My Brother, My Friend by ceilidh
A/N: Aww, more reviews! Thanks so much, and apologies to all those who thought the story was already finished. I would say when it will end, but I don't think these plot-bunnies are quite finished yet!
Now, as you'll have guessed, Twisted Sister is one of my all time favourite episodes. At its end, as she looks back at him in that final scene, I thought Sarah had a new respect for her big brother. After everything poor Tim did for her, I'd certainly hope so! This is my idea on how she might have gained that respect. As always, I hope you enjoy!
My Brother, My Friend
Chapter Eight - From Crossfire To Quickfire
If his sister ever gave up her dream of being a writer – yeah, she'd make a pretty good federal agent. She could already trace back a timeline, every bit as instinctively as he'd been taught at FLETC.
She certainly had the attitude, too. Then again, she'd had that attitude since she was eighteen months old. And, Tim McGee dryly noted, her talent and tenacity for interrogation were both right up there, too.
So yes, all she needed now was the anglepoise lamp, her own jacket - 'hell, she's already got my cap…' and – yes, his Sarah could take on their toughest, roughest suspects, and break them without breaking sweat.
Ten days ago, she'd barely known anything about what he did. Now she wanted to know everything.
Some questions had been easy to answer, of course, like what scared him about his job –
"Gibbs' driving-"
– what really scared him about his job –
"Ziva's driving-"
– his fitness training –
"Hard-"
– how much trouble he was in because of his book –
"If that trouble were a mine, I'd probably see Australia-"
"Seriously?"
"Oh, you have no idea-"
– what it was like working with a Mossad assassin –
"Right now? Very, very scary-"
– and working with Tony –
"Right now and always? Im-possible."
Once they'd stopped laughing, she'd returned, as he'd known she would, to more serious matters – her latest question causing Tim's eyes to widen, in genuine surprise, that she was asking it now.
"Tim, I know you use all these techniques to… well, you know, make the bad guys fess up, but- well, did Gibbs use one of them on me last week? Did you really resign because of me?"
Still frowning, Tim then smiled as he realized this was one question that he couldn't quip through. He had too much respect for her, and Gibbs, to treat it with anything but the utmost honesty.
It was getting cold now, though, and he could feel his knee start to stiffen up again, so – yes, while that knee could still support him, this would be a good time for them to get back inside.
"No, Sarah, he wasn't messing with you. He'd never have insulted you like that," he said at last – hoping she'd missed the wince that crossed his face as he levered himself gingerly to his feet.
That teasing comparison to their grandfather, he ruefully noted, wasn't so far off the mark.
Luckily, Sarah was too busy supporting him, and keeping him upright, to make anything more of it – the expectancy on her face causing Tim to smile now, as he hugged her and nodded to the massive building behind them.
"Yes, I did resign. My Director tried to make me choose between this place's integrity and yours, and - well, however much I love this job, Sarah, and these people I work with, I will never cross that line.
Nothing comes above you, Sarah. Nothing means more to me than you, and mom, and dad. It never has, never will, and no-one will ever change that."
Now it was Sarah's turn to stare as she recognized the pure determination on her brother's face – determination which, if anything, grew stronger against the woman who now hurried towards them.
As Sarah glanced nervously up at him, Tim smiled back at her, in a silent but unmistakeable promise. He'd stood his ground for her the previous week. He'd stand it for her again, just as fiercely, now, if Jenny Shepard said anything to upset her.
They'd cleared the air between them already, of course, over tea in her office the previous week. But that didn't stop Tim McGee's arm from tightening protectively around his sister's shoulders – a gesture not missed by the woman who, just days ago, had forced him to make an impossible choice.
There'd be no such confrontation tonight, though. Instead, Jenny Shepard's face radiated real concern as she studied the young agent that she'd so nearly lost, again, today.
"Agent McGee? I heard you'd been hurt, and… good God, Tim, are you alright?"
"Yes, ma'am. Just a bit sore," Tim smiled, if ruefully, back at her as he glanced down at Sarah – hoping the wary glare on his sister's face didn't presage the burst of temper that usually followed.
He'd been caught in enemy crossfire once already today. He really didn't feel up to an albeit bulletless re-match.
Crossing fingers, toes, and everything else he physically could, he then stepped bravely into the breach.
"Ma'am, this is my sister. Sarah, this is Jenny Shepard - the Director of NCIS."
It took another gentle hug, and a nod of encouragement, but finally the glare lifted up into a smile – easing the tension between them as, if still rather hesitantly, Sarah McGee and Jenny Shepard shook hands.
