Tim made his way cautiously into the living room, unsure whether or not he should flee. Gibbs solved that little dilemma by grabbing his arm and leading him over to the centre of the room. The two men (or should that be father and son?) stared at one another.

"What's gotten into you the past few day, Timothy?" demanded Gibbs, Tim winced at the use of his full name. Gibbs barely ever used his first name.

Tim rubbed the back of his head and replied, "I-I don't know, boss."

Gibbs sighed, "That's not an answer,"

"I know. But, honestly I have no idea what made me act like this. We've all just been getting on each other's nerve the past few days."

"And almost got yourselves shot," scolded Gibbs harshly. Tim winced, he still felt guilty when he thought about that. It was his fault that he and Kate almost got shot. He had been bickering with her about a computer system and they didn't see the man coming until it was almost too late.

"Stop it, Timothy," reprimanded Gibbs. "It wasn't just your fault. Let's just focus on the here and now."

Tim nodded and gulped nervously.

(Back in the Hall)

"Ziva speak to us," pleaded Tony, he hated seeing Ziva like this; it reminded him when she was new here and didn't know how to trust people.

"I am fine, Tony" snapped Ziva.

"It's okay to be nervous, Zi" said Kate softly, resting her hand on her younger sister's arm.

Ziva recoiled from the touch, eyes flashing dangerously. "I am not afraid of punishment."

Kate looked sharply at her, "I never said that."

(In the living room)

Gibbs had brought Tim over his lap. He didn't know how difficult it was going to be. Certainly easier than handling Abby but he rarely had to punish Tim. How was he going to take it?

"The belt will hurt, Timothy," warned Gibbs.

Tim gritted his teeth. "I think I know that, boss."

He got a resounding SMACK on his butt for his trouble. Gibbs continued the slow methodical smacks until Tim was trying to squirm off his lap then he picked up the pace a bit. SMACK SMACK SMACK

After a while Gibbs slowed down and stopped completely, now picking up the belt. Tim had tear trailing silently down his cheeks and was gasping for breath.

"I'm using the belt now," Gibbs warned his youngest 'son'.

Tim nodded as best as he could from this position and braced himself. He didn't have to wait long as the first lick landed SWISH-CRACK

"AH!" the cry escaped from his mouth before he could stop it. That was sore!

Gibbs landed the next five so fast Tim could hardly tell where there was a pause between licks.

He was crying without shame now, the damn belt just hurt too much.

Gibbs was talking now. "You had better" SWISH CRACK "not act" SWISH CRACK "Like you did this" SWISH CRACK "week ever again. Understood?" SWISH CRACK

"Yes, Gibbs!" was Tim's somewhat mangled reply. His face was planted firmly in the couch so his boss and father figure couldn't see his tears.

Gibbs didn't say anything put set the belt beside him and rubbed Tim's back soothingly until the young agent was ready to get up.

After a while Tim's tears dried up and he felt safe to get off Gibbs' lap. With some embarrassment he rubbed at his face, in an attempt to rid his face of evidence of tears. Gibbs stayed silence but gave his shoulder a comforting squeeze. Tim smiled slightly and walked towards the door.

"You're a good person, Tim," Gibbs said making Tim stop. "A couple of bad days don't change that."

Tim turned and looked Gibbs in the eye.

"Thanks, dad." He said softly and left the room to go see if Abby had recovered yet.