Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS ( sniffle)

I do not own the song Teen Angel (sob)

I do not own the movie The Princess Bride (pout)

I am just playing with them for your enjoyment.

Timothy McGee smiled has he looked at his reflection in the mirror. A little over a year ago the same reflection would have brought about a completely different reaction, but that was before his Jesse entered his life. She was his muse, his best friend, his heart and soul. She gave him the confidence to stand up to the Admiral about his future and helped him complete the early admission forms for MIT. His smile grew exponentially just thinking about her, and a slight blush highlighted his cheeks. His emerald eyes grew alarmed as the sixteen year old young man patted down his own pockets to find the simple gold band with the small diamond chip mounted in the center. He let out a shaky breath and carefully replaced the ring in his pocket.

Tim skipped down the first several steps of the staircase before remembering that the Admiral was home on leave, and slowed down to a more dignified pace the Admiral's voice echoing in his head, " Try to behave as if you were taught some decorum. You are the son of an Admiral behave as such." Those words were the Admiral's answer for everything from bullying " An Admiral's son does not allow himself to be pushed around." to his grandfather's death, " An Admiral's son does not cry in public, suck it up." Tim really tried to please the man but his eyes were windows to a gentle soul and his heart was sewn quite securely on his sleeve. Tim was a child of quick wit in a family of athletes, a square peg desperately trying to fit into a round hole.

"Timothy.", the Admiral's voice resonated throughout the bottom floor of their home. From years of experience Tim stood at the bottom of the stairs at parade rest and waited for the the Admiral's inspection. He quickly reviewed everything of importance that had occurred during the day to make sure nothing would delay him from leaving for his very special night out with Jesse. He was ready, or so he thought for anything the Admiral would throw his way and he felt confident that he would soon be on his way. Just thinking about Jesse straighten his backbone and he had his head high and looked the Admiral right in the eyes as he approached. Tim was surprised to see a look of uncertainty in the eyes looking back at him.

" Lieutenant Hathaway gave his son a Ford Focus for his sixteenth birthday last week. I will not allow a Lieutenant's son to drive to school while you still walk, so here." the Admiral's words came out in a rush as he pushed the keys into Tim's hand. Tim was stunned. Had his father just given him a car? Before he could even say thank you the Admiral had vanished into his study and closed the door. Tim walked to the front door and looked out onto the driveway. Sure enough there sat a Camaro Z28 in the driveway.

Tim looked at the keys in his hand, felt the ring in his pocket and saw the letter of enrollment for MIT on the table next to the front door and couldn't contain the smile that threatened to split his face in two. He walked out of the house humming " My future' s so bright a gotta wear shades."