Arriving at the therapist's office, the two younger men had to practically drag Gibbs through the door.
Through gritted teeth he threatened them, "I hold the two of you totally responsible for all this and if they force me to speak then you two are gonna pay big time."
Tim scuttled off to book them in whilst Tony picked up a leaflet which set out how this specialist therapy centre for families worked and why it preferred alternative techniques. Just as Tony was about to warn Tim and Gibbs of the 'alternative' part of this therapy session, Doctor Goodall emerged from his 'surgery' into the oak paneled waiting room.
"Ah how lovely, you must be the Gibbs family that the Secretary of the Navy referred to me, you know I was so honoured when he selected me to help one of his more seasoned families, why don't you all come in and take a seat," he smile and graciously waved his arm towards the 'surgery' door.
"Did he just call me old?" growled Gibbs under his breath to the boys.
"Er I think he just means we all come with more experience than usual families," quickly explained Tim hoping to defuse the situation before it got worse, "don't you Tony?"
"Not sure McWordsworth, you're the one with all the fancy words and stuff," answered Tony spotting the woman on the reception and trying to catch her eye as they made their way towards the room.
What lay beyond the traditional oak panels was anything but usual and was mildly disturbing for the boys and deeply terrifying for Gibbs.
It was just like they had walked into a tropical fish tank. Glass aquariums lined each wall and sunken lights gave out a rippling effect on the ceiling. No chairs existed in this world, instead bean bags in the shape of underwater creatures were scattered across the floor. Take your shoes off and sit yourselves down, I'll get you all a drink and then we can start.
Gibbs was about to bolt for the door but Tony grabbed him and whispered, "Boss please, lets just get through this."
Gibbs plonked himself down into a bean-bag crab, "I'll take a coffee," he said, "strong and black."
"Oh I'm afraid caffeine is a banned substance here but we do provide some healthy smoothies," Doctor Goodall offered.
"It's fine, I'll do without," grumbled Gibbs.
Tony pulled a bean-bag lobster over towards where Gibbs was sat and Tim delicately placed himself down onto a star-fish.
"Its just like being in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," commented Tony in wonder at the setting.
"I'd have thought Finding Nemo was more your level Tony," McGee snidely replied.
"Hey knock it off the pair of you," ordered Gibbs, and then turning back to McGee, "are you alright Tim?"
"Erm feeling a bit seasick boss," admitted McGee looking a little green at the gills.
"God McGee, how can you be seasick on dry land?" laughed Tony.
Gibbs reached into his pocket and took out the bottle of Dramamine he always kept with him since Tim had joined the team. "Here take this and try and focus on something that's not moving." The three of them looked around but very little was still in that room.
Dr Goodall came back with smoothies for both of the boys, served in lavish beakers made to look like sea horses. "Well," he said, "now that we have our refreshments I'd like to begin by getting to know both of the boys, but here's the twist, Tony you are going to tell me your earliest memory of Tim and Tim then you are going to tell me about Tony, shall we begin."
A devilish look came into Tony's eye, "well Doctor we were all so happy when little Timmy joined our family, I'd always wanted to play the role of big brother," Gibbs rolled his eyes, he didn't know where Tony was going with this but he didn't have a good feeling about it either, Tony continued, "I wanted to teach him to play sports but he was never interested in that, instead he liked to play dress up, I recall one day when he was 5 years old he practically demanded that he would not go to church unless he could wear grandmothers bright red pumps, her beads and carry the matching purse."
"Tony," yelled Tim, "stop."
"Now Timothy you have to let your brother express his creative juices and tell us the story, you'll get your turn," calmly intervened the Doctor, "Now Tony continue please."
"Thank you Doctor," smiled Tony, "I will; now where was I, oh yes those red pumps… they went everywhere with him, the store, church, kindergarten. He was just like a real life Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz, yes, the Great McOz I called him."
Tim glared at him. Gibbs sat there totally dumb-founded.
"What a lovely memory for you to share with us Tony, now Tim its your turn, whats your first real memory of Tony," asked Dr Goodall.
Tim was still seething, how dare Tony use something so personal against him, "Well lets see," he began. "I guess my strongest memory is the way in which Tony insisted Dad decorate his room; he insisted he would only sleep in a four poster canopy bed. But it's the candles I recall the most, those scented candles, he insisted it was what all the girls wanted in their man, you know the sensitive side, and sure he would bring his little girlfriends home to play but somehow they would take a look at his bedroom and run away after just one play date, not sure if the room freaked them out or the little sailor suits he always insisted on wearing when they can around."
"Probie that's enough," warned Tony smiling but talking through gritted teeth.
"Tony we made your brother listen to your story so now you need to listen to his." Stated Dr Goodall quite firmly.
"Shall I continue Doctor?" asked Tim, feigning politeness and obedience.
"Yes Tim please do," nodded the Doctor.
"Well he always maintained that those sailor suits gave him the edge with the ladies, but when you are 13 and still wearing them, it just got a bit creepy."
It was now Tony's turn to scowl. "Well at least I get to go out with the ladies and not have to hang out with the science geeks McLoser."
Seeing this was going rapidly downhill the Doctor tried a change of approach.
"Why don't we play a game?"