DiNozzo and McGee stood stiffly at attention in front of Director Shepherds desk waiting for her to finish her call to the Secretary of the Navy. To say that she was mildly annoyed would have been an understatement. She had kept them standing there for so long because she wanted them to appreciate the nature of the conversation she was having with SecNav. They had remained so still because directly behind them and in easy striking distance stood Gibbs, face like thunder and desperate to get this all sorted out and get back to work.
"Well as you heard Agents DiNozzo and McGee, once again I have had SecNav on the phone complaining about the two of you," Jenny stated. "Care to guess what the complainant was about, Gentlemen?"
"Er no Ma'am," ventured Tony who had no idea what he and McGee could have done that had possibly gotten as far as the SecNav.
"How about you Agent McGee, any ideas?" she asked, tipping her head towards where Tim stood.
"No idea Ma'am," answered Tim, paling rapidly and starting to feel just a little light headed.
"Does the name Fleming mean anything to either of you?" she queried.
"Ah yes, Ian Fleming, creator of the Bond series of stories, Dr. No is my favourite.." began Tony only to be silenced by a hard slap to the back of his head.
"You McGee; Dr Fleming?" questioned Jenny once again.
"Er Dr Alexander Fleming, born 1881 died 1955 a pharmacologist and biologist discovered the enzyme lysozyme and penicillin?" tried McGee. Once again their boss delivered a hefty slap. "Not the one?" A second slap followed the first leaving Tim rubbing the spot on the back of his head where Gibb's hand had made contact.
Losing patience, with the pair the Director fixed them both with a glare, "No, Dr Neil Fleming who you interviewed for your current case."
"Oh that Fleming," Tony responded.
Rolling her eyes Jenny got back to the issue in hand. "Seems you rather upset him with your digging into his background at Berkley and his current opposition to the Patriot Act and The War."
"Is that is what this is all about Jen?" interrupted Gibbs, "they were just doing their jobs, it was a perfectly legitimate line of enquiry, I don't know why SecNav is getting his knickers in a twist and I don't know why you are carpeting them for that."
"Because Jethro, when he rang up to complain directly to the SecNav about the Navy interfering in his democratic rights; and when SecNav tried to explain they were perfectly legitimate lines of enquiry from his top and most professional MCRT, Dr Fleming scoffed at him and explained what had happened at his office earlier. Why don't you let Agents DiNozzo and McGee explain why Dr Fleming is questioning their professionalism," explained the Director.
"DiNozzo, McGee, explain," growled Gibbs.
Turning to face his boss and trying to nonchalantly shrug his shoulders at the same time Tony looked as uncomfortable as he felt, "Um it's nothing Boss, a misunderstanding, he got us mixed up with his 4.30 appointment."
"And who were his 4.30 appointment?" asked Gibbs.
"A couple," mumbled Tony.
"A couple of what?" questioned Gibbs.
"A couple who rang up about marriage counseling," mumbled Tim. Both he and Tony as embarrassed as hell.
Gibbs started laughing, "I said you were beginning to act like an old married couple," both boys were surprised at their Bosses reaction.
"Oh that's not all Jethro," added Jenny glaring at the boys, "Aren't you going to ask them why the mix up."
"Come on Jen, you have to admit that its not the anything for them to get strung up for," argued Gibbs.
"No you're right but when he found them fighting with each other in his waiting room he was worried about the state of their relationship," stated Jenny.
Gibbs' laughing stopped immediately, "the two of you fighting again?"
"He started it," argued Tony pointing at McGee.
"That's not true Tony you were goading me and calling me ladder-hugger and threatening to post your film on youtube," Tim fought back.
"Not true Probie, you assumed it would be on youtube, I just said let the people decide and you leapt on me" said Tony, "I was just protecting myself."
Having heard enough of the argument and determined to bring it to an end Gibbs let out an ear-piercing whistle. Both boys stopped immediately, "get your backsides to the conference room now," he ordered, "Jen I will take care of this."
"Not so fast Jethro," Jenny interrupted the proceedings. "Seems SecNav knows about your, lets call them, disciplinary techniques and as much as he is prepared to let you deal with the team in whatever way you feel necessary or this occasion he has another method of dealing with it."
Worried about what method of punishment the SecNav had in mind Tony pleaded, "can't we just take the unofficial off the record method?"
"Its gone too far," said Jenny, "and I'm told he has personally organized the punishment himself."
"Um, what exactly does he want us to do?" asked McGee somewhat concerned.
"Therapy," announced Jenny struggling to stop the grin spreading across her face at the sight of the two agents before her.
"What kind of a punishment is that Director?" argued Gibbs, "I can fix this a lot faster and with a great deal less talking."
"No Jethro you can't," she smiled sweetly, "I have promised SecNav they will be attending."
"Er Ma'am what kind of therapy is it?" asked McGee.
"Family Therapy – looking specifically at sibling rivalry, you have an appointment booked for tomorrow at noon," she informed them, "oh and Jethro, they need to take a parent with them, I said you'll be there."
Gibbs didn't think he'd heard properly at first, "You what Jen!"