Epilogue: Free

Tim woke up the next morning and felt...changed. He had requested a few extra days to think...and now he had thought. Tim felt like he had when he had graduated from high school. His whole life was in front of him, waiting to be seized. He luxuriated in the feeling for a few seconds before getting up and heading into the bathroom.

As he got ready for the day, he remembered how he had felt about joining NCIS. Yes, it had been Nick's suggestion, but it was more than that. It was who he was. It was what he wanted and more than that, it was what he already had. He remembered how excited he had been when he had been assigned to Norfolk, how wonderful it had been to finally be promoted to full time field agent. Sure, he wasn't perfect. He still messed up...but that was okay. He had more to learn.

Tim grinned as he thought about it...more to learn, more to know, more to experience. There was always more. He wasn't giving up anything of himself by being an agent. He was gaining. With that thought, he finished his coffee and walked out the door.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x

The elevator doors opened and Tim remembered again how he felt his first time walking into NCIS Headquarters. This is where I belong. He walked to his desk and bent over, feeling a slight twinge in his chest, but not much.

"McGee!" A hand grabbed his shoulder and pulled him up into an upright position. "You're back!"

"You sound shocked, Tony," Tim said, grinning, mentally comparing this welcome to his first one at Tony's hands.

"No! I was just trying to make you hit your head on your desk."

"Right. Ziva back in the field yet?"

"I think today is the day...I hope today is the day. She's driving me up the wall."

The elevator doors opened and Ziva came out almost dancing. "I've been cleared! I've been cleared!"

"Congratulations, Ziva," Tim said. "I still have at least another week."

"McGee!"

"Yes...I do believe that's still my legal name."

She grinned. "Welcome back!"

"Thanks."

"McGee, Abby needs you downstairs," Gibbs said. "We've got a dead marine in Alexandria. Let's roll."

There was a chorus of "Yes, Boss!" all around and everyone scattered. Just before Tim walked to take the elevator down to Abby, Gibbs stopped him. He didn't ask a question. He just raised his eyebrows.

Tim smiled and nodded.

Gibbs turned and stalked to the other elevator, nearly leaving Tony and Ziva behind.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x

"Abby?" The lab appeared to be dark. He was sure she was there. "Abby?"

Tim walked further in. He couldn't see anyone. He looked into her office and he saw Abby sitting at her desk with aromatherapy candles burning around her. Abby's eyes were closed and she was breathing deeply. Tim couldn't help but smile, remembering his own aromatherapy. It was nice to know that Abby occasionally followed her own advice. He walked to the doorway.

"Abby?" he said quietly.

"Come...sit..." Abby didn't open her eyes. She just pointed to the vacant chair beside her. Tim obediently sat beside her. "Breathe deeply..."

"Gibbs said that you needed me."

"Shh! Breathe!" Abby ordered imperiously.

Tim rolled his eyes good-naturedly and followed her instructions...or orders. They breathed together for a few minutes and Tim closed his eyes. Thus, he was taken completely by surprise when Abby hugged him tightly.

"Abby!"

"You're back!"

"You knew that already. I told you I would be here today," Tim managed to say.

"No, Tim...you are back." She tightened her grip.

"Abby...breathing?"

"Hug me, Tim!"

"Loosen your grip and I will," Tim said, smiling.

Abby allowed him the luxury of breathing and Tim put his arms around her.

"I'm so glad you're back. Are you sure this is where you want to be?"

"I've never been more sure, Abbs."

"You know what you want?"

"Yes. I want to help." Tim let her go and stood. "Gibbs said you needed my help."

Abby smiled and nodded. "I do." She led him out of her office to the computers.

"Where do you want to start?" Tim asked.

FINIS!