A sense of dread washed over Tim the minute he stepped off the elevator. For one thing it was a Monday; Mondays were never good. For another thing, his horoscope had warned him that he would face hardships today. As if those two weren't enough to have him on edge, he spotted Vance and Gibbs speaking at the top of the overlook and he saw the stony expressions on their faces. They definitely did not look happy, especially when they turned to face him.

"McGee," Gibbs said when he noticed Tim, "Vance's office. Now." Neither of them waited for a response before heading into the office.

"Oooh, McGee's in trouble," Tony said gleefully when Tim passed by.

"Don't be a child," Tim mumbled as he dropped his things off at his desk. Being called into the Director's office was like being called into the principal's office; you never knew what to expect.

Ziva was far more optimistic, at least in her words "I am sure it is fine, McGee." Still, he caught a glimpse of concern in her eyes as he walked past.

If he had to guess he'd surmise this had something to do with his hacking the CIA on that last case. He usually avoided that when he could, not out of any sense of moral or ethical obligation, but because CIA was one of the more difficult things to hack. But when Gibbs was breathing down your neck for results you rarely had much choice. Not that he was going to throw Gibbs under the bus for this; he had done it on his own and hadn't even told Gibbs about it.

Pamela gave him a smile when he entered. "Director Vance and Agent Gibbs are ready for you."

He managed a weak smile in return before going in. Gibbs and Vance were already seated at the conference table.

"Agent McGee," Vance said with a gesture, "please have a seat."

Tim did as was instructed. Figuring it was best to ask for forgiveness outright, Tim immediately said, "Director Vance, I just want to apologize."

"Apologize?"

"For hacking the CIA on that last case. I know it's not authorized and I should have spoken to Gibbs first, or you, but—"

Vance raised a hand, quieting any explanations Tim had planned. "Agent McGee, you're not here because of any hacking you've done."

"Oh," Tim said, appropriately embarrassed. "Then why am I in trouble?"

"Who said you're in trouble, McGee?" Gibbs asked.

"Well, I naturally assumed, I guess."

"You're not in trouble," Vance assured him. "We've asked you up here to discuss a new case to which you have a connection."

Vance stood and grabbed the remote control for his television, clicking it on. There appeared on the screen an aircraft carrier. "At approximately 0600 this morning we received a call from the USS John C. Stennis."

Tim's breath caught in his throat. He knew his father was stationed on the Stennis at the moment and a feeling of anxiety washed over him. "My father…?" he began, not sure how to ask the question. Surely his mother and Sarah couldn't know yet or one of them would have called him. Would he have to be the bearer of bad news?

"Admiral McGee is perfectly healthy," Vance said.

"Then why are you speaking to me about this?"

"There's been a murder," Gibbs said. "We've been asked to investigate, but I need to know that you can handle investigating this with your father there."

"Well, sure. I mean, it's not like we're investigating him." There was an uncomfortable silence in response to this. Tim looked to Gibbs, furrowing his brow. "Boss?"

"We don't know what we're dealing with here, McGee, but we'll need to examine all possible angles. That means everyone is under scrutiny."

"I can tell you my dad wouldn't kill anyone…"

"Agent McGee," Vance cut in, "if you are unable to be objective about this I assume Gibbs can handle it with only David and DiNozzo."

Tim sighed. "No, sir; I'll be fine. I'll investigate everything and look at all evidence with an objective eye…even if it incriminates my dad."

"Good," Gibbs said. "Be packed and ready to go in one hour. We'll be meeting their Agent Afloat there. He's already started a file."

"Yes, boss."

The three of them stood. "Gibbs, you go tell David and DiNozzo about the case. I'd like to speak with Agent McGee for a moment."

Gibbs raised an eyebrow, but didn't ask questions. "Don't keep him too long, Leon. We've got COD to catch and I'm sure McGee will want to stock-up on Dramamine."

Tim gave a small wince, already imagining the somersaults his stomach would be doing. Fortunately he kept a couple bottles of the medicine in his desk drawer. That would get him through the first hour at least. With luck and a prayer they'd be finished by then.

With Gibbs gone, Vance leaned against the conference table, arms crossed, leaving Tim to stand uncomfortably. "I understand that your relationship with your father is civil at best."

"How do you know that, sir?"

"I have my ways, Agent McGee."

"We've had out rough patches," he admitted, not sure how much information to offer. "When we last spoke our relationship was…well…better, I guess."

"After the case involving your grandmother?

"Yes, Director. We hadn't spoken in a while before then so it was a start for us."

In all honesty the phone call had been awkward for both of them. Tim had tried to get a conversation going, but his father had drawn back, reducing his part of the exchange to one or two-word answers He was obviously surprised that his estranged son had called him out of the blue, but hadn't made much of an effort to reciprocate. Still, it may have opened the door to making amends and his father had ended with call by telling Tim – albeit, in a half-hearted tone – that he would be at sea for some time, but that he hoped to see him at their next family gathering. No "I love you" added on, but, as Penny had said, his father just didn't know how to say it yet.

"If seeing him again will be uncomfortable for you…"

"It won't be," Tim said quickly. "I can assure you, it won't. I think the worse thing that will come from this is the seasickness." He added a half-hearted smile.

"Good," Vance said. "Then I suggest you go get ready. I'm sure Gibbs won't think twice about leaving you behind if you're not ready."

"Yes, sir."


"McGee, what's going on?" Tony asked as Tim descended the stairs. "Gibbs told us to be ready for a flight in an hour."

"There was a murder aboard the John C. Stennis," Ziva added.

"I know," Tim said. "That's where my dad is stationed."

Tony and Ziva exchanged glances. It was no secret that Tim and Admiral McGee didn't have the closest relationship with his father. Father problems seemed to be something they all had in common. "He is not hurt, is he?" asked Ziva.

"No, he's fine." Tim looked up to check that the bullpen was empty before lowering his voice and adding, "But from the way Gibbs talked about it they may already think he's a suspect."

"Gibbs thinks everyone is a suspect until proven otherwise."

"I know, Tony, but this seemed different. I have a feeling he's heard some scuttlebutt that doesn't shine the best light on my dad."

"You do not believe your father would be capable of killing a man, though," Ziva said.

"Capable, sure. But I don't think he did." He opened his mouth to say more, but he saw Gibbs bounding toward them and thought better of it. If Gibbs overheard his concerns he'd be off the case in a snap.

"Ducky and Palmer will be coming along to escort the body back, along with any items for Abby," Gibbs informed them. "Otherwise it'll just be us."

"How long will we be there?" Ziva asked.

"Until we've got our murderer."

"A Navy carrier filled with sailors?" Tony snorted. "That'll take forever."

"No one ever said this job was easy, DiNozzo."


Scarcely an hour later the six of them were squeezed inside the Carrier Onboard Delivery, making their way out to the Stennis' current location. The ride was bumpy, but that was nothing new for any of them, except maybe for Jimmy. "Think I could snag some of that Dramamine, McGee?" he groaned as the plane shook. It was his first time aboard a COD and his stomach wasn't accustomed to the turbulence.

"Buck up, Mr. Palmer," Duck said, giving his assistant a pat on the back. "Once we land your stomach will settle."

"I'm not so certain," Jimmy replied feebly.

"Hey, Palmer, no vomiting on my shoes," Tony said. "If you feel the urge to hurl turn the other way."

Up front the pilot announced their arrival to the crew, allowing them to get ready for landing. Tim took in a deep breath as they descended, hitting the deck with great force. Beside him Jimmy hunched forward, dropping his head between his legs as he breathed. "Never again," he muttered, placing a hand atop his stomach.

Tony and Gibbs helped a shaky Jimmy off the aircraft, his legs still like jelly from the harrowing flight. Ducky followed and then Ziva, leaving Tim to bring up the rear. The deck crew had already come forward to tend to the aircraft, but two highly-decorated men stood on the deck as well, both with stony expressions. Next to them stood a younger man who donned an NCIS cap and jacket.

"Agent Gibbs, I assume," said the man in the NCIS garb. "I'm Agent Ted Forbes, Agent Afloat for the USS John C. Stennis."

One of the other men stepped forward with an outstretched hand. "We appreciate you getting here so quickly. As you can imagine this has been quite disruptive."

"I'm sure your dead Petty Officer is sorry for the problems his murder may have caused," Gibbs said.

The man was visibly taken aback by the comment. "Well, of course. I wasn't implying that I blamed him for any of this."

The other man, sensing the tension, stepped forward to also shake Gibbs' hand. "I'm Captain Glenn, Agent Gibbs. And this is—"

"Admiral McGee," Gibbs concluded. He looked the Admiral over, taking in just how much the father resembled his son. He was more muscular than his son and his age had begun to show in his face, but there was no doubt that this man was Tim's father. They even had the same eyes. Only, where Tim's green eyes were expressive, his father's seemed a bit dimmer and more controlled. Gibbs had a feeling Patrick McGee had a good poker face.

"Yes," Glenn said. "We have beds available for your men…and women," he added catching sight of Ziva. "I'm afraid things are a bit cramped at the moment, though."

"Well, you'll have two fewer guests to worry about," Ducky said. "My assistant and I will be traveling back with the body." Jimmy gave a half-hearted wave as he lowered himself to a sitting position.

Agent Forbes nodded. "The body is still where it was this morning when Admiral McGee…well, when it was discovered. This way." Ducky followed behind Forbes with Jimmy in tow, and the other soon followed. When Tim passed his father he stopped for a moment.

"Hi, dad."

"Son," Patrick replied with a nod.

"Um…good to see you."

"Mm-hm."

Tim stood there awkwardly for another few seconds. "So, have you heard from mom about Sarah's—?"

"McGee!" Gibbs was calling him. "Let's go."

"Perhaps you'd better go with your team," Patrick suggested.

"Okay…I guess we can talk later?" He received no response.

Tim's stomach was beginning to churn, but this time it had nothing to do with the roaring sea.