporting me is the reason I could cope with Ed's betrayal and the team's behavior. I will never blame you and I will always love you like a brother." Jimmy vowed.

"Thanks guys. I will never get over the accident but thanks to you I see that there is hope and life after tragedy.' Tony explained.

"You taught me the same thing brother." Jimmy replied.

FIN

A/N: Well that's it. The sequel will be called "Picking Up The Pieces" and should be up by Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. Thanks to all who read, followed, favorited, and reviewed. One last time please review.