<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ff99">"I know you can do this, Sarah-bean.  You got a car onto the roof of our high school in the middle of the night for senior prank -- and didn't get expelled."  They share a swift sibling moment about how getting expelled would have been on par with committing a felony under their father.   "You can do this.  And you're damned right you've got your big brother here, and I'm not leaving until you shove me away, either."  He held her and listened, only interjecting when it seemed critical.  "He was a good man with a problem, Sarah-bean.  It sounds like he knew he had one, if he'd managed any time clean -- and if he'd had endless chances, he might have gotten it."  Tim shook his head.  "Even good men don't get endless chances.  None of that's your fault, bean.  I swear to you on my honor -- on my life -- on my Remington typewriter --"<br/>
<br/>
"Tim!"  She was half gasping, half sobbing.  <br/>
<br/>
"It's true, Sarah-bean.  Him not being able to stay clean is. not. your fault."  He waited until that sunk in, though he knew he'd be repeating it endlessly, probably for the rest of their lives.  "Now, I won't yell at you tonight -- you get a bonus for being boneless -- "<br/>
<br/>
"Tim!"  But this time, it was half-laughter she was stifling.<br/>
<br/>
"If I make you laugh while you're on the really good drugs, you'll remember me being funny."  And, you'll remember this entire conversation with less pain.  "I won't tell at you for it tonight, but at some point you and I are gonna have a discussion about your plan to go to that party... and if you don't have it with me, you can be sure you'll be having it with the Admiral."  She nodded.  "If you want every last reporter who pointed a camera but didn't use a cell phone to be arrested, say the word."<br/>
<br/>
"...what?"<br/>
<br/>
"Gibbs calls them vultures.  If you're willing to testify, and we subpoena all the tape and video so we can see who was holding the camera and prove who committed the crime... I'd say every last one of them could get reckless endangerment.  At least.  And you know Gibbs would enjoy the hell out of that."  When he saw she was wavering, he flapped a hand in the air.  "It doesn't matter right now.  The important thing is -- you didn't die.  You, Sarah Eleanor McGee, are alive."  His voice dropped.  "And I'm so fucking glad for that."  He reached for her again and held her close.  "I know you're tough and I know you're independent and I know you can do this without me, but I'm asking you to let me help."<br/>
<br/>
* ~ *<br/>
<br/>
If all that had been in Ziva's voice had been professional concern, Tony would have ignored it... just as he would have ignored Gibbs, if it was entirely professional concern.  Neither of them were.<br/>
<br/>
Still, he might have protested harder... if she hadn't made it about the team's safety.  If he could not do his job, he could not be there for his friends -- and his friends were his team.<br/>
<br/>
But it was damned soothing to just nod, not trying to speak again, and let her take care of him.  Just for a little bit.<br/>
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* ~ *<br/>
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<i>If she'd walked up to me with 'DiNozzo Wrangler' on her resume, I'd have scowled at her a hell of a lot less in the early days,</i> Jethro typed back, his eyes glittering with amusement.  <i>That's a damned sight rarer skill than the number of languages she speaks or an exceptional hand-to-hand score.</i>  He traded grins with Kate over half the burger and fries -- he'd cut the burger down the middle with the knife from his pocket and given it to Kate.   <i>Feeding the McGees tomorrow would be great.  I can't help but wish we were at your apartment, curled up on the couch, though.</i></span></span>