CHAPTER 2

One Month Later

Tim had been watching Gibbs a lot lately. In fact Gibbs had called him out on it once.

"McGee! What do you want?"

Tim didn't say anything for about 20 seconds.

"Nothing boss."

He looked to his computer as if there was something he was working on.

"Do me a favor then. Quit staring at me."

Tim nodded. Gibbs was getting a little concerned about him. Ever since Tim's dad died, he's been acting distant. He'll say what needs to be said for the job, and then become silent. He doesn't even participate in quarrelling with Tony anymore.

Later that night Tony, and Ziva had gone home. He had thought Gibbs had gone home for the night as well. There was a box sitting on top of Tim's desk with some things in it. Tim was staring out the window; he felt there was no other option. It was time for him to leave D.C. He didn't talk to his family anymore and he'll admit to being a coward when it comes to telling Gibbs about the secret he's been keeping. It was the only option. He didn't feel like himself anymore. It hurt that his family would keep a secret like this from him. His entire life was a joke apparently to everyone around him. Nobody took him seriously anymore. It hurt him so much, that all he wanted to do was cry. He was oblivious to the fact that tears were streaming down his face. He rested his head against the glass and became lost in his own world.

Gibbs has just finished talking to the director and made his way down the stairs. He wasn't expecting anyone to still be there. He walked to his desk and looked up. Tim was staring out the window with a very lost look on his face. He then looks at Tim's desk and saw the box with his things in it. Gibbs walked up behind Tim.

"You're not leaving."

It wasn't a request or question. It was stated as an order.

"I have to." Tim whispered.

He really didn't want to leave, but knew he had to. Gibbs put his hands on Tim's shoulders and turned him around to face him.

"Why Tim?"

Gibbs noticed the tears streaks on his face.

"Because I don't feel real anymore."

"And you think if you leave it'll be different?"

Tim shrugged.

"I have to try. I don't like this boss. I hurt so much."

"Is it because of your father?"

Tim shook his head.

"My father doesn't even know I exist."

Tim turned and walked towards his desk. He picked up his box and looked at Gibbs.

"I guess this is goodbye?"

It was stated as a question. Gibbs walked up to Tim took the box out of his hands, and set it back on the desk.

"No Tim. I won't let you take the easy way out. Now what do you mean your father doesn't even know you exist? I thought your father passed away?"

Tim nodded.

"That's what I thought too."

This was making absolutely no sense what so ever.

"Dimmit McGee! Stop talking in riddles."

"He told me right before he died that I wasn't his kid. They lied to me! They lied to me my whole life!"

Tim shrunk to the floor.

"I don't know how to tell my father who he is."

Gibbs kneeled down on the floor in front of Tim.

"You know who it is?"

Tim nodded and looked at his hands.

"He told me then asked for forgiveness."

"Mind if I ask who it is?"

Tim looked into Gibbs' eyes. He wasn't sure what to say. He couldn't say 'it's you' and he was a horrible liar, so he opted to stay quiet.

"Ok Tim. You don't have to tell me, but you're not leaving."

"Don't you get it boss? There's nothing left for me here?"

Gibbs shook his head in confusion.

"I don't talk to my family anymore and I'm so much of a coward that I can't even tell my father who he is."

Tim stood up from the ground.

"I don't feel real anymore. I feel like I'm in a bad dream and I just need to wake up."

Tears started to make their way down his face again.

"This bad dream is my life and maybe the only way to wake up is to find something, somewhere new."

Gibbs got to his feet in front of Tim.

"If you leave all you're doing Tim is running away from your problems. It's not going to help."

Tim looked down to the ground, and Gibbs lifted his chin so he could look Tim in the eye.

"You need to face your problems head on. It's the only way you're going to get through them."

Tim looked down again watching as his fingers were fiddling with each other.

"Do you think I should tell my father? What if he hates me?"

Tim started pacing.

"What if he didn't want me in the first place and that's why he left?"

Gibbs stepped in front of Tim and put his hand on his shoulder to stop him from pacing.

"You won't know the answer to those questions until you try."

Tim nodded.

'Here goes nothing.' It was his chance to finally know why Gibbs wasn't in his life when he was a kid.

"Gibbs?"

Gibbs looked at Tim confused. Tim never called him 'Gibbs.'

"Yes?"

Tim took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

"I'm your son."

Tim opened his eyes to gage his fathers' reaction. He saw the confused look and panicked. He turned and ran out of the room as fast as his legs could carry him.