"Dear Past Self,

Mom won't be that mad when you cut your hair off. You don't have to run away.

From, Tim. (That's you.)"

It was short, that he'd admit. Two sentences, but his therapist hadn't asked for anything specific. Besides, if his past self really had gotten this letter, he had a feeling he'd understand.

He took the paper out of his typewriter and tacked it to the bulletin board, next to the picture of him and Sarah in the hospital. It felt... right.

Present Day

"Goooood morning McGoo," Tony said cheerfully.

McGee muttered out a 'hello', not looking up from his computer screen. Today was the day. The director had spoken to him about it in private the week before, which didn't really see the point in, considering that if he agreed he would be outing himself to everyone at the agency anyway. But he said yes anyway - it was what he needed.

It was at this time that Bishop rushed in, as usual vibrant with energy. "Hey guys, you hear about the seminar today?"

McGee nodded solemnly, but Tony groaned. "A seminar? Really?"

*thwack* "It's important, DiNozzo," said Gibbs.

Tim smiled a bit, unaware if his boss was actually being supportive or not.

Tony frowned. "Well then what's it-" It was at that moment that all the teams filed into the conference room.

"Welcome to our first annual LGBT seminar," the director said. "We've been trying to bring light to any possible workplace discrimination...-" Tim half zoned out, too nervous to pay much attention. He tapped his leg as one by one, people came up to speak about their experiences. It was all fairly standard, or so it seemed.

And then it was his turn.

"Let me introduce Special Agent Timothy McGee." Clapping ensued, and as Tim made his way to the front of the room he couldn't help but glance at the confused expressions of his co-workers.

"A-Uh..., h-hi, hello everyone." He swallowed down the lump in his throat. They can't scare you if they don't know they scare you. You'll be fine. "Uhm, well, I guess a lot of you may be wondering what I'm doing up here today. I mean, I'm not gay." He glanced at Abby. "Today I'm here to talk about a part of the LGBT community that doesn't get talked about too often. Because since the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, it's easier to deal with something as simple as someone liking the same gender, than having your little girl come up to you and tell you she's a guy."

There was some murmuring in the crowd. McGee tried his best to ignore it.

"Yeah, the 'T' word. A lot of times it seems like a useless letter to add onto the acronym, because it just ends up getting ignored. Like it's something to be ashamed of. And I'm not ashamed of it, so I might as well tell you: I was born a girl. Most of you don't know, mainly because I just never considered it anyone's business.

"I can't really explain to anyone what it's like to be trans. I tried that with my parents, boy did that go well." There was some muffled laughter. "I can try, though. Imagine not being able to use your right hand. You're right handed, but you're forced to use your left hand your entire life and it just feels weird, annoying, and wrong. But it doesn't really end there, because then you finally start using your right hand and it looks a little weird at first cause you not used to it. And the, surprise! No one wants to date a right-handed guy, unless they're just seeing them as a left-handed guy or have a right-handed fetish. This analogy is getting really out of hand, but I guess you get what I'm saying..."

He went on talking for a while longer, just saying one word after the other and not really thinking about it. Clapping ensued once again, and he saw Abby smiling at him from the back.

"I'm so proud of you," she mouthed.

Tim smiled.