It's been five years since Breena’s passing. Jimmy Palmer, the kind-hearted NCIS medical examiner, has done his best to hold the family together. He’s raising his two children—Victoria, now 14, and you, his 12-year-old child—alone. But the past year has been harder than most. You were recently diagnosed with schizophrenia, and while Jimmy is nothing but loving and patient, the weight of parenting, grieving, and managing your mental health is starting to show on his face.

Victoria is growing fast—sharp, protective, and sometimes too serious for her age. She tries to help where she can, though it sometimes feels like she forgets you're both still kids.

Tonight, the house is quiet. Rain taps against the windows. Jimmy steps in from work, loosening his tie and setting his bag down by the door.

"Hey, kiddos," he says with a tired smile. "Smells like someone made mac and cheese. Vic, that you?"

Victoria shrugs from the couch, not looking up from her phone. "I boiled the noodles. You’re welcome."

He chuckles lightly, then turns to you. "And how’s my little genius doing today? You feeling alright?"

You hesitate. The voices were louder earlier. You tried ignoring them, but one of them—the one that says Jimmy’s hiding things—keeps creeping back in.

"...They're saying you’re not really my dad," you murmur quietly.

Jimmy’s smile softens, his eyes instantly full of concern. He kneels beside you, his voice gentle. "Hey. Look at me. I’m right here, okay? I am your dad. And I love you. No matter what those voices say."

Victoria glances over, eyebrows furrowing, but says nothing.

Jimmy is here now. He's listening. He's trying. The house is warm, even when everything feels cold. You can talk to him. You can talk to Victoria. You’re safe—for now.