Gibbs leaned against the counter waiting for the coffee to brew. He was using the time to figure out how he would deal with the little prankster in the next room. He never liked having to punish anyone, but being the only guardian in the right state, the job fell to him. When he first got the phone call from the school his plan was to make sure she didn't sit comfortably for a month. But now that the initial anger had subsided he could think more clearly and saw the other side of the story. Just a couple of kids trying to have a bit of fun but things got out of hand. Still they needed to understand that playing such pranks was both irresponsible and dangerous. He would have to talk to Tony about laying off the wild frat boy stories and the crazy things he and Tim did around the office. It wasn't fair to CJ to let her think they pulled all those stunts without consequences and no one seemed to be willing to explain how all the stories ended; sitting uncomfortably.
With the ding of the coffee machine he filled a coffee cup and walked to the living room leaning against the doorway watching CJ. She didn't look old enough to have caused such havoc. Before he steeled himself and made sure his outward appearance was that of a stern authoritarian he smiled; this kid was so Tony's child.
He pulled the coffee table up so that he was directly in front of the curled up girl on the sofa. He sat on the table and rested his elbows on his knees holding his coffee with both hands. He sat and waited quietly watching.
After a few minutes CJ raised her head and looked into the pair of eyes that was staring back. She too sat quietly for a while.
CJ was the first to break the silence.
"You don't have to do this you know" and flashed her "I'm innocent "smile.
He just raised his eyebrows and then went back to waiting.
"I already learned my lesson." Now it was her turn to raise her eyebrows waiting for a response.
"Ya did, now did you?" pursing his lips and taking another sip of coffee.
"Yep" nodding she flashed another smile.
CJ knew she was treading on thin ice but thought that even if there was the slightest chance of minimizing the punishment that was to follow it would be worth it.
Sipping his coffee he wrestled with how to proceed.
"CJ the reason that you get punished at home is to help reinforce the 'lesson' you learned at school… sort of like your homework… you learn the lesson in class… and it is reinforced at home"
"I don't need to do homework either… it's ….."
She quickly stopped when Gibbs shot her one of his fiercest glares. Exhaling heavily he set his coffee to the side. "Do you really think you've learned your lesson?" he asked in an exasperated tone.
Brightening CJ nodded again "yeah, I do".
"So you know that pulling pranks is dangerous and reckless?" Her only response was a nod. "You won't be executing any more stunts then?" Again she nodded.
"Really?" he said skeptically.
"Yah" She repeated nodding brightening even more. Maybe for the first time in her life she was going to get out of a spanking she was in line for.
"I want to make sure you completely understand what you are agreeing to. If you have learned your lesson it means that you will NEVER be part of planning, running or executing another prank again. Your parents or myself will never be back in this position ever having this conversation again." His face was neutral and voice even.
Initially CJ thought that a simple yes was her way out. Then it hit her like a ton of bricks. She could walk away scot free, no thrashing, but…. for that to be the case she needed to agree that she wouldn't play another prank; EVER. That was an impossible thing to ask her; she actually started to get angry at Gibbs for even suggesting such a thing. She was about to open her mouth to respond when Gibbs gently placed his index finger over her lips and shook his head no saying "Think about it and I will be back in a minute." With that he stood up and made his way to the kitchen to refill his coffee.
Think about it… think about it…. what was there to think about? She couldn't agree to NEVER do it again. It was in her blood, part of her being, who she was; she couldn't promise to never pull another prank. She banged her head repeatedly on her own knees huffing. Gibbs waited just outside of the room waiting for her to come to the same conclusion he had before he'd entered the first time.
After several minutes CJ's head came to rest on her knees with one last huff. This was his signal to enter.
"Do we need to talk about anything?"
CJ opened her mouth about it say something along the lines of … even if you do spank me I'm still not going to stop pulling pranks… and then she didn't trust herself to actually speak so she just shook her head.
He moved to behind the sofa motioning with his finger for her to follow. Head and shoulders sagging she obeyed without another word. This was not going to be pleasant. With a tilt of his head he instructed her to turn around. Before she began to bend over he ordered her to take down her jeans. With a wicked glance over her shoulder she undid the button and zipper. Allowing her jeans to fall she exhaled animatedly, hesitating only briefly before assuming the expected position.
Gibbs steeling himself to do that which was now necessary he slowly undid his belt buckle and slid it free of its loops. He drew his arm back and let the belt fall with vigor. CJ drew in a breath and quickly stood up. Turning just enough to shoot her Uncle another glare. "Back down CJ" he demanded without anger but clear that he expected an immediate response. Once 'back down' Gibbs placed his left hand firmly on her lower back to encourage her to remain where she was until he was through with her.
Sensing his hand she didn't tense or fight but relaxed; it was easier with a little help. He continued to administer a thorough thrashing so that her backside was well tanned and sitting would be mighty difficult for the next day or so. For her part she stoically took the first few lashes but then as soon as the tears started to fall uninvited she let go and allowed them come unencumbered. She had a lot of months of pent up guilt and worry to release.
He didn't believe in lecturing during a spanking, he wanted every bit of attention directed to the appropriate location. But on this occasion he wanted to make sure CJ really didn't think it was worth trying anything like this again. He paused before dispensing the last two lashes and explained "Pranks are unacceptable and dangerous, if we find ourselves in this situation in the future, today's reinforcement will be a walk in the park by comparison, have I made myself clear?" Through tears and a clenched jaw CJ answered "Yes, sir". With that he landed two solid whacks to the top most part of her thighs. CJ tried very hard to suppress a yell of pain with the final blows but was unable to.
Without lifting the heel of his left hand he patted her back saying "We're done now, you can stand up." Standing quickly she had to refrain from swearing as she rearranged her clothing. Having reattached his own belt he waited for her to finish before drawing her into his arms and resting his chin on the top of her head. They stood together while both of their breathing returned to a regular calm pace.