Tim nods slowly then sits down next to Tandel. For her part, she's almost done deciphering their language; it's similar to many she's heard spoken for the last 25 years and although there are a few differences she can work through those later.
“Tandel?” The voice is boyish and shy, and she's again reminded of someone from her past but who? Tim calls her name again and she blinks up at him. Gibbs is still hovering in the background and she smiles at him.
Tim looks over at Gibbs as he says, “Well, I'm not 100 percent certain yet, but I know she's part elf. She's got calluses on her hands that indicate she's familiar with fighting but I'm not sure just what kind. As for why she's so quiet, I'd say she's trying to assimilate what we're saying.”
“Why?”
Tim sighs as he tries to explain, “If we were in an online game, I'd talk to her in elven or common tongue. If I were playing a human, I'd try to learn elven so that I could understand the language better.. It's a bit like us when we try to learn French or Russian before traveling to that particular country.”
“She speaks in Sign language.” Gibbs admits.
“That's unusual.” Tim says and hastily continues when Gibbs glares at him. “It's not a gamer's language. In most of the fantasy RPG's or MMORPG's there is no such language.” He shrugs his shoulders as he concludes, “I'd say you've managed to get yourself a real live elf maiden here, Boss.”
Tandel nods at his wording. “I am Tandel Yestreen. I apologize for not speaking earlier Gibbs, but as McGee here has said, I have been trying to understand your language.”
Gibbs motions towards her hands. “You speak Sign language.”
Tandel nods again, “Yes a friend and companion could not speak due to complications from a wound. Our party learned to Sign so that we could communicate with each other. I thank you Gibbs for your hospitality.”
Tim watches as she speaks, listening to what is being said or not said.
“You're welcome. I apologize if anything I've done or said might have scared you.”
Tandel shakes her head, “I wasn't scared of you Gibbs. Just – uncertain as to where I am, what am I doing here and why was I brought here. As Tim has noted, I am an elf and at one time I was a cleric/mage and more recently a wizard. Now...I don't know what I am. My deity has gone silent.”
Tim watches her hands as she plays with the hem of the t-shirt she's wearing. He knows it's one of Gibbs' but he says nothing. Gibbs motions silently for Tim to watch over her while he slips out of the kitchen. Tim nods and soon Gibbs is back, completely dressed with a full set of sweats as well as a towel.
“You need help with the shower?” He asks gruffly and Tandel nods.
“Yes, please.”
“Back in ten, McGee.”
Tim knows that's Gibbs' speak for find out what he can about the mysterious guest. He pulls out his laptop and starts searching various sites online. He's not surprised however, when none of his searches reveal anything.
Gibbs leads Tandel back upstairs and shows her how to turn the shower on as well as how to adjust the temperature. He also hands her a washcloth and shows her where the shampoo and soap is. Tandel touches him lightly on the hand just before he turns to leave.
“Thank you.”
Gibbs says nothing as she strips off the shirt and steps into the shower, drawing the curtain closed behind her. He'd seen the heart shaped scar off her left shoulder. It was an old wound, that much he could tell. There was no redness around it, but the way it was raised, compared to her other scars and she had a lot of scars on her body, clearly from whatever fights she'd been in, but that one caught and held his attention.
Tandel starts muttering in a foreign language and Gibbs realizes that she probably doesn't know he's still in the room. He opens the door to leave when he hears a fist connect with a wall. Peeking around the curtain he sees Tandel banging her fist against the far wall. Knowing that she's probably crying and not caring about how wet his clothes might get, he opens the curtain and turns off the water. Grabbing the closest towel, he wraps her up in it and carries her out of the room.
Sensing Tim’s presence just outside the bedroom door, knowing that it was possible that the other man could have heard Tandel banging her fist on the bathroom wall, he quietly says.
“McGee, go on without me. I'll call Vance and tell him not to expect me in.”
“She okay boss?” Gibbs can hear the concern in his agent's voice.
“She will be.”
