A/N: Thanks to everyone that has commented on this story because they always bring a smile to my face. Dun, dun, dun the talk is here!
…
Walking towards the bullpen area Vance's eyes were drawn to the uniformed men that were busy emptying the donation bin on the floor into one of their sacks.
"Thank you for coming Gunny Williams and Gonzalez" Vance said while eyeing the tags on the uniformed men so he could get the names right.
Extending his hand to the head of NCIS Gunnery Sergeant Gonzalez merely said, "we should be thanking you for these" the sergeant said while gesturing to the sack of toys.
Not giving the toy filled sacks a glance fearful that he would be disappointed Vance meekly responded by saying, "it was a slow giving season."
Gunnery sergeant Williams allowed his eyes to bug out a bit before responding, "this is a slow season sir? You're agency has already exceeded other donation spots by light-years."
Forming his lips into a stationary smile Vance said, "well then I fear many kids will go without gifts this year."
Shaking their heads the two Marines both replied, "We have three sacks full of toys here and we still have another floor to go" and each once again motioned to the filled sacks.
It was now Vance's turn to do a double take before sweeping his eyes over the bullpen and rather than taking in the antics of David and DiNozzo he let his eyes rest on the prone figure of Tim McGee who upon feeling eyes upon him looked up briefly and smiled at the director before returning to work.
Ever the professional the older man thought to himself. Shaking the outstretched hands of the Marines once again Vance added, "my children at St. Ames school have some toys that are awaiting pickup as well."
"Well we will add the name to the list sir, and once again thank you for all your help" Gonzalez said as he was preparing to empty out the rest of the toys in the bin.
Nodding his head in approval Vance watched as the two men retreated towards the elevator before making his way into the bullpen that housed the best NCIS team.
Leon Vance lowered his head so him and Tim were close enough so only their ears could hear what was about to be said, "I know you brought more gifts…thank you" Vance whispered before clapping the man on the back and retreating to his office to tell his children's school that the Marines would be there within the hour to pick up their donations.
Vance could feel the eyes of the team on him as he prepared to go up the stairs and before he reached the final step of the stairs Vance said loudly, "McGee I'll have the time and date for you soon" and upon getting a nod of approval from the man Vance left the squad room area.
"What is going on McSecreative" Tony asked after curiously watching the exchange between Tim and the director.
"Just helping out a needy cause" Tim said deciding that being somewhat upfront with the team was better than leaving the team completely in the dark because he knew from experience that he hated that.
Still curious and not satisfied at the parcel of information that he had gotten, Tony decided to wheedle out more by asking, "what cause would be in need of your McSpecialPowers."
Ziva stepped in talking pity on her coworker and friend and said, "put a can on it Tony."
"That would be lid, put a lid on it Zee" Tim said while correcting the broken idiom as if it was second nature before the young agent added, "but thank you."
"Can, lid it is the same difference is it not? Do not both keep things in?" Ziva asked shrugging her shoulders.
"But Zee there is a difference. You have been here for what five years now how do you keep messing up these idioms. That is it for Christmas I am buying you an idiom book" Tony said while starting up his usual banter with their Israeli partner.
Tim smirked at seeing Tony enter into an animated discussion on enough English phrases that soon Tony forget about weaseling information out of him, and he was let off the hook.
….
Tim ran into the headquarters of the NCIS building early one very freezing morning at work. He tried to rub warmth back into his frozen hands while he walked through security easily enough and into the awaiting elevator.
Exiting the elevator after being moderately successful at the rewarming of his hands Tim was greeted to a steaming cup of coffee on his desk along with a note that said, "McGee come upstairs once you are in and settled."
Tim quickly took a sip of his favorite Hazelnut blend that he only drank on occasions because his other team members never remembered that he liked the hazelnut blend with no sugar while he powered up his computer and station. That way if he took long up with Vance his workstation was already booted up and ready to work when he returned, thus minimizing the risk that Gibbs would be peeved at him for any reason.
Breezing up the stairs and into the outer office of Vance's domain Pam greeted him and said, "Morning Tim, he is ready and expecting you."
Nodding and murmuring his hellos to the pleasant woman Tim breezed into the somewhat open door before saying, "I got your note sir."
Looking up from checking paperwork and expense reports Vance said, "I reviewed the security footage, that was quite a large donation Mr. Gemcity." After meeting with the Marines the director had secured the security footage that showed Tim bringing in almost three full bags of toys the other day.
"Good cause sir" Tim said blushing a bit from the praise.
Nodding Vance said, "well after the Marines left the school yesterday afternoon the school tallied the donations and picked the winning class. Congratulations you will be talking to Mrs. Williams fourth grade class, which also happens to be my daughter's class."
"I would be honored to do so sir" Tim said growing excited at the prospect of getting to talk to a class about his work and what he did. "Is there anything that you would like me to talk to them about" Tim added.
"No, you can just tell them about NCIS and maybe why you chose this field Tim" Vance replied.
"Sounds good sir, what date would you like me to talk to them?" the younger agent asked.
"How about next Tuesday, that is their last full day of school, and I think that it would be a wonderful opportunity to end the year with" Vance said after looking over the list of days that the school had sent over that they deemed acceptable.
Titling his head to the left a bit Tim said, "Yea that would work for me. That is the day before our vacation begins so we shouldn't catch a hot case."
"I'll tell Gibbs, so even if there is a hot case it won't be a problem McGee" Vance said making a note to talk to the senior agent.
"Okay" Tim said as he motioned to leave before Vance said, "thanks for this Tim."
…..
Returning home later than Vance expected after getting caught in a turf war between Metro and NCIS he reheated the steak leftovers that his wife had left for him, before he quietly made his way up the stairs.
First the man stopped at Jared and Kayla's room to make sure that they were tucked in and sleeping soundly and to make sure that they weren't trying to be sneaky and stay up later than their bedtime, and upon seeing that each was in fact safely encased in their bed Vance withdrew and continued on towards the master bedroom.
"Hey hunny" Jackie greeted her husband while she closed the book that she had been reading and started turning down the bed in preparation for sleep.
Vance quickly went over to the bed and kissed Jackie on the cheek before making his way into the bathroom to change and clean up for bed.
Turning off the bathroom light both Vance's entered the bed at the same time and Jackie took no extra time in scooting closer to her husband, and tucked under her husband's broad shoulder the woman said, "Kayla told me that the classes were informed that her class won."
Nodding Vance said, "Yea the school told me the other day but I didn't want to ruin the surprise. How did she sound about winning?" Vance asked curious to see if either of the children had softened their tone on McGee talking to their class.
"She came home and gently rubbed it in her brother's face, but after that she didn't really mention it." Jackie said picking up quickly on why her husband asked the question and rushed to say, "I am sure that once McGee gets to class that the children will see the error in their ways."
Tightening his grip around his wife and smiling at the feeble attempt to make him feel better, Vance felt the arms below his slacken and heard the even and deepening breaths, however sleep was a long time coming to the older man.
…
Scrolling into the squad room Vance stopped at Gibbs desk and waited for the Marine to acknowledge his presence before he began talking.
"Something I can help you with Leon" Gibbs asked looking up and meeting the man's eyes while he took a sip from his lukewarm coffee.
"Tim will be out of the office next Tuesday" Vance said.
Scowling at the unexpected development Gibbs asked, "and why is the sir?"
"He is helping me out and doing me a favor" Vance said unsure of how comfortable Tim would be having his team know all the details.
"What favor?" Gibbs said pressing the man before him for further answers because he was unsatisfied with the cryptic answer that he had just been given.
"He is talking to a local class Gibbs" Vance said settling on a more detailed answer that still left some of the details out.
"Fine" Gibbs said before he lowered his head to read the report in front of him and effectively ending the conversation which prompted Vance to make his way towards his office.
…..
Coming in briefly after the Vance- Gibbs talk Tim took in the somewhat stiff and strained atmosphere and registered Gibbs eyes following him all the way until he reached his seat and booted up his station.
"Vance bullying you into anything?" Gibbs said from his spot across from his younger agent where he allowed his eyes to covertly look at the man over his open report.
"Excuse me?" Tim asked somewhat taken aback by the implications that he was being bullied into something.
"That talk? Is he making you do it?" Gibbs asked hoping that adding clarification would give him the answer that he wanted.
Suddenly dawning on Tim what his boss was talking about Tim stiffly replied, "no, I volunteered."
Nodding his head, Gibbs was satisfied that one of his agents wasn't being taken advantage of, and Gibbs went back to the report, however the feeling of discomfort took a bit of time to fade for Tim.
…..
A little less than a week later Tim was driving up to the private catholic school where he was going to be talking and he noticed that as he drove up in his silver Porsche that there were quite a few children and parental heads turning his way, and from the car Tim's face got a bit rosy from the attention.
"Okay class as you know today we have a very special agent that is here to talk to you" Mrs. Williams said as she talked to her class in preparation of introducing Tim.
Kayla, in the back, like many of the students in front of her seemed rather disinterested in the whole thing, and that was a fact that did not go unnoticed by the long time teacher.
"Why don't we give Agent McGee a warm applause" the teacher said as she went over to the classroom door to let Tim in.
A few dutiful kids followed the teacher's suggestion and surveying the class as he walked in, Tim felt more nervous than when he gave his valedictorian speeches.
Waving and saying, "Hey guys I'm Tim" as Tim walked towards the front of the classroom so he could better see everyone.
"Hello Agent McGee" the class said in unison almost as if the line had been rehearsed and planned out ahead of time.
Pulling a chair out from the podium and positioning the chair in front of the podium to try and convey a sense of approachability Tim said, "It is an honor to come and talk to you guys today."
Not getting much of a response Tim started right in on talking, "Well I am an agent from NCIS.." Tim began before he was cut off by a student in the back who said, "you look like a geek not an agent!"
Taking a deep breath, and trying to clear away a bit of the sting that came with the outburst Tim said, "Well looks can be deceiving. But I can assure you I am an agent" and to prove his point Tim took out his badge and passed it around the class.
"Anyways I am an agent, and I work for one of the top teams in the agency. My job is to look for those that commit crimes and make sure that they can't hurt anyone else." Tim stated before being interrupted again by a student saying, "looks like the only place you can catch people is online."
Tim tried to remain calm knowing that these kids were just that..kids, so in an even tone Tim said, "Actually many of the crimes and crime fights are going online, so this is an important skill set. I decided to join NCIS because I wanted to make sure that people stayed safe. Now if anyone has any questions I'm free to answer them?"
An instant hand flew up, much to Mrs. Williams and Tim's surprise, and Mrs. Williams said, "Yes, Shawn what is your question?"
"Do you carry a gun and get to shoot people?" the boy asked from the back corner.
Tensing up at the question Tim said, "I do carry a gun, but I only use it when it is necessary and after all other options have been used."
"But why…what fun is that?" another voice called out just as Tim was finishing his answer.
"Using a gun is very serious…and should always be the last resort. Plus there is usually extra paperwork" Tim said trying to make a joke even though no one in the audience seemed to be biting.
"Oh I have a question!" a girl shouted out.
Straining her neck to see who it was, Mrs. Williams eyes laid on Courtney Gunter and said, "Yes Courtney?"
"Do you get to use your badge to get to the front of the lines at clubs? Do you have a cool car?" Courtney asked in a rush.
Laughing a bit at the exuberance Tim said, "That would be a no on the badge question, but I do drive a Porsche" which earned him some ohh's and ahh's from the crowd.
"Why don't we thank Tim for coming?" Mrs. Williams said eyeing the clock and knowing that the day was almost over.
"Thank you" the class echoed out in a slightly more appealing tone than when Tim had first began.
Waving, Tim was about to leave the classroom when a boy slipped out of his seat and came over to Tim and pulled on his pant leg to get the man's attention.
Crouching down so that he was at the kid's eye level Tim whispered so only they could hear, "hey buddy, is something wrong?"
Nodding his head so hard that Tom thought he was going to get whiplash, Tim encouraged the boy to say more by putting a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder and saying, "what is it?"
"Do you really put bad guys away?" the boy meekly asked.
"Sure do" Tim said before adding, "why?"
Leaning in even closer the smaller boy said, "just curious" even though Tim knew that the boy wanted to say more.
Just as the boy was getting ready to return to his desk Tim said, "what is your name?"
"Lawrence Carlen" the boy said.
"Well Lawrence here is my card..you call if you need anything okay?" Tim said handing over the card to the little boy and making sure that it was firmly in the man's grasp and seeing the boy shake his head in acceptance before he levered off the ground and waved the class goodbye.
…
Tim pulled out of the school parking lot and turned his Porsche not in the direction of home, but rather the Navy Yard so he could dig deeper into Lawrence's past.