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Tony dropped his head onto the pillow and let his body relax back into the comforting softness that was his own bed. After weeks in a hospital his bed felt like the closest thing to heaven.

Tony racked his mind trying to remember if he'd ever told Tim or anyone else for that matter about how his mother used to stroke his hair. But he highly doubted that he ever had. There had been a few times when he'd gotten a little drunk after a bad case and his memory was kinda hazy there – but then he'd probably have mouthed off about the case - not about his personal life. And that hug and stroking thing of his mother's had been the most precious memory of her that he had. It had always been a very private and personal thing for him. It had always been something that was just between him and his mom. Not even Senior knew about how his mom had stroked his hair before he went to sleep or when he'd had a nightmare.

And McGee had done it exactly the right way.

It didn't make sense for Probie to know how it was supposed to be done. McGee wasn't much into touching and hugging - well - except for Abby of course. It just wasn't something that he did. And suddenly giving Tony the exact right hug with the exact right hair thing - well it wasn't natural.

In the morning he'd get Tim some new shoes and he'd ask him about it. There was no way he was gonna be able to control his curiosity about the whole matter - and he had to know. But for right now - his bed was softer and more comfortable than any bed on the planet and he wasn't moving for anything. Tony closed his eyes hearing Gibbs dropping the bag with his hospital gear onto the floor and turn the heating up. Then Gibbs dropped a blanket over him and Tony slept.

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Tim was sitting up having a light breakfast when Tony arrived.

"How are you doing, McGee?" asked Tony dropping the shoe box into the cupboard with Tim's fresh change of clothes for when he got discharged.

"Feeling weak but better than last night," said Tim. "I can't believe how much time I've missed. The doctor said I was … "

Tony couldn't wait another second and interrupted. "McGee, remember yesterday morning when you woke up and asked for a hug?"

Tim stared at him, speechless with surprise for a moment. "I did not."

Tony frowned at him. "Of course you did, don't you remember? You woke up and asked me if you'd missed Christmas and then you said something about needing to give me something for Christmas because SHE said I needed it."

Tim was staring at him. "I did not. Wait. Is this a joke, Tony?"

"No Tim, it's NOT a joke!" spluttered Tony in frustration.

"What's not a joke," asked Ducky stepping into the room. "Good morning lads, you're looking much better today Timothy, by the way."

Tim shot Ducky a hesitant grin. "Tony seems to think I woke up yesterday morning, but I … I don't remember."

"Sure you remember, Tim. You asked me about Tucker and I told you that he was dead and buried courtesy of Gibbs and then I told you how hard Ducky's been working on the bones that were in the well and I said he'd found the remains of about nine people, and you told me twelve people - two women and the rest men and then you fell asleep but only for a minute or so and you told me you had to give me a Christmas present and then you gave me a hug and you ran your hand through my hair just like my mother used to do and you said and I quote: 'She said you need that." And then you fell back to sleep again. You've got to remember that, McGee." Tony was panting after the long speech but he looked at Tim anxiously.

Tim shook his head looking back at Tony with slight alarm written into his features, "Sorry Tony, I don't remember much of that – it's all sort of hazy."

"But you do remember some of it?" asked Tony hopefully.

"Curious," said Ducky softly.

Tim and Tony both looked at Ducky inquiringly.

"Well … . Interestingly enough. I've only just confirmed that there were indeed the remains of twelve people in the well – and two of them were female," Ducky paused to look curiously at Tim. "I haven't had the chance to inform Jethro as yet, let alone anyone else."

"Ahh hA!" said Tony, pointing at Ducky with both index fingers. "You see, Probie?"

Tim blinked in confusion. "I can barely remember opening my eyes at all, Tony. Mostly I remember Abby and Ziva visiting last night and that's it. I don't remember waking up in the morning at all."

"Hmmm," said Ducky thoughtfully. "Memory loss isn't unusual after traumatic injuries, but I have to say that it's really rather odd Timothy, considering how I've only just completed the bone sorting last night. "

"Seriously Ducky …" began Tim looking a little flustered. "Look, I can't remember waking up at all let alone giving Tony here a hug. I mean seriously – Tony's about the last person on Earth that I'd want to hug in the first place."

"Hey," protested Tony.

Ducky chuckled. "Anthony lad, don't get upset. The main thing is that you both survived. Given time, Timothy may remember more details but for right now it's best to leave it alone."

Tony stared at Tim intently but he could see that Tim really didn't remember any more. He sighed. "Well if McSnuggly can't even remember asking for a hug then what can I do about it?"

"You'd think I'd remember a traumatic event like that, wouldn't you?" grinned Tim.

Ducky chuckled again. "It is good to see the two of you back to your usual selves again lads."

Tony nodded his head slowly. One day Tim might remember more but for now … for right now, Tony had another precious memory which he had little doubt came curtesy of his mother. It made him feel warm inside to know that somewhere she was still watching over him and finding ways to connect with him.

Tony let the conversation wash over him as he thought about the hug. Christmas had been a special time for him as a child, but after his mother had died he'd never been able to get through a Christmas day without being sad and feeling her loss. The Christmas wish he had made every year since she had died had finally come true. Christmas was going to be a special day for him now even if Senior never turned up for it. In the meantime, he had a Probie to get back into field, and somehow he knew that he'd be treating Tim a little better now that he knew that Tim had connected with his long lost mother long enough for her to pass him a Christmas present.

All in all things were looking up. As soon as Tim was discharged he was going to arrange a belated Christmas celebration. He'd get the tree out and trim it. He'd do roast turkey and have the whole team over for the Christmas dinner they were supposed to have. He'd call Senior and tell him to come too. And every minute of it he'd remember his mom. It was going to be the best Christmas he'd had since she'd gone.

Tony grinned at Tim fondly. "So, are you gonna eat that toast or can I have it instead?"

THE END

I'm heading interstate for a month and wanted to finish the story before I left. Thanks very much to all the lovely people who took the time to post reviews for me. Happy Easter!

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