Sam walked towards his desk and found Tim seated at Callen's going through some files. He immediately walked over towards him. "Hey."
"Hey. Where've you been? Everything okay?" Tim asked.
"Yeah. I was on the phone with my wife," Sam said quietly. Aside from G, no one knew he had a family. It wasn't that they were some dirty little secret. He was just a very private person and didn't share personal details unless he was extremely close to the person, like with G or Tim. "She's not liking the security detail or the need for it. She's worried about me and a bit annoyed with me as well."
"She know what Taylor did to us?" Tim wondered.
"She knows some. I had to tell her a little when I asked her to extend her stay at her parents', but I didn't go into details. That's why she's annoyed. She knows I'm hiding something from her and not something that has to do with the job.
"Yeah, I imagine spouses don't take too well to secrets," Tim said.
"No, especially Michelle. To be fair, I didn't think this would ever come up," Sam said. He couldn't actually say he thought it was over. For him and Tim, it would never be over. But he didn't think he'd have to deal with Taylor again either. Hence, there was no reason to tell Michelle anything. "So what are you doing here?"
"Looking into people Taylor knew and might help him," Tim said.
"Anything?" Sam asked.
Tim nodded. "A step brother. Alexander Robins. He was just a kid when Taylor went to prison. Thirteen. He lives in San Diego."
"Good. We can have him brought in," Sam said
"Mr. McGee, Mr. Hanna," a voice called out.
Both men turned to see Hetty walking towards them.
"I need you both in the operation center. Admiral McGee will be online shortly.
Tim's mouth dropped open in shock. He was sure Hetty would find it impossible to get his father to agree to talk to them. The man didn't consider NCIS or Tim important enough to make time for.
"You got that jackass to agree to give us his precious time?" Sam asked, just as surprised.
"Let's just say I can be persuasive, Mr. Hanna. Shall we?" Hetty asked.
"I'd rather not. I don't talk to my father for a reason," Tim said.
"Despite the way in which it was phrased, Mr. McGee, it wasn't actually a suggestion," Hetty said.
Tim sighe and got up, him and Sam followed her towards the Operation Center. As soon as they walked in, Tim heard his father ranting at Eric about how busy he was. Then his attention was turned to him.
"Timothy! I should've known you had something to do with this. Do you have any idea what you've just interrupted me from?" John McGee asked.
Tim groaned. He was not surprised this was his father's reaction. This was how things always went when he talked to his father. That was why he did it so seldomly. "Dad, I don't wanna fight with you. We need your help with something.
John's attention turned to Sam. "That's Sam Hanna. What the hell is going on here?"
"Admiral, if you'd pipe down for a second, we might be able to explain that," Hetty said.
Tim had to put a hand to his mouth to keep himself from laughing, despite the serious situation. He didn't think anyone had ever told his father to 'pipe down'.
"Excuse me, ma'am. I am a United States Navy Admiral! I will not be spoken to that way!" John growled.
"I am not in the Navy, Admiral, so you'll find I don't care. My only concern is stopping the madman wanting to hurt your son," Hetty explained gruffly.
John turned his attention back to his son. "What is this? What have you gotten yourself into?"
"You jackass! You hear your son's in danger and that's the first thing you have to say to him?" Sam growled at him.
"Watch yourself, Hanna. I was your CO. I demand respect!"
"The key word in that sentence is 'was'. You're no longer my commanding officer. I don't deserve any respect from me. You didn't even then. You've never shown any respect to anyone! Not even your own son!" Sam said angrily.
"Let's move on, gentlemen. We have important matters to discuss. Admiral McGee, I've called you because Jason Taylor has escaped from prison," Hetty told him.
John's face grew red with anger. "Those idiots! They let a piece of garbage like that escape?! Well, what is being done to find him?"
"We're doing what we can, but we could use your help," Hetty said.
"I don't believe this. Instead of looking for the bastard that would be dead if Hanna had better aim, you're sitting here talking to me."
"Don't you dare freaking go there again!" Tim yelled. He wouldn't stand for Sam getting any blame from anyone over what happened back then. Not one part of that was his fault.
"You will not speak to me that way, Timothy. I am your father!" John yelled back.
"Mr. McGee, Jason Taylor was a Navy officer under your command. Is there any insight you can give us," Hetty asked.
"He was weak! He had no business in the Navy and I made sure he knew that. I didn't realize he was a psychopath too, but you can't always tell things like that. I don't see how that will help you find him though. Perhaps you should figure out your own job," John said condescendingly.
"I agree with part of that. Talking to this asshole is pointless," Sam said.
"And you've received nothing that might indicate he might come after you, Admiral? Any threats or other messages?" Hetty asked. She too wanted to end this. The way this man spoke to his son alone was sickening.
"Nope. Now get out there and find this SOB, and this time make sure he doesn't get away. This was supposed to be over," John said, sounding annoyed at having to deal with this.
Tim let out a humorless laugh and shook his head in disbelief.
"Do you have something to say, Tim?" John asked.
"Not to you. I haven't had anything to say to you for a long time," Tim said with a glare before leaving the room.
"Thank you for giving us your time, Admiral," Hetty said, though the tone in her voice held anything but appreciation.
The line cut off a second later.
"Like I said, pointless," Sam said.
"He needed to be informed either way," Hetty said.
"I suddenly appreciate my father so much more right now," Eric commented.
"Hmm," Sam agreed before heading for the door.