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Chapter Text

IN MOTION

Volume Three of the series Becoming Tim

From the last chapter of Reaping the Bounty:

Secretary Porter thanked Jimmy, Ducky, Nikki and James and then stopped when she came to Jethro. "I've heard so much about your team, been told I should count myself lucky that I haven't had to deal with some of the events that happened over the years. And yet I wish I had known your team, seen the four of you in action. Even though I wasn't in this position then, I remember reading about the cases you successfully closed, the number of bad people you took off the streets, the number of families you helped. You four," she shook her head, "I doubt there will be another team quite like yours. Certainly no one will ever break your closed case record!"

From there she segued to Tim, "And you, Timothy, are the flag bearer for your team. With the work you've done and will resume doing for the agency, I know you'll do your teammates proud. It's my honor to be here today to swear you in for what Leon says is the 6th time you've taken a federal oath, 5 times to positions at NCIS, including the night Freddie was in desperate need of your help in locating him and once as an Assistant Agent in Charge at the FBI."

She looked at the crowd, "If you'll gather around, I think a circle will be easier. Artemis, Jethro, Lu?"

The three of them came forward and Grandpa Jack handed the Gibbs family bible to Artie. With a smile, Artie handed it to Jethro and Lu. She and Tim had discussed it, deciding that it felt right to have Jethro and Lu, as his mentor, former boss and now father and the woman who'd been his mother since he was 9, stand with him, holding the bible.

The agency photographer, who, at their request, had not taken any photos of the family, was ready and started snapping shots without being too intrusive while the Secretary administered the oath to Timothy that would allow him to return to NCIS and his roots.

Shaking hands with her and then with Vance, Tim kissed his wife and parents and then grinned when Leon handed him his badge. Tim held it up, "Look, it's my badge, my old one!"

He smiled happily as he rubbed it with his fingers. "My NCIS badge!"

Vance smiled, "Welcome home, SAC-Special Agent Timothy Gibbs!"

And now:

January, 2014

Chapter 1: Returning to NCIS: SAC Timothy Jackson Gibbs

As their aircraft taxied down the runway a few days after Tim's swearing-in as the Senior Agent In Charge or SAC of the European Field Office and the party afterwards, Tim tried his best to relax. After five weeks in the US, with several notable events, the London and Marseilles branches of the family began their return flight to London after their stay at the large colonial rental house in Arlington, Virginia.

Trying to distract himself, he thought of the several happy events, in which he was not directly involved, that had happened since their arrival in Virginia in early December, 2013. He'd gained a nephew and a niece as his sister-in-law Charlotte, married to his brother Jose, gave birth to baby Tomas, followed by the arrival of brother Barry and his husband Ned Dorneget's second foster daughter, Ava.

Tomas and Ava were the last of eight children to join the Midei-Camilo-Mallard-Gibbs clan in 2013. The first to arrive, in May, were Tim and Artie's foster children Liam and Chloe whose adoptions would be final in April of 2014. Following the toddlers' arrival was Artie's sister Susannah and her husband Ian's son Alec, born in May. In turn, Alec was followed in August by Jimmy and Breena's son Donald,  promptly nicknamed Donnie. He in turn was followed by the birth of Tony and Maggie's 2nd daughter Madelyn in October, the arrival of Barry and Ned's younger foster daughter Naomi the same month and then in December, Joe and Charlotte's son Tomas, already nicknamed Tommy, made his first appearance and was followed by the Dorneget-Gibbs' second and older foster daughter Ava. With the arrival of four newborns and four foster children in one year, the large family's parents, grandparents and great-grandparents were still bragging about all of their progeny.

Tim smiled as he added Ziva's wedding to Brian Metzger the day after Christmas, a wonderfully joyous time for their Ziva and everyone who loved her. While Ziva's aunt Nettie hadn't been able to join them, with some help she'd viewed the recording of not only the wedding but the ceremony before, along with Ziva and her attendants' preparations, a Welcome to our Family message from Brian and his parents, another message from Ziva's chosen parents, Lu and Jethro, and of course the party afterward. The friend whose granddaughter set up the recording for Nettie and who watched with her reported that she cried happy tears throughout the viewing and was now making her own video, with help from the friend's granddaughter, for Ziva's new families as well as her new nephew-in-law Brian Metzger.

Having run through all the happy events, Tim's brain took him right back to his memories of the swearing-in ceremony and the reason for it. Although he was honored that Secretary Porter and Director Vance believed he was capable of managing the European Field Office in London, he was nervous and becoming more so by the minute.

For one thing, he'd been away from the agency for 6 years, longer than he'd been a field agent! The first two years, he'd taught university classes in California and worked part-time for the FBI. After he and Artie won a huge sum of money, he left the FBI, feeling he could not ethically take a salary when he and his love had enough money for multiple generations.

In the meantime, he had already accepted the university's offer of an 'exchange year' in the UK where he would teach the same courses he'd taught at Stanford and Artie, their infant twins Jackson and Ellanne and his parents would enjoy exploring the UK and Europe. Artie would also start her own engineering and architectural business, fulfilling one of her lifelong dreams. With their new wealth, after his exchange year was complete he and Artie decided to stay in the UK, along with his parents and several other members of their large family.

Aside from a brief stint as a temporary SAC while the official SAC was recuperating from an accident, Tim had been away from NCIS for 6 years. While he'd worked with the agency and the FBI for the better part of 2 years to cross-train their Field and Cyber Crime agents, he had done so as an independent consultant. Now all that had changed.

Six offices! He would have 6 offices to manage: London, Marseilles, Athens, Rota, Naples and the new satellite office in Hamburg, Germany. That meant at least 28 field agents, 8 Intel Analysts, 19 Cyber Crime agents, including their leads, who were classed the same as the Field Agent Team Leads, Senior Supervising Agents or SSAs, 6 office managers, along with management in London for the Intel Analysts, Medical Examiner(s), Forensics, Evidence, Information Technology, Security, Human Resources, the Legal Department, Accounting, Operations and any other departments he was sure he was forgetting!

Sighing in relief, he reminded himself of three things. One, each of the satellite offices had an SSA and an office manager or staff member who was the de facto office manager. None of his satellite office SSAs nor their office managers were new to the job nor did any of them have any problems in their records. The only agents new to the European offices were one SSA, two juniors, a senior and three probationary agents. From what Tim had heard here and there, most of the office managers had either been trained or heavily influenced by Kim Ellis, the office manager of NCIS: Athens and that was a very good thing.

Two, and Tim supposed it was really a continuation of one, was that the field, cybercrime and cold case agents certainly knew how to handle criminal cases and the office managers were experts at running their teams and handling all the administrative duties, although ultimately the SSAs reported to Tim and were responsible for their offices.

Three and perhaps the most important saving grace for Tim was that Cynthia Sumner Dalton, who 6 years ago had been Director Shepard's Executive Assistant, had agreed to return to NCIS as Tim's Administrative Assistant. That was a huge save after the Administrative Assistant to Agent Zhao, the preceding SAC, had also decided to retire.

Cynthia was already in London. At the time she'd been contacted, her husband Chaz Dalton, who worked in the tech industry, had been trying to decide between two job offers, including one in London. After some discussion, the couple accepted the offers in the UK. Their family moved overseas before Christmas, going straight to the Gibbs' home in Jaxton where they would housesit while the residents were away. They arrived before some of the family had departed for their Christmas in Virginia, much to the newcomers' relief. By the time the others left, the Dalton family knew where everything was and what things were different in the UK from what they were used to at home.

Two of Nikki's workmates were house-sitting the London townhouse for Tony and Maggie and had offered to help the Dalton family any way they could. The same friends were also visiting Nikki's comatose brother Eric, who'd been moved from the US to London when Nikki accepted the permanent Intel Analyst position after her temporary duty.

While Cynthia and her family were enjoying their stay in Jaxton, they were diligently searching for housing in the area, having decided they'd rather live in London's suburbs than in the City itself. It would be less expensive to take the tube or train into London to explore than it would be to actually live in it.

While they supposed it would be fun to live in London and to able to say they lived and worked in London, it was too late as they'd already fallen in love, both with Jaxton and another suburb of London, a market town called Brambury. The first time they visited the market town, they traveled by tube into London and then out to Brambury. For the second visit, they took one of the family's cars, with permission, and drove over.

Before he and Cynthia met, Chad had lived and worked in New Zealand for two years and now had no problem resurrecting his 'driving on the left' skills here in the UK. At first their children thought it was funny and then a bit scary. By their third or fourth outing, they were used to it. Cynthia promised herself she'd learn how to drive here although for now she had other priorities.

While the Gibbses were in Virginia, she emailed Tim that she, her husband and their children were thoroughly enjoying the indoor pool and the snowy back gardens. She'd started at the office the first business day after Christmas, shadowing the retiring Administrative Assistant.

Tim's thought now was that Cynthia would be very helpful, after all that was why he hired her. Beside him, Artie took his hand, murmuring that being nervous was really a good thing, it would drive him to be as ready as possible before he made his first appearance as the official SAC the following Monday. Smiling, he leaned in for a kiss, agreeing and then thanking her for her love and concern.

Retiring SAC Zhao had agreed to continue in her position this week, giving Tim the time he needed to recover from jet lag, a very busy autumn and early winter. As far as the retiring agent was concerned, she was more than happy to stay longer. After a last minute change of mind about her retirement destination, she'd scrambled to put a new plan together.

She'd already sold her home and was not excited about staying in a hotel while waiting for seat availability on a flight to her new destination, Australia. As it was in the Southern Hemisphere, where it was now summer, the country was a popular destination for people not fond of chilly winters in the UK.

She shouldn't have worried about where she'd stay before her flight as she was quickly offered one of the larger guest rooms in the Jaxton house until she was ready to leave. She would now leave the Saturday after the Gibbs' return, traveling to her new home on a government flight which meant she'd be more comfortable and secure.

Tim nodded to his wife and to himself, settling back in his seat. He'd forgotten that Zhao was staying at the house and wasn't leaving until Saturday. That should be enough time for her to share what had been her biggest concerns during her years as SAC of the Field Office, not to mention the thousand other questions Tim had. He winced, he'd better check his notes first as he and Zhao had already discussed the position and the offices several times.

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Finally landing at Luton airport's FBO near London, the group went through their usual Customs check before boarding the chartered bus. All too soon, they were waving goodbye to those who lived in London, Tony and his family were the last of the Londoners to leave the bus, and then the Jaxton residents began to gather their belongings, more than ready to be done with their trip!

Once at the house, the first order of business was to get the luggage to the right rooms. They had this down to a science, the process made easier with the addition of the elevator. No one was home but then they'd expected that. Special Agent Zhao, Cynthia and her husband Chaz were at work and their children at nursery or school. One of their 3 children was school age, Chaz's 8 year old nephew, and would be in class while the other two children were likely at the Jaxton nursery.

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The following Monday morning, Tim stepped out of the carriage and into the tube station nearest the NCIS office, walking a few steps before he stopped. Glad they were the last ones out for this stop, Nikki and James smiley-smirked at each other before giving their brother-in-law a slight nudge. Making a noise neither could interpret, he took a deep breath and began walking toward the exit.

It was a few blocks to the office and during the short walk Tim silently talked to whatever deity or power might be listening, asking that there be no big problems or nasty cases that week, for the rest of the month or, better yet, while he was the SAC.

For all his worries, his smile was genuine when they entered the lobby and saw a banner reading "Welcome Back to NCIS: London-Euro, SAC Gibbs!" hanging on the back wall of the reception area. He liked that, welcoming but not overly conspicuous. He especially liked the 'Welcome Back' part, that helped, remembering he'd handled the SAC responsibilities not so long ago, after Zhao's accident. Really, he should be fine.

Except he'd known that was temporary and this was permanent. He smiled to himself, permanent wasn't the right word. He and Artie had enough money to live comfortably without either of them working. Firmly ordering himself to stop being a 'worry wart', he was relieved when he remembered how to pronounce the receptionist's name, thanking her for the banner.

Nikki and James disappeared to their departments while he checked in with Security to make sure they didn't need anything more from him. From there, he took the elevator to his new office, promising himself he would use the stairs from now on.

The layout of the various departments was somewhat similar to NCIS Headquarters aboard the DC Navy Yard. The forensics lab, autopsy, holding cells and a security office were in the sub-basement, along with a small break room, every floor but the basement had a break room. Although on the same floor, the lab, autopsy and break room were securely separated from the holding cells and security.

The basement had the evidence lock-up and garage as well as the fitness center. While the London office didn't handle all of the lab work or autopsies for its satellite offices, they handled enough to keep the forensic techs, medical examiner and her assistant busy.

The fitness center was very popular with everyone, especially during the chilly winters. Tim planned to swim every day, either here in the fitness center or in their own indoor pool at home.

A few of the administrative offices were on the first floor up from the lobby: Human Resources (also known as Personnel), Accounting and the Operations departments along with two conference rooms, one inside the Human Resources Department and used exclusively by them, while the other was available to whoever needed them. The Mail room was also on that floor. Although the agency didn't get much paper mail these days, there was still enough to necessitate having a separate place to scan and sort it.

The second floor had a briefing room that was large enough for the entire NCIS London employee population. James' lair, the Information Technology Department, was on the same floor.

The 2 field teams, there was a Cold Case team here as well as a Field team, were on the third floor along with the onsite CCU agents. The Cyber Crime unit had 2 teams, 6 agents each, 1 lead, ranked as the equivalent of a Senior Field Agent, per team and one Cyber Crime SSA who was manager of both teams along with an additional 4 Cyber Crime agents stationed, one each, in the satellite offices, Marseille, Rota, Athens and Naples. The exception was the newest office in Hamburg, Germany. They didn't yet have their own CC agent and were assisted by either the Marseille CC agent or one of the agents in London. Although in general the CCUs didn't have separate teams for Cold Cases, they worked closely with the Cold Case team to resolve those cases.

After Tim's cross-training marathon two years ago, the CCU teams and the Cold Case teams had successfully closed more than 75% of NCIS' cold cases, some dating back as far as 30 years, while the FBI ran a close second, closing around 70% of their cold cases.

Although personal computers and computers in general weren't as sophisticated or as widespread in the 1970s and '80s as they were in 2014, many companies, especially financial institutions and hospitals, were already handling their financial data through computers and enough of it still existed to provide key evidence, either in decades old paper copies of the data runs or on 'ancient' hard drives that had never been purged or removed.

The third floor also had Interrogation, Observation, 3 conference rooms, a smaller version of the agency headquarters' MTAC, the Legal Department and the SAC's suite.

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Tim smiled as he walked into his new office. Although the suite here was smaller than the Director's suite aboard the Navy Yard, the setup was similar. Cynthia had the outer office while Tim's lair was inside another room, accessed through a single door leading into the SAC's office. Both offices had a large window in the back of the rooms, complete with thermal drapes.

Tim knew he'd worked in here while subbing for Zhao but didn't remember much. He did remember he deliberately hadn't met all of the staff or even toured the entire office as he hadn't wanted to look like he was settling in, taking over. Although truthfully he had avoided meeting everyone because he was afraid of being roped back into the agency. Now he huffed to himself, at least this was his choice!

His office had a desk, desk light, chair, a conference table large enough to seat 4 around it with overhead lighting, along with a floor lamp next to a small sofa that would seat 2 people and two guest chairs in front of his desk. Next to a blank wall where his artwork would eventually go, was a door that opened to reveal a small bathroom he'd forgotten about, complete with a shower, toilet, sink and closet. He was happy to see it all again, although once again amused at the shower he'd never use. The closet gave him someplace to hang his rain gear and he noticed a boot tray on the closet floor for wet footwear. There were also a few drawers in the cabinet with the sink and he thought he'd keep a few things here, toothbrush and paste, mouthwash, eye drops and possibly an extra shirt or sweater in case he spilled or the weather changed. He rolled his eyes at that thought, the weather on this island almost seemed to be an entity that delighted in keeping the professional forecasters on their toes.

He was pleased that the outer office also had a restroom discreetly tucked against a private conference room in the back of the outer office. When Tim noticed a full-sized sofa in there, Cynthia told him it was one with a pull-out bed.

He turned to her, "Any idea why we'd need one?"

She shrugged, "I don't know who would use it here but in DC there were times the director had visitors who needed tight security as well as a place to sleep for a few hours. Perhaps for an agent who worked undercover the safest place for them might be an NCIS field office or headquarters. Honestly, I believe the director sometimes slept in there. If she had a late meeting, for instance or she was too tired to go home or if it was late, she was tired and had an early morning meeting. There's a closet in both baths. "

He nodded, "That makes sense. And yes, I remembered the closet in the SAC's bath, huh, my bath. That will be better than throwing my overcoat over a chair and having muddy boots in the office."

Cynthia grinned, "My thoughts exactly! I plan to leave my good shoes, that is my office shoes, here and then I can wear walking shoes to and from the tube station and tuck them away during the day."

"Great idea!"

Deciding to unpack his desk later, Tim told Cynthia he was going to make the rounds, introducing himself to the staff. He'd already scheduled an online meeting with the entire staff of NCIS: Europe. That would take place in the large briefing room tomorrow morning with the satellite staff attending online but first he wanted to meet everyone here in person. He would also meet online with his satellite offices' team leads, the SSAs, this afternoon.

After checking his email, he walked downstairs to the lab, stopping at the closed door and pressing a buzzer for admittance. If there were dangerous chemicals or even noxious smells in there, no one but the lab staff, there were two of them as well as a part-time assistant, would be admitted. Today, he was buzzed in and he entered, greeting both scientists by name and when he asked, was told the part-time assistant generally worked in the afternoons.

When Tim revealed that he'd taught Forensics at university level, the two asked several questions, laughing when he told them how long he'd been away from any active forensic work at the time and the rush to be ahead of his university students that first semester.

He smiled when they asked if he'd ever met Abby Sciuto and again at their reactions, they were nearly awestruck, when he mentioned working with her. Refraining from rolling his eyes although Abby was certainly a star in the world of forensics, he decided not to mention she was part of his family. However, he did confess that he'd co-authored a book with her. One of them frowned, "I thought that was Sciuto and McGee and he was also a forensics geek and field agent. I remember that he said he was still a geek, a very proud geek."

Tim grinned, "And I am still very proud. Yes, I'm still a geek and yes, my name has changed."

"Wow!" The older of the two techs turned to a shelf, removing two books from it, "I know this isn't work, sir, but would you please sign them for me?"

"You mean autograph them?" Tim decided to ignore the 'sir' for now, to think about it later. He realized it was easier than saying "SAC Gibbs" and he'd been advised by two of his new peers that his first name was only to be used in private by his team leads and possibly his department heads. Still, he was uncomfortable being called 'sir'. When he remembered he was still 'Special Agent' Gibbs, he let go of his fear of turning into a bureaucrat.

The young woman nodded, "You and Abby Sciuto are two of the heroes of every forensic geek I've ever met and when you updated the first book, it again lit the fire under many of us. My friends and I were crushed when she had to leave her lab, that was awful."

Tim nodded, "It was and I'm thankful she's alive."

"Wow, I didn't know it was that bad! Does she like teaching?"

"Yes, she loves it, she's great at it and she's still able to spend a few hours a week in a lab at the University. Along with her classes, she tutors high school students in general science as well as forensics." He tilted his head with a grin, "She especially loves the regular hours."

Both smiled at that, they'd also love having regular hours. Rather than sign the books, Tim asked if he could borrow them and he thought the older one, the owner of the books, might faint, she was so excited. Putting them in an evidence bag, he left with them, intending to mail them to Abby for her signature, then he would add his and give them back to his lab tech.

He sent Abby an email later, saying that her fans wished her well and would love to have her autograph on the books he was sending her. He added that she might consider stopping into the lab here to say hello when she came to visit, which he hoped would happen in the next few months, perhaps before or after their annual trip to Greece.

Leaving the lab, he easily found the Autopsy suite, blinking as he entered. Although it was empty of people, dead or alive, it was so much like the one in DC that for a few seconds he expected to see Ducky and Jimmy hard at work and swallowed hard, feeling both sad and silly at being homesick for orange walls. Of course there were no orange walls in the Autopsy suite aboard the Navy Yard!

Diagnosing a flash of homesickness for his former team, he mentally gave himself a shake. He knew everyone was fine, he'd just spent weeks with them, and they were family now, acknowledged family. Looking around again, he blinked, firmly reminding himself that Ducky and Jimmy were all right, he'd just seen them. Right now, Ducky was either asleep in Georgetown or in Alexandria helping with his baby namesake. Jimmy, Breena and baby Donnie were also fine, hopefully getting some sleep.

He stood in the middle of the room knowing that he'd have to get used to this. The return to the agency was a return to his roots, home but not home. This was different. Although the physical setup was familiar, it was different and definitely not the Navy Yard, not even close.

Here and now he had a vastly different position within the agency, he shook his head at that thought, still in disbelief at his jump from a junior field agent/part-timer at the FBI to an SAC, a senior agent in charge of an entire Field Office, one with 5 satellite offices.

Most of the people here were new to him and he smiled, grateful that Nikki was here, one familiar face, along with James and Cynthia. No Ducky, no Jimmy, no Abby but then she had also left the Navy Yard, no Boss, Tony, Ziva or any of his friends, Rick, Jim, Balboa, Greene, Natalie, Dallas, Pringle or the others. With a sigh, he straightened his posture, squaring his shoulders and resolutely left Autopsy.

James looked up when his brother-in-law entered IT looking pensive, almost sad. When Tim caught sight of him, he smiled, again straightening his posture. James made a mental note to ask him later if something had happened.

Before he did that, he sent a message to Nikki who replied that she'd been downstairs and spotted Tim leaving Autopsy looking like he wanted to cry. She reminded James of his own surprise at how Headquarters was laid out, how similar it was to this office. She thought maybe that was happening with Tim, it was too much like being 'home' without the familiar people being there.

Nikki also reminded James of the circumstances surrounding Tim's departure from the agency. Although on paper the transfer to the FBI had been voluntary, everyone who knew the truth felt he'd been forced out. And even though Vance had apologized and done what he could to make up for his errors and was now on firm ground with Tim, it had still happened, there were no 'undo', 'delete' or 'back' keys to escape or erase human experiences.

All that made sense to James and he spent a little extra time introducing Tim to his staff, telling them a little more about their new boss and Tim a little more about his staff than he'd intended, wanting him to start to feel that this was also 'home'.

Finally leaving IT, Tim felt much better, making a mental note to thank James later. He made his way through the rest of the office, greeting people he'd met during his few weeks substituting for Zhao, nodding to those he was meeting for the first time. Although he thought he was doing better than he had in IT, the strong relief he felt when he saw Nikki told him he wasn't yet through his collywobbles.

He didn't shake hands with anyone. After various epidemics in the past few years, including a deadly global pandemic, discussing human immune systems with Nikki and remembering the warning he and Tony had seen online back in 2008, about not touching sea stars because human hands are so full of bacteria, he'd decided to forego hand shaking whenever possible.

Back in his office, he checked his email again before making a few phone calls. He had lunch out with his 3 SSAs, the leads of his field, cold case and cybercrime teams. That felt better. Although he didn't know them, he understood what they did and how they did it. After reviewing their recently closed cases he congratulated each for their diligence. Mentioning that he'd reviewed several cases from each team, he said he was impressed, although not surprised, by the smart work, especially the way the Cybercrime team and the Field teams, including the Cold Case team in that, worked together. Coming from a man who'd been on the top team in the agency and who had spent 2 years cross- training field and cybercrime agents, his words of praise meant a great deal to all three SSAs.

While Ethan Tyler, the SSA for the Cold Case Team, and Emma Carter, the SSA for the Cybercrime Unit, had about 18 months each in their positions, Chesni O'Brien, the Field Team SSA, had been in her position and in London for 4 years.

Tim made a mental note to speak with O'Brien about future plans. Not that he wanted to lose her but he did feel they should discuss her plans for the future. Her next step could be as an SSA for a satellite office. While the title was the same, a position like that would be a promotion with a raise in salary and could lead to an SAC position in one of the field offices, that is if she was interested.

They ate at one of Tim's favorite Greek restaurants in London. The food was delicious and he always enjoyed catching up with the owner, also the chef, and her staff. The three SSAs were a little startled when their new boss was welcomed in a language two of them had never heard while the third one had heard it before although she didn't understand any of it. Even more startling was that SAC Gibbs answered in what they assumed was the same language.

Once they sat and had menus, Tim grinned at them. "Have you ever had Greek food?"

Emma smiled, "Yes, when I was growing up the local Greek Orthodox church had an annual Greek festival and every year we tried something different. I've been to a few of the Greek places in London but hadn't been to this one yet!"

Ethan shook his head, "I've never had any Greek food that I know of. Can't wait to try some."

Chesni shrugged with a smile, "Only Greek yogurt, sorry!"

"Don't apologize, that counts and anyway, I look at this as an opportunity to introduce you to some of the best food I've ever had, and Emma, if you remember what you've had before you could try that here or something new. I've had just about everything on the menu, if not here, then at home. There are also other delicious selections if you prefer."

With a smile, Tim continued, "My wife is Greek, most of her family live in the Hellenic Republic and her uncle is a professional chef with his own restaurant, although it's in Italy, not Greece. So, yes, I speak and eat Greek as do our children and my parents, who live with us. My siblings, I have 11 of them, we're all adopted, speak Greek to some degree. Some of them live in the States and visit Greece every summer, as do we all, so they don't get much practice in during the rest of the year. The man most of us regard as our grandfather is now partners with my wife's Greek grandmother, so he speaks almost as fluently as I do. All right, how about we see what looks good to you?"

Going over the menu items, the quartet selected their meals. Emma asked Tim questions about a dish whose name she recognized and then decided to order something she hadn't had before while Ethan decided to stick with what his new boss was having. Like Emma, Chesni decided to try something very different from her usual choices, although everything but Greek yogurt would be new to her!

Tim had previously enjoyed the dish he ordered today, Yaya and Nik had each made it for the family. However, he'd never had anything he didn't like at this restaurant and decided to also try it here. As he recalled, he and Artie wanted to make it themselves and then possibly play around with the recipe a bit but they hadn't yet had time.

After a delicious lunch, all 3 SSAs and Tim genuinely enjoying their meals, the group returned to the office where the Cold Case team was waiting to tell Agent Tyler about a new lead on an old case. Tim, Emma and Chesni stayed to hear the news and then Agent Carter called her two lead agents to join them while Agent O'Brien had her team join the others as they'd need several field agents on this. Tim quietly left for his office, smiling the entire way.

Next up was his online chat with his satellite SSAs, a call he was looking forward to with pleasure. Chesni, Emma and Ethan would normally have been included but the new hot lead on the old case took precedence for them and their teams.

He knew all of his remote SSAs, some better than others: Pete Russell for Athens, Stan Burley, a former Gibbs team member, for Rota, Jessica Knight for Naples, Roger Martinez for the newly opened Hamburg office and Tim's brother-in-law Ned Dorneget for Marseille. He'd spent many happy hours on the beaches of Greece with Pete, had also met Roger at a couple of Pete's beach parties, along with several phone conversations with him while he was filling in for Zhao and of course had known Ned since his brother-in-law was a probie.

Knight was fairly new to her current post. Previously she'd been a member of NCIS' REACT, that is, the Regional Enforcement Action Capabilities Team. In the aftermath of the murder of her team and catching the killer, she was relieved to be offered the SSA position in the Naples satellite office. She needed to do something different and wanted to work in an environment where she wouldn't be reminded every day of her lost teammates and friends.

Tim had met Knight three times before her transfer, the first time through MTAC and phone only, the second and third times in person. That first time, she was part of the same REACT group who were subsequently killed. During the case that the MCRT worked with REACT, Gibbs, DiNozzo and David were in the field while McGee anchored the team, working the electronics from the office.

The second meeting was at his dad's retirement party where he'd been surprised Knight remembered him. The third time was shortly after her arrival in Italy, months before Tim assumed the SAC spot in London.

That meeting occurred during a short vacation visit to Sorrento, Italy, home of Artie's uncle Nik, his partner Sergio and their daughters Katerina and Damaris, in 2013. He, Artie and the children flew into Naples, taking the train to Sorrento where they stayed in an Airbnb within walking distance of their uncles' home. The day after their arrival, they had a tour of the island of Capri, which was interesting, including a boat tour of the Blue Grotto. Both evenings, they had dinner at Belle Figlie, Nik and Sergio's restaurant. The next day the children were tired so the family, including their cousins Katerina and Damaris, decided to spend the day at a beach. As Sorrento sits on the top of a cliff, the beaches take a little effort to get to but they managed, even as far as finding one of the few sandy beaches in the area. It was quite beautiful and after Tim checked for holes and rip tides, all of the children had a wonderful time playing in the water. They had a fun and very relaxing day.

That evening, a Friday, the visitors returned to Belle Figlie, although a little earlier than the previous visits as the children were now tired from their day in the sun. The family enjoyed another delicious dinner at Nik and Sergio's restaurant, trying a different entrée on each visit. On this visit, their third, a woman eating by herself looked over at Tim a few times, finally rolling her eyes, giving him an apologetic smile and discreetly showing her badge.

Surprised, Tim smiled and nodded, telling Artie who she was, Jessica Knight, the new SSA for the Naples office. As the newly designated future SAC of the NCIS European Field Office, he'd been involved in the selection of a new SSA for the office and was quite happy to agree with Zhao who wanted to offer Knight the position.

When the agent accepted the job, Tim was pleased for her, thinking a new team would be good for her and for himself as her acceptance meant that he would know all of the satellite offices' Team Leads when he assumed Zhao's responsibilities.

That night at the restaurant, after finishing her delicious meal, Artemis excused herself from the table, walking over to the woman with the badge, introducing herself and inviting her to join them when she finished her meal, for dessert and an after-dinner beverage. Sergio, Nik and the girls eventually joined them, warmly welcoming Tim's colleague to Italy, Sorrento and the Sorrentine Peninsula. Sergio made sure she had their cell numbers if she should need anything, that is anything that wasn't agency related. Jessica, Tim and Artie chuckled when Nik added that caveat. Artie also added her contact information, telling her she knew what it was like to be new to a country and being homesick.

Leaving the restaurant that evening, Jessica thought the chance encounter with Timothy Gibbs, formerly a member of NCIS' celebrated MCRT, his family and extended family gave her a strange but very welcome feeling of being at home. Now she knew people here in addition to her team and the JAG staff next door to them. She'd been indecisive about where to live but within a few days chose an apartment home with the drive to Naples a few minutes under the agency rule of being no more than 1 hour from the office, and about 25 minutes from Sorrento.

Seeing Jess, as he'd been asked to call her, on screen with the others now, Tim nodded happily to her. From everything he'd seen and heard, she was doing very well leading the team and the office. The team's results showed much improvement and the overall morale of the office had greatly improved.

When he first looked at the records for the Naples office, he'd been surprised to find a note directing whoever was reviewing that office to a paper file in the 2nd drawer on one side of the SAC's desk. Remembering that the drawer was set up to hold Zhao's' most pernicious problems, Tim winced at the bulky manila folder titled 'NAPLES'.

Inside was a stack of paper, he estimated at least 50 pages, with various notes, copies of reports and Zhao's own thoughts. Toward the middle of the volume of paper, he read a note written to Zhao by a Marine Colonel at the JAG office that shared quarters with the NCIS office in Naples, telling her things were much better.

Stapled to the back of that document was an older note from the same officer, telling Zhao that the NCIS lead in Naples was not, in the opinion of the officer, doing his job, morale was very low, that despite several crimes involving either Navy or Marine personnel, no suspects had been interrogated in weeks, reminding the SAC that the Interrogation and Observation rooms were shared between JAG and NCIS. When Tim read that, he made a mental note that he needed to visit each of his offices in the next few months. While he didn't expect to uncover any office secrets, he believed he was a good enough judge of character and body language to get a feel for the atmosphere of an office.

At the very front of the bulky packet were copies of forms for retirement, an early one judging by the man's birth year, with an itinerary dated a week before Knight's arrival. Tim noted that the retirement form itself was signed and dated by Zhao the day before Knight agreed to retire. The itinerary included a military flight from Naples, Italy, to Joint Base Anacostia Bolling, there were copies of a voucher for vehicle transport from JBAB to Reagan National Airport and another for an e-ticket for a flight from Reagan to Kansas City International, Kansas, with the final destination listed as Wichita, Kansas.

Tim winced, whatever he'd done or hadn't done, the man would have had plenty of time to think about it on his long journey home. Tim had heard horror stories of government employees being terminated from employment with prejudice, meaning they forfeited all their benefits, including their pension. As this was an early retirement and not a termination, the former SSA should be all right. Whatever had happened, apparently there was enough 'wiggle room' for Zhao to have him take an early retirement, with transportation home. There was a note from Zhao that the SFA from the Athens office had served as temporary SSA of the Naples office until Knight's arrival. To Tim, that indicated the SFA was ready for promotion and he made a note on his phone to ask Pete Russell about that.

Putting that aside to look at the current reports, Tim saw that since the new SSA's arrival the field team had arrested the culprits in the three cases they'd handled, along with 2 additional suspects from older cases, 'pre-Knight'. That was great news and he mentioned the recent arrests during his SSA call, congratulating Knight and her team for quickly getting back in order.

What Tim thought he appreciated most of all were the welcoming calls and messages Jess told them about while they were at the restaurant in Sorrento. She'd had calls from all her fellow SSAs, Pete, Roger, Stan, Ned, Chesni, Emma and Ethan. Each had reached out to her on their own, welcoming her to NCIS: Europe and to the life of an expat American.

At the table that night at the restaurant, she'd laughed, telling them that she'd told her callers she'd lived much of her childhood in Asia where her father, also employed by NCIS, was stationed, and it had taken her some time to stop thinking of herself as an expat while she was working in the US. During his call that first day, Tim saw she was already a solid member of the European team and that she would do very well here.

Oddly enough, of all the SSAs on the call that afternoon, it was Stan Burley, the man who'd spent 5 years working for Gibbs, that Tim didn't know very well. While he'd worked a case or two with the MCRT during Tim's time on the team, DiNozzo and David were the ones who'd been in the field or aboard ship with him while Tim worked from the Navy Yard.

Now, when they were all online, he smiled, "Good afternoon, it's great to see you all, I'm happy almost everyone could make it. Special Agent Tyler and his team are hot on the trail of new leads for a complex cold case; Special Agent O'Brien, her team and Cybercrimes SSA Carter and her teams are assisting as there is a lot of information to organize, decipher and track to the sources, physically and in cyber space. This just broke a few minutes ago and we're pretty excited about it!

"I'm certainly aware that all of you know who I am, some of us know each other fairly well. However, to satisfy protocol I am Special Agent Timothy Gibbs, formerly known as Special Agent Timothy McGee. My previous NCIS team was led by now retired Leroy Jethro Gibbs. After the team was scattered in 2008, with only Tony DiNozzo remaining at the agency, Gibbs married my mother and adopted my siblings and me. We all took his surname in one form or another. There are 12 of us, 10 of us adopted first by our mother while the other two chose to be part of the family without being formally adopted. None of us share DNA.

"Amongst the 12, at the moment there are 12 grandchildren. And yes, as you're also aware, 1 of my siblings and 3 of my in-laws also work for NCIS." He paused to smile at Ned, who returned the smile. "I'm proud to say that Ned is one of them. I'll also mention Jimmy, Nikki, James and Ned when we have our NCIS: Europe briefing tomorrow. Oops!" He grinned.

Most of the others smiled at his intentional 'slip' while Burley was quietly shocked. He and his wife had attended 'Boss's' retirement party, where he'd been surprised to discover Boss had married again and had seemingly become 'Dad' to his entire team. The videos and stories had been eye openers and on some level he wished he'd taken the opportunity to reestablish communications with Boss. However, after the party and their return home, he'd once again forgotten about Gibbs and his retirement.

Although he vaguely remembered that Gibbs' MCRT Lead replacement had been introduced, he'd forgotten the name until he'd seen something in Stars and Stripes that Gibbs' replacement had moved up and there was another new SSA for the MCRT at agency headquarters, someone he'd never heard of. Of course, he'd been in Spain for several years and other than calls with his peers, his former boss SAC Zhao and now his new boss, SAC Timothy Gibbs, he and his wife felt more like citizens of Spain than of the US. They had decided to stay in Spain after he retired, hoping to become citizens of the country.

Burley resumed listening, catching up as his new boss told them a few of his plans for all of them, plans which he thanked Russell, Martinez, Dorneget and Knight for helping him develop. Stan didn't wonder why he hadn't been consulted. Although he and his team proudly served the Navy and Marine Corps in Europe, he'd always been a bit of a loner and as such rarely joined in, except for the monthly calls with his fellow SSAs, or joined his peers for their twice yearly gatherings. On those occasions, the other SSAs would meet for a weekend, with their spouses and children, leaving their senior agents to handle things and gain more management experience. He and his wife had gone to two of those weekends but while Patricia enjoyed herself, Stan spent both weekends worrying about his team and some big disaster he was sure would happen, although nothing did. Still, he and his team were close and he held onto that. Now, as he listened to his new boss, he admitted he was curious about the man and what seemed to be a very large family.

*************************************************************

CANON CHARACTERS:

Timothy McGee, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Tony DiNozzo, Ziva David, Abby Sciuto, Donald 'Ducky' Mallard, Jimmy Palmer, Breena Slater Palmer, Victoria Palmer, Nikki Jardine, Eric Jardine, D'Arcy McKinna (child advocate), Ned Dorneget, Tobias Fornell, Emily Fornell, Ron Sacks (FBI), Sarah McGee, Leon Vance, Jackie Vance, Kayla and Jared Vance, Secretary of the Navy Davenport, Secretary of the Navy Sarah Porter, Special Agent Stan Burley, Sandy (MTAC), Henry (Security), Balboa (NCIS Agent), Jackson Gibbs, LJ Moore, Courtney Krieger (FBI), Dallas Smit, Pringle (both Dallas and Pringle are from "Last Man Standing", S6 ep 1,), Pamela Cook, Cynthia Sumner, Jerome Craig (Assistant Director, NCIS), Cassie Yates, Richard Owens (S1, Ep 5, "The Curse"), Jessica Knight (current member of the show's MCRT), Nick Torres (current member of the show's MCRT), Luka Sciuto (Abby's brother) and Kyle Davis (also Abby's brother).

Note: Tim now uses Gibbs as his surname at the agency, although there will also be references to Timothy McGee. His legal surname is now Camilo-Gibbs. He uses his wife's patronymic surname Midei whenever they travel, to keep his identity as a federal agent as quiet as possible.

Major (in the story) Canon Characters:

Timothy Jackson Camilo-Gibbs: Formerly known as Timothy McGee, Tim is happily married to the love of his life, OC Artemis (Artie) Christina Midei, is the adopted son of his former boss Leroy Jethro Gibbs and of course the woman, Luella Rose Camilo Gibbs, who has for all intents and purposes been his mother since he was 9 years old. Tim and Artie have four wonderful, energetic, loving children: twins Jackson and Ellanni, born in early February of 2010 and Liam and Chloe, siblings who were first fostered and then adopted by Tim and Artie in 2013. Liam was born in December of 2010, nearly a year younger than the twins, he had his 3rd birthday in the last chapter of Reaping the Bounty. Chloe was born in April of 2011 and will be 3 in 2014, a couple of months after the twins' 4th birthdays.

Sarah Gibbs-Powell: Tim's canon sister, married to OC James Powell; raised by Tim, adopted by Lu and then Jethro. If Sarah and James decide to have children, the list will be updated. Sarah moved to London to obtain her master's, met James and never left. She is now a best-selling author and a wonderful aunty to her nieces and nephews. She also loves her life as a wife, lover, aunty and daughter to two mothers and three fathers, as her adoptive mother Malu and her mother-in-law Edie Powell guide her and Timpa, Dad Gibbs and father-in-law George Powell are always there to help.

Ziva David Metzger: 'chosen' sister and daughter of the Gibbs' clan. Married to OC Brian Metzger in the last chapter of Reaping the Bounty. Brian's parents are Ben and Julie Metzger, first introduced in The Common Thread. Ziva has decided to wait to be adopted until she is a U.S. citizen, wary of what her (still-alive) father might do if she legally becomes Lu and Jethro's daughter before then. Until that happens, she remains a much loved 'chosen' daughter and sibling, granddaughter, friend and aunty in the family. Ziva and Brian live in New York City, where he works at the United Nations and she teaches and manages a ballet studio owned by her cousin.

Tony Barnes-Gibbs: formerly known as Tony DiNozzo, Jr. now adopted by Jethro and Lu Gibbs. Married to OC Maggie Barnes-Gibbs, father of OC McKenna Barnes-Gibbs and Madelyn Barnes-Gibbs and son-in-law of OC (Ret.) Colonel Dick 'Papi' Barnes. Tony is now a senior officer in his family's business, Paddington North Sea Oil. He, Maggie, their daughters and Tony's father-in-law, Dick Barnes, live in London in a Georgian era townhouse he inherited from his late mother's family. Maggie Barnes and her father were first introduced in Finding Home, and were also in The Common Thread and the Serendipity series.

Jimmy (Palmer) Camilo-Mallard: adopted son of Lu Gibbs and also of Ducky Mallard after Ducky retired. Married to Breena Slater Palmer, now known as Breena Camilo-Mallard. Jimmy is the father of OC child Donald Geoffrey Palmer-Mallard and eventually canon child Victoria (who will have a different middle name) Palmer-Mallard. Also son-in-law of canon Ed Slater and OC Ginny Slater; Ginny and Donnie were introduced in the Serendipity series.

Abby Sciuto: partner of Freddie Camilo Gibbs, aunt of Menolly Sciuto, who lives with Abby and Freddie. Although Abby doesn't want to be adopted, she is a much loved 'chosen' daughter, sibling, granddaughter, aunty and friend in the family and extended family. After going through a horribly painful and frightening experience, she's rebounded fairly well, taking the initiative when she realized she wouldn't be able to return to her beloved lab due to new physical constraints. Although she misses her lab and NCIS in general, she's happy in her life with Freddie, her new work and having regular hours. When her niece Menolly, daughter of canon character Luka Sciuto, is accepted to a specialized program at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, the young teen moves in with Abby and Freddie.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: now Dad to his former team and several others, he's very happy with his life and loves. No longer the angry, bitter, sometimes rude or abrupt man he once was, he smiles, laughs and amazingly enough, speaks a lot more than during his NCIS days. He's very affectionate with his 'kids' and grandchildren. He's happy and deeply in love with his wife.

Donald 'Ducky' Mallard: Now retired, Ducky's life has also changed since 2008. He is now legally father to Jimmy, father-in-law to Breena and grandfather to their child as well as Tim, Tony and Nikki's children. On top of that, he's finally found his true love, Tim's grandmother-in-law, Athena Midei. While the couple spend as much time together as possible, they also want to spend time with their children and grandchildren. Ducky visits his Scottish family, cousins, every year and Athena frequently joins him.

Nikki Jardine-Gibbs: Now married to Tim's OC brother Bill and mother to young Jasper who is nearly 2 years old as our story begins, Nikki is happier and more satisfied with her life than she's ever been. She's pleased that her new family, her in-laws, are as careful with her somewhat precarious health as her husband and enjoys living in Jaxton with her new family. She's become good friends with her sibling in-laws and her mother-in-law. She's even grown close to her father-in-law, the former Agent-to-be-avoided-whenever-possible Gibbs and the former 'Frat Boy DiNozzo', now a trusted friend and family member. All of that constantly amazes her. While her brother Eric's condition hasn't changed, he is still comatose, she is very pleased that her new family visits him at his hospital in London, reading or just talking to him.

Leon Vance: although Leon made some serious mistakes at the beginning of this series, he has apologized and made things as right as he could. By the time he returned from his jaunt with Secretary Davenport and realized what a mess he'd made, our team had moved on although they eventually became an even stronger family. By the end of Reaping the Bounty, Leon is in everyone's good graces, has successfully worked with Consultant Tim, managing to lure him back to the agency after 6 years away, has established a strong, positive reputation for the agency and himself in DC and considers both Tim and Jethro close friends. Leon, Jackie, Kayla and Jared see the ever expanding family of Gibbses, in-laws, children, cousins, extended family and friends every summer in Greece and by now are considered part of the extended family.

Jackson Gibbs: the elderly man is full of life, happy to be reconciled with his son after too many years. While they work things out, they continue to grow closer. Jack has also reconciled with his best friend LJ Moore and that relationship also makes him happy. He loves his new grandchildren and their partners and best of all, all their babies, his great-grandchildren!

LJ Moore: in The Common Thread, I established LJ as Leroy Jethro's godfather and I've continued that in this series. LJ and Jackson have moved beyond their years of angry separation, possibly initiated by the long illness and death of Jethro's mother Anne, and have re-established their friendship. Uncle LJ lives with the gang in Jaxton, visiting his own family members in the US during visits there. LJ is now firmly entrenched within the Gibbs family and is much loved by Jethro, Lu, the adult children and all the littles.

Original Characters:

Luella Rose Camilo Gibbs, aka Malu: Tim, Sarah, Tony and Jimmy's adopted mother, Jethro's wife, grandmother to Tim, Sarah, Tony and Jimmy's biological and adopted/foster children as well as those of the OC characters and Tim's OC sister-in-law Susannah's children. Former manager of the 59th Street Homeless Shelter.

Bill Camilo Jardine-Gibbs: Adopted son of Lu and Jethro, was formerly the eldest of the Baltimore bunch and the eldest sibling of Lu's kids until Tony and Abby joined the family. He's a Master carpenter; married to canon character Nikki Jardine and father of 20 month old Jasper, a special needs infant and baby who is now catching up with his age peers.

Geordie Camilo-Gibbs: Adopted son of Lu and Jethro, brother to all their kids. A Marine officer married to OC Bec Childers. Now in the reserves, Geo has earned his PhD, allowing him to teach at college and university levels. He's currently working at a University in London while his wife is a visiting professor in the UK.

Barry Camilo Dorneget-Gibbs: Adopted son of Lu and Jethro, brother to all their kids, a former Detective Sergeant for the Baltimore Police Department, married to very much alive canon character Ned Dorneget.

Freddie Camilo-Gibbs: Adopted son of Lu and Jethro, brother to all (except Abby), master plumber, business partner of Jose Maier-Gibbs; partner of canon character Abby Sciuto. While Freddie has been very reserved for most of his life, his relationship with Abby, having a dad and the love and support of not just one but two parents and his siblings, he is beginning open up, at least to his family.

Jose/Joe Maier-Gibbs: Adopted son of Lu and Jethro, brother to all their kids. Master plumber and business partner of Freddie Camilo-Gibbs. Joe is now married to OC Charlotte Howe who is cousin to OC Bec Childers, wife of Tim's OC Geordie and niece of Bec's OC father Ben Childers. Joe's mother was Peruvian and his father Swiss. He is one of the two boys originally adopted by Lu who remember their parents, Geo is the other one. Since his marriage to Charlotte, the pair have reconnected with Joe's Swiss birth family. They now have a son, Tomas, nickname Tommy, the last of the 2013 babies to be born.

Rob Camilo Gibbs, MD: Adopted son of Lu and Jethro, brother to all their kids and the youngest of the whole bunch. Along with Sarah, he was raised by Tim. He still relies on his Timpa and has also become closer to his new dad. Although Rob is incredibly busy with medical school and residency, he keeps up with his family as best he can. It's said within the family that if Rob sits in one place for more than 3 minutes, he'll fall asleep.

Jethro's Family:

Luella Rose Camilo Gibbs: Jethro's wife, mother to Tim, Sarah, Tony, Jimmy and all their siblings (see above) and grandmother to their children, see above under Tim, Jimmy and Tony's and the OCs' families, while Jethro is a very happy grandfather;

Jackson Gibbs: Jethro's father, grandfather to Tim, Tony, Jimmy, Ziva and Abby and their OC siblings, great-grandfather to all the children in the family.

Cousin Richard Baxter: Jethro's mother Anne's nephew. Richard's family includes his daughter Tricia, grandson Doug, Doug's wife Kat and their children.

Mac Fielding: Shannon's father, Kelly's grandfather, 'Grandpa Mac'. Although Mac has never physically been introduced on the show, he is mentioned as Shannon Fielding Gibbs' father and Joann Fielding's ex-husband in the episode "Mother's Day";

LJ Moore: dear friend of Jackson Gibbs (the elder), godfather to his namesake Leroy Jethro Gibbs. He is LJ to 'Junior' and Lu as well as 'Uncle LJ' to the rest of the clan. Although LJ's death was mentioned on the show, he lives on here.

Children: see above for all 12 of them.

Ducky's Family:

Jimmy (Palmer) Camilo-Mallard, adopted by Ducky after his retirement. Jimmy's wife is Breena Camilo-Mallard, children Donnie (Donald) and (future) Victoria. Jimmy is also the adopted son of Luella Gibbs and thus brother to Tim, Sarah, Tony and the OC siblings. He is also considered as such by Ziva and Abby.

Ducky's Cousins: Ducky's deceased canon mother Victoria's fictitious maiden name is Quillan; her nieces and nephews, Ducky's first cousins, are twins Archie and Adair Quillan and twins Morag Quillan Buchanan and Una Quillan Murray. Other cousins are Gaven and Sloane Mallard, Ray Buchanan and Ewan Buchanan (married to Morag) and all the next generation(s) of (mostly nameless) offspring. The only ones who are featured here are Archie and Morag. I'm really including all the cousin's names here so I'll be able to find them again! Also, I established in Finding Home that Ducky's French Mallard ancestor emigrated to Scotland to marry 'a lass' in the Buchanan clan. I'm sticking with that in this story and a possible stand-alone future story.

Artemis' family:

Susannah Midei: Artie's sister; Ian Clacher, her husband; children are Alec and (future child) Danae. Alastair and Fiona Clacher are Ian's parents, first introduced in The Common Thread. Susannah is also featured in Notes in the Key of Life and Ian is mentioned there as well.

Athena Midei: also known as Yaya and Mimi, mother to Artemis and Susannah's mother Sophia as well as to Nikolas and Gaia. She is also grandmother to Artemis, Susannah, Katerina, Damaris, Cassie and Matthaíos; partner of Donald 'Ducky' Mallard; first introduced in The Common Thread. In practice, Athena is 'Yaya' or 'Mimi' to all the children and young adults as well as the adults of Artie and Susannah's generation, including Tim, Ian, Tony, Jimmy and all the Gibbs' siblings. She is Athena to Donald (Ducky), Jethro, Lu, the Porters, the senior Powells, Clachers, Peter Lekkas (see below), his wife Rhode Elytis and to her friends.

Nikolas and Sergio Costas, Artie and Susannah's uncles. Nikolas is Athena's oldest child and only son. Sergio is Nikolas' partner while Katerina and Damaris are Nik and Sergio's adopted daughters; they were first introduced in The Common Thread.

Gaia Costas and Theo Caras: Artemis and Susannah's maternal aunt and her husband Theo. Their children are the 'older' twins Cassie and Matthaíos; first introduced in The Common Thread.

Peter Lekkas: biological father of Artemis and Susannah. Peter is married to Rhode Elytis (known as Yaya Rhode to Peter and Jethro's grandchildren). They have four children, in age order they are: Maris, Egan, Milos and Amara.  Peter's parents/Artemis and Susannah's paternal grandparents will be introduced in this series. They are Galen Lekkas and Katarin Florakis, who live on the island of Crete. Peter and Rhode were first introduced in The Common Thread.

Sophia Costas and Kosmos Galanis: Artemis and Susannah's estranged mother and stepfather; introduced in The Common Thread.  Sophia appeared in Reaping the Bounty, (angry woman in the park in Denmark), she will be back, although she's left Kosmos, has reformed and is now a loving person. Kosmos is only mentioned in the series.

Lu's birth family:

Walt and Rudy Camilo: Lu's older brothers, unnamed wives. Seen only at Jethro and Lu's wedding. May turn up later but only as background characters. Otherwise, they are ONE and DONE OCs.

(Ret.) Colonel Charlie Camilo: Lu's brother, closest to her in age, a retired Marine Colonel and a widower. Uncle Charlie lives with the gang in Jaxton, travels with Tim and family to New Mexico, his former home and may form a relationship with Tricia Baxter, an OC cousin of Jethro's.

Others:

Maggie Barnes-Gibbs: Tony's wife, a Marine Captain now in the reserves; first introduced in Finding Home, also appeared in the Serendipity series, The Common Thread and Notes in the Key of Life.

Colonel Richard Barnes: Maggie's father, a retired Marine Colonel; first introduced in Finding Home, also appeared in the Serendipity series and The Common Thread and possibly Notes in the Key of Life. Papi to his grandchildren and their cousins, occasionally referred to as 'Uncle Papi'.

Larry and Cyndie Porter: friends and mentors of Tim from MIT, now at Stanford University; they first appeared in The Common Thread and were mentioned in Fallout in the Serendipity series.

Biros-Santos: Artemis' legal guardians when she started at MIT at age 16; first appeared in The Common Thread (T&A's wedding); mentioned in Fallout in the Serendipity series.

Donovans: Professors and mentors from MIT; first appeared in The Common Thread (wedding); mentioned in Fallout in the Serendipity series.

Mrs. Ferguson: a native of Canada (per a discussion of Thanksgiving in one of my stories), the now deceased woman was the landlady of Tim, Rob and Sarah while Tim was at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her deceased professor husband had a huge library within their home. That library (and the rest of the house) became the home of the three McGees. When she died, the trio were shocked to find that Mrs. F, as they lovingly refer to her, willed her home to them. When the trio lived with her, she helped Tim with the children, also working with the Porters, the Biros-Santos, the Donovans and others to help Tim.

James Powell: Sarah's husband and father of any future children. His parents are George and Edith (Edie) Powell. James was first introduced in The Project, and is featured many times in Finding Home and The Common Thread. He is one of the 5 'extra-tall' men in the family: Bill, Rob, James, Ned and Ian. His parents are also frequently included as part of the larger family and good friends of Lu and Jethro. While George and Edith are OCs here, they were real people, friends of my parents, who met them on a tour of Europe, followed by many years of friendship along with several visits back and forth. I met them on their visits to the US and stayed with them in their hometown of Castleton during one of my treks to the UK. Note that in reality George, Edie's husband, was actually named James, called Jim. I think I'd already introduced Sarah's British boyfriend as James Powell before I brought his parents into the story (probably in Finding Home) and didn't want to make boyfriend James a 'Junior'.

Bec Childers Gibbs: Geordie's wife, a former Navy Captain, now a professor of Environmental Botany. First introduced in Finding Home, Bec also appeared in The Common Thread and the Serendipity series.

Ben Childers: Bec's father, Geordie's father-in-law and uncle of Charlotte Howe (see below). First mentioned in Finding Home at Geordie and Bec's wedding at the Big House in Virginia, first featured in The Common Thread. In this series, he's been divorced from Bec's mother for years and Bec has been estranged from her since leaving home after graduation from high school. The former Mrs. Childers does not appear in this series.

Charlotte Howe: Bec's cousin, Ben's niece, as well as the OC girlfriend and eventual wife of OC Jose (Joe) Maier-Gibbs and mother of little OC Tomas, one of the 2013 babies. Char (pronounced Shar) was first introduced in Finding Home and was also featured in The Common Thread.

Gail Tehama Fornell: the OC mother of Emily's OC best friend Pauley, eventually the wife of Tobias Fornell.

Lloyd Davis: NEW OC, Husband of child advocate/social worker D'Arcy McKinna.

Henry Sailes: Director, FBI; first featured in The Common Thread.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officer Ted Becker: NEW OC: Tim's friend and his first and last guest speaker for his Stanford Practical Application of Criminal Justice classes. Also has Tim's Porsche Boxster in storage at his home in California. From Professor McGee, with additional mentions in Reaping the Bounty.

Lawrence Callaway: OC Assistant director, FBI, Fornell's immediate superior; mentioned and featured in the last story of the At What Price series: What the Heck Happened?.

Bucky Fuller: OC FBI IT Expert, the only IT or Technical person from the Hoover Building that Tim's ever worked with. He's been mentioned in a few of my stories.

Tim's FBI Team: Ron Sacks, Kourtney Krieger, Liz, Kay, Dai, Hector, Saul Ng, Matt, Baris, Kim, Rami, Mal. Except for canon characters Ron Sacks and Kourtney Krieger, these are probably one and done OCs. I think Kourtney and Hector attended Tim's cross-training in New Mexico.

Bob Chalmers: mentioned as a new SSA for one of the European satellite offices. OC Bob first appeared in Fish, then the Serendipity series as Sarah's boyfriend and eventual husband. After that, he appeared in "The Common Thread" where he served as one of Tim's INV agents, eventually becoming the SSA of the Hamburg office.

Nate, Juanita, Big John and 'Randy': from the transient/homeless camp in Baltimore; first introduced in At What Price, although not named until Finding Home. The three (Nate, Juanita and Big John) were also mentioned in the Serendipity series and in The Common Thread. The three have been featured in every story where the camp in Baltimore or 'Bayopolis' is part of Tim's backstory. Randy is 'Big John's' brother. He owns a ranch in Texas hill country and keeps in touch with Tim, Sarah and Rob regarding his brother, who has suffered brain damage from an accident as a young adult.

Jamison family: Trudy or Mrs. J., short for Mrs. Jamison, and her grown children: Billy and Heather; former residents of the shelter. The family is part of the non-profit organization that helps keep the shelter and camp running. Introduced in Finding Home although nameless, mentioned in The Common Thread and in the Serendipity series. Heather is also a member of the non-profit and in this series, is Nikki and Bill's wedding planner.

Duarte Silva: Former resident of the shelter. Duarte is also part of the non-profit that keeps the shelter and camp running. Introduced in Finding Home although nameless, mentioned in The Common Thread and in the Serendipity series.

Paolo Silva: Former resident of the shelter, uncle and legal guardian of Duarte Silva. Known as "Uncle Silva" to the McGees growing up. Although I'm not sure I've ever mentioned it, Paolo and Trudy Jamison, while both working, help each other with their children and help the young McGees and their friends as well.

Chaz Dalton: the husband of canon character Cynthia Sumner who is the former Executive Assistant to Director Shepard and, in The Common Thread and the Becoming Tim series, is also the Administrative Assistant to Timothy (McGee) Gibbs. Her husband Chaz works in the tech world and they have 3 children, one of whom will be (lightly) featured in an upcoming chapter.

Dept. of Defense:

Secretary Becker: Secretary of Defense, originally a canon character from the now-defunct TV show Madame Secretary.

Secretary Smythe: An OC, Becker's replacement after he retires.

Pentagon:

General Roberts: one and done OC for Vance's lunch with the SecNav in Professor McGee.

NCIS: Navy Yard, DC:

Richard (Rick) Carter, James (Jim) O'Brien, are special agents aboard the DC Navy Yard. Rick and Jim, have, I believe, been in every story of mine that involves NCIS. Their wives are Denise Carter and Annie O'Brien, who is a real estate agent. Annie debuted as a real estate agent in The Common Thread, was in Notes in the Key of Life and again in this series. Denise Carter was originally a police officer and in this series attended Jethro's surprise retirement party with her husband. She was also featured in Fallout, part of the Serendipity series, and later in After when the couple were transferred to the UK and during Tim and Vance's quick visit to the UK (and other offices). They were also featured in The Common Thread.

Natalie Andrews: squad room neighbor of the Gibbs' MCRT; another one who's been in most if not all of my NCIS-DC Navy Yard stories. She gained a surname and a husband named Jay in The Common Thread. NOTE: She is not related to Tim's evil stepmother in the stories where Natalie McGee (Svetlana Staceyko) appears.

Pauline Marsh: Head of Human Resources: I believe she was introduced in The Common Thread.

Ms. Horner: Head of the Legal Department: introduced in The Common Thread (the replacement for the compromised head of the Legal Dept.) and featured again in Professor McGee and Reaping the Bounty.

European Offices and Agents

It frequently surprises me when I remember that Pete Russell, his family and Roger Martinez are OCs. They're old friends to me, like Tim's brothers. I believe they've been at least mentioned in most of my stories. 

Piraeus, Greece: Pete Russell, SSA, his wife Trina and family, agents Rusty and Lynn, others unnamed, Office Mgr. Kim, Clerk Eva Elytis. Pete, Trina and their children are close friends of the Vance family. Pete, etal, originated in Finding Home and were also featured in the Serendipity series in After and were in The Common Thread as well as this series. They're always mentioned when Vance visits Greece as the Athens/Piraeus office was Leon's first office as the Lead Agent and Pete was his SFA. Leon, Jackie, Pete and his wife Trina have remained good friends for many years.

Marseille, France: Ned Dorneget, SSA, his husband, Tim's OC brother Barry, their adopted daughters Ava and Naomi.

Hamburg, Germany: Roger Martinez, SSA, his wife Marla, unnamed staff (unless Bob Chalmers is there). Originated in Finding Home, where they were posted to Marseilles, and also featured in The Common Thread.

Rota, Spain: Stan Burley, SSA, his OC wife Patricia, unnamed staff. Stan and Patricia appeared in Finding Home and The Common Thread.

Naples, Italy: Jessica Knight, SSA (surprise!)

London, UK: Timothy (McGee) Camilo-Gibbs, SAC, see above for family. SSAs: Ethan Tyler (Cold Case team), Emma Carter (Cyber Crimes) and Chesni O'Brien (Field Team); Intel Analyst: Nikki Jardine, Asst Mgr./Mgr. of IT: James Powell, Tim's Admin. Assistant: Cynthia Sumner Dalton.

Other NCIS offices:

Southwest: Joel Morris, wife Carol. Joel and Carol are frequently featured in my stories when Tim is in London, Greece or San Diego (aka the Southwest office).

Southwest2: After Joel retires, the Southwest SAC is Quan Dixon, an OC who's been mentioned in other stories.

Marine Corps West1 (aka MCW): OC "Mac" MacDonald is the SAC, who temporarily moves to SW after SAC Dixon dies. Trivia: Mac is named for Sgt. MacDonald from the old TV show, "Adam 12" which I viewed for the first time a few years ago, during COVID. The actor also played a battalion chief on "Emergency!", the chief whose hat Capt. Stanley burned when he was an engineer and the current chief was his captain.

Marine Corps West2: OC SAC O'Brien returns to work as the SAC of MCW while MacDonald is TAD to the Southwest office.

Stanford:

Aaron Mitchell: the head of Human Resources, introduced in Professor McGee;

Patricia Cassidy: Tim's friend, introduced in Professor McGee;

Dr. Chaz Rogers: Tim and Larry Porter's Chair, introduced in Professor McGee;

Dr. O'Brien: Chair of the Criminal Justice Department, introduced in Professor McGee;

Dr. Newell: Chair of the Mathematics Department, introduced in Professor McGee;

Also Larry and Cyndie Porter as professors although they're in this story as friends of Tim, Sarah, Rob, Artie and the rest of the family as well as being two of Tim's mentors.

Chapter Text

In Motion

Hitting the Ground Running!

Late the afternoon of his first day as SAC, Tim chuckled to himself as he sent a text to Leon before he left the office, saying only, "Day One: NCIS: Europe is intact!" Meeting James in the lobby, he told him about the phone call with the people he knew. James grinned at him, waiting for Nikki to join them, "Good, so your first day has successfully concluded."

Tim nodded to the two of them, "Yes, barring anything happening tonight. Thank you both for your support."

Nikki shook her head, "You're welcome. I can't imagine how it must feel to return to the agency after six years away, in a different office, different country and in a totally new capacity than from your days on the MCRT."

Tim tilted his head, "Yes, from a lowly agent with five years at the agency, most of the first year as a case agent, a year as a probie and then three as a junior. Not to mention the way I left with the nearly 40% pay cut and the two rank demotion. I never intended to return although I was thankful, still am, to Tobias for giving me the opportunity to stay in the Federal System, working part-time for the FBI and to Vance for fixing things. Most of all, I'm thankful for the move to California which led to all kinds of wonderful things, with Artemis at the top of the list!"

Nikki huffed, "What lowly agent are you talking about? You were a probie and then a junior on the Major Case Response Team at Agency Headquarters, after about 8 months of driving back and forth from Norfolk to the Navy Yard! You basically started at the top, accomplishing most agents' dream job in less than a year at the agency, with no prior experience! DiNozzo wasn't the only one jealous of you, although no one held your promotion to the MCRT against you. Except for Tony. You were so likeable, so unlike Gibbs the grouch and DiNozzo, the jerk."

Tim winced at her description of Tony, then thought about it, smiling and shaking his head at the memories of DiNozzo's irritating pranks and efforts to trip him up, sometimes literally. As he'd told Tony, they'd each grown up and grown together.

James huffed, "Hard to think of both of them like that. We never really know what's ahead for us, do we? Weird, all the planning people do."

Nikki rolled her eyes, "To my way of thinking, all plans are tentative until they're actually happening."

Tim nodded, "I agree with that, although I need to plan, even knowing things may or may not happen. If I don't have a plan, I obsess about everything. Better to have a plan, knowing it's only a plan, not a statement of fact."

James and Nikki agreed. They were quiet the rest of the way home, relaxing as the crowd in their carriage thinned out at the stops before Jaxton.

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That first evening was quiet after the children went to bed. Tim managed to keep his compulsion to check his email down to once an hour. Realizing they would have the pool to themselves, he and Artie swam laps for over an hour, finishing by racing each other from one end of the pool to the other. They laughed as both touched the edge of the pool at the same time, a tie.

The swim and their later, more personal exercise led to a full night's sleep, Tim's first since the swearing-in ceremony nearly two weeks before. No emails came in for him.

Tuesday morning, the 'all-hands' meeting for all of the European offices went very well. Tim was glad he'd decided to schedule it for his second day. When he introduced his 3 in-laws, there was scattered laughter both on screen and off.

Later Nikki teased that his in-law relationships with Ned, James and her were well known at the agency. She grinned, "After all, James and I have been here a few years, Sarah, Bill and Jasper have visited and Jethro's been in to work cases. And we were pretty excited when we heard about Ned's transfer, we told our friends and co-workers that we were also related to him. That was before you told us you were returning to the agency, to our office and as our boss!"

Tim chuckled, "We are an NCIS family!"

"Over here, anyway. With Abby now working at Johns Hopkins and Ducky retired, that leaves Jimmy alone aboard the Navy Yard. I hadn't thought of that before."

"Me neither, although the Vances are also part of the extended family. And Nikki, we still have many friends there and Jimmy's still tight with the teams. Speaking of the younger doctor Mallard, he texted me that he's finally found a new assistant to replace uh…"

Nikki supplied the name, "Craig Bryce and that's good news, from everything I've heard he is one of the most obnoxious human beings in the world! What's the new person's name?"

"Pandi is her nickname, her full name is Pandora."

James raised an eyebrow, "I'm sure Ducky is amused by that!"

Tim nodded, grinning, "I just hope she doesn't live up to her name! Until Abby reminded me, I'd forgotten that Ducky had close to a dozen assistants before he hired Jimmy. Although Gerald, the assistant before Jimmy, didn't leave on his own. He, Ducky and one of our agents were held hostage in Autopsy and the bad guy shot Gerald. He's probably still in physical therapy, I know it was close to a year before he could do any kind of work."

Nikki nodded, "I remember him, he was a nice guy but although he liked Ducky, he never got used to his stories and what he called chatter. However, they still keep in touch. Ducky made sure Gerald got as much help as he needed during his recovery and when he was ready to return to his studies, he won several grants that he still believes Ducky arranged."

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Tim's first several weeks went exceptionally well, thanks to his teams. The Cold Case team, ably assisted by the London Field and Cybercrime teams along with the satellite offices' field teams and Cyber agents, first unraveled their 15 year old cold case, bringing justice to the murderers of a young couple, a USN petty officer and his fiancée.

While resolving that case, the teams found connections to more crimes committed in 11 European countries, including the UK, crimes which those countries' law enforcement agencies still had open on their books. Once the agencies put everything together, they found they had a total of 37 crimes committed by the 9 criminals apprehended along with 3 others arrested a few weeks later. The crime ring, spread across Europe, had had 15 members, including 3 who had died in the years between committing the crimes and the solving of them. The crimes included treason, terrorism, murder, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder, drug trafficking, extortion, money laundering and embezzlement as well as several of lesser severity.

One Friday afternoon near the end of February, Tim was in his office, still grinning after yet another phone call thanking the American agency for the break that led to the resolution of so many crimes and the capture of the evil doers. Last week he'd made a list of the law enforcement agencies involved, placing a small mark by each as someone, frequently the head of the agency, sometimes the lead officer or investigator on the case(s), called to thank the American agency.

When his phone rang, Tim's grin grew wider as he answered it. "Good morning, Director."

"Good afternoon, Timothy. I have a question for you."

"Sir?"

"What miracle are you going to pull off next? It'll have to be pretty spectacular to outshine your first 8 weeks!"

Tim laughed, "Hey, you're the one who hired and trained these outstanding agents! I'd only known them about two hours when the new lead was found and the rest followed."

"You sure have people talking over here!"

"About our excellent investigators, I hope. Seriously, other than meeting them shortly before, I had nothing to do with it."

"Nevertheless, you get to take the bow for them. They may have only been your employees for a few hours but you were there, you saw it."

"Then I'll say thank you on their behalf. Are you planning to speak with them?"

"Yes and I'd like to do it soon. How about Monday morning? By the way, I heard from SecDef by way of SecNav that your teams are being looked at for a prestigious European law enforcement award."

"Wow, that's wonderful, although I hope that occurs after the trials. So, which Monday morning, ours or yours?"

"Good question. It's their party, let's make it your time, say 1100?"

"0600 your time, that's doable as long as there aren't any call outs. I'll put the word out and let James know, Director, thank you!" Tim was making a mental list, first to check the budget, he wanted to celebrate with catered luncheons after the call with the Director. He hoped the caterers who had catered holiday and family dinners in Jaxton and at Tony and Maggie's place would be available and that they could also find suitable caterers in Hamburg, Marseilles, Athens and Rota! Naples was a given, he'd contact Sergio later today.

"Great! I do need a favor, please. If you could email me a list of their names, which team they're on, and note the leads and anything else I should know. I know that's all in their reports but I'd like a separate list."

"Of course, I'll get that to you in a few minutes."

The two men spoke for a few more minutes before disconnecting. Tim quickly put together the list for Vance and then, grinning, included the list of the Law Enforcement entities who had called or written NCIS to thank them. He also made a special note that both sets of parents of the young couple who'd been murdered had called to thank the investigators and the agency for bringing their children's murderers to justice.

Those particular calls hit Tim hard. He couldn't imagine the pain and grief of losing a child, no matter how old and that led him to thinking about Gibbs' Kelly as well as his mother's little boy, Tegan, who'd died of cancer when he was 5. He also didn't want to think about the possibility of losing any of his children no matter how old they were, it was too awful to contemplate. Although he obviously hadn't died, he was certain that he had been either sold or kidnapped as a child and if he was ever brave enough to do something about it, he doubted very much that whoever his parents had been would be thanking anyone. More likely they would be cursing him.

Shaking off the painful thoughts and memories, he quickly pulled up the current budget, pleased when he found the funds he'd need. He stopped to send Vance an addendum to the names' list, their Intel Analysts had also been a huge help with the cases, using their contacts when necessary and providing other information the other teams would have had a difficult time uncovering. Forensics, autopsy and IT were also a big part of their success. IT, in keeping the system updated, tightening security while also maintaining their systems for use by those agency employees not involved in the investigations, planning and takedowns. With a laugh, Tim shook his head, finally writing that it would be easier to tell Leon which employees were not involved.

When Cynthia contacted the caterer, she also asked for recommendations for caterers in the locations of four of the satellite offices. They didn't need one for Italy, she'd told her boss she'd handle the call, after she'd asked Artemis for the email address or phone number for Belle Figlie. She'd also asked Tim's wife if she knew of a caterer to recommend in Piraeus or Athens. Intrigued, Artie said that if she didn't want to contact Trina Russell, wife of the SSA for the Athens office, then she would contact her grandmother. As her boss had told her they wanted to keep the celebration a surprise, although the teams would be notified of a meeting, Cynthia asked Artemis to contact her grandmother, explaining Tim's hope to keep the celebration a surprise as long as possible. If her yaya didn't know of one, she'd certainly know someone who did. In the end, it was Artemis' stepmother, Rhode, who knew a caterer in Piraeus.

The celebratory call on Monday went over very well, with every employee in each office attending. Secretary Porter, who wanted to also add her congratulations, joined them, telling those on the call that the good news had gone all the way to the White House. She added that over the past few years NCIS had become a trusted, highly capable agency in the eyes of Congress and the White House and that they were a big part of that, with their hard and smart work, determination and willingness to work with other agencies.

She told Leon she was impressed with the turnout as well as the catered luncheons afterward. Before the call, the list of everyone who'd contacted the agency to thank them or congratulate all of them had been shared and Vance later told Tim that employee morale, not only in the offices who'd worked on the cases, but in 80% of NCIS offices worldwide was higher than it had ever been. Tim paused at that, asking about the remaining 20% and Leon scoffed, "Timothy, that's my problem, not yours! None of them are in your jurisdiction, I will say that much."

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While the cases Tim's teams later celebrated solving were still in the process of discovery and unraveling, the younger children of the Gibbs family had their own celebration.

The little cousins came to Jaxton in early February to help celebrate Jackson and Ellanne's 4th birthdays! McKenna and Madelyn joined the twins, Liam, Chloe and Jasper, now 20 months old, for the day. As a special treat, cousin Alec took the train from Edinburgh, bringing his parents and paternal grandparents with him. The US based family and friends along with the Greek and Italian family joined the party via Skype when it was time for cake, ice cream and presents.

Before presents and their delicious treats, the twins and their party guests, those old enough to participate in outdoor activities,  had a wonderful time playing outside in the snow, visiting the resident lambs, sheep, goats and llamas in their barn. Then, back in the house, having races and playing games in the playroom on the main floor and of course swimming with their adults in the lovely heated, indoor pool.

The youngest littles had a separate baby pool that they splashed around in, their parents, aunts or uncles staying with them. Alec, nearly 10 months old, had fun crawling after his older cousins, squealing and making other happy noises while baby Madelyn, now 5 months old, watched from her bouncy chair and baby mat, laughing and smiling at her family, while Jasper floated happily on his own baby mat, guided by his mama.

Ellanni was fixated on her baby cousins, playing with them and Jasper. After the cake, ice cream and presents, when her parents joined the children in the playroom, she looked up at them with a look that was 100% inherited from her daddy. With a smile, Artie joined the other children while Ellanni obviously had something to ask but wasn't quite sure how.

She laughed when her father picked her up, "Hello, sweetie pie, are you having fun with everyone?"

"Yes! Daddy, I really like Liam, Chloe, Jasper and the cousins but are we ever going to have a brand new baby, like Madelyn?"

Tim barely kept his mouth from dropping open, quickly thinking how to answer that. He'd also noticed that Ellanni had included Jasper with her siblings, which was interesting. Although he was a cousin, he lived in the same house, perhaps that's why she thought he was a sibling, although with different parents. He mentally shrugged, they'd figure it out later.

He started by smiling at his daughter, "We might someday, Ellanni. However, babies take a lot of time. It's good time and mommies and daddies love their babies, just like we have loved you and Jack as babies and all the time since you were born. Right now, your mom and I feel that Liam and Chloe are our babies. They're not little like Madelyn and Alec or still learning like Jasper but their first mother was too sick to be with them as much as we are with you, so we want to give them all the love and care we gave you and your brother when you were babies. When they've been with us longer, then we'll talk about having a new baby. We like spending time with the four of you. We like playing and singing with you, telling stories and everything we do together."

"So when Liam and Chloe feel older to you, used to us, maybe then?"

"Yes, that's a good way of thinking about it, used to us, having two parents, another sister and brother, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, whether they're old enough to play with like Jasper or little like Alec and Madelyn. Maybe then."

He almost laughed when her next question was one he'd anticipated. "How long, Daddy?"

"Let's talk about it after we come home from seeing Mimi next summer."

She frowned, "That's a long time from now."

"Yes and we'll have many great things to do between now and then. School, swimming, feeding the animals, maybe it'll snow again and we can go sledding! And when it warms up, we can go for bike rides and hikes when the flowers are all blooming."

"That sounds like fun!" She gave him a big kiss before running off to play some more.

When Tim told Artie, she looked at him, her eyes wide. "A baby? With four little ones who aren't even in school yet?"

Laughing, Tim held up his hands in defense and shook his head, "I didn't say I wanted a baby, that was our older daughter! I told her we want to wait until Liam and Chloe feel more comfortable being part of the family, until you and I have had more time with them."

"Oh, that was sweet!"

"I hope she doesn't tell them we can't have a new baby because of them! That never occurred to me."

"She won't, she's as good-hearted as her daddy."

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After the twins' birthday celebration and the solving of the cases, Tim and Artie took a few days off, traveling with their children to a ski resort in Scotland.

Barry, Ned, and their girls joined them, flying from Marseille to Edinburgh where they met Tim and his family, along with Sarah, James and his parents, riding the train together to the ski resort.

The adults enjoyed skiing, Barry took lessons, and playing in the snow with the littles. The twins and Ava, Barry and Ned's older foster daughter, were eligible for the children's beginner classes and the three of them had a great time learning all about the sport of skiing, including how to walk in their skis and most importantly, how to stop! It was not only fun to learn but gave the twins time to get to know their cousin better and for Ava to also have fun and become friends with them.

While Ava, Ellanni and Jack enjoyed that, Liam and Chloe had a blast with the pre-beginner ski lessons along with their cousin Naomi, Ava's younger sister, with the same results, Naomi getting to know her cousins better and Liam and Chloe becoming better acquainted with her. Liam thought it was fun that their family had added a lot of children since he and Chloe joined them, especially because there was almost always someone to play with!

Remaining at home, the Barnes-Gibbs family thought ahead, planning to go to the snow with the others in 2 years when little Madelyn would be about 28 months old. Even then, the little girl wouldn't be quite old enough for even the 'pre-beginner' ski lessons but there was a nursery on site that included some snowy fun, teaching toddlers how to make snow people, riding in a horse-drawn sleigh and other adventures.

During their vacation Liam, Chloe and Naomi enjoyed spending time in the nursery, playing games and learning how to do a few things in the snow, including making 'snow angels' as well as various snow people.

Toward the end of their stay at the resort and to the wonder and delight of all, the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, could be seen in their glory. The children all took post dinner naps so they could be awake later to see the spectacle. It was truly breathtaking and many photos were taken, including the children, as proof they were there if they didn't remember.

Lu and Jethro had originally planned to go with the ski group but Grandpa Jack caught a nasty cold and neither wanted to leave him.

Artemis' sister and her family promised to join the skiers when little Alec was older. They'd probably go the same year the Barnes-Gibbs went with the group as Madelyn and Alec were born the same year.

Nikki and Bill felt much the same. Their Jasper was only a few months shy of his 2nd birthday and was now achieving milestones he'd missed as an infant and during the first part of his second year. However, he wasn't yet ready for the pre-beginner lessons. His parents also knew he would be very upset if he was left behind at the ski resort nursery while his cousins took their pre-beginner lessons. They wanted him to enjoy his eventual fun on skis, when he was older.

Instead, he stayed home, playing with cousins McKenna and baby Madelyn along with his friends at nursery. He was very happy when the girls were there and all three were happy when Cousin Alec came for another visit, accompanied by his mother and grandmother. That way, all the Jaxton, London, Edinburgh and Marseille Gibbs and Clacher children had a nice holiday.

The only one who wasn't happy was Grandpa Jack who was recovering from his cold but still had to stay away from his littles. Fortunately, he'd kept the cold to himself, no one else caught it.

When the ski group returned home, they had another celebration as Bec had been offered another extension of her visiting professorship, less than a year after the first extension had been tendered. She and Geo were thrilled, deciding to move to the Jaxton house. Geordie was now an assistant professor at a London campus of a US university. He was having a wonderful time teaching World History to his students who came from a dozen countries. He told his wife that some days he was learning more from his students than he was teaching them! Still, the interactions between students and professor were well received and Geordie's department master astounded him when he told him during his evaluation at the end of the scholastic year that his classes were some of the most popular on campus.

Chapter Text

In Motion

Coneheads, Caves, Exploring another Continent

Tim grinned at Artie as he sat back in his seat, "Here we go! I wasn't sure we'd be able to make this trip."

She smiled back at him, "It all worked out! Are you as excited as I am?"

"Yes, the two of us experiencing Turkey! I can't wait to see the cave hotel and everything in Cappadocia and then exploring Istanbul!"

Lifting an eyebrow, Artie asked, "Even the hot air balloon?"

"Absolutely. Although I doubt I'll need them, I brought ginger and my sea bands just in case."

"Good! I know there will be other adventures we'll also want to try."

Tim nodded. "Let's think about bringing the children when they're a little older. Maybe after Varkiza one year."

She nodded, "We have 3 more years to see and do everything over here."

"At least 3 more years, that's the minimum. We could be here longer. Or we can say no to whatever Vance has in mind after London and stay in Jaxton."

She shook her head, "I don't want to think about leaving."

"Then let's focus on doing what we want and not worry about the future."

She grinned, "After the past weeks, I'm just thankful you're able to take time off!"

He made a face, nodding, "Have a lot to learn, even just re-familiarizing myself with the agency. Not to mention being in charge of a lot of people!"

It was late March. The weeks since his return to NCIS had been particularly busy, with Tim learning more about his new job, the larger task of leadership and perhaps most importantly, balancing responsibilities toward the employees he was charged with leading with following their mission to serve and protect USN and USMC personnel and their dependents. He was grateful to have the help and advice of two of his peers, Richard Owens, SAC of the Northeast Field Office in the US and the other, his friend Cassie Yates, SAC for the Southeast Asia Field Office in Singapore. The SSAs he knew the best, Pete and Roger, were also a great help. He never had to ask his questions, they'd somehow know and drop a comment or two, or tell a tale or two to help him.

As he was learning to mindfully handle the different components of his post, Artemis was happily expanding her business. While they were managing their professional lives, the couple also spent as much time as possible with their four children and with each other.

The adoptions of the March children would be final toward the end of April. Liam and Chloe were doing very well after nearly a year with their new family. They loved their siblings, parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins and everyone else. Chloe's 3rd birthday was coming up in April and the little girl was very excited about being three, just like Liam!

The two were bright, happy children with many of the same character and behavioral traits as the twins. Their mother sometimes wondered about that while Tim thought it was likely the two younger children unconsciously copied their older siblings in their behavior. While Artie thought it odd, Tim was endlessly amused that their adopted children looked more like him than their biological children, who had inherited their mother's lovely Grecian looks.

The Brudegans, the children's former foster parents, were still in Athens, Artie checked online. They'd sent photos to them of Liam's birthday celebrations and would send more for Chloe's birthday. After that, they'd probably wait until Liam and then Chloe's first days of school.

Sending the photos to the children's former foster parents made Tim wonder if other adoptive parents did that. He also wondered if there were people who would be interested in hearing from or about him. Although he thought of looking for status and addresses of the handful of people, or more importantly, names he remembered, he hadn't done anything about it yet, afraid of the scary and unpredictable situation that contacting anyone from his pre-Baltimore years could very well cause.

Now that they were 4, Ellanne and Jackson would begin their formal schooling in Reception in September while Liam, Chloe and their cousin McKenna would follow them a year later. Although they hadn't planned to change their annual Greek vacation from June to mid-July until 2015, they'd decided to make the change this year. Nik and Sergio had their vacation replacements already well trained and nobody minded the change.

For at least the next 18 years, longer if and when more children joined the family, vacations would be dependent on school schedules. Luckily, in Jaxton and London there were week-long or two weeks-long school holidays throughout the year. There were also 6 weeks of holiday, beginning in mid-July, between academic years.

The French school system, where Ned and Barry's older daughter Ava would study, started their summer holiday at the first of July. When the Greek vacation dates changed this year instead of next Ned and Barry were ready. They'd already planned a list of fun things for their girls to do between the first of July and when they'd leave for Greece. They'd update their list as their daughters grew up.

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Over the past few months, Tim and Artie had been reconsidering their already delayed trip to Morocco in the spring. They finally decided to again postpone visiting that country until the children were older, when they could better appreciate what they would experience. That would also give all of them more time to learn the language and at least the highlights of Morocco's history. For this spring, the couple instead decided to travel on their own, selecting Turkey as their destination.

As they prepared for their adventure, Tim's teams in Europe had another complex case once again requiring the expertise of all the European teams, Field, Cyber and Cold Case and he'd been a little worried that he and Artie would need to postpone their trip to Turkey. Of course his main concern was to crack the case and bust the criminals. However, his agents had the miscreants arrested, interrogated and locked up well before the Midei-Gibbses had to face cancelling or rescheduling their trip.

They were trying something different this trip. While discussing their plans and all the details, they remembered how wonderful it had been to have tour guides on their Scandinavian tour last year. This time, they decided to join a tour. It would start and end in Istanbul, they would experience that city as well as exploring the region of Cappadocia, full of caves, historical sites and hot air balloon flights along with many other things to see and do.

With Geordie's help, they'd studied Turkish history, although Artemis already knew bits of it, along with some serious studying of the country's geology, geography and archeology.

With Barry's help, they'd also learned enough of the Turkish language to make their vacation more interesting and fun. They took language classes online and then practiced with each other and with Barry over Skype. He made sure to ask them a variety of questions visitors might have as well as engaging them in conversations, including about what they would be seeing. Geordie also helped practice with them and Tim was heard wondering if there were any languages his siblings didn't know!

They found a tour company that featured small group tours. The one they selected would have 8 people along with the tour guide, any local tour guides and the bus driver. That was a recommendation from the senior Clachers, the senior Powells and the Porters, all of whom had found small groups more interesting, relaxing and fun.

So here they were, on their way to Istanbul, a flight just under 4 hours. They quietly teased about flying commercial when they were so used to flying 'Air Paddington' but there hadn't been any Paddington flights already scheduled and they didn't want to waste resources being the only passengers! Their commercial flight wasn't full and they were comfortable flying Business class.

They were met at the Istanbul airport by a car and driver from their hotel, included in the cost of their tour. Although the flight was relatively short, both were tired and had taken the opportunity to nap. They'd worked from home that morning, starting well before dawn. Planning to take the train to the airport, they happily changed their plans when Bill offered to drive them.

Now, checking in at the hotel, they were given the itinerary for the trip, met with their guide and fellow travelers for a mercifully short "Welcome" party including dinner and then nearly fell into their bed after setting their phone alarms and reinforcing those with a request to the front desk for a wake up call. While it hadn't happened often, one or the other had on occasion turned off the alarm instead of hitting the snooze button.

After a refreshing sleep, early the next morning the couple joined the rest of their group for a tasty breakfast that included eggs, cheeses, fresh vegetables and pastries as well as their first Turkish tea before hurrying back to their room to gather their carry-on bags, their luggage had been collected while they were at breakfast, brush their teeth, comb their hair, make sure they hadn't forgotten anything and were in the lobby a few minutes before they were to leave for the airport. Their guide was pleased when all of his new group were waiting as instructed when he arrived in the lobby, that was an excellent beginning and he hoped it would continue.

Although Tim and Artie were punctual by nature, they'd been cautioned by the Powells that in order to see everything they'd paid to see, everyone had to be on time and that didn't always happen. The Porters, having suffered through one too many tours with a perennially late individual, couple or group, reinforced the Powells' caution. They also advised that with a small group, it was easier for the guide to keep an eye on everyone. Both couples told tales of inconsiderate tour travelers who invariably wandered off and had to be found, which cut into their time at the rest of the day's stops.

Happily, both couples also told stories of absolutely trouble-free wonderful tours, where everyone had fun, got along very well and life-long friendships were established. No one was ever more than a few seconds late and at each stop they were able to spend as much time as was scheduled and paid for.

Firmly keeping the positive information in mind, Tim and Artie found a highly rated tour company offering small group tours in Turkey, including the areas they were most interested in for this visit.

Now, on their first official day of their tour and already liking their tour guide, whose name was Zeki, and fellow tourists, they were driven to the airport where they went through Security and climbed aboard their flight to Nevşehir, the closest airport to their destination.

With the flight just over an hour, no one fell asleep. Once they disembarked at the airport, Zeki gathered them to claim their luggage, which their tour bus driver Efe handled, making sure everyone had all their belongings before taking them to their bus. With only 9 passengers, including their tour guide, the bus was smaller than the full-sized vehicles commonly used for tours. It was comfortable and once the tour passengers were settled, they left for the 90 minute ride to Cappadocia. With large windows, everyone could see out without straining, although there were 8 heads swiveling from one side to the other, not wanting to miss anything as Zeki told them what they were seeing as they traveled.

The terrain was amazing, nothing like most of them had seen before, the landscape here was quite different. What they saw was dramatic, mountains shaped like towers, cones and into caves and valleys. Their guide explained that what they were seeing was formed by soft volcanic rock shaped by erosion, wind, water and tectonic activity over the past 60 million years. Volcanic eruptions covered the region with soft volcanic ash which over time solidified into a soft rock formally called "Tuff".

Eventually they learned that Bryce Canyon National Park in Southwestern Utah, in the US, also has the same sort of formations, called hoodoos. Looking at each other when they heard that, the couple silently promised they would take the children there when they were older. When they mentioned it to Tim's parents on their Skype call that evening, the two admitted they hadn't known that either. Two nights later, Lu said they'd taken a poll amongst the older adults and found that her brother Charlie and Uncle LJ were the only ones who'd been to Bryce Canyon National Park as well as Zion National Park and that both parks were now on their 'must see' list of adventures in the US.

Once in the city of Göreme, the bus pulled up to their home for the next few days, a hotel featuring cave suites. When the Gibbses were showed to their cave they were astounded and pleased by the look and feel of it. The décor was Turkish, feeling somewhat exotic to them, with Turkish style furniture, including chairs, wall art and beautiful Turkish rugs. There was plenty of room to move around or to sit and relax and they knew they would be very comfortable here.

They unpacked what they'd need, taking a few photos of their suite and sending them home along with a brief message that they'd arrived at their second stop.

Within an hour, they met the others in the hotel restaurant for lunch, followed by their first tour of the landscape. They smiled when their first 'stop' was across the street!

They saw what they'd already dubbed 'coneheads' and flattened areas that looked either like a sandwich cookie, a spaceship or a huge alien being with multiple claws (pointed parts turned down) reaching out the sides. Of course, that all depended on one's point of view, imagination or perhaps how hungry a viewer might be.

Spotting several caves, they wondered if they would be able to explore one, other than their lodgings. Tim and Artie speculated about the writer J.R.R. Tolkien possibly having visited here and basing some of his settings for his novels on what he saw in Cappadocia or perhaps Bryce Canyon in the United States.

After they spoke with their babies before the children's bedtime that evening, they went looking online for information about Tolkien's travels and were impressed with the strength of the wi-fi. However, they did not find an answer and were too tired to delve any deeper into Mr. Tolkien's life.

Their second day, they had their ride in a hot air balloon, with Tim taking his ginger and sea bands along just in case. However, they weren't on any water and he did well looking out and not down, easy to do with so many wondrous views in every direction, and had no problems, both thoroughly enjoying themselves.

For the next three very full and fascinating days they explored several caves, answering their question, yes, they did see the insides of several caves along with a huge cavern that housed an ancient multi-leveled underground city. They also toured the current towns and cities. Finally, the tour group packed up, riding to the airport in Nevşehir, stopping along the way to explore some of the sites of that region. Tim and Artie were already planning a trip back when the children were older, perhaps in three years when Chloe and Liam would be 6 and the twins 7.

Returning to Istanbul, they spent the rest of the tour exploring the ancient, historic city and its environs. Their first day after their return from Cappadocia, they had a bus tour of many of the sights in the city. Dinner that evening was in a famous restaurant where delicious Turkish meals were served to them. On Sunday, they visited the Galata Mevlevi Museum, where they experienced Whirling Dervishes.

They also visited the Asian parts of the city where Tim was nearly over the top at having his feet planted on the continent of Asia! His understanding wife and one of their new friends took photos of Tim standing by a sign indicating they were now in Asia and another with Artie and Tim together at a busy Asian market. A few days later, their last full day, the couple, along with their photo-taking new friends from the tour, Barbara and Rusty Manning from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, took a morning cruise on the Bosphorus Strait, an optional item on the tour schedule. That was wonderful, interesting and very informative.

After their cruise and visit to the Asian continent, as Tim put it, and back in Istanbul with a free afternoon, the two couples went their own ways. Artie and Tim made sure they had gifts and souvenirs for everyone, shipping nearly everything home. They were very pleased to find interesting items that were made in Turkey and different from anything they'd seen before.

Artie later told her husband that both Rusty and Barbara remarked on Tim's amazing resemblance to a young man, American by birth, who'd grown up in their neighborhood in Vancouver. When Barbara mentioned his name, Artie gave the appearance of listening without any real interest. However, when she was alone, she made a note on her phone.

Although Tim continued in his determination to leave his nightmare past behind, she thought she might at least look online to see who this was and what he looked like. After all, her Timόtheos had never said anything about ignoring the possibility of younger relatives. Relatives, yes, at least those who were old enough to have been involved in whatever happened but not younger relatives.

Whenever anyone mentioned they'd seen someone who looked like Tim, he passed it off as common genealogy. He was fairly certain he was a product of the British Isles, Irish, Scottish, English and possibly a little Welsh, all peoples involved in nearly global diasporas over the past few centuries along with many still living in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

He also noticed the only siblings who never mentioned any lookalikes to him were in the same situation as he was, having no knowledge of who their birth parents might have been, what their ancestry might be or where they might have lived. Further, like his siblings, he had no desire to know. He certainly wasn't the only one of the 8 camp kids who had had and might still be having nightmares.

As far as Tim knew, Joe, Geordie and possibly Sarah were the only ones who hadn't been emotionally scarred by their childhoods. Joe and Geordie remembered both their parents, in Joe's case having wonderful although ultimately sad memories while Geo became a Marine to honor his father and he would occasionally mention his mother, who died when he was in kindergarten. While Tim didn't know what had happened to Sarah during her first three years, before he met her on the bus when it arrived in Baltimore, he sometimes thought it might be responsible for most of her anger as she grew up. Of course, being abandoned, first, at the tender age of 3 having to ride a bus by herself, even if a nice lady sat with her for part of the time and other nice ladies sat with her for a while before they left the bus, giving her food, water and helping her, followed by Sarah leaving the bus with a complete stranger only to find no one waiting for her at the station, all that could very well have lit that fire.

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A couple of days after their cruise and visit to Asia, their shopping complete, a farewell dinner was held on their last evening together. Artie used her business address for the 'contact' list that was passed around, for those who wanted to share photos from film cameras or just stay in touch. She and Tim agreed they would not supply phone numbers.

As usual when traveling with his wife, Tim used Midei as his surname. It not only amused him, it made him feel safer, never having gotten past the fear that someone from his nightmares might find him or worse, harm his family. It also helped to keep his work as a criminal investigator from public knowledge.

They'd already exchanged their contact information with the Mannings, feeling somewhat safe because both Barbara and Rusty were retired law enforcement and understood their concerns regarding privacy.

The flight home passed quickly as they talked about their favorite things and what they wanted for their next trip. They had a wonderful time and learned many interesting things about Turkey and the world in general and were happy to exit the plane at Gatwick Airport outside London. Their getaway was fun, returning home even better!

They were met in Baggage Claim by Malu who kissed them both, welcoming them home and advising them to put their coats, gloves and knit caps on, it was cold outside! Exiting the terminal, they grinned as they saw the Cayenne pulling up with Dad behind the wheel and four happy little faces waiting for them. They kissed all four children, as well as Jethro, before slipping into the third row of seats.

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Tim and Artie were thankful they’d returned home from their tour on a Thursday as it took them most of Friday and the weekend to unpack, get the  laundry done and settle back into their normal routine. Their four little ones certainly helped with that!

An early family dinner was held Saturday mid-afternoon and the couple was pleased when the senior Powells, the 5 Clachers as well as the 4 Barnes-Gibbses and Papi Barnes joined them in Jaxton. The Clachers arrived Friday night to give them more time to catch up. They’d take the train home on Sunday.

Edie and George Powell had arrived late afternoon on Friday and would take one of the high-speed trains straight to work Monday morning. They had not only furnished their designated room in the Jaxton house, they’d also started to leave clothes for work as well as whatever they’d need in Jaxton. When asked, Edie chuckled, “We would rather take the train to Manchester and go straight into our offices on Monday morning than return home to Castleton Sunday afternoon or evening and then have to train back to Manchester on Monday. We don’t want to miss any fun!”

The truth was, both would rather live in Jaxton with their son, daughter-in-law and the international family. They alternated between saving for retirement and spending their money enjoying their lives as they went along. They worked out a bit of a compromise in that they saved every penny they could until something fun and/or interesting came along and then they indulged themselves.

That Saturday, Tim smiled happily when the rest of the family, in the US, France, Greece and Italy, joined them on Skype for a meal. He hadn’t realized their trip would be an occasion for an ‘all family’ gathering! The US East Coast folks had lunch, the Porters in California had breakfast while the Dornegets-Gibbs’ in France, the Greeks and Italians had dinner, although later than the UK folks. Tim and Artie took turns showing photos and telling them about what they were seeing and the tour in general.

The Porters, senior Powells and Clachers were happy to hear their recommendations for a small group tour had been very helpful. Fiona Clacher spoke of two Americans they’d met on a small tour more than 20 years ago, smiling as she told the group that she and Alastair were still in touch with them and that the four had taken a few other trips together. Ned also relayed a funny story about someone his grandparents met on their travels, which left everyone with smiles.

By this time most of the littles had already left the table. They were only interested in looking at photos; listening to a lot of talking lasted only a few minutes before they started squirming to go play or needed a change. Their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles rotated child care.

Although it took a fair amount of coordinating, the international family loved meeting over a meal via Skype. They agreed that it kept their familial connections stronger during the long months between the winter holidays when many of them were able to see each other in person and their annual vacation in Varkiza.

When Artemis later suggested to her husband that they wait to pass the gifts and souvenirs out over their two Christmases, he agreed. It would be much more fun to give them in person than to mail them. He’d purchased souvenirs for his staff, mailing them home. When they arrived, he’d place them in the office break room so people could choose what they wanted. He’d also purchased special gifts for a few people and would handle those discreetly.

After the children were in bed Sunday evening, Tim began sifting through his NCIS email while Artemis disappeared into her own office. However, she delayed the return to her business for a few minutes while she researched the name Barbara Manning had given her, the neighbor Barbara and Rusty said was an absolute Tim ‘lookalike’.

What she found made her roll her eyes and shake her head at her curiosity. While there was some resemblance, according to the man’s information his father was a respected international business man and there was no mention of the US Navy or a lost sibling. The individual had spent most of his life in Canada and the UK.

Rolling her eyes again, she deleted the man’s name from her phone and determinedly got to work! Tim was right, there were many ‘lookalikes’ out there with similar genealogies and she’d not only waste time she should be with her family or paying attention to her business, she’d go crazy!

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As much as Tim always enjoyed his and Artie’s getaways, on their return he usually dived right back into work without much of a problem, unless jet lag was involved. This was not the case after their trip to Turkey. Although the couple was tired, neither had jet lag, a pleasant surprise.

When he opened his agency email Sunday evening after their family weekend, he made a face, reading the various instructions Cynthia left for him. The first 10 emails were numbered Read First 1 down to Read First 10 and the email after that was divided either into an “Ignore for Now” folder or a “From the Director or SecNav” folder.

Deciding he’d better tackle the Read First 1 before anything else, he opened it, quickly scanning the contents, moving through the next 9 messages. While he’d been learning new things about the world, all 6 of his offices were working to close down an embezzlement ring that the team leads strongly suspected might be laundering money for one or more terrorist groups.

Huffing to himself that he felt like he was somehow returning to the MCRT with the frequency of these crimes, he was happy in the ways his teams were handling the various crimes. In the four, nearly five, months since he became SAC, this was the third crime where all of his teams and many of the support staff were involved.

Continuing through the emails, he shook his head, smiling, proud although not surprised that the Marseille office, Ned’s team, had linked no less than five other embezzlement cases, scattered around the globe, to this one and that their Cyber Crime agents had been crucial in providing leads and evidence.

While all of the NCIS European offices worked together on Ned’s case, Stan Burley, Team Lead of the Rota, Spain, NCIS satellite office, had also covered for Tim while he and Artie were on vacation. Although Pete Russell of the Athens office had more years in as Team Lead than Burley, Stan’s SFA and juniors had more experience than Pete’s current team. With Tim’s 12 weeks of vacation, covering the SAC position would rotate among each of the satellite offices.

Their experiences as Acting SAC were noted on their records and would help Knight, Dorneget and Burley if they wanted to advance to an SAC position. Tim already knew neither Pete Russell nor Roger Martinez were interested, they’d stay through his tenure here, retiring when he left, unless he was here longer than planned.

Tim wasn’t sure about Stan Burley, he thought the man might be happy to leave the field, return to the US and take on a SAC’s duties for a few years before retiring. While field positions had a date of 55 years of age for retirement,  the director had the authority to grant a 5-year extension, to age 60. That was a hard date, although there were a few other positions a field agent could fill and retired field agents might be asked to consult.

Reading Stan’s notes, Tim nodded when he saw that the teams had also pulled in Interpol, Europol and other agencies. He smiled when he saw the reference to the CIA agents who were working with the various teams. As much as a pain as that agency had been to Gibbs’ MCRT and the US based NCIS field teams in general, Tim was pleased and encouraged to see that outside of the US the individual agents were valuable allies, trusted agents. It took some time to convince his dad of their worth but the 3^rd case that Ned’s team in Marseille successfully worked with local CIA agents finally convinced the retired agent.

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Returning to the office early Monday, Tim spent the hours until he could call his boss without waking him up reviewing, for the 4^th time, the information he’d been sent, happy when updates with more information about activity over the weekend arrived in his inbox before he called his boss.

Especially pleased with the updates, he finally contacted Director Vance. Not only had his team leads updated him with their information, they’d also included updates received from their counterparts in Hawaii, Japan and Singapore, each with summaries of the activities of their resident teams, their satellite offices and what they’d heard from the US teams. Tim wasn’t so happy with that last part and would mention it to Vance unless his boss had a reason for the lack of communication from three of the five US Field Offices who were involved.

As it turned out, he didn’t need to mention it to the Director. When Tim finished updating his boss, there was a pause before Leon said, “What you’ve heard from the offshore offices is great! Is there more from our US teams?”

Tim shook his head, “No, I checked with Dorneget before our call. He left messages for the leads in the US offices yesterday, Sunday, and again this morning but hasn’t yet heard back. His next step will be calls to the SACs, possibly with me on the line with him. Unless there’s something going on we don’t know about?”

“If there is, I haven’t been updated either. I don’t like this at all.”

“We don’t either. The offshore leads, here and in the Pacific, are ready to move, hate wasting time and risking the information leaking to the media and/or the criminals. Even worse, additional crimes may be committed.”

“Agreed. When’s your go?”

“We need to synchronize this as much as possible and that’s been communicated to all the teams. We have agreements back from all the overseas teams but again, only two of the five US teams. Our ‘go’ is set for 0300 Marseille time Wednesday morning. That’s 0200 here, 2100 on the US East Coast, 2200 for Chicago, and 1800 on the US West Coast.” Tim continued, telling him the date, day and time of the operation’s kickoff for the Hawaiian, Asian and Australasian teams.

“Okay and I’m assuming efforts were made over the weekend, before Sunday’s call?”

“Yes, Leon.”

“Tell you what, I’d like to handle this. Who are the teams who haven’t responded to the synchronization?”

“Director, with all due respect, I’d prefer to handle this and will update you if there are further problems.”

Leon looked at him before sighing. “You’re right and I apologize. I miss getting into the thick of things!”

Tim smiled sympathetically, “Believe me, I understand. I’ll keep you posted.”

They disconnected, Tim waiting a few seconds before letting out a breath he had not known he’d been holding. Checking with Ned, he chuckled when the SSA wanted to contact those who hadn’t responded. When Ned raised an eyebrow, Tim shook his head, “Nothing really, I’m still getting used to being a SAC and not a JFA! Yes, Supervising Senior Agent, have at it!”

“I’ll update you with any new developments.”

Tim nodded, “Thanks.”

Disconnecting, Tim sent a quick text to his father saying he was having trouble ‘letting go’, adding a few laughing emoticons to the message. Eventually he had an answer, Dad saying he was glad he wasn’t the only one and wished him good luck.

Within an hour, Tim had a text from Ned that he hadn’t had to call after all, the SSAs had contacted him, apologizing for the delay and confirming they were a go for the agreed time. Rolling his eyes, Tim sent a note to Vance saying everyone was in, they were a go for the times previously discussed.

Tuesday was busy as the field and cyber teams prepared themselves for a long, evening and early morning. The Cold Case teams would handle any new and unrelated cases that came in, each of those teams had at least one agent who’d been a Field Agent with experience handling new cases and processing crime scenes.

Although Tim tried to sleep, he finally gave up, moving into his office where he could doze off and on, his laptop softly chiming when new information arrived. By 0500, he was on his way to the office, hoping to see the last of the take downs on MTAC.

By the end of the day, he wished he had confetti to throw in celebration, they’d netted all of the criminals known to be involved in the embezzlement/money laundering rings. 57 arrests were made in 15 countries on 4 continents. While shots had been fired, none of the law enforcement personnel involved had required more than first aid treatment while one of the criminals killed himself and several others tried to resist arrest and failed, living to stand trial for their crimes.

When the news broke to the nearly global public, Tim managed to keep a straight face as the adults in his family tried to determine if NCIS was involved. When the name of the law enforcement agency driving the investigation and arrests was finally revealed, Tim allowed himself to smile, knowing that at some point, his family would figure out it was one of his teams and considering the excessive pride he tried to keep hidden, they’d probably also decide that the whole bust might have been instigated by Ned’s team.

Dad was the first, confirming that through a brief, non-verbal conversation with his former junior agent. He was so proud of Ned that he sent him a note that had the younger man blinking back tears. Knowing that Ned would likely never tell his grandparents, Jethro checked with Tim, who asked that he talk with Ned after the trials before saying anything to the senior Dornegets.  While they were certain they’d arrested everyone involved, there was always the possibility of retaliation or revenge by family, friends and sympathizers of those arrested against law enforcement personnel, the agency employing them, even their families always had to be considered. The fewer names released, the better. Jethro sighed when Tim reminded him of that, nodding his agreement not to contact Ned’s grandparents.

By the time Tim and his agents finished with all the reports needed for the takedowns, many of the Gibbs family were packing for their Easter trip to Varkiza. What was different in 2014, was that the Western Easter was the same day as the Orthodox Easter. That would happen again in 2017 and then in 2025. Tim hadn’t looked beyond that to see when it would happen again.

This year almost all of the UK, US and European families were going, including all five of the Clachers, the four Powells, Papi and the Barnes-Gibbses, the Dorneget-Gibbses, Geordie and Bec, Rob, the Jardine-Gibbses, Tim and Artie, Jethro and Lu, Grandpa Jack, Uncle LJ, Uncle Charlie and Grandpa Mac, who was leaving Florida as the temperatures heated up and would first visit his family in Europe before possibly returning to his Delaware beach house or staying in the UK until August, when he would then return to Delaware.

They were happily surprised when Abby called to say she, Freddie, Char, Joe, Tommy, Char’s uncle Ben, Ziva and Brian were also joining them in Greece. Laughing, Abby said she wanted more beach time when it wasn’t so hot and everyone else thought that was a great idea. The only US folks not joining them would be the Palmer-Mallards and the Porters. Larry and Cyndie had already planned a trip to Hawai’i for their 8 day vacation, including travel time, and San Francisco to Hawai’i was a shorter flight for them. The trip across the US, the Atlantic and most of Europe to Greece would take them nearly three times as long as the flight from San Francisco to Hawai’i. When Tim later contacted them, Larry and Cyndie assured him they would travel to the UK when classes were through in late May and would stay through the July-August trek to Varkiza.  

Abby also said they hadn’t yet heard from the Baxters. She did mention that Mac would take the train to DC from Florida while Ziva and Brian were flying to Baltimore from New York City. She added that Ziva and Grandpa Mac had worked together to find arrival times close to each other. The train would arrive at DC’s Union Station about an hour before the Metzgers’ flight landed at BWI, Baltimore’s international airport. Freddie and Jose would first pick Mac up at Union Station in DC before returning to Maryland, stopping at BWI to gather the Metzgers, taking the three home with them for the night. They’d all fly over together.

For this trip when they’d be in Varkiza for about 9 days, the US group had decided to rent apartments geared toward vacationers, such as the one Lu’s brother Charlie had stayed in last year. For the longer summer vacations, they normally shared houses, either Airbnbs or otherwise rented.

Jethro’s cousin Richard Baxter called the next day and they laughed again. Richard said all of his resident family was coming, daughter Tricia, grandson Doug, his wife Kat and their children. They were flying to DC and would fly over with the others. They’d already made reservations for one of the larger vacation rentals in Varkiza.

Looking smug when asked, Tony verified that they were indeed flying ‘Air Paddington’. After hearing about the Porters’ plans for Hawai’i, he checked the Paddington flight schedules and let the Porters know there were flights to and from Honolulu that fit their timeframe. By now Larry and Cyndie were well known to Tony, the Paddingtons and their flight crews which meant there would not be a problem with the couple flying on a Paddington aircraft without any of the Gibbses. While it would save them some money, they’d still pay a donation as usual, it would also be more comfortable as there would only be 50 passengers aboard on the flight over and returning home. As he was relaying the information via Skype, Tony chuckled, saying, “I checked and none of your fellow passengers are college students on spring break!”

The UK folks were upset when told Jimmy, Breena and baby Donnie wouldn’t be joining them but understood the family needed time together, to relax without having to fly anywhere. Furthermore, skipping this trip meant they would be able to join them for their annual two week vacation in July and again at Christmas.

With no new babies expected this year, at least not that Lu and Jethro knew about, they thought they’d return to the US in August with their US family and spend a few weeks with each of them. They would also see them at Christmas as this year the entire family was gathering in Jaxton.  

When Mac was in Virginia over the holidays the previous winter, he had an extra key made for his Fenwick Island beach house, giving it to his US based grandkids. The weekend before Abby’s call with the travel news, the Palmers joined the Baltimore family for the day, staying for dinner. The group had a wonderful time together, relaxing, catching up and realizing how long it had been since they’d all been together, they thought it was the day Tim had been sworn in to NCIS.  When Jimmy and his family left for home, the beach house key went with them. It had been in the custody of Jose and Charlotte, the last visitors there.

The Palmers would spend 11 ½ days at the beach house, leaving home early on a Thursday morning and returning the Monday after Easter. They grinned when they realized they would have the beach and the house to themselves for the entire time the others were in Greece, without flying anywhere. It wouldn’t be warm enough to swim but then it probably wouldn’t be in Varkiza either. They would play on the beach, take their little son for long walks, relaxing and enjoying having the time together, family time. Best of all, as far as Jimmy was concerned, it would just be the three of them, no Slaters would be dropping in for a surprise visit. Breena had a word with her mother to make sure of that.

While they planned to play on the beach and generally take it easy, they also wanted to explore the island a bit. While Donnie, now 7 months old, was too young for kayaking or sailing, he was a happy baby and would be fine exploring on land as long as he was with his parents. They’d found several places they wanted to see and Jimmy had a surprise for Breena a day to herself at a local spa, with various soaks, scrubs and other treatments. Along with his wife’s serious need for ‘me-time’, Jimmy was also looking forward to having their child to himself.

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With their plans set, everyone returned to their normal pursuits, although several were a bit impatient. Finally, the US flight departed the East Coast while the UK and French group made their last checks to ensure they had everything they needed. After four years of visiting Greece at least once a year, most of them had a set routine. Going in April meant that the temperatures wouldn’t be as high as they were in the summer months and it was possible a shirt with long sleeves or a light cardigan or jacket would be needed in the evenings. Daytime temperatures would be in the high 60s (Fahrenheit), while overnight temperatures would likely be in the low 50s.

Taking the train to the airport, the UK group was in place at the FBO airfield when the jet arrived from the US. They were asked to quickly board and find seats as they had less than 30 minutes before push back from the gate. Jethro and George oversaw the luggage being loaded before hurriedly climbing aboard, the door closed and locked as soon as they were inside, smiling at everyone as they joined their wives. They were barely seated and buckled in when the aircraft pushed back, trundling to the queue of planes waiting to depart.

Once the seatbelt sign was off, people moved around until Tony reminded them they were stopping in Marseille to pick up the Dorneget-Gibbses. That was a short flight, just about 2 hours, and then they were descending into Marseille airspace.

Ned, Barry and the girls were waiting for them, all smiles, and while Barry watched their luggage being loaded, the girls and Ned boarded, happily greeting everyone. After watching their luggage being loaded, Barry followed them in less than 5 minutes. The family quickly found seats, ensuring the four of them were buckled in. Second in the queue of aircraft waiting to depart, the jet was in the air minutes after Barry boarded. Next stop, Athens!

That flight was a little longer than the flight from London to Marseille, 2 hours and 40 minutes but finally the aircraft started its descent into Greek airspace and the passengers cheered, they were almost there.

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Once they landed, several folks took their place in the queue for rental vehicles while others grabbed rental carts and their luggage as it appeared. As none of them renting a vehicle today was a first time driver in Greece, there was no need to form caravans as they had previously.

Tim relaxed as he buckled his seat belt, Artie was behind the wheel today. The children were excited and very happy to finally be off the plane. Although it was what the adults considered a short flight, even with their stop in Marseille, Jack, Ellanni, Liam and Chloe felt it took forever, not just the flight but then waiting for luggage and for Mama to get the car. Seeing and hearing the signs of incipient whining, their father had to give them an eyebrow warning while they were in the airport. The eyebrow warning was one step away from being Spoken To. The four of them knew if that happened there would be consequences and none of them wanted that!

Before they were halfway to Varkiza, Tim noticed how quiet the kids were. Taking a quick look, he chuckled quietly as he told his wife all four were asleep. She grinned,  “Good! Did you have to speak to them?”

Shaking his head, he pointed to his eyebrow and they both grinned. Neither used the ‘eyebrow warning’ or scolding often as their children were usually well behaved, still very young and sometimes overly tired, overly excited or both. However, they were teaching them to recognize when they felt that way and to try to stop, to rein in their discontent or impatience when they could and when they couldn’t, to tell their parents. Considering their young ages and how close in age they were, they usually did very well, all four being fairly mellow children.

Their trips to Varkiza were always highly anticipated and the children’s parents confessed to each other that neither of them ever slept much the night before they left. If they felt that way, they could only imagine the level of excitement experienced by their littles!

When they arrived at their rental, the same place they stayed in during their summer visits, they woke the children, telling them they were finally here, in Varkiza! They’d take their things inside and then have a bite to eat and then, if they weren’t too sleepy, they’d walk to the beach. Four little faces lit up and stayed that way as they climbed out of their safety seats and out of the rental vehicle, a large SUV. Each of the children took a bag with a pillow or pillows in it. Whenever possible the family liked having their own pillows with them when they were away from home for more than two or three nights.

Unlocking the front door, Artie motioned to Tim who entered the house with the first load of luggage. The children followed him in with the pillows. While Tim was inside with the children, Artie grabbed a large folding cart from the storage closet, taking it outside to the rental vehicle and then pushing lightly in the right place so that the cart unfolded. Once all four wheels were on the ground, she started loading it.

She and Tim swapped places again, Artie pulling the cart inside while Tim removed the last of the luggage from the vehicle. In the meantime the children were carefully reading the name tags on each bag of pillows to see which room to place them in

The four children knew the English alphabet and what their names and their parents’ names, looked like spelled out. Jack and Ellanni spoke Greek as well as they spoke English, knew the Greek alphabet and what their names looked like spelled out in the Greek language. Liam and Chloe also spoke the language but weren’t yet as proficient with the alphabet as their older siblings.   

Once everything they’d brought with them was in the proper room, they stopped to call Mimi before leaving the house to walk to the beach. They wouldn’t stay long, the children and their parents were tired and weren’t looking forward to unpacking although what they would need for tonight was on the top in everyone’s suitcases. They were only a few steps from their rental when Mimi caught up with them. Artie exclaimed, “Yaya! Hello, I’m so happy, we’re so happy to be here!”

After kissing her granddaughter, her grandson, Mimi considered Tim, Ian, Sergio and Theo as much family as her son Nikolas, daughter Gaia and her grandchildren, she also kissed her great-grandchildren. She grinned, “I’m just as happy that you’re here and with so many of the family, like our summer vacations only without the heat! Tell me, are Jimmy and Breena going to Mac’s beach house or doing something else?”

Tim nodded, “They drove to Mac’s place Thursday morning, Jimmy sent Mom a text when they arrived, and will return home the same day we leave. They felt they needed to get away by themselves, just the three of them, and Mac’s place is perfect for that. Jimmy says they’ll join us this summer and again at Christmas.”

“Wonderful! Perhaps we can take care of Donnie for a day or two to give them time away here as well.”

Artie smiled, “That’s a wonderful idea, Yaya!”

The McGees stopped walking, frowning when they reached the beach, it seemed both closer and smaller than it should be.

Giving them a loving look, Mimi shook her head, “The storms during the winter changed more of the beach. Oh my loves, don’t frown like that, be happy we still have a beach! Remember that my neighbors and I spent the worst of the storms safe and warm in Peter and Rhode’s caravan and the others that were loaned or rented to those displaced, in the covered car park at that commercial building. We even had the key so we could use the facilities and many people chose to sleep inside.“ She smiled at her grandson, “Timόtheos, remember there was minimal damage to our homes. Farther along the coast, people weren’t so lucky but no one died or was seriously injured and we’ve been told all the repairs are complete for those people whose homes were flooded. As you know, all the repairs in this neighborhood were completed within weeks, thanks to the two of you, Jethro, Lu, Bill, Nikki, Rob, Geordie, Bec, Tony and Maggie, Sarah and James, Freddie, Joe, Charlotte and Abby, Susannah, Ian, Alastair, Fiona, Edie and George and the rest of our family and friends spending time and money to help! I’m still somewhat in shock that Freddie, Joe, Char and Abby were able to leave their work for three weeks to come help! My neighbors and I have much to be thankful for.

“Now, it will be too chilly tomorrow morning for the beach so I thought we’d go into Athens to watch the changing of the guard. I remember you’ll be tired the first day as there is a 2 hour difference in time and I know the children don’t sleep well the night before they’re going somewhere!” At Tim’s sheepish look, she chuckled, “And I know that includes their parents as well. Anyway, why don’t we plan to leave by 10:30? That gives us time to park and find a good spot to watch the changing of the Guard. I thought it would also be fun to visit the Benaki and then be home in time to spend the rest of the afternoon on the beach. There are new exhibits at the Benaki the children will want to see, ancient toys found by archeologists in several sites throughout the country. I understand there are figures of horses, bears and other animals as well as sea creatures, crafted from native wood.”

Young Jackson’s smile left his face when he heard their Mimi say it would be too chilly for the beach, although he liked going into Athens and looking at toys would be fun. He wondered if they could play with them. He smiled again when his  father took care of the beach problem. “That’s a great idea, Yaya, and by the time we get back the sun will have warmed everything so we can play in the sand and stick our feet in the water. Have Peter and Rhode left yet?”

“Yes. However, they’ll be back a few days before you leave for home, they want to have a family barbecue on the beach. I have the key to their house and the pool is nice and warm.”

Tim smiled at his son who was again wearing his happy face, glad they would see Pappouli Peter and Yaya Rhode and swim at their house. When Liam’s tummy rumbled, they all smiled, telling Liam they were also hungry. Turning, they walked back toward their beach rental.

As they approached the house, Tim’s phone alerted him to a message from his father, saying he was about to start barbecuing the chicken he’d brought from home. He’d given it a light roast in the oven the night before and then tucked it into their large cooler for dinner tonight. He also said to bring Athena with them when they came over and not to forget the salad or the potatoes, he’d already started the oven so the potatoes wouldn’t have to wait as long for their roast. Tim laughed at that, he and Artie had made a large salad that would feature crunchy fresh vegetables, currently stored separately from the salad. All that had traveled in their cooler which traveled on the plane with them. He’d also made garlic baby potatoes, one of his favorite recipes, those would indeed need some time in the oven at his parents’ rental.

Grabbing their long sleeved shirts for later, no one wanted to bring anything warmer this evening, the family first had a quick and very light snack of celery sticks with a smear of peanut butter. Then they gathered the potato dish, the salad, the container of dressing with the children helping to pack the bags of sliced and chopped fresh vegetables, tucked it all into their cooler on wheels and off they went to Poppy and Grama’s house.

Back at their rental after their delicious dinner, Tim and Artie took the children through their nightly routine, kissing them goodnight after baths, stories and cuddles.

Once the children were soundly asleep, the two sat in the lounge to revisit a topic they’d discussed several times since they’d won the money in Tahoe four years ago. This time they decided to move forward, not necessarily making any final moves right away but at least getting started. And if they fell in love with something that ticked everything or at least a majority of items on their wish list, perhaps they’d just go for it!

Artemis looked online in hopes of recognizing the name an old friend had mentioned, a contact who could help them. She sighed in relief when she found the name and contact information. As it was still early enough in the evening to call, they decided to contact the man right away.

Their call was quickly answered by the man, who answered saying his name and the name of the company he worked for. Artie grinned, saying “Hello, my name is Artemis Midei and I was given your name by an old friend, Eva Kouris.”

“Yes, she mentioned referring you. How may I help you, Ms. Midei?”

“My husband and I are in Varkiza visiting family. We’ll be here until the day after Easter and hope to look at properties for sale. We want a large house or several acres, I mean hectares on which to build a large house, preferably in the hills with an elevation between 800 and 1,000 feet above sea level. I’m a civil engineer and architect, our brothers are in the construction trades and are here with us so if we see a property we like, they will want to see it.”

“Wonderful! Now, when are you available?”

“Really, anytime as long as there are people to watch our children. We have four of them, twins aged 4, 3 ½ and 3. Two girls and two boys.”

She could feel his smile over the phone, “We also have twins, boys, aged 3.”

“Lovely!”

“Yes, they’re wonderful children and a lot of fun. Do you know how big a house you want or how big a parcel of land?”

“My husband and I have a very large family, although we don’t all live together. My husband has 11 siblings, all but one are married or spoken for. One of Tim’s brothers is partners with a woman whom my father-in-law has long considered a daughter, before he even met Tim or the others, so the count is a little skewed. We probably won’t spend Christmas here, we live in a huge house in a small town outside London and it’s likely we’ll continue to spend Christmases there or in the United States. Depending on the children’s schools, they haven’t started yet, we believe we’ll be here from February through August or September.

“For those we already know will live on the property along with the 6 of us, there are 17, including my husband’s parents, my grandmother and our resident uncles and elderlies. We’d also like another dwelling on the property, a guesthouse possibly for my father and his wife. They live in Varkiza, in the same neighborhood as my grandmother but with the flooding last winter we want to offer them a home at a safer elevation.

“The children share two bedrooms but as we may foster or adopt more we’d like 5 shareable bedrooms and one nicely sized main bedroom for us. Tim and I also need separate offices, separate from the main part of the house and separate from each other. With my work, I like to use physical drafting and sketch boards and will need more office space than Tim. He’s in law enforcement and needs a very secure space to work from home. He’s also an author and needs quiet and privacy. None of the elderlies or uncles cook although they do help in the kitchen and my in-laws, my husband and I love to cook, as well as some of our frequent visitors so we’ll need a decent sized kitchen, we hope one that has room for a large breakfast table. We’ll also need a separate dining area, as large as possible to fit the entire extended family when they’re here.”

She stopped to take a breath, “Sorry, I sometimes forget how complex a family we are! We’d also need a family room as well as a lounge and if possible a library and media room separate from the family room. And a fenced pool. All that sounds like we’ll need a mansion or a 5 hectare parcel or both.”

Evander looked at his notes, “I do have three properties available now that would fit everything in. Two are vacant lots that I believe are large enough for everything you want, one is nearly 6 hectares and the other is slightly smaller. The home is closer to Athens, although not far from Varkiza.”

Tim joined her and smiled, excited about the possibilities. Sending a quick message, he showed Artie the reply. She grinned, “We have time tomorrow morning, if that’s all right with you? Our parents will stay with the children.”

“Good, how early?”

“Is 8 too early?” Tim thought they’d be back by 10, in plenty of time to get the children ready for the trip into Athens.

“No, that’s fine. The first 2 properties are in Varkiza, I will pick you up and we’ll visit the 3^rd property first as it is the farthest out and then see the others.”

Agreeing, they gave him their rental address before disconnecting. The two grinned at each other, “We’re going house hunting! This is fun!”

Tim nodded, “I bet the first one might be something on a big enough lot that we can renovate to our needs.”

“I was also thinking that. I can’t imagine a home nearly as big as the Jaxton house exists here.”

Her husband nodded, “Unless it’s a mansion, me neither. However, we haven’t done much looking. And, this didn’t occur to me until I heard you talking about rooms, Bill and Nikki and Sarah and James won’t be able to live with us. I suppose it’s possible that Geordie and Bec would want to live and work here and maybe Rob as well but not any of the sibs who work for NCIS.”

“Oh, the office is too small, I forgot. But they’ll stay in Jaxton and don’t forget we’ll be there part of the year.”

Tim’s face lightened up, “That’s right! Thanks for the save, sweetie.”

They were glad they were tired and hadn’t slept much the previous night because they were so excited about the house hunt that if they hadn’t been exhausted they likely would not have slept that night either!

Waking early, they got themselves dressed, making a special breakfast before waking the children. The littles were a bit confused when their parents said they had something they needed to do that morning, not work and the children would have fun with their grandparents. Later they would all go to Athens together to have some fun, then come home, have lunch and spend the rest of the day on the beach and swimming in Pappous Peter’s pool! That all sounded like fun and Jack remembered Mimi mentioning toys at the museum and reminded his siblings. Everyone smiled at that!

After washing their hands, faces and brushing their teeth, the children held their parents’ hands as they walked next door to Grandpa and Grama’s house. Jethro and Lu weren’t quite sure what their grown kids were up to but they both had big smiles on their faces, so they decided not to worry. Tim said they’d be back by 10 AM, 10:15 at the latest.  

Chapter Text

Chapter 5: Possibilities, Spring Break, 2014

Tim was glad when their new real estate agent, Evander Doukas, arrived at their rental promptly at 8 AM, definitely making points in his favor! Not that the realtor needed any, Tim had already run a quick background on him and told Artie they should send her friend Eva a gift to thank her for referring them to him.

As Artie and Tim shook hands with the man, he looked at Tim quizzically. "I feel as if I should know you."

Tim tilted his head, "Do you know anyone who works at NCIS besides Eva?"

"Yes, my wife, Kim, along with her office mates and the agents."

Tim's eyes lit up, "Oh my gosh! Kim Ellis, the office manager, you're her husband? Congratulations, she's the best! And you know Pete Russell!"

"Thank you, I'll pass your compliment to Kim. And yes, I know Pete and his family very well." He looked at Tim, "Have you been to any of their parties on the island of Aegina?"

"A couple of them, yes. I've met everyone who works in that office."

Evander looked at him silently, before shaking his head, "Sorry, I'm being rude. What is your surname?"

"I use Midei whenever possible but my surname is Gibbs, Timothy Gibbs. Legally, my full name is Timothy Jackson Camilo-Gibbs. Camilo is my mother's family name; however, I only use Gibbs at work."

"Timothy Gibbs? You're Kim and Pete's new boss! And the others as well."

Tim nodded with a laugh, "Yes, I am. Small world!"

Evander smiled, "Made even smaller when you had the good sense to marry a Greek woman and I had the good sense to marry an American woman! Now that we have that settled, shall we proceed?"

Chuckling to herself, Artie loved how Tim quickly found common ground, making new friends. She slid into the front seat of Evander's 4 door SUV while Tim sat in the back.

The first property was, as they'd surmised, a house that would need extensive renovating to meet their needs. The plot of land it occupied was large enough to do so but Artie thought it was too far from Varkiza, that her grandmother would want to be closer to her friends. While there was enough room to renovate the house, that wouldn't leave enough room on the lot for the guesthouses, pool or parking for more than three vehicles at a time. Unless it was the only vehicle on the property, Artie's father's large motor home wouldn't fit with or without the house renovation.

Still, they toured the house. There were four bedrooms, one full bath, although the commode was in a separate room which would help, a medium-sized kitchen without any room for a breakfast table the size they'd need and only an alcove for a dining area. There was a nice sized backyard with play equipment. Considering they'd likely have 5 or 6 vehicles here and more for visitors, they'd need a sizeable parking area or garage and it just wasn't there.

The elevation was good, it was 800 feet above sea level. It was closer to Athens than Varkiza, which might be good for the children as far as school was concerned but the property itself wasn't exciting to either Artie or Tim. And if they were going to have to do a total gut job, true for this place, and still not have everything they wanted, they'd rather just build new.

Evander asked what they thought and right off the bat they said the elevation was within their parameters, the existing bedrooms were a good size and they liked the idea of having separate rooms for the commodes, telling him that's what they had in the UK. They also told him the lot was too small and Artie added that she was afraid her grandmother would feel cut off from her friends.

The man nodded, "Thank you for being candid with me. Even though you gave me a good deal of information last night the only way a real estate broker can really understand what their client wants is by watching their reactions to what they see. I'm glad we have the two lots to view!"

Back in the car, they rode towards Varkiza proper, taking a right turn at an intersection with a stoplight that Artie said she didn't remember seeing before.

Evander smiled, "That's because it's fairly new and as nobody lives up here yet, I imagine that very few cars coming from Varkiza trip the stoplight to turn red to allow a turn up the hill. It's likely always green. We're going up this way so I can show you a little more of the area."

Toward the top of the hill, they came upon a multi-storied building, clearly a commercial building, on the right side of the road. Evander pulled the car over and they stopped. Now they could see underground parking and Artie smiled, " I think this is where many of the motor homes, caravans and camper cars camped out in February, my yaya talked about it."

"Motor homes? I hadn't heard about that."

She nodded, "My father has one large enough for his wife and their four children, although they are mostly grown now. In February when the storms got worse, he and one of my brothers packed up my grandmother's house as well as a few other neighbors' homes, taking all their perishable items and canned goods, then drove as many people as they could fit into the RV to escape the storm. Papa got the key to that building and my grandmother, our family and the neighborhood elderlies stayed inside the building while Papa arranged for caravans for more of those who had to evacuate. Yaya insisted on moving back into one of them with two of her neighbors so that a family with small children could stay together in the building, they wouldn't have to be crowded into an RV." She looked at Tim, "She neglected to mention that yesterday."

Tim smiled as he nodded, "I remembered but decided not to bring it up."

Evander nodded, "I heard something about people taking refuge here but didn't know who or how many. In Piraeus, we were also scrambling to help people evacuate and find shelter. Now, as you can see, this is a commercial building, built for what was once a thriving business. It was located in Athens for many years before the owners decided to relocate onto the side of this hill. They were only here for two years when the business had to shut down during the pandemic.

"Eventually the owners, father and son, were able to sell the business and it has moved into Athens with many of the same employees, a good thing for them and the new owners. Sadly, as the storms intensified this past winter, both the father and son drowned as they tried to rescue a group of people whose party boat had capsized. I believe four of the people they rescued survived so their sacrifice was not totally in vain."

He paused before seeming to shake himself a little and continuing, "Although the business itself was sold, at the time of their deaths the original owners still owned the building. Now their wives own it although they haven't been able to find a buyer or a long-term tenant." He smiled, "They are also the owners of the tracts of land we're going to see. I'll tell you more as we go."

As he started the car again, he pointed to the road they were on, climbing a fairly steep hill, "Notice it continues past the building. When the building and this road were under construction, the owners had the road continued up and then around a curve to the left. They were already in negotiations to buy the lots we'll see today. What I find was a very smart thing to do is that they curved the road, as you see here," he briefly stopped talking as they rounded the curve to the left before the road straightened out again, "according to the land rather than cutting into the mountain and the trees to make an angled left hand turn. From here, as you can see now, they extended the road more or less straight along the mountainside to the end of the three plots of land they were given permission to develop for residential use.

"Realizing that big trucks and heavy equipment would need to use the road that passes their building to reach the building sites, thus disturbing their employees, they also had two additional roads made. We turned off before we came to them on EO91, that is National Road 91, the main road into Varkiza.

"Basically, there are three entry and exit roads up here, connecting to one straight road, the one we're on now. The first is the one we drove up, past the building, the second and third intersect with the road after coming out of the curve as we just did and all three roads end at the bottom of the hill, at the main road into Athens and Varkiza. That means that whoever occupies the office and the properties has three ways to enter and exit. While there is only one stoplight, at the turnoff to the office building, that's really all that's necessary. Turning right to get to Varkiza proper shouldn't be a problem and a left turn towards Athens can be made at the bottom of the road we came in on, with the stoplight."

Artie nodded, "That was very smart, preparing for the future as well as the present." Then she gasped, "Oh! Is this it?"

Tim didn't say anything as he was too busy looking out into the glistening Mediterranean. When he could finally tear his eyes away, he noticed they had driven onto the lot and Evander was parking. "Yes, this is the first lot I wanted you to see. It's close to 5 hectares, 12 acres."

Artie and Tim nearly fell out of the car in their haste to see the whole thing. Remembering he'd brought his film camera, Tim grabbed it. He looked at Evander, "Before we fall any deeper in love with it, what's the asking price?"

Evander told him and Tim looked at Artie, it was well within their price range, possibly because they'd have to build whatever they wanted. The couple walked through the center of the property, stopping close to the edge and then backing off a few feet. Both noticed there was no crumbling, the ground was solid.

Each took photos and then Tim, using the widest angle on the camera, got as much in as possible. Eventually, they took several sets of photos that would overlap once printed, so they'd have a better idea of the lot size. There were trees and blooming wildflowers.

Artie said that it felt like they could see the entire Mediterranean. By the time they finally tore their eyes away from the spectacular view, having walked the perimeter and through the center a few times, the Chief Engineer and Architect was ready to present a very rough draft.

During their second circuit around the property, Artie had mentally begun designing the house. They needed room to sleep between 20 and 44 people, the 24 additional being the rest of Tim's brothers, their partners and children as well as the Porters, more of the Baxter family, she'd already included Cousin Richard, the Fornells, Nikki's family, Ned's grandparents and a few other folks. Right away she decided the house should be single story. She used the number of people currently living at the big house in Jaxton, 20 and expanded that to include additional children along the way. They'd design many of the bedrooms to be shareable and probably have hallway bathrooms with a few half baths within the rooms or suites.

She told Tim right away that there was enough room on the property for their own home along with one or two guesthouses, which would also help for visitors.

Tim grinned, "I bet Malu, Yaya and Rhode will love this!"

Artie nodded, she was busy placing buildings. When she thought she had it right, she motioned to Tim, taking a stick with a pointed end and using the loose dirt of the top soil as a rough drawing board drawing.

"Look, the house runs along here, single story, long from side to side and possibly wide front to back. Then, over there," she pointed off to the right, "Two guesthouses, side by side but not attached unless that's easier to build and I believe it would be, with one foundation instead of two separate ones. There will be a paved walkway or perhaps something cooler than pavement, between the two, with gardens on either side, perhaps shade trees. Then…" She pointed with the stick, "a row of apartments, like the ones in the States. A variation of apartment living, usually only two sharing a wall."

Tim thought for a few seconds before saying, "Duplexes?"

"Yes, thank you! Ours will be either a triplex or a fourplex although I suppose we could do them in sets of two." She shook her head a little before adding, "I like that, they could have a common garden between the two buildings, although again a single foundation might be easier. Perhaps a terrace on top of the shared foundation with a pergola and raised flower beds. The guesthouses and the separate units will have to be carefully placed so that everyone has a view from somewhere in the building. As for the separate units, two of them will have two bedrooms, the others will have one bedroom each. They'd have everything that's needed in the kitchen, although apartment sized appliances, Yaya can cook in our kitchen if she wants or perhaps she'll want to live in one of the guesthouses. For the apartments, their view will also be out the back of the units, looking at the Mediterranean although there will be windows in the front as well. Papa and Rhode can have one of the guesthouses, with two or three bedrooms or maybe two plus a den for my siblings when they visit and later when they bring their families to visit. We'll see.

"If you look over there on the right, toward the front of the property, the elevation is higher than here. The area isn't large enough for our home but it is for the guesthouses. That means that whoever lives in the guest houses will be looking over the fourplex building at the views.

"Now, our home will have all the bedrooms we need for whoever will live with us fulltime. Jethro, Malu, the Grandpas, the Uncles, your siblings, their partners and children. Our family will have 6, possibly 8 bedrooms. Three for now plus rooms for any other children who may join us. We may also be able to do suites as we have in Jaxton but I think that will only work for the people who only have two or three people together. For example, Geo, Bec and Ben, that's 2 bedrooms, one full bath shared between both bedrooms, a kitchenette and a lounge for them. The suites can have one bathroom each and the rest will be in the hallways. Now, do we put the bedrooms in a row across the back of the property so they each have a view or put them in the front, off the road, and sides of the building and let the common areas have the views?"

Tim and Evander both said, "Common areas!"

Evander smiled, adding, "That will also be a better selling point down the road."

The couple nodded in agreement and then Tim turned in a full circle, noticing something else. "It's not windy right now. Evander, can we find out how strong the wind gets to up here? At least normally, we know there will be stronger winds during stormy weather. And if the information is available, what damage, if any, occurred here during the storms last winter?"

Evander nodded, making a note, read for a minute before looking up with a smile, "I've received more information from the selling agent."

The eyes of both his prospective clients widened, "Good!"

"First, the winter storms did no appreciable damage. None of the trees fell and there was no damage to the cliff portions of any of the three lots here. This is all bedrock and there's not much dirt or many plants between the edge of the property and the sea.

"However, along the two other roads I mentioned, there were tree limbs that fell and the locations of those trees have been noted for future reference if someone ends up building off those roads. The roads themselves were not damaged."

Looking up, he saw the couple had another question and guessing at what it might be, he added, "The property adjacent to and between both roads along with the land across the road from the commercial building is not slated for development. The government owns it." He smiled, "As it took several years and a great deal of persuasion to win approval first for the commercial building and then for the sale of the three lots as well as the two additional roads, I don't see that approvals for any additional development will be forthcoming any time soon."

He smiled as he saw satisfaction and some relief on their faces.

"Secondly, construction was already in progress here when the two men died. The sewer lines are already in and ready to be connected to the Varkiza system. At the time, the owners were planning a multi-story home with a few outbuildings. I'll print the schematics but from your sketch here, I believe the lines are very close to where you want your guesthouses, the fourplex and of course the main house. The water supply and power lines are also already in place. Their plan was to go solar, which in this area could very well provide enough power to run year round. They also planned to have a whole house fan. Builders are doing their best to stay away from traditional air conditioning due to the expense of running them as well as environmental concerns. In addition, the humidity along the coast is frequently too high for evaporative coolers. Now, you also mentioned a swimming pool and I'm afraid that will be a problem. You see, this whole mountain is bedrock, very difficult to drill into, although it does provide an excellent foundation, greatly lessening the possibility of earthquake damage. An in-ground pool could cost you more than the entire house."

Tim grinned, "That's all right, we have friends who had the same problem. They built a deck framework, drilling only a few holes in the bedrock and then purchased an above-ground pool that fits right into the deck. From what they told us, it wasn't easy but it was a lot better than digging or worse, blasting into the bedrock for an inground pool. If my dad and brother Bill can drill holes into this bedrock for the deck frame, then we'll have a pool with a sturdy framework. That also means the pool can go into storage during the winter and we'll have some sort of cover for the framework."

"Wonderful! I'll have to remember that as more people move away from the coast. Will that brother be moving here?"

"No, his wife works for NCIS in London."

"Ah, so you are also the boss of some of your family?"

Tim laughed, nodding, "Yes, I have in-laws and a brother who work at NCIS. To make it even more fun, all of the in-laws report directly to me. However, they were all in place before I took the job and we have written approvals from the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Navy and my boss, the Director of NCIS."

Artie grinned, "And as a bonus for the rest of us, because of their reporting situation none of them can talk about work with Tim outside of the office. No work talk at the dinner table!"

Tim snorted, "A blessing in disguise. So, Artemis, what would you like to do next?"

"I'd like to bring your brothers and our papas up here for their opinions. Yaya, Malu and Rhode as well." She looked at Tim who grinned, nodding. "All right." She turned to Evander, "If my in-laws, parents and grandmother love this place as much as we do, we'll buy it."

Tim thought about that, "Let's also bring the kids."

"Yes."

Evander smiled, "So you don't want to see the other plot?"

"How far is it from here?"

Evander grinned, pointing left to a scattering of trees. "If you'd like, we can walk over to take a quick look."

Nodding, the two followed him through the trees and bushes. It was a similar plot of land, although smaller.

Artie frowned, looking around, "Do you know what they planned to put here?"

"Yes, a multi-car garage and I believe a workshop. I noticed you hadn't mentioned a garage but it would be good idea up here. "

"Interesting." That was Tim who now looked at Artie. He thought about all the cars they'd have, along with Peter and Rhode's RV if they moved up here. He counted a possible 8, including the RV. He remembered the leasing agent in New Mexico telling him to shield his leased vehicle from the sun. Remembering that his father-in-law kept his RV covered with a series of large tarps, he nodded, that would do, although if they could somehow fit it into a garage that would be better. As for his father's workshop, which he thought Dad and Bill could share, he'd rather have it closer to the house but they could talk about that later.

"How big is the lot and what's the price?"

Evander told them and the two looked at each other. Tim said, "We can have solar power over here as well."

Artie nodded, "I'd want the back of the lot walled along the edge, like our house lot."

"Yes, I think we might need to build a fence surrounding the entire lot, with a wall across the back." Tim looked at Evander, "Do you think trespassers would be a problem?"

Evander tilted his head in thought, "It is possible. Especially during construction and when you are away, if no one else is here."

Artie nodded, "Then we will hire a caretaker who will live on site during construction and when we are away. Perhaps Papa will know of someone."

Tim agreed, liking the idea. Nearly rolling his eyes at himself, he asked his next question, "Evander, this is probably getting ahead of ourselves but what kind of wildlife would live here on the mountain? I know if there are deer, their predators are also here."

"You're right and there are deer everywhere. I wonder if the construction, with large vehicles moving up and down the roads will encourage them to move along."

Tim and Artie looked at each other, Artie saying "I hope we can find a way to coexist rather than drive them away."

With a nod of agreement, Tim thought aloud, "We can build deer fences around both lots, building them so the deer can't see what they would be jumping into. As I understand it, If deer can't see where they would be landing, they won't jump."

Artie nodded, "There are also sprays we can make from natural substances, smells they don't like although they're not poisonous, as well as plants we can use along the fence line, on both sides to keep them away, like rosemary, thyme and I think lavender."

"I like the idea, especially that the plants won't be poisonous and they all bloom and like hot weather." Tim looked at Evander, "Any chance of getting a deal if we buy both lots?"

Evander smiled, "Yes, I'm not the selling agent for the owners and have no qualms about proposing a deal. Did you have an amount in mind?"

Tim shook his head, "Not yet, need to think about it, talk with our financial advisor, see what he says. He's in the US so we'll call him later today, after we talk with our family. Also, I know the lots aren't fenced but is it all right if we bring my brothers, our grandmother, parents and children up to look? If we want our parents to live here, they need to see it first!"

"Yes, I'll notify the selling agent that I have prospective buyers who will be bringing family members to look at both properties. If your financial advisor likes the idea of purchasing both lots, let me know so we can figure out what you want to offer. It might help if you send him some of your photos." He grinned, "Although you might have to add another room to the house just for him!"

Tim grinned, "Then we can charge him rent!" He shook his head with a chuckle, "We own part of my mother's former home in Baltimore, my siblings and I bought it from her and three of us were left a house in Cambridge, Massachusetts, when our former landlady died. However, neither of us has ever bought a house for ourselves. We rent from my brother in the UK and when we were first married, we had a sublet on the grounds of the university where I was teaching at the time. So this is our first home purchase and as much fun as this is, it's a bit scary!"

"Are you pre-approved for a mortgage?"

"No, we'll pay cash." Tim and Artie grinned at each other at the look on Evander's face. "We unexpectedly came into money a few years ago and earmarked an amount to grow into what we'd need to eventually buy or build a home." Tim chuckled, "And with my wife's skills and talents, it was almost a foregone conclusion that we'd build." He looked at Artie, "Jesse will want an estimate for the builds." She nodded, "I'll work on that."

Evander looked at her, "I can help with that, I'll send you current construction costs, labor, etc."

"Thank you, that will be a huge help. While Bill, our builder brother, is a whiz at estimating in the UK now that he's lived there for a few years, he won't know much about Greece."

Evander tilted his head, "I can tell you this, it'll be less expensive than building in the UK or the US."

"If we decide to do this, what's the process?"

Evander briefly explained it to the couple, agreeing when Tim asked to record him. He also said that although anyone could purchase real estate in the Hellenic Republic, things would likely go faster with Artemis' Greek citizenship and her familial connections.

"What about hiring, would we need to use local labor? Not that we wouldn't but it would be great if…no, never mind, that won't work."

Artie nodded, "You're right, I don't think Nikki would be very happy with Bill or you if he was away from her and Jasper for several months, building our home!"

Evander smiled, "I'm happy to give you information and recommendations for main contractors."

Tim nodded, "Thanks, they're also called that in the UK. In the US, they're called general contractors. Bill's licensed in the UK and in the US but Artie's right about him being away for too long. Their son, who's almost 2, would be heartbroken if his daddy was away for long periods of time."

Finally returning to Varkiza and the house, they were amazed that it was only 9:45, plenty of time to have a snack, a glass of tea or lemonade and clean up for the trip to Athens. They both hoped they'd be able to focus on what they were doing! Tim said he would ask his father to drive and Artie agreed, "I don't think I could handle it either. I'm so excited, and nervous."

He looked at her, "We'll still have plenty of money. Remember, Jesse moved the house money the day after we got back from Tahoe, we've never looked to see the balance. Or I haven't."

"I haven't either and yes, I know, we'll still have," she dropped her voice to a whisper, "millions of dollars. It's just that this is our first major expense."

He nodded, "I know and in a way I'm glad we're nervous. We still want to retire here, right?"

She nodded as her shoulders relaxed a bit. "Yes, when you're 55 or earlier if you're ready. I've been thinking that I'd like to bring my cousin into my company and then will plan to sell it to him when I'm ready to retire, when you do. I hope we'll also still have access to the Jaxton house or be able to stay with Tony and Maggie."

"Great! Then from now on, let's say that we're done considering Leon's job."

She laughed, "I agree! Not that I would be considering his job for me!"

Tim tilted his head, "I don't know why not, you're certainly well acquainted with the 'ins and outs' of the agency." They both chuckled.

When they were ready to leave their rental, Tim looked at his wife, "I've forgotten, what are we seeing this morning?"

She laughed, "The Changing of the Guard and the Benaki Museum."

"Right! I remember Yaya saying there are ancient toys at the Benaki."

"That should be interesting."

She turned to find him standing there, giving her the smile that always made her weak in the knees. He'd told her she did the same thing to him. Pulling her towards him, he kissed her deeply, leaving her rather dazed. With a wicked laugh, he took her hand leading her out the door for the walk to her grandmother's home.

Chapter Text

Chapter 6: Decisions  

While they remembered enjoying seeing the Changing of the Guard and had fun at the Benaki that morning, both Artemis and Tim were happy when they were home again. After the children’s naps, they drove to the beach where they had fun running around and looking for treasures in the sand.

Tim and Artie were saddened at the change in the beach, it was noticeably smaller than it had been last summer and the lifeguard towers had been moved. When Tim mentioned that to Yaya, she shook her head. “Those are new, Timothy. The ones you saw last summer didn’t survive the high tides and the tsunami. The bases are still there, underwater, see the buoys?”

Tim nodded, he’d noticed those. When he wondered aloud why he hadn’t noticed when he was here helping to repair the houses, Yaya made a noise, “Because you were too busy helping to rebuild to come down here and there was still a great deal of debris, I believe they roped off the entire beach. They weren’t sure how safe it was.”

Despite that sad comment, the family had a good time, walking and running up and down the beach, stopping to dig a trough for a sea star to return to the water and acquiring a few new treasures, the visitors took home one ‘new’ seashell apiece. They decided to leave the rest of them, Tim thinking of a possible fantasy story with a barrier wall of seashells protecting what was left of the beach. That amused him and he mentally rolled his eyes at himself wondering where he thought he’d find time, or the inclination, to do that?

With their walking, running and digging the trough they were warm, nearly hot, before they stuck their toes into the salt water. However, the toes came out even faster than they went in as the Mediterranean was clearly not ready for swimmers yet, not even just toes!  Thinking they might try again later in the day, the group gathered their belongings, by this time the Barnes-Gibbses, the Dorneget-Gibbses and the Jardine-Gibbses had joined them, and walked or drove to the Lekkas’ home where they enjoyed the lovely warm pool for a few hours. Playing with the children and setting up two toddler wading pools for those too little for the pool, the adults took turns for adult swims, finally getting everyone out to dry off close to the patio heaters as it was nearly time for dinner!

Their evening meal was fun as the cooks brought everything with them to the Lekkas’ home. Poppy and Papi grilled burgers, while Tim heated another batch of garlic potatoes and Maggie and Barry made a salad.

After they ate in the Lekkases’ nice warm glass conservatory, the children stayed with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins while Tim and Artie walked back to their rental to call Jesse, their financial advisor. When they heard the balance of their house fund the couple relaxed, for that amount they could afford the property and as many dwellings as they wanted.

Jesse laughed when they said that, “Building in Greece, especially with the tricky parts, the utilities, already in, will cost a great deal less than buying property in the US and building on it. After this project is complete, you’ll have enough for a second property here or almost anywhere you want with plenty more to live on and leave for the children. Your winnings have been working for you for four years now, part of it a year longer.”

“We’d still be able to buy another lot the same size if we wanted?”

“It depends on what’s on it and where it is. In the US, you’ll be better off buying a property with buildings already on it, then you can renovate, as long as they are in decent shape and the site is environmentally healthy. Outside the US, I’d have to know more specifics.”

The couple beamed at each other, “Great! Then we’ll ask to have our builder brother and father take a look at the property and see what they say about this lot. The elevation and location are both good and as you said, some of the tricky parts, the sewer lines and utilities, are already in.”

Jesse smiled, “I like your idea for the pool, the fencing, the guesthouses and the apartments. How was the wind?”

“Not bad at all and our realtor has already sent us additional information about the wind in that area. Don’t want to build and then find the wind is too strong or too noisy. Anyway, the statistics look good.”

“Sounds like you have most of the information you need. Let me know, we can get the payment to the sellers within 24 hours.”

“We’ve never done anything like this before, do you advise we pay full price?”

Jesse stopped to think before he spoke, “It will be helpful if you first know the customs of the country. Is it acceptable to counteroffer or is the price considered firm, final or is not counter offering considered foolish? I’m sure your realtor will have the answers. While I know the customs of several countries unfortunately the Hellenic Republic is not one of them. Financially, you’re good to go at full price for both lots and then we’ll look at the costs for building. I’m agreeing to it now because I know it will be less than a new build costs here. When you asked for the phone call, I did some research and again, you are good to go. Let me know, I’m excited for you!”

“Thanks, we’re also excited for us!”

Disconnecting, they hugged and kissed before calling Evander. He agreed to meet them at the property in the morning, provided their brothers, cousin and father were available. Contacting Bill, Freddie, Joe, Matthaíos and Dad, all agreed to viewing the property the next morning. Malu and Mimi also wanted to go.

Piling into various vehicles, Tim led them to the property. He smiled as he pulled up behind Evander’s vehicle, waiting for the traffic light to change so they could turn left from the main road to Athens. Driving up the hill, Artie pointed out the vacant commercial building and Mimi smiled, telling her passengers that was where she and many of her neighbors, along with many other residents of Varkiza, had taken refuge during the storms last winter.

When Tim pulled onto ‘their’ lot behind Evander, they waited for Mimi and the others, who had slowed down for a look at the commercial building. In the meantime, Dad shook his head as he looked around at the property, “I’ve been waiting for something like this since Tahoe! Will this wipe you out?”

Tim grinned, “One of the first things we talked about before and during our first trip here was to have our own home, although back then it would have been a lot smaller. Anyway, we told our finance guy what we wanted to do and he got busy putting our winnings to work. We have plenty to buy this, build what we want and live here and in the UK without working. Our current plans are that both of us will continue to work or at least I will until Leon retires. I expect whoever takes over from him will want to appoint their own Assistant Directors and SACs.”

“So that’s definitely not you?”

“Right, although I’m willing to stay on in my current positions.”

“Good, although you’ll break his heart. He’s wanted you to succeed him since that lawsuit business and that case. For all his messing up, he was very impressed by the way you handled everything.” Jethro grinned at his son, “I think this is a great idea. Who are you thinking of living here with you and the children?”

“Mimi, you and Mom, of course and whether full or part-time we’re thinking everyone who lives with us in Jaxton now. What we’re talking about, in a few years, is living in the UK in the summer, except for our annual reunion here, through New Year’s. Then we’ll spend January through May or June here, plus our two weeks in July and August. Of course, that depends on climate change, most of the UK has had hotter weather these past few years than ever in their histories, we may all end up spending summers at Ducky’s place in Scotland, possibly have another house near his or somewhere in Scandinavia! However, while we’re planning, we believe the UK will still be cooler than Greece in the summer, we’ll need a whole house fan or some sort of cooling to wherever we live in the UK. We’d also like Peter and Rhode to live here because after the big storm in February, there isn’t a ‘when’ it happens, it’s already happening. Our beach is losing ground, literally, with every storm, every big wave.”

Freddie spoke up, “I was shocked at how much of the beach they lost.”

Matthaíos nodded, “It’s happening to many of the beaches, not only in Greece but in other countries, all over the world.”

Joe made a face, “I read an article about it recently, saw videos of beach homes ruined, rotting away because of the high tides and tsunamis. I used to think it only happened with hurricanes in the Caribbean, you know, places like Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahama, Key Largo, Florida, Montego, Kokomo, Martinique, Port Au Prince, as well as Puerto Rico and I guess Cuba and all the islands.”

Although they knew he was serious, his brothers chuckled at his use of parts of one of their favorite songs, “Kokomo” by The Beach Boys. All of them knew it well, at one time they’d declared it the “Camilo Family’s Favorite Song”, and had added each of the locations named to their list of places they wanted to visit once they could afford to travel for pleasure. By now, they’d all been to Florida and a few of them had also visited Bermuda and the Bahamas, as well as Puerto Rico and Jamaica. Sarah and James had been to Aruba with friends who had a timeshare there while Tim and Artie attended a wedding in Martinique, giving themselves a few days before and after the event to experience the island.

The siblings knew that Tony and their dad had been to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba but also knew neither had seen anything other than the base. The common consensus amongst the siblings was that Geordie had probably been everywhere in the Caribbean, basically they’d decided he’d been everywhere in the world but would never be able to tell them anything about his travels.

Nodding at Joe, Tim said, “According to what little research I’ve done, it’s believed that higher elevations will be safe from the tides, tsunamis and storms, at least through our lifetimes. This property is over 900 feet above sea level.”

“That’s good, kiddo and yes, I agree this is a great spot.” Dad chuckled, “I should have known you’d have it figured out already! Tell me, son, daughter, are you planning to stay in Jaxton for those months in the UK?” He glanced at Artie, who’d joined them, and now smiled at him.

Tim nodded, also smiling at him, “Yes, we are. We’re also hoping our landlord will give us permission to add a whole house fan and make a few changes to the back of the house, with outdoor awnings and indoor sunshades to help keep the temperatures down inside. For the front, we’ll have to use tinted shades on the inside of the lounge. Even retractable awnings on the outside would be too visible and ruin the look of the building. We’ll increase the solar intake and I want to add a greenhouse and raised beds in the back of the garden, to raise food crops. We can fence it so it won’t be a visible temptation to the animals or any stray children.”

Bill tilted his head, “That’s good, Timmo. Now, I can’t wait to take a look at this property!”

Artie introduced the others to Evander. He smiled, “I’m glad to meet you. I know you’ll have questions, please ask as we go along. We’ll walk the perimeter first and then Artemis will show you what she and Tim have in mind.”

Walking the perimeter, they stood for a full 5 minutes looking down or across into the Mediterranean. Freddie whistled, “I don’t know how much the property costs or how much it will take to build on it, but that view makes it worth it.” He turned to Tim, ‘How tall a wall will you build, to keep the children safe?”

Tim grinned, “My engineer wife tells me it will be a transparent wall of some kind. I don’t yet know how tall or wide it will be but I’m guessing at least 8, perhaps 10, feet tall.”

Matthaíos nodded, “Excellent!”

With an amused smile at her husband, once they’d completed their walk around the perimeter of the lot Artie again drew out the plan in the dirt. She also had the draft on her tablet and a printed copy but right now it was easier to draw so everyone could see it.

Since their first view, she’d decided to add space, whether it would be a basement, a workshop, a playroom, storage or whatever, to the main house to take advantage of the views. As she’d told Tim, the higher elevation of the area where she wanted to build the guesthouses would provide a view for those residents and the apartments wouldn’t need any extra space, their views would be stunning by nature of their placement, several feet to the right of the guest houses. Of course, she would need to confirm her theory about the elevation before the plan was finalized.  

There were a few questions, which Artie answered. When everyone was quiet, Tim grinned, “So do you like the property and our plan?”

“Yes, it’s beautiful and plenty big enough, will the main house be one story?”

Artie waggled a hand back and forth, indicating that ‘one story’ wasn’t quite the right definition. “More or less, yes. I believe we’ll need to add a false basement or something below the main floor to take better advantage of the views. The building will be larger horizontally rather than vertically taller. We’re thinking we’ll need room for 20 to 35 of us, including visitors, so probably several bedrooms and most visitors can share. We might do a ‘bachelors quarters’ for Grandpa, Uncle LJ, Grandpa Mac and Cousin Richard, perhaps an enlarged suite with two bedrooms, a sitting area between the two rooms with a sofa bed, chairs and their own TV and their own bathroom. Tim and I will each have an office with a sofa bed so that’s another possible sleeping quarters for 2, 3 or 4, depending on how cozy people want to be.” She stopped in thought before saying, “And we should have a full bathroom near our offices as well.” She added a note to her phone.

“We’re also planning to build one or two guesthouses over to the right, toward the front of the property. That way,” she turned to look at her grandmother, “if you want to live here, Yaya, you’ll have a choice of the main house, a guesthouse or one of the apartments. Now, if everyone will look closely over to your far right, near the front where we drove in, you can see the elevation is higher there, so the views from there will be unimpeded by the main house or the apartments. The apartments will be even farther to the right so the residents of both the apartments and the guesthouses will have their own unimpeded views. We also would like my father and Rhode to live here, they may want a guesthouse, with rooms for my siblings when they visit. And it’s possible Charlie and Tricia might want one of the apartments.”

Beside her, Mimi leaned over for a hug and kiss.

Dad grinned, “Tricia is moving in with Charlie, so she’ll be in Jaxton with us.”

“Yay! What about Richard?”

“He’s not sure yet. With Tricia and Charlie with us, he may spend winters here with us. Have you figured out the holidays?”

Tim chuckled, “Thanksgiving and Christmas in Jaxton, Easter, the Fourth and the others here.” He made a face, “Actually, I guess that will depend on where the children are attending school. We decided on Thanksgiving in the UK, but that might be a problem. For now, let’s stick with Christmas in Jaxton, the other holidays to be determined later.”

Jose laughed, “Better get the place built first, Timmo!”

Freddie made a noise, “Need to buy the land first!”

Tim grinned, “You’re both right!”

Bill motioned to Joe and Freddie and the three disappeared to take a closer look. When they returned, Bill asked, “Where is the other plot that’s already sold?”

Tim gestured, “Down that way, want to see it?”

Freddie shook his head, “No, we want to know what they’re doing about water, sewage and power.”

Tim grinned, “Ah, our secret is about to be revealed! Before we get into that, we forgot to mention that there were originally three lots approved for sale and development. The second one is between this one and the one that’s already sold. We’re also considering purchasing the middle lot for a multi-car garage, including Peter’s RV and possibly a workshop along with a few other ideas.

So, back to this lot and the middle lot if we buy it. First of all, power will be solar with generator backup. And, drum roll please, the utility and sewer lines are already in place! The current owners had already started the project when there were deaths in the family and the survivors had to stop everything. They’re the same people who built and operated that commercial building we passed. And as far as the lot that’s already sold, known as Lot #1, did I mention the new owners are looking for an engineer and architect? Or that Evander, their real estate agent and ours, called them with a reference for Artie’s firm?”

“Excellent! It would be good to also bring Matthaíos in on this, as a learning experience.” The young man, standing with them, grinned, “Thank you!”

“Great idea, Freddie, thanks!”

Their brother nodded with a smile. Bill cleared his throat, “It looks good for a build. The foundation will have to be built using insulated concrete forms, which can be a little tricky. They’re made of foam so they’re easier to match the differences in the rock. The trick is tying them down to the bedrock so they don’t move while you’re pouring the concrete. I’ve done it, it has to happen when there is as little wind as possible. That can be done using temporary solid walls or even wind breaks. Artie, now I understand about the extra space below the main level, enough to capture the views but still single story as I imagine the wind would be pretty fierce up here during storms. How high are we, I know Tim said it’s more than 900 feet above sea level?”

Evander nodded, “Yes, I was finally able to ascertain the exact number, it is 985 feet.”

“Good and if this bedrock goes all the way into the water, you’ll have less erosion.”

Evander nodded, “It does go all the way down and into the sea.”

Jose squinted at the view, “I know it’s a beautiful view but you’ll probably want to build farther back here, give yourself some space from the edge. It’s not a cliff, you can see it’s gradual but I sure wouldn’t want anyone to take a wrong step. I like the idea of a transparent wall.”

Tim nodded, “We agree! The wall will need to be tall enough and long enough to keep everyone on this side of it without blocking too much of the views.”

Bill thought for a few seconds before saying, “Again, our engineer-architect is correct, call it one and a half stories for the house. Build a lower level, maybe a basement after all, maybe Dad’s workshop,” he grinned at their father, knowing he’d be welcome to share the future workshop, although for either of them to be comfortable, the ceiling would need to be at least eight feet. That would mean a full level, making the house 2 stories, rather than the partial level Artie had in mind.

Shrugging, he continued, “Although its main purpose would be to raise the house enough for the best possible views through the fence or wall without building a full second story.”

Joe, Fred and Dad all said, nearly in unison, “Wall!”

Fred added, “If it’s transparent, you won’t have to worry too much about being able to see over it. Although I guess keeping the wall clean might be tricky.”

Tim nodded, “Good points and yes, we’ll put our heads together for a way to clean the wall that won’t require anybody cleaning on the cliff side!” He chuckled, “I wonder if there are cleaning services that use helicopters?” He added, “Thank you!”

“Are you going to buy it?”

“We’re pretty sure we are. As Artie said, we’d like Mimi and the Lekkas family to eventually move up here,” by his side, Mimi also gave him a hug and kiss, and Tim grinned as he continued, “away from the coast before they’re under water.  Another big storm could do it. Last winter’s storm was too close, between the high tides, wind, rain and flooding. ”

“Flooding that will recede.”

“Yes, for now and thanks to Mimi’s helpers.” They smiled at each other as each had worked to help restore Mimi’s home as well as some of her neighbors. Jose and Freddy turned their plumbing jobs over to their employees and flew to Greece to spend three full weeks helping Mimi and her neighbors. Tim continued, “However, the sea level is already rising on a continual basis and tsunamis and high tides are becoming more frequent.”

Dad tilted his head, “Peter and I talked about that late last year, before the big storm. There are several plans under discussion for moving Varkiza inland, preserving as much as they can by taking the oldest structures down carefully and rebuilding with a mix of modern materials without compromising the historical details. The feeling is they have time now but not much and after the storms, I imagine the thought is there is even less time now. In the meantime, they’ve had professional grade photographs taken for posterity.”

Bill nodded, “While I was here with Joe and Freddie last winter, I spoke with someone who said once the town and the houses are moved or rebuilt, they’ll build sea barriers or artificial islands in hopes of keeping the water out for another 50 years or so.”

Tim didn’t say anything but thought of other coastal towns who should be doing that. Who knew in what shape the planet and its inhabitants would be in 50 years? He nodded, “There are a few ideas being researched and I hope some are being implemented. One is to build everything on stilts, as they sometimes do in Florida and I’m sure other places. Means a lot of stairs but I suppose stair lifts or elevators could be installed. The other thing is to build so the buildings will float on the water during high tides and I guess they’d somehow have to be anchored or somehow protected against tsunamis. Similar to boats when they are in the mud and then float when the tide comes in. Still, in rough seas, that doesn’t sound like a lot of fun.”

“Towns and cities on the water. We’ll have to have floating runways for jets.”

Tim muttered something about smaller aircraft and his dad and brothers smiled at him, Bill saying, “So we’ll buy a cruise ship and sail that over here. Some people have jets, we’ll have a ship. Actually, with Air Paddington, the family will have access to both!”

Jethro made a face, “Hover cars! We were promised those when I was a kid and we don’t even have usable jet packs yet!”

That brought smiles to their faces and they moved on, saying goodbye to Evander and returning to Varkiza and eventually the beach. Sitting under the umbrellas, Artie told them what she’d learned from the nearby owners and a local engineer recommended by the real estate agent. “I’ll make a bid for the job on Lot #1 and then will hire locally as much as possible. Because the government wants sustainable and responsible development, those three lots may be the only ones allowed to be developed. Evander believes we’ll be the only ones along the ridge line. We forgot to tell you that we plan to hire a caretaker to live on site during construction and possibly while we’re in the UK or wherever we end up.” She frowned, “That won’t work, we’ll need to offer something more permanent to potential caretakers, I can’t imagine anyone who’d willingly move in and out according to our crazy schedules.” She shook her head, “Anyway, we’ll either build some sort of apartment onto the garage or perhaps a stand-alone dwelling. If I were a caretaker, I’d rather have a stand-alone dwelling.”

Continuing, she shared some of the details she’d learned and listened to her family members as they shared their knowledge, experiences and in Matthaíos’ case, his ideas. She and Tim had already discussed buying the middle plot of land. Although they weren’t sure exactly what they’d do with it, they thought they might go ahead and purchase the lot and then concentrate on getting the houses and apartments built.

When Bill suggested they have the second lot cleared for the construction workers to use, to park, perhaps add something for shade so they could cool down and for the ubiquitous portable latrines, they liked the idea. Both lots would need to be cleared anyway. Eventually they would ask Evander for any recommendations for a caretaker but that could wait for now.

Once Peter, Rhode, their two younger children and the older gentlemen had a chance to see the property and hear the plans, they heartily approved, along with everyone else.

Before anything else occurred, the family celebrated Easter, having their Easter dinner on the beach after the traditional church service. Although the Lekkas family usually spent Easter Sunday with Rhode’s family in northern Greece, the couple was glad they’d left early, celebrating with their international family. Their children were overjoyed that they were able to spend a few days with their older sisters, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and all the cousins.

With everything in Greece closed on Easter Monday, the group had returned to their various dwellings before Tim and Artie began negotiations to purchase both plots of land, one for housing, the other probably for the large garage, possible caretaker’s dwelling and maybe Jethro’s workshop. One of the pluses was that they would not be obligated to build on their land within a certain timeframe or ever.

While they had plenty of ideas of what and how they wanted things, Tim and Artie wanted to see what happened with the other new build before jumping in with both feet. Within weeks their offer had been accepted, payment transferred and they were the new owners of a beautiful view and 2 healthy plots of land.

Chapter Text

Chapter 7: Festivities, Camping, Change of Plans

Home in Jaxton, Tim and Artie sat down to figure out the rest of the month and to detail the most important event, Chloe's birthday! While her birthday was on the 29th of the month, a Tuesday, she would have her friends' birthday party on Saturday the 26th and her second official family party on Sunday the 27th.

With the help of Mimi, Granducky, Grama and Poppy, the party invitations had been emailed from Varkiza the second day they were there and positive responses quickly began arriving.

On the second to last day before they left for home, the group gathered at Pappouli Peter and Yaya Rhode's home for a spur of the moment surprise party, Chloe's first ever family birthday party.

While she had a blast, it was nearly as much fun for her US based aunties and uncles who up until then had only been able to attend their brothers', nieces and nephews June or December birthday parties in person.

With 2014 the first year their annual summer trek to Greece would move from June to the last week of July and the first week of August, the group would also celebrate other birthdays in person. That included Tony's July birthday, McKenna's 3rd birthday, little Donnie's 1st birthday and probably Dad-Poppy and Ducky-Granducky's September birthdays.

Ducky and Mimi remembered how excited Liam was last December when almost all of the US family had been there for his first birthday as part of the family. Not wanting to miss celebrating Chloe's first party at home as part of the family, the couple flew to Jaxton with their UK family.

When Nik and Sergio weren't sure they could make the trip, Gaia and Theo planned to take their twins and offered to take the Costas girls with them. Gaia told her brother she was simply returning the favor as there had been a few occasions during Cassie and Matthaíos's childhoods when Nik and Sergio had filled in for Gaia and Theo when the 2 archeologists couldn't get to whatever the event was. Gaia also wanted to spend more time with her Costas nieces as well as her Gibbs' great nieces and nephews. While she played with them on the beaches and in the pool in Varkiza, she rarely had the chance to see her nieces' children at home and having little Alec also there was simply icing on the cake.

The US folks, not including Ducky, Tricia and Richard who'd also disembarked in London, would attend via Skype, happy they'd been able to attend Chloe's Varkiza party.

The little girl's Saturday afternoon post-nap friends' party was a lot of fun. Although the weather was warmer than it had been before the Easter vacation, it was still the end of April and too cool to put the toddler wading pools up in the back garden or for the children to run through the sprinklers. However, it was warm enough for the children to play outside and that's just what they did.

First, they went to visit the animals who lived on the property, including the alpacas who'd joined them during the past few months. Those in charge of the animals made sure the children only visited with the crias, that is the baby alpacas, lambs and baby goats, also known as kids, not to be confused with human children, who were comfortable around children. The family adults and the parents of some of the children attending made sure the children were gentle with the little creatures.

Following their visit, the group of toddlers and preschoolers raced around the lawn, playing tag and other assorted games. Eventually they were invited inside for cupcakes, ice cream and to the children's added delight, party favors! As Chloe loved flowers and animals, the favors highlighted those. Mindful of the children's ages, the items, fabric flowers and animals, were safe for everyone over the age of two. Although that left out Alec and Madelyn, both were given similar flowers and animals safe for their ages. Nikki and Bill were very happy to be able to approve the two-year-old favors for Jasper whose 2nd birthday was only days away.

All in all, the afternoon was a success and little Miss Chloe had a wonderful time, announcing that her party was perfect!

When Jasper was told his own birthday party would happen soon, he asked to put it on the big calendar in the family room so he could see how many days he had to wait. That he understood the use of the calendar, although he wasn't yet counting past 5, was amazing and the little boy giggled happily at all the hugs he received.

Chloe's family birthday, celebrated on Sunday with her UK family and via Skype for nearly everyone else, was also a lot of fun. With Mimi, Granducky, Auntie Gaia, Uncle Theo, the big twins, the younger Costas girls and of course Alec, his parents and grandparents, along with the senior Powells, joining them at the house, it was a very special day. Once again it was warm and the children, no matter their ages, had fun playing outdoors, the older ones playing with the littles. Eventually they had to run inside when the clouds that had been gathering suddenly started to seemingly pour buckets of rain. That wasn't unusual and they laughed as they dried off.

Chloe's third celebration was on her actual birthday, Tuesday the 29th. While her celebration was lower key than the previous parties, the little girl loved being allowed to choose what they had for dinner as well as selecting some of her favorite flowers from the family's greenhouse, for the dinner table. Helping her daddy to cut what blooms she wanted to take to nursery with her, she wore a daisy, her favorite of all flowers, in her hair and took tulips of varying colors for her teachers.

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The following Monday was a bank holiday, which meant that NCIS: London was closed for the day although one of the satellite teams was on call. As a whole, the group decided to stay home and enjoy Jaxton's annual May festival. With games, music, dancing, food and vendors selling their wares, the family had a wonderful time, meeting up with friends and perhaps best of all, they didn't have to do anything but enjoy themselves.

Alec's first birthday was next and the family, along with the Barnes-Gibbs', traveled by train to Edinburgh for his party. This time, Nick, Sergio and their daughters were there along with Gaia and her family. Rob, Tim and Ian teased the Costas girls and the Caras twins about their ages now as compared to their ages in the summer of 2009 when they were all in Edinburgh for Susannah and Ian's wedding. At that time, none of the children had been old enough to ride e-bikes in Edinburgh and Rob told them they would be old enough before he became a doctor and they'd been amazed to think of themselves as 'that old'. Now they were 'that old', the Caras twins were 15, Katerina Costas was 12 and her younger sister was 10, and laughed at the teases although at 10 Damaris still wasn't old enough for the e-bikes!

The visiting adults had a great time reconnecting with people they'd met but hadn't seen since Susannah and Ian's wedding. The children, including the teenage twins, had fun exploring Edinburgh.

After Alec's party, which the US group again joined via Skype, the various members of the Gibbs' family said goodbye and took the train home, delighting the children. Although it took longer it was fun for the littles and as young as they were, that meant a great deal!

Returning to work and their usual pursuits, 10 days later the family once again gathered, this time for Jasper's 2nd birthday! The Skype crowd grew as Nikki's Aunt Evelyn and cousin Vince, his wife and cousin joined the rest of the US family, attending the little boy's party via Skype.

He was very excited to be 2 and thus no longer a baby! Although he still had a few deficits since he'd first learned to speak, then crawl and walk, he'd blossomed into a ever-curious, loving and busy little boy, delighting his parents and entire family.

He was best friends with Chloe, the resident cousin closest to his age, and happily played with all of his cousins, who returned his love. He went to nursery nearly every week day although sometimes one or both of his parents or grandparents would keep him with them and they'd have adventures of their own. While he still wore glasses, with therapy his eyesight was better than it had been during his first few months of life. The doctors thought he might be able to have surgery, something like LASIK when he was older or switch to contact lenses if surgery was out of the question.

Having been busy from the start of their Easter getaway until the end of Jasper's birthday party, from April to June, the family put away all the birthday decor until their return from Greece in August, picking up where they left off in what they remembered were their normal pursuits. Tim laughed as he told Artie about his first Monday at the office. "I know I've been there, I've been in meetings, our teams have worked cases and solved them, I have monthly reports from everyone and there are replies to emails I've sent out. I've sent monthly reports to the director and a few other things to the SecNav or Undersecretary Leo and I know that because they're in my 'sent' mail. However, despite all the evidence I feel like I've been gone since we left for Easter!"

She laughed as she nodded, she felt the same way! She told her husband that she felt like this was their last 'hurrah', that once the twins started school in September their trips would be governed by the school calendar. He nodded, they'd been talking about that since the twins' second birthday. They'd planned a busy spring and summer in the months before their vacation time became the property of the schools and here they were. Maybe they'd been a little too ambitious in their planning? Although they knew they'd gone overboard with Chloe's multiple parties, they felt it was only fair with it being her first Camilo-Gibbs' birthday. Next year they'd scale back a bit. Maybe.

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While Tim and Artie had enjoyed the children's birthdays, they'd also had fun planning a vacation for their young family. Artie remembered camping with her grandparents, not in tents, but in bungalows, always close to a beach and felt it would be a wonderful get away for their family.

Although Tim liked the idea of spending days outside, swimming and hiking, at first he was hesitant to try it. Then his wonderful wife reminded him of RVs, that is recreational vehicles, as well as other types of vehicles in which they could stay, no tents needed. When they looked at the prices for one large enough for the 6 of them, Tim's interest grew. They weren't inexpensive but overall the cost would be less than motel rooms for the time they'd be away.

They would sleep inside on beds with pillows, sheets and blankets, no sleeping bags needed, and they'd have a screen door and screens on the windows with sturdy locks to keep out insects and other possible intruders. They'd have storage for their clothes along with indoor plumbing, running water, a kitchen and best of all, a solid floor under their feet and a solid roof over their heads.

If they chose, they could cook outside and would take folding chairs so they could have campfires and roast marshmallows. When Artie followed up on the brochures and photos with several reviews of first time RV campers, Tim realized he wanted his children to enjoy the outdoors, not to be limited in their choices because of his strong feelings about tents. With trust funds already in place, there was no way his children would ever end up homeless, not while he breathed!

Within a couple of days, they'd made reservations for an RV large enough for two adults and four young children as well as reserving an RV spot in a campground near one of the lakes within the Lake District.

When Dad and Malu heard, they asked to come along, although they would have their own camper or RV, whatever they chose to sleep in. Tim and Artie happily agreed and then laughed when Sarah, James and his parents also wanted to experience caravan or RV living.

When it seemed most of the UK family was deciding whether or not to join the them, Tim decided he'd prefer to celebrate his birthday, if forced to celebrate it at all, during their vacation in the Lake District. To his relief, his wife and parents agreed.

Before Tony, the last of the hold-outs for the trip, gave in when presented with photos of a lovely lakeside lodge where they could sleep indoors, have their beds made, rooms cleaned and eat in the highly rated restaurant, Artie learned she'd won the bid to engineer, design and build on Lot#1, the lot on the mountain in Varkiza that had already been sold before she and Tim purchased Lots#2 and 3!

Worried about construction on a mountain top during Greece's hottest months, July and August, Artemis made a list of pros and cons of waiting for September and October as well as compelling arguments surrounding the safety of those hired to build on Lot #1. After speaking with Evander, she presented her revised plan to the property owners, who, while sympathetic, chose not to delay the project. They were staying in temporary quarters and did not want to wait any longer than necessary to move into their dream home. The project would begin at the end of the second week in July.

With the project's start date now confirmed, the family's plans for the Lake District vacation continued. They would have more than enough time there before returning home in early July and preparing to leave for Greece early the following week. That would give them time to launder and pack what they needed and get them to Varkiza a few days before Artie's first meeting.

Tim spoke with Leon who was fine with his European SAC working from wherever they would stay in Greece or the Piraeus office or even at the US Embassy as he'd done during his Field and Cyber Crime cross-training sessions. Thinking the Embassy would be the easiest place to work, there was certainly more room and he wasn't anyone's boss there, Tim messaged the person with whom he'd worked before and was pleased to have an answer within hours that he was more than welcome to work at the Embassy again.

In the meantime, he also contacted the owner of their vacation rental, asking to extend their stay from 2 weeks to a few days shy of 8 weeks, giving him their new dates. The man was surprised until he remembered this family doing something similar a few years ago, although he saw from his records that had been closer to 5 months. He was happy to add more weeks, not just for the revenue but also because the Mideis, as he knew them, were his favorite renters. Tim was also happy and relieved that they would be able to stay in their familiar rental for the entire time they'd be in Varkiza.

He was also pleased when all of the US citizens working at the NCIS London office, along with Tim's London and Jaxton based family received invitations to an Independence Day party on the grounds of the US Embassy in London on the 5th of July, a Saturday. Now they had a firm date to return from their camping vacation, July 3rd, so they'd have clean clothes to wear to the Embassy party.

While the couple planned their extended stay in Greece, Tim's parents decided to go with them, knowing their son and daughter-in-law would need help with the children and because they'd miss them too much. It was a choice of flying back and forth or staying. As Bill would be working on the project, Lu quietly let Nikki know that she and Jethro were going as well and if Nikki approved, they'd be happy to take Jasper with them for the first part of their stay.

Nikki had to think about that and she and Bill discussed it at length. Realizing that Bill would be with their son every day, that Nikki could see both of them on Skype at least once a day and that Jasper loved being with his grandparents, his Mimi, aunt, uncle, cousins, Pappouli Peter and Yaya Rhode, the two agreed to try it. If Jasper was too unhappy, Jethro and Lu would bring him home, although Nikki thought if her little one was that unhappy she'd fly to Greece for the weekend, possibly longer and bring him home with her. That thought gave way to another.

She'd been with the agency longer than anyone else in the family, with the exception of Gibbs before his retirement, and had plenty of vacation time to spend more days with her family. She also knew if there was a crisis where she was needed, she could probably squeeze in to work at either the Piraeus office or perhaps at the Embassy where Tim would be working. When she told Bill her idea of going with them, he was very enthusiastic and they agreed she'd speak with SAC Tim about it.

When she spoke with him he said he was fine with her working remotely as long her fellow Intel Analysts agreed. He also agreed that the Embassy was a better fit for her, knowing there would be more space for her there. He pointed out that she'd likely have to work in the kitchen/conference area of the Piraeus office or perhaps in the Observation room, the only room that would give her the privacy and security she needed for her work.

When her co-workers readily agreed to her working off-site, Nikki decided on the Embassy. Tim again messaged his contact who replied affirmatively. Nikki would have a small, private and well equipped office at the Embassy, complete with everything she needed. After notifying the director, who agreed, the deal was done.

In the meantime, the Porters, already aboard for the Lake District trip, also decided to join the 'go early and stay late' group, although they wouldn't stay quite as long as Tim and the children. They'd return to the US at least a week before the others did. Otherwise, they wouldn't have enough prep time for Stanford University's Fall semester. Giving themselves some lead time for jet lag naps, they were on their way overseas shortly after Tim and Nikki made their arrangements with the US Embassy in Athens.

The Porters first flew from San Francisco to Baltimore on a commercial flight, which they said felt strange. Staying overnight with the junior Mallards, formerly known as the Palmers, the next morning they were joined by Mac Fielding and Richard Baxter at the DC area FBO for their Paddington flight overseas.

They first flew to Naples where Katerina and Damaris Costas joined them, excited about the camping trip and the extra vacation weeks in Greece. They'd never been camping and were excited about it as well as staying with Aunt Lu and Uncle Jethro in their caravan. While Nik and Sergio couldn't make the camping expedition or the full extended stay in Greece, they would be in Varkiza for the originally planned two weeks and were able to extend that for an additional 10 days.

Although the Porters planned to do more sightseeing in Greece during the extended stay, they would also help with childcare along with Rhode and Lu. When Rhode mentioned a nursery in Varkiza where the younger children could meet local children and make new friends, Artie, Tim, Nikki and Bill and the senior Gibbses relaxed, relieved that things were working out.

Grandpa Jack, Uncle LJ and Grandpa Mac had decided not to spend the extra weeks in Greece, it would be too hot. Instead they contacted Ducky, currently 'at home' with Athena in Tain, his home in the Scottish Highlands, asking about vacation homes in or near Tain. Mac hadn't been to his mother's homeland in more than 30 years and hoped to visit the town where his mother and her parents, Mac's grandparents, were born and lived most of their lives.

When Richard Baxter heard the Highlands plan, he asked to join the others. His grandmother Charlotte, the Scottish grandmother he and Jethro shared, was born and raised in Scotland and he wanted to visit the village or town, he wasn't sure how large it would be now, and learn more about that side of his and Jethro's family. With that in mind, he spoke with his immediate family about adding their family tree to the same site where they'd had their DNA tests done. When everyone agreed, he got to work, ably assisted by his granddaughter-in-law who'd helped her parents with the same process.

In the meantime, Ducky shook his head at his friends' request about vacation rentals, saying, "I'm sure there are but I have more than enough rooms and beds here in the house! And it will give me a better excuse, I mean reason, for the cook and housekeeper I've already hired to help Athena and me!"

After they protested a bit, the four men, Richard was with them on that particular call, graciously accepted Ducky's invitation.

Feeling better with her family and friends' decisions to join her and with the older men's decisions to stay in Scotland with the cooler weather, Artie planned to be fulltime on the project for the first 8 weeks, with most weekends and evenings off. After that, she would be on site for at least a week per month, more often if necessary while Bill would be on site for the entire project. That meant Nikki would also remain working at the Embassy and the couple and their son would stay in Athena's home.

Her next meeting with the property owners would be to review and gain their final approvals of the overall plan. Once that was finalized, she would hire a main contractor; she currently had 5 bids from a few local companies and had already hired Bill as her Construction Manager. When they'd first discussed the project and Bill working on it, before Artie and Tim even purchased their property, she'd worried about Bill's status as a non-citizen of Greece and he'd agreed. However, both had forgotten that he was fully licensed in the EU, through his UK approved licenses and that Greece was also a member of the EU.

Over the years, Bill had gone from a master carpenter to a general contractor, taking college courses at night and in the winter, with the exception of 2010, when building or renovating was generally at a crawl in the DC Metro area, earning degrees in construction and business. Once he launched his contracting firm, he continued his education, attending evening classes online for another degree in Construction Management. When he and Nikki moved to the UK, his degrees were transferable as far as qualifying him for licenses and he was soon approved for those equivalent to his US licenses.

One of the crucial items that Bill would take on if none of the contractors bidding for the job had the experience necessary was working with the foam concrete forms for the foundations. If they were inexperienced, Bill would teach the crew and oversee their work, including the building of the temporary walls or wind breaks to make the foundation work easier. Of course, his employment was currently tentative, dependent upon Artie gaining the final approvals.

While at 15, Matthaíos was legally old enough, with parental permission, to work in Greece, Artie felt he was too young and inexperienced to start out as part of the work crew. She spoke with her cousin and his parents about including him on the beginning of the project as an engineering intern. She would pay him for his work and unless his parents or grandmother were available, he would live with Artie and Tim. As he and Cassie were beginning their Upper Secondary education the 2nd week of September, Matthaíos would need to return to Thessaloniki at least a week before classes started. Artie, Gaia, Theo and Matthaíos agreed he would leave for home either August 31st or September 1st.

Artie, her aunt, uncle and cousin put everything in writing, with young Matthaíos at least as excited about the project as Artie, if not more so. However, before the project kick-off, Gaia, Theo and Cassie decided to join the 'early birds' in Varkiza and would stay as long as Matthaíos.

While his parents were excited about his role on the project, they worried about Cassie and her twin being separated for so long. Rearranging some of their own plans, they rented a vacation home in Varkiza for the duration of Matthaíos' internship. The twins breathed sighs of relief. While they'd mostly convinced each other that they'd be all right, they could Skype or Facetime on their phones, neither was all that certain. They'd been apart for a few days before and that had been all right, not great but all right. However, facing nearly 2 months apart was scary. That was a wake-up call for the twins as well as their parents.

Having helped to settle part of the twins' dilemma, Artie began to include Matthaíos in her planning sessions. One of the first topics was how to safely begin the project in the middle of the two hottest months of the year. Artie and Bill discussed the issue at length, deciding to follow Bill's US routine, to begin work at first light and stop for the day around noon, 2 PM at the latest. There were no neighbors they'd be disturbing at the early hour and they could use the middle lot, the future home of the Gibbs' family garage, for the crew's parking and 'cooling zone'. To that end, they would install shade canopies and tents with cooling fans and several small rechargeable portable air conditioners that could easily be moved from place to place. Although they would also have generators for the larger power tools, with Tim's help several solar chargers would be in place, on all three lots if necessary, to keep the smaller power tools, various fans and the portable air conditioners going throughout their work days. They would also provide plenty of drinking water, kept cool in solar powered coolers (which Tim continued to find amusing) as well as hydrating drinks, sunhats, sunscreen and UV protected clothing for the workers. They ran their plans by Evander, who continued to be a great source of information and advice, and he agreed, saying the early start and stop hours were a common practice and that their plans for keeping the crew from dehydrating and overheating was better than he'd heard of before.

Another idea Bill had, although it seemed a bit silly at first, was to add something like toddlers' wading pools in the cooling tents or under the shade canopies. Then the workers could cool their feet and legs, which would in turn help to cool the rest of their bodies. Artie made a note to have someone keep the 'pools' supplied with cool water.

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While Tim would work before and after their actual 2 week Greek vacation, he quickly realized that he and Artie were not the only ones who would have schedules to consider. Jack and Ellanne would need to be home in time to prepare for their first day of Reception, the first day of their formal schooling!

When he mentioned it to Artie, she promptly blocked out the date on her project calendar, no way would she miss their older babies' first day of school! She might have to fly in Sunday and out again Monday after the children were in school but she would absolutely be here at home.

Figuring out what would need to be done before classes started, the couple then decided on the date Tim and the children would leave Varkiza for Jaxton. After making reservations for an Air Paddington flight that day, the couple did their best to relax for a few days, laughing at themselves for thinking the triple birthday celebrations had been crazy busy!

While they were 'relaxing', they attended a meeting for parents of Reception students. The meeting and the information given was an eye opener and the next day they took the children shopping, returning with everything they'd need for the first few months of school. They'd also ordered warmer clothing for the winter months in the next size up for all four of their children. It helped that several of the parents of their children's nursery friends had older children and were able to give them advice as to what was really needed. Prior to the meeting and the conversations with the other parents, Tim and Artie had looked online only to realize that they needed specific information for their specific school and even then there could be variations.

In the meantime, the date for their trek to the Lake District was fast approaching. Tim laughed when nearly the entire household was outside waiting the day he and Dad maneuvered their rented 'vacation homes' into the driveway after driving from the rental company's lot. Tim and Artie's Recreational Vehicle was fairly large, considering it needed to comfortably and safely seat and sleep 6 people. Jethro and Lu also had an RV. Although they only needed to sleep 4, the Costas girls would stay with them, they decided to also rent a 6 seater in case any of the grandchildren wanted to stay overnight. They weren't worried about the size of the RVs in regards to driving them as they wouldn't be driving up any steep mountains or on any especially curvy roads.

Ned was the only one in the family who'd had any experience driving an RV, one that had been in the garage with the evidence lockup aboard the Navy Yard. When the owner/criminal was convicted, the RV was sold and Ned was tasked with driving the beast, it was the size of a city bus, to the new owners. He passed along what he remembered as far as driving the large vehicle. With so many of the family joining the camping trip, he and Barry decided they didn't want their girls to miss the fun and would join the group for a few days, leaving when the Gibbs-Powells and the Jardine-Gibbses did. They would also be in Greece for the original 2 weeks plus a few weekends when Ned's team wasn't on call or still working a case.

After everyone had had a look at both Recreational Vehicles, Tim took a few people for a ride and was relieved when they said they felt safe and were comfortable. Barry, Ned, Ava and Naomi arrived in London late that afternoon, driving to Jaxton in their rented 4 seater RV. Ned, James, Rob, Bill and Tim exchanged high fives at being able to rent RVs with extra-long mattresses, something they hadn't expected.

The next morning, a parade of RVs, various campers and caravans left for the Lake District, making sure to leave room between them for people to safely pass them. While some would only have a few days, Nikki and her family as well as Rob, Sarah, James, the senior Powells and the Gibbs-Dornegets, the others, that is the senior Gibbses, along with the Costas girls, the junior Gibbses, the Porters and Charlie, Trish, the Barnes-Gibbses, Papi Barnes and the older men would have plenty of time to enjoy themselves in the beautiful outdoors.

The Barnes-Gibbs, less the girls' Papi, drove their SUV from London, eventually catching up with the RVs and campers. Lu grinned as she waved first at Tony and then at her brother Charlie. He was driving another large RV carrying Tricia, Papi Barnes, Jack, LJ and Mac. Ben Childers rode in a smaller RV with Bec and Geordie although he and Dick Barnes would stay in Jack, LJ and Mac's RV.

Mac had originally rented out his beach house for the 2 weeks he'd be away in Greece because the entire US group of 'Gibbs' kids' would also be in Greece. By the time he heard about Artie's new project and the extended stay in Greece, he was in Jaxton, decided to join the trek to the Lake District and also decided to spend the extra weeks in Scotland. He left it to the 'kids' to figure out what to do with the house during the extended time he'd be away. The 'kids' quickly figured out who, when and for how long, would have fun at the beach house.

With Jimmy working weekdays and being on call one weekend a month, a new arrangement proposed by Jimmy and 3 of his fellow Medical Examiners and approved by Director Vance, he and Breena spent weekends on the beach with an occasional Friday or Monday (or both) thrown in. Because Freddie and Jose now employed a few plumbers, they had more leeway in their time off, Abby was off school for the summer and Charlotte set her own hours, the two couples alternated weekdays at the beach, excluding those Fridays or Mondays when Jimmy and Breena were there. Mac laughed when they sent him the schedule, showing it to everyone at their first campfire. They were all happy to know their US family would also have extra fun due to Artie's new project.

Although they'd talked about renting their own Recreational Vehicle, Charlie and Tricia didn't want to leave Dick as the only driver for the three older men. Instead, the two of them shared the driving with Dick and had made reservations at the same lodge as Tony and his family. Dick planned to stay in the RV with the three older men and Ben, although he'd also reserved a 2 bedroom suite for two random nights, wanting to have the girls overnight at least twice, to give his daughter and son-in-law some time alone. He remembered his in-laws doing that when Maggie was little and that he and his wife Patricia had deeply appreciated the gesture and the time alone, especially with the frequency and lengths of Dick's deployments.

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Throughout their stay near the lakes, the group met in the late afternoons, post naps and pre-dinner time, for what they called their daily 'roundup', a chance to swap tall tales of their adventures, to hear and see what the children had done and generally just a way to relax and enjoy the outdoors, sharing whatever they'd been up to. Some of the adults sometimes enjoyed a cocktail or two, to better enjoy, or perhaps enhance, the stories of the day's happenings.

Tim and Artie had a wonderful time with the children, taking them creek walking, playing and swimming in the lakes, so different from the ocean and their pool, the children's previous swimming experiences. They hiked on the easier trails, carefully climbed big rocks, had picnics in beautiful meadows, rented boats and had fun paddling around, everyone wearing life jackets and between all of  them took far too many photos.

They also had fun running into family and friends along the trails. Poppy and Grama spent time with them, even taking the children for a few hours on a couple of occasions while Katerina and Damaris spent many happy hours with their older and younger cousins. Each day, the children wondered what adventures they'd have and there always seemed to be something new.

In preparing for their trip, the three sets of parents of young children and their grandparents read several of Beatrix Potter's books to the children, making sure they viewed the wonderful illustrations. Now that they were in the Lake District, all the children, including the Costas girls who'd also been read Potter's books when they were little, Tim, Artie, Lu and Jethro visited Hill Top, Ms. Potter's holiday home, seeing and learning more about the house, the farm and the inspirations for her characters. With the stories fresh in their minds, both the children and adults had a wonderful time.

It was during their days around the lakes that Tim realized that something was different about Tony and when he figured it out, it seemed nearly a complete transformation. While Tim had never seen any indication that Tony was comfortable outdoors, now he noticed his brother watching McKenna, his older daughter, as she discovered new things that Tony then also embraced. It was as if his little girl was giving him or showing him the carefree, curious-about-everything life he'd never experienced growing up. He ran with her, taught her how to skip a rock in the water, roasted marshmallows, got as dirty as young McKenna, and always wore a big happy grin. At the Hill Top house, Tim was even more impressed with Tony's interest and his ability to find the smallest interesting detail. Yes, his brother had come a long way since their days on the MCRT or maybe these new interests weren't really new, perhaps they were just newly revealed.

As for Tim, he thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the Hill Top house and was quietly relieved that no one mentioned his birthday. His relief was poorly timed as his family and friends finally unleashed his birthday celebration the day after their visit to the Hill Top house. That morning when his babies woke him to tell him today was his birthday party he managed to smile, kiss and hug each of them and look happy, doing a good job of ignoring his real feelings, a kind of flatness.

Once up and dressed, he found he felt better, his children made him laugh and he acknowledged that even though his "birthday" meant only ugly reminders of his past, the people who loved him and whom he loved, wanted to celebrate his life with him. Looking around him as he carried Chloe down the steps of the RV, he smiled, genuinely happy to be here with so many of his loved ones.

The festivities started with breakfast where he was served pancakes, eggs and bacon, cooked and eaten outdoors with plenty of company and then the children announced that they were spending the morning with their grandparents, aunts and uncles. After that group left for a hike, he and Artie managed to disappear without anyone looking for them, having a wonderful morning to themselves. Eventually they went for their own hike, returning in time for a late lunch, Tim quietly hoping that was the end of his birthday celebration.

While he was happy to celebrate everyone else's birthdays, he found his own meaningless. As his wife and mother said, that could be explained by his birthday having been selected as a random date on the calendar to match what was decided to be Tim's age at that particular time. Although his name hadn't been Tim then.

After their peaceful lunch, he and Artie rented a canoe and had a few more hours to themselves on a lovely little lake. Eventually they returned to their encampment where they hugged and kissed their children, nephew and nieces and joined that day's 'roundup' already in full swing. Preparations for his birthday dinner were also underway. Dad teased him, showing him a freshly caught fish in the cooler, although he didn't pick it up and flash it in his face as he'd once done. To Jethro's dismay, on that occasion Tim had promptly thrown up on him and the fish.

Tim could handle eating some ocean fish and he enjoyed shellfish but fish from streams and lakes made him immediately and violently sick to his stomach. The fisher people among their group had been warned and kept any fish far from Tim and his children, not knowing if it was a natural allergy that might have been passed along to the twins or something else. After they were married, Lu told Jethro that she was sure Tim's total aversion to a few things was a reaction to whatever was done to him as a young child but unless or until he was ready to tackle that part of his life, they'd never know.

After the light tease, which a relaxed Tim found amusing, Tony showed him what they were really having for dinner, one of Tim's favorites, Tony's homemade lasagna. He'd made it at home, making the noodles and tomato sauce from scratch and after the lasagna had cooled from the oven, he'd frozen it in 3 pans: 1 extra-large, 1 large and 1 medium size. The medium pan was labeled for Nikki and the large sized pan was in case they ran out before everyone was served from the extra-large pan or possibly for leftovers. It was already thawed and just needed a gentle reheat in the largest oven they had amongst their RVs and of course that was Tim and Artie's.

While the lasagnas warmed up, Malu was busy making Tim's favorite rolls from scratch while Sarah, Rob and James finished the sheet cake they'd made, also from scratch as well as a small layered cake for the birthday boy to share later with his wife.

When the cakes were cool enough, George and Edie applied the icing to both, Bill made one of his chopped salads, always a Tim favorite and Grandpa made Tim's favorite raspberry iced tea. Tim admitted to himself and Artie that as far as birthdays went, especially his, this had been a special one.

One day after the worker-bees left for home and their jobs, Poppy and Grama took all 6 of their grandchildren and the Costas girls, missing Jasper, Naomi and Ava who'd gone home with their parents, for an entire afternoon, including nap times, although the older girls didn't have a nap, they went for a walk with Aunt Lu. Overall, their time in the outdoors was a lot of fun, a big success with everyone and they all went home with big smiles on their faces.

And Tony? Tony made his wife's day when he told her that the next time they did this, an RV would be fun.

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Because the Independence Day party at the US Embassy in London was two days after their return, the first order of business was cleaning and returning the various RVs while the second order of business was doing the laundry. First, the washer and dryer worked steadily to get everyone's party clothes ready. Then it went to work on the clothes they'd worn camping. Tim, who liked to iron, ironed shirts, blouses, skirts, dresses and trousers for several of his family, much to their delight. Various people carried the clean and ironed clothing to the correct rooms or suites because as far as Tim was concerned delivery was not part of ironing!

Katerina and Damaris would also attend the Embassy party on Saturday and were excited about it. Then on Sunday the two girls would fly to Scotland with the senior Powells. They would land in Aberdeen where Mimi and Granducky would meet them, having lunch out with the four travelers before taking the girls back to Tain with them. They'd stay with them and the older men of the family until they all left for the originally planned 2 week Greek vacation.

The Powells, who'd visited Tain twice before, would stay overnight in Aberdeen before returning to Edinburgh and taking the train home. The only problem was they hadn't yet decided which home to return to, Castleton or Jaxton! As Edie told her husband, she still had some shopping to do for their long stay in Greece and wanted to look in a favorite shop at home. When he asked why she didn't shop while they were in Greece, by now they both spoke Greek well enough to be understood and to understand what was said to them, she looked at him, astounded. Not only was he actually encouraging her to shop, she'd never thought of shopping for herself while in Greece!

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Early afternoon on Saturday, several vehicles left Jaxton, headed into London for their Fourth of July party. They had a wonderful time seeing agency friends, meeting the Embassy staff and enjoying some Independence Day traditions. Their lunch was catered and featured several American dishes, much to everyone's pleasure. They were also happy to notice that the food offerings represented more than one region of the country, another big plus. There were several games for the children, suited to various ages and those were fun to watch. Several of the adults, including the Gibbs' siblings, their partners and parents, also played softball, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

As there wouldn't be any fireworks the party broke up in the late afternoon after more snacks and beverages were served. The UK bunch were happy to hear from the Gibbs-Dornegets that evening, Ned's team and their families had also been invited to the Marseille US Consulate's 4th of July party and they'd also had a great time.

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Chapter 8: Scotland, Greece

Tim rolled out of bed a bit late Sunday morning. While the Embassy folks hadn’t had fireworks, he and James put together several clips of firework shows found online and last night they’d played them on the 2 largest TV screens they had in the house. Everyone had fun watching them, oohing and aahing as the colorful fireworks burst into sparkles, stars, flowers or made noises as they burst in the air. As they were watching indoors in the media room, no one had to stay up waiting for the skies to get dark enough to see the fireworks and their necks didn’t hurt after the shows were over.

Today, Sunday, was Preparation Day for the Midei-Camilo-Gibbs’ 7 week stay in Greece. They were leaving on Tuesday and would return home August 25^th, in time to make sure the twins had everything they needed for their first day of Reception on September 1^st.

Unless she was able to return with the family or during the same week, Artie would fly home the day before school started, and leave again Tuesday morning, she’d decided she needed to hear how their chicklings’ liked their first day of school. She and Tim weren’t worried, they’d have plenty of nursery friends with them and as they’d also had preschool classes, they knew how to behave in school. Once the project for the other property owners, whose surname was Remis, was underway, she would be home more often, checking on everything online, through daily calls with her team, visiting the site every couple of weeks.

The first to-do item, after breakfast, was laundering the rest of the clothes the family wanted to take with them. They would pack Monday after naps, screening what toys the children took and likely their clothes as well. Any ironing would be done by other volunteers, Tim felt he’d done his bit and was leery of ending up ironing anything that wrinkled in people’s suitcases.  

While the clothes swished around in the washer, Tim and Poppy took the children for a walk outside to see the animals and then, since it was a warm day, had them play outside for the rest of the morning. When Artie and Grama joined them, the men returned to the house for more prep work.

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By Tuesday morning, those leaving for Scotland and Greece were ready, toys, games and books were sorted, electronic items fully charged and the chargers packed (and checked on at least a dozen times), suitcases packed and their carry-on bags stuffed full. Because they were once again flying Air Paddington, the folks on their way to Greece were taking some perishable items from the refrigerator as well as frozen items in their wheeled cooler. Everyone had their favorite pillows, those continuing to Greece also had beach towels along with flip flops or water shoes to wear on the beach and in the water.

The family stored several large beach umbrellas in the rafters of Mimi’s Bill-and-Jethro-built double garage conversion from a carport. When they were cleaning and repairing her home after the storms last winter, they laughed at themselves for being so relieved that the umbrellas were still usable. Shade was very important during the heat of Greece’s summers, especially on the beach!

Geordie and Bec, realizing they had no classes or work until September, had belatedly decided to join the early group and managed to rent one of the last vacation apartments available. Although the cost was a bit more than they’d planned, Bec arranged to hold two half-day seminars at one of the universities in the area, covering the apartment’s cost with enough money left over to do more sight-seeing. While they hadn’t yet done much with their trust money, they did have plans for it and were happy to find another way to fund their extra vacation.

Thinking a private home close to his cousins would be easier for Jasper, especially while his parents were at work, Mimi invited Bill, Nikki and their son to stay in her home while they were in Varkiza. Although she would be in Scotland with her Donald until closer to the original arrival date, Artie, Tim, Lu and Jethro knew where everything was and Jasper would be with his cousins and/or grandparents while Bill and Nikki were at work.  

With the Jardine-Gibbses and the Childers-Gibbses also joining the group, that meant the three Powells would be the only ones home during the day, unless Rob was visiting although he usually divided his time at the house between sleeping and swimming, with breaks for eating. He’d arrived unexpectedly last night, was up early, before Sarah woke, to say goodbye to everyone and was already tucked away in one of the downstairs bedrooms, sound asleep.

Now Sarah sighed as most of her family boarded the hired coach that would transport them to the airfield. Those going to Scotland traveled with them, the jet would first deliver them to an airport in Aberdeen before continuing on to Athens.

Waiting until the vehicle disappeared from sight, she trudged sadly up the stairs to their 3^rd floor suite. Making a face, she slammed the door closed, which made her feel a little better. Then she sat down in her writing nook and began to write a rather cranky dialogue between two of her favorite characters.  

Two hours later, a tap on the door woke her from her cozy nest in her favorite chair by the window. The senior Powells had decided to stay in Jaxton with James and Sarah until the original vacation date, much to Sarah’s relief. While they originally planned to go early, they realized Sarah would be alone while James was at work and while she would be perfectly safe and certainly knew how to defend herself, they thought she’d be lonely and probably bored. They changed their plans, staying with their son and daughter-in-law in Jaxton, planning various weekday outings with Sarah and possible weekend outings either for James and Sarah or with James and Sarah.

A day’s trip out of town somewhere fun, they thought Brighton or the Suffolk Coast would be good choices, another jaunt, this one into London, theater tickets on a weekend for their kids, a surprise dinner out, and at least two weekends away, depending on James’ work schedule.

Now, the senior Powells laid out their plans for the next few weeks before and after the annual reunion in Greece. Sarah’s smile grew into a grin and when asked where she’d like to go, she brought out her list. While most destinations were places both she and James wanted to visit, some were places that she knew wouldn’t interest her husband. Both women smiled at each other as George did his best to look enthusiastic about those same places. Father and son, so close in interests and temperament!

The three soon had a list of activities to occur during the week and another list for weekend fun. By late morning, they were on the train, destination: Stratford Upon Avon where they’d have lunch before taking a canal and river tour. After the boat ride, Sarah and Edie would visit Holy Trinity Church and the cemetery where Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway are buried while George would visit a well-known pub that overlooked the river Avon.

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The flight to Aberdeen, Scotland, was brief, especially by the standards of the US group and before they could even have a decent nap, not that anyone even thought of complaining about that, the jet landed at Aberdeen. The older gentlemen disembarked, accompanied by many wishes to ‘have fun’ and to see various sites, including Loch Ness, home of the fabled ‘Loch Ness monster’.

While the senior and junior Gibbes had visited Ducky’s Highland home in Tain a few times, there were still plenty of things they hadn’t seen or done and now Tim watched Jack, LJ, Richard and Mac leaving with a touch of envy, making a mental note to bring his family up here for a longer stay, perhaps two weeks, although a second week would be tough to find with the twins in school.

Knowing they would have a week off in October, he checked the average temperatures in Tain for that month and found it to be generally in the 50s Fahrenheit, they could deal with that and they were all used to rain. He’d bring up the idea with Artie when she had some free time and then rolled his eyes at that thought!

The children’s half term holiday next June was probably a better idea and he loved the idea of spending his birthday in the Highlands. Whenever he was there he felt a sense of peace and belonging. Considering his belief that he had some Scottish ancestry, those feelings seemed right in line.

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As the older men gathered in the terminal, piling their luggage on a trolley, Jack spotted Ducky and another man walking in the door. Ducky smiled as they approached, "Hello, my friends and welcome to Scotland! This is my cousin Archie Quillan, we are first cousins on my mother’s side of the family. While his son Donald, yes he is my namesake as is baby Donald, will be driving us, Archie insists that he personally narrate our journey to Tain as there are many sights along the way. We’ll stop at a few of them so we can all have a stretch. Driving straight through takes a little over 3 hours but since we’re in no rush and seeing a few things now will give you more time to see other sites we believe it will be worthwhile. Now come, our transport awaits!”

Grinning at each other, this was what they’d hoped for, the four visitors first stopped at the men’s room before they were helped to maneuver the luggage trolley outside. There a large van was parked, waiting for them. It had enough big windows that each passenger could easily view the scenery on either side of the vehicle. Young Donald loaded their bags into the cargo area before handing the cart off to someone being dropped off.

None of the visitors brought much, having sent their Greek vacation clothing ahead with the others. They wouldn’t need sweaters (aka jumpers), hooded jackets, trousers, jeans or boots, gloves or a knit cap in Varkiza! Their luggage for Greece usually consisted of 2 beach towels, 2 pairs of swim trunks, 2 or 3 UV blocking t-shirts and sun hats, with neck flaps at the insistence of the family doctors, shorts, flip flops modified with a ankle-back strap for the elderly men, sneakers, sturdy walking sandals, underwear, a lightweight pair of trousers and at least one nice shirt, for church or dinner out, sleepwear and at least three tubes of sunscreen. Although it sounded like a lot, it didn’t take up much space in the duffle bags they’d sent ahead.

Ducky was right, the scenery along the way was beautiful, awe inspiring with much of it having historical significance. They stopped several times to spend a little more time looking. Cousin Archie provided an interesting narrative, including historical facts as well as stories and a few ‘tall tales’ about what they were seeing.

Stopping in Inverness, they had lunch, afterward walking around the city for a solid hour, stopping here and there for a rest or to browse through the shops. Inverness was interesting to walk through and they peered into shop windows, taking a few minutes to visit some of them. Jack and Richard had fun finding souvenirs for the children of their families, no matter how old they were. After watching them, LJ joined in, purchasing postcards and items for his great-grandnieces and nephews as he considered Jethro’s grandchildren, as well as his cousins in the US. Back in the van, they continued on their way. While they all wanted to see Loch Ness, that would happen later in their stay.

While there was more to see, the three older men, Richard, Jack and LJ, fell asleep almost as soon as the van started moving and remained asleep for the rest of their journey. Mac was the only one still awake. As he was sitting next to a large window he was too busy looking out or looking over to the window on the other side of the van and listening to Archie’s continuing narrative to fall asleep.

When they finally arrived in Tain, the visitors, awake again, exclaimed as the van stopped in front of Ducky’s home. Although this was the second visit for Jack and LJ they were still in awe of the lovely place. Built the year before Victoria became queen, it was purchased in the late 1800s by Ducky’s Quillan grandfather, renovated when Victoria Quillan Mallard inherited it and again, this time more extensively, when Ducky came into possession of it.

While nowhere near the size of the Jaxton house, it was, as Ducky said, “large enough!”. The large garden in the front had lovely green lawn with beds of various blooming hedges and flowers as well as trees, with pathways leading to the front door or wandering through the various parts of the garden. Off to one side, they could see a fence that looked out onto the lovely green hills, crisscrossed with wandering paths and roads, with taller, craggy mountains not far off. The town of Tain is located on Scotland’s East Coast and is said to “stand between the heather and the sea”*.

When they looked down a path that ran along the side of the house, they noticed a greenhouse in the back.

Ducky smiled at their interest, “Yes, as much as I love to garden, from the time I was a small boy I knew there was no way I could keep the garden up without help! So Mother and I had a greenhouse built and hired gardeners who keep this place going as lovingly as I would if I could. There are third generation gardeners now on staff here and I take a great deal of comfort in that, knowing the knowledge of all this will outlast me.”  

When some of the others silently wondered how much it cost to keep the grounds and house in such good condition, Young Donald seemingly read their minds. He smiled, “There is more to the story. Every year there are tours of historical homes and gardens and at the end, people vote on the best, best house, best gardens, best overall. The viewing and voting is limited to ticket holders and while the cost is reasonable enough, it’s not cheap. This house and the gardens have been on the tour since the 1950’s after Cousin Victoria had the house and gardens renovated and has won ‘best overall’ in 23 of the past 25 years and it also did very well, although not the top prize, in most of the years following Victoria’s renovations. Since Cousin Donald inherited and renovated again, we’ve won every year.” Grinning, he added, “It’s a cash prize.”

Ducky chuckled, “Yes, that has certainly helped with the upkeep! Now come along, let’s get you inside and sorted to your rooms.”

Each man smiled when Athena, Artemis’ grandmother, greeted them as they entered the house, welcoming them to Scotland and Tain in particular. She smiled, “I’m happy to see I’m not the only one avoiding the summer heat in Varkiza!”

Laughing, they agreed and then followed as she and Ducky led them to their rooms. Jack and LJ were sharing as were Mac and Richard. Young Donald moved their luggage for them before saying goodbye. He’d see them again at a planned family gathering but thought they probably needed to rest now. Although the day and their travels had been a great adventure, it had also been a long one and the younger man knew from experience that people sometimes found traveling tiring.  

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By the time those who were visiting Scotland settled in for their naps, those traveling to Varkiza had completed their flight to Athens, landed, disembarked, claimed their luggage, had been through passport control, picked up their rental cars and were in Varkiza.

Once everyone was in their latest ‘home away from home’, most of them stayed inside after sweating through moving their luggage from vehicle to house or apartment. A few brave souls ventured outside for a quick walk to the beach but no one stayed outside for than a few minutes, by now it was well after 3 PM and the summer heat was approaching its peak temperatures.

After Tim and Artie’s children ran around the house saying hello to everything, they disappeared to begin emptying their suitcases. Although they were young, they knew where everything was supposed to go and were quite proud of themselves for putting their clothes away. Each of them could even reach high enough to hang some of their clothes in the closets, as Tim, Bill and Dad had, with approval, thanks and credits on their rent from the landlord, installed adjustable shelving and hanging poles in the closets in the homes that family members with children normally rented from the man.

While Chloe could reach, she still needed help moving her clothes from her suitcase to the shelves. She wanted to move everything at once and inevitably some of her clothes slid off the pile she struggled to carry. That frustrated her and her usually happy face wore an angry frown but her big sister quickly came to her rescue, helping her pick up the fallen items, folding them again and putting them on the lowest shelves, meant just for Chloe. When they were done with Chloe’s clothes, she helped Ellanne with hers and they grinned at each other when they finished.

At home, the four children had changed rooms a few months ago so that the girls shared a room as did the boys. By now they were used to the change and frequently visited each other’s room.

While the children unpacked, their parents were also busy unpacking the food and supplies they’d brought. They first unpacked the perishable items, happy to see everything had made it without spoiling, spilling, wilting or melting. As they’d brought fresh fruit and vegetables from their gardens, fruits and vegetables that the children had helped to plant and tend, that was very important.

The ice cream they’d brought was a little soft but would be edible after a few hours in the freezer. If it didn’t quite refreeze all the way, they’d use it for shakes or fruit smoothies, it certainly would not go to waste!

Tim and Artemis grinned at each other when they opened the door of the broom closet, which they used as a pantry, and found a welcome basket from their landlord, full of more fresh vegetables and fruit, with a note to check the stand-alone freezer. When they pulled the door open on that, they both laughed as there were two gallons of ice cream!  Shaking their heads, happy for the additional ice cream and chagrined that they'd forgotten about the 'big' freezer, they moved their own container of the treat from the refrigerator’s freezer in with the others. Now their ice cream would certainly regain its frozen status and they had three of their favorite flavors of ice cream!

Tim made another happy noise when he found an entire case of his favorite lemonade and Artie was just as happy when she found a case of her favorite iced tea! There was another note, this one taped onto one of the lemonade bottles, from the owner, saying Athena had left those with him to ‘welcome them home’.

After they finished putting everything away and decided what they’d have for post-nap snacks and then dinner, they looked through the kitchen to see if there was anything new and smiled as they found another crockpot, this one much larger than the one they’d left here two years ago. They were happy to see the smaller one was still here as well.

Next, looking at the spices, they were happy with those until Artie started laughing, telling him they’d apparently left several of them behind at their Easter visit! Frowning, Tim looked at the labels and chuckled, they were indeed theirs. They always marked the items they brought with a small ‘m’ for Midei and several of the spice containers had those. They smiled when they spotted newer containers with other initials and understood other visitors were doing the same thing they’d done. It didn’t matter if other people used them, it was mainly for returning guests to recognize their own things and keep track of the age of the item, in this case spices. They remembered that one of their spices had been teetering on old age when they brought it at Easter and tossed it, noticing now that someone else left a new jar.

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Lu and Jethro had tentatively planned to walk down to the beach once they were unpacked but after experiencing the heat when they picked up their car and again as they carried their belongings into the house, they decided to wait for sunset. Instead they stayed inside as their landlord had apparently dropped by before their arrival, setting a lower temperature on the air conditioner. Once they changed from their travel clothes to their ‘vacationing in Greece’ clothes, they found the temperature in the house quite comfortable and although they intended to do this or that, both dozed off.

Although the flight hadn’t been long, none of the junior Gibbses ever slept much the night before leaving for Greece and Monday night, their last night in Jaxton for nearly 2 months, hadn’t been any different. With that in mind, everyone had naps that afternoon although Artemis made sure to set her phone alarm. Otherwise she was afraid the 6 of them would sleep all afternoon and evening and be up all night!

When they woke and washed their faces, everyone was hungry and the children helped put together drinks and snacks, setting the table and carrying everything from the kitchen counter to the table. While they noshed, they decided it was still too hot to do anything outside and instead they would take a drive up to the new property.

While the children had seen all 3 lots, they hadn’t paid much attention to Lot#1 because it wouldn’t be theirs. Although it still wouldn’t be theirs, their mama was going to build a house on it, along with Uncle Bill and Cousin Matthaíos and they asked to see it again. Sending a message to Poppy asking if they would like to go with them, Tim smiled at the reply and again when he looked at the hopeful faces, “And the answer is yes, Grama and Poppy are going with us! Let’s add lots of ice to our water bottles, put sunscreen on and bring our neck fans and hats so we can walk around if we want to.” The neck fans were small fans attached to a cord that hung around their necks, keeping their faces cooler, or at least made them feel less hot. They initially ran on batteries but now were rechargeable and Tim bought new ones for Artie, the children and his parents. He also had one for Bill that he had intended to give him for his birthday but with the possibility of his brother working in Greece with Artie, he’d given it to him before they left home. He’d also given one to Matthaíos.

Within a few minutes, the senior Gibbses joined them, everyone climbed into their van and off they went. When they reached the properties, they stopped at Lot 1 and stood, briefly, at the edge of the street and the property. Familiar with Artie’s design of the main house, Tim nodded as he looked around the lot, turning to his wife and speaking for her ears only, “It’s a beautiful view and a nice lot. Your design will absolutely lift the place from lovely to awesome. However, I’m glad your clients preferred this lot to ours, with your design, our property will be spectacular!”

With a chuckle, she replied, just as quietly as he’d spoken. “Although ours cost a bit more, you’re right, our property is clearly the best. It’s amazing how different the two properties are.”

From there, they drove down the street to look at their property, loving it just as much as the first time. Too comfortable in the air conditioned van to brave the heat, they sat and talked about the middle property. When Liam wanted to know if they could have a playground over there, his parents looked at each other and frowned, although the children didn’t see their frowns. Instead they said they were making a list of what might go on that property and that they planned to have a playroom in their house, just as they did now. Although they’d thought about putting the pool over there, behind the garage, they quickly realized how far it would be from the house and people and crossed it off the list for Lot #2.

Currently, they were considering placing the garage lengthwise, or vertically, from the front to the back of the lot, rather than horizontally across the lot. After all, the garage didn’t need to look at the view! If built lengthwise, the RV garage could also be lengthwise down the side of the garage,  adjacent to the border of Lot#1 and the RV could be driven straight in when arriving and either backed out when departing or driven all the way through and then turning right to go around the garage.

Even with leaving enough room for the RV to exit by going around the garage, there would be plenty of room for parking stalls for all of their vehicles as well as the caretaker’s dwelling which would then be closer to their lot than Lot 1. Unless they built the caretaker’s house at the very back of the lot, which they didn’t think would be a good idea when it came to security, the reason they needed a caretaker in the first place!  

Tim was glad the Remises knew exactly what they wanted for their lot, he hoped that Artie concentrating on their property would give the two of them a much needed delay for the final design of their own property, especially as they were not in any hurry to build.

Leaving their mountaintop future home and back at their rental house, the children and their father had lemonades while the others had iced tea, Tim saying he’d had enough caffeine for the day.

A cooling breeze was gently lifting the hot air when they finally walked down to the beach after dinner, first changing into their bathing suits. They waded in the sea water up to their knees, which felt incredibly good, smiling, laughing and chatting with the rest of their bunch, also called by the breeze. It felt so good, was so peaceful, that they stayed out past the children’s usual bedtimes. Even Jasper and Madelyn, who was not quite a year old, were still laughing and having fun as the sun set. Eventually, the youngest ones were carried while Tony and Maggie’s McKenna and Tim and Artie’s four managed to walk on their own as they left the beach for their rental homes. It was a wonderful end to their first day of their extended stay in Varkiza.

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Wednesday, Artie was up early, she would meet with her new clients at 8:30 this morning at the Remises’ temporary quarters. After a light breakfast and a cup of tea, she kissed Tim goodbye, asking him to kiss the children good morning for her. He promised, wishing her the best outcome for her meeting. She smiled, knowing she had his full support and confidence.

While she’d toyed with the thought of having Bill accompany her to the meeting, she’d decided against it. She’d been winning bids and having her designs and construction plans approved for nearly 15 years now, she could certainly handle this one! And if not, well then she’d start working on their own property. Wondering why she was feeling a little uneasy, she finally realized it was due to the couple’s refusal to wait less than 2 months to start construction, not even for the safety of the people who would build their home. She knew they had the money for the project as well as their temporary housing. She always checked before she presented her plan, why give away her designs to clients who couldn’t pay.

When she realized she didn’t much care for Mrs. Remis, who came across as condescending and snobbish, she laughed to herself. Not that it mattered but she and Tim could buy them out without even blinking at the cost. Thinking it was more likely that the woman had never before met a female engineer and disapproved, she nodded to herself. No one ever said one had to like one’s clients. Be a professional, do an excellent job, get paid and move on, that had been her practice since her very first project.

By the time she arrived at the Remises’ temporary home, she was herself, strong, confident in her designs, the construction plan and ready to do business. When she walked out nearly an hour later, she was smiling, they’d loved her design and construction plan, she had a cashier’s check for the full cost and perhaps best of all, they were both excited about their new home.

They’d loved the idea of a brief kick-off celebration which they’d have this Saturday. She’d already selected the construction company she wanted to hire and spoken with the main contractor. He understood she couldn’t hire his company until she had the final approval and was waiting to hear from her.

Driving up to their lots, she made a number of calls, giving the good word to Bill  and her cousin as well as his parents, her aunt and uncle, officially hired the main contractor, and asked Bill, Matthaíos and the contractor to meet her at the site in an hour. While she waited, she called Tim. He answered right away, asking, “Yes?”

She grinned and tried not to yell, “Yes! We’re all set. They gave me a cashier’s check which I will deposit as soon as I get off the phone.”

“Wonderful, Artemis, this is awesome! How was the snobby woman?”

“She was so excited about the design I guess she forgot she thinks she’s better than I am. Or whatever she’s been thinking. Who cares, I’m building her dream home and then will never have to speak with her again.”

Tim laughed, “I’m glad we bought the middle lot for the garage! Did they sign off on the caretaker?”

“Yes and let’s get that going as soon as possible. I had a thought about housing. In the US mobile homes are frequently moved in for construction offices and security. The company that moves them levels them as well, so we wouldn’t have to worry about that.  

“Great idea for the caretaker! How about I handle that? What about your construction office?”

“Thank you, sweetie but it will be easier to do both mobiles at the same time, we should get a discount. For the office, we’ll lease a smaller mobile home, just one room with a couple of desks, plain walls so we can put up our maps and plans, a kitchenette, and half bath, no shower. I'm hoping to rent one that can use solar power. The caretaker's should also use solar power. However, if a solar powered unit isn't available for sale, I know you and Bill can make the adjustments needed for solar power usage. ”

“That would be a fun project and yes, now that we know what the wind does up here, a mobile home will be strong enough. Will the dealer or whoever you're acquiring them from also be able to provide some of the cooling equipment you’ll need?”

“That's a good thought, hang onto it, please! I don't know, I don't remember cooling items at mobile home dealers on past projects but that doesn't mean they won't have them here. I’ll work with Evander and Bill on that. How are the children?”

“Excited about the new project! I’m already at the Embassy, I had planned to walk the children next door to Mom and Dad’s but Bill beat me to it. He came by with Jasper and took all 5 of the kids to Grama and Poppy’s.”

“Good! We’re having our official kick-off Saturday morning at 9:00, early enough that it won’t yet be blistering hot. We won’t do anything but announce and show the design and if we have one piece of something done, we’ll show that off. Evander and his wife will be there and with the Remises’ permission, I also invited regional government officials, who are responsible for having approved the development of the three lots, along with the commercial building. I wasn’t sure about inviting the previous owners and Evander said he would handle it. My employees will be there along with our spouses, children and our parents. I’m also inviting the press.”

“Excellent! Do you want more folks? We could ask Pete Russell and his family, even his team if you’d like.”

“Oh, I hadn’t thought of that! Perhaps just Pete and Trina? We’ll have enough family members there to make a good-sized crowd!”

Tim thought of something else but decided not to say anything, it would be great to surprise their Chief Engineer-Architect.

They disconnected their call as the new Main Contractor, whose name was Ermis Mallas, pulled onto the lot. He looked around, puzzled. Artie greeted him with a smile, welcoming him to her company and telling him about the three lots. He grinned at that, “So once you’ve built for these clients, you’ll start on your own home?”

She nodded, “Yes, although probably not right away. We have four young children, the oldest two will start school this September. Next year, the next eldest will start and the year after that our youngest. We’re thinking we’ll need to get them all into school before we build here. Of course, we may change our minds.”

“It’s a beautiful lot, the view is glorious!”

She grinned, “I agree! Now here’s our Construction Manager and our Engineering intern, Bill Jardine-Gibbs and Matthaíos Caras.” Bill turned into the lot, Matthaíos next to him, grinning out the window at her.

“Bill is not Greek?”

“No, he’s American, although he, his wife and son would love to live here fulltime. My husband has 11 siblings and Bill is the second eldest while Tim, my husband, is the third youngest.”

“12 children, I can’t imagine! How many boys and girls?”

She laughed, “They started out with 8 of them, 7 boys, 1 girl, all adopted although not all at once. Recently, another three, all adults, formalized their relationship with my in-laws, through adoption. They are 1 woman and two men, married and the two men have children. The newest sister is newly married, no children yet. The last one is also another woman who is part of the family, another sister, although she doesn’t want to be adopted. And there are currently 10 grandchildren.”

“Your in-laws must be happy with all their children and grandchildren!”

“Yes, both Tim’s parents and mine are wonderful with us and the grandchildren.” She laughed, “Tim’s mother and the original adopted sister are very happy to have more women in the family.”  

Quickly introducing Bill and her cousin to Mr. Mallas, the four discussed what they’d be able to do Thursday and Friday as well as for the kick-off. Mallas would have his crew on site tomorrow morning, Thursday, to get started  and those who didn’t have other plans would join them for the kick-off on Saturday. Because they would do very little digging on any of these lots, they would not do the traditional ‘first shovel-full of dirt’ for the kick-off.

Bill, happy to hear that Mallas’ crew had some experience with the foam concrete, suggested they construct the temporary wind block walls on Thursday, then Friday they could start with the foundation. On Saturday, they would use a form to pour another setup, so people could see how that was done as well as what it looked like 24 hours later. While it would be great if they could build on it by Saturday, foam or not the concrete needed 6-12 hours to become solid and then would be tested for comprehensive strength after 7 days and again at 28 days.

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When Tim and Nikki saw each other in the Embassy canteen later, the two grinned at each other although neither had time to talk. Tim had a message from his father that afternoon, telling him they were going to grill and eat dinner on the beach in celebration of the new project and that the children had volunteered to take an extra rest so they could stay up to eat on the beach when the sun was gone. Jethro added that included Jasper and his parents as well as Matthaios and his parents and anyone else who showed up. By the time he and Nikki got home, they’d ride-shared this morning, they were expecting quite a crowd, including Evander, his wife Kim and their twin boys.

And so it was that Artemis, Bill and Matthaios had their own semi-private party on the beach Wednesday night. All of the family travelers attended and the Scotland, Italy and Jaxton folks dialed in via Face Time to join the fun as best they could.

While the dinner preparations were underway, the children ran up and down the beach as well as wading on the shoreline with most of the adults. Lu had found time to make a sheet cake, she later admitted she’d used a boxed mix, with a big ‘Congratulations’ written across the middle and bits and pieces of construction equipment present in gel form iced onto the corners and around the cake. There were even some small pre-made hammers, saws, shovels, paint brushes and cans and other tools that Lu later confessed she’d found in New Mexico where she’d seen them advertised for a child’s cake. She’d purchased everything she could find and brought them from home this week for the celebration she was sure they’d have. Rhode, who’d helped her with the cake, laughed as she told the crowd she was very impressed with Lu’s thinking ahead as well as her creativity.

Jasper, who wore himself out running on the beach and playing in the water, and baby Madelyn, 9 months old, rode home in their strollers, sound asleep. Chloe, Liam, Ellanni and Jack managed to walk home from the beach, although their parents were holding onto their two youngest and the twins held hands with each other.

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Artemis had been a little concerned that she, Bill and Matthaios would be tired on Thursday after their party but woke up full of energy Thursday morning. Taking a quick shower, dressing, adding sunscreen and a sun hat even though it wasn’t yet light out, grabbing a quick bite to eat, she made a cup of tea to go and headed out the door. As she got into the car, she smiled as she heard a vehicle that sounded very much like Bill’s rental, a pick-up truck, starting up and two doors slamming, Matt must be with him. They met at the site, ready to go even though they were nearly 30 minutes early. Bill and Matthaios unloaded the truck while Artie was very pleased when they heard vehicles coming up the third feeder road, the closest road to this lot. Mr. Mallas and his crew were also early!

Once everyone had gathered, Artemis introduced herself, Bill as their Construction Manager and Matthaios as an Engineering intern. She gave them a very brief history of her work and then segued into what they would build and how they would build it. She’d set up 2 large tripods, one to display the construction plans, complete with graphics and the other to display the architectural plans as well as the finished product, what their work would produce. Inviting them to walk around the lot, she warned them not to get too close to the edge even though it wasn’t a cliff. Once they’d done that, Bill and Mr. Mallas, who asked to be called by his given name, Ermis, went over what they would do that day, Thursday, and the next. They also mentioned the kick-off celebration happening on Saturday, inviting all of them. Bill told them the plan for the party, to have at least one foam concrete set and then demonstrate how they’d done that, making another piece of the foundation. That would include tying the form(s) down and making sure the walls blocking the wind were solidly in place.

Once they had the plans for that morning, Friday and the kick-off on Saturday, they pointed out the cooling zone in the next lot over, where they could also park while on the job.

Since arriving in Varkiza, Bill and Tim had purchased several wading pools, complete with covers to keep insects and thirsty critters out, for the job site. As part of their end of shift work, the pools would be emptied, individually covered and stored near the future caretaker's future home.

Thinking about that, Bill and Jethro quickly put together a pre-fabricated shed with a lockable door to store the 'cooling' pools and other items as the build(s) progressed. They did most of the work in the backyard of Tim and Artie's rental home, with permission from the property owner, then transported it to Lot #2, the middle lot, on the back of Bill's rental truck. Once in place, they secured the shed, adding  the roof, a floor, the door and most importantly the lock and alarm.

Until they hired their caretaker, the alarm would first go to Peter Lekkas' phone. Although his American family would be in Varkiza for some time, with Peter's military career he and Rhode were used to late night, early morning calls and the two of them volunteered to have Peter be the first responder.

When the others were in Varkiza, Artemis, Bill, Tim, Jethro, Ned, Barry and Geordie would also be advised and one or two of them, most likely those experienced with law enforcement or military, that is Tim, Ned, Barry, Jethro, George Powell and Geordie, would travel with Peter to the property if he received an alarm. Once the caretaker was hired, he or she would be the first responder along with local law enforcement.

That Thursday morning, it seemed that overnight the future garage site had sprouted shade canopies, several ‘portable potties’, and three large tents with ceiling fans running and several small portable air conditioners on hand to use if they worked past noon or the day heated up earlier than usual. There were cots, chairs, tables, all shaded,  and they would also have several coolers full of bottled water and hydration drinks.

The new crew laughed at the toddlers’ wading pools although they nodded in agreement when Bill explained the reason for them. He’d worked on his explanation with Matthaios, to make sure his Greek made sense. As it happened, several people in the construction crew understood English which would help although Bill was adamant about speaking Greek with the Greek crew while working in Greece!

Once everyone had their instructions, they got to work building the wind walls, which would reach a height of 7 feet, blocking out the worst of the wind they’d have this time of year. Artie and Bill had already marked where the walls would go, having noted the most level parts of the back and sides of the Remises’ property.

Using the structural plan that would in the future be used for the pool deck frame, they laid out the wood that would hold the beams of the framework and then drilled bolts through the wood planks into the bedrock. It wasn't easy to do but they did it.

From there, they created a sturdy framework which would hold the solid, wind-breaking walls in place. Because they’d need to keep the wind off the project until the foundations were solidly in place, the temporary walls would cover the back and sides of the property.

Artie watched, adding a word here and there when necessary, and was happy with the results. The walls were up and all of them felt the difference, very little air movement. The downside to these walls was that now they felt the temperature without help from any cooling breezes. Making a note of that, Artie reflected that as these walls were only temporary, once the foundations were fully set, they could remove or at least shorten the walls in favor of air movement.

They’d rotated shade and water breaks throughout the morning and that had worked well. Artie insisted everyone have more water and stand in the pools as they finished their work for the day. Putting the tools away, locking them in either Bill or Ermis’ truck beds, everyone but Artie, Bill, Ermis and Matthaios left. Ermis and Matthaios insisted on draining the pools and rinsing them. After letting them dry for a few minutes, the three men covered and stacked them in the new shed, locking the door and setting the alarm as they left. Then the four of them left the site, on the road by 1:30 PM. Within an hour after they left the site, the temperature would have been too hot to work any longer. Their early hours worked!

Friday morning, only those involved in foundation work, and of course Artie, were on the site. First they tied down the forms they’d use for the foam concrete and then got to work. It was breezier than the day before but the walls again kept the breeze out, which was a good thing today. Because of that and because everyone knew what they were doing, they were able to do more than originally planned and everyone once again stayed cooler in the shade with the fans running, as well as drinking plenty of water and yes, cooling their feet and, rolling up their pants' legs, standing in the pools. Jethro had been building benches for them to sit on outside the pools and those were also handy for sitting while drying feet and putting dry socks on. As Artie laughed to Rhode and Lu, it was the little things that seemed to help the most.

The mobile office and future caretaker's dwelling were delivered that morning, carefully situated in the middle lot, the office closer to the Remises’ property and the caretaker’s dwelling near the front center of the lot, leaving room for the garage and additional parking as well as all the cooling and safety equipment. When Artie and her family were ready to build on the lot, they’d likely have the mobile dwelling moved closer to the front, centered between the Remises’ and the Gibbses’ properties. 

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When his older daughter and son-in-law purchased their properties, Peter Lekkas volunteered to find a caretaker for them. The three of them made a list of qualifications and planned responsibilities. Evander the realtor also helped with that part and he told Colonel Lekkas he would also keep an eye and ear out for possible caretaker candidates.

While Peter appreciated their new friend Evander's offer of help, he already had someone in mind, someone he'd known for several years. A former Army Captain, he’d retired from his post-military career and now a widower, he was looking for something new to keep him busy.

He was healthy and after his years in the Army kept up his fitness routine. He also liked to garden and that helped the family decide what else they wanted on their garage lot. Raised beds for shade trees, fruit trees, berries, vegetables and however many kinds of flowers they could grow.

After being introduced to Tim, Artie, Bill, Nikki, Jethro and Lu, they thought that was enough for now, they didn't want to frighten the man! He was invited to the kick-off on Saturday and afterward was given a tour of the Gibbs’ family lots. He later met again with Artie, Tim, Jethro, Bill, Nikki, Lu, Tony and Geordie, along with some of the children. Everyone liked him and it certainly helped his chances of success that he was an old friend of Peter's.

He was invited to a family dinner on the beach that Sunday and had fun with the children, who all seemed to like him. So much so that Tim told his wife they’d have to make some rules so the children wouldn’t take up all his time.

On Monday he met with the Remises who agreed he was more than suitable for the job. By Monday evening, he’d been hired as the caretaker of all three properties and on Tuesday, with the help of those Gibbs’ and Lekkas’ family members who weren’t working, he moved his belongings into the mobile home and began his work that night.

The caretaker’s name was Alan Martin, an ex-pat American who’d arrived in Greece as a young man, ready to serve his mandatory time in the Hellenic Army as his mother was Greek. Except during his service and later for vacations he remained in Greece, marrying a Greek woman.

Finding a niche in the Army that worked for him, he made his way up to Captain and served until he hit the mandatory retirement age. Although he and his wife never had children, their home always seemed to be the gathering spot for the neighborhood children. Now, as he moved into his new home, he brought his dog, also retired from the Army and who had been trained for security. The dog, whose name was Lykos, the Greek word for wolf, was carefully introduced to the Remises and all the current resident Mideis-Camilo-Gibbses and of course the Lekkas family, whom he’d already met a few times. He carefully sniffed and licked almost everyone, he was ordered not to lick Nikki and once he knew them by smell, saw that Alan was comfortable with them and the new people with Alan, they became his family.

Chapter Text

Chapter 9: Kick-off, Play, A New Friend

The kick-off on Saturday went very well. Artemis was a little surprised and very happy when nearly everyone who’d been invited showed up. She was pleased to meet members of the press as well as regional government officials, who for their part were very happy to see the construction already started. There were also people from the building trades, most of the crew and their family members as well as Artemis' own family. She smiled when Evander introduced the Remises, her, Tim, Bill and Mr. Mallas to the former owners of the three lots, who still owned the commercial building down the street. The two women were happy to meet them, especially the Remises and the junior Gibbses, between them the owners of all three lots. With the sale of the properties, the women could now start to rebuild their lives after the loss of their husbands and everything that meant.

While Tim was meeting with them and the Remises, the children stayed with their grandparents, Poppy and Grama, Yaya Sophia, Papi Barnes, Pappouli Peter and Yaya Rhode or with Aunt Nikki, Uncle Tony, Aunt Maggie, Uncle Geo and Aunt Bec.

Also in attendance was Eva, Artie and Susannah’s childhood friend, her husband Caleb, Evander’s American wife Kim, their co-worker Thea and her husband Adan along with their boss, Pete Russell with his wife Trina. Most of Athena’s and the Lekkases’ neighbors also came by to say hello and to see for themselves the views their friends had been talking about.

Alan Martin, their new caretaker, was also there, happy to once again see the Remises and the Gibbs family as well meeting Ermis Mallas, the main contractor, and some of the crew. While he’d lived on site for less than 24 hours, he already knew he loved it up here and reported that everything worked as designed, the water, all the plumbing and the electricity.

He thanked Jethro and Bill for the air conditioner the two had installed. He said the air conditioner kept the place cool during the afternoon and evening. He reported that late last night he’d opened the windows to bring in the cooler night air using fans to distribute the fresh air. The man smiled happily when Jethro told him he was working on a few planters which would eventually become the raised bed gardens behind the mobile.

While Jethro didn’t mention it then, he and Tim planned to add a front porch and a back deck for Alan, as he’d asked to be called. The front would be fairly easy to add around the stairs leading from the ground to the front door. The back would be more work as they would first add a small hallway with space for a stackable washer and dryer, which they would supply. The hallway would have doors at each end, to help keep the heat from building up in the dwelling proper and to lead out onto the shaded deck. They wanted their caretaker to be comfortable and to enjoy his new home!

When the owner of the Timothy Gibbses’ vacation rental appeared, he said he had to see what would lure his favorite renters from their vacation home. As soon as he saw the view, he sighed, saying, “I suppose I could take a photo of that and have it enlarged for one of the walls in the living room.” Then he smiled, asking if there were more lots for sale up there.

The demonstration of the foam concrete setup did very well. Those in the building trade and the press watched carefully as the crew showed the group how to do the setup, including the tie down, before the guests were guided to the setups that had been done on Friday. Many photos were taken.

At the Remises’ request, the design for their new home was not displayed. Artemis hadn’t planned to display them anyway but was happy when her clients asked. Their new home would be unique, at least for a while.  

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Wednesday morning, days before the Kick-Off party, Tim was a bit startled when his phone reminded him of a Thursday evening online and in person lecture by a professor of advanced mathematics at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where the lecture would take place.

When he’d signed up for the lecture, he had planned to attend from the UK, not Greece, where the time was two hours ahead of London. This meant the lecture would likely take him into the wee hours of the morning and he had work the next day, or that same day, depending on the length of the lecture, advertised as 2.5 hours, including time for questions and answers.

Tim shook his head, he’d need to record it and ask to contact the professor later with any questions and he almost always had questions! Finding the appropriate email, he sent off his request and the reasons why.

Several hours later, he smiled when he read the reply from the professor who asked that they schedule a time that worked for Dr. McGee as he also had some questions for him!

After Tim sent an email to his parents, asking if they would please watch the children Thursday afternoon of the following week until 6:00 PM and had their agreement, he and the  professor agreed to meet online at 3:30 PM Eastern European Summer time and 5:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time. While Tim thought that was very early for the professor, the man insisted he was always up early and reminded him the Fall semester had not yet started for him, he could go back to bed or take a nap. Setting their meeting for the following week gave Tim plenty of time to watch the lecture.  

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After the Kickoff, Artie and Bill were busy getting all the foundations made, working with Ermis Mallas and his crew to ensure everything was going according to the construction plans. Matthaios was a big help and was learning a great deal about engineering, design and construction in general. As he told his parents one evening, he was realizing how much he had to learn and was glad he knew that now so he could start taking the classes he’d need.

While their parents worked, the 5 children, including Jasper, were having fun with their Barnes-Gibbs cousins, whose parents helped in their care. During the mornings, all 7 of them went to a nearby day care center where they quickly made friends. Their grandparents usually collected them before lunch, some days they happily stayed all day. On the days when they left before lunch, they’d lunch either at their grandparents’ vacation home, Uncle Tony and Aunt Maggie’s place or Yaya Rhode’s home. After playing for a bit, Madelyn and Jasper took naps, sometimes joined by Chloe if she was tired. While at 3 she didn’t really need a nap, more of a rest, she also knew that Jasper was happier if he wasn’t the only one of the ‘big kids’ who had to lay down. Not quite a year old, little Madelyn hadn’t yet worked out that not everyone took naps.

They visited the building site with their parents on the weekends, happy when they could finally see where the buildings would be and understand a little more about what their parents did. They swam a great deal, never tiring of it. This year they not only had the ocean and the Lekkas’ pool to swim in, there was also a pool at the vacation apartment building where Uncle Larry and Aunt Cyndie Porter and Uncle Charlie and Cousin Trish were staying. That pool had afternoon shade and became very popular with the ‘early bird’ group as a whole, even the Lekkas family, leading to Peter and Rhode exploring ways to shade their own pool during the blazing hot Greek afternoons.

Realizing their shade would have to be artificially produced, growing trees large enough to provide any kind of shade would take too long, the couple looked at adding fabric covers that would be on poles several feet over the pool and perhaps on the western sides of the pool. While that would work to some degree, Rhode wasn’t thrilled with the way that would look. They also looked at climate control domes and liked the idea, especially because the dome could be taken down or put up according to the season, it wasn’t a permanent fixture. When the Mideis and Gibbses heard about the couple’s search, they spoke with them about splitting the costs, pointing out how much the larger family enjoyed the pool when the sea was still too chilly or the beach was too hot. In the end, the couple agreed and before the rest of the family arrived for the annual reunion, a climate control dome was purchased and installed, with additional security provided by Tim.  

The vacation apartment property also had a huge shaded pavilion with ceiling fans, picnic tables and a large barbecue, for the tenants and their guests. As it was bigger than Tim and Artie’s rental house’s back yard, it would likely be the gathering space when the rest of the group arrived. In the meantime, the ‘early birds’ frequently met there for dinner, either bringing their own or having a group dinner. Although the ceiling fans helped, Tim, Bill and Dad had also cobbled together a small battery operated portable air conditioner and once the original was working the way they wanted it to, made several more, including a few for Caretaker Martin’s mobile home. Now, when they gathered in the pavilion, they strategically placed the air conditioners to cool off everyone there. With no other project to handle, Dad made several more of the little gizmos. By the time everyone else arrived, there were enough portable air conditioners for each family to have more than one.

Tim’s work didn’t change, he was busy as always with case reviews, evaluations, keeping a quiet eye on various cases and generally making sure NCIS: Europe was fulfilling the agency’s mandate.

The Thursday before the Kick-off, Tim set up the recording of the mathematics lecture before he went to bed. He was pleased when he checked the next morning and saw the length of the recording, he’d made the right decision about not staying up for it!

It was Sunday morning before he had a chance to watch it, while Artie and their parents took the children to church. He felt a bit guilty about that but without cutting into his time with his wife, children, parents, siblings and work, this was the only time he had available. As he watched, he paused the recording to jot down notes, chuckling at the end of the lecture when he noticed how many questions he had. If he had time, always questionable, he’d watch it again before the planned meeting with the Professor on Thursday.

The days passed quickly with Artie, Bill and their crew making good progress on the Remis project, Tim and Nikki continuing to handle work without any unusual problems and the rest of the family enjoying their various pursuits. Tony and Maggie slipped away for 2 nights, leaving their girls in the tender loving care of their grandparents. McKenna was all right with that, her parents had been away before and came home with presents for her. Because big sister wasn’t upset, Madelyn, while missing her mommy and daddy, didn’t fuss very much. Her Papi, Poppy, Grama, Pappouli Peter, Yaya Rhode and Yaya Sophia always made her feel safe and secure, and her grandfathers made her squeal and laugh with the silly faces they made at her.   

By Thursday, Tim had watched the Math lecture again, finding the answers to a few of his questions during his second viewing. At the appointed time, he was in the den of their rental that he and Artie used for their home offices. Artie was so tired that she’d turned in as soon as the children were asleep, insisting she only needed a nap.

When his laptop pinged with a Skype call, Tim was ready, a freshly brewed cup of coffee close by. He smiled as he answered the ping, “Good morning, Professor!”

“And good evening to you, Professor! Ah, coffee, you can drink that in the evening and still sleep?”

Tim nodded, “Yes. I’m pretty sure I can drink it in my sleep after so many years in law enforcement!”

“Odd hours?”

“Odd hours, days, weeks, months, yes. On our team, we worked until we dropped and no longer responded to the boss’s orders to get back to work.”

“Wow and I thought academia could be tough!”

Tim laughed, “I also thought that, until I became a Fed.”

“Lots of stories?”

“Some, can’t talk about the more exciting ones, they’re classified.”

The other man, whose first name was Matt, nodded, “I’ve done bits and pieces of work for the FBI over the years and always have to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements.”

Tim smiled, “My wife says I should have had her sign a blanket NDA when we got married, to cover all conversations about work. But then I’d have to tell her more about work and I’m sure she would have left me by now. So, I watched your lecture twice, great job, very interesting and well presented. I do have a few questions. I had more but my second viewing answered several of them.”

“That’s good, glad to hear it and thanks, this is a new lecture and I really enjoy giving it and hearing the questions people have as well as seeing eyes light up when they begin to understand. I bet you saw the same thing in that ‘I hate Math’ class you taught.”

Tim laughed, “I was a little more subtle, calling the class ‘Math for people who’d rather not’ or something along that line but yes I did enjoy seeing their eyes light up. I even had a couple of students who took it for two terms, a year apart, even though they passed the first time. They said they were afraid they’d forget it all, give into their fear of mathematics again. I let them audit the class and graded the exams for them, they did fine.”

“You also taught in the UK, right?”

“Yes, the same subjects although I had to restructure the math classes to fit with British school systems requirements.”

“How was it, teaching overseas?”

Tim gave him a look before he answered. “I was lucky to have mentors, one for each of my classes and one an overall mentor, to help me understand how things work in the UK. My sister-in-law teaches environmental botany, she taught in the US and then was invited to be a visiting professor in London. She’s still a visiting professor, they keep extending her contract. She loves it and in the meantime my brother, her husband, now has his masters and doctorate and is also teaching, although at a different university. Are you thinking about it?”

Matt grinned, “Yes! I’ve received an offer from Bedford University in the UK and we’re considering it.”

“That’s a great university and the town it’s in is beautiful, an old market town minutes outside London and surrounded by lovely green countryside. My administrative assistant lives in Brambury, that’s the town. Like Jaxton, where we live, Brambury has public transportation to just about everywhere via the tube, also known as the Underground, bus and train. It’s only 20 minutes into London by tube or train. Via the Eurostar, the fastest trip to Paris from London is a little over 2 hours. And there’s so much to see over here!”

“My younger sisters live in the UK and Portugal, and we have other family in Portugal.”

“That might be a little more complicated by train but I’m sure the airfare will be a lot less than it would covering the same distance in the US. You should take the opportunity.”

“I’m pretty sure we will. My wife is a little nervous about it but hearing what you’ve said and knowing there are plenty of Americans in the UK will help.”

Tim grinned, “There’s an American Grocery store in London, you can buy all sorts of things from the US. And we found that when we were homesick, we’d visit a McDonald’s and that would help a great deal. Sounds silly but it worked for us.”

“So with the house your wife is building, will you be living in Greece full-time?”

“Probably not. The house she’s working on now isn’t ours. There were 3 lots for sale, the people she’s building for now bought the first lot and we bought the other two. The middle lot will likely house our garage as it’s too hot to leave vehicles unprotected in the sun, at least on our mountain top. We plan to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas in Jaxton, our US family joins us for Christmas and then we’ll probably leave for Greece after New Year’s and stay until May, possibly June, depending on our children’s school schedules, then we’ll return to Jaxton for most of the summer. We have an annual summer reunion in Greece for the whole family in late July, early August, two weeks and we’ll stick to that unless the heat gets unbearable. Then I guess we’ll move the reunion somewhere else. My wife’s grandmother, father, stepmother and their children plus her mother all live either in Athens or close to it and her aunt, uncle and cousins live in the northern part of Greece in Thessaloniki. That’s why we started coming here.

“We’ve been joking about moving our reunions to somewhere on the coast of Scotland, where we have additional family, or to Scandinavia to escape the worst of the heat but it’s not much of a joke anymore. The UK isn’t built for heat but they’re gradually adapting. My dad, brother and I put together some small portable air conditioners to use here in Greece and we’ll make more for all our Jaxton neighbors.”

“Save a few for us, please! There’s no real escape from climate change and I’d rather be in the UK, experience life over there as an adult with my own family. My parents had a home in the UK and I spent the last years of my teens there but I’d really like to experience it as an adult and I’d really like to raise my children there.”

Tim nodded, “I understand what you’re saying. We’re very happy to raise our children in the UK or here in Greece, many places in Europe. There are things to consider. There is a kind of…I don’t know what to call it, I guess I’d say it’s a somewhat blind perception. As Americans living overseas, we’re not involved in what happens at home and most of the time that’s all right, our US based family keep us up to date. We do vote and we pay attention to the issues but the emotions surrounding those issues and candidates don’t really exist for us, which is nice although sometimes it’s sad or frustrating. We’re not there, we’re no longer part of life in the US. I guess it might be somewhat like being retired from an employer for whom you worked all your adult life. You’re no longer involved, what happens isn’t as crucial as it was when you were part of the company. Only as voters, we still have a responsibility to help make the decisions for those who do live there and sometimes that’s hard to figure out.

“On the other side of the coin, we have absolutely no say in what happens in our adopted country and I understand from Americans who’ve been here longer than we have that not having a say can be just as frustrating. So there’s all that to consider and I imagine you’ll have your own concerns. I would think that having family nearby, in Portugal, will help your sense of belonging. Having my parents, my youngest brother and sister, our eldest brother and his family with us in the UK from the start really helped and then more of our family joined us there along the way. Also having my wife’s relatives and a dear friend, honorary grandfather to my kids, in Scotland and here in Greece has been wonderful. My father-in-law teases me that I brought my home with me. Perhaps it’s because of my background but I feel I belong here, far more than I ever did in the US, except possibly for Baltimore, where I grew up, although the idea of calling it home is bizarre.”

“Why’s that?”

Tim shook his head, “Long story, let’s just say it wasn’t a lot of fun. However, we all made it out in one piece and we’re thriving now. Wow, it’s getting late in your morning, shall I email my questions?”

Matt laughed, “That’s fine, this has been very interesting.”

“It has been, let me know if you decide to take the job over here, would love to have your family meet my family!”

As Tim reached out to disconnect the call, Artie quietly opened the door to their shared make-shift office space and smiled. “Oh, am I too late to meet the professor?”

Still online, Matt shook his head and Tim moved his hand. “Artemis, this is Professor Matt Mello, professor of mathematics at the Santa Barbara, California campus of the University of California. Matt, this is my wife, Artemis Midei.”

The two said hello and chatted briefly before finally disconnecting. Needing to use the loo, Tim quickly kissed his wife before nearly running from the room while Artie stood in thought.

She’d recognized the name of the American professor, it was the same as the young man who’d lived near their Canadian friends from their Turkish tour, the Mannings, and his image on screen looked very much like the photo she’d seen of him online. However, seeing him now on Skype she understood why the Mannings thought he and Tim looked so much alike.

While their skin tone was about the same, Tim’s hair had its usual summertime light highlights, while the other man’s hair was the same darker color that Tim’s was most of the year. Their faces were similar although Tim’s was a bit longer and the other man’s a bit fuller. Their eyes were shaped a bit differently and their eye color wasn’t quite the same, Tim’s eyes had more green while the professor’s eyes had more blue but then that could be attributed to their computers.

She finally shook herself out of her musings, thinking what a strange coincidence it was.

Chapter Text

Although when they were planning the time they’d need to be in Greece the “early bird” weeks looked like more than 2 months, in reality the weeks flew by with everyone busy with their various pursuits, whether those pursuits were for work or fun.

As those weeks wound down and the group prepared for the arrival of the rest of their family and friends for their annual reunion, Tim felt both relief and a little sadness, although they wouldn’t leave for 2 ½ weeks after the reunion. This had been quite an adventure for most of them, actually living in Greece, with most of the children old enough to remember the extra weeks on the beaches and in the pools, revisiting favorite sites in Athens and seeing new things around the country. One of Tim’s favorite things was that he could work here without feeling out of touch with the agency. Of course, having the Piraeus office nearby helped.

One week there was renovation going on at the Embassy, too close to the section with Tim and Nikki’s offices. Finding the work was too noisy for either of them to concentrate, the two of them spent the entire week working from the Piraeus office, located in a former 2 story home, with the office downstairs and 2 bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs.

Nikki worked upstairs in one of the bedrooms so she’d have privacy for her work while Tim first worked in Observation until Tuesday when the team brought in a suspect. Tim tried very hard to ignore his inner field agent who desperately wanted to work the case, interrogate the suspected criminal and feel the satisfaction of successfully closing a case. Instead, he moved to the conference table in the kitchen where he quickly realized he’d also forgotten how comforting it was to hear the low buzz of people working around him. He knew he’d miss it again when they returned to the Embassy. For the rest of the week, he worked in the second bedroom upstairs.

Over the weekend, he was apparently too quiet as Tony and Geordie both noticed. With a nod to their eldest brother, Geo backed off. If it was something to do with work, Tim would be more likely to open up to Tony than to him.

When Tony asked Tim, only he called him “McSeniorGuyinCharge”, what was going on, Tim made a face, “That! I’m a paper pusher, a string puller, a damn bureaucrat, not an agent! What am I contributing? How the hell do management people ever get used to this?”

“Does ‘this’ bother you at home?”

“Sort of. I’m closer to the teams at home, at least I’m on the same floor and it’s part of my job to oversee them, I’m still allowed to discuss cases with them, to hear what they’re doing or not doing and why. You know, as an SAC, if we were short agents on a Priority 1 or even a Priority 2 case, I’m allowed to go into the field and I maintain my qualifications.

“Now I listen to their theories and I think about all our cases and how we’d pull our stories together.” He huffed, “It’s also part of my job to let them do their own damn jobs. I’m not a field agent or an investigator anymore, Tony, and sometimes I hate that. It makes me feel old and useless. I do understand more about Boss now, why he pushed, why he yelled and grumbled, he needed to be involved, he needed to still be an investigator. That also applies to Leon to some extent. I’ve lost that and I don’t know what to do about it.”

“You could step back, you know, go back into the field. Although your wife and children wouldn’t be happy about it.”

Tim nodded, sighing. He wished there was some sort of happy medium, where he could still be an investigator but he guessed that could only happen through the CCUs and as much as he promoted their work, it was field work and the synergy that he missed so much.

He huffed again, telling Tony that Pete, Roger, Stan and others they knew had it right. They continued to lead and manage their teams, resisting promotions that would remove them from the field. Tony nodded, he’d long thought the same thing and had wondered how Tim handled sitting in an office all day. But then of course he’d forgotten that Tim had been forced to leave when Vance first took the directorship and even though the two men had worked through that fiasco, it happened.

He shook his head, “Probie, you need to adjust your thinking. You were an excellent field agent, always ready to learn new things, to adjust to something new or different. You may not be in the field anymore but you’re still a criminal investigator. Now, your job is to guide younger investigators,” he smiled, “to make sure they’re trained to Boss’s, our standards and to help them maintain those standards, to use their brains, their experiences and yes, sometimes their intuition, to help them solve crimes, to protect our service personnel and their dependents, to stop terrorism before it stops us. You’re not useless, you’ve moved on to higher and tougher goals.” He paused, “You skipped grades in school, right?”

Tim nodded and Tony continued, “Did you miss what you’d done in the previous classes?”

When his brother shook his head, Tony mentally crossed that idea off and then again paused in thought, “I wonder if part of the problem is that you not only don’t have any peers on the continent but that you have to be careful about treating your friends, the closest people to being equals, Pete and the others, as peers. Because while they are your peers to some extent, they’re not in charge of several offices on one continent or in charge of all kinds of people and also because you are their superior, their boss.

“They’re still able to concentrate on bringing down criminals, whereas you have to deal with Legal stuff, Human Resources, Accounting, pray the Intel Analysts don’t burn out or realize just how important their work is, hope the lab techs, James’ staff or James himself don’t leave for greener pastures, that the Medical Examiners also continue their employment and of course whatever Vance needs you for on any given day.”  

Tim was laughing by the time Tony finished and he smiled, wrapping an arm around his Probie’s shoulders. “I’m very proud of you and sometimes I’m also very afraid for you, that you get too much put on your shoulders because people know you’ll get it done, no matter what it is. Because sometimes you have an idea and it bugs you until you write it all out and the next thing you know, Vance or SecNav or even SecDef wants you to implement it. When all you wanted to do was to put the damn thing in writing so you could get it out of your head!”

As that described something Tim had recently completed as well as his cross-training mania, he sighed. “I can’t seem to help doing that.”

“I know, Tim. But you know what else you do? You play! You ski in the winter, hike and swim in the warm weather, you get in the water or down on the floor and the ground to play with your kids, heck, all of our kids, you laugh with them, make up stories and show them how to use their imaginations. And look how lucky both of us are with our wives and families! Who would have ever thought that the three of us, four counting Boss, would ever find our perfect mates? Or that you and I would end up with so many choices in life, financially speaking.”

He paused before continuing with a smile, “If Vance hadn’t messed up, you might never have reconnected with Artie and then where would we all be? I’d probably still be afloat, Dad, well he wouldn’t be dad, he’d still be Boss although he probably would have shoved us away or disappeared by now, he certainly wouldn’t have married Mom. There are so many other things, Tim.”

Tim nodded, “You’re right, Tony. I need to be here in the present, not wallow in the glories of the past, which we know rarely felt anything like glories!”

They both laughed at that and Geordie, hearing their laughter, joined them, discreetly patting Tony’s back and giving Tim’s shoulder a squeeze.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Although Tim and several family members and friends had stayed in Greece for a period longer than the present stay, back when he was cross-training Asian-based Field and Cyber Crime agents, this felt different.

He’d still felt like a visitor then, perhaps because of the travels and temporary homes they’d stayed in during previous training sessions. Now he felt more at home and less like a temporary visitor. He supposed that could be attributed to time, with more visits to their Greek family and possibly to the fact that he and Artie now owned property here where someday they’d live in their own house on their own land, in this country.

He no longer had to think about he wanted to say and then translate that into Greek, now he just said it, his wife telling him he was now truly bilingual. As he’d always felt deficient in trying to learn new languages, he was absurdly proud that with a lot of help from Artie, Yaya, Susannah, Peter, Rhode, Gaia, Nik and even Sophia, he’d finally succeeded in becoming bilingual!

Then he realized that although the ‘early bird’ weeks were almost over, Artie’s project was nowhere near done, their currently projected completion date was nearly a year in the future and that was dependent on several things, including the weather over the winter months. He and the children would likely return many times, for weekends and probably for the twins’ February school break. Laughing, he shook his head, remembering their plan to visit Morocco wasn’t scheduled until the spring/Easter break. He hoped by that time Artie would be able to take a full week off. If not, maybe they’d move that trip to the June half-term break, that might work better.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Finally, the great day arrived when most of those coming for the annual gathering would descend upon them. Three of the largest vehicles were emptied of personal items and at least the interiors were cleaned, ready to transport family members and friends from the airport to wherever they were staying in Varkiza.

Unfortunately, there were two family members who couldn’t make it this year, Ziva and her husband Brian. Both had too much going on and Ziva in particular had no one to fill in for her at the ballet school. Although most of the current US residents had seen them a few times, none of the UK or European residents had seen the couple in person since Tim’s swearing-in ceremony in January and they were sorely disappointed. Ziva promised they would come for two weeks over Thanksgiving and they’d already planned a long weekend visit in October with the US family. While Ducky wasn’t sure he’d be there, he had offered his home to the Metzgers and whoever else wanted to stay with them. Grandpa Mac had also emailed an invitation to stay at his beach house and that he’d give the key to Joe or Charlotte before they left Greece for home.

As Tim and his children cleaned out their van, he realized that he’d forgotten the pregnant and recovering ‘early birds’ last year, 2013, followed by the rest of the group in June. Now he grinned as he remembered meeting Liam and Chloe as well as the joyful and surprise reunion of Freddie and Abby and how much fun it was to be there with both groups. He had much the same feeling this year although this year would be even better as the folks already here were staying through the reunion and some for longer.  

To save room in the vehicles for the new arrivals, Pappouli Peter and Yaya Rhode took charge of the children while the drivers were bringing the US, UK, French and Italian groups from the airport. With aunts Gaia, Cyndie, Bec, cousin Cassie and uncles Theo, Rob and Larry also asking to play with the children, they had plenty of adults for a trip to the beach. With the flights not arriving until noon, Artie, Bill and Matthaíos had decided to work their regular schedule, from daybreak to 1300, an hour past noon. Sophia had flown to Thessaloniki earlier in the week and was helping her former daughter-in-law Ana drive a rental vehicle from there to Varkiza with Sophia's older grandchildren. As the oldest was licensed to drive, he also helped his mother and grandmother. They'd left early that morning and would arrive shortly after the airline passengers. Although it was a 7 hour drive, Ana wanted to have a vehicle while in Varkiza, although she'd turn it in and fly home with the children at the end of their vacation.

Their usual enclave was in place, an ever-growing number of large beach umbrellas grouped together to provide a somewhat lower temperature, helped by several of the small portable air conditioners, along with the newest addition, a large sun shelter similar to one they’d rented on the island of Aegina. They were well protected! Of course, highly rated sunscreen and UV protective swim wear, including hats, also helped keep them from getting sunburned.  

While the children escorted their adults to the beach, the 3 vehicles took their time getting to the airport, finding their family and friends just beginning to emerge from the Baggage Claims area as they arrived, perfect timing! Those who’d been in Scotland were first out the door. Grandpa Jack chuckled as he hugged and kissed his son, daughter-in-law, some of his grandsons and their spouses, “We were the last on and first off and for once our luggage followed the same pattern! How are you all, you look healthy, no sunburns, good! Where are the littles?”

Tony, welcoming his father-in-law, turned his head to say, “At the beach with all the adults who aren’t here. Except for Nikki, Artie and Bill, they’re working.”

Heads then turned to Tim, who shook his head with a smile, “That was Nikki’s decision, not mine! She said she was in the middle of something that shouldn’t wait and to say hello to everyone. So, HELLO EVERYONE, from Nikki, Artie and Bill!”

As usual, they’d organized who was riding in which vehicle and read the list once everyone had emerged from Baggage Claims. Used to the process, the passengers sorted themselves into the right vehicle. Any luggage that didn’t fit into the assigned vehicle was loaded into a second large van, this one driven by Lu and Jethro. The two larger vans carried the passengers, the third vehicle carried all the luggage that didn't fit in the vans.

Geordie rode with Tim and their group, the brothers rotating to help stash the luggage. They had Joe, Charlotte, their baby boy Tommy, Freddie, Abby and her niece Menolly along with Barry, Ned, Ava and Naomi, who had joined the group when the Paddington flight stopped in Marseille. Athena and Ducky, all four of the Powells, Jack and LJ rode with Jethro and Lu. The third vehicle, driven by Larry Porter, had Richard Baxter, Dick Barnes and Mac Fielding as well as Cyndie,Tony, Maggie and all the overflow luggage.

Tim and Geordie had Barry, Ned, Abby and Menolly, who was now taller than her aunt, sitting in the last row of Tim's van while the third row had Freddie, Joe, Charlotte and Ben Childers. Tommy, Ava and Naomi sat in the second row, behind Tim and Geordie. The cargo area behind the fourth row was full with the luggage carrier on top of the van also at capacity. Tim and Geo were very glad the rest of the guests, who were a surprise, would arrive Sunday.

Once the caravan set off, it didn’t take long to get to Varkiza and they started the unloading process. Everyone helped, excited to finally be there!

As they left the vans, one member of each group was given a schedule of events, a light dinner tonight on the beach, with a reminder to schedule their jet lag naps! Other events were listed for the weekend and throughout the week.

During the week, they’d figure out what else they wanted to do, besides swim, sleep, eat and catch up with everyone. With Mimi away in Scotland, Rhode had taken on the older woman’s usual task of exploring what would be happening in the country, Athens in particular, over the next two weeks. She had her list ready and would hand out copies in the morning when people would be rested and ready for fun!

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Saturday morning, before the day heated up, another parade of vehicles drove to the junior Gibbes’ mountain top property, although they hoped to see all three properties. They were surprised and pleased to note the progress on the Remis property as the sooner that was finished, the sooner construction would start on the Gibbs’ property.  Moving down the road, the vehicles pulled into the third lot, Tim and Artie’s main property and parked. Those who hadn’t yet met Caretaker Alan were introduced to him and his dog Lykos, who was very polite to everyone.

They also had a peek at the current design for the lot, including the apartments, guest houses, the main house, the various garden areas and of course the outdoor pool. Seeing the design while they were on the property gave everyone a much better idea of what it would look like when complete, even if that was more than a year in the future and subject to change.

Deciding to visit Aegina during the week, the group spent Sunday morning on the beach before many of them retreated to their lodgings for naps and lunches. With a slight breeze that afternoon, just about everyone reconvened on the beach for an hour or so before deciding to move to the pool at the apartment complex. Once there, they stayed put and there was a group dinner there that evening.

Monday morning, three vehicles quietly left Varkiza, driving first to the airport and then to Piraeus before returning to Varkiza. There the surprise guests began to exit the vehicles. The first group was Nikki’s aunt Evelyn King and cousin Vince, his wife Tia, and their cousin Dina and her fiancé Andre, who was meeting everyone but Nikki, Bill, Jasper and Bill’s parents for the first time.

While the Jardine-Gibbses were greeting the Kings, Ned’s face lit up when he spotted his grandparents, Walter and Margaret Dorneget! As the senior Dornegets and Mrs. King were not air travelers, the three traveled together across the Atlantic on a cruise ship, now docked near Piraeus, while Vince and the others flew over on a Paddington jet with more of the Baxter family and the Vances.

While the Vance family was greeted by Pete and Trina Russell, the Kings and the Baxters, Richard’s grandson Doug and his family, were met by Jethro and Lu, Tim and the Porters, driving the same vans they'd used to meet the others at the airport. 

As the last of the Baxters appeared, they laughed at the applause when Doug gestured to all the newcomers and the vehicles, “That’s all of us!”

Once the newcomers were greeted, they were delivered to their vacation lodgings, eventually reappearing on the beach.

Their lunch on the beach that day was special as the group celebrated all the June through September birthdays. When the construction crew shut down at noon that day, Artie, Bill and Matthaíos joined the party.

Although all those with birthdays were given paper crowns to wear, the crowns spent more time skittering along the beach, blown by the breezes, than resting on the celebrants’ heads. Happily, the children made a game of it, the adults helping to chase them down, counting how many crowns they caught throughout the afternoon and none of them ended up flying elsewhere or disappearing into the Mediterranean. That was one party idea that wouldn't be repeated, at least not at the beach!

There were several celebrants, from Jasper, Cyndi Porter, Tim, Trisha Baxter and Grandpa Jack for the June birthdays, Tony, Leon and Barry for July, baby Donnie Mallard, McKenna Barnes-Gibbs, Damaris Costas, Gaia and Larry Porter for August and Jethro, Naomi Dorneget-Gibbs and Donald, aka Granducky, for September.

After their sumptuous lunch, the group either swam, waded, built sand castles, napped in the shade or walked along the beach, taking a break before returning to share the 2 large sheet cakes, with the names of the celebrants written on them. This was a ‘no gift’ celebration although the birthday folks received plenty of cards.  

By the time everything was cleaned up, that day’s travelers from the US, that is the younger Kings and Baxters, left for jet lag naps. While some people stayed on the beach, in the shade or in the water, most of the crowd moved over to the shaded pool at the apartment building or to the pool at the Lekkas’ home. Although Peter and Rhode hadn’t yet decided on a permanent way to provide afternoon shade, today they’d borrowed enough beach umbrellas to provide shade over most of the pool.

Tuesday through Thursday, everyone was on their own and several people took the opportunity to explore more of Greece. One group traveled north to Thessaloniki, another to the Peloponnese, exploring all the historical sites and the beautiful beaches. Some of their favorite spots were Nafplion, Olympia and Mystras. A few others flew to some of the less-crowded Greek islands, Crete, Kefalonia, Corfu and Lefkada. Those who hadn't seen much of Athens spent most of their time exploring the ancient city.

The following Tuesday, most of the group took the ferry over to Aegina for a day of fun on the island. Artie and Bill had decided to give the whole crew the day off, they could afford it as construction was several days ahead of schedule. They had a wonderful day with their spouses, family and friends and Matthaíos also had a great time, enjoying the time off.

Tony, Maggie, Geo, Bec, Tim and Artie rented a sailboat and spent hours sailing while the Barnes-Gibbs and the Midei-Gibbs children were happy playing with their grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

With or without scheduled plans for each day, the group as a whole had a wonderful time, exploring more of Greece, playing in the Mediterranean in the mornings with afternoons spent swimming in the shaded pools. There were many dinners on the beach just before sunset. The NCIS Athens team spent a Saturday on the beach with them, complete with a group barbecue for dinner and with the Vances also there, it was even more fun.

Although most of the visitors left after the traditional two weeks of fun, a few stayed on. Nik, Sergio and the girls were in Varkiza for another week, the two men finally admitting they were looking for a location for a second restaurant. They looked at a few places along the coast, including Varkiza, Piraeus and Nafplion as well as Athens but didn’t find what they wanted. Joining them for dinner one evening, Artie and Tim questioned them about opening another restaurant. Would they run it or train people to run it for them? Were they planning to serve Greek and Italian food or perhaps add dishes from other cultures?

The two men chuckled and Sergio replied, “We don’t know yet. Right now it’s just an idea. We would like a second restaurant featuring more varied food and yes we would like to add more selections from other countries and cultures. However, we don’t want to travel back and forth and would need trained staff at each location. Training takes time and finding the right people to train takes even more time and effort.

“Our initial thought was that we now have a trained crew for Bella Figlie, why not have them run the restaurant while we would, perhaps, open another restaurant here in Greece. Mimi’s getting older and she and Donald feel obligated to spend time with each part of their families. If we were here in Greece, that would lessen their travels a bit. We’re also thinking ahead to our own retirement at some point. For various reasons, we’d rather be here than in Italy. We have family here, while my birth family, with the exception of my sister and younger brother, no longer consider me part of the family and have never accepted Nik or even met our daughters. I’d rather live here where we’re welcomed and loved.”

Nodding, Nik added “That part we’ve been thinking about for years. Mama would love us to live here and the girls are also in favor of it. We’re hesitant to do anything about it just yet as we want to see where Katerina and Damaris end up.”

Artemis and Tim had talked earlier about something they wanted to offer and now she said with a smile, “If you decide to open another restaurant, we’d like to contribute to the financing.”

Also smiling, Tim added, “We also have rooms planned for you on our property. Either an apartment with 2 or 3 bedrooms, one of the guesthouses or a suite in the main house. We thought if you took one of the guesthouses, then there will always be room for the girls if or when they have their own families.”

They relaxed as the faces of both men lit up, having been a little worried that their offers for financing and housing would seem presumptuous.

“Thank you, that’s kind of you and will make our decisions a bit easier. Of course, the girls have more years at home with us; however, we would like to make the change, whatever change we decide on, before they reach college age. There’s also Mama’s years to consider, even though she is in excellent health.”

Nik looked at his niece and her husband. “Tell me, we haven’t wanted to ask but do you know if there are contingency plans for Mama, Donald and our Lekkas family for next winter?”

“Yes, Yaya, Peter and Rhode have been working with Varkiza officials to set up a formal plan. The officials contacted the owners of the commercial building people stayed in last winter. The new agreement with the owners is that at the first prediction or sign of any big storm, those who are able to will rent caravans, what we call recreational vehicles, or something similar and will be able to use the facilities again. They’ve set a limit for how many people will be permitted to stay inside while the parking garage and the outside parking area will also be available for storm refugees. People have been asked to bring their own bedding and Yaya said her neighbors have been collecting blankets and foam pads, yoga mats and inflatable beds, all of which are already stored in the building. They’ve also agreed to the same conditions in case of fires threatening the region although in that case no fires or outdoor stoves will be allowed. With drought and wildfires occurring more often, there’s a great need for shelter from that as well. To that end, I believe the owners are having a cistern built at the edge of the parking lot, to help fight any nearby fires.

“Of course, there is a chance the building will be sold or leased before winter, although that doesn’t seem likely. Even so, the owners have agreed they’ll write the use of the building as an emergency refuge into any contract they sign so people would still be able to stay there and will have access to the restrooms on the lower floor along with the fitness center, which has showers, two more restrooms and a pool. If there are no wildfires, they can use camp stoves at the outside edge of the parking garage, I believe the stove must be within 3 feet of the open air, although as I said, those sheltering from wildfires will not be allowed the use of camp stoves or fires of any kind. Of course the recreational vehicles usually have a small range and oven and the hope is that everyone will either share the kitchenettes or prepare enough food to share. We’re happy they took the initiative to set things up now. There might not be as much damage as there was this past winter but better to be in a safe place and not have to worry about it.”

“Good, thank you! We thought of offering the guest cottage to Mama and Donald and hoped the Lekkas’ family would come with them, they could rent one of those big vehicles and also stay on our property.”

“That’s a great alternative!”

Sergio chuckled, “In Mama's cottage, there’s a 6 foot sofa that makes into a bed in what we call an office. When Mama visits, the girls love to sleep over in her cottage and they share that bed. Artemis, if none of your younger siblings are along, Peter and Rhode could also sleep on that. There’s enough privacy, although the four of them might be stumbling over each other during the day.”

Tim grinned, “Still, that sounds warmer and less crowded than the commercial building!” He told his wife later that he didn't remember Sergio referring to Mimi as 'Mama' but it made sense, considering Sergio's abandonment by his mother and most of the rest of his family. Artie told him Sergio had been calling Athena 'Mama' since they'd first met. As Tim had called her 'Yaya' since first meeting her, he smiled at Athena's loving ways, extending her mother and grandmotherly love to Sergio and him, one who'd been abandoned by his mother and the other who had no memories of a mother or grandmother. 

Nik nodded, “We’ll see how things go.”

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Barry, Ned, Naomi and Ava also stayed longer than the two weeks and the girls especially enjoyed playing with their cousins and getting to know their grandparents, aunties and uncles better. It was fun to see them every day rather than for a weekend or only when everyone else was also there.

Tony and Maggie’s girls were always happy to have more cousins to play with, although almost two months shy of her first birthday, Madelyn didn’t have any age peers among them. Still, she had plenty of people to play with and to cuddle with and that’s all she wanted.

Tim was surprised when he looked at the calendar one Friday and realized they were leaving for home, Jaxton, on Wednesday of the following week, five days from then!

While they’d originally planned to leave on Thursday, they’d received notice of a welcome party Thursday afternoon for the children and their parents, who were starting Reception. He made a face, thinking of packing. After nearly 8 weeks, that would take most of the time they had left! He sent a reminder to Cynthia, blind copying Nikki, that he would be returning to work in London the next Friday.

He was startled when he heard a loud exclamation coming from Nikki’s office and then laughed when she appeared in his doorway. “Wednesday? Next Wednesday? That’s only 5 days, it’ll take me that long to pack!”

He nodded, “I know, me too! I don’t know if Artie and Bill will be working Monday and Tuesday. I do know Matthaios, Cassie and their parents are leaving Saturday, there’s a family dinner Friday night.”

She made a face, “Thank you for reminding me. This is going to be so strange, working in an actual NCIS office again! I’m going to miss the cafeteria.”

“Me too. And driving to work. Taking the tube again will take some time to get used to. Living five minutes from the beach, having Yaya, Peter and Rhode close by.” He shook his head, “I thought this might be boring or weird but the time’s flown, our reunion was great again this year and working here has been good. And ride sharing has also been fun.”

Nikki made a face, “Bill and Artie will be gone a few days every week.”

“Yeah, I’ve been trying not to think about that. And the twins starting school, I have mixed feelings about that!”

His sister-in-law nodded, “I can only imagine. We’ve only got two more years before Jasper starts.” She shook her head, “I know children need to learn and all that but I’m not sure I like a system where the babies start school at 4!”

Tim nodded, “At least with the twins we had the extra months. I wondered about the early age and apparently it’s not uncommon. How old were you in kindergarten?”

She thought for a moment before sighing, “I remember my 5^th birthday and my birthday is in the spring, so I was 4 and a few months when I started. How about you?”

Tim shook his head, “I didn’t go to kindergarten, I was 6 ½ when I finally was able to start school.”

“You didn’t go?”

“No, I spent most of the year before first grade in the hospital.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize, sorry!”

He smiled, “That’s all right. Did you know that in the US, kindergarten isn’t mandatory in every state?”

Surprised, she shook her head and he nodded, saying, “It’s only mandatory in 13 states and the District of Columbia. I guess a lot of people feel the same way you do, they want their child home longer.”

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On Friday, Tim sent a reminder to their Embassy contacts, again blind copying Nikki, that the two of them would be vacating their offices at the end of the work day on Tuesday, adding the date. He thanked them for everything, specifically mentioning the cafeteria and adding that although they were looking forward to going home, they would both miss everyone. He was surprised when he had a reply from the Ambassador herself, saying they were welcome back anytime. He smiled, that was a nice touch! He made a copy for Nikki, deciding they should both have a copy in their personnel files.

The farewell dinner on Friday night was sweet and a little bit sad, as if a great adventure was over and the adventurers weren’t sure they really wanted it to end. It was strange to have so few of them together at dinner, after spending nearly 2 months with varying numbers of family and friends. Tim said he’d been very happy here and it was good to know that before they actually moved here! The children said the same thing, that they’d had a lot of fun, learned a lot and would miss everyone.

Artie and Bill presented Matthaíos with letters thanking him for his work and documenting everything he’d done on the project, for either of them or the crew in general. The young man was surprised to also be given a letter signed by everyone in the crew as well as the Remises, thanking him for all his help and saying they’d miss him on the build, that they hoped he’d be able to visit before the project was completed.

Jethro and Lu didn’t say much at dinner. While they’d also had a wonderful time, they were looking forward to being home, in their own rooms with their own furniture and re-establishing their daily routine. They guessed the difference was that Tim, Nikki, Artie and Bill had been working for most of their time here.

After many hugs between all of them, Tim drove the Costas-Caras family to the airport for their short flight home.

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From Friday night through Tuesday night, those leaving for home sorted, washed, dried and packed. Clothing, toys, books and kitchen items, making sure to leave jackets or sweaters in their carry-on bags as they knew the weather in London would be cooler than here and that some of them were almost always cold when they traveled, especially if they were tired.

Athena would fly to the UK with them, the flight would first stop in Edinburgh where she’d disembark for a visit with Susannah, Ian and little Alec. From there, she might visit Sorrento for a few weeks or perhaps she’d go home, although she wasn’t looking forward to being home alone. She missed Donald. Although they saw and spoke nearly every day via Skype, she missed his physical presence. Young Donnie would have his first birthday while she was in Edinburgh and, while she felt guilty for thinking it, she hoped that her sweetheart would return to her after that.

Chapter Text

Ch 11: Home in Jaxton, School, Athena, Storm!

While they were glad to be home, it felt a bit odd after 2 months away and being with so many of their family and friends. However, it didn’t take them long to settle in, after all several of their family lived with them in Jaxton!

By the time everything from their stay in Greece had been put away, preparations were in motion for the twins’ Very First Day of School!

The Welcome Party held in the school hall Thursday afternoon helped refocus Tim and Artie, who were happy to reconnect with the nursery parents and children who would continue to be their children’s classmates, possibly for the next 12 or 13 years as well as meeting a few new families.

Tim told his wife later that it suddenly hit him their first babies were starting their school careers! From now until their youngest child was 18 and through secondary school, their lives would be more or less governed by the school system. Both were happy that the system allowed for time off throughout the year, believing that would be easier on the children and themselves.

Thinking back to their days and months of travel while he was cross-training NCIS and FBI employees, Tim was thankful they did it all at once so that the twins had plenty of time to reconnect with their nursery friends before beginning school. That also held true for Liam and Chloe, he was glad they’d arrived when they had, giving them a year or two to make friends at nursery, friends who would likely continue with them into their school years.

On Sunday, although young Jack was a bit reluctant, both he and his sister dressed in their new uniforms, putting on a little preview for their family, including their resident and local aunts and uncles and of course the senior Powells. The Clachers and most of the US family joined them via Skype.

Chloe giggled when Liam told her he hoped no one would make the two of them do that next year! Ava, their cousin in France, later spoke with the twins, telling them what she remembered of the first day of kindergarten. Even though that had been in the United States, it helped. She’d already spoken with Naomi, her younger sister, who was also starting maternelle, similar to her cousins’ reception classes and her older sister’s kindergarten classes.

Monday morning, all four of the children had breakfast with their grandfather and father as they usually did although today their mother, grandmother, Uncle James, Aunt Nikki, Uncle Bill, a sleepy Jasper who was staying home today, the Grandpas, Uncle LJ, Uncle Charlie, Aunt Tricia and even Aunt Sarah also joined them. After eating, the children washed up and then dressed, the twins again in their new uniforms while Liam and Chloe wore their favorite ‘going to nursery/ preschool’ clothes.

Today, both parents would take them to school. Usually, their dad or grandfather would take them to school while Grama or their mother, when she wasn’t working, or sometimes Aunt Sarah, would pick them up after school.

Glad it was a sunny day, the four children stood in a line, the twins in their uniforms. Several photos were taken until Uncle James said it was time to go.

Liam and Chloe watched with a bit of awe as their sister and brother hugged them goodbye at the school and then walked to class holding hands with their parents, Poppy staying with the two younger children.

Artie and Tim hurried back to the car, holding onto their emotions until after Liam and Chloe were delivered to the nursery. Tim was all right by then but Artie cried and Tim held onto her while Jethro wondered if this milestone might result in another grandchild down the road. He mentally scolded himself, he and Lu had plenty of grandchildren, he just wished that everyone lived closer, at least on the same continent!

When he got home, he told Lu he’d like to make an effort to spend each grandchild’s birthday with them. Lu had to think about that, it would be a challenge with the children living in 3 different countries! Still, with 2 grands in France and 8, including Alec, in the UK, birthday visits for them weren’t difficult. As for as those living in the US, Donnie’s birthday was in late August with McKenna's in September and Madelyn's in October, Tommy and Liam in December and then back to France for Ava’s birthday in January. It would take some careful planning but she thought they could do it.  

Nikki took that day off, spending the day with her husband and son. It felt wonderful to be home and Bill was very glad he’d be home late Thursday afternoons through Monday night bedtimes for Jasper. He would talk with his wife and son every day he was away so they would be all caught up when he got home.

While Artie stayed home, she and Bill would leave after an early dinner this evening, Tim felt he needed to be at the office, working. When they reached home after delivering the children to school and nursery, he found James had waited for him. Kissing his wife and father goodbye, Tim grabbed his laptop case and joined James. The two walked to the tube station, taking it into London. Tim was grateful to his friend for waiting for him. This felt like it might be a “double whammy” day, the twins first ever day of school and Tim’s first day back in his own office after two months working either at the US Embassy in Athens or the small NCIS office in Piraeus!

When they walked into the office and Tim saw the ‘Welcome Home (again!)’ banner, he grinned, glad to be home.

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While Tim was fully aware of everything going on in his personal and family life that week, he was so busy at work that he didn’t really have time to think much about any of it.

Monday afternoon when he got home, the twins were full of news about their new teacher, some children who were new to them and everything they’d done that day. Liam and Chloe also had fun things to report and he was glad all four of them had enjoyed their day. Artie said she’d slept half the day and then puttered the other half. He wanted to have a swim and she joined him.

Later, after the children were in bed, with many kisses and hugs exchanged, Dad and Malu drove Artie and Bill to the airfield for their flight to Athens. They would send a text when they landed and would take Uber from the airport to Varkiza where both would stay with Artie's grandmother.

After tossing and turning for what seemed like the entire night, Tim finally received a text hours later saying they’d arrived safely and Papa Peter was there to meet them! He smiled at that, nodding his head in approval of his father-in-law, who was, like his own father, everything anyone could want in an in-law or a father. He sent an emoji kiss and a bouquet of flowers to his wife and then found he was finally able to sleep.

After breakfasting with the children Tuesday morning, Tim and James again took the tube into London, this morning also joined by Nikki, leaving earlier than they had on Monday and catching what had been their usual train.

That felt fairly normal with the three of them, although James had to remind Nikki to put her mask and gloves on before they boarded their carriage! He’d already pulled on a mask and now Tim also pulled one from his pocket and put it on. When James and Nikki both looked surprised, Tim’s brother-in-law explained, “Your mask no longer blends in with your face as well as it used to. I know you worked for all but the reunion weeks but you definitely have a tan!”

When a few of their fellow passengers nodded in agreement, Tim shook his head with a laugh. “Amazing considering all the sunscreen I used!”

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That first week went smoothly, the twins excited about the new things they were learning, Jasper, Chloe and Liam enjoying their adventures in nursery and with their grandparents, who’d taken them out for a special picnic lunch Wednesday and the return of Artemis and Bill late Thursday afternoon. The children swarmed their mother and father, very happy to see them in person after speaking to them on Skype on Tuesday and Wednesday.

While Tim had been busy at work there weren’t any crises or disasters although he was enjoying being closer to the teams and hearing about their cases. He was relieved to have his wife home for several days, hoping he, Nikki and their children would get used to what would be a weekly 2 ½ day separation from Artie and Bill.

Although it was now past Jethro’s birthday, his family insisted on celebrating it again that 2^nd weekend home. He thought they were silly but had fun anyway, surprised when all of his kids attended, either in person or via Skype. He laughed when everyone sat down at their own tables in three countries to eat cake and ice cream. His kids’ gift to him was a new photo of all of them together, on the beach in Varkiza, although no one was wearing swimsuits, they were mostly wearing casual clothes, some more casual than others.

He was told it had been taken by a professional photographer one morning after Tim, Nikki, Bill and Artie had supposedly left for work, after Dad returned from his walk on the beach and was eating breakfast. He was happy although surprised to see Ziva and Brian included in the photo and James laughed, “Jethro, they were photoshopped in.”

Ziva grinned, “We went to the beach here with Brian’s sister and she took several photos of us, hoping the background would blend in well enough.”

Brian chuckled, “I’m glad we were told to wear casual clothes or we would have been the only ones in our swimsuits!”

Jethro grinned, “A well-organized and executed plan, thank you, everyone! Bill, did you make the frame?”

“Artie sketched out what we agreed we wanted, I penciled the sketch into pieces and then numbered them by each sibling’s place #, or their spouse’s place #, in the sibling lineup; Abby is with Freddie. But no, Dad, I didn’t make the whole thing, each of us worked on it.” He sat back in relief, glad he’d remembered not to say anything that would hint at Abby’s real place in the age lineup, which was between him and Tony.

Tony grinned, “Maggie and I didn’t have much to do since I’m the eldest, just had to stain it, wait for it to dry, sand the edges, print our names on it, put a clear coat on that and hand it off to Bill for his part.”

Rob snorted, “I got the whole thing, Dad! And of course Bill put my piece in between three other pieces so I had more delicate work to do.”

Bill grinned, “That was fun, Robbie! I figured with you a surgeon you should be able to seamlessly put those pieces together.” They chuckled when Rob rolled his eyes at his older brother.

“Did you have to mail it back and forth?”

“Only once, for Ziva and Brian’s part and that was just their name piece. They already had a copy of the photo. Everyone else worked on it in Greece or last weekend.”

“Wow, that’s really something, thank you, everyone!”

With a chuckle, his father handed him a flat box with birthday wrapping paper on it and looking up, Jethro smiled, “More, Dad?”

“Yes, we couldn’t resist after we heard what the kids were doing.”

Curious, Jethro carefully removed the wrapping paper and then grinned, “Hey, this is great, you all did the same thing!”

LJ smiled, “Almost the same thing, Junior, that’s the North Sea, not the Mediterranean and all of us, the older members of our family, were there. We cheated and had the frame made but we did sketch out what we wanted first, including our names and the year. They’re also written on the back of the photo, in order, along with who we are to you.”

Barry nodded, “On ours, too, Dad.”

Jethro had tears in his eyes, “These are wonderful, thank you everyone!”  He looked around the room, “I know we have family photos from every Christmas we’ve had together and most of the reunions. How about we do four of those a year, the entire group at the reunions and Christmases, plus a separate one with all the Greek, Scottish, English, Italian and American offspring at the reunions and Christmases.” He looked a little sheepish, “That will help all of us grandparents remember what years the babies were born.”

On Skype, Fiona Clacher nodded, “Yes and on our individual copies we can include notes to help people in the future know who we were and how we came to be part of the family.”

In his drollest voice, Geordie added, “You mean more than ‘I met one of them at work, a lecture, a party, when they spilled coffee on me, walking down the street, through my fourth cousin’s husband’s nephew’s stepbrother’s roommate and suddenly found myself part of the family’?”

Laughing at themselves, they agreed.

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Lonely at home by herself and feeling at loose ends although she worked on the items she was crafting for birthday and Christmas presents and also shared several meals with Peter and Rhode and a few with her daughter Sophia, Athena decided that she would fly to London the next time Artemis and Bill flew home.

She would have nice long visits in Jaxton and Edinburgh. Then she might just take the train to Sorrento and stay there for a few weeks. There was no reason she had to stay home and she’d found that as long as she had someone she knew fairly well with her on a flight she didn’t mind flying as much. Looking at her calendar, she wondered if anyone in the family or perhaps one of Tony’s cousins would be flying to the US later in September. Although visiting her family would be lovely, surprising Ducky for his birthday would be even better.

Determined now, she found the bookmark for the Paddington Flights and opened it up, smiling as she saw there was a flight scheduled on the 15^th with seats available. She decided to leave here as planned, the next time Artemis and Bill flew home, and would then take the flight overseas on the 15^th. That would give her 6 days, 3 for Jaxton and 3 for Edinburgh, although perhaps she should visit Edinburgh first.  As she couldn’t see who else was flying, she sent an email to her eldest grandson.

In London, Tony smiled at the email. His father-in-law mentioned that Sophia thought her mother was lonely and a bit bored after the busy summer and might be looking for an adventure. Tony sent a quick email to the appropriate Security Officer, who’d become a friend as Tony learned the business, asking to see the passenger list for the September 15^th flight to Houston, Texas, with a stop in DC.

He had the list within the hour and nodded to himself when he looked at it. There was one person booked on the flight who knew Athena well and had previously been on a Paddington flight with her, Cousin Richard Baxter. Since their return from Varkiza, he’d been staying in Jaxton where his daughter Tricia was now living with Charlie Camilo. He’d mentioned the other day that he was heading home soon to celebrate his oldest son’s milestone birthday. This was perfect! Tony also noted three other familiar names, Paddington employees he knew had been on other flights with his Yaya. He smiled again at the names of the flight crew, they’d also know her.

Happy, he answered her e-mail, telling her about Cousin Richard, the flight crew and the three Paddington employees she knew and asking if she also wanted to book her flight home. Her reply was that she’d prefer to fly home with Donald, whenever he planned to return.

Tony wasn’t sure about that and instead of requesting multiple passenger lists, asked instead for a listing for Donald Mallard flying east from the DC area FBO to Luton airport's FBO. He added that he was trying to help his grandmother set up a surprise visit with her partner.

Instead of an email, his phone rang with the caller ID of his Security buddy. When Tony answered the phone, the man was laughing, “It appears to me that your American friend is also planning to surprise your grandmother! There’s a note attached to his east bound reservation not to mention it to anyone, it’s meant to be a surprise for someone and that reservation is from DC to Athens.” Telling Tony the date of Ducky’s east bound reservation, he waited for the other man to stop laughing.  

Tony finally took a breath, shaking his head. “All right, this is what I get, what we get for getting involved! I’ll tell her there isn’t anything for an eastbound flight, he can tell her when she gets there. At least she’ll have a few weeks there, enough to get through jet lag and visit the US family or whatever else she wants to do!”

“I’ll go ahead and pencil her in for the eastbound flight and leave a note about the two-way surprise. I’m sure that won’t confuse anyone!”

Both laughing at that, they disconnected and Tony sent an email to his grandmother saying he hadn’t seen any information about dates for an east bound flight for Ducky, which was the truth as he had not seen anything. He added that at least they knew Ducky wouldn’t be flying east to Europe while she was flying west to the US!

In Varkiza, Athena chuckled at Tony’s quip, appreciating his time and efforts. She’d certainly been blessed with her family, from her three children to her 6 “original” grandchildren, 7 counting Sophia’s oldest child Dimitri, although she hadn’t heard from him in many years, to all the children and adults who’d joined their family in the years since Artemis and Tim’s wedding and more recently her relationship with Donald. It was truly amazing!

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

With Nikki’s work going well, she decided to return to Varkiza with Jasper, staying with Bill at their Yaya’s. Jasper had been happy at the day care there and they were open early enough for her to take him before she went to work. That way, her son would have both his parents every day. She thought some weekends it would be nice not to leave, to stay in Varkiza and see more of the country. She knew Tim planned to bring the children for at least one weekend, probably two, a month. She smiled, realized that would also mean visits from Jethro and Lu and probably some of the others. That was good, she wouldn’t mind at all!

Making up her mind, she looked at the SAC’s schedule for the week, sending Cynthia a note asking for about 7 minutes of his time. She, James, Ned and Tim worked hard to treat each other as professionals and that included scheduling meetings during their work hours, not on the walk to the tube, the walk home from the tube or worse, at home. Of course, Ned had a time difference to contend with but it was only an hour and Tim was good with anyone calling early or late with an urgent problem.

She chuckled when Cynthia sent her a meeting notice for that afternoon with 10 minutes scheduled.

When she met with Tim, she saw right away that he wasn’t surprised. He shook his head, “If the twins weren’t in school, we’d be doing the same thing. However, they are so we aren’t. I do have a question: where do you propose working?”

“I’d prefer to work at the Embassy again, if they have the space. If not,” she sighed, “I don’t think working in the bedroom upstairs in the Athens office is a good idea, not for more than a few days. I believe Jasper will be all right with both of us there as well as Mimi, Peter and Rhode. He’ll miss all his cousins but he also made friends with some of the other children at the daycare.”

Tim nodded, professionally he could not ask about Jasper unless he was ill, injured or in immediate danger and personally, well it was Nikki and Bill’s decision, not his or anyone else’s.

His concern was that Jasper tended to think he was as much a part of Tim’s family as he was of Nikki and Bill’s. Tim felt that although Jasper called Liam, Chloe and the twins cousins, he really thought of them as siblings and perhaps that was the adults’ fault. In wanting to give the little boy as much love and support as possible, they may have taken it a bit too far. Still, that wasn’t something he would or could ever say to the little boy’s parents or anyone else. And with Jasper not quite 30 months old, trying to explain it to the little boy would likely confuse him or worse, break his little heart.

Tim remembered something Sarah had once told him, after she was grown, that she and Rob had always thought of Tim as their father as well as their brother; that it wasn’t until they were nearly teenagers that they realized that no one else’s older brother was also their father.

Maybe it didn’t matter that Jasper thought his cousins were his siblings. He had different parents but they all lived in the same house and had the same grandparents, aunts, uncles and other cousins who came to visit. However, that brought him back to his original worry, that Jasper would miss his resident cousins and wouldn’t understand.

Putting those thoughts aside, he nodded at Nikki, “I agree about the Embassy, it would also be my choice. All right, once again, if it’s all right with your fellow Intel Analysts, I’m fine with you working in Greece, it’s one or two fewer time zones between you and your contacts. When you’re ready, let me know and I’ll contact the Embassy about office space.”

Nikki agreed, realizing that he was the SAC and would have to be the one speaking with the embassy staff about the office space. She briefly wondered if she could have his former office space before remembering there would be times when the children would be off school but he’d still need to work, which he would likely expect to do in that former office space at the embassy.

She sighed as she walked back upstairs, feeling she took Tim too much for granted. He was the head of NCIS: Europe. Throughout the continent he had nearly as much authority as Director Vance and Vance could grant him even more authority any time it was necessary. He’d already done that twice in the past year and Nikki would not be surprised if another promotion happened within the next couple of years.

She apparently hadn’t mentally separated his position as her boss from his place in her life as her brother-in-law and friend. An old friend, one whom she felt she’d watched grow from a shy, somewhat awkward and smart young man to the confident, polished, even smarter man he was now. That was Tim as SAC.

Her brother-in-law Tim was also confident, had gained more ‘people smarts’, loving, funny, caring, imaginative and creative, sometimes stubborn and still allowed his inner child out to play.

Tim was quiet the rest of the day, thinking about his wife’s schedule. It wasn’t just the Remises’ new home, she and in all likelihood Bill would also be away during the months it would take to build their own home. Thinking of the guesthouses and duplexes, he mentally changed months to more than a year. As thinking of everything involved gave him a headache, he dug out a bottle of pain relievers and took one with a bottle of water.

Returning to his thoughts about Jasper, he remembered something Yaya had said to him once when he was worrying about a situation. She’d asked who owned the problem and he’d replied and then understood what she meant. In that particular case, it was not his problem to solve and neither was anything concerning Jasper!

When he walked from his office to Cynthia’s work area later, she looked up, winced and shook her head. “Have you taken anything yet?”

Not even trying to look surprised, Tim also decided not to nod, knowing it would make his head hurt worse, “Yes, one pill.”

“If it’s been longer than 30 minutes, you might want to take a second one. Water?”

“Drank a bottle, thanks and I haven’t had any coffee or tea.”

“Lunch?”

Tim thought about that. “That might be the problem. I was in the middle of something and found a packet of crackers and cheese in my desk, had that.”

“We need a cafeteria here!”

Chuckling, Tim said, “Sure, we’ll conjure up more money. We might be able to afford a vending machine with real food, not just sweets. For today, I’ll have something delivered.”

“I’ll do it, just don’t tell anyone, don’t want to ruin my reputation!”

That made Tim laugh out loud and surprisingly, laughing didn’t hurt.

Later, after happily eating the sandwich, apple, carrot sticks and drinking the bottle of water Cynthia ordered for him, he sat back and closed his eyes. His headache was nearly gone, maybe he’d just been hungry after all although he also admitted he was tired.

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Although Nikki’s solution worked well for her and Bill, Jasper had a difficult time without his cousins. The first weekend that Tim and the children visited, Jasper was very happy and when the others left, Nikki and Jasper returned to Jaxton with them. It was a bit of a juggling act but once Jasper understood that his playmates and dearest friends hadn’t disappeared, he was happier. From then on, Nikki and Jasper spent two weeks of each month in Varkiza and two weeks in Jaxton. That worked better. Tim watched, a bit envious, trying to work out the logistics in his head.

In the meantime, everything was going well on the project and the weather was cooperating by cooling down several degrees. Now Artie and the crew began to think about the winter months, hoping there wouldn’t be any big storms. Although the outside of the Remises’ new home, including the roof, was nearly complete, nobody wanted to deal with another winter of storms, the possibility of evacuations or damage to property.

Unless Tim and the children or Nikki and Jasper were planning to visit them in Greece or there was a problem that needed the Chief Engineer or the Construction Manager to stay over a weekend, Artie and Bill continued their schedules, spending Tuesdays through Thursdays on site, leaving London Monday evenings after dinner so they could have an early start in the morning and returning home late Thursday afternoons.

As the weather also began to cool in Jaxton, Tim and the children spent more weekends in Varkiza, frequently accompanied by other members of their family. In the meantime, Yaya and Ducky were now ‘at home’ in Varkiza and the Jardine-Gibbses loved having them there with them.

Artie was now staying with her father and stepmother and when Tim and the children visited, they also stayed there. As only the youngest of Peter and Rhode’s children was still living at home, there was plenty of room for the family of 6.

Lu, Jethro, Sarah, James, his parents, Susannah, Ian and his parents also visited for occasional weekends or in the senior Gibbses’ and Powells’ cases, sometimes an entire week. Then they stayed in Tim and Artie’s favorite vacation rental, much to the owner’s delight. Tony, Maggie and their girls also visited, sometimes during the week, sometimes on a weekend, almost always staying for several days. Maggie laughed as she told Artie that when they were away, her dad, missing his summer companions, frequently stayed in Jaxton, enjoying the company of the older men and using the indoor pool on a daily basis.

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One Friday in early November, the schools and nurseries closed in the greater London metro area early due to a particularly nasty storm brewing in the Atlantic, quickly moving toward the British Isles. As it was a Varkiza weekend, Tim made sure he and the children had their rain gear as well as the usual items. He also packed some of Artie’s favorite rain gear, including rain boots. Although none of the forecasts mentioned the Mediterranean, who knew how far the storm would travel?

Two hours later, LJ, Jack, Richard Baxter and Mac, both of whom planned to return home after New Years although Mac thought Richard should stay in Florida for the winter instead of Massachusetts, Charlie, Tricia and Dick Barnes climbed into the aircraft carrying the London, Jaxton, Edinburgh and Castleton households to Greece for at least the weekend. They'd also invited Ducky's relatives in Scotland to join them although the storm wasn't forecast to reach the Highlands. Ducky's cousin Morag replied, thanking them, saying they'd decided to stay home and wishing them well.

When the family had decided to get out ahead of the storm, to fly southeast to Greece, Tim called Kayla Vance, now in her first term of college in greater London. She was glad to hear from him, saying she was packed, although she and her roommate weren’t sure where to go. Telling her they’d pick both of them up on the way to the airfield, Tim waited while the roommate called her parents in Canada and then spoke with them about taking her with his family to Greece to sit out the storm.

Tim and Lu both spoke with the parents, who knew Kayla fairly well and had met her parents when both young women first arrived. They had also been given the Gibbs’ family names and contact information by the Vances and now were reassured when they were able to see them on FaceTime. They also remembered that Kayla’s family visited an American family in Greece every Christmas and they had those people’s contact information. Tim sent a hurried text to Pete, who replied several minutes later that the parents had called and talked with them, reassured that both young women would stay with them, they’d meet them at the airport and they would be safe.

Making a face at his absentmindedness, Tim then sent a text to Leon that he and the entire UK family were evacuating to Greece to avoid the oncoming storm and that they were taking Kayla and her roommate with them, that the girls would stay with the Russells who’d already spoken with the roommate’s parents. When Leon saw the text, he was shocked, he’d heard there was a storm that would hit the British Isles but had no idea it was likely to be that bad. That also meant the London office would be offline; finding Tim’s email to him and to the other European offices, the director nodded, his SAC had everything under control with his contingency plans.

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With the rest of the family in their various vehicles which, while they were gone, would be parked in an empty hanger, courtesy of the Paddington North Sea Oil Company, at the FBO, Tim had Uber pick him up at the office, which was nearly empty by then. He’d closed it well over an hour ago. Most people, including the field and CCU teams, would be able to work from home or wherever they took shelter as long as the power held out, he’d alerted the other European offices who would respond to any new cases, although once the storm hit, there wouldn’t be any way for them to get to the UK for any cases there. Although he wasn’t sure about the tunnel under the English Channel, he knew at least that ferries and flights would be suspended until it was safe to operate. He was glad when the head of Security sent out an email telling people to buy double the amount they thought they'd need of extra batteries for their flashlights, also known as torches, to make sure they had food that could be eaten cold, enough to last a few days, as well as several gallons of potable water, warm clothes and blankets.

Tim had also emailed Pete Russell that James Powell would need to work in their office to reroute the agency system through Piraeus rather than London. James said he would prefer to do that as soon as they arrived in Greece and Geordie offered to drive him to the office and then to Varkiza. He’d already reserved a rental vehicle and Bec would catch a ride to Varkiza with Jethro and Lu.

Now, Tim sat back in the Uber vehicle as they drove through empty streets, spotting an occasional walker hurrying along, usually with groceries. When they  arrived at the university’s residence hall, he helped Kayla and Lora, her roommate, with their bags, making sure they’d notified their advisors where they would be staying until after the storm. From there, their Uber driver, a young man who said he had his emergency supplies in the boot and would head for shelter after dropping them off, drove them to the FBO at Luton airport. After handing over their luggage to the flight crew, the trio boarded the jet.

As he walked down the aisle toward his family, Tim saw that the Nigel Paddington family was also aboard. He smiled to himself, this was indeed an exodus. He was surprised and then a little worried about the house when Nikki, Jasper, Rob, Geordie and Bec, Sarah and James, his parents, Edie and George and all five of the Clachers joined them but Tony later told him he’d already contacted their security company with instructions that if the power in Jaxton was off for more than 12 hours, they were to open the house to those Jaxton residents who were without power, heat, potable water or food. He had also contacted Jaxton’s mayor who was very happy and relieved to hear that Mr. Barnes-Gibbs was continuing the tradition he’d started a few years ago.

In the meantime, the owners of the vacation rental homes, apartments and Airbnbs in Varkiza were very happy to have renters this late in the season, even if it was only for a weekend. Tim and Tony laughed when they thought about their landlords watching the progress of the storm in the UK, perhaps hoping it wouldn’t blow away until Tuesday or later in the week.

Once the group was on the ground in Athens and had retrieved their bags, texts were sent to the American family, letting them know they were in Greece, heading for Varkiza and were safe. Tim also sent Leon and Kayla’s roommate’s parents a text that they’d safely reached Athens and the Russells were there to take the girls home with them. He took a photo of Pete and Trina with the girls and sent it to both sets of parents. The Russells first greeted the girls with hugs and then hugged everyone else they knew. First off the jet, Geordie quickly had his rental vehicle and after James was given the security information he needed, he and Geo set out for the NCIS office in Piraeus.

The travelers laughed at themselves when they unpacked. Although by now they were all seasoned travelers, a few of them had mostly cold weather clothing with them rather than the clothing they usually wore here. Although each had his or her swimming attire with them, they didn’t have a lot between that and their jackets, boots, gloves and hats! And while it wasn't as hot as it had been when they left in late August, it wasn't cool enough to wear the winter clothing they wore in the chillier UK.

Those who had some of everything promised to share, Peter, Ducky, Bill, Jethro, Tony and Tim would share with the men while Lu, Rhode, Artemis and Athena shared with the women. Thankfully the children had everything they needed. Instead, on Saturday, most of those who’d left out what they needed drove into the city of Varkiza to shop for what they needed. Successful in their shopping, they returned what they’d borrowed.

Although their trek had seemed a bit of a lark, when the storm raged throughout England and parts of Wales and Scotland all weekend and continued into Monday, they were very happy not to be there and of course worried about their friends and neighbors.

When London proper was hammered as badly as its suburbs, Tony contacted his security company, giving instructions to open the London townhouse as well as the Jaxton house.

He reported that there were close to 150 people in the Jaxton house, that the mayor had ordered pregnant women and families with children or elders, as well as those who lived by themselves, to be moved there. One of the town’s markets without generators had delivered all their perishable foods and many canned goods to the house while others delivered their perishables as well as canned goods to the schools, where more people had taken shelter.  

Tony said his security manager reported that the ‘refugees’ from the storm in Jaxton were eating what the store brought before they’d eat what was in the house refrigerator and freezers. And yes, the generators were still running.

The London townhouse wasn’t as crowded, Tony reported there were about 80 people taking refuge there and most of them brought food, water, bedding, towels and whatever else they thought they’d need. Security there reported that many people brought flashlights or battery operated lanterns, along with extra batteries and that there were enough blankets for everyone. The generators were also still running there.

With the power out in London and the server re-routed, on Saturday Tim logged on and was happy to see there were no new cases in Europe and that each of his London employees had reported to their supervisor that they were safe. He wondered if the news of the storm had scared off any miscreants. In the meantime, Pete invited Tim, Nikki and James to work in their office on Monday. While they appreciated the invitation, Nikki and Tim knew from experience that they would need more privacy than the small Piraeus office could provide nor did they want to negatively affect the workflow of the staff.

Accordingly, while James would monitor their system from the Piraeus office, Tim contacted the Embassy once again asking for workspace for Nikki and him. He also contacted Leon to advise of London’s outage and James’ work. While Leon was appreciative of their work, he was still somewhat shocked at them actually evacuating their homes. He was surprised again when Tim told him of the refugees in both Jaxton and London.

By Wednesday morning, the storm had moved on and the residents of England, Wales and Scotland began mopping up. The Varkiza group decided not to leave Greece until power had been restored in London and Jaxton. The Clachers and senior Powells reported that Edinburgh, Manchester, where George and Edie worked and Castleton, where they lived, hadn’t been hit as badly but they would also stay, leaving with the others.

They flew home Friday, a week after they’d fled the storm, with the jet continuing to Edinburgh to deliver the Clachers. Even after a couple of days of cleanup, they saw plenty of storm damage on the drive from the airport home to Jaxton. They were relieved and grateful when they found the house in good shape. There was no visible storm damage to the outside and they were grateful to find a note that the temporary occupants had not used the elevator, it was in the basement, that everyone had slept on the main floor or in the empty rooms on the second floor.

After blind copying the director on an email to all NCIS London employees to return to work at the office on Monday, Tim sent several photos of some of the damage to Leon, who shook his head, now thankful his family and friends had evacuated!

Chapter Text

The following Tuesday, the schools finally reopened. They’d sheltered dozens of people and some of those people’s homes were now uninhabitable. Since the storm’s end, other temporary housing had been found for them and on Monday the classrooms and auditorium were cleaned and readied for the return of the children.

In the meantime, Dad returned the check from the mayor, asking him to put it toward helping to repair storm damage to people’s homes or businesses. Tim and Artie also opened a ‘GoFundMe’ application to help with repairs and replacements for Jaxton residents. Loving the idea, Tony and Maggie opened a separate one for London residents.

After their week together and everything that happened with the storm, it felt very strange when after dinner on Monday, the day before school resumed, Jasper and his cousins kissed their father and mother goodbye while Poppy and Grama drove Artie and Bill to the airport. Tim and Nikki stayed behind as their children were upset, somehow confusing their parents’ departures with the storm. It took a Skype call Tuesday afternoon with Artie, Bill, Pappouli Peter and Yaya Rhode for the five children to understand that their father and mother were safe.

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Members of the household were happy later that week when they had another Skype call, this one with Ziva and Brian.

While they’d been in touch with the family throughout the year, neither had been able to take the time to join the rest of the family in Greece. Ziva said, half-jokingly, that at one point she barely had time to go home at night, adding that Brian’s father and brother rotated bringing dinner to her and escorting her home when Brian was also engulfed in meetings. Ziva later told her former teammates that while she was appreciative of her in-laws’ protectiveness, she also had several good laughs about it although never when her father-in-law or brother-in-law were around!

Now she apologized for being so irregular in contacting them and thanked her parents for keeping them up to date on all the family doings. Ziva’s cousin, who owned and ran the ballet school, had been ill for several months during the late winter and spring and she had taken over the running of the school until he was well enough to return, which had only happened recently.

They’d hoped to get away for the annual reunion in Greece but Ziva didn’t feel comfortable leaving her cousin so soon after his return to work. Brian had also been busy but now they had scheduled time off and would visit for 3 weeks in November, including over the Thanksgiving holiday!

She told them that she and Brian would fly to DC after work on Friday, November 22^nd , where they’d stay overnight with Jimmy and Breena. On Saturday the US family would gather in Baltimore at their mother’s former home for a belated celebration of Ziva and Jimmy’s birthdays.

Saturday evening, Freddie or Joe would drive them to the FBO, along with the ‘junior Mallards’ as the family now referred to the Palmers, where they would travel to the UK on an Air Paddington flight, hoping they’d sleep the entire flight.

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After too long a stretch without seeing any of the family, Ziva nearly cried when Jimmy and Jose were at the airport Friday evening to take them to Ducky’s brownstone, where they would stay. While they’d originally thought to stay in Alexandria, Breena had quietly informed them they were doing some remodeling to enlarge the house, staying at Ducky’s brownstone until everything was done.

Ziva smiled happily as little Donnie toddled right into her arms. Although he hadn’t seen her in person recently, he knew her from Skype calls and all the family photos. She and Brian didn’t need to know that Breena and Jimmy had spent the last week showing their son photos of Aunty Ziva and Uncle Brian and talking about them.

After a lovely sleep Friday night, both admitting to feeling they’d left the stress of the past few months behind them, the two visitors had a wonderful time visiting Ziva’s family on Saturday. They had an early breakfast with Breena, Jimmy and Donnie before cleaning up, repacking and driving to Baltimore, to Lu’s former home where Joe, Char, Tommy, Freddie, Abby and Menolly were living. It was a lovely late autumn day and they spent most of the day outside, playing with Tommy and Donnie, catching up with Joe, Char, Freddie and Abby as well as getting to know Menolly and the little ones better.

The day was so mild that they grilled burgers outside, even managing to eat outside without insects driving them inside. Jimmy and Ziva had fun opening their birthday cards to find gift cards to each one's favorite store, from all their siblings!

While they were still exclaiming over that, Char, Breena and Abby brought out a small sheet cake with “Happy Birthday, Jimmy and Ziva!” written across the middle. Both birthday celebrants took photos and then, licking their lips, enjoyed generous slices of the cake.

After their meal, they put Donnie and Tommy into a double stroller and went for a walk to a local park where the toddlers could safely play on ‘baby swings’ , climb into and explore various shapes and run as much as they wanted. When Tommy, the younger of the 2 little boys, crawled onto his daddy’s lap, they returned to the house where both boys had naps.

The little ones were awake again by the time it was time for the travelers to leave. The adults each had a bite to eat, another burger, what was left of the salad and, pretending to force themselves, small slices of cake. Finally, their belongings were packed in the Mallards’ SUV, which would be parked in the garage at Freddie and Abby’s while they were gone, and Joe and Freddie drove and rode with them to the airfield.

When they checked in, Ziva turned to her sister-in-law, saying “I’m so thankful you’re coming with us! Although I feel like we’ve been away for years, after last night and today I’m already feeling more in tune with our family!”

Grinning, Breena gave her a hug, saying, “We felt a bit that way in July when we flew to Greece. We’d skipped the spring trip, spent it at Grandpa Mac’s beach house instead. We were both exhausted and desperately needed family time together, just the three of us as well as some serious down time.” She leaned in, quietly telling Ziva that they’d mostly needed to get away from her father, who had been putting a great deal of pressure on her to return to work in their business. She shook her head, “I don’t want to go back there and with Jimmy’s salary and the trust, we don’t need a second salary. Besides, I own part of the business so I have some income and I refuse to work for my father ever again!”  

She grinned happily when Ziva wholeheartedly agreed. After they boarded, little Donnie quickly fell asleep and once they were in the air, he was carefully secured in his Sky Cot. By then, Ziva was asleep and Brian wasn’t far behind her. Although Breena wondered about Ziva’s infamous snoring, her sister-in-law was quiet, sleeping peacefully. Jimmy was next and Breena soon followed him into slumber.

They laughed when they woke to daylight as the aircraft taxied toward the FBO! The flight attendants had to wake them, they’d not only slept through breakfast and coffee, they’d missed the aircraft’s descent into UK airspace and the landing!  When Breena worried that Donnie had been unattended, the attendants assured her they’d checked on him, he’d also slept through the entire flight.

Their pilot chuckled when told, saying he’d take that as a compliment. Jimmy and Brian agreed that it was more likely all the fresh air they’d had the day before. Breena and Donnie were likely the only ones used to that.

After they’d been through passport control, they were warmly greeted by Jethro, Lu and Grandpa Jack. Hurrying to the van, they quickly boarded for the ride to Jaxton, glad they’d taken the time to put their jackets on before leaving the jet. While the weather outside wasn’t all that cold, they’d been cozy inside the aircraft.

At the house, they were nearly knocked off their feet by Ziva and Jimmy’s brothers, sisters and the children. Tony and Maggie were there with their girls, not willing to miss the Metzgers’ and Mallards’ welcome and first meal.

Earlier that day, Ducky and Athena surprised their family by arriving at the door of the Jaxton house. Everyone was happy to see them, especially the US travelers when they arrived! Susannah had been told the secret by her mother-in-law Fiona and she, Ian and Alec took the train from Edinburgh last night. They were a surprise for Athena and Ducky.

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After a hearty breakfast and a lot of catching up, Ziva told her family two things: first, they’d brought videos of a late summer recital put on by Ziva’s students as well as a speech Brian made to a group of new delegates to the UN. As no one was going anywhere and everyone was there, including Rob, they stopped to watch both recordings, applauding and congratulating both for their stellar work.

The second item caused even more noise when the Metzgers told the family that they were planning to start a family, to adopt a child.

Brian and Ziva laughed in surprise when what seemed like half the family immediately advised them to contact D’Arcy McKinna. Ziva remembered the name from her NCIS days and also from Tim and Artie’s adoptions of Liam and Chloe and later, from Ned and her brother Barry’s adoptions of their two daughters.

When the tumult died down, Breena and Jimmy also gave their news, they were expecting another child, due in April and had completed their first trimester. Ducky and Athena already knew and thoroughly enjoyed the happy uproar caused by the news from both couples.

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On Monday, their first full day in the UK, Ziva and Brian, Jimmy and Breena were given a tour of the NCIS London office, having lunch out with Nikki, Bill, Tim, Artie, Tony, Maggie, Sarah, James, Lu and Jethro, .

Ziva shook her head as she and Brian left the NCIS building, saying “I cannot believe our Timothy is now the head of NCIS in Europe! I am so proud of him although I have no reason to claim that pride, I don’t think I was ever especially helpful to him, not even very supportive of him. He seems to have learned everything on his own.”

Brian, having heard a great deal from his fellow in-laws about Ziva’s former team and their various trials and tribulations, chose not to say anything although he was thankful that his love and her former teammates now considered themselves family.

When Ziva thought about it afterward, she realized that Jethro, Lu, Tim, Artie, Tony, Sarah and Rob had known everyone since shortly after Tim left NCIS. Eventually she realized that wasn’t right either, that Tim, Sarah and Rob, and she thought probably Lu, knew Artie when she was at MIT and remembered Sarah saying she’d first met Susannah, Artie’s younger sister, when she was about 13 and Rob would have been 12 at the time.

She shook her head at that, amazed at all the connections and how Tim and Artemis were basically responsible for those connections as well as the huge family! She told Brian later that they would absolutely join the family in Greece the following year. He agreed, he always had a good time with Ziva’s family and, even after not seeing them for nearly a year, within minutes of their arrival he once again felt right at home with the large family.

The junior Mallards also had a wonderful time, although Breena took it fairly easy, thoroughly enjoying being cossetted by her mother-in-law, Yaya, her sisters-in-law as well as Artie’s sister’s mother-in-law and Sarah’s mother-in-law. When she said something to Sarah about Edie, the younger woman grinned, leaning forward and whispering something to Breena. Eyes wide, Breena grinned, nodding in understanding when Sarah put a finger to her lips, it wasn’t yet time to tell anyone. Still, it was nice to know and Breena later laughed to herself, wondering if the next year, 2015, would be anywhere close to a repeat of 2013, when four new babies were born and 4 foster children, each now legally adopted, had joined the family!

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It was odd to say goodbye to Artie and Bill Monday evening but the two reminded them they’d be home earlier than usual Thursday afternoon. Ziva noticed that Tim, Nikki and their children were a bit subdued Tuesday morning and did her best to cheer them up, asking questions about the new build and what their own plot of land looked like. She and Brian had seen photos but now they wished they could see it in person before the property was built up. As they would be here a week longer than Jimmy and his family, who had seen the properties during the reunion in August, Tim quietly told his sister and brother-in-law that they were welcome to come with them the weekend after the junior Mallards left. They agreed, excited about returning to Greece this year after all, even if it was only for a weekend!

All the adult visitors laughed as the children argued about their new pool, whether it would be inside or outside. Their father/uncle finally settled matters by telling them there would be 2 pools, one inside for use when it was too hot outside and the other one outside for use during not-hot weather. Brian laughed at the descriptions, hot and not-hot, knowing that was an apt description of the usual weather in Greece.

Tuesday, James took the day off and he and Sarah took the Metzgers and junior Mallards to some of their favorite sites, borrowing the senior Gibbses’ SUV. Lu and Jethro spent another day with them and Tim took another afternoon off, spending it with his brother, sister and their mates while another day Jimmy and Brian went on a canal boating trip with Jethro and some of the older men. Both had a great time, laughing so much their sides hurt as the older men, the ‘gents’, told several tales of their exploits, past and present.

The younger men knew that Jackson and LJ fought in World War II but hadn’t realized they flew bombers and that afternoon they each told stories of the other’s various exploits. When there was a lull in their story-telling, Brian quietly thanked them for helping to win the war.

Although they wouldn’t celebrate Thanksgiving until Saturday, it felt like the celebration started when Artie and Bill reached home shortly before the children came home from nursery and school on Thursday. When Ned, Barry and their girls arrived late Friday afternoon Ziva happily greeted each of them, surprised and impressed when the girls remembered they were Aunt Ziva and Uncle Brian who had been married at the ‘big house’ at Christmas last year.

Now that all the European-based family was there, everyone was ready to help as their Thanksgiving festivities commenced. Ziva was a little surprised when there wasn’t much to do, chuckling when she was told the family had hired a catering crew for the second year. Maggie told her the sad story of all the food prep last year, only to come to a sudden halt with Jethro’s quiet questions as to who would serve their guests and when would the family eat.

Their feast was again celebrated on Saturday with the UK based family, the visitors, the Dorneget-Gibbses and several ex-pats gathering along with the Clachers and senior Powells. Ziva had fun and found the company very interesting as both the Scottish family and the English family were completely at ease with the holiday feast, even to naming the things they were personally thankful for.

Maggie and Lu were pleased as Tim loudly proclaimed his excitement at the boysenberry pie waiting for him when dessert was served and his happiness continued when his mother showed him the additional bags of frozen boysenberries. The food was wonderful with everything except Lu’s apple crisp and Tim’s boysenberry pie being prepared by the catering company.

Ziva had fun reconnecting with the few NCIS employees she’d known in DC who were now based in the UK. Tim, Nikki, Tony, Jimmy, Ned and Dad had decided to keep Cynthia’s presence a surprise and had asked James not to mention her. When the woman walked in with her family, Ziva nearly dropped the vase of flowers she was carrying.

All in all, it was a lovely day, everyone enjoying the food and the company. This year when they went around the tables saying what they were thankful for, more people participated.

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Feeling rested, relaxed, refreshed and very happy with their visit, the junior Mallards hugged and kissed everyone goodbye early Friday morning, saying they’d see them in August as the baby, expected in April, would be old enough to travel by then and, at four months, might even be sleeping for several hours at night. Lu and Jethro had already booked flights for the end of March, beginning of April, to help with little Donnie and of course the new baby and Breena before and after the baby’s arrival. Ducky and Athena flew to the US with them and would return after the December Christmas, in time to celebrate the Greek Christmas.

Ziva and Brian invited the 5 Mallards, including Athena, to New York for a long weekend before Christmas and they happily agreed, planning to take the train up and fly back. Athena and Ducky were pleased to be included and were looking forward to seeing Brian’s family again.

Friday afternoon Ziva, Brian, Tim, Artie, the children, Nikki, Bill, Jasper, Tony, Maggie, their girls, Maggie’s dad, Lu and Jethro climbed aboard the smallest of Tony’s jets for their flight to Athens. When they landed in Athens a few hours later, everyone but Tim was surprised to find Barry, Ned and their girls waiting for them!

Tim quietly said, “Remember there is an hour’s time difference between Marseilles and London and two hours between Athens and London. The girls went to school today and Ned worked a full day before they left and Naples is on call this weekend with Hamburg as backup.”

Ziva frowned, “You have 6 offices and there’s an office on call every weekend?”

“Yes, with the amount of travel our teams do, along with days or even weeks away from home, they don’t work every weekend unless there’s a Priority case. However, there is always a team on call. With 6 offices, everyone gets at least one weekend, usually two or even three, a month off duty.”

“What about backup?”

Tim grinned, “I let them figure that out, they schedule that between them and let me know. So far this year we haven’t had to call in any backups.”

“Do they communicate with each other?”

“Yes, they meet via Skype every couple of weeks, more often if necessary. Or they try, it happens at least once a month. I meet with them, also via Skype, once a month, more often if needed.”

“Together?”

“Yes. With 6 of them, I spread individual calls out over 6 weeks, unless there’s something urgent. Pete, Stan and Roger are old hands and my SSA in London has four years in. Ned in Marseille and Jessica Knight in Naples are the newbies.”

Ziva nodded and then frowned, “Naples?”

Tim, Tony and Dad laughed, “Yes, the office has been there for many years. However, we never dealt with them.”

“Oh. What is an SSA?”

“It’s the title for the team lead of a satellite office or the team lead of a Field Office. Supervising Senior Agent is what it means." Tony grinned, "It was Dad's, I mean Boss's formal title on our MCRT."

“But London is the European Field Office, why would your team lead have that designation?”

Jethro grinned, “Because, my dear daughter, technically your brother is the lead agent of all the NCIS teams in Europe, the Senior Agent in Charge or SAC. However, the holder of that position is not expected to do any field work, although Timothy tells me he’s allowed out if they’re short more than 2 agents on a Priority 1 or 2 call out.”

Ziva looked at Tim who shook his head, “I’m pretty sure my London SSAs, Field and Cyber, not sure about my Cold Case SSA, would lock me up before they or anyone else let me into the field. Tony and I were talking about that recently and I did some checking. There hasn’t been an SAC in the field on a case in the last 20 years, or if there has been, it didn’t make it into the records, which is far more likely!” He huffed, “I’m grateful they ask for my advice once in a while and allow me to listen to their discussions and theories.”

“Like Vance and Shepard used to do?”

“More like Vance.”

Remembering how dismissive Jenny had been of McGee’s talents, Ziva didn’t say anything more, although she thought again that her brother had found his own way, she doubted he’d learned anything positive from Gibbs, Tony and certainly not her. She tried not to cringe as she remembered a few things she’d rather not think about.

When she later said something to Tony, he nodded, quietly telling her more of what he’d learned about the realities of Tim’s years on their team, making sure to include everything Tim said he’d learned from them. Ziva listened just as quietly, asking questions when she didn’t understand something. As Tony continued, she frowned, thinking of her own perceptions and actions towards Tim as well as Tony during her years on the team. Eventually she realized that, just as Tony said, she, they had taught Tim several important things although those things might not have been immediately recognized.

Thinking back to the surprise and even shock she’d seen on the faces of her former co-workers at Gibbs’ surprise retirement party, she began to understand they might have been shocked that the four of them, including Tim, were now friends, family. When Tony told her about the surprise farewell party when Tim left for California and how many people were there, she realized she was right. Of course, by then neither she nor Tony were anywhere near DC and from what she remembered hearing about Gibbs’s whereabouts at the time, he’d already ‘disappeared’, in reality either in a hospital after his knee surgery or already beginning his recovery at Mike Franks’ place in Mexico.

When Tony stopped talking, Ziva made a face, “I feel awful, we were so nasty to him, although I believed we were teasing.”

Tony nodded, “We were nasty to each other, the four of us, Gibbs insists on being included in that. I also thought we were teasing, now I mean the three of us, Tim, you and me, some of the time, until I learned how close teasing can be to bullying. What we were doing, Ziva, not all the time but some of the time, was bullying. You need to talk with Tim and don’t make him sound like he’s perfect or blameless, he is the first to admit he’s neither. He and I and he and Gibbs, Gibbs and me, as well as the three of us together have had many long talks and we three have forgiven each other and ourselves. Somewhere along the line the four of us finally developed the ability to listen to each other although we did that as investigators but not often as people or even as teammates, unless it was about a case.

“When you have some time, maybe next summer when you’re both relaxing on the beach, take him for a walk and tell him. As I said, he’ll tell you that he is neither perfect nor blameless, and he’ll give you specific examples, you’ll need to honor those, don’t argue. We three have worked hard, individually and together, to get where we are and it’s sweet, wonderful, Ziva, well worth the hard work and maybe even better than if everything had been perfect back in the day.

“The other thing to remember and this originally came from Tim, is that neither you, me nor Gibbs grew up in normal circumstances. Neither did Tim but he says that once he took what control he could get of his own life, it got both better and worse. Better because he grew up with family, he knew he was loved and cared about, at least the latter part of his childhood and he also had Sarah and Rob to love and care for. For him, he felt he finally belonged. The ‘worse’ part was being hungry, scared, cold, hot, all the things we know about Tim, our sister and brothers living on the street. For him, the key thing was belonging to other people, with other people, mattering to other people, he’d never had that before.

“For you, Gibbs and me, things pretty much fell apart by the time we were 10, for Tim as I said, that’s when he finally felt he was someone who mattered to other people, who belonged with people who were first fellow homeless kids, eventually friends and then evolved into family. He still didn’t have parents but Lu, who was Ms. Lu at the time and Nate and even Nate’s sister Juanita at the camp did their best and were more parental than Tim had experienced anywhere else.

“By the time I was 10, my mother had been dead for 2 years and I was either warehoused at boarding schools or being raised by my father’s employees, the house staff. I did have one bright spot, I spent the summer of my 10^th birthday with my Paddington cousins, the only taste of family living I’d ever had. Then it was back to boarding school until I went to the military academy. As tough as that was, at some point I also felt a sense of belonging, something I don’t believe I’d felt since the summer with my cousins and rarely before that, certainly not after my mother died.

“By the time Gibbs was 10, his mother had been ill for a year and life as he knew it had changed drastically, leading to her death when he was a young teen. Then it got better for a few years with Shannon and Kelly before it was snatched away again. For you at age 10,” Tony shook his head, “your parents were separated or already divorced, your older brother was already turning away from the family and Tali, I guess she was your only bright light.”

Ziva nodded, “She was and I worked hard to be happy, positive around her, I didn’t want her to be as sad and angry as I was.” She paused, “Thank you for sharing all this with me, Tony, it’s very helpful to know all this and will help me to better understand everything.”

After thinking more about what she had learned, Ziva shook her head, saying “We are different people now, Tony, all three of us have grown up. More than that, so has Gibbs or maybe in his case he’s let go of a lot of his pain, I know I have been able to do that. As well as Abby, Jimmy and I suppose Ducky.”

“Yes, we have.”

“We are lucky, all of us, to be able to come back together like this. That isn’t just Tim, it’s each of us being willing to reach out.”

Tony grinned, “Ah, philosophical Ziva, I’ve missed you!”

Laughing they joined the rest of the family.

Chapter Text

Ch 13: Property tour, Plans, Questions, Decisions, Brotherly Consult

Jethro chuckled at his grandchildren, who were happy to spend the weekend with Mama/Aunt Artie and Daddy/Uncle Bill although a little confused by what seemed like another ‘grand exodus’ from Jaxton to Varkiza. Grinning, he had them sit around the table at their great-grandmother’s house where he and Lu were staying.

“All right, yes, we are here in Varkiza again. There’s no storm and no one in our family will be working while we’re here. Oops, sorry, I don’t know about your Pappouli Peter, he might be working. Does anyone know why we’re here?”

Four hands and arms shot up into the air and he grinned at Ava, Jackson, Ellanni and McKenna, the four eldest of the group. However, it was Jasper who answered. He hadn’t yet learned about raising hands to answer questions. Bouncing in his chair, he grinned at their Poppy, “Aunty Ziva and Uncle Brian want to see our house!”

“Yes, so they can see where our houses will be and where our neighbors will live. And maybe, if he’s home, to meet Mr. Alan.” He leaned in, “Maybe we’ll get to see where the pool will be!”

Naomi giggled, “Which one, Poppy, the outdoor pool or the indoor one?”

“Maybe both! They won’t look like anything now but you know both are drawn out on the plan.”

Jackson nodded, “I hope our room is right by the indoor one!” Next to him, Liam grinned as he and Jack now shared a room.

His grandfather shook his head, “There won’t be any bedrooms by the indoor or the outdoor pools. The pools will be all by themselves.”

“How come?”

“So none of us will be all wrinkly and pruney from living in the pool, that’s why!”

They giggled at that before joining their Poppy, Aunty Ziva, Uncle Brian and Grama at the front door, ready for their tour!

Ziva and Brian chuckled as they watched the children decide who rode in which of the vehicles they were taking for their tour. Bill drove his truck, with Nikki and Jasper riding with him. The Jaxton and London children remembered that Naomi and Ava, their Marseille cousins, didn’t get to see Poppy and Grama as much as they did and decided they should ride with their grandparents, along with Aunt Ziva and Uncle Brian. That meant that Uncle Barry and Uncle Ned would ride with either Daddy Tony or Daddy Tim. This trip, Tony and Maggie had one of the large vans so most of the children rode with them. Tim had Artie, Sarah, James, his parents, the big twins, their parents, who’d taken the train down from Thessaloniki last night, Barry and Ned and the group’s surprise guests, Katerina and Damaris, with him.

Damaris and Katerina, the Italian cousins, had arrived with Susannah, Ian and little Alec shortly after the Jaxton-London group arrived. They were a surprise for everyone but the Clachers and Tony, who set up a separate flight from Edinburgh to Naples where Nik and Sergio waited at the FBO with their daughters until the girls boarded the private jet with their family members. Still wishing they could join them, the two men returned to Sorrento and their restaurant. From there, the flight continued to Athens. The girls were staying with the Clachers.

While the family missed Sergio and Nik, they were happy their daughters were able to join them even when their fathers were too busy with the restaurant. Although neither of the girls said anything, they were very happy not to have to miss so many family gatherings, especially when most of their cousins were there!

Ziva and Brian were properly impressed and amazed at the three properties and all of them were happy to see the progress made on the Remises’ property even in the last week. When the Metzgers saw the plans, they grinned at the sketches of the multiple dwellings, pointing to one of the two bedroom apartments, “That would be good for us, then if our future child isn’t yet sleeping through the night, she won’t keep the entire house awake!”

Lu made a noise, “Maybe, let’s wait and see.” She told Ziva and Brian later that she wanted them closer, in the big house, especially with an infant, so she and Ziva’s dad could help and to become better acquainted with their child. She smiled, “I know, you’ll be new parents and want to take care of the child yourselves. However, I predict that you’ll be glad for any help by then!”

Tim, hearing that last part, reminded them of Bill staying with them for the first two months of the twins’ lives, adding, “I don’t know how the four of us, Mom, Dad, Artie and I, oops, five, Rob was also there whenever he could get away, would have done without his help!”

“Six people for two babies?”

Jethro laughed, “Twin newborns, who needed feeding, burping, changing and rocking to sleep at the same time. Tim, don’t forget the Porters also helped! They’d come over, do the laundry, which was done every day, sometimes more than once a day, fix meals that only had to be reheated and straighten up the house. I don’t think anyone vacuumed, no, I forgot that’s when you bought your little robot vacuum. They’re quiet so they can be run anytime.”

Brian grinned, “Good, we both hate vacuuming! Do you still use it?”

Tim nodded, “Yes, although we learned not to use it when babies are crawling or starting to walk, they’re too much of a temptation. Mom had a regular vacuum, as did Sarah and I guess James also had one because we ended up with three regular sized vacuums, one for each floor for the Jaxton house.”

“Thanks for the warning!”

Gathering everyone together, Artie and Bill grinned at the cheers from the children and most of the adults when they showed them where the outdoor pool would go.

When the group was surprised to see the base framework already in place and how large it was, Artie chuckled, saying, “While we had the equipment needed to penetrate the bedrock for the Remis’ home, we decided to get going on our own property. Bill laid out the frame for our outdoor pool and drilled through for that and a few other things here. Remember that the pool will sit inside its own framework, surrounded by a large deck that will be up off the ground, a bit higher than the top of the pool. Not all of what you see now will be covered by the pool, although yes, we will have a large pool.” She added, “Bill, my father and my youngest brother did this on their own time, no time was taken from the work on the Remis property.”

Nodding, Bill added, “We also used the equipment on the middle lot as our caretaker-gardener wants to run the water lines a few inches underground for the greenhouses and raised beds.”

Susannah looked up in surprise, “Greenhouses, plural?”

Her sister nodded, “Yes, the more we grow ourselves, the better control we’ll have over how and with what our food plants are grown. Alan decided we need at least 2 greenhouses, rather than one huge one, to provide enough for all of us and Bec agrees.”

Neither she nor Bill mentioned that Caretaker Alan, amused by their caution, had kept a lookout for unexpected visitors or that Artie had been careful to add the hours they’d used the equipment to the Gibbs’ property expenses rather than the Remises’ expenses. In truth, Alan was campaigning to build the greenhouses now so he could plant over the winter and have food crops for spring and summer. He’d also asked the Remises if they would like a greenhouse of their own. Their reply was that they were thinking about it.  

Ziva freely admitted she was amazed by the beauty, the size and the plans for the family’s properties. When she’d heard that the middle lot would have a garage, she envisioned it covering almost the entire plot of land. Now that she’d seen it, she understood it would cover just a fraction of the area, with Mr. Martin’s dwelling occupying a smaller, although still nicely sized, space quite a distance from the garage. While some of the lot would be given to shade trees, they would also have however many greenhouses they ended up with as well as what would probably be an acre of raised garden beds.

When she and Brian later saw the design for the garage, they smiled. It would indeed be long, from the road lengthwise toward the back of the property and would be built to resemble, as closely as possible, another dwelling. On the front of the side facing the Remises’ property, there would be what looked like double doors, although it would really be one large door, with a long, pitched roof-line and a somewhat narrow garage inside, perfect for Peter and Rhode’s recreational vehicle. There would also be a back door so the vehicle could be driven straight through and then around the building to the right to exit the property.

The rest of the building would have one entry door, again built to look like a double door entry to a dwelling. Vehicles would drive in, continuing to whichever available parking space they wanted, those spaces would be on the right of the building. The slots would be generously sized and there would be plenty of room for them to back out of their spaces and leave through the same door so that the only vehicle going around the entire building would be the recreational vehicle.

In the back of that side of the garage would be Bill and Dad’s workshop, built to accommodate the needs of both 6’5” tall Bill and 6”tall Jethro. When Artemis added the separate workspaces, both men were pleased. When she added a third workspace, where they could work together, they were even happier as well as surprised. Artie had remembered a few items the two had crafted together and decided to encourage them to do more.

Impressed with the various plans and designs, that evening after the children were asleep, Ziva and Brian asked how long it would take for all three properties to be completed. Artie smiled, “Some of the construction depends on the weather, too stormy in the winter and too hot in the summer and early fall. However, the outsides of the Remis house and garage as well as the interior walls will be complete next week. That will make the winter weather less worrisome as we have plenty of inside work to do.

“With our experienced crew and Construction Manager Bill, we’ve progressed faster than originally planned. However, we know better than to rely on our good luck continuing. Bill and I are taking December through January 8^th off, which accounts for both the Western and the Orthodox Christmas celebrations with two extra days added in. Our crew will be off from the 23rd of December through the 8th of January. They’ll continue working until their holiday but the tricky parts, the foundations and accessing the bedrock, are done.

“With some leeway in our schedule for problems we’re certain to have, the Remis project will be complete by the end of April. What we’ve found, as you’ve already heard and seen, is that while we’re waiting for things to set or dry or whatever on the Remis property, we’ve been able to work on bits and pieces of our properties. Before we leave for our time off, there will be time to drill for the water lines and to build at least one of the greenhouses. Alan has been working on the shelving he needs for the interiors and he’ll also help with the build which Bill estimates will take about half a day.” She smiled, “That was another time we used the bedrock equipment, to attach what will be the bases of the greenhouses into the bedrock. Not the floors, mind you, but the bases they’ll be fastened to, much like the deck framework.”

She looked at her phone when it chimed with a message and then at Bill, “Alan says the Remises have decided to pass on having their own greenhouse, they prefer to buy locally. Now we have an extra one and you’ve already got the base ready, want to keep it or return it and put something else up?”

Bill grinned, “Oh no, we’re keeping it, we can easily use 3 greenhouses and if we don’t need it, maybe it’ll do for…” he paused but the children, from the younger twins to baby Alec,  were asleep and the Costas and Caras cousins wouldn’t say anything, “a playhouse or clubhouse for the kids.”

Tim grinned, “Fun! Can we put it on our lot, please? Don’t want Alan to feel like our family childminder!”

His mother looked at her “girls”, Ziva, her daughters-in-law and Susannah, “Here’s another idea, put a few of them together and make it a retreat for the women of the family!”

Nikki grinned, “Like those ‘she sheds’ that were so popular a few years ago?”

“Yes!”

Jethro laughed, “Great idea although I’d be happy to build you something larger and more comfortable.” Bill grinned, nodding at him, he’d love to help with that!

Artie chuckled, “That sounds like fun! However, we do need to get the greenhouses built first so that we’ll have our own vegetables and fruit in the spring and summer.”

Brian asked about trees and Artie nodded, “Good question! Bec?”

Bec nodded, “We’ll plant varieties of fruit and shade trees that do best in coastal Greece. Planting on bedrock is tricky. First, we’ll plant a number of one to two- year-old trees in large containers, adding soil underneath, think of raised beds specifically for trees and giving their roots room to grow before they encounter the bedrock. Some fruit and nut trees have fairly shallow roots, those we’ll plant in boxy containers large enough so the roots will be contained within the containers.

“We’ll also plant seeds or seed pods of shade trees so that eventually we’ll have a good spread of trees. My colleagues and I believe that some of the seeds will take root and those roots will be small enough to get through any cracks in the bedrock. Although the wind factor isn’t bad up here, all the trees in containers will be braced. The plan is that they will grow tall enough to provide some shade and will continue to live in the containers and may or may not put roots into the bedrock. If not, they’ll live in the containers for several years, enough time to know what our success is with the seeded trees. If neither method is successful, we’ll make a few holes in the bedrock or perhaps find another method of shading the property.”

Tim made a note to talk to her about drilling and adding soil. He thought that as long as they weren’t careless about compromising the bedrock, it would continue to serve its purpose in helping to hold the mountaintop together. However, he’d first need to speak with their chief engineer to confirm that. He also thought about building large, strongly supported containers and planting smaller trees in those. Of course, that might be what Bec had in mind already. Inputting his notes and thoughts onto his phone, he added a question for Bec about trees with shallow roots. He’d ask later, he didn’t want to get hung up on all this now.

Rhode and Peter, who’d joined the trek, had questions about the landscaping planned for the guesthouse(s) and Bec grinned, saying she had many ideas and that the three of them needed to meet together. As there wouldn’t be time that weekend, the three of them set up a Skype appointment during the following week. Bill also made a note that Rhode was already growing cuttings she hoped to plant in her new garden. He had an idea he’d mention to Caretaker-Gardener Alan.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

As they returned to their lodgings, Ziva asked her parents about Christmas. “We’re coming down but we don’t know where everyone is staying or when you’re arriving.”

Frowning, Jethro raised an eyebrow at Lu, who also frowned. She looked at her husband, “Has anyone reserved the Arlington place?”

He shrugged, “Not that I know of. What about flights?”

It was Lu’s turn to shrug and then she made a face. “Let’s get that taken care of as soon as we get home. Oh, we were waiting to hear when Bill and Artie would be off and now we know. I’ll ask Tony about flights.”

As her husband was driving, Lu sent a text to Tony about the flights, smiling in relief at his answer, telling the others. “We’re set for flights. Tony made two sets of reservations, different dates and has already canceled one of them and yes, he’s included Kayla. Good! Now, let me…” She stopped, “I’ll wait to call Annie O’Brien when we get back to the house. It’s still a little early there.”

Back at Athena’s home, Lu waited until it was finally late enough before calling Annie in Virginia. When the woman answered, she was obviously amused by something but listened to Lu before saying, “Lu, it’s all right. Your daughter-in-law Charlotte called me weeks ago, asking if I could reserve a couple of different dates for the family’s use of the Arlington house and explained why. With the warning that I might have to let one or both dates go if someone outside the family called with firm dates and payment, the two of us agreed on what we thought would be good time frames for you. Now you just have to pick which ones.”

Telling their friend the two sets of dates, she smiled as Lu picked the first set with a sigh of relief. Shaking her head, Lu told their realtor that she was glad someone in the family had some common sense! Disconnecting, she sent a text to Charlotte with the now confirmed dates and a big THANK YOU with several hugging, heart and flower emojis. She would also send an email to the extended family, thanking Charlotte, Tony and Ziva, who’d asked, just in time, when and where!

As they were all tired, everyone returned to their own lodgings for the rest of the afternoon and evening. They’d have brunch together on Sunday before the travelers left for home.

Peter and Rhode returned to their home excited about what would also be a new home for them. Rhode knew what she wanted in their garden, how she wanted it landscaped and was already growing cuttings of her current plants for their new front garden.

Bill and Peter had already built a small greenhouse for their more delicate plants and with Bec’s help Rhode planned to move that greenhouse to their new home, one of the guest houses that would have five bedrooms and an office that could sleep another two or three people. She was thankful that Artemis had planned a separate dwelling for them from the start.

How lucky she was with her stepdaughters and their families, all her children! She’d worried a little about Sophia when the woman returned to Athens but these days she wasn’t often in Greece and when there, she was with her partner, Richard Barnes, and seemingly very happy.

Although the two women got along well enough, Rhode thought it better that there was still some separation. Her only wish now was that Athena would spend more time at home. The older woman was a good friend, almost a second mother and Rhode greatly missed her. Still, she wouldn’t begrudge her finding love a second time, this time with her Donald!

Then she smiled to herself, she, Peter and their children, at least their two youngest, were invited to join in the Christmas festivities at the Jaxton house after their return from their Christmas in the US and Athena would also be there! That was only a few weeks away; she’d already spoken to Lu about what clothing she’d need in the much chillier UK.

She was especially happy that they’d stay an extra day and that Artemis and her brother-in-law Bill would be with them on their flight home. She hoped that Nikki and little Jasper might also accompany them. She knew Tim and the children wouldn’t, school would have already started again after the British holidays, although the twins would take the day off for their Greek Christmas.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

After a busy but fun weekend, ending in a relaxed, convivial and delicious brunch, the group left for home Sunday afternoon, with their aircraft first headed to Naples where the Costas girls disembarked, then Marseille for Ned, Barry and their girls, followed by Edinburgh for the Clachers and finally, London.

From Athens to Naples was less than 2 hours and from Naples to Marseille was also less than 2 hours. Luckily for them, they didn’t have a long wait for departure from either airport. The flight from Marseilles to Edinburgh was 2 ½ hours and the last leg, to London, would take one hour and 15 minutes. Although they’d be tired no matter what time it was, the Scottish and London-Jaxton group would gain the two hours’ time difference between Athens and the UK .

Glad the children’s uniforms and clothing were ready for school in the morning, Tim squinted at his own clothing choices before shrugging, his favorite casual clothes were in no shape for work so he’d wear one of his suits. He’d gotten a bit lax about that. That was all right when the weather was warm but it was nearly December now, time to switch over to his warmer and more formal clothes. While the suit itself was in good shape, he made a face as he looked at his dress shirts, finally finding one he'd apparently forgotten about, in the back of his part of the closet. It still had the tag from its last visit to the cleaners. Removing the tag, he hung a tie on the same hanger, made sure his shoes were shiny enough, not quite to Marine standards but they’d do, grabbed a pair of socks and he was done for the night.

The children were already asleep and from the lack of any noise in the house, he thought he might be the last one awake. He quietly changed into his pajamas, slipping into bed next to his sleeping wife. He was wrong about that, grinning as she grabbed him, letting him know just how happy she was to be home!

When they woke in the morning, she informed him that she and Bill weren’t leaving until Tuesday afternoon, returning home early Friday afternoon. Then the two of them would be free until the morning of January 8^th, giving themselves and their crew an extra couple of days after the Orthodox Christmas on January 6^th. 

In the meantime, they’d catch up on any ‘paperwork’ and alternate keeping in touch with Mr. Mallas. Thanks to Tony and Char, they knew they would be flying to the US the day the twins were finished with classes for the year and once again would stay in the Arlington house. This year Nikki’s family would also stay and spend Christmas with them while Ducky, Athena and the ‘junior Mallards’ would join in the festivities while staying in Ducky’s brownstone in Georgetown. Over the past few months, most of the gifts from the UK folks had been shipped to the Mallards’ home. Tim and Tony would collect them once the Arlington house Christmas tree was decorated.   

The construction crew in Greece would work through most of December, having an extra day off every week, which the schedule could handle as they now worked from 7:30 AM until 5:00 PM and then they would be off from the 23rd of December until the 8th of January, when everyone would return to work.  

While she’d offered a longer vacation to Mallas and his crew, beginning earlier in December, the main contractor worried about winter storms and possibly having to stop work then, saying it would be better if they got as much done now and had paid time off later if the weather was bad. Artemis thought that was an excellent idea, as long as the crew had enough time off for the Christmas season.

Caretaker-Gardener Alan would also be at home on the site, except for Christmas day, which he would spend with friends in Athens. He was a happy man; by the weekend following Ziva and Brian’s tour, the water lines were established for his raised beds, all three greenhouses had been assembled and installed on the bases while the crew helped him install the growing tables and hanging shelves. Two of the crew were avid gardeners and arrived on their next day off to help him plant various seeds as well as the cuttings he’d been nurturing. They also helped him get started building the raised beds. He knew Jethro and Bill were also building some they’d bring with them on their next flight over, which he thought was a bit strange but then when one’s son had part ownership of the aircraft, he guessed it didn’t matter!

In the meantime, he’d invited Rhode Elytis to plant her cuttings in with the others now rather than waiting until after the holidays and she and Peter spent a happy afternoon with their friend doing just that. The three of them had dinner out that evening, relaxing and having a good time.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Tim knew he’d worked at the office that first day home although he was never quite sure what he did or said. He sent out a few emails and was relieved to find they made sense when he checked them later in the week. He was tired, exhausted after returning to Greece to avoid ‘the storm’, followed by another trip to and from shortly after, that time so that his sister and brother-in-law could see their property and the plans.

Although he knew the 4 stop flight had been worth it environmentally, better than having two or three jets delivering people, he felt it was one of the longest flights he’d been on since their flight from California to Scotland in 2009, for Susannah and Ian’s wedding!

Ziva and Brian left for home Wednesday morning, Dad giving them a ride to the airport, afterward dropping Tim, Nikki and James off at the NCIS office and Rob at his apartment. The young doctor would work a PM shift later that day. Although they awakened long enough at the airport to say goodbye to the visitors, all four had fallen asleep shortly after getting into the car, dozing again once the vehicle starting moving.

Thankful for a quiet week, Tim swam every day and caught up on his sleep, turning in shortly after the twins’ bedtime every night. He also took a multi-vitamin every day that week, hoping that would fend off any consequences of his busy life.

By Friday, he was feeling better although still not as energetic as he usually was. After checking his Christmas gift list, he’d done some online shopping and at lunchtimes had even visited a couple of physical stores in the City. He laughed at himself for that, that was the second time in a month, the first time being in Varkiza when some of the men needed clothes, that he’d been in a physical store after, he stopped to think, finally coming up with a memory of buying drawing paper and crayons in Artesia, New Mexico, now a few years in the past.

Then he shook his head, remembering the Thanksgiving groceries they’d purchased that had ultimately gone to Nate at the camp, although he thought that was the same year as Artesia. Huh, grocery stores, he’d been in plenty of those! He shook his head, it didn’t matter, what did matter was that he’d finally found what he wanted for his love.

He and Nikki met Artemis and Bill at the airfield Friday afternoon. The two left Greece early enough to have lunch out with their spouses as well as Tony and Maggie. As McKenna, Madelyn, Jasper, Chloe and Liam were at nursery and the twins in school, they relaxed over their meal, enjoying the extra time together before saying goodbye to Maggie and Tony and driving home. When it was time to pick up the twins as well as the three at nursery, all four of them went, Tim driving their van.

The children were very happy to see their mother/aunt and dad/uncle and chattered to them all the way home. Rob, Tony and his family joined them for dinner that evening, although Tony quietly told Tim he and Maggie were still full from lunch and Tim agreed.

As they all sat, Lu smiled at her family, “Finally, we’re all home together for a couple of weeks, until we leave for Christmas! Does anyone have anything special going on?”

Laughing, Sarah and James stood while the faces of Timpa and both sets of parents, the senior Powells had arrived early that afternoon, lit up. Sarah grinned, “We’re pregnant, we’ve passed our first trimester, had our first ultrasound and have passed all the tests. We haven’t decided whether we want to know our child’s gender, we’ll see what happens during our 20 week ultrasound! We were going to wait until we’re all in Virginia to announce our news but we’re too excited! We will wait to tell everyone else until we get there. Liam, will you mind very much if we announce it at your family birthday party, after your cake and presents?”

Liam grinned, shaking his head, “A new cousin, that’s a great birthday present, Aunty Sarah, Uncle James, thanks!”

After the couple and both sets of grandparents and Timpa had been congratulated and Sarah gently hugged while James was slapped on the back by the older men, had hugs from both Tim and Jethro with handshakes and ‘welcome to the club’ congratulations from Bill and Tony, their dinner was finally served.

Nobody, not even Jethro, noticed the meaningful look exchanged between one of the other couples. And with the privacy afforded by the thick walls of the old house, no one overheard the long discussion later that night.  

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The days between Sarah and James’ announcement and their departure for the US seemed, as usual, to melt away for some people while others felt that months passed before it was time to leave.

With Geordie, Bec, Barry, Ned and their girls also traveling to Virginia for the holiday, the entire Gibbs’ family would be together while Athena said she would represent the rest of the Greek family. The senior Powells were also going with them but then they’d been along for all but that first Christmas in California, before Sarah and James met.

At Tim’s request, Leon authorized Ned, Nikki, James and Tim himself working aboard the Navy Yard while they were in Virginia, if it became necessary. James already knew he’d be working, he always had a system-wide update before the end of the calendar year. While Tim trusted his SSAs, one of them was here with him, leaving NCIS: Europe short of two of their leaders, three with Nikki who was now the Euro Field Office's Senior Intel Analyst. So he would definitely do some work, at least to keep up with his teams and his email.

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Ned would also work a few days, to keep up with his team. However, he didn’t want to take any more time than necessary away from their visit with the Gibbs’ clan. He, Barry, Ava and Naomi were leaving the day after Christmas, flying to Phoenix to celebrate a late Christmas with his grandparents before returning to Virginia for a few days. They would fly home with the others on New Year’s Day.

While Ned felt guilty about their brief visit to his grandparents, he was reassured by their plan to visit his family in Marseille in the spring. As Walter and Margaret didn't like to fly, they would instead travel on a cruise ship across the Atlantic and then to several interesting areas of Europe, including Athens where Mimi and Ducky would meet them. They’d stay with them for several days before rejoining the ship as it departed the waters of the Hellenic Republic.

After other interesting stops in the Mediterranean, the elderly couple would take their leave of the cruise when the ship reached Marseille. They planned to stay close to 6 weeks with the family before traveling by train to London. There they’d stay with the Gibbs’ family for another month, including the annual reunion which, due to the heat in Greece, would now take place in Ducky’s hometown, Tain, on the east coast of Scotland. Back in greater London, they would board another cruise ship for the journey home.

The first, European bound cruise ship would depart from the East Coast, which the senior Dornegets would reach by train, while the second, US bound cruise ship would take them first to the East Coast, then south again, traversing the Panama canal and ending their voyage in Los Angeles.

From there, they would take the train to Phoenix where they’d be met by a shuttle from their retirement community. It was an expensive way to travel but all their meals were included and, as Walt said, the cost of the cruises might come close to equaling the cost of their spring and summer air conditioning bills. In addition, they were renting their house out for the summer, which would definitely help defray the cost of the two cruises.

When Jethro and Lu quietly asked if they could help with the cost, Ned’s grandfather thanked them for their thoughtfulness and generosity while also declining the help. He told them that, to their surprise, many people were now using the cruise ships to get where they wanted to go and back and that this particular cruise line, covering both their cruises, had amended the cost to reflect their early leaving of the cruise.

He explained that they’d done well in their investments over the years and had decided they’d rather spend time with their boy and his family than leave him more money. They especially wanted their great-granddaughters to remember them while they were still active. As long as Ned and family lived overseas and as long as he and Margaret were able to travel, they planned to visit every other year. They heard the smile in his voice as he told them it would give them plenty of new things to talk about with their friends!

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Lu and Jethro invited the Vance family, Jim and Annie O’Brien and Rick and Denise Carter for lunch on Christmas Eve, when most of the family and extended family would be there. This year that included the Powells, Baxters, Fornells, Porters and several of the senior Gibbs’ children and in-laws: Tony, Maggie, Tim, Artie, Ziva, Brian, Barry, Ned, Geordie, Bec, Jimmy, Breena, Sarah, James, Nikki, Bill, Jasper and Nikki’s family the Kings.   

However, the week before the Christmas festivities began, Liam’s 4^th birthday was celebrated! Since Sarah and James’ announcement in Jaxton, the couple came up with a different way to tell the rest of the family that they were pregnant, a plan involving Liam. Planning and rehearsing it with Liam was fun and on the day of his party, the little boy giggled all morning, waiting for his big moment.

Finally, the entire family and their guests were seated around the huge dining table and Liam’s cake was brought in. Before the candles were lit, the new 4-year old gently tapped a spoon on his water glass. When he had everyone’s attention, he stood, grinning. Looking around, he said, “I haven’t opened all my presents yet but I already know what one of them will be!”

He looked at his aunty and uncle, sitting across the table from him, “Aunty Sarah, Uncle James, thank you for giving me and all of us children a new cousin! We can’t wait to meet him or her in April or for the baby to be old enough to play with us!”

While the Jaxton and London folks grinned, the rest of the family expressed their surprise and happiness with the Powells’ news. With a grin at his Uncle Jimmy and Aunty Breena, Liam also announced their expected new arrival. Most of those gathered there knew but not everyone and Liam giggled again when he saw the surprised and happy faces.

That was a fun day and one that Liam, his siblings and cousins would remember for years, the day Liam got to announce the impending arrivals of their Powell and Mallard cousins.  

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A few days before Christmas, Barry answered a call on Tim’s phone as it was someone he knew and his brother was in the back garden, building several snow people with the children. It had snowed off and on for three days and when it finally stopped, the bigs and littles put their snow clothes on, grabbed their gloves, mittens and caps and headed outdoors for some fun. In the past three days, they’d built the bases for all the snow folk they wanted, now they needed to add torsos, heads, ears, arms, eyes, noses and lips.

As Barry accepted the call, he said, “Hello, D’Arcy, Happy Christmas, this is Barry Gibbs. Tim and just about everyone else is out back building snow people, I can take the phone out to him or he can call you back.”

“Merry Christmas to you, Barry! Where are you? You sound as if you’re next door.”

He chuckled, “I guess that’s true,  relatively speaking. We’re in Virginia for Christmas and New Year’s. It’s our once a year trip to the US, easier on our US based family.”

“Is everyone there?”

“Almost everyone. Ziva and her husband Brian will arrive later tonight, they’re taking the train down from New York and our plumber brothers had a couple of quick fixes to do today, they’ll be here by dinner time. Are you in Colorado?”

“No, as a matter of fact, we’re house sitting for friends in Reston! We were restless but didn’t know where we wanted to go when our friends told us they needed a house sitter while they spend the holidays in Florida. The person who usually house sits for them couldn’t do it this year, so here we are. It’s lovely here, we have plenty of snow in Colorado but somehow being back in Virginia during the winter, especially over the holidays, is special.”

“Ah, that’s great! If you don’t have plans, come visit, we’re in Arlington, not that far from you. We’re having a lunch party Christmas Eve and of course we’ll be celebrating Christmas Day. Come for either of both, stay over if you’d like!”

“Oh, thank you! I’ll check with Lloyd. Our friends did say it was fine if we were away for a day or so over Christmas. There’s an alarm on the house and property, it’s really their cats that need tending. But they’d be fine with food, water, a clean litter box and the heater.”

“Great, let us know! Any allergies or food dislikes?”

“No, well, we don’t drink alcohol.”

“That’s fine, most of us don’t either and that’s grown into a tradition for our family gatherings. Hey, Tim’s walking in now, still need to talk with him?”

“Yes, please and Artie if she’s available.”

“They’re both here now, hang on.” He mouthed ‘D’Arcy to his brother who raised both eyebrows, looking at his wife with wide eyes before taking the call off mute. Artie looked at him, shaking her head and holding her hands up. He nodded in agreement.

“Hello, D’Arcy, Happy Christmas from Artie and me. Glad Barry answered the phone, we were out in the back garden building our snow family.”

“Wonderful! In the meantime I’ve had a conversation with Barry so I know you’re in Virginia and surprise, so are we! He’s invited us for Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day but I haven’t had a chance to talk with Lloyd about it yet.” She paused for breath while Tim and Artie moved into the family room, removing their knit caps, gloves, scarves and jackets. They’d left their snow boots outside. The two sat while Tim put the phone on speaker.

“All right, we’re sitting down and the phone is on speaker. What’s up?”

“There are two foster siblings, a girl and boy, who will be in need of new homes at the end of this school year, in June. The boy is the elder, he’ll be 8 by then and the girl will be 6 . Not much older than your twins. They are currently fostering with an older couple who are retiring at the end of May and have already purchased a home in a retirement community where they’ll move in June. The children will be allowed to stay there for two weeks but no longer.”

Artie looked at Tim, her eyes wide, and he again nodded in agreement. Taking a deep breath, Tim shook his head, “We’re sorry to have to say no, but there’s no way we can take on anything new, especially children, in the next couple of years. We’re already living in 2 countries and traveling weekends to visit. Artie’s company has a long term commitment to development of three properties in Greece. She and her crew, which includes our brother Bill, have been working on the first property since July and won’t be through until mid to late spring at the earliest and that’s only if the winter weather in Greece is kinder than it was last year. Artie and Bill are away part of every week and home on weekends or my kids, Nikki, Jasper and I fly out to spend the weekend with them. The twins are in school now, so we can’t just move there, not to mention both Nikki and I work full-time. If it weren’t for our family in the UK, and that includes our in-laws, Artie’s parents in Greece and my sister's in-laws, I don’t know how we would manage.”

“Oh my, that sounds like quite a project!”

“Yes, it is.”

“All right, do you suppose any of your siblings would like to jump into fostering?”

“Uh, I don’t know offhand. How about we ask tonight and let you know, or whoever says yes will let you know?”

“Oh thank you!”

They talked a little longer, by now Lloyd had overheard the Christmas plans and his smiling nod gave D’Arcy the answer. Tim advised them to bring overnight bags so they could stay over, explaining the house was huge and there were several rooms available. Then he laughed, saying that sounded like the place was a hotel although it wasn’t.

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Disconnecting, Tim wrapped his arms around his wife, both heaving sighs of relief. Artie shook her head, “Six children on our current schedule! And Timotheos, we would have had to move upstairs, the boy is too old to share with his foster sister. That would mean renovating an entire suite and there is no time for that! But that’s nearly irrelevant compared to the challenges you would face parenting 6 children on your own, even with all the help and with me there on the weekends.”

Tim nodded, “You’re right and let’s talk about that later. Not the six children but about splitting our time the way we have been.”

Although she was curious to know what plan he’d come up with, she also wanted to get the two foster children placed, if possible, within their family.

Knowing from a recent conversation that Bill and Nikki weren’t ready for another child, they also ruled out the junior Mallards and Powells. Selfishly, they wouldn’t approach Rob either as his spare time consisted of taking the tube to Jaxton to visit his family. Further, his studio flat was only suited for one or two people.

They thought they’d include Barry and Ned, Tony and Maggie, Geordie and Bec, Joe and Char, Ziva and Brian in the conversation. Beforehand, they’d have a conversation with Freddie and Abby, giving vague details and asking if they wanted to sit in on the conversation. Then Tim shook his head, “That’s too much, too scary for my brother. I’ll go mention what’s happening to him so that they’ll know what’s going on, but nothing more than that.”

“Good idea. And if I’m not with you, that will be even more casual.”

Tim nodded, they kissed and Artie disappeared, looking for the children while Tim went looking for brother Freddie. He found him in the kitchen, trying to warm up with a cup of hot tea.

Tim grinned, “Too much fun in the snow?”

Freddie huffed, “I do this every year. Go out to play and get too cold. I should know better by now!”

“Do you use the timer on your phone?”

“Yeah, sometimes. Good idea, Timmo, I’ll set it for an hour next time.” He looked at his brother, “What’s up?”

“Just wanted to let you know Artie and I are about to round up some of our sibs to see if they are interested in becoming foster parents to 2 kids currently living in Seattle. D’Arcy called us about them but there’s no way with everything we have going on now. So, that’s it, just wanted to let you know about the conversation.”

“How old are they?”

“Uh, 7 and 5, so both in school.”

“Boys, girls?”

“One of each.”

Freddie nodded with a smile, “Thanks for letting me know and thanks for not including us.”

“No problem, Fred. You’ve already got a resident teenager, I’m guessing that has its challenges.”

Shaking his head, Freddie smiled again, “Not so far. I think because she’s so interested in science, especially forensics, she’s a breeze, even reminds us of things sometimes. And I already knew her, that helped.” He looked up, “She’s not at all threatening, know what I mean?”

“Yeah I do.” Tim hesitated before asking, “Would it be okay if you and I had a talk about something that’s happened with me?”

“Sure, Timmy, I’m always happy to listen.”

“Thanks, brother.”

“You ok?”

“Yeah, just kind of confused or maybe wondering.”

When Fred gave him a look, Tim laughed, “No, I’m not confused about my marriage, nor attracted to anyone else, nothing like that, trust me!”

“Good, although I should be the last person you’d ask to talk with about that!” Then he thought of what else it could be and frowned, “Tim? Have you, is there something new?”

Tim swallowed, “I don’t know, Fred, maybe. My emotions are all over the place, mostly scared, sometimes more than that and a tiny bit curious.”

“Wow, I guess the curious is from your investigating experience. I’d be hiding in a closet under Abby’s boots!”

Tim huffed, “And that would a good place to hide, some of them would make good defensive weapons."

Freddie stood, wrapping his arms around his brother and pulling him close. “We’re all with you, there’s no reason to think otherwise. We’ll protect you emotionally and physically, whatever it takes, Timmo. You all saved me, now we’ll help you, save you if you need saving.”

Tim swallowed, finally saying, “I think I just needed someone else to know, someone who understands my, uh, fear.”

“I know you’re trying not to say terror and thank you for trusting me.”

“Please don’t mention this to Abby or Artie.”

“Abby and I have an agreement that neither of us will ever ask or talk or push each other to talk about certain things, in my case what happened, and that also includes what happened to you.” Fred gave a raspy chuckle, “Of course she doesn’t know that part.” He looked up, “Artie knows?”

Tim nodded, “Since MIT, yes. I’m just not ready to talk about it with her. Or Mom or Dad.”

“He knows?”

“He knows bits and pieces. I think…” Tim sat in the nearest chair, “Freddie, I think I’m going to have to go through this, I mean as a criminal case.”

“You find out more?”

“Maybe, I don’t really know but I do know little bits and pieces of what happened. There might be a cold case, a case that got started but the investigators never figured out what happened. They keep those forever.”

“So that would mean you’d have to be involved, have to tell someone, besides Dad.”

“Just what I know and I think if I told Leon that would be enough.”

“He’s your friend as well as your boss, you trust him.”

Tim nodded with the hint of a smile. “I know it sounds weird but as hard as he worked to make things right for me after his mistake and then all the good things that have happened since then, yes, I personally trust him implicitly. Work is a little different because he also has to follow orders but so far that’s been fine.  I consider him a close friend.”

“How long do you think the whole thing would take, you telling, until they lock up whoever it is?”

“Could be a few years but I think once I’ve told everything I’ll be all right. I’ll still be scared but I’ll also have the might of the Federal Government, that is NCIS and probably the FBI, on my side. And I’m now hoping that living overseas will also help.”

Freddie nodded, “I thought you were nuts going to work for the FBI but then you were happy that summer, even before you saw Artie, and I realized you were still doing what you love doing, helping and protecting people. Especially when there were kids involved.”

“Yes, still doing that. I’ll always want to do that.”

Hearing Artie calling for him, Tim and Fred hugged, Tim gave him a kiss on the cheek with Freddie reciprocating and went to find his wife, smiling as he remembered how he and his brothers kissing each other evolved.

When Tim, Sarah and Rob were staying at the shelter, Tim noticed Mrs. Jamison (known as Mrs. J.) kissing her kids, Billy, Heather and the little boy who stayed with them at night because he was scared of the men’s side of the shelter, Duarte Silva. Duarte always giggled because his uncle, his guardian, always kissed him goodnight first when he brought him to Mrs. J. for the night. He was always in his jammies, teeth brushed, hands and face washed and ready for bed. Sarah thought it was funny and nice that Duarte got two kisses and asked Tim if he would kiss her goodnight. Tim didn’t remember anyone kissing him at night or any other time except when he was in the hospital and then the first day he, Sarah, Rob and Ellen Brill went to stay at the shelter. Ms. Lu kissed the three children that day.

Wondering if it was all right, Tim asked Ms. Lu the next day and smiling, she told him that yes, it was all right and would he mind if Mrs. J also kissed them goodnight, all three of them. Having been on his own or with mean people who only hurt him or with people who ignored him as much as possible for all of the life he knew of, Tim was a bit overwhelmed but Ms. Lu gave him a long hug, which he already knew he liked all right, sat him down and talked to him about people showing affection. Then he knew it was all right and agreed.

From then on, when Mrs. J. kissed her children and Duarte goodnight, she also kissed Tim, Sarah and Robbie, which felt really nice. Ellen Brill, Robbie’s mother, ignored them, the same way she ignored everything they did or said.

A few years later, when Tim, Sarah and Robbie had to leave the shelter and move to the camp, Mrs. J, Billy, Heather, Duarte and Ms. Lu kissed them goodbye, while Duarte's uncle, called 'Uncle Silva' by the Jamison and McGee children, hugged each of the three.

Tim told their friends at the camp, Geo, Jose, Freddie and Barry about kissing goodnight or when someone was sad, and although they were older and thought it was strange, when little Robbie kissed Freddie one night when the older boy had a bad dream, it made Freddie feel better.

Geo remembered his mother kissing him and even his father a few times. Jose also remembered each of his parents and Ms. Lu kissing him. Even big ol’ Nate had hugged each of them. And so a new tradition was born in the homeless encampment in Baltimore, that the boys would kiss Sarah and Robbie goodnight and if one of the 7 of them was upset, eventually adding Bill, they were hugged and kissed, reminded that they had friends, people who cared about them. Years later, Lu finally told the 8 of them how proud she had been, still was, for making that decision. It was a big one and one that she felt ultimately led to them becoming a family.

Chapter Text

In Motion, Ch 14: Brothers and Sisters, A Surprising Decision, Festivities

Tim was thankful Artemis was at the other end of the house, giving him a minute or two to regain his composure. He was relieved to have had the opportunity to talk with Freddie, the only person he knew would understand his fear although his brother was right that it was closer to terror along with doubts and other negative emotions.

His wife met him in the hallway, “Everything go all right with Freddie?”

“Yes. I wish we all lived closer, Skype is good but it would be wonderful if we could have a transporter or something so we could see each other in person more than twice a year, although I’m grateful for those times!”

“I know you’re right, I also miss everyone who doesn’t live in the UK and I know Susannah and I are blessed to live as close as we do. Now, come on, everyone we mentioned is waiting!”

Chuckling, Tim followed his love to the family room, smiling at his siblings. “Hey, thanks for agreeing to meet with us or whatever reason Artie gave you. Here’s what’s happening.”

Telling them about D’Arcy’s call and his and Artie’s refusal to make any changes to their family considering everything going on, he stopped, smiling again. “So then we decided to see if any of you are interested. There’s no need to make snap decisions, D’Arcy and her husband Lloyd are joining us for the Christmas Eve lunch and may stay over. They’re house-sitting in Reston and while it’s not a long drive, the roads could be icy, rather have them stay and experience our family at its best…” He paused as his siblings erupted into laughter, “or maybe I should say our most enthusiastic.”

“When would the children need to move?”

“At the end of May when their school is out. The hard date is mid-June, say June 12^th which is a Friday here. Their current foster parents are retiring, already have their house on the market and have purchased a home in a retirement community. They’ll move as soon as school is out and children or any other visitors at the retirement community are only allowed to stay two weeks.”

Bec raised her hand, “What are their names and how old are they?”

“They are Brian LaCourt, who will be 8 by then, not sure which month, and Mia Darby, who will be 6 in the spring, again I don't know what month. They’ve been fostering together in Wenatchee, Washington, for the past 2 years, so this will be a big move for them. Although that’s good, they’ve had stability in their lives.”

“So they’re both in school. Do you know anything about why they’re in foster care?”

Artie nodded, “We know a little bit. Brian’s father is incarcerated and hasn’t been involved in Brian’s life since he was a newborn. Brian’s mother divorced him before the boy was a year old. He has a life sentence with no parole.”

Geordie frowned, “So terrorism or a hate crime.”

Tim nodded, “I think D’Arcy may not be allowed to say exactly but she hinted that it was a hate crime. Anyway, he will not be a factor in his son’s life, Brian has never visited him nor has the father asked for him to visit. His mother died in a car accident a little over two years ago. He’s been with his current foster family since then. He and Mia have both been there about the same time, they arrived within days of each other.

"Her parents died, not sure how but there weren't any relatives who would take her in, so she’s been a foster about the same amount of time as Brian although of course she’s younger.”

Charlotte asked if having foster siblings was normally a good thing and Tim nodded, “The one time there was another foster kid where I was, it was very good. You remember me talking about my friend who taught me how to fight and uh, make a few things?”

Geordie grinned, knowing his brother didn’t want to say that the friend had helped him make his shiv, which he also knew his little brother still had, although it lived in his gun safe.

Jose answered, “Yes, although I don’t remember his name.”

Tim grinned, “Because I’ve never told anyone. It’s okay now, we’ve been in touch and like me, he’s changed his name again. Back then it was Marlon. And no, that was not his birth name. Anyway, he was the only foster sibling I ever had for more than a month or two and I was only with that family for about 5 months. Once school was out, I was moved.”

“Why do you think that wasn’t his birth name?”

“Because he said his middle name was Luther and his surname was King.”

Bill nodded, “That’s a good sign, though, Tim, more or less naming himself after Dr. King.”

Tim nodded, “He was good to me, a little older which is what I needed. And then we were in school together again at my last foster location, although that time we weren’t in the same foster home. He helped me plan what I would need, how I would travel, where I would go, how much money I would need. He was really good about talking out what I’d need, how to get it, making me think everything through and went with me whenever he could.”

“Did you keep in touch?”

“Not at first, he didn’t think it was a good idea because sooner or later someone would notice I wasn’t where I was supposed to be. He hated lying, although he was pretty good at it, who do you think taught me?”

Waiting while the laughter died down, he added, “Before I left, we discovered that you can mail things to ‘General Delivery’ at any post office. I knew I was going to Baltimore while he hoped to stay in the town we were living in then, in the Northwest; he liked it there. We decided to write each other, starting on a specific date, it was January 1st, 2 years after I would be leaving the Northwest, with agreed upon fake names, at the main Post Office in Seattle, General Delivery.”

He looked at Tony, who grinned, “It was very cloak and dagger-ish. Tim planned to check for letters when he visited me in Seattle while I was an agent afloat in the autumn of 2008. However, before he left San Francisco I was injured and went to stay with him instead. Before I left the ship I asked my XO, that's Executive Officer, to check the main post office, told him it was a promise I’d made, which was true, and a little of the situation.

“Anyway, after I left he went to the main Post Office and retrieved Tim’s letters, only that wasn’t the name I gave him for Tim. I also asked him to check to see if there were any letters still there for Marlon, that was also a different name but the Postal Worker remembered they’d been picked up earlier that week. That was good news. When I finally returned to the ship, the XO gave me Tim’s letters and the news about Marlon’s and I brought Tim’s letters with me when I left for California a few weeks later.”

“Wow, that’s something else!” Jose laughed, “Tim, you were a secret agent before you were a special agent!”

They laughed at that and Tim relaxed. His former foster brother, whose legal name was now Clayton Avery Farrell, sent him his cell phone number in one of the letters Tony’s XO collected and now the two men spoke every so often.

During their childhoods Clay had known him by another name and of course they’d both used other names for their mail exchange. As Tim didn’t know whatever name had been given him at birth, the other man was amused that some things hadn’t changed and happy that Tim had seemingly settled on a permanent name, Timothy Jackson Camilo-Gibbs and even more amused that Tim might sometimes answer calls as Timothy Midei.

Tim shook his head, “Does anyone remember where we were before we stepped into my former life?”

“Yes, if having foster siblings was a good thing.”

“Right, thanks! In my experience, yes it was and other former fosters have said the same thing. In many cases, it was the only time many of us felt like we belonged, almost like having family.”

“You didn’t get that with your foster parents?”

Tim shook his head, “After the first 3 times I was moved, I quit hoping for that and decided that I needed to rely only on myself. Not in those words, I was pretty young but it was clear I was never going to be part of a family, foster or adopted, if I stayed in foster care.”

“Ouch!”

“I’ve been told, by fosters and case workers, that the system has changed for the better since then but for me, having a foster sibling would have been a really good thing. As well as knowing why I was being moved, that also would have helped.” He looked at his brothers, sisters and his wife. “When I arrived in Baltimore and met Sarah and then Geordie, I was pretty sure I’d made the right decision to leave foster care. When I met Nathan, Juanita, Big John, Barry, Jose, Freddie, Robbie, Ms Lu and finally Bill then I was 100% sure and I never changed my mind. Finally, I had people, I belonged and I mattered! Yes, we had nothing, had to scrounge and hide from bullies and thieves, our lives were often too hungry, too cold and usually terrifying but we stuck together, all of us!

"I remember Bill saving the smallest pieces of scrap wood to build a shelter for us on the back of his truck so he could take us places, remember the first time we went to the Chesapeake? When I think about all of us staying warm together, helping me with Sarah and Rob, Ms. Lu making us warm sweaters and having us over to her house for showers, haircuts, a long warm sleep and meals, as well as Nate’s warnings, which was him showing his love and fears for us, bellowing at us and the loving glares from Juanita…” he stopped as his brothers, Sarah and those who knew Juanita dissolved into laughter. “Yeah, maybe it didn’t seem like it to you all but I felt it.” Then he joined them in their laughter.

When it got quiet again, Tim looked around, “Any more questions about the children who need a new home?”

Looking around, he spotted one of his brothers talking with his wife and he mentally crossed his fingers. He curled his lips in when that brother raised his hand, saying, “Bec and I would like to foster Brian and Mia. We’ve read what we could find online about being foster parents and filed in the UK to become foster parents. We went to the Agency today to sign up as US foster parents living overseas.”

Bec added, “We gave Malu and Dad, Tim and Artie, Barry and Ned’s names and contact information as references. Then we were so nervous and excited that we forgot to tell you when we got back!”

Barry and Ned nodded, “Good! Have you checked on your UK request?”

“No, thought we’d do that in the morning.”

Tim looked at them, “That will be online, even if they’re closed for the day. You can check tonight.”

“Great, thanks!

Artie said, “When are you thinking you want to take the children home?”

“Don’t we have to be qualified first?”

Tim looked at Barry and Ned. Barry sat in thought while Ned said, “Barry handled everything for Ava, I was involved with Naomi’s fostering but we were still living in the US. And we were qualified here in the US. When we moved to France, we emailed copies of the fostering agreements to their fostering agency and had a reply saying everything was in order, that they would need to know our permanent address when we found a place to live. I remember they inspected the place almost 2 months after we moved in, gave us time to get organized.”

Nodding, Barry finally spoke, “I’m not sure about overseas, Bec, Geo, because Ava fostered in the US with us, even if it was only for a few days before we moved overseas. Actually, that could be the same situation, even if you only stayed over a couple of days, check with D’Arcy about that. I do know that the home inspection can be done by international foster services. D’Arcy told us that when we were transferred to Marseilles. While Naomi was all set, Ava joined us days before our departure date. D’Arcy said because we already had approval for Naomi, she could stretch as far as the home inspection, especially with us not yet having a home in France. You should probably ask her.”

Everyone nodded, by now that seemed the best idea. Checking the time, they decided to call her now so neither she nor they would worry.

As they spoke with D’Arcy again, she asked about them flying over again in May or June and Geordie told her they’d be flying on one of Tony’s company jets. That got Lloyd’s attention and he listened as his wife continued with her work.

 When she had more questions, especially if the children would be flying from Washington to the UK on them, Geordie answered, “Yes and sorry we're so nervous! The full name of the company is Paddington North Sea Oil Company and our brother Tony, whose legal name is now Anthony Barnes-Gibbs, is a senior officer at the company, you can Google the company and him and he’ll vouch for you, he’s cautious about who flies with them.”

“All right, thank you.”

“If you’re free come meet us either for lunch on Christmas Eve or spend Christmas Day with us, or stay over Christmas Eve and do both, we’d love to have both of you with us and then you two can see all the children you’ve placed with our family as well as meeting Tony and the rest of the family. That includes the director of NCIS and a retired FBI agent as well as several people who still work for the agency. Oh, and our dad’s father and godfather, both fighter pilots in World War II, will also be here.”

Lloyd was ready to hop in their car now! “Wow! That sounds like fun! Yes, we’ll come for lunch and stay over, by then we’ll be more than ready for company. We needed rest, which we’ve now had and by Christmas Eve, I know we’ll both be restless.”

“Great, I’ll send the directions to D’Arcy’s phone, it’ll be easy enough to find coming from Reston, normally wouldn’t take you more than 30 minutes, tops, but Christmas Eve day, don’t know. Come early, we have several small children in the family and are up early with them. My dad’s usually up by 6:00 AM and you know him.”

“I do, yes and thank you! D’Arcy wants to know if there’s anything we can bring?”

“Mm, any appetizers, desserts or sweets you feel like bringing but don’t feel obligated, please, we always have a lot of food! And this year, Christmas dinner will be catered, our newest splurge, so no one has to cook or clean up!  We have 2 cases of non-alcoholic sparkling cider, none of us drink alcohol at family gatherings. If you’d like to bring other non-alcoholic drinks, that’s fine. I can’t think of anything else. Oh yes, no gifts, please. The children have more than enough. If you feel obligated, make a donation to your wife’s agency, although I’m sure you already donate a lot of your time together to the agency.”

Lloyd chuckled at that, “Very true! All right, we’ll see you Christmas Eve day, plan to be there by 11, how’s that?”

“Sure! Bring your snow gear in case you want to play outside. This place has a huge back garden, sorry, backyard, big woods and it’s beautiful this time of year. We’ve been building snow people back there and will add more between now and then.”

“Great, we brought a lot of our gear, glad we’ll be able to use it, sounds like fun!”

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Ned and Barry gave them the highlights of the class and exam they’d taken before Naomi became their first foster child. The couple then watched the class online, taking what might have been the same test, they thought there was probably more than one version and did well. Sending their results to Ms. McKinna, they went for a walk, too wound up to think of anything else. Now they would need to decide when to bring the children home with them, to wait until May or June or not to wait. Although not waiting presented a slew of other questions and challenges.

While Bec and Geordie were taking tests and making decisions, Ned and Barry talked to each other about the situation, coming up with something that might help. Ned went to talk with Tony who agreed. Sitting down for an early lunch, the two men, Naomi and Ava stood at the table. Grinning, Ava said, “We're taking Aunt Bec and Uncle Geordie when we go to Arizona.” Naomi nodded, “Only we’re going to Wenatchee, Washington first. We’ll stop there, drop them off and then go to Phoenix.”

There was applause at that and Bec motioned to Tony, who stood with a grin. “Hey, it made sense and the times will work out well. It’s a great idea! As Naomi, Ava and their dads will be in Arizona for a few days, I believe the plan is that the jet will return to Wenatchee Sunday morning and bring Geordie and Bec back here. That hasn't been confirmed yet, although it has been confirmed that they'll return to Virginia via 'Air Paddington'!”

Grinning, Geordie nodded, “We’ll meet and spend time with them. We thought about bringing them home with us now, but while we were on Skype, both Brian and Mia said they hoped they could stay at their current school until it’s out in May. Since we don’t have rooms or a suite ready, not to mention getting them registered for school in Jaxton, we decided that the four of us will get to know each other and our family over the next few months. We haven’t told them yet, we said we were still figuring things out.

“We’ll fly over when their classes are over for the school year, maybe we’ll help the Spensers, their current foster parents, move. We’re thinking that will help strengthen the relationship between the 6 of us, the Spensers asked if they could stay in touch. We’ll talk with Ms. McKinna about that, we’re not sure if that’s a good idea or not.

“From what we’ve seen and heard so far, the Spensers are old fashioned or reluctant to join this century, maybe both. They don’t have a computer or anything electronic and told the kids’ case worker they would not buy a computer and refused to have anything electronic in their house, even though they have a television and, well, never mind. Brian and Mia stay after school to do their homework on the school’s computers and then spend Saturday in the public library finishing up if they need to although I would think that’s mostly Brian. The library is 10 miles from the Spensers’ home, too far to ride their bikes in the winter and the Spensers don’t like to drive in bad weather. The kids sometimes take the bus but it takes them over an hour to get to the library and then an hour back. It’s not the distance, it’s that there are several bus stops, traffic signals and of course traffic. When they get to the library, they sometimes have to wait to use the computers. They were recently given cell phones, their case worker got them those and set them up so they can now do their homework on those. The Spensers were told they were for emergencies and that the foster agency would pay for any costs.”

Geo paused, shaking his head and looking at Bec, “Now that I say that aloud, they’d be better off coming home with us.”

Tim cleared his throat, “If you’re thinking about doing that, you should contact the administrative offices for the Jaxton schools, we have the phone number, and see if they can start after the holiday break. We’ll be home in time for them to get through jet lag before they start back, we planned that for the twins. If Jaxton can’t or won’t take them then, there is a branch of one of the international schools that’s recently opened near Jaxton. It’s about 10 miles from us so the children could be driven. They could attend there through the end of the school year and start in Jaxton next September.”

Bec and Geo smiled at that, each admitting they’d been a little panicky about the children’s schooling. Maggie titled her head in thought, “There’s another alternative, they can attend school online. That’s how most children got through the pandemic although the online schools were around before that. We’ve looked into having McKenna do that so we can do more traveling. We’ve met with school administrators and teachers for 3 different online schools and liked all three, although we do have a favorite and if we decide to go through with this, she and probably Madelyn will attend that one. They use a lot of normal school rules for the children attending online, no eating in class, asking if they need to leave to go to the bathroom. Everyone has lunch at the same time and the parents are fined if the children are late arriving in the morning or back from lunch.

“They’re allowed to leave early for the day, say for a medical appointment, with work assigned to them for the time they’ll be gone. Same for leaving for a long weekend, in both cases, as long as the school is notified a week ahead of time, it’s accepted. However, the teachers do assign work to those students and that has to be done by the following week.

“Also students can attend from anywhere there’s a quiet space, a computer or laptop and wi-fi. So if McKenna was in school now and we were flying home on a school day, we’d let the instructor know, they would record the class and McKenna would take the class and do the homework after we landed. There would likely be some extras for her to complete, for instance she might need to present the instructor with 5 questions about the class or something like that. It sounds professionally done and,” she made a face, “while they are accredited and have to account for their students, they’re not tied to any one school board or district. There are overseers but my point is, their curricula doesn’t change every semester at the whim of - never mind.”

Tim laughed, “Politicians or people who want to be elected to something but don’t know or care anything about what children need to know in this day and age or how on earth teachers will have time to add extra subjects when they already don't have enough time to teach the basic curriculum?”

Maggie nodded, “Or who think their pet topic should be included. I have a friend who taught elementary school until she recently retired. I laughed until I cried when she told me that every year, that entire school has to perform some play that has nothing to do with the school, the students, parents, the local cultures, there’s no connection. It’s a ‘tradition’ someone started decades ago and apparently that someone is still around and still has some influence. So the teachers and students have to take up class time to learn and practice the play, which is performed during the evening on a weeknight toward the end of the school year. Teachers have little to no personal time as it is, or at least not at that school.” She shuddered, “I’m thankful I never considered going into teaching!” She made a face, “Sorry!”

Charlotte was laughing so hard, Joe had to stop her from sliding out of her chair. When she finally stopped and caught her breath, she nodded at Maggie, saying, “I taught primary grades for a few years before I realized it was never going to get better. It’s not teaching itself that’s the problem and it wasn’t the children! Sure, they weren’t perfect but they’re kids and at the age they were when I had them, they would only have known what their parents taught them. I wanted to teach the little ones!” She added, “This was before the internet was as influential as it is today. The problem, in my opinion, was mostly the school administrators, those who’d never taught or their teaching days had been so long ago that they used a horse and buggy to get to work. And of course they were probably doing what the state or local politicians decided they should do.”

She looked at Geo and Bec, Tim and Artie. The latter pair were laughing, finally saying that the schools in the UK, at least in Jaxton, seemed to have their acts together, that they liked the way they operated. Char nodded, “Sure, my experience was all at one school.”

Geo and Bec were quietly talking, finally looking up. “We’re thinking that before we make a decision about bringing them home now or later, we’ll contact Jaxton, the International School and Maggie, Tony, if you’ll share, the online school, to see what makes more sense and what our options are.” Bec made a face, “I don’t like the idea of leaving them in Washington. We’ve agreed and now we need to make it work for them and us. As for rooms, for now we’d just need two additional bedrooms, they can be next door to us or across the hall or one on either side of our room.”

Malu and their fathers had joined them when they heard Char’s laughter and now Jethro looked at the new foster parents. “Artie already has a plan drawn out to renovate one of the 3^rd floor mini-suites to a full suite. Tony, as I recall, you’ve seen and liked them.”

Tony nodded, “I did, there were no load bearing walls that needed changing out so eventually the suite could be returned to individual rooms.” He grinned at Artie who nodded.

Geo smiled at his parents, “Thanks, Dad, we’ll keep that in mind. I think if we do this now, we’d rather the four of us remain on the first floor in three bedrooms. At least until they’ve had a few months to settle in.”

Mom nodded, “That’s a good idea, they might feel a bit isolated up there.”

“Hey!” That was Sarah and everyone chuckled. Then she tilted her head, “Actually you’re right, the 3^rd floor probably won’t be a great place to live for a few months once the baby arrives. Although they’d be sleep deprived, not isolated!”

Looking at the time, Geo and Bec excused themselves, hoping to get through to at least one of the school offices before the end of the UK business day.

Malu took Ava and Naomi for a walk while the others were talking. The Dorneget-Gibbs’ were staying in one of the 2 bedroom suites downstairs. The rest of the children were playing upstairs, watched by their great-grandfathers and uncles.  

After their walk, Lu took her granddaughters upstairs to play with their cousins and returned to the family room, where everyone seemed to have adjourned after lunch and cleaning up. She smiled at finding her kids talking about Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Their favorite catering company would provide food and service on both days, much to everyone’s relief. They knew they were being spoiled but as Abby told Freddie, everyone who’d lived at the shelter and/or the camp deserved to be spoiled.

Freddie laughed, telling her that more and more he found himself actually forgetting about those days. “Unless Joe says something or one of us sees Nate, I don’t think about those days anymore. Joe says he doesn’t either and I know the others don’t, we talked about it this summer.”

“That’s great, sweetie!”

Her boyfriend huffed, “Tim and I still think about the bad stuff, before we got to the camp but not about anything much afterward.”

Abby shook her head, “It still amazes me when I hear Tim saying he never felt any sense of belonging to anyone or anything until he landed at a homeless shelter and camp. It feels illogical and contradictory but then I see all of you together and I understand again.”

“I know, it’s weird, huh? But it’s true for him and I think for all of us. We found a place to belong to and people to belong with, people to whom we mattered. That has to be Nate, Juanita and Malu’s doing, and I should add Big John, Mrs. Jamison, Uncle Silva, Aunty M, that is Mrs. Hoover at the school, Linda Mac at the day care, Bill's mentor and his wife and later, Joe's and my mentor." He smiled, "And later, the Porters, Mrs. Ferguson and the Donovans at MIT for Tim, Sarah and Rob. Oops, and Artie, for most of the time they were in Massachusetts."

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

By the end of the next day, the decision had been made. After Christmas, Brian and Mia would fly to Virginia and then to the UK with their new foster parents. The principal at their current school had agreed to forward their school records, including their end of term grades to the International School the children would attend until the end of their current school year. That would give them time to learn what was different in the curriculum of UK education, specifically mathematics, history and language and to become accustomed to their new country.

They’d ease into British English, the different spellings and pronunciations with the help of their new Uncle James and his parents, while new dad Geordie would handle history with them and another new uncle, Tim, would help them with mathematics.

Tim told his wife he was very happy he’d kept his notes from his London university days! Although he’d taught his ‘math class for people who’d rather not’, he’d first had to learn what students in the UK had been taught as they grew up. He was grateful when Bec handed him a list of what mathematics Brian and Mia had studied at school in Washington and for Brian, at the first school he’d attended, before his mother died.

While Geordie and Bec were happy to hear that there were a few other students from Jaxton attending the International School, they were adamant about transporting the children to school, no ride sharing! Grama, Chloe and Jasper or Poppy and the two littles, Grampy Ben or Great Uncle Charlie would alternate collecting them from school in the afternoons.  

Bec eventually told the family that although the Spensers seemed sad at first they wrote a letter to the address in Virginia, received before the family left for their various homes, saying they were relieved, that they believed it would be easier on the children to leave while they were still in the house they’d lived in with them and that perhaps they could visit sometime.

Geordie smirked when he read that and started a reply, saying that he and Bec were only in the US for Christmas vacations but that the Spensers were more than welcome to join them either in Varkiza, Greece, for the Easter break in April, including the dates they’d be there, or in Tain, Scotland, for their family’s annual reunion the last week of July and the first week of August.

As the children of the large family lived in France, Italy, Greece, the US, Scotland and England, the Spring/Easter break might get a little tricky depending on school holiday schedules but the adults were determined to give it a try.

Before Geo sent the letter with the dates and places they'd be gathering, Bec added a separate page with information about the senior Dornegets and Mrs. King traveling by ship from the US to the UK, France and Greece, adding that members of their family were related to the three travelers and lived in France, the UK and Greece while most of the overseas family, including Brian and Mia, would be in Jaxton, England, including their address and the house phone number. She added that they would take photos when they arrived home and would mail them copies. At her cousin’s suggestion, Bec also included Char and Joe’s address, explaining their connections to her and Geordie, along with their phone numbers.

She laughed when Geordie had to go to the post office to buy a stamp for their letter. They were used to sending letters and photos, contact information, nearly everything, through the internet. He told her later he almost bought several stamps but realized the next letters and photos would likely be sent from the UK, they’d buy stamps when they got home.

As Geo said, when they talked about bringing Brian and Mia into the family now, “They’ll have Christmas with their current foster parents and then they’ll have a second Christmas, our Greek Christmas with us. They’ll also meet more of the family that way. And we’re wondering if anyone would like to make name tags for all of us?” He turned to look at the children who were nodding happily. “Great, thank you! Maybe our titles, aunt, uncle, Grandma, Poppy, Kid, then 1^st names and who our parents are?”

The adults quietly chuckled as Chloe, the craftiest of the children, was already writing on a piece of paper from her dad, with big brother Jack whispering as he helped her with the words. “Like this, Uncle Geo?” She held up the paper that read: Uncle Tim maryed to Ant Artie. Sun of Grama and Poppy.

Tim and Artie beamed at their 3 ½ year old daughter, proud of her and Jack. They were also proud of everyone for not saying anything about Jack and Chloe’s spelling and were astounded that at her young age, Chloe could write the words, or rather the letters that Jack told her to write. They were also proud that Jack knew what to say and how to spell most of the words and that the misspelled words sounded like the proper words.

Geo grinned, “That’s great, Chloe, thank you! Now as far as Bec and me, we’re lucky our classes don’t start until the end of January so we’ll have plenty of time to help the children settle in. We met them on Skype with Ms. McKinna, we could see they were a little sad but when Bec mentioned riding the trains and the indoor pool we swim in year round they were happy! And they’re used to cold winters, another good thing!”

He added quietly that although they hadn't said anything about computers, they'd already ordered two tablets to be delivered to the Jaxton house the day after they got home. Those would be given to their new children during their Greek Christmas celebration.

Their parents were amused when the children were still excited about their new cousins when they went to bed that night. Jasper was already talking about showing the animals and their really fun back garden to their new ‘big’ cousins.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

When Lu remarked Christmas Eve morning that she couldn’t decide whether the children were more excited about Christmas or the two new cousins they’d meet the following week,  Jethro snorted, “The children? I hope by that you mean our children as well as the grandchildren. I’d love to see what our kids were like as children at Christmas,” he winced, “Oops, sorry, sometimes I forget.”

She chuckled, “I don’t know about Jimmy, Tony, Abby or Ziva with Hanukkah but our 8 homeless kids were just as wound up as our grandchildren are now. None of them had experienced Christmases in a warm, loving home with parents or at least someone who loved them. I take that back, Jose remembers both his parents, he may also remember the Christmas before his father died, he was nearly 4, so it’s possible. And Geordie also remembers his mother, don't know about Christmases when she was alive but I do think he remembers one before they lost the house and ended up at the shelter. He was 10 and they were staying at the shelter when his dad died, so he experienced a few Christmases with at least one parent.

“Anyway, none of the others knew much about Christmas. Bill and Tim spent a few Christmases in foster homes with one present which I’m sure was something practical, like socks or underwear, which is fine, really, especially in the winter! Anyway when they were staying at the shelter or the camp, their Christmas day, getting one gift each, plus candy, hugs and a full holiday dinner, although I never let them eat it all at once, in the nice warm shelter with their friends, was likely as exciting to them as our littles are feeling now.” Leaning in, she kissed her husband, “Thank you for Toys for Tots, Marine!”

He grinned, returning her kiss before saying, “That existed long before I came along! However, you’re welcome, I always enjoyed participating in that.”

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

By 10:30 Christmas Eve morning Lu and Jethro were dressed and ready for the guests, the caterers had the tables set and were working in the kitchen. While the children played in the family room, watched by various parents, aunts and uncles, the rest of the adults gathered in the large formal living room with hot beverages, courtesy of the catering team. Tim and Tony left to meet Ziva, Brian and the senior Metzgers at the train station.

D’Arcy and her husband Lloyd were the first to arrive. Geo and Bec met them at the front door, welcoming them. While Lloyd was taken to the living room where he was given a hot beverage by one of the catering staff, D’Arcy and the new foster parents disappeared into an office in the rear of the house. While it wouldn’t take long, they did have a few things to go over.

Next to arrive, nearly all at once, were the Vances, Carters, O’Briens, Baxters and the Fornells. While they were shedding coats and also sipping hot beverages, the adult Gibbses who hadn't stayed over at the Arlington house arrived. Following them were the Porters and the rest of those who weren’t staying at the house.

Nikki’s family, who’d arrived the evening before, watched, eyes wide, as everyone entered, gave their outerwear to Bill, Maggie, Artemis or Rob, and headed for the living room. Although they tried not to, the Kings also watched the catering crew, approving of their smooth operations.

Ziva, Brian, his parents, Joe, Char and Tommy, Jimmy, Breena and baby Donnie, Freddie and Abby were showed to their rooms as they were staying over. Abby’s niece had flown home for Christmas with her parents. Freddie, Abby and her brother Kyle were flying to New Orleans after Christmas to spend a few days with Luka, his wife and Menolly and were planning to take the train home, Abby’s niece returning with them. Joe and his family, Jimmy and his family, Barry and his family had suites downstairs while everyone else was upstairs.

Kissing her mother-in-law in welcome, Breena refrained from rolling her eyes when Malu asked how their early Christmas with her parents had been.

They’d met the previous Sunday for an early Christmas brunch with Ginny, Ed, Breena’s sisters and their families. While the day was successful, both Jimmy and Breena recognized that Ed was angry that they were having their Christmas early. As Breena told her mother, “You were all invited to join the rest of our family, it’s not our problem Dad refused to go.”

Ginny sighed, “At least you live over here and we do see you. Your father isn’t comfortable with Jethro.”

“Or Ducky, or Jimmy.”

Making a sad face, Ginny nodded, “He’s all right with Ducky and he keeps promising to try harder with Jimmy. It’s really Jethro, your dad says he feels like he’s looking down at him.”

“He’s not, maybe Dad is feeling guilty, I’d take that as a positive sign. And if he’s trying harder with my husband, Jimmy certainly isn’t noticing it. He brushes it off, says now that he has both a mom and a dad, two dads with Jethro, he doesn’t care anymore how Ed feels about him. Neither Don nor Jethro ever mention Ed to Jimmy, unless they know there’s been an incident.”

Ginny winced, “That could have been us. Should have been us.”

“Yes, it should have. But it wasn’t and won’t be, not for Dad, anyway. Jimmy knows you’re fond of him and you know he’s fond of you, right?”

“Yes, honey, I do and I’m glad to know that. But it’s not all your dad’s fault. I’ve been lackadaisical about getting to know Jimmy better, learning what he needs as far as his diabetes, getting to know Don better and putting my foot down with your father.”

Breena had shrugged, that last comment was a well-worn topic and it wouldn’t help, wouldn't change anything to rehash it.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

As large as the crowd was, Lu worried there were too many but as everyone sat down, she saw everyone seemed relaxed and happy, likely looking forward to their meal. She smiled as she noticed that Geordie and Bec were sitting with D’Arcy and Lloyd and that the Kings, the second to last new set of family to join them, the senior Metzgers were the last, were also engaged with the couple. Looking around, she saw everyone looked comfortable, good!

Gently tapping one of the glasses with a spoon, LJ stood up. “Good afternoon, everyone, welcome to our family’s US home away from home, we’re happy everyone has joined us. First of all, I am the original Leroy Jethro, although my surname is Moore. I am Jethro’s godfather. As the two eldest of the family, Jackson, raise your hand,” With a laugh, the elder Jack raised his hand, winking at his young namesake. LJ continued, “we rotate saying grace and making any announcements that need to be made. Today it’s my turn, Jack will lead tomorrow. Now, we do have a few announcements to make.”

With a happy smile, he announced the adoption of Jimmy Palmer by Donald Mallard, saying, “Jimmy is now Jimmy Mallard and is also known as the junior Dr. Mallard. Collectively, he and Breena have become the junior Mallards. Although the adoption happened a few months ago, this is the first large gathering we’ve had since then, at least in this country.”

After the applause, the Mallards resuming their seats, LJ told of the babies expected in April. “They will be baby #1 for Sarah and James Powell,” he paused while the couple stood, “and grandbaby #1, the first official grandchild anyway, for Edie and George Powell and of course, #, oops, I forgot to figure that out, well, a new grandbaby for Lu and Jethro,” he waited while the six of them all stood, grinning at the comments.

Continuing, he added, “Baby #2 will be child #2 for Breena and Jimmy Mallard, the younger sister or brother of young Donnie and the second official grandchild for Don Mallard although Lu and Jethro’s younger adults regard him as one of their grandfathers. The new little Mallard will also be a grandchild of Luella’s and therefore also of Jethro’s.”

Donnie looked around, smiling as his daddy raised his arm for him while most of the ‘younger adults’ grinned at their Ducky, who was blinking back tears. Next to him, Athena beamed with pride and joy in their family. Having never married, Ducky never thought to have any children, much less grandchildren!

LJ smiled, “Now, we have three more announcements, unless something’s happened since I stood up and in our family that is entirely possible. I believe there once was a marriage proposal!” He paused before looking at James, “In fact, that was the younger Mr. Powell!”

The family and several of the guests nodded, laughing.

Continuing, LJ looked at Ziva, Brian and his parents, “We want to wish an early happy first wedding anniversary to Ziva and Brian as well as welcoming his parents, Ben and Julie.” He grinned, “While Ziva and Brian were too busy to travel this summer, Julie and Ben managed to sneak, uh fly, to Greece for a visit, followed by having to spend some time in the Scottish Highlands cooling off!”

Laughing, Julie, her eyes wide at the memory of the heat in Greece, nodded. LJ continued, “Now there are no dates or information yet but we’d also like to congratulate and encourage Ziva and Brian on their decision to adopt a child.” He cleared his throat, looking meaningfully at D’Arcy. “I believe there’s someone here today who might be willing to offer some help with that?”

Laughing, D’Arcy nodded, grinning at Ziva and Brian.

Also grinning and motioning to Geordie, Bec and her father Ben to stand up, LJ continued, “And as our last and most recent change, we are all very happy to announce that two children will be joining Bec and Geordie and Grandfather Ben next week. This all came about this week so we’re still a little over the top with excitement.

“The new children are Brian, age 7 and Mia, age 5. Both have birthdays coming up before summer but that’s how old they are now. Brian Metzger, we’ll leave it to the two of you to figure out how to avoid confusion with your names!”

“The children currently live in Washington, that is the state, not the District of Columbia and will meet their new foster parents in person next week. Thanks to Tony’s company’s generosity, their jet taking Ned, Barry and their daughters to visit Ned’s grandparents in Phoenix will first make a side trip to Washington where our new foster parents will disembark. Another of the Paddington jets, I believe the larger one, will collect them, as well as the children, the following day, bringing them to the airport we use here.”

Tony nodded, “Yes, that changed from the original plan. The larger jet is returning from Tokyo and they’ll need to layover before continuing to the UK. They’ll actually land in Washington Saturday afternoon to get some rest overnight.”

Geordie nodded, “Any idea how many people will be aboard?”

“I know it’s not full although there are more than we’re used to on the smaller jets. There’s a big conference in Tokyo.”

“Glad you didn’t have to go!” That was his dad and Tony nodded, “Thanks, I feel the same way. Japan’s supposed to be even colder than here in the winter! Emma, my cousin Nigel’s wife, has family there so she and the children went along. And that means, Geo and Bec, that there will be at least 2 familiar people aboard the jet, Emma and Nigel. I know their children have been in Greece when we've been there but I don't remember if you met them.”

Geo and Bec looked at each other then back at Tony, shaking their heads and Bec saying, "I remember meeting Emma and Nigel, I don't remember meeting their children."

Jethro raised his hand, "I think Lu and I took them somewhere with some of our grandchildren the morning you met them. I remember because McKenna was excited that her Paddington cousins were there along with her Gibbs' cousins."

"Ok, then we'll meet them on the plane and that's a great question to start a conversation with the children, where you took them, Dad, Mom. It will also be good to see Nigel and Emma again. Nigel has been so good to you and us!"

Julie Metzger smiled, “Is Emma Japanese?”

Tony shook his head, “No, they’re from,” his mind blank, he looked at Rob who smiled, saying to the others, “Emma’s birth family is from Kenya, they emigrated to the UK close to 30 years ago.” He added, “I dated Emma’s cousin Sylvie for a while. We’re both studying, or were studying, to be doctors. That was a while back, now we’re both residents at different hospitals.” With a huff, he rolled his eyes, “And we’re still studying!”

There were chuckles at that, LJ said a brief grace and was thanked as he sat down while the caterers entered the room with their food.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

The lunch on Christmas Eve was fun with everyone relaxed enough for the current and former NCIS group to tease each other about various situations they’d encountered during their time at the agency.

While Bill and Nikki had previously told their King family bits and pieces about life in the Gibbs family along with tidbits here and there about NCIS, this was the first time Nikki’s aunt and cousins had heard whole stories and they gasped, grimaced and laughed with the others.

Jackie laughed as heartily as Leon as by now she’d heard most of the stories, although there always seemed to be at least one newly revealed gem. With the Fornells also there, Em, Pauley, Kayla and Jared sat together. Now that they were older, they were allowed to hear a few stories new to them and they laughed along with the others.

Leon was grateful his agents, current and former, found things to laugh at, considering some of the horrors they’d all dealt with. However, in the course of their investigations, things had happened that, taken out of context of a criminal case, were funny. The koala on the submarine, the ‘superhero’ group, Tim posing as a male model, he and Ziva having been forced to search for their weapons in a large fountain, Tim falling into a creek and thus finding a weapon they were looking for, Tony and his bad luck with his cars and Ziva’s frequent problems with the English language, especially idioms, Gibbs’ frequent escapes to the coffee cart or Abby’s lab, and other things that in retrospect were amusing.

Having spent hours with the UK family on the jet flying to and from Greece while avoiding the storm, Kayla also had new stories, about the Gibbses on the flights as well as tales of the Russell family, her hosts for that week.

D'Arcy and Lloyd listened, laughed and commented on what they were hearing. Knowing they would be in the company of the agents she’d worked with in DC, D’Arcy had mentally gathered some of her own favorite stories and told a few them that day, bringing more laughter and some pointed looks at Jethro, finally outed as a foster parent, although never for more than a couple of days and only when the child was old enough to be on his or her own for a few hours.

When D’Arcy heard that part, she shook her head, making a gesture at Tobias, who nodded, “Yes, I confess, I was his backup foster parent if and when he got caught up in a case. Emily loved having another kid around.”

Em grinned, nodding, “That was fun, I learned all kinds of useful things.” When her father glared at her, she smiled sweetly.

Jackie admitted they’d also taken in a few of Gibbs’ fosters, when both he and Tobias were tied up. Tony, Tim, Ziva, Jimmy and Abby frowned while Ducky laughed so hard they were a little worried. Finally he caught his breath and told the group he was actually the second backup for Gibbs, between Fornell and the Vances, because as medical examiner, he was also frequently away with the MCRT. Em nodded, “I also stayed with Ducky a few times when Dad didn’t want Mom to know he had to be away, that was fun! When I was really little I used to have tea with Grandmother Victoria.”

Smiling, Breena looked at her, “We need stories, Ems, please! Maybe after Christmas?”

“Sure!”

D'Arcy laughed her way through the confessions, of course she’d known all along, although not about Emily, Ducky and his mother but everything else.

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After they’d finished eating, small gifts were handed out, something for everyone, from Lu and Jethro.

When they finally left the table, the large group headed for the back yard for a much needed walk in fresh air.

While they walked, Tim murmured something to Artie who nodded, kissing his cheek. Catching up to Leon, Tim gave him a look and the two separated from the others, although they continued walking.

Tim cleared his throat, “Leon, I need to meet with you. Would Monday work for you?”

“Yes and thank you for not trying for Friday, I’m doing my best to keep my calendar empty that day.”

Tim nodded, “Didn’t seem fair, the day after a holiday!”

Leon nodded, “A lunch meeting?”

Tim shrugged, “Sure, if you don’t mind, although I don’t think we’ll need more than a few minutes.”

“Is everything all right?”

“Mostly, the topic is personal but will slightly affect NCIS: Europe.”

Vance stopped walking, putting his hand on Tim’s arm, “Timothy, we don’t need to wait.”

Tim shook his head, “It’s not worth interrupting your holiday or upsetting your wife.”

“Bringing your dad with you?”

“No, he’ll have new grandchildren arriving Sunday and will want to spend time with them on Monday.” He paused before adding, “I haven’t mentioned it to him, but you know him, there’s no way he’ll be surprised.”

Leon nodded at that. “All right, then let’s make it earlier. Does 0800 work?”

Tim smiled, “0800 is fine, thanks.”

Rejoining their respective families, the men continued the walk through the forested property backing the old house.

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Evelyn King smiled all day, happy to hear stories about her niece and the family she’d married into. Her affection for the Gibbs family increased whenever she spent time with them. She especially loved being known as “Grandma Evelyn” even to little Alec Clacher who wasn’t a Gibbs at all!  

D’Arcy’s husband Lloyd later admitted that he’d laughed so much on Christmas Eve that he didn’t think he would have had the strength to drive back to Reston. That was fine, they’d already decided to accept the offer to spend Christmas day and night with them. While their friends’ home in Reston was pleasant, both of them led active lives and after resting for several days, felt the pull to spend the holiday with friends.

As always, the family’s Christmas was fun with barely controlled chaos Christmas morning and afternoon when the children of the family, regardless of age, gleefully tore decorative paper off carefully wrapped packages or grabbed wads of tissue paper from gift bags. With so many of them, they’d established a routine although it would be closer to the truth to say they attempted to follow the routine they’d established.  

People under 20 opened their gifts first and although attempts were almost always made to rotate openings, the children old enough to understand about presents frequently had a difficult time waiting while the babies, when old enough to sit up and grab objects, were almost always bouncing on whichever lap they were sitting in, reaching for the pretty paper, or squirming and making a fuss to get ‘down’. Younger babies either cried, made happy noises toward their siblings and cousins or slept through everything.

Over the years, the children’s parents had learned to behave themselves, waiting until presents were handed to them, then did their best not to fidget while waiting until it was their turn to open a gift. If people didn’t wait until it was his or her turn to open a gift, then the givers of those gifts frequently didn’t have the pleasure of seeing the happy look on the giftee’s face and, as Tim said, watching someone open what he'd found to give them was his favorite part of Christmas.

Lu, Jethro, George and Edie Powell had come up with another way to handle their grown children’s presents in the past few years. Just as the littles had ‘Santa’ presents, those left unwrapped with only a tag for the giftee, each of the grown kids and their partners now also had at least one Santa gift. After the first year of doing that, the adult children added a Santa gift for each of their parents as well. At least that way, everyone had at least one gift to start off with.

The Kings had had this explained to them and while Grandma Evelyn found it a wonderful and amusing idea, her son, daughter-in-law and their cousin did a bit of eye rolling. That is, until they experienced their first Gibbs’ Family Riot, Part One, otherwise known as Christmas morning. D’Arcy and Lloyd, having been warned by Lu, sat back and watched in amazement.

By the time they returned to the tree that afternoon for Gibbs’ Family Riot, Part Two, with additional family and friends and more gift exchanges, the first time Christmas Day visitors weren’t sure what to expect, although they were certain it would be loud, fun and entertaining. They were glad to see that everyone was happy, no one was counting how many presents anyone else had or who got what and the children were also happier.

Chapter Text

Ch 15: What Now?

The day after Christmas, the children played in the basement, Tim keeping an eye on them while he checked his work email and was glad he’d checked. Although the subject of the email didn’t need immediate action, it was something he would need to address within a few weeks. That led him to wondering about possibilities and he made a brief note on his phone.    

He frowned when he saw an invitation to meet with Leon and Secretary Porter, hoping the topic wouldn’t be anything that would disrupt their lives. It was for Tuesday, the 30^th and that was fine, he’d planned to work aboard the Navy Yard Monday and Tuesday anyway. And he would have already had his meeting with Leon Monday morning, so that would be settled. Artie was hopeful Leon would agree, she’d love to have her husband and children with her full time!  

After checking with his wife about Tuesday and showing her the invitation, seeing she was having the same reaction he’d had, he accepted the invitation, noticing the meeting would be in the SecNav’s office at the Pentagon. That really did not bode well although he did his best to think positively. Maybe one of his suggestions about NCIS agents and offices in the Pacific and Indian Oceans was under scrutiny and they had questions. That could be a good thing.

Eventually he put aside his qualms, he didn’t think he was in trouble, he was more concerned that they were about to stick him with some project that would require him to travel or worse, have to transfer. Then he remembered their finances, if it was something they didn’t want to do he’d leave the agency again. He shook his head, he really hoped that wasn’t it! Although he had plenty of other things he could do, he hadn’t yet been back at the agency for a full year! That led to wondering if he'd become spoiled by the last few years of freedom from any job but parenting and doing his best to be a good husband and partner, father, son, brother and uncle. Maybe he now resented authority figures although he didn't feel any resentment toward Leon and was happy with his work. He shrugged, he'd know soon enough what this was all about. It wasn't until later that he realized what his gut or instincts had been telling him.

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On the drive back to Reston the day after Christmas, D’Arcy started laughing and laughed all the way back to their friends’ home. Lloyd enjoyed hearing it, his love all too frequently worried about the children in her charge and how to make sure each found a family or at least someone who cared about them. He nodded to himself, she’d needed the break, he was glad he’d asked their friends if they could housesit, telling them D’Arcy seriously needed a break.

He also looked forward to the trip they were planning in the new year, getting her away from her worries for several weeks would help both of them. They’d been planning and saving for years and now they’d decided. They’d finally take their trip overseas and they would take enough time off to make it truly worthwhile.

While D’Arcy had the years in to retire, she was reluctant to ‘leave her children’ as she’d once said. Now Lloyd thought, after seeing the Gibbs, Vance and Fornell families, that possibly his love would agree to retire if they took in a foster child or two.

They’d never had their own children although both wanted a family. While they’d talked about fostering and adopting, they needed two incomes and D’Arcy didn’t want any child of hers, adopted or foster, to become either a "latchkey" child or to find a babysitter once that child was too old for day care. She wanted the two of them to raise their child, not a daycare or a revolving group of babysitters.

Through the years she’d tempered that as she realized the few choices many, if not most, people had. Two incomes were generally necessary and that meant children needed people to watch them when their parents could not.

Now, with Lloyd’s business doing well, a savings account that would do them well in retirement, successful investments and whatever her retirement income would be, they could afford to take in a child or two without a second income. He smiled as he listened to her laughter, they’d talk later, maybe tomorrow.

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At some point on Christmas Eve Athena, Lu, Sophia, Cyndie Porter, Edie Powell, and Gail Fornell made plans to have lunch and possibly do a little shopping on Saturday, two days after Christmas. Lu and the other American women insisted that Athena, Sophia and Edie had to experience the after-Christmas sales as well as returns of Christmas gifts.

Although many people did most of their Christmas shopping online now, there were still plenty of folks in the physical stores, returning or exchanging. While Athena wasn’t sure what she was getting into, she was curious! Edie had a better idea, she’d shopped in Manchester the day after Christmas and knew that although it might be chaotic, it would also be fun.

Cyndie and Gail were happy to have other women to hang out with. Not that they didn’t love their husbands but it was fun to go out with the others!

At home, Ducky, his home empty for the moment, looked around, digging through his carry-on bag for something to do and finally deciding to read for a couple of hours. Jimmy was at work, Breena and Sarah were shopping with Emily and Pauley, taking little Donnie with them and Athena was out with ‘the girls’ as she’d said. The other Christmas visitors left yesterday, taking the train home. Ziva and Brian were still in the vicinity, they’d left for Mac’s beach house to celebrate their first wedding anniversary and would return on Sunday in time for breakfast with the family before the couple flew home.

After 20 minutes spent reading the same two paragraphs, he decided it was too quiet, the house too empty and he would pop over to the Arlington house to see what was going on there. Returning the book to his room and the carry-on bag where he’d found it, Ducky went looking through his belongings to see what else might be interesting enough to take with him to the Arlington house. He had a dim memory of something he’d promised to do but could only hope that whatever it was would pop up on its own rather than him having to dig through all the various bits and pieces he’d brought with him.

Finding a large manila envelope underneath everything in his sock drawer, he made a face, yes, this was it. Grabbing his jacket, he left, glad that Lu, Sophia, Edie and Cyndie had picked Athena up that morning and thus leaving him the car. While his venerable Morgan was still in the garage, it was up on blocks, the tires removed, the battery disconnected, nothing he could handle putting back together by himself.

Sliding into the driver’s seat of his 4-door sedan, Ducky thought about shopping on a Saturday, much less the Saturday after Christmas, and shuddered.

After a relatively short drive, less than 30 minutes, Ducky pulled onto the Arlington property and parked, belatedly wondering if he should have called first. He shrugged, it was too late now!

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Rob smiled at his friend, mentor and chosen grandfather as he answered the door to find Ducky standing there. “Hello, Ducky!” He stood aside, “Come on in!”

“Hello, Robbie my boy and thank you. With Athena out with the women shopping, I’m finding my home a bit too empty today. Do you mind if I stay here for a few hours? I’ll likely fall asleep but I have brought something I promised to review for my cousins.”

Rob eyed the manila envelope in the older man’s hands. “Of course I don’t mind, you’re welcome anytime! Would it be easier to sit at the table to look at that?”

“I suppose it would be, thank you.”

“Have a seat, how about a cuppa?”

Chuckling, Ducky agreed before opening his mouth again to ask for decaffeinated or herbal when Rob told him he was making him an herbal tea. Knowing it was the flavor that Tim liked, Ducky smiled, he was also growing fond of that particular tea.

When Rob brought the tea, he brought two cups, one for himself. Sitting down next to Ducky, he began telling the older man about a patient he’d had earlier in the month. It was quite a tale, with a positive ending, and Ducky smiled as he told Rob that reminded him of an interesting case he’d had while he was a member of the Doctors Without Borders organization.

As always, Rob was fascinated and by the time the cups had been emptied, refilled and emptied again, the young doctor was ready to sign up with the organization. After their talk, the two men bundled up and went for a walk, a short one as it was quite cold outside. Considering it was the end of December, they weren't surprised.

Back inside, Ducky went to the family room to look something up on the framed world map that hung on the wall in there. Finding the spot he’d been looking for, he smiled, thinking again of the case he and Rob had discussed. Sitting down for a minute in one of the recliners, Ducky thought of something else he wanted to tell Rob, although it could wait until later. Within a few minutes he was sound asleep.

Rob also had a nap, waking to remember Ducky had been going to look at something from his cousins in Scotland. Returning to the table, he chuckled when he noticed the envelope on the floor under the table. Shaking his head, he retrieved it, found a large clip and used it to attach the envelope to Ducky’s coat.

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Tim, Artie, Bill, Nikki, Maggie and Tony were in the pool room with their children, occasionally swimming or playing with them in the pool. Throughout the day, all three couples had been discussing Geo and Bec’s new status as foster parents. Barry told his brothers before they left that he, Ned and the girls planned to talk with them on the flight to Washington.

Ava, as the older of their daughters, wanted to tell her aunt and uncle what it was like to be a foster child. She knew Uncle Tim had been a foster but didn’t know much about his experiences. She also thought it might help if she told them how she felt when she met her new family and then a few days later flew across an ocean to live in a different country. Luckily for the two girls, the last foster home she and Naomi had been in together was in northern New England, in a location that was split between Stanstead, Quebec, Canada, and Derby Line, Vermont, US, two towns that had originally been one. Living so close to the border, the two girls spoke a bit of French. At the time, her new dad Barry had worked with both of them on their French speaking skills on the long flight over the ocean and then when they got to the hotel where they stayed until they found the house they lived in now.

Their new cousins, Brian and Mia, wouldn’t have to worry too much about British English, their new parents would help them and Ava knew the twins, Liam and Chloe also wanted to help. They might all work on it on the flight home!

The swim group felt better after hearing that their nieces planned to speak with Geo and Bec as well as their new foster cousins. Tim nodded when Nikki asked if the children had finished with the name tags. “Yes, they started last night and with everyone’s help finished after breakfast this morning. It’s a good thing Brian and Mia are joining us after our Christmas celebrations, that would have meant even more name tags!”

Maggie huffed, “If that had been me coming in and seeing the sea of people in the dining room alone, I would have run for my life!”

They looked up, smiling, as Rob and Ducky joined them. “Hello, what have you two been up to?”

Ducky chuckled, “It was too quiet at home, so I came over and then proceeded to talk Robbie’s ear off for nearly an hour! Then we went for a brief walk, it’s quite chilly outside, came back in and I fell asleep in the family room. I brought something to review but now I’ve lost interest again.”

“What is it?”

“Oh, something my cousins put me up to. They couldn’t figure out something on some paperwork and gave it to me to figure out. It’s a good thing it isn’t time sensitive as I believe I’ve had it for over a year already!”

Laughing at that, Tim told them about part of a story he’d recently found on one of his thumb drives. “The year on the thumb drive is 2008! And although it’s definitely my writing style, I had absolutely no memory of where I was going with it or when exactly I wrote it. Then I looked at the very bottom of the page and saw the date and time with a note I left that said ‘Tony left a few days ago. I miss him, it’s too quiet!’ So I wrote that in the first few months I lived in California.”

He grinned, looking at Artie, “I remembered then, I decided not to stay at home and mope that day. Instead I took the Boxster to the train station, parked the car and hopped on a train to San Francisco. Once there, I took a shuttle to the Wharf and purchased a round trip ticket for the ferry to the bayside town of Sausalito.”

Artie’s mouth dropped open and she smiled, “That was the day?”

“Yes, my darling wife, that was the day the two of us reconnected after too many years apart.”

Giggling, Artemis reached out, pulling Tony closer to her. After giving him a big kiss, she thanked him for leaving when he did. Then she kissed Tim again while the others laughed.

Minutes later they received a message from Geordie, “We’ve landed in Wenatchee, there’s a car and driver waiting for us, thanks to whoever did that! N, B & girls told us stuff on the flight, we feel better, might even have a clue what to say and do! Will send photos.”

Telling the children, who were still in the pool, everyone cheered. Then Tim frowned, looking at the other parents. Ducky grinned, pointing to himself and the others nodded happily. The children wouldn’t whine if Ducky told them to get out, they were used to him ordering them out when they were swimming and playing in the ocean and pools in Varkiza.

Ducky walked closer to the pool, noisily clearing his throat. “Children, yes, all of you, it’s time to get out of the water and get warmed up. It may snow soon, you don’t want to be in your wet bathing suits then, do you?”

Every single one of them grinned as they carefully climbed out of the pool, took the towels handed to them and carefully walked closer to the heater while not getting too close.  

Once the towels were soaked through, they were tucked in a large bag and the still wet children were given another dry towel. They sat until their parents had them stand up and walk around in front of the heater again. Once they were no longer dripping, the group left the pool room, Tony locking the door, and hurried down the enclosed corridor to the house.

They were dressed and warm again, playing in the family room when the snow finally started. The children, their parents, all their elders, were glued to the windows as they watched the snowflakes flying through the air, it wasn’t just snowing, it was storming! Tim and Bill made a fire, which would help and bumped up the thermostat.

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Lu shivered as she, Athena, Edie, Cyndie and Sophia joined the group in the family room, glad she and the other women had cut their shopping trip short when they felt the wind picking up and the snowflakes falling closer and closer together. She thought they’d been ready to get home anyway, after fighting crowds, having fun shopping and enjoying their relaxing and delicious lunch. Next time someone wanted to take folks new to the US shopping after Christmas, she’d stay home, her feet were killing her and she couldn’t seem to get warm. She smiled when her sweetie wrapped one of her shawls around her shoulders and then wrapped his arms around her. Now she was warming up!

McKenna, Jasper, Chloe and little Madelyn sat on the floor on two thick blankets, a third and larger blanket covering all but their heads, watching the storm through the big window. McKenna pretended to shiver, “I like the snow and having fun in it but not today.”

Chloe agreed while Jasper, mesmerized, nodded. Madelyn was also entranced watching the snowflakes, giggling when one of the flakes would latch on to another one.

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The storm had blown over by the next morning, leaving a sparkling fresh foot of snow behind with the sun shining brightly although still without much heat. After breakfast, helping to clear the table and load the dishwasher, dressing, brushing teeth and hair, the children were nearly jumping and down, anxious to play in the snow before it melted.

Tim laughed at that, “It’s not going to melt today, it’s too cold to melt.” He looked at his parents, signing something to them and Malu nodded.

Tim looked at the other adults, leaning over to whisper something in Artie’s ear. Nodding, she passed the message to Maggie, who passed it to Nikki, then Tony, Bill, Rob and James. Sarah was still asleep but then she hadn’t slept well the night before.

James grinned, “We used to play this when we were little! All right, what I heard was that we can go out for 5 minutes and play!”

The kids frowned, that wasn’t enough time.

Tim shook his head, “Ah, the old game of telephone where the end message is never the same as the original one. James, the rest of us are going out to play for 15 minutes before we come back in. But if you want to stop playing and leave fresh snow after 5 minutes, that’s all right.”

The kids cheered, happy they were really going out for 15 minutes. Ellanni whispered to her twin that she remembered that from last winter. They’d play outside, come in and get warm, drink something hot and then go out for another 15 minutes!

Young Jackson grinned, quickly asking his father if that’s what they were going to do and Tim nodded at his older son, “Yes, that is what we are going to do!”

The children cheered again, dancing around. Then they changed into their snow clothes, waited impatiently for their adults to be ready and remembered just in time, with a few loud reminders, not to charge right out into the snow. Tim had marked off each foot of a broom handle and now he went ahead measuring to see how deep the snow was, similar to what he and the other parents did the first time they visited a beach although of course this water was frozen, not liquid and salty and hopefully didn’t have any dangerous-to-humans sea creatures in it!  

The kids watched, looking up at him when he walked back inside. He squatted, smiling, “All right, except for Madelyn, Donnie and Tommy, the snow is not too deep anywhere for the rest of us. Be careful! Now, go enjoy your 15 minutes.”

He looked at Jimmy, Jose and Tony, “The littles need to stay on the saucers with you pulling them.”

Grinning, they nodded, grabbing the saucers and helping their toddlers onto them. They would pull them very slowly so none of them would fall off into the snow.

Everyone who ventured out had a great time playing in the snow, followed by warming up with hot beverages and dry clothes, warmed in the dryer before they put them on. Their stays inside that afternoon lasted about 45 minutes, roughly the time it took to change into dry clothes and for their wet outdoor clothes to also have a spell in the dryer. After their third time playing in the snow, which had stretched almost to 20 minutes because the outdoor temperature had warmed up, the parents decided that was enough. The three toddlers were napping and even the twins, almost 5, were tired. Liam, McKenna, Chloe and Jasper nodded when their parents told them their playtime in snow was over for the day while the twins opened their mouths to protest. Then they looked at each other, had one of their silent conversations, finally nodding at their parents. They didn’t feel like getting cold and wet again. It helped knowing that they would play outside again the next day.

Surprisingly, it was little Donnie, now 16 months old, who was upset when he woke from his nap saying he was ready to play in the snow again. When told the snow play was over for today, his lower lip trembled and big tears rolled down his cheeks. He settled into his granducky’s arms, cuddling with him and telling him a story, even smiling when his daddy took a photo of the two of them cuddling. It also helped that none of his playmates were playing in the fun stuff.

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That Christmas, there were a lot of photos taken with the family elders and the children. Athena led the group with the best health although Jack, Mac, LJ and Cousin Richard were also doing well. Ducky hadn’t been seriously ill since the bout of pneumonia that caused him to spend the winter at Mac’s retirement home in Florida; however, recently he seemed tired and more contemplative than Jethro, who in the family had known him the longest, thought he'd ever been. When consulted, Athena agreed, saying she believed they needed to better organize their trips, that she felt her love was exhausted from all their travels, saying it was something like long-term jet lag.

Jimmy and Breena took that to heart, deciding they needed to visit him in Scotland in the spring and in late summer, although this next spring would be problematic with their baby due in April. Knowing there weren’t any easy answers, they also decided to talk with a few people, to see if anyone had additional ideas.

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Late Sunday afternoon when the Paddington flight carrying Geordie, Bec and their two new fosters landed at the FBO near DC, the couple were happy although not surprised to be greeted by their three parents, along with Grandpas Jack and Mac. The family decided collectively that was enough people for now, the children would have enough faces and names to learn as it was!

As the aircraft taxied down the runway, the five greeters attached their name tags to their coats. Geo and Bec were the first off the jet, followed by Mia and Brian, who looked tired, excited and a little nervous.

Not wanting them to be overwhelmed, the group decided they would hug the new children, no kissing yet. They’d messaged Geo, asking if that would be all right and he responded positively, so now they were ready. They were inside the FBO, so they wouldn’t have to rush due to the cold.

Geo and Bec kissed Malu, Dad Gibbs and Dad Childers and their grandfathers before introducing Brian and Mia to them, making note of the name tags. They grinned as they saw that each tag said, along with the wearer’s name, “Welcome Brian and Mia” or “Welcome Mia and Brian” That made the children smile, breaking the ice, so to speak.

Once their luggage arrived in the FBO, Jethro, Ben and Geo took it to the passenger van. When they signaled, the others joined them, hurrying through the cold to the vehicle.

While it was getting dark, the children could still see enough to comment on what they were seeing and Ben, their mother's father and their new Grampy, played tour guide, telling them what they were seeing. Lu also enjoyed that as, other than their stays in the vicinity, she’d never spent much time in DC. Her husband frowned when he heard her say that, determining to show her around the area, to at least start on this visit.

Back at the house, the older adults along with Bec and Geordie grinned when they found their siblings and friends lined up, wearing their name tags. The children, also wearing their name tags, were in front of them or in their parents’ arms and Bec grinned, deciding that Mia and Brian would likely be more comfortable if they met their new cousins first.

Accordingly, Brian and Mia met the children first, smiling at the hugs they were given as well as the ‘welcome’ each of the children who were of speaking age said to them. They were surprised when Jasper, Chloe and Liam told them they had also been fosters as had Naomi and Ava, who were currently visiting their papa’s grandparents in Arizona.

After that, each child or group of children introduced the parents, Brian and Mia’s new aunts and uncles. The four children of Tim and Artie grouped together to introduce their parents and Geordie looked at Bec, smiling in approval. It would be easier for their two to remember who belonged to which set of parents this way.

The elders who hadn’t gone to the airfield were also introduced, giving each of the children a warm hug. Brian and Mia never stopped smiling, they knew they’d have cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents, they hadn’t realized some of the uncles were as old as their new great-grandparents and they liked that.

In Wenatchee during the summer there were older people at the library, telling stories about their lives, how things were when they were young and reading stories to the younger children, although all the kids were welcome to listen. That had been interesting and fun and both children now looked at each other, happy they wouldn’t have to give that up!

They’d waited dinner and after Geordie and Bec showed the children their rooms upstairs, including where they’d be, between the children’s rooms, and where the bathrooms were, they washed their faces and returned to the first floor, following their noses. The delicious hot soup helped finish warming them up and the dinner that followed was also delicious. As the now second eldest grandchildren, the twins explained it was one of their favorite dishes and they’d asked for it tonight especially for their new cousins. Neither child was especially fond of vegetables but when they saw the other children digging in to their cooked carrots, each quietly decided to be brave and try a bite. To their amazement, the carrots were soft and delicious, not the crunchy and well, not very good, that they were used to. They tried the salad too, thinking it was a different kind of lettuce. When their plates were empty, Liam leaned in, “Did you like the spinach salad? Aunt Sarah made it, she loves to make yummy salads and puts crunchy things in them. Uncle Bill also makes chopped salads, we might have one of those pretty soon.”

Brian was so surprised, he said, “That was spinach? But it tasted good, not all…” Abruptly he shut his mouth, not wanting to sound like he was complaining about Mrs. Spenser’s cooking.

Beside him, his new dad patted his shoulder, “That’s all right, kiddo, we’ve all learned about good food and good cooking in the last few years.” He looked at his Baltimore siblings, “Much better than we had growing up, right?”

Agreeing, they raised their glasses, joined by everyone else, in salute to their cooks of the day and Brian relaxed again.

With their long day and Bec and Geordie’s long weekend, the four of them said goodnight and went up to their rooms after being shooed away from helping with the cleanup. Tim chuckled at their exhaustion, “Jet lag, no matter in which direction you fly!”

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Early Monday morning, Tim kissed his wife and hugged his dad goodbye as his Uber ride pulled onto the property, the children and his mother weren’t yet up. He guessed they’d really worn the kids out playing in the snow. Laughing to himself, he admitted he was also tired!

After having been in the office for a few hours last week, it didn’t feel quite as strange this week, although he saw several people who hadn’t been around last week. Greeting or nodding to them, he hurried up the stairs to the Director’s suite.

Greeting Pamela, she smiled happily at him, “It’s so great you’re still here! Go on in, he’s got freshly brewed coffee for you.”

“Coffee, yay and thanks!”

“Not me, thank him! He says he knows how you drink it now.”

Tim wasn’t sure he knew what that meant, he didn’t think he’d changed how he took his coffee since the early 2000s. Shrugging, he went on in, smiling at his boss and friend.

“Good morning, sir!”

“Good morning, Timothy. Geo, Bec and the new kids get home all right?”

“Yes, their flight was on time and all three of their grandparents and two of their great-grandparents were there to greet them.” Tim chuckled, “They met everyone, we all wore name tags, then had dinner and the four of them disappeared upstairs, they could barely keep their eyes open!”

“I bet, not a long flight but stressful, gaining new parents and all of you. So, what did you want to talk about?”

“I’ve added something, an idea I had but I think my first item will be a quicker deal.”

“Go for it.”

“Artie and Bill will be through with their current project in April. What I want to do is what we did last summer, live and work in Greece, borrowing an Embassy office again. The twins will be able to attend classes either in Varkiza or an International School in Athens and there is a day care in Varkiza that Liam and Chloe can go to.”

“So, in essence you’ll be moving to Greece for a few months?”

“Yes sir. We’ll live with my in-laws in Varkiza and if there are storms as nasty as last winter, we’ll take refuge in the commercial business building down the street from our property.”

“You’ll drive to and from the embassy?”

“Yes, a rental which I’ll pay for.”

“Except when you’re visiting the Piraeus office.”

Tim nodded and Leon nodded, “That’s fine by me, everything went well last summer. What about Jardine?”

“I decided not to say anything to her until I’d spoken to you but my impression is that she would be interested in doing that as well.”

“So four months, then?”

“Yes, sir and then we’ll have the Easter break, both Jardine and I have scheduled a week off.”

“Ah, visitors?”

“Hope so!”

“That’s fine, Tim. I trust both of you and as I said, you did well last summer.” He tilted his head, “Have you set a date for starting construction on your own property?”

Tim waggled his hand. “We’ve gone back and forth on it. Currently our thought is to start in January of 2016, a year from now, to get the preliminary work done. Then they’ll stop work in May or June, depending on the heat and start again in the autumn when the temperatures have cooled down enough that the crew can work whole days and not have to start at dawn. That way, at least the main house will be done by late spring, early summer of 2017. That is, of course, subject to the weather and crew availability.” He added, “They’ve already done some work on our site, while waiting for materials, or various building items to set, that kind of thing. Our caretaker has already begun planting summer crops in the greenhouses he’s installed on the middle property, along with dozens of raised beds for more food crops and several large containers for fruit, nut and trees that Bec has planned. Artemis and Bill plan to get more of the foundation in for the garage building this winter, which will be a big help.”

Vance shook his head, “That’s an immense project!”

Tim closed his eyes, chuckling, “Oh yes! I confess I’m still not entirely sure what will go where or how but I trust my wife and brother and I love the designs and plans.”

“That your retirement home?”

Laughing again, Tim nodded, “If it’s done by then, that's only two decades or so in the future! Again, our current plan is to spend summers in the UK and the rest of the year in Greece, depending on how old the children are and how hot it is everywhere by then.”

“Jaxton?”

“Maybe early summer. Right now, we’re thinking most of the summer will be in or around Tain.”

Leon smiled, “That sounds good to me and I’m looking forward to having our reunions there.”

“Not Greece?”

“Too hot, even the Russells are thinking about living elsewhere, at least during the summers.”

Tim grinned, “That would be fun if they were in the Highlands!”

“Yeah, it would be and we’ll be also be over there by then. So what’s your second item?”

Tim told him and Vance nodded, “I have mixed feelings about that but as they are more or less personal, I’ll say yes. Are you going to post it?”

“Yes, I’ll verify again and then post it. Almost wish we didn’t have to.”

Vance rolled his eyes at him, “Timothy, you know that legally we have to post.  You know what to do. How soon?”

“Not sure yet, the verification will tell me that. I’m 90% certain it will be next month.”

“Good, that takes care of one of the concerns I had. The other,” Leon asked Tim a question he thought would likely be the first question asked and Tim nodded with a smile, giving the Director an answer that also had him smiling.

With both issues resolved, at least between them, Tim stood to leave, giving his boss a questioning look. Vance huffed, “Sorry, can’t say and I’m not quite sure about it anyway. It’s less than 24 hours, Tim, think you can stand it?”

Rolling his eyes at his boss, Tim nodded, “I’m glad I’ll be busy today.”

“You working here or from the house?”

“Here today and at the house after the meeting tomorrow, unless something comes up between now and then.”

“So, will you uh…”

Tim laughed, “Yes, Director, today.”

“Good because I don’t think I’ll be able to stand waiting very long.”

“All right, I’m working in your conference room, right?”

“Yes and I’ll be very happy for the company! Ms. Cook will be even happier as it means I’ll have someone else to talk to when I get…mm, never mind.”

Chuckling, Tim left the director’s inner sanctum, turning left after passing Pam’s desk and heading for the conference room in the back of the room. Watching him leave his office, Vance frowned.

Tim smiled as he entered the conference room, the temperature was perfect, warm enough not to need a sweater while not being warm enough to make him sleepy. Setting up his laptop, he looked at the desktop phone, grinning to himself.

First, he logged onto his laptop smiling at the email answering his earlier question. After that, he answered more of his mail as well as a few phone messages. Needing more coffee, he returned to the outer office, chuckling as he found the coffee maker had moved there from the inner office.

Looking at the activity happening with the field teams here, he finally dialed the extension he’d been itching to dial since he left his boss’s office. Making a date for lunch, he looked at the time, 10:30. Good, only an hour to wait!

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

At the Arlington house, Brian and Mia were being given a Grand Tour of the house including the upstairs as well as Poppy and Grama’s suite downstairs, learning there were more suites down that hall. Then they went through the enclosed walkway to the pool building, where they could swim later. They were also gawking out the windows at all the trees and snow, that looked like fun. Brian looked at his new dad, “Do you, we, spend every Christmas here?”

Geo chuckled, “We usually alternate between our home in the UK and this place, which is a rental. When we decide to have Christmas here, then we rent it, usually for the month of December and then we leave for home on the 1^st or 2^nd of January.

“Last year’s decision was easy to make because there were two new babies, Donnie and Tommy, over here, and Tommy was born in early December, so his family wouldn’t have been able to fly over. Donnie and Madelyn were born in August and October, Maddie lives in London, so she was old enough to fly. Along with the new babies, my sister Ziva and the other Brian got married here the day after Christmas and my brother Tim had a special ceremony in early January so we stayed longer. Next year we might stay in Jaxton.”

Brian’s eyes had gotten wider and wider as Geo explained and now he shook his head, “That’s a lot of things happening at Christmas! I didn’t know you could rent a whole house for a month or weeks.”

“Not all rental properties can be, but no one lives in this one all the time, so it’s rented out to people who might be visiting the area or visiting family, working here for a few months or staying until they find their own place. When we come here for Christmas, we often find food in the freezer, left behind by other people, with the date it was left so we’ll know if it’s okay to eat. One year we were here for Thanksgiving and bought pots, pans and dishes, leaving most of it here. The next year, we were here for Christmas and found notes thanking “whoever” added the pots, pans and dishes. So we know other people stay here and we even think some of them are returnees, like us coming back every year or so. The same brand of peanut butter, jelly and frozen food has been here a few times and we think that’s one family who likes those brands. We’ve also found notes under the coffee cups from other renters to the next renters.”

Brian laughed, that was funny and, chuckling, his dad agreed.

Mia and Brian also laughed at the snow people they saw, noticing what looked like the beginnings of 2 more snow people, grinning when their new mom told them the new snow people were for them. She said they would wait to go out until afternoon when it was warmer, that this morning they could swim or read or do whatever they wanted to do.

Mia looked at her mom, “Have you stayed here before?”

Beside her, Brian and his dad looked at each other with smiles, while Bec grinned, nodding, “Yes, we’ve stayed here several times, I think this is stay number 5 or 6, I’ve lost track. It’s the only house we’ve found that is big enough for most of our family. This year, some of the family stayed at Granducky’s house, although those are people who don’t normally join us at Christmas. We’ll continue renting it for the holidays we’re over here. The house we live in outside London is large enough for the whole family so next December, we’ll have Christmas there and you’ll see how everyone fits. Now, this year, we’re flying home on New Year’s night. We won’t leave until about 9 PM, so we’ll probably sleep most of the way and it will be morning when we arrive in London.

“We’ll have to go through Customs and Passport Control there, that’s all in one place, you two and your dad and I will be together and we have all your paperwork. You’ll answer some questions and they will probably look in your suitcases, that’s a regular thing for them. When we’re all done with that, a big bus, like a big school bus only more comfortable, will transport us from the airport to a house in the city of London where Uncle Tony, Aunt Maggie, your cousins McKenna and Madelyn live, along with their grandfather, Papi and possibly Yaya Sophia. I’m not sure if she’s going with them or coming home with us for a visit, she lives in Athens, Greece but spends a lot of time with Papi.” She smiled, “They’re sweethearts. I’m not sure if your uncle Rob will also be dropped off in London, it depends on his work schedule. He has his own apartment, which is called a ‘flat’ there, but if he doesn’t have to work for a few days, he’ll probably come home with us.”

“How long does it take to get to Jaxton from London?” Brian was proud that he remembered the names of the towns and his new mother patted him on the shoulder.

“Good job with the names! It takes about 20 minutes. When we get to Jaxton, the grown men, including your dad, will form a line to pass all the luggage from the bus into the house. When you’re older you can help with that but not yet. The four of us are going to live on the ground floor. We’ll have three bedrooms and will pick them out when we get home. They all have beds, dressers, closets in them already. Once you see the rooms, you and Mia can pick the ones you want.”

“Do all the kids live downstairs?”

“Yes, right now they do. However, your aunt Sarah and uncle James are having a baby in April and they live on the third floor and want to stay up there. Mr. George and Mrs. Edie also have a room up there. They are your uncle James’ parents and don’t live with us all the time, they have a house about 3 hours away by train. But they like our family and spend a lot of time with us, which we also like!” She leaned in, “Sometimes they even babysit the children, even though they’re not related!”

Mia grinned, “That’s nice! Are they fun?”

“Oh yes, they are lots of fun.”

“What about all the grandpas and uncles?”

“The grandpas and older uncles also live on the same floor we’ll be on, we’ll show you. You know, I think someone has photos of the rooms right after everyone moved in, I’ll ask your grama if she knows who has them.”

“What about the people who stay in the US?”

“Those people are Uncle Jose, Aunt Char, her full name is Charlotte and their little boy Tommy, then Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Breena, their little boy Donnie and they're also having a new baby in April, then Uncle Freddie, Aunt Abby and Abby’s niece Menolly. Menolly’s parents live in another state and Abby teaches at a school that Menolly wanted to go to, so she lives with Freddie and Abby. She’s spending Christmas with her parents, I don’t know if she’ll be back before we leave. Aunt Ziva and Uncle Brian live in New York City. They weren’t able to join us in Greece last summer so we hope they’ll be able to come in April.”

Mia looked confused, “What’s Greece?”

“It’s a country in Europe, sweetie. Mimi, Yaya Sophia, Aunt Artemis and another aunt you haven’t met yet were born there. We have a big family gathering there every year. Mimi still lives there.”

“Does Granducky live with Mimi?”

“Yes, they live in Greece, Scotland, which is another country, and here in the US. Your uncle Jimmy is Granducky’s son.”

“Oh.”

Bec hugged both of them, “That’s more than enough for today! It’ll be easier for you when you see all this happening and get to know everyone. Please don’t worry about it!”

Brian nodded, deciding that was a good idea. Then he realized, “There’s an uncle with the same name as me?”

“Yes, Uncle Brian who is married to Aunt Ziva. We’ll figure something out, don’t worry!”

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Breena was at the Arlington house with Donnie, sitting in the pool room with her mother-in-law Malu, her second father-in-law, that is Jimmy’s second dad Jethro, Char, Tommy, Artemis and her four. Mimi had called earlier, saying she and Don were staying home today and hoped that Breena, Jimmy and Donnie would come for dinner tomorrow night.

Relieved that her father-in-law was getting some rest, Breena happily accepted, with the usual caveat regarding Jimmy’s work, asking what she could bring. The answer was just themselves.

When her phone chimed with a call, she looked at the ID and smiling, asking Char to watch Donnie for a few minutes. Char nodded and Breena left the pool room, glad she hadn’t been swimming yet, heading into the house. Finding the family room empty, she ducked in there, telling Jimmy she was alone now.

She heard the excitement in his voice, “Breena, wow, I still can’t believe this!”

“What, sweetie? You sound excited and happy.”

“I am and I hope you will be.” Breena heard him take another breath. “I had lunch out with Tim today and he offered me a job in London, the lead Medical Examiner’s spot. The current one is leaving and Tim thought we might be interested.”

“Oh my gosh, Jimmy, that’s wonderful! Is it a limited time job?”

“Not limited, no. However, if we say yes we’ll be committing to three years there, so the agency will recoup the cost of the transfer although Tim says the 3 years is also to discourage people from office-hopping. We’ll have 60 days temporary housing while we look for a place or we can move into the Jaxton house. The agency pays for our flights, everything but what we need every day, like clothes and diapers, will be moved for us. The tube runs 24/7 so I can take it home if I have to work late and oh, there’s so much more to tell you!”

“Is someone leaving?”

“Yes, the Senior ME gave 60 days’ notice the other day, so we have a little bit of time to make a decision.”

“Jimmy, you worked so hard to be the Chief Medical Officer at Headquarters. Are you sure you want to give that up?”

“The great thing is, that will always be in my records and if we want to return at some future date and the job is available, I would stand a good chance of getting it again. Tim says I would be the CMO for NCIS Europe.

“More importantly, Bree, this feels like the chance of a lifetime, to live in another country, especially one that we’ve been to and like, that speaks the same language with a few differences and where we can raise our children without the violence we have here. And we can travel in Europe! We can go to Paris for the weekend or go visit Joe’s family in Switzerland!" He paused to take a breath before asking "How are you feeling about it?”

She laughed, “Yes, Jimmy, absolutely yes! This will help your dad, he won’t feel obligated to cross the Atlantic every few months, we can visit them in Scotland and Greece as well as live with them in Jaxton. I can’t wait to tell my mother! Mom will be upset although they’re usually too busy to see us and they can afford to visit.”

“And Ed?”

Breena shook her head, dismissing her father and saying, “How soon can we leave? Maybe I’ll call them on the way to the airport or as we’re waiting to board.”

“Breena Rebecca Mallard! We are adults and we are not running away. Maybe the night before?”

She laughed, “All right, we’ll figure something out. So, really, how soon do we need to be there? We can be packed and ready to go by New Year’s.”

“Uh, wow. You know it’s also cold there. Oh, the baby. You’re right, we need to get over there soon before the doctors decide to ground you.”

“Yes. Jimmy, what about health insurance?”

“We’ll still have insurance through the agency. Tim says it isn’t their National Health insurance but whatever it’s called works very well. He gave me several brochures about various things. And please don’t forget that your husband, brother-in-law and father-in-law are doctors.”

“Do we pay taxes here or there?”

“There’s some sort of deal so we aren’t double taxed, we continue to pay the IRS. Tim says he also has information about that but it’s at home.”

“Oh, Jimmy, I can’t wait to live in that beautiful house with the indoor pool and the huge back yard, I mean back garden, with the animals! Donnie and Baby are going to love it there, with their grandparents, cousins, aunties and uncles!”

“I thought about that, Tim says they rotate taking care of each other’s children, so if Bill and Artie want time away, Jasper stays with them and if Tim and Artie want time away, well I guess Mom, Dad and everyone else pitches in for the four of them. So we’ll be able to spend a couple of days away without worrying about our children.”

“Yay! We’ll have to learn how to drive on the other side of the road.”

“Yes, Tim says James, Sarah and Artie taught them and that it didn’t take long to get used to.”

“Yes, love, let’s do this! And I’m serious about leaving with the others, it’ll be much easier for us.”

“That’s in 3 days!”

“But it’s not everything, sweetie. Our clothes, Donnie’s crib, the bassinet for the baby, whatever else we have left over from Donnie’s infancy. We can stay in Jaxton until everything arrives. By that time we might know whether we want to live there or find our own place.” She had a sudden thought and frowned, “Honey, what about a replacement for you?”

“Tim said he has an idea he’s already shared with Director Vance, that it is not my responsibility and not to worry about it. Wouldn’t tell me who or what yet. I’m going to call him now, before he leaves for the day.”

“All right, love you and YAY!”

Laughing, Jimmy made a kissing sound before disconnecting.

Chapter Text

Ch 16: Again?

Although very happy when Jimmy called to accept the NCIS European Chief Medical Examiner (aka CME) position, Tim wasn’t overly surprised when the junior Mallards jumped at the chance to move overseas. His idea of offering Jordan Hampton the CME job made Leon very happy, he remembered the woman previously filling in for both Dr. Mallards.

Leon asked Jimmy’s evaluation of his assistant, who’d been with him for several months now and Jimmy sent a formal evaluation to the director, recommending she continue her employment. She knew agency protocols which would be a great help for whoever replaced him. Knowing they’d have to post the CME job Leon rolled his eyes at the discussion he and Tim had had without even thinking of posting for Jimmy’s replacement!

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Once everyone knew about Jimmy and Breena, the adults immediately moved into action, helping to sort and pack what they’d need to take with them on the trip home. Nikki offered Jasper’s crib for Donnie, saying that Jasper was now sleeping in one of the twins’ toddler beds and that she and Bill wouldn’t need the crib for several months, telling Breena that they hoped to adopt another child but not until after Jasper’s birthday in early June, asking her to keep that to herself. Grinning, Breena agreed.  

All of Donnie’s toys were packed, along with several favorite books of his, his parents’ and his grandfather’s. Clothes were all packed, with winter clothes packed on top of everything else in the suitcases. Donnie had new winter clothes and boots so he was all set. In the hours left before New Year’s, Malu, Jethro and Ducky bought a few new things for Donny’s parents, warmer maternity outfits for Breena along with new hats, gloves, scarves, snow boots, lined pants and jackets for their adult children, having everything delivered to the Jaxton house. The couple had warm enough clothes to get them to the jet here and then from the jet to Jaxton.

With the help of their friend and realtor Annie O’Brien, the junior Mallards also contracted with a property management company who would find tenants for their home. The agent who toured the house was impressed with the renovations, saying those and the Craftsman architecture would be big draws for families.

It was definitely a big push, reminding Jethro and Lu of the former Palmers’ move from their tiny apartment to the Alexandria house days before Donnie’s birth. However, big push or not, they had it all done in time.

During the rush and at the urging of her mother-in-law, Breena called her mother to tell her they were moving to the UK, leaving on New Years Day, that Jimmy had been transferred there and they’d probably live at the Jaxton house. Although shocked, Ginny was happy and relieved for her daughter and especially for her son-in-law. While she didn’t mention it to her daughter, she was very aware of the gap between them and knew that after their last serious conversation she’d used work to avoid making any changes. Now her daughter was making her own changes.

During their phone conversation, she told Breena she would be there for the baby’s arrival and stay to help. That was a relief and Breena knew her father wouldn’t want to leave with her mother away so Jimmy wouldn’t have to worry about that.

Barry and Ned returned with the girls Tuesday morning, having taken a red-eye Paddington flight that originated in Los Angeles, picked the four of them up in Phoenix before continuing to the DC area FBO used by Paddington. Barry said they’d had a wonderful visit, he and Ned were satisfied with the time spent with Ned’s grandparents and were now amazed and very happy to find the junior Mallards were joining them in Europe. Ziva, Brian, Jose, Char, Tommy, Freddie and Abby were also at the house, the latter two having changed their plans for New Orleans to a later date.

Ducky and Athena had planned to close the Georgetown house for the winter and were happy to change their minds when Rick and Denise Carter asked if they could rent it for 6 months. Their home had some serious issues that needed immediate attention and they wouldn’t be able to live in it until everything was finished. Although the work would not take 6 months the brownstone was much closer to the Navy Yard and Denise’s employer than their own home and that would really help, especially during the winter.

Tobias told Ducky that if Rick and Denise were ready to move home before their 6 months was up, he and Gail would be happy to take over their rental agreement.

With all the rest and spoiling Ducky had had as well as Athena’s loving ministrations along with the wonderful news about his son and family moving to the UK, he was feeling much like himself again and looking forward to the winter they’d spend in Greece and the UK. They’d stay in Jaxton until after the twins’ 5^th birthday in February, then travel to Varkiza for about 5 weeks of sunshine before returning to Jaxton in early April to await the births of Donald’s newest grandchild as well as Sarah’s first child.

Breena and Donnie had breakfast with Donnie’s Slater grandparents on Tuesday, while Jimmy worked his last day aboard the Navy Yard.

The junior Dr. Mallard grinned when he heard he was having an all day party and didn’t mind a bit that there were no new cases that day. He and his assistant had done multiple autopsies on Monday and that was enough to close out the year! Dr. Hampton had come in to assist on Monday afternoon, much to Jimmy’s relief as he was exhausted, although still elated with their new adventure! While his replacement would be an MD who’d worked at the Great Lakes office for a few years, Dr. Hampton would fill in as Medical Examiner until the new CME arrived in mid-January.

Breena had expected to be sad when she left her parents but she was too excited to be sad and had to work hard to be patient with her parents. Her mother was very sad and for a while she thought her father was as well until she realized he was pretending to be sad to cover his anger. With Jimmy, of course. Ed made just enough snarky comments for Breena to know.

She kissed her mother goodbye and then looked at her father, saying quietly and calmly, hoping Donnie would only react to her calm, “Don’t bother coming for a visit. You’re not welcome unless you can be civil to my husband for the entire time you’re there. And there won’t be room for you at the Jaxton house, unless you wear a muzzle. I’m done with your crap.”

She looked at her mother, “You’re welcome anytime, as long as he’s not with you. Come live with us!” Then she kissed her again and walked out with Donnie, who was singing his favorite song, one McKenna taught him, and feeling that she should have said that or something similar, years ago.

Wondering whether she would cry later, they returned to Alexandria, Breena smiling the entire way. When her in-laws asked her how it had gone, she grinned, “I finally told him off.” Telling them what she’d said to her father, she continued smiling as Malu and Jethro gently hugged her. She never did cry.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

New Year’s Eve morning was crowded at the house as the Baltimore folks, including Menolly who’d returned by train with her mother who’d then flown home, Ziva and Brian, Ducky and Athena arrived for lunch, dinner and stayed over. They played in the snow, making some adjustments to their snow family who had melted here and there since Christmas and the arrival of Mia and Brian, swam in the pool and even took a walk in the snowy woods just before dusk. That was fun and someone started singing an old folk song with everyone eventually joining in.

When it was time for people to leave, Ziva held onto her parents and siblings, wishing she and Brian could also live in the UK. Or spend more time with them, perhaps a month or two at a time. She sighed at that, knowing they both needed to work and taking more than two or three weeks at a time would be difficult. Later, she smiled as her husband reminded her that she would become a US citizen the first week of March and then she could become a Gibbs as her brothers, her former teammates, had done. That brought smiles to his sad wife.

While Brian and his parents would keep it a surprise for Ziva, members of her family, Jethro, Lu, Tim, Tony, Abby, Freddie, Joe, Charlotte and possibly Jimmy and Ducky,  would attend Ziva’s swearing-in ceremony, although some of them, likely Jimmy and Ducky, would likely attend via Skype or FaceTime. Still, they would be there to witness her becoming a US citizen. After that, he would leave the adoption to his in-laws and his wife. He’d also been thinking about the possibility of them moving to the UK for a year or two. He knew the UN had positions for which he was qualified in several countries, it was really a matter of deciding and then finding someone to run the ballet school while they were away. Truthfully, that was the biggest hurdle. Finally falling asleep, Brian dreamed of his wife and a young girl pirouetting on a big stage.  

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

While everyone gathered, sorted and packed their belongings for the trip home, Tim was still absorbing everything that had happened at the meeting on Tuesday with Secretary Porter and Director Vance.

Nearly a year ago, he’d listened to a speech given by a politician in the country of Flauvtic. He sometimes did that, not just for that particular country but for all the others where the US Navy had interests. The topic of the politician’s speech was freeing the country of all the US government employees. Halfway through the speech, Tim began recording it and as he’d anticipated, the man reiterated all of his remarks about his country being overrun by US government employees. Other than the considerable Navy presence there, Tim wasn’t aware of anything else. He rolled his eyes at the numbers the man gave. Two days later, he gave in to what he called a ‘brain worm’, taking the name from the term ‘ear worm’ wherein a song won’t leave one’s brain. He’d looked up the phrase, having thought it might have been generated by Disney’s famous (or infamous) song, “It’s a Small World” and found the phrase started in Germany more than a hundred years before. The term in German is “Ohrwurm” for stuck song syndrome, a very clear definition. That term morphed into the term ‘ear worm’, at least in the US.

In his case, he was sometimes inflicted with a ‘brain worm’ in which he had an idea that wouldn’t go away until he did something about it. A previous brain worm had been his need to cross-train CCU staff and Field Agents for both NCIS and the FBI.

For this particular brain worm, he needed to know if the numbers the politician gave were anywhere near accurate. So he took care of that, digging deep until he had what he considered numbers as close to accurate as he could get while staying within his agency authority to search Department of Defense records.  

While doing his digging, he began to think about the US Navy and Marines, stationed in many parts of the world, and what the Department of Defense, also known as the DoD, would do if their host country suddenly ordered them out, including all of their support. Going back to his Flauvtic numbers, and ignoring military personnel, he already had those numbers, he dug deeper, finding even more Department of Defense employees than the military folks.

Looking at other countries with large complements of US Navy or Marine personnel, he checked those for DoD employees but didn’t find many.

Finally, he returned to his original ‘brain worm’, how to move them from their no-longer-wanting-to-host country. In his first try, he gave the military personnel 30 days to get out. That didn’t work, there just wasn’t enough time and he found his brain worm wouldn’t let them just leave, they had to be posted to another port in another country.

It was ridiculous, he kept telling himself to stop but then it became a challenge and as he’d often said, once it was a challenge, he had to answer it. So he worked on his non-specific evacuation plan when he could. Finally, he put it away, having done as much as he could manage without having to get clearance to go deeper into the DoD’s files. So far, he was within the authority he’d been granted for his job.

Deciding that was enough, he put the whole thing into a folder on his laptop. Then he moved it to a thumb drive, labeling it as ‘Brain Worm 2014’ so he would know to leave it alone.

Months later, he was looking for something in his desk and pulled out a basket full of thumb drives he’d stashed in the middle drawer, putting it on top of his desk to get it out of his way.

He was still looking when he had an email from Leon asking him to forward a copy of another project he’d worked on. With his desk top cluttered, Tim rolled his eyes and went looking. In the process he knocked the overflowing basket with the thumb drives onto the floor.

After he stopped cursing, he picked them up, putting them back  into the basket. Spotting the one Leon wanted, he knew by the orange color of the thumb drive, good thing as the label had fallen off, he plugged it in and sent the entire contents of the thumb drive to his boss.

Leon thanked him and that was that. Eventually Tim found a more complete version of the file Leon had asked for and sent it to him. Although puzzled, Leon thanked him again. In the meantime, he’d found his own copy of what he’d originally asked Tim to send him. He hadn’t paid much attention to the first and larger file Tim sent that night.

Eventually taking the time to satisfy his curiosity, Leon found Tim’s first email, tested the attachment and when it was good, opened it. The title caught his attention right away and shaking his head, he read through the whole thing. It took him four hours and even that was more of a skim through rather than a ‘read every word’ review.

The content was an excellent plan and Leon decided to share it with Secretary Porter. While there wasn’t any current need for the plan, as far as he knew, he could see that it could happen at some point and having a plan in place, even if it needed amending and expanding, would be a very good thing as well as highlighting Tim’s thought process, always thinking ahead. So he sent the file to Porter, with an accompanying note.

She was also impressed and sent it up the chain of command to her boss, the recently appointed Secretary of Defense, also known as the SecDef.

Secretary Smyth, the new SecDef, also liked it, tucking it into a personal file where he could find it if it was ever needed. He also took note of the author’s name and looking him up, saw he was the Senior Officer for NCIS in Europe. He nodded to himself, he’d keep an eye on him, he’d be great at strategy and any number of things and was probably wasting his time and brains at the small agency when he could be part of the SecDef’s ‘Brain Trust’.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

In recent months, with national elections for the country of Flauvtic coming up in the new year, the politician Tim still blamed for his ‘brain worm’ was now running for president of his country and seemed to have a good chance at winning.

Remembering and reviewing the plan, the Secretary of Defense called the Secretary of the Navy and asked her to arrange a meeting with the author of that evacuation plan. By now he’d also shared it with the State Department, proud that his department had such a plan while State apparently did not or were keeping it to themselves if they did.

Secretary Porter had also filed Tim’s plan in with her own files, so she could find it easily. She reviewed it again before realizing that Tim and his family were still in the US, she needed the meeting arranged before they left. Calling Leon, they found a time that worked for them and Leon believed would work for Tim. It wasn’t until early Tuesday morning when Vance was told what would happen at the meeting that he realized how bad this could be, what a mess it could turn into.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Tuesday morning, listening to his uneasy gut, Tim let Leon know he would Uber directly to the Pentagon rather than riding with the director.

Vance was 3 people behind him at Security and Tim waited for him. When they reached the office of the Secretary of the Navy, her assistant asked them to take a seat in the anteroom, pouring fresh cups of coffee for them both. Leon had taken one sip when he opened his mouth to tell Tim what was about to happen. He shut his mouth when the assistant reappeared to usher them into Madam Secretary’s office.

Entering, they were greeted by the SecNav and then nodding in thanks, took their coffees from the assistant. Sitting, Tim tried to shake his uneasy feeling.

Secretary Porter asked him if he remembered the plan he’d written, the evacuation/relocation plan.

Dumbfounded, Tim stared at the SecNav as well as at Director Vance, finally shaking his head. “Yes, I remember the plan. What’s happening?” Shaking his head, he added, “How did it get here? I don’t remember sending it to anyone.”

Leon twisted his lips, “I asked you to send me a copy of a file I couldn’t find, the Howser plan we’d worked on, and you sent me something. Then you sent me something else, only that turned out to be what I’d asked for. In the meantime, I read the first file you sent me, liked it and sent it to Secretary Porter.”

Tim looked horrified while his mouth opened and shut a few times. He finally shook his head, “That was a brain worm, something I had to work out for myself, it was never meant to share. I must have, oh geez, was that on an orange thumb drive?”

Thinking, Leon visualized the thumb drive, remembering chuckling at the orange color and wondering if Tim was homesick for the Navy Yard squad room’s orange walls.

When he nodded, Tim made a face, groaned and slid down in his chair, quickly sitting up again as he remembered where he was. One does not slump down in one’s chair during a meeting with the United States’ Secretary of the Navy, in her office in the freaking Pentagon!

Secretary Porter bit back a smile, she’d never seen him so plainly confused and surprised. Clearing her throat, she began, “First of all what I’m going to tell you is highly classified.”

Having quickly recovered his wits, Tim managed to nod his understanding and agreement and she continued, “The politician in Flauvtic who gave the speech that led you to this plan, a man named Waevlez, is one of three front runners for the office of president in his country. And he’s still emphatic about his plan to order us out. The Secretary of Defense wants you to flesh out your plan with real numbers and real locations. I noticed that while you mention several places where our ships might be placed, you weren’t specific as to how many or how long it would take, although you do have some estimates in here.

“We understand you meant this as a general outline, not a specific plan. However, the election is coming up quickly and we need to be prepared.

“Here’s the most classified part: the Secretary of State wants to take the fleshed out plan to the candidate immediately after the election, once everything is confirmed, to let him know we’re willing to leave. Both Secretaries are horrified at the numbers of DoD employees in the country, many of whom have worked there nearly their entire careers, more than a few have actually retired there.

“Obviously, we have questions your plan can’t answer, although possibly they could be written as contingencies. However, we need the numbers and where the ships will be moved more than we need the contingencies. I’m assigning Undersecretary Leo to work with you on the where and any other information you don’t have access to. Questions so far?”

Tim took a breath, “Yes, but first, new information. The storms in the Mediterranean last winter wreaked havoc in Souda Bay, Crete. The bay is now both larger and deeper, which means we can move more of our carriers there. Not the supers, or if another super is placed there, it would take up the room that could otherwise hold two additional carriers and one strike group.

“There are two carriers, not supers, currently in Flauvtic’s harbors. Also, both Rotterdam and Antwerp harbors also gained more water acreage and depth, enough to hold at least two carrier strike groups. With Antwerp, as the carriers would sail past the English Channel on their way to their destinations, their carrier strike groups, those not berthed in Souda Bay, could easily join them and although the ships berthed in Rotterdam Harbor would need more time, it should also be fairly easy for them to join.” He gave them some other information he’d found, adding more information and questions.

When they’d gone through everything, Tim sat back, mentally going through his options for finding the numbers and the locations, relaxing a bit when he remembered he’d be working with Leo, she was excellent at her job and the few times he’d worked with her she was receptive to his ideas.

“Ma’am, how many locations are you looking for? I know of three right now but the other thing that will be needed is relocating all the Navy and Marine dependents as well as the civilian DoD employees and their dependents and that’s going to be tougher than moving the ships and the military personnel.”

Leon made a face, he hadn’t thought of dependents of civilian employees and from the look on his boss’s face, she hadn’t either.

She replied, “Leo will give you the total number of ships berthed in Flauvtic. Keep in mind we don’t want all those ships in one location, we try to rotate them when possible. However, when it comes down to it, placing them together somewhere outside of Flauvtic is acceptable as long as they’ll eventually be moved. Leo will also get you the total number of Navy and Marine personnel. From there, we’ll order a count of US dependents and children, including those of the civilian DoD employees, living there. She’ll also handle that, with your assistance.”

Tim nodded, “Thank you. I don’t know if we’ll need these, but knowing what pets will also need relocating will help. Also, will we relocate all pets or just dogs and cats? I know that sounds silly to go to that level but it’s the little things that will be the problems. We can hammer out the big things. A question for the candidate, what about the American government retirees living there? Do they need to leave and that is just a question, not a complaint. There are also a fair number of American ex-pats living there, never employed by the US government. Do they need to leave?

“And what about our NCIS office, never mind, that’s obvious, we’ll relocate those agents, there are three of them and we can certainly put them to work in the other offices.

“However, the two Flauvtican citizens who work in the NCIS office will be out of a job. Do we pay them severance or does their government, please strike that one as well, I’m guessing we’ll pay.”

He stopped for breath and Porter shook her head, “No, that’s a valid question. The candidate may not realize that some of his own country-folk work for the US government. We’ll need to ask the State Department for a read on that. Not you, Timothy.”

“What if an employee of the US government is married to a Flauvtican citizen? How will that work? Although that US employee will lose their job so that might take care of that question.” Tim looked up to see Porter writing that down as well and she said, without looking up, “another question for the State Dept. to ask.” She flicked on her phone, “Mind if I record the rest of our conversation?”

Tim shook his head, “No, ma’am, be easier.” He stopped to think about something, finally shaking his head.

When they thought they had identified everything they’d need to put in the plan or to know if something would be involved, Porter sat back, looking first at Leon and then at Tim.

Tim’s next thought was, ‘Oh *#%&, here it comes!”

Deciding he didn’t care if Vance noticed, he moved the hand that was out of sight from the SecNav into a pocket of his suit jacket, quickly moving it out again, this time holding a pen.

Porter sat up straight. “Timothy, once the plan is presented and if Wauvlec wins the election, you’ll be overseeing the plan in action. You’ll have plenty of help, and you won’t need to move.”

Tim stared at her for so long she started to feel uncomfortable before realizing he was thinking. Finally he said, “I know I’m not where the ‘buck stops’, is that Secretary Smythe?”

“Both Secretary Smythe and Secretary McCord.”

He nodded, glad McCord would be involved. He turned to Vance, “Who’s replacing me?”

“No one.”

Tim’s pale face paled even more. “I’m expected to oversee all this and still manage 6 offices?”

“Yes, although you’ll have plenty of help.” That was Porter.

“With what?”

“The relocation, as I’ve said.” Porter again.

“But I’m the guy who is charged with what happens, no matter how much help I have. And who is this help, what will they be doing? How do you envision this?”

Leon decided to stay out of it, he’d already argued until he lost his voice with Smythe and Porter, to the point where he didn’t care if he lost his job and then realized they could force him to stay. They could and would do that to Tim as well, they had all their hopes pinned on him. One man, who once again was losing control over his own life. Unwilling to watch Porter, he turned his gaze slightly to a wall.

Porter explained what help he would have and where they would be, most of them on the ground in Flauvtic working on the massive evacuation, only they would call it a relocation, of the thousands of DoD employees in the country. That group would report to someone in Tim’s command who would report to him. The person they had in mind had handled evacuations and relocations before. There would be Navy and Marine officers who would handle relocating the fleets. They would work with him on a daily basis.

Tim stopped listening while he tried to capture a memory. Some obscure rule he read somewhere, a Department of Defense rule clarified by a federal court. Finally remembering, he tucked it aside for now and returned to whatever Secretary Porter was saying. She was still talking about his ‘help’, which of course didn’t matter, he would still be responsible.

When he asked where he was supposed to be overseeing from, Porter looked puzzled, “From your office in London.”

“My NCIS office.”

‘Yes.”

“And I will have no backup, no help managing the 6 offices or for my responsibilities in the Director's office?”

“You won’t need any, Timothy, your relocation help should leave you all the time you need to manage those offices. And I’m told that some of those are led by old hands, so that’s even less need for you as far as NCIS goes. This could lead to big things for you, Timothy.”

So was that part of it, to push, or pull, him from NCIS. Again, although this sounded more like an ‘upward’ threat than the ‘downward’ one back in 2008.

He quickly thought about that, realizing he’d have to make his play, such as it was, now. He wondered if either the secretary or the director would know and then mentally shrugged, right now it was the only thing he could think of. He hoped that if Vance knew, he’d keep it to himself.

“Ma’am, is this being classed as a special assignment?”

“Yes, it is.”

“I see. So again to clarify, I’ll have two full-time jobs?”

“Yes, if you look at it that way.”

Tim nodded, “I need to have the fact that this is a special assignment in writing, as well as a separate statement that I will have two full time jobs, both signed in person by Secretary of Defense Smythe and Secretary of State McCord. No electronic signatures, pen and ink only, with witnesses also signing in pen and ink.”

“Very well. I can email those to you later today.”

Tim shook his head, “No, I need the originals of the signatures.”

“All right, I can send them by courier this afternoon.”

“To recap, that’s a statement that this is a special assignment, signed manually, pen and ink, by both secretaries and the witnesses. Also, manual, original signatures by both secretaries for the statement that I will have two full time jobs, including managing 73 employees in 6 locations, as well as my responsibilities with the Director’s office, with no additional help, also manually signed by both secretaries, pen and ink original signatures as well as those of the witnesses. Please have them delivered to this address.” He sent the address of the Arlington house to her, waiting until she said she had it.

He stood, managing to keep a polite façade on his face, asking if there was anything else, and was told no. He stood, somehow scaring up a nod, gathered his coat and briefcase and left the room. Calling Uber, he had the driver pick him up at a door out of sight of the one Porter generally used. The one he chose was one he knew was used by the NCIS team posted at the Pentagon. Debating whether to return to the Navy Yard, he decided he didn’t want to chance running into Vance and went directly to the Arlington house.

Then he waited. He decided he would not work on anything for the government, NCIS or the Evacuation plan, until he had the signed paperwork in his hands. Then he would find his wife and tell her what was happening. There was another step he’d have to take but he hadn’t figured out how or who. Yet.

Remembering the offices in the addition at the back of the house, he took his laptop case, with all his notes, with him, glad to find the first office he came upon unlocked and nicely warmed by the house heating system. He pulled out the chair tucked under the desk, sat down and scooted forward, resting his elbows on the desktop. Now what?

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Leon left Porter’s office, not surprised when there was no sign of Tim. He wasn’t sure what he had in mind with the paperwork other than his insisting on having original signatures.

Getting into the SUV waiting for him, he sighed. This was it, he was finally done, he’d talk to Jackie tonight about putting the house up for sale and moving overseas as soon as he put in his papers. They might try to hold onto him for a year but after his vehement arguments against what they were doing to Tim, he was pretty sure they’d want someone they could control in there as soon as possible.

Maybe he and Jackie would send Jared to the Russells in Greece, there might be extra seats for the three of them left on the Paddington jet leaving New Year’s Day, they could stay in Jaxton and send Jared to Athens with Artie and Bill when they left to resume work on the new property. Or they’d send Jared ahead, he’d be fine with the Gibbses and he could still fly with Artie and Bill to Athens.          

Then he’d take Jackie on a business trip overseas, sending in his retirement papers from there.

He shook his head, although he liked the idea of being outside of the US when he filed for retirement, he wasn’t sure that was the smartest plan. Unless, another idea occurred to him and he worked on their escape plan for the rest of the drive home, sending word to Pamela that he’d be working from home. Although the only work he intended to do was to try to come up with something that would help Tim and to continue plotting his own escape.

Kayla would be fine in the UK and Jared, yes, his son could finish high school at the International School the Russell kids attended in Athens. He knew Jackie wouldn’t be happy but their son could live with the Russells until he and Jackie could escape. He grimaced, afraid of what having Jared there might do to Pete’s employment, although it was entirely possible that no one would take note of another teen living with the Russells.

Still, his old friend was eligible for retirement, several months ago Tim had signed the waiver for Pete to continue as a field agent. That meant the man had 4 1/2 more years before he’d be forced to retire from the field.

Pete and Trina only had one child still in school and she was in her last year, her last few months of high school. He thought nothing would probably happen to Pete right away, he’d probably be allowed to retire. Who cared what happened to NCIS? Certainly not either SecDef or sadly, the SecNav.

Still, he’d always known she was by nature a politician. She was good with NCIS because Gibbs’ team solved her daughter’s kidnapping and saved her own life from a terrorist in MTAC. Although there were plenty of other times they made her look good, she would likely not be happy with whatever revolt Tim might be planning.

He shook his head, as long as she’d worked with them, she apparently still didn’t have a clue about Tim, not what made him tick. Which was sadly amazing considering the interest she’d taken in him all these years as well as her gestures and remarks at Tim’s swearing-in ceremony nearly a year ago.

Sighing again, he changed out of his suit into his sweats before he headed to his home office. There he sat for the rest of the morning, thinking about the mess.

Chapter Text

Ch 17: Choices

Tim sat in the office, nearly consumed by his thoughts as they raced through his mind. Pulling up a set of forms, he shook his head, remembering he’d filled these out once before. Sighing and thinking he’d done more of that already this morning than he usually did in a month, he filled out the forms, saving them in the same folder he’d used before, editing the date.

He needed to tell his wife but right now he really needed his dad. The man had many resources and he thought he might know someone who would know someone for the last step he’d need to take. He rolled his eyes at himself for the drama. Although it was a drama, at least for him!

Making a face, he needed to tell his dad and get things moving, then he would have more information to share with Artemis. He stood up, stretching before heading for the door, opening it to find his father standing there, his hand reaching for the door handle. “What happened?”

Tim shook his head, taking his dad by the wrist, leading him into the office and shutting the door behind them. It took him awhile to tell him the whole story, starting with the bits about his ‘brain worm’ and the politician running for president in a country with too many US Federal employees. Dad nodded at that, saying he’d heard about that and paid attention to the man, who seemed fairly reasonable with his other plans.

Tim’s retelling of the meeting eventually reached the part where he’d quietly hit the record button on his phone, no longer caring that Leon could clearly see his movements. Now he played the recording for his father.

Dad’s first response was to wrap his arms around him and Tim relaxed into the embrace. As Jethro held on, he started speaking to his son. “What are your thoughts?”

“They’ve classified the relocation oversight job as a special assignment. There’s a law applying to DoD employees or maybe it’s now all Federal government employees that those assigned special assignments can only be held for 6 months, not the year it is for regular government jobs. And the DoD, or whichever agency is involved, is not allowed to rewrite the assignment so it looks like something different when it’s the same thing nor are they allowed to repeat it or anything else. Nor, unless the special assignment is totally messed up by the employee, are they allowed to transfer, move or otherwise disconnect the employee.”

“So, worst case, you’d have to oversee this thing for 6 months?”

“Probably. However, the second statement, being forced to work two full time jobs, blah blah, whatever I said, will likely give me the freedom to quit the agency and the government if I need to go to that extreme. There are labor rules for a reason and they apply to federal employees as well as everyone else.” He paused, sighing before saying,  “Dad, I need an attorney, someone not afraid to take on the Department of Defense. I am willing to find the locations and numbers, I am not willing to virtually abandon my family, especially with Artie’s work still ongoing, to be their dirty job guy. Or continue to be their dirty job guy. No offense to anyone who makes a living doing real dirty jobs, not this kind of dirty.”

“What was Leon’s reaction?”

“He was very quiet, stared at the wall most of the time. That tic he gets when he’s really angry was going the whole time. I don’t think its safe for you, me or him to speak together. Not in person or by phone, not while we’re here.”

He took a breath, “Dad, why do Porter and Smythe”, at the look on his dad’s face, he reminded him, “Smythe took Becker’s place as Secretary of Defense. Why do those two think I’m not needed at NCIS? Does Vance feel the same way?”

“I don’t know about the two secretaries, Timothy, I do know Vance does not feel that way. Do you make it look too easy?”

He got an eye roll for that and nodded in agreement. Tim’s frown deepened, “Are SACs not respected as leaders?”

“Not as far as I know. All but one of the SACs I worked for or with were respected. That one was the guy who tried to kill Leon, twice or at least two attempts we know about. He’s also the guy that murdered Amit Hadar in DC while he was trying to kill Eli David, no, make that 3 attempts, I forgot Leon was also injured in that and Eli David was injured and on the run.”

“Oh yeah, that guy, McAlister?”

“Yeah, Leon was seriously injured, in the hospital where McAlister made his 3^rd attempt. I’d left Leon my knife and he was able to stop him, although it was too damn close. But son, I’ve heard good things about you, from people who didn’t know our connection, as well as from other SACs.”

“Then why the hell do they think I’m not needed?” Tim shook his head, “I need to get past that and do what I can do to remove the albatross hanging around my neck.” He made a face, “I need that attorney, not sure who to ask or go about finding one.”

“I can ask.”

Tim shook his head, “No, that’s just as bad as me doing the asking.” Then his eyes opened wide and he made a stink face. “Oh no, absolutely not.”

“Who?”

Tim looked at him sadly, “That guy who drove us crazy during the Fell case. Parsons*.”

Wincing, Jethro closed his eyes. “We’d have to hire him, that’s the only way he’d ever keep his mouth shut. Couldn’t risk asking him for a reference to another attorney.”

Both shuddering, the man really had been a total jerk and years ago Tim had mentally assigned a profane description to him. As far as he was concerned, it still applied.

When Tim’s stomach growled, they left the office heading for the kitchen. Wondering aloud where his children were, he thought Artie was working somewhere in the house, his dad answered, saying that all the children but Donnie, Madelyn and Tommy had gone to Six Flags theme park with the ‘good’ Porters, he won a smile from Tim for that, and that Geo, Bec, Tony, Bill, Ziva, Brian, Barry, the senior Powells, Charlie and Trisha had gone along.

Charlotte, Sophia and Dick stayed behind to watch the three littles at the brownstone while Lu, Artie and Maggie were working on packing more of the junior Mallards’ belongings with Breena, although Dad said Breena had been asleep last time he’d heard from Lu, and had been for a few hours, much to everyone’s relief! Nikki, James and Ned were at work while Sarah was either writing or sleeping.

By the time Dad finished reciting who was with whom, Tim was laughing, holding up his hands in defeat. “I give, I give!” He shook his head, “I know we have a large family but wow, I don’t usually think of us as streams of names!”

Dad smirked, “Me neither but I made you laugh, I win!”

That made Tim laugh harder and his father sat back, very pleased with himself.

After he stopped laughing, Jethro also told him that Jack, LJ and Richard had taken a cab to a movie, a double feature. Tim shook his head, “Oh yeah, it’s time to go home.”

They were still sitting at the kitchen table, having a hot lunch when Jethro smiled, “I know someone to ask!”

“Should I know who?”

“No, better if you don’t.” Taking one last bite, Jethro got up, leaned over to kiss the top of Tim’s head and disappeared.

He returned nearly 30 minutes later, finding Tim looking at something on his phone,  “Got 3 names for you, with notes about each of them.”

“Wow, Dad, thanks!”

The two of them reviewed the list, with Jethro adding his thoughts about the changes in the attorney’s voice as he talked about the 3 references. Finally choosing who to call first, their favorite pick, Tim wanted to wait until the paperwork was delivered to him. Right now the two men wanted to go for a swim.

As they approached the door to the walkway to the pool building, it opened and Mac and Ducky walked out. They stopped, smiling. “Hello!”

Ducky frowned at Tim, who quickly shook his head. Giving him a bit of an eye roll, Ducky started moving past them when Jethro touched his shoulder, “Duck, are you going to be here for a couple of hours?”

“Yes, Jethro, why?”

“We’ll probably be done swimming by then but would you and Mac listen for the door bell and call us if it’s a courier with something for Tim? He needs to sign for it and…he stopped as Tim shook his head, “No, I’ll swim later, Dad. Thanks anyway but I need to see those papers as soon as they get here.”

Ducky opened his mouth again, finally realizing it must be something to do with the agency and something that Mac likely shouldn’t hear about. He nodded, “We’re planning on playing cards, would you two like to join us? After we change our clothes, of course.”

“Sure, Duck, what do you have in mind?”

Ducky told them, relaxing when Timothy and Jethro were both genuinely enthusiastic.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

It wasn’t until later that Tim realized he’d been so upset by the SecNav’s verbally stated disregard for his work that he’d ignored a key factor in the whole matter.

When a dark SUV drove onto the property around noon, Tim, who’d been playing cards with Ducky, Mac and his dad, stood up.

He didn’t want to play his hand, the only hand he knew to play for his work situation, until he absolutely had to, at least not until after he retained legal help. Then he mentally shook his head, this was classified, the documents were classified, of course the courier had to be someone with the government.

He smiled to himself when his father and Ducky quietly joined him. Mac had disappeared after Ducky told him there was some sort of government problem. They watched as a man, a bit taller than Tim, exited the SUV, quietly closing the door behind him. For the first time since his father made him laugh hours ago, Tim had a genuine smile on his face, immediately realizing his error, when he recognized the ‘courier’.

Opening the front door, he met the visitor on the front porch, “Blake, welcome, come in out of the cold.”

Blake Moran, executive assistant to Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord, nodded with a small smile, relieved to see a smile from Tim.

Inside, he was introduced to Ducky, Blake already knew Jethro, and they walked to the office in which Tim had been brooding. Ducky stayed behind, making tea for all of them and, finding the tea cart they used for family dinners, rolled it to the private office.

Once the four of them were settled with their tea, Blake looked at Tim with a smile. “MSec was very upset this morning when she was told the SecNav and SecDef’s plans. She was still ranting when the request came in for the statements and then she just sat down and grinned, finally saying, “I underestimated Tim, I should have known he’d think of something like this. Blake, witness this for me, please and then call DoD and tell them you’ll courier the documents to Senior Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gibbs. Have them, no, then they’ll stall. Never mind, I’m afraid you’ll have to pick up the DoD documents yourself.”

“I told her I have a friend there who sometimes works with SecDef’s Exec Assistant and I’d ask him to tell her I would be the courier for both of them. She was fine with that and although I didn’t sign as witness for SecDef, I was in the room when he and his witness signed.”

He handed over the documents and Tim looked through them, laughing out loud when he saw Secretary McCord’s comments, written separately.

Looking up, he told his father and Ducky, “She’s notified the Department of Labor of the order for me to work two full-time jobs and is sending them a copy of the order/statement. That should be the last of that illegal idea! She also says that she’s written Vance, copying Porter, asking him to find a temporary replacement for my NCIS position and she’s written SecDef, copying SecNav, that Undersecretary Leo will be the last stop as far as authority, not me. So I won’t be the one who will be blamed if things don’t go well. I could not figure out why she wouldn’t be the last stop, she’s certainly higher in rank than I am. Unless they were hoping something would be screwed up and they’d get rid of me.”

Across the table, he saw Blake’s quick shake of his head, admitting with an inward sigh of relief that tossing him out of the agency was not the plan. At least not the Secretary of State’s plan and now he wouldn’t worry as much about the others.

Returning to MSec’s notes, he smiled again, “Here’s something else: no matter how the relocation goes, I am guaranteed to return to my current position within 6 months with no reprisals on record for anything outside of my NCIS work.” Tim looked up, “So she knows of the court-ruled 6 month limit for DoD special assignments and SecNav didn’t. And that’s quite interesting because MSec is State and SecNav is DoD.” He looked up to see all three men smirking at him. He smiled, “Blake, thank you and MSec for rescuing me from actually having to contact an attorney, although I was prepared.”

Making a brief ‘oops’ face, Blake fished in a pocket, handing Tim a folded paper. Opening it, Tim laughed, “And here’s a list of attorneys and their contact information should I need further help with government officials plotting to co-opt my work time against my will.” Looking thoughtful, he re-folded the paper, putting it in a zippered pocket inside his brief case.

“I still have no choice about doing this. However, I’ll still have my job in 6 months when the legal deadline for special assignments runs out for the DoD and someone will handle my NCIS responsibilities.”

He looked up, “So if I received all this today, does that mean the special assignment starts today? I’ve been tasked with uncovering information for the plan.”

Blake sat still before saying, “This is for your ears only.” He looked at Gibbs and Mallard, “Although you two can stay.”

“It’s not starting today. However, MSec asks if you can possibly get the information needed outside of those 6 months, within your NCIS duties. They really need that information and it would be easier on everyone involved, except you of course, if they had the information before the election.”

Tim thought about it before nodding. “I’ll have to let Vance know but that’s something he won’t need to tell his boss. She’ll know anyway because I’ll be working with Undersecretary Leo.” He looked at Blake, “Yes, I will do that. Then the team, whoever that ends up being, will be ready to get right into action if the candidate is elected. ”

Blake nodded, “Thanks! Also, we at the State Department have information for you, not sure how you’ll want it.”

“That sounds promising, what is it?”

The other man smiled, “How many visas have been issued to users connected to military passports. State does a census of military dependents and where they are. Been doing it for years, started right before some war, before my time.” Then he frowned, “However, you’ll still need the numbers from the Department of the Navy, don’t want them to get suspicious! Also, we can easily obtain the number of DoD employees and their dependents, MSec gave the order before I left to start pulling those numbers from our systems.

“Are there significant differences between the DoN and State?”

“Yes. For one thing, we can run reports of DoD employees stationed in specific countries outside the US. I don’t know whether the DoD can do that but I know we can. Also, and this could generate big differences between the DoD, DoN numbers and ours: the US military does not keep track of engagements or live-in partners, only married couple and the children**.

“We count all those people because we’re looking at visas, customs’ arrival questionnaires and passports. Every US citizen, including newborns, must have a valid passport. Furthermore, we can run reports for US citizens in a specific country who’ve changed their names or addresses, might be an indication of marriage, divorce or separation. They might be harder to find but at least you’ll know you need to.”

Tim nodded, “All right, thanks, Blake, this is good information.” He shook his head, “What about engaged or live-in people with children? Only the military person and the children show up? And what do we do about people who’ve separated or divorced from their military spouse, do not work for the US government, have an income of their own and who don’t want to leave the country?”

Blake wrote that on his phone, saying, “That’s good, I’ve also added the question about the non-married partners with children. What about military dependent children over 18? Or children over 18 of any DoD employee? Can they legally stay in the country? Say they’re in school, could still be secondary school, or college? If they have the means of support, are they allowed to stay?” He shook his head, “We already have all the questions you’ve asked, now I’m adding more. I hope the candidate has thought this through!” He stared at the wall, saying, “While 18 is the US age of maturity, it might not be in Flauvtic. If it’s younger than 18, then those questions apply all the way down to whatever their legal age is.”

Tim nodded, “And what about a Flauvtican citizen married to a US citizen employed by the Feds? Or did I ask that already?”

Blake looked, “Something similar, I’ll capture it anyway. How soon do you want us to run the numbers?”

“As it stands now, we’re leaving for the UK on New Year’s Day, although that may change at any time as there is another big storm headed our way. Anyway, once we get home, my wife, children and I are leaving for Greece on the 7^th. We’ll be there through April. When I work in Greece, I ‘borrow’ an office at the Embassy, so I’ll be there most weekdays.” He sighed, “I guess I won’t be doing NCIS work but I’ll use that as my office for the project.” He frowned, saying, “Damn I hate being trapped like this! I’ve worked hard with my staff, I hate being forced to walk away for 6 months!”

Blake nodded, “I’ll pass that along. What if MSec could persuade the others to have Undersecretary Leo or someone else take the lead? So you’d be off the hook?”

“That would be wonderful, and a miracle!” He looked at Blake, “Please tell your boss I prepared separation papers when I returned from the meeting although I haven’t filed them. This is the second time I’ve prepared them, the first time was in 2008 and I did file them and leave the agency, although I was offered a position with the FBI and transferred instead of quitting. Anyway, that’s how much I don’t want to do this.” He thought of something he would be willing to do but decided to hold back, in case he was allowed to negotiate.  

“If they agreed to you only mapping out the locations and finding the numbers of people involved, would you be willing to get the numbers and locations they need?”

“Given the support already promised, both from Leo and for my NCIS position, possibly.”

Blake nodded, “Obviously I can’t promise anything but considering you’ve already given them a plan, in my mind you’ve already done your bit. They had nothing practical they could use.” He shook his head, quietly saying, “State had to mention the candidate in a cabinet meeting before anyone else knew anything about it. And yes, that’s part of our responsibilities but I still can’t believe no one else had a clue.”

Tim snorted, “You’d think the military would take notice of something like that! Certainly the DoD!” He shook his head, “I think Porter said Secretary Smythe had no idea why so many DoD employees are in Flauvtic. And if I were one of those DoD employees in the country, I’d be asking my boss if anyone from the DoD has said anything about the candidate’s plans. Or are they too complacent?”  

Jethro thought about that. “For as many people as it sounds like there are, that doesn’t sound like Becker. I remember him talking about bringing overseas employees home, especially with tech as quick and available as it is.”

Tim nodded sadly, “You’re right, Dad. I wonder how long the number of DoD employees has been so high? I wish we could still ask him.”

Gordon Becker, the former Secretary of Defense, had resigned 18 months ago due to ill health and had recently died. While neither man had known him well, SecDef Becker, along with Secretary Porter, had once helped Vance, Tim and another senior officer of NCIS with what had seemed like an insurmountable problem. Instead, with his help and stalwart support the agency had weathered the storm.

Tim had one more item for MSec and Blake grinned as he captured it on his phone. “If we can relocate everyone without much fuss, why not do so now? What are all those people doing? Or if not now, why not promise to start the relocations as soon as the man’s election is confirmed, hmm, that would sound like we were influencing the election. So wait and see and maybe do it even if he isn’t elected. Why are they all there?”

After going over several other questions and issues, Blake captured them all before leaving, predicting a phone call for Tim from his boss. Tim shrugged with a smile, “That’s all right, I trust both of you!”

After he left, Tim sighed, saying to his father and Ducky, “Next time I have a brain worm, I’ll ignore it. Is it petty of me to say I no longer trust Porter? She’s done a fair amount of good for the agency but then we’ve all worked smart and hard to do the excellent jobs we do. I’m angrier about what she said about my not being needed than anything else. Yep, I don’t trust her. Except I also said that about Leon, back in 2008 and look at us now! So for now I don’t trust her.”

Pulling his son in for a hug, Jethro smiled as Ducky rubbed Tim’s back. One of them said the word ‘swimming’ and Tim emerged with a smile, “Yes! Let’s go, Ducky, are your things dry after your swim with Mac?”

Ducky nodded, heading to the bathroom to change while Tim and Jethro hurried to their rooms, also letting Mac know.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Thoroughly enjoying having the pool to themselves, Mac had decided against a second swim, Tim and Jethro raced the length of the pool, with Ducky sitting in the water on the steps, watching their times. He’d already had a good swim and now was enjoying the racing chatter father and son were exchanging, trying not to drown themselves with their laughter. The door to the corridor opened and Artie entered, with Leon!

Tim smiled at both of them while Jethro took advantage of his competitor’s distraction and beat him on the lap. There, at least he won two! Although two out of 10 laps wasn’t exactly a record to be proud of.

Looking at her husband, Artemis saw that he didn’t look as angry or sad as Leon was afraid he would be. “Timothy, I told Leon to come over after he called several times looking for you. Also, Mrs. Bess called, she said with good news.”

Vance added, “Nothing from Porter.”

Tim nodded without saying anything while Ducky nearly whispered, “That’s also good news.”

Getting out of the pool, Tim dried off a bit before giving his wife a kiss and taking his phone from her. “Thanks, sweetie. I never had a chance to tell you what this is or was all about. Let me call MSec now so we can all hear the good news.”

Everyone around the pool smiled when the Secretary’s phone was answered before they even heard it ring. “Timothy?”

“Yes, it’s me. Sorry, I was swimming away my troubles. Director Vance is also here with us.”

“As long as you weren’t drinking them away, that’s fine, a positive thing. And good, I’m glad Leon is there! We got what you wanted, your only responsibility is to provide the locations and numbers, you’ll no longer be dragged kicking and screaming from your office at NCIS. And when all is said and done, you’ll be credited with the original plan.”

“Wow, you all really went to bat for me, thank you so much!” He looked at Leon as he said that, including him in his remarks.

“Undersecretary Leo will be assigned to head up the relocation. I also asked for an official apology from Porter for what she said to you this morning, that was totally uncalled for, untrue and as far as I’m concerned, a bullying tactic from her and yes, I said so in writing. I also asked for one from Secretary Smythe for making the demands in the first place. Leon, you’ll also be getting an official apology from Porter for dismissing your arguments in Tim’s behalf and threatening your career.”

While Tim again looked at his boss, this time in concern and with his own look of apology, Lu quietly came in the door with Jackie and Jared Vance, who smiled in relief when Leon gave them a little victory signal before shaking his head at Tim, no apology needed and thanks for the concern.  

“Good, everyone’s here. Bess, are you still on the phone?”

“Yes, Lu. I called Henry and we’ll be there at 5, is that all right?”

“Wonderful, bring your swimsuits and a towel each, you can have a swim before dinner. Tim and Jethro just got out of the pool, Leon, Jackie and their son are just getting in. You can see everyone else at dinner.”

“Great, I can’t wait! See you in a couple of hours.”

Before the call was disconnected, Tim asked to speak with Blake and when he was on the line with the Secretary of State, thanked him for all his help and understanding.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

As if to make up for the stressful morning and early afternoon, the rest of the day and evening went very well. Although the children were wound up after their day at the theme park, a busy hour in the pool helped them expel their happy energy.

While they played, the adults who’d accompanied them to the park disappeared, no doubt for naps or at least getting off their feet! Maggie later reported she’d had a lovely warm bath and felt ready for, she stopped and then shook her head, saying, “I’m ready for a lovely dinner, a quiet evening and a long rest. One more day and then we’re off home!”

Tim and Artie spent some time upstairs, alone and then with their children. When the six of them reappeared downstairs, they were happy to see the entire family gathered. Ziva, Brian, his parents Julie and Ben who’d taken the train down, Joe, Charlotte and Tommy, Barry, Ned and their girls, Tony, Maggie, their girls, Dick and Sophia, Rob, Jimmy, Breena and Donnie along with Ducky and Athena, Freddie, Abby and Menolly, Bill, Nikki and Jasper, Sarah, James, Edie and George, Geo, Bec, young Brian, Mia, Grampy Ben, the Porters, Tim chuckled to himself for thinking of them as the ‘good Porters’, Uncle LJ, Grandpas Mac and Jack, Cousin Richard, Uncle Charlie and Cousin/Aunt Tricia. And of course Jethro and Lu. When they counted, there were 54 of them!

They laughed at that, imagine, the original 9 of them, counting their mother, now belonged to a family numbering 54, with 18 additional when the rest of the Greek family was with them.

Now, putting their name tags on, they chuckled when Mia and Brian sighed in relief. Freddie grinned at them, “Relax, there’s no quiz until after your first family reunion, which will be in, let’s see, I think we’d better go for the July/August reunion as not everyone will be in Varkiza over Easter.”

He looked at his new niece and nephew, “The July/August reunion will be in Scotland, near the ocean. We used to have it in Greece but now it’s too hot there during July and August. So those of us who are able to will see you in Varkiza, that’s where Mimi lives, in April and then in July, when everyone is out of school, all of us will gather in the Highlands of Scotland. By the end of those two weeks, you’ll know everyone a lot better.”

Joe nodded, “Especially now that Jimmy and Breena have been lured overseas. That only leaves Ziva, Brian, his family, Freddie, Abby, Menolly, Charlotte, Tommy, me, the Vances, the Porters and the Fornells here in the US. And sometimes Grampy Ben. He’s grandfather to Tommy as well as to you.

“The Vances are part of our family, even though Leon is the boss of several people here. Did you know that Tim is also boss of a few people here and that Leon is his boss? Also the Fornells, he’s a retired FBI agent who is good friends with our dad. He and his wife have 2 daughters who have become like younger sisters to us as well as friends of the younger people in our Greek family.”

Laughing, Nikki added, “There are even more people, my cousins, my Aunt Evelyn, who is Grandma Evelyn to Jasper and the rest of the children now including you two, my cousins Vince, Tia, their adult children and another cousin, Dina. Also Ned’s grandparents who live in Arizona, and Joe’s birth family, who live in Switzerland and Tony’s birth family, cousins who live in London.” After taking a breath she added, “Your grama and Uncle Charlie also have 2 other brothers but we’ve only met them once before.”

Char thought of adding something more but decided this wasn’t the right time or place as she and Joe did not yet have all the information.

By the time Nikki finished, Brian and Mia were laughing at the huge list of additional people who belonged to the family, glad they weren’t all here now and they didn’t have to know their names until they met them. Although now they’d met the Vances and the Porters, who they knew lived in California.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

When several dark SUVs pulled onto the property, Rob called out, “The McCords are here!”

He, Sarah, James, Tim, Artie and their children stationed themselves close to the front door while Jethro and Lu waited to open the door. It was too cold outside to open it before the couple reached the porch and then they nearly ran in, laughing. “Ooh it’s so cold when the sun sets!”

They came in, grinning as the door was quickly shut behind them. Their security team would park in back, probably splitting between patrolling the property and having a couple of them in the house.

Tim and Jethro had made sure there was enough food for all of MSec’s security personnel, they could eat in the kitchen. When Vance’s security team realized MSec would be on site, they considered doubling up but in the end they drove the Vances to the house and then left, to return when summoned. No sense people tripping over Security Agents and there wasn’t anyone new there tonight, except for the two new foster children and they’d already been checked out.

The McCords were first introduced, grinning when dozens of voices called greetings to them. With a questioning look from Mrs. Bess, a nickname MIT student Tim, young tweens Sarah and Rob and Tim’s then girlfriend Artemis called the wife of Tim and Artemis’ ethics professor, Dr. Henry McCord, at MIT in the 1990’s, Jethro whistled and his kids, their kids, the older adults and friends lined up in some fashion.

Laughing, the couple met everyone individually, welcoming Mia and Brian to the family. Mrs. Bess smiled at them, “Although we haven’t seen them in a long time, we were friends when your new dad was still in college and I imagine your new mom was as well. My husband, Henry here, taught a college class that your new Uncle Tim and Aunt Artie took. Henry invited them over for dinner one night and they brought your Aunt Sarah who was about 12 and your Uncle Rob, who was 11, with them. They spent a lot of time with us while we were there and we kept in touch for a few years after we all left MIT. Now it’s been several years since we’ve seen Tim and Artie, since before they married 6 years ago.”

That reminded several people how the connection started and pretty much broke the ice, especially when young Jackson wanted to know what his parents, aunt and uncle had been like. When Dr. Henry said that both of them always had questions in class, Tim’s siblings and parents, Artie’s grandmother, Sophia and nearly everyone else laughed quietly. Of course they did! Over dinner, they heard a few more Tim, Sarah, Rob and Artemis stories and that was fun!

Neither the McCords nor the Vances stayed late, shaking hands or hugging everyone before they left.

While they were cleaning up the kitchen, Tim remembered to check the storm which sent him looking for Tony or Maggie. He almost ran into Tony as his brother came looking for him and their parents.

Tony frowned, “There’s a big storm moving into the Atlantic. Our flight coordinator says we have clearance to fly tomorrow but if we wait past 1800 tomorrow, we’ll have to sit out the storm here.”

“How bad?” Dad had joined them.

Tim cleared his throat, “It’s building to hurricane strength and yes I know it is officially past hurricane season, apparently no one told the storm. There’s more, I just saw reports of an undersea volcano breaking through and blowing up in the South China Sea. The eruptions are getting stronger and there is already a tsunami that will likely hit all the oceans as well as the North Sea, meaning the English Channel will also be affected. Their prediction for it hitting the British Isles is 18 hours. When we leave, we probably won’t be able to land in the UK. Our best bet will again be Greece.”

“What about the Med?”

“No predictions on that yet.”

Tony nodded, pushing a button on his phone and walking several steps away, Tim thought it highly likely he’d called his cousin Nigel. He was right and eventually Tony disconnected, returning to the group.

“Nigel has already contacted Kayla, the Clachers and Ducky’s cousins. They’re leaving London in about 2 hours and you’re right, Tim, first they’re heading for Scotland, where they’ll stop in Edinburgh, the cousins are already on their way to Aberdeen and have a flight waiting to take them to Edinburgh. Once all the Scots are aboard, they’re headed for Greece, Emma’s reserved almost all the rooms in a hotel in Athens.  

“Leon, your daughter and her roommate, the girl’s parents and younger brother will be with them, Kayla, the roommate and her parents are already at Nigel’s home and Kay has already been in touch with the Russells, they’ll meet them at the Athens airport.

“Kayla told Nigel that Pete has already contacted Evander to see about renting the commercial building for shelter. They’ll work on renting beds, etc. for the building. When we land in Athens, Nigel’s arranged for full sized buses to meet us and take us to the commercial building unless he hears differently from either Pete Russell or Evander, whom he’s now met through Kayla.”

Leon nodded, looking at his former agent, “How soon are we leaving?”

Tony looked at the others, finding only Sarah in the kitchen with them. She tilted her head, “I can’t do anything so I volunteered to stay while they’re upstairs packing. Jimmy, Bill and Barry took Bill’s rental truck to bring back all of Jimmy and Breena’s plane things. They’ll also let their neighbors know they’re leaving tonight and why, so they can also prepare. Jimmy said they’d be back in 3 hours although Bill held up 2 fingers so that might mean 2 hours. I called D’Arcy McKinna and found them home in Colorado so they’re safe. The Fornells know, they’re coming with us and they volunteered to call the Kings and the Baxters. Oh and Ducky called his house phone, the Carters are already there and preparing. Ducky told Rick what he and Athena needed, they’re all packed and Rick is bringing it over.”

Leon looked at Tony, “We’ll be ready in 90 minutes, Tony. Want us to meet you at the airfield?”

Tony shook his head, “We already have permission to leave the rental vehicles here, the rental company said they’ll be safer than on their lot. There will be room for your SUV, we’ll leave a note on the windshield that it’s not a rental. I’ve chartered two buses, so please return here, we’re closer to you than you are to the airfield, right?”

Jackie nodded, “Yes and that’s good, come on, Leon.”

The three Vances left while those upstairs began ferrying their luggage, bags and boxes downstairs, putting it all by the front door. While the men worked on that, Rick and Denise arrived with Ducky’s vehicle as well as their own.

When Ducky asked them to stay here, rather than in Georgetown which was too close to potential flood waters, they agreed, asking if the O’Briens could join them. Jethro chuckled when they were mentioned, “Yes, course, as long as Annie remembers our tenancy ends at 2359.59 AM on January 2nd!”

Rick took their car back to grab clothes and food for them while Jethro tucked Ducky’s vehicle into the garage, glad this place had so many parking stalls! He added a note on the dashboard that it was NOT A RENTAL.

Jimmy and his crew were the next to arrive, the men forming a human chain to Bill’s truck to unload everything. By this time, more luggage, etc. had been brought downstairs and neatly arranged by the front door. Once Bill’s rental truck was empty, he moved it into the garage, nodding to see Tim, Tony and their parents’ rental vehicles already in there. He checked, glad to see his brothers and parents had removed all of the children’s various safety seats. All the rentals were tagged as being rentals. Smiling he left his dad's 'Not a Rental' note on Ducky's vehicle. On second thought, he removed it so that only the rentals had signs on them.

Back in the house, they were now checking all the rooms, finding a favorite slipper as well as a few toys, a favorite book and a box of Legos. The Legos’ box was taped shut before being placed into a gallon-sized plastic zip-lock storage bag which was then tightly sealed with the zip-lock and duct tape.

The O’Briens were next to arrive and quickly put their belongings into one of the suites downstairs. Both the O’Briens and the Carters brought all their perishable items, as well as coolers full of ice.

Jim O’Brien smiled, “There’s plenty of snow and we also brought our camp stove and several Sterno packs, we can use all that outside on the porch or out back if we need them. And yes, Jethro, we have a stove for the Sterno, in fact we have 2 of those little stoves.” He grinned, “I still remember you telling me about them decades ago, when our kids were tweens!”

Rick chuckled, “We also have Sterno and a couple of stoves. And we have several gallons of water in the SUV, we’ll move it in as needed.”

Annie nodded with a smile, “There are two generators here, in the basement and we brought fuel for them, we’ll store that somewhere safe. but that should keep the heat and power on for several days. I already have permission from the owner to take in anyone else, subject to Jim and Rick’s approval, to shelter.”

Bill rolled his shoulders and ‘cracked’ his back, “We’re done bringing everything downstairs, anything else?”

Lu thought about it, “Let’s take what non-perishable food we have here. We have milk and juice boxes for the children, and us, there’s bread, frozen meat and plenty of ice in the freezer, we’ll take some of that as well as the peanut butter and jam, we can put the jam in our small cooler, it’s going with us anyway. That way we won’t have to go shopping as soon as we get to Athens. With tsunamis racing around the globe, who knows what will be available by then!”

As she spoke, Artie and Maggie opened the freezer, removing two loaves of bread, a few bags of frozen vegetables, handing all of that to their husbands who in turn placed the veggies in more of the large zippered storage bags. Four packages of meat were removed, also placed in storage bags and then tucked into the big cooler, while the men poured ice and snow into it. They closed the cooler, taping it shut. Customs would want to open it in Athens. By then they’d be less than an hour from the commercial building where they hoped to shelter.

The Vances arrived and the group made quick work of unloading their vehicle, adding everything to the piles inside the house. Then Leon moved their vehicles to the garage, noticing that only the rental vehicles had signs. He left an extra set of keys, for their home and autos, with the Carters.

Taking Jim, Rick and Tim into one of the suites, Leon told Rick and Jim that he’d already sent word to everyone to seek shelter, to bring their immediate families to NCIS Headquarters, there was plenty of room there. They were to leave the basement, ground and first floors empty in case flooding was worse than anticipated. Both the lab and autopsy would remain locked; Leon winced as he handed Rick and Jim the keys to autopsy and the lab, saying Kasie Hines planned to shelter at the office as did Jimmy’s assistant but that neither of them should stay or even visit their normal workplaces.

The second and third floors as well as the mezzanine were high enough above the estuary to be safe, even in a tsunami. They were to stay away from the windows during high winds and Jim and Rick nodded in relief when Leon said he’d spoken with building maintenance who were already putting plywood over the windows.

Everyone should bring their own bedding, including twice as many blankets as they thought they’d need, as well as air mattresses, yoga mats or anything to cushion them from the hard, cold floors, plenty of flashlights and as many extra batteries as possible, to charge any electronics before they arrived and to bring their chargers with them, any food they had, along with gallons of potable water, coolers they might be able to fill with snow, dishes, mugs and cutlery for their use and if anyone had camping equipment to bring that, although tents would not be needed while tarps could be useful, coffee makers and coffee or tea, with whatever additions they liked, a full first aid kit, all their prescriptions and over the counter medications or supplements, enough clothes, including comfortable shoes, jackets, hats, gloves and snow boots, for a week, at least three towels per person, rope and clothes pins in case they were there long enough to need to wash clothes and any personal items they might need, including wet wipes in lieu of showers and for parents of young children to include three times more diapers than they thought they’d need as well as garbage bags and perhaps air fresheners.

As the internet might not be available, they should also bring physical books, decks of cards and any games they might have for children and adults. While no gambling was allowed, shelter or not, this was still a Federal building, poker chips were allowed for poker although the chips were not to be replaced by money.

Electric, rechargeable and battery operated items were fine, as long as they could be charged or there were enough batteries. However, no gas or other fuel burning appliances were allowed indoors, no matter how safe the manufacturer claimed they were. No Sterno, or any other kind of gas stove, heater, curling iron or anything else was allowed inside. If they wanted to use whatever it was, they’d have to go outside the building. All the way outside, not in the lobby or the basement. Anyone using such an appliance inside the building would be arrested. By using it, they were endangering everyone in the building and would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

While the fitness center was available, anyone using it would have to be 18 or older and Leon advised a signup sheet for the exercise equipment. The Hazmat and fitness center showers were available, as long as they worked and Leon again advised having sign up sheets.

While they were sheltering, the field teams were not to leave the building to pursue any criminal cases, they were to shelter. If they wanted to catch up on paper work and the system was available, that was fine and Field, Cold Case and CCU teams and any other Federal employee could use the internet if available but they were not to leave the building! Leon did not want anyone risking their lives during the hurricane and tsunami(s) said to be headed their way.

Having said all that, Leon shook his head, “HR and Security is in charge of everyone taking shelter. If you two are able to go in for a few hours without risking your lives getting to and from, that’s fine but don’t stay overnight!”

Then he looked at Tim, “All that also applies to your offices, although with a double whammy, I don’t know about London.”

Tim shook his head, “I’ve already sent a blast to everyone’s phones to find shelter at least three floors high and not to go anywhere near the office beginning now. With Tony’s permission, I sent the address of the townhouse, using the list of what to take or avoid from our emails and phone blasts before the last storm hit. Tony’s already notified his Security team that NCIS employees and their families have permission to stay in the townhouse and,” Tim pointed to his earpiece, “I’ve just been told that 95% of my London staff are already there, settling in. There will still be room for the folks who sheltered there during the last storm. The Jaxton house is already filling up as well, with some of the same people who were there before.”

“Good! All right, now, back to basics. Rick, Jim, you two have the agency while I’m in the air. Once we’ve landed, I’ll work either at the Piraeus office or, if there’s a third spare office, at the Embassy. If something comes up you’re not sure how to handle, contact the AD at OSP, you have her number?”

Both nodded and Vance added, “If you need to, contact the SecNav, although I’d avoid her at all costs. She’s likely to be unhappy with us right now.”

“The whole agency?”

“Tim and me although she may be angry enough to take it out on anyone from the agency who contacts her.”

Tim had a quick thought and smiled, “Undersecretary Leo is easier to reach and she generally has answers or can get them fairly quickly.”

He blinked as Jim and Rick stared at him and then Vance. Sighing, Leon said, “For your ears only, and that does not include your wives! Porter and Smythe tried to bully, I mean co-opt Timothy into taking on a huge project while still managing his offices, with no extra help. Gibbs managed to leave without blowing up and I basically walked out. Luckily, those two aren’t the only two involved and another cabinet member rescued us both, demanding formal, written apologies. Tim, haven’t had time to tell you, but Labor also came down hard on Smythe, copying the President’s Chief of Staff on their notice to him.” He shook his head, “I’m glad we’re bugging out with you, we were considering leaving with you, staying away from DC for as long as possible. Although I already completed my separation papers.”

Tim nodded, “Me too. Haven’t sent them anywhere, though, tucked them into a folder so I wouldn’t accidentally on purpose send them.”

Leon patted his back, “Me neither. Our time is coming but we hope to first get Jared through high school. He’s already applying to overseas’ college and universities, so once he’s decided and graduates, we’re out of here.”

The other two men frowned, “Leon?”

“At least 18 months in the future, more likely a full two years.”

Their heads swiveled to Tim who blinked in surprise, “Don’t look at me! Unless I can run the agency from Europe and never have to deal with politicians or return here to appear in front of Congress in person, there’s no way. Simply put: Reason one into infinity, I don’t want the job.”

“You deal with politicians in the UK, don’t you?”

“Yes but they’re not my bosses and they generally like NCIS, when they know who we are. Once I tell them how many terrorist cells and groups we’ve busted, they remember the name and like us just fine. I’m also the brother of a senior officer of a highly respected and successful company that is quite generous with their employees, donate significant amounts to charities and my relationship to Paddington puts me in a good light that rolls off onto NCIS.

“They also like that we live in a town, not on a base, the children go to the local school, we attend plays, festivals, eat out at the restaurants in London and Jaxton, stay at their hotels, travel extensively in the UK, have family in London, that’s Tony, in Edinburgh, the Clachers and in Tain, that’s Ducky’s family. They’re very supportive of us living in the Jaxton community, rather than being stationed somewhere and never really getting to know the people or the countries. We live there, it’s our home.” Tim grinned, “They also like that I use British English rather than American English, at least when I meet with them.

“Additionally most of our ships berth in Antwerp, Belgian waters, not in the UK and those ships who do visit the UK don’t often cause serious problems and the sailors spend money. So far, so good.”

“You realize it could change.”

Tim made a noise, “Sure. We have an orientation for employees transferring from the States, especially useful if they haven’t had any previous overseas’ experiences. Each new transferee has a buddy who shows them around, teaches them key words and phrases as well as what not to say or do. The buddy sticks with the newbie for the first 5 months, evaluating them at 3 and 5 months. It’s worked well so far. First of all, it gives the newbie an instant friend who will answer their questions and show them around. We’ve had 7 new folks from the US in the past year and we’ve only had to reassign one person, to Hamburg where they’re thriving with another buddy there.” He smiled, “In addition the other 6 remain friends with their buddies and have asked to be buddies themselves, although they’re not yet eligible.”

“Wow, did you start that?”

“No, my predecessor, Agent Zhao, did, although she told me it was originally Joel Morris’ brainchild, he was her predecessor.  Zhao expanded the program from field agents to include the CCU and Cold Case teams while I’ve expanded it to include all departments in London. I’ve worked with my other offices to establish similar programs. They have fewer employees on site, so it’s somewhat different but it’s working well for them. Their newbies are almost always field or CCU agents which makes it a bit easier.” He laughed, turning to Leon, “Athens has had their own program for years, I believe Pete was the one who turned Joel onto it. Or was it you?”

Leon grinned, “Jackie helped me develop the first ‘buddy’ program when I took over Athens from the oldest agent I’ve met to this day, luckily he hadn’t been in the field in at least 10 years as he was disdainful of all ‘foreigners’ and never understood that we were the foreigners! I had fun making friends over there, they were so glad to see him go it was easy. Learning to speak their language was also a big plus. To help us learn, Jackie and I took a language class and practiced at home.

“After we left, Russell expanded it further. Joel heard about Athens’ program, you know it’s especially useful when NCIS offices get newbies who don’t speak the host country’s language or know anything about their customs, the differences between cultures. The US ‘thumbs up’ gesture is a great example of what not to do in many places around the world. Anyway, you’re right, Morris adapted the program for the UK and then Zhao pushed it further and here you are.”

He looked at Tim, “That was also how I found out how helpful the CIA is overseas. Shortly after I took the office, they invited me to lunch at the Embassy and told me all about ‘ol man
Howard. Once they made sure I met all the right people, made all the right contacts, they stepped back although they were always available if I had questions or a problem not related to our NCIS mission. In a sense they were my ‘buddies’.

“Along with answering my questions, etc., they were almost always available when we were short an agent, if someone was out or if it was a big enough case that I wanted extra bodies. They were in Athens, if agents from our other offices came over, then that office was short an agent and there were times when that happened.

“There was one particularly nasty case where they stayed with us through the whole thing, they had TADs fly in from the US to fill in for them with their agency while they worked with ours! Took us nearly 3 months to break the case and by the time we’d busted everyone, they had their own coffee mugs and desks at our office.”

Tim smiled, “Pete told me that story. You know Jack is still there. He plans to retire there, he married a Greek woman, a widow with two young children and he loves being a dad. Ted retired and moved back to the US but he and his wife spend most winters in Athens. Pete and Jack have been working on them to move back to Greece.”

Leon smiled, “That would be fun! Joel and Carol just moved over there, they have friends in Scandinavia with whom they plan to swap houses every summer. With the Russells, the Morrises, you when your house is finished, us, Jack and Ted, we’ll have our own expat community!”

Rick raised his hand, “We’re also thinking about it, although not for a few more years.”

“Great, that’ll be even more fun!”

When they looked at Jim, he shook his head, “No, too far from our kids. Although maybe we could do winters there and summers closer to the grandchildren when they’re out of school. How much is the airfare?”

Tim smiled, “Talk to me about that later, Dad says it’s time to go.”

“Oh right, I forgot about the storm, storms, geesh!”

Chapter Text

Saying goodbye to the O’Briens and Carters, the group climbed into the chartered buses they’d hired, for this trip they needed 2 buses. They were happy to see that most supermarkets and hardware stores were open, advertising batteries, flashlights, towels, even blankets and tarps were advertised in the windows of one store, as well as shelf-stable foods and all of them were selling bottled water.

At the airfield, the crew of the jet quickly helped them unload everything from the buses, while others checked IDs and passports, ushering them onto the aircraft where the flight attendants carried the babies to the rows where the Sky Cots were located while others took the children’s safety seats and installed them. Tim noticed everyone was quiet, there was none of the usual chatter as they boarded. He was glad when his children found their safety seats and filed in. He checked each of them to make sure the restraints were fastened. Chloe wasn’t sure she liked having all the restraints fastened, usually they didn’t have to use the chest restraint.

Her dad explained why they’d need them and, as it was padded, she probably wouldn’t even notice it once they got moving. She nodded, remembering they were going to be racing a storm again. That was the term their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles used for all the children, ‘racing’ rather than fleeing or something scarier. As their children loved to run races and even to race their bikes if they were someplace safe, the aircraft racing didn’t bother them. It also helped that they’d been through bumpy flights before, even recently on the flight to Greece to avoid the previous storm in the UK and they’d been fine.

With the long row, 9 across, Jasper, his mom and dad were at the other end of their row. He was buckled into the seat next to his best friend and he smiled as he patted Chloe’s arm, “We’re going to race again!”

The air crew knew, they were the same crew who’d taken them to safety in Greece and had already decided that ‘racing’ would once again be a good term to use. They were happy to see that although the family had a tendency to take their time settling in, there was none of that today. They also noticed family members and family friends who were usually only with them during the summer flights.

Artie and Tim sat in the last two seats of their row, with Tim on the aisle to start out. He and Artie would likely swap at some point and if it was safe, the children would probably swap seats as well. It was odd to sit in a long row, usually the seats were turned so the family could sit facing each other. Tim thought it must be safer to have everyone facing the same way, not to mention saving the time it would have taken to move the seats around.

With the aircraft owned privately, the rows of seats were configured to leave enough room between them so that tall people could recline their seats without worrying about taking up any space of the passengers behind them. Today Joe and Charlotte were behind Tim and Artie with Tommy in the third seat in, behind Liam. Freddie was next to Tommy, then Abby, Menolly, then Sarah with James on the aisle. Tim usually took a look to see where everyone else was but today was not an ordinary flight and he stayed seated.

The doors were closed and locked and the flight attendants took their seats as the jet rolled back from the FBO. Tim heard a few murmurs when one of the flight crew exited the cockpit and stood in the aisle.

When he had everyone’s attention, he nodded with a smile, “It’s good to see you all again, hope your holidays have been a lot of fun! Thank you for being flexible as far as our departure day and time, we’ll be well ahead of the storms. However, because we’re sure to have turbulence we won’t serve drinks or meals until we’ve crossed the Atlantic and found some calmer skies. Because of that, we’ll pass out cold snacks and bottled water now and you can eat them anytime you want. If anyone needs to use the loo you can go now or wait until we reach Canada, where the turbulence will be less noticeable. We’ll let you know as we get closer.

Smiling again, he continued “I have a lot of information to share with you about our journey. First, I’ll refer to the hurricane as the ‘storm’ and the tsunamis as themselves, if it’s necessary to  mention them at all.

“For our flight today, our first leg will be from here to St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, which will take about 3 hours and 20 minutes, let’s say 3 ½ hours for clarity’s sake, it’s easier to say hours and half hours than the number of specific minutes. We do expect more turbulence than usual on our flight to Canada. If the storm moves faster than we believe it will, we’ll fly a bit northwest to stay ahead and away from it but none of the flight crew or the storm experts with whom we’ve consulted believe we’ll need to do that. That’s a ‘just in case’ if you will, we’re actually several hours ahead of the storm, although as I said there will be more turbulence than usual.  

“Once we’re near St. John’s in Newfoundland, we’ll again check the storm’s progress and consult with the folks there. When all goes as we believe it will, we’ll begin our flight east, flying over the Atlantic directly to Athens, Greece. That will take us approximately 9 hours and 18 minutes which I’ll also bump up to 9 ½ hours for now.

“If for some reason we have to land at St. John’s and if there’s a delay in our departure, probably air traffic considering everything going on, and if the delay will be longer than an hour, we’ll disembark and wait in the FBO terminal so everyone will have a chance to stretch their legs and the children can run around, there’s a family play area inside the FBO. If the delay will be 3 or more hours, say 6 or 7 hours, then transportation and room reservations for everyone have already been arranged near the airport and your checked bags will remain behind in the jet, safely secured. The hotel is close enough that if we’re told we are wheels up in an hour, we’ll be able to return in less than half that time. However, to accomplish that we will all need to stay on the hotel grounds, preferably inside this time of year and to keep our carry-on bags packed and ready to go. Please don’t go wandering off or sightseeing, it’s possible we won’t know until an hour or so before our departure that we’ll be notified of that time. All right, that’s all the ground information.

“Next up, the actual flight over the Atlantic. As I said earlier, there will be enough turbulence that we will not serve hot meals or beverages and no one will be allowed to leave their seats. Once we’re solidly over the continent and into calmer air, we’ll serve a hot meal. Of the 9 ½ hours flight from Canada to Greece, we’ll be out of the turbulence by the time we’re over Paris, about 5 ½ hours into the flight from Canada. That will give you time to eat and perhaps get up and move around a little. Perhaps!

“In the meantime we have three doctors aboard and they advise that while sitting safely in your seats, adults should move legs and feet every 30 minutes for at least 10 minutes, although it doesn’t have to be 10 consecutive minutes. Leaving your toes on the floor, use your calves to lift your heels up and down, both feet, for a count of 20. You can also move your feet, with heels on the floor, back and forth, using your legs as well as your feet. We won’t be able to do your usual ‘heads, shoulders, knees and toes’ this trip, although I suppose you could do heads, shoulders and knees, but no toes, that will at least get you some arm movement. In any event, we all need to stretch and exercise a bit, although this trip you’ll stay in your seats. Now, have our doctors decided who our designated medic will be?”

Rob raised his arm and the man smiled, “Very well, Dr. Rob Gibbs it is! And you’re seated on the aisle, good planning.” He chuckled, “At least for most of this flight you won’t have to move your legs and feet from the aisle when the carts are about!”

Rob nodded, calling out, “Once the carts are about with our meals, I’ll swap seats with someone.”

“Good idea, please let us know before you do that. All right, the bottled water and snacks will be on their way to you while we’re queuing for takeoff, we are number 43, so it will be awhile. Remember, this will likely be your last food for several hours and there’s enough for 2 or 3 snack bags apiece and more than one bottle of water for everyone. If anyone has any food allergies or conditions that we don’t already know about, please advise the flight attendants. Most of you have flown with us before so there shouldn’t be any problems. Major, Captain, we have the information for Brian and Mia.

“My apologies Mia and Brian, we usually welcome passengers new to us right away, although now I see you’ve already been on a flight with us.

“Welcome to your first international, overseas’ flight on the Paddington North Sea Oil Company’s Air Fleet or as your family calls it, ‘Air Paddington’ and ‘Uncle Tony’s jets’. He grinned, “Since Mr. Barnes-Gibbs is not everyone’s uncle, some of your new family also call the fleet ‘Tony’s jets’.”

Checking something, he turned back to the passengers, “We have permission for you to visit the restrooms now, but make it as quick as you can, please!”

Nikki was first up and into the restroom while Tim looked at his kids, noticing Liam and Jack squirming a bit. Telling Artie, he unfastened their restraints and told them to hurry but not to run or leave a mess. They were quickly followed by Chloe and Ellanni. When the girls returned with their mother, Tim stood in line behind Bill and Jasper. Both restrooms, one on each side of the aircraft, forward and aft, opened up and Tim grabbed one while Jasper pulled his father into the other one. When Tim emerged he found several more people in line. Smiling, he sat down again, giving Artie a kiss and buckling up. Once nearly everyone on the jet had used the four restrooms, the flight attendants brought the bottled water around. Tim took 9 bottles, 3 extra for the 6 of them. He and Artie could split one extra and the other two extras could be shared between the children, they had cups for them. With permission, they took four of the snack bags, he and Artie could each have two. Tim selected what their children could have, they also would have two bags, keeping in mind that Jasper would want the same thing. Jasper was leaning forward, watching. Chloe told him that the ‘snack lady’ would also come down his side of the aisle and her younger cousin nodded at her with a smile, telling her he wanted to see what snacks there were.

Seeing what their nieces and nephews had and knowing Tim or Artie had selected items that Jasper would also like, Nikki and Bill selected those items for Jasper and were surprised when he asked to replace one of the snack bags with something else. Although they didn’t say anything about his choice to their 2 ½ year old son, they were pleased that he was making a decision for himself.

Within minutes, everyone had their snacks and water for the flight. From the cockpit, someone announced they were now #15 in line and they hoped everyone had visited the restrooms and selected their snacks. Minutes later, the flight attendants were ordered to their seats, tray tables were secured in their upright positions, everyone put the caps back on their bottles of water, tucking the bottles into the seat back pockets, checked their safety belts one last time and sat back, ready for takeoff.

Artie told Tim later that she was incredibly relieved when they actually took off. Not only was it smoother than she expected, she’d been a bit nervous about the storm suddenly attacking. Tim looked at her speculatively and she shook her head, “Oh no, you don’t, I do not want to see that in your next book!”

He grinned and she laughed. Their children smiled, feeling safer when they heard their parents laughing.

Tired from the long, stressful day, Tim nodded off before they reached altitude. As the two of them had switched seats after their trips to the restroom, Artie was now in the aisle seat. As Tim almost always fell asleep soon after takeoff, they were in the habit of switching seats so he wouldn’t have to wake up to move his legs when the carts, or people, came around. Artie on the other hand, would likely be awake for a couple of hours before dropping off.

Looking down their row, she smiled as Bill had his eyes closed, Nikki, with a book on her lap, looked up, smiled, giving her a little wave. Jasper was already asleep, Chloe was coloring in one of her coloring books, Jack and Ellanni were dozing while Liam was reading one of the books he’d brought with him, she could see him smiling at something and giggling at another.

She smiled at that, happy that their children were early readers as both she and Tim had been, although Tim had no idea how old he was when he started to read, he didn’t even know for sure how old he really was. He did know that when his doctors and therapists in the hospital where he lived in the Pediatric ward for nearly 8 months told him he was 6 years old and tested him on his vocabulary and then his reading, he selected a book he was told later was meant for a 10 year old and when asked, told the story in his own words, clearly understanding the plot.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

As predicted, there was turbulence although Tim and his family had been through worse. Other than that, the aircraft was able to stay on course, not having to go west to avoid any storm action. Within 3 hours and 18 minutes they were in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, airspace.

Tim woke when he felt the jet slightly change course and grinned at Jack, who was sitting in the seat on his left. His little boy’s eyes lit up, “Does this mean we can go all the way to Greece now?”

“I believe so, sweetie. Let’s see what the air crew has to say.”

Tim smiled again when Jack giggled at the sounds of people waking up to the same air crew member blowing noisily into the microphone. “Ah, you’re awake, good! We’ve reached Newfoundland without any problems and have been given the green light to proceed with our flight over the Atlantic. While I didn’t ask about tsunamis, I have been told the hurricane is currently stalled in the Atlantic. That’s good news for us and there is a slight chance the storm will blow itself out before it makes landfall.

“As our destination is Greece, one of several countries bordering or in the Mediterranean Sea, once we’re in European airspace we’ll ask about any tsunami activity there. I’m told there is already shelter arranged for all of you so there’s no need to worry. Now that we’re on our way across the Atlantic, we can begin our countdown to dinner! We’re already 30 minutes into our flight to Athens from Canada, so now our timeline for our hot meal is 5 hours!

“In the meantime, before we get into choppy air, it’s time for bathroom breaks! With our relatively peaceful flight so far, we anticipate we’ll be able to have 2 or 3 bathroom breaks once we’re over the continent, before our hot meal is served in 4 hours and 59 minutes!”

There were happy sounds at that and everyone had a turn, no one minded standing in line as it felt wonderful to stand up and some people walked or marched in place while they waited.   

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

It was a long, turbulent flight but once they reached the northeast Atlantic the turbulence died down considerably. By that time, dinner, and Paris, were only 4 hours away! As they flew, the air officer updated them with news of the hurricane and tsunami activity.

The east coast of the US had been hit by the hurricane, although the delay while it was stalled lessened its impact as well as giving more people time to take shelter. Leon passed word to Tim that he’d asked Jim and Rick to let Pete Russell know how everyone was faring.

Other news was more alarming. While the hurricane’s impact had been delayed and somewhat lessened, there were now multiple tsunamis, triggered by underwater volcanic eruptions, ravaging the globe. They didn’t yet have word of any damage to the coastal areas of the US or the coastal areas near Athens, that information might come later in their flight or when they landed.

Wide awake, Tim read a book by one of his dad’s favorite authors, smiling when Artie made a noise, stretching her arms as she woke up. Once she was fully awake, Tim put his book away and the two played cards, using a miniature deck designed for use on the pull down tray tables.

An hour later, they were allowed another bathroom break, especially important for the children and the older folks and everyone stood for a few minutes, whether in line or at their seats.

Eventually, they knew by the delicious smells coming from the galley that dinner was about to be served and that meant they were somewhere near or over Paris. One of the flight attendants told the passengers that the carts would begin delivering in the next 10 minutes, so anyone wanting to walk or to stand by their seats had 10 minutes to do so. Tim and Artie stood in their seat space, stretching and walking in place, their children joining them.

Dinner was delicious, as always and Tim thought it was likely Tony had specifically asked for it, knowing it was a family favorite.

Once the dinner trays were collected, the walking/bathroom restrictions were lifted and everyone stood up to at least do some stretching. It seemed just minutes later when the flight attendants had them return to their seats and buckle up again as the aircraft descended into the airspace of the Hellenic Republic. Everyone cheered at that.

They were even happier when they were told that the Mediterranean had not yet been subjected to any tsunami action although they were also warned it could still happen.

At the moment, whatever the Mediterranean Sea was doing or not doing as far as tsunami activity, the Athens airport was open for business and they cheered again as they landed.

While the aircraft taxied to the FBO, Tim helped his children put their belongings, sweaters, books, crayons, coloring books, sticker books as well as a plushy animal or two, back into their packs. By the time the jet stopped and the sky bridge was in place, the Timothy Gibbs family was ready to disembark.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

As always, it took several minutes for all the passengers to disembark. Once inside the terminal, Tim found Tony, giving him a huge hug. “Thank you, brother, for saving us once again!”

Tony made a noise, “Saving you? We could have stayed at the Arlington house, we would have been all right.”

Tim nodded, “Yes but then Leon and I would likely still be in Porter’s cross-hairs and far too close to the Pentagon! And who knows how long it would be until we could get home!”

“Porter? That bad? She’s always liked you and Leon, actually all of us!”

“Let me put it this way. While any loss of life and property damage from the storms is and will continue to be tragic and horrible, it gave us both a chance to make a strategic retreat.”

“I’ve never heard you speak of her that way!”

“New Secretary of Defense, new boss for her, who knows what will happen next. Right now, it is best to be out of sight and with any luck out of mind, especially because Secretary McCord demanded that Porter and Smythe make formal apologies to both of us. Smythe is her peer so don’t know if that will happen but I imagine Porter will make some sort of effort. Or she may decide to blow it off and say she was teasing although from her general attitude and tone of voice I know she wasn’t and Leon agrees. He was so angry he couldn’t look at her and I barely managed a nod as I left. Although we left separately, each of us walked out without being dismissed.”

Tony winced, “Ouch!”

“Yeah. We also completed separation papers although neither of us filed them, thanks again to the Secretary of State.” He shook his head, “Artie and I don’t need my salary, I’m willing to leave again if they keep pushing this or something else. I could possibly line up another university position, maybe here in Greece, and then leave.”

“Would you be bored?”

“I’d do a short contract, two or three years, maybe through the next election, enough to lose the attention of the DoD.” He shook his head, “I’ll miss the job, it’s been great to work with the leaders I think of as NCIS: Europe legends, Pete, Roger, Stan and now including Jess Knight, our Ned and my three SSAs in London. However, we’ll likely spend winter through spring, maybe early summer, here in Greece and the rest of the year bouncing between Jaxton and Scotland.”

Tony nodded, “Overall, I’ve noticed you’ve been happy.”

Shaking his head, Tim made a face that Tony thought was both sad and angry, “I have been and I’ll be very sorry to go, especially after only a year but I refuse to bow to DC politics, especially when it will directly affect my family as well as the NCIS staff and when what needs to be done is not a big threat to the country. Apparently Porter doesn’t think much of what I’m doing over here although Leon’s been enthusiastic and he’s not shy about turning me down or letting me knew when he doesn’t like something. I’m certainly not saying I’m the only one who could possibly lead the offices over here; however, we’re so thinly stretched that the SSAs and their teams don’t have the time to do any more work than they already do. That’s how I see my responsibilities, to keep eagle eyes on what’s happening over here, to coordinate and look for better ways to operate while fulfilling our mandate and to keep them going, pointed in the right direction.”

“So, when do you expect to hear from Porter?”

“After Leon does, after the storms have passed and she’s taken care of any Navy and Marine problems resulting from the hurricane or the tsunamis. Maybe a month, might be longer.”

“And what will you be doing?”

“Taking care of our kids and the offices. We’re doing something in February for the twins’ half-term holiday, other than that, we’ll be here until the Remis’ property is finished.”

“We’ll miss you at home but then we might end up spending most of the winter here anyway!”

“I vote YES for doing that!”

Exchanging hugs, the two rejoined their families, the Barnes-Gibbses heading to the short queue for EU passport holders along with Artie, their children, Athena and the Powells while Tim, his parents, siblings, their partners and children, Maggie’s dad and the rest of the group lined up for their turn through passport control.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

As Tim emerged from the customs hall, they waved with big smiles at Pappouli Peter, Pete Russell and Kayla Vance who were waiting for the group. The trio were standing alongside 2 large buses that Tim knew had been hired by the Paddingtons, who were thanked for their help.

One of the buses would take those going to Varkiza while the other one would take everyone else into Athens. Tony told him later that Nigel and his wife Emma hadn’t been sure how many people were going to Varkiza and how many would need shelter elsewhere, thus the two buses and hotel reservations.   

Tony handed the final list of those going to Athens to Emma. She took a quick look and smiled, “Thank you! We have more than enough rooms reserved for everyone, the hotel will be happy to open some of those rooms for others escaping the storms.” She added, “We hadn’t thought of anyone but your family flying from the US, Tony, but there have been a few flights arriving from the US today and all of them were full.” She asked how many had been on their flight, her eyes widening when she was told. “Oh my, were you full then?”

“Almost, there were two seats empty, the most passengers we’ve ever had on a family flight.”

Nigel nodded, “We were nearly full as well, with Tim’s in-laws and Dr. Mallard’s family.”

“Artie, Tim, Athena and Ducky are thankful you thought of the Clachers and the Mallard cousins, Nigel, Emma, as am I. Are they in Athens?”

“No, the Clachers and the Mallard cousins are all staying in the vacation rental apartments across from Tim and Artie’s usual place. All of the cousins came with us; at first it was to be just the older folks but the elders talked everyone else into coming, especially those with children. Didn’t make much sense to stay, as close as they are to the east coast of Scotland. Tsunamis will slam into any body of water or land in their way!”  

Maggie chuckled, “This might be the Hellenic Republic’s biggest influx of Brits and Yanks since World War II!”

Nigel nodded, “And we’re very happy to be here! I spoke with Artie’s father earlier and he said that as of about two hour ago, they are not expecting any tsunami activity in the Mediterranean. Unless that accursed volcano erupts again or there are more earthquakes, there hasn’t been an eruption in 6 hours and no earthquakes in nearly the same time, the active tsunamis will eventually do whatever they do to stop or disappear and no new ones will be generated.”

“Any word on damage so far?”

Nigel winced, nodding, “There aren’t many details yet but every coastline on the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans is under water. We listened for Washington, D.C. on the radio and heard that Chesapeake Bay has flooded from its shores all the way through Baltimore and towns within several miles of the bay. The Potomac river, the Shenandoah river and all their tributaries are badly flooded, we heard the Capitol mall is under water as well as several historical buildings. Emma remembered you asking us to listen for the District of Columbia and specifically Georgetown and yes, most of the District and Georgetown flooded. Is that where Dr. Mallard’s home is?”

Nigel winced again at Tony’s nod before continuing his report, “One happier note, the Smithsonian Institute knew about the hurricane, the volcano eruptions and anticipate tsunami activity, meaning heavy rain, winds and probable flooding. Over the years since they were badly flooded in 2006, more stringent emergency measures have been taken and they report only minor damage. The animals at the National Zoo sheltered in bunkers with their regular keepers. Overall, the damage to the zoo and the museums was minimal, considering what it could have been. There's been no report of any flooding in the city of Arlington or at the National Cemetery there although Virginia was also hit by the hurricane. It made landfall in Florida and ripped its way all the way up to Pennsylvania before veering back out to sea again. The tsunamis hit the west coast of the US, I wrote down the counties in California that were reported as the most affected: Ventura, Napa, Santa Cruz, San Diego, Marin, San Francisco, Sonoma and Solano and we heard that rivers in other parts of the state also flooded. I don’t have any specific information on the other 2 states you worried about, Oregon and Washington, although news reports said the Oregon coast was hit by a tsunami that flooded 10 miles inland. Washington was also hit; the report was that 1 mile inland was flooded.”

Tony shook his head, “Thanks, Emma, Nigel. I'll let Ducky know. His brownstone was originally at a slight elevation; however before he moved in, the foundation and basement needed repairs and they ended up raising the house a few feet. With any luck it may have come through without flooding. Might need a boat to get to it but the house itself may be all right."

His cousins smiled, glad to hear the damage might not be as drastic as they feared.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

By now everyone was boarding either the Athens or the Varkiza bus, with Tim and Bill checking people in for the Varkiza bus and another Paddington relative handling the passengers for the Athens bus.

Kayla, Leon, Jared, Jackie and Pete Russell waved to Tim as they left, Jackie and Leon having said their thanks to Tony and his cousins. When Leon hugged Tim, he muttered that they were at least physically safe here. Thinking of the Marines, CIA and probably FBI and/or Homeland agents at the Embassy, Tim chose not to reply.

When Tim rejoined his wife and children, she smiled at him, “Guess where we’re staying?”

He shrugged, “At the commercial building?”

“No, not there. The 6 of us and your parents are staying with Papa and Rhode. Your parents will have the den, our girls will share with my sister Amara, while the boys will have their own room or share with Egan or Milos if either comes home. We will also have our own room.”

“That sounds great but I thought Susannah, Ian and his folks were there?”

“They decided to rent instead. They’re in a 3 bedroom vacation apartment across from our old place. And it’s on the 2^nd floor so if there’s flooding, they’ll be all right. Kayla’s roommate and her parents have also rented an apartment there, also on the 2^nd floor.”  

“Then Nikki, Bill and Jasper?”

“Are staying with Yaya and Ducky.”

Half-asleep, Tim smiled, “That worked out well.”

“Yaya decided that Jasper and his parents should stay with her because it’s where he spent so much time last summer.” She leaned in, “I also noticed that Tony, Maggie, Dick and the girls are on our bus!”

Tim nodded, “I’m glad our bunch is all together. Where are Freddie, Abby and Menolly?”

“In another apartment with Joe, Char and Tommy next door on one side and Jimmy, Breena and Donnie on the other side.”

Tim chuckled, “We’ll have to walk around tomorrow to see where everyone is! Which reminds me, oh never mind, I remember now.”

“What?”

“You, Bill and the crew are going back to work on the 8^th, after Christmas.”

“And you are also going back to work that day.”

Tim nodded, “Yes. I wonder when the Vances will fly home.”

“I’m sure he’s not looking forward to that!”

“I don’t blame him. I need to call my Embassy contact on Friday to see about an office for him.”

“Unless he’s taking time off.”

“Good point.” Tim made a mental point to have a chat with his boss tomorrow. Frowning, he turned to his wife, “I’m ashamed to say this, but what day is today?”

She grinned, “I had to figure that out too. We took off at 3 PM Eastern Standard time the afternoon of New Year’s Eve, flew to Canada and then here. It’s now 0100 Eastern time New Year’s Day in Virginia, plus 7 hours’ time difference between Greece and the US East Coast means it is 0800 New Year’s Day here in Greece. I think.”  

Laughing, Tim leaned over for a deep kiss, “Happy New Year’s, my love!”

They kissed and cuddled as the bus took them home, that is to one of their homes.

Once they were in the house, they quickly unpacked and gathered clean clothes, feeling they’d been in the clothes they’d worn on the plane for days. Artie and their daughters took a shower and dressed, feeling much better. When they were done it was Tim and their sons’ turn and they were equally happy feeling clean. When they emerged from Tim and Artie’s room, they found Yaya Rhode had breakfast ready for them. While the children enjoyed their hot chocolate, the four adults nearly inhaled their first cups of coffee, slowing down to enjoy their second cups as well as Rhode’s traditional Greek breakfast. The eight of them thoroughly enjoyed their hot breakfast of warm spinach pies with fresh fruit and a pastry or two.

After breakfast, they went for a walk. While it wasn’t as cold as it would be in Arlington or Jaxton, it was winter and only 10:00 in the morning, it was chilly and the travelers were glad they’d donned jackets and hats before leaving the house. They walked over to Mimi’s home but didn’t knock on the door as they couldn’t see any lights through the window. Turning around, they walked over to their usual vacation rental and ran into the owner sweeping leaves. Surprised, he greeted them happily, passing along the latest news, the volcano had not erupted in more than 12 hours, there were no new earthquakes and the storm and weather experts were now giving the Mediterranean a clear pass from any tsunami activity. When asked about damages, he shook his head, “It’s tragic, lives lost as well as buildings, homes, businesses and houses of worship, torn apart by the winds of the hurricane or the waters of the tsunami. There are recordings and pictures on TV but we have not heard many stories yet. They are still looking for people. There was a child, a toddler, who was found but at the last broadcast they had not yet found her parents. Luckily, the little girl has grandparents, aunts and uncles.”

He hesitated, “Are you here because of the storms? The Colonel said you were in America.”

Artie nodded, “Yes, we were staying in a house in the state of Virginia, on the east coast, and left a day early to avoid the storms. Since the UK was battered by tsunamis and high tides, we decided to fly straight here and my father picked us up at the airport a couple of hours ago. We’re staying at his house for now. My crew and I will resume work on the house above the sea after Christmas.”

“Ah, yes, that beautiful property! And you, Timothy?”

He smiled, “The children and I got tired of only seeing Artemis part of the week so we’re staying here until she’s finished.”

“And when will that be?”

Artie grinned, she and Tim had already talked about possibly renting the house again, especially now that the initial danger, possible tsunami activity, seemed to be past.

“The house will be finished in April and then we’ll celebrate Easter here. Is your rental available?”

His smile got wider as he nodded. “Yes, it is empty now and I have no bookings until the end of June.”

Tim grinned, “We’ll stay a few days at the Colonel’s but we’d love to rent your place, say from the 7^th until school is out for the summer, I don’t remember when that is.”

“It’s the end of the first full week of June and yes, I will be most happy to rent it to you. There is one thing, however.”

“What’s that?”

“I will not take a deposit. I trust that if you have to leave earlier than expected we will work something out and I certainly know that you will leave the place in good shape.”

Tim grinned, “Thank you!”

The three shook hands while the children grinned, happy that they’d stay in their ‘regular’ house. They liked staying at Pappouli and Yaya’s or Mimi’s but they were company in both places while the rental felt like home to them.

Returning to their grandparents’ home, the children were first cautioned not to say anything to their Pappouli or Yaya. They nodded wisely, thinking that would be a grownup talk.

Tim was sitting with his dad in the Lekkas’ conservatory, relaxing, when his phone rang. Startled, he looked at the ID, while his father manfully held back his laughter. As much time as Timothy spent on his phone, it was funny to see him startled at a phone call.

Answering the call, Tim said, “Hello, Matt, Happy New Year! Where are you, is everything all right?”

The caller huffed, “Happy New Year to you! I called to ask you the same things!”

“We left Virginia yesterday, a day early, hours before the storm and tsunami hit and flew from Virginia to Newfoundland in Canada and then took the shortest route over the Atlantic to Europe. How about you?”

“We decided to leave for Europe early, my grandparents in Portugal invited us for Christmas. We went to the UK for a week first, to get through the worst of our jet lag. I’m glad you warned me about that as flying from California to London, it really hit us! We did manage to see a few things around London so that was good and we had the hotel’s address and phone number on a card we kept with us at all times. One time I just handed it to a taxi driver who looked at it, looked at us and said, “Jet lag?” Luckily Shelly, my wife, was awake enough to answer. He helped us into the taxi and then had to wake us up when we got to the hotel. After that we watched the time more closely, your sister’s routine really works when you pay attention!

“We flew to Portugal on the 20th and spent Christmas with the grands, aunts, uncles and best of all, my sisters, all three of them! My twin Colleen and her family decided they wanted to surprise us, and arrived while we were in London, so they were also through the worst of their jet lag. We’re still here, packing to leave for Greece in the morning. And, drum roll please, we’ve rented a place in Varkiza!”

“Great, whereabouts?”

“Uh, it’s on…hang on, I’ll spell the street name.”

Tim laughed when his friend spelled the name. “That’s a great neighborhood, you’ll be two doors down from my in-laws and we’re about a block and a half away. Here’s how you say the street name…” He had Matt practice until the other man was close enough. Tim thought about the airport, “What time does your flight get in?”

“2:00 PM, I guess there’s a time change.”

“Yes, Portugal, the UK and other countries are in GMT, Greenwich Mean Time while Athens is in Eastern European Time, two hours ahead of GMT. So your 4 hour flight leaves at 8 AM?”

“Yes.”

“Have you arranged for a car rental?”

“Not yet, we’re going to do that after dinner.”

“I tell you what, how about I pick you up at the airport? I need to rent a vehicle, my wife and I were too fried when we got in this morning and an extended family member rented buses to get us to either Varkiza or Athens. By now the rental counters are going to be swamped with people arriving to escape the tsunamis and possibly Christmas, which we’re celebrating on Monday. I’ll drive one of the larger family cars to the airport and bring you all back here, to your new place and then on Saturday, we’ll either have someone drive us into Varkiza or Athens to rent vehicles or maybe Enterprise will pick us up. I’ll book our vehicles, my wife will need one and so will my brother Bill, huh, so will my parents! We’ll figure it all out, in the meantime, you’ll have a ride to your new home.”

“Thanks, that will be great to have you meet us at the airport, someone we know, or at least I know!”

“Sure, be happy to do that and I’ll be easy to spot when you clear Customs, I'm taller than most Greeks.”

Laughing, they disconnected and Tim went to find his wife and parents to talk about renting vehicles. He found them in the kitchen relaxing over more coffee. Artie smiled, “Rhode and Amara took the children for another walk, they said it will have warmed up by now. What have you been up to?”

“Talking with Matt Mello, you remember Mr. Math?”

She chuckled, “Yes, of course. You two were on Skype for 2 hours!”

“Sure, I had questions about his lecture and it took time to answer them all plus we discovered we have a lot in common. Anyway, he, his wife Shelly and their children are in Portugal visiting his grandparents and are flying here tomorrow morning. They’re renting a house down the street here, he’ll start his ‘visiting professor’ gig when the colleges return to class after the holiday. Then they’ll move to the UK over the summer and he’ll start a new professorial job at Bedford, in Brambury.”

“Is that also a visiting professor job?”

“No, it’s permanent.”

Lu smiled, “Wonderful, we’ll have to have them over once they’re settled in at Brambury. How many children do they have?”

Tim and Artie looked at each other, chuckling, before Tim answered, “Four, two sets of twins! Matt also has a twin sister and their younger sisters are twins, all fraternal.”

“Good grief, two sets!” Lu thought before saying, “That’s not that different that Liam and Chloe’s situation, with Chloe only 5 months younger than Liam.”

Tim looked at Artie who smiled at him, saying, “Actually, Liam and Chloe are fraternal twins. We knew they had the same biological father but what we didn’t know was that their mother had her eggs extracted before having some of them fertilized and placed in her uterus, resulting in her pregnancy with Liam and freezing the rest of her eggs. Then she got ill but it wasn’t serious and the doctors assured her that her child would continue developing normally. Wanting her children to be close in age, she had some of the eggs thawed or whatever they do and then fertilized, this time hiring a gestational carrier for the pregnancy. Although they were born 5 months apart, both children are from the same egg extraction and have the same biological father, which makes them fraternal twins.”

The couple smiled at each other, happy they’d finally told someone else of their discovery, they’d known for several months. Tim looked at his parents, while Lu was obviously still thinking through the process, his father looked shell shocked.

Feeling his son’s gaze on him, Jethro looked at him, blinking, “I had no idea, never thought about eggs being, uh, what you said. How did you find out?”

Artie smiled, “I read an article about twins born a few years apart and told Tim; we were both curious to see if our two were conceived and gestated under the same conditions as the twins in the article. After talking with Rob, we contacted their original pediatrician, who because we are now the children’s legal parents, was allowed to tell us what she knew and then referred us to their mother’s gynecologist and obstetrician, who work in the same practice. They told us the entire story, something no one else knows.”

“Do they know, Liam and Chloe?”

“Not yet. We asked the doctors to write it up so we’d have the facts and wouldn’t forget any of it; we now have that written documentation, along with copies of their ultrasounds and everything we had for Ellanni and Jack. However, Chloe and Liam are so young that we’ve decided to wait until they’re a few years older. For now, their cousins, friends and classmates, or future classmates, aren’t likely to question why their birthdays are so close and if they do, we’ll deal with it then.”

Tim nodded, “We have wondered about the older twins or the Costas girls asking but again, if that happens we’ll deal with it. We don’t want to tell anyone else but you two and Yaya, it doesn’t seem fair to the children.”

“Not Peter, Rhode or Sophia?”

Tim gave his father a look and Jethro rolled his eyes, “Yep, forgot my own rules, sorry! You’re right, that’s too many people!”

Lu nodded in understanding, “All right, I’ll also keep my mouth shut. In a way it might be healthier for them, not to always be thought of as a pair as twins are.”

“Thanks, that’s how we feel as well.”

His mother looked at him, “So now tell us about Dr. Matt, the Math guy.”

They’d finished that discussion and were still dawdling around the table when the children returned with Rhode and their youngest aunt, Amara.

The next task was reserving rental cars for whoever needed them, at least for those staying with the Lekkas family, plus Bill and Nikki. That number was six, two for Artie and Tim, two for Lu and Jethro and two for Nikki and Bill. When Tim contacted the rental company he’d used previously, he was happy to hear they would bring the cars to them in Varkiza, they could pay online or when the cars were delivered. Tim also mentioned Matt and Shelly’s need for two vehicles but the rental company said they’d already made reservations and they would also drive those vehicles to Varkiza. Tim blinked when he completed the transaction online for his and Artie’s vehicles, there were 8 cars reserved in the same neighborhood in Varkiza, he wondered if the rental company would use a car carrier!

In the meantime, Mimi offered her SUV for Tim’s drive to and from the airport for the Mello family. That was great as Tim and Artie had purchased a luggage carrier for the top of the vehicle, storing it in her garage. With four children in safety seats, that would take up some of the space they’d need for the family’s belongings.

The newly arrived were pleased to learn that the Russells had invited all of them, the entire Gibbs group currently in Greece, for an early dinner that evening. The junior Powells, junior Mallards, Geordie and Bec begged off, both pregnant women too tired to think of doing anything but sleeping and Geordie and Bec realizing their new children were already overwhelmed and needed some peace and quiet with just the 5 of them, Grampy Ben was staying with them. Most of the rest of the family was looking forward to it. Ducky reported his cousins weren’t going, although he wasn’t sure they’d been included in the first place!

Tim was relieved to find that most of his brothers had been quicker to rent vehicles than he and Artie. He, Artie, the children and his parents rode to Piraeus in Peter’s double cab truck and Rhode’s SUV while Bill drove Athena’s SUV with Nikki, Jasper, Athena, Ducky, Joe, Char, Tommy and Rob. Barry, Ned and the girls arrived in their own rental vehicle, accompanied by Freddie and Abby. Menolly had homework she needed to do and would hang out with the junior Powells while her aunt and uncle were away. The senior Powells and Clachers shared a rental vehicle as they’d done before, with Ian driving his wife and son in their own rental. The Barnes-Gibbs’ left their girls with their grandfather and Yaya Sophia, driving a sedan to the Russell’s home.

The dinner was fun, served buffet style in the Russells’ large kitchen. They’d moved some of the living room furniture onto the covered terrace and set up three large tables in a squared off ‘U’ shape so that everyone would be comfortable and could see and talk with each other.

Tim was very happy to see the Piraeus team in attendance as well as Joel Morris, one of Tim’s predecessors at the London Office and his wife Carol. Grinning, he shook hands with Jack and Ted, NCIS: Europe’s favorite CIA agents and their wives.

He, Leon and Jackie exchanged hugs as did Artie, Jethro and Lu. Leon patted Tim on the back, murmuring, “Remember the time difference between here and DC. Don’t answer your phone tomorrow or from here on for a DC area code call after 5 PM in this time zone.”

Tim managed not to roll his eyes, “I won’t if you won’t!” He shook his head, “Leon, although I do love my job, I can leave again. I’ve already put our former health insurance agent on alert in case we need coverage immediately. Then Artie told me her company has health insurance so we shouldn’t worry. We’ve cleared a possible salary loss with our financial advisor who said he’d move some funds around but not to worry about anything.”

Then he squinted, “I’ll have to speak with Leo and Blake or whoever at State, to get those reports for the numbers and for more information about the locations I have in mind.”

“I forgot you unofficially agreed to that. Still…”

“I promise to be careful!”

“All right, I will be too.”

Laughing at each other, they moved on.

As tired as the travelers were, none of them stayed late and by 8 PM, they were back in their respective temporary homes.

Chapter Text

Ch 19: Twin Surprises, New Arrivals, Trouble?

The rental vehicles arrived one after the other mid-morning on Friday. Tim rolled his eyes at himself when he spotted the small bus following them, of course the company would have figured out transportation for their drivers!

They’d been to Athena and Ducky’s for breakfast and stayed to clean up and spend more time with the couple. They were walking back to the Lekkas’ home when the parade of vehicles passed them, four of them turning onto the street where Peter and Rhode lived.

The children grinned, “Daddy, are those cars ours?”

“Two of them are, one for your mother and one for me. The other two are for Grama and Poppy.”

“Yay! Do you know who the others are for?”

“Uncles, aunts and some new friends we haven’t met yet.”

Ellanni looked at him, “How can they be friends if we don’t know them?”

“I’ve met two of them online and we’ve talked several times. They’re moving here from the US. He’ll teach college here until summer and then they’re moving to the UK where he’ll teach at another college.”

“Oh. Do they have children?”

“Yes, they have two sets of twins!”

“Just like us!”

The four children grinned at each other, giggling. When Artie had recovered from her shock enough to form words, Tim wasn’t to that point yet, she asked them how they’d decided that.

Liam grinned, “We didn’t, Mama, someone told us when we were really little, I think before Chloe and I came here the first time. When we flew on the airplane with the people we stayed with before.”

“The Brudegans?”

Liam nodded. “The lady took us somewhere and a nice man, I think he was a doctor because he wore a white coat inside even though it wasn’t cold, said we were twins.” He giggled, “The lady was really surprised, just like you and Daddy!”

“Oh!” She looked at Tim, who had finally regained his senses and now was laughing hard enough to worry her. Then it hit her as well and she also laughed, the two of them leaning on each other while their children grinned at them.

Eventually they recovered enough to continue their walk, waving at the rental car company’s small bus as it drove back down the street with all the drivers. When the bus stopped, the bus driver leaned out asking if they were the Timothy Gibbses. All 6 of them nodded, which made the bus driver chuckle. He passed a clipboard to Tim, who signed a few pages and then handed it back, with thanks. The bus driver nodded his thanks, adding, “By any chance are the Mellos part of your group?”

Tim replied, “They’re friends. Why?”

“We have a car reserved for them but for tomorrow. The address is near the others we just delivered.”

“Right, they’re not arriving until this afternoon and they’ve never been here before. I’m picking them up at the airport so they won’t need a car until tomorrow.”

“Ok, thanks. Not that it was any of my business but I was afraid we slipped up on the delivery day. We’re closing at noon tomorrow so we’ll be delivering in the morning, between 8:30 and 9:00. They’ll receive a message from us this afternoon with those times.”

“I’ll let them know; they’ll be happy to have wheels right away. And don’t worry, you had it right and I understand how it would be  confusing! As a whole, our family is confusing!”

Mutually wishing each other a Kala Cristouyenna or Merry Christmas, the bus moved on, finally disappearing around a corner.

Finally back at the house, Tim said he felt like he needed a nap after the surprise and then the bus driver. Then he and Artie started laughing again and their offspring laughed with them.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

When they told Tim’s parents, they also had a good laugh, although they hadn’t known ‘the secret’ for long. Lu shook her head, “It’s strange the foster parents didn’t give you a copy of the doctor’s report when you took custody.”

Artie and Tim looked at each other, eyebrows raised and then shook their heads, Artie saying, “We were very busy with the four children, Chloe and Liam were very young and had lost their mother less than 6 months before. That was also 2013, the year of the 8 new children in the family and baby Alec was born shortly after our new fosters arrived. Between all of us, we were swamped! That’s our excuse for never looking through everything the Brudegans gave us or that Social Services sent us.”

Tim winced, “We’ll look next time we’re home.”

“You don’t have it online?”

The couple looked at each other, both shrugging and Tim saying, “Neither of us remember if their info is online or not.”

His father’s eyes widened and both eyebrows raised in shock. He said, “That’s the first time in all the years I’ve known you that you’ve said that. Or maybe admitted it.”

Tim closed his eyes and hung his head in mock shame, followed by a laugh, “It’s the first time as far as I know. What can I say, my wife, children, parents, grandparents and siblings, my family are my priorities now, you all are far more important than scanning things online.”  

With a grin, Jethro gave him an affectionate pat on the back saying, “Glad you have your priorities straight!”

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

When Sophia called, asking if it would convenient for the children to visit her in her Athens apartment that afternoon, Artie immediately agreed, especially after her mother said she would pick them up and bring them home that afternoon.  

When she told her husband that she was going with him to meet the Mello family and who would be with the children, he smiled happily. While it wasn’t the first time Sophia had stayed with their children, it was the first time they’d be with her at her place. Knowing Dick Barnes would also be there eased any lingering worries either might have had about her behavior and all four of their children were comfortable with her. With help from her mother, sister and brother, she’d worked hard to gain their trust, both the children’s as well as her daughter and son-in-law’s and then their affection.

Chloe didn’t remember their scary encounter with a nearly out of control Sophia in a children’s park in Denmark 1½ years ago and young Jack only had vague memories that didn’t seem at all related to the Yaya Sophia he knew and loved now.

Artie followed up her announcement that their children would be with their Yaya Sophia by telling her husband she was going with him to the airport, which brought an even brighter smile to his face. They’d have the entire drive to the airport to themselves, just the two of them, a rare treat! He also thought it would be much easier for Matt’s wife Shelly to have another adult woman with them, especially one who was as knowledgeable about Greece as his love.

They’d rented the largest van available, knowing that with the 6 of them, 4 of them in safety seats, they’d need more room for grandparents, great-grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. While it wasn’t quite the size of the small bus used by the rental company, it was very close, although called a van, not a bus.

Now they’d test the roominess with 8 of them along with their luggage on the way home from the airport. Although they wouldn’t need Athena’s SUV after all, they would still borrow the cartop.

Dick arrived to pick up the children, chuckling at their surprise. “I spent the morning with my girls and told Sophia I’d stop to bring her grands back with me. We’ll bring them home in time for dinner.”

“Thanks, Dick!”

They smiled as their children each greeted Papi with a hug as they climbed into their safety seats, which thankfully hadn’t yet been installed in the van. Wondering if they should take Jack and Ellanni’s, he mentioned it to his wife who pointed out the Mello children had probably used their own safety seats on the flight from Portugal.  

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

After going for a walk on the beach by themselves, which they admitted felt strange and wonderful at the same time, the couple returned to the Lekkas’ home for a bite to eat before cleaning up and leaving for the airport. Before they cleaned up, Tim, with help from Dad, installed Athena’s rooftop luggage carrier onto the van, smiling at the snug fit, perfect!

Tim chuckled when, as they left the house, his father called out, “Don’t board any aircraft, we’re not leaving!”

And then his mother called, “And no running away, we’ll find you, I promise!”

He looked at his wife as they drove down the street, “Are we in that much need of alone time? Never mind, don’t answer that!”

Leaning over, she gave him a quick kiss. “We need to get away by ourselves, for a weekend. Did we ever do anything for our anniversary?”

His eyes grew wide and then he shrugged, “I don’t think so. So, where and when?”

She gave him a look, “Oh no, you decide on the where, I believe I picked last time.”

“Paris and anywhere in Northern Europe is too cold this time of year. Unless we go skiing, maybe in Switzerland?”

“Ooh, that sounds good. For a weekend?”

“Can you take a Monday or Friday off?”

“Yes, I can take both off if I want.”

“All right, let’s start with that, then when and where.”

“After Jack and Ellanni have started school here, say at least two weeks after.”

“Makes sense. Okay, that’s the when. Next is the where?”

She gave him a bit of a look and he grinned, “Someplace we can’t take the kids until they’re older. Doesn’t have to be warm, although that would be nice, especially if there’s a…oops, never mind, I’ve already forgotten about the storms! Nothing on any coast, unless it’s a Mediterranean coast. Southern Spain?”

“That’s an idea, we’ll have to make sure there hasn’t been any damage to their Mediterranean coastline.”

“Somewhere on the east coast of Africa?”

“Also a good idea.”

“Or, what about going north to ski and to see the Northern lights again?”

She smiled, “That does sound like fun, maybe a ski resort in the Italian Alps?”

“Ooh, great idea!”

Minutes later he said, “What if we went to a country we haven’t been to yet, for skiing and sightseeing? I’m wondering if Italian ski resorts might be too far south for the Northern Lights.”

“I like the idea of seeing a new country rather than returning to someplace we’ve already been, although we haven’t yet been to the Italian Alps.”

“No, but it’s close enough to us, either from here or the UK, that we could even combine it with a visit to Nik, Sergio and the girls, maybe they could join us. I’m thinking more of an adventure.”

“Yes, that’s what we need, an adventure for the two of us. Let’s look online when we get home.”

“Agreed!”

Grinning at each other, they sat back, chatting about this and that. Turning into short-term parking at the airport, they walked towards the Baggage Reclaim Area, holding hands.

They’d no sooner found seats than Tim smiled as he stood, waving to Matt when he spotted them coming from the Customs area. Next to him, Artie smiled and also waved, noting relief on the tired face next to Matt, his wife Shelly, a nickname for the woman’s full name Michelle. Matt also looked tired and Tim was suddenly very glad he and Artie were both here to help their new friends ease into life in a country where they didn’t speak the language or know many of the customs.

As the couple approached, Artie and Tim saw their children, two sets of fraternal twins, on either side and between the couple. Their older twins were 5, a few months older than Elanne and Jack while their younger twins were two years younger, born late in the same year as Chloe and only 6 months older than Jasper, also a few months younger than Tony and Maggie’s older daughter McKenna, which would be great if they all became friends.

The 2 sets of twins were either older or younger than Liam but then he was friends with all the cousins and friends, he never had a problem making or keeping friends. Artie sometimes thought that of their two boys, Liam was very much like Tim, in looks and temperament, while Jackson, at least at this stage of his life, seemed to be a mix of her, his grandfathers and great-grandparents. While she thought it a bit odd that their adopted son Liam should be like Tim, she supposed it was a mere coincidence. Since Ms. March researched and liked Tom E. Gemcity enough to name him guardian of her children, it made some sense that she’d also selected a sperm donor who had several traits in common with Tim.  

As the newcomers approached them, Artemis and Tim noticed a look passing between Matt and Shelly. As the Midei-Gibbses didn’t know the couple well, they let it go, although Artie wondered and Tim managed to fight off a feeling of panic. Over what, he wasn’t sure.

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Tim went for another luggage trolley and he and Matt divided the baggage between the two trolleys while Artie took the keys to bring the van closer to the doors to the Baggage Reclaim area. Shelly and the kids found seats in the area.

While he didn’t say anything, Tim was relieved to see bags with the children’s safety seats, it would only take a few minutes to install them in the van. Matt noticed and smiled, “We bought new ones in the UK, left the old ones with the airline to use for anyone who didn’t bring their kids’ safety seats.”

“Good thinking and I’m glad you bought new ones, the European restrictions are a bit different than in the US.”

“Yes, my sisters told us before we left home.”

“Aren’t siblings great? I’m sorry I didn’t think of it. Our older twins were only 5 months old when we moved to the UK, all the replacements have been European.”

“Older twins? I thought your younger children were singletons.”

“So did we, until my wife read an article about twins born 5 years apart! Then we made some phone calls to the various doctors our kids’ birth mother had seen and were told that yes, because they were conceived with eggs from the same extraction and the same sperm donor, they are fraternal twins no matter when they were born.”

“Wow!”

“The funny part is that we worried about telling them or not telling them, finally deciding not to tell them until they were older. Then yesterday we were walking with the four of them and mentioned you and your family and that you had two sets of twins. And Ellanni, our older daughter, says, ‘Just like us!’

“They already knew, the four of them, little scamps! Liam, he’s the older of the newer twins, has vague memories of going with his foster mother to a doctor who said he and Chloe were twins. At that point Artie and I realized that as crazy as those weeks around their arrival were, 8 children, 4 babies and 4 fosters, joined the family that year, we’d never looked at all the papers their foster parents gave us. There it was, in black and white, Liam and Chloe are twins, born 5 months apart.”

“Wow, that’s something else!”

Tim laughed, “Oh yeah! We’ve decided we’re glad we didn’t know beforehand, we worried enough about Ellanni and Jack before they were born!”

“That’s an unusual name, Ellanni.”

“As far as we know, we created it. It’s a mix of part of my mother’s name, Luella, from that we took Ella and combined it with my paternal grandmother’s name, Anne.”

“Interesting how you pronounce it, it sounds almost Hawaiian, blending it together.”

“An unforeseen and fortuitous consequence!”

“And Jack?”

“He’s named for my paternal grandfather, Grandma Anne’s husband Jackson Gibbs. Grandpa Jack loves having a namesake and that we named young Jack’s twin after his Anne, who died when my dad was 14.”

“Ouch!”

Tim nodded but didn’t expand on the matter, instead asking about their visit to Portugal.

“That was fun and a relief to be with people we know and love, especially when Colleen and her family were there! You know she and I are only related to them through our dad’s adoption of us. I think it’s wonderful they still consider us family, years after Dad’s death. We’re their grandchildren, niece and nephew, along with our partners and now have great-grandchildren for them to love.”

“Those are some special people, Matt, glad you have them in your life!”

“So am I!”

The two of them smiled as Artie arrived with the van. It took a few minutes to install the four safety seats and then the children climbed in, their luggage was loaded into the cargo area and Athena’s car topper, the adults found seats and off they went.

On the way to Varkiza, Tim remembered to tell the Mellos about their rental vehicle arriving in the morning. Matt checked his phone, finding the message from the rental car company and sending an acknowledgement. Shelly fell asleep as did all four of the children.

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Tim later told his dad about his panic. Jethro looked at him, taking him by the shoulders and looking him in the eye before pulling him into his arms, feeling the slight tremble in his son. “That’s different, Timson, you don’t easily panic. Do you remember any other thoughts?”

“That I wasn’t ready, I wanted to take Artie, turn around and disappear.”

“Ready for what, son?”

Tim looked at him, taking a deep breath. “I need Mom and Artie to hear this. Artie knows some of it, so does Mom.”

“All right, I’ll get them.”

Nodding, Tim worked on finding calm, thinking about his wife and parents and how much he loved them and they loved him, about all the people he loved and who loved him, how many people he belonged to now.

He wasn’t alone, he hadn’t been for many years now, decades. He belonged to his wife, their children, his parents, his siblings, their families, his in-laws and all of the friends the 8 of them made during their lives on the street and afterwards, along with their newer siblings, Tony, Jimmy, Ziva and Abby. And all of them also belonged to him.

He huffed, he’d belonged to someone since the day he arrived in Baltimore when the bus driver asked him to take a little girl, Sarah, into the bus station with him. A few hours later, they met Geordie and even though the transient camp was a rough place, Tim immediately felt safer when he met Nate and Juanita. By the end of their second day at the camp, he felt a huge sense of freedom, no more moving around for him, here he’d be able to go to the same school for an entire school year, and no more having to adapt to new foster parents, hoping they’d like him and worrying that they wouldn’t want him either, that he’d be moved again. That was done, he was here now and he already felt better than he had since he left the hospital. He was sure it would be hard, so far all of his life that he remembered had been hard one way or another and was also sure he would get through the difficulties.

Now, finding the calm he’d been searching for, he was doing some stretches when Artie and his parents arrived. He nodded to them, “Thanks for being willing to listen to me. Dad, Artie and Mom know a lot of what I’m going to tell you. Mom because of my nightmares when we stayed at the shelter and Artie, mostly because of those but also because of our history together at MIT.”

He hooked an eyebrow at his dad, who’d nodded. Jethro replied, “Tony, Ziva and I also know about your nightmares, Timson, you occasionally had one, although never the same one, if we were overnight somewhere on a particularly awful case that involved a child or children. Ducky and Jimmy too.”

Tim frowned, closing his eyes and then shrugged, finally saying, “Thank you for the comfort you must have given me and for not asking about them.”

Dad winced, “I wanted to but Duck convinced me that it should be him and I’m guessing he never did.”

“You’re right, he did not.”

He sat down and then stood again, he needed to be able to move while he told them his story. When he was through, he finally sat, relaxing as three pairs of arms somehow wrapped around him.

As Tim expected, Dad had questions and asked them, even while tears of grief and anger rolled down his face. Tim shook his head, “I don’t have enough information to do any searching and I don’t want to. I’m terrified of them and now I’m also frightened for my children, for all the family’s children.”

“Does Leon know?”

“No.”

“Why now?”

Tim took a deep breath, holding onto his wife. “Because I think Matt Mello might be related to me. Even more frightening, for me anyway, is that I think he believes he is related to me.”

“You’ve never had your DNA tested?”

Tim visibly shuddered, “No. I can’t. The agency doesn’t even have my DNA. I didn’t know this until a year or so ago but I believe my DNA was compromised, that was what they were trying to do. Although there are scientific studies, no living human’s DNA has yet been successfully changed, unless it has and it has been kept quiet. My fear is that I was a test subject, I hope a failed test subject, considering how I was left at the hospital in a coma, and that some of those faceless people will find me, or our children, and try again.”

He took an even deeper breath, “I also know that I was sold to the goons.”

His father jumped up, his eyes blazing, “You were what?”

Beside him, Lu bowed her head, crying for her son. While she had put together bits and pieces of Tim’s story over the years, she’d never even considered that. She’d believed his birth parents were responsible for his nightmares, timidness and as a child, his distrust of most people. Believing that, she’d made the same decision she’d made for Freddie, Barry and Bill, who had each been badly abused, physically and emotionally, by their supposed caregivers. She never said anything to anyone but Nate about the four boys, especially not in the condition that Baltimore’s foster system was in at the time.

She had not reported their previous lives to any authority, she, Nate and Juanita in her fashion, continuing to do their best to give each of the four, along with the others, all the care and structure they needed.

Tim continued, “Sold. And yes, I remember the big person who took me, he had been my friend, I relied on him and he told me.“ Tears rolled down Tim’s face, “He took care of me when my mother wasn’t there. He would come to visit the man who sometimes stayed there and he played with me, changed me, fed me.”

“Timothy, son, we need to get Leon in on this. How do you think Mello is involved?”

“I don’t think he is, I just know we look enough alike to be related, maybe closely related. I believe he’s a few years younger than I am, so he wouldn’t have been involved. Dad, I don’t know who I was or why they sold me or to whom they sold me. I don’t even know how old I really am. Until you adopted me, I never had a father, I’d never called anyone Daddy. I don’t know how or why I know or remember these things but I know with a certainty that I’m right.”

“All right, son.” Jethro wrapped his arms around his son, still trying to absorb everything Tim told them. Knowing there were nightmares was one thing, knowing what they were probably about was horrifying as well as sickening, to say the least. Lu and Artie joined him, the three of them comforting Tim as well as each other.

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Much to his surprise, Tim slept peacefully that night. Sunday morning, he and Artie were up early and once again went for a walk by themselves.

Sensing that today her husband’s thoughts were occupied by something or things other than his past, Artie took a guess. “Timόtheos, are you thinking about your job again?”

He chuckled, making her very happy. “Not exactly or at least not about losing it. If I do, so be it, if I don’t, yay! What I have been thinking about is that I need to see my staff at the London office, to resume my work schedule. I feel like I’ve been away from work for weeks, rather than a few days.”

“You’re not thinking of doing this to prove Porter wrong?”

He made a derisive noise, “Honey, I have enough confidence in myself and the work I do to know that she’s wrong. Dead wrong. I mean, she’s not dead but very wrong.”

She chuckled, “I knew what you meant and I like you saying that she is dead wrong, I agree with you.”

Giving her a lingering kiss, they walked on before Tim squared his shoulders, saying, “Artemis, I need to go to London for a few days. We’ll ask Mom and Dad to take care of the children and as it’s winter, you’ll be home close to sunset. The kids can go to day care and then Ellanni and Jack will start at the International School on Monday. I’ll be home, this home, by then.”

“When are you thinking of leaving?”

“Tuesday morning, Paddington has a flight out at 0600. The Clachers, Powells, junior Mallards, the Scottish Mallard cousins, Freddie, Abby, Menolly, Joe, Char, Tommy and the Porters are flying home, first to Edinburgh, then to London and across to the US. The Porters will stay at a hotel for the air crew layover before continuing to San Francisco.

“Tony and Nigel have a meeting in London they need to attend so they’re also going, Dick will stay with Maggie and the girls. Rob needs to get back to work and I believe Geo and Bec are taking Brian and Mia home. Classes start for all four of them next week and they’ll want the children to see their new school and maybe meet their teachers before they start.”

Artie nodded, “Nik and Gaia and their families are also leaving Tuesday morning, probably right after your departure. I believe Ned, Barry and the girls will be on the same flight as theirs. How long do you want to be there?”

“I’ll be in the office early enough Tuesday to put in a full day and then Wednesday I have an early appointment, before his office hours, with Dr. Landers. I’ll go into work from there and work all day Thursday as well. Friday, I’ll go in early and leave for the airport around 9:00. Tony’s got a flight booked back here at 10:30 AM and he’s holding a seat for me. That’ll get us here between 3:40 and 4:00 Eastern European time, depending on the air traffic in London.

“Until we know that the Jaxton house is empty and has been cleaned, we Jaxton residents will stay at the townhouse in London. The Mallards may stay there until the baby is born, don’t know. George and Edie will be with Sarah, Breena and Donnie during the day, so they won’t be alone while James and Jimmy are at work.”

“Good, I wondered about that. And I bet the townhouse will be fun! Honey, I’m proud and relieved that you’ve made an appointment with Dr. Landers and I understand your need to see your staff, especially after yet another storm.” She looked at him, “Will you want to return to the UK next week?”

He shook his head, “Next week, I want to do one full week here, then four days in London and 1 day in Athens and then maybe reverse that, sort of going back and forth.”

She made a face, “That sounds confusing although I understand you not wanting to be away from us for a full week.”

He nodded, “I know it’s confusing and I may just be in London two days a week and the rest here. Did we decide if we were going home every weekend?”

“I think we decided to wait and see what the weather was doing any particular weekend. We may want to play in the snow one or more weekends!”

“True, I forgot about that and playing in the snow will be fun.” He smiled, “I remember you talking about the children forgetting what it’s like to be cold and playing in the snow is a great way to be reminded! All right, for this week, I’m leaving Tuesday morning and will be back Friday around 1600, local time. Huh, I guess I’d better tell Leon!” He twisted his lips, “There is something else. How about we move into our usual rental on Saturday?”

“Yes! There’s room for your parents as well. I love my parents and Amara but I think we’re all feeling a bit cramped, especially Amara! Shall I let our landlord know we won’t be there until Saturday?”

Tim shook his head, “Nah, he already waived the deposit and in a couple of years we won’t be renting from him anymore, he can have the few extra dollars.” Smiling, he asked, “Is there anything you want from home, if I have a chance to get out there?”

“The Christmas gifts!”

“Ok, then I’ll borrow a car and drive out.”

“Oh no, Tim, that sounds like a hassle. You’ll have to go after work, find everything, load it up, unload it at the townhouse or leave it in the car and worry about it and then haul it all to the airport on Friday! We haven’t set up a new date yet, leave everything there and we’ll take them when it’s time. Otherwise we will have to leave them with someone here in Varkiza and all that seems unnecessary.”

Laughing, he agreed.

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When Tim spoke with Leon, the man agreed to his plan, before sighing, “I should also do that. Not your exact schedule but I need to visit our offices while I’m over here.”

“Take Jackie with you to Hamburg, go skiing in Germany.”

“Great idea! Kayla’s flying back with you on Tuesday along with her roommate and her family, I believe her family are continuing to DC on Paddington and from there they'll catch a flight or train to wherever they live in Canada. Jared has asked to stay here to attend the International School with Kyra, the Russells’ youngest.”

“Glad Kayla’s with us and wow about Jared!”

“Yes, he has this term and then next year will be his senior or last year of high school, I mean secondary school. We believe it will be good for him to experience more real life, meaning not just vacationing, in another country and where better than here? He speaks the language, he loves it here, has friends and family, it’s perfect! He will be somewhat like an exchange student, only unofficially and he’ll live with the Russells. With her sister and brothers either at college or on their own, Kyra is as excited as Jared!”

“He’ll also be safer.”

“Yes, there is that, in fact both of us admit to being a bit relieved.” Leon took a breath, “That also means we don’t have to worry about my job.”

“Right. Have you heard anything?”

“No, how about you, got that written apology yet?”

Tim made a noise and they both laughed. Tim finally said, “As Secretary McCord is a peer of Smythe’s and at least to me, considering his actions, he seems arrogant. He probably deleted her e-mail. And as he is Porter’s boss, not McCord, he may have told Porter not to bother.”

“Yes, sadly I’m also coming to that conclusion.” Leon huffed, “Not the first SecNav or SecDef who’s lost my trust or done us dirty but hopefully they will be the last.”

“At least Mrs. Bess knows the truth.”

“Yes, it helps knowing that, both personally and professionally. How about this, we’ll go to Hamburg, haven’t been there before and you go to London. Then on some of your London days, you and I will visit the other offices.”

Leon smiled at Tim’s enthusiastic response. He’d thought there was something else going on but that ‘something’ was not evident, at least not today. He thought about going to Naples, almost smacking his lips as he thought about eating at Nik and Sergio’s restaurant in Sorrento, only an hour from the NCIS office by train.

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One of the ‘fallouts’ from flying straight to Greece from the US was that the Greek family had planned to celebrate Christmas in Jaxton. Now they would celebrate at Yaya’s as she, Artie, Lu, Susannah, her mother-in-law Fiona and Rhode would do most of the cooking, unless of course Nik decided to cook which would be wonderful! Sophia would handle the table decorations and other holiday décor with help from her grandchildren, nieces and nephew.

Feeling bad at not having the Christmas gifts they’d found for their Greek family, Artie was relieved when Susannah mentioned they hadn’t brought any of their gifts. The adults eventually agreed they’d buy a few little things for the children but that they could wait until they were all together again to open their other gifts.

When Artie suggested planning another get-together in January or February, everyone liked that. For now, they’d celebrate their traditional Christmas with good food, their family and whatever little gifts they could find before Monday. To make it even more fun they decided to have a limit of how much could be spent for each person. While the grandparents objected, the parents were very happy with the limits.

Late Monday morning, Tim and his dad chuckled as they loaded the SUV with everything Lu and Artie would need today, both food and equipment. Before they left Tim remembered the box of gifts they’d purchased. While Artie drove and Rhode, her daughter Amara and Lu rode, Tim, the children, Poppy and Pappouli Peter walked to Athena’s home. The SUV was still in the process of being unloaded by the time they got there and everyone pitched in.

When they entered the house, the aromatic smell drew them to the kitchen where Nik and Sergio were busy putting something wonderful together. The group smiled happily. The women, with the exceptions of Sophia who was still a beginner, Sarah and Maggie who’d purposely married men they loved and because both men liked to cook, were all good cooks but they were excited whenever the family chefs took over!

Not only did it give them a break, everyone there would be happy with the feast Chefs Nik and Sergio prepared. And, as Athena now had a dishwasher, a name day present from the entire family, clean up would be fairly easy.

Sophia smiled as she decorated the dining table, the children helping her, this was something she liked to do and was fairly good at. This year, she’d found table decorations representing the countries of their large family, England, Scotland, the US, France where Ned and Barry lived, Italy, Israel as Ziva’s birthplace and of course Greece. She’d found tiny little artificial pine and fir trees and scattered those around, setting the table with festive napkins.

Their dinner was delicious, as Nik’s creations always were and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Before dessert was served, they opened their presents. The children each had several gifts and the adults laughed when each of them also had the same number as the children!

They had fun opening them and showing the others what they were. There were puzzle books for the children and also for the adults. A book on parenting for Geo and Bec, who were very happy to see it while Brian and Mia laughed. Plushy animals, a canister of a favorite tea or a jar of a favorite and hard-to-find jam, freshly baked cookies, a new book or two as well as a few old favorites in good condition, a few DVDs of classic movies, new games, warm scarves for cold weather, pretty scarves for date nights, sunhats, child and adult sized gardening tools and packets of seeds for all the gardeners. It was fun to see everything and they laughed at themselves as they ‘oohed and ahhed’.

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That night, Tim gathered their children in his and Artie’s room, telling them he had to go to work in London and would be back Friday night, for dinner and would talk with them every day.

When Jack asked if he would be gone every week, like their mama used to be, Tim shook his head. “Do you remember that I’m in charge of all the people in the office in London?” Four nods and Tim smiled at them, “Remember how bumpy our plane ride was when we crossed over the ocean?”

They nodded again and Tim continued, “All the people in London who report to me also went through that big storm only on the ground. I knew they were safe, they stayed at Uncle Tony and Aunt Maggie’s house but I still need to see that they are all right.”

“And,” he leaned down as if to tell them a secret, “I have a lot of work to do. I’ll start in London tomorrow and then next week I’ll work here at the Embassy, remember when I did that last summer?”

They smiled and nodded at that. Taking them to their rooms, he watched as first the boys and then the girls dropped off to sleep. He kissed each forehead whispering that he loved them, and would always love them.

Walking back into the living area, he smiled at his wife, parents and in-laws who all seemed to be waiting for him. “What’s up?”

Sounding very much like Boss Gibbs, his dad said, “I’m going with you to London” in his ‘argue with me and you’ll pay the consequences’ voice.

Tim very carefully kept his lips curled in where they couldn’t get him into trouble, although he really really wanted to say, “Yes, Boss”, while Rhode said, “Your mother, Athena, Maggie, Sophia, Richard, Donald, Peter and I will do fine with all 7 of the children. They’re looking forward to seeing the friends they made at daycare last summer and will have plenty to keep them busy. If it’s warm enough, they can swim here or perhaps in the apartment building pool, Athena knows the owner and we have permission. And you’ll be home before Monday, in time for Ellanne and Jackson’s first day of school in Greece.”

Amused, Tim nodded with a smile, realizing she was including Jasper, McKenna and Madelyn with his children. Then he looked at his dad who gave him one of his smiley-smirks, “George and I have a crib and bassinet to make, we’ll be busy! Once we’re in London, we’ll drop you at work, drop our stuff off at the townhouse and then take the tube out to Jaxton, take a look at the house and gardens, gather what we need and then bring it back in one of our cars, probably George’s.”

“Great, this all sounds wonderful, thank you!”

His mother looked at him carefully, “You’re not upset?”

“Me? No, this sounds great! Maybe Dad, George and Tony, if he’s available, can come in for lunch on Thursday.” He turned to his in-laws, “How about you two meet me at the Embassy for lunch one day?”

Peter and Rhode smiled at him, “We’d like that, thank you!”

Rhode added, “I’ve never been in an embassy!”

Tim nodded, “I hadn’t either before I started working in this one in whatever year that was, 2012?”

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Leaving the house at 4:30 AM Tuesday morning for their 6:00 AM flight, Tim had one thought, that as soon he was aboard the jet he could sleep for 4 hours. He followed that thought by leaning back and shutting his eyes, a little nap now wouldn’t hurt. He and Dad were riding to the airport with Geo and Bec, Brian and Mia. While Geo was turning in their rental car, Tim and their father would get the luggage off-loaded onto a trolley and hang out with the children while Bec checked them in at the FBO desk.

Everything went according to plan and the 6 of them joined the rest of the traveling group of family and friends, Larry and Cyndie Porter were returning home to California, at the FBO. Young Brian was excited about flying again, this time without any storms to worry about. While Mia liked flying all right, she wasn’t as excited about flying in a private jet as Brian was. Considering this was only her third flight and the last time had also been on a private jet and that she was younger than he was, he guessed she hadn’t really noticed the difference.

Saying goodbye to those returning to their homes in Europe, the UK bound group boarded, several of them thinking about their flight from the US nearly a week before.

Tim and Jethro sat across from each other in two rows turned inward. That way each had a window seat, although Tim planned to sleep as much as possible. He sat in the middle seat so he wouldn’t bump his head on the ‘wall’ of the aircraft while he was asleep and so that he could stretch out a bit more. After buckling his seat belt and tucking a bottle of water safely nearby, he smiled at his dad and closed his eyes. Jethro shook his head at his son’s ability to sleep through a few announcements, taxiing and takeoff, although he himself had been known to fall asleep as soon as he had the harness fastened on the C-130s of his Marine and NCIS days. He waited to enjoy a cup of coffee from the beverage cart before also falling asleep.

As Tim had promised himself, he didn’t wake until the jet landed in Aberdeen. He said goodbye to all of Ducky’s cousins as they left the aircraft, thankful that Ducky would stay in Greece until his new grandchild was due to arrive. Next it was goodbye to the Clachers as they landed in Edinburgh. Goodbye for them meant hugs as well as kisses for little Alec from Poppy and Uncle Tim.

Another short flight brought the flight to the FBO at Luton Airport near London, their final destination. Gathering everything, Tim remembering his garment bag, they disembarked, finding a bus waiting for them. The bus would first drop Tim off at the NCIS office before continuing to Tony’s townhouse. Jethro would deliver his son’s garment and carry-on bags to the bedroom they would share this week.

Tim felt like a school kid going on a field trip as he stepped off the bus near the NCIS office. He smiled at the sign in the lobby, thinking it was meant for the entire office as it read, “Welcome Back, Everyone, Glad We’re All Safe!”

Then his smile grew wider, realizing it was what he’d said in an office-wide email he’d sent on Friday. Checking in with Security, he was told who had suffered damages to their homes or vehicles. While the Thames Barrier protected central London, not everyone lived in the protected area, many, like Tim, Nikki and James, lived outside of London. Now Tim was relieved that only a few people had suffered damages to their homes and/or vehicles and none of it seemed catastrophic. He climbed the stairs, happy that they’d walked on the beach as much as they had as he made it up to his office without having to stop.

When he walked in, he smiled at Cynthia who was wearing a mask over her mouth and nose and held up a sign that said, “Welcome back, consider yourself hugged! Kids have colds so don’t come near me, please! Did Nikki come with you?”

Grinning, he shook his head and signed “Happy New Year, hope you don’t catch the cold!” to her before heading into his office. Then he popped his head out, “Any calls on Friday?”

When she pointed, he headed to his desk, of course she would have left him a call list! He laughed to himself at how out of practice he was, but then the last 10 days had been hectic as well as a little scary.

Logging into his email, he spotted one from Under-Secretary Leo and opened it. Over the weekend, he sent her a list of the first three locations for relocating part of the fleet that currently occupied Flauvtic and she’d seen the list as well as his analysis and rationale.

Her message said, “Thank you, this is a wonderful start! If the governments agree to these, we’re more than halfway there! A much better start to the year than the end of last year. Happy New Year, Michele.”

Looking below, he saw an attachment and clicked on it. Reading it, he shook his head, sending it to his personal email. Looking at the time, he’d forgotten how big the time gap was that separated the US and the UK. It was 0900 here, he’d have to wait at least another 3 hours before he could talk to anyone at the State Department.  

Deciding to take the treats he brought from Greece to the break room before he ate them all, he took care of that before sending an office-wide message that treats from Greece were in the break room.

When he couldn’t stand it anymore, he sent Michele’s email to his phone and then forwarded it, attachment and all to Leon. Then he got back to work, spending the rest of the time until the US Government’s business day started, at least for the early birds, meeting with his department heads as well as his field, cyber and cold case teams.

At some point Security notified him that Dr. Mallard had arrived and he headed downstairs to welcome Jimmy to London.

When he arrived in the Autopsy suite, Jimmy was unpacking the boxes he’d shipped the day after he and Breena said yes to the transfer. He looked up as Tim walked in, “Good Morning, Dr. Mallard and welcome to NCIS: London Euro!”

Jimmy beamed, “Thank you, Agent Gibbs, I’m excited to be here. Do you know if there’s anything different here, I mean in the suite, that I should know about?”

Tim looked around before remembering Jimmy’s assistant was off today. “Yes, two things. One, your assistant is off today, will return tomorrow and two, there are no liquor bottles in the suite.” He started to ask a question and then smiled as Jimmy held up Ducky’s tea pot. “That’s wonderful, our new CMO for NCIS: Europe, a good omen and you’re now officially open for business.”

“Thanks, although I hope we don’t have any business today.”

“Copy that! I don’t know if you’ll see her but stay away from Cynthia, her kids have colds.”

“Will do. That’s so weird, her being here!”

Tim chuckled, “She’ll probably say the same thing about you being here. I’m off to IT, welcome again and see you later.”

“Wait, uh, what do I call you in public?”

“Agent Gibbs.”

“That’s going to take some getting used to. The last time I called anyone Agent Gibbs at the office, it was Jethro back in ’08!”

“And you can call him that again tomorrow, he, George and maybe Tony are coming in for lunch, please join us if  you don’t have a guest. We’ll get takeout and eat in my office. It’s easier that way.”

“Will James also be joining us?”

“Yes, unless he has plans or there’s something going on with the system.”

“Good!”

Swinging by IT, he saw that James was in his office with one of his techs, the door closed. He hoped that wasn’t bad news! James looked up but Tim gave him a little wave and left.

Now there were only a few minutes left before he could catch the early birds at State. Remembering he’d brought something from Abby for his lab techs, he walked to the lab. The techs looked up, smiling as he entered.

Returning their smiles, he put two packages down on the table, turned and left. The packages contained two autographed advance copies of his and Abby’s updated book. He smiled to himself as he heard barely contained squeals behind him.

Walking up the stairs again, he entered the suite just as Cynthia said, “He’s here now, sir, I’ll transfer you back to his line.”

Chapter Text

Ch 20: Explanations, Home Again, Troublesome Task

Wondering which ‘sir’ this might be, Tim picked up the receiver, “Hello, this is Special Agent Gibbs.”

“Special Agent Gibbs, this is the President’s Chief of Staff Bob Stewart. I’m surprised to find you in London, I was told you were working from the Embassy in Greece and called your Admin for the number!”

“Good morning, sir. We flew in early this morning, there’s a two hour time difference between London and Athens, so we were here shortly before the office opened. After the storms last week, I wanted to be hands on with any problems that might have occurred and to be honest, to make sure my staff came through all right. How are you doing in DC?”

“The President and Cabinet were evacuated and I’m glad we were, it’s a mess over here! The Chesapeake hasn’t fully receded and there’s a sea of mud and debris where it has. But that’s not why I called. I will update you but first of all I want to apologize for what happened with Smythe and Porter last week, what was proposed, or nearly shoved down your throat, was not at all what we planned.

“You’ve already done an excellent job by submitting your plan and, frankly, I have no idea where Smythe got the idea to make you the overseer, especially with no replacement to handle your regular duties. You’ll see or hear it in the news but he resigned after being charged by the Department of Labor for the orders he gave to you, those were major infractions.

“Ms. Porter is taking some well-deserved time off, she’ll return in a few weeks and in the meantime Under-Secretary Chapman is Acting Secretary of the Navy. That will leave Under-Secretary Leo to continue working with you and the plan. I understand you’ve already submitted 3 locations for relocating the fleet?”

Tim had to swallow his shock before he spoke, “Yes sir and as my family is still in Greece, I’ll have time to do more research this week. Thank you for your apology, that means a lot.”

“You’re welcome, I’m sorry it took so long to get back to you. You won’t be doing the research at work?”

“No, sir, at home, trying to do it here is a sure way to bring on some nasty case that will take all of our agents and support staff a month to break. We still have storm evacuees in our home so those of us who flew in today will stay in London.”

“Hotels?”

“No, one of my brothers has a townhouse here in London and all their evacuees have left so we’ll stay there.”

“When will you see your family?”

“I’ll be home Friday evening and then I’ll work from the embassy in Athens next week.”

“How long is the flight?”

“Usually about 3 hours and 40 minutes. This morning we made 2 stops in Scotland, to drop off various family members who also evacuated to Greece.”

“Two stops? There's an airport in the Highlands where commercial flights land?”

“There are but we didn’t fly commercial. The brother with the townhouse,  a former NCIS agent, is now a senior officer in his family’s company and they have a fleet of jets. If there’s a flight going where we want to go and there’s room, we generally fly with them. It is not free but it’s easier as they fly nonstop or make stops as they did this morning. The first stop was in Aberdeen which is in the Highlands although not in the Highland Council Area.”

“Ah, I see, I think. You have an interesting family, Gibbs. Which reminds me, by any chance are you related to Leroy Jethro Gibbs?”

“I’m proud to say he’s my father, sir.” Tim said, a smile in his voice.

“Amazing! I served with him in Kuwait. I heard about his wife and daughter, I hadn’t realized he had other children.”

“He didn’t back then, we’re fairly recent. After losing his first wife and daughter, he eventually moved to the reserves and became an NCIS agent. Tony, the brother I referred to earlier, and I worked for ‘Boss’ Gibbs for a few years and we were the top team at the agency for those years. Our team was split up in 2008 and in 2009, Gibbs adopted us along with other members of our former team and the rest of my siblings when he married my mother.”

“Wow, how many kids do they have?”

“12, all grown, most of us are married or spoken for and he and my mother have 14 grandchildren, with two more due in April.”

“Good grief, they must keep him busy!”

Tim laughed, “Yes, sir, they do! He flew home with us this morning so he and one of the other expectant grandfathers can start work on the baby furniture for the babies due in April. Although one of my brothers is a master carpenter, he’s working on a project in Greece so they couldn’t borrow his tools, had to come home to use Dad’s.”

“Amazing! Thanks again for your work as well as the update on Gunny Gibbs, and please tell him hello for me!”

“Sure will, thank you for your service and you’re welcome. I’ll have more numbers of dependents by this afternoon, from the DoD and from State.”

“Both?”

“Yes sir. I learned that the DoD doesn’t count dependents who are engaged, partners or live-ins, they only capture military personnel, wives, husbands and children. The State Department counts visas and passports and they capture a lot more data than the DoD does. I’m guessing the DoD isn’t allowed to consider anything but military and legal relationships.

“State will also give me numbers of those who entered married or engaged and who are now married, divorced, single or married to someone else. They’re also looking at the legal age of maturity in the country, in case some dependents are older than that age and want to remain, say they are in college or working full-time. There are many questions awaiting the candidate-elect, if he’s elected.”

“What do you think of his chances?”

“If I was a native of a country that had as many foreign government workers as they do, I’d vote for him and he seems reasonable in his other plans. Not sure what it will do to their economy but I imagine he has a plan for that. Do you know why we have so many people there? Other than the Navy and Marines?”

“Yes and it’s a horrifying, tragic story that we’ve been able to verify is true. In the early years of World War II there was an uprising in Flauvtic against the Jewish population. Most of those folks had been there since the end of World War I, taking the place of the young men killed in that war or by the influenza epidemic. The government realized they were desperately in need of clerical and administrative staff, especially staff that knew what they were doing.

“In the early 1920s, hoping to offer safety and financial stability to Jewish families, who were already being harassed, the government of Flauvtic advertised within the Jewish populations of Europe, offering to pay their way, including their families, to Flauvtic, saying they would be safe there and telling them to bring their families as the Flauvtic population had been decimated by the ‘Great War’ as well as the influenza epidemic. They were especially looking for people with any kind of clerical and administrative experience. Thousands applied and more than 1500 were hired.

“That worked well and the country prospered, even during the depression of the 1930’s. Whenever an imported employee retired or moved on, if there wasn’t a replacement already in Flauvtic, they’d once again advertise. Unfortunately, by then the Jewish population of Europe were not the only ones who read the advertisements and sadly, the uprising against the Flauvtic Jews was well planned, attacking at work and home. While some of the families were able to escape or were hidden by their neighbors, those who were attacked at work died as did most of the employees in the same offices.

“The country was devastated, with grief and horror. When the Prime Minister begged for help, once again they had no one to run their businesses and there were few office workers who would return, most of them remained in hiding until the end of the war, the US asked for volunteers to help Flauvtic get back on its feet. When hundreds of people with clerical or administrative experience responded, they were quickly hired by the Department of Defense and were meant to be on loan to the Flauvticans for the duration of the war, although we haven’t found any documentation that the end of the war was to be the end of the deal, that’s anecdotal evidence.

“They were flown to their new, supposedly temporary, jobs and homes. Pearl Harbor was bombed days after the Americans arrived in Flauvtic and from that day to the first speech made by the current candidate, no one in the US government questioned the Flauvtic government’s requests for more help.

“When we recently questioned employees in the Dept. of Defense, past and present, as to why they were continuing to send people to help 70 years after the end of World War II, most of them said they were told it was something to do with the Peace Corps, who of course knew nothing about the matter and we have no idea who came up with that explanation! The Peace Corps came into existence in 1961, within the State Department; however, the former DoD employees who were with Defense when the Peace Corps began don’t remember anything being said about Flauvtic. The DoD is only related to the Peace Corps by both being agencies of the US Federal Government.

“We were told by a few retirees who worked at the DoD back then that they were told that the people they sent over were for the Peace Corps and not to ask questions. They in turn told those who replaced them and on and on and now here we are in 2015.”

Tim was nearly speechless, “Did any of them ever come home?”

“We’re certain some must have but we haven’t been able to trace them. Some of the DoD employees in Flauvtic now have been there for as long as 45 years and there are more in the general population who have retired and are living there quite happily. Although the original group was listed in our records as DoD employees, after the war our records only sporadically mention them at all. At this point, I believe there are 5 generations of Americans, or former Americans, who’ve lived their entire lives there. Born, lived, died. When you’re through gathering the numbers you need, we’ll have State run back numbers for any who may have returned home, even for visits.”

“What about the IRS? My wife and I paid taxes to them even when neither of us worked for an American employer.”

“Yes, because you’re an American citizen. As you can imagine, the IRS is livid and if they know why their agency also dropped the ball, they’re not telling.”  

“So the people currently there aren't necessarily American citizens unless they were recently sent over. That would have only extended to the original US citizens’ children born over there or of course any children who were born here that went with the originals and their children, so possibly three generations? I don't yet have the numbers of those who've been sent over there in the last 20 years. Amazing that the IRS hasn’t known and can’t do anything.”

“Agreed. And we’ll add your comments about the children to the questions for the candidate-elect.”

In London, Tim shook his head, “That certainly answers the question of why. You’re right, it’s a horrible, tragic story. Those poor people, families, relieved they’d escaped the Nazis, only to be shot down, along with their co-workers and families. All right, sir, thank you for sharing that with me. I wonder if the candidate knows?”

“Secretary McCord has asked to meet with the current head of state and all three candidates to ensure they all know."

When Tim disconnected, he looked at the time, amazed that he’d been on the phone with the President’s Chief of Staff for nearly 14 minutes! While he was certainly no expert, he’d been under the impression that the position of Chief of Staff was an extremely high pressured, 24/7 job. Then he shrugged, they were talking about an important, although not critical, project as well as the horrifying attack.

He wondered if the senior Metzgers, Ziva’s in-laws, might know the story before remembering their family had emigrated to the US shortly after World War I, so they might not have heard about the advertisements and he didn’t know if the entire family had emigrated or if some stayed behind, frowning at that thought.

Tim finally took himself for a chilly and thus brisk walk. On his return and before he started whatever he’d planned to do first thing this morning, he sent a message from his burn phone to Leon’s burn phone with the news about the apology, Smythe being allowed to resign and the vague statement about ‘Ms. Porter’ taking time off with Under-Secretary Chapman as Acting Secretary of the Navy.

Late that afternoon Tim was wrapping things up for the day when he had a message from Leon saying he’d also had a call from the Chief of Staff with an apology. He also hinted that he knew more but didn’t want to say at the moment. Tim thought that either something would happen in the future or that Leon didn’t want to risk anyone seeing whatever else he wanted to tell Tim.

After thinking about it, Tim emailed Mrs. Bess thanking her and letting her know he’d had a call from Chief of Staff Stewart who’d apologized and that they’d had a long conversation, nearly 14 minutes!

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

When James sent him a message saying he and Jimmy were ready to leave for the day, Tim said he’d be down in 5 minutes and that Security was insisting on driving him and thus including the two of them, to the townhouse.

Exhausted, Tim fell asleep almost as soon as he got into the SUV with Jimmy and James. Used to commuting with Tim, James didn’t say anything until he noticed Jimmy looking worried. Shaking his head, he told his brother-in-law that Tim was fine, he almost always slept on the way to and from work.

Jimmy looked at him, “Who drives?”

“No one! Unless it’s snowing, Tim, Nikki and I walk to the tube and take it to and from Jaxton. If it’s snowing or there is a torrential downpour Jethro drives us to the station. I think he’s driven us all the way into the office twice. On the way in on the tube, we almost always get seats. On the way home, Tim and I have to wait until people leave the car although Nikki usually gets a seat right away. However, the two of us have spots where we can stand, hold on and sleep. If Nikki isn’t with us, someone wakes us up at our stop.”

Jimmy laughed softly, “I had no idea commuting was that social.”

“Oh yeah, sometimes there are conversations and usually it’s fine to join in. Haven’t you ever commuted by bus or train?”

“By bus, yes, but it usually wasn’t during commute hours or I was frantically trying to finish the reading I fell asleep over the night before. I don’t ever remember people waking me up or telling me we were at my stop.”

James chuckled, “One time, shortly before I met Sarah, I’d moved over a weekend from the place I stayed when I was first hired into an apartment, both outside the City but along the same tube line. The next Monday when I was on the tube going home, two people woke me at my old stop. I told them I’d moved and what my new stop was so they’d know the next time. Three days later, I was only half asleep when I heard someone behind me say, “Wake him, this is his stop!” and at least six voices saying, “No, he moved.”

Jimmy laughed and out of the corner of his eye, James noticed one of the Security agents also chuckling.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

As tired as Tim was, he didn’t get much done on the Flauvtic project that evening. He did have a long chat with Leon who told him what he’d been told about Porter. When she said there was no need to apologize to Tim, that she’d been teasing and he knew it, Secretary McCord, present during the interview with Porter, called her on it. She played back the recording she’d made, with Tim’s permission, of his account of the meeting in the SecNav’s office. Leon, when also interviewed by McCord, said the same thing. The upshot was that Porter asked for time off to figure out where she’d gone wrong, which was granted. Vance told Tim now that he was afraid that every good thing the woman had done for the Navy, Marine Corps. and NCIS would be ignored or worse, discarded.  

Tim didn’t like that and he and Leon spoke for nearly an hour about what they could do. Both were pragmatic, agreeing that they believed Secretary Porter had been under significant pressure from Smythe, her new boss, to force Gibbs into doing what he demanded. While Leon sat down to write an email to the Chief of Staff, Tim called Mrs. Bess and spoke with her.

It took both of them to persuade McCord and Stewart, although the decision would really be Stewart’s, not to bury the woman’s many good works for NCIS, Navy and Marines but they did it. Tim also asked that they let Porter know she was ‘off the hook’ as he termed it.

By the time they were certain Porter was no longer in danger of losing her job, the two were exhausted and Tim belatedly remembered he had an early appointment with his counselor in the morning. He was in bed by 20:30 and slept solidly until his alarm woke him at 05:30. When he woke and noticed his father in a bed across the room from him, it took him a few seconds to figure out where he was.

Gathering his clothes for the day, he showered and dressed for the day in the bathroom, before putting eye drops, his comb, toothbrush and toothpaste and shoes in his laptop case, carrying it and his suit jacket downstairs to find some breakfast.

Finding hot oatmeal in a crockpot, he mentally thanked whoever prepared it. Looking at the coffeemaker, he decided to wait until he got to the office, after his appointment. If he made coffee now, he knew it would wake his father, whether he was up two or five flights of stairs! Eating a banana with his oatmeal, he ducked into the downstairs powder room to comb his hair, brush his teeth and straighten his tie. The eye drops would go with him to the office, he didn’t need to use them every day but he did have a problem with dry eyes and was determined to take very good care of his eyes.

He checked his jacket pocket to make sure his notes from everything over the weekend were still there. After giving his shoes a quick brushing, he pulled on his overcoat and grabbed his laptop case when he saw the SUV pulling up the driveway. He liked the carport covering the end of the driveway as it led to the garage, keeping any rain or snow off vehicle drivers or passengers.

The ride to Dr. Landers’ office was close to 15 minutes, enough time for another little nap. Somewhere in his head, Tim registered that he seemed to be taking a lot of ‘little naps’.

Entering through the door for early arrivals, he went straight into the doctor’s private office. Greeting the doctor, whom he hadn’t seen in two years, he smiled when he smelled coffee. The doctor chuckled, “I remembered you prefer coffee in the morning.”

“Thank you, I do and I didn’t make any this morning as I didn’t want to wake my father.”

At the puzzled look, Tim explained the past week, their rush to get ahead of the hurricane and tsunamis, the flight to Canada and then across the Atlantic. By then, he was on his second cup of coffee, although they were smaller cups than he normally used. He stopped at that point, saying, “Although the storm and the flight drove my thoughts about the meeting with my bosses out of my mind, once we left the plane, I started thinking about it again, wondering if I should just leave or wait it out. Then came the thing at the airport.”

“With the new friend you told me about and your feeling of panic?”

“Yes. I was excited to meet him in person and happy that Artie was there with me. And then he was there and I panicked, wanted to run away from him.”

“What were you thinking?”

“That I wasn’t ready, that Artemis and I weren’t ready, that I just wanted to leave, to take my wife and go home to our children and my parents, all my family and just hide.”

“Hide.”

“Yes. As the couple was walking towards us, Artie and I saw them look at me and then exchange a look. They know something about me or think they know something about me and I hate that. I don’t want them to have ulterior motives. I thought he was a new friend, now I think he wants something from me.”

“What do you think he might want?”

“I don’t know! But I believe he knows something about me that I don’t know about myself and I freaking HATE that!”

Dr. Landers nodded, “I understand that as much as I’m able, Timothy, I would feel the same way. Has he hinted at anything?”

Tim shook his head, “If he has, I haven’t picked up on it.”

“What happened after that?”

“I made nice, Artie talked so I didn’t have to say much. On the way home, they asked questions about Greece and that was easier. But I don’t want to see them again, I feel like they’re trying to decide whether to tell me something about myself or wait until I ask.”

He closed his eyes, “My wife and parents know that I came back for the week to see you and ostensibly to check in with my staff, make sure they were doing all right after the tsunamis and the wind but that I was really giving myself a few days off from being mystery guy to the new people.”

“I believe you said you’ll be back and forth, from Greece to here.”

“Yes, until my wife’s project is finished in April. Then we’re taking time off around the spring/Easter break, staying there or maybe we’ll come home for a few days.” Tim sighed, “Artemis and I haven’t had any time away, just the two of us, in months. Sometime between now and the Easter break we’ll do that. Our two older kids started school in September. Next week they’ll begin attending a similar school in Varkiza and they have a week off in February. We’ve gone to the snow the last couple of years and I guess we’ll do that again.”

“So when will you and Artemis have time away by yourselves?”

“We’re not sure where we’ll go yet but it will be either late January, late February or early March. There are 2 new babies due in April so we won’t have the child minders we usually do.” Tim rested his head on his hands, “Dr. Landers, I’m exhausted, physically and emotionally.”

“Yes, you are and you’re not properly taking care of yourself. If I said you may not work today, what would you do?”

“Return to my brother’s house and sleep all day. But I can’t. I have that damn project to work on.”

“Is that the one that almost had you leaving again?”

“Yes, I said I would do some of the preliminary work.”

The doctor shook his head. “It’s not just sleep, although you do need that. You’re exhausted, I'd say by the moving back and forth as well as everything else. You're also overwhelmed by work as well as by the holidays, that’s true for many of us, and you’re terrified of these new people and what trouble they might bring upon you. Timothy, we’ve talked about this in the past, including what specific steps you’d need to take. While your terror, grief and anger will always be with you to some degree, you can take control of them, of the situation, truly take control of your life.”

“By telling my story to law enforcement.”

“Yes, I believe we decided your boss would be the place to start.”

Tim nodded, “Maybe that’s why I’m so tired. Maybe I’m tired of carrying this around. I told my dad the other day, my mother and wife were also there but they already knew most of it. Maybe I’m to the point where I can either keep carrying it and be exhausted all the time, not to mention having to deal with whatever Matt is up to or I can take control of my life by talking to my boss, telling him.”

“Does he know any of it?”

“No, although I believe he knows I have a MOAS, the 'mother of all secrets'.”

“Good grief, that’s a mouthful!”

Tim nodded. “What’s your advice, Doc?”

“More than advice, Timothy, I'm going to give you orders, think of them as a prescription and I will be happy to write it in prescription form if you need it for your superiors. For today, I know you need to go into work and that’s all right. Make an appointment with your boss, have a healthy lunch and then go for a walk outside if it’s not too cold or, isn’t there a fitness center in your building?”

“Yes, I’ll swim indoors rather than walk outside in the cold.”

“Good and then leave the office 2 hours early, use those hours at home to work on your project, do not use your own time. Before you start the two hours, call your wife and children, they get as much time as you want or need. Then you may work on your project for two hours, not even 5 minutes more than that although if you get to a stopping point before those two hours, then stop!

“When you stop, put it all away and then spend one to two hours doing something social with whoever else is here with you. Eat dinner, watch the telly, play cards, a game or just talk. Then go to bed early and sleep until your normal time. Yesterday you were up at 4:30?”

Tim nodded and the doctor mock shuddered, “And today you’re up early again to come here. Timothy, next time you make an appointment, it had better be during normal hours! Your staff will figure things out if they have a problem or if they can’t they’ll use something called a telephone to contact you. They’re smart people, you’ve said so yourself.”

Tim winced at the doctor’s sarcasm but nodded and the doctor continued, “Today’s Wednesday, what will you do on Thursday?”

“My dad, two of my brothers, our brother-in-law and his father are having lunch with me. We’ll have lunch delivered, that’s easier, and eat in my office.”

“Good, then follow the same afternoon routine you’ll do today. Swim, leave 2 hours early, speak with your wife and children, work on your project for two hours IF you need to, no more and less time is better, eat, socialize and get to bed early but don’t get up early. What about Friday?”

“We’re leaving for home mid-morning so I’ll leave the office…” he stopped as the doctor shook his head, “No. Work at home, do your 2 hours of project work, then you won’t waste time driving back and forth. Then relax on the flight, don’t try to work, sleep if you can and have a quiet night with your family. No work. Now, next week and for the next 2 months, I want you to follow the same process, with the exception of the appointment with your director. If you’d like, I am available to attend via Skype.”

“As support?”

“Yes.”

Tim blinked and tucked his lips in tightly, suddenly feeling like he was going to cry. Finally he said, “Thank you. I don’t know how it’ll go, there should be a cold case file.”

“I’ve heard the term, seen something on TV. I wasn't sure if they are a real thing. ”

“Yes, they’re real, very real.”

“Then may I make a suggestion?”

Tim nodded and the doctor said, “Tell your boss or whoever you speak with about the new people in Greece, give their names. Tell him what you’ve told me, that you feel they want something from you or want to ask you questions you won’t want to answer. Whether they mean ill or good, they’ve precipitated this.”

Swallowing hard, Tim thought for a moment before agreeing. “You’re right and I’ll do that, although I’m not sure he meant to precipitate anything, we started talking about mathematics and then found we have a lot more in common. I’ll ask to speak with my boss over the weekend, they’re in Greece for another week.”

“Remember, whatever happens, you survived and you’ve thrived, succeeded beyond your own dreams, Timothy. Despite what those monsters did to you, you are a successful person with a loving wife, children, parents and a huge family who will do anything to help you. You’re surrounded with love, Timothy. You belong to all those people, you matter to them and they belong to you, they matter to you. Remember how you felt those first few days and weeks in Baltimore, that you’d done the right thing for yourself, you were free to go to the same school for an entire school year, to stay in the same place, to make plans without someone showing up and moving you to yet another home and people where you felt you didn’t matter, didn't belong. Remember all that because that’s what’s made you the person you are, your own determination and perseverance.”

Tim nodded, thanking the doctor. Leaving the medical building, he and the Security team drove to NCIS. Noticing the time, 0730, as he walked into the building,Tim grinned to himself, he was half an hour early when he’d planned to be a half hour late. Beginning today and until he finished his part of the Flauvtic project, he would be a bit of a clock watcher, he would need to be to keep to the doctor’s schedule.

When Cynthia came in, both of them donned masks and then sat in the small conference room so they could speak in private. He told her his schedule for the rest of the week and told her to take Thursday and Friday off. “You need the rest! Even if you don’t catch the kids’ colds, I know you and your husband are taking care of them. Stay home! Security can handle our calls for a couple days.”

“Will you be here?”

“In and out at regular hours, doctor’s orders. This afternoon, I’m leaving at 2 and will work from home for 2 hours. For your ears only, I’m working on a classified project for the DoD and I’ll do that at home during the work day, not during my off hours, although those will remain flexible for NCIS business. I’ll follow the same pattern tomorrow and then Friday, I’ll work on the classified stuff for about an hour in the morning, from Tony’s place. Our flight to Athens leaves around 1030 and gets in a little after 1600 Athens time, a little after 1400 here. Also, until further notice, Under-Secretary Chapman is unofficially the Acting SecNav so if she's looking for me, please put her through or let me know.

“Next week I’ll work at the Embassy and might be in and out for appointments. My routine there will include my classified work at the office, two hours a day, probably in the morning as neither London or DC is online yet, then agency business, lunch, more agency business and I’ll leave between 3 and 4.”

“Not 2?”

“If I leave at two then my day at the office will only be agency business and I’ll work on the DoD project from home for 2 hours. Let’s see how it plays out, it depends on what else is happening and who I might need to speak with.”

He sighed, “You and I work as a team so I’m going to tell you something that absolutely can’t be shared, not even with Chaz. I know, he’s your husband and you trust him but this is, was, my life and if I had my way no one would know.”

She held up her little finger and they pinky-swore which amused Tim.

“I had horrible things happen to me as a child. Woke up in a hospital after weeks in a coma.” Tim actually felt stronger telling her. Cynthia was a good person, he trusted her. He didn’t say much more than that, other than he was going to ask Leon to reopen his cold case, if there was one, or open a new case if there wasn’t a cold case. “So things might get a little exciting around here and not in a good way. My family, my friends, and I count you as one of them, my doctor and I trust that I’ll get through this. I’ve put it off for long enough.”

She nodded, “Is there anything I should look out for?”

Tim started to say no but instead nodded, telling her about Matt and Shelly, new friends that he was afraid might have ulterior motives in befriending him. He told her he was certain they didn’t have anything to do with what happened to him but seemed a little too interested in his life. When he said that the man looked just like him, Cynthia began to understand. A little, anyway.

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At the townhouse that afternoon, Tim felt invigorated after his visit to the doctor, his talk with Cynthia and then swimming close to 100 laps. Making himself a cup of herbal tea, he took it upstairs to a room Tony said he could use for his office. There was a table, chair and a lamp in there and that was all he needed.

Setting his phone alarm for two hours, Tim quickly got to work with the number of dependents sent by Under-Secretary Leo and Blake Moran. The State Department’s report was far more detailed and he marked several categories as useful. Then he looked at the DoD report and decided he’d better use both. He managed one run of the categories he wanted for the State Department before his phone alarm chimed. Grinning, he saved everything and shut down.

Back downstairs, he smiled when he noticed it was snowing outside! While he didn’t want to go out in it, it was pretty to watch. Taking several photos, he sent them to Artemis, laughing when he looked up the current temperature in Athens. Not shorts and sandals weather but definitely warmer than it was here!

His appointment with Leon was set for Monday morning, first thing, at the office in Piraeus. Pete Russell had offered the use of his office, saying he and the team were scheduled at the shooting range that morning and they’d be gone for a couple of hours. Leon decided his security team would pick up Tim in Varkiza, then he’d meet them at the office.

When Tim told him the topic was personal and had nothing to do with the whole Smythe fiasco, Leon sat in thought after their call, finally coming to the disturbing conclusion that Timothy might finally be about to unload the secret he’d had at least as long as Vance had known him.

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On Thursday, having lunch in his office with Tony, Dad, Jimmy, James and George was fun and the 6 of them laughed as they told stories that James and his dad hadn’t heard before. They rolled their eyes at themselves when they decided what to order for lunch, their favorite Greek lunches! George and James said that was fine, they wouldn’t be back in Varkiza for several months and they needed all the tasty reminders they could eat!

Jimmy echoed their sentiments, although he and Breena were thinking about flying to Athens for a long weekend in October when the baby would be sleeping all night. And they’d be able to go to the annual reunion in Scotland in July and August.

Tim thought about it, finally saying, “Jimmy, what about renting an RV and driving down to Cornwall, stay on or near a beach down there? If you went in June during half-term, we’ll go with you and maybe all 5 Powells? Babies will cry wherever you are and Donnie’s going to hear.”

James perked up, “Yes, I like that! Sarah can stay in and sleep as much as she needs to and I’ll take baby for walks in the sling.”

Jimmy was also enthusiastic, planning to talk with Breena that evening after Donnie was in bed.

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His lunch companions invigorated Tim and he went for a walk, enjoying the chill, before returning to the office and resolutely returning to a seemingly never-ending task: evaluations. He worked on those for an hour before switching over to reviewing case files, signing off on those due in court within the next 60 days. He took notes on 2 cases, he’d contact the SSA with his questions. At 14:45, he packed up and left, reminding the Security team that neither he nor Cynthia would be in the office on Friday and that he would be available by phone by 1400 London time, giving himself a little extra time.

Once at the townhouse he went straight to the office and got two sets of runs done for civilian dependents as well as starting to research countries and harbors suitable for Locations 4, 5 and 6. He saw right away that these would be more difficult to find after the hurricane and tsunamis. Although he really wanted to spend another hour looking into which harbors had been damaged, he resolutely saved everything and shut down. Then he went for another walk, this one much briefer than the one he’d taken earlier in the day.

After spending nearly an hour online with his wife and children, he joined the others at the townhouse for dinner, assisting with the cleanup and then played cards with Brian, Geo and Dad for a couple of hours.

He said goodbye to Jimmy and James that night before he went up to bed. Everyone else would still be here at the house in the morning. He laughed when Dad and George insisted on showing him what they’d accomplished as far as baby furniture. Breena and Jimmy still had Donnie’s crib and bassinet so the two men spent their time cutting the pieces for baby Powell’s bassinet.  As George and Edie were staying on, George would work on the baby furniture by himself, although he hoped Jimmy and James might also want to work on them.

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Tim stepped out of the airport in Athens, smiling at the warm air. Behind him, his dad stretched, as happy as his son to be home again. Behind them, Tony and his cousin Nigel did much the same thing, glad to be out of the chilly weather. The men went in two directions, Nigel taking the train into Athens while the other three men were conveyed by BEAT drivers, the Greek alternative to Uber, to Varkiza.

As Tim had already worked his two hours on the DoD project, he decided to go straight home, he could work on evaluations and handle any emails or calls from there. Artie would be home by 4 and the children would return from daycare by 5.

He’d forgotten they were still living with his in-laws and gave Rhode a hug and kiss when she welcomed both men. Hearing that his wife had been too restless to wait at the house, Jethro nearly threw his bags into their room and hurried toward the beach.

Tim changed into more comfortable clothes and grabbing his laptop, sat at a table moved into the room for him and Artie, forcing himself to work on evaluations for over an hour. After a walk, he handled another pile, almost relieved when his phone rang. However, when he looked at the caller ID, he declined the call as it was Matt Mello. He didn’t want to speak with him now, at least not until after he’d met with Leon. He'd forgotten they were staying on the same street, another reason to move to ‘their’ rental!  Besides, he smirked to himself, he was working on agency business, the only personal calls he’d answer would be from his wife!

After he finished the evaluation he’d planned to handle today, he looked at his emails, laughing at one from Cynthia. She said she felt like she was playing spy, having answered a call from a Dr. Mello. She’d asked if it was personal or agency business and when he answered that it was personal, she’d told the man that the SAC would be in meetings the rest of the day but that he was welcome to leave a message on his office voice mail.

He wrote her asking why she was in the office at all and then laughed again at her answer. She said she’d rather be in the office doing something useful than sitting around at home waiting to get sick and that because he wasn’t there, she didn’t have to worry about possibly infecting anyone, that she’d put a note on the door into the suite asking people to call or email. And that she was still feeling fine but would spray the suite with disinfectant before she left for the weekend.

Tim chuckled, thinking he really would be in meetings the rest of the day. First with his wife, then his children, then likely with his mother and the rest of the resident family. Tomorrow they were borrowing Bill’s truck, and possibly Bill, to move all their belongings to the rental house, which would be easier for all of them.

He was napping when someone slid onto the bed next to him, his sweetheart! With an hour before the children arrived home, they made good use of the time before taking a quick shower. They were dressed and waiting when the children ran in, going straight into their father’s arms. Laughing, he sank down on the floor and they cuddled with him, much as they used to when they were younger and loved to climb all over him while he lay on the floor. While Jack and Ellanni had done that as soon as they were old enough to crawl around, Liam and Chloe had never had the opportunity until they joined the Gibbs’ family. Then the two new littles got to know their new daddy the same way their older siblings had, by playing and cuddling with him on the floor.

It was wonderful to be home for dinner with both sets of parents, Athena and Ducky, Artemis’ youngest sister Amara and of course Tim’s own family.

After the children were asleep that night and Athena and Ducky had been driven home, Tim, Artie, Peter, Rhode, Lu and Jethro sat in the living room with hot beverages.

Lu looked at her son, “We had company on Wednesday.”

He frowned before raising his eyebrows, “The Mellos?”

“Yes, your new friend came by with his children to see if you and our kids wanted to walk down to the beach and back.”

Tim nodded, “And our kids were at nursery, I mean day care and Artie at work?”

Artie nodded and Peter said, “I was home and answered the door. I was close to leaving for work so I had my uniform on and he seemed surprised by it. I told him that none of you were home. I was going to say that you were working but decided it was none of his business.”

“Thanks, Papa and you’re right, it isn’t his business. I feel bad about all this but I don’t feel I can trust him after the bit in the airport last week. I’ve led a very private life for a reason!”

The colonel nodded, “That’s good, you need to trust your instincts, I know they are finely tuned, just as your father’s are.”

Jethro chuckled, “Have to be in his line of work, my former line of work as well as yours.”

When the others yawned, Tim and his dad looked at each other, they were both tired and having only been in London for 3 days hadn’t really adjusted to the time difference there. They were both ready to turn in with their wives.

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The move on Saturday was quick, relatively easy and Bill’s help was not needed, although he was certainly willing. Artie and Lu drove the children and the SUV full of their belongings to their rental and had them help carry everything to their usual rooms. Tim and Jethro followed with Bill’s truck, moving the rest of their belongings. That process took a whole 30 minutes, including loading and unloading. Once everything was in the correct rooms, the children quickly put their clothes and shoes away and then found their favorite spots for their books and toys. Artie and Tim, Lu and Jethro went through the same process.

After returning Bill’s truck with many thanks, Lu and Tim took the SUV to the grocery store to shop for a week’s worth of groceries for the household. Deciding what to have was easy, by now they had several favorite meals and they knew the ingredients well enough to buy them without bringing a list with them. Tonight they’d have a chicken roasted for them by Pappouli Peter on Thursday, along with some of their favorite vegetables and a salad. Tomorrow Poppy would grill pork to make grilled pork souvlakis. Monday, knowing Tim had his meeting with Leon that day, they decided to have something simple, knowing his stomach might be upset. They’d have a beef and pork stew, which would simmer all day with carefully chosen spices that would not bother his tummy, with chunks of sliced and diced carrots and potatoes, a green bean salad and braided rolls along with yogurt and whatever berries they could find today for dessert.

Breakfast was usually some of the traditional Greek breakfast dishes, yogurt, fresh spinach pies or perhaps a Greek omelette, coffee and fresh fruit. Or hot oatmeal, fresh fruit, toast and coffee, although the children had milk.

Back from shopping, Tim and Lu kicked their shoes off while Artie and Jethro put everything away. With the family having stayed in this house many times over the past 5 years, all the food items had an assigned spot in the refrigerator, freezer or cupboards.

After everything from the move and shop was put away, the group went for a walk, joined by Athena and Ducky. They walked and played on the beach for over an hour, enjoying the fresh air as well as the waves crashing on the shore. Chloe said the beach looked empty without everyone else or any umbrellas. Hearing his daughter, Tim was glad they’d gather here for Easter/spring break.

Back at the house, they had a quick lunch and then hopped in the SUV to drive up to the properties. Bill, Nikki and Jasper joined them, riding in Bill’s truck.

Tim and everyone except Artie and Bill were happily surprised at the progress made in the past weeks. With the crew working during December and the work they’d done after the holiday, the exterior of the Remis house was complete. Bill reported that all the interior doors and walls were up, work for the utilities was done, including solar panels the Remises had decided to add along with a whole house fan. They’d also decided on a two car garage and that had its own cooling system, much as the Gibbses’ large garage would have.

Of the steps usually taken for a new build, they’d completed more than half of them and now said the project would be complete by mid-March. Artie said that with the Remises’ agreement, she’d scheduled the final inspection walk-through for the first week in April, before Easter.

Tim grinned at that, knowing that he and Artie would have their delayed anniversary time away while Bill and the crew finished up the project. The early completion date also meant they could spend spring in the UK after all, enjoying the greenery along with the wildflowers and the fresh spring air.

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When Nikki asked when they’d start work on their property, Artie and Tim both smiled, Artie explaining, “We’ve decided to put it off until 2017, we need time to catch our breaths and for the children to start and finish their school year in one country, not two! Liam and Chloe will start Reception next September while Jack and Ellanni will be in First Year. We’d like the four of them to attend school in Jaxton for the entire school year. As Jasper will start Reception the year after that, in 2016, we thought we’d wait until the autumn and winter of 2017 to start, planning to be through by the following winter, 2018. With our extensive plans, it will be a longer build with the garage and the multiple dwellings. However, we’ll have additional crew and we’re all now experienced with the foundations, those were the toughest parts. We will not work in the summer, once was enough! Nikki, we haven’t really discussed this much but our recent thoughts are to continue doing what we’re doing now, the children attending school here during the build and you and Tim working at the Embassy. If that’s what your family wants to do, that bit is up to you, of course!”

Nikki grinned at her husband, “It sounds great to me! I’m glad you’re not going to work during the summer, you’ll have a break and I predict Bill, Jasper and I will be in Jaxton or Tain for the summer this year and next.”

Lu nodded, “That also sounds lovely to me, Nikki!”

As they hadn’t talked much about the large garage they planned for the middle lot, they looked at the detailed plan. Their caretaker/gardener Alan was there and came out with his dog Lykos, who was very happy to see them, especially the children. She ran and played with them while the adults talked about the garage, including some of the special features.  

While most private garages have 2-4 parking slots, this one would have between 10 and 12 parking spaces, to accommodate vehicles for most of the permanent residents. On the far side, the side of the property that bordered the Remises’ property, there would be an extended parking bay, running from the street end toward the view edge of the property, to accommodate Peter and Rhode’s vehicles, including their recreational vehicle. The other side of the building would feature the 10-12 individual parking bays. Both sides of the building would have screened clerestory windows to let in cooler air, along with ceiling fans and several other fans, all operating by remote. Both sides might also feature ‘shop fans’ which would help keep the air moving. Another option was to add exhaust fan(s) to the garage and they were also thinking about heat pumps for the garage as well as the dwellings.

An idea Bill saw online was to leave ‘just arrived’ vehicles outside in a shaded area, giving the engines time to cool off so that heat would not add to the heat in the garage. They’d do more research on that before they decided whether or not to add a second large awning outside the garage. While it sounded like a good idea, it would mean the driver would have to return to the vehicle to park it into the garage. Considering that heat pumps can pull heat out of a building, they thought those might be more practical, then nobody would have to remember to return to the hopefully cooled off vehicle and move it into the garage.

While they were discussing cooling methods, Artie mentioned they’d installed a misting system for the Remises’ pergola and others for Alan’s porches, one in back and one in front, and planned to include several separate misting systems on the Gibbs’ property for the outdoor areas of the apartments, guesthouses and of course the main house. In the meantime, they'd also work on methods to capture the misted water and recycle it through the misting system.   

Tim told his wife he was excited about their new place while he was also willing to wait a few years until it was completed. They both chuckled when he mentioned Ducky’s enthusiasm at the large room they planned for his library, while reassuring him he needn’t feel obligated to move all his books or any of them for that matter.

When they returned to their various dwellings, the Timothy Gibbses were astounded and very happy to find Rob waiting for them!

He laughed as his nieces and nephews flew into his arms, hugging and kissing each of them before reaching for his brother and sister-in-law. “Surprise!”

Tim stood back, still holding onto Robbie. “This is a surprise, did you work too many hours?”

“No, well, yes, I guess you could see it that way. Remember I worked at the hospital here the week I stayed? I’m not sure how or why, I never thought about the hours or being paid but my hospital found out and credited me with the hours, which meant that when I arrived at the hospital in London for the overnight shift on Friday, I was told to go home, that I couldn’t work as I’d already exceeded the maximum number of shifts allowed for the pay period. So now I have a few days off and decided to come back here. The storm has passed at home but it is dark, gloomy, mucky and wet, with debris everywhere. So here I am, I’ll return to London on Thursday and work a shift that night.”

Tim grinned at his younger brother, "Great! Mom and Dad are staying in the den, that leaves the extra bedroom for you. We have extra bedding.”

Rob grinned, “Flew Paddington so I brought my bedding and my inflatable. I will borrow a pillow though, that is if you don’t mind me staying here?”

Artie hugged him, “Of course not, Robbie! We’re always happy to see you and even happier when you stay with us!”

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Sunday mornings, Tim usually attended church services with his family but the Sunday after the move and the property tour, he woke with a headache and his wonderful wife told him to stay home, that she would have plenty of company to help with the children at church.

Tired from the crazy week, although very happy to be back in Varkiza, Rob also decided to stay home. Before he left for Greece yesterday, he and Sarah had had a long talk about their Timpa. She was worried about the new people who’d suddenly showed up, telling Rob that Tim had seemed happy at first but then after the people arrived, he seemed upset. When she told Rob that the man could almost be Tim’s twin, he was ready to jump on the next flight but instead went to work where he was told he was not allowed to work.

After everyone but the brothers left for church, the two met in the kitchen, smiling happily when they found covered plates of pancakes, eggs and bacon keeping warm in the oven. While Rob made fresh coffee and poured freshly squeezed orange juice for both of them, Tim found the hot pads and removed the plates from the oven, turning it off.

Sitting at the table, they each tried very hard to enjoy each bite and not inhale their food. Alas, eventually their plates were empty of anything but delicious, sticky syrup and bits of jam, but there was no more food. Tim offered to make more pancakes but as they’d each had five, they decided that was really enough.

They were still sitting, nursing their coffees, when someone knocked on the door and it was far too soon for the church goers to be returning. Looking to see who it was, Tim exclaimed as he opened the door, “Ducky! Welcome, come in! No church for you either?”

“No, I should have gone but I, well, to tell you the truth, I didn’t want to go. Robbie! Welcome back, lad!”

After explaining his extra hours, Rob asked Ducky what he was carrying in the zippered document bag. The older man rolled his eyes, “Do you remember the folder I brought to the Arlington house to review and then fell asleep over it?”

The younger men nodded, trying not to laugh. Ducky shook his head, “My cousins cornered me, despite my best efforts, when they were here for the storm, wanting to know if I’d ever figured out their puzzle. I told Athena this morning that I didn’t feel like attending services, so she rode with Artemis, your parents and the children. In the meantime, here I am with my folder again!”

Tim grinned, “Want some help with it?”

“Yes! I’m not sure I’ll need help but I would welcome the company.”

Rob nodded, “I’ll make a pot of herbal tea, Tim and I have already had more than enough caffeine!”

Refraining from rolling his eyes at his brother, Tim asked for his favorite raspberry tea and Ducky smiled, agreeing. While he hadn’t tried many herbal teas, he had tried the raspberry and liked it very much. While it certainly wasn’t the tea he’d been drinking most of his life, the taste was quite good and he’d been told by his doctors to cut back on his caffeine intake.

Tim and Ducky sat at the table to take a look at whatever it was the older man had with him. Rob excused himself, saying he needed some fresh air and post-flight exercise. He waved as Timpa called after him to bundle up.

Ducky huffed, “Excellent decision! Now, this is a task I’ve been putting off since the year of the Great Scandinavian tour, something my dear cousins foisted on me.”

Tim made no attempt to hide his surprise, “Ducky, that trip was in August of 2013, a year and a half ago.”

“Yes, I’m aware of the passage of time. I have no excuse except that I didn’t and still don’t want to.”

That made Tim chuckle, “I totally understand that. May I ask what it is?”

Ducky sighed, “My cousins were very much caught up in the genealogical craze, put their family trees online and had their DNA tested at the same site. They wanted to add me but after the disaster of being stabbed and then accused of a crime due to my work in the RAMC, I declined. They finally persuaded me to let them use a phony name for me and only input my birth-year, not my actual birthday.

“Then they wanted me to also have my DNA tested. That wasn’t so bad, there are security options on the site they use, so I had mine tested when they did, and made sure it wasn’t shared with anyone.”

“That was smart. Have you looked at the results? Yours, I mean?”

“No, I have not. I know my cousins and I know that with Nicholas’ death I am the last of my father’s direct line and since the death of Kendrick, my older brother Angus’ son, I am also the last of Mother’s direct line. Yes, Jimmy will now show as my adopted son and the children as my adopted grandchildren, so he, Breena and the children are linked to my line and my cousins’ families.”

Tim looked at him, “But you still don’t want to look at it.” He paused, nodding before he spoke. “I understand. You know my beginnings and that I have zero interest in knowing who I might be related to. The only reason would be to have them imprisoned, although I’m not sure that would be enough.”

“Not just those who were responsible for you but those who did what they did. And I agree, there is no punishment fit for that, even death would be too easy on them.”

“Yes. Let’s just say I’m glad I believe in hell.”

“I agree, my dear boy.”

“Ducky, you already know your life and your family’s history or are there mysteries?”

The elderly man thought about that, finally nodding his head, “Not so much mysteries as blank spots. I would like to know more about my nephew, Kendrick, the son of my older brother. He and I were only a few years apart in age, he was the elder of the two of us, yet I only met him twice. Apparently when my parents divorced, it caused a great upheaval in their social circle and within the family. My mother told me decades later that my brother Angus’ wife and in-laws were thoroughly scandalized at the thought of being related, even as in-laws, to anyone who’d been divorced. It was unheard of in their view of the world. That’s why Kendrick and I only saw each other two times and why Angus made no effort to stay in touch with our parents. When he and his wife died in a vehicular accident, Kendrick was raised by his maternal grandparents and my parents and I were shut out completely.”

Tim wrapped his arms around his friend and mentor. “I’m so sorry, you were not only cheated out of being part of Nicholas’ life but also Kendrick’s along with not knowing much about Angus.”

“Yes, I was and I don’t know if my cousins added them to their family trees.”

“Would it help if I look at the beast with you?”

As intended, that raised a chuckle from Ducky, who nodded. “Yes, Timothy, it would, thank you.”

Tim stood up straight, squaring his shoulders, “Then, Dr. Mallard, let us proceed!”

Laughing outright at Tim’s mimicking his professional mien, Ducky slapped the file folder on the kitchen table, “Exhibit one.”

Tim sat back down next to his friend and mentor and the two men opened the file, spending a minute or so organizing the pages. Then they sat, staring at a blank page. Tim looked at his friend, “Come on, we got this far. No going back now!”

Straightening his posture, Ducky made a face at the younger man, who chuckled  while he flipped the blank page off to the side.

The next page had Ducky’s mother’s family, the Quillans’, family tree. From there they found the Mallard page. Ducky pointed out his family, his entire birth family, all with phony names: his father, mother, older brother, older brother's wife and their son, then Ducky as Finlay, and finally, Ducky's father's second wife, Garia, and the son from that marriage, Arran, whose real name had been Nicholas. Although there were no birth dates for any of them, the birth years were included and correct.  

Tim smiled, “They kept their word.”

“Yes. Although I haven’t worried about that.”

There was a page stapled behind the page they were looking at. When they turned to it, they read a note from two of Ducky’s cousins, Archie Quillan and Sloan Mallard. “Donald, we’ve figured out who most of the family tree matches are and we’re wading through the DNA matches. Those appear in the form of leaves, or hints, on our various family trees. There is one DNA hint that each of our families has received that is a mystery to us and hope you’ll be able to figure it out, none of us have been able to!”

Tim sat back, his gut pinging. He realized he felt as unsettled as he’d felt with the Mellos at the airport and returning to Varkiza. Still, he’d promised to help and this was Ducky, there was no way he’d refuse to go any further.

Ducky was a little curious although he also felt a sense of impending doom. Mentally rolling his eyes at his dramatics, he turned the page.

The two men quickly scanned the page, a family tree with what looked like four generations.

Tim’s eyes glanced back at the first couple of names and then stopped at one, then two, then three of the names. Pulling out his reading glasses, he looked closer at one of the names and the information that went with it. He stared for several seconds before making a plaintive noise and then gagging, he shuddered, jumping up so quickly that the chair he’d been sitting in crashed to the floor. Holding a hand over his mouth, he ran for the nearest bathroom, slamming the door behind him.

Ducky was absorbing his own shock at the first two names but forced himself to look further. He was looking at names and dates, doing some quick calculations, when Tim abruptly left the table. Without consciously registering Tim’s upset and departure, Ducky sat motionless, horrified at what he saw and what it must mean. Needing to get away, he tried to stand, to get away but his legs were shaking so much they wouldn’t hold him up and he fell to the floor.

Chapter Text

Ch 21: Shock Waves, Facing the Truth

Returning from his walk, Rob first heard Tim’s chair crash and hurried into the house in time to see Ducky crumple to the floor as a door slammed. Maggie, who had also been out walking, remembered Rob was staying in the spare bedroom and headed there for his medical bag while he ran to Ducky.

As the older man slowly regained consciousness he found he was lying on the floor with his legs elevated on a low footstool. Dr. Rob was taking his vitals and smiled at him, “Good, there you are! No, stay where you are for a few minutes, your vitals are still a bit out of whack, although you’re recovering nicely.”

Ducky frowned, “Timothy?”

“Maggie found him in the bathroom, getting sick and called in the troops, who were on their way home from church. Artie, Athena and Mom are with him now, Dad’s getting him clean clothes and the children are having lunch with Peter and Rhode. As soon as your vitals are back to normal, Athena, Mom and I will switch places.”

“He needs you, Robbie! I don’t know what he saw but whatever it is, he reacted immediately. I only know what I saw but he wouldn’t have known. Unless…”

Ducky shifted but Rob shook his head, “Not yet, Doctor. Your body isn’t ready to sit up yet. Another few minutes. Tim vomited, you lost consciousness, there’s a big difference there. No more talking, just rest.”

Refraining from rolling his eyes, Ducky obeyed.

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In the bathroom, Artie, Lu, Jethro and Mimi knelt by Tim. He was curled up on the floor, clutching his stomach and from the smell, he’d already been sick. Jethro got behind him and helped him to sit up, wrapping his arms gently around his chest. Lu found a face cloth, wet it and carefully wiped his face and hands. Then she knelt on the floor in front of him, placing her hands on either side of his face. Artie sat next to him, rubbing his ice cold hands. She stopped long enough for her yaya, Athena the retired nurse, to take his pulse.

Tim blinked, realizing he wasn’t alone and that felt incredibly good. He always felt safe with his wife, dad, mom and grandmother. His mother left the room, saying she’d be right back. He didn’t think he could talk yet but knew he needed to tell them what he’d seen. Thinking of it made him start crying again, although this time he cried quietly, not the sobs that first hit him.

When his mother re-entered the bathroom, he was scared when she said that Ducky was all right, not sure what that meant. He reached one hand up to place in his mother’s, the other to Athena and leaned into his wife’s arms. His mind was clearing and he realized the first thing he needed to do. Maggie had slipped out when Malu returned.

Trying to take a deep breath, he winced as his throat and chest were sore from vomiting. Finally he managed to get some air into his lungs before asking in a hoarse voice, “What’s wrong with Ducky? I’m okay, at least getting there. Dad, I need to talk with Leon as soon as possible.”

His mother looked puzzled and then worried, cupping his face with one hand while his father nodded, his face also clouded with worry. Athena wasn’t sure what was happening with Timothy although she’d already realized he must have been with Donald when he looked at his cousins’ papers. Wanting to be with her Donald, she must have made a movement because Tim nodded, “Yaya, yes, please, you know he needs you.” Leaning forward, she kissed his forehead before she left the room.

Malu said, “Rob says he fainted but that he was coming around all right. Sweetheart, do you think you can stand? It might be easier to handle the call with Leon from the family room.”      

He sat back, “Yes to the living room but I need another couple of minutes.”  

Even as he moved he felt more tears streaming down his face and his body trembling, still dealing with shock. Artie murmured quietly to her love as she helped him.

Eventually Artie and his parents were able to help him stand and then walked with him to the living room, which wasn’t far. Rob appeared there, saying Ducky’s vitals were better and he’d helped him to the room he was staying in, where Ducky could lie down, Athena was with him.

Everyone relaxed a bit at that. Rob had Tim sit on a sofa, Artie and his parents on either side. Rob had no idea what had caused Tim or Ducky’s shock but he knew that whatever had happened his brother would need his wife and their parents close by. Rob took Tim’s blood pressure again, finding it still several points higher than normal. He’d take it again in a few minutes as Tim continued to recover. While his physical signs, pulse, heart rate, temperature, seemed to be recovering, Rob was concerned with his brother’s mental and emotional state and he was thankful Artemis and their parents were here. Whatever this was, it was big or bad enough to bring his brother to his knees, something Rob hadn’t seen since Tim was hurt at the shelter when they were kids.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

In the room with Ducky, Athena watched him sleep. Giving her sleeping mate a kiss, she went to find her grandson. Relieved they were no longer in the bathroom, she sat down with the others in the family room, quietly telling them that Ducky was peacefully sleeping and that his pulse and breathing were close to normal, with Rob adding that his blood pressure was close to his normal reading.

Tim nodded, relieved to hear that Ducky’s vital signs were nearly back to normal. Rubbing Tim’s wrists, Rob gave the others a look they interpreted as ‘let me do my job.’ Softly he asked Tim if he could tell him what happened. Tim, who’d had his eyes closed, opened them and the grief and anger in his expressive eyes caused the others to gasp.

Knowing the children were safe, as far as he knew their brothers, sisters and their children were also safe, Rob had a sinking sensation what this might be about and with a quick glance at the others, he saw they’d reached the same conclusion.  

“What did you see, Tim?”

“My name, my birth name. And their names, the people who sold me. Lily and Daniel.”

At a noise, they looked at Artie. She remembered him vetoing both names 5 years ago when they were discussing what to name Jackson and Ellanne. Then she realized he’d also said they sold him.

She knew, he’d told her when they were at MIT, that he believed he’d been sold as a child. Now from the looks on Lu and Jethro’s faces, he’d also told them and she remembered telling Yaya what Tim believed. However, Rob apparently hadn’t been told as he was nearly overwhelmed.

Lu took one of Rob’s hands while Jethro was trying to rein in his own anger. Yes, he’d been told but to actually know that someone had done such a heinous thing was a fresh wound. Then he realized that Rob was crying and wrapped his arms around him while Lu held his hands.

Gently squeezing Tim’s hands, Artie asked him to tell them his birth name. His lips curved up a little bit. “It’s a good name, the first part anyway. It’s Jeffrey. The whole thing is Jeffrey Andrew Langston and Mama, you were right, I was too small to be 10 years old when we first met. I was born in November 1978,  not in June of 1976. I’m two and a half years younger than the doctors guessed I was.”

Dad said, “Timson, the people who sold you, were they your parents?”

Making a face, Tim took a calming breath before answering, “The female was my birth mother, no, that’s not right. I won’t use the word mother when referring to her. She was my egg donor and gestational carrier. I don’t know who he was. On Ducky’s paper, they were married but he was not my father. I never had a father until I met you, same with you as my mother, Mama. You and Dad have been and always will be my first and only parents.”

He frowned, “What made Ducky faint?”

Rob answered, “We don’t know yet. He told me he’d had an emotional shock and fainted, I saw him fall as I walked in the door. He came out of it fairly quickly and on his own. Physically, he’ll be all right.”

Tim had several thoughts running through his mind but everything was still a bit cloudy so he concentrated on what he knew without a doubt. “I still need to call Leon.”

His mother frowned but Jethro discreetly shook his head. “To look for a cold case?”

“Yeah, Dad. I’m pretty sure my not-father was in the Navy.”

“And his name is on Ducky’s paper?”

Tim nodded and Jethro kissed the top of his head. “All right, then let’s call Leon. Dr. Rob?”

“I’ll stay.”

Jethro turned to Athena, “Do you want to check on Ducky?”

She nodded before saying, “I think I will stay with him, if that is all right with you, Timothy?”

Tim nodded, holding out his arms to her, like his littles, for a hug and kiss. He whispered his thanks in her ear and then she left, feeling the need to be with her Donald.

Tim and his dad looked at each other, having one of their silent conversations. When Tim raised an eyebrow, Jethro nodded. “You’re right.”

Lu smiled at her son, “Artie, Rob and I were staying anyway but thank you!”

Rob leaned forward to hug his brother, smiling a little when Tim kissed him. Then he moved so Artie could sit with Tim.

Before they made the call, Tim asked Artie to find the paper on the kitchen table with the name he remembered being on the top of the page and to bring it back. She quickly returned, handing the paper to Tim. He looked at it, his face once again displaying his pain, anger and grief.

Finally he said, “Vance will need this and it belongs to Ducky, we’ll need his permission.”

Having left with Artemis to get water for all of them, Lu re-entered the room, hearing what he said. “I told him what you found and that you were calling Leon and he said you have his permission. He asked me to bring him the paper before we send it so he can sign and date it.”

Jethro nodded with a half-smile, “That’s all they’ll need.”

Artie brought Tim’s laptop and they pinged Leon. Although it was lunchtime, close to 1 PM, Tim thought there had been enough time post-church for him to have eaten lunch.

Leon answered the ping with a smile that quickly turned into a concerned look. “Hello, what’s going on? Timothy?”

Tim looked at him, making a gesture with his finger that made his father give a rusty chuckle. Realizing this was something serious, Leon engaged his personal version of the SCIF before returning to the screen, nodding at him.

Taking a deep breath, noticing his chest wasn’t as tight as it had been earlier, Tim said, “I’m not physically hurt or sick. I had a shock earlier, a huge shock and realized the agency is or should be involved.” Tim gathered his strength, silently asking for courage before continuing, “Probably was involved at one point. It has to do with a sealed file in my record. Now I know more.

“To begin with, the birth date in my file is legal although it is also fictional. It’s a long story but I woke up in a hospital when I was somewhere between 5 and 9 years old, not knowing much about myself.”

When Vance held up his hand, Tim stopped, knowing that would not be enough. All he’d ever wanted to do was move on and leave his bizarre past behind but now it looked like he’d have to go through everything. He felt his dad’s hand on his shoulder.

“Before you woke in the hospital, where were you?”

When his father wrapped an arm around both shoulders, scooting in closer, Tim leaned into him, thanking him, his wife, mother, brother and Leon with a look. Then he took a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds before exhaling. He did that three times before he sat up straighter, although not enough to dislodge his father’s arm around his shoulders. Reaching out, he grabbed one of Artie’s hands and one of Malu’s and held on.

Finally, he spoke. “I haven’t wanted to talk about it but too many people know now and with what I saw today, I don’t know how I can avoid it anymore.” He sighed and started again, “I guess I’ve had more than 40 years of anonymity and now has to be the time. If I don’t talk about it now, it will only get worse and I might be forced into it. This is hard enough and no one is forcing me.”

His mother murmured to him that he didn’t have to and Tim nodded, “I know, Mom but I still have nightmares and no matter how much counseling I have, it’ll never go away. Whether I talk about it or not, it still happened. All of it, whatever that means.” Rolling his shoulders without letting go of anyone’s hands, he looked at the director, giving him a slight nod and saying, “Please record this so I won’t have to repeat it.”

Vance held up his phone and Tim nodded. Taking a deep breath, he began speaking.

“Until today I didn’t know with a certainty anything from before the hospital but I did have, still have, bits and pieces of memory. Until today I had no idea what name I was given at birth, only knew a little about the woman who gave birth to me and still have no idea who my father was and nothing about where I lived or when I was born. Now I know how old I was when the thing happened and what date it happened.” He stopped again, thinking through what he still needed to say. “Some of what I’m still missing can probably be found online or in law enforcement records if there’s a cold case. Before I go any further, I need to tell you how I know the things I learned today.”

He waited for the director’s nod before continuing. “Ducky believes the start was while we were on our Scandinavian tour in August of 2013; he went to Scotland to visit his cousins, his annual visit. While he was there, they showed him their family trees they’d input to one of the online ancestry sites. At his request, he was entered with a false name and birthday, because he was concerned about the information being online and his work with the RAMC and NCIS. After they’d entered everything, they decided to have their DNA tested. This time, they showed him the various security choices he’d have as far as his DNA being linked to anyone and so he agreed.

“When the results were in, they were attached, sort of, to the family trees they’d built and then they had a lot of matches. After sorting through most of them, they only had one that was a complete mystery, or at least one they presented to Ducky as a complete mystery. Knowing his love of mysteries, they asked him to figure it out and printed a copy of the mystery matches’ family tree. They printed everything out for him and put it in a folder. He brought it home and put it with his other papers, not getting around to looking at it until this morning.”

He was almost amused when everyone on screen or physically present with him seemed to start to understand although he did not notice that his father and Leon were also reaching another possible and even more surprising conclusion. His mother and wife wondered but continued to listen. Rob’s head was spinning with everything he’d heard, he wasn’t ready for thinking or jumping to any conclusions.

Continuing, Tim ended by telling them what happened when he saw the page and the names. “I recognized the names of the people I’d lived with, the woman who gave birth to me and her husband. And then I saw my name, I knew it as soon as I saw it. At birth I was named Jeffrey Andrew Langston and I was born November 15, 1978. I have been missing since February 10^th, 1981, when I was 27 months old.”

He stopped to take a breath before continuing, “That makes sense to me because I’ve always known that the day things happened, I could walk and run without crashing into anything and could speak fairly coherently. I remember being rocked in someone’s arms and that same someone singing a song to me. I remember three big people, the man who was there sometimes and the man who took care of me when he was there. I believe only the woman lived with me all the time.”

Taking another deep breath, he slowly exhaled before saying, “I’ve always believed I was sold or given up when I was very young, probably around 2 and now I know I was right as far as my age. I knew how to walk and talk. I also knew how to count, how high I don’t know, could recite the alphabet and a few other things. When Jack and Ellanne were born, I tracked what they did and when and their development and ages meshes with what I know about my own status before I was taken. Although I’ve always thought I was around two, tracking our children as they approached their second birthdays and in the months following has confirmed that.

“In my mind, I call the time ‘before’. Before, I remember living in a place, a house, with someone I believe was the woman who gave birth to me. There was also a man who was there sometimes. He had colorful things on his shirts and jackets. He also had a hat I was allowed to play with. Aside from the hat, I don’t remember any other interaction with him. Not being talked to, picked up, kissed or cuddled. I do remember the other person doing all that with me and she sang to me about a baby owl.

“I have bits of memory about what happened when I was taken, there was someone I knew and with whom I was comfortable, a man who took care of me. I woke up in a place I’d never seen before, it wasn’t where I was supposed to be and the person I knew wasn’t there. I was with people I didn’t know and I never saw the man who took me, the woman who lived with me or the man who was sometimes there ever again.  

“Later, it might have been that same day, I remember being hungry and wanting to go home. I was fed and told this was now my home. That was the beginning of ‘after’.

“I was in a place with several people who called me Johnny. I told them that wasn’t my name, so I’ve known ever since that it wasn’t my birth name, and they said they’d changed my name and it was now Johnny. When they took me to a room and said it was mine, I found a few toys, picture books, crayons, coloring books and coloring paper but nothing that was mine. I was scared, I remember crying and probably cried myself to sleep. I wanted my mama.

“When I woke, I heard people talking outside the room I was in and one of them said, ‘He’s a baby, too little to remember anything, he’ll forget all about his real name, his mother and everything else.’

“That made me mad, I didn’t like these people and I’d show them I wasn’t a baby! And that was another reason to think I was at least two as all of the children in the family who’ve joined us before they were two have announced they were no longer babies when they had their 2^nd birthdays. Jackson and Ellanni were first, and Chloe was just two when she and Liam came to live with us and she said that several times. I also remember MacKenna and Jasper each saying that.

“Anyway, when I heard the people call me a baby, I took a piece of paper and a black crayon and I wrote something, I think it’s supposed to be my name, my birth name, I haven’t had a chance to look at it since seeing my name on the mystery family tree. I wrote it the best I knew how and then drew a picture of my mama’s face with a baby owl on her shoulder. Somehow I knew what my owl should look like. The man who was at the house sometimes sailed on a big boat and I’d seen it, so I put the boat in the picture. I didn’t know the name but knew it started with a ‘U’ and then ‘SS’ so I added that and the hat I was allowed to play with. I folded up the paper and hid it under my shirt.

“They didn’t start doing things to me until what I think was the third day after I woke up there. When I woke that morning, they didn’t let me eat, which is why I remember it. They poked me, stuck me with needles, and asked me a lot of questions. Everything hurt, I remember screaming and kicking and then I couldn’t move anymore and I was terrified. I was allowed to sleep when they finished. When I woke, they fed me mushy stuff that I threw up. Back in my room, I had more books to look at and my coloring books and someone gave me a plush animal, a lamb I called Edward. I think I had a plushy animal before that I called Edward.”

When Tim stopped to take a breath, Leon managed to ask a question that wasn’t directly about what happened. Instead, he raised an eyebrow, “You said you haven’t yet had a chance to look at your original drawing. Then you still have it?”

Tim nodded, “Yes, I still have my original drawing but the crayon is badly smeared and the letters are illegible, I can’t tell what they are. I kept it in a plastic bag before I finally framed it. Shall I continue?”

At Vance’s nod, Tim took a deep breath, relaxing slightly at the shoulder rub from his father. “I don’t know how long I was with them. I believe I was either unconscious or asleep, kept sedated much of the time. I knew the days of the week and the months of the year and sometimes days would be all jumbled. I’d go to sleep on a Tuesday and wake up on a Monday, or so they said. Now I think it was easier for them, and for me, to be sedated while they did whatever they did. I’d wake up and there would be big bandages on my stomach, chest, legs, back, head or arms and sometimes I had what I was told were called stitches. One time I couldn’t see anything, that lasted for a long time. I always hurt. Several times I had a rash all over my body that I didn’t remember having before I went to sleep. A few times all my hair was gone, they told me it fell out but would grow back. My head hurt all the time and by that I mean I had headaches. I’d beg them to stop hurting me, that I hadn’t been bad and they’d tell me it would be better soon.

“I remember there were about 10 of them, they were never all there at the same time or not when I was awake and they changed their appearance if they’d been gone for a time. I believe there was a core group of about 10 big people, what I know now was a mix of men and women. They used different names for themselves and sometimes wouldn’t remember what my fake name was supposed to be. They called me Stevie, Tommy, Billy, Marty, Bobby, Little Guy, Big Guy, one person called me Scooby Doo. So I’ve known that Stevie, Tommy, Billy, Marty or Bobby were not my birth names either. They told me my mother gave me to them and someone else told me my mother was dead. I didn’t know what that meant but I remember him saying that. That particular big person was always mean, he’d pinch me when I cried.

“We moved a lot, usually when I was asleep. I’d wake up and we’d be in a different place. We stayed in houses, I always had a room to myself and there were other rooms I was never allowed to enter. I don’t think they lived there with me but I’m not sure about that. I didn’t and still don’t know where we were, where we moved to. It could have been anywhere in the U.S. or I suppose Canada or Mexico, although I don’t remember being especially cold or people wearing lots of jackets, being really hot or people speaking different languages. The language was always familiar and I only knew how to speak English, so I don’t think we left the US.

“There was a man who took care of me. I never knew his real name but I called him ‘Ken’. That was something about Superman and Clark Kent but I couldn’t get the ‘t’ right, so I called him Ken. He played with me, made sure I ate and that the food stayed down, bathed and clothed me, put something on my rashes to make them go away, cut my hair when I had any and taught me how to read, how to write legibly and everything I could soak up about mathematics and science. He was always there when I woke from one of their experiments on me. Eventually I realized that when he’d tell me he had to leave it meant they were going to do something bad to me. But he always came back and that was a comfort.

“He was nice, he’d hold me when I was scared, which was most of the time, and hurting, which was also most of the time. Sometimes I was allowed to play outside as long as Ken was there. Once there was even a dog who played with me. Ken was the one who put my drawing into a clear plastic bag, the kind you use for food storage, so it wouldn’t get any more rumpled than it was. Until I transferred from Norfolk to the MCRT, I carried it with me every day.

“As I said, I don’t know how long they had me but for me it was my whole life. I remember my pants being too short and then they weren’t, so I must have grown taller and was given longer pants. One day when I woke, I was in the hospital I spoke of earlier. I was told that someone had dropped me off and left. I’d been in a coma when I was dropped off and it had been three weeks since then.

“They asked me all kinds of questions but I couldn’t remember anything much. I said my name might be Johnny or Billy, those were the only two names I could remember at the time. When they asked me how old I was, I had no idea.

“They explained that they would need to put me through some tests, nothing that would hurt me, so they could tell how old I was. They were nice people, I could see their faces, none of them hurt me. When I had to have a shot, someone would hold my hand and talk to me while another person gave me the shot. They kept their promises, nothing hurt, and there was someone to help me when I had bad dreams, the nightmares I still have. I wasn’t scared of any of them and I remember laughing sometimes.

“With the tests, they asked me questions and gave me word tests and math equations to solve, which was fun, I liked that! When I was stronger, I also got to run, jump and play, catch a ball, things like that and I also found those things fun.

“From those tests, the doctors concluded that my intellectual abilities put me at about 9 years of age but that physically they believed I was closer to 5. They said they had to put something in my records and decided I could be 6 ½ and figured out from that what to put as my birth date, which then became my birthday. I believe their thought process was that once I started school, I could skip grades but that it would be better to give me a younger age because of my physical abilities.

“When they told me I could choose my name, I chose Adam Ward because in the hospital I watched reruns of Batman on TV and loved Batman and Robin. One of my nurses told me that Batman was played by someone named Adam West and Robin was played by someone named Burt Ward, although what she said was that Batman’s real name was Adam West and not Bruce Wayne, and the same thing for Robin. That made me feel good, to have their names because I knew they were good guys and I felt safe whenever I watched them. I used to hope they would come get me and take me back to my mama.

“When no one came for me at the hospital I was put into foster care. I’m sure there were legalities to be dealt with but I wouldn’t have needed to know any of that. I have stories about foster care but overall it was better than before. My headaches were gone, my hair stopped falling out, I didn’t have any more rashes or stitches and nobody hurt me. I still got moved a lot, from one foster home to another but at least I was awake when my case worker moved me and the days and weeks didn’t get all jumbled up. I also went to school and met other kids. However, I never stayed anywhere very long. Sometimes that was a good thing but mostly I would rather have stayed. Although no one hurt me, I was tired of not belonging anywhere or with anyone and being moved around.” He stopped, thirsty, mutely thanking his dad for the bottle of water he handed him.

After he’d had a few sips, Vance gestured to him to continue and Tim managed a smile as he remembered everything he’d done to prepare to escape foster care. He relaxed a little as he began talking again. This part was easier.

“After my first few moves from foster family to foster family, I decided to leave foster care and go to school on my own, take care of myself. It took me almost three years and a lot of preparation, especially coming up with enough money to escape. I did that by tutoring the kids in my classes who didn’t understand what we were being taught. They paid me with their allowances and I saved everything. I also did chores around the neighborhood wherever I stayed. If there were gardens, I’d offer to weed them or to help plant them. I learned a lot about plants, weeds and everything else doing that as most of my customers were older and taught me more about life, at least how life should be. I learned how to do things right, how not to get sloppy or eventually I’d end up pulling more weeds. I was happy being around my customers, I liked the feeling of belonging. After leaving the hospital, it was the only time I belonged to anyone and that was a big comfort.

“Although I was younger than the required age, thanks to one of my gardening customers I was allowed to participate in Webelos, the scout rank prior to Cub Scouts, and learned how to do several useful things including tracking and knowing the constellations. Another item was learning how to sew by hand. After that, I figured out how to make a money belt to hold my savings. I didn’t, still don’t, like to keep coins because they make too much noise and weighed me down. Those I kept were put into a jar and when I had enough, I rolled them in paper holders, took them to a bank and had them converted to dollar bills. I also used the libraries, wherever I lived, to figure out where to go when I left and what I’d need to take with me.

“When I heard someone talking about camping, I thought that was what I needed, something to sleep in, clothes to change into, things like that. I made lists that I always kept with me, and started researching camping. Looking at camping information led me to backpacking information and that was the concept I used from then on. I shopped at discount stores, thrift stores and flea markets, looking for everything I’d need. It took me months to find things, like my sleeping bag, that I could afford. I had a budget every month, so much for the bus ticket I’d buy, so much to buy the things I needed.

“I had a friend at school, I’ll call him Bruce because he was also a big fan of Batman, who was also a foster kid and he told and taught me about several things. We were actually at school together twice, in two states. During my years in foster care, I’d convinced one set of foster parents to let me take a self-defense class, saying it would help fend off bullies, which was true. I liked the class and practiced routinely even after I was moved again. Bruce also helped me make a shiv, a homemade knife, and taught me how to use it in close quarters as well as how to throw it. He also taught me the basics of fighting.”

When Gibbs frowned at that, Tim paused but Dad tilted his head to continue.

“When I was 9 I had almost all the money and nearly all the equipment I needed to leave foster care. While my ultimate goal was to find my mother, by then I  knew I’d have to finish school and grow up so I wouldn’t be put back into foster care and because no adult had ever listened to me or done anything about what had happened, except for the hospital people and they did everything they were allowed to do. Until I was older, leaving foster care, finding a place to live and going to school on my own were my priorities.

“My biggest expense would be travel and for that, I decided to take the bus, or maybe a series of buses that would take me to my target city. My goal was a big city as far from my present foster home, in the Northwest, as possible. I’d also need to bring enough food and drink for the bus ride. Studying the routes, I also realized I needed to take the coast-to-coast routes as those buses had restrooms in them.

“I was happy when I found a travel magazine in the library with handy tips for long distance travelers. Then I added juice boxes, a thermos for water and moist wipes to my list of must haves. I would carry everything in a big backpack with pockets for things like the moist wipes and other items needed every day.

“I made a list of what I would need and did a great deal of preparation. The city I was staying in then was big enough to have several thrift stores and two flea markets and that’s where I bought almost everything. That was the city where Bruce and I were in school together for the second time and he occasionally helped me, telling me if he saw something he thought I’d need and sometimes he’d go with me to the thrift stores and flea markets. Flea markets were my favorite places because people sold new and used things and you could bargain with the sellers.

“I was careful not to buy too much at any one store or flea market vendor and a couple of times at the flea markets I had to pretend that my father was on the next aisle over. It took me months but I finally had everything I needed, including a backpack to hold everything.

“I was lucky that my then foster parents both worked, as I did most of my trip planning and shopping after school and on weekends while they ran errands or worked overtime. Sometimes I went with them if they ran errands because they always asked if I wanted to go and I was afraid they’d get suspicious if I always said no. And I liked them.

“After school and whenever they weren’t home I practiced rolling the sleeping bag tight and small enough to fit into my pack and as I gathered other supplies, I also practiced putting everything into the pack. Bruce is a little older and helped me to think things through, like where would I live when I left foster care and where would I get food to eat on the way to wherever I was going, what name would I use so the foster people wouldn’t be able to track me, how would I have money to eat and buy clothes once I arrived at my destination. That one was easy, I planned to continue doing the tutoring, yard work and maybe washing cars, although I’d need a step stool for that as I was still short.

“We decided on a few things, I would change my name because Adam Ward was known to CPS and Social Services but I wouldn’t tell my friend my new name in case anyone from Social Services asked him about me. I didn’t want him to have to lie. We also decided I would go as far from the states where we’d lived as I could afford and I’d go in the summer so I could sleep out.

“When I saw something about homeless shelters in the newspaper, I decided to try to find what cities had those. By then, I’d also visited the bus station and saw how much fares were to various places. I also figured out how things worked there; you stood in a line for groups of destinations and bought a ticket. I figured out how much money I could spend on my ticket and then remembered that the library had phone books for some state capitals.

“I went to the main branch, where they wouldn’t know me, and found the phone books for five state capitals on the East Coast and a few of the biggest cities in those states and looked for phone numbers for shelters. From what I could find, Baltimore had three listed while the others had two, one or none. I wrote down the addresses and phone numbers, feeling much better about having a place to stay once I got to my new location.

“During the months before my 10^th birthday,  Bruce and I decided I was ready. I had enough money for my ticket, food and to stay at one of the shelters, knew how to take care of myself, even in defense. Then the best opportunity for escape I’d had so far presented itself.

“The week after school was out, my current foster parents, where I’d been for the entire school year, which was a first, were going backpacking, which I thought was hilarious, for 3 weeks. While they were gone I would be moved to a different foster family for the duration although I was sure it would be permanent. My foster parents were older, their own children were grown and gone. They’d had fosters before but not for years and when I overheard them talking about retiring, I knew I’d be moved again soon.”

He paused for another drink of water, noticing Dad had his notepad out with a few questions and that Rob was no longer in the room with them. Swallowing the water, he continued, “Having studied their handwriting, I wrote my case worker and the other foster family, copying my current foster mother’s handwriting because she was left-handed, same as me. The notes said my foster parents had changed their minds and were taking me backpacking with them after all and thanked them.

“Before they left and before I mailed the letters, I asked to have my hair cut, saying I wanted to look good for the new family and it would help keep me from getting too hot during the summer. My foster parents agreed and I was treated not only to a haircut but also to new clothes and shoes, including a new parka for winter and a pair of sneakers. I thought maybe my departing foster parents didn’t want to look bad to the social worker or the other family.

“I mailed the letters the morning they left on their trip. My case worker was supposed to be there to move me before my foster parents left but they were worried about the drive to wherever they were going and I convinced them they didn’t have to wait, telling them I was packed, I’d leave the key to the house in the secret hiding place and I’d be all right for a couple of hours.

“After their car backed out of the driveway, I waited a few minutes in case they returned for something they’d forgotten. Then I re-packed, moving more of what I might need on the bus either to the pockets or to the top of the pack. The money for the bus went into a small cloth bag, another one I made, which was then attached with a safety pin inside a pocket of my jeans. Once that was done, I took the letters to the mail box on the corner. I’d had the same caseworker for the last few moves and she was always late so I wasn’t worried about her checking the bus station for me. The bus I planned to take would leave before she’d likely get to the house.

“By now I knew where I was going, all the way across the country to the city of Baltimore, in the state of Maryland. I had figured out the man with the white hat and all the shiny stuff on his jacket was probably in the Navy, I’d seen people who looked similar, with medals and ribbons on their shirts and jackets, on TV and in magazines. From the research I did at the library I knew that Bethesda was a Naval hospital, not just anyone could be a patient, so I’d start there. I’d already planned to go to Baltimore because it was as far as I could afford to go and still have enough money for food and a place to stay, they had shelters, when I got there.  

“My pack was stuffed full with everything I was taking, all my clothes, including the new parka, boots, the sleeping bag, two additional blankets I’d found in the garbage and washed twice. Everything was rolled up as tightly as possible, I’d been practicing for months. I took the blankets to sell, along with as much of my old clothes as I could fit in the pack and a little sewing kit. I was sure I wouldn’t need four blankets and would need a heavy jacket and also added a lighter one. I folded up several large black garbage bags, thinking I could put them on the ground and my sleeping bag on top of them if the ground was wet. I could cover the pack with them, too.

“I had more than a dozen peanut butter and butter sandwiches that I’d made, wrapped, put them in the freezer until I was ready to leave and then in a separate bag within the pack, along with the thermos full of water, 2 bags of cookies I found in the freezer, some fresh fruit and as many juice boxes as I could carry. I’d read a lot about backpacking and also purchased vitamins. I’d made a list of those I needed and found them all packaged together, on sale 2 for the price of 1.”

Pausing for a long drink of water from another bottle, this one handed him by his mother, Tim noticed his last comment had amused his listeners.

“I also took a few cans of food that could be eaten without heating, along with an old fork and spoon from the back of the silverware drawer. I already had a pocket knife, Bruce gave it to me, a can opener and a bowl, got them at a flea market. The thermos had a drinking cup that screwed on at the top so I didn’t need to bring a separate cup.

“I wrote a note on nice stationary, again in my foster mother’s handwriting, that gave me permission to travel by bus to my grandparents in Maryland. I listed a phone number with a Maryland area code that I found in the library. Bruce recommended that when needing a phone number, to use one for a business that wouldn’t be open on a weekend or in the evening, that could help your chances of not being found out. At the library, I used the microfiche, searching a Baltimore newspaper for ads for businesses, and found one that posted their business hours as Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM and I used their phone number on my note.

“Then I looked at real estate ads in that newspaper for an address on an actual  street in Baltimore, another idea from my friend. When I found one that was listed as ‘empty and ready for new owners!’,  which even at the age of 9 seemed like asking for trouble, I wrote the address down in my note, with the correct zip code. Those were the most difficult items to find but once I added them into the note, I felt pretty good. I liked doing the research although it took too long.”

Pausing for more water and a longer break, Tim managed a half smile at the chuckles from his wife, parents, brother and Vance at his last remark. Finally, he continued.

“I also had a wig that I found. I washed it a few times, combed and cut it a little and after I left the house with everything, I went into the backyard, took out the wig which had nearly black hair and carefully covered my recently cut short blond hair. Then I took a blue baseball cap I’d found and put it on over the wig. I didn’t normally wear baseball caps and after finding that one, never wore one again, at least not as a child. I’d also found a pair of kid’s glasses. They must have been a very light prescription because I didn’t need glasses but could see all right with them. I also bought another pair and those were sunglasses. Now, if anyone looked for me, which I doubted, the glasses, wig and baseball cap would help me go unnoticed.

“My cash was still in the homemade money belt and I only had a few coins, enough for something from a vending machine. Over the time since I started planning my escape, I’d made enough money for everything I bought plus enough for the bus ticket with money left over to live on for a month or more, if I was careful. I also planned not to eat all the food I was taking with me on the bus so I wouldn’t be hungry my first few days in Baltimore.

“Taking a shortcut, I was happy as I walked the three miles to the bus station, excited about finally making my escape! I was also nervous and a little scared but when I touched the shiv, safely wrapped and hidden where I could quickly get to it, I felt better. I really was on my way, although I wished that Bruce was going with me. I was used to being alone but he’d been really good to me, my first friend, and I missed him already.

“I didn’t have any problems buying my ticket, the lines were long and the ticket seller barely looked up so he probably wouldn’t remember me. I was really happy when the guy sold me a ticket for kids under the age of 12 without asking.  I knew about the cheaper tickets but didn’t want to ask, afraid the ticket seller would remember me. After I got the ticket, I used the men’s room to put the change away and to make sure everything was where I needed it to be.

“When I boarded the bus, I found an empty seat toward the back, next to a teenage boy wearing headphones and listening to something on a portable cassette player-radio. The guy looked up, nodding to me. I was very happy to find someone who wasn’t an adult, I didn’t trust any of them, and he likely wouldn’t bother me. I hoped he would ride all the way to Baltimore.

“The trip took three long days but I was prepared. I re-read two of my favorite books, played an old handheld game I bought at the flea market and wrote in my journal. My seatmate was named Chris and was not only riding all the way to Baltimore, he was continuing beyond. He’d lived in Baltimore and told me some places to see and things to do and also warned me of several dangerous places. I wrote everything down in my journal.

“We traded places a few times every day so we each had the window seat.  We also watched each other’s stuff when we had to use the washroom. On the second day when I noticed Chris’s face and arms were damp, I also took a ‘sink bath’ the next time I went, changing my clothes and saving the moist wipes for later. I paid for my share of the food that Chris bought at our stops, happy to eat cheeseburgers, fries and sodas as well as the fresh fruit and milk he purchased. One time he brought back a container of cut and peeled carrots and we ate those, it felt good to crunch on something. Another time, he brought apples. I also took my daily vitamins and shared them with him. When Chris would go for our food and there weren’t many people on the bus, I’d walk and run up and down the aisle to get some exercise. I never got off the bus at our stops, I was afraid I’d be caught or left behind. Because Chris kept buying food, the food I brought with me would last longer and I also saved more fruit and bottled water for later.

“When Chris told me his name, I implemented my plan of adopting a new name. From the time I’d been in the hospital, I’d been called Adam Ward and it was the name they used for me in foster care. Now I introduced myself as Tim. It still wasn’t my real name but I liked it, still do. It felt friendly and real and it had a longer version, Timothy. On our way across country, I studied all the billboards, road signs and city names and picked a last name, McGee, from a billboard advertising a mortuary. Now I’d have a new life with a new name, one that wouldn’t be on any lists for escaped foster kids.  

“While we hadn’t talked about why we were traveling or anything else personal, when I got off the bus in Baltimore Chris shook my hand, passing me a note with $100 in small bills wrapped in the paper. The small bills would make it easier to spend without anyone seeing how much money I had. The note said to be careful, to hide the money, to never let anyone see it and to be safe, that there was a homeless camp near the bus station that was safe for kids and a homeless shelter a few blocks from there run by a very nice lady, Ms. Lu.” Tim stopped to grin at his mother, who leaned in to kiss him. “I was glad to know that as it was the one I’d planned to go to. Chris had even drawn a little map from the bus station to both places. The money he gave me was a lot more than what I’d paid him for the food. As it turned out, it was a good thing he was so generous. Before I got up to leave, I dug out my money pouch and put all but $10 in it, then tucked that $10 in my sock, another trick Bruce told me about.

“When I was leaving the bus, the driver asked me to do him a favor. I looked back at Chris and saw him leaning into the aisle watching me. He gave me a nod, so I asked the bus driver what the favor was. I was suspicious and a little afraid but I listened while the driver explained there was a little girl aboard that he was supposed to escort to the waiting room and to her guardian. However, the bus was late getting into Baltimore, held up by an accident, and the driver wanted to push on to Raleigh as quickly as possible, otherwise his pay might be docked. He gave me $20 dollars and then I turned to find a tiny girl with curly hair standing behind me. I smiled at her as the driver said her name was Sarah. I held out my hand, she took it and I helped her climb down the steps of the bus.

“Holding onto her and her suitcase, which had four wheels that went in every direction and kept falling over, I managed to get both of us into the waiting room where we sat on a bench to wait for her guardian. Sarah said she was three.

“We sat for a long time but nobody came to claim her and she didn’t know what her new guardian looked like or what his or her name was. She said she had it on a piece of paper but we couldn’t find it in her little backpack or her suitcase. Her name wasn't on either one either.

“When we were both hungry, I gave her half of a peanut butter sandwich, that was all she wanted and a juice box and she said that filled her up. When I opened my pack for the food, I found Chris’s headphones and cassette player with another note attached, ‘Sell these and keep the money but hide it. Be safe, little brother!’

“While we waited, I noticed a kid, older than me but not as old as Chris, who looked like he was making the rounds of the bus depot. I saw the kid pick up a coin from the floor and stuff it in his pocket and look at us hungrily when we were eating our peanut butter sandwiches. Considering the extra money I’d made that day, I gave the kid one of my sandwiches, an orange and a juice box. Then we watched as the kid tore the sandwich into 4 parts and stuffed all 4 pieces in his pockets while he slowly ate the orange and sipped at the juice box.

“Finally, he sat down on the bench with us and said, ‘I know a place you can stay if no one comes for you.’

“I looked at him for a long time before deciding to trust him. It was grownups I didn’t trust. I thought about it and finally said that no one was coming for me but that someone was supposed to come for Sarah. Then I explained about the driver’s rush to leave, although I didn’t mention the money, any money.

“Sarah smiled and the other kid smiled back at her, asking how long we’d been waiting. I looked at the clock on the wall and said, ‘Three hours and 17 minutes.’

“The kid nodded, saying, ‘The station closes in an hour but there are only two more buses that will come in before then. If you want to wait, I’ll tell you where my place is.’ I didn’t want to wait anymore and told him so, saying that Sarah could come with me. I didn’t think Sarah’s guardian was arriving by bus; the driver hadn’t said that. Later I realized he could mean the guardian was expecting Sarah to be on one of the later buses but by then it was too late.

“The kid nodded and helped me move Sarah, her suitcase, backpack and my pack out of the station. We walked about a block before the kid said, ‘My name is Geordie.’ I told him our names, Tim and Sarah. When he asked what Sarah’s last name, she didn’t know so I said it could be McGee.

“Sarah’s wheeled suitcase fell over so often that Geordie finally picked it up and carried it by the handle, asking if she was related to me and I said no.   

“Then he asked if I was going to foster care and I said, ‘No way!’

“He said that was good because it was really bad in Baltimore and then asked if I  would take care of Sarah.

“I said I guessed I would, that I’d say she was my little sister and then asked if that was okay.

“He said that it was and that he wouldn’t say anything. He said there were a bunch of kids that lived in a homeless camp run by a ‘big guy’ and his sister and they did their best to keep the kids safe. But to stay there the kids had to go to school, do their homework and study, not get into any fights or hang around with people that Nate, the big guy, didn’t like. Geordie said he lived in a tent with three other kids that were his age, Barry, Jose and Freddie and that they were all 13.  

“I said I was 9, almost 10 and didn’t have a problem following rules like that. Then I asked if the schools were close enough to walk to.

“He said yes, they were only a few blocks and that there was a center for little kids, like a nursery, next to it, and that Sarah could go there while I was in school. But they’d just started their summer vacation, wouldn’t go back until September.

“I asked him about libraries and he said there was a library on the way to school, that he’d show me. Then he said that right then he would take me to Nate and introduce me. He said Nate might have an empty tent for us to sleep in but if he didn’t, Sarah and I could stay with Nate’s sister Juanita in her tent. She looked really scary, and so did Nate but she was nice to little kids and she’d like that I was taking care of Sarah. He said not to ever lie to either of them, that if I couldn’t say the truth to just be quiet, not to say anything and they’d understand.

“I remember looking at him with a blank face and he grinned at me, my first Geordie grin. He said they wouldn’t ask me anything that I couldn’t answer with the truth.

“I asked if the place was safe and he said that it was most of the time, that it was a city park so there was a restroom. If Nate felt there might be trouble, he’d have the kids stay in the restroom and lock the door from inside. There were, still are, lights so they did their homework in there. Then he said that if it was too cold in the winter, Nate would take us over to the homeless shelter.

“Then Geordie gave me kind of a fierce look before saying he was going to tell me some things I needed to know and that I should just listen. His advice was ‘If you have money, always keep it hidden, always and never tell anyone! It’s okay to share food with people you trust but don’t ever let anyone know you have any extra, or any food at all. I promise I won’t tell anyone you gave me food and I’ll make sure no one sees me eat the sandwich. Don’t trust any of the big teenagers or any adults except Nate, Juanita, Big John, he lives at the camp, and Ms. Lu at the homeless shelter and Bill. He used to live at the camp until he graduated from high school and became an apprentice to a building contractor. He lived in our tent and worked part-time but when he started working full-time, his boss had him move into a little apartment upstairs from their garage.

“Geordie also said that Bill helped them when he could, either with food or money. He also said that at Christmas, Bill and Ms Lu took them to her house for a whole meal, only she made them eat it in bits and pieces so they wouldn’t get sick from eating too much at once,” Tim shook his head, “Geordie told me to also get used to that, to eat slowly and not all at once, otherwise I’d throw it all up.” Blinking, he continued, “He also told me that Ms. Lu would cut their hair, let them have hot showers, washed all their clothes and repaired rips and tears, gave them new underwear, sweaters, shirts, pants, jackets and socks she made for them and then they went to a movie! He said we could trust Bill and Ms. Lu but that Bill worked all the time in the summer so I might not meet him until the weather got cold.

“Geordie had more advice about who I could trust and who I couldn’t. He said I still shouldn’t tell anyone where I’d been or what had happened until I knew them really well, maybe not even then. And if I could find an adult who would sign us into the shelter every afternoon, it opens at 5 in the summer and 4 in the winter, then to stay there, they’d be our shelter parent. He said to find a lady, the men’s side might be bad for Sarah and also for me.

“He said the shelter had cots, fans in the summer, heat in the winter, showers, served breakfast and sometimes dinner. He was too old to stay there anymore and even if he could, he’d have to stay on the men’s side and there were too many creeps over there, he was safer at Nate’s. He also told us not to ever ask anyone where they were from or why they were at the shelter, camp or anywhere else.

“I agreed with everything he said. Except for the specifics about the camp and the shelter, Geordie’s advice described my life. I never told anyone anything I didn’t absolutely have to, never trusted adults and by necessity had become a skilled liar, even letting people think I was horrible at lying so I could continue whatever I was doing.”

As he finished narrating the story of his early life and his escape from foster care, he sat back on the sofa, again rolling his neck and shoulders. He relaxed as his father again rubbed his neck and shoulders and then smiled at his wife, who was visibly relieved that he was done.

Noticing his mother was gone, he looked at Artie who smiled, “Peter brought the children home so she went to say hello, tell them everything is all right and they could see us later, she took them for a walk on the beach.  Rob left earlier, to check on Ducky and Yaya.”

When Dad nodded in confirmation, Tim relaxed, although he was sure Vance had questions and he was right.

Vance raised an eyebrow, “How long were you there? Did you try to find your family?”

“I didn’t and don’t know where we lived when I was taken, what my name was, although as of today I know that, or where I’d been during my captivity. And the Baltimore libraries didn’t have any newspapers from around the country that were that old, not even on microfiche.

“Sarah and I stayed at the camp for 3 weeks after our arrival. Then we met a woman with a little boy younger than Sarah and in exchange for me taking care of him, that’s our Rob, she agreed to sign us into the shelter every day. She didn’t make it every day, she had drug and alcohol problems but we were mostly at the shelter until I was 12, then she stopped coming at all and we never saw her again.

“So we moved back to the camp and stayed there until I graduated from Johns Hopkins University, turned 18, Ms. Lu adopted me and I legally became Timothy Camilo-McGee. She adopted each of us as we turned 18, legal adults as far as adoptions are concerned, so none of us would have to answer questions or have home inspections and to keep her from getting into trouble with her shelter bosses.

“After the adoption and my name change, Rob, Sarah and I moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to attend MIT. Once we were settled in Cambridge, I became legal guardian of Sarah and Rob replacing Geordie. Malu told us she was going to stop using her former married name and start using her family name, Camilo, so I started using it right away. I was relieved to finally be able to make my name, Timothy McGee, legal after 8 years and it was easy to add ‘Camilo’ at the same time. Eventually we all used Camilo, although I continued using McGee at school and work and some of my brothers continued using their established surnames or hyphenating them.”

He smiled at his dad, “As far as Sarah and Rob, we’ve always referred to me adopting them but we knew Lu would adopt them when they turned 18, so instead I became their legal guardian. Geordie became ours, that is mine, Sarah’s and Rob’s, when he turned 18, so I didn’t really have to be Sarah and Rob’s but by that time Geo was finishing college and would go on to Officers' Candidate School and he and I decided it was better they have a local guardian in case of emergency.”

Dad nodded, “That was good thinking.”

Tim again relaxed although he had mixed feelings and concerns about what Vance might want to do next. Artie leaned in for a kiss, excusing herself. She knew enough about Tim’s work to realize that he, Jethro and Vance would probably need to talk about what to do next and although she and the rest of the household would be affected, she didn’t especially want to hear the plans ahead of time.

Chapter Text

Ch 22: Rounding up the Troops, Questions and a few Answers  

After Artie left, Vance sat in thought for a few minutes before saying, “I’m glad Morrow put a date of several years in the future on the sealed folder in your personnel file. After your promotion and transfer to the MCRT, it gave you time to grow, settle in, make a name for yourself and you’ve done all that and more. There are a few things to think about. One, the man with the shiny things on his shirt, do you think he was living there?”

Tim nodded, “Yes, I do. Once I was older and understood how military families usually work, the service member being away for weeks, months, even years at a time, yes. I have no memories of him holding me or interacting with me and I’ve never thought of him as my father.”

“All right.” Vance sat quietly for a moment, thinking through everything he’d just heard. “We need to find out what happened to you when you were taken or however you left your home. What we’ll do is search for your birth surname in cold case kidnappings and disappearances, starting with NIS and working forward. You were 26 when you transferred to the MCRT, using your real birth date puts you at 23 or 23 ½  so you’re covered.” He held a hand up, “I know, your records are legal; you had no way of knowing your birth date. Did you ever find anything at Bethesda?”

Tim shook his head, “I never got there while I was in Baltimore and haven’t attempted to look or ask since my mother adopted me. With two little kids to feed and clothe, the money I had, even with Chris’s generosity, and the food I brought didn’t last as long as I’d planned. Between taking care of them, scrounging to survive that first summer and then school, I never had the resources to do any research. An older friend called there once, to ask for birth records and of course, they wouldn’t give them any information. I was disappointed but glad I knew ahead of time so I hadn’t spent money to get there and back.”

Gibbs looked at him, “By the time you went to MIT, computers were a big thing. Did you search while you were there?”

Tim nodded, “Yes but the internet was still relatively young. I looked but other than the disappearance of a toddler who was possibly two years old and who might have had a stuffed animal named Edward, I didn’t have much else to go on. I can’t interpret the names my younger self wrote in crayon on a piece of paper. I tried looking by the 1 or 2 letters I can interpret but didn’t get far. After a while, I let it go. “

“And Morrow knew all this. Knew you’d likely been a Navy dependent when you were kidnapped or disappeared as a baby?”

Tim nodded before explaining, “The thing that stopped Director Morrow and me from doing anything more about it was and still is my captors. Although as an adult I’ve always believed I was sold, I don’t know that and I don’t know who or what caused me to believe that. I could have been kidnapped, given away or even wandered off. However, I’m pretty much a rule follower, you both know that about me,” he tilted his head, adding, “with some electronic exceptions. Knowing that about myself, I’ve never been able to reconcile the thought of me just wandering off. Even if my curiosity got the better of me, say following a butterfly or a dog, I don’t think I would have gone so far that they couldn’t find me.

“Nor do I know who brought me to the hospital later although I suspect it was Ken. I don’t know what the mystery people did to me or why or if they’ll ever want to know the results if there are any or track me down to keep me from talking. I don’t know who they were or where they might be now or who or what they might know that could lead them to me. Except for my writing, I’ve lived as close to total anonymity as possible. When I changed my name to Timothy Camilo McGee, I felt safe in doing so. Legally, from the hospital and CPS records, my previous name was Adam Ward, not any of the names I remember them calling me or my original name, which I hoped I would recognize when I saw or heard it and now,” Tim gave a humorless laugh, “I’ve proved myself right.”

Artie popped back into the room, holding something she gave to Tim. He smiled at her, giving her a kiss, “Thanks, sweetie!” Waving,  she left again.

Drawing in another deep breath, Tim showed them what Artie gave him. His dad moved even closer to Tim, while the director made a visual examination. The object was a folded resealable clear plastic bag with two others folded inside of it. Inside the innermost bag was a piece of paper. Tim huffed, “The bags are just to remind me, really. As I said, the original is framed and in a safe deposit box.”

“Why the safe deposit box?”

“I had it in my apartment in my gun safe until I moved to California in 2008. I wasn’t ready to share or tell the story. The only other people who know everything I’ve just told you are Artemis, Malu, Dad, now Rob and as you know, the late Director Morrow and possibly Ellen Brill, Rob’s birth mother and our shelter mother, who was present when I had a nightmare while staying at the shelter. Other than Ducky’s paper, this is the only link I have to my past. Even if I can’t read what I wrote, it’s all I have.”

While Leon sat very still in his office, Gibbs nodded. He’d known there was something he didn’t know about Tim but his wife asked him to wait until Tim was ready to tell him. He’d finally told him one day while they were in Jaxton and Jethro had been thankful Tim told him on a quiet day so that by the next day he had his emotions back under control. Mostly. Of course, it had been even more difficult for Tim and Jethro had been and still was relieved that his son allowed him to comfort him.

Vance, still distracted by something in Tim’s last statement, looked up, puzzled. “How did the subject come up with Morrow?”

Tim bit his lip and looked at the floor, remembering that day. “On the application for the agency, I only mentioned Baltimore, I didn’t go back any further. I was legally Malu’s son but I was too nervous to put the rest of the information in, birthplace unknown, date of birth unknown, etc., so it just had Luella Camilo as my adopted mother, my legal date of birth and the date my adoption was final. I believe I also listed Geordie, because of his status as a Marine and Barry because he was in law enforcement. I wrote the others’ names in but not their occupations. When Director Morrow got curious, he called me in and I told him everything, everything I’ve told you today. I decided if it meant that I wouldn’t be hired, that at least I wouldn’t have had to lie. After having to lie for so many years, I was determined to leave that behind me.”

Next to him, his former boss smiled to himself, remembering telling Ziva that Timothy McGee didn’t lie. Even so, he’d been wrong in his assumption that the young man didn’t know how to lie, instead he’d made a choice not to lie. Deflect, yes, he was almost as good as Tony at that but he’d only lied to Gibbs once that he knew of and that was during the case Sarah was involved in, when Tim sent an email saying he was ill.

Tim looked up as Vance spoke again, “All right, Timothy, thank you. We’ll need to work both cases, your disappearance and what happened to you after. Now that we know your birth name it shouldn’t be difficult to find the case file. Do you remember what your mother called you?”

“I don’t remember but now having seen my birth name, probably either Jeffrey or Andrew.”

“We will be as careful as possible with the case, looking for it and looking into it. Will you want to know names as we find them, of your birth family?”

Tim thought about it before saying, “No, they’re on Ducky’s paper. Maybe just that you’ve found them? However, please don’t tell anyone about me. I’m serious about believing that I was sold and that means someone close to me had to have been involved. Beyond that, I want to make the choice of whether or not to meet them.”

“All right. That’ll be a little sticky as I’m sure they’ll want to know if you’re alive, although from what you’ve said about the professor, he may already believe you are his very much alive brother. I think we’ll need to investigate both events simultaneously, your kidnapping and captivity. In fact I think once we find the file on your disappearance, we’ll switch to your captivity.”

Gibbs moved, “Need known associates of the navy guy and the mother to help determine who was the kidnapper and if either were involved.”

Tim sighed, “I can tell you a little more about the navy guy and the woman I believe was my mother. Like everything else about ‘Before’ there are little bits of memory and the rest is the older me putting things together although I know it’s still conjecture.”

Vance pointed to his phone, still recording, and Tim began. “Sometimes the navy guy was there with other people but without the woman I think was my mother.  I had to stay in my room when the other people were there with the navy guy. None of them had stuff on their shirts and jackets like the navy guy though and they were all men. One of them used to pick me up, cuddle and kiss me when he was there but it wasn’t the one who lived there. The nice visitor was the one who took care of me when he was there, fed me, changed me, played with me. The navy guy always kissed that man.”

“Do you remember when they were together, did they look alike, were they the same height?”

Tim thought about it before shrugging, “I don’t remember them looking alike and they were all big people, giants, to me!”

Gibbs nodded, “Makes sense. Sounds like the navy guy might be gay.”

Tim considered that before tilting his head. “I wouldn’t have known then but yes, it could be that or maybe they were relatives or best friends from birth or something. They could have been brothers for all I know. My brothers and I kiss each other, we all kiss you, Grandpa, Ducky, Mac and the uncles and you kiss us, although not Peter, Uncle Charlie, Papi, George, Alastair or Tobias.” With an amused glance at Vance, Tim added, “Or Leon.” That earned him a chuckle from Leon and an eye roll from his father.

“True. Do you remember anyone else?”

“No.”

“What you have remembered is amazing for a 2 year old. What about your mother?”

“She wasn’t home with me all the time. I think she worked, which seems odd if the shiny medal man was a Navy Officer. Maybe he was a non-commissioned officer, you also have a lot of ‘shiny things’, Dad.”

“All right, we’ll take all that into consideration. What about your DNA?”

“I’ve never had it tested and I don’t think hospitals were collecting it yet, back in the late 70s, early 80s. It would have been expensive to process, so that’s another mystery, how did the people on Ducky’s paper get my DNA? Memories are tricky and of course I didn’t know a lot of the details I’ve told you. After I started school and learned to write more legibly, I started keeping a journal and wrote down my memories and I still have all those journals. Over the years I’ve been able to more clearly define some of what I remember. As far as my DNA, as I said, I’ve never had it tested or allowed anyone to take it. It should not be in any database, anywhere.”

“Afraid someone besides cold case investigators would see it?”

“Yes, sir and Director Morrow agreed with me. Even though DNA wasn’t fully understood during the time period when I was taken, scientists knew it existed and what they did know or theorized was being taught in colleges and universities. I asked about that when I was at MIT, questioned a trusted mentor.”

 Vance nodded, “Makes sense. Do you remember anything else about when you were taken?”

Tim shook his face, “No, although I have a memory of a time when the nice man was visiting and we went outside to play and there was a bird in a tree that was chirping. He lifted me up to see better and then,” Tim’s face went white and Jethro wrapped his arms around him. “What happened then?”

“I woke up in the place that wasn’t where I was supposed to be.”

The two older men were silent while Tim struggled through the newest shock, that the nice man, his first friend, was the one who’d taken him.

Jethro took his hand, “It might not have been the nice man, son. He might have been knocked out and then you were taken.”

Tim sighed, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. “Thanks, Dad, I really don’t want it to have been him. I should have realized that myself, some investigator I am!”

Vance made a noise, “There’s nothing wrong with your investigative skills. You’re dealing with very old and fragmented memories. What you have remembered is amazing.”

Tim nodded his appreciation, he wasn’t sure he agreed but he also didn’t feel like arguing. Then he thought about what was about to happen, their lives being turned upside down and for how long?

“Director, may I continue working during the investigations?”

“Yes but until further notice, no travel other than between Greece and the UK. You will have a protection detail with you 24/7, in the office, embassy and at home, and I prefer that you work at home as much as possible. You’ll need to postpone any business or personal trips until this is settled. Since you believe you were in the US while you were held captive, I’m going to have the Southwest team run the case.”

Tim nodded, there was no getting around having a protection detail, although he wondered why the Southwest team. Then he realized he’d mentioned living in the Northwest and having been moved a lot, and considering the man with shiny things who sailed on a big ship, the biggest US West Coast Naval ports at the time would have been San Diego or on the Kitsap Peninsula, near Seattle. Of course, Alameda Naval Air Station, across San Francisco Bay from the city of San Francisco, had also still been open during the period of time involved.   

Making a face, he shook his head, forcing his brain to return to the present and  saying, “Sir, we have three trips planned in the near future. The first is during the children’s half term vacation in February, several of us, all family, including the Clachers and the Dornegets, if they’re available, are going to a ski resort in Scotland. We’ve been before, they have excellent security and great classes for the littles.

“The second trip is a week at the end of February, beginning of March, for Artie and me, a delayed trip for our wedding anniversary. We’re going to Málaga, Spain.”

Vance thought about it for a minute before nodding, “All right, we can handle both of those.”

“Yes, sir. We’ll need to reserve rooms for the team.”

“I’ll authorize that.”

Tim was thinking about expenses, “Sir, that’s two personal trips! We’ll pay for the security teams or reimburse the agency.”

“That’s not necessary.”

“Director, I’d rather not be thought of as the most expensive person to ever be part of the NCIS Director’s office. Frankly, I’m not comfortable with the agency paying for them.”

“We’re not paying for security for NCIS:Europe’s SAC, we’re paying for security for the victim of violent crimes that are under investigation.”

Tim nodded his agreement although Vance was sure he was trying to figure out some other way to pay back the agency.

Needing a little more detail, he asked, “For Scotland, are you flying Paddington or taking the train?”

Very happy to move off the painful subject of his early life, Tim held back a smile at the reference to Tony’s jets. “Both. We’re taking the train to Edinburgh, where the Dornegets, if things are better in the US, and Clachers will join us and flying Paddington from there to the ski resort. On our return, we’ll fly Paddington and then take the train home from Edinburgh. For Spain, we’re flying Paddington both ways.”

“All right, they’ll fly with you and I hope you won’t need the protection detail by the time you leave for Scotland in July. However, if you do, you’ll have one. Now, at home, whether in Varkiza or Jaxton, you’ll have a protection detail outside the house and that’s not negotiable.”

Tim nodded, knowing that was not a battle he’d win and to tell the truth, he was relieved his family would be protected. Who knew what the people behind his torturous childhood might do? “Understood, Director. There’s one more thing and it raises more questions. First, back to DNA. As I said, I’ve never had my DNA tested or taken and it should not be in any database, anywhere although it must be on the genealogical site because it shows a match there. The thing is, I don’t know why or how it got there, especially with my scientific interests, I’ve known to keep it out of the databases. And I have kept it off or at least I’ve never had my DNA tested. So who did and how did I know not to?

“Having said that, a while back and I’ve been looking through my notes to see when in case that’s important, I found a rumor online, more of an anecdotal rumor…” he started to say something else when his dad gave him a concerned look. “Anyway, there is a rumor online regarding graduate students in the genetics field who went rogue in the late 70s and 80s. The rumor is that there was some sort of challenge issued by a professor to change the DNA of a living person. That’s one thing. The other is, as I said, that I question myself as to how I’ve known, years before discovering the rumor, that the torture I went through might involve my DNA? How have I known not to have it tested, been so adamant about it?”

“Are you thinking you heard your captors talking about it?”

Tim nodded, “Yes, although it is not in my journals and I don’t have any memories of hearing them talk about DNA. However, I’ve always known there was something to watch out for and when I first heard of DNA in school, it terrified me. Just the three letters, without knowing the whole thing, Deoxyribonucleic acid, scared me so much that I vomited at my desk, in the classroom. I hadn’t been sick, I was just that scared. I remember feeling sick to my stomach as soon as I heard those three letters, then I couldn’t breathe and then I vomited. I wrote the incident down in my journal and I remember it clearly. However, there’s no mention of me being afraid when I heard or learned about RNA, Ribonucleic acid.”

“All right, that’s another part of the mystery. Back to the rumor, can you trace that back to the point of origin?”

“Probably but I didn’t, I couldn’t and can’t take the risk of being exposed to those who hurt me. Sir, I’ve had a brain scan and my blood tested every year since I was at Johns Hopkins when I first had health insurance. There have been no changes and every doctor and tech I’ve spoken to has said everything looks normal. What worries me is that my DNA is already changed and I would never know.”

Vance frowned, “When your children were born, was their DNA taken?”

Tim shook his head, “No. Artie knows, she’s known since our MIT days and we made it very clear to the medical staff when they were born that their DNA was not to be taken. We didn’t want to also put them at risk or possibly have something lead back to me and put us all in jeopardy. Our adopted children do have their DNA in the databases, CPS does that routinely, to try to find blood relatives who might take them in. CPS has recently had a rule change so that now once adoptions are final the adoptive parents are given control of the child’s genealogical account. We changed Liam and Chloe’s names to phony ones and blocked their DNA from being shared with anyone. There are too many predators out there. Of course, if anyone is looking for them, CPS still has all their records, it’s just the genealogy sites that leave their control. We don’t have an online family tree, either. None of us former street kids or our partners do, even though we’re all more than 20 years into adulthood, it still feels too risky.”

Vance nodded his understanding, “Back when you were taken, when did you write your name and do the drawings? Was it before or after their first experiment?”

“I remember it was the first night, right after I heard them call me a baby, so before…Director, I never thought of that!”

“If you’ve handled it since then…”

“I haven’t, it’s been in a plastic bag since then. I framed it still inside the original plastic bag. It might also have Ken’s DNA.”

Vance nodded. “All right. You can have it tested for DNA and then have your DNA tested with specific instructions that the results must not be added to any databases.”

“They’ll have to do the crayon based run first and run my current DNA afterwards for a comparison.”

“Since you’re not in our system, the techs won’t know it’s yours.”

“One tech, please, not multiple.”

Vance was quiet, mulling over the possibilities, finally saying, “Timothy, I’m fine with one tech. I would like have Ms. Hines, our forensics expert, process this. Do I have your permission to have it processed at the Navy Yard?”

Swallowing hard, Tim took a minute to think while he worked to calm himself before nodding. While years ago their beginnings had been problematic, he now trusted Leon Vance implicitly. However, he’d never been farther away from the only link to who he’d been when he was born than the distance between him and his bank and safety deposit box. Even when he was in the hospital as a child, the plastic bag was in his personal effects, whoever had brought him to the hospital included his drawings in their plastic bag. When he left the hospital, he was given the bag, CPS had not taken it from him. The first bank account he’d had was in Massachusetts when he, Rob and Sarah moved to Cambridge for MIT and that was also his first safety deposit box, he remembered how relieved he was to put his plastic bag in there along with his original adoption certificate, he had a copy at home, as well as the form that served as his birth certificate. His doctors had completed it before he left the hospital in 1982, establishing his age and birth date.

Before setting up his account in Massachusetts and before his adoption, Ms Lu opened a separate account in her bank for his scholarship money and put his drawings in their plastic bags into her own safety deposit box. In 2008, he’d moved the bag from his safety deposit box in his bank in Maryland to a bank in California and from there to a bank in the UK and then to an affiliated bank in Athens. It was the only possible original DNA link although now he wasn’t sure that was true, and neither he nor Dad had thought of that until Vance asked!

Gibbs frowned, “I should know this but Abby always gave our DNA runs top priority. How long will these take?”

Tim calmed a little as he told him the minimum and maximum times. Vance tilted his head, “You’ll still have that top priority. You two may no longer be members of the MCRT but the sooner we have the results, the sooner we’ll know more about what to expect from Tim’s captors.” He frowned, “If that rumor is true, how old are those grad students likely to be now?”

After thinking about it, Tim replied, “The day I left the hospital, I asked one of the aides how long I’d been there and he told me I’d arrived on November 7th, 1981 and the date I left the hospital was June 28th, 1982, I remember because the people who cared for me at the hospital gave me a 'first ever' birthday party for my 'first ever' birthday before I left. At least for my case we’re talking about the late 70s through most of 1981. At the time, with a typical grad student, figure they’re on scholarships, grants and loans or they’ve worked after earning their degrees and are using their savings.

“Most college students graduate with their bachelor’s between ages 21-24, although these days a lot of people go back for their degree after working awhile. It’s also possible that back then students’ parents paid for their undergrad studies and maybe even their graduate work.

“Anyway, figure ages 20-23 for graduating with their undergraduate degree. If they went straight on to graduate school and we figure that as another 2 years, they’d be 22-25, let’s say up to age 27 before earning their master’s.

“Although I had a full ride scholarship for my master’s and grants for my doctorate, I also had two minors to support and worked part-time during the school terms and full-time during summers and school holidays. I know I was not the only graduate or doctoral student doing that.

“However, for those who earn their masters in their 30s or even older and are just starting out as far as employment in their field, I’d think that would be more difficult to find unless they already worked full-time in their field of study, like a teacher or a medical professional.

“Anyway, that would put their birth years anywhere from 1954 to 1959 or up to 1961. Today, they’d be anywhere from late 50s to late 60s. I’m 43, excuse me, I mean I’ve recently turned 40, ha, I like that! Considering the timelines in the rumor, it’s been anywhere from 38 to 44 years since then.”

“They might be easier to track, once we figure out who they were.”

Gibbs nodded, “I could help with the case.”

Tim’s eyes widened in horror and for once Leroy Jethro Gibbs quickly backtracked, “Or not.”

“Thanks, Dad. I appreciate the thought but you need to be safe and we’ll need you. I need you.”

Leon nodded his agreement with that before asking the question he’d been avoiding, “Timothy, one more thing. You haven’t mentioned it but we do need to note the file. Aside from the experiments, if that's what they were, do you know if you were physically abused, assaulted or sexually molested??”

Tim shook his head, “I don’t remember being hit at all, other than being pinched by the mean man I mentioned. Everything else was what I think of as surgical, so yes, from that standpoint, I was physically abused. And I think that whatever they used to put me under must have been in my food or drink so that was more abuse. There were a few shots but those were mostly after the experiments. However, I was their prisoner, I was not allowed outside without someone with me and I was locked in my room between ‘treatments’. I think wherever we were living I must have had the master bedroom because there was always a bathroom in my room, which might also mean we were in newer houses as older ones usually don’t have an ‘en suite’. As far as sexual abuse, I don’t remember my genitals hurting or having any anal pain or difficulties.

“I do remember that my pants were always big, which I think meant they were bulky and then they weren’t anymore. I’ve always thought Ken probably toilet trained me and before that my pants were bulky because I was wearing a diaper with plastic pants over the diaper. When I was at Johns Hopkins I asked them to check for scar tissue and there wasn’t any nor have there been any problems.”

Vance nodded, relieved and then was silent, wishing he could pull Gibbs in but knowing that would be too dangerous and that Timothy would need his support through whatever was to come. Jethro would also be needed to help protect his grandchildren. Since all the children who lived in the house, at least in Jaxton, could be in danger, that would also include the families of his other employees, Nikki Jardine, James Powell and the former Doc Palmer, now known as Doc Mallard. That would also need to include Geordie, Bec and their two new fosters. And, he’d forgotten that James and Sarah were expecting a child the same month as the junior Mallards. Mentally shaking his head, he added the two brothers still in the US, Jose and Freddie and their families, including Abby Sciuto and her niece.  

One of the reasons Vance believed it necessary to investigate both cases now was that in a few months, he hoped that Tim would become his Assistant Director, that is if his and Secretary Porter’s plan was still approved.  

That would be a big deal and Leon didn’t want Tim, his family or the agency to have to wade through whatever mess these cases might cause after Tim became his European AD.  Leon also admitted to himself that he still had hope that Tim would agree to assume the directorship when he retired and that could prove dangerous if any of the rogue scientists figured out who he was and/or cause a huge, personal and political mess for the new director.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

After they ended their call with Vance, Tim went looking for Ducky, finding him in the kitchen, back at the table.  

The elderly man smiled at him when he poked his head into the room, “There you are, come in, we have things to talk about!”

Tim pulled up another chair and sat next to him, asking how he was feeling. “I’m much better, Timothy, thank you. How are you feeling?”

He had to think about that before shrugging, “I’m not sure yet. Did anyone tell you what happened?”

“No. Rob said I should speak with you but that you were in a meeting with Leon.”

“I was, yes. Ducky, you know about my early childhood.”

Ducky nodded, “You were separated from your mother, tortured and kept prisoner for a number of years, ending in a coma in a hospital.”

Tim nodded, “Yes. When I looked at your paper, I saw my birth name, Jeffrey Andrew Langston, my real birth date and when I went missing. I didn’t know any of that before I saw it on the paper. That’s when I ran for the bathroom and got rid of everything I’ve eaten recently. Shock, I guess. I knocked the chair over when I jumped up, slammed the bathroom door shut and in the meantime, you fainted.”

“Thank you, I haven’t been sure of the order and I’m sorry that happened.”

Feeling his eyes welling up again, Tim just nodded, finally saying, “Dad and I called Leon and I told him everything I know. They’re digging up my cold case, if there is one, and will also use what I told them to investigate the people who took me, imprisoned and experimented on me.”

“You had to tell him everything.” Ducky said it as a fact and Tim nodded, feeling the tears on his face. The good doctor wrapped his arms around him, holding on until the storm passed.

After washing his face, Tim sat down next to him again. “I don’t know why you fainted, what you found on the paper.”

Ducky sighed, hanging his head. “I found two people, twins, who I believe are my children. They each have children and two of them have children.”

Tim’s eyes widened. “Wow, and you didn’t know?”

“No and if it weren’t for the DNA run I probably would never have known. Their mother and I dated in London for months before I joined the ‘Doctors Without Borders’ organization. The man listed as their father was my best friend. He and I both won scholarships to colleges in London and left Scotland at the same time.

“While my girlfriend, whose name is Maisie, and I were dating, Drew, my friend, dated a girl he was quite serious about, certainly more serious than I was about Maisie. I know the date I left London to join the ‘Doctors without Borders’ organization and compared that to the birth of Maisie’s twins. Unless Drew was cheating on his girlfriend with Maisie and he is not, was not, sadly he’s died, the sort, the twins are not his.

“Even if they had been conceived say a few weeks after I left, they would not have lived, not back then, as they would have been much too premature. However, although Drew was not the sort to cheat, he was the sort to see a young lady in trouble, offer to help her and then raise someone else’s children as if they were his own.”

Ducky looked at him, “Not only have you recovered your birth name and birth date, Timothy, now you know who your birth parents were, along with your maternal grandparents. And, my boy, I’m happy to say that I am one of them!”

Tim had opened his mouth to reject Daniel Langston as his father but instead, grinned, wrapping his arms around his grandfather, one with whom he shared DNA! Although he still didn’t understand who or how his DNA had been collected.

The two men held onto each other, both crying, partly in grief at the loss of so many years but mostly in joy at the discovery and the knowledge that they’d been close since they first met over a decade ago.

It was several minutes before the two stopped sniffling and separated, still blinking back tears while they smiled happily at each other. Pulling Tim closer, Ducky gave him a kiss on the cheek and Tim returned it.

As Ducky was hungry they searched the kitchen together, finding snacks in the refrigerator labeled just for them, with instructions for Tim to stick with a half cup of cottage cheese and a few soda crackers and/or a snack cup of Jell-O, with water to drink. Ducky had slices of cheese and crackers, with a fresh pot of (decaffeinated) Earl Grey. With his approval, Tim also had a cup of the hot tea.

When Mimi found them, she kissed them both, saying, “Timothy, Donald has told me the good news, that you are his grandson! I’m so happy for you both and now you and I are doubly related!”

Artie came in next, also congratulating them and asking if Tim would now call Ducky ‘Granducky’.

Ducky and Tim looked at each other, Ducky blinking first. “No, Artemis, I think we’ll come up with a more adult name for my adult grandson to call me. We already have Poppy, Ben is Grampy, Dick is Papi, Grandpa Jack, Grandpa Mac, Granddad will be George’s grandfatherly name, Gramps for Alastair and Pappouli for Peter, correct?”

“Yes.”

Ducky paused in thought, “I called my grandfather ‘Grandfa’, how about that?”

Tim gave him another hug and kiss, “Yes, Grandfa!” He laughed, repeating what he’d said to Vance earlier, “Jimmy and Breena are my uncle and aunt and their children my cousins! And Jimmy is also my brother through Mom’s adoption of him. I’d like to stick with that relationship.”

“Yes, there will certainly be some necessary sorting!”

The four of them were still sitting at the kitchen table talking when they heard the front door opening and closing. The children came in, hugging their Mimi, Granducky, Mom-Aunt and Dad-Uncle. They were followed by Tim’s parents who were relieved to see the two men far more relaxed and happy about their ‘new’ connection. They knew Tim had a long road ahead of him, he’d already acknowledged that they’d been with him every step of the way, he was beloved to his wife, children and parents and he’d belonged to this family, was a founding member of the family, for many years now, really since he’d met Sarah and Geordie when he got off the bus in Baltimore.

They weren’t sure what Ducky would do, although they thought he might try to find out if his biological children knew about him and then figure out the next step.

Tim and Artie had already decided to gather their children in their room to tell them the good news. They’d do that tonight before the littles’ nighttime routine and ask Mimi and Grandfa/Granducky to stop by to say goodnight. They’d have a family Skype call at some point to let everyone else know.

When Grandpa Jack and Uncle LJ came in, they were astounded and happy with the news about Tim and Don, sad and worried about the rest. While LJ went off to clean up, they’d been fishing most of the afternoon, Jack remained, deep in thought, finally noticing he was a bit smelly and excused himself to also get cleaned up. The two men were renting a holiday apartment across the street from Tim and Artie’s place, with Dick Barnes on one side of them although he spent most of his time with his granddaughters or in Athens with Sophia, and Charlie Camilo and Tricia Baxter on the

other.

After his shower, Jack dressed in clean clothes and then sat in the living area of the apartment, thinking. Smiling, he considered the stages of his life, his youth, fighting in World War II, meeting Anne, his smile grew wider at that, working in the coal mine, marrying his love, opening the store with LJ, the happiness and excitement, along with some trepidation, when Anne told him they were going to have a child, as well as his nervousness and joy when their son was born. He grinned remembering those first weeks, how neither he nor his wife thought they’d ever again get enough sleep. And then one day, his mother-in-law, Charlotte Baxter, Jackson smiled as he hadn’t thought of her in years, appeared on their front porch, ready to help with baby Leroy. His own mother, Esther, who told him previously she would not have any time to help, suddenly found time. Eventually the two grandmothers worked out their schedules so they weren’t tripping over each other.

Considering today’s discovery, he was happy for Don and Tim although also worried about both of them. He wondered how he’d feel if he found out he had a child or children he’d never known about. He thought there might be some sense of guilt, possibly shame, definitely anger that he hadn’t been told and, he hoped at some point, joy. He thought about Athena and Don, glad he had a partner to help him cope with the changes. And lastly he thought about his own son and daughter-in-law, knowing they were happy for Tim and Don as well as worried about their son and the mess he himself feared was about to descend upon them all.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

After the family members currently in Varkiza were told about Ducky and Tim’s relationship, the tumult eventually died down. There was plenty more to come as those in the UK and the US hadn’t yet been told. Even more important would be the news about the investigations into toddler Jeffrey/Tim’s ‘disappearance’ and the abuse he’d suffered, although his wife, parents, grandfathers, Tony, Maggie, Dick, Rob, Bill, Nikki and Leon all thought of it as torture.

When Tony and Maggie were told the news about Ducky and their brother, Jethro also told them the basics of what had happened to Tim.  After several minutes holding very still to control his emotions, trying not to lose whatever he’d eaten that day or scream in horror and anger, Tony was relieved to ask a question, wondering why the director had chosen the Southwest office to handle both cases.

Coming up behind his brother and best friend, Tim hugged him before answering his question. “I mentioned to Leon that I’d been put into foster care in the Northwest, that is Oregon and Washington, and my suspicion that the man with the shiny things who sometimes stayed in the house was Navy. At the time, the biggest Navy ports on the West Coast were in San Diego, California and on the Kitsap peninsula in Washington, near Seattle. Since I didn’t and don’t remember being cold all the time, or possibly for some other reason, he must have decided to go with Southwest.”

After everyone but the current residents left for the evening, the adults said goodnight to each other.

Much to Artie’s relief, Tim slept all night without any nightmares or unrest. She knew he was exhausted and felt the same, as well as worried about her love. Hoping whatever was coming at them would be worth it in the end, she finally fell asleep.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Tim woke early Monday morning with one thought in his head, with their family so large and so many people to protect, there wouldn’t be enough NCIS agents left in Europe to investigate criminal cases and the only office with space for more than one additional staff member was London.

As Artie was still sleeping and it was too early for the children to be awake, Tim pulled on his bathrobe, pushed his feet into slippers and quietly left the room. He nodded when he found his father in the kitchen making coffee. Remembering what day it was, Tim looked again at the time but there was plenty of time before Jack and Ellanni needed to wake up and get ready for their first day at the International School. Tim had planned to take them on his way to work but at the moment wasn’t sure how the day would play out.

The morning should be all right as it would be several hours before anyone in the US would see or hear whatever information Leon left for them on Sunday.

Sitting down with his father, they talked about the security issues, Dad admitting he’d had the same thoughts. Tim shook his head, “Considering my “grandfather”, that is Admiral Langston, was wealthy and well-known, I imagine NIS and the FBI treated my disappearance as a kidnapping.”

“With no ransom demands?” Jethro frowned with an expression that his former team called his ‘deep in thought’ look. Then he winced and sighed at the same time. “I remember hearing about him, none of it complimentary but then I guess that’s to be expected from a bunch of non-coms!” He closed his eyes and then opened them again. “Do you want to hear what I know about the Langstons?”

“Yes, Dad, I do.”

“The Admiral must have loved publicity because he always seemed to be in the news. Anyway, he and his wife had two sons. The older son publicly stated he did not want anything to do with the Navy or any other military service. Whatever the truth was, he was of course invited to attend and showed up, with his father standing close enough to push him through the gates of Annapolis.” At Tim’s look of incredulity, Jethro nodded, “I saw the photo in a newspaper, the kid was standing in front of an open gate and the Admiral was right behind him with his hands on his shoulders, sure looked ready to push!

“The son made it through Annapolis, somehow managing to take a few outside courses, don’t remember what they were but the fact that he took them made the news.

“Once he’d graduated from Annapolis, he eventually made it to Lieutenant and fulfilled his 8 year commitment to serve before he quietly resigned his commission and disappeared. His resignation and disappearance is why I know so much, it was printed up in the newspapers, reported on the news with follow up articles in magazines and newspapers, for months. At first there was a lot of speculation, then I guess things quieted down. However, every few years there would be a news article of a possible sighting and more speculation.

“The second son, and everything I know came either from newspapers, magazines or scuttlebutt, was the opposite of his brother, he couldn’t wait to join the Navy. He didn’t attend Annapolis but graduated from a college that was approved by the Navy and went through Officer Candidate School or OCS. I don’t know where his first station was after he graduated from OCS but right away rumors started that the young ensign had some personality traits that were strongly discouraged in the services. The most alarming, from the Big Brass' point of view, was that he was more interested in his ‘special’ buddies than women. At the time, in the mid-to-late 70’s, there was no tolerance of same sex interest much less relationships. If discovered and not somehow explained or hushed up, that was end of any military career.

“However, second son had Admiral Daddy backing him up, although speculation was that Daddy never really understood why his son was never in line for career-making operations or promotions. In other words, he didn’t know his son was gay or bisexual or perhaps he did but made the mistake of thinking that his son could just drop that ‘lifestyle’ and choose to be ‘normal’. And Tim, the second son’s name was Daniel.”

At his son’s eye roll, Jethro nodded. “I was in training in Southern California when he was in some sort of advanced training there. Of course, every move he made, everything he did was scrutinized, he had little if any privacy and part of that was due to his brother’s disappearance, part was due to his own reputation and of course part was him being the son of a very well-known Admiral. I remember feeling a bit sorry for him at the time.  We were deployed before his class finished but heard later that he’d fallen ‘madly in love’ with a young woman and they’d married a few weeks later.”

“Most of the rest is supposition and scuttlebutt. You’d think with the thousands of military officers there would be other objects of gossip but he was apparently destined to be the “it” guy of those years. It seemed like he’d be stationed somewhere and then suddenly he’d be transferred elsewhere. Whenever there were any problems or hints of problems, Admiral Daddy used his influence to have him shipped somewhere just far enough away so the hints or actual problems wouldn’t be known at the new base. However, in their first year of marriage the couple had a baby boy and that kept people quiet for a couple of years.”

Tim frowned, “I’ve never thought the man with the white cap and shiny things was my father. Of course when I was little if I never called anyone Daddy, Papa or Father, I would not have known what that meant.”

“What did you call him?”

“I remember calling the man with the white cap ‘sir’. What happened after those couple of years?”

“His little boy disappeared and was never found.”

Tim sat down with a thud. “And here we are, back there again.”

“Yes, son. I was concerned that no one would ever tell you the truth about Daniel. I don’t know if it might be important to your cases but I’ve already sent Leon a report of what I know as fact, which can be backed up by Navy records and public documents and what was scuttlebutt. That’s not the sort of thing that gets into case reports, at least not the final reports.”

“So he marries to quiet any rumors and then apparently fathered a child and it’s not a coincidence that Matt Mello looks like me, we’re brothers.”

“What that means in the long run will be up to you. If, after the cases are closed, you want to take on another brother, that’s all right.”

Tim nodded, suddenly feeling very tired again. He ate the breakfast his father made for them, switching to his herbal tea after two cups of Dad-made coffee. He woke his two older children, fed them breakfast and then made sure they washed up and brushed their teeth before putting on their new uniforms.

Artie ran into the girls’ room as Tim finished putting Ellanni’s long hair into a ponytail. She smiled at him, it felt like the twins’ very first day of school all over again. That memory was still fresh in their minds as it had been less than 6 months since their first 'first day of school' had occurred.

Before they left, Poppy took a photo of the two students, standing inside the front door, smiling at their parents. First Chloe and then Liam rushed into the room before they left. They’d wanted to see their siblings in their new uniforms and to tell them to have fun.

While their dad watched, he smiled and then suddenly felt himself blinking back tears thinking about how quickly their littles were growing up and that led to a feeling of utter desolation that nobody had cared about his first day of school. No one had ever walked him to school or nursery/daycare as he and Artie did for all four of their children on first days.

Giving himself a mental head slap, for heaven’s sake, millions of children had probably never been walked to school, millions likely never had a school to walk to in the first place! He needed to grow up and get past this pity party of his!

Taking a deep breath and turning around, he smiled when his children hugged him. “Don’t worry, Daddy, maybe your work will be fun today or maybe you’ll make a new friend!”

He chuckled at that, “Thank you, I’ll look forward to that!”

They all jumped when there was a knock on the door. Opening it they found Jasper grinning at them. “Uncle Tim, may Mama please have a ride to work with you?”

Tim squatted down to give Jasper a kiss, “Yes, Nephew Jasper, of course she may have a ride!”

“Then may I please ride to daycare with Chloe and Liam? Daddy’s still asleep.”   

The adults chuckled as Poppy agreed with a hug and kiss for his grandson.

Jasper was all ready so he had some juice while he waited for his cousins and best friends to be ready, kissing his mother and waving goodbye as they left for work.

While the little boy enjoyed his juice, Poppy called Bill to wake him up and found his son finishing his breakfast. He’d seen the note his wife left him so he hadn’t been worried about the whereabouts of his 2 ½ year old son.

Tim was glad he wasn’t alone after taking the children to their new school. He walked them in, all three smiling at the twins’ new teacher whom they’d met last week. Back in the car, he was quiet on the drive in, listening to Nikki as she updated him on a couple of her contacts. That helped both of them get into ‘work mode’ before they arrived at their desks.

Nikki turned into her office while Tim walked down a separate hallway to his office. As he’d forgotten to run his usual backup program last week, he ran it now. While that was going on, he listened to the messages on his phone, finding one from Leon very early that morning.

He was sad again as he listened to the first part of the message, Leon telling him that Quan Dixon, the SAC of the Southwest Field Office in San Diego, California, who had replaced Joel Morris when he retired, had died Sunday afternoon.

“I don’t remember if you two ever met and I’m sorry if you didn’t, he was a great guy, you would have liked him. Two things: I need an SAC for Southwest and I also need an AD on the West Coast. Call me when you get this, we need to chat. Remember I’m still in Greece, I’m upstairs at the office. I’m not going to try to sleep until later in the day so call me.”

Tim took a moment to find some calm before calling the director on Skype.

Leon answered immediately. “Good morning. I was right then, thinking that today is the first day at the international school for the twins. Have you had coffee yet?”

“Yes, two cups of Dad’s and I have a thermos with more if I need it. Thanks for your message, I’m sorry to hear about Dixon. I thought he was doing better, in remission.”

“He was doing better, as far as the cancer, it was in remission. However, he had a heart attack yesterday afternoon Pacific time, his wife called the paramedics who were able to revive him but he suffered another, worse attack at the hospital and they couldn’t save him.”

“That’s so sad. To think you’ve beaten the beast and then still go just like that.”

“There is one good thing that happened, he was alert enough to see his wife in the examination room of the hospital. She’d returned to the waiting area when the second attack hit him. And Timothy, ultimately we never beat the beast. ”

“Yes, I know and I’m glad she was able to see him, be with him for a few minutes. Do you know if there will be a service?”

“Yes but I don’t know when. Jackie and I will go and I’ll arrange cover so his staff can attend if they choose to. If we know when it will be before we leave for home, we’re hoping Joel and Carol will go with us.”

“That would be good, Leon. I know some of our folks knew or worked with him, I’ll send out an email once all our offices are open. People might want to write a note or maybe their favorite memories of Quan, we can put it all in an email and then print it for his wife.”

“That’s a great idea. I’ve already emailed everyone, including our retirees and those working at other agencies who worked with him either while at NCIS or on shared cases.”

Tim acknowledged that with a nod, tilting his head, so much like his adopted father and former boss that Vance couldn’t help smiling.

“As to what will happen with your case, this will be somewhat awkward but we need to keep moving forward with everything. Also, before I start with everything else, we have a solution to the lack of agents for security details in Europe, we’ll talk about that later as I have a lot of other information for you.”

At Tim’s obviously relieved expression, Leon continued, “All right. To start with, I have been taking full advantage of the time differences between Greece, DC and California.

“I spoke with the head of our Legal Department, Ms. Horner. She is adamant that you be in the US for the trials, at least those that concern you. She’d also prefer you be there during the investigations as well but once I told her our protection plans, she agreed to you staying in Europe. Of course, that was before I heard about Quan, which leads me to our next item.

“With his death I need an experienced SAC to run Southwest. However, that can’t be you because the investigations into your disappearance and captivity have already been assigned, are already being handled by the SSA there, Jeff Andreson, his team and their cold case team. Andreson, his field team and their cold case counterparts are exceptionally successful in closing their cases, almost but not quite approaching the records of your MCRT.

“I also spoke with William MacDonald, who goes by Mac, the SAC for Marine Corps West or MCW, the formal name is Marine Corps. Air Station, Miramar, which is located 15 miles north of San Diego and the Southwest office. Mac has agreed to take Southwest for the two to three years Horner believes you’ll need to be in the US. While he’s there, I’ll transfer you to the SAC spot at MCW. Both posts will be listed as special assignments to each office.

“Also, as part of the future of the Southwest SAC position, I’ve recently promoted a Senior Field Agent to the SSA lead at one of our larger satellite offices. They deal with more Navy Brass than most of our satellites. She’ll need at least three years of experience there before I can move her to Southwest, you home to London and Mac back to MCW.

“Next, I spoke with Joel Morris. He has agreed, pending your approval, to return to work as the London-Euro SAC for the time you’ll be away. He’ll be your replacement here.

“And last on this list is that I want you to be one of my Assistant Directors. As we need to keep your name out of the press as much as possible, I’d like you to be sworn in before you leave for California. That can be in London, Athens or even Tain if you want to do it there. Acting Secretary Chapman will perform the swearing-in ceremony.

“You’ll be my AD in California until you move home, I mean return to Europe, and then you’ll be my AD in Europe. When we do that, I’ll likely appoint Mac as my western AD and I may also appoint one in Japan or Singapore. We have funding for you, I’ll work on the rest over the next couple of years, depends a lot on who ends up as SecNav.”

He shook his head at Tim’s unspoken question, “Haven’t heard anything new about Porter but Chapman is still ‘Acting Secretary’ so Porter hasn’t resigned or been fired.” At Tim’s frown, he shook his head again, “I don’t think firing will happen now, it’s been too long and Chapman, although vague, occasionally mentions Porter’s eventual return.”

Tim tilted his head, making a face, “I wish we could contact her, let her know we look forward to her return. Not that Chapman isn’t doing a great job, just to let Porter know.” He sat in thought, “Maybe I’ll ask Mrs. Bess to let her know.”

Leon nodded with a smile, “I like that idea and you’ll have a better chance than I would, SecState definitely has a soft spot for you. Are you going to tell her about everything?”

“At some point in the next few months. I don’t know how tied in she is to what’s happening in the world of criminal investigations.”

“I have a feeling she’s currently more interested than she may have been a few weeks ago.”

Tim nodded. “Still, need to maintain as much privacy and security as possible.”

“Maybe she has a trip planned somewhere over here where you can meet with her.”

“That’s a good idea, Leon, thanks again.” Tim looked at his notes, “Back to the TAD/special assignment transfer, thank you for arranging everything so quickly and yes, absolutely for Joel Morris temporarily taking my place! When will we need to be in Southern California?”

Finding his spot in his pages of notes, Leon smiled, “I have additional information, about MCW, schools, housing and support for you. However before we get into that and in answer to your question, while Mac will move over to Southwest immediately, I’ve also contacted a retired SAC who lives in the area and she’s agreed to run MCW for a few months, until you can get there. She went through a somewhat similar situation during her time as an agent, with a self-employed husband and children. As far as when, I remembered that the Remises’ property won’t be finished until April and that there are two babies expected in April.”

“Yes, although the completion date for the Remises’ property has now been moved up to the end of March. Still, Artie won’t be able to completely sign off until the final inspection when everything will be approved. That’ll happen probably in mid-April. And yes, if we could please stay until the babies have arrived, that would be wonderful.”

“Actually, the retired SAC is hoping to work until the end of the summer, not sure why and I didn’t want to ask.”

“So we can stay in Europe until after the annual reunion?”

“Yes, although that is also subject to whatever happens with the investigations.”

“Of course. So, barring any complications from my cases, we’ll be home in the UK from Easter through our weeks in Scotland! Thanks so much for taking care of everything, Leon!”

“You’re welcome although it wasn’t all me! You should also thank Cynthia and Pamela, they both had suggestions, gave me contact information and kept me pointed in the right direction. Now, I have more about living possibilities in California and then I’ll update you on the protection details.”

“Because I wasn’t sure how many of the family will be living with you in Southern California, I spoke with our relocation agent who I’ve been told is an expert at finding affordable and livable housing in the area. When I told her the minimum would be 4 children and 4 adults, she said it wouldn’t be a problem. But I’ve also had an idea for Nikki, no telling just yet, so I added another child and 3 adults, thinking her Aunt Evelyn might stay during winters. She said that would take a little more work but she still didn’t think it would be much of a problem. When I mentioned a few others, she asked what the maximum might be. So I told her 54, I believe that was our most recent count?”

“Yes, although that doesn’t include my new Scottish cousins. Still, I can’t see them visiting us in California. While our relationship is new, they already know me and the family. If our relocation agent can find us a place with space for 54, no that’s 57 of us including the new babies, and the one that is still a maybe, oops, there are two who are still maybes. So 58, might as well make it 60, at least for winters and holidays.” He chuckled, “Maybe an apartment building!”

“I’m glad you’re thinking ahead and you’re close with the apartment building! Our agent told me about a residential hotel that’s been on the market for a few years. I have all kinds of notes about it but I’m going to let you and Artie talk with her as you’re sure to have questions that Cynthia, Pam or I didn’t think about.

“Next up are safe schools for the children. Ms. Relocation ran a report and came up with three safe choices. The one she, Jackie and I liked the best is a private school in the town of Playa Vieja, north of San Diego, where the residential hotel is also located, that features a daycare, preschool and kindergarten, primary, middle and high school all on the same campus. Jackie and I found their website and took a look. It’s a very interactive school as far as parents, students and teachers and they have a great record for academics as well as safety. They have their own security teams on site 24/7 and the entire campus, which is quite large, is fenced. It’s been operating for more than 40 years with excellent statistics for their students and no violence. As it’s only a 20 minute drive to the base, I suspect there have been and likely still are, some devil pups, that is children of Marines, in the student bodies. They also offer scholarships.”

“Wow, Leon, everything sounds good, thanks for doing all this, very much above and beyond! I can’t wait to tell Artemis.”

“Good! Timothy, as your boss and your friend, I also needed to know you would be safe and comfortable, especially because you’re not being given much of a choice while we’re investigating the crimes against you. Seems a bit backward but I know that protecting you and all of our family is an absolute necessity.

“Now, last items, the protection details. First of all, I called your previous agency director to ask about a cold case file and after I explained what was about to happen, Director Sailes immediately offered the services of 40 FBI agents. Some of them are already posted here in Europe and the others he has in mind have previously worked in Europe. I thanked him and said we would most likely accept the offer, after all, I’m sure the FBI was involved in the search for you.

“Ten minutes later I had a call from the CIA Director, Beau McKinley. Have you ever met him?”

Tim said no, he’d definitely remember that and Leon chuckled, “He’s a big fan of yours, he said you’re the only SAC who has ever thanked him in writing for the many ‘loans’ and the excellent work of his agents based in Athens. McKinley told me that considering the problems NCIS has had with various CIA agents and knowing you’d been on the team that suffered through most of those troubles, not to mention Gibbs’ reputation as a hard ass, he is even more impressed.”

Tim was a little embarrassed, although he was happy to hear the praise because the way he saw it, praise for any NCIS employee was praise for the entire agency, which was very difficult to come by in DC.

Leon chuckled a little at Tim’s embarrassment, saying, “He’s also offered to supplement our teams with another 40 agents, all familiar with the various countries of Europe. And yes, both Ted and Jack are included, he’s sure Ted will temporarily come out of retirement to help. Between what we can spare from the US, along with the FBI and the CIA, we’ll have 100 agents for the protection details. And then, Timothy, to top it off, our Tony and his cousin Nigel called, offering the services of their Security teams, who are employees of Paddington and have been rigorously vetted.

“They also wanted to ensure that everyone in protection will travel via Paddington Air, no train or cross-continent car trips for the duration. They’re offering us another 40 security officers. Now we have an additional 140 agents to supplement our own agents! We can set up as many protection details as we need and make sure all those on the details have personal time, they’ll likely be rotated as needed. Secretary Chapman has already approved using the Paddington officers and Sailes and McKinley already had approval before they made their offers.

“I’ve given the protection lead to Agent Uhl as I know you’re familiar with him and his teams. And yes, those details will cover you and your immediate family as well as whoever goes with you to California.”

Tim sat there, his mouth open in astonishment. He finally took a breath and shook his head slightly. “Director, I, I don’t know what to say. This is incredible! I’ve never heard of something like this, a massive multi-continental, multi-agency effort, not for ordinary people. Royalty or heads of state, maybe but us? Wow!”

Leon smiled, “Timothy, there is very little that is ordinary about our family! Before I forget, Bill, Barry, Freddie, Rob and Sarah’s identities will be well hidden, as will those of their partners and in Bill’s case the Kings, Barry, the Dornegets, although I’m hearing you may have more news about them, Freddie’s, the Sciutos and Kyle Davis and Sarah’s Powells, to keep them from anyone who might recognize them from their childhoods or who might be able to trace them from seeing who is linked with them. I asked Jackie but she agreed, neither of us thought that Rob is currently seeing anyone.”

Tim nodded, saying his younger brother was not currently seeing anyone, too wrapped up in work. He was amazed and grateful that Vance had made sure those of his family who had reason to shun public attention would be protected.

Leon continued, “And of course we’ll work to keep your current identity as protected as possible. Attorney Horner has ideas as to how to protect you during the trials.”

Tim paled, “I’ll have to appear?”

“She believes you will need to testify. However, there is precedence for allowing you anonymity, testifying from an unidentified location and disguising your voice and whatever can be seen of your body. I haven’t mentioned this yet, but part of my discussion with Sailes was about your cases. The Bureau has found multiple mysterious disappearances, both children and adults, as well as unsolved suspicious deaths during the time period we figured out. You won’t be the only victim testifying.”

“You found a cold case for me?” Tim was relieved to know someone had cared enough about him to report him missing.

“Yes, we have one and at some point the FBI also opened a case, we’ve now combined the cases as well as establishing a separate case to investigate your captivity and torture. And yes, Timothy, our attorneys and the US Attorney General’s office agree you and your fellow victims were tortured.”

Tim closed his eyes, putting his elbows on his desk, his hands holding his head. Leon was quiet, wishing he’d thought to drive to the embassy to meet with Tim in person. With everything going on, between this and Dixon’s death, he’d been reluctant to leave the NCIS office in Piraeus and he’d discarded the original plan of meeting with Tim there. It was too small, there was too little privacy, no matter how much both men trusted Pete and his staff. As it was, he was using one of the bedrooms upstairs from the office, housed in a former dwelling.

Chapter Text

Ch 23: Logistics and Beginning the Investigations 

While Leon waited for Tim to process everything, he thought back to the calls that had already taken place in the time between learning about Tim’s past and receiving the news of the death of SAC Dixon. Right now, with everything going on, the 10 hour time difference between Greece and California helped considerably.

The first call he’d made was to SSA Jeff Andreson in the Southwest Field Office, apologizing for calling so early on a Sunday morning, dawn was just breaking in southern California, adding that he’d called the agent directly rather than go through his ailing SAC. With the call on Skype, Vance was relieved that Andreson took that in his stride. With Dixon’s illness, he’d been frequently out of the office and Andreson had filled in where he was able or had enough security clearance, with Mac MacDonald, the SAC of the MCW Field Office handling the rest.   

Leon briefly told Andreson about the cold case and the name of the missing toddler without disclosing Tim’s current name, job or location, adding that there was new information and that it was time, past time, to solve the case.  He also noted that Southwest’s Cold Case SSA was fairly new to the position and hoped that the two of them and their teams would work together. Andreson agreed, telling him he’d get to work on it right away. When Vance looked like he might disagree, Andreson added that his plans for the day had changed the night before. He held up one hand, showing the director the keys he was holding. “I was already on my way to the office to catch up on paperwork. Now I’ll search for the file. I’ll let you know as soon as I find it.” Before they disconnected, Leon sent the agent the recording he’d made of Tim’s story. He’d re-recorded it to remove any references to Tim as Tim, Timothy McGee, Timothy Midei or Timothy Camilo-Gibbs.

Less than 2 hours after that call Vance was surprised when his laptop chimed with a request for a Skype call with Andreson, contacting him from the Southwest office.

When he joined the call, Andreson started talking, “Sir, it took us less than 10 minutes to find the file and we took a quick look. Agent Bell, our Cold Case SSA, and one of my team are also here and we decided to do as much as we could today. We have a few issues.”

Vance’s chin up movement signaled him to continue and he did so, “The FBI was involved for years after Baby Langston’s disappearance. However, other than a mention of their past involvement made in 1994 during a cold case review, nothing was added to our file. There’s no mention of inter-agency cooperation, information sharing or even cross-checking. I don’t know whether we’ll need the Bureau’s ongoing assistance but it would be helpful to see their file(s), notes, reports, etc.

“The second issue involves the individual mentioned in the recording, of the baby minder among the captors. Bell, my junior and I tried googling the baby’s name and any hospital connections but didn’t find any relevant information. So we split up, making a grid of the western states and deciding to contact several hospitals throughout the western half of the country, as far east as New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming. Because we know our victim was in the hospital in 1981, we each started in the most eastern state in our grid. So one of us called hospitals in New Mexico, then another called hospitals in Colorado at the eastern edge of our grid. Our third agent started calling hospitals in Wyoming but we found the right hospital on our twenty-third call, in Boulder, Colorado. That happened as quickly as it did because the hospitals we contacted had digitized all the patients’ paper files they still had and were able to search by year.

“And that was it, the hospital staff scanned their records for 1981 for a 3-6 year old child who didn’t know his name and found him in old records of a patient, a comatose young child who’d appeared in their ER. From the photos of the baby shortly before his disappearance and the photos the hospital shared with us, this is our missing toddler. They have photos of him taken while he was still in the coma and then again after he awakened. They also have photos of all the scars on his body and of all the surgical incisions they’d made to repair internal damages.

“At my request, they sent the photos and also forwarded a photo of a sketch done of the man who dropped him off as he was seen by a roomful of people at the entrance to the Emergency Room. We also have emails from two retired nurses from that same hospital who cared for the little boy and never forgot him. They remembered how frightened he was of everyone and everything and his many nightmares.

"Bell and I spoke with them and our Washington team will interview them in person tomorrow, our Monday morning. From our brief conversations with them, we believe they’ll make credible witnesses as to the physical and psychological injuries the little boy suffered. They also gave us the names of the pediatric and specialty surgeons who performed the corrective surgeries on him and we’ve left messages for each of them.

“Also, because there had been a major vehicle pileup the night our victim arrived at the hospital, there was a newspaper reporter present in the Emergency Room. He took several photos as the man, the one we believe was the baby minder, ran in carrying the boy. Those photos were still in the newspaper’s archives and we now have copies. We also interviewed the reporter, who remembered the man running in, he heard the man say he’d found the boy lying unconscious by the side of the road. He says an orderly or nurse took the boy and put him on a gurney before starting to triage him. Then the man who brought him ran back out of the ER. The reporter is now retired but still very interested, says he always wondered what happened to the little boy. Anyway, once we had the photos, we started running facial recognition and found our baby minder in a prison photo more than a decade after he dropped off the child.

“We have his name and know where he was before his arrest. However, after serving his two year prison sentence, he fulfilled his parole and then disappeared. We’ve been unable to find any current record, including any mention of his death, in the US. We’re now working with our friends in Canada, Mexico, Central and South America as well as our overseas agents to locate him. Do we have permission to engage the CIA, Europol or Interpol if necessary?”

“Yes for the CIA, I’ll speak with their director. Hold off on Europol and Interpol unless you’ve found information that our guy is not a US citizen?”

“We found his name listed as registered and verified to vote, so yes, he is a US citizen and his stint in prison was after the voter’s registration. And yes sir, we’ll hold off on Europol and Interpol.”

“Great and yes, ask our overseas team leads to contact their favorite CIA agents, the Athens office probably has the best relationship with the CIA, the SSA is Pete Russell. Jeff, is the State Department helping with any passport he may have or visa application he might have made?”

“They’re researching that now. I didn’t want to wait and contacted our agents, although I hadn’t yet made my way east to Greece.” He continued, “Next, as confirmation, the name of our kidnap victim is Jeffrey Andrew Langston, his birth date is November 15, 1978. He was born at a civilian hospital in Bremerton, Washington, 8 weeks premature, he was due mid-January of 1979. The file quotes one of his grandmothers as saying he was in too much of a hurry to wait for the ambulance to reach the nearby Naval Hospital.

“His birth certificate lists his mother as Lily Victoria Hubbard Langston, his father as US Navy Lieutenant Daniel Farragut Langston. The grandparents are listed in the file as: maternal, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew (Maisie) Hubbard and paternal, Admiral and Mrs. Nelson (Penelope) Langston.

“In 1994, the last paper file update added additional children, fraternal twins born in 1983, names Matthew Bowen Langston and Colleen Maisie Langston, changed Daniel’s status to deceased from cancer in 1983, included the death of the paternal grandfather, Admiral Nelson Langston, also in 1983 and the mother’s second marriage, in 1985, to a Rafael Mello, a Canadian and Portuguese citizen. Lily also earned a bachelor’s degree after Langston’s death and her marriage to Mello. There’s also a comment that Rafael adopted Matthew and Colleen although their paternal grandmother insisted they keep Langston in some fashion. The updated file lists them as Matthew Bowen Langston Mello and Colleen Maisie Langston Mello. There's also a note that 'Bowen' is Penelope Langston's maiden name.

“The Mellos moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where they had 2 children, also fraternal twins, both girls. The girls’ names aren’t included in the file. And that’s it as far as the 1994 update.

“We’re working on the current location of Lily Victoria Hubbard Mello, she dropped the Langston when she married her second husband, Rafael Mello. We know he died in France a few years ago but haven’t yet found the current location of Lily.  We also did look-ups on the remaining family, first the grandparents and found both grandmothers alive.

"Mrs. Langston owns a home on the East Coast although she is out of the country for months at a time and Mrs. Hubbard lives with her son, USN Captain James Donald Hubbard, who is Lily’s twin. He’s currently posted to the Navy Base here and is married with 2 children, his son’s name is Andrew Jeffrey, which made us feel better, at least his uncle remembered baby Jeffrey. His daughter's name is Ainsley Margaret and the Captain's wife's name is Claire Young Hubbard. Captain Hubbard's father, Andrew Hubbard, died in 2011.

“Our victim’s brother, Matthew, son of Lily and Daniel and adopted son of Rafael Mello, also lives in California, in Santa Barbara. He’s a mathematics professor at University of California at Santa Barbara, although he’s currently a visiting professor either at Bedford College outside of London, in the UK or at the National Technical University of Athens, Greece. Both are listed in his files but we’re not sure where he is currently.”

Leon interrupted long enough to say, "I can answer that, he's here in Greece with his family, arrived a week ago Saturday. I believe they'll be here until the end of the academic year in May or June, then they'll move to the UK for his stint at Bedford University. And that may be a permanent position." He gave Jeff the address of the rental house Tim said the Mellos were occupying.

“Great, thanks! He’s married with two sets of fraternal twins. His twin, our victim’s sister, Colleen, lives in northern California, near San Francisco. She’s a child psychologist and is married with one child. We haven’t yet looked for the younger daughters, half-sisters of our victim, and biologically half sisters of the Langston brother and sister although Mello's adoption of them legally eliminates the 'half' designation for the younger girls, Matt and Colleen.

“Our victim’s deceased father, Daniel Langston, had an older brother, Mark Barry Langston. His name is marked as deceased although there isn't a date listed. However, what we've seen of his records show him resigning from the US Navy before Daniel Langston finished college. As far as we can tell, there hasn't been any contact between Mark and any of his family after his resignation, about 3 years  before brother Daniel met and married Lily Hubbard. I am curious about Mark's death but I'll postpone satisfying my curiosity until after Jeffrey's case is resolved."

“Good work, thanks to all of you. Two things: one, and as far as I know this won’t have anything to do with the case; however, while I don't anticipate that he'll have been involved, when you have time please do satisfy your curiosity and mine about Mark Langston's death. I know from a reliable source that he was basically forced into joining the Navy by his Admiral father, resigning his commission as soon as he fulfilled his obligation and disappeared. It was big news at the time as his father was a well-known admiral who was apparently a publicity hound. I question whether there is actual proof of his death. And again, I seriously doubt that whether he’s alive or not has anything to do with Baby Langston’s case but with the publicity on which the Langston family seemed to thrive, I wonder that his death was never mentioned in the news. My second item does have to do with the case, how is it that the hospital still has the child’s records?”

“I asked and they said there is a note in the file folder, which was eventually scanned onto their computer system, that the child had few memories, didn’t know his own name or those of his parents’, how old he was or anything personal. He spoke well and knew general information, could accurately count, knew how to add, subtract, multiply and divide and also read at the level of a 10 year old. He also had some science knowledge, which makes us wonder if the baby minder was a science student or professional. Considering our victim’s age when he was discharged from the hospital, he must have been taught by someone!

“From the amount of damage to his body and the scars they found on and inside his body, the medical staff at the time decided they’d better keep everything, putting a title of ‘Medical Evidence of Child Abuse’ on the documents, with a destroy date of 2082, 100 years after his release into foster care. At the age they created for him, the note says they felt that would cover the child’s lifespan as well as any possibility of discovery. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of any medical records being kept that long, except maybe for Presidents or royalty. Anyway, both retired nurses remembered the discussions about the file and how determined everyone was to help the little boy as much and for as long as they could.”

Leon had to swallow before he could say anything. “When this is over and if we find him, please ask him if he’ll allow you to introduce his former nurses to him.”

“Yes sir, I look forward to that and I will also look into the death of Mark Langston. There is one last item, Director. We put our heads together, deciding to contact our agency colleagues who are scientists about the rumors of the rogue graduate students. Our forensic specialist remembers hearing the same rumor and poked around the internet, as she put it, to see where it originated, finding it was connected to a specific professor at Carmichael University in New York. Our cyber-crimes manager and one of his agents said they’d also heard or seen the rumor. The professor is recently deceased, we checked him out and from what we’ve read and confirmed with his family and the University, he denied ever issuing any sort of challenge, right up to the day he died.”

Vance sat still for a minute, absorbing that information. “We could be looking at more victims than our toddler.”

“Yes, sir.”

“All right, all this is excellent, great investigative work! I want to send a personal thank you to that hospital. Someday. Continue with our case and if you find anything else that needs to be done immediately, let me know. I will speak with the FBI and CIA Directors as soon as possible.” 

Reviewing all the information he had, Leon decided to call Henry Sailes. He pinged him on Skype.

Sailes answered almost immediately, “Leon, is everything all right?”

“Yes, Henry, thanks for asking and sorry to interrupt your weekend. Do you have a few minutes? We have an old cold case we’re working and have come across notes that the Bureau was involved but there’s nothing else regarding either NIS or NCIS and the FBI working together. And I’ve just heard something that leads me to think there may be more victims out there.”

“Yes, for that I’ll make time. Now’s fine if that works for you?”

“Yes, thanks. By the way, I’m still in Greece.”

“Lucky! I’m sure your flight over wasn’t a lot of fun but it still would have been easier than experiencing that storm along with the tsunamis.”

“You’re right about that! Our basement flooded but that was the extent of the damage, no trees down, no damage to the roof or windows broken and we were able to get a handyman we trust out there within a day after the storm passed. How about your place?”

“We’re at a high enough elevation to avoid flooding. However, one of our trees fell in the hurricane and the branches cracked the glass of two windows. We’ve already had them replaced and there was minimal water damage to the rooms, the glass stayed in place although there was some leakage. Our entire hill and all of our driveways were full of people taking refuge from the flooding. Luckily none of them or any of the residents were injured when the hurricane went through, by that time all of them were sheltering inside with us and our neighbors. We also had refugees in the Hoover building and I heard you did aboard the Navy Yard.”

“Yes, although we closed off the basement and the first two floors so everyone was on the third or fourth floors. It’s not the first time people have evacuated there and my agents know the drill so there weren’t any problems.”

Leon took a breath before telling his counterpart at the FBI of the cold case, the name of the missing toddler and the new information they had. Listening, Henry heard the anger and grief in his fellow director and friend’s voice and when the other man finished, quietly asked if the victim was alive.

Leon nodded, saying, “Yes, he is alive.”

Henry Sailes sighed in relief. “Thank God! While we’ve been talking, I ran a search for whatever we have. I found the file in our Cold Cases, sending it to you now.”

Vance smiled when a file popped into his email. When he told the other man he had the file, Henry nodded, “Sorry I didn’t have time to look at it, thought it would be easier to do together. This is the Bureau’s case file for the mysterious disappearance/kidnapping.”

The two directors reviewed the FBI file together. Sailes attached his electronic signature to a note that he’d authorized sharing it with NCIS before Vance sent a copy to Andreson in San Diego and one to Henry for his own files. After that, Sailes sat back in his chair, “Leon, I have more information for you. Information that was given to us and applies directly to this case.”

He continued, “You’re doing the work, we’ll certainly share and the credit is all yours as your victim may be the only survivor. You’ll want to record what I’m about to tell you.” Leon set that up and Sailes waited until Vance nodded, the recording feature was on.

“We’re very much aware of the rumor about the supposed challenge to change the DNA of a living person. The professor rumored to have issued the challenge wrote us a letter before he died. He denied ever issuing a challenge to his grad students or anyone else to change DNA in a living person. What he quoted himself as saying was that in years to come, he could envision scientists being able to change problem-causing genes in living people. He only learned of the rumor about the rogue students a few years ago and tried to dismiss it as rumor but when it persisted he started doing some checking.

“It started during the spring semester of 1978 at Carmichael University in New York. When we started to trace the kidnappings and other related crimes, we found they didn’t start until January of 1979. We’ve speculated that the would-be scientists needed time to plan and to acquire the funds they’d need.

“Now, that’s the work we’ve done since we received his letter 7 months ago. We started with cold case kidnappings and mysterious disappearances in late 1978 but found the ones that are likely tied into this began in 1979. So far, we have 37 cold case kidnappings or mysterious disappearances, 38 with your victim. The victims we knew of before today ranged from age 4 to age 62 at the time they were kidnapped or disappeared. Most of the adults had either a physical or mental disability, the rest had drug or alcohol problems. At least three of them were convicted pedophiles and they’ve never resurfaced but none of the others had criminal records.

“The bright note is that the professor also included a list of his students from 1978 through 1981, adding what he knew of their current status. A few have died, and we plan to look into their deaths. We were starting to track the others when, well, you know what happened and I had to reassign everyone.”

Leon nodded. Months before, what began as a peaceful protest had degenerated into violence, with clashes between the original protesters and those who’d come to protest the protesters, spilling into the crowds of onlookers. There was a death toll of 67 human beings, injuring even more. It took the Bureau and the domestic section of Homeland Security months to handle the mess. As several of the injured were Marine or Navy dependents, NCIS was also involved. 

“We can take that from you, or share the searches, if you like.”

“Thanks, I’ll accept the ‘take’ part. What I’d like to do is hand over the professor’s information and lists to you and then as our resources are freed up, we’ll step back in to help out.”

Vance thought about it before nodding, “That works.”

“Good, thanks, that’s a load off our backs! Now, I do have a few newer agents I can loan you. I’ve lost track, are Gibbs and DiNozzo still with the agency? I know McGee returned. Is he still in the UK?”

“Tim returned to the agency last year, in 2014, and Gibbs is mostly retired. Neither are field agents. Gibbs is married, consults with us occasionally and is grandpa to, I think I have the number right, 14 grandkids with 2 more babies expected this spring.

“Timothy is also married and he and his wife have 4 children. Two of his share of the Gibbs’ grandkids are adopted, as are 3, I think, of his nieces and nephews. It’s a long story, Gibbs married the woman who adopted Tim and his siblings when each turned 18. When Jethro married Luella Camilo, he adopted her children, that is Tim and the 7 others who grew up on the streets of Baltimore with him. There are others, two adopted by Lu but not Jethro as the two already have fathers and there are two more, one who is waiting to be adopted until she becomes a US citizen and the other is part of the family but doesn’t want to be adopted although she’s regarded as one of their ‘kids’.  That brings Jethro and Lu’s family to 12 adult children.

“Four of them categorize themselves as foundlings, they have no idea who their parents were, what their birth names or even their real birth dates were. Others are orphans, although 3 of those knew at least one parent and 1 still has a parent although they’re not in touch. None of the 12 share DNA. As I said, 8 of them grew up on the streets of Baltimore together and the other two are Tony DiNozzo and our Dr. Palmer, who has been adopted by our retired Medical Examiner, Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard.  Ziva David and Abby Sciuto are also part of the family although neither went for the adoption.

“Tim is now Timothy Camilo-Gibbs, although he also uses his wife’s patronymic, Midei, and Tony is Anthony Barnes-Gibbs, Barnes being his wife’s surname. Tony inherited a pile of money from his British mother’s estate, married a Marine Captain who joined NCIS. DiNozzo left us a week or so after Tim left the Bureau. He and his wife have 2 daughters.”

Sailes’ eyes were wide open, “I’m even more out of touch than I thought! I knew Tim was married and had twins, that happened while he was still with us. But 4? You did say some are fosters or adopted.”

Leon smiled, “Yes, the siblings and their partners are determined to help as many homeless or foster children as possible. Tim runs our London Field Office. I’m about to promote him to Assistant Director and am transferring him back to the US.”

“Wonderful, kudos to you and Tim both! However, that’s bad for us, we could really use their help on this. And I thought it would be great if the fairly green agents I’m loaning you had some training from them. Just the discipline of abiding by Gibbs’ rules and learning his non-verbal language would be worth whatever he put them through.”

Vance nodded and shrugged his shoulders as if to say there was nothing he could do about that. There really wasn’t and although he trusted Sailes, there was no way he would reveal Tim as the youngest victim. Not yet and not without Tim’s permission.

Forcing his mind back to the meeting, he chuckled, “Our team in the Southwest office is leading the investigation and they’re doing a great job. Before you gifted me with the scientists’ names, we had one name we’d discovered from a photo and they’re searching for the man’s current location.”

“Anything we can help with?”

Leon shook his head with a small smile, “Thanks, your folks in San Diego have already helped and came up empty, same as us. The State Department is now looking for any passport activity or visa applications so we can get a fix on him. Our office in Washington is working with their Canadian contacts. We’ll find the guy, I just hope he’s alive.”

“Prison?”

“Not in the US, not currently anyway. He did a short stint years ago but he’s been clean or lucky since. So now we’ll add in all the rogue scientists. I can hardly wait to hear what they have to say. And I also wonder about their funding.”

Sailes nodded, “Just as we did. 37, now 38, victims, had to cost something to acquire and house. If they really were experimenting with them, they’d need scientific and medical equipment, tools, secured space.”

“Yes. And for our toddler, your 4 year old and the other children in the 38, they’d need someone to keep an eye on them. Thinking about the equipment, we’ll also start looking for theft of scientific and medical equipment that year and going forward. Did you say 1984?”

The FBI director shook his head, “No, the list of students is from classes the professor taught from 1978 through 1981. We searched for open kidnappings or mysterious disappearances from 1978 through 1981. But you’re right, we should search through ’85 or ’86.”

While Leon wondered why little Jeffrey’s case hadn’t been discovered during the 1981 search by the FBI and presumably NIS, he kept that to himself, for now. Instead, he nodded, “I wonder if any of them ever published or shared their results.” He shrugged, “I might pull our forensic specialists in on that. Need people who’ll understand the technical terms.”

“Good thought.” Henry shook his head, “The older I get, the stranger the world becomes.”

Leon huffed in agreement. The two worked on their plans for several minutes more before deciding they should let their agents handle the rest. Still, both directors felt better for working a case.

After they disconnected, Vance spent another half hour working on the case before he resolutely sent Jeff Andreson a write-up of the meeting, including the professor’s letter and the list of scientists.

Jeff replied several minutes later, saying it was too bad he couldn’t hear the cheers of the two teams, adding that he and the Cold Case SSA had called both teams in.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Now, when Tim rolled his shoulders, Leon caught the movement on his laptop screen and returned to the present, seeing that Artemis, Lu and Jethro had joined Tim. Nodding at his SAC and the others, he asked, “Artemis, Lu, Jethro, have you heard the news about the protection details and where I’ll be transferring Tim and Artemis for the duration?”

They nodded and Artemis smiled, “Thank you for all the information, Leon, it helps considerably to know the possibilities, especially about the schools and the residential hotel.”

Leon nodded, “You’re welcome, I was relieved and happy to have some positive news for you. Now, before we go on, Tim, this is your formal notice of transfer, occurring before September 1^st, 2015, to the Marine Corps West Field Office as the SAC.”

He smiled at Jethro who returned the smile, nodding proudly. Leon continued, “Is your Dorneget information shareable?”

Tim nodded, saying, “Yes, it’s fine to share, Ned and Barry included our parents, Artemis and me in their call. Ned’s grandparents were in the process of selling their home near Phoenix, Arizona, and moving to Marseille. Ned and Barry had a guest bedroom on the first floor that they enlarged into a suite and Walter and Margaret have been very excited about cruising to London and taking the train to Marseille to live with their family. Sadly, Ned and Barry called us a few hours ago saying Ned’s grandfather has had a debilitating stroke and Ned requested emergency family leave, which I approved.

“Tony booked him on a Paddington flight leaving Marseille early tomorrow morning. It’ll stop in London before crossing the Atlantic and Barry and the girls will disembark, staying in Jaxton while Ned is away. Ava and Naomi will attend the new International School that Geo and Bec’s fosters have just started attending. That will make things easier for them if Barry needs to join Ned. The girls will be with their grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. Ned’s hoping he’ll be able to TAD at either the Southwest or Marine Corps West Field Offices, or both.”

“I can answer that, yes, to one, the other or both, when he has time. Is his grandfather in a hospital in Arizona?”

“Thank you, I’ll send him a text, that will be one worry off his mind. And no, Walter was airlifted from the Phoenix facility where he was first taken, to a Veterans’ hospital in San Diego. There’s a doctor there who specializes in the type of stroke, Ischemic or Hemorrhagic, or deficits, not sure which, maybe it’s both the stroke and the deficits, that he’s suffered.”

“I’m glad they were able to get him to the specialist he needs. I’ll assign Ned as a TAD to the Southwest office, although he won’t be able to work on…well, we’ll figure that out. The two SACs can figure out the paperwork. Will Barry and the girls join him?”

“They’re not sure yet. If they do, it won’t be until the half-term break in February. If Barry needs to go, he’ll leave as soon as the girls are settled in.”

“All right. Have Barry let me know if or when they decide to join Ned and his grandparents, that will move them out from under Paddington protection and to NCIS-FBI protection.”

Tim nodded and then tilted his head at the director, “Sir?”

“Yes, Timothy, that’s next. One of the things we discovered shortly before I returned your call is where you were living when you were taken, although the file says ‘mysteriously disappeared’, and that was in San Diego. As I said, I’ve assigned your case to Jeff Andreson, the SSA at Southwest. The Cold Case SSA and her team is also working with Andreson’s team. Within hours of me assigning the cases to them, the teams uncovered a great deal of information.”

Tim nodded, “I know Andreson, he was in one of my New Mexico cross-training sessions. So I lived in San Diego with my mother and so-called father.”

“Yes. I’m sure you have questions but there aren’t any I can answer yet.”

Tim nodded, moving the laptop to give Leon a better view of Artie and his folks.  

Leon gave them a half smile, “Now, as you’ve already heard where Tim will be posted and the information I’ve already come up with, do you have any questions?

Lu smiled, “We have a few but think most of them should go to the relocation agents.”

He nodded and then taking a deep breath, turned back toward Tim, saying, “All right, then Special Agent Timothy Camilo-Gibbs, have you reached a decision about the offer of promotion to Assistant Director?”

Tim and Artie both nodded while Jethro and Lu beamed. Tim answered, “Yes, sir, we have and the answer is yes, we accept the promotion to Assistant Director.”

“Wonderful! Now, as I said earlier the position will return to Europe with you once your involvement in the criminal trials is complete. Whoever the current Secretary of the Navy is at the time will swear you in while we’re in Scotland next July and August. Between now and your arrival in California, I know you will be kept up to date as far as the MCW Field Office and whatever the legal teams feel is acceptable for you to know about your case. Also, Attorney Horner would like to speak with you this week. I’ll let you two set up the best times. She has a few questions and probably some advice.

“Something I haven’t yet mentioned is that along with the title and new responsibilities, an agency jet will also be yours. It’ll arrive in the next couple of months for your use, you can use it until you leave for California and then your replacement will have access to it while you’re away. In California, you and Mac, the temporary SAC of the Southwest office, will have to share the jet already there. When you return to Europe and resume the SAC position in London, the jet will be all yours.

The director tilted his head with a small smile, “Unofficially, for family flights stick with Paddington, it’s less expensive, except during transfers. However, if you’re flying from San Diego to one of your satellite offices, by all means take the agency jet and make a long weekend out of it. In Europe, for a visit to the Naples office as an example, Artemis can join you for a long weekend with her uncles, then by all means take the agency jet. Another agency visit might be to Marseilles, with a stop in Paris on the way back to London.”

Tim smiled, surprised at the inclusion of the jet while Artie was already planning trips to various European NCIS satellite offices where the two of them could stay for a day or two and explore.  

Relieved to see a smile on Tim’s face, Leon continued, “As I’ve said, you can’t go to Southwest with your case being handled there. However, I believe you’ll enjoy MCW just as much.

“Your temporary replacement in Europe will be Joel Morris, he’s agreed to return to work for the duration of what will be called your special assignment. Everyone has agreed to help: Pete Russell in Athens, and I've just seen your note that Roger Martinez has volunteered to return to Marseille as temporary SSA until Ned returns or whatever happens with his situation while Bob Chalmers will manage Hamburg, Jessica Knight in Naples and Stan Burley in Rota will help Joel as needed. In California, you’ll have plenty of help from MacDonald as well as the SAC of the Northwest office in Washington, Jane Melankovic.”

Jethro thought the name sounded familiar and looked at his son, who saw the look and shrugged. Then he also frowned, “Tony ate something he shouldn’t have and got hurt. In Florida and Kate was with us.”

Leon, Lu and Artie sat back, waiting, fairly used to these bits of information that often took Jethro and his former teammates through memories of old cases.

His former boss nodded, “Brides, something about brides.”

Squinting in thought, Tim suddenly pointed at him, “Yes! The bad guy was a chaplain and he kept each ‘bride’ captive until they died or he killed them. It was the last one, the survivor, who hit Tony over the head with a lamp after he told her the guy was dead. She believed they’d get married, even though he was starving her to death.” He looked at his dad, “That was the case agent from hmm, possibly Mayport, who worked with us, Jane Melankovic. Tony got hungry and ate something off her desk.”

Jethro narrowly avoided rolling his eyes while Tim bit back a smile. Happy to hear and see anything that wasn’t a grim reminder of his agent’s past, Leon relaxed a little while Lu and Artie gave each other looks, of course there was an agent who would be involved in Tim’s case who had also been involved on one of the MCRT’s cases.  

Lu sometimes wondered if there were any NCIS field agents who hadn’t worked with her husband’s team back in the day. From what she’d learned over the years, the team frequently traveled far from the Navy Yard in their pursuit of justice and busting criminals. Cuba, California, Alaska, Mexico, Canada, Paraguay, Columbia, the Bahamas, Hawai’i, the UK, France, Spain and anywhere the US Navy and Marine Corps went.

Moving on, Tim had a few more questions that Vance wrote down as he didn’t yet have the answers. Eventually he signed off and the four Gibbses looked at each other with wide eyes. Tim made a stink face, “I really hope they find out who my real father is or was. I don’t want to be the son of Daniel Langston.”

His mother looked at him, “I don’t blame you. It doesn’t sound like he ever bonded with you.”

Tim gave her a hug, “Maybe he was raised that way. I don’t care, I don’t want to be his son.” Then he rolled his eyes, “There’s nothing I can do about genetics or what he did or didn’t do. As cold-hearted as he was, I’ll bet he was the one who sold me. But it doesn’t matter if he was my biological father, Dad, you’re my dad now and for the rest of our lives.” He grinned, “You, mom, Artie and I will be ancestors someday and our descendants won’t notice or care about the ‘a’ for adopted.”

“Thank you, Timothy, I’m glad we went through with the adoptions 6 years ago. I didn’t think making our relationship legal would make much of a difference, we already had strong connections. But it has made a difference, being legally connected, with all of you using our names, everything you do to identify as Camilos and Gibbses makes our emotional connection even stronger and I know you all felt that connection even before your mother adopted you.”

Forgetting about Daniel Langston, his wife and their seemingly heartless actions, Tim smiled happily as his wife and parents pulled him into their arms.

Chapter Text

Ch 24: Real Life, Back to the Present

While life changed with the addition of protection details to everyone’s lives, they quickly learned to cope. Once family members and close friends got used to their various security teams, they began to relax. The teachers and caregivers of the family’s children were informed of the details and asked to sign Non-Disclosure-Agreements, also known as NDAs. Although it took time for some of them to understand this was a precaution, that attacks were not anticipated in Europe, the NDAs were eventually signed and the Gibbs’ family children, their friends, teachers and caregivers quickly found that whoever the security details might be, they were as invisible as humans could be.  

In the meantime, winter continued although there were no bad storms this year. The storms that pounded the UK were mild compared to the two that hit them prior to the New Year and everyone was grateful for the lack of high winds and high tides.

Tim tried to keep to a schedule of spending 2 days in London one week and 2 days in Varkiza the following week. However, there were weeks he stayed in Greece, unable to tear himself away from his family.

When the head of the protection details, NCIS Special Agent Jack Uhl, told him they would rather he stay in Greece until all the baddies were rounded up, Tim was relieved to stay in one place although there were still times he flew to London to work in the Field Office.

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While the Gibbs’ extended and expanded family in Europe and the East Coast of the US slowly became used to their protectors, members of their family also had other things on their minds, namely the health and well being of Walter Dorneget, Ned’s grandfather.  

Although Walter initially rallied after his stroke, his condition deteriorated when he suffered a second stroke. Within a day Cyndie and Larry Porter, having asked to be kept apprised of his condition, arrived from San Francisco ready to help Ned and his grandmother Margaret any way they could.

One evening late in January when Tim was working in London, Barry knocked on the door of his brother’s home office.

Tim was just wrapping up for the day, leaving for Athens in the morning, and opening the door, was not surprised to see Barry standing there. His brother blinked back tears and Tim wrapped his arms around him. “What’s happened?”

“He’s had another stroke, his third one. Ned’s asked me to come, the girls will stay here until the half-term holiday.” He took a deep breath, “If he passes, then we’ll have a service that week.”

Tim nodded, “We’ll be there, Bear. Mom, Dad, Artie and I will bring the girls to you, Ned and Margaret.”  

“Thank you. I’ve also had a message from Nikki that Aunt Evelyn and Cousin Vince are on their way to California, via train. They’re on the southern route and will arrive Wednesday.

"Nikki said that Dad reserved rooms for them at the same place Ned and Grandmama Margaret are staying. It’s a long-stay hotel near the hospital, with shuttles to and from the airport and the hospital. The hospital shuttle runs 24/7 so guests can get to their loved ones quickly if there’s a crisis. And Cyndie and Larry Porter are still there, they’ll stay on for a day or so after Evelyn and Vince arrive.

"Freddie, Joe and Char are also flying out, my flight will likely stop at the FBO in DC to pick them up. With the number of plumbers they hired after Freddie and Abby were hurt, along with their business manager, they can carry the load for a few weeks and we know Char can work from anywhere. Ben is in Baltimore already and will stay with Tommy with help from both Abby and Menolly."

Tim blinked back tears, “That’s wonderful, isn’t it, Barry? Not that Walter is so ill but that our family, all of our family, rallies when things like this happen.”

“Yes, all of us.” The voice was their mother’s, joining her sons. “We’ll stay here with the girls, sweetheart. Charlie and Tricia are going with you. Charlie knows the area well and Tricia will help however she can. Also, I spoke with Ginny Slater, Breena’s mother. She gave me three referrals for mortuaries in the area around the hospital and I’m sure the hospital could help with that as well, if it becomes necessary, although I hope and pray it won’t.”

Barry sighed, “Thank you, Mama. I’m so grateful I’ve become better acquainted with Walter and Margaret over the past few years. Now Ned isn’t the only one with memories, the girls and I also have them. We have many photos and have written and recorded what was happening when the photos were taken.” He smiled at Lu, “And of course you, Dad, Athena, Ducky and Aunt Evelyn also know them well.” He chuckled, “I still think it’s funny and wonderful that Aunt Evelyn, Margaret and Walter crossed the Atlantic together, twice!”

“Three times, Bear, you’re forgetting the time Cousin Richard was with them!”

“Right, Tim, that was really something, wasn’t it?” He smiled, “I remember Richard mock complaining about how much they fussed over him, even Walter.”

That particular East Coast US to London cruise happened while Richard and his daughter Tricia Baxter were living in Massachusetts and Richard was recovering from a bout of bronchitis. When Tricia called Evelyn King to see if she had a cruise scheduled, Evelyn contacted the Dornegets with whom she would sail to London the following week and when departure day arrived, Richard found himself aboard a cruise ship bound for London, accompanied by three in-laws of his cousin Jethro!

After resting in Jaxton for a week, he joined the Dornegets on a fast train to Marseilles where Ducky and Athena met him, flying home to Athens with him. He stayed through the annual reunion, leaving for home healthier than he’d been since the winter he’d spent in Mac’s old apartment in Florida, along with his fellow convalescent Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard.

Remembering those particular events, Lu nodded, “I hope that if Walter doesn’t make it, Margaret will follow through with their plan to move in with you, Ned and the girls. She’ll miss Walt wherever she is and I believe being with her family will help her a great deal.”

Tim and Barry nodded, Tim thinking of his parents’ telling him they needed to move home to Jaxton to help Barry with the girls and his heartfelt agreement with them. When he thought about it later and talked with Artie, he was relieved and happy with his agreement and that he didn’t feel the slightest twinge of his old enemy: abandonment. Perhaps learning at least part of the truth of his past was helping him to grow beyond the pain of his childhood.

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Barry, Uncle Charlie and Cousin Tricia left for San Diego the next morning. Tim was at the FBO at Luton airport with them, waiting for one of the smaller jets to arrive for his flight to Athens. Barry and Ned’s daughters, Ava and Naomi, had said a teary goodbye to their daddy at home in Jaxton, sending kisses and hugs for their papa, great-grandmama and great-grandfather. The two of them clung to their Grama and Poppy, scared that both their fathers were away and that their great-grandpa might die. Ava, the older of the two, stayed home from school that day, her grandparents knowing the two girls would need each other.

One of the first things they did was to count the days until they would fly to the US to see their fathers on the big calendar that hung in the kitchen. They would mark off each day before they went to bed at night. They would also talk with either one or both of their fathers tomorrow and probably every night.

When Ava worried that she’d still be at school when it was time to call or if her fathers called them first, Grama showed them the two clocks that Uncle Tim put together for them. Both were on the wall in the family room where they could easily see them. One clock showed the time here, there was a sign underneath that said, “The time in Jaxton”. The other clock showed the time in San Diego where the girls’ fathers would be and the sign underneath it said, “The time in San Diego”.

They looked at it now, Ava showing her little sister what time it was where Papa was. Naomi knew how to tell time but didn’t understand how it could be one time here and another time somewhere else. Her grama nodded, “I know that’s confusing, sweetie. The easiest way is to look at our globe.”

Smiling, Ava ran to get it, bringing it back. Naomi had seen the globe but she hadn’t really explored it yet. Now her sister and grandparents explained a bit about the world, the sun and why times were different. After asking some questions, when Naomi thought she understood, she nodded, pointing to the clocks. “The clocks will tell us when it’s nighttime where Daddy and Papa are and daytime here.”

Ava smiled, “Right! Uncle Tim found clocks that show us whether it’s nighttime or daytime, whether it is 6 o’clock at night or 6 o’clock in the morning. So it will be 6 at nighttime here and it will be 10 in the morning on the clock for San Diego.”

Naomi nodded again, “Grandmama, Papa and Daddy can have morning snacks while we eat dinner!”

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When Tim arrived in Athens, before he did anything else, he messaged his mother to see if there was any news, relieved when she answered in the negative, both thinking that at this point no news was good news.

Grabbing his garment bag and laptop case, he went through passport control, smiling happily when he spotted his wife waiting for him. He’d planned to take Uber to the Embassy and take another one home after work. He and Leon had had a long talk about Nikki’s presence at the Embassy with the result that Tim’s office was now in a more populated corridor. Sadly, for the duration, the two could no longer commute together or eat lunch together unless there was someone else, not family or NCIS-related, with them. That restriction led to Tim asking about Leon's 'idea' about Nikki working in Southern California. Leon made a face, saying he'd speak to Special Agent Jack Uhl, the lead for all of the security surrounding Tim's case.

If either had business with the other, they would handle it by phone or email, as long as their conversation could be analyzed. Leon also spoke with Nikki, assuring her, as he’d already assured Tim, that her work would remain heavily secured. He also pointed out to her that the same restrictions would apply to Jimmy, James and Ned.  

Tossing his garment bag into the back of their SUV, he was gentler with his laptop case before finally giving Artemis a deep kiss. When they came up for air, he gave her another, lighter kiss. “You’re wonderful, you know? Thank you for coming to fetch me.”

She nodded, “How was it this morning?”

“Tough watching the girls say goodbye to Barry and when I had to say goodbye to him, Uncle Charlie and Tricia at the FBO. Things don’t look good for Walter.”

Artie nodded sadly, saying, “There’s nothing new this morning, it’s probably too early in California and as for the travelers, they are more than halfway to Baltimore. Freddie, Joe, Charlotte and Tommy will fly west with Barry, once his flight lands. I don't know what happened to change their minds about leaving Tommy home with Ben, although Bec said something about him having a bad cold, that is Ben, not Tommy. Anyway, Aunt Evelyn and Cousin Vince will arrive in San Diego this afternoon, Larry and Cyndie are meeting them at the train station. Dad has rooms reserved for all of them while Tony has arranged for a rental car company to bring vehicles to their hotel and he’s picking up the tab.”

She shook her head, “What will all of them find to do?”

Tim tilted his head, “Joe and Fred are flying to Phoenix on Friday, to make sure the Dornegets’ house is in good shape for a sale. They’ve worked with Bill and in construction long enough to know what to look for as far as the building itself, along with the plumbing, air conditioning and appliances. If Walter pulls through, yay, at least he and Margaret will know their home is in good shape. If he’s in rehab for weeks or months, then Barry thinks Margaret will stay near him. In that case, they may want to rent the house out and once again, knowing what shape the house is in will help attract tenants and will give the Dornegets a benchmark as to what, if anything, has changed during the tenancy. In the worst case, we lose Walter, then Margaret won’t have to worry about what needs fixing at the house before it can be sold, assuming she’ll eventually want to do that.”

“That’s good. And Barry will make sure Margaret and Ned get enough sleep and take care of themselves. Has Ned been working?”

Tim nodded, “The SAC at MCW sends Leon and Human Resources a work report for Ned every week and Leon tells me what he’s doing, nothing in writing about Ned, Nikki, James or Jimmy comes to me anymore. He’s averaging about four hours a day, 3 days a week, which is more than I expected, and working solely at MCW, which makes the Legal Department happier. With our legal connection, the farther away he is from the teams working on my cases, the better. ” Tim shook his head, “He should be on family leave but he hasn’t filed for it yet.”

“How long does that take to approve?”

“It’s already approved! I asked Leon to sign off on it, better to keep my name totally out of the picture, and HR sent Ned the paperwork, so he knows he’s been approved.  All that’s needed now is for him to use it.” He shrugged, “It could be that working keeps him going, it’s part of his normal life.”

“What do you think he’s doing?”

Tim huffed, “With his varied experiences at Headquarters, he can do just about anything in almost any department! However, he’s mostly filling in for people who are out sick, on vacation or taking a spot where someone’s left and hasn’t yet been replaced. The Cyber units at both Field Offices have needed help and he’s been working with them, although the work he does for Southwest is first exported to MCW. And he’s working in-house, not going out on field calls and that’s a good thing. Can’t afford to risk him getting hurt or being distracted.”  

“Oh, I wondered about that and about him working on your things.”

“Can’t risk that either, defense attorneys would jump on that. Everyone is having to be scrupulous about keeping my name off of anything connected to him as well as the others. That’s part of the reason I’m alternating working in Athens and in London. Working in London keeps Nikki from suspicion and working in Athens keeps James and Jimmy from it. From now until this is over, Nikki and I won’t commute, eat lunch or talk to each other in person, unless there’s a credible witness with us, same with the other two and Ned when he returns to work. Any discussions or questions will have to be by phone or email, since both can be recorded.

“Leon has confirmed that the investigations have started so from now until it’s all tied up, I can’t be alone with any of the family NCIS’ers and the children don’t count as being witnesses to our conversations. And honey, they may extend that to the partners of the family NCIS’ers. That means, Sarah, Bill, Barry, Breena and likely George and Edith wouldn't be able to have solo conversations with me or even be in the same room alone with me.”

“Oh, Timothy, I’m so sorry! When will that happen?”

“When they start arresting people who will then hire lawyers.”

“Oh my poor Tim!”

He shrugged, “I knew that when I agreed to the cases.”

“What about Mello?”

“Absolutely no interaction with him, his wife or children from any of us, including Peter, Rhode, their kids, Susannah, Ian or the Clachers. If he approaches you or any of our children, tell him you don’t want to speak with him and if he asks why, you’ll have to ignore him. or just shake your head. Do you know where his kids are going to school?”

“Yes, my love.They moved out of the house near Papa and Rhode over the weekend. Rhode says they found a place in Athens, near the university and the children are going to the International School there.”

Tim laughed, “That’s a relief! Isn’t that where Liam and Chloe’s former foster father teaches or taught?”

Artie rolled her eyes, also laughing, “Yes, it is or was. I wonder if he’s still there?”

“No, don’t go there! Maybe when this is all over but no new friends for us until the trials are over. And Rhode needs to know not to speak to any of the Mellos and not to mention that to any of the neighbors who met them. That might be tricky.”

“As this is Rhode’s first time through something like this, Mamalu has already spoken with her. Don’t forget she’s the wife of a military officer, I’m sure there have been many things she hasn’t been able to mention to anyone. Timothy, now that you’ve had time to think about it, how are you feeling about moving to the US?”

“As long as that campus continues to be safe for the children and we can rent that residential hotel or rooms in that hotel, I’m all right. I’m relieved that I’ll be at MCW and not Southwest. There are too many Navy brass close to Southwest, it’d be like being back aboard the Navy Yard, only I’d be the one in charge, not Leon!”

“Ah, I wondered why you seemed relieved!”

“Plus, Gunnery Sergeant Leroy Jethro Gibbs is still known for his shooting abilities so being related to him should be a big plus for me aboard the base.” He smiled, “And I like bragging about him.”

Smiling at that, Artie said, “If it’s safe to do, I’d like to speak with our relocation agent about that hotel, see some photos, perhaps a video. I have many questions about it. While I’m happy we don’t have to leave Europe until August, I’m also anxious to know more about where we’ll live and I’d rather not wait until the summer to start looking if the hotel won’t suit us. With the trials going on, who will be able to live with us?”

“We'll have to ask but I would think that none of the NCIS’ers can live with or even stay with us when they're visiting.

"My parents, the older gents, maybe Yaya and Grandfa, although I think they’ll all have to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements. Honey, we likely won’t be able to spend holidays or Christmases with any of the NCIS folks. It would be great if the Clachers could come and maybe we could have our next Greek Christmas in California?”

“What about the rest of your brothers? Rob, Geordie and Bec are already looking for employment in San Diego and Bec says they want to live with us or nearby so that Brian and Mia can attend the same school as our children. Joe and Freddie have talked about selling their business and starting a new one in the area, I think that might be something else they’ll check out while they’re helping the Dornegets. Abby’s even talking about teaching at UCSD or UCLA.”

“But we’ll only be there for a couple of years, three at the most.”

“Yes, your siblings know that but with the restrictions placed on you, the ones who are allowed to be with you are determined to do so. I forgot Tony and Maggie, they want to move as well. They’ll keep the townhouse but will live somewhere near us or with us in California. Tony will attend meetings via Skype or in person when needed and Maggie doesn’t want to separate the girls from their grandparents,” Artie chuckled, “or herself and Tony from Malu and Jethro. That might also mean Dick and my mother will come for long visits. And I’m sure Peter, Rhode and whichever of their kids are available would love to come for holidays.”

Seeing the look on her husband’s face, she added, “With us hosting the Greek Christmases, it gives your new grandfather a way to spend Christmas with Jimmy, Breena and his younger grandchildren and then Yaya and he will join us for our Greek Christmas. And if Yaya is with us, Nik, Gaia, Sophia and Susannah will also be there.”

Tim nodded and then sighed happily as his wonderful wife had turned from the road into Varkiza and onto the road up the hill leading them to their property. Leaving the car, they held hands as they walked through the property. Tim smiled as he noticed a few new bits and pieces had been built or installed and waved hello to Alan when he poked his head out from one of the greenhouses.

“Hello, welcome home! Are you going to stay put for a while?”

Tim chuckled, “I hope so, for a few weeks anyway.”

“Good! Artemis, the Remises came by this morning, they spoke with Bill. Don’t know what about but the three of them looked happy afterward.”

“Wonderful! I wanted them to have a walk-through to make sure they liked everything before we start the final bits.”

Tim looked around, “How come they’re not working today?”

Artie grinned, “We worked this morning, you forget you were in the air for more than four hours!”

Tim winced, “Oops!”

His wife laughed, “Actually, I’ve been working mornings and early afternoons, there’s not much for me to do at the moment. I spent Monday afternoon on our site, looking over the design to make sure I’m still happy with it.”

“And are you?”

“Yes, although I’m not in any hurry to get to work on it!”

Alan chuckled, “So not next year?”

“Probably not for about three years. We’re being transferred to the US for two to three years and will get started when we return.”

“All of you, Bill and Nikki too?”

Tim shook his head, “Probably not. We believe it’ll just be me, Artemis and the children. My parents will probably go back and forth but that’s more likely to be to the UK than here. We might be able to visit but we won’t be back for good for at least 2 years and as Artie said, it might be longer.”

Alan opened his mouth to ask another question but seeing a look of sadness in Tim’s eyes he swallowed any other questions or remarks. As they turned to leave, Tim quietly patted him on the back, saying it was good to see him.

By now he’d decided he was too tired to go into Athens to work and besides it was already nearly 3 PM. He’d catch up on his email, take care of any issues, at the house. Other than that, he was done for the day unless something else came up.

He was also hungry so on their way into Varkiza, they stopped for lunch, enjoying the time together. Tim smiled as they stood to leave, “Honey, remember date nights? Let’s start those up again.”

She nodded happily, “That’s a wonderful idea! How about finding a sitter for Friday night?”

“Great!”

“My sister is old enough and she’s good with our children and they’re very comfortable with her. Let’s ask her, that is if she doesn’t already have plans and wants to stay with them.”

Tim grinned, “Works for me!”

They stopped at the house long enough to leave his belongings before driving over to the day care that all four of their children attended, with young Jackson and Ellanni enjoying the after-school programs.

When they walked into the day care center, four little heads popped up, smiling and then all four ran across the room to their parents, nearly knocking them down. Jasper, M  cKenna and Madelyn weren’t there, one of the teachers said Bill had picked up Jasper earlier and that the Barnes-Gibbs girls had not been in today, she thought they’d gone on an adventure with their parents.

Returning to the house with the children, Tim played with them for over an hour before he stretched out on the floor, exhausted. When he woke later, he chuckled to find a pillow tucked under his head and a blanket over him. As the blanket was from one of the kids’ beds, he thought his children had probably tucked him in. Getting up and stretching, he neatly folded the blanket, taking it and the pillow in search of his family.

Looking at his watch, he counted the hours since Barry’s flight left this morning. By now, his brother’s flight had landed at the FBO to pick up their brothers, Char and Tommy, and likely only had another two, two and a half hours until they landed in San Diego. Blinking, he looked at his phone and saw a message from his dad with the times they’d landed and taken off again and their estimated time of arrival in San Diego. He was happy to see they’d land in two hours and would be met by the shuttle from the hotel.

He messaged his dad, thanking him for the information, saying he and Artie had been to visit their property, had lunch out, picked up their kids and he’d played with them, evidently falling asleep on the floor as that’s where he was when he woke up. Dad sent him a photo he’d received from Artie, showing Tim asleep on the floor with a child’s blanket over him and a small pillow under his head.

Helping himself to a snack, Tim changed his clothes, looked at his laptop and decided he’d tackle his email later. Finding a note in the kitchen that said his family was on the beach, he grabbed a jacket and walked down there, enjoying the fresh air. His kids swarmed him again and he laughed, picking each one up for a hug and kiss.

They didn’t stay long. Although it wasn’t very cold it was still winter and when the sun disappeared they quickly headed home.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Leon, remembering his stray thought about Tony and looking at his watch, considered the time, deciding to call, it was just past 8:00 PM in Greece.

When Tony saw the caller ID on his phone, he frowned but answered.

“Director, what’s up?”

“Tony, you know what we’re investigating. As you, your cousin and I discussed, the investigations are primarily being handled by the San Diego teams. However, we suspect that one of the people we’re looking for is in Europe. I thought, with your contacts, you might want to help find him.”

“Of course, Leon. What information do you have on this person?”

Vance gave him the information and Tony paused, “You know our Security teams don’t have any authority to arrest anyone. Should they contact you or one of the SSAs?”

“One of the SSAs will be fine. I’ll email you a list with the countries each office handles, the names of the SSAs and their contact information. I’ll also update Joel Morris, the retired SAC who will stand in for your brother on this and anything else regarding the cases that involves anyone in Europe. I’ll send you his contact information and I’ll also include the contact information for Agent Andreson.”

Tony started to reply when Maggie entered the room, carrying her phone. Walking over to him, she showed him a text from his dad. Sighing, Tony’s next words changed their topic of conversation, “Leon, we’ve just received word from Dad that Walter Dorneget has died. Barry is at the hospital, in time to say goodbye. Aunt Evelyn and Cousin Vince, our uncle Charlie and his partner Tricia Baxter as well as our brother Joe’s family are there along with Ziva and Julie Metzger, her mother-in-law. They flew from New York to Baltimore and then boarded the jet with Freddie and the others.”

Leon sighed, “I’m sorry to hear about Ned’s grandfather, Tony. Although the last news I heard sounded pretty dire, I still had hope.”

“Yes, we felt the same way. Maggie’s telling me there will be a service in two weeks, when Ava and the twins have their winter holiday.”

“All right, thank you. I’ll be there, I want to give Ned and his grandmother as much support as possible. Tony, has anyone said anything about Joanna Teague, Ned’s mother?”

“Dad, Tim and I were talking about that. No one has said a word about her being in any kind of contact but that might be because of her work.”

“Mm, I might stick my nose in, give McKinley a call.”

Tony’s eyes widened and he shuddered, saying, “You’re a brave man, Leon!”

“I haven’t mentioned it to Tim but after I spoke with my counterpart at the FBI, McKinley called a few minutes later to offer help, Sailes had obviously shared the news about the investigations. I’m comfortable contacting him but will tread lightly. I’m really only thinking of Mrs. Dorneget.”

Tony nodded, “If she shows up, she’ll have a shock at the family members there to support Margaret and Ned.”

“I’d heard about the Kings and your brothers, I hadn’t heard about Ziva and her mother-in-law!”

“They were a surprise, they were on the jet with Barry and the others. They flew to Baltimore and met the aircraft with the others, Char knew they were coming. The Metzgers met the senior Dornegets in Greece one summer and then another time when Evelyn and the Dornegets sailed home from Europe on a cruise ship that docked in New York. They greeted the three of them and then Ziva and Brian took the train with them to Massachusetts where Evelyn left them and then to Baltimore where the four of them, Ziva, Brian, Walt and Margaret stayed over for a few days with Joe, Char, Freddie and Abby.”

“That’s good, Mrs. Dorneget will have plenty of people she knows with her, Ned and Barry. I heard the Porters are also there.”

“Yes, although I think Stanford’s winter term starts next week. They’ll return for the service. After Ziva, Julie Metzger, Barry, Char and Tommy disembarked in San Diego, the Paddington flight took Joe and Freddie to Phoenix; they’re at the Dornegets’ home now. Ned called ahead to the community managers and a couple of the neighbors so they’d be able to get into the development and they’ll be able to stay at the house. With Margaret’s blessing, they’re meeting with an property inspector and the Dornegets’ realtor tomorrow.”

“Wonderful that she won’t have to deal with any of that.”

“Yes. All right, Leon, thanks for the information, your email list of NCIS European contacts is in my inbox and I’ll get the Security folks on this as soon as possible, might be in the morning.”

“That’s fine, Tony, appreciate your help!”

“I’ve been feeling frustrated there wasn’t any way I could help my brother. Thanks!”

They disconnected and Tony immediately called the head of Paddington Security, who estimated they’d have the information within 36 hours.

Once that call was done, Tony went to find his wife, finding her in the living area of their vacation rental on the phone with his mother. Realizing he’d missed his daughters’ bedtimes, he went to tuck them in and kiss them goodnight. He wasn’t surprised to find McKenna still awake and cuddled with her, reading her a story. Madelyn was sound asleep, sheets and blankets on either side of her. He chuckled to himself as he pulled her covers up around her, she was a restless sleeper just like her daddy! Returning to Maggie, he smiled as she handed the phone to him. He spoke with each of his parents, thankful their family had rallied around the Dornegets.

Looking at the time when they disconnected from the Jaxton call, Tony called Ducky and Athena. Ducky answered the house phone, telling him he’d already heard from Jimmy, Breena and Donny, Jethro, Lu, Maggie, Tim, Artemis, Sarah, James, Rob, Bill, Nikki and Geordie and Bec and appreciated his calling as well.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Ducky chuckled as he disconnected from Tony’s call. “Ah, that’s all my children here in Europe! I suppose Sophia, Susannah, Gaia and Nik will contact you this evening as they hear the news.”

She smiled as she kissed his cheek, “I’ve had calls from Sophia, Gaia and Theo, Susannah and Ian while you were talking with your children and don’t forget I was on the call with Artemis and Timothy. Nik and Sergio will still be at the restaurant, they may not yet know about Walter.”

“I’m so glad Walt and Margaret made the trip over here, three or is it four times?”

Athena thought about it, “I think three, someone else was with them the third time. Yes, Richard sailed with them one time they were over with Evelyn, he’d been ill.”

“Margaret knows all of us, knows she and Walter are part of our family. I do hope she decides to move over here.”

“There’s only one problem with that, will Ned also be transferred to the US when Tim and Artemis leave?”

“I don’t think so, there’s no reason unless Ned also requests a transfer. Tim will want to keep any changes to a minimum while he’s away and I’m sure Leon would agree with that. If Ned and Barry do want to transfer to the US at some point, I would think it would be a few years down the line.”

“Then Nikki and Bill won’t be going either?”

“Not that I know of, I haven’t heard anything about any of our NCIS children moving except for Timothy and Artemis. None of them would likely be able to transfer to either of the two offices in or near San Diego as Timothy’s cases will be handled at the San Diego office and Tim himself will manage the other office. I believe they’re all quite happy where they are.”

“Good! I was afraid to ask Artemis and hoped you would know. I do feel badly for our Jimmy and Breena.”

“When Bill and Artemis finish the Remis property in 2 months, they’ll return to the Jaxton house. Sarah and James are there and I’m certain Edie and George are still there with them and will more or less move in once their grandchild arrives. Geordie and Bec may remain there or they may return to the US for the duration of Tim’s stay. Jimmy and Breena want to move into the Jaxton house soon after the baby arrives. They understand why Tim and Artemis have to move and remain very happy with their decision to transfer here. The only one I know for certain is planning to make the move to Southern California is Rob. He's already putting out feelers for work in the area.”

“And us?”

Ducky chuckled, “Well, yes, my love, you know we’ll visit, at least for several weeks or perhaps months and when we’re in Europe we can stay in Jaxton or here.”

“I’m hoping we’ll have our Greek Christmases in the US.”

“Wonderful! The weather should be about what it is here and if they end up renting that hotel or whatever it is, there may be room for all of us.”

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

In San Diego, Margaret McCuiston Dorneget, stood looking out a window of the hospital. She was infinitely glad Ned and Barry were here with her along with what seemed like half their family. That was fine, she was fond of those she knew and was grateful for the support of all of them.

When Evelyn King arrived, she’d cried, relieved to have her friend with her, someone her own age who knew Walter and had shared happy and fun experiences with them.

Holding on to Evelyn, she remembered the first time they’d met. Walter didn’t like to fly and both of them had very much wanted to visit their grandson and his new family in France. When they heard from Lu that another in-law, Lu’s daughter-in-law Nikki’s aunt, also didn’t like to fly and was taking a cruise ship to England and would take a different one home, they decided they could do the same thing, only they would cruise to Marseille or as close to the city as they could get and another one home. They’d not only have the cruise experiences and whatever they saw before they left the ship but the joy of staying with Ned, Barry and their new great-granddaughters!

As it happened, they were able to book onto the same cruise as Nikki’s aunt, Evelyn King, whom they hadn’t met before, and had a wonderful time with her on their Atlantic crossing and during their three day stay in the UK, which they spent in Jaxton. They waved goodbye to Evelyn and the others as they returned to London early the fourth morning. Meeting more of the family and seeing where they lived in Jaxton and London had been an unexpected bonus.

When they first looked at the cruise itinerary, they realized they needed to make a big decision. From what Lu and their travel agent told them, they could easily take the train from London to Marseille and be there within a day. Or they could take a second cruise, one that would take them to several locations in Turkey, Greece, Italy and Monaco before they reached Marseille, where they would disembark.

Thinking this would likely be their last trip overseas, they decided to splurge and took the second cruise. The bonus this time was that they were met in Athens by Barry’s Greek grandmother, who was actually his brother Tim’s grandmother-in-law. Like others new to the family, they had to make a chart to figure out who was related to who and how but after meeting many of the group in the UK, their understanding of the way the family saw themselves as linked together became a lot clearer. Margaret personally thought someone, Lu said she thought it was Ziva’s mother-in-law Julie Metzger, had it right, they were really a group of families and individuals linked together by friendship and/or familial relationships.

The senior Dornegets arrived in Athens after first visiting Istanbul, Troy, and the Greek islands of Rhodes and Crete, where they’d been told Tim’s paternal grandparents-in-law lived although they didn’t attempt to contact them. While they’d thought they were done with their ‘ooh and ahh’ days of traveling, they were wrong, pinching themselves whenever they sailed into a city they’d never dreamed of visiting! Who would think they would ever see Istanbul, Troy or Athens?

When they reached Piraeus, Athens’ harbor for visiting cruise ships, Athena, also known in the family as Mimi, met them and they stayed with her in Varkiza, enjoying the warm waters of the Mediterranean as well as their hostess’ warm hospitality. She made sure they saw everything their tour would have included and on two occasions, the couple waved to some of their shipmates and were invited to join them, along with Athena, on that particular tour!

In Varkiza they met more of the ‘Midei-Costas-Gibbs’ family, Tim’s father-in-law Peter Lekkas and his family as well as Athena’s younger daughter, Gaia, husband, Theo and their nearly grown children, who lived in northern Greece and flew to Athens to meet them. They also met Athena’s son Chef Nik and his family who flew over from Sorrento, Italy, for a couple of days.

After several days, they boarded ship, now headed for different parts of Crete, including Souda Bay, and Turkey. From there, they spent a day and night cruising the Ionian Sea, stopping to see Sicily, then touring Naples, where they were again greeted by Athena’s son and his family, having a wonderful dinner at Nikolas’ restaurant in Sorrento, then saw Rome, Florence and then on to Monaco. The following day brought them to Marseille and the couple disembarked after many wonderful days of adventure. Barry, Ava and Naomi were at the harbor to meet them and they waved as they drove past Ned’s office on the way to Ned and Barry’s home.

Margaret already knew from the photos they’d sent that she would love their home, a rental the boys had stumbled upon while looking for apartments. It was two stories with a lovely garden in front, another in the back and small balconies on the second level. The interior was what Margaret thought of as quintessentially French, with the boys’ more masculine touches also evident. She smiled at the rocking chairs that she knew were made by the girls’ grandfather, Jethro Gibbs, expressly for them. Naomi took their hands to lead them to the room she and Ava shared room upstairs. She had a mix of her favorite dolls, plush toys and books on various pieces of furniture and what she described as a ‘princess’ bed. Ava’s side of the room reflected her own personality, with many books, toys and pictures, a large cardboard castle the girls shared and her bed, covered with pillows in the colors she liked best.

The guest room was downstairs and nicely decorated with a comfortable bed, nightstands made by Barry’s brother Bill, two comfortable chairs with footstools, a small table and a vertical bureau.

They were there for a month, at the boys’ insistence, exploring the city and Provence. Although not usually prone to buying souvenirs, they’d purchased a few treasures, along with the ubiquitous post cards, everywhere they’d been and shipped those to neighbors who’d been warned they might be receiving packages from Europe. Provence and Athens were now tied for their favorite shopping places and they again shipped everything home.

Feeling much more in sync with Ned and his new family, along with the larger family, they took the train to London, staying two nights with Barry’s brother Tony and his wife Maggie in a wonderfully restored and modernized Georgian townhouse before embarking on their cruise home.

When they reached New York City, they were met by Barry’s sister Ziva, with whom they had lunch, along with Ziva’s mother-in-law, before boarding a train for Washington, DC. There they were met by their grandson-in-law’s brother Joe and his wife Charlotte. They stayed overnight with them, having a relaxing and fun family dinner with more of Barry’s siblings, Freddie and his partner Abby, a young doctor, Jimmy, and his family along with an interesting gentleman nearly their age called ‘Granducky’ by the children.

As they spent time with him, they realized he was also the ‘Donald’ whose photos they’d seen in Athena’s home and the woman had frequently referred to him. Later that evening, they asked Joe and Charlotte about him and were told how Donald, more commonly known as ‘Ducky’ or of course ‘Granducky’ fit into the family. In fact, he was one of the originals, along with Jethro and Lu Gibbs.

After a little sightseeing the next day, having a quick visit with the man who ran the homeless camp where Barry, his sister and brothers grew up, driving by the Navy Yard where Ned used to work and Jethro Gibbs’ former home, where Dr. Jimmy and his family now lived, along with seeing several of the monuments and memorials around the capital, they boarded an Amtrak train that would take them along the southern route of the country, from DC to New Orleans, Louisiana, to San Antonio, Texas, and then to Los Angeles, California. They had a private bedroom accommodation, complete with their own bathroom and their tickets included three meals a day in addition to other perquisites.

When they reached Los Angeles, they stayed overnight before boarding one of the two Amtrak trains that traveled to and from Arizona. This one took them to Phoenix where they caught a shuttle to their senior community.

It was an expensive and lengthy trip but they loved every minute, the highlights of course were staying with their grandson and his family.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Now Margaret sighed as Evelyn wrapped her arms around her. “You two had a wonderful life together, I know that just from looking at Ned. He’s a wonderful young man as is his mate and their children. You have much to be proud of with him.”

“He was a joy to raise, of course we knew more about parenting the second time around.”

“And Nikki has told me that you made sure Ned had a well rounded childhood, with activities with youngsters his age, from babyhood until he left for college. You two did a superb job!”

“Thank you, Evelyn.” She sighed, “I wish his mother had come to say goodbye to her father. It would have meant so much to Walter and to me.”

Evelyn couldn’t think of anything to say that would be at all appropriate and instead gave her friend another hug.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

After hearing of the death of Ned’s grandfather, Leon stewed for nearly 30 minutes before calling Jethro. When the man answered, he was asked a question, giving his former boss the answer he’d expected. Thanking him, Leon disconnected while in Jaxton, Jethro stared at his phone for a minute before shaking his head. When Lu looked a question at him, he made a face, “I don’t know whether I want to be right about this but I’m guessing that Director Vance is about to have a chat with his CIA counterpart about the lack of common decency from Agent Teague, Ned’s mother and Walter Dorneget’s daughter.”

“Because she hasn’t even acknowledged her mother or Ned’s attempts to reach her?”

“Yes.” He shook his head, “I shouldn’t know this but I do. She has a desk job at Langley. She hasn’t been in the field for years. There’s no excuse for her not to have at least communicated with her family. But then, she apparently hasn’t been part of their family since she dropped Ned off with her parents when he was barely a month old. Do you know how many times he’s seen her?”

Lu held up four fingers, shaking her head. “I know, Jethro. I already knew but remember when we met Margaret and Walter for the first time? They thanked us for making Ned part of our family. And you said he’d been part of your NCIS family since he first started at the agency, that he was part of every team and every department at agency headquarters and that you could see him as Director of the agency one day. Margaret told me much later how happy that made them, to know their boy was loved and respected and that gave them satisfaction, knowing they’d done well by their second child, their grandson. His mother may have been and continues to be absent from his life but he was raised with much love and care. It’s possible Ms. Teague felt she wouldn’t or couldn’t be a good mother, she may even have done Ned a favor. Who knows!”

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Still in Greece, Leon Vance was doing exactly what Jethro guessed he would. He knew Beau McKinley well enough to acknowledge that Teague’s lack of communication with her dying father would have had nothing to do with the agency. McKinley’s own father had been ill for some time before he passed and Leon remembered the man had rearranged his whole life to be with his father as much as possible.

Now, when McKinley answered his phone, Leon said, “Beau, I’m about to stick my nose into the personal business of one of your agents. No violence, no laws broken.”

“Thank you for that but who, Leon?”

“Your Agent Teague. Her father had a stroke recently and despite her mother and her son’s messages and texts, she hasn’t responded. He died this morning after suffering two additional strokes. I know we’re all professionals, sometimes have to let our personal lives go but the woman already abandoned her only child and now this?”

Beau let out a frustrated sigh. “I am sorry to hear about Mr. Dorneget, from everything I know about him, his wife and grandson, they’re wonderful people. As for Teague, my belief is that she mentally and emotionally left her family behind the day she was hired by this agency. Then she did the same thing to her son’s father, only…never mind, that’s still classified. I’ve met Ned Dorneget and know that he’s an excellent agent and human being. We should give thanks that whatever genes were passed to his mother weren’t evident in either of her parents and apparently missed her son as well or they were balanced out by more positive genes. Whatever I’m trying to say. Do you want me to try to force her to contact her mother or attend her father’s funeral?”

Vance sighed, “No, you’re right. Forcing her to be there would be even worse and it’s way out of line for you as her director. As it would be for me with one of my employees. Sorry.”

“Do you know if she keeps in touch with your agent?”

“She has not, does not. I believe the number of times he’s seen her in his lifetime is four.”

“Wow. Then she’s not any better at being a parent than she is at being a daughter. However, there’s nothing you and I can do, she is who she is and maybe she knew that and did the best thing she could for her son. Actually, there is something I can do, just not about Teague herself. If you or someone will please let me know when and where the service is, we can at least send flowers and/or a donation if that’s appropriate.”

“Thanks, Beau, we can do that. And thanks for not telling me it’s none of my business.”

“You’re looking after your agent’s health and well being, Leon, nothing wrong with that!”

Disconnecting, Leon had a talk with himself about boundaries and becoming too involved with his employees’ lives. He sighed, he knew what was driving that although he didn’t know what to do about it. He sat for nearly an hour before he turned to his laptop, took a deep breath and typed a name into the search bar.  

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Barry flew home three days later. As they’d tentatively planned, the service for Walter Dorneget would take place during his great-granddaughter’s half-term break in February. As that was two weeks in the future, Ned and Barry worried about their daughters. Margaret finally settled things for them. “Listen you two, I love you dearly but I’m not an invalid, I’ll be fine if Ned stays, that is, Barry, if you don’t mind?”

Barry shook his head, “I do not mind, Margaret. We just want to make sure you have plenty of support.”

She smiled, patting his face, “Son, I know you love Ned, me and our girls as well as your parents and siblings. Now, here’s what I’d like to do, I want to stick with our plans to move to France and live with your family. However, I want to fly there with you or someone I know, I don’t want to take another cruise.” She turned to Ned, “I’ve never said but it was your grandfather who disliked flying so much. I’ve always wished I could persuade him to fly on one of your private flights. It wasn’t the flying itself that he disliked, it was being crammed in like sardines, the rudeness of fellow passengers or airline employees and the crowds in airports, all that. I’d love to fly ‘Air Paddington’!

“In the next two weeks Ned and I will organize Walter’s service and do whatever Fred and Jose think we need to do to put the house on the market. There are things I want to take with me, things I want to pass along to the girls and of course both of you, along with some of our furniture. We’d already talked with a couple of moving companies who will ship the furniture, I just need to get that set up. Walter and I decided not to wait until the house sells before moving; when it sells, we can do everything on the computer, we talked with the real estate agent about that.

“Another option is to keep the house and lease it. There’s no mortgage but there are property taxes, fees for the community and of course maintenance. I believe the real estate agent has a breakdown of what maintenance costs lessees would be responsible for and what the owners are responsible for.”

Ned and Barry looked at each other, surprised. They’d never considered the possibility of keeping the house! Ned looked at his grandmother, “What do you want to do?”

She smiled, “Sell it! I don’t want to be responsible for a house thousands of miles away, even with a property manager and I shouldn’t think either of you would be either. Besides, the real estate market is doing well right now, who wants to take a chance that it’ll tank again?”

The two of them nodded, relieved.

When Uncle Charlie Camilo and Tricia Baxter offered to stay to help sort the house and get it on the market, Ned and Margaret accepted their offer. That meant Ned could work more and Barry could go home to their daughters for two weeks. When Jethro and Lu also offered to help with the house, they were also welcomed. With Jethro’s skills, the few repairs that Jose and Freddie listed would be done in hours instead of having to pay someone to come in and do the work.

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Two days later, Barry rolled his neck, wincing at the crackling, as he grabbed his carry-on and garment bag and left the Paddington jet that had delivered him to London. He grinned as he saw his daughters waiting impatiently in the FBO building.

The next morning, he kissed his parents goodbye as they left for Phoenix, Arizona, where Ned and Margaret would meet them at the airport and take them straight to the house. One of the extra things Fred and Jose had done before they left was to make a list of what tools there were at the Dorneget’s home. Jethro had the list with him, adding what he was bringing with him. Anything else that he might need he’d either borrow from the Dornegets’ neighbors, rent or buy.

It was a long flight and considering the frequency of flights over the last months, felt even longer. However, it was also a smooth, comfortable ride and Lu and Jethro slept most of the way, stretching, standing and walking when they were awake and the aisles were clear. Their first stop was in Chicago, Illinois, where one of Tony’s other Paddington cousins disembarked for a meeting. Although they’d met this cousin a few times, neither Lu nor Gibbs, usually excellent at remembering names, could ever remember this man’s name. Privately, they referred to him as Tony’s ‘other cousin’ or ‘Cousin not-Nigel’.

While they were on the ground at the Chicago FBO that Paddington used, the couple stayed on their feet, mostly walking, until several new passengers boarded and the aircraft was set to roll back from the gate. The newcomers were either employees or family members of said employees of Paddington and other than nodding polite hellos when boarding, didn’t attempt any conversation.

They were glad for the break in Chicago, feeling less sluggish after the exercise. The flight from there to Phoenix was smooth, comfortable and in less than 3 and a half hours after departing Chicago, they were landing at the FBO in Phoenix, Arizona.

Chapter Text

Ch 25: The Twins are Five, Tony’s Help, Tim’s Story, Saying Goodbye, Looking for Another Home

In the two weeks between Mr. Dorneget’s death and his service, the twins’ fifth birthday was celebrated. They had a wonderful time with their cousins along with their new school and after-school daycare friends. Tim and Artie were happy as well as somewhat shocked that their babies were now 5! They were proud of them, proud of all four of their children and credited it to them having gone from babyhood to toddlers to preschoolers and now school-age children in a large, loving family, used to accepting new uncles, aunts and cousins, whether they were new babies or ‘older’ kids like their newest cousins Brian and Mia.

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After Vance’s call asking him for help in tracking down one of the people who’d hurt Tim, Tony had contacted the head of their Security force who accepted the assignment.

After disconnecting, he told Maggie, the two of them relieved that he was involved and able to help his brother. As Maggie said to her mother-in-law, Tony had been ‘fretting’ at being unable to do anything to help Tim. When Lu pointed out the use of the Paddingtons’ security forces, Maggie made a face, saying, “Yes, he counts that as helping but it’s not personally helping Tim.”

While they waited for news, he, Maggie, Dick and the girls had dinner with the Gibbses, including most of the family still in Varkiza.

After a delicious dinner, most of the adults adjourned to the living room of Tim and Artie’s place. Tony made the mistake of looking at his dad and when his father raised an eyebrow, Tony sighed, tilting his head, “Vance called, telling us about some old case, asked me to consult.”

Tim nodded, “Charlie, Peter, Rhode, Bill, Nikki, Maggie, Tony, Dick, let’s talk about it tonight.”

Chloe paused while clearing the table, making a face, “Daddy, we can’t know?”

“Not yet, sweetie. We’ll tell you when all the work is done.”

Young Jack, also on clearing duty, frowned, “Are you working on a bad thing, Daddy?” Next to him, Liam stopped to listen.

“No but I did years ago and now your Uncle Leon wants to make sure we’re all safe. There were some things that didn’t happen before and they’re going to happen now, bad guys being arrested.”

“Good!”

Ellanne came in from the kitchen, looking worried, “Daddy, who’s working on it if you’re not there?”

“A really good agent in the United States, some of the people you know from my teams and some people I’ve never met.”

Liam’s eyes grew wide, “That’s a lot of people!”

Tim smiled, “It is, son, and this time it’s important to make sure they have all the bad guys.”

With a smile, Artie changed the subject and within minutes the clearing up was done and a movie was selected to play in the den.

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Tim and their dad were just walking in from the kitchen, having finished putting the clean dishes away when Tony reappeared. He looked at his brother, “Tim, please, now will you tell us?”

Tim stopped to consider. The children were in the den watching a movie that had just started so it should be all right. He nodded, “Yes, Tony. Maggie, Bill, Peter, Rhode, Dick, Jack, Mac, Uncle LJ, is that all right with you?”

LJ nodded as he stood and kissed Tim on the head before returning to his recliner, which made Dick’s frown deepen, although he nodded his agreement. Peter believed he knew most of the story but stayed to support his son-in-law. Artie sat on one side of Tim with Jethro on the other side of him.

Tony looked around but Tim, guessing who he was looking for said, “The Baltimore siblings, along with Nikki, Ned, and Bec already know. The exceptions are Sarah, James, and probably Jimmy and Breena as I don’t want Sarah and Breena to worry. I’ll tell Abby later, unless Fred’s already told her. Ducky and Athena also know. As I said, I really don’t want to worry Sarah or Breena which means James and Jimmy shouldn’t know, don’t want to add to their stress either.”

Lu sat next to Tony, knowing he might need some comfort. She’d known what Tim was about to tell them since one of Tim’s first few nights at the shelter, staying there along with little Sarah, Rob and Rob’s mother, Ellen Brill who was the kids’ shelter mother. That was probably one of the few times Ellen stayed all night and was definitely the only time she ever showed concern for any of the three children, including her own son.

When Tim had a nightmare during their third night at the shelter, Ellen woke and managed to wake him. One of the other mothers had also wakened and said she’d keep an eye on Sarah and Rob as well as their belongings. As was the custom, Ellen carried her pack and helped Tim with his belongings as they walked out to the main room. Lu was on duty that night and hearing the two, took one look at Tim and brought out her personal bottle of pink digestive liquid. Pouring a dose into a clean glass, she watched Tim drink it and then sat with him and Ellen at one of the tables. Ellen promptly put her head down on the table and went back to sleep while Lu pulled Tim into her arms and cuddled him. She shook her head. He was extraordinarily small for a child who had recently turned 10.  Asking about the nightmare, he told her as much as he could remember of his life. When he said his stomach was better and he was sleepy again, he washed up and then they woke Ellen and the two of them went back to the sleeping area.

Now, decades later, she sat listening to her son. He tried to leave out the details of his captivity, including what had been done to him, but no one was having any of that. So he told them what he remembered, losing his sight, his hair disappearing, being unable to walk, having stitches, large bandages and scars appearing, waking up and finding that days or even weeks had disappeared, finding himself in a new house without any warning, the mystery rash that appeared and disappeared.

He also spoke about his helper, Ken, and how he’d eventually realized that when Ken said he had to leave, it meant they were going to do something to him again. He talked about the backyards he remembered playing in, Ken teaching him the periodic tables, Lu, Artie and Jethro sat up straight at that, looking at each other. That was new and Jethro stopped him and had him say it again, this time recording him and then sending the recording to Vance.

Eventually, Tim finished and sagged back into the sofa he was sitting on, exhausted. Tony, Dick and Charlie were crying while Peter hoped he never had to hear it all again and Bill was nauseous.  

When Tim said all the Baltimore siblings knew, he’d forgotten that they’d known some of the story but had never heard all of the details. Tony thought he would never have believed he could be so happy about a kid being placed in foster care or escaping to a homeless camp!

When Dick asked Tim if he’d ever heard from Chris, the teen boy on the bus, Lu, Tim and Bill smiled, remembering. Tim graduated from high school at 13, although it was only a couple of weeks before his 14^th birthday. He’d skipped a few grades and graduated with Geordie, Freddie, Joe and Barry and the rest of their class.

When Tim looked a question at Bill, he managed to smile, nodding at his younger brother, relieved to share a happy part of his brother’s story.

Bill looked at the others, “Dick, yes, Tim did see Chris again, in fact we all did. Tim graduated from high school in the same class as Joe, Freddie, Barry and Geordie.  A couple of days before their graduation and the parties we had planned, I was in a grocery store near where I lived when a man about my age walked up to me, asking if I knew Tim McGee. I asked the guy’s name and the man said he was Chris, the guy who rode the bus across country with Tim when he was 9. I knew what had happened, we all liked hearing how Tim met Sarah and how much money his new friend had given him.

“Anyway, the man told me enough of the story that I thought this guy could be the real Chris. When he wanted to see Tim, I drove him to the camp and then watched as he walked right up behind Tim, without anyone pointing him out, and tapped him on the shoulder, saying, “Hey little brother, I hear you’ve finished high school!”

“Tim whirled around and from the look on his face, I knew this was really Tim’s Chris. You have to realize that with the lives we led as homeless orphans and as young and scared as my brothers and sister were, and I should include myself in that, even though I had a job and a place to live I never stopped worrying that all the good things would disappear. Anyway, over the years this guy Chris had attained nearly magical or guardian angel status with them and I was perfectly willing to go along with their beliefs. Sometimes those beliefs were all that kept them, us, going, that somehow some magical or religious thing would happen to help us. While the Potter books came out later, there were other books about magical kids, I remember “Books of Magic” by Neil Gaiman and “Wizard’s Hall” by Jane Yolen. Tim would find books at the library about magic happening to kids and read them to the others and me if I happened to be visiting. A few times, the 8 of us spent the night or even a weekend at Ms. Lu’s house and we took turns reading aloud then.

“So that was how we viewed Chris and yes, he stayed for the graduation. It was an outdoor ceremony held on the football field so the graduates didn’t have to limit their guests. Chris sat with Malu, Rob, Sarah and me along with the Jamisons, Duarte Silva, his uncle, Mrs. Hoover and Linda Mac from the elementary school and the day care center.” He smiled, “I didn’t know Tim, Sarah or Rob yet when I graduated from high school but I remember how great it felt to have people cheering and applauding for me and that day the 5 smiled just as happily as I had at my graduation. Chris stayed over, going to both of their graduation parties, one at the shelter, the other at the camp.”

He smiled at Tim, who took up the story. “Chris left a few days later. Rob and Sarah stayed with Geordie and the others, including Bill, in the guys’ tent, along with our belongings, while I walked my friend to the bus depot. After exchanging hugs, I went back to the camp and we sat around talking about Chris for a long time. It felt good when everyone agreed that he did seem somewhat like a guardian angel or what little we knew about guardian angels, which was mostly from watching the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the shelter every Christmas.

“As Freddie said at the time, “He isn’t God because then he would take you away from here and we’d go with you. But a guardian angel who’s allowed to help, yeah.” I wasn’t sure I believed in either God or magic but Chris was definitely unusual.

“Later that night as I reached into my case for something, I found a note from Chris, wishing me well and saying he’d see me again sometime. The note was attached to a photo of us, Chris and me, on the bus. I didn’t remember anyone taking a photo of us or of Chris having a camera and the bus ride occurred years before cell phone cameras but I shrugged it off. I eventually had the photo framed and it’s on a bookshelf in my home office.”

When Tony later asked if he’d seen Chris since the graduation, Tim shook his head, “No.”

“Do you know his last name?”

Tim smiled, “No. When you’re escaping from something as I was, you either give a phony name or you don’t share. I didn’t even know Bill’s last name until we returned from Cambridge and by then he was using Camilo.”

“I can’t imagine you being called anything but Tim or Timothy. It’s the perfect name for you.”

“Thanks, Tony.”

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When Tony received the call from the Security Chief with the information the task force needed, he immediately contacted Agent Roger Martinez in Marseilles, the retired SSA who’d volunteered to manage the team and office while Ned was away. After Tony also contacted Leon, he was surprised to have a call from Pete Russell, who invited him to their office to watch the take-down.

The drive to Piraeus didn’t take long and Tony nodded to Pete who opened the door to the office. After greeting the Athens team, most of whom he knew from their visits to the beach in Varkiza, he was asked how he’d found the ‘bad guy’. He opened his mouth to answer as their MTAC screen opened and Special Agent Jeff Andreson appeared from his location in San Diego, California. He grinned at the former Agent DiNozzo. “Yes, how did you find him?”

With a feral smile, Tony held up a piece of paper. “I spoke with a contact at the US Embassy in London. He ran a scan on the name and found a written note on a Customs record that your guy has multiple passports. That helped us find him. He’s here in Europe as you thought. The embassy contact also told me the man’s name was directly translatable into German and it turns out that is how he’s been hiding for so long. He uses the German version of his American name and is traveling under an EU passport, he either has dual citizenship in the US and an EU member country, or it’s a phony passport. Once we had the name, my contacts found him and are now keeping him under surveillance pending your instructions.”

“Do they have the authority to arrest him?”

“No, they’re a security firm. However, we have an office, excuse me, your closest NCIS office is in Marseille, less than 20 miles from his location. I’ve already given a head’s up to Agent Martinez. I checked your regulations and we’re not allowed to transport him on my company’s aircraft.”

Agent Andreson huffed, “We’ll find a government flight! Thanks so much! You’re staying for the takedown, right?”

Tony nodded with a grin, “Oh yeah.”

He sat drinking a cup of coffee with Pete’s team while Andreson called the Marseille team lead and arranged for the arrest of one William Carpenter, also known in the EU as Wilhelm Zimmermann.

In Marseille, Roger Martinez said they’d wear jacket and cap cameras so they could watch the takedown. Jeff notified his SAC and Director Vance.

After the excitement of finally locating ‘Ken’, they waited and while they did, the Athens team did some of their paper work. Tony had to keep his laughter to himself, remembering the drudgery of the seemingly endless paper work. Occasionally one of them asked Tony questions about his days at NCIS.

Tony thought about that later. When he and his former teammates talked about their work these days, somehow they managed to slide over the grueling parts of it, the out of town cases that sometimes kept them away from home for days, the reluctant or even hostile witnesses, searching for evidence in all kinds of nasty places, the fire fights and outright battles they occasionally had with the bad guys, along with the seemingly endless, although necessary, paperwork and all the other unpleasant things. He huffed to himself, he hadn’t thought about his bout with the plague and pneumonia in years and that was just as well.

While the four of them had been and still were proud of their work, they also acknowledged to each other that although leaving the MCRT hadn’t been their choice, they were very happy with their current lives, especially once the team, always including Ducky, Jimmy and Abby, had reconnected.

When he made an amused noise as someone sighed over a forgotten form, Pete looked up with a grin, “Miss this?”

“The paperwork? Mmm, can’t say that I do. Although I am responsible for reports in my current job, I delegate them and then write a summary.”

One of the newer agents looked up, “What do you do now?”

Tony grinned, “I’m vice president of Paddington North Sea Oil Company.”

That caused several eyebrows to raise while Pete laughed at their reaction, finally saying, “You never know what’s going to happen when you join NCIS! Tony’s a vice president of a multi-million dollar company, Tim’s an SAC, Ziva, that’s Ziva David, is part-owner and director of a ballet school, and Gibbs, their SSA, went from a widower and a  3-times ex-husband to happily married and dad to 12 adults and grandfather to, how many, Tony?”

“There are currently 12, with 2 more due in April.” He grinned at Pete, “And between us 12 adults and our partners, there will be more to come.”

The agents returned to their reports while Tony played Tetris on his phone (some things hadn’t changed!) and Pete reviewed the reports his SFA sent him.

They’d been told it would take about two hours to reach the man’s location, as they first had to apply for an arrest warrant with extradition and then wait to receive it. Then there was also the traffic, although it was past commute hours in that part of France. When the Marseille team reached the town where Carpenter/Zimmermann was staying, the local police would be notified and the NCIS team would have copies of the warrants for them.  

Although to those who were waiting the time felt far longer than two hours, in real time the Marseille team was in place in less than 90 minutes. In San Diego, Washington, D.C., Marseille and Piraeus, laptop and phone screens suddenly came to life with images of a hotel corridor as the team entered the building, stopping briefly in the lobby and then moving up the stairs toward the man’s room.

One of the agents knocked on the door with the man’s room number on it, identifying himself as a US Federal Agent. As the door opened, the screens split, with one side showing the image as seen by someone wearing an NCIS cap with a camera attached and the other showing the image as seen by someone wearing a camera a little lower, probably on their NCIS jacket.

Nearly everyone watching held their breaths as a man with grey hair, beard and brown eyes slowly opened the door. He stood for a few seconds, looking puzzled before speaking in German, “Yes, may I help you?”

One of the agents fluent in German spoke, identifying himself before saying their suspect’s American name in English and then his German name and the rest of his question in German, “Sir, are you William Carpenter, also known as Wilhelm Zimmermann?”

The man closed his eyes, sighed and nodded as he said, this time in English, “Yes, I am William Carpenter.”

Within minutes, they’d read him his rights while he made no effort to resist. Those watching were relieved as he was placed in the NCIS van to be driven to Marseille. The local police left when the NCIS team did, having already satisfied their curiosity about the arrested man. He was not a citizen of France. They only suggested the Americans make sure their bad guy had paid his hotel bill.  Special Agent Martinez told them they’d checked that before going to his room, it was paid in full.

While the takedown was in progress, the Marseille office manager found room on a US government flight leaving later that evening from Marseille. It was a CIA flight and they could assign custody to one or more of the CIA agents who would be on the flight. When Martinez sent a text with the information to Director Vance, asking how they should proceed, Vance made a quick call to CIA Director Beau McKinley and that helped his decision.

As the European NCIS field teams were almost always stretched thin, Director Vance opted to have the Marseille team sign custody over to the CIA agents recommended by Director McKinley, rather than have two NCIS agents make the long flights to and from the US.

The CIA flight would land at a secured airfield near DC where the CIA agents would sign custody of Carpenter back over to NCIS agent Jim O’Brien and his Senior Field Agent, who would tuck him away in NCIS’ holding cell for the night. The following morning they would escort him to San Diego on the NCIS jet. Toddler Tim’s caregiver ‘Ken’ would finally be interrogated and formally charged at the Southwest office.

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During the days prior to his grandfather’s memorial service, Ned met with the temporary SAC at MCW and was relieved to be told that they had plenty of work for him to do and that he could come and go as he wished, she understood his grandmother needed help dealing with everything.

Checking by email with Ned as to his planned work schedule for the following days, Tim then made an appointment to meet with the woman who was filling in for him at MCW. His meeting was for a day when Ned would not be at the office.

As planned, Tim met with the Marine Corps West Field Office's current SAC the afternoon of the day they arrived, liking her no-nonsense approach as well as her sense of humor. She was glad to meet him, saying she looked forward to seeing him again when he was through with ‘everything’. Having already looked up her record prior to her early retirement, Tim was satisfied that she would do a good job and had a similar work ethic to his.

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Although it felt and sounded ghoulish to even mention or think about it, a bright side of the family attending Walt’s service was that it gave Tim, Artie and his parents a chance to view in person the residential hotel they might be able to live in during Tim’s 2-3 year ‘special assignment’. The hotel was north of San Diego in a town called Playa Vieja, which translated to Old Beach.

In those busy days between Walter’s death and the arrival of various family members for his service, Tim contacted their relocation agent, explaining that he, his wife and many of their large family would be in Arizona for a memorial service in early February and he and his wife hoped the two of them and probably Tim’s parents would be able to tour the residential hotel north of San Diego.

Tim didn’t mention that even though he would be in the Southwest US, he wouldn’t be able to attend the service in person. There would be too many people and too much activity to take the chance. Instead, with the approval of his security teams and the lead investigator into his past, Special Agent Jeff Andreson, he would stay at the hotel in San Diego and watch via Skype. Tim’s individual Skype call for the service would be recorded and saved by NCIS.

There were others in their family who weren’t making the transatlantic trip, they would also watch via Skype, although through their home connections. That list included Sarah and James, the former Palmers, now the junior Mallards, and most of the Greek family. Artemis, Athena and Sophia would be at the service in person to represent the Greek families within the larger family.

The relocation agent contacted Tim early the next day, saying the local agent would be happy to walk them through, they had permission from the owners and had asked if the rest of the family would like a virtual tour.

Tim asked those he thought might be interested in a tour, physically or via Skype: his parents, Rob, Geo and Bec, all three of his grandfathers, Uncle LJ, Cousin Richard, Ben Childers, Uncle Charlie and Tricia, Athena, Peter, Rhode, Sophia, Dick, Tony, Maggie, Joe, Char, Freddie, Abby and the Porters. All of them said yes.

Those who were at home in Europe added the virtual tour to their schedules while those who would still be either in Arizona or southern California made plans to be on site or watch either via Skype or FaceTime through their smart phones.

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The service for Walter Dorneget was lovely, with many stories told and memories shared. A contingent of World War II veterans attended, one of them told Margaret he’d known Walt during the war and remembered how happy he’d been when he met her, saying he'd met the girl he was going to marry. Jackson and LJ were glad they’d decided to come. While it was a sad occasion, it also felt good to be with people who’d fought in the same war, whether on the ground, in the air like the two of them or at sea as well as those who worked as support for the various troops.

While Barry and Ned worried a little about their reception, as surrounded as they were by family and friends, being introduced by Margaret to old and new friends and neighbors, they quickly forgot their qualms. As Barry said later, it wouldn’t have mattered anyway, they were there for Margaret and to say goodbye to Walter and that was what was important.

Tim watched from his hotel room with Rob who hadn’t wanted his brother to be alone. While they watched the service itself, when the images turned to the reception afterward, the two played cards, ordered an extravagant lunch and listened to the bits of conversations they could hear. Occasionally one of their family would swing by the laptop for a chat and that was just enough.

While several people would leave for home on Sunday, others had now decided to stay for the virtual or physical tour of the possible newest, albeit temporary, home for part of their family. As Tony and Maggie had decided to stay for the physical tour, neither minded arranging the second flight for the family, amending the passenger lists.

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Tiring of watching the reception and playing cards, Tim and Rob found the contact information for the realtor in CA who would give them the tour Sunday morning and Tim pinged her from his laptop.

The woman smiled as she answered, “Hello, Gibbses! Are you ready for your tour tomorrow?”

“Yes, we are. I’m excited about it.” Tim gestured to Rob, “This is my brother Rob Gibbs and I’m Timothy Gibbs. We’re currently in San Diego while many of our family are attending the memorial service of a senior family member near Phoenix. As we were unable to be there, we thought we’d take the opportunity to speak with you. We have a large family to house and thought we’d better get going with this, even if we aren’t moving over until late August!”  

“Thank you for the explanation, I’m sorry for the loss of your family member. What a wonderful thing that many of you have been able to come to say goodbye. And yes, starting your search now is smart, especially for a large group. Did you like what you heard about the house and property?”

“Yes and depending on the size and condition, it sounds good for what we’ll need. My wife and I, our children, Rob here and our parents aren’t leaving for home, which is currently Athens, until Monday evening. Just about everyone else, and there are close to 40 of us here right now, will leave for home Sunday evening.”

“And everyone lives in Europe?”

“No, we also have family here from San Francisco, New York City, Massachusetts and Maryland. One of our sisters and one of our sisters in-law are pregnant, both due in April and are at home in the UK, with their husbands and our sister’s in-laws as well as my wife’s sister’s in-laws, who are there to lend a hand if necessary. No one connected with them, especially our parents, wants to be away any longer than necessary.”

Rob chuckled at the look on the woman’s face, “Don’t try to figure us out, please, you’ll get a headache. We currently have 54 people in our group of families.”

Tim nodded, “As Rob says, we’re essentially a group of families who’ve grown into one large family.”

“Thank you, that helps! All right, so how many people will be physically available for our walk through of the property?”

“Rob and I have figured about 20. I don’t know how many will actually live with us as it’s only for 2 to 3 years, but we hope to host the family’s Christmas celebrations here so we’ll need many guest rooms.”

“And the total number for that would be 54?”

Rob tilted his head, saying, “We should probably round that up to 60.”

Tim nodded, “And, I don’t know if you can tell over Skype, but we have 5 men in the family who are quite tall, including Rob here who is one of the tallest. We have 2 who are 6’5”, that’s Rob and another brother, then 2 who are 6’4” and 1 who is 6’3”. Two more of us are close to 6’2”, so we need tall doorways, ceilings, showers and large bedrooms. In addition to needing the height, our longer beds take up more space.”

She nodded, “All right. The hotel closed during the recession but was updated shortly before everything fell apart so we should be all right for the heights of everything and the rooms are all spacious. Now, Rob, will you be one of those viewing the place tomorrow?”

“Yes and as Tim said I’m one of the tallest, so that works out well. We also wanted to know if it’s all right if we record our tour for those who can’t be here.”

“Thank you, I’ll ask the owners. I can tell you more about the place now, if you’d like?”

When both men nodded, she told them the property was 6 ½ acres and sat on bedrock with an elevation of almost 1000 feet above the ocean. Smiling, she told them that one acre bordered the ocean, although there was no beach and the acre itself was fenced off from the rest of the property. “Basically, the owners bought that acre to prevent anyone else from building on it, to keep track of erosion and then built the fence to prevent guests from wandering out on it. While it’s lovely to look at it is very dangerous to walk on. As I said, there’s no beach at the bottom of the rock, just rock. However, there is a lovely beach in less than 5 minutes’ drive.

“The rest of the property is also fenced with an alarm, to keep the deer and their predators out as well as human trespassers. There is a caretaker who lives on site and he also takes care of the gardens.”

Tim and Rob grinned at each other, Tim telling the agent, “My wife and I own property in Greece, 2 lots next to each other, with a 3^rd lot at the end of the street owned by someone else; there are only 3 lots on the street. My wife is an architect and civil engineer and she and one of our brothers are just finishing building the house on the 3^rd lot for our neighbors. When we bought the property and realized it might be a few years before we would build on it, we hired a caretaker who lives on the middle lot. He’s also a gardener!”

The agent smiled, “Wonderful, so having a caretaker isn’t a new idea. That makes things much easier. He’s been there for nearly 20 years and will be able to tell you many things about the property over the years. If I may ask, you’ve referenced living in the UK and in Greece. Which is your main home?”

Tim shook his head, “Frankly, it depends on the weather and what either my wife or I are doing in our jobs. Since last July, my wife has been working on the neighbors’ new home as I said, and we’ve been traveling back and forth between Greece and the UK. She went back and forth once school started in September, our older twins are in reception, that’s kindergarten in the UK, so my wife was flying back and forth, then some weekends we flew out to spend them with her. At some point, I got tired of that and my boss gave me permission to work in Athens rather than London. That was easier. We still went back and forth and then when we were home in the UK, there were nasty storms and we evacuated to Greece. We did that more than once last year.

“It’s also quite cold in the UK in winter and there have been years when members of our family have spent winters in Greece, which has a climate somewhat similar to San Diego. And the opposite is true for summer, the UK has in the past had fairly mild summers, with a lot of rain. However, the summers there are also heating up and very few places have any air conditioning. Now that we know what air conditioning does to the environment, not to mention that it isn’t cheap to install, people are sweltering with fans, etc.

“Greek summers have traditionally been hot and humid and those temperatures are also climbing with climate change. Whereas we used to head for Greece for weeks in the summer, geez, I’m forgetting important details! My wife is Greek, although she is also a US citizen, and her grandmother, father, stepmother, mother and other family live there and since we moved to Europe in 2010, many of the family have learned to speak the language fairly well.

“Anyway, we used to have an annual family reunion in a beach town near Athens. However, in the past two years, we’ve moved our reunion to the Highlands of Scotland, where one of our grandfathers owns the house he was raised in. It’s on the east coast of Scotland so there are beaches there and tolerable temperatures and that’s where we now gather for our annual reunion.

“Currently, for my immediate family, our main home is outside of Athens, in a town called Varkiza where my in-laws live. We rent a vacation home there, we’ve rented the same place every year since 2010 and this year we’ve rented it through April as we’ll spend the Easter break there. And our children are now attending an international school.  

“In England, we live in a small town called Jaxton in the countryside outside London, about 25 minutes out, in a very large house that was formerly a country manor. It’s owned by our eldest brother, who inherited it and we rent it from him. I should also mention that we’re all adopted, none of us, there are 12 siblings, share DNA.

“Anyway, the house in Jaxton has 4 floors, including a basement with laundry facilities and an indoor pool and we’ve added an elevator and made several changes to the interior, with my brother’s approval of course. Usually there are 23 of us living there, including Rob, although he’s a frequent visitor, doesn’t actually live there. He’s a resident at one of London’s premier hospitals so he has a flat near the hospital but likes to come home to sleep, swim, catching up on the family news and eat. “

“23 people in one house!”

Tim and Rob laughed, “We’ll show you photos tomorrow.”

“How many children in that count?”

Tim had to stop and think about that, “We have 4, Jasper 5, Brian and Mia, 7” he looked at Rob, “Am I missing anyone?”

“I don’t think so. Kenna and Maddie live in London, Sarah’s baby isn’t born yet and Breena and Jimmy aren’t moving in until after their baby is born. That will make 10, with little Donnie.” Rob looked at the agent, “Our eldest brother and his wife have 2 daughters and our sister-in-law’s father lives with them but they’re in London.

“Even with 23 people in the house, there are still many rooms available, they fill up at Christmas and during the summers. While Tim and Artemis are here, everyone will come here instead of London.” He winced as he said that, shaking his head, “That is, some of our family will come, not all.” Then he brightened again, “Our Greek family will be here for Greek Christmases. They celebrate on January 6^th.  It seems like that’s changing now in Greece, to December 25^th although I don’t think our family will change. I believe that’s 16 additional people.”

“You have 2 Christmas celebrations?”

When both men nodded, she smiled. Moving on, she asked about anyone with mobility problems and Rob nodded firmly. “Yes, we have several elderly gentlemen who live with us in Jaxton, three grandfathers, our dad’s godfather as well as our dad’s elderly cousin who visits for months at a time. And although she gets around just fine, Tim’s grandmother-in-law, who is also the partner of one of our grandfathers, should forgo stairs if possible. If all of them can be on the main floor as they are in Jaxton, that would be great.”

“So that’s 5 rooms on the first floor, is that right?”

Tim nodded, “Yes and if there were a few extra for those who become pregnant or have babies, small children, that will be wonderful! I know of one brother and 1 sister who are planning to expand their families.

Rob’s eyes grew large while Tim just looked at him. “Ziva and Brian and Joe and Char.”

“Oh. I forgot Ziva and Brian want to adopt.”

“Jasper will be three this year, I wouldn’t be surprised if Bill and Nikki also adopt.”

Rob nodded, “Joe and Char want two more and Maggie’s hinted about another baby.”

Tim shook his head, “However, of the people we mentioned, only our sister Ziva and her husband, our brother Joe, his wife and son, and our brother Tony and his wife and daughters will be visiting while we’re here.”

“What about Dick and Sophia, I mean for the main floor?”

“I don’t think they need it although they might prefer it.”

“So a total of 8 rooms on the first floor?”

“If there are 10, then our parents can also stay there. They don’t need it but it might be more convenient for them, put all of us with children who are at least toddlers upstairs, then we can install baby gates.”

“There’s also an elevator there.”

“Good! What about the pool, is it fully fenced?”

“Yes, fenced, locked and alarmed.”

Rob chuckled, “That makes Tim happy!”

“Hey, you don’t remember our sister wandering off when you two were little?”

“Yeah, I do. It’s a good thing Nate and Big John stayed up as late as they did. I forgot about the times they found her curled up with Juanita.”

Tim nodded, ready to move on. “All right, thank you for your help. Shall we meet you at the property or somewhere else?”

“Let’s meet at my office, then you can follow me up to the property.”

“Great!”

She gave them the address of the office as well as that of the property before disconnecting and while Rob found the directions to the real estate office, Tim looked online for any mention of the property, including on the county website. He smiled, “This place sounds like a treasure, it’s been owned by members of the same family since the early 1900s.”

Rob was surprised, “As a hotel?”

“No, it started as a family home for a large family. When they grew up and had their own families, they eventually expanded the house into a hotel for all the grandkids, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc., sounds like us!

“They started renting rooms to the public after World War II, advertising it as a place for families and friends to reunite, updated the foundation and all the buildings in the 1950s, bought the acre that borders the ocean, added a full service restaurant, updated the gardens, installed new fences and pools, ooh, plural pools, in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

“The foundation, fireplace and chimney were again updated in the early 2000s, while the appliances, windows, exterior awnings, plumbing, heating, air conditioning and electrical and the interior furnishings were last updated between 2006 and 2007, before the recession, and the place closed down in 2010. The current owners include 3 people who are related to the original family, that’s awesome.”

“How long has it been up for sale?”

“Since 2012, when they voted to sell the place. That’s sad.”

“Yeah, it is.” Rob looked at his brother, recognizing the gleam in his eye, “Really? I thought we were only going to be here for 2 or 3 years.”

“Yes but this sounds,” Tim shook his head, “You’re right. We need to get our Varkiza property developed before we do anything else.”

“Do you want to come back here to live, I mean permanently? Or at least as one of your homes?”

Tim sighed, “Not particularly. I know Leon still hopes I’ll step up to take his place when he retires but I don’t want his job and we’d have to live back east anyway. At best, this property would be an investment, not a 3^rd home.”

“Fourth, you forgot whatever you’re going to do in Scotland.”

Tim laughed, “You’re right, I did. Come on, I have a text from Artie that they’re leaving Phoenix in 30 minutes.”

“Are we picking them up?”

“I am, I want to see my wife, children and our parents. They’ve had a long, tough day.”

“Yes, you’re right. How about I pick up Mom and Dad?”

Tim looked at his phone and shook his head, “Never mind, Tony’s got it all organized.”

“Don’t tell me, a bus?”

“Probably, it’s the most practical. Oh, Maggie says the bus is picking up…no, I can’t do that. You can though.”

“Ah geez, Tim.”

“Better get used to it. I can’t be alone with them, doesn’t mean I can’t see them at all for the next 2 years.”

Rob opened his mouth to say something a bit whiny when he remembered why this was happening, to help lead to successful convictions for the creeps who’d tortured his brother as a little boy. Keeping his mouth shut, he walked over to his brother to give him a big hug and kiss. “I’m glad you’re allowed to see and talk to them with the rest of us around and right now I’m really thankful I don’t work for NCIS, don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t talk with you in private.”

“I can also probably talk with them on the phone, on FaceTime or Skype since those conversations can be recorded.”

“Good, then let’s do that.” Changing the subject, Rob said he was excited about seeing the property in the morning and Tim smiled, “Me too! I hope Artie, Mom and Dad like it!”

“You know, oh, never mind.”

“What?”

“I was thinking Ned’s grandmother could live with us here. I forgot she’s moving to Marseilles to live with Barry, Ned and the girls.”

“Right, that’s still a nice thought though, Robbie. C’mon, let’s see about dinner reservations somewhere.”

“For 40 people, on a Saturday?”

“Something like that, yes. Guessing we’ll need to reserve a banquet room somewhere!”

Just to be sure, they messaged Maggie to see if anyone had done anything or had any ideas and she called Tim, laughing. “Your brother handled transportation, I found a place for all of us for dinner. And yes, on a Saturday night, for 35 people! Margaret and Ned are staying at the Dornegets’ house for a couple of days to meet with the movers and make sure Margaret has everything tagged that she wants to take on the plane. Barry and the girls are flying to London with the Sunday group and Ava has a week’s worth of schoolwork with her as they don’t want her back until she’s all through with jet lag. No falling asleep at her desk! The restaurant where we’ll eat was Margaret’s idea so I’m sure the food will be good.”

“Are they giving us the banquet room?”

“Yes and I think that’s funny that there are so many of us we need the banquet room!”

“Makes sense, though, we’ve never gone out to eat when this many of us are gathered.”

“That’s true, all right, the doors are closing, I have to get off the phone now. See you at the hotel!”

Chapter Text

Ch 26: Questions, Touring

Rob watched his brother pacing the length of the room, not sure if Tim was worried about the flight or the overall situation. The flight from Phoenix was in the air although it wouldn’t arrive for another hour and while Rob knew Tim would always worry when separated from his wife and children, he decided the pacing had more to do with his case.  

“Tim, want to talk about it?”

“Yes but I’m not sure with whom.”

“How about me for starters or is it classified?”

His brother shook his head, “No, it’s not classified, it’s a matter of procedure, routine procedure and I don’t understand why it’s not being followed.”

“Would Dad or Leon be able to help?”

Again shaking his head, Tim took a deep breath, “I don’t think so, Robbie. I think I need to speak with someone not involved in my case.” He frowned, “I can’t decide who that should be.”

“You said it’s procedural, is it a law?”

Halfway across the room, Tim turned to look at his brother. “No. Although it’s so routinely used, deviating from the norm is something I don’t understand. And,” Tim crossed the floor to give his brother a hug, “thank you! That gives me an idea for who to contact.”

Checking his contact list, he took another deep breath before making the call.

Rob smiled at his brother when the call was answered, seeing Tim’s shoulders relax. Whoever this was, it was someone he trusted. Deciding his brother needed privacy, Rob left the room.

Tim smiled at the greeting, “Timothy Gibbs, how are you? What’s up?”

“AJ, it’s good to hear your voice. I’ve got questions about a situation I’m in and I believe I need your expertise. Actually, I want to hire you.”

“To answer questions? How about you ask me first, then we’ll see.”

Sitting, Tim explained the overall situation as succinctly as possible, the retired admiral asking a few questions. As Tim got to the crux of his worries, the man stopped him. “They what?”

Reiterating what he’d said, Tim felt some of his anxiety slip away as the man exclaimed, “You’re right to ask and I’m glad you called. Yes, I’ll take this on, you should have been advised to hire counsel from the start. Here’s what I see happening.”

Briefly, he outlined his initial plans, knowing those plans might evolve as he delved deeper into the matters Tim was questioning. After checking Tim’s schedule, including his transatlantic flight on Monday, retired Admiral Chegwidden and his client disconnected.

Tim sat, taking several deep breaths, feeling like slapping his own head for not thinking of contacting Chegwidden until now, especially after his help when Tim was illegally assigned two full-time jobs several months before! He relaxed when Rob returned and gave his shoulders a deep rub. “Feel better?”

“Yes, thanks and it helps to be told that I’m right to inquire.” Tim turned his head slightly to talk to his brother, “I’ve always been on the other side of it and with all our experiences on the MCRT and mine with the FBI, I’ve never experienced or heard of the way things are being handled. The topics aren't related, except that both have impacted me. However, this is my second go-round where I've needed outside legal help when things aren't being handled as I believe they should be.”

Rob took a wild guess, “Is this about you being ordered not to speak or be with the other NCIS employees or their spouses, our family?”

“Yes. Maybe for a day or a week, even a month but for two to three years?” He twisted around to look at his brother. “The man I spoke with is a retired Admiral, he was the Judge Advocate General for several years. After he retired, he handled a case for Gibbs and last year and the beginning of this year, he helped me with a problem. That happened the week we had to fly to Greece on New Years to avoid a hurricane and tsunamis. Now he’s representing me again.”

“Good, I’m relieved someone is doing something.”

“Dad offered but I, well, I wanted some control over things, I just couldn’t figure out who to contact.”

“You’ve had a lot going on.”

Tim let out an amused huff, “You could say that, yes.” He smiled as Rob moved around him, pulling up a chair and taking his brother’s blood pressure. “Your shoulders are always a tell, they’ve been pretty rigid. Now, they’re not quite relaxed but significantly less rigid.” He chuckled, “After twelve years of schooling and hands-on work, that’s my professional opinion. All kidding aside, your blood pressure is better than it has been although it’s still higher than I’d like. You can’t ignore that, Tim, especially when everything that’s happening isn’t going to be done anytime soon. Cut back on the caffeine and sodium and increase your water intake, just plain water, that will help. Find ways to reduce your stress, I'll send you a list of calming exercises. You've also lost too much weight, you're now at the low range for your height and build. You need to eat, Timpa and make it worthwhile food, not just anything that will make your stomach stop growling. We have jobs and money now, we need to take care of ourselves."

Tim nodded, pulling his brother to him for a hug, “Thanks, Dr. Robbie.”

“You going to tell Artie? Or Dad?”

His brother nodded, “Yes to Artie. I think I’ll let Dad figure it out. He’ll also notice my ‘less rigid shoulders’.”

“Does this mean we’re not going to do the property tour tomorrow?”

Tim made a face before sighing. “No, I think we should go ahead with that. My case isn’t the only reason Vance wants me over here. Although, that gives me an idea. I need to make another phone call. Still, we’ll need to see this place.”

Rob nodded, “I need a snack, be back in a few minutes.”

Waiting until his brother left the room, Tim made his phone call, asking a question and nodding at the answer. Three minutes later his phone chirped with a text, a question from the person he’d just contacted. Smiling, he replied.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

While it had been a long day with the flights to and from Arizona for everyone attending the service, especially for the children, their ‘banquet room’ dinner was delicious and Tim appreciated being able to relax with everyone.

Although most people were curious about the property tour Sunday morning, several wanted to rest and have some leisure time before they started their trip home later that day while others wanted time to themselves. As that included all four of Tim and Artie’s children they would stay at the hotel where they could play and swim with their aunts, uncles, cousins and great-grandparents.

Bill thought about going with the ‘tour group’ but realizing he and Nikki wouldn’t, couldn’t live there with his brother and family, decided against it.   

In the end, Lu and Jethro, Athena and Ducky, Jack, Mac, Sophia and Dick, Tony and Maggie, Rob, Geo, Bec, Freddie, Jose and his son Tommy went with the group. Those not going would likely hang out at the hotel.

The tour group piled into rental SUVs and vans, following Rob in the lead. The drive from the hotel in San Diego to the smaller town of Playa Vieja was an easy one and everyone was interested in the sights, grinning as they drove past turn offs to an ocean beach or two.  

Once in town, they quickly found the real estate agency with their realtor waiting for them. With the realtor now in the lead, the caravan set off again, driving about 3 miles southwest, smiling as they passed signs for a beach. The realtor and her followers slowed as they entered a mostly wooded area with fewer homes although they were far apart, nothing like a neighborhood. The area had plenty of trees and the adults immediately made mental notes to ask about wildfires in the general area. That had been one of their concerns in Greece and now this property.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Tim’s eyes opened wide at the first sight of the property and he glanced at Artie who was having the same reaction. A large building, presumably the hotel itself, rose from the southern end of the property, which was surrounded by a tall,  wrought iron fence. The realtor had been slowing down and now pulled to a stop outside the gate.

Across from the large building, on the northern side, was a long building. The multiple garage doors, Tim counted 8, included one larger door at the end that he thought was big enough for a recreational vehicle.

Before they exited their vehicles, Tim, Artie, Freddie and Jose attached small cameras to their clothing or hats and turned them on, little Tommy giggling at his daddy, aunt and uncles.

At the hotel in San Diego, in homes on the US East Coast, in Jaxton, London and Varkiza, friends and family smiled as they saw the first views of the possible new, albeit temporary, home for their family. On their flight from Phoenix to San Diego, Barry and his daughters missed the viewing, although Barry knew it was happening and felt sad. In Jaxton, Sarah blinked back tears, thinking she’d never get to see it. In London, Jimmy felt the same as Sarah and Barry. Ned and his grandmother had decided not to watch and kept themselves busy.

Watching her clients exit the SUVs and vans when they rolled onto the property that morning, the real estate agent chuckled to herself.  She quickly identified the two former service members, although she thought there were more than the two, she spotted what she thought of as military postures in at least two others.

She smiled, “Welcome and thank you for joining our tour this morning! My name is Steph. Before we look at the hotel, since we’ve parked where we have, I’ll tell you a bit about the garage before we move on.

“The garage has 16 parking spaces, all but two are the same size, built to accommodate larger vehicles such as vans, SUVs, etc. At the far end, the last parking area is substantially longer, built to accommodate two of the larger recreational vehicles. The garage was built when the original house was built and has been renovated a few times since then, increasing the size and number of parking spaces, adding power doors, interior lights and other improvements.  

“All right, we’ll visit the interior of the garage toward the end of our tour as there are some surprises inside. Follow me as we head to the hotel itself!”

Smiling, she turned, leading them across the driveway toward the hotel, which was set substantially back from the road.

Lu smiled when she saw that Artie looked pleased. She understood that, she also liked what she was seeing. She wasn’t sure what the expression on her son’s face meant, it was pleasant enough although somewhat, she finally settled on detached.

The hotel was three stories tall and nearly as wide as it was tall, with a pitched roof. Two oversized doors, the entrance to the building, stood in the middle of a wide, shaded porch that ran the length of the front of the building.

Jethro kept a professional eye on everything, although truthfully, if the interior was anywhere near as great as the exterior, he was ready to move in. He made a mental note to have the building professionally inspected, that is to recommend that his son and daughter-in-law have the building professionally inspected before they signed any lease or rental agreement. Then he mentally rolled his eyes at himself, there was no way Artemis the engineer and Tim the investigator would not do that!

Once everyone was inside, they gathered around the realtor. She smiled, “Again, welcome! This is the lobby, which was designed to be welcoming and as this started out as a hotel where a family gathered, it has been designed to be warm, with touches of home, without being too ‘folksy’, operating as a commercial business. You also won’t find any glitz or stark modernity in here, although it is up to date, spacious and comfortable.

“This, the main building, started life over a century ago as a large residence for a family with a dozen children. When the children were grown and had families of their own, the original owners enlarged it and eventually it was given new life as a hotel, still mostly for the ever expanding family. As the original parents, aunts, uncles and then the original children aged more renovations were made, adding fire suppression sprinklers to all rooms, accessible suites and family suites, double and single rooms downstairs, elevators, three sets of stairs, including one constructed with fire walls and a separate exit as a fire/emergency exit, a lobby with a large fireplace, front desk, a large space that was once the family’s dining room and then became part of the dining room for the hotel’s commercial restaurant, the large farmhouse kitchen became a large commercial kitchen, there are private offices and more storage rooms and closets.

“Over the years, the family and there are still descendants of the original family within the ownership group, wanted comfort and space where they could rest, relax and enjoy each other’s company or for those guests who weren’t family, to enjoy the amenities offered.

“We’ll take a look at the kitchen, dining area, game room, lounge, some of the guest quarters and a few of the storage spaces here on the main floor. Then we’ll tour upstairs, at least the first floor. The power is on, the elevators are fully functional and have been recently inspected. They each hold four people with luggage, six people without luggage or one person with more luggage,” she smiled at the nods there,” and works like other elevators. The weight restrictions are posted on the doors.”

Hearing some chuckles and seeing some smiles, she sent an inquiring look to Tim, who grinned, “We have an elevator in the house where several of us live in the UK.”

“Good, then a residential elevator isn’t a new thing for you.”

She smiled as most of the group nodded. When she added that there was also a stair lift, they laughed out loud and she asked if the UK house also had one of those. When the entire group nodded, she had to make an effort not to let her smile get away from her.

Before they got started, the realtor told them some facts about the building. The commercial heating and air conditioning system was in good shape and the realtor had the maintenance details for all of that system, including the duct work. All the windows had been upgraded shortly before the recession, with triple panes to help reduce the heat build-up. Along with the many suites and rooms downstairs, there were another 110 rooms of varying sizes upstairs.

Leading them through the lobby, which had a large fireplace and large picture windows with thermal drapes, Artie was still happily emoting over the triple pane windows when she saw that the flooring was a top-of-the-line engineered wood running throughout the common areas. The realtor took them all the way to the western side of the building, where they looked inside several rooms, mostly empty although there were a couple of rooms with metal cabinets attached to the walls, storage rooms.

Moving back through the corridor, they peeked into a few storage spaces and then the realtor had to hold back a laugh at the happy noises when she showed them the room that had once been the family’s and then the hotel’s library. There were many bookcases and shelves along the walls as well as several freestanding bookcases of varying sizes within the room. Tables, large, medium and small, were scattered throughout the space and there were more happy noises when Tim flipped the overhead lights on. Artie was happy although she would insist that the freestanding bookcases be moved and fastened to the walls. It was not only a common safety measure, it was especially important in earthquake country. Heavier books would be stored on the bottom shelves with lighter books on the top shelves. When Ducky hooked an eyebrow at her, she smiled back at him, remembering a discussion the two of them had had about his library in his  Georgetown home.

Continuing their trek from the west-facing side of the building back toward the lobby, they spent several happy minutes in the large kitchen. Lu looked at her fellow cooks, “This is wonderful, it looks to me to be about the same size as our kitchen at home, with enough cupboards and plenty of counter space.” She grinned, “Love the island!”

Looking around, Jethro asked about the appliances and the realtor nodded,

“They’re in storage, have been since everything was closed in 2010. They were fairly new, only two years old and yes, they’ll be cleaned, installed and tested before anyone moves in. There is a commercial grade, six-burner range with large double ovens and two warming ovens, a stand-alone freezer, an equally large refrigerator as well as a commercial grade dish washer.” She paused, “I believe they purchased the freezer last and originally planned to have a walk-in freezer installed. However, by the time they were ready to buy the walk-in, their restaurant business had decreased so much that they purchased the large stand-alone. Have you heard about the restaurant here?”

They shook their heads and she sighed, “It was one of the top 5-rated restaurants in San Diego county for several years. They had a chef who could please anyone and his specialty dishes were wonderful, I still miss his amazing meals. People made reservations weeks ahead of time but they always kept tables available for hotel guests.” She chuckled, “I have friends who stayed at the hotel just so they could eat in the restaurant!”

“What happened?”

“The chef moved on. When his contract came up for renewal, he asked for a share of ownership in the restaurant and, sadly, the owners said they’d think about it but apparently didn’t. He left two months later for a higher paying position, one that also included a share of the ownership of the restaurant.” She shook her head, “From what I’ve heard, he’s still there, owns 50% of the restaurant which is now the top rated restaurant within 150 miles.”

Tim made a face, “Good for him but ouch for the owners.”

“Yes, they still regret their reluctance to offer any kind of ownership. Business would likely have dipped during the recession but there were plenty of well-heeled restaurant patrons who weren’t affected by the economy.” She looked at the others, “So, do you like the kitchen?”

Uncle Charlie looked around, “Yes but does the equipment include a microwave and if so is it huge?”

“Yes and while I wouldn’t say it’s huge, it is commercial grade. But you can add a smaller microwave, that’s not a problem, the building’s electrical supply is generous.” She added that the electrical, heating, air, plumbing and other systems were inspected every year. Looking at the younger people in the tour group she said, “And yes, there has been and will be wi-fi on site and available in every room as well as outdoors.”

After they finished ogling the kitchen, they saw the huge room, formerly the restaurant, that would be the dining room and Rob quipped, “Finally, a room large enough for all of us!”

His dad chuckled, “Although we’ll still need tables and chairs, I believe you’re right.”

Jose tilted his head, “Dad, even if we’ll only have one of the family carpenters, Freddie and I do all right at carpentry, especially if you guide us.”

Tony, Tim and some of the others also volunteered and Jethro grinned, “Thanks! It’ll be great working with you all, especially to determine what configuration we need to seat all of us. Artemis?!”

She grinned, “Yes, Jethro. Lu, Char, Maggie and I will get right on it!” Jose beamed at the mention of his wife’s name, he knew she’d love to be included. Bec was relieved, she was great at gardening and other things but designing furniture, especially a table for their huge family, was not something she wanted to do.

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After touring the rest of the common areas, including several offices, the group walked almost all the way back to the entrance, turning right down a brightly lit corridor located across from a point between the lobby and the front desk. As they walked, the realtor told them they were about to take a look at a few suites and hotel rooms on this level. She explained that those who didn’t want to continue the tour upstairs could see what the hotel rooms and suites looked like. That made several people happy!

They passed a laundry room, the realtor explaining that although there was a main laundry room in the back of the building, reminding them they’d only looked at half of the back part of the building, each floor also had laundry facilities. That way, guests could choose to do their own laundry or have the staff do it. She also mentioned that the laundry equipment was in storage with the kitchen appliances.

They first toured a suite, which everyone seemed to like. This was a small suite, one bedroom, one bathroom, a separate living area and an alcove with countertop and 2 small cabinets that the realtor said was a kitchenette. She added that other suites had up to five bedrooms, they’d see a larger suite next. Ducky and Athena smiled as they looked around, liking the layout, the bedroom was at the back of the suite with a window that opened, the alcove, which they were told would include a microwave, mini-fridge, sink and cabinets along with a table that folded out to seat four, the living area with plenty of room for a sofa or two, a TV stand and a few bookcases. 

The bedroom was large enough for a Cal King bed, Tim, Tony, Rob and in Jaxton and Varkiza, James and Ian were happy to see that, two upright dressers with a decent sized walk-in closet. When the realtor saw concern on a few faces, she added that the closets were larger in the larger suites. She was relieved when that seemed to satisfy those concerned.

Next they looked at a two bedroom suite, which satisfied the grandparents in the group, glad they’d still be able to have their grandchildren for sleepovers. It was noticeably larger and the walk-in closets were also larger. Athena wondered if this wouldn’t be a better option for them, one or more of the older great-grandchildren, that is those who were toilet trained, occasionally had sleepovers with them. Her younger grandchildren, Cassie, Matthaíos, Katerina and Damaris, also liked to stay with her when they were visiting. If they had a sofa bed, then Matthaíos could sleep on that while his sister and Nik’s girls could sleep in the second bedroom.

The next room they viewed was a basic hotel room and they nodded at that, it looked fine for visitors, it was spacious, with plenty of room to move around and if the visitors were there for Christmas, they speculated there was even room for their own tree. Rob thought he might take one of these, he didn’t think he’d need the kitchenette as he was likely to only be here on his days off.

Geo and Bec, Tim and Artie, Tony and Maggie, Freddie and Jose were happy with the next few rooms as they were suites with a varying number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Geo and Bec wanted a four bedroom, 2 ½ bath suite so that Grampy Ben could stay with them when visiting and Jose smiled to himself at that, he and Char hoped they would also need four bedrooms, including one for Grampy.

Freddie and Abby wanted a three bedroom, 2 bath suite if possible and Fred liked the layout of the one they viewed, taking photos with his phone and sending them to Abby.  

When Artie saw a 5 bedroom suite that also featured a den, Tim noticed her shoulders relax. They’d do fine with the number of bathrooms, including their own en suite. And the walk-in closets were quite large, Tim thought they were close to what they had now and they could store their winter clothes and shoes elsewhere, they wouldn’t be needed here unless they went to the snow somewhere. He was as happy to see the den as Artie, they could make that their family room. The two extra bedrooms would also come in handy. It would be handy if they were allowed to have Jasper or the DiNozzo girls overnight. Or, if one of the children or he or Artie was sick, the sick people could stay in the extra rooms.   

One of the differences they realized was that, as a hotel rather than a residence, other than in the lobby area there were no hallway bathrooms here as there were in the Jaxton house. Still, here every room would have a bathroom and there was a half bath near the former restaurant, it was just a little difference they’d noticed.

Once they’d looked at the suites and rooms and everyone asked their questions or voiced their concerns, as a whole the group decided they didn’t need to look at the rooms on the floors above and instead asked to take a look at the rest of the outdoor property.

Tim, Artie, Fred and Jethro shook their heads, they wanted to view the upper floors to check the general condition. The others took a break while the realtor accompanied the four upstairs. There they found the hallways carpeted and nodded at the coverings over the carpet, to keep the dust to a minimum. The carpeting looked new and their agent nodded, “They had the carpeting replaced in the fall of 2007 although when the ‘Great Recession’ hit the general public at the end of that year, there weren’t many guests, family or otherwise, after that. They decided to cover it.”

Other than the comment about the carpeting, everything else, including the plumbing, looked fine although the entire place would need a thorough cleaning before anyone moved in.

Back downstairs, the realtor told them it was time to see the outside of the property, all the ‘fun parts’ as she said and they all cheered, Tommy and his adults wanting to see what they hoped would be their future playground.

They got a little noisy again when the tour group stepped through the back door of the hotel onto a large patio, shaded by a pergola. The realtor explained that during the life of the hotel there had been tables and chairs out here and a portable bar set up for ‘happy hour’. At one point, there had been an outdoor kitchen and with those words, Jethro’s smile was so wide it was a little scary.

Jethro was relieved and happy there was plenty of room to grill and for the family to sit comfortably and decided to make a very large table as soon as they moved or sooner if he had time. Everyone was happy with the retractable cover that would keep the patio in the shade in the afternoons and evenings. Tim reminded his dad of their sojourn in New Mexico and that left Jethro thinking of pergolas with attached outdoor ceiling fans, more awnings and other ways to keep the heat of the sun from the patios, apparently there was more than one on the property.

Beyond the patio were several gardens. The closest one had raised beds with wild things growing in it. The agent explained the chefs in the restaurant had insisted on fresh herbs, vegetables and fruit and the raised beds were for the herbs and veggies. The fruit trees and berry bushes were in the same area and still looked good. Lu asked if they could bring some of the fresh fruit home but Jethro frowned, “Does anyone know if we can bring fresh veggies and fruit into Greece or the UK?”

Tony raised his hand, “Texting Nigel with the question.”

Within a few minutes they had an answer that read, “Unless you’re a citizen of the UK or the EU, you’re not allowed to bring in fresh fruit or veggies without a ‘plant health’ certificate.”

Tony grinned, “Hey, the girls and I are citizens of the UK and Artie and Athena are citizens of the EU! We can bring back all we can stuff into the jet!”

A man walking up to the group now joined them, nodding, “That’s wonderful! Help yourselves although not to the citrus, there’s a quarantine due to an insect from overseas that’s invaded Southern California.

“However, the apples are wonderful, there are still plums and the beds have melons, those are not citrus, as well as pumpkins and various other squashes and yes, I know it's February! We don't have much winter weather here, there are still plenty of late summer berries to pick. Please take all you want, I keep everything going but can’t eat it all.” He chuckled, “With permission from the owners, every growing season the area’s Food Banks and other charities send volunteers to help pick and take their ‘pickings’ with them. I also leave boxes of what I’ve picked in front of the fence in the shade and it always disappears! I’m sure Ms. Steph will be picking her own after your tour, please don’t let it go to waste!”

Smiling, the man disappeared, returning with several bags and three sturdy cardboard boxes. “Here you go. I save these for anyone who comes by to see if I’ve left fresh fruit or veggies outside the gate.”

Their realtor smiled, “Everyone, I’d like you to meet Paul Lewis, the resident caretaker and master gardener of this property. Mr. Lewis, this is part of the family group looking for a temporary home for a few years.”

“Wonderful, welcome and I hope you like the place!”

They nodded with smiles, thanking him.

Artie added, “Thank you for the bags and boxes. We’ll split it amongst us although Tony, Maggie, Yaya and I will have to claim it all at Passport control.”

Athena smiled sweetly, “Only if I get to take some home!”

Happily agreeing, Geo and Bec volunteered to pick and then got busy, picking apples, blackberries, blueberries, plums, melons, grapes and fresh veggies, including several pumpkins and squashes, while the others continued on the tour.

Walking further into the property, they ooh’d and ahh’d at the lovely gardens, nearly drooling over the vegetables and fruit they could see growing in trees and raised beds. When Tim saw a greenhouse, he pointed it out to Artie who shook her head with a laugh, saying she would take a photo and send it to Alan Martin their Greek gardener/caretaker.

Although Mr. Lewis didn’t stay with them for very long, he did show them more of the gardens. Tim, Artie, Bec and Geo grinned as everything was planted in raised beds or in the case of the trees, large containers.

When asked how old the trees were, Mr. Lewis had to stop and think, finally saying they were among the first things he planted, so they were close to 20 years old and had been producing fruit of varying sizes for at least 15 years. He added that because they were on bedrock, it took more time to produce fruit as the roots had to work their way around or through the rock.

When Bec told him she was an environmental botanist, his eyes lit up. “That’s great! If you move here, I’ll have plenty of questions for you!”

Bec laughed, “I look forward to it. You’ve just confirmed that I’m on the right path as far as shade and fruit trees on our family’s property on bedrock overlooking the Mediterranean!”

The man’s eyes now widened in surprise, “Wow! Where, in what country?”

“Greece, outside of Athens. We have a caretaker/gardener there as well.”

Lewis nodded, “We are indispensable!”

Spotting an incipient problem in one of the raised beds, he excused himself.

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From the gardens, the group moved on to the pool and its equipment. The pool itself was in a climate control dome, which would help keep the children away unless they had an adult with a key or passcode to enter. That was a relief!

Tim wondered about covering the pool and smiled when their agent pointed out the cover.  She also demonstrated some of the safety features of the pool cover and the alarms on the fence as well as inside the pool area. Those greatly relieved the adults watching. When the real estate agent also pointed out the security cameras, Tim made a note to also install several of his alarms on the gate and fencing.

When asked who would respond to the alarms, she said, "All the alarms sound in the house, in Mr. Lewis's cottage and in the Playa Vieja Police and Fire Departments. You can also tie them to your smart phones." 

Tim, Artie, Joe and their parents nodded in relief. As far as any of them could tell the pool equipment, which was secured and covered, was in good shape. The pool used salt water, which reduced the number of chemicals used and was easier on people’s skin and hair.

Also wondering about covering the pool, Tim smiled when their agent pointed out the cover. She also demonstrated some of the safety features of the pool cover as well as the alarms on the fence those inside the pool area. All that greatly relieved the adults watching. When the real estate agent also pointed out the security cameras, Tim made a note to also install several of his alarms on the gate and fencing.

Several yards from the pool and the surrounding deck, the agent pointed out what she called the ‘play area’. First they noticed a large, paved surface with an old basketball hoop still in place at one end. The agent said she remembered roller skating there when she was a child. That made everyone smile!

There was also what had once been a softball diamond, and that also brought smiles. The entire property was fenced from deer intrusions which also helped keep their predators away along with trespassers. Security cameras and alarms on the hotel and the other buildings helped identify and deter any trespassers, human or otherwise.

Lu, Maggie, Artie, Tim and a few of the others smiled at another large garden with a pretty fountain in the middle as well as a garden with raised planter boxes. The agent said the fountain used ‘reclaimed’ or ‘gray’ water, rather than fresh water in perennially drought-stricken California, and the raised planter boxes contained a cutting garden, with flowers originally meant to grace the tables in the restaurant.

When Sophia asked what ‘reclaimed or gray’ water was, Joe explained, “Reclaimed and non-potable water is not drinkable or for use on people, no hand washing, baths, showers or things like washing the dishes that could leave bacteria or viruses on your skin or the dishes.

“Reclaimed generally means any water saved while the hot water faucet, either in a tub, shower or kitchen sink, runs while the water heats, or if you have a leak in a sink, tub or shower faucet and haven’t yet called a plumber! You can save that water to use in the garden and it’s fine for use on all plants.

“Other examples, and I’d call these non-potable, non-drinkable, would be left over water from a drinking glass or a saucepan, as long as it doesn’t have salt in it, or the rinse water from hand washing dishes.”

The gardens were lovely, full of blooms and without any dead leaves or stems. Even better, there weren’t any weeds, which those on site and those watching knew had to be a herculean task. The realtor smiled when she overheard them, “Mr. Lewis loves to garden, especially this garden. When I called to let him know what time we’d be here this morning, he told me that from mid-spring through the summer and sometimes through October, even into November, he starts his gardening at dawn.”

Tim made a note to discuss asking the caretaker to stay on as their gardener, that is, if that was even necessary as they would be tenants here. He shrugged, he’d worry about that if or when.

Last to be seen was the garage and the ‘surprises’ their realtor mentioned earlier. Gathering at the back of the garage building, everyone smiled when they were told there was a sizeable workshop in the back of the garage. Jethro made a mental note to talk about that with Bill before remembering that neither Bill and Nikki or Barry and Ned would be able to live here with them. That made him sad and even more grateful that Rob, Geordie, Bec, their children as well as Tony, Maggie, their girls, Dick, Sophia, Athena and Duck, his dad and godfather, Mac, Charlie, Tricia and probably Richard, at least during the winters, would be here with them.

Their agent smiled, “You can’t see it from outside but through there, the garage building, there is room for one or two workshops. It’s already set up for power, plumbing, heating and air.”

Unlocking a nondescript door, she turned, “Mr. Lewis opened up the building for a few hours earlier this morning so the air in here should be fresh and we’ll leave this door open. Follow me to see the work areas.”

Entering the building, she turned right into a generous hallway, walking several steps before stopping. Those in front followed but stood to the side until Jethro, the plumbers and Tim joined them. Jethro’s face was very happy as he looked at the workbench and the pegboard on the wall. There was overhead lighting as well as a large fan and, he was surprised to see an air conditioning panel, such as one used in zonal air conditioning, that is a system that allows a building to have separate ‘zones’. 

Their realtor nodded, “This is probably the biggest surprise. As large as this garage is, and we’ll see more in a bit, it can get extremely hot in here, especially with our seasonal heat. While our temperatures are milder in the late fall, winter and spring and occasionally through June, the rest of the summer through mid-fall temperatures are blazing. The garage prevents vehicles from sitting out in the blazing sun. It does not prevent them from heat buildup within the building.

“To combat that and other conditions I’ll mention in a minute, in the early years of this century, the owners decided to install zonal air conditioning in the garage, including the workshop. At that time, the business was booming and the workshop was in use by members of the staff to repair tables, chairs, appliances, whatever might need work, the shop badly needed air conditioning to keep the handy people safe from heat exhaustion.”

The others nodded and Lu looked at her husband, “No excuses, Jethro!”

He nodded with a smile, “I promise.”

Tim looked at his brothers who grinned, each calling out, “Witnessed!”

Their father wanted to give them a look but decided to ignore them as well as the chuckles rolling through the group.

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Inside the workshop, they found another door that took them into not one but two very large rooms, separated only by a doorway with no door. When they saw what was in them, they immediately understood their use.

The first one had rows and stacks of covered furniture, from the hotel rooms, suites, and the lounge area. That filled more than half the space, floor to ceiling, and the rest of the available space was full of the kitchen appliances as well as several washers and dryers.

Walking through the doorway to the second room, they saw items that needed fixing, whether it was reattaching a chair or table leg, lamps of all sizes and styles that Tim thought might just need rewiring and assorted other items. There were desks with drawers hanging out, wheeled chairs missing a wheel or two, all manner of items needing repair.

What was fun was noting the designs of the assorted items. Some of the group picked through a few things, Athena and Lu both exclaiming and then laughing.

“What’s funny?”

Athena shook her head, “There’s a lamp here that is similar to one we had when I was growing up!”

Lu grinned, “And I found one that dates from my childhood! They put things in here but didn’t fix them.”

Geordie said, “Or they couldn’t bear to throw them away.” When the others looked at him, he sighed, “Before we became homeless, my dad kept everything my mom had purchased herself, picked out, made or brought with her from my grandparents’ home. Some of it was useful, a cutting board, and others were strictly sentimental, Mom’s favorite sweater with a hole in the back, or buttons from a dress Dad bought her.”

Lu made a face, “I have my mother’s wedding dress.”

Athena patted her shoulder, “I have my great-grandmother’s wedding dress and I never met the woman!”

Quietly, Jethro said, “I still have my mom’s 2^nd favorite sweater, my dad has her favorite church hat and Uncle LJ has a pair of gloves that were hers.”

Jose nodded, “Malu kept some of my mother’s things for me and among them was a tie that was my father’s. Char also has a few things that belonged to either her mother or father.”

Holding Tony’s hand, Maggie said, “We both have things from our mothers. Tony’s mother also had a sweater, although, Geo, hers has a large ink stain in the front, not a hole in the back. Tony found an absurdly large pin on our travels, bought it and pinned it over the stain. I have a doll that was my mother’s. My grandmother gave it to me after Mom died, shortly before my grandmother herself died. The girls play with it sometimes and I love the continuity.”

Lu nodded, “Maybe when one of our granddaughters marries, she’ll want to wear the wedding dress.”

Athena nodded, “That would be lovely, Luella. And perhaps one of ours might want to wear my great-grandmother’s.”

Tim smiled at Freddie, who smiled back at him. Turning around to all of them, he said, “Tim and I have all of you, your treasures and memories.” He tilted his head at his brother, “We should write a book, about our family and all the family histories behind each of our family members, except you, me, Bill, Sarah, Rob and maybe Barry, I don’t remember how much he knows.”

Lu shook her head, “He’s with the five of you, Fred. And you each have a lot to contribute. You may not know or want to remember how you got here but you’re founding members of our family!”

Tim needed to tweak the conversation, fast! He added with a smile, “Mom, I think you, Nate and Juanita are the actual founding members!”

That brought nods and Artie quickly asked a question, “Would we be able to use these rooms and what's in these rooms, including the hotel furniture?  I hadn’t thought about this but if we take our furniture from the common areas in our home in Jaxton, then our family still living there won’t have any! Mama, that includes your hutch, Dad, the kitchen and dining table, Tim, all our sofas, chairs and recliners from the lounge, library and the media room!”

Lu made a face, “You’re right, I hadn’t thought about that either but I don’t want to move my hutch. Still…”

Tim sighed, “All right, will someone please write that down and remind us later? Right now, my brain’s just about all used up.”

Bec nodded, “I’ve got it, Tim.”

The agent smiled, “I can answer your questions about these rooms and the hotel furniture. The answers are yes and yes, you may use these room and you may also select furniture from here. If you decide you want to rent or lease this place, you'll need to let the current owners know ahead of time what furniture you want so they can have it in place before you move in.”

“Thank you, that helps!”

Bec nodded, “I know we’ll want our own beds and probably bureaus.”

Tony tilted his head in thought, “Two things: we’ll need to select what rooms or suites we want and then have the other rooms furnished for the family when they…oops, no, that won’t work.” He winced, “Sorry, Tim.”

Rolling his lips in, Tim nodded before quickly leaving the room, Artie, Jethro and Ducky following him. Lu sighed, she hated this as much as her son did, although she and Jethro were free to visit the rest of their family, it was only Tim who was barred from speaking with their family members employed by NCIS.

Athena looked up, “Please excuse Timothy, he has so much on his shoulders right now and for the foreseeable future. It’s difficult and likely to get worse. Still,” she looked at the others, “we’re thankful to have found a place here where those of us who are allowed can still be family.”

The agent nodded, puzzled and saddened by whatever was happening.

Tony also left, feeling like a total idiot. He’d been so caught up in everything. Finding Tim outside, he excused himself as he wrapped his arms around him and held on tight, apologizing for his slip. Tim nodded, managing to whisper that he understood, he’d been thinking along the same lines as Tony. All he could do was hope that Chegwidden would soon have some answers although he didn't mention that to Tony.

Chapter Text

Ch 27: Troubles, Home Again, News, Change in Strategy

In Jaxton, James sighed as his wife took the elevator upstairs, knowing she was very upset about the separation from Tim and his family. He was thankful his in-laws would still be here for the birth of their grandbaby and would stay for the first few months, that would greatly help and of course his parents were planning to live here with them. However, as much help as they’d have, Sarah hated the thought of not being allowed to speak with Tim unless there were other, non-NCIS people there to witness the conversation. He thought if the time frame was a couple of weeks, even a month, it would still be difficult but bearable.

He, Nikki, Jimmy and Ned before he left for San Diego had several conversations about the situation and the best they could come up with was to always have a third party, someone not connected to NCIS, and who would make a credible witness, with them when one of them or their spouses wanted to speak with Tim. That meant a complete lack of privacy but there didn’t seem to be any other way.

While it might be a little easier when Tim and his family, Jethro and Lu moved to the US, it would also be even more heartbreaking and James found himself condemning the criminals to the hottest corners of hell for all the pain and misery they had caused and were again causing.

He mouthed a thank you to his mum as she followed Sarah upstairs. He’d also discussed the situation with his dad, the retired detective, and was further disheartened when his father wasn’t surprised at NCIS’s stance.

His father sighed when James asked him about the situation, “There’s always been that danger with the five of you working at the same agency, particularly with the four of you reporting directly to Tim. The workaround for your evaluations is fine, it’s this damned situation and in reality, I suppose there’s always been a possibility that something like this could happen at some point, although the length of time this may last makes it nearly incomprehensible. The total ban on private conversations with Tim for you, Jimmy, Nikki, Ned and your spouses, especially with Sarah, Ned and Jimmy being his siblings, isn’t something I’ve ever heard of happening.”

He patted his son’s shoulder, “Perhaps the trials won’t take as long as expected. And remember, he only has to attend the ones for the criminals who hurt him. If those happen first, they may be home sooner than the 3 year timeframe. I suppose it could even be 18 months, although I don’t see them being finished any sooner than that. And once he’s released from the trials, the restrictions will be lifted.” George sighed again, “I’d be happy anyway but the timing for the arrival of our baby couldn’t be better. You two will be so busy, Sarah will be so involved, that should help. It’s the waiting now, for the baby as well as the roundup of the criminals and the beginning of the trials, that’s very difficult.”

With a woebegone smile, James nodded, thankful for his support, before heading upstairs to console his wife.

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The flight home from San Diego to the UK and Greece left Monday evening with Tim and those who had joined them aboard.

After the tour on Sunday, Tim and Artie knew how they felt about the property and also asked those who’d physically been with them for their opinions. That happened in an impromptu meeting after the children were asleep. After that meeting, the couple wrote an email to those viewing via Skype, also asking for their opinions. They both smiled when they logged onto their joint email finding several people had already sent their opinions.

When Tim found a sad note from Sarah, he sent a sweet reply, openly copying Special Agent Andreson, the man in charge of investigating toddler Jeffrey’s “disappearance” as well as the overall ‘mad scientist’ case.

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Artie and Tim also contacted their agency relocation representative for some advice. She answered almost immediately that she would contact the listing agent, that is the realtor who’d given them the tour, with their questions and would let them know the results.

While Tim had hoped that with the 3 hour time difference between the US East Coast and West Coast that he might hear something on Monday, his phone was quiet all day. He mentally chastised himself for even hoping, realizing that with the plan Chegwidden had laid out, he’d be lucky to hear anything that week!

Although they’d been afraid Monday would be a long day, between sorting everything, searching their hotel rooms and suites for anything that might have fallen on the floor of a closet, under a bed or various other places, packing for the 6 of them took longer than usual. They guessed that was because they’d brought some different things with them and because they were tired. After a group lunch they took the vans to the closest beach, taking photos of each of them with their toes in the chilly Pacific ocean. It was a cloudy, somewhat breezy day that reminded them of Varkiza on a wintry day and that made them smile, knowing they’d be home tomorrow morning. The temperature today was 63° F. Although 2 degrees below average for February, it was certainly nothing to complain about and Artie and Tim chuckled, thinking that 63° would be a lovely, pleasant day at home in Jaxton.

Remembering they needed to exercise before the flight those so inclined ran along the shoreline for several minutes. The children were ahead of their parents but never got too far from them. The two new foster kids Brian and Mia reveled in the weather and being on the beach in February! They’d been to the beach in Varkiza but this was the US.

After everyone had enough fresh air and however much exercise they wanted, they returned to the hotel to swim in the heated pool. Those still on site, that is, Grandpas Jack and Mac, Uncle LJ, Richard Baxter, Uncle Charlie and Tricia, Lu, Jethro, Rob, Bill, Geo, Bec, Brian, Mia, Bec’s dad ‘Grampy’ Ben, the Barnes-Gibbses, Maggie’s father Dick and Artemis’ mother Sophia, Athena and Ducky and the Timothy Camilo-Gibbses, had a wonderful time playing in the pool and were even happier to partake of the warm showers adjacent to the pool.

As they didn’t have to be at the FBO until 7 PM, they changed into dry and warm clothes, washing their swim suits and towels and drying them in the hotel’s guest laundry room. While their beach towels were drying, the group had ‘tea’ in the hotel dining room, with plenty of tea, coffee, hot chocolate and snacks.

By 5:30, they were in a chartered bus returning to the FBO, anticipating heavy vehicle traffic on the way. Once there, they went through their normal process, happy to hear air traffic was lighter than anticipated, which meant they would likely be cleared to leave earlier. They cheered when told they could board, the flight attendants took all the safety seats for the children and quickly fastened them into the rows and seats each family usually sat in. By now the Paddington flight attendants were familiar with who liked to sit where.

Seated, toys, games and books tucked into seat pockets, and buckled in, the group relaxed as the jet pushed back from the gate and trundled to the queue of aircraft.
With all their activity that day, by the time the ‘Fasten Seat belt’ sign was off, many of the group were dozing. Tim played cards with his children for the first hour or so while Artie fell asleep almost immediately.

By the time the flight attendants started preparing dinner for their passengers, they chuckled to themselves as all of them were asleep! Knowing this crowd as they did, they woke them up, giving them time to visit the restrooms and wash up before they brought the carts around.

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When the flight landed in London nearly 11 hours later, everyone was awake. The few disembarking here, Rob, Geo, Bec, Brian, Mia and their Grampy Ben had freshened up, made sure everything was back in their carry-on bags and said goodbye to everyone continuing to Athens. Rob and Geo each leaned in, kissing first their parents, then their brother and sister-in-law as well as the children.

After they disembarked, those remaining said a happy hello as Nikki boarded. She grinned at them, “Surprise! I decided to spend the week in Jaxton and work at the office where there would be people I know, rather than at the embassy. Now I’ve had a taste of cold weather, enough for the year, thank you! Oh, have I said anything I shouldn’t have? Are we allowed to talk together at all?”

Tim nodded, “It’s all right as long as you and I don’t talk about work but we do need to record it.” He looked at his mother, “Mom, would you mind recording us?”

She grinned, holding up her phone, “I already am!”

Jasper was already in his mother’s arms and stayed there until the doors were closed. Then he went back to his safety seat between his dad and mom, a very happy little boy. When the aircraft once again reached altitude for the 4+ hour flight to Athens, those still awake got up to walk for nearly 30 minutes before they heard the snack and beverage carts being prepared in the galley and returned to their seats.

Landing in Athens, the passengers smiled happily, if tiredly, when they spotted Peter and Rhode there to greet them. They’d chartered a bus, although smaller than the ones they usually had in London and Virginia, to take them home to Varkiza. Peter told them their rental vehicles would be brought to them that afternoon.

While Tim briefly considered going to the Embassy to work for a few hours, he again talked himself out of it, and telling Nikki, she agreed, mentioning she’d gone in early this morning. Tim nodded, he’d catch up at the house.

Being home felt wonderful and the kids ran around the house, saying hello to everything and laughing at themselves. The temperature gauge said it was only 2 degrees warmer than the beach in San Diego had been on Sunday. However, when they walked down to their beach and ran on the sand, it seemed much warmer. When his love said that, Tim chuckled, saying, “It does, although I don’t know why. Because it’s home? You’d think that if the air felt different here, it would feel cooler because I know we’re all tired.”

She opened her mouth to say something but instead a jaw cracking yawn escaped. Laughing, Tim kissed her before whistling for the children. They’d been home for nearly an hour by that time, it was time to go home, have something to eat and then have their first jet lag naps.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

The Field Agents were making decent progress in untangling the case of the rogue scientists and had quietly arrested and formally charged all of those still living and had confirmed the rest were deceased. Those arrested were a mixed lot as far as their successes and failures in their chosen fields. Only a few of them had achieved anything at all.

Two became science teachers in middle and high schools and had at least inspired interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, collectively known as STEM, in a new generation.

Three others had had some success in their lab work, although none of the three had ever published anything.

Of the rest, including those who were deceased, few had accomplished much of anything in their lifetimes and eight had abandoned anything to do with science altogether. Some of the rogues never left the shady lives they’d started while still at university and it was by making a thorough investigation of their lives that Andreson’s team and their associated team members from NCIS along with a few FBI agents came to some disheartening conclusions and discoveries.

The first, and this was a good thing to find, were the identities of the rogues’ financial backers. There had been a group of seven wealthy citizens who’d agreed to fund the experiments. Two were scientists of some repute, the other five were followers of the two. Three of them were deceased but the other four were quietly arrested and charged.

The second finding, and this made Jeff sick, was that while many of the captives had been kidnapped, some of the children had been sold to the rogues. The ‘hook’ or misinformation the rogues put forth was that they were looking for children who showed abilities and functions far above their age group. They would, they promised, pay the child’s parents for several sessions so the child’s abilities could be mapped and perhaps enhanced even further. While there might be one or two overnights, the sessions would mostly be held on a daily basis with the child returned home every afternoon.

Those in charge of acquiring the test subjects were cautious about which families to approach. The profile had to include an immediate need for cash, preferably an embarrassing or illegal need and they would stress that cash paid to them for the child’s time would be non-taxable income. They preferred parents or guardians who weren’t as involved in their child’s lives as they should have been, who wouldn’t call the authorities right away, or ever, if a child didn’t come home. People who lived in the shadows, whether afraid of legal or family problems, were also preferred targets. The rogues would pay half the money in cash up front and the rest, also in cash, after the child’s first two sessions; in reality, none of the families ever saw the go-between, their child or the promised funds after the child left for the first session.

There had been a few special deals made. A couple were for families whose members had gambling debts, they’d need all of the money immediately. When those desperate people signed contracts for the rogues to keep their child for a specified amount of time, they were paid the full amount in cash, possibly saving the gambler’s own life while just as possibly forfeiting the life of their child.

Two other contracts were signed, not to provide instant cash but to provide transport out of the country for a wanted felon in the family. In both scenarios, the adult who signed the contract essentially sold their child to the rogues.

While the initial idea had been to experiment only on children so they could be watched for results throughout their lives, within a couple of years the various groups of rogues concluded that children were too much trouble. They had to be fed, clothed, educated or kept busy and worst of all watched at all times. After a spectacular failure in which their youngest subject fell into a coma, they quietly left the child at a hospital and moved the rest of the children into various foster agencies around the country. Prior to the child in the coma, four other children had already died from the experiments, their bodies carefully disposed of and none of the child test subjects were ever returned to their families.

In the meantime, the rogues switched to working on adults of various ages and health. They were much easier to handle, the rogues keeping them sedated much of the time.

In all, they kept their “experiments” going for nearly 4 years before their financiers decided they were done with the idea of changing the DNA of living people. Each of the scientists went his or her own way, many staying in the shadows for the first few years, if not longer, lest their work be discovered.

As for that work, the rogues still had their documentation and now their notes and records were studied by experts sought out by the NCIS teams. The experts, working separately, concluded there had been no success in changing DNA and that most of the so-called experiments had nothing to do with attempting to change a person’s DNA and that their subjects had been tortured.

As Jeff Andreson’s science oriented co-workers told him, changing the DNA of a living human was now successfully done through gene therapy. However, during the time frame when the rogue scientists were experimenting, the process of gene therapy was still being worked out, by legitimate scientists and medical professionals. 

The rogue scientists’ blundering and frequently brutal attempts accomplished nothing positive.  None of their work had been published or shared, nor would it have helped the genuine effort, except to alert the authorities to the atrocities.

In all, there were records for 57 test subjects, nearly double what the investigators had originally thought. Of them, 4 of the 10 children involved had died during the process, the 6 survivors were in varying degrees of mental and physical health with only 2 living normal lives, the two youngest of the entire group.

Among the 47 adult test subjects, 32 survived the experiments although 28 of them were now deceased, having either committed suicide or lived out their lives in mental institutions. The remains of the other 15 were never found.

While most of the investigative teams were involved with the capture of the rogue scientists, there were also teams examining the various contracts signed by parents or guardians of the children. While Tony had agreed to consult with NCIS, after a point he made the decision to bow out. Knowing the experiments they were investigating had been carried out on his brother was too much. He was grateful his contacts found Carpenter but didn’t want to do or know more than that.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

At the Southwest NCIS Field Office in San Diego, Jeff Andreson handled Carpenter’s, aka ‘Ken’, interrogation. First he took the man through his connection to the rogue scientists, asking when and how he’d become involved.

Carpenter sighed at the question, “My cousin Bruce, my mother’s nephew, raised me from the age of 11. He was older than me and was an emancipated minor at age 15. My mother died when I was 10 and my father was a violent man who had no use for children. By the time I was 11, Bruce was 18 and of legal age to become my legal guardian. One Friday he appeared outside my classroom when we were dismissed and told me he was taking me home with him, that he was now my guardian. He’d already been to the office to show them the paperwork for his guardianship. When I worried about my clothes, books and things, he said he'd already been to our apartment, saw the manager and showed him the legal papers making him my guardian. So he was allowed in to pack my things. My belongings were already at his place and now I rode on the back of his motorcycle to my new home, his apartment near Carmichael University. I lived with him until I finished high school and turned 18.

“I was attending community college in town, only it was called a junior college then, when Bruce found out about the challenge. He was very excited about something but wouldn’t tell me exactly what. I only knew it had to do with science and probably DNA, as that was his biggest interest. In another year, I’d graduated junior college, was working and had my own place when Bruce came by to tell me he needed my help. I owed him everything, he’d saved me from my father’s cruelty, likely saved my life, and given me a home. So of course I said yes. That is how I became involved in helping my cousin and his colleagues with their dirty work.”

“Where did you work, in what state and town? And how long did you work for them?”

“They moved every few months. When I was first with them, they were in southern California, east of San Diego. They changed houses and towns there, before they moved out of California, further east and then went north. We were in 3 places in Nevada, 2 in Utah and finally in Colorado when I left them.

“As for how long I worked for them, it was off and on for two years. I was brought in to care for a small child they’d purchased from the parents. He was a wonderful boy, very smart. One day he called me Superman when I did something to help him, I don’t remember what it was. I told him that I was not Superman as I could not fly but that I could be Clark Kent, Superman’s human doppelganger. As young as he was, he could not pronounce the name Kent with the T on the end. So I became ‘Ken’ to him.”

“What were your responsibilities?”

“They were all for the boy. He was very young, just two when he was acquired and he needed a lot of care and attention. He was younger than they liked but they’d been approached by a friend of the boy’s father, who was desperate for money to pay his gambling debts. They’d done one other similar contract and knew this meant another chance to acquire a child who would essentially be theirs as long as they wanted. So they paid the man the money he needed and took the child. He was not yet toilet trained, so I was responsible for changing his diapers and taking him through toilet training when he was a little older, bathing him and making sure he had healthy food he could eat. I was responsible for his physical and emotional recoveries from each of the experiments they did on him as well as feeding, clothing and teaching him various subjects. I held him when he needed comfort and was scared. I played with him, read him stories from the books I was allowed to buy for him and taught him everything he could understand and absorb. I would be with him for two or three weeks at a time, sometimes longer depending on the necessary recovery time. At my request, they stopped their work on him while I was toilet training him, otherwise it just wouldn’t have worked.

“I would be told to leave, they always gave me 24 hours’ notice so I could tell the boy I had to leave for a time. Even at his young age, he was so smart that he soon figured out that my leaving meant hurtful things would be happening to him. Twice they had trouble bringing him out of the anesthetic they’d given him. The second time was the end of my time with the boy. Whatever they did to him, and I was only told specifics if I needed to know to help in his recovery, he fell into a coma and after a few days, they called me in, saying they’d made the decision to give him up, to leave him, as anonymously as possible, at a hospital. I believe at the time other young test subjects had already died and they didn’t want this boy to also die.”

He stopped for a sip of water and then sat back, with a sigh. “I took him to the hospital. On a Saturday 10 days after he’d fallen into the coma, I disguised myself and then wrapped him in blankets I stole from a laundromat, stole a car, muddied the license plate and drove over 100 miles from our location outside Colorado Springs. It was late night when I arrived at the hospital I’d selected and the Emergency Room was overflowing. I carried him into the Emergency Room, still wrapped in the blankets and yelled, “This child is unconscious. I found him lying on the side of the road, please help him!

“Then I left, after watching to make sure my boy was attended to. When I saw a man in scrubs picking him up and putting him on a gurney, I stole another car and left.”

“Where did you go from there?”

“When I first realized what my cousin and his colleagues were doing, the experiments, I decided I’d better have a safe place to go if things went bad. When I was in high school and college, I’d been part of an outdoor group, hiking, backpacking, learning to live in the wild sort of thing. It was fun, physically and mentally challenging and completely different than anything else in my life and Bruce, although he supported me, had never attended a meeting or done anything with me in the club, or anything else in the outdoors. I decided using the skills I’d learned would be a good idea, keep me safe.

“Whenever I was on a break from taking care of Johnny, I started gathering what I thought I might need. By that time, the group was in Utah and Bruce told me we’d probably be moving to a town in Colorado. After he told me, I rented a storage unit within about 75 miles of that town and started stocking it with what I’d need, survival gear.

“That night, after I took Johnny to the hospital, I drove toward my storage unit. I ditched the car off the main road outside of the town with my storage and hiked in. By the time I reached the facility, it was open and I slept in my storage unit that day. I had my outdoor gear, including some dry food, stored there and I had a jug of water with me so I was fairly comfortable. I also had a 4 wheel drive truck with a camper stored there so when I woke, I made it driveable and then drove it around to my unit and took my outdoor gear, tent, etc., as I couldn’t be sure where I’d end up or how long I’d need to stay away from civilization. I also had things I could barter or sell.

"Basically I took everything out that was usable or worth anything before leaving. Then I drove into the mountains until I found a spot I thought was remote enough. I stayed there through the winter, changing my appearance when I had to go into the nearest town. I had an ax and a bow and arrows with me, I also had a rifle but didn’t want to use it because of the noise and having to buy ammunition. It would be easier to make more arrows. I brought all that with me, hunting when necessary and cutting wood for my fire bowl. I lined the inside of the camper and had foam pads and several thermal blankets underneath my sleeping bag, inside the bag and on top. I also had a heater, so I heated the camper before I went in for the night and I had an oxygen meter that one of the members of the outdoor club made for each of us. All in all, I was pretty comfortable in the camper and I had a radio for company.

"When the snow stopped and the air started getting warmer, I drove to another town and bought enough canned and dry goods to keep me fed for a year. Back at my camp site, I packed up, cleared any traces I’d lived there, just as we used to do when backpacking in the wild and drove farther into the mountains, northeast of where I’d been. All in all, I was in those mountains for a little over 3 years, repeating the process of buying enough food to last months, hunting and fishing for protein and moving every spring. When I got lonely and bored I decided to find somewhere I could live quietly and anonymously.”

“And where was that?”

He told them the name of the place, a medium sized city where other people would be around, he could find work and live quietly without the noise and commotion of a larger city.

“We know you served a couple of years in jail. What was that about?”

Carpenter sighed, “Bruce tracked me down. Luckily, I saw him before he saw me. I went straight to the nearest police station and turned myself into the local police for the theft of the car from the hospital parking lot. It was 8 years since I’d dropped Johnny at the hospital and I thought confessing to that theft would be better than to the original theft. I told them my conscience was bothering me and where I’d ditched the car. They put me in their lockup while they investigated and then, as I’d already confessed, I was sentenced to three years. Since it was my first offense and I’d turned myself in, I was out in a year and a half with a year’s probation and I lived as quietly as possible until that was finished, always watching over my shoulder.

“When I completed my probation, I packed my bags and moved to Europe, where I finally felt safe. My mother was German and met my father while he served in the US Army and was stationed in Germany. I was born in Germany so I am both a US citizen and a citizen of Germany as well as the EU, and knew my entry would not be a problem. I remembered that Bruce hated to travel, there had never been news of any arrests and I thought I was finally home free.

“I lived in towns small enough that strangers were immediately noticed but large enough to have work opportunities and decent housing. I also subscribed to an American newspaper. Eventually I bought a computer and when I looked for my cousin, found an obituary for him. I wasn’t and am still not sure it was him but no one’s come after me until now.”

“The obituary was legitimate, he was killed in a motorcycle accident. That’s now being investigated.”

“Out of curiosity, how did you find me?”

“The little boy you took care of kept the drawing he did when he was first captured, sold, to your group. You handled that drawing and left your DNA on it. While you were in prison, your DNA was taken and entered into a database on a computer. When the national database was created, the prison added the DNA records they had, including your name.

“Once we had your DNA, we found the rest of the information we needed to find you. I will say, you were difficult to pin down but a colleague with international contacts got in touch with them and we had your location within a couple of days.”

Carpenter nodded with a sigh. “And little Johnny, how is he?”

“He’s doing well. He’ll be better when this mess is over with, it’s been hard on all the survivors.”

“You’ve arrested the others?”

Andreson nodded and Carpenter relaxed a little. “I never knew how many there were, just the group that worked with my cousin and that varied between 9 and 12, there were three who worked with another group besides my cousin’s. I’ve always been afraid they’d come after me if they thought I was a danger to them.”

Jeff nodded again and Carpenter continued, “What happens now?”

“You’re being charged as an accessory to kidnapping of minors, trafficking of human beings, the illegal experimentation and unlawful detainment of minors and adults as well as torture of minors and adults and the theft of the first vehicle.”

“Only one minor, I never hurt him nor did I kidnap anyone! I heard about but never saw any of the other test subjects. I suppose I should have a lawyer. If I don’t know any, will you arrange for one?”

“We can arrange for a public defender if you’d like. I’ll take care of that now.” Jeff sent a text and then sat back. “One of our agents is calling the Public Defenders’ office now. Our conversation is done until your attorney gets here. What we need in the meantime is for you to write your statement just as you’ve told me.”

“All right. Uh, I need a restroom.”

He jumped when a door opened and another man in a suit walked in. “I’ll escort you to the restroom, Mr. Carpenter.” There were actually two escorts, one who went into the restroom with him and another who apparently guarded the door.

While he and his escorts were gone, one of the staff from Legal entered the Interrogation room. “Special Agent Andreson, the Public Defenders’ office called. They won’t be able to get anyone here until 0900 tomorrow morning.”

Jeff nodded, “All right, thanks. You heard his statement?”

The woman nodded and the agent continued, “I’ll read him his rights, formally charge him, then he can spend the night in our lockup, we don’t have anyone else in there right now. He’ll need water, dinner and breakfast.” He looked up at the paralegal, chuckling, “Sorry, Ms. Santos, I was talking out loud to myself. We’ll take care of his accommodations.”

Carpenter’s statement was written, he summarized his years hiding in the mountains, the Legal Department scanned his statement into the system, he gave his electronic signature and then he was Mirandized and formally charged. While escorting him in handcuffs to their lockup, he was asked what he would like for dinner and breakfast. The prisoner briefly found that amusing although the knowledge that he was in deep trouble quickly removed the humor from the situation.

Realizing their prisoner would have jet lag and that as an older person he might be more susceptible to cooler temperatures, his bunk in lockup had additional padding for the thin mattress and extra blankets.

He had also had another question for Andreson, “Would it be possible for me to see or even just speak with Johnny? I’ve worried about him all these years.”

Jeff shook his head, “No. I’ve told you his status, that’s all the information you’ll be given.”

Carpenter sighed as he sat on his bunk, surprised at how much more comfortable it was than the bunk in his prison cell all those years ago. He scrunched his face, “I have a book in my suitcase, would it be possible to have that – and my reading glasses?”

“I’ll leave word with the security officers that you may have the book and your glasses. Is there anything else in your suitcase that you’ll need? Medication?”

“I’m not on any and no, oh, yes, I have a deck of cards in there, I can play solitaire. I do have a sweater, I get cold in the evenings. If possible, I’d also like that.”

“All right. Since you’ve flown across Europe, the Atlantic Ocean and the US in the last 24 hours, you will be jet lagged for the next few days. Sleep when you can, it’s quiet in here, it won’t be in the county jail where you’ll await your trial.”

“Will that be here, in this county?”

Jeff shrugged, “Ask your attorney. That’s not in my hands.” He hoped it would be as the first kidnappings, purchases and operations had taken place here and in neighboring southern California counties.

After leaving the prisoner, Jeff stopped to tell the watch commander that Carpenter could have his sweater, book, reading glasses and a deck of cards from his suitcase. Then he thought about that, adding, “He’s avoided capture for 40 years. Better have the sweater, book, his glasses and the deck of cards scanned by Lang Ng in the lab. Actually, let’s look at his whole suitcase, then there won’t be any surprises. He flew from Europe to DC on a CIA jet, don’t know if they or our arresting team searched his belongings.”

The officer agreed and Jeff left. Heartsick as he thought of the children sold by their parents and those who’d been kidnapped, he walked from the lockup in the basement up to his desk on the second floor, needing the exercise and the time to clear his head. Back at his desk, he read Carpenter’s statement again and then, looking at his watch, sent texts to the SAC, his immediate boss, and Director Vance, asking for a video meeting.

When Vance said yes, Andreson joined MacDonald in his office where they pinged the director.

Vance frowned at the look on Andreson’s face. “You all right?”

“Overall, yes, thanks. However, I’m bothered by what I’ve learned and I’m sorry to have to share this with you.”

“Carpenter’s statement?”

Jeff nodded and then quietly told the other men about little ‘Johnny’, their own Timothy Gibbs, having been, for all intents and purposes, sold to his captors. Vance held up a hand and moved out of camera range for several minutes, while Mac closed his eyes.

When Vance returned, his eyes were red but he was calm. With a sigh he said, “I once asked Jethro Gibbs how he dealt with everything he’d experienced and he said that along with building boats and toys in his basement, he kept a pile of logs outside and sometimes chopped wood with an ax until his hands were too blistered.”

Mac took a deep breath, “I might try that myself.”

Jeff nodded, “Do we have, that is, does Tim have to know this? About being sold?”

The other two looked at him and he nodded, “Right. He’ll know there’s something we don’t want to tell him, which means it’s bad and he won’t let up until he knows. Do we tell Gibbs first?”

Vance shook his head, “No, we tell them together and gentlemen, I’ll do the telling, in person.”

The other two opened their mouths to disagree when Mac shook himself, saying, “You’ve known him so long, longer than either of us, you’re a member of his family. Director, I’m sorry for you that it makes sense you tell them.”

“That man, Langston, he’s dead, right?”

Jeff nodded, “Yes, sir, died in the ‘80s.”

“Then before I meet with Tim, we need to know what his birth mother knew and when. If she knew anything, even after the fact, and did nothing, then she’s an accessory to human trafficking, an accessory to everything else the scientists are being charged with and she’ll also be charged with obstruction of justice.”

Agent Andreson pulled the file up on his phone. “I haven’t said anything before now because I wanted to see what we uncovered. The first report of Jeffrey Langston’s disappearance was filed 7 days, an entire week, after William Carpenter was hired by his cousin to take care of Johnny, their name for our toddler. And it was filed by his paternal grandfather, Admiral Langston, from his home in Virginia.”

Vance frowned, closed his eyes and then sighing, asked, “How complete are the scientists’ records?”

“From what I’ve seen and been told by our experts, very organized.” Jeff was quiet as he pulled up the file with the records. He stopped, taking a deep breath and holding it before exhaling and continuing his report. “The contract for the sale of Jeffrey Andrew Langston is dated the same day as Carpenter said, a week before his disappearance was reported. And it’s signed by Daniel F. Langston and dated that same day.”

“So we have proof they delayed reporting his disappearance. Isn’t that grandmother still alive?”

“Both of them are, Director. The paternal grandmother, Penelope Langston, is currently lecturing on women’s rights in various places in Africa.”

Vance’s smile was spontaneous, “Really? That’s something, I hope she’s not as horrid as her son and daughter-in-law.”

“Unless it’s her guilty conscience.” Jeff continued, “Sir, I have a large amount of information we’ve found that doesn’t necessarily figure in the case, except as a character sketch of our toddler’s parents.”

“Why do I think I’m not going to like the information?”

“Because of the way it adds up, for the time in which things happened. These days it wouldn’t be a ‘thing’ but back then it was big and bad.”

“Starting with?”

“As we all know, it’s standard procedure to verify every piece of information we gather on a case. When we went to the hospital where Daniel Langston died, with a warrant to look at his medical records, the cause of death in his medical records but not on his death certificate, is listed as HIV-AIDS. His death certificate lists cancer as the cause of death. As tragic as it is that he had AIDS, it is not the ‘thing’, the next bit is.

“From there, we did some digging and found a few comments that Lieutenant Langston was a homosexual protected and advanced in the Navy by his father the Admiral. There are at least 3 instances where his father seems to have manipulated things so that Daniel was transferred to a Navy base away from the spotlight. And although he had a guaranteed place at Annapolis, he chose instead to attend OCS after graduating from college, a civilian college with a high ranking. The problem seemed to be that the Admiral always made sure his son was promoted or transferred. And I guess maybe if I'd been in the Admiral's position, I would have done anything to protect my son but back then, there was a lot of resentment. And from what we've been able to discover, it was the un-warrented promotions that people didn't like.

“Less than a month after his OCS graduation, Ensign Langston met Lily Hubbard and they married within weeks. This part is hearsay but they lived on base after they were first married and neighbors reported screaming battles between the two. One woman is quoted as saying that the new Mrs. Langston was the unhappiest bride she’d ever seen.

“Two months later, Langston is suddenly and, again this is hearsay, totally without merit promoted to a Lieutenant Junior Grade and they were transferred to Bremerton, Washington where nobody knew they’d met less than three months previously. In November, 5 months after they met and married, the new Mrs. Langston had a baby they named Jeffrey Andrew and all was well.

“At one point, they were transferred to Point Mugo, in California, with Langston assigned to an administrative position. Months later, he was promoted to a full Lieutenant and they were transferred here, to San Diego. They lived off base and by now any rumors had been silenced by his marriage and the birth of his son.

“Shortly after the date of the transfer, we began to see financial problems in the couple’s records and we uncovered what looks like gossip but may have been a unofficial inquiry. Because they lived off base, at first there wasn’t much gossip about them. However, Mrs. Lieutenant, who had been a volunteer at a hospital in Bremerton, was reportedly now employed at a church school as their secretary. They may live off base but the news that the wife of a supposedly up and coming officer has a job gets around.

"When we examined their financials, we found that their savings account, which was in good shape after their wedding and again after the birth of their son, had been drained, with every withdrawal having the Lieutenant’s signature on it. Weeks later, their checking account is less than a dollar from being overdrawn when Mrs. Lieutenant deposits $17.00. He’s still in the Navy, being paid regularly. She’s still working and depositing her paycheck regularly. The rent on their home is well within their combined income. Where is that money going?

“I found out today when Carpenter said one parent sold his toddler son for cash up front to pay off his gambling debts. The contract states that the boy will be in the care of the rogue who signed the contract for a minimum of two years. Our victim is the only toddler in the entire group, that can only mean Jeffrey Langston.”

Vance again closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, he looked at the two men. “Next steps?”

“There are no records anywhere, not any law enforcement entity, federal, state, county, city or town, of Lily Hubbard sharing any information about the day her son disappeared, not even much about what she did upon discovering her son was missing. As I said earlier, the first notification came from Admiral Hubbard from his home in Virginia 7 days after the baby’s disappearance.

“I plan to arrest Lily Hubbard for collusion with her husband regarding the ‘sale’ of the baby as well as obstruction of justice. I also want to meet with her twin brother the Navy Captain and probably her mother and former mother-in-law, no matter where she is. I would like to bring Lily here and at the same time, meet separately with the others.”

“Where does she live now?”

“She lives in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and teaches at a nearby community college. However, we had a report overnight from the Boston team. They found the house locked up with her mail on vacation hold for 14 days. I’ve got eyes on the Captain’s house, off base, to see if she shows up there and at her younger son’s home in Santa Barbara in case she’s there. However, neither the younger son nor his family are around and there are tenants in their house. We made discreet inquiries at the wife’s place of employment and were told she’d had to quit because her husband had a new job in either Greece or England, the people I spoke with weren’t sure. So they’re in the wind and we don’t yet know where Lily is.”

Vance nodded, glad he could help with something, “The son is either in Varkiza or Athens, Greece, with his family. He’s teaching at a university there, I’ll get you the name. When the term ends there, he and his family are moving to the UK, I believe they were looking for a place to live in a town outside London called Brambury. He’s a math guy as is Timothy. Mello held a lecture that Tim signed up for before they relocated to Greece. When he realized he couldn’t attend, he wrote the organizers of the lecture, asking if it would be recorded. Long story short, Mello contacted him and the two hit it off, spoke again, I believe on two or three more occasions, once for as long as two hours, according to Artemis, Tim’s wife.

“During their third chat, Mello told Tim he’d been offered a professorial position at a university in the town of Brambury, near London. The university name also starts with a ‘B’ but I don’t remember what it is. Then he was also invited to teach the spring semester at the university in Greece and accepted both. By this time they were Tim and Matt. However, although he’s younger than Tim and couldn’t have been involved in baby Jeffrey’s situation, Tim now believes the man had ulterior motives in befriending him after Tim’s first call to ask about recording the lecture.

“There was some sort of smug gesture or look between Mello and his wife when Tim and his wife picked them up at the Athens airport and that’s when Tim came to the conclusion that he didn’t want to live with this anymore. Mello may know more than he should. Hell, everyone in that family may know more than they should, without doing anything about it! I trust you and your team will interview each of them?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. Then bring Lily in as soon as possible and assign a separate team to visit the Captain and the grandmother. Tell me about the younger son again. I know you detailed him before but now I have a different perspective. ”

“He’s a fraternal twin, his twin is named Colleen. He’s married to a Michelle West and they have two sets of twins, both fraternal. He is or was a Mathematics Professor at UC Santa Barbara. His sister Colleen is also married with one child and they live near San Francisco where she’s a practicing psychologist. As she doesn’t seem to be involved, we haven’t probed any deeper into her life.

“Matthew and Colleen have two half-sisters, also fraternal twins, born to Lily and her second husband, Rafael Mello. Mr. Mello died three years ago. The younger twins are in university in the UK and do not appear to be close to their Hubbard family. Their father was the son of Portuguese immigrants to Canada and the young women seem to spend more time with their Mello relatives in Portugal than with the Hubbards.

“Here’s another item of minor interest: Rafael adopted the older twins after his marriage to Lily. At the insistence of their biological paternal grandmother, the older twins kept Langston as their surname but hyphenate it with Mello and both generally just use Mello. Colleen’s son’s middle name is Rafael and one of Matthew’s daughter’s name is Rafaela.”

“Thank you, I think we all needed those slight touches of love and loyalty!” He sighed, “I want to have this all wrapped up as soon as possible.”

Mac nodded, “Everyone’s made great progress, Director, I can see that happening. Not the trials but we’ll have everyone concerned behind bars before then.”

Jeff held up crossed fingers and Vance smiled before shaking his head, “Thank you both. The problem with the trials is that our victim cannot be alone or even speak with his NCIS family members or their spouses, three of whom are Tim’s siblings, without a third party witnessing and/or recording until the trials are over, years from now and that’s affecting the entire family.”

He closed his eyes and Andreson nodded, “I know, sir, I’m being copied on emails and get sent texts with photos of texts that Tim sends to his family.”

“We need to revisit this as soon as possible and determine whether the block is absolutely necessary. This is only the second time in my years with the agency that I’ve seen the block used and in the earlier case, they were all previously convicted criminals. That is certainly not the case here and it’s not only affecting Tim’s family members, it’s deeply affecting him. He’s already deeply affected by what happened to him, he should be protected by us, not made to feel that neither he nor his family can be trusted. Although his emotional health and that of his NCIS family members and partners are in danger, I also fear losing Tim as an employee as well as his NCIS family members. Each of them is an exemplary employee and would have their pick of employers should they decide to leave us. As for their spouses, they’re all trustworthy individuals. I know them all, my family is part of their extended family. That means I’m also restrained from working with my employee. I don’t like it and I’ve had to bite my tongue to keep from advising Timothy to hire an attorney, who will certainly be able to overturn the restrictions we’ve imposed.”

Jeff took a deep breath but his SAC spoke first. “To be honest, Director, this has been a topic of much discussion between us. Considering the Gibbs’ family, neither of us understand why the block was necessary. I’d never even heard of the ‘block’ before this case and do not understand why the usual Non-Disclosure Agreement forms aren’t being used.”

Nodding, Jeff added, “The federal agent protection teams for the family have made a point of including changes in Tim in their reports. He’s lost weight, no longer smiles or speaks much, his eyes are dull. I don’t know him well but I do know that his eyes are expressive, or were expressive. While we hope he’s different with his family members and we know we’re not doctors of any sort but all this speaks to me of deepening depression. And that’s not what this is supposed to be about. We’re hurting not only Tim but everyone else involved.”

Leon nodded, “All right, the ball is in my court. I listened to our Legal Department but you’re right, this is not working. I’ll schedule a call,” He shook his head, “No, I need to see them in person. If you need me for anything, I’ll be in Greece to meet with Tim and whoever else is in residence and then I’ll fly to London to meet with the rest of the family. Tim’s brother-in-law, SSA Ned Dorneget, is in Arizona on bereavement leave. I believe he is flying home at the end of the week so he may be either the first or the last to know.

“While I’m gone, continue with the case. Our next priorities are one, Lily, followed closely by her brother, mother and younger son and the former mother-in-law if you can meet with her during her travels, don’t wait, I’ll authorize any unusual travel. If she remains in Africa, assign the Naples' team to interview her. If we have any grounds to arrest her, do so.

“Also, while we are removing the block, all the NCIS agents, except for the absent Dorneget, in Europe report to Tim which means the younger son needs to be interviewed by someone outside of the European offices or outside of NCIS.”

He looked at Jeff, who blinked. “Sir?”

“You haven’t found the mother, Lily, yet, right? Fly overseas with me, interview the younger son and then fly home. By that time, your teams will have found the mother. Otherwise, we’ll have to send someone from here and there isn’t anyone who isn’t friends or at least friendly with Timothy.”

“How about the FBI?”

“Not from DC. He worked for them for two years and before that Gibbs’ MCRT solved a lot of FBI cases for the local agents.”

Jeff nodded, “When are you leaving?”

“As soon as you get here! Mac?”

“Yes, Director, I’ve already ordered the jet.”

“Good, now back to Lily. You intend to arrest her.”

“Yes, sir and our attorneys agree. Unless it turns out that Lily clearly doesn’t know anything about the contract and our toddler being taken when he was, which considering the week’s delay, I strongly doubt.
“I also want to charge her with obstruction of justice for the delayed report. As soon as we find her, we’ll bring her in and her brother Captain Hubbard and his mother will also be questioned. We believe the brother will have more information than his mother, Jeffrey’s maternal grandmother. If she’s not there, we’ll speak with her later.”

“Very well. Everyone’s doing a wonderful job on this, my congratulations to all. I had nightmares that it would take years to unravel.”

Mac nodded, “It might have, if the professor hadn’t written that letter to the FBI.”

Leon nodded to Jeff, who left the call, hurrying to his workstation to pull together what he needed to interview Matt Langston Mello.

“Speaking of the Bureau, how are the probies doing that they foisted on us?”

Mac grinned, finally saying, “We anticipate requests for transfer to NCIS shortly after we release them from the case. We kept this as a surprise for you, Jethro Gibbs has spent several hours on Skype, working with them.”

Happy although not the least bit surprised, Vance chuckled and that ended their call.

Chapter Text

 Ch 28: Surprise Visitors, News

Tim returned to work early on Wednesday, tired to the bone and remembering there was a couch in his newest embassy office where he could take jet lag naps. He’d done some work at home last night, mostly working on his Flauvtic project, searching for at least 3 more harbors in countries that would be willing to have parts of the US Navy fleets berthed within their territorial waters. Although the election was still a few months in the future he hoped to be finished long before that, not wanting it to take up any more of his time than absolutely necessary. He shook his head, at least he wasn’t tasked with negotiating with the countries for the space in their harbors!

Today he cleaned up his email and worked on evaluations for a few hours before rolling his eyes at himself and pulling up the Flauvtican file. Checking his list of possible new sites, he looked at three harbors that had suffered the least damage in the tsunamis.

Looking at them, he smiled. Thinking things through, he made some notes before returning to his search. Researching the current status of those three harbors, he found positive signs of recovery, enough for him to include them on his list of “Possibles”. Technically, he was through but he had one more thing to do.

Blinking, he realized it was time for a nap, quickly saved his work, grabbed an extra-long blanket Yaya knitted for him that had migrated to the office, found a throw pillow, locked the door, took his shoes off and lay down on the couch, covering himself with the blanket. Setting his phone alarm for three hours, he promptly fell asleep.

He woke when his phone alarm rang, blinking his eyes. Glad for the nearby men’s room, he made it to the door of his office before realizing he was in his stocking feet. Backtracking, he put his shoes on before heading to the restroom to wash his face.

Returning, he smiled as he reviewed his notes before setting up his next search. It was a bit different and he shook his head at what he found. Detailing his findings, he wrote a proposal to go with them, amending it several times until he was sure it made sense. Realizing he wanted to talk this over with someone, he called his dad, asking him to join him for lunch.

As his father had just wakened from a jet lag nap and their rental vehicles had been delivered yesterday, he agreed. Lu was still asleep so he left her a note that he’d gone into Athens for lunch with Tim, who was “up to something!”.

When Jethro arrived and was showed to Tim’s newest office, he smiled as his son gave him an almost feral grin. “I haven’t seen that in a while! What are you up to, Elf Lord?”

Tim laughed at that, he hadn’t heard that nickname in a long time. “I got to thinking about the tsunamis and the hurricane and wondered…” Tim quickly outlined what he’d discovered as his father sat with his eyes wide and doing his best to keep his jaw from dropping open. When Tim finished, his father let out the laughter he’d been holding in, laughing himself silly.

When he regained his composure, Tim looked at him, “What, you think this is crazy? Too much?”

“No, it’s perfect! You also have the others selected?”

“Yes. Now it’s their choice and I’m done!”

“Wonderful!” Gibbs let out one more laugh, “I’m proud of you for thinking of that! No one in the State Department, the DoD or DoN thought about it.”

“Probably because it wouldn’t have amounted to much before the hurricane and tsunamis. Now, though, it’s perfect.”

“When are you going to send it in? I want to know how soon to start asking if you’ve heard anything!”

“I’m going to send it right before I leave today. In fact, let’s go have lunch and then I’ll leave with you.”

“Didn’t you drive in?”

“Yes, I meant I’ll leave at the same time as you.”

“Deal!”

Knowing they would need naps again in about 90 minutes, the two men had a quick lunch in a café close to the embassy. Returning to Tim’s office, he sent the information, including the new proposal, to Under-Secretary Leo, logged off his laptop, stuffed it into its case, grabbed his jacket and nearly ran out the door, locking it behind him. His father laughed all the way to the parking lot.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

At the house, Tim slept for another 3 hours, waking to find Liam and Jack sound asleep, one on each side of him, covered by their own blankets. Managing to extricate himself from the blankets and the bed without disturbing his sons, he took some pictures of them with his phone before tiptoeing out of the room. He found his daughters curled up on their beds and his wife asleep on the sofa bed in the living room.

He’d forgotten about the sofa bed; however, what made him chuckle soundlessly was that she’d managed to pull the bed out but was sleeping on it upside down, that is her head was at the bottom of the mattress where her feet would normally be. Grabbing a warm blanket, he spread it over her and the light covering she already had over her before adding another smaller blanket over her feet, which were always cold in the winter months. Then he bumped up the thermostat to keep the chill out of the house as they were all tired and would be more susceptible to the cold for a few days until they once again acclimated. Looking outside, he shook his head as the sun was already setting.

He blinked, amazed at how much better he felt here at home as opposed to the depression he felt in San Diego and in the UK. He guessed that was because in Greece he could speak here with everyone but Nikki and the two of them rarely spoke about work, although he remembered they’d had a conversation about something work-related a few weeks ago. Still, that wasn’t anything to do with him or his cases!

Intending to find something to prepare for dinner, he quietly entered the kitchen, smiling at a handwritten note from his mother. She’d made lasagna, it only needed to bake. Setting the temperature on the oven, he removed the casserole dish from the refrigerator and let it sit for several minutes. Putting foil over the dish, he set the timer on his phone for 35 minutes before placing the dish in the oven. When the timer rang, he would remove the foil and reset the timer for about 10 minutes. He thought about making a salad or roasting some vegetables and smiled, he bet that tonight everyone would rather have roasted vegetables, nice and warm.

Digging out carrots, a large yam, a yellow squash, fresh mushrooms, fresh green beans, a big round onion and several asparagus stalks, he grinned, obviously someone had been shopping today, or perhaps they’d visited their caretaker/gardener Alan’s greenhouses? Then he shook his head, he’d forgotten about the fruit and vegetables they’d brought home from the old hotel property in California!

After washing the veggies Tim decided to use his big knife to cut everything rather than using his chopper. The chopper would wake everyone up and he’d rather let the wonderful smell of the lasagna wake them.

Quickly dicing the vegetables, he let them sit while he made one of his family’s favorite seasonings. Then he let the diced veggies and the seasoning sit, separately. As he was going to use the new air fryer to roast the vegetables, it was too soon to do anything else with them and he didn’t want them to get soggy in the seasoning. Putting the now-covered seasoning in the refrigerator, he poked around until he found the air fryer. It had appeared in the kitchen between their leaving after the Big Storm in the UK and their arrival from the US during the hurricane and tsunamis.

Finding the user’s manual, he sat at the kitchen table to read it. It sounded easy to use and he couldn’t wait to taste the vegetables. When the timer rang, he took the foil off the lasagna and reset the timer. After removing the vegetables from the refrigerator he added the seasoning and carefully placed everything in the air fryer. In the meantime, the lasagna was done and he removed it from the oven to sit for a few minutes.

Several minutes later, his family arrived saying the wonderful smells from the kitchen woke them. Tim laughed as his wife and father arrived with their eyes still closed and appreciative smiles on their faces. His mother grinned at him, “I hoped you’d decide on veggies, although I hadn’t thought of the air fryer!”

Liam and Ellanni set the table while Dad got the dishes out, Artie poured milk for the children and made tea for the adults, making sure Tim had his herbal tea. Lu helped Tim dish up the roasted vegetables and the lasagna. Jack and Chloe would handle cleaning up, with adult help from either Poppy or their mother.

Their dinner was a success and they toasted Mom-Grama-Lu for the delicious lasagna and Daddy-Tim-Son for the lovely vegetables. When Tim asked if they’d come from California, Artie grinned. “Yes and Bill also brought some from Alan’s greenhouse. He and the crew worked today and Alan told them to help themselves. He even had bags for each of them to use.”

“Excellent! Maybe we can visit again later this week? Or when we run low on the California and the greenhouse stashes.”

“Good idea.”

Ellanni looked at her dad, “Did you go to work today, Daddy?”

“I did, sweet pea. I drove into Athens and worked in my office at the embassy and had a nap on the couch in my office. Your poppy drove in to have lunch with me, then we had to hurry home before we needed to sleep again!”

They all laughed at that and Liam asked how many naps his father had taken at the office. “Just one. I had it timed pretty well and I had a pillow and blanket so when I started feeling like I needed to sleep right away, I locked the door, set the alarm on my phone, took my shoes off and crawled onto the couch in my new office, under a nice warm blanket Yaya made me.”

When they looked at him, he shook his head, “Mimi, your mother’s grandmother and therefore also my yaya, not yours!”

They giggled at him and he grinned.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

By Friday, the family was over the worst of their jet lag and Ellanni and Jack were allowed to return to school, much to their joy. They’d had some work to complete while they were dealing with jet lag and turned that in Friday morning. The day before, they joined Liam and Chloe at the day care and that evening the four of them were full of all kinds of news about their fun day.

Artie returned to work on Thursday, reporting that it felt good to be back and she, Bill and their contractor now thought the Remis’ property would be complete by mid-March. She smiled at Tim as she said that and he grinned, happy to know that their belated wedding anniversary time away wouldn’t adversely change the completion date of their neighbors’ new home.

They were leaving on a Wednesday and would return the following Thursday, giving themselves a full week plus flight time to relax and enjoy themselves. While there were plenty of things to see and do in Malaga, both were looking forward to the down time and being together, just the two of them.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Friday afternoon of the week they returned from San Diego, Tim had a message from AJ Chegwidden asking when would be a good time to call. Smiling, Tim called him.

Surprised when he saw the caller ID, Chegwidden smiled at the younger man. “You look better, glad to be home?”

“Yes and here I can speak freely with everyone except my sister-in-law and when she and I talk, we record it. So we’re good. In addition, it just feels great to be home. We had a Skype call with the family in the UK, which was recorded, so my sister and I were able to speak with each other. She’s pregnant with her first child, due in April, says she feels like she’s been pregnant for a year or two.

“Good, glad to hear it and I hope all goes well with your sister! Now, I have to tell you, your timing in contacting me was excellent. Either today or over the weekend you’ll hear good news. And by the way, whatever you sent the Dept. of the Navy recently was enough to cause a celebration. I saw people literally doing a happy dance. At the Pentagon! Although it was behind closed doors.”

“Great! You didn’t by any chance see Secretary Porter?”

“No, from what I hear she’s still on special assignment somewhere.”

“That’s new, at least to me, thanks! So how much do I owe you for the good news?”

“Eh, let’s talk about that next week.”

“All right.”

After disconnecting, Tim did his own little happy dance before finishing up the work he’d started and sending a message to Nikki, copying Agent Andreson, that he was leaving for the day and not to work too late, that Dad was barbecuing something yummy for dinner. Before he sent it, he changed ‘Dad’ to LJG and then hit the Send button. As he started to sign off, he grinned at the IM from Nikki saying, “I’m packing up now!”

Rolling his eyes at himself, he copied that and sent it via an IM to Andreson. He wouldn’t mention it to Nikki.

Glad he’d left early enough to avoid the worst of the afternoon traffic, Tim drove home thinking about the weekend. Now that he had hope  there would be happy news, he’d put that mess out of his mind while mentally planning a surprise weekend trip to Jaxton the following weekend. He sorely missed everyone at the Jaxton house and really wanted to see his sister in person. Then he realized he and Artie would be in Spain that weekend. Sighing, he shook his head, they seriously needed to spend a month or more in one place, this was getting ridiculous! That made him wince, remembering their last trip was to give support to their Ned, his grandmother, his own brother Barry and his nieces. 

Remembering Artie was working today, he drove to the day care, happily greeting his children as well as Jasper. He sent Nikki and Bill messages asking if Jasper should go home with him and received ‘Yes, please!’ from both of them. When he told Jasper, the little boy frowned and Tim squatted down, “Hey, your dad is probably cleaning up after working. He doesn’t want to get you all dusty and dirty when he lifts you up for a hug and kiss! And I think your mom might be stuck in traffic, she left work after I did.”

Jasper nodded at that, leaning forward and hugging his uncle. “Okay, Uncle Tim!”

Tim grabbed him and lifted him up, grinning at the little boy’s giggles. Then he did the same for his kids, momentarily glad his Barnes-Gibbs nieces weren’t there! While none of the children, his or his nephew and nieces, were heavy, he was enough out of shape that his back let him know about lifting 5 children, adding his nieces would likely have elicited an even stronger complaint from his body!

Back home, everyone washed their hands before having a snack. When they heard a knock on the front door, Jasper grinned, sure it was one of his parents. Ever cautious, Tim left the kids at the table before answering the door.

Then he blinked and blinked again. Neither of these people were Bill or Nikki, it was his boss and Agent Andreson. Still speechless, he moved aside, spotting Vance’s Security detail. He motioned to them to join them and one of them came forward. Behind him, he could hear the kitchen door squeaking and shook his head.

“Come in, please. Sorry, I was expecting my brother or sister-in-law!” He gave a weak laugh, “Come say hello to the kids, they’re just home from day care.”

The three men entered the house, following Tim into the kitchen. He shook his head again, “Sorry, would anyone like coffee, tea? We have herbal tea with no caffeine, caffeinated coffee, decaf coffee and a chicory-barley coffee substitute without caffeine.”

Then he looked at the children who recognized Leon but didn’t know the other two men. “Jasper, your parents aren’t here yet. Everyone, you know your Uncle Leon, this is Agent Andreson and next to him is Agent Sanz. Gentlemen, this is Jasper Jardine-Gibbs, son of NCIS Intel Analyst Nikki and Bill Jardine-Gibbs.”

Remembering his manners, Jasper said hello to the two newcomers, giggling when Uncle Leon picked him up for a hug.

Tim introduced all the kids, each of them giggling when Leon gave them a similar hug. When a radio squawked, Tim looked at Agent Sanz. “Company? That’s either my brother Bill, his wife Nikki or my wife Artemis.”

He nodded, gesturing with a smile at Jasper who looked at his uncle. Tim took his hand, “C’mon, I bet it’s your mom!”

Nikki came in, her eyes even wider than usual, “Tim, what’s…oof!” She laughed as Jasper ran right into her. Picking him up, she hugged him. “Hi, sweetie!”

“Mama, Uncle Leon is here and other people!”

“So I see. Hello, Director, it’s good to see you!”

“You too, Nikki. I can’t believe how much Jasper and all the children have grown since last summer!”

Hearing other cars arriving, Tim went for the door, smiling at his wife, brother and his parents, who also had Yaya and Grandfa with them. “Come on in, we have surprise guests!”

“That’s good because we brought dinner. Peter and Rhode are also joining us. Rob is on his way after his shift, he was on the outskirts of Athens when he texted so he should be here in about 20 minutes and Tony and Maggie will be by later. Jack and LJ are jet-lag napping so we left them a note and food.”

Tim grinned, “Great!” They’d have to serve buffet, the big table was at Mom and Dad’s place but he thought they had enough places to sit.

Everyone came in and he introduced Agents Sanz and Andreson to everyone. After being introduced, Sanz did a quick walk through of the house before giving Tim a nod and ducking back outside. Andreson asked to be called Jeff, which helped break the ice. The children called him Agent Jeff, as was customary in their family.

Bringing in their folding beach/patio chairs, which had been inside the garage while they were away and thus were not their usual sandy, dirty selves, they managed to seat everyone. Realizing these people were here to see their son and grandson, Lu and Athena decided to play hostess.

The children, having had snacks, weren’t hungry just yet and after picking one of their favorite movies to watch, adjourned to the den.

As drinks were served, Rob, Tony and Maggie hurried in, Maggie saying their girls were with Papi and Yaya Sophia. Athena narrowly avoided making a comment, wishing her daughter would pay more attention to her own grandchildren, that would have been cruel to both Maggie and Tony and she dearly loved both of them as well as their daughters. Along with that, she also didn’t need to add to Tim’s stress although he seemed less stressed today, or make comments about family members in front of company.

Once everyone was settled again. Leon nodded to Jeff, “Agent Andreson?”

The man nodded, “Thanks, Director. Tim, everyone, I’m happy to tell you we have all the suspects in custody. Not just your caregiver, Tim, all of the so-called scientists as well as their financial backers and those who procured the victims.”

Tim nodded, relief evident in his voice, “That’s great news, thanks! Uh, am I allowed to ask who took me?”

“Yes and you were right, it was your stepfather’s friend Max.”

“Max, the guy who visited sometimes and was nice to me, took care of me?”

“Yes, I have permission from our attorneys to tell you he was Langston’s bookie and he brokered the deal with the bad guys’ financial people. He was the one to whom Langston owed money.”

Tim took a deep breath, then another one, finally shaking his head, “No wonder I was drawn to Gibbs and the team. They didn’t trust anyone and that’s what I also needed. I trusted my family and close friends, no one else.”

Dad was already there and Tony quickly made his way over to his brother, both holding onto Tim, who was doing his best not to vomit. Recognizing the look, Artie quickly brought him a small drinking glass with a dose of the same pink digestive liquid he’d first had many years ago at the shelter in Baltimore, given to him then by the woman who’d become his mother. He pressed his head against Artie’s hand in thanks before saluting Malu with the glass, tilting his head back and downing the liquid as if it was a shot of tequila.

As Tim visibly relaxed, so did his family, including Leon while Andreson watched the group. He was glad Vance had him come along, seeing that little Jeffrey Langston was now surrounded by a loving family helped a great deal. While he knew from the security teams’ reports that Tim was physically affected by the stress of his cases, to see that stress in person was an eye-opener and disheartening.

When Tim’s demeanor showed he was recovering from the shock of the news, Leon put a hand on his shoulder, saying, “We actually were set to fly over on Wednesday but then the last suspect was taken into custody and we waited a day.”

He leaned forward, saying, “The round up is over Tim. Jeff, SAC MacDonald and I had a meeting on Monday and decided that for the rest of the life of these cases, we’ll return to the use of Non-Disclosure Agreements. No more gag orders blocking communications between you and your family. That was over the top and never needed. I hope you’ll accept my apologies, again, for intruding so deeply into your personal life and the lives of your family.”

Tim looked at him in surprise, “Did that come from you, originally?”

When Leon winced, Tim gave him a look and his boss gave a soft laugh, “No. I’m relieved to say it did not come from me or anyone who knows you. It was someone in the DoD.” He added, “By the way, I ran into AJ Chegwidden at the Pentagon before we left. He told me you’d hired him to determine why the gag order was required and was very happy to hear we were on our way to tell you in person that it was no longer in play.”

Tim smiled, “He called this afternoon, told me to expect good news sometime soon. Thanks for flying all the way over here!”

Leon looked at him and then shook his head, “I don’t know why you continue to stick around when first the Navy and the Department of Defense and now Defense again are so nasty to you but I’m grateful you do and I’m sorry as hell that you’ve had to go through this.”

Tim closed his eyes and Leon pulled his head toward him, holding on. Jethro and Artie rubbed his back while Agent Andreson sat quietly, feeling both grief and relief. When Tim tried to talk, he could only manage a whisper and he said, “It was too much like before, when it all started. It wasn’t exactly like it because I had parts of my family and I knew, know I’m loved and cared about and I'm grown up now, not dependent but being forced to separate myself from them, I couldn’t deal with it.

"Even when Sarah, Rob and I left for Massachusetts and MIT, we were in touch. The guys and I wrote letters, sent photos. I still have a photo of Joe and Freddie standing in front of their very first company van. We couldn’t always afford to go home for Christmas but we managed a few times during the years we were in Massachusetts, taking the bus and then staying at Malu’s place. And the times we couldn't go home, we spent with the Porters and Mrs. Ferguson, we weren't alone. Being at home, at Malu's, was the best although it all felt good and it just kept getting better until this. Even when I was disconnected from the agency, I had my family and then Tobias, someone I knew and trusted helped me, even our former director came by the Hoover building to reassure me. I knew I wasn’t alone. Then Tony showed up in San Francisco, Artie appeared out of nowhere and then you, Dad.” He looked at Vance, "And then you made it right. That was more than I'd had anytime growing up, after the hospital and until I escaped the foster system and found my way to my new family."

His father moved around to sit next to Leon, “Timothy, your mother’s told me many stories about you, your brothers and Sarah during your years on the street. Son, you were born a survivor, I’ve been convinced of that for years now. Even as a baby, barely a toddler, you somehow survived. Every single one of you is a survivor. Maybe Tony and I didn’t trust anyone but you did. I’ve never figured out why but you put up with us, and Kate, then Ziva, until we learned you, who you were and what you were capable of and how much we needed you. That’s when we finally became a cohesive team.”

Tim smiled, catching Tony and Bill’s eyes. “You were tough but I'd been through far worse and don't forget you chose me, that was a huge thing for me. And I wanted a dad. So did Tony and Ziva. So did Bill and I guess Rob. Geo and Jose knew what parents were like, knew they'd been loved and lived the way they thought their parents would want them to, just as Jimmy did. Freddie just wanted to be safe and hidden from the world. Until Mom adopted him, the idea of any parent or being anyone’s son terrified him and rightly so. Now he’s a proud son of both of you, a wonderful brother to us and a very happy uncle to Tommy and Menolly. ”

Rob nodded, thinking about meeting his Timpa, “I didn’t know what a dad was until the day you saved my life. I still didn’t know what it was called but I knew I wanted you to take care of me.”

Tim smiled at him, “I didn’t know about dads either until my last foster father. I liked him but I also knew I wouldn’t be able to stay with them, I was always moved. So I gave him up and moved on.”

Bill sat in thought, “The first time I met the guy who became my mentor that was what I thought, that maybe he’d be a dad to me. Although he was and still is my mentor and friend, he’s never been dad-like. More big brother, which I recognized from being big brother to the rest of you. As Tim says, Jethro, you’re my first dad and mom, my only parents and your timing was perfect as I’m learning from you how to be a good dad to our son.”

When a timer rang, they chuckled, getting up to serve dinner.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

After their tasty dinner, Tim had a private conversation with Agent Jeff about his time in foster care as ‘Adam Ward’ and his ‘disappearance’, telling him that a few years ago, he’d had a long conversation with D’Arcy McKinna, telling her of his journey across the US to Baltimore and changing his name from ‘Adam Ward’ to ‘Timothy McGee’.

Tim relaxed when he saw from the other man’s face that he knew that already and Jeff verbally confirmed his knowledge. He told Tim that his time in foster care wasn’t part of the cases he was handling except as a postscript to Tim’s discharge from the hospital and what everyone hoped had been the end of his trauma. He’d been curious to know if anyone ever connected the name Adam Ward with either Jeffrey Langston or later, with Timothy McGee, Timothy Camilo, Timothy Midei or Timothy Camilo-Gibbs.

Jeff continued, telling Tim that he’d been given Ms. McKinna’s name by Director Vance and had contacted the woman. She told him about her conversation with Tim, when her friend told her about his bus ride across country and that he’d once been called Adam Ward. She had updated the files and happily closed the very old ‘missing juvenile’ records with her agency as well as the national database of missing children. Jeff smiled at Tim, “Everything has been updated. There’s nothing that you need to do around your name change or disappearance from foster care.”

Tim nodded, “I thought of writing my last set of foster parents but haven’t yet gotten to it. I’ll do it at some point.”

Agent Andreson chuckled, “That would be nice. However, Ms. McKinna said she’d already notified them that you are alive and thriving.”

“Good to know, then I won’t have to explain, instead I’ll update.” Tim held his hand out for a shake, “Thank you for everything, I appreciate everything you’ve done, are doing. Oh, I did have one more question. Does ‘Ken’, I mean Carpenter, know anything about me?”

“He referred to you as Johnny and asked for information but I’d already told him you were alive and that was enough.” He frowned, “If you’re thinking of visiting him, that’s not a great idea. He knew what was happening to you, Tim. He knew it was wrong but he didn’t stop working for them until they asked him to take you to a hospital, after you’d been comatose for several days. He knew what they were doing, after he dropped you at the hospital, he hid in the mountains for years. Although he's changed locations a few times, he's been in hiding his entire life since the day he took you to the hospital. He was still in hiding the day he was arrested by our Marseille team. He knew they were wrong to do what they did. What he hadn’t admitted to himself was that he was just as wrong.”

Tim shook his head, “I wasn’t thinking of contacting him in any way, I…, well I wondered if he’d expressed any remorse for what he’d done.”

“No, he’s the hero of his story, nurturing you through healing after you were tortured, comforting you, potty training you, teaching you, getting you to the hospital when you were comatose. In his eyes, he’s a good guy.”

Reaching out, he patted the other man’s shoulder when Tim sighed. “I guess I’m still trying to look for answers as to why and hoping that at least the guy who taught me so much might have cared.”

“He did say that you soaked up everything he taught you.”

Leon laughed when asked if he’d seen Jared or the Russells, “Yes, Jared and the family as we're staying with them, my security teams prefer that when I'm here.”

“Good, tell them hello for us. Jeff, have you ever been here before?”

The agent shook his head, smiling, “I have not, I’ve been to Hawai’i, Puerto Rico, Aruba, the US Virgin Islands, Mexico and Belize but nowhere on this side of the planet. Now that I’m having a look, I want more and I predict my next trip will be a return to Greece.”

“So you are a hot weather, beach fan?”

“Yes, I grew up in North Dakota and when I first stepped off the plane in San Diego, I swore I’d never leave the nearly endless sunshine.” He chuckled, “But now I will leave, at least long enough to learn more about Greece!”

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

After dinner, when everyone but his wife, parents and children left, Tim excused himself to call his sister, thankful for the time difference between the UK and Greece.

James answered his Skype call, looking worried but then smiled when he saw Tim’s grin. “Good news?”

“Yes and I want to tell everyone there although I’d really like to speak with Sarah first, please.”

“Yes! Hang on, I’ll send her a text. Uh, okay if I stay?”

“Of course! I forgot to ask if Jimmy and Breena are there.”

“They are, yes. With Tony and the family in Greece, they changed their minds about staying in the London townhouse. They’re now on the first floor in your old suite. If or when Nikki and Bill relocate from Greece, Tony’s approved Bill building another first floor 2 or 3 bedroom suite.”

When Sarah appeared, she saw the smiles on her husband’s and brother’s faces. She was so surprised that for once she didn’t tell James she could sit down all by herself, allowing him to help her.

When Tim said the magic words, that the gag order was discontinued and they could speak together without recording or having witnesses, she cried happy tears and James held on tight, grinning like a fool at his brother-in-law.

When Sarah could talk again, she and Tim spoke privately for several minutes while James rounded up the others.

When everyone was gathered, Tim told them the good news, grinning again at their cheers. He remembered to tell them everyone would need to sign an NDA, that is a Non-Disclosure Agreement, which would be supplied to them by the London NCIS Office’s Legal Department and was buoyed by their reception of that news.

Before he went to bed that night, Tim sent emails to Ned and the Porters. He’d notify his team leads over the weekend.

Tim slept better that night than he had in a long time.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Still tired from their travels, Artie and Tim reflected that they’d hadn’t been in one place for more than a few days at a time since the first Big Storm hit the UK months ago, or so it seemed. That storm had been followed by a return to Jaxton before flying to the US for Christmas and New Year’s, which in turn was cut short by the undersea volcano that resulted in tsunamis as well as an out of season hurricane, along with, of course, Tim and Leon’s problems with the Secretaries of Defense and Navy. Tim was very happy he was done with that project and then wondered what would happen if that particular candidate didn’t win the election. He’d quit paying attention as soon as his suggestions for new harbors were sent to Under-secretary Leo. He was done!

When he and Artie stopped to consider all their recent travels, they laughed at themselves, very happy that the delayed celebration of their 7^th wedding anniversary would begin next week. Although that also made them groan, thinking about packing and traveling again so soon and Tim’s realization that they wouldn’t be able to get to Jaxton for at least 3 weeks, more likely a month.  

As they weren’t the only ones who were tired, the Varkiza clan, with the exception of the Lekkas’ household, had a quiet weekend, sticking close to home and the beach. The weather cooperated, the sun providing just enough warmth to enjoy walking and playing on the beach. The exception was dinner with the Russells and their visitors Saturday evening, attended by Tim, Jethro, their spouses and children, that is Tim and Artie’s children.

Sunday was spent continuing to rest as well as preparing for the new week and the departure for the south of Spain. Young Jack and Ellanni had returned to their kindergarten/reception classes at the International School on Friday and were now looking forward to being there for a whole week! Liam was happy to resume his preschool classes while Chloe was happy her cousins, Jasper, McKenna and Madelyn, would be with her at the daycare and that her siblings would join them after their classes were over for the day.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

That same Sunday, Agent Andreson knocked on the door of the house where Dr. Matthew Mello and his family were currently living in Athens. He knew they were home, two of the agents from the NCIS team in Piraeus watched the house overnight and reported signs of life early that morning although no departures.

When a man who looked remarkably like Tim answered the door, at first he seemed bewildered to have a US Federal Agent on his doorstep on a Sunday morning. That look vanished as he frowned, motioning Andreson inside, all without saying a word.

Following Mello into a private office, Agent Andreson chose to sit on the couch rather than in the chair in front of the desk, thus nearly forcing Mello to join him on the couch. Mello thought that on the one hand, it made things a little less serious while on the other, he’d lost the chance to sit behind the desk and thus be in a stronger position.

Agent Andreson looked at Mello, “Tell me about your decision to come to Greece.”

Startled, Mello took a few seconds before responding, “I’d already accepted the job at Bedford University in the UK, that’s a permanent position. Then when I had the offer to teach for a semester here in Athens, my wife and I decided it would be fun. We intend to travel around the UK and Europe from London but this way, we could explore a bit of southern Europe first. And,” he sighed, “I’d been chatting with a former professor who lives in Greece, so there would already be people here we knew, or I knew.”

“Tell me about the former professor.”

Matt’s face paled and he sat back, closing his eyes. “Is this coming from him or you?”

“From the U.S government. Your decision to take the job in Athens seems to be based on knowing him or was there another reason?”

“I…well, yes, partly because I knew him and partly because I’ve always wanted to visit Greece and this way we could live here for a few months, learn more about the country, the people, the culture and history.”

“What did you know about him?”

Matt frowned, hoping Tim wasn’t in any trouble. “That he’s a math and science guy at heart, we, uh, bonded over that. I knew he was a former professor, that he’d taught at Stanford and was a visiting professor at a university around London, might be in London, he never said the name.”

He shook his head, “I don’t understand all this. We were friends, he and his wife even picked us up at the airport when we arrived, it was a big deal for us to have them do that. But then, I don’t know what happened, things changed soon after that.”

“Tell me about your flights and them picking you up at the airport.”

“We did four flights in all. First we flew from Santa Barbara to Reagan in DC. We stayed for 3 full days there, doing some sightseeing. Our second flight was the transatlantic flight, from Dulles to Heathrow. This time we stayed five days, to deal with our jet lag, see some of London and also to see the town of Brambury in person. That’s where Bedford University is and we hope to live there. Although I lived in the UK with my parents while still in school and have relatives in Portugal, this is my first time overseas with my wife and children. We were relieved that Tim’s routine for jet lag works better than anything I’ve tried before. 

“Our third and shortest flight was from London to Lisbon, where my younger sisters, not my twin, our grandparents and other family members live. They are my dad’s family, that is my Mello father, the only one I knew. He was my mother’s second husband and adopted my twin sister and me. Our biological father, Mom’s first husband, died a few weeks after we were born. Anyway, we spent several days with the family before leaving for Athens, our fourth and final flight.

“We met Tim and his wife Artemis at the Athens airport, at Baggage Claim as planned. The signs are in Greek, English and a couple of other languages, he’d told me so it was easy to find. We were happy to be done with flying for a few months and pleased that our plan worked. While we were somewhat tired, we weren’t as exhausted as we would have been if we’d flown straight to Athens from DC.”

“Tell me about your meeting at Baggage Claim.”

The man shrugged, “My wife and I saw them as we entered Baggage Claim. He looked just as I thought he would.” He opened his mouth to continue but was interrupted by the agent.

“How, Mr. Mello, how did you expect him to look?”

Matt closed his eyes, finally saying, “This is really personal.”

Andreson fought back the anger that surged through him. “Your future may depend on your answer. How did you expect him to look?”

Puzzled by that, Mello responded, “Like me, and he does. I have an older half-brother, we have different fathers, who disappeared when he was 2 and I thought I’d finally found him.”

“Tell me about the look between you and your wife when you saw him.”

The other man shrugged, “I don’t know, it was…," he rolled his eyes, "I guess it might have been a bit smug.”

“Why?”

“Because my uncle has been looking for him for years and I have from the time I was a teenager into my adulthood. But I found him through our Math and Science connection. Two geeks finding each other when no one else could.”

Andreson again had to fight off anger. “Did it ever occur to you that he might not want to be found? That the ‘smug’ look you exchanged might have meant something like you finding a trophy? Has he told you what he currently does, his work?”

Matt was shocked to his core, “Why wouldn’t he have wanted to be found? We’re his family! And what do you mean about a trophy?”

“You are not his family. Despite possibly sharing DNA, none of you are his family. Think about trophies, was this a game to you? And you have not answered my question.”

Mello shook his head, “No, he was vague about what he does now. I realized at some point that he’s also the author Thom E Gemcity and thought they might be in Greece to research another book or maybe it’s his wife’s work, she’s some kind of engineer. I still don’t understand why he wouldn’t want to be found, to know us.”

The agent shook his head, “That’s not for me to explain but here’s a thought. If he wanted to be in touch with your family, don’t you think he himself would have looked?”

“Uncle Jim thought he might have forgotten, considering how young he was when he disappeared.”

“Your mother’s brother. What does he think happened to him?”

“He believes he was kidnapped and adopted. He says Jeff was very smart and a sweet kid, would have been an easy child to love.”

“And what did you think happened to him?”

Mello shrugged, “I’ve always believed he’s alive so I chose not to think about how and why he disappeared. My mother’s always said he wandered off and by the time she got home from work and started looking for him, either someone picked him up or he’d wandered farther than she thought possible.”

“What else has she said?”

“That she looked for him for days and, like Uncle Jim, says he was very smart and sweet.”

Although Jeff wanted to comment, he kept his mouth shut before moving on with his questioning. 

“What about your father, your biological father? What was he doing when Jeffrey disappeared?”

Matt shrugged, “I don’t know. Mom doesn’t talk about him and we, that is Colleen, my twin, and I never asked. Mom met and married Rafael when we were 3 and as far as we’re concerned, he is our only father. Except when my grandmother Langston is around, then we have to pretend to care about Daniel, our bio father.”

“Are you close to your paternal grandmother?”

“No, not really. She’s, well, I feel sorry for her, we’re her last living relatives. She is interesting, she travels all over and as long as she’s talking about her travels, that’s good. But that’s really all we have in common. She’s also a scientist but doesn’t ever talk about it. And when she starts talking about Daniel or his also deceased brother, uh, Mark, I think, it’s creepy. And talking about her husband, our grandfather the Admiral, is even worse.”

“How so?” Jeff knew he was wandering far afield from his planned interview but this was very interesting and might help him understand some of the actions, or lack of actions, of Tim’s birth family.

Matt made a face, although he was happy with the change of directions in the questions, relieved not to have to talk about his own actions or how he’d met his brother, “He died shortly after Daniel died and neither Colleen nor I have any memories of either of them. My mother was scared of him and also hated him so I don’t know anything positive about the man. I do know that he was pretty rigid as far as his sons going into the Navy. His older son, Mark, did not want to but gave in to the pressure from the Admiral. He went to Annapolis, graduated, served his mandatory time, I think that’s 8 years, and then I think died in a shipboard accident. I don’t know if NCIS ever investigated that. Daniel, on the other hand, couldn’t wait to be a Navy officer; however, he was gay which back in those days presented a problem. He went to a civilian college, highly ranked and approved by the Navy, and then went through OCS and got his commission.

“My mom met him right after that and they married within a month. He didn’t tell her he was gay before they were married and when she figured it out, she thought she could change him. Then she discovered she was pregnant, I think 4 months pregnant, from a previous boyfriend. When she told Daniel, he was very happy because that would help his reputation. When they told his parents, his father had him transferred to a base when no one would know they’d only known each other for 8 weeks and been married for 4 weeks.

“From what my uncle says, and he was not and still is not a fan of Admiral Langston, the Admiral bailed Daniel out from what would have been embarrassing or even career-ending situations at least 3 times. And he and my grandmother bribed my mother to return to Daniel every time she left him.”

“Bribed her?”

“Yeah. She left him a few times when Jeffrey was a baby. She’s said that the only good parts of that marriage were when he was away on a float for months at a time or when she went home to her parents.”

Matt made a face, “She also said he stole from her. She had a separate savings account, saving up to leave him and live on her own with the baby, she planned to tell Jeffrey’s father so she could get child support from him and said maybe she’d also share custody so she could have time to herself. Anyway, one time when she returned after a bribe, she found out her savings account was nearly wiped out, there was $5.00 left in it. When she left, there had been a balance of $5,000. She thinks he did it with her ATM card, because his name was not on the account.”

Matt rolled his eyes, “Some of that money came from the bribes.”

The agent nodded, tired of dealing with this man, who seemed as clueless as the rest of his family.

“Thank you, Mr. Mello, for your cooperation. You will need to sign this and follow the instructions.”

Matt took the piece of paper, frowning, “An injunction?”

“Yes, to stay away from Timothy Jackson Gibbs, also known as Timothy Midei, Timothy Jackson Camilo, Timothy McGee and Timothy Camilo-Gibbs and all of his family. That means his workplace, which is currently the U.S. Embassy in Athens so you will be able to navigate around the city, especially the university, without violating the injunction as well as his place of residence, the municipality of Varkiza. If you arrive somewhere and discover he’s also there, you’ll need to leave.”

“What if I’m already somewhere and he arrives?”

“He’s agreed that in that case, he will leave. The exception would be the airport. Then you'll need to maintain a distance of 20 feet from him or his family.”

“Why?”

“Your actions at the airport that day have given him almost unbearable stress, he feels that to you he’s some sort of trophy and has zero interest in having anything to do with you or any of your family.”

“I don’t understand.”

Waiting until the other man had signed the injunction and handed him the copy, Agent Andreson, who’d closed his eyes for a few seconds, finally said, “Your lack of understanding indicates a clear lack of empathy for him as well as an astonishing lack of imagination or even knowledge of the real world. I wonder what imaginary world you live in that everything and everyone has a happy ending?”

With that, he left the room and the house, knowing he'd said too much and not caring. Returning to the Russells’ home in Piraeus, he immediately took a shower and changed clothes. He was a seasoned federal agent but these people seemed so morally and emotionally bankrupt that they exhausted him and what he’d learned from records and anecdotes before this had already been bad enough. Now he was depressed that the younger generation, at least Matthew Langston Mello, seemed to be just as egocentric and selfish, lacking empathy or any connection with reality as his mother seemed to be.

Finding only his boss and Jared in the house, Jeff sat down heavily in an armchair. Jared winced, giving him a pat on the arm as he left the room. Vance sighed, “He wants to be an architect and engineer, wants to make people happy and safe in their homes, places of work, worship or relaxation. His sister wants to join NCIS which she also says makes people safe and some of them happy.”

Jeff nodded, “Glad I don’t have to make that decision again!”

“What were your alternate choices?”

“Anything that could be done living in a warmer climate!”

Vance laughed at that. “I have to admit, I never considered the climate until we were transferred here. After that, well, we were in Chicago which was my home territory. Although that first winter was truly a shock to our systems and I don’t think Kayla stopped crying all winter. She cried more during the winters in Chicago than her entire first year of life here in Greece and every year since then, we could not keep her warm! Eventually we were in San Diego and I wanted to roll around in the winter sunshine. The kids and I dragged Jackie to the beach nearly every weekend.”

Andreson laughed, “And then…!”

“Yes, and then. Although, well, let’s just say we’ve managed to escape the East Coast winters and summers nearly every long weekend and school holiday. It pays to have offices in different parts of the world!”

“Right, there’s the Southern Hemisphere, Florida or the Mediterranean to escape DC winters and the Mediterranean, Canada, Alaska or parts of Europe to escape the misery of DC summers.”

Leon smiled, “Thanks, we haven’t been to Alaska yet, that’s a great idea. So?”

“He admitted to being smug, I didn’t prompt him to use that word, about finding his half-brother and didn’t seem to feel any shame about making Tim feel like some sort of trophy. I have to tell you, I had hope for this guy, that he might actually care. I left him still bleating, not understanding why Tim wouldn’t want to be part of their family. And this after telling me lies that his mother told him and his twin sister. I had to bite my tongue to keep quiet about what happened.”

“He’ll learn soon enough, I’m sure he’ll attend his mother’s trial and hear about the others. Did he sign the injunction?”

“Yes, he wasn’t happy but he signed it. He seemed relieved when I told him he could easily avoid the US embassy. He didn’t mention the UK so I didn’t either. He also seems close to his uncle, his mother’s twin. I sincerely hope James Hubbard is a better human being than the Langston family is or was.”

“Have hope, remember how kind Tim is. Had to come from somewhere.”

“Can’t be Gibbs’ influence, especially considering the number of years they worked together!”

Vance bent his head, chuckling and finally saying, “Gibbs has a heart of gold that he kept carefully locked up during his years as a federal agent. Or tried to keep locked up, the exceptions were when children, his team or friends were concerned, then he went all out.”

At the look on his agent’s face, Vance grinned, “There was a reason his team stayed on all those years, you know. Tim outlasted them all at least in part because of his need for a father and DiNozzo would have stayed if the team hadn’t been disbanded. By the time Jethro reconnected with Tim, he was more than ready to step up into a fatherly role with him. Took him awhile to figure it out but once he did, he was all in, for DiNozzo and David as well. Then Jethro fell in love with Tim’s mother and well, the rest is history with the ever-growing, close-knit and usually happy family. Every single one of them has been through some sort of hell during their lives and that plus the need to bind together, to work together for survival, has led to the family they are today. We, my family, are happy and proud to be part of the family."

“Huh, interesting, hadn’t thought of it that way. I am glad to know that Tim’s found his way with his siblings and parents, that’s all pretty amazing.”

“Siblings, parents, in-laws, his and those of his wife and siblings, and extended family, like us and the Porters, who mentored him at MIT and Stanford. And more people than I can think of offhand.” He shook his head, “I wonder if that will someday include his birth family.”

Andreson shuddered, “I almost hope not! Maybe his maternal grandmother and uncle but the rest? No thanks!”

“People do change or maybe a better explanation would be that people sometimes find things within themselves they hadn’t realized were there. Compassion and empathy, for instance. Maybe this will be a wake-up call for Mello.”

“That would be good. I’m also hoping for good things from the uncle.”

Vance nodded, saying, “Jeff, I’m going to tell you a family secret. Do you know Dr. Mallard, the senior Dr. Mallard?”

“Yes, I’ve met him a couple of times and I know of him by reputation.”

Leon grinned, “For your ears only, not everyone knows. Tim’s birth mother, Lily, and his uncle Jim, Lily's twin, are Ducky’s biological children. Ducky is Tim’s maternal grandfather.”

He laughed at the open mouth and dropped jaw of his agent. When he finally stopped laughing, he added, “So you see, there’s bound to be some kind, loving genes somewhere in that family and I’ll bet you anything they’re in Uncle Jim and hopefully the brother’s twin sister and the younger sisters. Is Uncle Jim married, kids?”

“Yes, he’s married with two children. His son’s name is Andrew Jeffrey, a reverse of Tim’s birth name.”

“Great! And you’re planning to interview him when you get back?”

“Yes, sir, both the uncle and the grandmother, although now I think I’d like to interview them separately. Or maybe the uncle first and then he can sit in with the grandmother as she’s quite elderly.”

“Good idea, just don’t mention Dr. Mallard!”

Jeff shook his head, chuckling.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

As the interview with Dr. Mello and serving the injunction were the last things on Vance and Andreson’s ‘to do’ list, they said their goodbyes to everyone at a dinner with the Russell and Gibbs’ families Sunday evening and left for the US early Monday morning.

While Tim knew that Andreson had interviewed Matt Mello and that he’d served the injunction, he remained unaware of what had been said during the interview and really didn’t want to know. He went to work Monday morning happy to think about his job and not his past! He smiled as he hit the light switch on entering his office, he and Artie were leaving for Spain on Wednesday and he could not wait to get away with his love!

Chapter Text

Ch 29: Interlude

When their first look at flights from Athens to Málaga showed them only a flight that would take 6 hours, with a layover in Zurich, Switzerland, they scrapped that in favor of flying to Madrid and then to Málaga. That certainly made more sense! Tim shook his head, “We’re spoiled by flying Paddington Air all the time, we don’t even know how to look for commercial flights anymore!”

When they saw a suggestion online about taking the train from Madrid to Málaga, they grinned and checked it out. In the end they decided to fly from Athens to Madrid and would take the train from there to their destination. The train would take an hour longer than a flight from Madrid to Málaga but they’d also see more of the country and the train was a better choice for the environment.

They discussed cutting a day or so from Málaga and spending that time in Madrid but in the long run decided that Madrid would need more than one or two days to explore, and they didn’t want to cut any time from their stay in Málaga, nor did they want the hassle of unpacking and packing twice. Both were exhausted after the last few months and seriously needed to rest and enjoy one new city, not two! They’d visit Madrid another time.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

The couple managed to get through saying goodbye to their children, knowing they’d be in good hands and that there were some fun treats in store for them. Still, it was difficult and once in their BEAT vehicle to the airport, they took a couple of minutes to regain their excitement about the trip.  

Their flight to Madrid was relatively quick and the pair grinned at each other as they boarded the train to Málaga, a city described as “glorious Andalusian city that sits at the very bottom of Spain – nearly as far south as you can get in continental Europe.”*

Watching out the windows, they relaxed for the duration of the 2 hour and 30 minute ride. Once at the main rail station, they gathered their belongings, taking a taxi to their hotel, located on a very inviting beach.

After checking in and unpacking, they changed out of their travel clothes, deciding to take a walk on the beach. Although it was late February, the average temperatures for the season in this area were 54-60°F, a few degrees above the average winter temperatures for Athens. Still, both wore sweaters and were happy they’d brought them. After walking briskly for close to an hour, they returned to their room, by this time carrying their sweaters.

During their stay in Málaga, they established a routine of sorts, dependent on the weather and what they felt like doing. They walked on the beach and swam in the hotel’s lovely pool every day. Although they quickly found favorites, they ate at different eateries for lunches, tapas and dinners. As breakfast was included with their hotel room, they took advantage of that.

While planning their trip, they’d identified several things they wanted to experience and now did so: the Picasso Museum, as the artist was a native of the area, as well as an ancient Roman Theater, along with Alcazaba, a fortress built during the rule of the Moors and Gibralfaro Castle, which they viewed at sunset with spectacular results. They bought a couple of prints at the Picasso Museum and took several photos with both phone and film cameras at the other sites, enjoying each one, especially the Castle at sunset! They laughed when they found their favorite photo was one a fellow tourist took of them at the castle. They hoped the photo they’d taken of the tourist turned out just as well!

One morning they visited Atarazanas Market, which they thoroughly enjoyed. On another day they traveled by bus to the town of Nerja where they toured the Caves of Nerja, a series of caverns. The caves began forming approximately 5 million years ago when water seeped into cracks and fissures of the marble rock. Remains found in the caves indicate they were occupied by humans from about 25,000 BCE until the Bronze Age. Cave paintings from different eras have been discovered on the walls of the huge cavern.**

Thoroughly enjoying the experience, Tim and Artie, who had long had a visit to the Lascaux II cave in France on their ‘must do’ list, also appreciated the reminder of that goal. They decided to bring the children here when they were older as well as including them in the visit to the Lascaux II cave.

A trip to the Soho neighborhood of Málaga also proved interesting and fun with the artwork, gastrobars, murals and street art. They spent the Saturday of their holiday at the “Made in Soho” market, with stalls selling design, crafts, works of art and audiovisual art, antiques, and vintage items. The couple later decided they’d need to add another room to their future Grecian, and possibly Scottish, home(s) to adequately feature the artwork and everything else they collected during the travels. Luckily, they were able to have most of their treasures sent to the rental home in Varkiza.

While they missed the children, they saw and spoke with them every day, letting their offspring tell them of their adventures with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. Enjoying their own adventures, the couple also spent significant time to themselves, making the most of their time away from their busy lives.

One of the reasons they’d booked this particular hotel, besides the extra-long mattress, were the amenities, including a spa tub in their suite. By the end of their fourth day, Tim told his love that he felt most of his stress over everything that had happened or still happening was gone. With a sultry smile, she told him that ‘most’ wasn’t enough and proceeded to help him forget the rest.

Chapter Text

Ch 30: Grecian Property #1, Done! Lucy & Victoria, Questions

Returning home from their winter break, Tim and Artie were relaxed and refreshed, ready to resume their ‘normal’ lives. They laughed whenever they said that as they knew their lives were anything but normal!

Once home, they gave the presents they’d brought for the children and their minders, keeping a few things to give on birthdays or Christmas, proud of themselves for making notes on their private calendar so they would remember those items when the birthdays and Christmas came around.

Although they reached home during the first week of March, Artie later agreed with Tim that the rest of the month both flew and crept by.

The work on the Remis’ property was officially completed on Saturday, March 14^th, mid-month as planned. Artie, Bill and their team had a 'Wrap’ party that Sunday, attended by the Remises and everyone’s families. Luckily the day was warm enough to party outside as the Remises were reluctant to have anyone traipse through their pristine new home.

On March 17^th, James called to report that Sarah had had labor pains but was given medication to stop them and was home again. When the senior Gibbses packed up and left for Jaxton early the next morning, Tim had a difficult time staying back. When Peter and Rhode offered to help with the children until Sarah was safely delivered of her child, Tim and Artie told the children about Aunty Sarah, ‘Timpa’ packed for wintry weather in the UK and grabbed the first flight available, once again a commercial flight, happy when Rob joined him. Tim didn’t care how much it cost, they had the funds and he was reluctant to wait an additional day for one of the Paddington flights. This was Sarah’s child, there was no way either Timpa or Robbie would stay away!

Landing in London early on Thursday, March 19^th, they were only a day behind the senior Gibbses’ arrival. Taking the train to Jaxton, they smiled as they spotted the senior Powells’ vehicle waiting for them.

George smiled as they opened the doors, “Welcome home and relax, take a breath. Sarah is asleep, she’s not had a contraction since they gave her the medication. Her doctor has said that if they start up again, they’ll carry through with the delivery. The baby is over 5 pounds now and in good shape.” He shook his head, “I remember this happening when James was born, we were actually closer to 3 months pregnant when we thought it was about 6 weeks.”

Rob nodded while Tim decided not to add that he and Artie had believed they were pregnant when she was about 3 weeks along, after the trip to Scotland for Susannah and Ian’s wedding. And they’d been right.

The younger men smiled as they pulled up in front of the house, feeling that it had been several months since they’d been here. While it wasn’t that long, it had been several weeks, considering the storms, Ziva and Brian’s visit with the weekend trip to Varkiza, Christmas in Virginia, the mad dash to escape the hurricane and their extended week in San Diego for Mr. Dorneget’s funeral.

As Sarah was still asleep, Tim decided to go for a swim and Rob joined him. When they’d done enough laps, they dried off and headed to their rooms. That was even stranger as Tim could not remember ever staying in their suite without his wife and children. Finding it too quiet and too lonely, he bunked in with Rob.

Friday, he went into the office, surprising everyone and spending the day catching up with his staff along with plenty of emails and paperwork. Returning from a meeting early that afternoon, he answered his phone, grabbed his jacket and quickly left the office, telling Cynthia that Sarah was in labor again. Taking the tube to Jaxton, he sighed in relief when he spotted his parents’ car, Dad behind the wheel.

“Thanks! Is Mom at the hospital already?”

“Yes, son. I dropped her and Rob off and then came here, waited less than 5 minutes.”

“When did she go into labor this time?”

“We’re not sure but James and his folks took her to the hospital right away. We were out for a walk so it took us a few minutes to get back, change our shoes and leave again.”

Tim sighed, “I’ve forgotten how long it can take for babies to actually be on the outside.”

“Yeah, we both said the same thing.”

“How was Sarah, do you know?”

“After the scare the other day, Edie said she was both calm and excited.”

Tim blew out a breath and his father reached out to pat his back. “She’ll be all right, Timpa!”

“I know, Artie told me that when she was pregnant with the twins and geez, I need to let her know!”

“Already did that, son. Sent messages to Artie and Char, they’ll get the word out to everyone else.”

Tim nodded, “Thanks, Dad. How are you doing?”

“Hating to wait, as always, even though it’s necessary.”

“I can’t remember if they’ve said what names they’ve picked, I mean to go with Lucy!”

“Neither of us know that either, we guessed they kept the rest to themselves.”

Then they were at the hospital and slid into a parking space. Father and son hurried inside, finding Rob and James’ father George in the waiting area.

George hugged each of them, “She’s doing fine, James, Edie and Lu are with her. Lu said she’ll come get us in a few minutes for a quick visit.”

Tim nodded before sitting down and then popping back up again. “I forgot to bring the tote bag with everything, cards, books, etc.”

Dad chuckled, “You left it on the kitchen counter this morning, Timmo, and we grabbed it along with our bag.”

“Thanks, Dad. I uh, I need to walk a bit.”

“Don’t go too far.”

Nodding nervously, Tim started pacing, around the room, down a corridor, up another one and repeating. When he spotted his mother and James’ mother Edie with Dad, George and Rob, he hurried back to them.

Malu smiled as she turned to him, giving him a kiss. “Sorry, Timmo, your visit will have to wait. She’ll be on her way to the delivery room very soon.”

Tim frowned, “Is everything all right? Isn’t that a very short labor?”

His mother chuckled, “Yes and no. It seems her labor started again shortly before midnight, hours before she said anything to James, who slept through the whole thing.  When her water broke, she finally woke him.”

“And they are all right, Sarah, the baby, James?”

“Yes, Timpa, both of them, and James, are doing well. The doctors don’t anticipate any problems.”

Tim nodded, sitting down and pulling out his phone before getting up again. He needed to speak with his wife, he wished she was here with him or he was there with her. Then he relaxed, smiling a little as his phone chimed with a call from his beloved.

He answered saying, “I was just calling you. They’re taking them to the delivery room soon, Sarah’s labor really started just before midnight. She didn’t wake James until her water broke.”

“She’s all right, the baby as well?”

“Yes, Mom says Sarah and the baby are doing fine and James is all right. I remember being a wreck.”

“Yes but then we were having twins and we were the first in the family to produce grandchildren.”

“Thanks for the save, sweetie!”

They spoke a little longer and then Tim smiled as he heard the children entering the house. Speaking with each of them further calmed him and he was still smiling when he finally disconnected.

Returning to the chairs, he sat next to Rob who looked as nervous as Tim felt. Resting his hand lightly on Rob’s arm, he held on until his little brother began to relax.

The two of them were playing cards with their parents when James appeared again. “She’s on her way to the Delivery Room now, I just came to tell you. Everything’s fine. Love you all, have to get back!”

Over what seemed like days but in reality was hours, Rob, Tim and the other grandparents played more card games, went for walks, had hot beverages and snacks from the cafeteria, read whatever reading material they had with them or on their phones, chatted on their phones and in Tim’s case, managed to get a half days’ worth of work done, also using his phone.

None of them bothered looking at the time when James appeared, a huge smile on his face. “She’s here, Lucy’s here and Sarah’s fine, tired and sore but the doctor said she’ll be fine. Lucy is 5 pounds, 11 ounces and is 20 inches long. I guess that’s good considering the difference between Sarah’s height and mine!”

Looking at his mother-in-law, he added, “Malu, Sarah and Breena made an agreement about baby names. Our daughter’s middle name is Isabella after your mother, her maternal great-grandmother.”

Lu’s face lit up and she kissed her son-in-law, “Thank you, James, that’s wonderful, I know my mother would be thrilled! It’s so sweet that her names honor both Edie and me!”

Edie’s smile was just as happy as she told Jethro, Tim and Rob that “Lucy is my middle name.”

Eventually, they were able to visit Sarah and baby Lucy, although they went in pairs rather than the whole group at once. Going to visit after both sets of grandparents, Tim and Rob were smugly happy when they found their new niece awake after finishing nursing. Tim was given the honor of burping her and he laughed softly at the noise the little one made. Rob held Lucy until she was asleep, carefully placing her in the crib.

The brothers stayed over again that night and Tim worked at NCIS until mid-afternoon the next day, meeting Rob at the FBO for a Paddington flight back to Athens. While they hadn’t minded the commercial flight flying from Athens the other day, they’d forgotten about the lines at Security beforehand. Now they smiled as their IDs, visas and passports were quickly checked before they boarded the flight home, smiling when they saw Tony’s cousins Nigel and Emma Paddington who welcomed them, congratulating them on their new niece and adding that they were having a late winter break, on their way to Cyprus while Emma’s parents were staying with their children.

After napping for most of the flight, both men smiled as they entered the Baggage hall at the Athens airport a few hours later, happy to see Bill waiting for them.

He grinned, saying, “I won the coin toss. Do you have more photos of Lucy? How’s Sarah? Does the baby look like her or James or his parents?”

Tim laughed, shaking his head, “We’re happy to say Sarah’s doing well as is our littlest niece. She looks like her mama and a bit like Edie but you know it’s really too soon to tell, although her hair is lighter than Sarah’s and she has a lot of it.”

He shook his head, “I’d forgotten that we have no idea what Sarah’s biological parents looked like or any of her birth family.”

“Maybe she’ll finally have her DNA tested.”

That was from Bill and both of his brothers laughed at him, “Sure, right after you do!”

“I could do that as long as my DNA doesn’t get attached to any family trees. I have no desire to know who gave me up.”

Tim tilted his head, “Find a private lab over here. Or use the security options on the online sites, as Ducky did. Or contact Carly Ross, she has a private lab.”

“Carly, your Carly?”

Tim laughed, “She’s hardly my Carly! I haven’t seen her since my going away party at the diner in Silver Spring in 2008! Although Artie and I do exchange Christmas cards with her. Sometimes we include notes, you know, catching up.”   

“All right, so tell me about her private lab?”

“She can run your DNA and pull your ethnicities, even find people with DNA that connects with yours or from a family tree that connects with their DNA without any of it showing up on the other peoples’ family trees or the national or international databases.”

“So if my birth mother, for example, is on someone’s family tree and her DNA is also there, Carly could get the information without having to put my information in?”

“Kind of.” He explained how Carly worked her ‘magic’ and both Bill and Rob nodded, Bill adding, “Sarah could also do that, and, no never mind.”

“Yeah, there’s no way Freddie or Barry would ever want to risk that.”

Rob nodded, “They don’t want to know anyway and neither of them will have children of their own, no way they’ll ever pass those genes along.”

Tim sighed, “Yeah.”

Bill patted his shoulder, “Relax, your kids are great, they don’t show any signs of impending cruelty and don’t forget Liam and Chloe don’t have the same genetic background as Jack and Ellanni.”

Tim rolled his head, relaxing his tense neck muscles. “You’re right on both counts.  I’m pretty sure the worst bad guy in my scenario, I mean as far as the people I lived with, was the Navy guy and he was not my father.”

Rob raised an eyebrow, “You’ve never been a big fan of the woman you believe to have been your mother.”

“You’re right, I’m not. However, I am the very proud and thankful grandson of Donald Mallard and the equally proud and thankful son of our parents and that’s good enough for me! Besides, the brother of that woman is also a good guy, a USN officer with a strong, clean record, along with a wife and two kids.”

“How do you know about his record?”

“Vance. I was pretty upset when I was told that I was sold and he told me about the good guy, the good Navy guy who is my uncle. He’s looked for me ever since I was taken.”

“Is that Matt guy his son?”

“No, his nephew; Matt is my half-sibling through his mother. The other Navy guy, the one who lived with us sometimes, was his father.”

Reaching the rental home where Tim and his family were staying, Tim and Rob thanked Bill for picking them up and grabbing their belongings, headed into the house.

The men smiled as Artie and the children swarmed both of them, glad they’d been able to be with Sarah and were now home again.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Now that the ‘no-contact’ rule had been lifted, Tim and Nikki resumed commuting together, rotating who drove to and from the embassy. Nikki chuckled as she told her husband, “What that really means is that one of us gets a few more minutes of sleep on the way to and from work!”

“So there wouldn’t have been a problem before.”

“No, we rarely talk about work outside of the office.” She shook her head, “While I can talk a little about my work with him although not with anyone else except my fellow Intel Analysts and Director Vance, Tim can’t say much of anything about his. After all, his work encompasses mine and every other European based NCIS employee’s work, including all the SSAs!”

“That’s true, I hadn’t thought of that. Still, I know it’s a relief that the gag order has been withdrawn.”

She nodded and then frowned, “They said all the suspects have been rounded up, but does that also include the mother?”

Bill shrugged, “They didn’t say.”

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

When neither Andreson nor Vance mentioned the woman who’d given birth to him, Tim asked before the two returned to the US.

Agent Andreson shook his head, “Not yet, she’s next on our list.”

Tim nodded, relieved that Andreson and his team were on top of everything.  

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

With the rather tumultuous weeks of traveling, the gag order, the death of Ned’s grandfather, finishing the Remises’ new home and the Powells’ baby, the weeks following Lucy’s birth were blessedly quiet, although that didn’t apply to Lucy herself. With her very healthy lungs, she soon had her parents and grandparents trained to jump into action when she needed them.

Geo and Bec, who had planned to renovate a 3^rd floor double and a half room into a suite with three bedrooms and a lounge for their new family, that is their foster children Brian and Mia, quickly changed their minds when they realized they would be entering Baby Lucy’s territory. The four of them decided they were just fine with their rooms on the first floor, their quiet, peaceful rooms.

While Lucy trained her minions, her aunt Breena, uncle Jimmy and cousin Donnie waited impatiently for the birth of their baby.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Although in some ways, Breena’s second pregnancy had been easier, this time she knew what to expect, it was also harder as she was more impatient for the baby to arrive.

One afternoon, she was stretched out on Artie’s zero gravity chair when her mother-in-law sat down next to her. Breena turned her head with a smile, “Hello, come to keep me company?”

“Yes although I also have a question I shouldn’t be asking.”

She chuckled, “Go ahead, ask away.”

“I’ve been thinking about this since before Donnie was born.”

Breena grinned, “Let me guess, why we don’t seem to be worried about our children’s health, specifically about diabetes?”

Making a face, Lu nodded and Breena reached out to grab her hand. “It’s all right, I don’t mind.”

“I’ve been thinking about it ever since Ed brought it up while you were in labor with Donnie.”

“Malu, you should have asked before.” Struggling to sit up, Breena gladly accepted her mother-in-law’s help, getting up from the gravity chair and moving to a cushioned, wooden chair with arms. She knew she could still get up from this chair without any help.

“When Jimmy and his brother Steve started chatting regularly online, one of the first things they did was to catch up. Steve was in college overseas and Jimmy was working and going to college when he was first diagnosed with diabetes. As there was nothing Steve could do to help, Jimmy never mentioned it to him.

“In recent years while he and Steve have been getting to know each other as adults, one of the things Jimmy finally mentioned was his diabetes and his fear of passing it on to any children we might have. Steve and his husband Troy had already had their DNA tested, including their genetic health and what illnesses or conditions they might be susceptible to. After Jimmy told Steve about his diabetes, his brother consulted a geneticist and was told he does not have the gene that could make him predisposed to diabetes, nor does his son. Steve is the biological father of their older son while Troy is the biological father of the younger one. The boys had the same gestational host, their biological mother although I don't think she's involved in their lives.

“Once Steve knew that neither he or his son have the gene, he and Troy talked about it and then called us. First they told us about their DNA testing and that they’d done it with one of the companies that offers health information, or possible health conditions. Then Steve mentioned the consultation with the geneticist and finally, he offered his sperm for any children we might want to have. By that time, I’d also had my DNA checked for that gene, as well as any other nasty ones and came up clean.

“Jimmy and I took our time coming to a decision, finally deciding that this would be a way to have healthier children. Children who we wouldn’t have to feel like we were playing the odds against them having diabetes. And yes, we knew diabetes or something as yet unknown could still happen, there are new discoveries in the genetic field all the time and not all of those discoveries are good news.

“Once we told Steve and Troy our answer, Steve went to his doctor, explained the plan and his doctor agreed, telling him he was not his first patient to donate less volatile genetic material to friends or relatives. Steve’s doctor contacted Jimmy’s doctor. By that time, Jimmy had met with his doctor who was happy to hear the news. Even though Jimmy is healthy and takes excellent care of himself, his body, his life, is still compromised by the disease. While we were waiting for the donated material to arrive, Jimmy had a vasectomy to lessen any chance of any unplanned pregnancies with the ‘bad’ gene.

“So here we are, Donnie is also free of that gene and we’re not worried about our daughter having it either. And we can have more diabetes-free children if we want. As you can see, my Malu, there is no need to worry!”

“Oh, this is wonderful, Breena, I’m so happy and relieved! Does your mother know?”

Breena shook her head, “No. I decided not to tell any of them about this. They never ask about Jimmy and had very little reaction to his getting in touch with his brother. It’s as if he’s a stranger who shows up at their place. Everyone except my dad is polite, although my brothers-in-law get along great with Jimmy, they’re the only ones who seem to care. I don’t want to expose our children to the Slater family, at least not until they’re old enough to see what jerks they are and in that I’m including my father, mother and my sisters.”

“Your sisters, too? Oh Breena, I’m so sorry. They were at the hospital, in and out, while you were having Donnie and seemed to be close to you.”

“When it suits them. They’re still angry that we didn’t ask either of them to be godmother to Donnie.”

Lu nodded, chuckling, “Rob told us about that, they still don’t get it?”

“No. Sometimes I wonder how it happened that they married such nice guys when they can be just as nasty as their father.” She grinned, “Maybe I have more Baker family genes than they do!”

Laughing, Lu gave her a hug and then helped her up, she needed to keep moving!

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

While to most of the family the weeks after the birth of baby Lucy passed quickly, Breena, Jimmy and their Gibbs and Mallard parents felt time was dragging its feet. Or the baby was!  

Baby Victoria eventually made her debut, weighing in at 7 pounds, 6 ounces and 20 inches long. Arriving on April 12^th, after both the Orthodox and Western Easters, her very happy parents announced that her full name was Victoria Roseanne Camilo-Mallard. That pleased Granducky, Grama Lu, Poppy Gibbs and Grandpa Jack. Rose was Lu’s middle name, Anne was Poppy Gibbs’ mother’s name and of course Victoria was the baby’s paternal great-grandmother’s name.

With no Slater relative being included in the baby’s name, Lu wondered if there would be any backlash but when Ginny arrived to help, she never said a word.

Chapter Text

CH 31: Home in Jaxton! News, Changes

With the Remis’ project complete, along with the plan to delay construction on their own properties for a couple of years, Tim, Artemis and their children returned to Jaxton in April, after Spring Break/Easter and Chloe’s 4^th birthday celebration. The family was accompanied by everyone who'd migrated with them from Jaxton: Jethro, Lu, Rob,  Bill, Nikki, Jasper, Tony, Maggie, their girls, Dick Barnes, as well as Grandpa Jack, Uncle LJ, and Grandpa Mac.

Ducky and Athena thought they would remain in Varkiza for a few more weeks, possibly joining the family in Jaxton or they might take a cruise from Athens to London. Athena had so enjoyed the cruises they’d had on their Scandinavian trip 2 years before that she wanted Donald to also experience a European cruise. When Ducky admitted he’d been on troop ships, ‘cruising’ to their posts but had never taken the time for a vacation cruise, Athena smiled happily. 

Although Jack and Ellanni had been happy at the International School they’d attended in Greece, they were even happier to return to their reception class at the local school in Jaxton and would finish the school year there along with their friends from nursery. Jasper, Liam and Chloe also resumed attendance at the nursery and preschool in Jaxton; all of the children were excited to be reunited with their friends.

While Tim and Nikki had been fine working at the US Embassy, both were happy and relieved to return to the NCIS: London-European Field Office. With the possible exception of Dick Barnes, who would miss Sophia, the returnees felt a strong sense of relief to be home with no travel planned until the annual reunion in July and August. That is until they remembered that the children had a week off in June!

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

During the first weeks after their return from Varkiza, Tim noticed that Artie seemed more tired than usual. At first he thought it might be a sort of letdown, an adrenaline release sort of thing, after finishing the Remis project but then realized she hadn’t been this tired back in March after the project was first completed. And none of them had ever had any serious jet lag when flying between Greece and the UK. And this tiredness was constant, not just after a sleepless night or an unusually busy day. She hadn’t been ill, she was just tired.

One evening when he found her sound asleep in bed shortly after the children had gone to bed, he remembered something from 6 years ago. Something he’d also thought about more recently, after Lucy was born and George Powell made a comment about Edie’s pregnancy with James.

Now, blinking, Tim looked at his wife, smiling and then frowning, afraid it could be something else. With a sigh, he grabbed his car keys, sending James, on evening duty with Lucy, a message saying he needed to run a quick errand and would be right back. He didn’t want to say anything more specific.

Finding what he needed at the local supermarket, he returned home, letting James know he was back. As Artie was still asleep, he took the package into their bathroom, placing the product between their two sinks, closer to hers than his, towards the back against the mirror.

Then he got comfortable in his favorite chair in their lounge, with a favorite book. However, before he even opened the book, he was distracted, finding himself looking around their lounge. Getting out of the chair, he did a quick and quiet tour of their suite.

In Varkiza, a few months ago they’d changed the children’s sleeping arrangements so that the two girls were in one room and the two boys in the other. When they returned from Varkiza, they’d moved furniture, clothes, shoes, books and toys around to accomplish the same thing. With Jackson and Ellanne starting Year 1 in September and Chloe and Liam both in Reception, he and Artie felt it was time to make the change and they wanted the children to have time to adjust over the summer.

Now he looked around, again thinking that the last time his wife had been this tired for weeks on end was in the early summer of 2009, 6 years ago, shortly after they’d conceived the twins during their stay in Scotland for Suse and Ian’s wedding.

While they’d added to the suite when Liam and Chloe arrived, if he was right they would need a fourth bedroom and there really wasn’t any room in the suite. Of course, his wife was a genius at finding hidden spaces so he could be wrong.

He smiled, remembering how small the twins were, just 5 months old when they moved here from California, sleeping in their cribs, which had arrived with the rest of their furniture while they were in Greece for their first vacation there.

Thinking of the furniture transported from California, he chuckled as he also remembered how cavernous the main lounge had seemed and that in turn reminded him of the day he and Artie went furniture shopping and came home empty handed after spending what seemed like a great deal of money on furniture for the lounge and media room. They’d also purchased several sets of folding chairs and floor lamps. By now, some of the folding chairs had migrated to Varkiza, where they lived in Athena’s garage when they weren’t needed. Some of the floor lamps had lived with Geo, Bec, Nikki and Bill in the London flats before the couples had moved here.

He’d forgotten the furniture shopping day was the same day they ordered their handmade quilt. He smiled at that, it was certainly holding up well considering first the babies, then toddlers and now preschoolers and school-aged children crawling around on it!

Still smiling, he got ready for bed and slid in, wrapping his arms around his love.

He woke early Saturday morning, finding he was alone in bed and the bathroom door was closed. As Artie’s side of the bed was still warm, he thought she hadn’t been awake for long.

Making a face, he’d been so sure last night, now he hoped he hadn’t made a huge faux pax and slid back under the covers. Hearing the bathroom door open, he opened one eye and looked at his wife, whose eyes were opened wider than Tim thought he’d ever seen them.

She saw him looking and shook her head at him, “Thank you for getting the test! I hadn’t figured out what was going on. Come look.”

“Have you seen the results?”

“No, I decided to wake you up so we could look together. How did you know?”

“After Lucy was born George said something about their pregnancy with James, how they were weeks off in how far along their pregnancy was and I remembered how we knew right away. When you fell asleep before the children had lights out last night, I remembered that conversation. I knew Tesco was still open, so I went out and bought a test.”

They looked at the test and grinned, yes, within a year they’d be the parents of 5 children, although as Artie said, they might have twins again. Tim’s eyes widened before he shrugged, “We’ll be fine, as long as you and the baby or babies are healthy!”

She shook her head, “You know, I’m not surprised. When I decided to put off building our Varkiza home, I wondered why I wanted to wait so long. Wanting to be here for two years made sense, especially considering how confusing that would be to the children, including Jasper, having to change schools again. Then I had a little thought that maybe we’d increase our family during those two years.”

Tim gave her a lascivious grin, “So, Malaga.”

“Yes, my darling, Malaga which will give bragging rights to baby if we ever tell him or her. Our older twins in Scotland and this baby in Spain.”

Tim tilted his head, “And Liam and Chloe in the US!”

“At least two of our children were born in their homeland!”

“This one might be as well, sweetie. If you’re sure about Malaga, then you’re about 6 or 7 weeks pregnant. New baby could arrive in October or November, we might be in California by then.”

“You’re right, I forgot about that! I think that when they removed the gag order, my brain decided you having to be at the trials was also gone.”

“Thank you, I like that thought a lot. However, we would still be transferring as Leon wants me to take the San Diego office after the case, cases, are closed, when the trials are over. Remember the San Diego SAC died and Leon moved the SAC from Marine Corps West over. He’ll lead that office until my cases are resolved, then he and I will swap offices, I’ll move from MCW to the Southwest office.”

She shook her head, “I also forgot that!”

He chuckled, “Don’t worry about it!”

Bringing up his thoughts about their suite, she sighed, looking around. “Our first suite! And yes, you’re right, there’s no more room to renovate here. We’ll need to move up to the second or third floor.” She thought for a moment, “Which would you like?”

“Third floor, then our baby will have her year peer, cousin Lucy, just down the hall.”

“You want a girl?”

He tilted his head, “As long as you and baby are healthy, I’m fine with whoever they are! Unless we have twins again, we’ll be upsetting the balance anyway.”

“Three sets of twins, I don’t even want to think about that!”

“The good thing is that the others are out of diapers and all four will be in school by the time the baby joins us.”

She made a face, “And now I feel badly that if baby is a singleton he or she won’t have an automatic playmate.”

“Not in our immediate family, but both Lucy and Victoria will be around and any other babies that appear this year or next year.”

“They won’t be in California.”

“Oh. Yeah.” Tim made a face. Then he tilted his head, “If the baby’s due in November, how long will you be able to fly on a transatlantic, transcontinental flight?”

She shook her head, “I’m trying to remember how far along Breena was with Donnie in 2013.”

“His birthday is near Dad’s, so backtracking, she must have been around 5 months by the time they left Greece. So if you’re 6 weeks now, then in two weeks, you’ll be 2 months along. This is June, so 5 months would be September.”

“And we’re leaving for California in late August, yes, that will work although I probably won’t be able to do much as far as getting settled.”

“We’ll manage, sweetie, promise, you can sit in your gravity chair and tell us what we’re doing wrong! Although Mom will be with us, so we might get things right.”  

She shook her head, “Let’s make an appointment to see the doctor!”

She laughed when she pulled up the website for her doctor’s office. “I’m already scheduled for an appointment next week, my annual cervical screening.”

Tim looked over her shoulder, “Good, I’m glad it’s Monday morning! Do you want to drive in or take the tube? Huh, you know what, let’s drive in, your appointment time is after the worst of the commute.”

“I’m glad we’re here and I don’t have to find a new doctor in Varkiza or Athens!”

“I agree although I’m sure Yaya or Rhode would know who’s the best.”

She nodded before saying, “Timόtheos, let’s not mention this to anyone until after we see the doctor.”

“Of course, sweetie.” He had another question but decided to wait for the doctor’s appointment. In the meantime, Artie sent a note to the doctor that she’d tested positive for pregnancy.

Although the weather was lovely that weekend and the residents were outside for most of it, playing softball, tag and other outdoor games, neither Artie nor Tim remembered much of it. They’d worried a bit about Lu, Jethro, Geordie or Rob guessing something was up but Tim’s parents were busy helping with their two new grandbabies while Geordie and Bec were busy playing with their fosters, Brian and Mia and Rob slept the entire time he was home. None of them noticed the half-dazed looks on their brother/son and sister/daughter-in-law’s faces. Although Nikki noticed, she didn’t say anything.

Finally Monday arrived. Tim had already exchanged text messages with Cynthia that he had an appointment in the morning and would be in late with a ‘thanks for letting me know’ in reply. He and Artie were proud of themselves for only being 20 minutes early for their appointment.

The doctor quickly confirmed the pregnancy, offering to do a HCG test to possibly determine if there were multiple fetuses. When the couple asked how long it would take to get the results, he told them and they smiled. As he wanted to speak with them, they’d still be there when the results were ready.

Moving to his office, they sat, a little concerned although mostly excited about possibly finding out if they were having a singleton or twins. When the doctor joined them, he smiled, “We’ll have those results in a few minutes. Now, I do want to talk about a few things. Your biological twins are 5 years old, how old are the twins you adopted?”

Tim smiled, “Chloe just turned 4. The older twins were born in February of 2010. Our son Liam was born in December of 2010 and his twin sister Chloe was born in April of 2011.”

“Oh, that’s right, I remember you asking me about the two being twins. Remarkable, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“All right. Artemis, although you’re in excellent health, you are 6 years older than you were last time you were pregnant. You’re not old enough that we have to worry unduly although with Tim also being older, we will test for everything.

“I do have some restrictions for you. I know you’ve recently returned from Greece and Tim tells me all of you have done quite a bit of flying between October and March, from the UK to Greece at least twice and then fleeing that hurricane that hit the US as well as the flight to California and back.

“The flights between here and Athens are fairly short round trips, call that 4 flights, plus your most recent flight, and 4 transatlantic flights, with 2 of those also being transcontinental flights. And, I forgot to add in the roundtrip flight from Athens to Madrid and back, that sounds like a fun vacation and I’m glad you took the train from Madrid to Malaga and again on your return to Madrid.

“Adding up all the hours you’ve flown in the past 6-8 months, well, they’re too much. I’m restricting you from any flights over 4 ½ , let’s say 5 hours until after the baby is born.

“Now, do you currently have any work projects scheduled?”

Artie shook her head, “No, I finished the last one and won’t start the next one, also in Greece, until the winter of 2017. I will hire staff over the next few years so that I won’t always be the engineer-architect on a project. I can’t keep dragging my family to and from our home to my projects.”

“That’s an excellent plan and congratulations on completing your recent project, I remember it involved some new types of construction. Houses on a mountain top overlooking the Mediterranean?”

“Yes, we completed one house as well as doing some preparation for the next builds.”

“Good. For now, if work doesn’t consist of anything more physical than talking or meeting with people, you may continue. I was going to add sitting in a chair but you shouldn’t do that for more than 30 minutes at a time.”

“I have an anti-gravity chair that Tim’s father made for me when I was pregnant with the twins. Is that all right? I remember that the last month before they were born, using that chair and swimming were the only things that didn’t hurt.” She smiled, “And Tim rubbing my back and feet.” Then she frowned, “Doctor, Tim is being transferred to Southern California for a few years, we’re supposed to be there before school starts, for our children, in September. He also has to be in the US for some cases he was involved in years ago. The trials are just about to start.”

“Ah, Tim, is the August time frame part of your transfer or for the trials?”

“I don’t yet know the trial dates but yes, it is part of the transfer. Doctor, I think there are two options here, not sure if the first is something that would work but, well here goes. We have in-laws who don’t like to fly and both sets have taken cruise ships from the US to London, one of those cruises originated in Southern California.

“If we sailed on one from here to the US East Coast, perhaps New York, we could then take a train from there across country to southern California, where I’ll be working. Also, my grandfather and 2 of my brothers are doctors, all three have delivered babies. If one of them was with us on the cruise and train, would that work?”

“Yes, that would work although only if one of the family doctor’s was with you. There are fully qualified doctors aboard cruise ships but I’d prefer one who knows you. How old is your grandfather?”

Tim nodded, “He’s in his 80s and retired. I’m more likely to ask my brother Rob, my youngest brother, he’s a pediatrician who works here in London and in Athens. My other brother, Jimmy, is also fully qualified and has also delivered babies, although not his own. However, he is our Chief Medical Examiner for our offices in Europe, based in London. He and his wife have just had their second child and no, I won’t ask him, although I’ll tell him why. I’m also his boss.”

“You are the boss of your brother?”

Tim nodded, “I’m the boss of everyone who works for the agency in Europe. My brother Jimmy and 3 in-laws also work there.”

“How is that handled?”

“We don’t talk business outside of the office and their evaluations are done by three of my peers.”

“Complicated!”

“Yes but it’s a proven workaround, my boss and I worked with one of his peers, the director of another US Federal agency to work it out. The other director has a brother and cousins who work at the same agency he does.”

“Interesting. Is your agency family moving to the US?”

“No, just me and that’s mostly for political reasons, within the agency I mean. That’s why we’ll only be there for a couple of years.”

“And then you’ll come home?”

They both smiled at that, “Yes!”

“Good. So yes, the cruise ship would work although it wouldn’t be my first choice.”

Tim nodded, “I understand, it’s not mine either. I think,” he looked at Artie who smiled, knowing what he was going to say, “that our best choice would be to delay our trip until after the baby is born and you have had time to recover. We’ll still ask my doctor brother to fly over with us.”

Artie smirked, “We don’t need to ask him, he’s already planning on it. He wanted to surprise you, so surprise!”

Tim smiled, “That’s my Robbie! Thanks, hon!”

Artie looked at the doctor, “Tim raised Rob. He got a play doctor kit for Christmas when he was 4 or 5 and that was it for him.”

“Wonderful. Yes, Tim, if you can move your travel date to January or February, that would be the best choice.”

“My boss has someone covering for me and she’s already told us to take our time moving, she’s enjoying the job and the income. She had to take an early retirement due to some family problems so the income is especially welcome.”

“Good, then it will benefit her as well as your family. What about the trials?”

“I have an idea about that, I’ll talk with my boss. I believe that once the powers that be understand the situation, they’ll allow my idea.”

“I wish you luck with that! Your boss sounds nicer than any boss I’ve ever heard of. Now, other than that, let’s talk about where you live, that huge place in Jaxton. Do you have to walk up stairs every day?”

Tim grinned at his wife, who smiled back at him before saying. “No, I don’t. We installed an elevator and there is also a stair lift. Currently, Tim and I have a suite of rooms, three bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a lounge on the ground floor. However, as the children grow, we’re starting to feel a bit cramped and there is no way I can stretch the footage available any farther to include another bedroom. The second floor is mostly occupied by the various sets of grandparents and guest rooms for our visiting family and friends. Our family elders are also on the ground floor and most of the rest of the rooms on that floor are guest rooms.

“That leaves the third floor. Tim’s sister, her husband and their newborn daughter live on that floor and another of Tim’s brothers, his wife and children want to move up there, they’re waiting until our new niece sleeps longer during the night. There’s a lot more room up there to expand, to renovate rooms into a four bedroom suite for us, plus we’ll add a family room. Sorry, I’m planning this as I’m speaking!”

Tim grinned, “Will the kitchenette fit in?”

“Possibly although it will be small. Counters, mini-fridge, microwave, a sink and faucets, 2 or 3 sets of cupboards, table and chairs. No oven and the microwave will have a lock on it.”

The doctor was laughing, “Will you please send me photos when it’s done? And will that be done before you move overseas?”

Artie smiled, “It’ll be done in three or four weeks, after we get permission from our landlord, who is Tim’s eldest brother and if Bill, my construction manager and Tim’s second eldest brother, has time. I want us to live in it before we leave so the children will remember it and it won’t be another new place when we return.”

Tim nodded, “Plus we can stay there when we visit.”

The doctor’s phone chirped and he smiled, “The results are ready.” He took a quick look, shaking his head. “Sorry, the results are inconclusive. It’s not like an ultrasound where the baby can move around. Our best bet is to wait another 6 weeks to reach the end of your first trimester, then we’ll take another look and possibly run another HCG test.”   

The couple felt like they were floating on air when they left the office, even with the delay in knowing if they were having one baby or twins, plus the restrictions. If they were able to delay Tim’s posting, then the baby or babies would be several weeks old when they did move and they could spend one more Christmas in Jaxton! Tim was also happy that, if Leon agreed, he’d be able to celebrate his real birthday, in November, with most of his family.

Neither had had much breakfast and decided to have an early lunch before Tim took the tube to the office. Over lunch he asked his wife if she’d be able to keep their secret until he got home from work and she twisted her lips. “I won’t say anything but you know your parents will figure out something’s up. Unless they had night duty for one of the babies last night.”

“No, Ginny and Jimmy are alternating night duty for Victoria and George and Edie are also on night duty for Lucy.”

“We should be nicer to Ginny.”

“I guess. Let’s talk about it later, I don’t want us to lose our buzz!” Tim grinned, “They’ll know when you start drinking my herbal tea.”

“How is it chilled or with ice?”

“Pretty good although I usually add a little sweetener to it.”

Artie made a face and then laughed, “I just remembered having to give up salt, garlic and other seasonings.”

“That’s right. Thinking of names?”

“Yes, if it’s a boy, I want to name him for both of our fathers. I know Jethro doesn’t want us to use his names but perhaps we can find something we like in the Gibbs’ family bible or Jack will know of a name. What was his father’s name?”

“Zebulon, which is Grandpa’s middle name and I don’t remember Great Grandpa Zeb’s middle name or if I ever knew it. So Peter or Lekkas for your papa. I’d also like to add one of Grandfa’s names.” Tim laughed, “The poor kid will have five names! Peter Not-Jethro Donald Camilo-Gibbs.”

Artie sat in thought finally saying, “Maybe we use Lekkas rather than Peter? That’s a surname and easier to trace than trying to figure out which ancestor was named Peter. And maybe we use another of Grandfa’s names, to differentiate our child’s names from Donnie’s and Victoria’s.”

“Sure, I like both those ideas. You know we’re going to change our minds a thousand times before Baby arrives.” He huffed, “I don’t want to go into the office!”

She laughed, “You’re the boss!”

He made a face, “I’ll work from home. Except I’m awful at keeping secrets from my parents.”

“Then let’s tell them, today! Then I’ll call Yaya, Papa and Rhode and,” she sighed, “Sophia.”

Putting his hand over hers, he gently squeezed it. He understood and agreed with her current problems with Sophia. When the woman wanted to spend time with young children, she spent more time with Dick’s granddaughters than with her own. Although they’d noticed Athena was also upset about it, they’d decided not to say anything. While their children loved Sophia, she was more like a grandmother who visits once in a while rather than one who was present and interested in their lives. Artie believed it was guilt that kept her away and Tim agreed.

He shook his head, “If you tell Sophia now, she’ll tell Dick, Tony and Maggie. Do we want to wait another 6 weeks to tell everyone or take the chance now?”

She thought about that, “We haven’t had any miscarriages and I feel much better now that I know what’s happening. I still can’t believe I didn’t figure it out myself!” She laughed as she shook her head.

Tim grinned, “Sometimes it’s easier to figure out other people’s problems than our own.”

“True. You know, I don’t want to tempt fate, I guess I’m more superstitious than I thought! And we really do need the new suite upstairs.”

“Right. All right, then we’re telling Yaya, Papa, Rhode and my parents. My grandfathers? Yaya will tell Grandfa so I’d better tell him and then I’ll quietly tell Grandpa Jack and Uncle LJ and we’ll ask all of them to keep quiet.”

“And you’ll have to tell Leon.”

“Oops, you’re right.” He laughed, “That’s too many people. We might as well tell them. Let’s tell the children first.”

“You’re right, with that many people there’s no way it’ll remain a secret for longer than it takes to disconnect from one call and make another call! Let’s do a Skype call. Leon first, then the European family and the US family tomorrow?”

“No, they’ll already know through the Geordie, Tony, Sarah grapevine.”

“Okay, then all at once.”

Tim laughed, “Let’s spare the Porters, tell them first. Otherwise they’ll be Skyping with us in the middle of their night!”

In the end, Tim decided to be a responsible employee and go into the office to work. It would also be easier to speak with Leon that way.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Before he called his boss to tell him he couldn’t follow his orders or at least not when he’d said he would, he made sure there wasn’t any news or new hot cases or any hot cases with new information that he should report to the director. Still, the lack of new cases was a good thing, no sailors or Marines had been hurt, killed or been in any NCIS-level trouble in the hours since he’d last checked.

Looking at the time, he made a face, great way to ruin the start of the man’s week! Then he mentally gave himself a head slap, his wife and children’s health and welfare came first.

When Vance answered the call, he sounded surprised, “Good afternoon, Tim, what’s up?”

“News and well, I’ll start with that. All is well with the agency, this is personal and good news. We’re pregnant, just found out this morning, the baby is due in November.”

“Congratulations! And?”

“And because Artie is 6 years older than when she was pregnant with the twins and is already the mother of four, and I am also 6 years older and father of the same four, the doctor will be doing a lot of screening for various problems. However, the most striking restriction he’s placed on her, us, is that she may not be on any flight over 5 hours, nor may she split a flight up, with a layover, not even an overnight. He specifically said no transatlantic flights until January or February. She’s not allowed to do any projects, either and he told me I was needed with my family, not to even think about moving without them. He also said he would be happy to put that in writing so you can have a copy.”

Leon didn’t know what to say, he was rapidly revamping his plans when Tim spoke again.

“One option we came up with is to travel via cruise ship from London to New York and then take the train to the West Coast from there. The doctor isn’t crazy about the idea but if Dr. Rob is with us, then he’ll reluctantly approve. He says there have been too many problems on cruise ships in the last few years.” Tim swallowed, “I’m sorry, Leon. I can’t leave them here without me.”

“I agree, my friend and I think we’ll be all right. The TAD SAC at Marine Corps West has hinted that she wouldn’t mind staying on longer, January or February will work for her and I’ll also ask Mac to stay on at Southwest until then. Now, about the trials, any thoughts?”

“The same thoughts I’ve had all along. If I don’t have to be physically in the courtrooms, then I’ll be attending remotely, correct?” He waited for Vance’s nod before continuing, “So why can’t ‘remotely’ be here in London, say from our embassy? I’ll pay to have an attorney sit with me, if that’s necessary, or I’ll reimburse the agency or whoever.”

“No, you won’t pay or reimburse anyone, the Navy will pay for everything. They screwed up, Tim. At some point someone is likely to tell you the truth about what happened after you were taken and I’d rather you hear it from me. Although Admiral Langston, your step-grandfather, called your disappearance into NIS, that was the only positive thing we can find that he did towards finding you. After that, he tried to put the blame on your biological father, even though he had no idea he had a son, not to mention he was deployed at the time and nowhere near the US.

“When that ploy failed, Langston started pushing to drop the whole case, saying you’d obviously wandered off and would show up sooner or later. The SecNav made an effort but didn’t have enough political power to stop the Admiral. NIS did what they could, not only without any support from the Navy but at times operating in secret as the SecNav or an Under-Secretary ordered the agency to drop the investigation. The FBI also searched, helped whenever and wherever they could. The problem was, Tim, that by the time their daughter-in-law finally told them what was wrong, you’d been missing for a week. The trail, if there was one, no longer existed.”

Tim was quiet for a minute or so, absorbing the latest news. Finally he thanked Leon for telling him, saying he was right that he needed someone he knew, who knew him, to tell him. When Leon saw him roll his neck, he knew he was all right, for the moment.

He waited a bit longer before he said, “Timothy, you and Artemis are bringing a new life into this world, I know you’re both excited. Remember what you told me? Family first and that especially applies now. I do have a question for you and some new information. When you make the move, are you interested in living in that hotel you looked at in February?”

Tim blinked before he nodded, “Yes, Leon and thank you for reminding me! We’re hoping to lease it for however long we’ll be over there.”

“Great, then I’ll let the relocation agent know, she’ll probably call you this week to confirm. With the new plan, do you think you’ll have Christmas in Jaxton this year?”

“Yes, we’ll have 3 new babies plus everyone seems to like coming here more than Virginia, except for the flights. I guess because this is home whereas the house in Arlington is a rental. Although we’ve stayed there so often now sometimes it seems like one of our homes. Are you coming this way?”

Vance shook his head, “Pete’s mother-in-law isn’t well and now that their two eldest are in college in the US, they’ve decided to spend Christmas with Trina’s mother with all 4 of the kids and will also spend time with Pete’s mother.”

“I’m sorry Trina’s mother isn’t doing well. Instead of Greece, come enjoy the snow, come here for Christmas! We’re fun, although a little noisy sometimes and Jackie and the kids are used to us. The Fornells will probably be here as well as the Porters and we may have Greek Christmas here as well, which means the older cousins will also be here.”

“Is there enough room?”

“Oh yeah, that’s not a problem. You can stay in our old suite, or what will be our old suite. The double twins are growing so fast that our 3 bedroom suite is getting a bit cramped. The doctor gave Artie permission to design and engineer our new suite, up on the 3^rd floor. I’m sure by the time I get home tonight she’ll have presented the plan to Tony, have his approval and talked to Bill about taking it on. We’ll have 5 bedrooms, one for guests, a living room, a kitchenette and a family room where the kids can do their homework and we can play games together, with 3 bathrooms, the kids will share 2 of them and there are also hallway bathrooms up there.”

“Incredible, I can’t wait to see it. Either Jackie or I will let you know.”

“Great. Thanks for solving my problems, as usual!”

Leon smiled, “I’m just glad it was something we could work out! Please give Artemis my best wishes!”

Disconnecting, Tim sent Artie a message that LV was good with February, sent his best wishes and that they might join them for Christmas this year. 

Chapter Text

Ch 32: SHARING THE NEWS AND A NEW ADVENTURE

Before telling anyone else, besides Leon, about their pregnancy, Tim and Artie sat down with the senior Gibbses to tell them the news. In the hours since they’d started planning who to tell and when, Tim remembered his dad being upset that he and Malu hadn’t been told about Liam and Chloe ahead of time. So they were told along with the children about their New Baby.

Both adults and children were excited although the children worried about how long they’d have to keep the secret. Grandparents and grandchildren smiled happily when told it would only be one hour as Tim had already scheduled a Skype call with the entire family. He and Artie had contacted the Porters earlier and told them their good news. Cyndie and Larry were excited and decided to spend Christmas in Jaxton with the family.

When everyone else was present for the call, including all of the Greek family, Tim and Artie grinned at the screen and Tim spoke, “We’re pregnant, close to 8 weeks along now! Our due date is flexible right now although the doctor thinks Baby will make an appearance mid-November. That means that Jimmy, Ziva or I may be sharing our birthday with Baby. If Baby is late, Tommy or Liam might be sharing. We don’t know anything else about Baby yet and because of our ages, that is Artie’s and mine, several additional tests will be conducted, we should have the results by the end of this week.”

Artie nodded, “I also have some restrictions, no flights anywhere over 5 hours and especially no transatlantic flights. That means we can fly to Tain, Athens and many places in Europe as well as crossing the Mediterranean but we won’t be crossing the Atlantic until after the baby is born. We’re hoping all of you will join us here in Jaxton for one or both Christmases.

“We’ll also need to speak offline with Tony and Bill as we need to move up to the third floor, to a larger suite. Ours was already becoming cramped as our children grow but with the transfer, we thought we’d wait until we came home. Now we’ll be here until January or February and we’ll need the new space before the baby joins us, that is with our landlord’s approval. I do have the doctor’s permission to design and engineer the new suite, as long as I’m not on site during the build.”

Laughing, Artie, Tim and all four children bowed to their audience, who cheered.

Peter raised his hand, “Congratulations, we’re excited about having another grandchild! I have a question, if there’s time?”

“Sure!”

“Do you have plans for the children’s half-term holiday in June?”

Artie nodded, “We have tentative plans, yes. At first we thought we’d stay home but now that I’ll be unable to travel much past mid-June we’ve decided to spend their holiday in Varkiza, the flight is short enough.” She added, “We may also fly to Tain for the family reunion although by that time I might be more comfortable traveling by train.”

“You said you’ll be able to fly across the Mediterranean?”

“In June, yes. Probably not much later than that.”

On screen, Rob, Jimmy, the senior Dr. Mallard, Rhode and retired nurses Athena and Ziva’s mother-in-law Julie Metzger nodded in agreement.

Artie’s father smiled, “Good! We have something in mind but haven’t properly planned it yet. Rhode and I will contact you when we do.”

“Wonderful, I can’t wait to hear what it is!”

Ian, Artie’s brother-in-law, frowned, “Tim, what about the trials? Will you have to go over by yourself?”

“I don’t think so, Ian. We’re still moving, just not until January or February and I’ve been told that none of the trials have been scheduled yet, so we may already be in the US when they start. Additionally and maybe the most important, all the legal folks have agreed that those of us who need to testify may do so remotely and anonymously. I’ve discussed this with Director Vance, asking to do that from London, probably from the US Embassy since that is regarded as US soil, or foreign soil, that is foreign to the UK. Of course, that’s while we’re still in Jaxton.”

“That’s a great idea.”

Tim nodded. “Thanks. Every time someone has said we can testify remotely, I’ve waited for them to put some sort of parameters around what that means. So far they haven’t and now if they do but don’t include off-shore locations, I’ll fight it. I don’t know this for a fact but I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m not the only one involved who lives outside the US. And who knows, some or all of the trials may not take place until after we finally move, although the sooner they’re over with the better!”

After a few more questions, they ended the call and Tim and Artie sat back, relieved to have everything out in the open.

Over the next weeks, they had the results of the tests and were greatly relieved that all was well with their pregnancy and with Artemis. If problems occurred there might be additional tests; however, for now everything was good. In the meantime she and Tim started working on what they wanted for their new third floor suite. Sarah, James, Geordie and Bec were happy the family would be moving upstairs, knowing that when they returned from the US, they would resume living in that suite. The three couples met to discuss locations.

While Geordie and his family were still living on the main floor, waiting out infant Lucy’s nighttime feedings, they already knew which rooms they wanted to fashion into a 3 bedroom suite for their family. They’d thought about adding a 4th bedroom for Bec’s father Ben before remembering he already had a designated room on the first floor. If he wanted to be on the third floor, unoccupied rooms would still available. As they would have a lounge in their new suite, Bec thought they might also purchase a pullout couch, that is one that makes into a bed, for that lounge. Their 2nd bathroom would also be available to anyone in the common area.

Working out who would go where was easy enough. Bec and Geo were teased about waiting for Lucy’s reduced night feedings as there would only be a few months respite for them before Tim and Artie’s new baby would also have nighttime feedings. Geo smiled, saying Bill had already promised to add sound proofing to their new suite as well as to Tim and Artie’s new suite.

The Timothy Gibbses would be at the opposite end and across the hallway of the 3rd floor from the junior Powells while Geordie, Bec, Brian and Mia would be on the same side as the Powells and down a few rooms from the Gibbs’ suite, very close to an equal distance from each.

The design for Artie and Tim’s place closely followed what Tim told Vance in their recent call: 5 bedrooms, a small kitchenette, 2 full and 1 half bathrooms, there was already a full bathroom near their end of the 3rd floor, and a lounge as well as a family room. The couple thought they would also add a pullout couch to the lounge for visitors or perhaps for the roommate of a sick child or spouse. The family room would be a multi-purpose room where they could gather together, the children could study and do their school work, they could read, they’d have a few bookshelves and play games.

The kitchenette would be fairly small, with a utility closet built on the end of one side for their vacuum, mop, broom and other unwieldy items. The bulk of the kitchen would consist of 1 small cabinet above and 1 larger cabinet below a work/counter top with sink and faucets, while an ‘appliance garage’ would fit on the counter and would hold a microwave and electric kettle as well as Tim’s coffee-maker. A drawer for cutlery and a mini-refrigerator would be housed underneath the counter on the side with the small cabinet and the utility closet. At the other end of the counter, a small dishwasher would sit underneath the counter. The large cabinet would be under the sink with the plumbing, household cleaning supplies, two trash bins, one for garbage, one for recycling. With a baby on the way who would be walking by the time they returned home, as well as baby’s brothers and sisters who were currently still young, that cabinet, the drawer with the cutlery, including forks and knives, and the appliance garage atop the counter would be locked at all times, at least until the children were older.

Once Tony approved of the designs for both new suites, the two couples conferred, deciding that with Artie already pregnant, the need for their new suite was greater than Geordie and Bec’s. Besides, Lucy was still night feeding! The decision made, Bill was officially hired and immediately got to work. Rather than duplicate his efforts, he would do the tear downs and some of the other work at the same time for both suites.

While all this was going on, Chloe celebrated her 4th birthday at the end of April, excited that she and Liam would be in Reception together during the next school year. Their cousin McKenna would also start Reception at that time, with her friends from nursery, at school in London.

May was quiet as the older twins continued their adventures in Reception while Chloe attended preschool classes with Liam, Jasper had fun at nursery with all his friends, and McKenna was happily looking forward to their summer fun as well as school in the Fall!

In France, Ned and Barry’s daughters, Naomi and Ava, now 5 and almost 6 ½, were enjoying their classes. Naomi, whose birthday was in October, was in preschool and would move up to primary school the following September. Ava, whose birthday was in January, had moved up to primary school the previous September. The four babies born in 2013, Alec in Scotland, now a proud 2 year old, Donnie a new big brother in Jaxton, Madelyn in London and Tommy in the US, were also in daycare/nursery, learning new things all the time.

The beginning of June brought Jasper’s 3rd birthday and none of the resident adults were surprised when he asked his parents if he could have a baby sister, he’d been talking about it for weeks. Having anticipated the request, his parents had been in contact with D’Arcy McKenna and hoped to bring another child into their family soon. Bill laughed when Artie asked if he and Nikki wanted to make any changes to what would soon be her family’s former suite.

By the time the half-term holiday arrived in June, the Timothy Gibbses had moved upstairs into their new suite while Bill, Nikki and Jasper moved into their former suite, after making a few cosmetic changes. Geordie and his family would follow Tim’s family to the third floor nearly a month later when Lucy began consistently sleeping longer. Bill added the promised sound-proofing to several suites, including his and Nikki’s new place as well as the Powells’ and the junior Mallards, which helped considerably.

Jimmy and Breena’s suite was on the first floor, close to Ducky and Athena’s quarters. They had a 3 bedroom suite although right now baby Victoria, as had become the family custom, only slept in her crib during the day. Although Donnie liked his baby sister all right, he wasn’t very happy with the noise she made at night. When he was told he’d also cried a lot, he shook his head, “I don’t remember!”

Donnie’s grandparents, aunts and uncles helped by having him sleep over with them a few times and he, along with his older cousins Brian and Mia, even spent a few nights in London with Uncle Tony, Aunt Maggie, cousins McKenna, Madelyn and their grandfather Papi!

Eventually Lucy and Victoria started sleeping for longer periods of time at night and the residents of the Jaxton house took full advantage, knowing the months until the next new baby arrived would fly by.

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Artemis and Susannah’s father Peter Lekkas finally told his parents about his two grown daughters, the couple’s granddaughters, their husbands and parents as well as their children, his parents’ great-grandchildren. After they’d worked through the shock of their son’s news they asked to meet the new-to-them family.

Galen Lekkas and Katarin Florakis, the ’new’ grandparents, were elderly, didn’t like to travel and after moving to Crete once their son was grown, were reluctant to return to the mainland. That being the case, the planned half-term holiday to Varkiza in June evolved into a new adventure, meeting Artemis and Susannah’s paternal grandparents on the island of Crete. The two sisters, their husbands, children, Peter, Rhode, their young adult children, Tim’s parents and the senior Clachers along with Grandpa Jackson, Uncle LJ, Athena and Ducky flew to Crete to meet them.

Tim was relieved that they were able to fly straight to the island from London, reducing the time in the air and the strain on his wife. While all their tests were good, Artie strictly followed the doctor’s restrictions. Although at first she’d thought the doctor was over-reacting, as her pregnancy continued she found herself tiring more quickly than she cared to admit. Both she and Tim were excited to be close to the end of their first trimester and looking forward to having an ultrasound after their return from Crete.

The group spent 10 wonderful days on the island, staying in Airbnbs, seeing the new grandparents, the children’s new great-grandparents, daily as well as exploring the island and of course enjoying the beaches. When Artemis, Susannah and their families were officially added to the Lekkas’ family Bible, both women cried happy tears. They were also thrilled to meet their grandmother’s Florakis family and were duly entered into that family Bible as well.

Although Pappouli Galen liked and approved of his two new grandsons-in-law, he was quietly disappointed that neither one had a drop of Greek blood. Having by now seen and studied his maternal grandfather’s, that is Ducky’s, DNA results, Timόtheos was now aware of his Scottish and French ancestry as well as Grandpa Jack and Dad Jethro’s DNA results. With the addition of those results, he knew he also had German and Irish forbears. After the trials were over, he intended to have his own DNA tested to see what he’d inherited. Ian, Tim’s fellow ‘new’ grandson-in-law, knew his ancestry was Scottish, descended from the Ancient Britons.

Despite the lack of Greek ancestry, Galen and his spouse were pleased that the two men, all of the children and some of the in-laws were comfortable both speaking and understanding their language fluently. However, there was always room for improvement and the elderly couple enjoyed helping their new in-laws learn more of the Greek language.

When they hosted a party to welcome their granddaughters and families to the Lekkas family, Galen was elated to see that not only his new grandsons-in-law knew how to properly dance to Greek music but their parents and the ‘new’ great-grandchildren did as well! For Galen and his wife, Katarin, that sealed the deal.

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While they were staying on Crete, Tim and Jethro spent most of a day aboard the US Navy base, viewing the progress being made on the bridges from the main island to the two still uninhabited islands, as well as having a helicopter ride over to see the progress on the homes for dependent families, the medical clinic, base schools, commissary, the base exchange and other buildings. The bridges being built to the islands were ahead of schedule, mostly due to the relatively calm winter of 2015. After the storms of 2014, the schedule for the bridges had included plenty of time for work stoppages due to the weather. The materials for the housing, clinic, schools and shopping areas had also benefited from the good weather, having been ferried to the islands several weeks ahead of schedule.

Although Tim didn’t say anything, Jethro knew his son was excited and pleased to see the plans he’d drawn up in response to a ‘brain worm’ come to life. The candidate who’d caused the big stir won the election and the outgoing president of Flauvtic praised the new leader for his forward thinking and the Americans for their quick and well-ordered response.

Now that they knew why there were so many Americans working in the country as well as the horrific story of the Jewish families who’d been promised jobs and homes, a new country, only to be murdered in those homes and places of work by Nazis, the new president had given the Americans a very generous timeline to leave and made sure the retirees, those dependents legally old enough to make their own decisions to stay long enough to finish their educations and those people who’d married into native families were removed from the evacuation lists. 

A memorial was being designed for those murdered by the Nazis and would stand in the country's capital city. The names of all those who lost their lives were being gathered and would be included in the memorial. While Artie didn't risk her pregnancy, she was able to submit design suggestions to those in charge of selecting the overall look and feel of the structure. Ultimately, a young Flauvtican woman won the bid. She was the great-granddaughter of one of the few Jews who had survived the bloodbath, hidden by her neighbors in a secret underground vault in their cellar.

After a wonderful holiday with Artemis’ and Susannah’s paternal grandparents, the group split up, with Peter, Rhode and their young adult offspring flying to Athens while the others flew to London. Although they’d had a wonderful time and Artemis hadn’t experienced any problems, she admitted to her husband that she was exhausted and very happy to be home!

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Before dinner one evening several days after their return from Crete, James sat next to his brother-in-law, leaning in to speak quietly with him. “Tim, Nikki, Jimmy and I have had a few questions from people as to what’s planned for the Fourth of July.”

Tim blanched, he’d forgotten all about the holiday! Thinking quickly, he told James, “The London teams are on call the Fourth, which is a Saturday so we’ll need to celebrate on Sunday or the following weekend. Do you have any updates planned on the 5th or the following weekend?”

“No updates on either weekend. That's great then, Sunday’s the day. Want me to put together an invitation for the bulletin boards in the break rooms?”

“Yes, thank you! How about adding something about bringing their favorite American side dishes to share? And, hang on, let’s talk to Artie, Nikki, Malu and Breena, although this year she won't need to be involved.”

Finding that Breena had already been told about the usual US Independence Day celebration, the other three women were consulted. Lu grinned, “About time you asked!”

She told them what they’d already planned, what competitive games they’d have, for example the three legged races and that Geordie, LJ, Jethro, Grandpas Jack and Mac already had the questions ready for the history contests. Tim chuckled when told that Breena had found decorative items for the “Uncle Sam” hats and ordered both the hats and the decorations online. Apparently she would be involved this year despite having recently given birth. Sarah, who to Tim's surprise was also involved, and Cynthia Sumner Dalton had volunteered for the face painting booth. Overall there were games planned for nearly every age group, excluding only the infants.

Artie grinned, “We looked on Pinterest although we’ve already used most of the suggestions there. So then we asked Marla Martinez and Trina Russell what games they play. Of course Athens’ party is on the beach but we can still play some of the games they do. We also asked Ned, who said that Barry was working with Marla to put things together. Now that the Martinezes have returned from Hamburg to Marseille to live, they’ve offered to host as Ned and Barry’s yard isn’t large enough for any races or games. Of course, there are fewer of them but then Marla suggested asking other expats, she had a list.

“When we called Bob Chalmers in Germany, he laughed and said he'd asked his peers, who’d given him some ideas. He said he and his wife have enough room in their backyard for a few tables, he reported that within the office staff they have 3 folding tables and his wife asked their neighbors who will loan them a few more tables. There’s enough room in their yard to do the hats, the costume contest, the history contest and using a shorter course, the three legged contest. He said on the invitation they’re asking everyone to bring their own folding chair to sit on. They have benches for the various tables but people might not want to sit at the table all day long. He also asked if whoever usually runs the history contest was willing to share. Geordie says he’ll send them questions he, Mac and LJ have used before, along with the answers. They’re also going to invite other expats, including the local CIA and Homeland agents and their families.”

“James, we almost forgot! Both Ned and Bob asked about fireworks and we told them about your clips. Any chance you want to share with them?”

“Sure! Tim and I have several firework shows we’ve put together. I’ll send them tomorrow and include instructions just in case.”

“Great, thank you! Now, we’ve already ordered the sheet cake and we’ve hired a caterer to handle all the food. And yes, we gave them specifics for what food we want and how to serve it, cold, hot, on a plate, whether something is regarded as finger food or needs cutlery or both. James, we also have the invitation written up for the various break rooms at the office and I know Tim will also send out an email.”

Thinking about it, Tim said, “Yes and I’ll include our local FBI, CIA and Homeland agents. I’ll apply for the drinks license. How many people do we expect?”

“No more than 80, we’ve also asked some non-US government ex pats.”

Tim nodded, remembering that with the larger number the licensing board would cut back on the amount of alcohol they could serve. That was fine with him! He’d also need to let Tony know so he could add it to his insurance policy for the day. He rolled his eyes at himself, he’d also need to contact his own insurance agent, as he was the main tenant on the lease, he would be legally responsible for any problems.

After dinner, he called his brother about the insurance and Tony laughed, “I’m glad you reminded me! I remember wondering about the Fourth of July but that was a few months ago, I think we were still in Greece!”

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At work, after Cynthia sent out the office-wide invitation, she made a face before knocking on the inner door to Tim’s office. “Tim, I need to tell you about something.”

He looked at her, one eyebrow raised as she looked worried. He gestured to the overstuffed chairs that had replaced the two person sofa and she sat down as he joined her in the other chair.

Taking a breath, she said, “Logan, our older boy, has two new children in his class, American twins. He heard Chaz and I talking about the party for the Fourth and asked one of the twins if they were going. Apparently the twin said something to his parents as one of them knocked on our door last evening. Chaz answered the door and when I didn’t hear anyone talking, I got worried and went to see what was happening. Chaz was staring at you in the open doorway. Only it wasn’t you. Luckily Chaz was too surprised to say your name but I remembered the trouble with that man in Greece.”

Tim nodded. “Yes. He and his family were only in Greece for the spring term then they moved here, to the UK for a permanent professorial position at Bedford University, which is in Brambury, right?”

She nodded, her eyes even wider, “That was him?”

“Probably, he’s got twins. He’s my half-brother and with the trials and all that coming up, we’re not allowed to be near each other, even if I wanted to be, which I do not. What happened after you got to the door?”

“He told us what Logan told his son and asked if it was in Bedford, that he and his wife would like to go if possible. I’d given Chaz a signal not to say anything and he didn’t while I explained it was only for the employees of the company I work for.” She paused, shaking her head, “I cannot believe how much he looks like you!”

Tim made a face, tilting his head, “You know, when I was in foster care I used to wish that people who looked like me, who were related to me but not to the bad people, would find me and take me home with them. Now I have someone who looks like me and I don’t want anything to do with him!”

Swallowing a sigh, he pulled out a business card and continued, “To be safe, not that he’s necessarily dangerous but as far as the trials go, that kind of safe. Would you please call this number and tell the agent who you are, that we work together and what happened. While it’s not Mello’s fault and I’m glad you didn’t say anything about NCIS, Agent Andreson still needs to know. And if Mello ever approaches either of you or James again, call that number. It’s our San Diego office so you might want to wait a few hours, and they’ll arrange for someone here to speak with him. Legally, he’s not allowed within a certain distance of me, not that he was near me while he was at your place.”

He shook his head, “Now I feel bad, they’re new ex-pats, Greece didn’t turn out the way they’d hoped and they might be homesick. A July 4th party could be a good thing for them. This wasn’t his fault. Do you know of anyone in Brambury or London who’s having one?”

“Yes, now that I think of it. I don’t know who it is but I saw a flier somewhere in Brambury for an ‘American Style 4th of July party’. I’ll track it down and give it to Logan to give it to the twin or maybe I’ll mail it to their house anonymously.”

“I like that idea better! You and your family don’t need to get tangled up with this! And Cynthia, thank you for telling me!”

“Should we worry about Logan being in class with his children?”

“No. I only met his children once and I had my back to them most of the time they were in the car. Artie did all the talking.”

“All right, then I’ll wait and call San Diego later.”

Tim winced, “They’re 7 hours behind us. It’s a toll-free or you know you can call the Navy Yard’s toll-free number and have them put you through.”

“I might do that, it’s easier and then I might get to say hello to Henry!”

Tim grinned, “If you do, tell him hello for me, please?”

“I will!”

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Tim had gone in to work early that day so he could leave early to meet with the Jaxton area licensing board. As expected, they approved the drinks, restricted to beer, with a maximum of 2 per person. When Tim reiterated the rules they’d given him previously, they smiled. “Yes, to all that. Mr. Barnes-Gibbs is aware?”

“Yes, and we’ve each contacted our insurance carriers. Would you like copies when we receive the paperwork for the additional insurance coverages?”

“Thank you, yes. Although we haven’t needed them before, our auditor has asked that we begin keeping copies for things like this, a copy from each of you, landlord and tenant.”

Tim smiled, “Good, then I’ll let Barnes-Gibbs know and we’ll send them to you as soon as we have them. It will be a few days.”

As he left, he put a few copies of the invitation on a table near the door to the meeting room. With the children in school, even though the past year had been sporadic as far as local attendance, and the family living in Jaxton, attending church, doing their shopping there, they’d decided to include their neighbors this year, although Tony’s other tenants, the people who lived in the former stables at the back of the property, had always been part of their Jaxton July Fourth celebrations. They also invited the children’s teachers, this year from the primary school as well as the nursery and preschool.

While Tim and his family likely wouldn’t be here next year although now he thought they might fly over, in the US the children would be out of school in June. Tony told him he and Maggie wanted to continue hosting the party along with any of their family still in residence. Done for now with his part of the party preparations, Tim parked his car in the garage and was walking to the house when his phone rang with a request for a Facetime conversation. Looking at the ID, he accepted the call via Facetime.

“Good morning, Agent Andreson.”

“Good evening, Agent Gibbs. Do you have a minute?”

“Yes, I’m just home from arranging the liquor license for our Fourth of July party.”

“Your what? You have a party on the Fourth?”

“Yes, although not on the Fourth when it’s a weekday or when a team posted to a particular office is on call. All of the agency’s overseas offices celebrate the Fourth, although rarely on the actual day unless their host country also has a holiday that day. The Fourth is on a Saturday this year; however the London teams are on call, so our party will be on Sunday the 5th. All the European offices coordinate so we each have a weekend day where we’re off duty and ready to celebrate.

“In the UK, we have a party in our back garden, that’s the backyard, which is huge. The Athens office staff takes a ferry to an island just off the mainland where they give everyone a show when they set off their fireworks after a day of playing in the water and on the beach. I’ve been to their parties, they’re fun! Rota has a pool party at the SSA’s home and the other offices have favorite places for their parties. And it’s for everyone who works at that office, plus their families, significant others, friends and generally any other US government employees, CIA and Homeland agents who are known to that specific office and are in the vicinity. We have games for the kids and adults as well as a few fun contests and lots of food, prepared American style. Here in Jaxton we’re also allowed to serve beer, that’s why the liquor license.”

“How many people do you have?”

“As London is a big city and there are many ex-pats here, we usually have several non-NCIS guests, although they’re usually also federal government employees. As I said, CIA, Homeland and FBI agents we work with and their families.”

“Is it agency sponsored?”

“Not officially although each office budgets for it and Director Vance is adamant that we celebrate American holidays, our Independence Day and Thanksgiving are the two big ones. It’s usually the SSA or SAC’s job to kick it off although we’re not always the ones to organize things. In my case, my wife, mother, sister and sister-in-law handle most of the planning. I get the liquor license and handle a few other legal details. If an SAC or SSA doesn’t do anything, they will hear about it from Vance. As a matter of fact, I know of one SSA who didn’t plan anything and that resulted in a close look from his SAC and the Director at how he conducted business. Bottom line, he’s no longer employed by this agency or any other American agency.”

“Wow, I had no idea!”

“Morale is always important, especially when you’re living and working thousands of miles from home. Sorry, I got on a tangent, you called me!”

Jeff Andreson laughed, “That’s my fault, not yours and now I’ve learned something new. I called to confirm that we heard from Ms. Dalton. Considering what we’ve been talking about, it’s pretty weird to me that in Europe, full of different countries, Mello should end up in a town 30 minutes away from you and that his kid should end up talking with a friend who’s the child of your Executive Assistant. I know it’s a small world but still!”

Tim nodded, saying, “I can understand how you’d see it that way but it’s not suspicious once you know the background, more unnerving, at least that was Ms. Dalton and her husband’s response. First of all, the uni where Mello is now teaching is in Brambury and I believe they came looking for him after he started looking at overseas’ universities; yes, I remember that he told me the Greek offer came after he’d already accepted the offer at Bedford. Brambury is a suburb of London, as is Jaxton. Both towns offer easy commutes into London, via the tube, sorry, Underground, bus or train.

“For some years London was notoriously expensive for families or anyone else to live in. I believe right now it’s not so bad but in the past it’s been out of reach for a lot of people. And some people don’t want to live in big cities, they want their children to live in smaller towns, smaller class sizes, etc. So, Ms. Dalton. She was the late Director Shepard’s Executive Assistant when I was a probie and my first years as a Junior Agent working aboard the Navy Yard.

“When the director died, Cynthia left the agency and so did I, although I think I left after she did. Anyway, I returned to NCIS about 18 months ago after 6 years as an FBI agent and teaching university in California, here in the UK and then consulting for the FBI and NCIS. I returned to the agency in January 2014 and lo and behold found Cynthia Sumner, as I once knew her, was now Cynthia Sumner Dalton, married with kids, living in Brambury and had decided to return to work.

“That’s her story. As far as Mello goes, he didn’t want to commute from London to Brambury and thought the old market town sounded perfect for his family. Why commute when he could walk to work if he lived in Brambury. And that’s it, plain and simple.”

Andreson laughed, “So you say!” He cleared his throat, “I agree with you that Professor Mello didn’t do anything wrong although he unknowingly created an awkward situation for Ms. Dalton and her husband. Thank you for having her contact us.”

“Welcome. Any news you can share?”

“Yes, oh, congratulations on your future baby! I heard about your request to testify from the UK, have no idea what the answer will be. However, none of the trials have been scheduled yet so you may still end up testifying remotely from somewhere in the US.”

“I’m not terribly surprised, you and I both know how long it takes for trials to actually take place! That’s all right as long as my family is there. Well, it’s not all right, I’d rather not have to testify at all but it doesn’t look like that’s going away.”

“Right.”

“All right, Jeff, oops sorry, Agent Andreson! Thanks for the call and the information.”

The other man chuckled as he thanked Tim for the information about offshore offices. Tim thought about the man’s reaction to Greece, quietly wondering if he’d be willing to move overseas, providing it was to a Mediterranean-like climate.

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(SPOILER ALERT IF YOU HAVEN’T YET SEEN Season 21, Ep. 2, THE DUCKY EPISODE)
The end of the episode: I could have hugged Michael, Brian, Sean and Brian’s co-author when former agent DiNozzo appeared in Autopsy and then what followed. Since none of them magically appeared in my living room to be hugged, I cried some more instead. And the brief glimpse of the three of them in the elevator made me think of the elevator scene with Tim, Tony, Ziva and Abby after Mike Franks’ death. Sad but very true to NCIS and a wonderful episode honoring our Ducky and his portrayer, David McCallum.

Chapter Text

Ch 33: Names, Planning Ahead, a Dark Night

The Fourth of July party was a lot of fun with many local attendees. Jethro and Bill chuckled as they greeted two of their favorite ‘helpers’ and their families from B&Q, the local home center. The resident children were happy as their friends, and their friends’ parents, from Reception and Nursery joined in the fun. Tony and Maggie invited a few of McKenna’s friends, also with parents, to join the party and the Londoners and Jaxtonians had a great time along with the resident family. Ducky and Athena, Susannah, Ian, Ian’s parents and of course the senior Powells were also present, remembering from previous celebrations how entertaining they were. The two youngest in the family, infants Victoria Camilo-Mallard and Lucy Gibbs-Powell, made brief appearances.

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After the party and before they began to gather what they needed for their annual reunion in the Scottish Highlands, Artemis and Tim quietly and with a good deal of relief celebrated the completion of their first trimester.

The day of their appointment for their first ultrasound, Tim worked at home although he had trouble concentrating. Finally, it was time to leave for their appointment! The couple were very curious to see their fetus, still wondering if they would have a single child or another set of twins, knowing they’d be happy as long as everyone was healthy.

The ultrasound went smoothly and they drove home talking about names, wanting to honor as many of their families as possible. That included the Gibbses, Mallards, Camilos, Mideis and Lekkases. Each of those families had even more names to consider, Baxter, Cahill and LJ’s family name, Moore, for the Gibbses, Artemis’ paternal grandmother’s family the Florakises for the Lekkas family, her great-grandparents, the Costas and the Mideis, along with her aunt and uncles, and Malu’s parents, that is Tim’s maternal grandparents, along with his mom’s brother Uncle Charlie.

Artie quietly asked Tim if he wanted to consider the names of any of his birth family and he shook his head, “My families are the Gibbses, Camilos and Mallards, possibly adding Grandmother Camilo’s family name. It’s Italian but I’ve forgotten what it is” He shook his head, “Also Grandmother Victoria’s family name, Quillan.” He quickly added, “Paci, Grandmother Camilo’s family name was Paci!”

Smiling, he gave his wife a quick glance, “Do you want to use Galanis?”

Artie made a stink face at the mention of her stepfather’s surname. “No and you’re right, no Hubbards, Langstons or Galanises will be included in the names. Not that we would include Langston anyway, you’re not one of them!” 

Laughing, he retorted, “Nor are you a Galanis!”

From there they segued to listing several of the individual names attached to the people they were considering. Artie had also done a little snooping into what names were most popular that year and in recent years, telling her love they should skip those. He agreed, adding that they should also look at names for each of the countries and cultures represented by their DNA.

Artie liked that idea and then laughed as she thought of her Greek DNA. “Tim, love, do you know how many different cultures have shaped Greece? Don’t forget we were part of the Ottoman Empire from the middle of the 15^th century until about 1830, the start of the third decade of the 19^th century! Four hundred years! More recently Germany, Bulgaria and Italy occupied my homeland for 3 ½ years in World War II.”

He shook his head, saying, “Good points. Let’s take a look at your ethnicity chart and pick the ones we want to use.”

“Ah, finally a way to bring this up! Now that those who tortured you are under lock and key, have you thought of having your DNA fully tested? And please keep in mind that as far as family trees and all the rest, Carly could do it for you without linking you to anyone but the Mallard group and the Gibbs group.”

He huffed, “Except someone already has my full DNA, remember it showed up on both Grandpa Jack’s family tree and on the Scottish family’s, at least on Grandfa’s. So yes, you’re right, it’s no longer a secret and I am interested to see what ancestry and genes I’ve inherited from the Mallards and the Gibbses.”

“And the Hubbards, actually from your maternal grandmother as her husband wasn’t related to you. Maybe Grandfa remembers her family name.”

“Not much interested in them although there’s no way to avoid that. Yes, I’ll ask Carly to test my DNA and then I’d like to see how I fit on the family trees. I mean, we know but it will be pretty cool to see my name actually on the family trees, belonging to the families. And I want the name I chose, not the name those monsters gave me at birth.”

“That’s wonderful, Tim, I’m so proud of you! And I know your grandfathers, your parents, meaning Jethro and Lu, and all your cousins will be thrilled!”  

He sighed, “I need to include my maternal grandmother and maybe my uncle Jim, as long as Carly can screen out his twin sister. It feels mean to leave them off.”

“Are you sure you want to include them?”

He nodded, “I remember Agent Andreson telling me that Maisie and Andrew Hubbard as well as their son Jim, my uncle, searched for me.”

“When we move to the US, do you think you might want to meet them?”

He made a face, finally saying, “I don’t know. It would have to be after the trials and I really don’t know,” he shrugged, “I’m still struggling with it, them. Searching for me was good; what I don’t understand is why no one prevented it from happening at all. And there’s more about the Langstons that Leon told me. I’ll tell you when I can stand to talk about it. In my opinion, it’s nearly as cruel as me being sold. ”

She nodded, “It is odd that they didn’t question the birth mother and the family more closely, I mean the professional investigators.”

“Or the grandmother, her husband or their son, on either side. The Langstons, well that’s for later.” He sighed, “I guess we’ll know more after the trials although I almost don’t want to know.”

As they parked the car in the garage, they decided to keep quiet, for now, about the information they had from the ultrasound.

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Nobody was happy that they were keeping the news about baby or babies and genders to themselves but Artie and Tim just smiled, repeating that the pregnancy was going well and all the testing had been good. In the meantime, they started keeping a list of names, including the family names they’d discussed as well as the least popular baby names from the various lists online. Tim’s favorite list was the annual list compiled by the US Social Security Administration  although the couple also reviewed lists from various countries and cultures.

In the meantime, once Director Vance confirmed that the temporary SAC at Marine Corps West would remain until the Gibbses’ arrival in 2016, Tim and Artie relaxed, enjoying their new suite with the children. After looking at their notes, photos and talking things over with Tim’s parents as well as those family members who planned to join them in California, they decided to go ahead with leasing the former hotel they’d toured after Ned’s grandfather’s funeral.

Not sure who was responsible for getting the ball rolling, they contacted the relocation agent with whom they’d spoken before and were relieved when she reminded them that her paperwork showed that this was a special assignment for Tim and therefore the agency would work towards acquiring the lease and would pay any penalty or any additional fees if he was recalled by the agency to the UK before or after the lease expired. After asking a few questions, she reminded them that since they would not be paying double rent, in Jaxton and in Playa Vieja, that paying the monthly rent and utilities for the place in Playa Vieja would be up to the Gibbses. She asked them if they wanted the caretaker-gardener to stay on and they agreed, wholeheartedly!

After Tim and Artie discussed a few things, Tim approached Tony with an idea. Making a lunch date with his brother one weekday, Tim smiled as he entered Tony’s favorite pub once again. This time it wasn’t to apologize but to propose something.

Tony was already there, knowing that Tim wouldn’t want to take more than the usual time for a lunch break before he headed back to the office. He smiled as his long-ago Probie joined him. “How’s your morning been?”

Tim grinned, “Quiet, which is a good thing!”

Tony shuddered, “A paperwork day?”

“Mm, there are a few people catching up on paperwork, yes. Even though it’s done electronically now it is still tedious and boring. I can say that to you!”

His brother chuckled, “I promise not to say anything to any Feds! So what’s up?”

“Artie and I have been talking about it and we want to continue paying rent for our suite when we leave for California.”

“Why?”

“Because we’ll be back and are not taking everything with us. And because we don’t want you or our fellow tenants to be shortchanged. We don’t want them to have to pay more nor do we want you to have additional expenses while we’re gone. And because we can, we have plenty of money!”

“Tim, I wasn’t planning to charge them more. Maggie and I have discussed it. We also have plenty of money, don’t need more from anyone. We’ve been planning to talk to everyone but not when you, Artie and the folks are around.”

Tim shook his head, “That’s a noble idea, Tony but we’ll be gone at least two years, we figured out how much you’d be out.” He slid a piece of paper across the table and Tony nodded without looking at it, “I know but it’s not a problem and you’ll be paying rent in California or is the agency paying?”

“They’re paying whatever leasing fees or penalties there might be but we’re paying the rent. Tony, are you sure? Even with Mom, Dad, the elders, possibly Geo and Bec, which also means Ben and the children leaving for two, possibly three years?”

Tony smiled, “We figured all that in, Timbro, we’ll be fine.” He tilted his head, “I did hear a rumor about Nikki wanting to go over.”

Tim shrugged, “Not sure how that would work out but it would be great if they did.  Although she and Bill love living in the UK, it would be great for Jasper and our kids, and Artie and I would be happy. Bill told me that Joe and Char are trying to talk Freddie and Abby into moving over here. Anyway, as far as Bill and Nikki are concerned, they are working to adopt another child and I don't know if it's a specific child and if so, if they're in the US, over here or who knows where. They might have to travel to the US to either meet the child or at least to go to court for the final adoption. Maybe that’s what someone overheard, those bits.”

“That’s a relief! We don’t want them to go, we don’t want anyone to go and we’d love it if Joe, Char, Freddie and Abby moved over! You and Artie will also need Bill when it comes time to build your house on the Mediterranean.”

“Yes, we will and that’s one of the things we’ve promised each other to keep in mind while we’re overseas. That and the fact that I can quit anytime, we have plenty of money to live on.”

Tony winced, “Is it the trials or the agency?”

Tim made a face, “The trials. I’m dreading them.”

His brother reached over the table to squeeze his shoulder, “You won’t be physically in the courtroom, you can do whatever you want while you wait. Start writing a new book, maybe, or I don’t know, get one of those adult coloring books and color.”

Tim let out a belly laugh at that and Tony smiled proudly.

As Tim’s laughter quieted, he grinned, “That’s the best idea I’ve heard yet! Artie says I should write, Mom says I should take a favorite book, Dad says I should take a Lego kit. But coloring, oh yeah,  I could really get into that!” He paused, frowning, “Tony, are you absolutely sure?”

“Yes, we are absolutely sure. We have enough money for the rest of our lives as well as our daughters’ lives and probably enough for about half the family. Tell you what, donate that money to your favorite charity, that will make you feel better.”

Tim smiled, “We’ll do that, thank you!” He and Artie later agreed they’d split the no-longer-needed-for-rent money between their ‘Pay It Forward’ website as well as specific charities for children, veterans and the homeless.

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After their trip to Spain but before they discovered they were pregnant, they’d begun packing away a few things. By the end of April, with the coldest weather likely to be done until close to Christmas, they’d packed away their warmest winter clothing and as they had time to do so, clearly marked the boxes so they knew which specific items were in them. Knowing the children’s winter clothes would very likely not fit them by the time winter rolled around again, they made a note on their family calendar to have the children try the clothes on before the baby’s arrival, that is, to have Liam and Chloe try on Jackson and Ellanne’s winter clothing and boots while Jasper could try on Liam’s winter clothing.

They thought to shop for snow clothes for the older twins’ once they were in California, although they didn’t suppose they’d have more time to do so than they had here. While they wouldn’t need the winter clothes at their new home on the coast, they hoped to drive up into the snowy mountains in southeastern California. As they had no idea when that might happen, shopping for winter clothing was postponed until October when Daddy, Grama and hopefully one or two of the aunts or uncles would take the children shopping for the clothes they’d need between then and February. As far as school clothes, with all four children in school, Reception and Year 1, beginning in September, they would likely need new uniforms.

Once the lease was signed for the old hotel, Tim and Artie contacted the private school they’d found in Playa Vieja. The school offered classes from day care to kindergarten and up through the senior, or 4^th, year of high school, on the same campus. As they were reminded by their copious notes, the students, teachers and administrators were a diverse group and the statistics for the school’s success in graduating well-balanced and well-educated young adults were high.

Of equal if not greater importance was the incidence of violence on campus and they'd been very happy to find there had been zero violent incidents, no children or adults had ever been harmed there. The school officials asked the couple to submit Jackson and Ellanne’s final evaluations for Reception and anything they had for the younger twins from their time in nursery. The person they spoke with had obviously dealt with international transfers before and the couple relaxed, glad they were doing this now rather than later. Knowing time would be very tight once they moved, they asked for and were given the name of the website where they could purchase the children's new uniforms. Little things like having the new uniforms waiting for them when they arrived would be a big help in their transatlantic move.

After that, they made a list of what furniture they would take with them. Other than their bedroom furniture and what they had in their suite, they left the rest to complete later as there would likely be some negotiating over the lounge and dining room furniture. They laughed when Dad said he’d need a few sawhorses and a sheet or two of plywood for a table, no need to move their kitchen or dining room tables! They laughed again when Artie predicted a roundup of the many folding chairs and floor lamps now scattered throughout the family.

When one of them mentioned taking enough air beds for everyone who might visit, Tim tilted his head, “Maybe. How about if they’re coming from here and flying Paddington, they can bring their own air beds, those we don’t take with us.” Then he tilted his head, “Never mind, we’ll need them for us anyway as our furniture won’t arrive for a couple of weeks.”

His wife looked at him, “No, we won’t need them. Even though it’s a special assignment and not a formal transfer, we’ll still have temporary housing for three weeks.”

He rolled his eyes at himself, “Thanks for the save!”

They still laughed, imagining a bulging aircraft full of air beds, cribs, floor lamps and folding chairs!  When Dad said they’d better ask to fly their visitors over on a C-130, that is a military cargo jet, that got more laughs.

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To the adult family, once the USA’s Independence Day was celebrated, time seemed to fly, except for Artie who told her husband that July had been at least 2 months long.

Although it didn’t happen every day, the couple worked on their ever-growing list of possible names. It didn’t take long for Tim’s friend Carly to run his DNA and to capture his ethnicities as well as the trees of the various families to which he belonged. Even though he’d already seen his Gibbs and Mallard, etal, family trees, he loved the thought of his wife, children and him being added on. Carly also ran the March family tree, that is, the family tree of Liam and Chloe’s birth mother. Tim and Artie decided that they’d link it to the Gibbs, Camilo and Mallard family trees as well as to the Midei, Lekkas, Caras and Costas Greek family trees.

Grandfa had provided Maisie Hubbard’s family name and that tree was also sent to Tim. He laughed when he saw it, as it was larger than the tree with Grandfa’s cousins and Tim’s great-grandmother Victoria’s family tree! He sighed when he saw his birth name on it and thought that at some time in the future he would send a note to the administrator of the tree to change his name. Rolling his eyes at himself, he sat down and sent the note then, correcting his name from Jeffrey Andrew Langston to Timothy Jackson Camilo-Gibbs and correcting his father's name from Daniel Langston to Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

He sifted through print-outs of Camilos, Gibbses, Baxters, Cahills and other Tim related family trees. While he knew his current relatives, it was interesting to see the older generations. And he smiled as he realized that his mother, Grandpa Jack, Artie’s grandmother, father and Cousin Richard had his correct name on their trees. He made another note to remind himself, after the trials, to link their family tree to all the ‘new’ ones. He made a quick map listing all of the trees and shook his head. For someone who’d grown up without a birth family, the list was a bit intimidating!

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One early morning, just past 2 AM, long after the last of the Jaxton household had turned in, Tim woke suddenly, his well-honed sense of danger nearly vibrating through him. He reached for his phone to wake Geordie, now a 3^rd floor resident, when his phone lit up with a message from his brother saying something was wrong and asking if he knew what it was. He quickly answered saying he didn’t know yet but to wake Dad, Uncle Charlie Camilo and James’ dad George Powell, a retired detective and also a 3^rd floor resident, while he looked into the back garden.

Tim quietly padded toward the bedroom window from the side, to stay out of view as much as possible. As he approached the window, he dropped to his knees and crawled, out of view. Grabbing his night vision goggles and monocular camera, he quickly and carefully scanned the huge back garden. Using his monocular camera, he took a photo of what he saw, which automatically included the date and time. He sent it to his field team lead, SSA O’Brien at NCIS as well as the local police, Geordie, Dad, Uncle Charlie Camilo, Sarah’s father-in-law George Powell, Tony, Agent Andreson in San Diego and Director Vance.

In less than a minute, the local police replied they were on their way, followed shortly by similar messages from the NCIS team. Crawling back to the bed, Tim quietly woke his wife, telling her there were intruders in the back garden, that he and Geordie had already sent for help, the police were on their way. Now they needed to wake the children and take them to the main floor with the Powells, Bec, Brian and Mia. However, the elevator was not to be used. While he spoke with Artemis, Tim quickly changed his clothes to what his wife called his 'battle' clothes, including his NCIS 'flak' jacket, that is a sleeveless jacket designed to protect the wearer from bullets and/or shrapnel. He also still had his from the FBI and took that, thinking that Uncle Charlie, the retired Marine Colonel, might join them.

Geo, Bec, Brian and Mia and all the Powells met them in the hallway, the doors to their suites now closed. Artie held baby Lucy on the stair lift while James carried Chloe, his mother Edie and Sarah helping the three older children down the stairs, followed by Bec, Brian, Mia and George Powell. Brian and Mia's eyes had widened considerably when their father appeared with his 'battle' clothes on and now again when Uncle Tim wore what looked like the same thing to them. Bec also carried a weapon, she may have been an environmental botanist in the Navy but she was thoroughly trained and still qualified in weaponry.

Once the children were out of sight, Tim and Geo quickly armed themselves and stationed themselves close to the windows looking out into the back garden while George Powell joined Dad downstairs. Tony messaged that he’d alerted Paddington Security and they were on their way.

The Jaxton police were the first to arrive, very quietly, joining Dad and George downstairs. By the time all the residents were wakened and gathered in the windowless dining room, the NCIS team, along with FBI agents and 2 other fully armed agents responding from the Embassy as well as the Paddington Security team had arrived. 

The NCIS team brought extra sets of protective gear, Tim took one as it was a newer, and therefore safer, version of what he had. Jethro had his "Kate", that is his sniper rifle with him and as Tim was already armed with his sniper rifle, handed his off to Geo.

The NCIS and FBI leads headed upstairs, Geo leading the way. The two brothers reported what they’d seen, Tim showing the photo he’d taken of three heavily armed men in dark clothing and carrying weapons, each man carrying a rifle armed with a grenade launcher, crossing the gardens. 

By now the various teams, having confirmed there were no unwanted visitors outside the front and sides of the house,  quietly walked around the building on each side, planning to come up behind the armed intruders. A fire engine arrived and parked in the deep shadows at the entrance to the driveway, its crew ready to respond if the grenade launchers were used. If they were and the grenades went in through the windows or onto the roof, there would be fire. There were also many trees and shrubs at risk.

Once again using the night goggles and camera, those upstairs saw the intruders, still walking and carrying their deadly weapons. Although they didn’t regularly use all of the back garden, now Tim was grateful for the size of it.

Watching the intruders, he frowned, turning to find a similar frown on Geordie’s face. Tim shook his head, “They’re meant to be a distraction or backup.”

Geordie frowned, “It’s worked so far, we’ve been distracted watching them while two or three others may be ahead of them, making their way through the trees.”

Sending messages to the outside and the downstairs teams, and leaving most of the armed personnel inside and close to the 3^rd floor windows, the two men hurried to a door at the back of the 3^rd floor. Hearing the chair lift, they waited for Colonel Uncle Charlie Camilo to join them, quickly donning the 2^nd extra set of protective gear. Then the three men quietly hurried through the door and up the staircase to the roof.

Once the teams had dispersed outside, those inside and downstairs had moved everyone into the lounge at the front of the house, the room the family had once regarded as ‘cavernous’. Now although the elders, Breena, Sarah, their infants and Artie were able to sit comfortably, the large room was nearly full. The younger children sat on laps while the older Gibbs twins and their cousins Brian and Mia sat on pillows placed on blankets on the carpeted floor. Three armed men, Gunny Gibbs, James’ father George, a retired detective, and one of the local police officers stayed with them.

There was no outside light as they were currently under a dark moon and the lights inside were all off.  Another armed pair of defenders stood at the elevator shaft, with the elevator itself parked on the third floor where it customarily spent the night. With the elders and three of the family children living on the main floor while Sarah’s Lucy, Tim and Geo’s children lived on the third floor, parking it upstairs had seemed the most logical place for it. Now several people wished it was in the basement, not that they would be able to use it but at least it would be out of sight, not a target.

When Jethro received his sons’ message, he, Bill and George Powell herded everyone down the stairs to the basement and into the room with the pool, which remained covered. Jethro and George both agreed with Tim, Geo and Charlie’s suspicions. Once everyone was in the pool room Jethro sent a message to Tony, Vance and Agent Andreson, telling them what was happening and forwarding the photo Tim had taken.

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Reaching the top of the staircase to the roof, the three men crouched down as they stepped onto the roof.  Once fully outside, Tim, Geordie and Uncle Charlie immediately dropped down to their knees, creeping slowly across the rooftop to the back of the building. While the roof was pitched, there were built-in handholds so no one working up there would fall off. There was also a wooden framework, about 4 feet tall, that was built close to the edge of the roof and around the entire perimeter, along with a few carefully concealed ‘peep’ holes. The three men got behind that and as far from the pitch of the roof as possible.

They sheltered behind the framework while Tim and Geordie used their night vision gear to look through the peep holes into the trees. When they spotted their quarry, two additional intruders also carrying grenade launchers and much closer to the building, they loaded their rifles, keeping their eyes on the two. The brothers had already decided their strategy.

As the defense teams stealthily approached the three intruders walking in the open, the two in the trees stopped moving and Tim watched them closely. He nodded at his brother as both hidden intruders released the safeties on their rifles and dropped down, aiming at the roof of the house. As they fired, Tim watched the trajectory of each grenade until both were within the range and height they needed. Waiting for the precise second, Tim and Geordie fired.

Chapter Text

Ch 34: Dark Night continued, Aftermath

As the bullets flew toward their targets, that is the detonators on the grenades, Charlie, still next to his armed nephews, quickly followed their lead in closing his eyes, quickly turning his body around and laying on his belly on the roof, facing the front of the house rather than the back, eyes closed, his head tucked down as far as possible and then covering it, in particular his eyes and ears with some of the protective gear. On the ground below them, the teams and the ‘distraction/backup’ intruders had also dropped to the ground, facing the back of the property, their heads covered by their protective gear. The two criminals who shot the grenades also faced away from the grenades, laying on their bellies, their dark hoods pulled up over their heads.

Lying on the roof facing away from the blast the grenades made as the bullets hit home and the targets exploded, Tim was shaking, the small part of his mind that was still rational realizing it was likely a mixture of fear, adrenaline and shock. He was also freezing on a night when the temperature was in the 50s and he was wearing battle gear, not exactly light clothing or equipment. Knowing that was also shock didn’t help much until he realized it did mean he was alive and probably not hurt, at least not badly and the roof he was laying on wasn’t becoming hot, falling apart or moving at all. As his senses started to return, he heard people breathing nearby which meant his brother and uncle were alive. It took him a moment or two but eventually he was able to turn his head toward one of the breathers and saw his brother next to him. Tim blinked back tears before giving up and letting them roll. They’d done it, saved their family, their defenders and Tony’s house!

His hands still shaking, he started to reach out to Geordie, smiling a little when his brother extended his own shaking hand to him, tears also running down his face. Somewhere in the working part of his brain Tim registered surprise at that. His brother was a Marine officer, Tim knew he’d been in combat many times and must have dealt with grenades before. He mentally shrugged, maybe he’d ask him later. Maybe it was true that no one ever got used to the weapons of war. Or maybe it was that no one who lived who ever got used to them. Or maybe it was knowing their wives, children, nearly all their loved ones had been at risk and they’d somehow managed to save them. Raising himself a little, he could see that their uncle was also alive, moving around a bit and nearly as shaky as Tim and Geo.

Slowly turning his body around, still shaking, Tim belly crawled to the fake lattice-work, looking through one of the peep holes. He sighed in relief as he saw people moving around, and his shoulders relaxed even more when he thought to use his night vision gear and saw his team and several other people guarding 5 men with shiny bracelets, handcuffs, on their wrists. He also noticed two of the 5 were also wearing leg cuffs, also known as shackles. Good! 

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After the concussive noise finally died away and Charlie was able to tap in a message without his hands shaking, he sent a message to his brother-in-law that the danger was over, that Tim and Geordie found two additional criminals, closer to the house than the other intruders. With Tim figuring the trajectory of the grenades and then the necessary trajectory their bullets would need to bring the grenades down before they hit their target, he and Geordie were successful in shooting down the two grenades the intruders launched. The grenades exploded into flames mid-air, most of the pieces landing a safe distance from the house with a few scattered pieces landing farther back.

He added that the three of them were all right and that Tim was able to move, still on his belly, to the edge of the roof to see what was happening. Geo was apparently working on his breathing although he was able to say his eyes were fine and the ringing in his ears was diminishing.

Once the 5 criminals were apprehended, handcuffed, searched and their weapons removed, the fire crew moved in. Tim, still at the edge of the roof, tried to stand up but his legs were too shaky so he settled for putting his helmet on the tip of his rifle and waving it above the faux lattice. He smiled when he heard voices calling out and this time was able to sit up so he could wave his arm at them. He grinned at the noise they let loose when they saw him.

Charlie finished his message after Tim crawled back to them, saying his ears were ringing but that it was gradually clearing up. Finding a heart emoji to add to the end of the message, he finally sent it.

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Although later it seemed like it had taken hours, in reality only minutes passed between the family moving from the lounge downstairs to the basement.

Once they were all in the pool room, Jethro told them about the grenades and what they needed to do to protect their ears and eyes, even though they were inside. Lu and several of the others quickly ran next door to the laundry room, pulling clothing, towels, and anything else that could be used to cover eyes and ears. Breena and Jimmy had done a load of laundry Sunday afternoon and had left everything to pick up in the morning. There were at least two dozen clean diapers as well as towels, blankets and other useful items for the crowd to use to protect themselves from the noise of the grenades. Returning to the pool room, the items were quickly dispensed.

Less than two minutes later they heard the shots from the rifles and Jethro yelled to close and cover their eyes and to cover their ears. By then everyone had some measure of protection over their ears and eyes. While the eye protection wasn’t really necessary inside and easily 32 feet, or 10 meters, away from the exploding grenades, no one was going to argue about it.

The concussive noise from the grenades hit the building as they exploded into flames although it wasn’t as bad as feared.

Certain that the shots killing the grenades were fired by his sons, Jethro smiled several minutes later when he read the message from his brother-in-law Charlie. He stood, keeping the smile on his face, looking at his family who were obviously still frightened.

Waving his hands, he quickly had everyone’s attention. “The danger is over, I’ve had a message from Charlie who is on the roof with Tim and Geordie. They found two additional intruders in the woods.

“When the men in the woods fired their grenades, Timothy figured out the angles needed to bring down the grenades before they hit the house, exploding and setting it on fire. Tim and Geordie shot the detonators on the grenades, which caused them to explode before they reached the target.  

“When the grenades exploded, just about everything landed on lawn still damp from the last rain and…hang on.” Jethro quickly read another message before looking up again, “All right, I have a new message. The teams have reported only two complaints of problems with eyes and ears, both from the two who launched the grenades. The teams followed safety protocols and I guess the other criminals did as well. Jimmy, Rob, I know you’ll want to take a look at the two criminals with problems. George and I are armed and will accompany you to the terrace where those two and our teams will be.”

Jethro continued, “However, before we do that we need to go over what will happen next. It is standard procedure within US armed federal agencies that when weapons are fired, those doing the shooting have to be debriefed by law enforcement members not involved in the shooting. As Charlie was an eye witness, he’ll also need to be debriefed. After they’ve been debriefed, Tim and Geordie will need to write up at least their preliminary reports which will be submitted to whoever is put in charge of the investigation. As we have a mixed group of British and American law enforcement involved, I have no idea who will be doing the debriefing. Obviously as the father of the two shooters, I won’t be allowed. Bec, although as a Navy Captain in the reserves you would qualify, as Geordie’s wife and Tim’s sister-in-law you won’t be allowed either. George, I don’t know, I’ve never participated in a debriefing with multiple nationalities. However, that’s not something we need to figure out.

“Directors Vance, McKinley, he’s CIA and Sailes, he’s FBI, have already been notified, yes, there are both CIA and FBI agents outside with the NCIS agents, the local police, MI5, the Paddington Security team and huh, some from MI6.” Jethro stopped to think about that, MI6 was intelligence, MI5 handled the policing of the Greater London Metro area and he had not known that Jaxton was part of that. Shrugging, he continued his explanation, “The 3 directors will figure who will handle the debriefing and then Tim will cede jurisdiction to the FBI.”

At the puzzled looks and muttered comments in the room, he whistled, waiting for relative silence before continuing, “That’s the law. The FBI has jurisdiction over attacks on US Federal Employees and there are 6 of them in this house, Geordie and Bec are both in the reserves, still employees of the federal government. Make that number 7 Feds as I still do consultations with NCIS. Anyway, now you know why we won’t see Tim, Geordie or Charlie until after they’ve been debriefed.  

“Also, the intruders have been arrested, their weapons taken and they will soon be transported to jail in London as Jaxton’s lockup isn’t large enough for all of them. Maybe that’s why MI5 is here?” He looked at George Powell who shrugged, he wasn’t sure. Nodding, Jethro continued, “The firefighters have already put the flames out, they’ve checked all the trees and shrubs, there’s no smoldering or fire there. The fire captain says he’ll leave two of the firefighters here in case there are flareups. We’re safe.”

George Powell raised a finger and Jethro nodded, “George?”

“Thought about it and realized I might know why MI5 is here. It’s not common knowledge, Jethro, that MI5 has some leeway in deciding what constitutes ‘greater London’ on a case by case basis and considering the weapons, the involvement of MI6, the residents and owners of this house and whatever they might know of the trials, etc., I can understand why they’re here. We may find that the Jaxton Chief asked for their participation or perhaps one of Tim’s superiors.”

Jethro took a deep breath, finally nodding at his friend. When Bill, who was the closest to his dad, saw that he was shaking, he wrapped the blanket he’d been wearing around former NCIS SAC Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Turning, he opened his mouth to ask someone to make hot tea with sugar, enough for everyone, when he saw his mother, Bec and Edie Powell heading out the door.

His dad’s shock also shook Rob out of what felt like a trance and he grabbed his medical bag, hurrying to Bill and Dad. In the meantime, Jimmy started with the elders of the family, checking pulses and blood pressure.

Jethro had finished his tea and feeling himself again when he had a call from the NCIS SSA, Agent O’Brien, asking for medical help for the two who’d launched the grenades. Knowing the men had been searched and their weapons removed from the property, Jimmy and Rob agreed while their dad and George Powell were emphatic about accompanying them.

The four men disappeared upstairs and to the back of the house and the outdoor terrace. The two older men smirked at each other at the spotlights now shining on most of the back garden, set up by the Paddington security team to better safeguard the area. They were now adding lights in the trees wherever the spotlights didn’t hit.

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Still handcuffed but with their leg cuffs off, the two criminal shooters had been brought to the terrace and told to sit in the chairs there. Then their legs were cuffed again.

Those two and the other three had come here to set fire to the house and kill everyone in it. No one was taking any chances with them.

Still off-balance, although he wouldn’t tell anyone but Lu, Jethro felt marginally better when he and George arrived on the terrace and saw the phalanx of fully armed and ready federal agents along with the local police still there. Jimmy and Rob quickly moved to the two injured men. Checking their ears and eyes, they washed their eyes and told them their ears would be ringing for several days.

Needing to speak to the lead FBI agent to advise the two criminal shooters be given additional medical attention, Jimmy stepped away from the men, pulling Rob with him. He knew from experience and agreed with Jethro that the FBI would have jurisdiction over NCIS and whoever else was represented here.

Standing near Jethro, he asked to see the NCIS and FBI lead agents. Although Jethro had explained to everyone indoors, Jimmy had no idea if SSA O’Brien had any experience in determining jurisdiction or would remember the law, something she likely would not have to deal with often here in the UK. When the two leads moved forward, he advised that both criminals have additional medical attention and that the ringing in their ears would take a few days to clear up.

O’Brien, the NCIS lead, frowned, thinking about jurisdiction and then sighed, nodding to the lead FBI agent. He nodded, accepting the unspoken lead, glad they weren’t going to have to debate the issue.

By that time, the fires were out and the fire crew was moving in and out of the trees and the entire vicinity to check for any undetected sparks or smoldering.

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Back inside after the FBI team left, the criminals in their van for transport to London, Jethro winced, saying “We need to get food and liquid to Tim, Geordie and Charlie before the adrenaline crash hits them. George, you and I should probably also handle that.”

George Powell nodded while Lu, Bec, Artie, Edie Powell and Bill were already on their way to the kitchen via the elevator which was now safe to use. When they got to the main floor, they weren’t surprised to find several of those involved, including the NCIS, Paddington Security and they supposed also CIA agents, in the lounge while others were in the foyer preparing to leave.

Lu smiled, “Thank you, everyone, for your help this morning. We’ll have coffee, tea and hot chocolate ready in a few minutes if you’d like to stay, we know not to ask any questions or talk about what’s happened.”

She almost laughed when members of each team looked to their leaders, they reminded her of the grandchildren looking to their parents for permission. The team leads had a quick conversation amongst themselves before they all turned, nodding to their teams and Lu. Edie ushered them to the dining room while Lu and her helpers got busy. In minutes, the various groups were enjoying coffee, tea, water or hot chocolate along with toast, marmalade and jam.

In the meantime, Charlie and Geo were indeed sequestered in separate rooms on the 2^nd floor. With Rob’s advice on what to serve, Jethro and George prepared a tray for each of the men and took them upstairs, glad to be able to use the elevator, knocking on each of the doors. The two men were surprised to find that Tim was downstairs, personally thanking everyone who’d responded.

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In DC, Leon blinked in surprise when he heard who was available for debriefing at least one of the men, Charlie, Geo and Tim, that is his absent-for-7-months boss Secretary Porter! When he heard the names of the other federal agents who would debrief the remaining two of the three, he called the boss of those two, thanking him while also asking how long it would take for the them to reach Jaxton and why they were working at all!

Beau McKinley, Director of the CIA, chuckled. “Secretary Porter and the Secretary of Defense have been in Belgium for NATO meetings for a few days. And yes, your friends and favorite CIA agents Ted Edwards and Jack Hughes are ostensibly retired, although they keep volunteering for this and that. This time they volunteered to help bolster security while the SecDef and SecNav are in Europe and now they’re traveling from Brussels to London with them, although the SecDef has been ordered to the Embassy, he won’t be joining everyone in Jaxton.

“Two of our agents also responded with the FBI team, which meant you needed three debriefers from somewhere! I have to say that Henry was a little upset that he didn’t have anyone over there who wasn’t already involved but as serious as the situation became, he was relieved his team responded as they did.”

“Thanks, Beau! I’m glad to know two of your agents will handle the debriefs, especially those two, they’ve been good friends to us in Europe for all the years I’ve been involved. As for the debriefing, for a while I was afraid we were going to have to sequester our three for the duration of a transatlantic flight!”

“Nah, I’ve always got agents over there, Leon. Not at Tim’s rank but as they don’t work for the same agency that shouldn’t be a problem, I believe the regulations call for “law enforcement officers”, nothing more specific. They might not be as close as Ted and Jack are normally, from Athens to London, some might be on neighboring continents but they’d still be there sooner than a transatlantic flight could get there.”

Leon huffed, “I sincerely hope we don’t have any other situations like this. If not for the two Gibbs brothers’ well-developed sense of danger and their mix of experiences, this could have been a terrible tragedy! Thanks again, Beau, to you and your agents. Now I need to see how this happened.”

“A friendly caution: while you’re yelling, just remember everyone’s alive, including the bad guys. No one was shot or seriously injured tonight. Tim and his Marine brother did a terrific job of shooting the weapons and not the people and we both know that’s very difficult to do.”

“I’ll remember although that’s not due to anything the investigating team did!  I want to know how this could have happened. Five men with grenade launchers is a damned serious threat and must have cost a bundle to hire.”

“Leon, as you’ve told me a few times, don’t make assumptions. This might not be related to Tim’s case at all.”

Vance closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. “You’re right, Beau, and thank you for reminding me. I really do need to go, my team lead is calling.”

“Good luck, let me know if there’s any other way we can help. Keep us posted?”

“Will do.” Vance disconnected, quickly accepting the FaceTime call from Agent Andreson. “Agent Andreson, I have an update for you, minor details as far as you’re concerned. CIA Director McKinley had two agents in Belgium who will debrief SAC Gibbs and his brother Major Gibbs, they should be landing in London within the next few minutes. The two agents are retired, they’re well known to our European agents, in the past they’ve worked closely with our overseas teams. They’re consulting now and volunteered to handle the debriefing, along with Secretary Porter, who will debrief retired Colonel Camilo.”

“Great, thank you for that, Director.” Andreson took a deep breath, “Tim sent us 2 photos, one of the three men and another of the two men in the woods, the ones who fired their weapons. We’re running them through facial recognition, so far none of them are related to any of the ‘mad scientists’, Max Hadler, Lily Mello or baby Jeffrey’s “caregiver”.

“That leaves the financiers, which makes some sense as that group is more likely to have the financial means to hire hit men. However, the financiers who are still alive are in custody, any visits they have are monitored and no one involved in this case has been released on bail or their own recognizance. We’re now running down their relatives, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, etc. who might stand to lose money when their suspect family member is convicted. Director, we looked at them previously, closely, all of them. Obviously we missed something.”

“Has anyone been keeping an eye on the family members of the finance guys?”

“Yes, teams of FBI agents. We haven’t yet heard from them today.”

“When was the last time you heard from them?”

“Yesterday afternoon and their next report isn’t actually due until tomorrow morning. I sent an urgent message to do a double check today but haven’t heard back yet. It will take them some time to do. Yesterday’s report states that there hadn’t been any movement, no indications of anything suspicious from the various family and friends of the financial group.”

“Does that include those who are deceased, I mean the families and friends of those financiers who are deceased?”

Jeff nodded, “Yes, sir.”

“Then we have a mystery. Were any of the financiers, now dead or alive, married more than once? And/or possibly have children who are now grown, still have access to enough of Dad’s money to hire hit men to kill Tim and thus destroying most of the case, and keep from losing the rest of their inheritance?”

Andreson nodded, “Yes, to multiple marriages and adult children who are still living off their fathers and grandfathers. Director, I’ve just had a flash message that we’ve found a relative of one of the financiers we arrested, a distant cousin who lives in Europe and was never on our radar. A quick look at her information shows she has a job that pays very well although it’s still possible that her cousin has been or was helping or promised to leave her money in his will, he’s considerably older than she is. She might even have been blackmailing him if she knew of the DNA project. While we will continue looking, we’ll also concentrate on her. She lives and works in Zurich, Switzerland, which is very pricey.”

“From what I’ve heard about the attackers, they would not have been cheap and neither was their equipment. And someone was experienced enough to set up the distraction with the second team of attackers.”

“Yes sir, we have another team tracking down the weapons with help from the FBI, the CIA, MI6, EU INTCEN, Interpol and Europol.”

“Excellent, I’ve heard from the directors of several European and American agencies, offering any help we need.”

“Director, I know no one was hurt but have you heard if Tim’s wife is all right as well as the two who are new mothers, and their babies? And the rest of those who live in Jaxton?”

“Yes, Jethro sent a message that Artemis is doing all right. She was nervous but as soon as they knew that Tim, Geordie and Colonel Camilo, their uncle, were safe and brought down the grenades, she’s been fine. Sarah and Breena are the two newest mothers and Gibbs reported they are also doing well after the scare and that the infants slept through everything. I imagine that settled anyone who was worried about them as well as those who were worried about Tim, Geordie and Charlie. There are 3 doctors in the family, I believe the elder Dr. Mallard is currently in Greece but his son Dr. Jimmy Mallard is there and I believe the youngest brother, Dr. Rob Gibbs, is also there so they’ve been in good hands. Jimmy and Rob saw to the two attackers, the ones who launched the grenades, as they’re having problems with their ears. Jimmy reported the problems are temporary. ”

“Thanks, Director. We’ll keep at it, I’m hoping the cousin in Switzerland is our newest criminal.” He paused before saying, “They’re distant cousins, 4^th or 5^th, I wonder how they knew each other and how well?”

“Those are good questions. And I’m with you, although extradition may not be easy. If she’s an American citizen that’s a different story. Jeff, if you find enough evidence to bring her in, have her taken to the Marseilles or Hamburg offices and call me, whatever day or time it is. We may need to bring the State Department in to help us. In the meantime, I’ll consult with some of my peers, see what they advise.”

“Will do, Director, and thanks for not yelling.”

“I know how you work, Agent Andreson, and how you’re running this investigation and you’ve done well, all of you. It’s a miracle you’ve found the people you have after so many years. This must be something new, something that wasn’t an issue until one of the perps was arrested and maybe not even then. It’s been close to three months since you started bringing in the financial people. Even if it isn’t the cousin it very well could be that there’s someone no one else knew about or knew they would be affected by the cut off of funds from one of the financiers.”

“Yes, sir and thank you. I’ll keep you posted.”

Vance chuckled, “I’ve just received a message from Tony Barnes-Gibbs asking that no one call the house or anyone’s mobile phone, especially not Tim, Geordie, their wives, children or parents, for the next 24 hours. He says that once the debriefings are done, they’re turning off the phones and getting some sleep. Huh, the Paddington Security teams are patrolling the grounds so everyone will be able to sleep peacefully.”

“Good! They’ve been a huge help.”

Disconnecting, Vance looked at the time as he yawned, admitting to himself that he was exhausted. He sent a quick message to Tony thanking him for the information and that he’d passed the word to the team lead not to contact any of the family.

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After thanking each of their helpers for coming to their aid, everyone but the NCIS agents left after their beverages and toast. The fire crew was relieved that everyone was safe and they could return to their quarters and to sleep.

While the local police, first on the scene, appreciated the thanks, they were a bit ruffled until they realized that either the US Naval Criminal Investigative Service or the US Federal Bureau of Investigation would be footing the bill for their services that morning. Knowing that would make their chief happy cheered them up. While they willing served, the citizens of Jaxton had large hearts with a not-so-large budget.

Part of the Paddington Security group left happy that they’d been able to help to bring down the bad guys. The other part of the group were the ones who’d volunteered to remain on patrol around the Jaxton house.

Once the others left, Tim left the room where he’d sequestered himself, also thanking the FBI agents as well as his own team before formally ceding jurisdiction to the FBI as the attack was against the home and family of several NCIS employees, although everyone was fairly certain it was really an attack on one specific NCIS employee, the SAC of the NCIS: London-European Field Office, Timothy Gibbs.

He was relieved to see that his NCIS team took the news in stride. Then he left, he was exhausted and knew there was more ahead of them. He really shouldn’t talk to anyone before being debriefed and he also hoped that he could sleep for a few hours before that happened.

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When Tony heard who would handle the debriefing, he told his dad he and Maggie would play host and was surprised but happy when his father agreed. The two drove to Jaxton, feeling someone who was wide awake should be there. Tony’s brothers and uncle were still sequestered and he hoped they were catching some sleep while they could. Although knowing Tim, he was probably working on his preliminary report.

Once in the very quiet house, Maggie set up the coffee maker and put the kettle on for tea before helping Tony pull clean mugs from the dishwasher, for coffee and tea and putting a bowl of sugar and a small pitcher of cream on the kitchen counter along with spoons and serviettes. Tony then hurried upstairs with three mugs of Gibbs-strength coffee to make sure his uncle and brothers were awake and would stay awake.

After delivering the drinks, he nearly ran down the stairs when he heard vehicles outside, quickly pulling the front door open so they wouldn’t ring the bell. The house was silent and he wanted it to stay that way!

He quietly greeted Secretary Porter, shaking hands with her. Maggie joined him, giving the newcomers a brief update. Two agents as well as Porter’s security detail entered the house and Tony looked at the agents. “We know each other, right?”

Smiling, they agreed, reminding him they’d met in Greece. Maggie nodded, “Of course, Ted and Jack! Now, we have coffee ready and tea, although it will need to steep or we can make hot chocolate if you prefer.”

All three wanted coffee and were taken to the kitchen. Porter looked around, “I’ve been here a few times but I don’t think it’s ever been this quiet!”

Maggie chuckled, “It won’t be for long, we have two fairly young babies, Dr. Jimmy Mallard and his wife Breena’s daughter Victoria, who was born in April and Sarah and James Powell’s daughter Lucy, who was born in March. Lucy lives on the 3^rd floor while Victoria lives down here on the main floor. Although we’re told they’re both sleeping longer hours, neither of them are sleeping all night. Yet.”

Tony smiled, “If you’ll come with me, I’ll take you upstairs to the 3 rooms where Tim, Geordie and Uncle Charlie are sequestered. I took them coffee and a snack a few minutes ago, knocked on each door and got answers, so they’re awake.”

Porter nodded and then smiled when they reached the elevator, “Oh good, I feel as if I ran here from Brussels!”

The two agents nodded in agreement and Tony shrugged, “It’s been that kind of a night!”

Porter knocked on Uncle Charlie’s room and was quickly admitted while Ted and Jack did the same on the doors of the rooms with Tim or Geordie.

Too tired to return to the main floor and then come back up again, Tony found an empty room and sat in a comfortable chair to wait. He was beginning to doze off when he heard men’s voices, including Geordie’s. Walking back into the hallway, he lifted an eyebrow at Ted, who nodded and smiled, he was done. Grabbing Geordie, Tony gave him a healthy hug, doing the same for their uncle when he and Secretary Porter emerged from that room. Tim and Jack weren’t far behind but when Tony hugged Tim, his brother nearly fell. With a smile, Charlie led the visitors downstairs while Tony helped Tim and Geordie into the elevator. It was only one floor up but he didn’t want to have to carry either one of them.

Once his brothers were safely delivered to their wives and children, Tony kissed his sisters-in-law and brothers, the children were asleep, before getting back in the elevator. After the stress and not being able to help his family during the attack, Tony was nearly as exhausted as they were. Back downstairs, he thanked the SecNav and the two agents, glad to hear they were staying in London for several hours before returning to Brussels in the late afternoon.

Although neither Maggie nor Tony wanted to leave Jaxton, they decided to drive home as they knew their girls would be very upset if they weren’t home when they woke. Maggie had slept for a few hours before the crisis and was still wide awake. They would return with the girls and Dick when they woke later in the day. That is, if anyone here was awake!

As Maggie drove, she reminded Tony to send Leon an update, which he did, thanking her for remembering.

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Chapter Text

Ch 35: Aftermath, Rules, Consequences

 After the visitors, that is their defenders, left and before she tried to sleep, Nikki made a few phone calls. The first was to NCIS to let the head of Security know about the attack, that everyone was safe, that she didn’t know what time the field team would be in or even if they would be and that none of the Jaxton NCIS employees would be at work that day, listing their names. She also left a message for Cynthia, Tim’s Executive Assistant, along with messages for a fellow Intel Analyst, Jimmy’s assistant ME and James’ lead tech. Next she called the school and then the nursery to let them know that none of the Gibbs’ kids would be attending that day, Monday. Finally, she thought she could sleep and headed off to bed, smiling when she found Jasper curled up in his daddy’s arms. She crawled in beside them, kissing her husband and son, both smiling in their sleep.

When Cynthia, Tim’s executive assistant, arrived at the office Monday morning, she was told the news by Security and immediately called Pete Russell in Greece. One of her key responsibilities was to notify the appropriate individuals in the event that Tim was unexpectedly out of contact. She kept a calendared list of those events so she or whoever handled the assignment could easily see who’d been last up for handling the SAC position and who was next. As she’d remembered, Agent O’Brien, their SSA here, Pete Russell in Athens, Ned Dorneget in Marseille, retired SSA Roger Martinez, also in France (who really shouldn’t be on the list but insisted), Jessica Knight in Naples, Italy, Bob Chalmers in Hamburg, Germany, and Stan Burley in Rota, Spain, had each stood in for Tim when he was away. With O’Brien’s work early this morning, Cynthia opted to contact Pete Russell. When she called, Agent Russell agreed, saying he would send Tim an email with anything he needed to know.

As for the field team, Cynthia notified the Team Lead of the resident Cold Case team as well as the Antwerp Field team, telling them the London Field Team had been called out early this morning and wouldn’t be available until the afternoon, if they came in at all. The Cold Case team had two former field agents, including the lead and they would respond to any call outs. If necessary, the Antwerp team had two agents who could also respond to a case in the UK. Realistically, Cynthia thought it probable the London Field Team would report to the office in the early afternoon.

In the US, Greece, France, Germany, Spain and Italy, the American, Greek and Italian families and friends as well as the continental NCIS teams were told the news of the failed attack. In Varkiza, Peter Lekkas listened, horrified, as his eldest daughter’s father-in-law told him what had happened. After he and his wife had absorbed the information, they walked to Athena’s home to tell her and her companion, the elder Dr. Mallard.

The older couple were every bit as horrified as Peter and Rhode and thankful that Peter started by telling them that everyone was safe and unharmed although there had been an attempted attack on the Jaxton house. He added that the only injuries were minor and temporary, ringing ears suffered by two of the criminals caused by the mid-air explosion of 2 grenades the two men had launched and which had been shot out of the air by Timothy and Geordie.

When Athena and Donald were again relatively calm, Peter repeated that it had been Tim and Geordie, with Charlie Camilo as witness, who brought the grenades down, with several law enforcement teams, both British and American, watching. Ducky sat up straighter, proud of his grandsons and eternally grateful that their family had made it through the attack unscathed, at least physically. Athena had her eyes closed, her lips moving and Ducky thought she was saying a prayer of gratitude that no one had been seriously hurt or worse. When Rhode moved to wrap a supportive arm around the older woman, Athena leaned into her, accepting her support and comfort.

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When Leon arrived at the office he shook his head at the rumors already circulating. He debated about holding an office-wide meeting but quickly decided on an email with the facts. While it was a serious matter, he didn’t want to spend time explaining when there were other victims, other crimes that needed their attention!

When he said that to Pam Cook, she smiled, “That’s considerate that you want to let them know what happened, how does Agent Gibbs feel about that?”

He sighed, twisting his lips, finally saying, “You’re right. I’ll talk to Rick, Jim and Al Balboa, they can spread the word that everything’s all right.”

Pam nodded, quietly telling him that was already happening. The three men, along with Henry at Security, each of them friends of Tim, Tony and Jethro, had been telling their teams and coworkers to stop rumor mongering, also known as gossiping and get to work, adding that everything and everyone was fine with the Gibbs family and at NCIS: London.

In San Francisco, California, FBI SAC Ron Sacks heard about the 'invasion' from Tobias Fornell Sunday evening and mentally gave thanks that his friend, former co-worker and his family were safe and unharmed. When the rest of his team arrived at the office Monday morning, he gathered them in the break room to tell them the news. Although it had been years since Tim was part of their team, he was still considered one of their peers. Even dealing with as much violent crime as they did, perhaps because of it, they were as horrified as Ron and just as relieved that everyone was safe and, except for the terror they'd likely experienced, otherwise unharmed. While shocked, the group was relieved and happy that the criminals had been arrested without further incidence. They were all seasoned agents, still, it took a few minutes for them to deal with the news and at some point, Hector shook his head saying, "Don't take this the wrong way but I wish there would have been a video of Tim and his brother watching the grenades and firing their weapons the exact second necessary to hit those detonators."

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Although Tim slept the rest of the morning after the debriefing and into the early afternoon, he was up, showered and dressed by 1430, 2:30 PM in civilian time. Not wanting to wake anyone else, he left a note before walking downstairs to his office.

Logging into NCIS, he accessed his email, smiling at a note from Cynthia that she’d moved all the ‘are you all right’ emails into a folder and had sent out a blind cc group message that he, Tim, was fine, the family was fine, no one, including the alleged criminals, had been hurt worse than a temporary ringing of the ears and that had only affected two of the five of  the “alleged” criminals. She added that they were all very busy with their respective responsibilities and unless they were the President, the White House Chief of Staff, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Navy or Directors Vance, Sailes or McKinley, to please refrain from contacting the family for a few days. She sent a separate note to Agent Andreson.

Tim chuckled when he saw the reply from Jeff Andreson, thanking Cynthia and Tim for not mentioning the case or his name.

Another note caught Tim’s eye, one from Agent O’Brien reporting that she and her team had arrived at the office shortly after noon, that the Cold Case team and the Antwerp team had been on alert for call outs in the UK with no new cases. The field team was working on their reports and were ready to respond to any new cases.   

Tim smiled at that, sending a note thanking her and another one to Cynthia, thanking her for handling everything. 

In his note to Cynthia he said he would work from home the rest of the day, that is after he woke and fed his family. When she wrote to say Nikki had alerted Security that she, Tim, Jimmy and James would not be in that day, he smiled, thankful Nikki thought of doing that! He smiled again when he saw a note from Pete Russell that all was well with NCIS: Europe. He sent his friend a message that he’d slept and was ready to work, only to find that his work for the day had already been handled, thanks to Pete and Cynthia!

Before returning to his family suite, he also sent a note to Nikki, thanking her for notifying NCIS about the incident and the probable absence of the Jaxton NCIS employees from the office and the children from school and nursery. He also set up a reminder to himself to add a write up to her file about her taking the initiative. He’d get that done in time for the next quarterly evaluations. He'd already included a note regarding the last 'above and beyond' measure she'd taken, although at the moment he hadn't the faintest idea what that had been. Rolling his eyes at himself, he shut down for the day.

He walked upstairs to their third floor suite, needing the exercise and happy to find his children waking. Leaving a note for Artemis, he walked downstairs with his four along with Brian and Mia who reported that their parents and grandfather were still asleep. They’d also left a note that they were going downstairs with Uncle Tim and the cousins to eat.

The little group smiled when Tim opened the refrigerator, it looked like his mother or maybe Maggie and Tony, had made enough food for the entire household. Taking out the large pan of pancakes and bacon, Tim plated enough for the 7 of them, added an additional serving, covered the dish and put it into the microwave. Brian, as the tallest and oldest Gibbs’ grandchild, found a new bottle of syrup and an unopened jar of boysenberry jam tucked in the back of one of the overhead cabinets while his sister and cousins removed the butter, a bowl of strawberries and black berries already cleaned and cut and a can of whipped topping from the refrigerator.

While the microwave continued to heat their feast, Mia and Ellanne carefully poured glasses of milk for all of them while Liam, Chloe and Jack set the table, adding an additional place setting. Tim smiled at Jasper as the little boy entered the kitchen a few seconds before the microwave beeped, “Hey bud, are you hungry?” He leaned down to hug his nephew.

Giggling and giving his uncle a hug, Jasper nodded, “Yes, Uncle Tim, can I eat with you?”

“Of course! There’s already a place at the table for you.”

“Thanks!”

Grinning, Mia poured another glass of milk, while Brian brought Jasper’s booster seat over, attaching it to the chair. He thanked them as they all dug into their feast.

Pancakes and bacon were normally Sunday or holiday breakfast food, they’d already had it Sunday morning, which was only yesterday although it seemed like a week ago. Tim was very appreciative of whoever had decided they’d need the treat again Monday afternoon!

By the time they finished and were cleaning up, several of the first floor residents had followed their noses to the kitchen. After shooing his kids, niece and nephews upstairs, Brian holding Jasper’s hand, to wash their hands and faces, Tim cooked more bacon and heated three more batches of pancakes. Once everyone was eating, he took the elevator upstairs, wondering if Artie was awake yet.

He found Jasper, Brian and Mia in the suite with his kids and Brian reported that his parents and grandfather were still asleep and that Aunt Artie was in the shower.

After washing his own face and hands Tim sent messages to Bill, Nikki, Geo and Bec that Jasper, Mia and Brian were with him and that they’d already eaten. When Jackson found a new toothbrush still wrapped in its package, Tim sent Brian and Mia across the hall to brush their teeth while his kids did theirs and he unwrapped the new toothbrush for Jasper’s use, helping him and Chloe with brushing.

The sun was shining with no clouds anywhere in view, a lovely summer day. When Tim poked his head out on their balcony to see what condition the back gardens were in, he smiled, breathing a sigh of relief. The lawns had been raked, the flower beds cleaned, the trees looked fine, there was nothing obvious to remind them of the frightening events that had happened just hours ago.

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In San Diego, Agent Andreson spent most of the following day, Tuesday, in a conference room at the NCIS Southwest Field Office with FBI Agent Courtney Krieger, the newly appointed US FBI team lead for the incident in Jaxton. He and Courtney met at the office at 6 AM, choosing the early hour so they could reach the FBI or NCIS in London if necessary.

While the FBI had jurisdiction for the Jaxton case, NCIS remained the agency in charge of the cases involving Tim’s ordeal as a child and Jeff Andreson had permission to share necessary information with Agent Krieger.

Both agents knew Tim, Krieger had worked with him during the years when he, still Timothy McGee back then, was a part of NCIS's Gibbs-led MCRT and then later when he transferred to the FBI, joining Ron's team. That made things easier as there were fewer explanations needed.

As neither agent was sure what or how much information might be needed for the new FBI case, they went through everything. While Andreson and Director Vance had had hopes that their new POI or person of interest, the distant cousin of one of the financier’s, would prove to be their perpetrator, Jeff’s thoughts began to change as Kourtney asked several questions that had little or nothing to do with Tim’s childhood.

First she wondered how the POI discovered where Timothy Camilo-Gibbs, formerly known as Timothy McGee, Adam Ward and Jeffrey Langston, lived. Security had been tight around Tim for months, before the NCIS teams had put together the pieces of Tim’s case and even before that, when Donald Mallard looked at the pages of his family’s tree to discover Tim’s original name and relationship to him.

Looking at the time, Agent Krieger added 9 hours and smiled, it was only 3:45 PM in London, calling one of the FBI Agent posted to the US Embassy in London. That agent was one of the FBI agents who’d responded to the incident in Jaxton.

When she asked her question, one Jeff hadn’t yet heard, his eyes widened before he shook his head in self-disgust. They’d assumed, every single one of them, including the Director! While her question might not turn out to be helpful, at least she hadn’t made any assumptions!

Promising to call or email with whatever answer he could get that afternoon, the agent made a quick call to the Jaxton Police Department who put him on hold. When the call resumed, the FBI agent found he was speaking with the Chief of Police. Although it would take 24 hours for the information to be confirmed by the appropriate government office and the request had already been input online, the Chief had lived in Jaxton all of his life and assiduously kept track of changes, especially the big changes as this one had been. Now he gave the FBI agent the answer, telling him how and why he knew and assuring the American that a copy of the original document would be sent the following afternoon.

Immediately calling the agents in San Diego, the London FBI agent, who’d been surprised by the answer, told Agent Krieger and Agent Andreson what he’d been told, along with the month and year it had been registered. The Police Chief in Jaxton had remembered that although not the specific date. He also confirmed there hadn’t been any changes since then.

Thanking the agent for his quick work, Andreson and Krieger looked at each other, eyes wide. This put a whole new spin on the Jaxton incident as well as pointing to other members of the family who could very well be in danger.

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With the incident so fresh, Agent Krieger at first decided to contact Director Sailes with the news. When Agent Andreson asked a question, she frowned and sighed, “You’re right, we’d better check that out before we contact him.”

Andreson looked at the clock, “Maybe, maybe not. I know in my case, my director would have contacts to steer me toward or to call or send a message himself, to see if there’s any current trouble. And it’s getting on to late afternoon in London. If extra precautions are needed…”

Krieger nodded. “You’re right, security is the first thing necessary. We’d better let Director Sailes know right away.”

Calling her director, she told his executive assistant what she was calling about and that there was a new and likely urgent matter. While she was put on hold, it was less than a minute before her boss, FBI Director Henry Sailes, was on the line.

“Agent Krieger, I understand there’s new information, something urgent?”

“Yes sir. I’m at NCIS in San Diego, meeting with Agent Andreson who is the lead on Agent Timothy Gibbs’ cases. We wondered how the perps knew where Agent Gibbs lived and I asked who the house and property belonged to. Andreson told me but we didn’t know how the property ownership was set up, if that might give us more information. We called Agent Bertram in London and he contacted the Jaxton Police Department hoping they would steer him to the right government department. The Chief of Police knew the answer and told him who the owner of record is. His department also made a formal request to a National Records Archive so in 24 hours we’ll have a copy of the most recent document registering ownership. However, the Chief has been there a long time and knew the answer. Director, the owner of record is Anthony DiNozzo.”

She looked at Andreson, who nodded, he’d take this bit, “Director, this is Agent Andreson with NCIS. Anthony DiNozzo is the father of Anthony DiNozzo, Jr. who is now known as Anthony Barnes-Gibbs. I know from previous cases involving the senior DiNozzo that his business dealings have been problematic on more than one occasion. This must be a clerical error because I know Barnes-Gibbs inherited the property from his great uncle Clive Paddington a few years ago and because Anthony DiNozzo, Senior is persona non grata to the Paddington family as a whole.

“With the Senior DiNozzo’s record although he’s never been found guilty of anything, it’s possible the attack was targeted at the property he supposedly owns, not on Timothy Gibbs and his family. If whoever ordered the attack finds out the attack was launched on the wrong person, family or property, the Barnes-Gibbs family as well as the Jaxton property residents may still be in danger, along with the Senior DiNozzo.”

Henry Sailes managed to refrain from swearing, instead saying he would warn Barnes-Gibbs and order protection details for the Barnes-Gibbs’ home in London as well as additional security for the Jaxton property. He also said he would update Director Vance so they could begin investigating the Senior DiNozzo. As the man had business deals globally, he would also ask for help from the CIA and several European law enforcement agencies. Congratulating them on their quick work, he disconnected.

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When his cell phone chimed with a call from Henry Sailes, Leon frowned, answering it immediately. And then swore out loud when he heard what Andreson and the FBI agent assigned to the attack had come up with. Henry chuckled, “Leon, we all blew it, everyone involved!  None of us considered it could be anything but an attack on Tim. Hell, I even had our agents look to see what Tim’s half-brother, Professor Mello, has been up to. Our European agents can check up on DiNozzo, Senior and I know you’ll ask Beau for help.”

“Yes, I will and thanks for your kind words, I’ll do my best to try to believe them. In the meantime, I’ll call our Tony, to make sure his security at home and the office is as tight as possible. The Paddington Security teams are already guarding the Jaxton house 24/7 but I’ll also give them a heads up. And then take a look at who the attackers are, where they’re from and who Senior might have angered this time!”

“All right, my friend, keep in touch!”

“Will do, Henry, thanks again.”

He’d no sooner hung up than Pam told him that Agent Andreson was on Skype, hoping to speak with him. Leon nodded at his agent as he joined the call. “I just got off the phone with Director Sailes. I can’t believe every single one of us made the same assumption but we need to move on, get the Barnes-Gibbses security as tight as it can be, as well as letting Paddington Security know to beef up their patrols in Jaxton and probably in London as well.”

“Yes sir. Director, we have not yet contacted Barnes-Gibbs but as it’s already late afternoon in London we did contact Paddington Security to let them know there might still be danger and for both properties, although we don’t know who is registered as the owner of the London townhouse.”

“All right, I’ll go ahead with the call to Barnes-Gibbs and have him check his documents to see who the London property is registered to. Thanks to both of you, great catch and yes, shame on all of us for assuming too much. We’ll all need to ensure none of us make that mistake again but then, we are human. Keep going with what you’re doing, please!”

They disconnected and Leon called ‘their’ Tony via Skype. When his former agent answered, he looked relieved, “Leon, I’m glad you called. Do you know what’s going on? Our security teams are now including the townhouse and most of the neighboring homes and have also bumped up security at the office.”

“We, all of us investigators, made a huge mistake about the attack. We assumed, Tony, I forget what rule that is but we were wrong to do it.”

“We assumed…what? And I think it’s Rule 8. This wasn’t about Tim’s cases? Then, what was it?”

“Better sit down.”

Frowning, Tony glanced behind him, pulling a chair toward him. Sitting, he looked at Vance expectantly.

Leon tried not to sigh as he began his explanation, “We don’t know this for certain, not yet, but given the level of security Tim has been under, and the troubles we’ve had in the past, it makes sense.” He took a deep breath before continuing, “The property in Jaxton lists Anthony DiNozzo as the owner, not Anthony DiNozzo, Jr. or Anthony Barnes-Gibbs. We suspect the goons were hired by someone angry with DiNozzo, Sr., nothing to do with Tim or his cases. We’ve already alerted the head of your security teams.”

Tony’s mouth dropped open and then shook his head, “Nigel helped me fill out the forms for both properties, it was one of the first things I did after we arrived here after our first vacation in Greece in the summer of 2010!  I remember we did them at the same time. We had copies made and then had one of the staff get them to whatever government office needed them. Nigel helped me again when I changed my name, I made copies and again one of the staff, might have been the same guy, took them to the same government office. I have copies here in my office, Leon, will you hang on a moment while I look?”

“Of course.” Vance sat back for a moment, glad he’d called Tony right away. Hearing a faint “ah ha!”, he leaned forward again as Tony reappeared with two file folders in hand. He nodded when Tony showed him the papers for the Jaxton property, the original one when he’d first inherited it and the second one with the name change. The first one had the word Junior after his name and the second one had Anthony DiNozzo, Jr. as his former name with the new one, Anthony Barnes-Gibbs, listed below. The papers for the London townhouse were also correct.

Tony shook his head, “I don’t remember the name of the man who took them to the government office both times but Nigel will. I don’t think he works for us anymore.”

Vance nodded, “You’ll also need to speak with the local police. One of the FBI agents who was at the property during the attack helped get the information from the Jaxton Police earlier today. You may want to speak with him first.”

“Yes, thanks, Leon. The first thing I’ll do is contact Nigel and one of the family attorneys. And I guess I’ll have to figure out what Senior has been doing.”

“No, Tony, stay away from Senior! We don’t want to tip off anyone that we know or at least suspect he was the target. The FBI and CIA will discreetly check him out and will let him know if this theory plays out. They’ve already started.”

“As long as Senior doesn’t come anywhere near any of us! Nobody in the UK, Greece, Italy or the US!”

“When was the last time you spoke with him?”

Tony sighed, “After Malu and Dad’s wedding, early in 2010, although I didn’t mention the wedding, that they’d married or anything about Malu adopting me or Dad adopting the others. I did tell him I had my own office, Monterey. I don’t remember if I told him about Maggie although I doubt I did as he would have been interested in knowing more at some point. I do remember mentioning that Tim was married and teaching at Stanford. I didn’t tell him anything else that was important.”  

“As I remember, they married in late 2009 but you didn’t mention the twins, so probably before they were born. Say close to 6 years ago.” Leon shook his head, “All right, please be careful, stay safe and let me know what you find out.”

“I hope the Monday morning goons will tell the FBI who hired them and why, that would certainly help.”

“I agree. Perhaps the possibility of being charged as terrorists in collusion with whoever hired them and who will go free while they take the fall unless they talk will loosen their tongues.”

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Disconnecting from the Skype call, Tony sat in his office chair for several minutes, pulling his thoughts together before putting the two file folders into a large manila envelope and closing the clasp on it. He started to get up, to find Maggie and his father-in-law but instead sat down again, grabbing his phone and calling the security office.

The head of security verified that security had already been bumped up for the Jaxton property, now including the entire property and the surrounding area, along with the townhouse and most of the neighborhood, Nigel’s home and the Paddington offices. All locations would have heavy security 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When he was asked to supply a photo of his biological father, he had to search several storage boxes before he found one, took a photo with his phone and sent it to the security office.

Following that, he called Nigel to tell him the latest and was relieved when his cousin gave him the contact information for their family attorney. He also said he’d help tracking down the name and contact information for the staffer who’d been charged with delivering the ownership paperwork. While he vaguely remembered the first name, Nigel said he’d talk with Human Resources before he left the office that day. He confirmed Tony’s memory that the young man was no longer employed by Paddington.

Having completed all the work he’d needed to do right away, Tony again picked up the manila folder and this time left his home office to find his wife and father-in-law.

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While the Gibbs family were somewhat relieved with the latest news, that the attack may not have been directed at Tim, their home and lives had still been threatened and still saved by Tim and Geordie’s quick actions. As far as they knew, it could happen again.

The 3 ‘distraction’ criminals were each charged with invading a historical and private property with collusion to commit arson and intent to fire an illegal, deadly weapon and destroy property, endangering 29 people, including 10 minor children.

The 2 criminals who’d launched the grenades were charged with collusion to commit arson along with 29 counts of attempted murder, including 2 infants, 8 minor children, their parents, including a pregnant woman, the children’s grandparents, great-grandfather and other family members, all but three of them US citizens.

The FBI prepared to extradite them from the UK and EU. None of the 5 were citizens of the United Kingdom or the European Union nor did their native country have any laws regarding extradition. The day before they were to be flown to the US, 2 of the criminals, including one of those who’d launched a grenade, claimed to have important information.

The FBI-NCIS team in San Diego had been right about their theory, the attack was to have been against Anthony DiNozzo, as it turned out Tony’s biological father was now the one and only Anthony DiNozzo since the former ‘junior’ had changed his name.

The Jaxton property was chosen as the target over the London townhouse because of the size of the property and the many trees to hide the team of criminals. It was the 2 grenade launching criminals who decided to use the other 3 as a distraction. The plan had been to burn the Jaxton house to the ground whether the house was occupied or not.

Within hours FBI had the name of the employer of the merry band of would-be murderers. That person was soon tracked to a private residence where he was arrested by a combined team of CIA, FBI and NCIS agents, as well as law enforcement officers of the country where he was hiding.  He was charged with hiring the 5 criminals to commit murder and arson, also known as ‘contract killing’ which by its nature included collusion.   

While the news was still trending, the 5 attackers and their employer were quietly extradited to the United States where each eventually received a long prison sentence with no hope for an early release.

As for the elder Anthony, that is the man formerly known as ‘Senior’ to Gibbs’ team, he was shocked, not only by the attempted murders but also that his only child no longer used the family name, was married, had children, owned heritage property and was employed by the elder Anthony’s former in-laws. He’d been informed of none of that and when he tried to reach out to his son, there was no reply, only silence. The clever trick ‘Senior’ DiNozzo had pulled on the man who’d then paid people to murder him and burn what was supposed to be his house was the final straw in the ending of any hopes that he might be able to reconcile with his son. As it turned out, the ‘clever trick’ wasn’t quite as legal as ‘Senior’ thought and he was also given a prison sentence, although a relatively short one. Consequences.

The problems with the ownership documents for both properties were quickly straightened out, the Paddington family’s attorney finding that the employee who’d been entrusted to deliver the documents had decided to play a joke, copying the documents and removing the ‘Jr.’ from them, which resulted in the young man’s arrest for fraud. More consequences.

Once that was settled, Tony found he could finally sleep again. Although he had some regret about cutting all ties with his biological father, his belief that he was doing the right thing for himself and his family was far stronger than the regret. And those were his consequences, a life of peace, love and joy rather than continuing to torture himself trying to please his biological father.

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Tim was so relieved that the attack had been a mistake albeit nearly a deadly one that he was able to return to his normal routine within a few days. However, he resumed meeting with his psychologist once a week, more often if necessary, much to the relief of his wife and parents who worried about his all too easy acceptance of that horrible night.

Artie didn’t remember much of the attack and was glad she didn’t! As the weeks passed, she, Tim, their children and the senior Gibbses grew more and more excited about the baby soon to be born to them. Still not revealing baby’s gender or even if there was more than one baby, the couple had fun posting their long list of male, female and unisex names downstairs. Nearly every day someone added a name or made a comment about a name already listed. Still, the couple kept their secrets.

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Chapter Text

Ch 36: Looking Forward, Reunion, Troubles!

With the arrest of the criminals involved in the attack on the Jaxton house and knowing that it was not connected to Tim’s cases, the residents and their London family relaxed although it took time for those in Jaxton to stop reacting to loud noises.

One of the items on Tim and Artie’s long ‘to do’ list for their move was figuring out how to transition Jackson and Ellanne from the British schools curriculum to the American schools curriculum. Knowing that Geo and Bec’s foster children attended a local campus of an International School from the time they arrived in the UK, Tim and Artie sat down with Geo and Bec, asking their questions.  

Geordie advised they ask the staff at the Playa Vieja school to send copies of the curriculum taught in first grade and kindergarten, as Liam and Chloe would also need to know. Then they could take it to the International School. Bec added that the international school did a great job in tailoring the curriculum for Brian and Mia. Towards the end of their school year in July, both had taken tests on what they’d learned and received good grades. However with the change in plans, instead of moving on to the Jaxton schools they’d remain at the International School, studying the curriculum taught at their future school in the U.S. Geo said they’d already contacted the private school they’d attend in California and found everyone there very willing to help.

Relieved, Tim and Artie followed Geo and Bec’s example, contacting the International School as well as the private school in Playa Vieja. He and Artie were happy and relieved when both schools said they’d work together to put together curriculums, for Jackson and Ellanne in the 1^st grade and for Liam and Chloe, who would attend kindergarten in the US.

Glad they hadn’t waited until after the reunion, the couple resumed preparing for their vacation.

With all the tumult from the attack on the house now in the past although a very recent past, the various groups of Gibbses, Mallards, Camilos, Mideis, Lekkases, Clachers, Caras, Costas, Baxters, Vances, Fornells and everyone else in the large extended family turned their thoughts to the annual reunion.

Although they had intended to have the reunion in Scotland, a new email vote showed now that most people wanted to go to Greece this year, no matter how hot it might get.

When Artemis’ doctor heard about the family doctors, the private jet and the less than 4 hour flight each way, he authorized the change from taking the train to flying round trip. His opinion was that flying would be less stressful for Artemis and their fetus than taking a train and boat, which would take about 3 days and at least one change of train each way.  

Although it was nearly last minute, everything fell into place. The Tain cousins agreed to join the rest of the family in Greece, much to Ducky and Tim’s relief and Tim and Artie’s usual landlord in Varkiza was once again happy that his favorite renters would return. He’d procrastinated getting ‘their’ house ready for other vacationers, now it would be spotless! He also spread the word among his fellow vacation rental owners, including the apartment complex near Tim and Artie’s rental, and within a few days, everyone had accommodations for the reunion!

Athena, Ducky, the Lekkases, Gaia and her family were relieved at the change. Gaia and her husband Theo had been to the Highlands a few times and although they loved the area, no matter what they did they always seemed to attract swarms of midges. The two archeologists had also just returned from a archeological project near Pylos, an ancient town inhabited since Neolithic times, located in Messenia, Peloponnese, Greece. While they were happy to attend the reunion, to spend time with their family, they were also exhausted and now looked forward to a much shorter trip with more time to relax. Gaia was also pleased to be returning to the town of her youth.

Ducky, while loving the thought of his family experiencing the wonders of the Highlands and his home, was also happy not to have to travel anywhere or play host and Athena, although she rarely admitted it, was always cold in Scotland and was also bothered by the midges. After the reunion, when the others left for the UK the two of them would go with them, staying in Jaxton at least until Artemis gave birth although it was more likely they would stay through the Greek Christmas celebration.

For Peter and Rhode, having the reunion in Varkiza meant all of their children would be able to see their large extended family at least once. With both sons serving their mandatory military service and their daughters working and preparing to resume their schooling in September, family and leisure time was precious.

Artemis was over the moon happy about being able to return to Varkiza for the reunion. Tim’s parents would once again stay with them, as would Dr. Rob, so she and Tim would have all the help they’d need. Determined to take things easy, she spent the two days prior to their departure in bed, although she was up long enough to get some exercise and make sure Tim had packed everything she wanted. During her self-imposed bed rest, she had the children bring in their suitcases, with help as needed, and then what clothes they wanted to take, approving or disproving their choices.

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The Edinburgh, London and Jaxton groups gathered at the FBO at Luton Airport the day of their departure which was also the last school day of the academic year for Brian, Mia, Jackson, Ellanni and McKenna. There were cheers as the flight from the US taxied into sight.

With a short turnaround, Geordie and George Powell kept an eye on the luggage being loaded while the others quickly boarded the aircraft and found seats. Artie chuckled when she noticed the seats closest to the restrooms were vacant. Turning her head, she called out, “Thank you!” to the amusement of everyone already aboard. She sat on the aisle, easier to get to the restroom, while Tim helped their children into the safety seats.

They all smiled when Jasper and his parents sat across from them with Nikki’s cousin and her fiancé sharing their aisle. Cousin Vince King, his wife and Grandma Evelyn had arrived by ship nearly two weeks ago. They’d stayed in Jaxton for several days, visiting more historic, interesting or famous sights than on previous visits. Three days ago they caught the Eurostar train in London, which would take them to Paris where they would spend 2 nights, 3 days. From there they would continue their journey by train to Bari, Italy, where they would take an overnight ferry to Patras, Greece. While there was a train from Patras to Athens, Peter and Rhode volunteered to meet them in Patras with their large motor home and bring them to Varkiza. They thought it would be more comfortable while giving them all a chance to become better acquainted as well as telling them what they were seeing on the drive home. Not having any problems with flying, Nikki's cousin and her fiancé were thrilled to travel to and in Europe, especially to Greece!

Once everyone was settled, Geo, Bec, Grampy Ben, Brian and Mia ended up sitting behind Tim and his family. Brian grinned at his uncle as Tim scanned the aircraft to see who was sitting where.

Joe, Char and Tommy were behind the Jardine-Gibbses, sharing their row with Freddie, Abby and Menolly. Tim stood at his seat and blew kisses to his US family, very happy to see their Baxter cousins, which this year included all four of Richard’s adult children, their spouses and some of their adult children. He waved to Ziva and Brian, Brian’s parents Julie and Ben Metzger, Brian’s sister and brother, their spouses and their younger children. Moving out to the aisle, Tim caught the eyes of Ned’s grandmother, sitting with Cyndie and Larry Porter and of course the Vances, who were still in the throes of greeting Kayla whom they hadn’t seen in person since Christmas!

The flight from the US was a return flight for the crew, who 2 days before flew from London to Chicago where several passengers disembarked before the flight continued to Phoenix, Arizona, collecting Margaret Dorneget and the Porters, who’d flown in from San Francisco the night before.  

From there they flew to DC where crew and passengers disembarked for an overnight stay as the flight was now close to the maximum number of hours for the crew. They regrouped the next day with Ziva, her family and the rest of the US group joining them.

After a smooth flight from London the travelers cheered when they landed in Athens. They were happy that all of them were together once again, especially after the recent troubles, for the reunion of their extended and ever expanding family and that they were in Greece. It seemed particularly fitting this year to return to the place where the various families had first gathered, first as the Gibbs-Mallard and Midei-Costas families before bringing in other families and friends.

Disembarking from the aircraft, Tim watched as the Powells took baby Lucy, leaving Sarah with her Gibbs family while the Clachers and senior Mallards made sure that Artemis and all 4 of Tim and Artie’s children went with them.

Watching his family head for the EU residents’ entry, Tim sighed and his uncle Charlie Camilo patted him on the back, “Timothy, I’ve been meaning to tell you something about our family and now seems appropriate. Our dad, your grandfather, met and married our mom, your grandmother, in Italy, and we still have relatives there. Our parents were still there when Walt, our oldest brother was born, so he has dual citizenship.

“My mother was born to Italian citizens in Italy and, this is a family secret, she never became a US citizen. I have a vague memory of Walt saying that Lu and I were also born there. After Walt’s birth the family moved to the US, home for our dad, where they spent a few years and our brother Rudy was born in Florida while Dad was building homes, a lot of that was going on in the 1950s and 60s.

“Then Dad had a job offer for a long term project, 6 years, in Italy and Mom went with him, taking Walt and Rudy home to her parents’, our maternal grandparents, while he was there. I remember Walt talking about going to school there and I’ve seen a photo of Rudy with his preschool or kindergarten class, not sure what it was called, taught by the Church.

“If we really were born there then Lu and I are also Italian citizens. Dad was third generation American, so the four of us are US citizens, but huh, I never thought of that! Even if we weren’t born in Italy, we inherited Mom’s citizenry, so all four of us are Italian, EU and US citizens! How about that?”

Tim’s mouth had dropped open halfway through his uncle’s explanation and now he blinked, saying, “Uncle Charlie, I checked on that when we adopted Liam and Chloe. They’re US citizens by birth and when they were adopted by us, they also inherited Artemis’ citizenship, so they are also EU and Greek citizens, just as Jack and Ellanne are. So is my brother-uncle Jimmy, by my grandfather’s adoption of him and, huh,” Tim chuckled, “now that also includes Mom’s adoption of him!” His eyes widened, “And that means so are we, all 8 of us!”

He looked at his uncle, “We need to verify this!”  

Charlie nodded, “When we get home, I have my birth certificate and I’m sure your mother has hers. I can email Walt from here, have him verify the bit about mom never getting her US citizenship and Lu and me being born in Italy. We might need to send some inquiries to the State Department and whatever Italy’s version of that is called.”

Doing a quick lookup, Tim said, “In English it is ‘The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation’.”

“That’s the best name I’ve ever heard for a foreign ministry/state department, ‘International Cooperation’! Do you want to start while we’re here?”

Tim shook his head, “I’d rather not, I’m still dealing with the attack and everything else, I really just want to relax and have fun with everyone!” He huffed, “And before we do start anything, please remind me to contact our Tax guy and see what my dual or triple citizenship will do to us! Artie’s should already be accounted for.” Shaking his head, he pulled out his phone to schedule a reminder after they were home from Greece.

Charlie nodded, “Good call, kiddo! I won’t contact Walt without your agreement.”

Tim winced, “It’s not just me, it might be all 11 of us, from Tony through Rob!”

“11? Ah, Ziva!”

“Yes and this week is the first chance most of us have had to celebrate our legal sibling-hood in person with her! I’m grateful we celebrated with her on Skype while you, Mom, Dad, Jose, Char, Freddie, Abby, the Baxters, Grandpa Mac, the Kings, Vances, Fornells and the Metzgers celebrated in person with her at her party when her adoption went through but now it’s our turn to celebrate in person!”

“Party?”

“Yes, on the beach all day Monday. Everyone should be over the worst of their jet lag by then.”

“Do you know why Ziva chose to use Camilo rather than Gibbs.”

“Likely for security reasons. She might use Gibbs in her everyday life but for official things like driver’s licenses and credit cards, she’ll use Camilo. The name Gibbs is too well known in law enforcement, although she’s no longer in law enforcement, the introduction of a ‘new’ Gibbs might cause some unwanted notice by people we dealt with during our time on the MCRT. Although the worst of the bad guys Dad and Leon worried about have been captured or died in the last few years, which is why I’m now able to use Gibbs.”

“You mean Jethro was well known in the US, certainly not world-wide?”

“Not the entire planet but yes, in countries other than the US.”

Charlie nodded, surprised, although later he shook his head at himself. He and Jethro were both Marines and Jethro had been, might still be, qualified as a sniper, along with his career in law enforcement! When he was later told that both Tim and Ziva were also qualified snipers, he was further surprised until he thought about Ziva’s previous life in Israel. Although he wasn’t aware of her connection to Mossad, he did know that young adults all served in the Israeli military. Where once he might have scoffed at the idea of mild mannered Tim as a sniper, after his experience with Tim and Geordie on the roof of the Jaxton house he knew better. And that knowledge became even clearer when he remembered that it was Tim who calculated the trajectory and the split second timing needed to hit the detonators on the grenades.

Finally everyone was reunited and those renting vehicles were arriving outside the Baggage Hall in their temporary wheels. By the time the last of the vehicles arrived Tim and Rob had the list of who was going where and had everyone sorted by driver and vehicle.

Once the crowd and their luggage were in the vehicles, off they went with the Timothy Gibbses leading the way!

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Even though he’d also been looking forward to spending two weeks in the Scottish Highlands, Tim admitted to himself that it felt wonderful to be back in Varkiza, as wonderful as it always felt to return to Jaxton. For one thing, Grandfa and Yaya were here, not in Scotland and Tim was very happy that several of their Scottish cousins were joining them in Greece.  

Artie laughed when he said he felt this was home, replying, “I feel the same way! This is another home to us and our children, in large part because it is also the home of my yaya, my papa, Rhode and also now your grandfather. And also because we’ve lived here, off and on, over the past two years! Our vacation rental is so close to the beach, we know so many people here, I mean the permanent residents and we will someday live here in our own home on the cliffs! We’ll still keep our suite in Jaxton and stay in Tain for long visits.”

Tim nodded, “I feel safer here, especially right now!” He looked at his wife, “And I think it’s time for a rest for you.”

She nodded, “Considering all I’ve done is sit on a plane, walk through the airport, ride in a car and then walk into the house, I shouldn’t be as exhausted as I am. But I am so yes, I will lay down for a few minutes.”

When one of her husband’s eyebrows raised, she rolled her eyes, “Very well, my love, for at least an hour.”

That won a smile from Tim.

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As always, the large group had a wonderful time, gathering on the beach early in the mornings, frequently bringing their breakfast or at least their breakfast liquid of choice with them. They walked nearly the length of the beach, helping any lost sea creatures to reenter the water without touching them, picking up trash and looking for differences, from day to day, in the always changing sandscape. They played in the water and on the beach, their many beach umbrellas helping to keep them cooler while the solar powered fans they attached to the beach umbrellas helped even more. Their coolers lived under the fans, holding ice, ice packs, bottles of water, snacks and usually lunches.

By 2:30-3:00, most of them returned to their homes, some of the adults as well as the younger children napping. For those who weren’t napping or wanted something indoors to do after their naps, there were plenty of choices in Varkiza, Athens or Piraeus. There were arcades to visit with many games to play, cinemas with movies for all ages, stores to explore, bowling alleys and indoor skating rinks, even ice skating rinks, that were a lot of fun for families. The skating rinks, in particular the ice skating rinks, were always a favorite.

They had a favorite pub in Piraeus, The Flying Pig, which was always fun to visit. Tim did think it was strange that he, his dad, Geordie, Bec and Rob felt so at home there but as with many other strangely familiar-feeling things in Greece, decided not to think about it although occasionally he had to tell himself rather firmly that there was no such thing as past lives.

In the early evening, between 6 and 7 PM, the heat and humidity usually started to dissipate and many of the group returned to the beach for another swim. Those with babies and young children stayed for an hour or so while those with older children stayed until it was time for bed, or in the case of the older twins, Cassie and Matthaíos, until dark.

Geo and Bec’s foster son Brian was thrilled one evening when he was allowed to stay on the beach with the older twins, Uncles Nick and Sergio, their daughters Katerina and Damaris, now young teens, as well as Mr. Tobias and his daughter Emily who was Katerina’s age. Even though Poppy came to get him before the others had to leave, he was very happy that he’d been able to stay out later than the younger kids!

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That first Monday, everyone enjoyed themselves at their all-day “Congratulations and Welcome to the Family to Ziva Gibbs Camilo, our official daughter, sister, granddaughter and US citizen” party.

The Vances and their friends the Russells arrived on the beach early and spent several hours at the party, staying for lunch. Ziva’s husband and in-laws thoroughly enjoyed the stories Leon and Tobias told about the Ziva-era MCRT. Ziva also enjoyed them once she realized both men were telling tales that had been carefully censored!

One afternoon along with Tim, Artemis, Sarah, James, Ziva, (adult) Brian, Geo, Bec, Tony, Maggie, Barry, Ned, Bill, Nikki, Jimmy, Breena, Rob, Freddie without Abby who was off sightseeing with Grandpa Mac, Jose and Char and most of their children, babies Victoria and Lucy stayed home with their grandparents, drove their rental vehicles to the Timothy Gibbses’ cliff-top property for a visit.

They laughed as they parked their vehicles on the property that would someday house a large garage. Alan Martin, their caretaker, welcomed them with smiles. He’d been at Ziva’s party and now was happy to see the ‘younger’ Gibbses visiting the property. He insisted on pushing Artemis, sitting like a queen in the family’s  ‘rough terrain’ manual wheelchair, along the path he’d made between the two properties.

The senior Powells, Ducky and the Gibbses purchased two of the specialized wheelchair last winter, at the time to accommodate Sarah and Breena while they were pregnant and wanted to join in on walks and now it was Artie’s turn. The purchasers thought it was a good idea not just for their pregnant daughters but also for use in the future for the family elders, Jackson, LJ, Mac, Cousin Richard and, reluctantly, Ducky silently included himself and his love.

The group had a good time visiting the property, reviewing Artie’s design, voicing their liking for the changes she’d made. With the exception of Artemis, Bill, Nikki, Tim and their children, most of the group had forgotten how large each property was. After reviewing the designs, they walked around the ‘main’ property, trying to imagine the main house, the guesthouse(s), the apartments, the gardens and of course the pool. Having also forgotten that Bill and their crew had done quite a bit of the ‘set up’ work while they worked on the Remises’ new home, they were impressed and excited to see all that.

Before they left, Artie told them that after much discussion, she, Bill and their main contractor wanted to officially kick-off the rest of the build in the late autumn of 2017.

When the others were surprised at what seemed to be an additional delay, she smiled, agreeing that while the date was somewhat subject to the whims of NCIS, as that would only be about 1 year into Tim’s projected 2-3 years in the US, she would follow along via the various video apps. Tim added that they would of course visit during school holidays.

Joe raised his hand, asking if that would include Christmas and the entire group cheered when Tim and Artie nodded, smiling.

Tim added, “As soon as we get the school calendar, we’ll figure out dates. I don’t know if we’ll make it to Greece over that holiday but we’ll do our best.”

“What about your schedule?”

His brother grinned, “Don’t forget, I’m still taking 12 weeks off every year. I’ll work my schedule around the children’s holidays.”

Nikki thought about that, “You might have enough time in now for more than that.”

Smiling, Tim shook his head, “Sis, I only returned to the agency a year and a half ago, it just seems longer! I’ll look back at my notes, I don’t remember the length of service I was given.”

“Don’t forget you also worked for the FBI and we know you worked more than 2 days a week for them.”

“Mm, sometimes.” Tim laughed, “Don’t worry about it, we’ll be in the UK for Christmas, in Greece for Easter and wherever our reunions end up in any particular year. Between our visits, we hope you’ll visit us, especially during the UK winters. We’ll all be busy and the time will fly by.”

Back on the beach in Varkiza later that day, Tim looked at his siblings and gestured to the Mediterranean. “Think about this: when you visit us in San Diego during the winter, you’ll fly over with Paddington, have your own rooms in our ‘hotel’, we’ll probably be able to at least wade in the Pacific Ocean and we will definitely swim in our heated pool, with a climate control dome over it.”

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In London, Cynthia Sumner Dalton enjoyed a cup of coffee before she started her work day. While she had her regular work to do she had also set aside a project or two to work on. When her mobile rang later that morning, she made a face while dutifully pulling the phone from a pocket of her sweater. Though she frowned at the ID and number, she accepted the call, her frown deepening as she listened to the caller.

Her older boy had been attacked by another American boy at nursery. While both boys were school age, with school still out for the summer, the younger school children were allowed at nursery. While the Dalton boy’s injuries weren’t life threatening, he had been taken to the A&E.

When Cynthia heard that and the name of the other boy, she had to restrain a growl, telling the nursery manager she would be there in 40 minutes and to please hold onto the other boy and whichever of his parents showed up.

Disconnecting, she used her office phone to immediately call SSA O’Brien, the Field Team lead. Special Agent O’Brien said they would be on it, likely with the local FBI agents. With Cynthia’s years of experience at NCIS, she knew what that meant.

O’Brien immediately made a call to her FBI counterpart at the embassy. That team lead agreed with her plan of action, both teams would respond to the problem although the FBI would have jurisdiction. As O’Brien agreed with her FBI counterpart’s planned ‘final say’, she didn’t argue.

Traveling in two cars, Cynthia riding with the NCIS team, they arrived at the Brambury nursery fairly quickly.

Cynthia nodded grimly when she saw her husband’s car, glad he’d been able to go to the A&E with their son. She and Chaz gently wrapped their arms around him, kissing him. His face was bruised, he had cuts on his forehead and nose and a bump on the back of his head although he did not have a concussion. His left forearm had a slight fracture, that is a crack in the bone and had been splinted and wrapped, his arm in a sling. Both of his knees were bandaged where the other boy had kicked him.

While they were tending to their son, they heard the office door open. Cynthia made the mistake of looking up and like her husband before the Fourth of July did a double take as the man who closely resembled her boss and friend entered the office. She nodded to herself, she’d been afraid there would be more trouble from this man!

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

The NCIS and FBI teams had been briefed on the attack by the Nursery Manager and had already interviewed the nursery assistants, practitioner and Team Leader who had witnessed the attack.

They reported there had been no provocation. The attacking child had asked a question of Cynthia and Chaz’s child, he’d shrugged, saying he didn’t know and the other boy began kicking and hitting him, pushing him against a table and then onto the floor before the staff could get to them.

As the attacking child’s father walked into the office, the NCIS team tried to cover their shock as they saw just how much the man looked like their SAC Gibbs!

Once the man had seen his son and listened to his side of the story, which the nursery staff, the FBI and NCIS teams had already heard, the FBI lead agent took Professor Mello into a large office where NCIS SSA O’Brien joined them along with a high ranking officer from the London Metro PD, a member of the UK Home Office and a member of the US State Department.

The FBI agent had already checked with his Director, waking him at 3:30 AM EDT, telling him of the attack against the Dalton child whose family was known to be connected with the McGee-Camilo-Gibbs family. Director Sailes agreed with the plan, telling him he would notify Director Vance and agreeing to the inclusion of NCIS Special Agent O’Brien in everything.

With the agreement of all law enforcement present, as well as their superiors, the Home Office and the US State Department representatives, the Mello family was told that with the violent attack on the Daltons’ child and because of Professor Mello’s continued violations of the orders restraining him from contacting any member of Timothy Camilo-Gibbs family or extended family, they were in danger of violating the restraining order(s) and possibly having the Professor’s work visa revoked. If that happened, they would have 7 days, including the day the visa was revoked, to leave the UK.

After Mello’s surprise visit to the Daltons’ home before the Fourth of July, he and his wife had had a visit from an FBI agent, the same one now at the nursery, to give them advice against approaching anyone in the Dalton family as they were part of the extended Camilo-Gibbs family. The agent had acknowledged then that the Mellos weren’t in trouble for the Professor’s surprise visit to the Daltons’ home as the Bureau thought it unlikely that the Mellos knew of the connection between the Camilo-Gibbses and the Daltons.

Along with the possibility of losing their visa, the Mellos were also told that if that did occur, when they returned to the United States further charges might be filed against Matthew Mello for violation of the restraining order, harassment of minors, harassment of a member of the extended Gibbs family and the other directives he’d been given to stay away, physically, online, on paper and any other means of approaching someone, from Timothy Gibbs and anyone currently connected with him. That particular directive had included Mello’s entire family, including his wife, children, mother, grandmother, uncle, aunt, cousins, siblings as well as his Portuguese relatives.  

The Mellos were also told their son could no longer attend nursery or the school, they had a Zero Tolerance policy for bullying and physical attacks. Whether in the UK, the US or wherever they or the Daltons lived, the Mellos were also responsible for paying for the Dalton child’s medical treatment, including counseling or additional physical treatment he might need as a result of the attack. There was no end date for that.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

With everyone including the Kings, Margaret Dorneget and many of the Scottish cousins joining them, the group thoroughly enjoyed their time together, agreeing that this was one of the best reunions ever.

Their last full day, they had their traditional ‘eat what’s left’ dinner on the beach, although Nik, refusing to eat the leftovers as they were, made a hearty dish using most of what was left. There weren’t even crumbs left over from that and more than one person thought of licking their plate!

With departure times scattered throughout the next day, the crowd, this year there were 107 of them, said their goodbyes that evening while still on the beach. Tim had to work hard to keep his emotions in check. As much as he’d emoted about the wonders of the winters in San Diego, he really wanted to wrap his arms around everyone and take them with him or better yet, not leave at all. When Artie kissed him, reminding him they didn’t have to go, that he could leave the agency again and that if they did go, they could return home as soon as the trials were over, Tim started to relax.

Knowing his parents would be with them as much as possible helped. Knowing Rob, Geordie, Bec, Brian, Mia and Grampy Ben would be there also helped. Knowing Grandpa Jack, Uncle LJ, Uncle Charlie and Cousin Tricia would be there with them helped. Cousin Richard would at least spend winters with them, which might mean his grandson Doug and his family would also visit during school holidays. When Margaret Dorneget accepted their invitation to live with them in Playa Vieja, that helped. She and Athena had resumed the friendship they’d begun to establish a few years ago when Margaret and Walter stayed with her while their cruise ship was anchored in the bay at Piraeus. Now Tim hoped that would also be a reason for Yaya and Grandfa to stay longer.

Keeping the positive thoughts foremost in his mind, Tim managed to say goodbye to those not flying on the same aircraft without breaking down. He’d also remembered that their Greek family would join them in Jaxton for their Christmas celebration, that was a good thing. And he and Artie talked about visiting Nik, Sergio and the girls in Sorrento before the reunion next year as the children would be out of school earlier than they were in Jaxton.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

After his conversation with his UK agent about the attack on the Dalton child, FBI Director Henry Sailes decided to wait until daylight to call Leon. Minutes later he realized that the man was on vacation in Greece although he was due back at work the following Monday.

He thought about that, finally deciding that with the Mello problem under control for now and with his agency having jurisdiction, he could wait until Leon’s return. Still feeling that wasn’t quite right, he waited until daylight before calling the Pentagon and Secretary Porter to update her. He was almost relieved when he was told she was in the air and wouldn’t be available, except for emergencies, for several hours. As it was not an emergency, he found himself speaking with Under-secretary Leo, whose name he recognized, and updated her as well as his own boss.

When it was finally dawn in California, Sailes called NCIS Special Agent Andreson and updated him, including the fact that neither Director Vance nor SAC/AD Timothy Gibbs were aware of any of this and that he hoped they could remain ignorant until their return from Greece in four days. Disheartened by the news of the attack, Andreson agreed, relieved that Tim and their boss could enjoy the rest of their vacation.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Home again, Tim and Artie were happy to find copies of the curricula the American school sent to the International School for both sets of twins. The international school classes would start the same day as the Jaxton classes and had the same holidays, a week off in October, two weeks at Christmas and then the children would miss a few days while the family moved, beginning classes at the Playa Vieja school a week after they arrived in the US.

As the children’s transition from British to American classes had been a worry, their parents were much relieved and happy. On the other hand, Brian and Mia found it funny that they’d attended the International School so they would be in sync with their classmates at the Jaxton schools. With the change in plans, they wouldn’t attend the Jaxton schools again for a few more years. Neither minded, they’d made friends at both schools and planned to stay in touch with them.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

When Tim, Nikki, James and Jimmy arrived at the office Monday morning, they’d slept all the way, riding in with Tim’s security team, they noticed people were looking at them a little strangely.

As Tim entered the suite that housed his office, he smiled at Cynthia, quickly losing the smile when he saw the expression on her face. Standing in front of her desk, he asked, “Who was hurt and are you all right?”

She shook her head, “O’Brien will brief you and the only person hurt will be fine. And I’m mostly okay.” She looked at him, “I’ll let her know you’re in.”

“Do Nikki, Jimmy and James need to know?”

“They don’t need to know but they should know, everyone else does. We couldn’t keep it quiet.”

Tim stood looking at her, finally saying, “Consider yourself hugged.”

She gave him a little smile, “Thank you, I needed that. May I have a real hug later, from my friend Tim?”

He nodded before entering his office. Nikki, Jimmy and James quickly joined him, followed by SSA O’Brien.

He’d made coffee for himself, his agent and his brothers, and a small pitcher of Nikki’s favorite herbal tea waited for her.

O’Brien was the last to join them, declining the coffee with a smile, “Thank you but I’ve had too much in the last few days.”

Joining her boss and the others at the conference table, she told them what had happened, starting with the phone call from the nursery to Cynthia. When they were told of the injuries to Cynthia’s older son, Nikki, with a horrified look on her face,  received a slight nod from her equally horrified brother-in-law and she left the room, finding Cynthia in the outer office and, holding onto her, maneuvered the two of them into the small conference room at the back of the suite.

Once O’Brien relayed the happenings, she stopped talking. While she understood that James Powell and Dr. Mallard were family and should know what happened, she also knew they didn’t need to hear the rest.

Jimmy got it and tapped James on the shoulder, quietly saying, “C’mon, the rest isn’t our business.”

Tim looked up, “Please don’t say anything to Sarah or Breena, I’ll ask Nikki not to say anything to Bill, or anyone until I have a chance to tell Artie.”

Both men nodded, Jimmy saying, “I’ll let Nikki know.”

“Thanks.”

After O’Brien heard the outer door close, she took a breath. “I contacted the FBI team at the Embassy. Neither the team lead or I were 100% sure of jurisdiction but when we peeled away everything else, this was an attack on a dependent of a US government employee and thus an FBI case. Anyway, before we reached that conclusion we decided to share jurisdiction until we knew differently and Director Sailes agreed with sharing. Both teams handled the scene, interviews and, well, everything.”

“How badly was the little boy hurt?

Handing him a photo, she quietly outlined the boy’s injuries.

“That’s horrible, I’m sure he was terrified!” He looked at his agent, “And?”

“Before we left for Brambury the FBI lead told the aide to the Ambassador. She sent someone, I didn’t get his name, but he and an officer from the UK Home Office spoke together and were in agreement with the decision by the Home Office to threaten to revoke the visas for the Mello family. They’ve carefully and thoroughly documented everything he’s done.”

At Tim’s horrified look, she pointed out, “His actions have been damaging to you, not only as a federal officer but also as the plaintiff in the court cases and personally.”

Tim sighed, “And I think that last has been his primary intention from the start. I don’t understand why or what drove him to it but I don’t care. Does Director Vance know?”

“Not yet. Director Sailes told his agent he didn’t want to ruin any vacations. He contacted Secretary Porter’s office but as she was traveling, he spoke with Under-secretary Leo.”

“Good, she’s been my primary contact many times. And Sailes’ boss?”

“Yes, she’s been made aware. Also, Sailes contacted Agent Andreson for us. I sent him a follow-up over the weekend and had a note from him.”

“This all happened Thursday?”

“Yes. I checked with our FBI team this morning and the Mellos voluntarily left the UK on Saturday, shipping most of their belongings.”

Tim shook his head, “I feel bad about that but I also don’t want to endanger anyone or jeopardize the cases. Do you know where they flew to?”

“Yes. They flew into LAX and then on to Santa Barbara.”

Tim shook his head with a sigh, “I’d say that seems like overkill except for the danger he put me and my fellow victims in, the fact that he could very well have ruined the cases and thus any justice for us not to mention his weird obsession with me.” He shook his head again, “He’s an intelligent person, I don’t get it - this all feels deliberate. I feel bad for his wife and children, except for the brat who beat up the Dalton boy. Are they the same age?”

“Yes and we later heard from their teacher, school, not nursery, that the Mello boy has the makings of a bully.”

“I’d say he’s already a bully! It’s sad but that makes sense. I hope he gets help.”

Once Agent O’Brien left the office Tim sat, trying to come to turns with this latest move by his half-brother. While he couldn’t imagine using his own child as a way to hurt an adult, he remembered young Jackson’s call out of Sophia Costas in the park in Denmark during their Scandinavian tour a few years ago. They’d never mentioned her or Kosmos, Artie’s former stepfather, in front of the children and he realized that was what set Jackson off, he didn’t know who she was and was challenging her. She had definitely been a bully that day!

Chapter Text

Ch 37: Updates and Questions, Sneaking Around, Alyssa and More

Leon was awake early, feeling like he was still on Grecian time. He laughed at his regular security team, who’d had their vacations while he was away. Although he had no idea where they’d been, two of them seemed to be suffering from jet lag, trying to swallow their yawns all the way into the Yard. Nevertheless, all occupants of the SUV were awake when they rolled onto the Navy Yard a solid two hours early. Taking pity on his team, Vance ordered them to rotate taking ‘jet lag’ naps, he wasn’t planning to leave the office that day.

When he walked into the outer office of the Director’s suite, he smiled and then frowned at the look on the face of his executive assistant, Pam Cook.

“What’s wrong?”

She shook her head, “Nothing here and no one has died or is in danger. Director Sailes will fill you in; he’s asked that you call his cell as soon as you arrived.”

“All right, I’ll do that right away.”

She nodded, “The coffee is fresh and there are a few snacks for you, I remembered that jet lag makes people hungry. Security informed me you were on your way in.”

“Thank you, that was thoughtful of you and I will also thank them! Other than whatever the latest crisis is, how have things been?”

She smiled, “Quiet! I took Monday afternoon through Thursday off last week, caught up on Friday.”

“Great, I’m glad you were able to get away! Now excuse me, I’d better call Sailes.”

He poured a cup of coffee before sitting behind his desk and ignoring the piles of files waiting for his review. He had a few sips of coffee before he contacted Henry Sailes, his counterpart at the FBI.

“Leon, you’re in early or are you still at home?”

“No, I’m in, woke up early.”

“You sound relaxed, hope you had fun?”

“Yes, it was great. Henry, what’s happened?”

“Remember that Professor Mello’s children attend the same school in the UK as your Cynthia Dalton’s children. The news is that one of Professor Mello’s sons attacked the son of Cynthia Dalton.”

“Which of her boys and how is he, how is their family?”

“It's the older boy, who is, I believe, her husband’s nephew. He’s bruised, with cuts on his forehead and nose and a bump on the back of his head although he doesn’t have a concussion. His left forearm has a crack in the bone, it’s splinted, wrapped and he’s using a sling. Both of his knees had to be bandaged.” Quickly, Sailes told him how it had happened. Then, waiting a beat to give Leon a little time to absorb the news, he continued.

“Ms. Dalton was already at the agency when she was called by the Nursery Manager. She called your Agent O’Brien who said they’d leave right away, figure out jurisdiction on the way. O’Brien contacted my agents at the Embassy and both agencies responded as a joint case, which I authorized.”

Continuing, Sailes told him what had happened at the nursery, the appearance of a representative of the UK Home Office as well as a consular officer from the US State Department and the warning, the last warning before extreme action would be taken, to the Mellos.

The son who’d attacked was banned from the nursery and the schools, which included all classes from Year Four, what would have been his Year Four, through Secondary, upholding the schools’ Zero Tolerance policies. Although Sailes didn’t know much more than that, he did say that this was not the first offense by the son, who had started at the school during the last term before the summer break.

Adding his communications with Under-secretary Leo and NCIS Agent Andreson, Sailes finished by telling Vance about the Mellos departing from the UK, adding that they were currently in Santa Barbara, California, staying in a residential hotel.

Vance took a deep breath, “That poor little boy! And yes, he is biologically the nephew of Chaz Dalton although Cynthia and Chaz adopted him a couple of years ago. I can’t believe the Mellos! Does Tim know?” He shook his head impatiently, “Never mind, I’m sure he does by now. What further action will there be against the Mellos?”

“If you approve, they will be visited today by a combined team of FBI and NCIS agents, including Agent Andreson who has met with the man at least twice before, once in person. The message is that the Mellos, including the professor’s wife, children and potentially his sisters, need to seriously watch what they say and do as Professor Mello continues to teeter on the edge of violating the restraining orders he’s under. Leon, before they left for Europe last spring he quit his job at the University of California at Santa Barbara and currently has no income. His wife will likely be re-hired by her former employers. When they were first interviewed last spring, they were very unhappy they’d lost her.”

“Yes, I approve of the joint visit. Do we know the Mellos' financial status, other than employment?”

“They have enough for about a year if they rent and are very careful. The wife may not have been as certain about the ‘European Adventure’ as her husband because she left her vehicle, an SUV they own outright, and some of their furniture with her sister. However, they currently don’t have enough to buy another house, at least not anywhere in California.”

Leon shook his head, “When he first appeared on the scene, he was excited about having a brother, about finding ‘Jeffrey’. Before that, when the two men met online, they got along very well.” He paused, “Of course if he’d already pegged Tim as his long lost brother, then that may have been the first instance of his treating Tim as some sort of trophy, with him wanting to know all about the trophy. I need to look at the case file, see when he told Tim about the job offers in Europe.”

Henry Sailes nodded, “Andreson said the same thing the other day. Think the whole thing was a setup?”

“That seems like a stretch, considering the original lecture was online and I believe Tim used one of his aliases to sign up for it. I can’t see that Mello would have known or counted on him having to skip the actual lecture because they were in Greece and the lecture was being held on California time.” Vance shook his head, “I suppose it could have been a setup, Henry, if Mello believed his missing brother would have grown up to be as much into science and mathematics as he is. But how would he know that or the move from the UK to Greece?

"I wonder if he’s held other kinds of lectures, fiction writing, maybe or any other trait that toddler Jeffrey showed?” He shook his head, “That’s really reaching, Jeffrey was only 27 months old! Talking early is one thing, I suppose being able to count and understand what the numbers mean could be a sign a child is gifted. And I wonder if Tim was a very early reader? That’s hard to comprehend, a baby in diapers reading! I’ll ask Andreson, if he doesn’t know, he’ll know who to ask. If any of my very far reaching ideas pan out, it could have been part of Mello’s game.”

“You mean he’s been fishing for longer than we thought, with different bait?”

“Essentially, yes. I also wonder if the University of California at Santa Barbara was his first college or university employer? And if he conducted any searches through the California University system, although Stanford is not part of that. However, he may have found something about our professor that led to additional searching.”

“Good questions, Leon, let me know, please. Any word on the trials, no, never mind, you haven’t had time to look yet!”

Leon managed a chuckle, “I’d think you’d know before I do!”

“Maybe but the Justice Department doesn’t copy us on everything and we’re the secondary agency on this, you’re primary.”

“Well then, Secondary Director Henry, thank you again for all your help with everything, especially with this latest mess. It was kind of you to contact Andreson and Under-secretary Leo and not to interrupt our vacations!”

Disconnecting, Leon made a few notes before looking at his watch and wincing, called Jeff Andreson’s cell.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

In Jaxton, Jethro’s gut was bothering him but there wasn’t anything going on. The working vacationers had returned to work and the rest of them were unpacking and taking turns doing laundry. Although Tim had managed to do about half of his family’s laundry the day before, Lu was doing the rest of it today, with help from Edie Powell and the grandkids.

Artie was exhausted and Dr. Rob, who had two more days off, had ordered her to stay in bed yesterday and today. He wasn’t worried, just wanted to make sure she got the rest she needed.

In London, Tim nodded when a Skype call came in from Vance. Answering, he immediately gave him an update on the young Dalton’s condition, that he was at home recovering, adding what he knew about the Mello family.

In turn, Leon added what he’d learned from his fellow director and from emails sent by Agent Andreson. The Mello family, at least the adults, would be visited that day, during California’s afternoon, by a team of NCIS and FBI agents. He also added that the older Mello son, the one who had attacked the Dalton boy could not physically attend school until he'd been through a psychiatric evaluation. In the meantime, he was allowed to attend classes online with physical supervision and any questions from him would have to be through email until they knew more about his mental and emotional state.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Over the next couple of weeks, as the recent troubles were handled, Tim began to regain his emotional equilibrium and his thoughts returned to his priorities: Artie, their children, including their pregnancy, their families, his work and of course the move.

Cynthia and Chaz’s son was doing well in his recovery physically and emotionally, getting the care needed for him to heal inside and out and that positive news helped everyone’s outlook. The child was safe, healing, feeling better and knew he was loved by his family, extended family and his friends. He understood that he hadn’t done anything wrong, that the other boy had behaved very badly, was clearly wrong and had been punished. Not having to see his attacker again certainly helped!

While that was comforting to know, the love his parents, siblings, friends and the extended family gave him helped even more.

Seeing that Cynthia was confident in her son’s recovery and his own confidence that the little boy would continue to heal, Tim concentrated on helping his wife, preparing for their new little one and making sure their children had plenty of love and attention.

One Sunday Tim waited until everyone but he and Artie was out of the house, either at church, out to breakfast or taking a day trip. Once he was sure no one but the two of them were home, Tim put on an old pair of jeans, ancient sneakers and a tee shirt, slipping on disposable gloves, tucking an extra pair in his pockets, a ball cap and a dust mask. Then he hurried down to the basement to a storage room reached through the laundry room. Pulling out and cleaning what he needed, he hauled it all to the elevator, returning to clean up any dirt or dust before taking everything upstairs.

Tim was returning from checking the floor in the laundry and storage rooms one last time when he heard vehicles in the driveway. Remembering they still had clean clothes that needed to be taken upstairs, he grabbed their hamper and quickly got into the elevator for a quick ride back to the 3^rd floor.

By the time the church goers entered the house, everything was done. He’d left the clean clothes hamper in his and Artie’s bathroom, grabbed their vacuum, doing a quick pass on the floor of the elevator and the carpeted hall floor. By the time he heard voices downstairs, he was hurrying to the bathroom for a quick shower, taking his dusty clothes in with him. Rinsing them out, he hung them to drip dry in the shower and would later add them to his family’s weekly wash.

He smiled, relieved to have the baby furniture cleaned and in place. They’d ordered several fitted crib sheets, remembering from the older twins that they would have to be changed frequently. They hadn’t yet decided between cloth or disposable diapers although Sarah and Breena were quite happy with the disposable, compostable diapers Jimmy discovered online. Although they were also leaning towards those diapers, Artie and Tim agreed that if they did decide to use cloth diapers, they would splurge on a diaper service.

In their bedroom, Artie was up, dressed and laughing at him when he exited their bathroom wrapped in a towel and carrying a hamper full of carefully folded clean clothes. She shook her head, “What have we started? You know at some point we’re going to have to tell them. And we’ll have to do it soon, before you wear yourself out being sneaky!”

“I know, it was hard to keep the common areas clean. However, it’s fun keeping a secret!”

“How much did you move? I didn’t want to open the door much wider than a crack.”

He told her and she giggled, “Perfect! Now, about the names…”

Grinning, he scooped her up and pulled her onto his lap as he sat. The children found them sitting side by side on the sofa when they came running in to change out of their church clothes.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

The first day of school for the children arrived quickly and photos were taken of the 7 of them, the younger twins excited about starting kindergarten/reception at the International School, although also sad they wouldn’t be with all their friends from nursery and preschool. Jasper was also happy and very proud that he was now a preschooler also attending classes at the International School while Ellanni and Jack were excited about being in Year One/First Grade, although they too were sad about not being with their Jaxton schoolmates. The five of them, including Jasper, felt better when their parents promised that they could have their Jaxton friends over to play.

Brian and Mia were returning to the International School although this term they would resume their American studies. While they understood why the plans had changed, they still thought it was funny. They’d made friends at the Jaxton school, which they’d attended after the June break to the end of term and also had friends at the International School which they’d attended from January until the June break.

Brian remembered changing schools during a school year although he’d always had to move away. Now he told Mia that this time it would be easier because until they left for California they’d be in the same town and could still see all of their friends. He’d already asked their parents if they could have a movie night, inviting their friends over. Bec thought that was such a good idea that she mentioned it to Artie and Nikki, thinking that would also be fun for their children’s friends although they’d need to show movies appropriate to the different age groups.

After dinner one Friday evening, two weeks after the children started school, Nikki and Bill asked to speak with Tim and Artemis. Grama and Poppy were playing with Jasper and Uncle Charlie, Grandpa Jack and Uncle LJ were upstairs playing with Tim and Artie’s crew. Their children in safe hands, the two couples met in Tim’s office. Nikki took a breath, “Tim, we want to move to California with all of you, live in the hotel and then move home again with all of you.”

Bill nodded, looking at Artie, “I’ll be back and forth, working on the house.”

Artie smiled, “If you really want to, Bill; however, there’s no rush to get the house built.”

Tim tilted his head, “To be honest, we’re pretty sure we’ll be moving home a few months after the trials are over. Probably less than 2 years.”

Nikki frowned, “I thought Vance…?”

“He did, does, want me over there. It started with the Southwest SAC dying unexpectedly. The director offered the spot to me but we don’t want to leave here permanently. He has someone else he wants to move into the Southwest SAC position but she didn’t yet have the experience he felt she needed. That was last winter. By the time we move over, she’ll have close to 18 months of experience in her current position and by the time the trials are over, she’ll likely have somewhere between the two or three years he wanted her to have.”

Bill nodded with a grin, “That’s why you’re not buying anything over there!”

“Right, it’ll be a good experience for the children and I hope for the rest of us and yes, please, come with us, we hate leaving you and everyone else! Nikki, your aunt will be able to reach you faster and you can fly east to visit her. The only challenge might be the director but I’m sure he’ll love the idea of having your expertise available to more of the world. Just please make sure he agrees to a temporary assignment over there. I do not want to lose you over here!” Tim smiled, “Jasper can go to the private school with the rest of the children, they’ll all love that!”

“Yes! We’re also bringing another child into our family. She’s due in about 5 weeks. Her birth mother recently signed the consent to adoption paper. Once the baby is on the outside, we’ll sign the adoption papers and bring her straight home from the hospital.”

“That’s wonderful! Do all the grandparents know?”

Bill nodded, “Yes, we told them all, with Aunt Evelyn online, last night.”

Tim smiled happily, “So your new child will be a few weeks older than ours. That’s great! I know Lucy and Victoria will always be older but they’ll end up being in the same year at school.”

Nikki looked at her watch. “I’m going to call the Director, if that’s all right, Tim? Or should you call him?”

“No need, tell him I’m happy that you and Bill will be with us in California and then will return home with us. I think I’ll send him a message that I have complete faith in Mo Stempel.”

Chuckling, Nikki left the room while Artie and Bill spent some time talking about the property and house. Tim amused himself by sending Leon the message about Maureen Stempel, Nikki’s fellow Intel Analyst here in the UK.

When Bill offered to spend a month or so at a time working on the Varkiza property, Artie shook her head, “No, that’s too similar to what we did for the Remises’ property! That was difficult for all of us and you’ll also have an infant along with Jasper! When we return from the US, we’ll get to work on it.”

“All right but then I have questions.”

She smiled, “About working in the US?”

“Yes. I’m your employee, how will that work?”

“Actually, I’ve been planning to talk with you about the two of us becoming equal partners in the company.”

Bill tried not to look as shocked as he felt, managing a happy smile instead, “I like the idea very much. I know we’ll need to sit down to figure everything out.”

“Yes and I’d hoped we could do that before, well, everything. However, with new children arriving for both our families and then the holidays and moving, we may have to postpone until we’re in the US. That’s all right, the company is already licensed in the US as well as in the UK and the EU. In the meantime, if there are jobs you want to take on, go for it!” Artie made a face, “I have another idea to go with that, but right now it’ll have to wait. Please excuse me, I need to visit the pregnant ladies’ room.”

She nearly ran for the closest bathroom, Nikki passing her as she reentered the office, a big smile on her face. Tim grinned, he already knew of Leon’s approval. “Congratulations and welcome to our newest family home, also overlooking a large body of water and best of all, we don’t have to do anything to it! We’ll get the maps out and you can choose your new quarters.”

“Maps?”

“It’s easier to call them that, there are several. There’s a map of the entire building, then maps, schematics or diagrams of each floor so you can see how big each room or suite is, what’s included and what’s nearby. There are also photos.”

“Ooh, that sounds like fun! Have you selected your new suite?”

“We’ve narrowed it down to 3 choices. By the way, we didn’t ask for this but the entire interior is being painted a light color and we’re free to decorate however we want.”

“Are you taking your furniture?”

“Yes, because the agency is transferring us and that now includes your family as well. We’re taking our furniture from our suite, beds and dressers, desks, chairs, our suite-lounge furniture and a few other things. We haven’t yet talked about the rest, such as Mom’s hutch, the dining room table which is ours, the common area lounge furniture which is ours, the kitchen stuff, pots, pans, etc., most of which was originally either ours or Mom’s. We’re not taking any of the appliances because 1) they’d have to be rewired and 2) there are appliances in storage there. I’m not taking my TV, I’d have to rewire it again and, well, I love the thing but in electronic terms, it qualifies as an antique! It can stay here, I trust James to take care of it.”

Bill nodded, “I have a big screen TV in storage downstairs. I never got around to asking you to rewire it when we moved over here so we can take that.”

Tim smiled, “I remember when you bought it, that was exciting and we were all doing well by that time!”

Returning his smile, Bill shook his head a little, “Timmo, I bought it a few years after you bought yours, that’s weird! Anyway, after my truck, the newer one, not the first one, was the first big thing and the only big thing I bought for years after that, I think until you and the kids moved to Norfolk. Then I bought a new bed and dresser and gave you what I had.”

Tim grinned, “I bought my TV with book money so I never counted purchasing it as part of our recovery. And I think I had points at the store because that’s where I normally bought parts for the electronics I rebuilt, that is when I couldn’t find usable parts elsewhere. I loved that the bed you gave us was great for Rob and me, finally our feet were on the mattress, we didn’t have to curl up or have our feet hanging off the end of the bed. Sarah was also thrilled as she finally had a dresser to herself. We still have the table you made us. It’s wrapped up in Mom’s garage at home. Has Nikki ever seen the photos of the camper you built for us?”

Nikki shook her head, “Camper?”

Bill nodded, “It’s really a camper shell, a tall one that I built to fit on the back of my truck, that is my first truck, not the one I had when you and I met. I built bunk beds inside, enough for each of us, including Sarah and Mom. And added screened vents that could open or close on the roof of the camper so we’d have air.”

Chuckling, Tim added, “It was amazing to us, that we could sit in there, we bought carpeting squares and put those in and eventually bought big pillows to sit on. The bed part of the bunks could be unlatched so they were more or less flat, sort of layered, against the inside of the camper. That way we could sit or sleep in there. It was a big truck with a long bed, with room for the 9 of us. We went to the shore a few times, even stayed over in a state park close to the beach. We slept in it, ate outside at a picnic table, had a campfire, did we have a camp stove? There were restrooms with showers there. The first time we went for 1 night, the next time was 3 days, then close to a week and I think we went one other time when we stayed for more than a week although that wasn’t all of us.”

Remembering their first trip, Bill started laughing, “There was a camp stove, I borrowed it from someone. Remember how Mom and Sarah slept in the cab the first time we all went? We were too noisy! After that, Mom borrowed a tent trailer, only we would only call it a trailer, remember how we wouldn’t even say the word tent?” He and Tim rolled their eyes at each other before Bill continued, “I put a tow hitch on my truck and Mom and Sarah slept in that. Eventually she bought a used tent trailer that was in decent shape. She still has it and I still have the camper shell with the bunks inside. Maybe I’ll have it transported to California with Mom’s trailer, we can rent a truck big enough and take it for day trips so the babies can nap in it.” He nodded at his brother’s eyes which lit up at his suggestion.

Nikki grinned, “That first night, did you stay up talking all night?”

“Not quite all night but yes. Talking and laughing, we were so excited about taking a trip, a vacation, like real people.”

Tim smiled, “And now we live, work, travel and play internationally, yay us!”

Nikki nodded, smiling, “I love this family, all of you have worked hard and smartly at everything you do and it’s worked! The wonderful thing is that none of you have lost your sense of wonder at what you’ve accomplished, your sense of purpose or your sense of fun, especially with each other.”

Bill huffed, “Can’t lose that, Geo and now Tony won’t let us!”

Artie returned and the four of them talked a little longer until they realized it was nearly time to put their children to bed.

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One early morning, a few days after their conversations about the upcoming adoption, temporary transfer and the camper shell, Nikki’s phone buzzed with a call, waking her and Bill from their sleep. The caller was from the hospital where the biological mother of their future child planned to have the baby.

Bio Mom was in labor, either the baby was premature or as sometimes happens, Bio Mom had incorrectly remembered the date of the first day of her last menstrual period. As she had been nearly 5 months pregnant before she realized what was going on, having had irregular menstrual periods for years and hadn’t been trying, or expecting to get pregnant in the first place, not remembering the exact date of something that only occasionally happened was understandable.

Now, Bill called his parents, asking them to stay with Jasper. In the meantime Nikki had a quick shower and dressed. Then it was Bill’s turn while Nikki left a message on Tim’s office phone, saying their future child was about to be born, earlier than expected.

Minutes later, Jethro quietly knocked on their door, saying that Lu was putting together breakfast and beverages to take with them. He also handed over their hospital tote bag, with its multiple decks of cards, cribbage board, Yahtzee game, paperback books and a plastic bag full of coins. They removed that as the coins were US currency but left everything else in.

There was enough room in the bag for two frozen breakfast bowls, along with spoons, stir sticks, napkins and handwritten directions to heat them in the hospital’s microwave. Lu also included a few bags of snacks that both could eat along with directions to the cafeteria from the maternity ward’s waiting room.

As for hot drinks, Nikki drank a coffee substitute, with zero caffeine or additives and also had a few favorite herbal teas. She smiled at the container of her ‘coffee’, enough for four cups and the container of tea bags, her favorite herbal teas, along with their natural sweetener of choice and two coffee mugs. Bill laughed at the large thermos of coffee his father handed him.

When her in-laws asked if Jasper should come with them for a visit, Nikki agreed. That would be easier on him, to see where they were and to help wait for his new baby sister.

Knowing she’d see them later, Nikki smiled at the hugs from her in-laws as she and Bill took the tote along with a pack containing a few of their own favorite things. Gently kissing Jasper goodbye, they didn’t want to wake him, they quietly left the house.

As they drove to the hospital, they talked about what needed to happen if baby Alyssa Erica Rose was not premature and could come home in a day or two. Bill had already removed a crib from the storage room and cleaned it before bringing it upstairs to their suite. They’d purchased fitted crib sheets, a few sleep sacks and a couple of outfits.

Before they left for the hospital that morning, Lu told them not to worry about anything else for the baby as a surprise baby shower was already planned. In the meantime, they also had a collection of baby wipes and plenty of newborn and the next size up diapers.

Breena and Sarah had already told them that they’d saved their daughters’ clothing for the next baby, as well as making a list of what they’d found most useful in Victoria and Lucy’s care. Jimmy discovered a company that made disposable diapers that would eventually safely decompose into the soil and both couples were using them. That was good enough for Nikki and Bill! They had already signed up for breast milk donors, although Nikki would need to change the date the ladies were needed. Once the baby was born, she’d contact the head of the group.

Bill said he’d set the alarm on his phone to call Aunt/Grandma Evelyn when it was late enough on the US East Coast. Nikki smiled, wondering aloud if her aunt would consent to stay with them in California during the East Coast winters. Bill nodded, “That’s a great idea, we know she likes the weather in Greece and the climate in San Diego is said to be Mediterranean. She can also take the train rather than an expensive cruise ship.”

Nikki chuckled, “She’s getting frequent passenger discounts now but it’s still a big expense and I know we’d like to see her more than once a year.”

Bill nodded, “Maybe we can rotate who rides with her. Say Vince for the first train ride, then he can fly home. Then one of us or maybe Mom and Dad rides back to the East Coast with her, then they can stay and visit Ziva, Freddie, Joe, or all of them, and fly home.”

Nikki grinned, “I like that. Back to baby, what else do we need?”

Bill squinted, “Wow, I’ve been trying to remember what Artie and Tim had for the twins, it’s been awhile!”

“They’ll be 6 in February!”

Shaking his head, Bill made a noise, “Six wonderful and very busy years!”

As early as it was, they had no trouble finding an empty spot in the hospital’s car park and once inside were quickly ushered to the Maternity waiting room. They’d no sooner sat when a nurse entered, “Jardine-Gibbs?”

They nodded, showing their IDs and the nurse smiled, “Ms. Smith is doing well, she’ll be taken to the delivery room within the next hour. She didn’t know if you’d want to be with her when the baby is delivered but says it’s fine either way.” 

“She doesn’t have anyone else here for her?”

“No, she said her doctor and his staff, you two and the adoption agency are the only ones who know about Baby.”

The couple nodded, remembering their baby mother worked from home and that she’d physically retreated from her friends and family when she first suspected she was pregnant. Before her pregnancy became obvious, she made the decision to put the baby up for adoption and didn’t see any point in telling anyone. She kept her secret by remaining in contact through messaging and phone calls.

Bill tried not to look as uncomfortable as he felt while Nikki was feeling sad for their new daughter’s biological mother.

“If no one is there for her, will the staff help?”

“Yes, of course. I know it’s common practice now but not all new fathers want to be in the delivery room with their baby’s mother.”

Making up her mind, Nikki nodded, “I’ll go in with her. I don’t know if I’ll stay in there until our baby is born but I’ll do my best.” She looked at Bill, “How about you stay in the waiting room with Jasper, Malu and Dad?”

He nodded, “I agree. Jasper will be scared if he doesn’t see either of us.” He looked at the nurse, “Jasper is our 3 year old. He asked for a baby sister for his birthday, so here we are!”

“That’s wonderful! An adult will be with him, besides the two of you?”

“Yes, he’ll come with our parents and stay with them.”

“Good! Now, the obstetrician asked that you be told the baby is not premature and from all indications is expected to be healthy. She’ll likely be discharged in two or three days. Once you sign the final adoption papers, she’s yours. You’ll have a family room where you can stay with her until she’s discharged. Let us know if you want to stay overnight with her, we’ll bring in reclining chairs, pillows and blankets.”

She looked at her papers, “You are US citizens on work visas here. Do you have health insurance?”

Nikki nodded, “I work for the US government over here; we have health insurance through them. We have insurance cards if you want to see them.”

“Yes, thanks and your work visas if you have them, then I’ll make copies to be attached to your file.”

They nodded, remembering what Jimmy and Breena told them about this. While they waited for the return of their visas and insurance cards, they had one last discussion about their new daughter’s name.

Alyssa was Nikki’s great-grandmother’s name and was also Aunt Evelyn’s middle name. As cousin Vince’s daughter was also named Evelyn, Nikki wanted their daughter to share another family name with the woman who would be her grandmother and looking at her list of ancestors, Nikki fell in love with the name Alyssa. The baby’s second name would be Erica, after her uncle Eric. Jasper’s middle name was Eric and he already knew many stories about Uncle Eric when his uncle was growing up and Grandma Evelyn was busy putting together more of her memories for her Jardine-Gibbs grandchildren. The baby’s third name would be Rose, after her paternal grandmother, Luella Rose Camilo-Gibbs.

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As the rest of the Jaxton household and the Barnes-Gibbs London household  woke, they learned of the newest baby’s impending arrival. Although at first Jasper was upset that his parents had gone without him to see the baby sister he’d asked for, he was excited and happy when his Poppy and Grama told him that the baby hadn’t yet arrived and they were taking him to the hospital to wait with his parents. He giggled when they told him to gather 6 of his favorite small toys along with 4 of his favorite books.

After Jasper and his grandparents left for the hospital, Tim and Artie’s children asked if they would also get to wait at the hospital for their baby or babies. Tim titled his head in thought, finally saying, “If your mother goes to the hospital before you go to school, and if your grandparents are available to go with us, then yes, you’ll probably go to the hospital with us although it will be a very long day, maybe you’ll stay at the house and do some school work before you come to the hospital. If you’re already at school when your mother goes to the hospital and if she is still in labor when you are done with school for the day, then someone will bring you to the hospital. Kids, babies take a long time to be born, sometimes it’s more than a whole day.”

Tim smiled at the wide eyes of the children. Young Jack frowned, “How long did we take?”

Artie looked at her husband as she didn’t remember, relaxing when Tim nodded, he knew the answer. “About 16 hours. Your mama had labor pains for about 2 hours before she told me. Then Poppy, Grama and I took her to the hospital while Uncle Bill stayed home, where we lived then, and at the hospital she was in labor for 14 hours.”

Ellanni thought about that, “That’s more than a whole day of school!”

Her father nodded, “Yes it is. She might not have to wait so long this time, it’s different for every mama and every baby.”

“Oh. What are we going to call the baby or babies if they’re twins?”

The couple smiled at each other, telling their children of their various choices, interested in their opinions and pleased that the names the two of them liked best, although they didn’t tell the children, were among the names the children also liked best.

Sarah’s father-in-law, George Powell, took the children to school, first dropping Tim, Jimmy and James at the tube station. They waved goodbye and then were surprised when a vehicle pulled up with two agents, obviously a security detail. Tim was confused, he’d thought the need for the detail had ended with 1) the arrest of everyone connected with his cases and 2) the arrest of everyone involved in the attack on the house, even though it had nothing to do with him.

As the three men settled into the back seat, the agent riding ‘shotgun’, Agent Timmons, turned in his seat to say, “Sorry the word didn’t get to you. Secretary Porter left a message late last night that you are to continue to have a security detail until the trials are complete. There was some confusion when Ms. Jardine called this morning, we weren’t aware she and your brother were adopting an infant and thought she meant your wife was in labor. We went to the hospital and spoke with the elder Agent Gibbs who set us straight.”

Tim nodded, “Okay, thanks.” He smiled at James and Jimmy, “We can sleep sitting down going in and coming home!”

Jimmy grinned, “Yay!” while James smiled, his eyes already closed.

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While Tim had plenty of work to do, the morning hours seemed to drag along and at one point he found himself pacing in his office. He, James and Jimmy had lunch together in there, rolling their eyes at each other for their reactions. This wasn’t their child, although she was their niece and a welcome member of the family. Still, this was the first newborn for Bill and Nikki as Jasper was 6 months old when they first met him.

With no new ‘guests’ that day, Jimmy was able to leave on time with Tim and James. On the way home, while sitting in traffic Tim’s phone buzzed and he nearly dropped it as he tried to answer it. James caught it and held it for him while Tim put the call on speaker as he answered his dad’s call. “Baby Alyssa Erika Rose is here, finally! She’s in perfect shape, 7 pounds, 6 ounces, 20 inches long and her lungs work very well. She has a mass of hair. Bill and Nikki signed the adoption papers as soon as she was delivered so she’s all theirs! Sweet thing, Jasper also wanted to sign the adoption paper, so with help from his parents, he printed his name on the form.”

The three men grinned at Jasper’s big heart and quietly cheered the baby’s safe delivery.

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Baby Alyssa went home two days later, entering a house decorated with banners and balloons welcoming her to the family, much as they’d done with Jasper nearly 3 years ago as well as all the children adopted or born into the family since the births of Jackson and Ellanni 5 ½ years ago.

Many photos were taken including one with Big Brother holding the baby with Baby Sister on a baby lounger partly on his lap and partly secured on a sofa. Bill made a copy of the original photo before carefully editing out the adult hands securely holding little Alyssa. Jasper loved the results, understanding that his daddy had done something so it looked like he was holding the baby all by himself.

Along with photos of Nikki, Bill, Jasper and Alyssa, other favorites included photos with Lucy, Victoria and Alyssa as well as one that featured the three babies with McKenna, Madelyn, Alec Clacher and of course the rest of the Jaxton children. In a few weeks, there would be even more picture taking!

Chapter Text

Ch 38: Questions, New Information, A New/Old Source

While the Jaxton family adjusted to another newborn, the 3^rd floor residents grateful that baby Alyssa lived on the first floor, in the US the NCIS team was searching for additional information regarding Tim’s early years as Jeffrey Langston and what, if anything, his younger half-brother had discovered about young Jeffrey that led to Mello’s machinations.

That Monday morning, after he and Sailes disconnected and forcing himself to wait to contact his lead agent on Tim’s cases, Leon Vance spent an hour outlining his questions regarding Mello’s actions and intentions.

Looking at the official reports online gave him more questions and when it was at least dawn in California, he sent his list of questions and concerns to Agent Andreson.

The agent had been in the office for about the same length of time as the director, having been unable to disconnect from the cases long enough to get any meaningful sleep. When he saw the long document Director Vance sent him, he smiled, glad they were on the same wave length, even happier that he’d worked several hours over the weekend and had a few answers for the director.

He’d also assigned specific questions to his team and hadn’t been surprised to find most of them in the office when he'd gone in early Saturday morning. He did ensure that each took at least 4 consecutive daylight hours off both Saturday and Sunday and when challenged had done the same himself.

Giving up on sleeping he'd come into the office around 3:30 AM Monday morning, rolling his eyes when he saw he was not the first one there. Questioning each agent, he sent all 5 of them home as they had been working since arriving in the office nearly 24 hours before, with only a few breaks. When 2 other agents arrived while the others were packing up, he told them they would have to leave after 6 hours, including 2 breaks. He sighed as he saw the defiant looks, telling them yes, he would do the same.

He teased his team about bringing in a washer and dryer so they could do their laundry at the office and having groceries delivered, including frozen meals that could be heated in the office microwave. When one of his teammates said he’d had his laundry picked up to be washed, dried and delivered to one of his neighbors if he wasn’t home, the others smiled, they could do that if it wasn’t too expensive. Not happy at the extra personal expenses he and his teammates were incurring, Jeff thought of a few things that would help and had a quick meeting with his SAC. The man agreed, with the number of hours they were putting in, he understood the problems. “How many agents would you need so that everyone could have at least 11 hours off each week day, including 8 hours sleep time and let’s say 15 each weekend day?”

Jeff told him and the SAC nodded, “Done! They can work in the conference rooms if there aren’t enough desks.”

The agent nodded, “I thought of rotating shifts or having agents work remotely but these cases are huge. Although we have plenty of evidence, we’re still interviewing people in regards to Lily, Hadler and Mello and I need everyone in one place, as the information we have changes rapidly and the synergy produced by having the teams together is invaluable. We also need to work during hours when we can reach people. Right now, we’re still working on Mello’s reasons for targeting his brother, which is already leading me in a new direction and I know there will be other pieces to this puzzle that we’ll need to put together.”

“I agree. Now, as for food, I agree with your idea for renting an extra fridge-freezer unit and the additional microwave. Those will be for your teams’ use only. I’ve already cleared laundry pickup and delivery with Security, your folks with be given laundry bags with their names on them. Back to eating, everyone can bring in their own dishes and be responsible for them. We can also rent a small portable dishwasher, that’s more efficient than washing by hand and I know neither of us wants garbage bags of paper or plastic plates, cutlery and cups.

“Next, unless you clear it with me ahead of time, I don’t want people sleeping at their desks, on the floor or anywhere here in the office! The stories about the Navy Yard’s MCRT doing that are still circulating and Gibbs and his teammates, including our victim, moved on nearly a decade ago!”

Jeff nodded with a smile, “Thank you!” 

Back at his desk, he first wrote a quick email to his teams, outlining the new plan for their ‘housekeeping’.

Since being assigned these cases, Agent Andreson had gradually become unable to put the Langstons, etal, out of his mind for more than a few minutes at a time. When they’d arrested the bad guys while Professor Mello was misbehaving in Europe, he’d realized a few things.

The first was that while they’d been told that various family members had searched for toddler Jeffrey, they hadn’t gone much further with that line of questioning, at the time it hadn’t seemed germane to his disappearance or to what they already knew happened to him.

Now Andreson wanted the details from Grandmother Hubbard, her son Captain Hubbard, the frustrating half-brother Matt Mello and even though he was now deceased, Andrew Hubbard. The agent also wanted to know more about Grandpa Hubbard’s death. Had he been ill? Was there an autopsy? Where did he die, was anyone with him?

Although the elder Hubbard had died five years before, Andreson was now feeling strongly that they needed to look into his death, to get as many details as possible.

He also made a note about Penelope Langston, to question her again about any actions she’d taken toward finding little Jeffrey or basically anything about what happened. She hadn’t had much to say other than she believed it was the job of NIS, the FBI and California law enforcement to deal with ‘all that’.

Remembering one of his first comments to Director Vance about the woman’s travels, he nodded to himself, her lectures could very well be fueled by guilt. Had she been involved in Jeffrey’s disappearance, did she have foreknowledge that something was going to happen, and if the answer was yes to either of those questions, then had she done anything to stop it, speak to her son or daughter-in-law, or her husband? Had she become aware at any time in the last 30-some years of what had happened to Jeffrey? If so and she hadn’t said anything to law enforcement, she was guilty of obstructing justice.

And if she had any idea that Jeffrey was in danger from her son and daughter-in-law, had she made any effort to keep Jeffrey safe? Or was the little boy inconsequential to her? Had she made any effort at all toward Jeffrey during his first two years? Yes, he wasn’t biologically her grandson but had she let that color her perception and her actions toward the child? Surely she wasn’t as cruel as her son and his wife! And certainly she must have realized that with her older son’s death and until the in vitro fertilization of humans procedure, also known as IVF, became available, that she was not likely to have a biological grandchild?

Jeff thought about that, shaking his head at himself, the woman was a scientist. With human IVF proved successful in the UK before Jeffrey's birth, she may have known it would soon be available in the US. The first US IVF baby was born within a year of Jeffrey’s disappearance. If Dr. Langston was as dismissive of Jeffrey as his mother and stepfather then she may have been willing to wait until the new procedure for humans became more available and less newsworthy. He thought they likely would have waited until IVF in the US was no longer front page news. Now he moved her from disinterested onlooker to possibly colluding with her son.

He didn’t think the older woman would have gone so far as to trust either her son or daughter-in-law with the news that the relatively new to the US IVF procedure was available in the US, nor did he think it likely that either would be more than vaguely aware of the success of the procedure in the UK much less the US. However, one of them, likely Daniel, may have confided in her about the possibility of Jeffrey attending a school for gifted children, one of the hooks those who procured the children used. With the description of the school as a "boarding" school, in that the gifted students would be housed at 'the school', she may at least have gone along with the plan to get Jeffrey out of the way until after her biological grandchild was produced via the new procedure. Once that child was born, Jeffrey's existence would no longer be important to the preservation of the family name, the future of the Langston family and of course their fortune.

Pulling himself from his conjectures about Penelope Langston back to the list of evidentiary information to be revisited, Agent Andreson continued assigning them. He decided to handle looking into the missing toddler's grandfather Andrew Hubbard’s last days himself although he would also include his probationary agent. The young woman, 8 months into her probie year, sometimes asked questions that seemed far-fetched or inconsequential only to find the answers sometimes proved to be key in their investigations.  

He sighed as he realized how little they knew about the late Andrew Hubbard’s searches for his missing grandson, there wasn’t much about how he’d searched, other than ‘online’. Although the other adults in the Hubbard family had given details of how they’d searched, he didn’t know what exactly Grandfather ‘Drew’ had done.

He also noticed from copies of the original FBI and San Diego PD files that neither Lily nor Dan Langston had had much to say about the day Jeffrey disappeared. Lily said she’d been at work, which at the time was confirmed by her employers and Daniel claimed to have slept the entire afternoon.

There had been something else, a third entry. However, the name of the interviewee was written in such scribble that he couldn’t read it. He made a note to track down the police officer who’d taken the report, in hopes he or she would remember the name and details or perhaps there was still someone in the San Diego Police Department who could read the officer’s handwriting. He put the hard-to-read report aside, he'd get to it after he answered the director.

He was writing that answer, including a list of the new interviews to take place when he remembered someone who had mentioned something about someone not related to the Langstons at the house the day little Jeffrey disappeared. Maybe that was from the third interviewee, whoever that was. As vague as his memory was, it could be helpful now. He did remember that it was in the cold case file from NIS, who’d continued working the case until they were ordered off.

While Jeff’s initial thought had been that it was the San Diego PD who mentioned the not-related visitor to the house, now he had second thoughts. Prior to 1992, NIS was run by the Navy. In 1992 they became NCIS, adding the word “Criminal” to the agency name. Although there weren’t that many active agents left who’d been with NIS, during his years at the agency Jeff had worked with a few before they retired.

Now he scrolled through his phone, looking for the contact information of one particular retired agent who might know more about NIS and its Navy connections prior to the change. While he wasn’t at all certain this would lead to anything useful, it would at least help him to better imagine and understand the Navy as it was then. A great deal had changed in the last two decades.

When his contact answered, Jeff identified himself and the retired agent asked what was wrong. Andreson chuckled, “Some things never change. We’re working an old case, from 1981 and I realized I need to know more about a few of the people involved, two in particular and they’re both deceased.”

“Who?”

Jeff told him and the man swore, “Jackasses, both of them. This about the little boy who was supposedly Langston Junior’s son who mysteriously disappeared?”

“Yes. What do you mean supposedly Lt. Langston’s son?” Although Jeff knew the answer, he hoped the other man might have additional information.

“Got a lot of information, I’ve been waiting years for someone to open the case again. Couldn’t get anyone to listen to me before, everyone was shut down, including me, orders from the top, meaning Admiral Langston, even after he died we were forbidden to pursue the case. However, they never found my files, I have everything in writing.”  

“Where are you? There’s so much to this and there are things happening again.”

“They’re happening now? Good, he’s alive then or did they find his body!” The older man paused, “No, I’ve always believed he was alive, not going to change that now.”

“I can’t confirm or deny that.”

The retired agent snorted in derision, “That’s all right, I’m glad to know he’s alive. I’m about an hour’s drive, I can be there…”

Jeff cut him off, “I’ll come to you, that’s safer.”

“So it’s really hot! Yes, please come get all this, plan to spend some time going over things while you’re here as my handwriting wasn’t, still isn’t, the best.”

“All right. I’ll also have an FBI agent with me, our agencies are working this together.”

“Good! Send me your badge numbers and photos so I’ll know both of you. I remember what you looked like when I retired but it’s been a few years!”

“Will do.”

Before they disconnected, the two of them set up a few fail safes so the retired agent, William Roe, would be further protected. Jeff also decided that his probie should stay in the office and review what they had, she would undoubtedly come up with new questions.

After the call, Jeff was relieved he’d used a previously unused burn phone to call the man. With Mello back in the US and as much of a trouble maker as he’d proved to be so far, everyone connected with the investigations needed to tighten up their security. He sent that thought to Director Vance, who nodded when he read it.

Vance’s eyebrows climbed his forehead at the next message that came in, asking him to call Steve S. Albright, giving a different number. He shook his head, that was an old code for an SSA, Andreson’s title. The code also meant he needed to use a disposable phone.

Intrigued, he unlocked a drawer in his credenza, digging a disposable phone out of a box in the drawer, wincing as he peeled the phone out of its blister plastic covering, and re-locking the drawer before he set the phone up to charge.

While he waited, he started reviewing case files prepared for court. He got through several of them before the phone was fully charged.

Carefully entering the number sent by his agent, he was relieved when Andreson answered. It had been a long time since he’d had to use one of these things and they always made him feel uneasy.

Hearing the agent’s news made him smile, finally it looked they might be getting a break! He agreed with Andreson’s thoughts and further plans for action, dependent upon what information they brought back.

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One of the issues Vance had raised with Andreson was the arrest of the still free as a bird Lily Victoria Hubbard Langston Mello as well as Max Hadler, the bookie they believed was the go-between between the Langstons and the supposed “school” for gifted children, the front for the graduate student ‘scientists’.

His agent explained that they wanted to bring her in last or shortly before they brought in Hadler, that allowing her to think she wasn’t under suspicion would make her arrest easier. So far she didn’t seem to be paying attention to the arrests made, which was what they’d hoped. The same explanation was given for the bookie. 

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Within an hour of his call with Director Vance, Jeff sent the retired agent photos and the badge numbers of his FBI counterpart and his own.  Both men changed into casual clothes and when he remembered the retired agent’s love of growing roses and noticing the man’s birthday was the following week, Jeff decided to deflect suspicion by using his birthday as their reason for the visit. Accordingly, they stopped to buy him a rosebush, complete with a bright red bow and a birthday card.

They also stopped at a bakery, looking at the boxes before ordering two dozen cupcakes and asking for an extra box in case their friend wanted them to take some home. The bakery clerk chuckled at that, throwing in additional cupcakes as well as the additional, same size box, which she slid onto the box with the cupcakes and closing it over the top of the other one so that it looked like one box. That gave the agents the perfect place to hide papers or whatever their retired agent had for them. They also bought a bottle of non-alcoholic sparkling cider, feeling they’d completed the picture of old friends reuniting to celebrate a birthday.

Former NCIS/NIS agent Roe was clearly surprised when he answered the door to find a former co-worker and a stranger although he knew he was an FBI agent, wishing him a happy birthday! He approved of the ruse, making a bit of a fuss over the bottle of cider, while the three of them were still standing on the porch. He was genuinely happy when he saw the new rosebush and cupcakes!

Smiling at the bottle of the non-alcoholic cider, he invited them in, saying, “The non-alcoholic cider is appropriate these days, thank you again! Now, let’s get busy, we have a lot of ground to cover. I hope your phones are fully charged!”

They nodded at that. Taking the cupcakes and the cider with them, they entered the man’s office, the FBI agent running a sniffer to make sure there weren’t any snoopy electronic ears around. That was new since Roe’s time and he watched, a little wary. When nothing showed, all three were relieved.

Sitting down, they each had a cupcake and glass of cider before they got started. The two visiting agents listened, their eyes wide, as the retired agent told them what he knew and how he knew it. When he added that he’d input everything into his computer over the years and today he’d printed out everything while he was waiting for them, they smiled, this was really good news!

He laughed when Jeff showed him the unreadable report he thought came from the San Diego PD. “No, that’s my handwriting. I transcribed that information, it’s on page 11.”

They turned to page 11. Scanning the information, Jeff wanted to jump up and down with joy. Finally, they had the answer, they’d been right about just about everything. When he turned back to the page, his jaw dropped open at what he read next. He looked at Roe, “Both of them, I mean…really?”

“Yes and I have photos taken on 3 separate occasions.”

The FBI agent looked up, “Please tell me the photographer is still alive and you know where she is?”

“She is and I do, look at page 47, or somewhere around there.”

While they both looked, Roe got up, pulling a lockbox from a shelf in the back of a closet. Unlocking it, he waited for the agents to look up. “Here are all the photos I have.”

Although Agent Andreson had been happily perusing everything, his heart broke when he saw photos of toddler Jeffrey with the babysitter who took care of him when his mother was at work. The one that did him in showed baby Jeffrey crying, he was considerably smaller than the photos Jeff had seen of the toddler shortly before he ‘disappeared’ and clinging to the babysitter while his mother, Jeff recognized Lily Hubbard, looked like she was trying to pull him away from her.

He looked up, “Who took this photo?”

“Babysitter’s husband. Due to some physical problems, he was only able to work part-time, that’s how the babysitting started. He’s also still alive and remembers little Jeffrey.”

“We couldn’t even find their names! The house they rented has been sold several times and the county clerk couldn’t find the owner appropriate to the time the Langstons lived there. Apparently there were several.”

Roe nodded, “From what information I found, there was a purchase made by an attorney who did business with the Langstons and then he sold the house to someone else. It might have gone through enough buyers and sellers that the county couldn’t keep up with the most current information. The bottom line was that the tenants, your witnesses, were forced to leave at some point when the current owner didn’t want anyone to run a daycare at his house and so they had to move, find somewhere else for their home daycare, by that time their only source of income. Whoever started the whole buy/sell process, it could have been either the Lieutenant or the Admiral, both were as cold and egotistical as they come. Although they also knew when to turn on the charm.”

Jeff winced, “You said they’re still alive. I’m assuming they found a place and you’ve kept in touch?”  

Roe nodded, “Yes, uh, oh hell, I guess it’s been long enough no one will care now that it happened before I retired. My wife and I invited them to live with us until they found a way to get back on their feet. Then Soraya, my wife, became ill and little Jeffrey’s former babysitter became my cook and housekeeper.

“They stayed on after my wife died and the three of us did fine together but they always missed having children to care for. A few years later, I inherited a house from an uncle. It’s in a neighborhood with young children, most of them with 2 working parents and I rented the house to them for $1.00 a month. They’re back in business and happy as clams.” He chuckled, “Now they’re sending me $150 a month for rent, paying their own utilities and have a healthy savings account.”

“Wow, that’s a wonderful story!”

“Thanks, it’s been one of the best things I’ve done in my life and I’m grateful I did it. And yes, I was still working the first two years they were here but none of us were allowed to work on the Langston case, the files were taken from us.”

“You had copies.”

“We started to hear rumors of the Admiral’s war, or so it seemed, on NIS and I know I’m not the only one who made copies of everything.” He added, “I know of at least three agents who sent everything they had on particularly nasty cases to the FBI, asking them to investigate the cases as NIS seemed to be under attack.”

The FBI agent made a face before giving them a barely perceptible nod. “Before my time but people still know about it. The Bureau wasn’t sent thousands of cases but there were hundreds of them and the cases were worked. Very quietly as they were clearly NIS cases. After the name change and the new director, the FBI director at the time sent everything back to NCIS, even the cases the Bureau had closed. That’s still classified information.”

Jeff smiled, “Thanks, man, that’s good to know. I promise I’ll keep my mouth shut, how about you, Roe?”

The older man nodded with a smile, “Thanks from me as well, makes me feel better about all the crap that happened. And yes, I’ll keep that to myself.”

After the two visitors had reviewed all the information from Roe, he asked them to take everything with them, he didn’t want to keep it any longer. They packed it all into the extra bakery box and left, the FBI agent carrying the box. Before they reached the car, Jeff made a gesture and the FBI agent shook his head, opening the box, from which Agent Andreson took 2 cupcakes, handing one to his cohort and biting into the second one. If anyone was watching, they saw two casually dressed men visiting an older man, bringing a carefully balanced bakery box, a rosebush with a bow and card attached and what looked like a bottle of wine, leaving a few hours later, apparently taking the rest of the birthday cupcakes with them. It might have been low or no tech and an old trick but it seemed to have worked. That is, if there had been anyone watching. 

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The next step was to interview Jeffrey’s former babysitter and her husband. Not wanting to cause them any problems, Jeff and his probie arranged to arrive during naptime for the younger children, before the school children arrived. They dressed as repair technicians working on the washing machine while they quietly interviewed the couple. First the wife, as she would be busy once the younger children woke from their naps, and then the husband.

Satisfied with the information and making sure the couple understood the importance of keeping everything quiet, even from each other, husband and wife laughed at that, the agents said one of them would be in touch when they knew the trial dates. The possibility of plural trials was because of the evidence against the bookie and little Jeffrey’s mother. They also offered the couple access to a safe place to stay during and between the trials, if there were multiples, and the couple agreed. They didn’t have a car, having some of their groceries and other items delivered. They also said Mr. Roe, only they called him Bill, called at least once a week and took them shopping twice a month, more often if necessary.

On the way back to the office, Agent Andreson told the probationary agent that they would also need to come up with a cover story for their absence, possibly more than one story if the couple had to testify in two trials.

When he said as much, the young woman thought for a moment before saying, “Maybe it’s a relative in another area of the country who is sick and needs help. No one’s heard of her before because she is the daughter of someone, no that’s overly complicated. Okay, no one’s heard of her before because they’ve been out of touch for years. They go for two or three weeks, depending how long they’re needed for the trial(s), come home and then have to leave again for the second trial. Mr. Roe can transport them to the airport as cover and then he can stop in every few days to check the house and he can tell whoever asks that the relative is doing better, so they’re coming home, then the couple will be home between trials, and then say she’s taken a turn for the worse and they’ll have to leave again. Back after the second trial, they’re exhausted, which will be true, and probably the fictional relative should die and be cremated. No service. Or the two trials are scheduled either back to back or at least close together and they’re gone for the whole time.”

“Ashes?”

“Uh, mortuary handled.”

“Where does the relative live? Need to ensure none of the client parents or other residents know people, have friends or relatives in the city or state where the relative lives.”

“So we need someplace densely populated, where most people don’t know many other people.”

Jeff laughed, “You mean like here, where we live and work?”

“I see your point although I know my neighbors, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do and I also have friends in the area, mostly in law enforcement but they’re still friends. Let’s work on it, I like the premise, it’s simple and Roe will be happy to help. Maybe the sick person is in Canada? The couple might even help us with the story. For all we know, they know someone who would be willing to help!”

“Really, a dying person?”

They both made faces before shaking their heads, Jeff assigning the cover story for their witnesses to the probationary agent. When the probie asked if it was possible to request that both trials, if they ended up with two, be scheduled back to back, he smiled, happy she was following up with that. He would pass the request to the agency’s attorneys working with them.  

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Andreson and his team, their FBI counterparts and everyone working the cases had noticeably lighter moods over the next few days as they studied retired agent Roe’s documents. The members of the Legal Department who were working with them also seemed happy, a rare event.

Having nearly everything but their victim and two suspects in place, the head of the Legal Departments at NCIS headquarters and the Hoover Building met with Directors Vance and Sailes, telling each director that once Lily Victoria Hubbard Langston Mello and Max Hadler were in custody and charged, they would start scheduling the trials.

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While Tim spent time with his family, waiting for their new offspring to be born, and at the office, still wishing the nightmares would go away, NCIS agents across the US searched for Lily Hubbard Langston Mello and looked deeper into the actions of various family members.

While Agent Andreson waited for Lily Mello’s present location to be pinpointed, he reviewed the coroner’s report for Andrew Hubbard, finding he’d been discovered by his grandson, slumped over a computer keyboard in his home office and that the cause of death was a heart attack. The report said the man likely died in less than two minutes, without being able to call for help.

His wife had been away for the afternoon and it was Matthew Mello, his adult grandson, who found him nearly 30 minutes after the coroner’s stated time of death. A handwritten note attached to the report from the coroner said the screen display on the computer was of a young man strongly resembling the adult grandson, there was a photograph of the computer and its display, and that the printer was on and evidently something had hastily or carelessly been torn off as there was a torn corner still attached, a photo was attached.

A note below that, also handwritten, was from the coroner’s assistant who said the software displaying the photo was to “age photo images” adding that the software had recently been installed on the deceased’s home computer, he’d included the date of installation. He further stated that the software could be purchased in most stores marketing electronics and computer software.

Contacting the coroner’s office, Andreson asked to interview the coroner and her assistant regarding the notes they’d added to the official report. Happy they had time that afternoon, he gathered his probie and the two of them hurried to the county coroner’s office, both hoping they would have time to ask their questions before any newly deceased people were brought in.

They found the coroner and her assistant waiting for them, they’d pulled the file for Andrew Hubbard and were looking at it, refreshing their memories as it had been five years. The coroner reported there was no evidence of any cause of death other than the heart attack, which had been massive. She added that the deceased had had a previous heart attack although it had been relatively minor, 3 years before his death.

Both had been interested in the photo on screen and the coroner, cleverly blocking her assistant’s attempt to say something, said that she had printed out 2 additional copies of the photo and now she handed Agent Andreson one of them. 

It was a photo of an adult Tim Camilo-Gibbs all right, looking a little younger than he did now although no more than a few years, smiling happily. Turning to the coroner and the assistant, they asked if they’d seen the original photo that had been aged.

The assistant looked at the coroner, who nodded with a smile and Jeff guessed that’s what the young man had been about to say minutes earlier. He handed over a copy they’d made of the original photo and both agents held onto their sighs, it showed the full face of toddler Jeffrey, likely on his birthday or Christmas, as he was smiling happily.

Curious, Andreson’s probie agent asked why they’d written the notes and printed the photos. The coroner made a face, “I’ve been doing this for more than 15 years and over time, I’m sure you do this yourselves, I’ve learned to read people. The deceased was crying before his attack and as he died. Those photos, the aged one and the original were something special to him. Further,” she twisted her lips, “while the grandson was clearly upset about finding his grandfather and his death, he was also quite smug about something.  We also have a photo of him.”

The assistant handed Jeff the photo of Matthew Mello and he held it out for his probie to see. Jeff nodded, “I understand.”

The probie agent opened her mouth and then closed it, unsure whether she should ask any questions, especially about Matthew Mello. When Jeff nodded to her, she looked at the coroners, “Did you notice if he had anything with him, a briefcase or folder?”

The assistant nodded, “It was more of a portfolio than a briefcase but yes. He was holding onto it with both hands in front of him, like this,”, the assistant took a folder and held it against his abdomen by the sides, “his fingers tapping on it, he kept stopping and starting again, like he was nervous and in a hurry but didn’t want to show it.”

They nodded their understanding and the young man continued, “He wasn’t just smug, he was upset, which was natural considering, and as I said, in a hurry to get out of there, which also wasn’t unusual. Most people are very uncomfortable around the dead, especially a loved one.”

They asked a few more questions before thanking the two for their observations, their records of their observations and for saving copies of the photos. The coroner stirred, “If the grandson hadn’t acted so smug, we probably would not have taken copies. But there was just something about him that made me want to have as much evidence as possible. And there was no sign of a struggle or anything, we knew it was a heart attack and unless I found something at autopsy, it wasn’t likely to have been caused by anything but ill health and now I’ll add grief and stress. As I said, there weren’t any unusual discoveries at autopsy.”

The assistant suddenly spoke up, “The software package was empty and there was a receipt! I don’t remember if…” he pawed through the file again, finding something and exclaiming, “YES!”

“What?”

“The delivery device that the photo aging software came in was gone. The hard plastic casing, blister packaging, you know the stuff that’s so hard to remove? That was opened but the software itself wasn’t anywhere. The deceased would likely have loaded the software from a CD or possibly a diskette into his computer but the delivery device, this was back in 2010 so it might still have been a diskette which were mostly discontinued in 2011, wasn’t there. Also, we found a receipt for the photo aging software in the wastebasket, I can’t believe I forgot about it!”

Going back to the file folder, he pointed to something, “By the way, I had gloves on when I touched the blister packaging for the software and still had them on when I picked up the receipt for the software and when I put it in here. In case either was important.”

Jeff smiled as his probie had already put on gloves and removed an evidence bag from a pocket. Carefully she maneuvered the receipt into the bag, sealed it and then marked the bag, doing the same with the remnants of the blister packaging. “Just in case!” She looked at the date on the receipt, “He bought it a month before he died.”

The coroner smiled, “And now I’m even more curious to know what all this is about!”

Agent Andreson returned her smile, “Sorry!”

On the way back to the office, he praised his probie for her questions, “That was good thinking, asking for small details like that, look where it led us! Now we have more of a handle on Professor Mello’s search for his half-brother. It didn’t start in Greece or even recently, more than likely it started the day his grandfather died 5 years ago, in 2010, when he helped himself to the photo as well as the software.”

“So he knew what grown-up Jeffrey looked like, at least to a decent percentage.”

“Yes. When we get back to the office, I want you to do a deep profile on him, I know we’ve already done that but I want a new one. I want to know everywhere he’s worked, even if it was at a fast food place when he was a teenager or mowing lawns as a kid. What seminars and lectures he’s given, where and when those happened and what the topics were. Also, if possible, find out how those were advertised, if any specific invitations were sent out, who was invited and then what information was taken by those selling tickets or taking reservations. Tim worked for Stanford University for 2, really 3 years, but the 3^rd year was as an exchange professor at that university in London, we have the name in file. Still, his name may have still been listed as employed by Stanford. Figure out the years the lectures and seminars took place and if anybody from Stanford or the London Uni attended.

“With that photo, he may have traced Tim to either of those universities, strike that, we know he did because the invitation for the seminar Tim did attend, although it was a recording because of the time difference between Athens and London, anyway that invitation came when he’d recently completed his contract with Stanford at the London Uni.

“So now we know that Mello has likely been fishing for his brother since 2010 although he may have started before he found the photo. Look for topics that we know interest Tim, science, including forensics, mathematics, look for lectures and seminars about helping more people understand mathematics and how it all works, Tim created a class for math haters that’s been very effective, hmm, creative writing, how to publish a book, history, music, foster and homeless children and homeless people in general. Topics including criminal behavior, along with forensics and that should include electronic as well as physical. Electronic accounting, everything we do. Also, see if Mello has published any papers or books. We may have to ask Tim if he’s read and responded to any of them but it’s another interest with a hook.”

The probie recorded Agent Andreson and now she asked, “What about children’s literature? Tim’s written a few children’s books, Mello may have responded as a fan, dangling a hook there.”

“Perfect! Also, get his fan mail from his publishers for all his books, under his various author names. I don’t know how long they keep it but I remember sending a fan letter for a book when I was a kid and getting a reply from the author. Only it wasn’t really, it was a canned reply and a stamp of the author’s signature. I don’t know whether fan mail is kept once it is responded to.”

His probie nodded, “I know someone who might be able to answer that or give me a source.”

“Great! All right, obviously this is a whole new thread in the case. I doubt it will come up in any of the trials but if he’s been fishing all this time, what else has he been up to? As far as I’m concerned, his diligence was great until he actually found him and then Mello’s behavior quickly went south. Either he was so intent on the search that he didn’t have a plan if he actually made the discovery or for going forward with his brother. And what was with the trophy stuff? He told Tim he’d wanted a brother all his life but it might have been the opposite. The Langston coffers are still full and he might be afraid that his Langston grandmother would include the reclaimed Jeffrey in her will, thus shorting him, the only other male heir, as well as his sister. Or is there something else, some other reason he wouldn’t want Jeffrey to be ‘found’? When I think about it, Mello has nothing to worry about as the only male heir because from Langston’s behavior I doubt she has the slightest interest in her former step-grandson or the twins fathered by the second husband. Little Jeffrey served his purpose as the apparent child of Daniel Langston.

“Once Matt was born, there would have been no further need to continue the pretense of Jeffrey being any more than her step-grandson, although I doubt they would have said anything publicly. She might have left him some little trinket. I’m going to ask Legal if we can possibly look at the Langstons’ will. The Admiral died after both of his sons so he may have left everything to his wife, to let her decide who gets what. All I really want to know is if there’s anything in it for Jeffrey? I doubt it but I’m stuck as to reasons for Dr. Mello’s actions. We may need to consult a psychologist."

“What about asking him? Or his wife, uncle and sisters?”

Jeff smiled, “Right, take the direct route, although I doubt his wife would respond, I’ll try his uncle first, then the sisters if Uncle doesn’t know.” 

Then he frowned, “I don’t know what Grandmother Hubbard knows or would do, or will do when Jeffrey’s continued existence is revealed.”

The probie shook her head, “Welcome him as the firstborn with a great deal of love and probably some misplaced guilt. If I were her, I would also change my will to balance Tim’s probable exclusion from the Langston will. As much as she’s able, anyway. The way I look at it, members of the Langston family are directly responsible for what happened to Jeffrey and I imagine when she knows about the evidence, she’ll feel the same way.”

“I like that. I don’t think it matters, the Camilo-Gibbs family isn’t hurting for money. And money or what would be in a will for him would likely be the last thing Tim would think about, if he thought of it at all.”

“Do you really think there’s a chance of him reconciling with his birth family? Not his mother, step-grandmother or half-brother but his Hubbard grandmother, uncle and the uncle’s family?”

“Yes, I do, although that might also depend on his maternal grandfather’s attitude toward or acceptance of the Hubbard grandmother. It may even eventually include his half-sisters. But I doubt he’ll ever forgive Lily or Matthew.”

The probie opened her mouth to respond before pausing for a moment and then making a face. "Of course, we don't know what brother Matt has been told about his long-missing older brother. He may be jealous of his mother's attitude toward Jeffrey or something along that line. Although that's hard to imagine, given Lily's actions."

Jeff absently nodded.

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With the new information in hand Andreson and his team updated their files, drawing a few new conclusions. When Vance heard what they’d learned from the coroner and her assistant, he was greatly encouraged that now they might be able to figure out what Mello was up to.

Speaking with the Legal Department, Andreson was given a few references for psychologists. Starting with one whose specialty seemed close to what they’d observed of Mello’s behavior, Andreson and another of his agents met with the doctor. While the doctor certainly knew her specialty, Jeff wasn’t convinced she was the one they needed to determine what was going on with Prof. Mello. It took four interviews before they felt they’d found a doctor who better understood what they were looking for.

In the meantime, the former professor and his family had found a rental they could afford, thanks to help from his sister and his in-laws. His wife had been welcomed back to her former employer with open arms and given the raise she would have been given the previous spring.

Their older son was in counseling and would be required to continue for several years, possibly throughout his entire school years. At this point, the only school that would accept him as a student was an expensive school for ‘troubled children’.

After thoroughly checking out the school, Penny Langston sent a cashier’s check to her grandson’s wife with enough money to pay for the rest of the boy’s primary and middle school education. They’d talk about high school in a few years. The older woman was upset and depressed to hear that her only grandson and her older great-grandson were both bullies, wondering if either had any of her genes, or only those of her late husband.

When she thought about the little boy whose birth helped save her son’s career, she supposed she was glad he was alive even though he wasn’t family. He’d been a cute little kid but he never was part of them, no matter how much she’d pretended.

Chapter Text

Ch 39: Busted!

With everything going on and while Andreson’s team helped their youngest agent with the new profile of Matthew Mello, including their probing into his seminars and lectures, they also spent significant time searching for the whereabouts of Lily Hubbard Langston Mello.

Although it really didn’t take as long as it seemed, they did find her.  

Having learned that the woman camped every year, the team first searched the US National Parks, then moved on to state parks, deciding to focus on western states when they learned she usually combined her camping trip with visits to her West Coast family, daughter, son, brother and mother, before flying home to Massachusetts.

With the exception of her older daughter, Matt’s twin Colleen who lived in San Francisco in northern California, Lily Mello's western based family lived in southern California. With that in mind, the agents searched state parks in Arizona, Nevada, California and Utah before moving on to the northerly western states, Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

The morning they'd started their searches, when one of Andreson’s agents suddenly stood in the middle of the aisle that separated their work stations, both arms raised in a victory salute, he caught the attention of his co-workers. When he said the magic words, that the name of L. V. Mello was registered for a camp site at a state park near Astoria, Oregon and that her signature on the registration matched that of Lily Victoria Mello and that she had rented a vehicle at Portland International Airport, Oregon, signing with her full name, there were cheers throughout the squad room.

The full information was that she was camping with 2 other people in Fort Stevens State Park, a lovely 4,300 acre park on the coast of Oregon, at the mouth of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean, across the river from Astoria.

When Jeff Andreson saw where she was, he briefly entertained the thought of flying up there as he loved the area, he’d been there several times.

Instead of indulging himself, he contacted the SSA, his counterpart at the Northwest Field Office, located outside Seattle, asking that they put eyes on her at the campground. When he heard how they carried out his request, he once again wished he’d gone north for the search.

The Northwest field team flew to Astoria Regional Airport in Warrenton, Oregon. There they rented 4 bicycles as well as a recreational vehicle, also known as an RV, large enough for them to sleep in although they might be asked to stand watch over the Mello campsite until the agents with the arrest warrant(s) arrived or until they were given further instructions.

Once they had what they needed, the Northwest team drove the RV a few miles to the large park where their Person of Interest was camping. As Fort Stevens is a state, not national, park the NCIS agents politely asked the park rangers for their discretion and help. After security protocols were satisfied, the NCIS agents were told Mello's campsite number and were given a camping spot specifically marked for RVs close to Mello, along with copies of a map of all the camp sites, whether they were tent, RV, trailer or cabin sites.

Once parked they unloaded the bicycles, took their maps and rode off in different directions on their bicycles. Two of the agents rode to Hubbard’s campsite where they found a small travel trailer, a pickup truck with a camper on the back and a tow hitch. The truck was parked in front of the trailer and a rental car, an SUV.

The rental car’s plate matched the license plate ID on the rental agreement signed by Mello. The trailer and camper made sense as it was now officially autumn and nights could be chilly here on the coast.  

After stealthily checking the trailer, camper and the SUV for anyone and finding them empty, the agents took a look around before resuming their bike riding. A few minutes later, by now it was late afternoon, they spotted their Person of Interest returning to the campsite with her friends.

The agent bikers continued riding around while the SSA contacted SSA Andreson in San Diego. “Registration slips are attached to posts at the end of the parking spaces for each campsite and we had a look at hers before they returned. They’re scheduled to leave tomorrow morning. There’s a flight jacket in her rental vehicle for Alaska Airlines, probably departing from Portland, Oregon, there was a time on the jacket, 11:30, and that was circled. Sorry, the car was locked and we didn’t have time to get inside for a closer look.”

Jeff nodded to himself, very happy with the information, replying to his counterpart, “That’s okay, it’s close enough and we don’t want the good folks in Oregon to get suspicious! As we discussed earlier, please keep eyes on her tonight. We'll fly up in the morning, bust her at the airport. In the meantime, we’ll also check with the airline. Thanks again, enjoy the fresh air tonight and send us the bill.”

“My boss will love that! I don’t think she’ll be leaving tonight, her rental is the inside vehicle, they’d have to move the camper and trailer first. And their checkout isn’t until tomorrow.”

Chuckling, Jeff told the other agent, “Thanks, that helps to know! Director Vance will be happy to approve the expense. He’s eager to have this case wrapped up as are all the agents involved in this.”

“I’m impressed, working with the director! We were happy to help, this is the most excitement and fresh air we’ve had in weeks. Not that we’re complaining in any way!”

“Copy that!”

After making a few additional plans, the two agents disconnected. Then Jeff and his second in command got busy checking out the airline, happy when they found Lily Mello on a 2 hour and 35 minute nonstop afternoon flight the next day, from Portland International, Oregon, to San Diego International, landing at a few minutes past 5:00 PM. Guessing the flight jacket seen in her rental vehicle had been part of her travel from Massachusetts, likely a connecting flight from somewhere to Portland, Jeff felt they were finally gaining traction in their pursuit of Lily Hubbard Langston Mello. Now he sat back to lay out his thoughts about when and where to make the arrest.

He had some choices to make. Two agents could fly to Portland, intercept her before she boarded her flight and bring her back to San Diego. Or they could wait until she reached the airport in San Diego and bring her in from there. However, chances were good that someone would be at the San Diego airport to meet her and they wanted to do this as quickly and discreetly as possible. Nor did they want to take a chance that she would change her destination at the last minute. A third option was to wait until she and her ride reached Captain Hubbard’s house and approach her there. Knowing which option made the most sense, he headed for the SAC’s office.

In the end, they decided the best approach was the first one, to fly to Portland in the agency jet and bring her directly back to San Diego while another pair of agents would interview her brother and mother. They’d hold off on those interviews until their suspect had been arrested, not wanting to tip their hand.

Leaving themselves plenty of time to reach the commercial areas of the international airport in Portland, Oregon, Jeff and one of his teammates flew out on the agency jet the following morning.

An FBI agent met them and with hours to go before their suspect could check-in, there was plenty of time to make arrangements with the airline and airport security.

The arrangements made, they had lunch near the airport. When Jeff’s teammate said that having time for lunch at all was a big treat, the FBI agent and Agent Andreson both agreed. Not only was lunch a treat and lunch out an even bigger one, to top it all off, they didn’t even have to hurry!

As they parked at the restaurant where they would have lunch, the FBI agent asked and was quietly told that the long-missing toddler was himself in law enforcement and had a large, loving family.

When Jeff received a message from his Northwest team counterpart, he grinned, “Great!” He looked at the other two, “The Northwest team tailed Mello to the airport. She’s returned her rental car and is now on a shuttle to the terminal as is one of their agents. While she was returning her rental, they dropped off another agent at the domestic departure terminal. He’ll send me a confirmation when she arrives.”

From the restaurant, they drove to the airport. Met by airport security officers as they entered the departure terminal for Hubbard’s flight, the three agents once again solidified their plans with the security teams and each was sent a photo of their suspect. Then they waited.

In the meantime, Jeff spotted his Northwest counterpart and as Mello was in line to check in at one of the kiosks, Andreson got close enough to the other agent to shake his hand, quietly thanking him and his team.

When the other agent asked if they could stay for the bust, Jeff almost laughed but said yes, telling the man he and his team would represent the dozens of FBI, CIA, and NCIS agents who’d been working the case.

When Lily Hubbard finally checked in online, Jeff was alerted. They knew she’d entered the terminal building, they’d been alerted of that as well.

With one bag to check, Hubbard had first tried using one of the self-serve computerized kiosks, having no luck. That was because as soon as she got in front of that particular computer, it was taken off-line. The other kiosks already had lines behind them as other travelers arrived. Sighing, she moved to the counter to manually check-in.

They waited to approach her. The airline employee had been instructed to continue checking her in and did so without any problems.

Tapping Hubbard on the shoulder as she stood waiting to finish the process, Jeff showed his badge and quietly identified himself as a U.S. Federal Agent, asking if she was Lily Victoria Hubbard Mello. Her eyes narrowed but she nodded yes, her eyes wary rather than puzzled or frightened.

Jeff and his fellow agents then held up their badges and IDs as Andreson said, “Ma’am, we are U.S. Federal Agents with NCIS and the FBI.”

As planned, the Northwest team and Airport Security surrounded them as backup while airline employees motioned to those in line to move to other check-in windows. They also booted up the computer that had been taken off line. Inevitably, people hung around, curious about what was happening but airport security agents quickly moved them.

Jeff continued speaking, “I’m Special Agent Andreson, he’s Special Agent Biondi, we’re from the Naval Criminal Investigative Services. You need to come with us.”

“Why?”

“For questioning about the sale of your toddler son.” He held up the warrant.

She inhaled sharply, making no effort to resist when Jeff took her by the elbow. The FBI agent, who also had her badge and ID displayed, took the suitcase while Agent Biondi took Hubbard’s carry-on bag and purse.

Jeff had Hubbard by the elbow, still surrounded by airport security guards, guiding them quickly through the crowd of passengers waiting to check their luggage and into the security office. He nodded to the Northwest SSA and his team as they turned to leave.

Inside the security office, Mello was read her rights and formally arrested, the handcuffs snapped on. She was charged as taking part in human trafficking, that is the illegal sale of her minor child, Jeffrey Andrew Langston, as an accessory to the repeated abuse, torture and illegal detainment of the same child, as well as abandonment of her minor child and obstruction of justice. Although she never said a word, her eyes were angry.

The FBI agent drove them back to the agency jet and helped load her belongings while the woman was put in a seat to which they’d attached special arm and shoulder restraints. If she continued to cooperate, they’d remove the restraints once they were in the air and of course if she needed to use the restroom. Jeff was surprised but not unhappy when the FBI agent said she’d been cleared to go with them. Their arrestee had the potential to create plenty of havoc over the next 2 ½ hours and he was glad for the extra help. All three made sure their jacket cameras were on.

She began screaming at them as soon as they were in the air. Making sure there was nothing physically wrong, they gave her three separate warnings, telling her what the consequences would be if she didn’t stop screaming.

When she ignored them, they put duct tape over her mouth. Jeff tried speaking with her but she closed her eyes. When Jeff swapped with his junior agent, she tried to kick him, her eyes wide open in fury. He moved fast enough that she missed and at that point, her shoes were removed and her legs restrained, as she’d been warned would happen. That stopped her and she closed her eyes, keeping them closed the rest of the flight.

When they landed, there was an additional agent waiting for them. He had a restraint garment with him which Jeff let the woman see. When he saw her horror, he told her that if she promised to behave, she wouldn’t have to be restrained. She nodded rapidly and Jeff saw she’d replaced her anger with fear.

That made him angry, thinking of Tim and the small child he’d been, with everything he was forced to go through, the nightmares he still had. Although the emotion was real and valid, he forced it away, this woman was entitled to a fair trial, no matter how he felt about the situation. To do anything outside of the normal process would violate the oath he’d taken to uphold the law.

For now, he needed to focus on getting this woman to the office, interrogate and book her, then get her to their lockup where she would stay until her arraignment. After that, she would be incarcerated in the San Diego County Jail, unless she was released on bail.

Thanking their FBI agent for her help, she smiled, saying, “My dad remembers working that case more than 30 years ago and I don’t think he’s ever stopped looking for that little boy. It will give us both great pleasure to know the case is being solved.” Returning her smile, Jeff asked for her cell number, thinking that Tim might want to talk with the agent’s father, it might help both of them.

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Agent Andreson later wrote retired NCIS Agent Roe to also let him know baby Jeffrey’s status and to thank him again for his diligence, telling him that his work from 35 years ago had played a large part in the resolution of Tim’s disappearance. Copying his SAC and Director Vance on that letter, he was happy when the retired agent was later honored with one of the country’s highest civilian awards, one that he and Agent McGee were pleased to present to him in person in a private ceremony, thanking him for his diligence.    

The retired agent cried when Tim told him that he and his siblings, several of whom had also been lost, abused and abandoned children, were starting a foundation for children, from birth to age 25, who needed help. The name of the foundation would be the William Roe Foundation. While its primary task would be to support children and adults taken, lost or separated from their families and other loved ones, every need would be investigated and addressed.  

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Once at the Southwest NCIS office the day she was arrested, Hubbard was allowed to clean up and change her clothes, her suitcase having already been searched. A female security agent stayed with her in the restroom, snapping the handcuffs back on her as soon as she’d finished. The duct tape was still on her mouth, no one wanted to chance being spat upon if they could help it.

As she’d furiously cleaned up and changed her clothes, Lily Hubbard hoped her first husband was burning in hell. That man, the one she’d believed was her Prince Charming, was a liar, a thief, a gambler and had never been a real husband to her.

Continuing her efforts, she remembered that when he told her he’d gone ahead with their plan and sold Andy to pay off his gambling debts, she walked out on him. She flew to his parents’ home in Virginia to tell her father-in-law she was done, that their idiot son had sold their only grandchild to pay gambling debts. Yes, she and Daniel had talked about it and she knew she’d agreed.

Daniel told her when they talked about it that that it was only for two years, that it was a lease agreement, not a sale, and that ‘their’ boy would be returned to them. She hadn’t believed it. Still, she hadn’t called the police or NIS to report the offer to be paid for her son or the disappearance of her little boy, she’d gone straight to her in-laws, who were, in her estimation, as much to blame for everything as their son.

She blamed his gambling addiction for everything. It wasn’t her fault he was an idiot. Although now that it was done, it would be nice not to have to rush home to take care of Andy every work day and maybe there would be enough to pay off the babysitter. She’d tell them Andy was living with an aunt and uncle who were better off financially and had offered to raise him. 

Now, all these years later, while she took her time in the NCIS restroom with the female agent watching her every move, she remembered that she’d been a wild woman for days until Penny was finally able to get something into her that left her a bit calmer. Her in-laws were horrified when she finally told them that neither she nor Daniel had reported Andy’s disappearance and, reeling with that piece of news, the Admiral called the closest NIS office himself to report his grandson’s disappearance and week-long absence. 

She never told anyone, not the police, NIS, NCIS when they followed up over the years, the FBI, any of her family, Penny or the Admiral about Daniel’s gambling debts, his part in her son’s disappearance or that his lover Max Hadler, who’d also been her lover, had been the one to take Andy.

Without any hint of what had happened to Andy, a year passed and the day after the first anniversary of the little boy’s disappearance, Penny approached Lily about having a child with Langston blood, using the fairly new ‘test tube’ or, as it would later be called, ‘in vitro fertilization’ method.

When the Admiral offered to pay her for carrying his grandchild, she agreed, planning to hide the money from Daniel and then escape when she could. She no longer felt anything but anger which she kept well hidden, there was no love left for anyone.

Her parents appeared one day during her pregnancy and before she knew it, she was on her way home with them. She lived with them until her babies, she had a boy and girl, fraternal twins, were five months old. Things were better and she loved her babies.

Then the Admiral called and she accepted more money from him to return to Daniel. Making sure her money was well protected from her husband, she and the twins moved to Bremerton, where Daniel was once again posted.

He was a full Lieutenant by now and quite cocky about it but Lily didn’t bother arguing. She took care of her babies, never leaving them alone with their father or anyone else unless it was a Hubbard family member.

Several months later she hauled her husband to a civilian doctor, who, after extensive testing, told them that Daniel was HIV positive and now had AIDS and she should also be tested. She shook her head, he hadn’t so much as kissed her on the cheek since the day she told him she was pregnant with Andy. Still, considering her relationship with Hadler who had originally been Daniel’s lover, she and the children were tested, relieved when they were negative for HIV.

She and Daniel still had separate rooms and he was rarely home, paying as little attention to the twins as he had to Andy. She waited to call her in-laws until after receiving the results of her test. Then, contacting the senior Langstons, she told Penny who told the Admiral the truth about Daniel’s illness.

Although he remained supportive of Lily and the twins, Admiral Langston never again entered the same room as his son. Lily found that extremely hypocritical as she was well aware that the Admiral knew his son was gay.  

She found another doctor who was willing to change the diagnosis to cancer, which at the time was a far more acceptable terminal disease than AIDS.

Now, still standing in the restroom, she shook her head at the memory of all the lies and rumors going around. It was an awful, frightening and heartbreaking time. She’d heard of a young man whose parents refused to let him into their home, she knew there were many of those, and whose funeral had just two mourners, his doctor and one of the nurses who had cared for him.

In Daniel’s case, apparently the Admiral came through for him one last time, even if he couldn’t bear to be in the same room, as the Navy granted compassionate leave to Lieutenant Langston, who was moved home to Virginia.

The Admiral died a few months after Daniel’s death and Penny invited her daughter-in-law and grandchildren to continue living with her.

Her walk down memory lane was interrupted when the female agent tapped her on the shoulder, “If you give your word not to scream or spit, I’ll remove the duct tape.”

She nodded and then winced as the tape was removed, the agent giving her a wet wipe to help remove any residue of the tape. She also gave her a tube of lip balm, which Lily recognized as her own and that helped. “Thank you. May I keep this?” She held up the lip balm as her words sounded strange after having the duct tape on for so long.

The agent shook her head, “Not yet. When we get to your cell, I’ll give it back to you. Let me know what else you need from your purse, carry-on or suitcase. You’ll be here in our lockup until your arraignment, then you’ll be transported to the San Diego County jail.”

Lily winced at that, she didn’t want to even think about what staying in a jail cell would be like.

Chapter Text

Ch 40: Interrogation, More Discoveries

When he was finally ready, Andreson asked that Ms. Hubbard be taken to Interrogation Room 1and motioned to his senior agent to join him. Smiling at the rest of the crew, he told them to lock everything up and watch from Observation. “I hope we’ll get the information we need from her.”

“Will you offer a deal if she asks?”

He shook his head, “No.”

The two agents waited for the others to file quietly into Observation before slipping into Interrogation. Although Ms. Hubbard had been read her rights, she hadn’t yet asked for an attorney. Because of that they could legally record everything that was said.

Andreson bit back a sigh, realizing the woman thought herself innocent so why would she need an attorney?

Lily watched them as they walked in and Andreson took a good look at her. She appeared tired and dispirited. Andreson hoped she felt talkative, it would help her cause, although it would be the prosecution offering any deals, not him. Considering everything, he didn’t think any deals would be offered and that felt right.

Sitting down, he nodded to her. “Walk me through what happened the day of Andy’s disappearance. Starting with when you woke up in the morning.”

He knew now that the Langstons and Mellos called the toddler Andy although Jeffrey was his first name.

She took a deep breath. “I had to work that day but Daniel would be home to watch Andy. There was a lady down the street who babysat and usually Andy went there but I already owed her money so I left him home with Daniel. That morning I woke at 6:30. Andy was still asleep so I took a quick shower and got partially dressed before I woke him. If I didn’t get him up and dressed, he’d spend the entire day in his pajamas and a wet diaper, Daniel would ignore him. While I got Andy’s breakfast, I also made his lunch, wrapped it up, put a note with his name on it and showed Andy where it was in the refrigerator.

"I told him when he got hungry for lunch to ask 'Sir', that's what he called Daniel, to get it for him. He nodded and then asked if it was all right if Uncle Max got it for him and I said yes. I was grateful for Max, he was good with Andy and I felt better knowing he might be there.

“After Andy ate breakfast, I cleaned him up and changed him into play clothes and his favorite red high top sneakers. Then I finished getting ready, makeup, hair, pantyhose, a dress and shoes. I was working in the office of a parochial school so my dress couldn’t be too short nor my heels too high. Anyway, after that, Andy and I selected what toys and books he wanted for the day and then I finally woke Daniel.

“I’d made him breakfast so I could be sure he’d be awake and out of bed before I left. He grumbled about having to take care of Andy and I told him that he could live in his car but Andy and I could not, therefore I had to work to pay our bills since he evidently was unable to. He backed off then and I left before he started whining again. I kissed Andy on the way out and he said, “See you later, alligator!” And I said, “After a while, crocodile!” He giggled as I walked out the door.

“I got home from work around 4:30 and found Daniel asleep on the couch in the living room. I called for Andy, usually he met me at the door but he wasn’t there. I looked all over the house, under the bed, in the closets and then in our tiny backyard, which was fenced. No Andy. I woke Daniel and then ran up and down the street, calling for my son. I stopped at the babysitter’s, the woman who normally took care of Andy but she hadn’t seen him. She did say she’d seen Max’s car and told me she thought he was a bookie.

“I went back to the house and knocked Daniel off the couch, screaming at him to tell me what he’d done with Andy. He ran into his bedroom and locked the door. When I unlocked it with a bobby pin, he’d calmed and was fairly nonchalant. He told me he’d loaned Andy to a group of graduate students who were studying smart children, to see what made them so smart. Then he said he’d been paid enough to pay off his gambling debts and that Max had helped him put the deal together and took Andy to the scientists. He showed me a copy of the contract he’d signed, basically selling my son to these people for a period of two years. He said Andy would be just fine and would be ready to go to school when he was returned. I threw something at him that knocked him unconscious and then I tossed clothes in a suitcase and caught the first flight to DC, to go to his parents.”

She stopped to take a breath and Jeff sat very still, knowing she was lying and trying to keep his sandwich down. “What happened next?”

“I was all right on the flight, focused on getting to the Langstons. I took a taxi to Arlington to their house, walked in their door and totally lost it. I remember that I was a crazy woman for days until my mother-in-law could finally get a sleeping pill or tranquilizer, something that knocked me out and let me sleep, into me. When I woke, I told them what had happened and they asked if I’d called NIS as well as the police. I just looked at them, I hadn’t reported it to anyone.

“The Admiral had almost always been soft spoken with me but he gave me hell that day, after he called the local NIS office and told them that his grandson had disappeared from his home in San Diego. It was a week to the day that Andy had been taken. I didn’t tell my in-laws about Daniel’s involvement or the gambling debts or that I left him unconscious, none of that.  When the police went to the house, they found Daniel asleep in bed.

“My father came to Virginia and took me home, to my parents’ home. I refused to return to San Diego and my marriage for months until the Admiral told me I needed to support Daniel, to appear as a united couple.

“Once he paid me to return and for the flight, I flew to San Diego and life went on. I returned to my job, which was all that kept me going and Daniel did whatever he did, although he left our checking account alone. A week after my return I discovered that he’d somehow found a secret savings account I had and wiped it out. After I told the Admiral, I began receiving money from them every month. I would cash the monthly check and buy a cashier’s check for the rent. The rest of the money went into a safety deposit box I took out in my maternal second great-grandmother’s maiden name. It was safer than putting it in a checking or savings account where Daniel could get at it.

“I stayed. I had nowhere else to go and no appreciable job skills although the job at the school at least gave me something to put on a resume. I couldn’t bear the thought of going home to live with my parents, I was still pretending I was living my dream.”

She stopped to drink from the bottle of water they’d given her. “A year and a day after Andy’s disappearance, Penny asked me to consider having another child, this time using Daniel’s sperm, in a fairly new method known as a ‘test tube’ baby at the time and now known as ‘in vitro fertilization’.

"When the Admiral said he’d pay all expenses and also pay me to have his grandchild, I agreed, on the condition that Daniel was never to hear about the money and that I would name the baby. So Daniel donated sperm and eventually I became pregnant. When the Admiral gave me the money, I called my parents and told them I was coming home, to Massachusetts, for good. My dad flew out and helped me pack and then move everything I’d paid for back to Massachusetts. We ended up driving a U-Haul truck across country. The first thing I did when we got home was to go to a local bank, one that did not have branches anywhere but in Massachusetts and opened a savings account, again using the same great-grandmother’s maiden name, for the Admiral’s money. Then I rented a safety deposit box where I put the passbook and everything of value that I could fit in it.”

“How long were you there?”

“Until my babies were sleeping all night, they were close to five months old. Then the Admiral called and said it was time to return and again sent the money for our plane fare. My parents were upset with me, especially after I'd said I was moving for good the last time I'd left Daniel.  Anyway, with his mother’s help Daniel had rented a bigger and much nicer home that we could afford on his salary and that’s where we lived.

“Weeks later, he was transferred back to Bremerton, where we’d started out. Penny and I flew ahead, taking my son and daughter with us, and found a great house for the four of us. We stayed in a hotel until our belongings showed up, then Penny left and my parents came out to help us get settled and Daniel went on a float. Those were the best times of my marriage, when he was away for months at a time.

“When he returned, I noticed he wasn’t well and finally convinced him to let me take him to a civilian doctor. Several tests were done before telling us Daniel was HIV positive and now had AIDS. The doctor wanted me to be tested but when I told him we hadn’t exchanged any bodily fluid in several years, he backed off. The children and I did eventually get tested, just to be safe.

“The day we were told the diagnosis, we went home and I called Penny. We made some tentative arrangements and then she told the Admiral the truth. Although he was supportive of me and his grandchildren, he never again entered a room if Daniel was in it.

“Penny and I found a doctor who would issue a diagnosis of cancer for Daniel. While he was still going to die, at least he wouldn’t disgrace the Admiral or the US Navy. Although at the time cancer still had some stigma attached, it was a much more acceptable terminal illness than AIDs.

“Excuse my sarcasm but there were so many rumors, so much fear and bad, cruel behavior during those years, against anyone with HIV or worse, AIDs.

“The Navy bought the cancer diagnosis although I don’t know how much influence the Admiral had on that decision, and gave Daniel compassionate leave. We moved to Arlington where Daniel had a room in a separate house on the Langstons’ property. There were three bedrooms, Daniel had one, Penny and I shared the second one and the aides and nurses we hired stayed in the third bedroom.

“My children lived in the big house with their grandfather and a nanny. They were very young, only months old and too young to understand what was going on and of course they barely knew Daniel. He was as hands-off with them as he’d been with Andy.

“When my mother heard about the nanny, she flew down and told me she would take care of her grandchildren, the nanny could come in two days a week to give her a break. My dad was still working but came down on weekends.

“It took Daniel months to die and his father died from a stroke months later.”

“In the meantime, what was happening with Andy’s case?”

Ms. Hubbard looked surprised and then blank, she seemed to have forgotten this whole thing started with his disappearance.

Finally she shook her head, “Nothing that I knew about. At first, NIS and then NCIS would contact me and then the time between calls got longer and longer. The FBI was involved at some point but I mostly was contacted by your agency.

“After Daniel and the Admiral’s deaths, Penny invited us to stay at the house in Arlington with her. So we stayed. I went to college and got my degree. A few years later I remarried, a very happy marriage, and we moved to Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. I had another set of twins, two girls and my husband Rafael Mello adopted my older twins, Matthew and Colleen.

“We were in Vancouver for 10 years before Rafael was transferred to the UK. We lived there for the rest of the years the children were with us and beyond. Three years ago, we were on an extended weekend trip to France when Rafael collapsed and died.

“After the memorial service, I sold our home in the UK and returned to the US. I was hired to teach at a community college in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and that’s still my job, although I only teach two classes now.

“Over the years, my kids grew up and I’m now a grandmother of 5. My son lived in Southern California until they moved to Europe last summer, I believe they’re now living in the UK. His twin, my daughter Colleen, lives in Northern California and my younger girls are in London and Lisbon.”

“And how do you feel about Andy?”

She frowned, “What do you mean?”

“He was your first child and he wasn’t a Langston. Did you ever tell his biological father?”

“No. I planned to once I left Daniel. I’d need child support then and wouldn’t mind sharing custody so I'd have some free time but that never happened.”

“Have you ever contacted your biological father?”

“No. I had a father, I didn’t and don’t need another one.”

“Why didn’t you tell NIS or the FBI about the contract or the bookie?”

She shrugged, “I didn’t want Daniel or Max to get into trouble.”

“Didn’t you worry about Andy?”

“At first but then I decided he’d be all right.”

“What made you think that?”

She sighed, “I got tired of feeling guilty, sad and worried.”

“How do you feel about him now?”

Shrugging again, she thought a few seconds before saying, “I don’t know. I guess it would be sort of interesting to see how he turned out.”

“Might be, if he’s alive. What’s your relationship with your brother?”

“He’s my twin, my best friend. We argue and fight but we’re still friends. What do you mean if he’s alive?”

“Just that. What do you think has happened to him if he lived to adulthood? Do you tell your brother, your best friend everything?”

“No. He’s too judgmental and my life is none of his business. I haven't thought about what has happened to Andy as an adult. He was bright as a baby and toddler, he should be all right.”

“And your mother?”

Mello rolled her eyes, “She’s my mother. She still fusses over me and tries to pry but I quit telling her anything important years ago.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m an adult and can make my own decisions. Again, it’s none of her business what I do.”

In the Observation Room, the rest of Jeff’s team were clenching their fists so hard that some had drawn blood. 

In Interrogation, Jeff changed subjects, “Tell me about Max.”

“Max Hadler? He was Daniel’s lover, one of his lovers. I never saw him after Andy left.”

“What about before?”

“He’d be at the house when I wasn’t there so he and Daniel could have sex. I know he was good to Andy because Andy liked him.”

“Do you know what he does for a living?”

“Something to do with investments.”

“What kind of investments?”

She rolled her eyes, “He is or was a bookie. Daniel’s bookie.”

Jeff had a few more questions, which she answered. By now he had everything he wanted, including her lie about Max Hadler which he’d revisit later.

He left the room, leaving his senior there to supervise their prisoner as she wrote her lengthy statement. She complained when she wasn’t allowed to do it on a computer, even when told statements had to be in her own handwriting.

Before he left the area, Jeff stuck his head into Observation. “I’m taking a break, probably a short walk outside, I need some fresh air. It’ll take her a solid hour to write all that. Any questions?”

They had a few and he answered them before asking that they continue observing in case they were needed.

After his walk, he called Director Vance and told him everything they’d learned that day.

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With Langston in their lockup, Andreson’s next and possibly last person of interest was Max Hadler.

The bookie proved to be a rather slippery individual to catch but once his cronies heard what his alleged crimes entailed, that is child trafficking and torture, they bailed on him. For the most part they dealt with betting on horses and none of them wanted anything to do with Hadler’s mess. When one of his fellow bookies called the agency to tell them the man’s location, they  had Hadler in custody within an hour.

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Deciding he should get some legal advice before tackling what he saw as the last issue, or one of the last, the Hubbard-Langston-Mello woman certainly had a penchant for lying, Agent Andreson brought what he had to a meeting with one of the agency’s attorneys. He’d worked with the woman before and although he believed she was trustworthy, he still felt a little odd.

As she entered the conference room where he waited, she smiled, “I understood you had everything cleared up, Agent Andreson, I was surprised to hear you asked for help.”

“I have some evidence that I don’t yet know is germane to the case but the mother, Lily Mello, has already lied about it, or at least left it out of her explanation. I think it could lead to a charge of collusion.”

“Oh, what’s that? I reread everything after your call.”

He sighed, “Thank you. It’s about Lily and Max Hadler. About three weeks ago, I visited a retired NCIS agent in hopes he could answer a few questions and it turned out he had everything he knew on his computer; it’s really what broke the case. He introduced us, I had an FBI agent with me, to toddler Jeffrey’s babysitter and her husband and between them they saw everything.

"They’re legitimate, the parents of the current children they’re caring for are in law enforcement, firefighting, two attorneys, couples with their own businesses, a paralegal, a chiropractor, an insurance agent, 3 teachers, a plumber, a contractor and 2 nurses. I ran backgrounds on the couple before speaking privately with the parents in law enforcement, the paralegal, the firefighter, the nurses and the teachers and was assured that the couple are legit. However, I still don’t know what to do about this evidence.”

“And what is the evidence?”

“Photos of Lily Langston having sex with her husband’s bookie, Max Hadler. I had our forensic tech test them, they’re original photos, not touched up at all, from a film camera. Not sure if we can use it in the case although she lied about being involved with Hadler. The date on the photo is 6 weeks before Andy was taken to the scientists by Max Hadler.”

The attorney nodded, “You suspect she knew ahead of time which makes a difference in the charges and probably the sentencing. She’d keep the obstruction of justice charge and will also have everything the scientists, Carpenter and Hadler are charged with added to her charges.” She paused before asking, “Do you know which one of the couple took the photo?”

“Yes, the woman. She gave it to me, telling me she noticed Hadler’s car there even when the husband was away on a float. She worried about Jeffrey, she and her husband are the only ones who called him that, he shared a room with his mother and the babysitter worried about where he was told to stay while she and Hadler were having sex.”

“I see and now I understand your dilemma. However, we need proof that the mother knew about the contract.”

Jeff sighed, “If we don’t find the proof, what’s likely to be her sentence, provided she’s found guilty of the lesser charges?”

She told him and he shook his head. “In her case, that’s outrageous!"

“Yes, it is.”

He looked at her, determined, “How long do I have to find proof?”

“Until midnight of the day before her trial, so yes, you do have some time.”

“All right. She was working, we haven’t done much there except to verify her employment.”

“That’s a good place to start! Let me know if you run into any legal problems or have questions. If she did know, that’s collusion with Hadler and the deceased first husband along with all the charges the so-called scientists have against them.”

Andreson nodded, his mind already racing ahead. He looked up suddenly, “What if one of the scientists knows? Would that be credible testimony? Let me tell you why I’m asking. Do you know how Timothy Camilo-Gibbs first became aware of his birth date and name?”

She shook her head and he quickly told her about Dr. Donald Mallard and his cousins, putting their extensive family tree online and then having their DNA tested and linked to their names on the various trees.

Although Tim Camilo-Gibbs had never had his DNA tested, per Andreson’s talk with Tim’s biological uncle, Capt. James Hubbard, after Jeffrey’s disappearance, a stuffed rabbit that had been his was found, left behind at the Hubbard grandparents’ home. They put it in a box, hoping to be able to give it back to him when he was found.

When the concept and application of genetic DNA was first announced to the public, the Hubbards contacted the head of the science department of a nearby university, explaining the situation and asking if it was possible to find and retrieve DNA on their missing grandson’s stuffed rabbit. While it took some time before there was an answer, ultimately the answer was yes.

The rabbit was tested, DNA was found and carefully preserved. When online companies began to offer DNA testing for genetic and ancestral information, Maisie and Drew (short for Andrew) Hubbard submitted little Jeffrey’s DNA sample as well as theirs, their son’s and his family’s. They also built their family tree on the same online site as their DNA, linking their DNA results to their tree.

It took a few years but Grandpa Drew finally also convinced his daughter to submit her DNA as well as her second husband’s and their children.

The day Maisie entered the information about her lost grandbaby to the family tree, she cried as she input his full name, birth date and the day and year he’d disappeared.

For all the searching she, Drew and their son Jim had done over the years, this now seemed their best hope. Although by now toddler Andy was an adult, she hoped he would also be looking for them.

When Dr. Mallard and his cousins got their DNA tests back and saw the mystery relative’s DNA linked to their family trees, the cousins were confused and gave the doctor copies of the print outs, hoping he could figure it out.

Agent Andreson continued, “The doctor wasn’t very interested but took the papers anyway. He tucked them away somewhere and it was over a year before he was bored enough to look at them one day. He took the papers and went to wherever Timothy, his family and the senior Gibbses were staying. Tim offered to help him sort things out and when they got about three pages in, Dr. Mallard froze at what he saw while Tim hadn’t noticed the doctor’s reaction as he was having his own reaction. He’d seen and recognized his birth name.

“Long story a little shorter, Tim is Dr. Mallard’s grandson which greatly pleases both of them, while the good doctor was in shock at the discovery that he is the biological father of twins, one of whom gave birth to Timothy and the other is or was a Captain in the US Navy, I believe he’s now retired.”

At the wide-eyed look on the attorney’s face, he took a breath to continue, “Tim was in shock and became ill when he recognized his original name but eventually was able to tell his wife, parents and ‘new’ grandfather what he’d seen. Then he said he had to tell Director Vance, who recorded what Tim told him. One of the things he said was that one of the scientists told him that his mother had ‘given’ him to them.”

Andreson stopped again, thinking. “We’ve interviewed the scientists but I’m going to start with them. Would they be credible witnesses?”

“Only if they have visible, tangible proof.” She paused, “Do we have the original contract?”

He smirked at her, “I believe your office has all the paperwork we were able to find. We were given copies of some of it.”

She rolled her eyes, “And I’m guessing we stopped once we found what we needed, terrible habit! I’ll go back through while you tackle Lily’s co-workers and whoever else you’ve thought of. Where’s Hadler?”

“In isolation at the county jail, he was making threats.”

“All right, no chance of anything approaching honesty from him, then.”

“I’d think he’d first need to show proof he’s a human being and I doubt that will ever happen.”

The attorney smiled, “Too bad you can’t use the “your partner threw you under the bus” bit like they do on TV and the movies.”

She laughed at the eye roll from the agent.

Back at his desk, Andreson pulled the copies of everything they’d recovered from the various scientists. Then he had an idea and, after stopping himself from slapping his own head, quickly found the folder that might have what he was looking for. It took him a few hours to dig through everything and when he found what he’d hoped was there, he yelled, “I found it, YES!” Looking up, he found himself in a room empty of everyone but his teammates and they had their heads down, working on reports, although he saw a few smiles. Grabbing his phone, he quickly called the attorney he’d met with earlier.

The woman sighed as she answered the phone, “Jeff, I’m sorry, I got pulled into another meeting and I’m just now getting…”

She was abruptly interrupted by Andreson who said, “It’s ok. I have it! We have copies of the financial records and it’s in there, the original contract and yes, she signed it! She lied, she’s been lying for decades!”

“Wonderful, then we must have the original contract! We’ll have to have a handwriting expert look at it to verify her name wasn’t forged, do you have anything she’s signed?”

“Yes, we have copies of her wedding licenses to both Langston and Mello, her signature on her statement and a note she wrote to a coworker shortly before Jeffrey’s disappearance. We have the original, we made a copy for the coworker.”

“That last one we especially want as it’s probably the closest in time to Jeffrey’s disappearance of all the samples of her handwriting. If you can find more, that would be even better.”

“All right, I’ll go back to the employer then. I know we need at least 12 samples with as many originals as possible.”

“Yes although a few copies are all right as long as they’re not the majority of the examples and they’re legible.”

Nodding, Andreson thanked her before hanging up. He was digging through their folders of miscellaneous items when he had a message from her, she’d found the original contract and had already contacted a trusted handwriting expert. Later he sent her a message asking if they could use one of Lily’s old datebooks, a booklet-style day by day calendar that people kept in their pockets, wallets or purses before smart phones. The one he’d found was dated 1980 and the last entry was “MH, Me, D, contract and freedom!”

The words were followed by a heart drawn around the initials MH and the word 'contract'. While Jeff wanted to interpret them as meaning she was pleased that Hadler had found a way to relieve their debt, it could also mean she would be happy to be child-free or simply that she was fond of Hadler and happy he was her lover. In any event, the stars of the page were the heart around the initials MH and more importantly, the word contract.

On the inside of the back cover was a list of names and phone numbers and he nodded, this was likely why it was in her suitcase, two of the names matched those of the people who’d been camping with her at Fort Stevens.

Wondering why she didn’t have a smart phone or any mobile phone, he dug deeper into the woman’s purse or tote, it was certainly large enough to qualify as a tote bag, finally pulling out a smart phone housed in a modern version of a flip phone, still in its packaging. He theorized she might have lost or broken her phone and brought the old datebook with the phone numbers she needed, buying the new phone somewhere along the way. Turning the package over he spotted what looked like a store name and looking it up online, found it was indeed a store name, a store with locations at several airports, including Chicago O’Hare where she’d had a layover.

While he’d been obsessing over Hubbard’s datebook and phone, he’d received a message from the attorney that if there was anything close to the end of the year, a little over a month before Jeffrey's disappearance, it would be good.

He answered saying he might have found evidence from Lily herself that she, Max and Daniel were involved with the contract and more intimately. After he sent that, he dived back into their miscellaneous files, finding more examples of her handwriting, a grocery list, a Christmas card addressed but apparently never mailed, he made note of the name and address, might be useful, a scribbled note to someone thanking them for helping with her car. While it was an original, it was dated four months ago. Still he kept it in the sample pile.

At some point, he pulled the original case file, looking through there and found her signature on the first report, dated a week after Jeffrey’s disappearance. He made a copy of that, attaching a note to the copy that the original was in the SWFO Legal Department.

That was enough, he had 10 original samples, at least 5 from the months around Jeffrey’s disappearance, those were in the old datebook, along with 6 samples from copies. Gathering everything, he stopped to make copies of the entire datebook, luckily there weren’t entries for every single day, stapling them together with a copy of the front on top. Taking it to the Legal Department, he handed it to the attorney he’d met with earlier.

She asked about his message and he flipped to the right date, pointing to it. She read it and grinned, “Wow, Hadler was playing them both. It gives credibility to a collusion charge and to the babysitting couple’s testimony. Plus the word contract. If the signature on the contract is hers, then we have what we need.”

Andreson nodded with a grin, “Yes!”

Returning to his desk, he winced as he noticed it was dark out already and they were still on daylight savings time although the long days were starting to get a little shorter as they got closer to switching back to regular time!

He’d come in at 6 AM this morning and was leaving at 8:45 PM. He had no regrets, the day had been very productive.

Suddenly realizing he was starving, he hadn’t eaten much all day, he locked up the files before leaving for home, satisfied with the discoveries and advances they’d made in the case against the toddler’s mother over the past few days. He’d sleep well tonight!    

Chapter Text

Ch 41: News, Possible Plans, Catching up

When Leon received the list of trial dates, with the ones Tim needed to attend marked in red, he was so relieved that he contacted Tim at work without looking at the time.

When Tim’s laptop chimed with a request for a Skype call, he glared at it before sighing at the contact. No way he would ignore a call from his boss, even if he was only 2 files away from leaving for home for the weekend. He'd come into the office three hours early so he could get home before the children and have some private time with his wife. 

Rolling his shoulders and neck, he got rid of the glare before accepting the call, managing to nod at the screen. “Good afternoon, Director.”

“And the same to you, Timothy. Sorry to bother you on a Friday afternoon but I have good news!” Vance winced, “You were leaving early.”

“You know me too well! I’ll live. What’s up?”

“We have a box full of newly discovered evidence and now that we know all the players, the trials are being scheduled. They won’t start until September 12th next year, the first full week after the Labor Day holiday and I’m happy to report that the trials you’ll be involved in are scheduled for late September and October.

"My first thoughts about that were that you won’t have to miss the reunion because of the trials. I also had a thought that you might want to move some things over earlier in the summer, remember this is a transfer for a special assignment. I'm sure we can work out something to move some of your belongings so things will be a little less crazy for all of you. Possibly during the children's June holiday."

Seeing Tim's thoughtful look, he paused for a minute before continuing, “Now, back to the trial schedules, as you've probably suspected there will be several of them. The one for the scientists who had you will begin September 12^th, nicely placed after the Labor Day holiday as well as between the birthdays of your dad and Ducky. Too bad big Jack's birthday is in June!

“The second one will be Carpenter’s trial which will start the week after the Sept. 12th scientists’ trial. His should be a short one, the charges against him, the same charges as the scientists who had you, have been approved. We explored an option to include him in their trial but that didn't work out."

“The third trial will be for Hubbard and that one may either be very short or take a few weeks. Can’t tell you what or why but there is excellent news from our viewpoint. If the schedule holds, that means you can spend your second November birthday, baby’s 1^st birthday, wedding anniversary, Thanksgiving, Christmas and everything else in Jaxton or Varkiza.”

"The trials after that will be for more of the scientists, the financiers and whoever else was involved. Your fellow victims will attend as you will, remotely, using voice changers and whatever disguises they choose."

“We’ll be home before the end of the year?"

"No promises although it does seem likely.”

“Wow, that’s great, Leon! Thank you for calling me with this!” Tim laughed, “I guess that means that coming home, the kids will change schools mid-year again. Hope this will be the last time!”

Vance chuckled, “Not too sure you should count on that! Now, how’s Artemis holding up?”

“She tires very quickly and if we didn’t have the elevator we would have moved down to the first floor weeks ago! However, her spirits are good and we’ve got a little less than 4 weeks to go. Have you seen the latest photos of my youngest niece?”

“Yes, Nikki sent them the other day, she’s a cutie pie and I especially enjoyed the one with Jasper holding her.”

“He’s amazing with her, talks to her all the time, sings his favorite songs. Yesterday he asked Dad how soon Alyssa could go to school with him. She can go to nursery when she’s four months old, they’re thinking of letting her go for a few hours one day, long enough to satisfy her big brother!”

“You haven’t said, no one has said, what names you have picked out and do you know if you’re having twins or a singleton?”

“We decided to find out on his, her or their birth day. We do have names picked out but we’re not telling anyone.”

“Having fun with your secrets are you?”

Tim chuckled, “Yes we are! And nearly every day someone adds a name to the list my siblings started two months ago.”

“Serious or silly?”

“Both, at least I hope the silly ones are meant to be just that! I can’t imagine naming a child Kilroy!”

“Hmm, sounds like Grandpa Jack or Uncle LJ!”

“I agree but they’re having fun so we don’t mind. The children keep track and update us every night before they go to bed.”

“Baby’s room, oh, can’t do that yet, can you?”

“Some of it’s done, at least as far as we’re concerned. Artie, baby and I will live on the first floor until baby sleeps all night. My folks will stay with our older kids in our 3^rd floor suite. We ordered our first packages of compostable disposable diapers last night.”

“Compostable?”

“Yes, Jimmy found them online before Victoria was born. Victoria and Lucy both wear them with no problems and now Alyssa is as well.”

“Three girls, I hope you have a girl!”

“Whichever, they’ll be fine. Charlotte and Joe are adopting a boy when he’s born in January so if we have a boy they'll each have a male cousin as their 'year peer'. Not the same calendar year but close enough. We’re not worried, there are plenty of kids to play with and the boys and girls play together very well. How are your two?”

“Doing great, thanks! It’s a little early but they’re both looking at colleges already!”

“Wow, they were 7 and 9 two months ago!”

“I know, they grew up too fast.”

“You’re still coming for Christmas, right? Can’t wait to see you all!”

“Yes, we’ll be there the 16^th, a Wednesday over there.”

“Great and this year the UK holidays are Friday through Monday so we’ll also be off those days!”

“Wow, who’s working New Year’s Eve?”

“We are, seems only fair. Antwerp is working New Year’s Day and we're all off on Christmas Day, with everyone but Rota off on the 27th, they're on call. We scheduled according to who did what last year and this works, plus it’s Antwerp’s first time on the calendar.”

“Good, how are they doing?”

“They’re busy and doing a great job of closing cases. I have to say that my folks here are very happy they no longer have to fly or take the train over every other day. Thanks, Boss!”

“You’re welcome! That was a beast to get approved, the addition of new NATO members helped as well as the letters the SecNav received thanking her for the help they’ve received from NCIS.”

“Any more changes in mind?”

“Not unless you’ve changed your mind?”

“No, sir! And thank you for approving the posting for Nikki.”

“Is that because of Jasper?”

“Partly and I should begin by saying that Nikki gave me permission if you should ask. They worried about him being over here without my gang and most of his big people. He loves his baby sister, his baby cousins and his aunts, uncles and the greats. And he understands that he is our nephew and my kids’ cousin. However, whatever title he has for us, he has always been a part of our kids’ lives. Frankly, I was relieved when Nikki asked.

“The other part is Aunt Evelyn. She’s doing all right at the moment but she’s had a few worrying health episodes. While Nikki and Bill are in California, we’re hoping she’ll spend the winter with us. It will be a lot easier for her to take the train to California. Bill and Vince have everything planned out. Vince will ride out with her as soon as we’re settled in or at least have her bedroom ready, she’ll be on the main floor next to Margaret Dorneget’s bedroom. Don't know if you knew or remember that Mrs. Dorneget is a retired nurse. Then Vince can fly home when he's ready and when Aunty is ready to return home in the spring, Mom and Dad will take the train home with her and then stay to visit Ziva, Brian, probably the Baxters and whoever is still in Baltimore by that time.”

“Great! Are Freddie and Joe still thinking about moving over there?”

“Yes, and the folks think they’re close to a decision. While they have plenty of business in Baltimore, both of them and Charlotte, are feeling kind of burned out, that seems to be the closest to how they’re feeling. The guys have been going non-stop since they were apprentices with their mentor and they started their own business more than 20 years ago.

“Their plumbers can continue to work in Baltimore or in DC and Virginia, their Business Manager can work anywhere and Abby’s starting to come around to moving over. She’s talking about spending summers in the UK and if possible, winters in Greece, she loves the summer weather in Scotland and she certainly won’t have a problem finding a job over here.

“Bill and Artie have plenty of contacts to help Jose and Freddie get started. And if they work on our property in Greece, that would keep them employed for a year or two. They’ve already sent for information on working in the UK and the EU, specifically Greece.”

“Wow!”

“I know, it’s strange to think about, none of the Camilo family left in Baltimore, although Mom will probably keep the house, rent it out. The brothers, Sarah and I have also been talking about asking Marla Hoover to join us here when we return from California. Mom’s already working on her to spend the winter in California with us.”

“She’s the school secretary who helped you?”

“Yes and along with the food and other things she’d slip into our suitcases, she was also our legal guardian off and on for several of the 9 years that Sarah, Rob and I were at the shelter and camp.”

“Why off and on?”

“Not sure but I think it might have been money, that some years Lu found someone who had more to spare which gave Mrs. H a year or more to catch up or whatever she needed to do. One year it was Bill’s mentor and another year, I think our junior year in high school, it was Jose and Freddie’s mentor. Even when Mrs. H, we called her Aunt Marla or Aunty M, wasn’t our guardian, she would take us to her house a few times a year to spend the day. She'd make us real food, which we had to eat slowly so we wouldn’t get sick, take showers, she'd trim our hair and we'd wash our clothes, the same as Mom, who was Ms. Lu then, did. She'd fix anything that was torn and taught us how to darn our socks, which was a huge deal for us. She and Ms. Lu also made us shirts, warm socks, mittens, hats and scarves for Christmases and our birthdays. A few years, the two of them made each of us pullover sweaters and then we passed them along when we outgrew them.

"What Aunt Marla thought was funny although she didn’t tell us for years, was that when we stayed with her, none of us were interested in watching TV. Jose remembered living in an place with a TV, but he didn’t remember watching TV, so we didn’t miss it and didn’t pay much attention when school friends talked about their favorite shows. Besides having no clue, most of us worked after school. Although when I heard about Star Trek I was curious enough to find VHS tapes in the library and watched those on the VCRs there, the original show and the first movies!

“Anyway, at Malu’s and Aunt Marla's homes we played cards and played several board games that were a lot of fun.” He chuckled, “I forgot about this but Aunty M is the one who taught us how to play poker!”

“Ah ha, who needs TV when you can play poker! It always makes me feel better when you talk about your holidays and overnight stays at your mom’s and now weekends with Mrs. Hoover.”

“We were lucky and a lot better off than many children. Artie and I have been talking about that. When we move home to the UK, we’re thinking of starting sort of a summer or weekend ‘camp’ for homeless or foster kids. They can sleep inside, swim, do their laundry, play outside when it’s nice, watch movies, and generally relax for a few days, it would be great if we could do four days, we’ll figure that out. Maybe weekends during the school year and then four or five days during the summer.”

“What about the reunion?”

“We’d have to be licensed to run a camp ourselves so what we’re thinking is that we’ll host, with Tony’s and our housemates’ approval, and will hire social workers, camp counselors and other staff as well. So we can be away for 2 weeks without a problem. Or maybe the camp doesn’t run those two weeks and instead they spend the last two weeks before school starts here in Jaxton. Tony and Maggie love the idea, Tony says that if his dad had ever sent him to summer camp as a kid, he would have been much happier than being dragged around to wherever Senior was working a deal and left on his own most of the time. Dad told Tony and me that Grandpa and Grandma sent him to camp one summer and he had a wonderful time. He never got to go again, Grandpa needed him to help in the store and I’m sure money was tight with Grandma’s medical bills. Still, he's glad he has the memory of that one summer. I’d like to give kids memories like his.”

“That’s a wonderful idea, Timothy! And now I want to go!”

“To camp?”

“Yes, I don’t think there was any camp close enough for us to go to when I was growing up and my parents would have been hesitant because going to camp wasn’t something in our family history or something my brother, sister and I would be comfortable doing.”

Tim gave him a look, “Are you trying not to say it wasn’t meant for children of color?”

Vance nodded, “Yes, although I don’t know that for a fact. I have no idea how the two of us got onto the topic but Secretary Porter and I once had a discussion about what we did on summer vacations and when I said that about camp, she shook her head. She went to Girl Scout camp every year until high school and said there were plenty of girls, both campers and counselors, of color and different cultures, Hispanic, Black, Asian and it was never a problem, at least at the camp she went to. Made me feel better knowing that. As for you and your siblings, you already lived in a camp, I can’t imagine why you’d want to do that for fun!” He smiled as Tim laughed, nodding.

Leon continued, “And now as adults, we have camp every summer, Timmo, we just call it a reunion instead of camp!”

And with that, both laughing, they each held up a hand in a wave before disconnecting.

Chapter Text

Ch 42: Welcome to the world, Baby Gibbs!

What Tim hadn’t mentioned to Leon during their conversation was that Artemis was now following a regimen of partial bed rest, that is 5 hours a day to be split between mornings and afternoons as well as light exercise on a daily basis. Artie’s rest periods generally started in the mornings after her husband and children left for work, school and nursery, then again either before or after lunch and her final rest was in the afternoons after the children were home and she’d spent time with them.  

She could read, use her laptop for a couple of hours, watch TV and/or movies and work as long as she wasn’t on her feet for more than a few minutes at a time, although she also needed to exercise every day. While Artie could do a few stairs, she was encouraged to either ride the stair lift or take the elevator.

She soon found her favorite activities were walking, generally spending time in the back garden with the children, Tim, Lu, Charlotte whenever she was there, Jethro or one of the older gentlemen, and swimming, whether actually swimming or floating on a new float-y Tim found for her. As Breena once told Ducky, floating in a pool provided excellent relief for pregnant women's backs.

The children entertained Artemis with all kinds of adventure stories that included ‘Baby’. Tim recorded those, planning to include them in a book for parents and their children.

He’d started collecting the stories and songs when first Lucy Camilo-Powell, followed by Victoria Camilo-Mallard and later Alyssa Jardine-Gibbs arrived. He asked his newest niece’s parents if he could record some of Jasper’s conversations with her as well as the songs he sang to her.

Several days after the conversation with Vance, Artie woke Tim one morning saying she was having contractions and didn’t think it was Braxton-Hicks. They called their doctor and were told to get to the hospital. Tim woke his mother, asking her to stay with the children. She and Dad quickly arrived at their suite.

Tim woke the children to tell them what was happening. As he seemed more excited than worried, the children were fairly calm although they were also excited about their new brother or sister!

Leaving their suite, the couple was walking down the hall when they heard a door close. They smiled as the senior Powells caught up with them, saying. “We’ll stay with the children so your folks can be at the hospital with you. Tim, will you call the Clachers or would you like us to?”

Smiling, he shook his head, “That’s wonderful, thank you! Once we know a little more I’ll call the Clachers as well as Yaya, Sophia, Peter and you.” Leaning over, he kissed Edie Powell on the cheek and squeezed George’s shoulder in thanks.  

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

As the couple drove into the car park at the main entrance to the hospital, they saw it was full and ended up parking close to the A&E, known in the US as Emergency.

Insisting on walking, Artie leaned heavily on Tim as they made their way toward the entrance door. They were just approaching when an ambulance rolled in, the patient quickly unloaded, paramedics running past them with a gurney. Tim winced at the glimpse he had of a visibly injured woman, blood streaming from her mouth and nose, moaning in pain and clutching her abdomen.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Tim and Artie’s little son was delivered within five hours, weighing in at 6 pounds, 14 ounces and 20 inches long, with Artemis and baby doing well. Sending word to the family, Tim stayed with his wife during their tiny son’s first feeding, burping, changing and cuddling him, welcoming him to the outside world and his family.

Mother and son were healthy and Dad Tim was greatly relieved that there hadn’t been any problems for either his beloved or their newborn son. Although the little boy was early, he was in good shape and because with Artie’s bedrest  they’d made it through some crucial weeks, he was born a 36-week infant rather than a premature newborn. 36 weeks was considered early-term but not pre-term and the baby could remain with his mother in her room rather than spending time in the NICU.

When Mama and baby fell asleep, Tim felt safe in leaving them for a few minutes. Remembering his phone vibrating with a message during the delivery, he looked before heading to the cafeteria where his mother’s text said they were waiting. 

He grinned as they all jumped up, holding his arms open for his children, who’d been there for a couple of hours. “They’re fine, both mama and baby. Your mama is tired and relieved your baby brother is doing well. Their vitals are good. We counted baby’s fingers and toes, they’re all there and because we made it through the last few weeks, he’s old enough and healthy enough to skip a stay in the NICU. He’ll stay with Artie in her room.” His grin grew larger with the quiet cheers. 

While his family quietly celebrated the safe delivery of their baby brother, newest grandson, great-grandson and nephew, Tim sent messages and relaxed at their table. There he overheard people, as they were wearing scrubs they were likely staff members, nearby talking about an injured woman. From what he heard, he thought it might be the woman he and Artie saw on their way into the hospital.

She had severe internal injuries and begged the medical staff to save her child at all costs. Performing an emergency c-section, they delivered the baby girl, who was 32 weeks in gestation and weighed 3 pounds, 8 ounces.

What Tim heard next made him sad. The mother died shortly after her daughter was delivered, living just long enough to hold her baby for a scant few minutes. There was no ID on her, no phone or anything to help identify her or pinpoint where she lived, and the police and Social Care had been called in. Someone in the delivery room noted she had an accent when she spoke but no one knew what it was.  

As the newborn was premature, she would remain in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the NICU, until she reached a healthy birth weight, along with other factors. In the meantime, the authorities would search for her father and family as well as more information about the baby’s mother.  

Returning to Artie and their son, Tim found them still sleeping. Feeling tired himself, he sat between his newborn child and his beloved wife and let himself relax for a few minutes.

When Artie woke saying she was ready to see everyone, Tim returned to the cafeteria where he asked his children, parents, grandfathers, siblings and in-laws, Grandpa Jack, Ducky, Mimi, LJ, Sophia, Sarah, Rob, Jimmy, Geordie, Bill, Tony, Maggie, Susannah, Ian and the senior Clachers were there, to meet their new baby. However, because there were far too many of them to fit into the hospital room at once, they split into several groups. First, he said, there were some things to tell them, all good things.

Standing in the middle of his family, Tim gave them the baby’s vital statistics:

“He’s 6 pounds, 14 ounces and 20 inches long, which translates to 3118.45 grams in weight and 50.8 in centimeters, a good weight, nearly 7 pounds!  Currently he’s long and thin, the doctor says he’ll fill out quickly. He’s already had one feeding, been changed, burped and is again asleep. He has a lot of hair that looks like it’ll be as curly as Ellanni and Jack’s. His name requires some explanation.”

Tim smiled at his father and Uncle LJ. “Dad, we know you and LJ worried about naming the baby after the two of you because of the bullying and teasing you endured when you were growing up. We talked to Uncle LJ, Grandpa, Grandfa, Cousin Richard, Malu, Mimi, Peter and Uncle Charlie about what other family names there might be. Richard gave us all the names he found in the Baxter family Bible, which was very interesting.

“Then we decided to also look in the Gibbs’ family Bible and, to our great joy, found a name we hope you’ll like as much as we do. Grandpa’s mother, my paternal great-grandmother, was Esther Mildred Cahill Gibbs. Grandpa, we looked at the family tree you keep in your Bible and found that Esther’s maternal grandfather’s surname was Quinn, which means wise. That’s your great-grandfather, Dad’s two times great-grandfather and my three times great-grandfather.

“Quinn is our son’s first name, honoring his 4 times great-grandfather. His full name is Quinn Lekkas Keith Gibbs.” He paused while everyone reacted to the name. Ducky, Peter, Grandpa and Dad were a little teary.

After giving them time to regain their composure, he continued, “Ducky, Donnie has your first name and will have your surname, so we took your middle name, Keith. It’s a little hard to say with Quinn, Quinn Keith, so we moved it after Quinn’s maternal grandfather’s name. Peter, we decided that Lekkas, rather than Peter, would overall be a more specific tie to Quinn’s Greek family.”

He looked at LJ. “Uncle LJ, we intended to add your surname, Moore but in case there was another family name I emailed your cousin Michael. He answered, explaining that the name Moore came from someone who enslaved one or more of your ancestors and that he was sure you would not want us to use it. So that was the end of that, although I did let him know we would not use the name. I’m glad we checked, and I was happy to hear that you, your parents, aunts and uncles have been honored by your cousins’ children and grandchildren’s names. We’ve added you to our Midei-Gibbs family Bible and we’d like you to be one of Quinn’s godfathers. Michael said there’s been some discussion about changing the family’s surname. If that happens, we’ll also change it in our records and on Quinn’s baptismal certificate.”

LJ hugged him, thrilled to be one of the baby’s godfathers. Anne and Jackson had asked him to be godfather to his namesake but that became so controversial that LJ begged them to name someone else. He’d be the boy’s unofficial godfather and be just as close to him. Refusing to give up, Anne and Jack found a church in Philadelphia who had no problem baptizing baby Leroy Jethro with LJ as his godfather.

When this child, Quinn, was eventually baptized, his ‘official’ godparents would be his great-aunt Gaia and great-uncle Theo. In the Orthodox faith, godparents must be baptized and active members of the church. Quinn would also have Uncle LJ, Uncles Nik and Sergio, Aunts Sarah and Susannah as his ‘unofficial’ godparents.  

When everyone was through exclaiming, Tim first took the grandparents, Grandpa Jack, Mimi and Grandfa to see Artie and little Quinn. Although he was sleeping peacefully they were able to see that he had a mass of dark hair. As Artie was drowsy, they didn’t stay long and the children were next to see their mother and meet their baby brother. Tim grinned as their children tiptoed into the room.  

When everyone there had seen baby Quinn and his mama, they regrouped in the hospital cafeteria. That’s when Tim realized he was starving! When he brought his hot meal to the tables they’d combined, Ducky smiled, “If you’re interested, I have some information for you about my contribution to Quinn’s names.”

Tim nodded, he’d wondered who ‘Keith’ might have been in Ducky or his parents’ lives. He thought his older brother’s name had been Angus and he knew his younger half-brother was Nicholas. He asked permission to record Grandfa’s explanation and the man nodded.

Smiling and speaking clearly, Ducky explained that ‘Keith’ was a Scottish surname that only began to be used as a given name in the 19^th century. One of his great-grandfathers, his mother Victoria’s maternal grandfather, was Liam Anndrais Keith. He told them that Liam was a short form of the Irish name Uilliam which in turn came from the old Germanic name William and that Anndrais was the Scottish Gaelic version of Andrew. Tim smiled as he listened, he’d save the recording and add the information to both Liam and Quinn’s memory books.

Back in the hospital room with his parents, Tim held his newborn son while Artie slept. Because of Quinn’s early term status and his mama’s obvious need for rest, their medical professionals preferred the family make their visits short.

Since the earlier visits, Quinn had been awake, fed, changed and burped again and now he was sleeping peacefully in his daddy’s arms. As it had when Jackson and Ellanne were born, the sight made both Lu, who’d known Tim since he was a little boy, and Jethro, who wished he'd known him as a little boy, a little teary.

While Tim was tired after everyone but his parents left, he wasn’t yet ready to leave. Asking after the baby born around the same time as Quinn, he was taken to the incubator where she slept. The staff had named her ‘Sunday’. One of the nurses told Tim they always gave babies without family some sort of name.

When she said that, Tim frowned but then told himself that this was still the same day and that her family might not be available to be told what had happened. He also wondered what had caused the mother’s injuries. He couldn’t help it, once an investigator, always an investigator. He thought he might make some calls the next day.

Kissing Artemis and his infant son goodnight, he and his parents went home to the children, who’d left the hospital with their Mimi and Granducky. He was happy and a bit relieved to be there before they turned in as they had school in the morning.

As the children were still wound up after the long, exciting day, made even more unusual by having Pappous Peter and Yaya Rhode at the house with them, they ran up and down the longest hallway until they were visibly tired.

After going through their nighttime routines, the four of them went to bed, quickly falling asleep. Tim sat with them for a bit before nearly falling into his own bed.

Until Quinn was judged strong enough to be discharged, Tim would spend most of the older children’s school hours at the hospital with his wife and infant son. Then he’d go home to spend time with the children and have dinner with all of them. He was on leave from NCIS for 8 weeks. Artie told him that since Quinn wasn’t a twin, she could manage after that, with help from Malu, Yaya, Jethro, Ducky and possibly Sophia as well as Jack, Sarah, Grandpa, LJ, Charlie and Bill when he was available.

Quinn was two days old when his discharge date was set for Friday. While Tim was at the hospital on Tuesday, taking a slow walk with Artie, she told him what she’d heard about baby Sunday.

“They finally found where the mother was staying, an old rundown hotel in the back streets of London. And you were right in thinking she might have been in a car accident. She was driving a rental vehicle and from witnesses’ accounts the police believe she was first driving on a one-way street and then turned onto a two-way street but on the wrong side of the road. Then she turned onto a side street and kept going, the police haven’t figured out where she was headed or if she knew that herself. But witnesses on the side street said she was driving on the wrong side of the road. The police found the rental car smashed in, I don’t know where or how. By then several people had called for help and the medics brought her here when they realized she was not only badly injured but was also in labor.”

Tim shook his head, “That’s awful, the poor woman. Did they find her ID or passport? Wonder why she didn’t have it on her? Maybe she panicked when she realized she was in labor and just took off?”

Artie nodded, “I also thought maybe that was why. It turns out she was a US citizen.”

Tim’s eyebrows flew up, “Then the baby…”

“Yes. Timόtheos, if she doesn’t have any family or friends here who’ll take the baby, they’ll have to take her to the US for foster care.”

Tim nodded absently and then his jaw dropped open. “Artemis?”

“We can do it, my love, if she has no one else to care for her. She won’t be discharged for nearly 4 weeks so there’s time to find out, to plan.”

Tim’s mouth opened to object but then snapped shut. She was right, this is what he also wanted, to give the child a home if she had no one else or until relatives were found. They talked for a few more minutes until Artie started yawning and Tim took her back to her room. There was another hour before Quinn would wake again so after Artie dozed off, Tim sat back, thinking.

They’d decided not to say anything to anyone else, not yet. Both hoped and prayed that baby Sunday’s father would be found or that she would have someone who would raise her with love.

After Quinn’s next feeding, Tim sat next to his wife. “I’m glad you’ve agreed to stay until our son is ready to go home. That means more rest for you!”

“I couldn’t breastfeed if I were home and he’s our last baby. I know you had a vasectomy after we discovered I was pregnant, love, and I thank you for it although I wish you hadn’t felt you needed to.”

He shrugged, “I was so worried about you, it was not a difficult decision. And it was much easier than using birth control for another decade or having a hysterectomy or a tubal ligation would have been for you. You’ve done all the work of carrying our three babies and I was relieved that there was some way I could help!

“Rob drove me and brought me home and won’t say anything to anyone else, it’s no one’s business. I would not have told him if I hadn’t thought I might not be able to drive. I was wrong but I was also glad he was there with me. And sweetheart, what we’ve been talking about with baby Sunday is ample proof that there are plenty of children in the world who need love, family and a home.”

She nodded as she drifted off to sleep again. Before he left the hospital that day, Tim walked to the NICU where he asked if he could say hello to baby Sunday again, explaining that he’d seen her the day she was born, after his own son was delivered. As some of the staff remembered him, he was given permission to visit, even to gently touch the tiny girl. He rubbed her back, speaking quietly to her, telling her who he was and how she might come to stay with them. He hoped she would become used to the sound of his voice and perhaps Artie would also be allowed to see her, touch and talk with her. 

That evening, after all the children had gone to bed, Tim was in their suite, having a cup of his ‘no caffeine, no coffee’ coffee, made from barley and other ingredients when his phone rang. He shook his head when he saw the ID, he had an idea or two what this might be about.

“Good afternoon, D’Arcy.”

“Good evening, Tim. We have a problem and I thought you and Artemis might want to help, at least temporarily.”

“Is this about baby Sunday, whose American mother died after the baby was delivered via C-section?”

“Yes, how did you know? Has it been in the news?”

“I don’t know about the news. I know because I was at the same hospital, checking Artemis in when a gurney nearly flew past us with a woman who was badly injured and in labor. Artie told me today that she heard someone say the police found a US passport in her hotel room.”

“My goodness. Yes, to all that and we were notified as CPS will serve as the baby’s guardian until we find her father, other family or friends to give her a home. What’s wrong with Artemis?”

“She gave birth to our son, Quinn, about the same time as baby Sunday was delivered. Quinn was a little early so he and his mama are staying in the hospital until Friday. He’s staying in her room; he didn’t have to go to the NICU where little Sunday is. I saw her that night and again this afternoon, I’ve been allowed to visit her. She’s tiny but the nurses told me she is in good shape for her gestational age, which is 32 weeks. I believe she’ll stay in the NICU and the hospital until she reaches 36 or 37 weeks.”

“Congratulations to you and Artie on your son and thank you so much for caring about little Sunday. We spent most of today looking into her mother’s background but haven’t yet come up with any family or close friends. I’ll get back on the trail tomorrow.”

“Are you allowed to tell me her name?”

She chuckled, “Yes, it’s already in the news. Sunday’s mother’s name was Lita Morin.”

Tim wrote the name down. “Is Morin spelled ‘e n’ or ‘i n’?”

“I n. I was curious so I looked it up, it’s Filipino and means ‘swarthy’.”

“I have more questions but guess I should wait.”

“Thank you. Now, here’s my question, consider it more of a plea but now I don’t know how you’ll manage.”

Tim chuckled, “Ask me first.”

“Now that we know the baby is a US citizen, she needs a US guardian who is there, in the UK, and can make decisions for her, as soon as possible. Would you be willing to do that?”

“Yes, Artemis and I have already talked about it. She and Quinn will be in the hospital until Friday. We have a bassinet that baby Sunday can sleep in and we’ll find a crib, I think Tony and Maggie still have whatever their daughter slept in. Or buy one! What do I need to do?”

“Read and sign papers. Have them notarized at the US Embassy and send them back to me. I’d like both you and Artemis to be her guardians but right now one is all that’s necessary. We’ll pay for a crib if you need to buy one, as well as any other supplies for her.”

“Do you mind if we talk about that part later? If you’ll send me the papers now I’ll make copies for my wife, read them, and get them to the Embassy for signing and notarizing in the morning. Is a scanned copy all right, until the originals get to you?”

“Yes, there’s precedent, our attorneys say there won’t be any problems. Especially with our work with you, Artemis, Nikki and Bill, Ned and Barry!”

“Good! Oh, one thing, I know the baby was named Sunday by the nursing staff but may we change it or does that need to wait to happen until a permanent guardian has been found?”

“I don’t think it will harm her to have a new name now and possibly have it changed later. She’s so new! What does she look like?”

“Her hair is dark, like Quinn’s. Her eyes have been closed when I’ve seen her so I don’t know what color they will be. Her skin was purple-y, now it’s reddish but so is Quinn’s and I remembered that’s normal.”

“Yes. Will they let you hold her?”

“Once they know we’re her guardians, yes. Until then, I’ll talk to her and I know the medical staff does that already. They’re excellent, so good with her, making sure she’s touched. I rubbed her back today and spoke to her. Artemis told me that she’s still tube feeding, that they hope to switch her to bottle feeding when she reaches 33 weeks, next Sunday. Oh, we can do that, or I can, Artie won’t be able to get back to the hospital. Will my parents be able to help? I know they’ll want to.”

“Yes, I’ll add their names to the papers so they can also be part of Sunday’s caregivers. Anyone else?”

“Yes, Maggie Barnes-Gibbs, Tony’s wife. Her girls are in nursery or school during the day, I’ll ask for her help as well. And my Uncle Charlie, I know he’ll want to help. He’s Charles Camilo, my mom’s brother.”

“And I know all these people! This is wonderful, it gives you a few options for help and I know you’ll need it running back and forth between Artemis, Quinn and Sunday!”

“We chose to have Quinn in London but there’s also a hospital out here, smaller and my sister had her daughter there, they were comfortable and well taken care of. If there’s an NICU, we’ll ask for Sunday to be transferred. Then she’ll only be a mile or two away from us.”

“Good, let me know if that happens.”

Finally disconnecting, Tim waited for the email and then printed out a copy of the forms, relieved there were only two, and made several copies, more than the 6 he’d planned, in case anyone else wanted to help. He filled out his and then checking his watch, called his parents to see if they were still awake. They were watching the end of a movie with Charlie, so he headed downstairs with three sets of forms.

He was glad to also find Peter and Rhode with them. Although Peter couldn’t be here to help care for Sunday, Tim knew Rhode planned to return to help when Mimi left for Varkiza. Whether or not they were actively involved in the first months of either infants’ life, they’d want and need to know about the plan for little Sunday. 

While everyone knew about the motherless infant, neither Tim nor Artie had mentioned anything else to them so now Tim took a few minutes to update them, let them know he and Artie had already discussed helping the baby as much as possible, asking if they were interested in helping to go into London to spend time with Sunday, talk with her and once she was on bottles and off tube feeding, helping to feed her. Right now, she was too little for anyone who was not a medical professional to pick her up or change her diapers but they could touch her face, rub her back and arms and talk to her. He also said he hoped there was an NICU at the local hospital and that they’d be able to transfer her there when she got a little older. She was too fragile right now but perhaps she could be moved in another week.

All of them agreed, Rhode reminding them of her plan to return when Mimi departed for Greece, and Charlie said he bet Dick Barnes would also want to help. Knowing Rob would also find time, Tim put his name on the list. He’d ask the rest of his housemates, Sophia, Tony and Maggie before he had the forms notarized and sent to D’Arcy. Dad said he’d hunt down an extra bassinet, he was pretty sure Tony and Maggie still had one and possibly a crib while Malu said she’d start gathering what they’d need if Sunday lived with them for a while.

Peter asked if it was possible to talk to the baby by phone, thinking at least she’d be familiar with his voice. Smiling at his father-in-law’s determination to be involved, Tim said he’d check.

By Friday when Quinn and Artemis came home, all the legalities had been taken care of for baby Sunday and Tim and Artemis were now her legal guardians. The Jaxton hospital had a small NICU, with space for the infant. However, the doctors at both hospitals agreed she should stay where she was until she was into her 34th week. As she would be 33 weeks that weekend, that pushed her transfer to the Jaxton Hospital out about 10 days.

Tony, Maggie and Papi Barnes also wanted to help, as did Bill, Nikki and Rob. Nikki said she could alternate between the baby and her brother Eric on her lunch breaks until the baby was transferred, then she would help on weekends or in the evenings. Although Tim thought that would be difficult for both Nikki and Bill, spreading themselves too thin considering how young their own infant Alyssa was as well as being the parents of two children along with their regular visits to brother Erik, he didn't say anything to them, knowing his mother would and she did. Reluctantly, they asked to have their names removed from the list, they'd do their best to help if baby Sunday lived with them while the search for relatives continued. Use of a phone for Pappous Peter to keep in touch was also approved, as long as one of the other approved visitors held the phone.

Working with the medical staff, Tim set up a schedule for the helpers and sent it out. After much consideration, he and Artie also came up with a new name for the infant girl, one they hoped would let her know she’d belonged to them, had been part of a loving family, even if they didn’t end up as her forever family. 

They gave the baby girl the same name as Artie’s paternal grandmother, Katarin, although they changed it a bit, spelling it a little differently with an extra ‘i’, Kaitarin.

That extra letter made the first part of her name Kait and was in honor of Caitlyn Todd, the teammate Tim, Tony and Jethro lost to an assassin’s bullet more than a decade before. The little girl’s middle name, Charlotte, was in honor of three of her foster family: Great-uncle Charlie Camilo, Aunt Charlotte and Tim's great-grandmother Charlotte Baxter.

The baby girl also had a second middle name, Florakis, so her maternal great-grandmother’s family name would be carried on within the Gibbs family or might be with another adoptive family.

Her full name was Kaitarin Charlotte Florakis Gibbs. If it was changed again, well, they’d tried and would write a letter to her older self, explaining that she’d come to live with them when she was first born and what the names meant.

When consulted, D’Arcy McKinna approved, telling Artemis and Tim that anything they had for the baby, anything written, any photos, etc., would be kept in her file with Child Protective Services.

Artie’s paternal grandparents, Galen and Katarin, were thrilled when Artemis and Timόtheos gave their infant son the name Lekkas along with the other family names. While they were a little confused about the infant girl who wasn’t theirs but might be, they were very happy when she was given the name Kaitarin. When their son explained the extra ‘i’ being for a friend of their grandson-in-law Timόtheos' who’d died, they understood and thought that was also lovely.  

While the search went on in the US for the baby girl’s relatives or friends, she was transferred to the Jaxton hospital, which was much easier for her foster family. They fed, changed, burped and cuddled her, talking to her while they were doing so. Artie sang to her while Tim played gently with her, smiling and telling her little stories. Both were able to touch and hold her and felt they were establishing a bond with her. Tim was frequently the one holding the phone while his father-in-law spoke to baby Kaity, reading her a story in Greek.

At home, Quinn was also doing well and the fairly mellow recipient of his family’s love and attention. He and his parents were staying in Nikki and Bill’s former suite on the main level while his paternal grandparents had moved upstairs to the third-floor suite until he was old enough to sleep all night.

They’d had to change their new baby routine as no one wanted to have him sleep upstairs on the third floor during the day unless one of his parents was with him. During the day the little guy usually slept on the first floor with a few naps every week in the nursery upstairs. With one baby in the hospital and the other at home, Tim and Artie had all they could do to spend time with their older children. Part of how they addressed that was having baby Quinn join them for meals and family time. That way they could be with almost everyone.

Artie was also doing well, although it took her longer to recuperate than it had with Ellanne and Jack’s births. After Tim’s paternity leave was finished, he worked from home most of the time, going into London and the office at least one day a week. He’d laughed when Artie worried about his using his entire 12 weeks off while on paternity leave. He had it figured out, in writing and agreed to by Director Vance the week after they learned they were pregnant. Quinn frequently slept in his daddy’s home office while Tim worked. 

This time they were experienced parents and by the time Kaitarin came home from the hospital, if she came home to them, she and Quinn would be 5 weeks old.

The week before Kaity would be discharged, a second bassinet and crib were in place in both the downstairs and upstairs suites, Tim’s office had two portable cribs and more supplies were purchased. Once Kaity had been moved to the Jaxton NICU and Artie was up and around, she visited the hospital during Kaity’s daytime feedings and the baby successfully transitioned to breastfeeding. Courtesy of donors, the little girl had been fed breast milk since she was born although she wasn’t always nursed.  

Finally, the great day arrived and the little girl was brought home. She was now at a sufficient weight for a newborn and had even grown a quarter inch longer. Although no one had anticipated this, the babies’ feeding times quickly evolved so that the infants were fed one right after the other. Not at the same time as the twins had done but with enough time between for Tim to take Quinn through his post-feeding routine while Artie nursed Kaity. In that way, they somehow stumbled through the first few months.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

During those first months of life the infants continued to thrive while the search for Kaity’s relatives continued, with nothing yet discovered.

Strangely, it was Peter Lekkas, Artie and Susannah’s father, who finally uncovered more information about the little girl’s beginnings. Recently promoted from a Lieutenant Colonel (Antisuntagmatarkhēs) to a full Colonel (Suntagmatarkhēs) in the Hellenic Army, one of his new responsibilities was to oversee the locating and retrieval of missing soldiers. When Tim heard about that, he laughed, sharing with his father-in-law several stories of Navy and Marine Unauthorized Absences, that is, UAs, another term for ‘Away Without Leave’ or AWOL, that he, Gibbs, Tony and Ziva had dealt with during their tenure on NCIS's headquarters based MCRT.

Although Peter was of course aware of soldiers being Away Without Leave, he’d never been directly responsible for them and appreciated his son-in-law’s stories. Jethro also added a few, including several that happened while he was an active Marine. Hearing what soldiers got up to, the tricks they played, the lies they told and some of the more understandable, even desperate reasons for going UA or AWOL was helpful and the Colonel resolved to take the 'high road' with any AWOL personnel once recovered. At least until he'd investigated their stories!

It was while his staff was searching for a missing sergeant that Colonel Lekkas, reviewing the man’s file, saw a name that seemed familiar. He wrote it down, believing it to be connected to something personal; he’d ask Rhode about it.

He also thought it was odd that a sergeant, one who had done well and who might have risen further up the ranks of Non-Commissioned Officers was AWOL Further, the man had a college degree, in time he could have been a fully commissioned officer. Looking at the dates, he frowned, concentrating. When he realized why the dates were significant, he almost dismissed them as a random coincidence but instead searched online for the soldier’s name.

As other countries did, the Hellenic Republic allowed citizens of other countries to join their military services. Lekkas knew the sergeant’s name wasn’t of Hellenic, i.e., Greek, origin but along with allowing non-Hellenic citizens to join their military services, the Hellenic Republic also mandated compulsory military service for males who were Greek citizens, even if they lived outside of Greece. Although the AWOL soldier was not a Greek citizen, he was a descendant of a Greek citizen. He'd been invited to volunteer and had responded positively. His time of service would be 6-9 months although he would also have the option of remaining in service.

When Peter saw where the name came from, he sent a text to his oldest daughter, asking for the name of Kaity’s deceased mother. When she replied, his eyebrows rose. He was right, it was the same name and it was Filipino.

Pulling up the missing man’s records again, he saw that he was married and the wife’s name on his records matched the baby’s mother’s name.

Remembering from what Tim told him that she’d been staying in a questionable hotel, he made some notes, outlining what he knew from his job and from his family. Then he called his commanding officer, who was skeptical until he heard the names and dates.

Before the end of his duty shift, Peter was in touch with a detective in London who was dumbfounded and then impressed when he realized how the Greek Colonel had gathered the information, doing some of his own investigating.

With his team of investigators as well as an FBI agent now that they knew the deceased woman was a US citizen, the British detective returned to the hotel where the woman was registered.

The room Mrs. Morin had been staying in was vacant. The hotel had closed permanently as soon as the original investigators had finished their work. Neither the room, the hallway or anything on that floor of the hotel, the 3^rd  floor, had been cleaned nor had anyone stayed or even been in the room since the initial investigation although the owners had fixed the broken security cameras.

Their regard for security was very much after the fact but their intent now was to clean and repair the place so they could sell it at a decent price.

This time, using a different chemical than was usually used to look for blood, the crime scene team found blood spatter all over the room, in the bathroom and closet. Using the same chemical, which is reputed to show blood stains for a longer period of time than the one usually used, they found blood on both sides of the door to the room and in a hallway leading to a fire door. They were also able to take photos of several bloody footprints.

From those footprints they knew there had been more than one person and from the size and shape of the shoe prints, both were probably men. 

They knew they were close as they approached the fire door, they were already smelling decay. With that realization, the team did an about face, returning to their vehicles where they put on hazmat suits with connecting breathing apparatus. Then they returned to the 3^rd floor and the fire door. Before the door was opened they were all breathing with the oxygen apparatus.

What they found on the staircase was barely recognizable as 2 bodies. As baby Sunday was now a month old and they believed the mother had been attacked the same day she gave birth, a month post mortem without the bodies being embalmed meant what was left looked nothing like human beings or any other life form. Not yet skeletal status, there was clothing from which they could hope to retrieve DNA. Incredibly, they found a toenail still intact inside a sock and shoe. From what they believed was a second set of remains, they found a wallet and a passport which they hoped would also have fingerprints.

Quickly retreating from the scene, in great need of fresh air, followed by showers and fresh clothing, they first called in their medical examiner and with agreement from the British team and Directors Vance and Sailes, drafted NCIS's Dr. Jimmy Mallard to work with the British ME. The FBI didn’t have an ME on the island and were pleased when they were able to temporarily add Dr. Mallard to their team.  

When notified by the British detective that they believed they’d found the remains of his missing sergeant who was probably the father of baby Kaitarin, Colonel Lekkas closed his eyes, saying a prayer for the deceased young couple, their infant daughter and her new family.

The investigative team further reported that samples had been taken and kept of the dead woman’s blood and DNA and the newborn had also been swabbed for DNA and her umbilical cord frozen. 

The colonel told the detective that because the sergeant had a rare blood type, the Hellenic Army had his blood plasma frozen for use if he ever needed a transfusion. He’d checked and it was still there, along with a more recent donation, with red blood cells, refrigerated and labeled as the sergeant’s, the plasma taken and frozen six months ago and the red blood cells three days before the sergeant’s disappearance.

Within hours, the case started to unravel. One set of remains, the one with the wallet and passport, belonged to Kaity’s biological father, Sergeant Alonzo Morin, whose maternal grandmother, Phoebe Mikos, had been a native of Greece.

Phoebe married a Filipino man, Jacinto Morin, and had one child, their son Ramon. Ramon married a woman named Noemi and when they in turn had a son, they named him Alonzo.

When Alonzo was 14, he and the school debate team he’d joined were in Manila, the capital of the Republic of the Philippines, competing in a nationwide debate contest. As there were plenty of chaperones, none of his family accompanied him. He was celebrating their victory with his friends, they’d won through to the next level of competition, when they got word that a typhoon had swept through their home island, killing many people, including Alonzo’s entire family, neighbors and friends. Until he was of legal age, 18 in the Philippines, he would be in foster care, a ward of the government.

Identifying Alonzo and his family would eventually be helpful for Kaity; however, no relatives or family of any kind were found for her father. The second set of remains, the owner of the intact toenail, believed to be her mother’s attacker and murderer as well as her father’s killer, was never identified, nor did they ever discover the reason for the attacks and murders.

While they had the DNA from the toenail, nothing in any of the world’s databases matched it. They hung onto it in the hopes that someday there would be some link that would help identify the person to whom the toenail had belonged.

Kaity’s birth mother, Lita Walsh-Ricci Morin, was born in the US to US citizens descended from Filipino, Italian and Irish immigrants. She was orphaned and sent to the Philippines to live with a great-aunt when she was 4 and was orphaned again when she was 10, also finishing her childhood in foster care.

Lita met Alonzo in school and they married as soon as they were legally old enough. They worked their way through college before Alonzo was contacted by the Hellenic Republic about his Greek roots and possible military service in the Hellenic Army. Thinking it would be an adventure, the couple traveled to Greece where Alonzo joined the Hellenic Army, rising in the ranks to become a sergeant.

Now pregnant, when Lita had a chance to interview for a job in her field of study, one that she’d be able to do anywhere, her doctor didn’t want her to fly to the UK for the interview. Instead, she took a ferry from Greece to Bari, Italy, and from there traveled by train to London for the interview. When Tim and Artie later read that, they both grimaced, thinking how difficult that must have been.

Aside from knowing when Alonzo was reported AOL, no one knew anything about what had happened between Lita’s arrival in London, her interview, both were documented, Alonzo’s disappearance from base in Greece and arrival in London, whatever happened in that hotel room, her strange drive through London’s streets, arrival by ambulance at the hospital and her death minutes after their daughter’s birth. While they had pieces of Lita’s phone, they were unable to retrieve any messages or records of calls she might have made. They kept it, hoping future technology would eventually bring them some answers.

Tim wrote it all out, including what the medical examiners had found about the second set of remains, the man who mortally injured Lita and killed Sergeant Alonzo Morin. Some of her injuries had been inflicted by another person as evidenced by the DNA found on her wounds and when that DNA matched the DNA taken from the intact toenail, they’d found her attacker.

The rest of her injuries resulted from the car crash. The Medical Examiners report said that the injuries that killed her came from the attacker, not the car crash.

When Lita’s body and what was left of Alonzo were released, the Gibbs family held a funeral service for the couple at one of the Catholic churches in London, with burial in the cemetery there. The entire Gibbs-Midei-Lekkas-Mallard-Powell clan attended, traveling from Greece, Italy, Scotland and the US.

Colonel Peter wore his uniform as did the soldiers who’d been in Alonzo’s unit and flew to the UK with the Colonel, his family and the Colonel’s commanding officer, courtesy of the Paddington family. The Filipino Ambassador to the United Kingdom also attended, warmly welcomed by the senior and junior Gibbses, Athena Midei, Peter and Rhode Lekkas.

Tim was not surprised when he saw the obstetrician who had delivered Kaity, along with his team as well as several of the NICU staff from both hospitals.

As a whole, the family was touched by the number of Filipinos who attended the service and thanked as many as possible for coming.

When they later sorted the mounds of flowers, they found bouquets from people in London, the Philippines, Greece, from the senior Lekkas’ on Crete, from the team of UK investigators, from the Vance family, from NCIS Headquarters, from each of the NCIS European offices, Secretary Porter, Under-secretary Michelle Leo, FBI Director Sailes, CIA Director McKinley, the US National Child Protective Services with another from D’Arcy and her husband Lloyd, the Porters, the Kings, the Bishops, the Slaters, friends from the homeless shelter the Jamison-Silva family, the junior Gibbses’ vacation rental landlord in Varkiza, Artie’s main contractor and the caretaker of their Greek property, Alan. Later, they also received letters from various children’s organizations of donations made in honor of Lita and Alonzo Morin.

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In the meantime, Lita and Alonzo’s case had gone cold. When Tim and his father were told, they were disappointed although they understood. Their only real hope was that someone related to the attacker would have their DNA tested and added to the databases where it would match the cold case DNA. However, nothing could really bring justice to the murdered couple or their orphaned daughter.

For now, it was the end of the trail. As far as anyone had discovered, Kaity might have been alone in the world if Tim and Artie hadn’t seen her mother on the gurney the day both she and Quinn were born or if D’Arcy McKinna hadn’t contacted them, asking them to act as guardians for the infant.

Lita’s obstetrician and the couple’s physician in Greece sent copies of their records to the investigating teams as well as what both physicians knew about the couple. Letters were also received from the priest at the church the couple had attended along with notes from their neighbors, friends and co-workers, in Alonzo’s case, his fellow soldiers. The more personal letters and notes were copied for the official files with the originals sent to the Gibbses to save for Kaity. Artie and Tim cried when they heard that memorial services had also been held in Athens and in the Philippines.

Tim emailed D’Arcy asking who to contact to ask about any photos, school pictures for instance, of Kaity’s parents or names of school friends who would be willing to share their memories of Lita and Alonzo for their daughter. D’Arcy blind-copied him on a note to someone in Filipino Child Care Services, asking for any photos of Lita Walsh-Ricci Morin and Alonzo Morin to give their daughter as well as any contacts who’d be willing to share their memories for the little girl. At least they knew her parents had found and loved each other, spending several years together.

Photos from the schools were sent to them. Lita’s photos included two from the daycare she’d attended in the US before her parents died and all of her school photos.

Eventually they learned that Alonzo and his parents had lived on a different island, near his maternal grandparents, when he was born and photos of him as a newborn had been found in the files of the doctor who’d delivered him.

That doctor, as many obstetricians do, had photos of every newborn she’d delivered. The good doctor also contacted the pediatrician who’d cared for Alonzo until they’d moved and that doctor also sent photos.

The obstetrician also contacted the church where baby Alonzo had been baptized and two photos of his baptism, one with him being held by his parents, the other in his godmother’s arms, were found, professionally copied and included. Both doctors and the priest also sent written memories of young Alonzo.

Once the mystery was solved, as much as it could be for now, and the search over, Kaity was eligible for adoption and the infant became Kaitarin Charlotte Walsh-Ricci Morin Gibbs before she and Quinn made their first trip to Greece. No one thought it necessary to tell the little girl’s Lekkas great-grandparents that the decision had been made to save Kaity’s birth parents’ surnames rather than that of her adopted great-grandmother, Katarin Florakis.

Years later, when the four older children of Timothy and Artemis heard the story about the name change, the four added the surname Florakis to their own names, greatly pleasing their parents and all of their grandparents.  

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Born the same day to different parents, Kaity and Quinn looked enough alike as babies for people to occasionally ask if they were twins. Sometimes their parents just said yes, especially to strangers. It was easier and as long as the children themselves understood when they were older, it wasn’t anyone else’s business.

Both had dark curly hair and olive toned skin, close to what Jack and Ellanni had. Quinn had green-blue eyes like his father’s while Kaity’s eyes were a mixture of gray and brown.

Once both babies were sleeping through the night their parents were able to catch up, moving the four of them up to their 3^rd floor suite and helping the senior Gibbses return to the main level.  Gradually Tim and Artie returned to their regular selves, leaving their ‘zombie’ selves behind. Tim returned to fulltime work at the office. Although he’d been there at least once a week since the babies were born, he was happy that James was with him on the tube the first week he returned to work fulltime.

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While the five infants, Victoria, Lucy, Alyssa, Quinn and Kaity, born that year, 2015, continued to grow and develop new skills, their family celebrated birthdays and holidays. Lu laughed at herself and Jethro having trouble remembering which grandchild was born in what year. They knew the months of their births but the years of birth occasionally got a little mixed up. And who could blame them with so many wonderful grandchildren!    

Jimmy and Tim had a great time celebrating their one-day-apart birthdays together although Tim was now younger than in previous years. He was still reveling in being younger than his hospital caretakers decided all those years ago. He grinned when several people pointed out that he was celebrating this particular birthday for the 2^nd time.

Knowing that mid-November might be a little too chilly for any outdoor fun, the two birthday men decided to have a pool party. Everyone had a great time in the indoor pool, the children alternating with the adults so everyone had a chance to swim and play in the water.

While Ziva and Brian were unable to join them physically, with Ziva's birthday 2 days before Jimmy's although she was not born the same year as either Jimmy or Tim's true birth year, she, Brian and the rest of the Metzger family joined the Mallard-Camilo-Gibbs family on Skype for a shared meal and celebration, lunch for the New Yorkers and dinner for those in Jaxton.

That was fun as Lu and Julie Metzger, Ziva's mother-in-law, had planned the seating very carefully so that Ziva appeared to be sitting 'across' from Jimmy and Tim. After they ate and  everyone wished them either a "Happy Birthday" or “yom huledet sameach"*, each celebrant opened gifts from their families, followed by treats. In Jaxton, that was cake, made especially for Jimmy's dietary needs and also enjoyed by his co-celebrant, along with ice cream for those who wanted it. In New York, Julie Metzger made one of the family's favorite special treats and Ziva's face lit up when she saw it.

It was a joyful and enjoyable celebration for all three birthday celebrants.

Although the Clachers usually attended parties via Skype, when they heard about the indoor pool party, they took the train down from Edinburgh, it was even chillier in Scotland! Little Alec had a great time playing with his cousins, while his parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles had their own good times playing. They thoroughly enjoyed the dinner party, extended overseas to Ziva's family and then stayed overnight, having breakfast the next morning before catching a train home to Edinburgh.

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As the Clacher family rode to the train station for their trip home, Lu gathered her grown children, telling them that while they were all there, the Barnes-Gibbses had also stayed over, it was time to start planning their annual Thanksgiving feast. The first item was a very quick and unanimous decision to have it catered. They also decided to make a list of specific dishes to go along with the star of the show, the turkey.

After engaging the caterer, the family invited every American they knew in Greater London, along with their Scottish, Greek and British family, to their Thanksgiving feast. This year, they would have 83 people, including their own family members.

On the day of their Thanksgiving celebration, the children, those aged 2 and up, had fun as they had their own table, with Jared, Emily, Pauley and Kayla in charge. The Vance family arrived the Saturday before, with the Director working in the London office Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, taking a few jet-lag 'rests' in Tim's private conference room. When Tim first mentioned the director's plans to Cynthia along with the comment that he could take his jet lag naps in the conference room, both of them chuckled, remembering their first conversation about that room. 

The younger babies stayed with their parents and grandparents, sleeping on and off through most of the holiday dinner. Lucy and Victoria, the two eldest of the infants were the only ones who showed any interest. They had fun practicing their sounds, which were beginning to sound a lot like words, playing with the spoons and having little bites of this or that.

Liam’s December birthday was next and he thoroughly enjoyed his parties, first with his friends followed the next Saturday by his family party with his Greek and US based family attending via Skype.

The day after his family birthday celebration also marked the kick-off for the Christmas season for his immediate family as well as the rest of the Jaxton household and the London family.

While Tim and Artie had been dreading what they were afraid would be their last Christmas ‘at home’ in Jaxton for a few years, they were also looking forward to Quinn and Kaity’s very first Christmas, planning to take many photos. As the two children grew up, they’d know they’d spent their first Thanksgiving and Christmas at home in Jaxton.

Now that their time in Southern California would be shorter than originally planned they were fairly relaxed although truth be told neither Tim nor Artie were looking forward to moving at all!

Artie shook her head, laughing, when Tim reminded her of their 16 months on the move with his training sessions, when their older twins, then their only children, were not yet 3 years old. Thinking about those days, she smiled, “Actually, I enjoyed living in those places, Varkiza, Ducky’s home in Georgetown and of course New Mexico. I loved the explorations we were able to do in the Southwest, especially our time in the mountains at Ruidoso and visiting Taos, Santa Fe and Albuquerque.” She hugged her husband, “We’ll also enjoy San Diego, it’s the trials and the actual move there that we’re dreading. Be thankful we don’t have to do everything ourselves, that the agency pays for professional moves! “ She paused, “Will we have the same movers again?”

Chuckling, he nodded, “Yes. They were very helpful and professional. Don’t forget they also packed up Grandpa’s Stillwater house, moving what he wasn’t taking into storage.”

Smiling, she remembered her father-in-law calling Tim while they were on holiday on the Suffolk coast, asking for the contact information for that same company. She shook her head, “For a while they were our family movers.”

“And they will be again, at least for this round-trip!”

When she didn’t reply, Tim noticed she was deep in thought, looking sad. Wondering if she was thinking about the same thing he was, he gently tapped her chin, “Wishing we could get home to Varkiza for a few days before we leave for the States?”

She nodded with a rueful smile, “Yes, I am. I hate the thought of missing our Greek Christmas celebration.”

He grinned, “Good, because we’re not. It was supposed to be a surprise but I don’t want you to be sad, so SURPRISE!! We’re going to Varkiza over New Year’s weekend and we’ll have our Greek Christmas celebration on Sunday. It’ll be early, the 6^th isn’t until Wednesday but everyone agrees it’s more important to celebrate together than to stick to the actual date for the Epiphany.

“Friday is January 1st, 2016, New Year’s Day, and Monday the 4^th is a holiday for the children so they won’t miss any school. Dad and Leon are hosting brunch at our favorite café in Jaxton for the former MCRT team at 10:30 New Year’s Day and we’ll head out to Varkiza on one of the Paddington jets afterwards. The Clachers, the Caras, including the cousins, the Costas, Sophia and Dick, my grandfathers, Jimmy and his family, Geo and his family, Uncles LJ and Charlie and my folks are joining us. The Vances are thinking about it although if they do go, they may ‘housesit’ for the Russells for a couple of days. They have a key, the neighbors know them and best of all, there’s a climate control dome over the pool.  They won’t see Pete and Trina at all as they’re not returning from the States until Tuesday. Unless the Vances stay longer than they planned.” He shook his head, “That’s up to them!”

Continuing, he added, “I’m not sure yet if Ana and her children will be able to join us, Malu and Yaya are working with Ana. I’ve reserved our usual vacation house for us and told Yaya that you and I would pay either for their airfare or for wherever they stay. Or both, if it comes to that. I found a flight that gets into Athens around the same time we will and sent the information to Yaya. If they are able to get on the same flights as Gaia, Theo and the twins, roundtrip, then they’ll be eligible for a group discount on both flights. And they’ll be home in time to celebrate the Epiphany with Ana’s family.

“Our vacation rental landlord referred me to another vacation rental that has enough space for them. As that owner has a very generous cancellation policy, a full refund, if prepaid, up to 6 hours prior to arrival, I reserved it and paid for them and let Malu and Yaya know.

“Jimmy and Breena, Geo and Bec believe it will be a great way for their kids to learn more about Athens and Greek culture since we won’t be hanging out on the beach all day!” He laughed, “And they’ll be warm for a few days! We’ll fly home Monday morning, gaining back the 2 hours we lose on the way over, so there will be plenty of time to unpack, rest and get ready for school and work on Tuesday.”

“Oh, Tim, this is wonderful, I can’t wait! Thank you, my love!”  

His grin grew wider as she pulled him towards her showing her happiness and gratitude.

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Yaya later told Tim that Ana cried when told of the possibility of a group discount on their flights and of the already-paid-for rental home. Uncle Theo Caras, hearing from his mother-in-law about the possibility of Ana and her children joining them for Christmas, went online, changed his family’s flight reservations to include Ana and family and smiled happily as the price was significantly reduced when the group discount was applied.

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While plans for the trip to Greece were evolving, preparations for the western Christmas holiday were already underway at the townhouse in London and the country manor in Jaxton.

In Jaxton, two large, fresh wreaths were hung on the double doors that opened to the foyer of the house. While the fresh wreaths were admired, with the known health problems, ranging from mild allergies to the possibility of far more dangerous consequences, of some of the residents along with the babies, all the suites and rooms on all three floors, those already occupied and those that would be occupied during the Christmas holiday, had artificial wreaths.

The wreaths had been made with love by Uncle Charlie, who had frequently assisted his late wife in the creation and marketing of artificial wreaths, with help from Lu, Edie Powell, Maggie and Artemis. They were as lovely as the fresh wreaths without the risk of discomforting or endangering any of the residents.

Once Liam was asleep after his family birthday party his father, grandfather, great-grandfathers and uncles donned jackets, caps and work gloves and, grinning at each other, walked out to a storage room tucked at the back of the garage. There they pulled out a huge and somewhat heavy canvas bag with a pointed top, setting it close to the door.

After that the men started pulling out boxes and bags of ornaments and Christmas décor. Placing each box or bag close to the door, when they were sure they had everything they sprayed the bags to remove dust and anything else that had attached itself since the items were stored after the Greek Christmas the previous January.

The last tasks had been dreaded every year until the men collectively realized they could pay someone to deal with them, that is, putting up the house and outdoor tree lights.

Now they smiled at each other, their outdoor light installers had already been hired and would put the lights up during the week. When they first moved to Jaxton, Tim added solar chargers for the lights and now he sorted them. With the changeable weather on the island, he also used battery and electrical backups and those were sorted as well, along with the timers, one for the house lights, one for the tree lights, for both the indoor tree and the outdoor trees.

The huge tree in its canvas bag entered the house first, followed by many boxes of holiday decorations. Some were homemade, others were purchased although handmade, many were discovered during trips to various places and others were treasured family heirlooms. Some of those were made by the grandchildren or handed down, gifted from various branches of the family, the Baxters, Gibbses, LJ’s family the Moores as well as Lu and Charlie’s older brothers, sorted through their stash, adding many of their treasured ornaments and decorations to the Jaxton house Christmas tree.

This year, Joe and Charlotte were also thrilled to add several heirloom ornaments given them by Joe’s Swiss grandmother. Charlotte took on the task of taking a photo of each heirloom ornament, whether from the Maier family or one of the other branches of the family and documenting the history and place within the large family.

As the group prepared to decorate the tree, they chuckled at the ever-growing number of  personalized ‘First Christmas’ ornaments, each one naming the specific grandchild. They’d started that in 2010 with Tim and Artie’s twins, added Liam and Chloe when they joined the family as well as the other children who joined the family that same year, 2013, and since then. It didn’t matter if they were newborns or Brian and Mia’s age when they joined the family, whether they were fosters, adoptees or born into the family. Each child who joined the family had a ‘First Christmas’ ornament.

This year, of course, there were seven new ‘First Christmas’ ornaments, for Brian, Mia, who last year had missed Christmas in Virginia by a few days, Lucy, Victoria, Alyssa, Quinn and Kaity. If Joe and Char’s to-be-adopted-child, the baby boy expected in early January, was born before Christmas, he too would have his own 1^st Christmas ornament this year. Lu had already purchased the ornament and would add the baby’s name when he was born.

With the addition of so many grandchildren to the family, the list of those waiting to put the tree topper, the star, on the tree had grown considerably. Although they were still working through Lu and Jethro’s adult children, the list of grandchildren waiting their turn was now so long that they were considering doubling up each year. Otherwise, the children born this year as well as any other children who joined them in the future might be adults before it was their turn! There were three ideas they were considering: to add an additional tree or to pair the next in line eldest grandchild with one of the younger ones, preferably not until the younger one was at least two years old although three would be better. And that plenty of photos were taken so the younger children would have proof they'd had their turns! A third idea was to rotate the placing of the star between the adult children and the children eligible through the second idea. That was the current favorite, seeming the most fair to the children and the adults.

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As had become their tradition, the parents of the Camilo-Gibbs’ grandchildren kept a rolling list of Christmas-related activities in London, Jaxton and nearby towns, adding new fun things and keeping track of those already experienced.

This year was no different and the grandchildren, from the youngest children eligible, more than 4 months old, to participate, that is Lucy Powell, Victoria Mallard and Bill and Nikki’s new daughter Alyssa as well as Geo and Bec’s foster children Brian and Mia would each experience age-appropriate holiday activities. Quinn and Kaity would experience their first activities for the holiday the following year, along with Jose and Char's expected adoptive child and any other children joining the family who would be older than 4 months in December, 2016.

The children had a wonderful time with their various activities, joined by their Barnes-Gibbs and Clacher cousins. In truth, their parents enjoyed the holiday fun just as much as the children, especially those who’d grown up on the streets of Baltimore.

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As usual, the initial session of opening presents on Christmas morning was a mixture of chaos, delight and laughter, along with huge piles of wrapping paper and gift bags, carefully set away from the various stashes of gifts. While Quinn and Kaity made an appearance, they stuck to their daytime sleep routine, waking long enough to have their ‘First Christmas’ photo taken, along with a later visit. Alyssa spent more time with their family, intrigued by the lights, the sounds that gift wrapping makes when it’s crunched and her fellow babies. Victoria and Lucy, while a little startled by all the extra noise, had fun ‘playing’ with their adults and cousins. They were also intrigued by the lights and made happy noises at their three younger cousins. When all five babies were awake at the same time, photos were taken of them together.

The Vance family, along with Ziva, her husband Brian and Larry and Cyndie Porter, had arrived a few days before and were having a wonderful time, laughing at the children, those who were legitimately young and those who let their inner child out on Christmas, otherwise known as the Gibbses’ adult children. Nikki, Jimmy and James hadn’t been certain about protocol with the director on site but when Tim and most of his brothers showed up in their jammies, robes and slippers, as excited as the actual children, they stopped worrying.

Now that most of the family would also be together for their Greek Christmas, the Clachers had decided to stay home Christmas Day, joining the Jaxton-London family via Skype later in the day.

The senior Powells were in attendance, they’d only returned home to Castleton for brief visits since their granddaughter was born. Ducky and Athena were also in attendance, neither wanting to miss the first Christmases for Ducky's newest grandchild, Victoria, as well as Alyssa, Lucy and their two mutual great-grandbabies! They had a wonderful day, along with their fellow great-grandparents Jackson, Mac, with Uncle LJ, Papi Barnes, Uncle Charlie and of course Grama and Poppy. They spent the day enjoying the antics of their grown grandchildren as well as the littles.

The Baxters and Kings called in the afternoon to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. As Tricia had spent much of the year in Europe, she’d flown home for Thanksgiving, staying for Christmas. While Charlie was invited to spend the holidays with her and her family, he couldn’t bear to leave his own family, promising to join Tricia after the holidays. Tricia understood, looking forward to the winter-long stay she, Charlie and her father would have at the new San Diego place. When her kids visited them there, they’d have time to become better acquainted with Charlie.

Breena was surprised and relieved when her parents, sisters, niece, nephew and brothers-in-law called late in the afternoon, speaking to Breena, the children and Jimmy! She thanked Lu afterward. Smiling, Malu pulled her in for a hug and kiss, telling her that Jethro had also been involved. She didn't think it necessary to tell her the rest of the story, that Jethro had called Ed, Breena's father, telling him that he expected Breena, Jimmy and the children to have a loving and respectful holiday call from Ed and Ginny on Christmas Day, also telling him what time they should call.

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Ch 44: Welcome to 2016!

After their usual chaotically fun Jaxton Christmas, Tim and his former teammates and coworkers, some of whom were still his coworkers, ‘Boss’ Gibbs, Tony, Ziva, Abby, Jimmy, Ducky, Nikki, Cynthia Sumner Dalton and Director Vance had a great time at their annual reunion brunch.

Later that day, Tim was surprised and happy when his brothers, sisters and their families joined them on their flight to Greece for their early celebration of the Greek family’s traditional Christmas.

While some of them had joined in the celebration in previous years, in this new year, 2016, everyone was there including Barry, Ned, their girls as well as Ned’s grandmother, who was a total surprise! Ned, the girls and Barry had flown home to Marseilles two days after Christmas and now they laughed as they told those in the family who hadn’t known that Margaret had already been on the Paddington flight they took from London to Marseilles!

While she’d visited during the past year, at the time she found she wasn’t quite ready to permanently leave her home in Arizona. She’d spent Christmas Day with neighbors and friends at the senior housing complex outside Phoenix, Arizona, and that was enough for her, now she was ready to leave, to move forward. The house was sold, she’d rented it back for several weeks, everything was now sorted and packed, she kept what she wanted, shipping it along with some of her furniture to her new home with Ned, Barry and the girls in Marseilles, said heartfelt goodbyes to everyone, inviting them to visit her in France, Greece or the UK and was now looking forward to her new life, including her grandson-in-law’s large family.

She smiled happily at the newest arrivals, still excited to be back in Greece and to celebrate another Christmas with her family and new friends! She knew Walt would be happy for her, he’d been enthusiastic about moving to Europe, at the very least it would save the money they’d been spending on transatlantic cruises! He’d also expressed happiness that there was a good mix of people in the family, from them as the elders all the way down to the babies who appeared nearly every year!

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Leon later pulled Tim aside to let him know that Ned had contacted him for permission to join the group and that Roger Martinez, one of the previous SSAs for the Marseilles NCIS office, would again lead the office during Ned’s absence. Tim nodded with a smile, he trusted Ned and found a message on his phone from Roger after landing in Athens.

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With the surprises, the new arrivals were even more enthusiastic than usual and it was some time before the luggage was sorted, everyone had been through the appropriate Customs screening, and, amid much laughter, the group climbed aboard the buses Tony had arranged, with help from Colonel Peter, to get all of them to their various rentals in Varkiza. If anyone wanted rental vehicles of their own, they could arrange for them to be delivered to their rental dwelling in Varkiza. It was a lot easier that way!

Artie and Tim were further pleased that Ned and his family had been invited to stay with Yaya and Grandfa in their home. The Clachers, who usually stayed there, would instead stay in a vacation rental near Tim and Artie. The children were excited as it meant they’d see more of their cousin Alec. Their parents were also excited as they’d see more of all the Clachers!

It was fun to have everyone there for an extra visit, buoying the spirits of those dreading the looming removal of some of the Jaxton family to California.

Although the trial schedules would bring the family home earlier than expected, after his impulsive chat with Tim, Leon realized he would still be needed as the SAC for Marine Corps West (MCW) months before those trials relevant to Tim would start.

Neither Tim, Artie or his parents were surprised when the director called before leaving the US for their Christmas holidays, apologizing. While the returned-from -retirement SAC was doing a good job at MCW, Leon still felt it important for Tim’s future that he hold an SAC position in the US.

When Tim wondered aloud to his boss if he shouldn’t stay longer once the trials were over so that the current, albeit also temporary, SAC of the San Diego/Southwest Office, Mac McDonald, could return to his own office, Marine Corps West, Leon nearly ground his teeth before realizing what that would mean and smiled.

“Hmm, that was the original plan, wasn’t it? With the months at MCW, beginning in February this year, if you then move over to the Southwest office in January of 2017, after you return from your Christmas holidays in Europe and then stay in California until the following December, that will give you the experience you need. And I also believe it will be good timing for the agent I’d like to have assume the SAC spot in San Diego when you move home.

“And if we do that, then Mac will be able to return to MCW.”

Tim nodded, “We originally had this all mapped out, as far as the timing.”

Leon chuckled, “I’m assuming you included the children’s school vacations?”

Tim grinned, “We did, yes. They’ll be out earlier than they would be here so we’ll spend a few extra weeks in Europe both summers. We want to visit Italy as well as the UK and Greece, depending on where the reunion is.”

“All right, then let’s say you’ll make the move in early February of 2016 and return home in December of 2017. Does that work for the family?”

“Yes, that gives us nearly 2 years in the US.”

“And I’m sure many visitors during the winters.”

“We’re counting on it! We know who will be relocating with us, and we have plenty of room for anyone else who might want to pop in for a long weekend, or a week.”

“Thanks, I would rather visit the Southern California offices during the East Coast winters. Crossing our fingers that there will be little to no fire danger and if we want snow, we can drive up to the mountains.”

“Add in a visit to Pearl and it sounds perfect!”

Leon laughed out loud at Tim’s idea. “So, when are you going?”

“Either the school holiday in February of 2017 or Easter/Spring Break, either in 2016 or 2017. Probably not to Pearl, though. Although if we fly in there, we could spend a day and night, I’d love to see Pearl Harbor and the memorials. Anyway, for most of that vacation, we’re thinking the island of Kaua’i is where we’ll be. We’ve done some research and find it has a lot to offer for people of all ages, especially if we go for the children’s Spring Break either year. The prices drop a bit and the ocean will be a little warmer. With having just moved in ’16, we might visit Hawai’i in 2017. Or maybe we’ll need another trip home by then and spend a few days in Jaxton and Varkiza.”

“Let me know so I can schedule a visit to Pearl while you’re there and we’ll join you for a few days. Kaua’i is a beautiful island, they’re all beautiful, and you’re right, there is a lot to see and do! Jackie and I have been to Kaua’i twice. The first time we went by ourselves and the second time we took the children who were then about Liam and Chloe’s current ages. It’s a great place for both honeymooners and families! If you want to see more of the island than whatever is close to your hotel, you’ll need to rent vehicles and…” Leon chuckled, “Let’s talk about it closer to your actual trip!”

“Thank you! We have decisions to make as well as a lot of sorting and packing to do before then!”

Chapter Text

Ch 45: Echoes of “Leaving On a Jet Plane” 

As the weeks after their holiday celebrations felt like they were disappearing in minutes rather than days, Tim and Artie reminded each other many times while sorting and packing that they had agreed to this, they’d said yes when they could have very well have said no.

Tim rolled his eyes at himself for even thinking he needed to work in an NCIS office in the US. Wasn’t having homes, with the children changing schools mid-year (again!) in 2 countries enough? Why were they doing this? They weren’t financially dependent on Tim’s salary or benefits! Why were they leaving when they had another home to build in Greece, on the top of a mountain overlooking the Mediterranean? And most of their family and friends were here in Europe?

Further, although Tim had agreed to take on an Assistant Director position, he was still adamant that he did not want to take the director’s job when Leon retired.  

They finally found a few notes they’d written months earlier about their decisions and, sighing, agreed that once they’d found a safe school for their children and a big enough place for the family, even large enough for most of the entire group of families, to live, their sense of challenge and adventure had kicked in.

Although she hadn’t mentioned it to anyone but her husband, just as he nearly always felt compelled to rise to a challenge, once Artie was presented with a challenge it was also very difficult for her to ignore or refuse to meet it.

When she said as much to Tim, he howled with laughter. He’d known that about her since their days at MIT and when he told her that, she grimaced, threw a pillow at him and then sat down, laughing with him.

The truth was that, challenge or not, both had enjoyed living in northern California before and after the first babies were born and even though the winters had been mild the years they lived in their sublet townhome on the property of Stanford University, at the time they wrote the notes they had been looking forward to warmer winters and year-round beach combing. Even the fairly recent memories of the volcano erupting in the Pacific, causing deadly earthquakes and tsunamis and the out-of-season hurricane hadn’t changed their minds. 

While discussing their reasons they continued packing and sorting, consulting with the senior Gibbses, who agreed with their proposals as to what furniture in the common areas of the Jaxton house would stay or go with them.

Most of it would stay, only a few items would be moved to their new home along with their suite or bedroom furniture. While originally they had doubts, knowing they could use the items stored in the back of the garage at the new place relieved those doubts.

With Bill, Nikki and their family, along with Geo, Bec and their family all joining the temporary exodus, the likelihood of those stored items needing repairs actually being repaired was now more likely to happen. While Jethro would have done his best, working with his son Bill the carpenter would be a joy as well as a relief! Although Geordie was not a carpenter, he and Tim could also be relied upon to help and Brian had already expressed interest in helping. When Aria and Mia also showed interest, Jethro smiled happily, loving the idea of working not only with his kids but also some of his grandkids!

Although Geordie and Bec had been enthusiastic about the move from the start, it was still a relief when each signed a contract to teach university courses in San Diego. Both professors were even happier when they learned their class schedules were close to what Tim’s had been at Stanford all those years ago, 3 days a week, with office hours on the other days. Their classes would start at 9:00 AM, which meant that while they wouldn’t be able to take their children to school, they would at least see them in the mornings before they left for work. To their relief, they also discovered they could take the train to and from work. Their schedules would run straight through most of the afternoon, with a quick break for lunch. That meant they could live with the family and see Brian, Mia and Aria in the mornings and then spend late afternoons and evenings with the children.

Rob was another sibling ready for what Tim and Artie were now calling the “California Adventure”, having already accepted a position at one of the hospitals in the area. His family nodded when he told them one night at dinner that he probably wouldn’t live with them full-time, he’d get his own place near his new employer but would visit as often as possible, much as he had done here in Jaxton.

Saying that, speaking of his visits to Jaxton in the past tense, stopped everyone.

After a brief and uncomfortable silence, with Tim having to pull himself away from the guilt that threatened to engulf him, guilt that they were leaving people behind, people who felt they couldn’t leave, Jethro cleared his throat. “It’s not forever and each of us has chosen to go or not go with Tim and Artie, none of us are being forced, and we’ll see each other weekly on Skype, we’ve all agreed to that!”

The family nodded sadly and Malu shook her head, “And we’ll visit over here, with the children’s schools getting out earlier and Tim still having his 12 weeks off, we’ll spend more time over here during the summers and you all will visit over there. We’ll spend Christmas together, one year here, one year there. And if the California Christmas is this year, 2016, that will be a good thing for all of us.” She grinned, “Just think, we might be able to wade in the Pacific Ocean on Christmas Day!”

That broke through everyone’s sadness as they smiled at the idea of wading in the ocean in December.

Tony pretended to look thoughtful before saying, “If we had the California Christmas right before you move home then we could bring things home for you. Small items would be all right, or things like your artwork, as long as it’s packed properly.”

Nodding, Tim looked at Geo and Rob, “It’s not our stuff, Tony, remember that Nikki and I are transfers, it’s Mom and Dad’s, Geo and Bec’s and Rob’s and whoever else is with us. We’ll work something out, don’t worry!”

Jethro nodded, “I think we did that when we moved over here.”

Artie, Maggie and Lu looked at each other, laughing, Lu saying “That was easy although we didn’t think so at the time! As Tim leased the townhouse furnished, they only had the babies’ furniture, their bed, their clothes, the big TV and their kitchen things. Jethro and I, along with Tony and Maggie, had most of the furniture. It worked out all right and Artie and Tim had a great time shopping for furniture for this place!”

Still remembering their extravagant day of furniture shopping 5 years ago, the younger couple chuckled, that had a been a fun as well as an eye-opening day, their first real splurge since winning at Tahoe on Tony and Maggie’s wedding day!

Artie grinned, “Where do you think all the folding chairs and floor lamps came from?”

Everyone laughed at that, over the years the seemingly ever-increasing number of folding chairs and floor lamps had evolved into a family joke, estimating how many they had and who had them.

When Fiona Clacher, who lived in Scotland, confessed that they had two floor lamps she thought they’d borrowed from the Gibbses but couldn’t remember how they were transported from Jaxton to Edinburgh, that started a long-running and ever changing joke about walking into someone’s home or office, someone not necessarily connected to the family, and finding some of their floor lamps or folding chairs. Geo had even worked it into the long running family joke about new friends or acquaintances quickly becoming part of the family.

Indeed, Rob’s first flat-mate, who had somehow avoided or perhaps merely delayed becoming part of the family, still had a Gibbs’ owned lamp and folding chair. As he was still in the flat Rob had once shared with him, no one was worried about retrieving either item. When Rob moved out, he took the table and chairs (non-folding), nightstand, bookcases and coat rack that Dad or Bill made for him and those would now be moved to the US, along with the bed frame also built by his father and brother.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Despite the mixed feelings about splitting up the family, even though it would be short-term or perhaps because of it, everyone pitched in to help with the last of the sorting and packing before the movers arrived.

Given the choice of celebrating their 6th birthdays in Jaxton or waiting until they were in their new, albeit temporary, home, Jackson and Ellanni chose to celebrate in Jaxton, wanting to include all their cousins and friends, their Jaxton schoolmates as well as their schoolmates from the International School they'd been attending since September. They also wanted as much of their family as possible, believing they wouldn't see Mimi, Granducky, their Pappous Peter, Yaya Rhode, Yaya Sophia, their aunts, uncles or cousins in person until the following summer, which quite naturally seemed a lifetime away to the children. They'd celebrated Ava's birthday during their Greek Christmas trip to Varkiza in January and now the twins wanted the same thing, to have everyone they loved with them for their birthdays.

It took quite a bit of rescheduling and organizing but everyone pulled together and Tony was happy to help with the travel arrangements, scheduling a flight that originated in Thessaloniki, Greece, flying to Athens, then to Naples, Italy, then to Marseilles, France and continuing to London. The Edinburgh family took the train to Jaxton and would fly home via Air Paddington.

Both parties, occurring the weekend before the twins' actual birthday were a huge success, the children very happy to spend time with their friends as well as their family. It was perhaps a sign of what was happening and how people were feeling that the number of photos taken at both parties far surpassed any other holiday or celebration they'd spent together in the years since the greater family first came together at Tim and Artie's wedding 7 years before.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

On the day the movers would take everything to be shipped, Jethro noting that it was a chilly but clear winter day, Tim, Artie, Geo and Bec on the third floor as well as the rest of the travelers were up at first light checking closets, the cabinets and closets in the bathrooms, leaving bath and shower supplies, face cloths and enough towels for their families. While the furniture they were taking would leave today, the travelers weren’t leaving until the following day, sleeping that night on the first floor in furnished rooms. They had already packed their suitcases, making sure to include warm clothing and footwear for a stop on the East Coast.

In California, their caretaker Paul Lewis would be on hand to direct the placement of the rental furniture they’d need until their own belongings arrived. When they’d Skyped with him recently, he gave them a brief tour of the downstairs, surprising them with a few items in the lounge/living area that he’d repaired or refurbished from the storage areas in the back of the garage.

Then he took his tablet down the hall with the first floor suites and rooms. The various watchers smiled happily as they saw the names of those who planned to live on the first floor neatly written on signs, also including a list of what rental furniture would be needed, attached to the doors of the rooms or suites they’d selected.

Tim and Artie had decided to take the largest suite downstairs, which was also the farthest from the others. When they’d viewed it during their tour the previous February, Lu remarked that it seemed more like a penthouse suite with the size, the amenities and the distance from the other rooms.

With 5 bedrooms and 3 ½ bathrooms, Tim and his family would be comfortable there until Quinn and Kaity were sleeping through the night. While the two were now regularly sleeping 3 hours at a time at night without waking to be fed, their parents thought they might slip back a little with the move. Considering how young they were, that wouldn't be surprising.

Jethro, Lu and the older men would be downstairs with them but as the elders couldn’t hear much once they removed their hearing aids, the babies waking them wasn’t a worry. The senior Gibbses said they had a ‘white noise’ machine that would help and that for now they would sleep in their suite’s smaller bedroom which would be farther from the babies’ room.  

Tim and Artie, wincing at each other, made a silent decision to continue having the twins’ bassinets in the master bedroom until they were routinely sleeping through the night. During the day, they'd sleep in their cribs in one of the bedrooms.

Tim also remembered he’d ordered two ‘white noise’ machines for the children’s rooms. When he asked, Mr. Lewis nodded with a smile, “Yes, they arrived a few days after you emailed me. I hope you don’t mind but I decided to unpack and test each one, they work as designed. With the length of your flights and the stress of moving, everything going on, I thought it would be one less thing to deal with when you arrived.”

“Thank you, that’s very kind of you!”

Deciding to pass on looking at the rest of the first floor, Mr. Lewis took his tablet upstairs.

The family already knew the kitchen appliances had been cleaned, tested, installed and tested again, the bookshelves and tables in their future library had been cleaned, the entire building had been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. As long as they had beds to sleep in, chairs to sit in and tables to gather around, they’d be fine until their belongings arrived.

Mr. Lewis took the elevator upstairs to show those who would live upstairs the signs he’d made for the rooms and suites they’d selected as well as the list of what rental furniture would be needed in which room or suite.

His audience was impressed and grateful for the help, teasing that for their first night they’d planned on just finding rooms with the right number of beds and crashing in them. This would be much better!

Jethro shook his head at his kids, “No teasing! Paul, we’re actually stopping on the East Coast for a couple of days to visit our family there and give us time to breathe some fresh air, get some exercise, start our jet lag routine and practice American English, especially for most of the children who’ve never lived in the US or were infants when we left there. Brian and Mia have only been away for a year or so and they’ve been working with their cousins, parents and the rest of us to make the transition from British English back to American English.”  

Chuckling, Bill shook his head, “I don’t know, it took two years for most of us to remember to say the word garage as pronounced correctly here. Our family language experts, Nikki, Barry, Artemis, Tony and Geo, agree that the transition is sometimes easier when objects or actions are entirely different words or phrases in other languages.”

Mr. Lewis smiled, “Maybe I’d better start learning some key British English words and phrases!”

Rob shook his head, “Great idea but you’ve just given us a challenge! That is to put together a list of words and phrases frequently in use here and the closest American words and phrases.”

His older siblings looked at him, smirking, with Tony saying, “Thanks for volunteering, little brother!”

Making a face, James reached over to pat his shoulder, “I’ll help you with that, Rob. Sarah and I used to have a list we made of things I said she needed translated and vice versa. I’m sure we still have it.”

The Clachers, watching from their homes in Edinburgh, chuckled with Ian adding, “You may not have noticed but all of us also use Scottish, that is Gaelic, Greek, Italian and French words and phrases! Last summer I heard one of our children, no names, ask a question in sentences that included Greek, Italian, and French words and when told the answer, exclaimed happily in either German or Dutch, I wasn’t sure which!”

Everyone in Europe watching on Skype nodded as they laughed at the truth of that.

The caretaker shrugged with a smile, “I'll have fun learning those words and anything else that’s different!”

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

After that call, the children had been excused from the table, the four adult Powells, two junior Mallards and the older babies Lucy and Victoria leading the way to the media room.

Once they left the table, the Jaxton residents, that night also including the Londoners, sat in silence around the dining table with its many leaves, enough to accommodate the London, Jaxton and Edinburgh family. As the Tain-based Mallard cousins had never visited Jaxton ‘en masse’, Bill and Jethro hadn’t enlarged the table any further.

However, that was a project they planned for their time in the US where they could work in their double workshop all year long.

Hearing the door to the media room close, everyone still at the table relaxed a bit although every single one of them sighed.

Forcing himself to be positive, Tim looked around the table,  “So has everyone got their things at least sorted? Remember we’ll need our winter clothes for our break in Virginia. Artie and I are bringing our snow gear and toys on the jet with us, the saucers, sleds and cross country skis. We may not have time to visit Dad’s hill but we can build snow people in the back garden,” pausing, he shook his head, correcting himself, “I mean on the grounds of the Arlington house and we hope to drive into the mountains east of San Diego for more snow fun once we get settled.”

Seeing a few faces lighten up, he noticed his mother was actually smiling.

Lu looked around the table, “You know, as often as we’ve rented the place, even having Tim’s swearing-in ceremony and Ziva and Brian’s wedding there, I bet the owner wouldn’t mind if we build our snow family on the property! I’ll ask Annie O’Brien.” She looked at Tim, “Jim hasn’t retired, has he?”

Her husband, son and daughter-in-law Nikki shook their heads, Nikki saying, “I spoke with him a couple of weeks ago, he’s still aboard the Navy Yard full-time.”

Jethro added, “They’re not planning to retire for a few more years. They want to make their first retirement trip over here, where they’ll know people.”

Artie smiled, “Good! If they wait until our property is finished, they can stay with us both here and in Greece! Between all of us, they may need several months to truly experience our various homes!"

Talking about people they knew visiting them here in the not so distant future cheered everyone and they soon had the table cleared and the kitchen cleaned while the dishwasher hummed along doing its thing.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

The day after the items to be shipped had been picked up, the group laughed as the now ubiquitous full-sized bus backed up into the long driveway. The driver had driven this crowd before and knew it would be easier to leave moving forward rather than backing out.

With no precipitation forecast, the travelers had been bringing their luggage, boxes, snow gear and bits outside where Jethro, Geordie, Brian, Tim and Uncle Charlie checked for the tags, keeping a list of the larger items, especially the boxes with Jethro and Bill’s tools!

Within an hour, everything was loaded in the luggage compartments, checked off the list and the group started to climb aboard, making sure they had everyone expected.

When a few other people joined them, nearly everyone was surprised. Sarah grinned as she, James, Lucy, and James’ parents joined the crowd. Edie Powell laughed, saying, “We’re going with you for two weeks, we’ve been on most of the family adventures and couldn’t stand the thought of missing this one, or having to wait to see the new place with everyone in it!” She looked over her shoulder, “And we aren’t the only ones!”

There were more happy noises as the junior Mallards, that is Jimmy, Breena, Donny and baby Victoria, appeared. They grinned, Jimmy saying that they wanted a winter break and San Diego was as good a place to take it as anywhere else!

Their welcome was quieting down when Artie cried out joyfully as her sister Susannah’s family including her in-laws, hurried from the taxi they’d taken from the train station. Stopping to give the bus driver their suitcases, they climbed aboard, grinning as the group warmly welcomed them.

They cheered again when they boarded the jet to find Athena and Ducky, Nik, Sergio and their girls and the only surprise Tim had known about before today, Barry, Ned, their girls and Margaret Dorneget.

Jethro looked at the group, “Where are Peter, Rhode, Gaia,Theo and the twins? And who is staying at the house?”

Athena smiled a little sadly, "Unfortunately, Gaia and Theo were called back to their current project earlier than planned while Cassie and Matthaios have returned to their classes. And Peter was unable to take more than a few days off, it would not have been much more than one day in Virginia with two days basically spent flying back and forth across the Atlantic. All six will Skype with us when we reach California and Peter and Rhode will plan to visit for whichever Christmas we celebrate in America."

Tim chuckled, “We'll miss them but look forward to showing them the place. Dad, Cynthia and her family are staying at the house! Their kids are also off school and they’re very excited about swimming indoors and playing in the snow in the back garden. That’s pretty strange though, as we didn’t realize they’d be the only ones here!”

From somewhere behind him, Bill called out, “Tim, Nikki told Cynthia, so they knew ahead of time. They aren’t worried, it hasn’t been that long since they stayed before, they know the tenants and the nursery staff and they have Nigel and Emma’s contact information.”

Tony added, “Emma’s hoping they’ll join them in London to see that new children’s play. Maggie also spoke with Cynthia, telling her to feel free to bring her family into London to see more of the city and stay at our place. Or stay there for however long they’d like.”

“Great! That will be a nice break for them. Thanks, Nikki, Bill, Tony, Maggie.” Sitting back, Tim bit back a sigh, he was going to miss working with Cynthia Sumner Dalton and could only hope that she’d still be there when he returned in about 2 years. It helped that she’d met Joel Morris, the retired SAC who would lead the London office for Tim while he was in the US, and was comfortable with the SSAs of the satellite offices.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

The drive to the airport seemed to take half the time it usually did. Once everyone was off the bus, Jethro, Geo and George watched closely as the baggage was moved from the bus to the baggage trailers and from there into the Paddington jet. Once they were satisfied that everything had been moved from the bus to the jet, they climbed aboard, joining their wives and families.

Once everyone was seated aboard the aircraft one of the flight attendants who had previously flown with most of the people aboard, took a few photos of the group, noting that most of the adults didn’t look as happy as they usually did on their flights.

As they pushed back and taxied toward the queue of airliners, Artie took Tim’s hand, holding on as he kept his eyes closed, fighting his emotions. While he was grateful that most of the family had decided to join them for at least a visit, that really just meant delaying saying goodbye although he took some solace in knowing they'd be familiar with the house.

Artie pulled her husband toward her as she saw he was losing his fight against the tears that had been threatening all week. She held onto him, the older children in the row the aisle across from them and blessedly distracted by Susannah and Ian while Quinn and Kaity slept peacefully in their Sky Cots.

After what seemed an eternity the seatbelt light was finally turned off and Jimmy and Jethro appeared. Jimmy sat quietly next to Tim, with Artemis on his other side still holding his hand, while he checked his blood pressure, pulse and oxygen levels. When Tim sat up, Jimmy hugged him, speaking softly to him. Tim nodded, taking the open bottle of water Jimmy gave him, sipping it as he swallowed something Jimmy told him would help him relax. Hugging Jimmy, he thanked him and then, looking at his dad managed to give him a look that somewhat resembled a smile. Jimmy returned to his seat while Jethro wrapped his arm around his son and Dr. Rob appeared with a tote bag, pulling out a small canister of oxygen. "This will also help you, Tim, an oxygen boost along with what Jimmy gave you, it will help reduce your anxiety levels. When we're stressed, we often don't take in as much oxygen as we need."

While Tim thought the oxygen and the pill Jimmy gave him were working quicker than he'd expected, he was grateful. Looking over his dad's shoulder across the aisle, he saw that his children were curled up in their seats, sound asleep and was relieved that they hadn't witnessed his whatever-that-was. He breathed easier as he felt Artie's arms around his waist while his mother joined them, kissing his forehead.

He smiled at that, remembering Ms. Lu doing that at the shelter to determine if a child had a fever. For him, it had been and apparently still was an incredibly comforting gesture, one of the ways she let him or the other children know of their importance to her, acknowledgements of his, or any child's, importance to her, that they mattered, they belonged.

As the medication and the oxygen eased his anxiety and grief, he felt his body relaxing and his mind drifting off to sleep. Relieved, he didn't even try to fight it.

He started to wake when he heard Ian asking for two lemonades and two waters for Artie and him and then juice and water for their children. That meant the drinks cart was making the rounds. He woke long enough to drink the lemonade, visit the restroom and say hello to his children and his in-laws, thanking Ian for ordering the drinks and both of them for keeping their eyes on their children.

When Artie opened one eye, he held up the lemonade and water but she made a noise and went back to sleep. He thought about taking a walk but heard the trash cart being pulled along and decided to stay out of the way. Kaity was awake so he cuddled her, putting her on the tummy mat for a few minutes, giving her a bottle, trying not to laugh at one of her epic burps before changing her and cuddling her back to sleep. 

Quinn was next and Tim went through the same routine with the tummy mat and giving him a bottle, chuckling softly at his quiet, almost polite burp. After a change, he too cuddled with his daddy for quite some time and this time Tim was able to take him for a walk up and down the aisles. As most people were asleep, they only stopped to say hello to a few people, which of course included Quinn's paternal grandparents. He made one of his happy noises when he saw them, and they each kissed and cuddled him. Eventually he and his dad returned to their seats, although he did have a quick visit with his eldest sister, who was the only one of his siblings who was awake.

Later, after lunch had been served and the trays picked up, Artie took the girls for a walk while Tim escorted Jack and Liam to the restroom. Then it was their turn for a walk while the girls made their own trip to the restroom.

After another nap and feeling even better than he had when he was awake for the drinks cart, Tim woke at the announcement from the cockpit that they were crossing over into the territorial waters of the USA. He smiled at that, despite all the problems, the violence and the divisiveness, he was glad to be home.

He hoped that signaled the end of his angst about this move but knew it wasn't. Reminding himself that it was a temporary move, that they would be moving home in slightly less than 2 years, he decided to mark a calendar. Although he had a job to do in California, maybe that wasn't such a good idea.

Finally deciding, not for the first time, that he would always have mixed feelings about this move, he smiled as his children and wife woke up. As the babies were still asleep, they left them as they started to gather toys, books, crayons, stickers, games and stash them in their carry-on bags. Liam giggled when he pulled his socks from the seat pocket. While he didn't dislike socks, he said his feet sometimes got too hot and he'd take them off, frequently forgetting them or finding one and not the other. This time he found both and knowing his parents would prefer he wear his socks with his shoes, he put them on again, remembering to tie his shoes.

After they landed and taxied to their gate at the FBO, those without children  disembarked first as it would take them less time to go through Customs. At least theoretically. With all their snow toys, it did take longer than usual but no one was in any hurry and their bus wasn't going anywhere without them.

Eventually they were all through, everything was loaded into the luggage compartments on the bus, the passengers climbed aboard, some groaning at the idea of sitting again. The driver, the same driver who'd driven them on previous occasions, smiled, welcoming them back to the US. He laughed when told they were going to the same address in Arlington. "Of course you are! Any weddings or job promotions this time?"

Jethro shook his head, "No, we're heading west from here and decided to take a break for some fun in the snow."

The driver made a noise, "You've certainly come to the right place!"

Although everyone was awake, there wasn't a lot of the usual chatter on the drive to Arlington. However, there were plenty of happy faces when they pulled up in front of the large, familiar colonial house, and cheers when their US-based family, Ziva and Brian, Freddie, Abby and Menolly, Jose, Char and their son appeared on the porch, waving at them and then helping them with the children and the luggage. Jose, Freddie and Ziva's husband Brian grinned at the snow equipment, "Good, there's plenty of snow in the back and we've already made a bit of a trail for cross country skiing!"

Tim smiled at his wife as they carried the babies inside, their older children following them. He was feeling at home here, very happy to be with his sisters, brothers and in-laws as well as everyone who'd come with them on the flight.

Maybe this would be all right. They weren't yet done with their journey but maybe, just maybe it would be all right.

The End