Epilogue

Two months later...

Jimmy's graduation party ended up being a full month late. First, there was a case. Then, there was another case. Then, there was yet another case. Each time, it was a case that took all their extra time. So they kept putting it off. Every time that happened, they all apologized profusely because, as Jimmy's graduation day receded further into the past, it was clear that this was not going to be nearly so timely as they had hoped it would. Since Jimmy was now a full-time assistant to Ducky, however, he was more than willing to accept a delay. He was working himself; so the fact that they couldn't have a party was fine. He couldn't have a party, either.

Still, the night finally arrived. Jimmy had already celebrated with his med school buddies. In fact, he had come to work looking a bit worse for the wear after whatever had happened at that particular party. He refused to give details, but he said that he'd be happy for something a bit lower-key. So they had dinner at a relatively-upscale restaurant, talking and laughing so much that they worried they might disturb some of the other diners, even though they were in a separate room.

Ducky and Gibbs came along to dinner, and it was probably the first time in months that there was absolutely no awkwardness, just a celebration of a friend's achievement. There were plenty of toasts to Jimmy's success but no one imbibed too deeply...because this was only the beginning of the party which they had intentionally scheduled for a Saturday night, knowing that they might want to...sleep in the next day.

After dinner, Ducky excused himself with a smile, saying that he was much too old for whatever they were going to do next. Gibbs did the same and there was a round of protests, and after an attempt to remain firm, the two older men agreed to go along.

"All right," Tony declared. "Off we go!"

"Where are we going now?" Jimmy asked.

Tony just grinned and headed out of the restaurant with everyone else in tow. Jimmy smiled at his girlfriend, Breena, and followed the crew.

It turned out to be less frightening that Jimmy had expected. It was a karaoke bar. They'd reserved a private room and the equipment was all set up. With the crew from NCIS, they had plenty of people to take turns singing and drinks all around. At around midnight, Tony declared that Tim and Abby were going to sing the duet "I've Had the Time of my Life" from Dirty Dancing and he invited them to do some dirty dancing of their own. Abby said Tony would have to pay them and Tim added that it would cost a thousand dollars...per minute. Tony pouted and allowed them to sing only. At 12:15, Jimmy and Breena were forced to sing "Unforgettable". At 12:30, Tim, Abby and Jimmy conspired and made Tony and Ziva sing "Summer Nights" from Grease. Tony got totally into it, acting out John Travolta's part while it took a good half of the song for Ziva to follow suit. By the end of the song, however, they were hamming it up big time. They tried to get Gibbs to sing, but he refused outright...but Ducky agreed, so long as it wasn't beneath his dignity. They got him singing John Denver's "Country Roads" and Ducky declared that nothing John Denver sang could possibly be beneath his dignity.

It was nearing two a.m. and things were winding down, but Tony, Tim, Abby and Ziva had planned on a big final number and they made everyone join in. Even Gibbs. Enough imbibing had been done by this point that not even the Gibbs stare could stop them.

The rousing, if not on-key sounds of "Celebration" rang throughout the restaurant.

After that, well, the party was pretty much over. Ducky noted that, based on the words, they should have sang the song at the beginning of the party, not at the end. Tony said that they hadn't been sure everyone would join in at the beginning, but they were positive they all would at the end. Ducky could concede that it was likely.

As they left, everyone congratulated Jimmy again. No one had drank themselves under the table by any means but most of the group were a bit tipsy. Tony and Abby were neck and neck in terms of the amount of alcohol consumed. Ziva and Jimmy were a bit behind them. Tim was more of a social drinker which worked well for getting Abby home. No one had wanted to drive. Tim and Abby got a taxi. Gibbs and Ducky decided to split a taxi. Ziva, Jimmy and Breena took the Metro and Tony had planned on walking but ended up taking a taxi by himself.

Tim got Abby safely home and into bed. They both fell asleep quickly, happy about the success of the evening.

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

Late Sunday morning...

Abby woke up, feeling a bit of a headache from the night before, but overall, it wasn't bad. She rolled over and saw that Tim was no longer in bed. She felt his side of the bed and it was cold. Tim had been up for a while, then.

What time is it?

Abby sat up in bed. Her mouth tasted awful. Before going downstairs, she decided to make herself slightly presentable.

As she was brushing her teeth, she smelled something from the kitchen. She smiled and headed out. At the top of the stairs she paused. Tim was at the bottom of the stairs just getting ready to come up.

"Morning," she said.

Tim stopped and smiled.

"I thought you'd still be asleep."

"I didn't drink that much."

"You ready for breakfast, then? ...or maybe brunch? It's after ten."

"Yeah, I'm ready. I'm surprised you didn't wake me up."

"You were pretty deep asleep. I kept Jethro out."

Abby realized that she was still standing at the top of the stairs. Tim wasn't rushing her at all. He just waited patiently for her to get moving. Abby walked down the stairs. At the last few steps, Tim held out his hand. Abby stared at him for a moment. He just grinned and wiggled his fingers. Abby took his hand and let him conduct her into the kitchen.

The little table was set rather elaborately.

"I smell pancakes."

"You do smell pancakes," Tim said. "Blueberry pancakes. I've been wanting to try this recipe out for a few days."

"And you decided to go all out?"

"Sure. Why not? Have a seat."

Tim pulled out the chair for her. She sat down and let him serve her.

"Don't worry," he said. "I tasted them first. They're not poisoned."

Abby laughed and got a forkful. She tried them.

"Delicious, Tim."

"Good. Third time's the charm."

Abby smiled and held out a forkful for him. Tim smiled and let her feed him a couple of bites. Then, they both fed themselves. After a little bit, Abby had a sudden thought, a comparison of moments.

"Tim?"

"Yeah?"

"I can't believe how much better this is now."

"Than?"

"Than that first morning when I was making breakfast, thinking it could make everything go away. I'm so glad that we're sitting here together."

"I'm glad, too, Abbs," Tim said. "I told you that first day...I chose you and, while I won't deny that there have been moments I regretted it in the last few months, I'm glad I didn't give up. I glad you didn't give up on me."

Abby scooted her chair around the table and pulled her plate around, too. She didn't say anything. She didn't need to. She knew that Tim understood. The difference was night and day. They couldn't have gone on the way they had been before, even if the infidelity hadn't occurred (and she still wished that wasn't what it had taken). They were better now than they'd ever been. They had more to go. Things weren't perfect, but they were happy together again. She leaned her head on Tim's shoulder. He kissed her gently.

They finished eating and then cleaned up the kitchen.

Together.

FINIS!