Chapter 04

Jimmy woke up lying in bed he felt warm, safe and protected. He tried to turn over and realized he was being held against something much bigger than him. He froze trying to remember what happen and who he was in bed with. The last thing he remembered was the stupid test and then someone trying to comfort him. Then one last order to shift back and then blackness.

"Relax and go back to sleep James. We'll talk in the morning."

Jimmy's eyes seemed too closed on their own as his body followed the orders and he started too drifted off. Until he snapped his eyes open when he realized what he was doing. He shifted as he jumped off the bed and turned around hackles raised and growling deep in his throat at the man in his bed.

Tim cursed when he felt his little mate move off the bed. He reached over and turned the bedside lamp on. He was faced with a pure midnight black wolf. The wolf had his ears lying flat on his head, hackles raised, teeth bared, growling deep in his throat and his green eyes were bright with fury as he shook with anger and fear. He said calmly. "Jimmy I didn't mean what I said as an order. I meant you need to calm down. Can you please shift back so that we can talk? I won't force you by ordering you. I promise not to give you an order in less I need to. But we do need to talk. Just talk I promise I won't hurt you or force you to do anything else."

Jimmy shook his head and continued growling as he moved away from the bed. Keeping his eyes on McGee he slowly moved towards the door.

"Jimmy you need to stay in the room until morning." Tim said softly.

Jimmy's growling increased but couldn't help letting out a whimper.

"Sorry Jimmy I can't go against Gibb's orders. Besides I agree with him you need to rest. We aren't bonding until you agree to it. If that's what you're worried about." Tim said.

Jimmy huffed. Knowing there wasn't anything he could do to change his mind about letting him leave and he wasn't about to force his hand ether. He may say he wouldn't order him but he wouldn't put it past him to change his mind to make him stay in the room. But he wasn't going to change back or get back in the bed with him. If he punished him for disobeying so be it. Although Jimmy did stop growling realizing it was pointless. Jimmy moved over to the chair in the corner. Watching McGee as he went and jumped up figuring he could at least rest in his favorite cozy chair. He lay where he could watch McGee but was comfortable. But his eye remained open as he lay his head on his front paws.

Tim sighed and watched him for a few minutes. He finally said. "So you won't sleep and you won't talk. Would it be alright if I ask a few questions?"

Jimmy raised his head and turned it sideways. He gave a soft woof.

Tim chuckled he couldn't help but find it adorable. He said. "You could nod or give barks for yes or no."

Jimmy growled and then huffed as he rolled his eyes.

"You could always try sleeping." Tim said with a raised eyebrow.

Jimmy growled and shook his head.

"Ok. So nods it is." Tim said.

Jimmy rolled his eyes but nodded.

"Good. Well let's see yes and no questions. Where to start. How about. Did you know before today we were mates?" Tim asked.

Jimmy nodded.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Tim asked.

Jimmy blinked. Then gave a soft growl and an irritated glare.

Tim blinked and then gave a soft laugh and said. "Right yes or no. Hmm."

Jimmy lay his head back down.

"Are you afraid of us?" Tim asked softly.

Jimmy nodded then he curled into a tight ball.

Tim blinked all he saw was black fur and green eyes. But the way he was curled up he knew the Q and A was over. He turned the light off and lay down. Before he closed his eyes he said softly. "I told Gibbs I wanted you to feel safe and I do Jimmy. It's only you and I in the room and the door is locked from the inside. No one else will come in until tomorrow morning when I take you downstairs for breakfast. I'm trusting you not to leave until morning. I'm also trusting you not to attack me as I sleep. I hope you'll do the same and trust me and get some sleep as well. Goodnight my mate."

Jimmy blinked and watched to see if it was a trick. A few minutes later he heard McGee softly snoring. He got up and shifted then found night clothes and sat in the window seat and stared out the window. This is why he chose this room as his bedroom. He loved the window seat when he couldn't sleep he'd curl up and stare up at the stars and just think.

A while later Jimmy shuffled around in the window seat as his foot started going numb from being trapped under him. Shifting around to find another comfortable position. He froze after he was settled when he heard McGee mumble in his sleep and then turned over. He stayed still until McGee started snoring again.

Jimmy sighed as he looked up at the stars for answers. He was conflicted he both loved and cared about the people at NCIS. But he was terrified of joining another pack and what could happen. The last pack he was in had practically destroyed him. It had taken years for him to learn to get past his fear and he still hadn't fully. The hardest part was trusting that anyone and everyone he came in contact with wouldn't hurt him.

Jimmy got lost in thought and didn't notice the snoring stop again. That is until he heard someone sit in the chair next to him. He froze and held his breath waiting. When nothing happened he turned and looked over at McGee eyes wide. Confused when he just stared back not moving.

"Jimmy talk to me." Tim said quietly.

"What do you want me to say?" Jimmy said.

"Let's start with how and when you found out we're mates and why you decided not to tell me." Tim said.

"It doesn't matter. You won't remember and therefore won't believe me. Which is also part of the reason I didn't tell you." Jimmy said.

"Wait. I won't remember. Explain that please." Tim said with a raised eyebrow.

Jimmy sighed and said. "Fine but don't say I didn't warn you."

Tim nodded and motioned him to continue.

"Do you remember the dog attacking you? And then Gibbs having Ducky check you." Jimmy asked dryly.

Tim nodded and said. "Yeah. Then Ducky had you bandage my wounds. Then Gibbs sent me back to Headquarters with the Dog."

Jimmy nodded and said. "Except I was the first to reach you. I pulled the dog off of you after you shot it. You looked at me and mumbled something and then passed out. I started checking your wounds and got your blood on me. Gibbs ordered me away from you and told Ducky to check me for wounds. I didn't understand that until later."

Tim frowned he didn't remember that. He looked at him and said. "I don't remember that. But he got you away from me and with Ducky for your own safety. Gibbs must have been afraid I'd attack you or if he saw the blood and didn't know it was mine. He may have thought I already had."

Jimmy nodded and said. "Gibbs thought I was a human tending an injured shifter and he didn't know how long you'd been unconscious or if you would remain that way. They wouldn't let me near you again until they knew I was safe from you. Once we got back to Autopsy. Dr. Mallard lectured me about running into a crime scene without waiting for it to be cleared or letting Gibbs get to you first. He told me not to mention it to you as you probably wouldn't remember and you had enough to deal with. Then he ordered me to shower before returning to work. It wasn't until I was showering your blood off. That I recognized your scent and thought back to what you were mumbling and Gibbs reaction. It scared the hell out of me. I realized what you were and more than likely what the team was with Gibbs and Ducky's reaction."

"What was I mumbling?" Tim asked.

"Mate." Jimmy said softly.

"Did you find out for sure we were shifters or just assume?" Tim asked.

Jimmy gave a dry laugh and said. "I may not have been on team Gibbs for long at that point. But I had heard of Gibbs rules and wanted to be sure, so I double checked. I called my brother and asked if he knew of any packs in DC not mentioning what happened. He knew I had gotten the job as Dr. Mallards assistant. I played it off as I had noticed a few things and I was scared of being discovered by other shifters. He bought it, but was shocked I didn't know I worked with shifters that had formed their own pack. Clark told me that's why he was so trilled I got the job. I'd be in constant contact with a pack. A pack that from what he heard was made up of a motley crew of shifters but was tight nit and protected their own. That he knew was the good news. The not so good news. It also made him realize just how removed I was from as he called it my roots. He asked me to spend time with the pack. He told me that telling them what I am. Was my choice but he wanted me to get to know them better and give them a chance."

Tim blinked and said. "You had been with us only a few months. You barely spoke to any of us aside from Ducky or Abby. How did he intend for you to do that?"

Jimmy shrugged and said. "Don't know. Didn't really care. I intended to work the job, finish med school and move on. Making friends wasn't something I was looking for or a priority. I made the appropriate comments and got off the phone."

Tim raised an eyebrow at that and said. "So what changed your mind about us? And did us being mates ever come up again?"

"As I got to know all of you working together. I figure it was safe as long as I kept my personal life to myself. Abby started inviting me to meet up with everyone after work. Later different people started inviting me along for this or that. Before I knew it I was friends with all of you. I was surprised at first at how close we all got so fast. But I decided to take things as they came. I figured it was still safe. None of you knew about me or that I knew about you. Next thing I know it's three years later and you're all my second family. By then it dawned on me this could end really badly. And I was stuck with nowhere to turn. I couldn't just force myself to suddenly not love you all or stay away. Believe me I tried, it didn't work. So I kept telling myself none of you knew about me or that I knew about you. So I just continued playing human and prayed everything would be fine. As for us being or not being mates. I to be honest put it out of my mind until a few months ago. At the time I figured you were hurt and disoriented and I had to be wrong. Just to be safe I made sure we were never alone. Then forced myself not to think about it."

Tim asked. "What happen a few months ago? I'm thinking it's also why you left. Or at least part of it."

Jimmy looked out the window and sighed.

"Jimmy? Come on it can't be that bad. Just tell me." Tim said.

Jimmy said not turning from the window. "Your birthday is the day after mine. We're the same age McGee."

Tim blinked and it dawned on him. He hung his head and said quietly. "You thought if Gibbs and your brother found out there was even a small chance we were mates. That they'd pressure us into finding out for sure and if we were force us to bond by our 30th birthdays. But you said yourself we both were mistaken." Tim lifted his head and met eyes with Jimmy. "In less that changed?"

Jimmy nodded and he said. "A few months before our birthdays I went into heat. Normally I'd take the week off. But lost track because of back to back cases and the warning signs I had. I passed them off as the flu going around the office. When it hit me fully that afternoon at first I panicked. But after the panic passed. I thought ok embarrassing but I'm safe. Dr. Mallard and the team was on an away case and Abby away at a conference. None of you were supposed to be back until well after it was over. I figured as long as I stayed out of sight and in autopsy I'd be fine. Horny and frustrated but fine. That is until a few days later when I opened my eyes to you and Abby standing over me."

Tim glared at him as he said. "Abby and I came to ask you to lunch. We both hadn't seen you in over a week and missed you. We found you on the floor in your office. You woke up and told us not to touch you that were sore all over because of the flu. You kept insisting you where resting on the couch and must have tumbled off in your sleep. We all knew you had passed out. Abby and I figured you were embarrassed. So we let it go as long as you saw a Doctor. Abby acting on behalf of Ducky sent you home but made you promised to visit your Doctor. You know that she called Ducky and he wasn't happy she sent you home alone. We weren't happy you were alone ether. But when we both offered to take you home and stay with you. You refused and we didn't want to force it and make things worse on you. Wait you lied to us? Ducky told us the next day you'd seen a Doctor and where taking time off on their orders. Was that a lie to?"

"I didn't lie to any of you. I really wasn't feeling well. I did go to my Doctor the next day because I was worried about why I passed out. Ok maybe I lied about passing out but the rest I didn't. I had a mix of a bad case of the flu and my heat. I did call Dr. Mallard when I got home from the Doctors and tell him I needed a few days off on Doctors orders. That was true my Doctor told me the only thing I could do was call my boss and get time off. Then use over the counter medication to treat the symptoms, get plenty of bed rest and push fluids. I spent a few days in bed and then was good as new. Although after that I did pay better attention to the calendar. Do you remember what else happened before I left?" Jimmy asked.

Tim blushed a little and said. "Yeah Abby went to hug you and I growled at her. We thought you didn't hear me. She and I both were a little weirded out by that. I have never growled at her before. Abby covered as best she could for me and got me out of there and brought me to Gibbs. I'm sure you notice after that. Anytime we had to be in the same room after that ether Gibbs or Tony was there. And I was told to stay away from you as much as possible. None of us knew why I reacted that way."

"Yes I heard you and yes I did noticed you stayed away. But since I was making sure to stay as far away from you as I could myself. I thought it was a good thing. That day is what let me know we are mates. Especially after visiting the Doctor. No big mystery here McGee. You were near your unclaimed submissive mate who was both ill and in heat. Mix that with being separated for over a week and then finding me the way you two did. The three of us are lucky your wolf didn't do more than growl?" Jimmy said quietly.

"Ah and yet you said nothing." Tim said more than a little annoyed.

"What was I supposed to say? Hey McGee you don't know I'm a shifter or that I know you're one but guess what we're mates. Not going to happen. Besides a few weeks later things went from bad to worse. Clark always checks in on me around my birthday. He's always has been overprotective and as much as I want to be angry with him. Clark is trying to protect me in his own twisted way. Submissives especially true male submissive are rare. A few days after my 29th birthday he called and we talked. Things were fine until towards the end of the call. Clark reminded me I had a year left. Then he asked how I was getting along with the pack at work and told me it was past time to tell them the truth. Clark ordered me to tell Gibbs and join the pack. We started arguing before we got off the phone and he didn't trust me to do as I was told and called Gibbs. The next day when Ducky arrived. He was already angry with me. He told me about Clark calling Gibbs and Gibbs having a pack meeting about me. And how now everyone in the pack was both hurt and angry but angry was mostly showing right now so watch what I said. He then ordered me upstairs to talk to Gibbs and his pack, swatting me as I left. I started to go upstairs until I realized what I was setting myself up for and you know the rest." Jimmy said.

Tim was puzzled and turned his head in confusion. He said. "Ok I've heard the term Submissive but not True Submissive. What's the difference?"

Jimmy turned his head and looked at him in shock. He asked. "You were in another pack before Gibbs was your Alpha weren't you?"

Tim nodded and said. "Yes my father took over as Alpha after my grandfather died. My father wanted me to take over after him. Of course first he wanted me to join the Navy like the rest of the males of his pack. He disowned me from his family and the pack when I refused to join the Navy. He and my mother were divorced by then. My mother and my step-father joined a relaxed pack that is more a social club. I didn't join another pack until I joined Gibbs pack. Why?"

Jimmy sighed and looked at him. "So no one ever told you the roles and legends. Ok how to explain this? The easiest way to explain is a True Submissive is the heart of the pack."

Tim frowned and said. "Ok I'm not following you."

Jimmy raised an eyebrow and said. "Think McGee. The heart of the pack. The one thing everyone protects. A True Submissive is basically the mom or caregiver take your pick of what you want to call them. A few male TS get angry at being called mom but most don't care as long as their packs are healthy. True submissive along with keeping the pack healthy take care of any cubs. If a pack member is sick or ill. The TS won't relax until the pack as a whole is healthy again. Even if the TS is separated from the pack member during the time they heal. Until the TS see them healthy again. The TS won't relax and will go into an agitated state. In return they are protected by the entire pack. While it's true they are submissive to everyone. At the same time they often are the most listened to by everyone because of their role. Since they are close to and heal everyone in the pack they belong to." Jimmy said and then looked away hoping Tim didn't notice he was purposely leaving out a major part about true submissive and why they were so protected.

Tim blinked and told himself to ask Gibbs about this later. Jimmy was acting oddly he wondered what he was leaving out but decided to leave it for now. So he said. "How is it then you can refuse orders by Gibbs and Tony?"

Jimmy smirked and said. "It's harder and takes an effort with Gibbs. Because you've accepted him as your Alpha. The rest of the pack I don't have to do as they say. If we were to bond the connection would strengthen both to Gibbs and the pack even if I don't accept them. If we were to mate and I did accept Gibbs as Alpha and the rest of the pack. Well I'm not sure it's been awhile since I was in a pack. I believe I'd still be able to tell them no. Not sure about you either way to be honest. But the pack will only be able to get me to do their bidding if I'm given a direct order if I accept. Although knowing how stubborn I can be even that will be a fight. Just ask Clark. For right now were not mated and they're not my pack so I can refuse. I admit I do see them as friends. A second family even but not pack members. My instinct right now though is to fight any order from another wolf, no matter who they are. I have no Alpha and no pack and have no need for one. I'm fine on my own and plan to remain that way."

Tim raised an eyebrow and smirked at the challenge. He said. "Ok your reaction to Tony's order makes more sense now. It's not so much a wolf thing as a big brother telling his little brother what to do. And the little brother response of your not the boss of me. We'll have to talk to Gibbs about the pack not giving you orders in less its necessary. Also we need to talk to him about if he knows how things will change after we bond and you join the pack."

"Whoa! Are you deaf? I just said I'm not accepting Gibbs or the pack. Nothing has changed McGee and that includes you as my mate. It's not Poof were mates and problem solved. I'm not going to roll over and let you control my life any more than Clark or Gibbs. I'm my own person with my own life. And my answer remains the same. I'm fine on my own, no Alpha, no pack, no mate period. Nothing you say or do will change that!" Jimmy said more than a little upset as he ranted and raved throwing his arms around in frustration.

Tim sighed and stood as he offered his hand to Jimmy.

Jimmy glared and backed up until his back hit the wall. Then he whimpered and he started to shift. He froze when he heard a deep growled NO. He stopped and glared up at McGee. He said. "I thought you wouldn't order me in less you had to? Has that changed already?"

Tim glared right back moving closer and extending his hand again. He said. "I didn't order you I said no. As in no the problem is not solved and no you don't get to hide from this in your wolf form Jimmy. But right now you're over tired and not thinking rationally. We have a long drive in the morning. So let me help you over to the bed. So that you can get some sleep."

Jimmy mouth dropped open in shock. Then a second later he jumped up forcing Tim back and said furiously. "I will repeat it slowly so you understand me this time McGee. I'm not going anywhere tomorrow or any day with you and your Alpha. This is my house and I'm staying put. I don't care if you like it or not. I'm rejecting you, the pack and Gibbs as my Alpha. Just because we're mates doesn't mean you can force me to live how and where you chose by ordering me around McGee. We're not bonded and won't be ever. Deal with it."

Tim growled low and grabbed him. Turning a shocked Jimmy around and swatting his backside as he walked him across the room to the bed. Tim then stopped and picked him up and put him in the bed covering him up. Tim then said meeting teary defiant eyes. "I've tried being nice and I've been reasonable up until this moment but I've had it. I get it. You don't want this and you've had a tough life. But you are not the only person this is affecting James. So for now we will do this my way until you can see reason and discuss things like an adult. For now you will stay in that bed and sleep. If you wake before I do you may use the connect bathroom but other than that you will stay in this room until I say different. In the morning we are all and yes that includes you going home to DC. So you need your rest. If you run so help me. I will find you and spank your ass all the way back to DC. Do you understand me?"

Jimmy glared but try as he might to get up he stayed in the bed. After a few minute of glaring and trying to fight the orders. He realized he couldn't and turned over and just ignored McGee.

Tim sighed he seemed to be doing a lot of that since he discovered his little mate. He went back and sat in the chair getting comfortable. He wouldn't put it past the stubborn imp to try and sneak out.

Jimmy lay in bed his backside smarting and thoughts running through his head. McGee promised he wouldn't order him or hurt him. But that changed when he challenged him. A few swats wasn't much and the sting in his backside would fade by morning. However he was sure that it wouldn't end there. Jimmy sighed he knew McGee wouldn't be different. All Dominates where the same. Pain and force is how they got their way. He may have started with swats but it wouldn't end there. Jimmy knew he had to figure out a way to get away. But until then as much as he hated it. He couldn't fight back he'd have to submit for now. He'd speak only when necessary and do as told until he figured out a plan.

"Jimmy I can hear you thinking. Sleep means sleep. Not thinking up mischief. Do we understand each other?" Tim said.

Jimmy fought not to growl, curse at him or flip him off. He was not a child to be scolded or told to sleep. But reacting at this point would not help him. He reminded himself obedience was best for now and remained quiet.

"Jimmy I want an answer. Do we understand each other?" Tim repeated.

Jimmy closed his eyes ignoring him.

"James answer me now." Tim said sternly.

Jimmy snorted as he thought so much for not ordering him. McGee seems to be making up for lost time. He turned over to face him and slowly opened his eyes and coldly glared as he said. "Yes Master. I'm trying to sleep as ordered. That is in less Master require something else."

Tim gapped for a moment then said angrily. "That is enough James. I'm not your Master but your mate. I simply want you to sleep so you are rested tomorrow."

Jimmy said. "Yes Sir." Then closed his eyes and turned his back to McGee again. Knowing that what he said didn't help but not caring at the moment.

Tim sighed he knew this wasn't go to be easy but did he really have to fight him every step. He looked out the window up at the stars as Jimmy began to softly snore. He thought about the next morning and the fight he thought would surely happen as they took Jimmy home with them. Gibbs told him Clark would be there by eight to see them off. The movers Clark hired would be there by nine. Tim wasn't sure what would happen with the house. He had asked Gibbs and Clark not to sell it but let Jimmy decide later once he was settled and less angry. He sighed again and then he jumped when he heard a scream from the bed. He was up and on the bed Jimmy in his arms a second later.

Tim wiped his eyes it had taken him the better part of an hour to wake Jimmy up. The whole time he was shaking and going in between screaming in terror or whimpering. Until Jimmy finally woke up sobbing in his arms. It took a few minutes for him to realize what he was doing and who was holding him. But as soon as Jimmy was fully aware he ignored his drying tears and went rigid.

Jimmy said. "Let go of me now."

Tim said shocked at how calm he sounded. "Jimmy?"

Jimmy said a growl in his voice. "Release me McGee. I may have to obey you orders but I refuse to be your play toy."

Tim let him go and removed himself from the bed and sat in the chair across the room and said hurt. "I wasn't taking advantage of you. I was trying to help. You had a nightmare."

Jimmy glared at him and said. "Their called night terrors McGee, although I have nightmares as well. It's a symptom of PTSD. Welcome to the hell on earth that is my life. Now leave me alone." He turned over not intending to sleep. He usually couldn't after he woke up after a NT. However he didn't want to answer the questions the other man probably had.

Tim blinked PTSD. Jimmy suffered from PTSD's. What the hell had his old pack put him through? He wiped his eyes and began to think about what he knew about PTSD's. He knew his grandfather had PTSD's and people who had them had different symptoms. He knew people got them from different things.

Tim could remember visiting his grandparents and hearing his grandfather's scream in the night. The first time it happen he grabbed a baseball bat and went to see what was going on. Penny had taken the bat and told him to go back downstairs and no matter what he heard to stay there. Tim could remember his grandparents explaining what happen the next morning. His grandfather telling him that if he ever met someone that suffered from PTSD's to be understanding that they were suffering enough. His head went up as he heard Jimmy say something.

"Do you trust me so little that you're going to stay up? After all road trip in the morning." Jimmy said sarcastically.

"I trust once were in the car. I can rest as Gibbs keeps an eye on you. I don't think you want to cross him he's already not too happy with you." Tim said dryly.

Jimmy shivered and said. "Fine I'm going back to sleep then. If you can keep it down. You're thinking so loud I can practically hear you."

Tim blushed and said. "Sorry good night."