A/N I realize that I should probably be responding to everyone's reviews personally, but I honestly just don't have the time. Please realize though that I cherish everyone who does take their own precious time to write comments for me as it really keeps me motivated to keep writing. Thank you all again and I hope you like this chapter, it was fun to write.

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Tim woke up the next morning to the sound of his alarm and rolled over to realize that it was not a smart move. The pulsing throbbing pain from last night was now to a dull ache but he knew he would be squirming in his seat today. Tim quickly got dressed and stepped out of his room to see his father in Tony's room at the end of the hallway.

"Tony, get up!" Gibbs yelled in his marine voice. "Just because I am driving today doesn't mean you get to sleep in" he told his oldest son.

"C'mon Dad, just five more minutes" Tim heard Tony mumble sleepily. Tim shook his head at the morning routine before descending the stairs.

"If you are not down in five minutes Tony you are not going to like the consequences when I come up back up!" Gibbs yelled from the top of the stairs. It was amazing how different the early mornings were when Tony had to go to school versus the early mornings when he had to be up for an away football game. Tony was old enough to get up on his own but he had gotten one too many phone calls because Tony had missed the bus so he took it upon himself to get him up in the morning.

"Sleep well Tim?" Gibbs asked as he poured himself a cup of coffee.

"Yeah." Is all Tim said as he continued to eat his Cheerios." No one in the house was much of a talker in the morning so Gibbs just let Tim eat. Five minutes later with no sign of Tony, Gibbs walked to the base of the stairs.

"TONY!" Gibbs shouted. "Don't make me come up there!" And a moment later Tony appeared at the top of the steps dressed and with messy hair.

"Lay up Dad. I am coming. Jeez." Tony grunted impatiently.

"Brush your hair and come eat breakfast." Gibbs ordered. "And Anthony, your attitude better be gone by the time you come down here." He cautioned.

Tony nodded before heading off to the bathroom. He was going to have to be on better graces with his father if he expected to be able to go to the party tonight.

A few minutes later Tony came down and saw that his father had already prepared his toast the way he liked it.

"Eat quick, we're running behind." His dad said from behind the paper he was reading. "Put your dishes away if you're done Tim and go brush your teeth." Gibbs demanded. Tim did as he was told and walked up the stairs.

Tony picked at his toast as he tried to come up with the best way to get permission to go to the party that he knew his father would not approve of.

"What is it Tony?" Gibbs asked without putting down the paper.

"There's this party tonight that I really want to go to. Everyone's going to be there." Tony said slowly. He heard Gibbs sigh and took that as a bad sign. "Before you say no you should know that I did really well in class this last week. And I didn't argue with you once about chores or anything else!" Tony rushed as if that would make his dad agree. Gibbs lowered the corner of his paper before addressing his son.

"Whose house is it at and will their parent's be there?" Gibbs inquired.

Tony continued to pick at his toast before talking slowly. "It's at Brent's house." Tony said confidently knowing that would not be the part his father would be concerned about. "And his parents won't be there" he rushed the words under his breath as if his dad's eagle ears would not catch it.

"No." Is all Gibbs said before resuming to read the paper again.

"Come on Dad, it's just a couple of people getting together. I am not going to do anything stupid" Tony pleaded.

"You just said that everyone is going to be there. So what is it, just a couple of friends or everyone?" Gibbs asked as he set down the paper completely.

Tony sighed angrily. "Both. Everyone who matters is going to be there, but it won't be that many people. I'm sixteen Dad, you can't prevent me from going!" Tony practically yelled.

"Keep up the attitude Anthony and you won't be going anywhere, much less to a party." Gibbs warned his son. "Yeah, you are sixteen years old which is exactly why I don't want you going to an unsupervised party Tony. I know what happens at teen parties." Gibbs finished.

Tony was mad that his dad would not give him permission but he knew that continuing to argue would lead to him yelling and then having to spend the weekend in his room. It was better to drop the conversation now while he was not in too much hot water and continue it later when he was calmer.

"If you aren't going to eat that then put the dishes away and go brush your teeth. We are leaving in ten minutes." His dad commanded. Not hungry anymore did as he was told.

Tony was walking up the stairs and Tim was coming down and rammed his shoulder into Tim's as they crossed paths.

"Hey!" Tim yelled out angrily. He hadn't don't anything to his brother to warrant that.

"Watch where you're going pipsqueak" Tony said as he continued walking up the stairs. He knew he probably should not be taking his anger out on his little brother but he could not help himself.

Tim rubbed at his shoulder as it really had hurt as he continued down the stairs.

"Tim, you still need to make your lunch." Gibbs called from the table. Usually Tim would make it the night before but because of the events of last night he forgot about it completely. He went to the kitchen to make it and Gibbs came in to wash the breakfast dishes. Mornings were usually hectic for the boys so Gibbs would wash them. The dishes from supper were Tim and Tony's responsibility and they would switch off days of doing them.

"Are we still going to the museum tomorrow?" Tim asked hesitantly. His father had not said anything about being grounded but he was reluctant about asking in the event he decided to add on to his punishment.

"Of course Tim. It is my weekend off from on call and I promised you we would go." Gibbs reassured. Tim let out a sigh of relief.

Once his lunch was packed Tim brought it to his backpack and started to put his shoes on.

"Tony! We are leaving in two minutes! Get your butt down here!" Gibbs yelled up the stairs. As he yelled the last word Tony appeared at the top of the stairs with his hair slicked back in its usual style. Tony hopped down the stairs apparently full of energy. Gibbs knew that Tony was trying to play the good child so he might win favor to go the party. It was not going to work but Gibbs was not going to say anything. He rather liked having a cooperative Tony.

Gibbs got his own shoes and coat on while his boys scrambled to get ready. Once they were ready and headed out the door Gibbs stayed to lock the house while Tony and Tim got in the car. When he arrived to the car he was met with Tony and Tim arguing.

"You always get the front seat, that's not fair!" Tim yelled.

"One of the perks of being older" Tony said smugly.

"Tim, back seat." Gibbs ordered as he walked around to the driver's door.

"Nooo" Tim whined.

Gibbs place both hands on the rooof of the car before leveling Tim with a glare. His patience was already thin this morning as they were running late and he had a meeting with the director later that morning.

"You know the rules Tim, you are not tall or heavy enough to sit in the front. Now get in." He ordered firmly.

"But I'm thirteen!" Tim said and crossed his arms in a pout.

"I know exactly how old you are Tim and that does not change my mind. Now get in of your own recognizance or I will help you." The older man threatened. Not wanting any "help" from his father, Tim grumbled angrily to himself but got in the backseat.

"Sorry short stuff" Tony teased as he buckled up and grinned at Tim.

Tim who was in no mood for his older brother's normal teasing kicked the back of his seat.

"Hey!" Tony shouted, all teasing aside.

"Knock it off, both of you!" Gibbs yelled. They weren't even out of the driveway and the sibling rivalry had started.

As they drove off Tim's anger started to boil. His dad was always taking Tony's side, or so he thought. On the few occasions where Tony was allowed to drive Tim around Tony always let him sit in the front seat and nothing had happened. He wanted to bring this up to his father but he knew the only thing that would bring would be punishment. Tony would get his driving privileges revoked for being so careless and Tim would be in trouble for pushing his older brother and going against the well-known rule.

And to top it off Tim got scolded for kicking his brother's seat, but where was Dad when Tony practically shoved him? Apparently Tim was expected to be the golden child but Tony was allowed to get away with murder.

The frustration he felt towards his dad escalated and he kicked Tony's seat again. And then again. As far as Tim was concerned the fault laid with Tony as much as it did with his father. He sure as heck wasn't suicidal enough to take it out on Gibbs though.

"Hey!" Tony cried in outrage and turned to face Tim and let him have a piece of his mind. Before he could say anything though Gibbs had swerved into the shoulder and stopped abruptly.

"Sit back Tony" Gibbs ordered as he placed the car in park. Gibbs then turned so he was facing his pouting youngest son. "I don't know what had gotten into you this morning Timothy but it stops now. If I have to pull this car over again there will be no trip to the museum tomorrow, is that understood?" His father asked impatiently.

"Yes" Tim gritted between his teeth. Here he was getting yelled at again but he really did not want their fieldtrip tomorrow to be cancelled. He had been looking forward to it all week.

"Yes, what?" Gibbs asked. Tim knew what his father wanted him to say, but he was still angry with him and while his mind was screaming at him to say it he just couldn't.

"Do we need to have a 'discussion' on your attitude right now Timothy?" Gibbs threatened as much as he asked.

Knowing from past experience his father would make good on the threat he willed himself to answer as politely as possible.

"No, Dad." Tim said softly.

"Then answer my question."

"Yes, sir. I understand."

"Good." Gibbs replied and pulled back onto the road.

Gibbs dropped Tony off first the high school that was across from the middle school. He told Tony he was going to take the bus home today and that he was expected to stay home with Tim at least until he got back from work. Then he and Tim proceeded to the middle school where he parked and got out and Tim did the same.

They walked to the art room which was conveniently Tim's first class of the day. No one was in there except for Mr. Taft since there was still fifteen minutes before class started.

"Agent Gibbs, good to see you again!" The man said cheerfully as he shook the agent's hand. "Morning Tim" Mr. Taft addressed his student. "What can I do for you?" The teacher asked even though he likely knew the reason.

"Tim here told me what happened and he has something he would like to say to you" Gibbs said as he gave his son a pointed look.

"I'm sorry that I didn't turn my project in" Tim said as he looked Mr. Taft in the eyes.

"And?" Gibbs prodded. When Tim's gaze moved to his and he saw the confusion there Gibbs explained further. "You lied to Mr. Taft Tim" Gibbs said quietly. Tim knew in the eyes of his father that withholding information was the same as telling a blatant lie. While he disagreed about it, it was not something he wanted to discuss right here and now.

"I'm sorry I hid my bowl from you and then lied about turning it in." Tim finished.

Mr. Taft had pulled Tim's finished bowl from off the shelf before addressing the boy.

"Thank you for apologizing Tim. I am sure that was already dealt with." Mr. Taft said as gave a knowing glance to Gibbs. Tim's face flushed red in embarrassment. "As it is your first offense I am going to give you your full credit. This was good work Tim and I gave you a B. I know that's not what you want to hear, but you have to understand that you did fine work here. Like I have been telling you, art isn't about perfection Tim." He said kindly to Tim. He knew how hard the teen had worked on this.

"You know the sad part about this Tim?" he asked. Tim shook his head in confusion. "If you would have asked me for help, this would not have turned out lopsided." Tim looked up at his teacher. "I can easily see the mistake you made and with a simple technique change this would have turned out as something you wanted it to be. I am here to help you Timothy, all you need to do is ask." His teacher said softly. He knew how much Tim hated to struggle and how hard it was for him to ask for help.

"I know" Tim murmured softly. He mentally kicked himself for being so stupid that he did not even think to ask for help. How many times had his father and teachers told him that was his biggest fault? Everything just came to him so easily academically speaking that when he hit a bump he did not know how to handle it well.

"Tim, why don't you go put your backpack in your locker?" Gibbs asked as he rested a hand on his shoulder. Tim immediately looked up at his father. He knew his father wanted to talk to his teacher alone and that made him nervous. There was no way out so he did as his father asked.

"Tim, Tony will be home half an hour after you are and he's in charge. I want your chores done by the time I get home okay?" Tim nodded and his father gave him a kiss on the head before Tim left the room.

"Something on your mind Agent Gibbs?" Mr. Taft asked kindly once the door shut behind Tim.

"Thank you for doing so well with Tim. I know this isn't his favorite class but he only has good things to say about you."

"Tim's a great kid. I know art isn't his thing, but he works harder than anyone else in the class. You should be proud of him."

Gibbs already knew everything Mr. Taft has said was true but it felt good when other's recognized it as well. Gibbs smiled as he responded. "I know, I am very proud of him. That being said, Tim really does need to learn to ask for help. It's been a long process we have been working on, so next week I want to call and make sure he is actually doing so."

After exchanging a few pleasantries and setting up a time to call for next week Gibbs left for work.

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A/N What an awful place to end. I just wanted to get something posted. I have the plot laid out in my mind, I just have to get it written. There is way too much in my life right now for that to happen. So I lied, there will be several more chapters. Bonus, there will be a scene at the museum with Gibbs and Tim that is fluffy goodness where Tim in not in trouble, because overall he is a good kid. It is just more fun writing about when he is in trouble =)