"You wanted to talk?"
Tim frowns at his sister's haughty tone as she joins him on the bench at the Commons on Waverly Campus. Looking her over, he sees that she's already upset, which confirms in his mind what he's already suspected. Still he needs to approach the subject with her slowly yet without hesitation so he answers her quickly. "Not here." He gets up and starts walking away, wanting to take this somewhere they could talk in private.
"Then why did you tell me to meet you here?" She snaps out angrily as she struggles to catch up to him.
"Because it was the only place you wouldn't give me a problem about meeting me?" He offers with a sarcastic twist.
"**Sigh** Fine! " She stomps alongside him angrily, matching him stride for stride as a testament to how frustrated and angry she still feels.
"I'm guessing by your mood that your 'talk' with Gibbs didn't go as you'd hoped." Tim conversationally throws out there.
"How…?" Sarah is shocked into freezing.
He stops and turns back to look at her. "Wasn't born yesterday, Sarah. When Penny told me she wasn't the one who talked to Abby, it was a no-brainer." He turns back and continues walking, expecting her once again to catch up to him. "Lemme guess, Gibbs didn't have the answers you were expecting?"
"This isn't funny, Tim!" She bites out raggedly as she hurries to match his steps once again.
Now, it's Tim that stops on a dime, grasping her by the upper arm as he does, turning her to face him. "No, it's NOT! Not that my personal life is any of your business, little sister; but if you have a problem with it – you'd better come to me next time! Do I make myself clear?"
"Tim." She whimpers. He's never been this pissed at her before and it's scaring her.
Taking a few deliberately calming breaths, Tim lets go of her and blinks. Opening his eyes again, he looks at her, this time with a sliver of compassion. "Sarah. I understand that you were thrown for a loop when Abby dumped this on you, but it's not your business. I don't need your okay about this! She knew that and that's why she dragged you into her vendetta against me."
"What? Why?"
"Because it's finally hitting her that she can never have what she threw away and she hates that." Her brother shares with enough anger that it's clear he's still less than happy with his former girlfriend.
"Oh, my g…. Tim, that's horrible! I mean she said something to that effect, but …. wow, that's …. I'm gonna scratch her eyes out for outing you like that out of pure meanness!"
"I appreciate that, Sarah. Really. But, I need for you to stay out of it. Completely. Unless you can be supportive, not just of me as your brother, but also of the person I've come to love with all my heart, as my soulmate. And even then, I need you to leave Abby to me."
Sarah stops moving and looks deep into her brother's eyes. It's a long, poignantly silent moment where they reconnect through their ability to read each other almost perfectly like they'd done before Tim had joined NCIS.
"You really do love him. " She marvels yet again.
"With everything I am."
"He's too old for you and he's your boss but you love him."
"Yes. I do. And as long as there's breath in my body, I won't let any one hurt him; especially over me or because of me."
"Oh, Tim! That is sooo sweet! But, does he feel the same way? I mean, didn't you tell me he'd lost a family and had never gotten over it?"
"Yes, and yes. They're not gone from his heart, Sarah. But, he's made room for me. Lots of room." Tim tells her with all due seriousness. "I encourage him to embrace his memories of Shannon and Kelly. They were his life, his loves, for a long time. And he loved her as his soul-mate deeply."
"Doesn't that worry you? Make you think he'll realize one day that …"
"That he doesn't want me anymore because he wants the ghost of Shannon instead?" Tim asks with amazing perception. "No. Because we talk about it. And he's not my boss anymore. Hasn't been since the 1st day we went back to work after getting together."
"Gibbs talks?"
"Cute, Sarah. Look, he's different when he's at home with me. He's comfortable, he's compassionate, he's …so much more than the cold, ruthless investigator / interrogator/ sniper everyone else sees him as."
"I warned him he'd better not hurt you. " She confesses firmly. "I meant it, too."
Tim sighs. "Penny said the same thing. But we all know that relationships go through little hurts and recoveries all the time. Without them, there's no depth of emotion and no strengthening of that bond."
"Are you trying to say he's already hurt you?"
"I'm trying to tell you that while I appreciate your concern, Sarah, I need you to trust me that I will not stay where I do not want to be. And as of this moment, I don't ever want another day to go by without Leroy in it by my side."
Sarah blinks. "Wow. I didn't realize you were so…"
"In love with him? Well, I am. And I meant what I said. I won't let anyone hurt him over some misguided attempt to protect me when there's absolutely no need for it. "
"Wait! Not your boss anymore?"
"I transferred off Gibbs' team."
"But you love being a field Agent!"
"I love him more." Tim vows with all the sincerity he has. "No contest."
"Tim, that's ….wow! I'm really happy for you!" She hugs him emphatically.
Accepting his sister's affection momentarily, Tim eventually steps back and looks her straight in the eye. "I can tell you really mean that. It's a big about-face for you on this, so thank you! But, I meant what I said, I don't want you to say anything to Abby either. Let me handle her."
"Tim!"
"I mean it, Sarah!" Tim sighs. "Look, I appreciate your concern. I really do. And I would love to be able to keep you in my life. But that can only happen if you completely accept Leroy and that means no matter what happens. I'm glad to see that it seems like you're beginning to already."
"Did you know your eyes light up when you talk about him?" She marvels.
"Leroy makes my world a brighter place." He admits without hesitation.
"Wow, Tim." Sarah can't stop feeling awash in awe at how much her brother has revealed of his inner feelings. He's never done that before. Usually it's like pulling teeth to get one of them to genuinely open up to the other. The fact that he looks soo happy when he speaks of Gibbs and that he calls that hardened older man who always seems to be a walking brick wall, 'Leroy', blows her mind. She knows that's not a name he lets a lot of people call him. "I think I need time to process this. I mean, you call him Leroy, for cryin' out loud! Isn't he Gibbs to the rest of the world?"
"Yeah." Tim's response is full of pride and his smile lights up the space between them. "He's only 'Leroy' to me. Even his 1st wife called him Gibbs."
"Aw, that's so personal! I've got goose bumps!" She lovingly mocks him, despite truly being awakened to just how much this relationship means to her big brother.
"Funny." Tim lightly socks her lightly in the arm for her quip.
Smiling back at him, she puts an end to the joking, wanting him to really hear what she has to say. "Seriously though, Tim, I'm really glad we had this talk. I get it now. I'm sorry I harassed him but I get it now. I guess I just had to hear it from you."
"Which you would have if you'd bothered to come talk to me first." He gently admonishes her one last time.
"I know. I'm sorry. All right? Look, I promise to set things right between us when I get back from going with Penny on her trip, okay? If she doesn't kill me first. When she finds out I went to him after she ordered me not to….."
"Going against Penny's orders? Almost as dangerous as going against Gibbs'." Tim reminds her. "And no, he's not 'Gibbs' at home because work is completely separate – no contest there."
"Well, I'm glad to hear that! I'd better go. I have to finish packing. We'll be back in a few weeks. I'll catch up with you then?"
"That's fine, Sarah. You two have fun but stay safe!" He warns with a genuine smile as he kisses her cheek. "And thank you."
"For what?" She asks in shock.
"For hearing me out." Tim answers her honestly. "And for being so open minded about it."
"No thanks needed, bro. I'm just really glad you're genuinely happy finally. It's been a very long time coming for you." She turns to go as they approach the Campus where her dorm is.
"You're right. And thank you."
*******NCIS******
"I apologise for my granddaughter's reaction." Penny finally speaks from the bottom step of the porch, watching the pensive man who hasn't yet become aware of her presence, waiting for the answer. It's not quite clear if his mind is distantly on positive things or negative as his expression hasn't changed in the two minutes she's been standing here, but she's anxious to get to know this man and hear how it is he's become involved with her grandson so intimately that Timothy now paints his world with him.
"Penny." Gibbs manages to greet Tim's grandmother despite the fact that she's just surprised him while he remained sitting on the swing, lost in his thoughts and memories. He gets up and gestures for her to take the swing he's just vacated. "No need to apologise. She's Tim's sister. Got a right to be upset given the way she was informed. You too."
"You know who I am." She observes with a little bit of surprise while she diverts the conversation away from the part that doesn't matter much to her.
"Tim's shown me his family pictures. Talks about you a lot. Thinks the world of you."
Penny's smile is that of a fond grandmother before her expression turns completely serious and void of humor, though her tone remains calm. "Timothy tells me he's very happy with you."
"He is. " Leroy offers just as calmly.
"I'd like to hear how this came about."
He looks back at her and sees she's not angry, merely concerned and seeking bonnified confirmation that her grandson hasn't been manipulated into this new relationship that's so far outside the norm for him that it's a large pill for his family to swallow, so to speak. Finally, he nods. He's got no problem with explaining how Tim's painful journey got him to where they are now. In fact, it might do her some good to hear it from his perspective. – especially if he's only sharing that with her as Tim's concerned grandmother who is sharp enough to find the layers there are to this story before passing judgement. At least, he hopes so. "Melissa broke his heart. She was the last girl he'd put himself out there for. When she dumped him because he was finally being cautious, it set him on a downward spiral – slow but steady."
"I know. I tried to talk to him, but he shut me out. He always has when he's hurting over a woman." Penny admits mournfully. "But, he promised me that he was going to be fine. He told me he didn't want me to worry about him because he could take of himself thanks to what I taught him."
"We could all see he was depressed. He wasn't sleeping, wasn't eating right. He managed to keep it together at work for a while, but even his ability to do that began suffering enough that I had to pull him from the field – put him on desk duty until he could sort it out for himself since he refused to ask for help."
"Timothy's not very good at asking for help." She reminds him.
Gibbs nods. "I offered to listen to whatever was going on with him, He turned me down. Wasn't something he and I've done before – talking about anything outside of casework."
Penny nods. "I know. He's told me that over the years."
Gibbs frowns. "We figured he was still struggling with what that spy that almost killed him for information he didn't even have, had done to him. Knew that he'd dated her so briefly, he hadn't even had time to get close to her – but she still devastated him, doing him the way she did."
"He's never said a word about either woman." Penny sadly offers. "He holds too much inside."
"We're working on that." Gibbs offers solemnly.
"Go on." Penny requests.
"'Bout three weeks into this spiral he seemed to be on, I sent them all home with orders to do nothin' but sleep."
"And instead of going home, Timothy attempted to lose himself in the crowd of a bar."
"Went there to sit in my favorite out of the way booth, relax, drink a beer and not be bothered. Saw Tim sittin' in my spot."
Penny smiles softly. "Must have shocked you."
"Wasn't a straight place and he's not a drinker."
"He said you saved him that night. He said you saw what a mess he was and helped him get home, saw what was on his laptop and that opened the discussion between you."
Leroy shakes his head. "Wasn't that simple. That night opened a few things up – but he fought it – ran from it – convinced himself he wasn't good enough."
"So then, how…?"
"I found him a second time…coupla weeks later when I followed him – after he'd been avoidin' me at work – found him still having trouble and imuch worse choice of location – took him home, fed him, told him to get some sleep."
Penny patiently waits for the rest of what Leroy has to say. He knows the man's not normally a talker so she's grateful for what she's getting – happy to have this insight into her Timothy's way of thinking.
Leroy keeps quiet for a moment as the memory of that shocking website Tim had left up on his laptop that night; the one devoted to the explanation of Bondage and Discipline / Dominance and Submission / Sadism and Masochism – 'How To Be A sub , A.K.A. Slave to a Master' comes back to him now. There's no way in hell, he's letting her in on that. He chooses his words carefully to provide her with the answers that would both satisfy her need to feel secure about Tim's welfare – and keep Tim's privacy intact. "When he woke up, found that I hadn't just left him alone with all that, realized me followin' him the night before and bein' able to get him out; watchin' over him, was me keeping' my promise not to leave him if he wanted me - I guess that convinced him to finally let me in."
"How long have you…?"
"Known each other since we worked that first case up in Norfolk in '03 – pulled him onto my team shortly after that – been fallin' for him slowly all this time – just didn't realize it until I stumbled across his private battle to find himself again after the women…"
"Had already made mincemeat of what was left of his heart after Abby got done with him." Penny adds angrily. Taking a few calming breath, she soon regains her composure and is back on track with what on her mind. "Agent Gibbs."
"Jethro," He offers with a small smile that lets her know he considers her to be family now.
She nods with acceptance even as she continues on with what she's trying to say "Tim calls you Leroy." She says with the smile of someone who understands the difference without being told.
The grey haired man smiles, his heart in his eyes.
"He's the only one who does." She understandingly surmises.
"My father, but…." He shrugs his shoulder to let it be seen that either way, the name is special and only used by specifically chosen people in the silver-haired man's life.
Silently, Penny figures out what he's not saying. It's obviously quite different and remarkably so enough that it's meaningful coming from Tim. That has a sweetness to it that only helps cement in her mind, the strength of the relationship her grandson is building with this man.
A soft smile that reaches the silver haired man's eyes is all the confirmation Penny needs to realize what this man has with her grandson, he truly does cherish. Still, she has some residual concerns that she came here to address with him. Taking a deep breath, she slowly lets it out before she speaks of what else is on her mind, carefully choosing her words in this delicate topic. "Jethro. Timothy has told me a while back about the losses you've suffered through – and how you still manage to be the best at what you do. He told me that's why he trusts you so completely to have his back out in the field."
Leroy is shocked, not that Tim's told her, but at Tim's statement of faith in him to her.
"I came here to say this to you. I wouldn't wish the pain you've lived through – the loss of your first wife and your child -on anyone." She pauses and takes a breath, her eyes remaining locked on his. "I am sorry for your loss."
Leroy nods shortly, his silence speaking for him.
"And I don't mean to sound cruel or callous, however, I must ask you this. Can you promise me that Timothy will not become a casualty to all that life has thrown at you?"
Leroy sighs. Looking out over his yard, he opens up and lets her in just a hair. "Wasn't easy lettin' go. But I have – with Tim's help." Looking back at her now, he makes her a promise. "I won't let anyone hurt him; not even me."
"You're human, like the rest of us, but, I didn't like the look I saw in his eyes when I told him that all that matters to me is that he is happy and that you do not hurt him."
"Was tryin' to protect him." He admits with a shard of residual guilt.
She looks at him hard for a long silent moment and sees his heart in his eyes; sees the truth in his heart as it shines through quite clearly and recalls vividly that same look in her grandson's eyes just a little bit ago. "You make him happier than I've seen him in a long time. So, whatever the hurt you caused, you must have been able to work through it."
"We did. We are."
"Good! Timothy's worried that I won't give you the slack to be human where he's concerned." She surmises. Standing to her feet, she comes to stand beside him. "Rest assured, so long as you treat him better than anyone else he's ever been involved with has, love him as he deserves to be loved and do not ever deliberately hurt him, you and I will get along splendidly, Jethro."
"Thank you, Penny. That means a lot." Leroy offers her. "I know Tim will appreciate it, too."
"I just hope that 'Tony' character doesn't find out. Poor Timothy will never get a moment's peace!"
Gibbs laughs. "Actually, they're all fine with it – now. Except Abby."
"Which is why she couldn't wait to tell Sarah."
"Somethin' like that."
"Tell me, Jethro. Is that all she's done to our Timothy?"
Appreciating like hell, her choice of words – her attitude - letting herself already admit she's sharing Tim with him, Leroy chose his words carefully once more, "It's Tim's to tell."
With a warning look in her eye, she nods.
Leroy understands the look and silently nods back in agreement. She respects his answer, knowing that it means she won't be hearing any of the details. She can live with that, but only so long as this man in front of her does right by her grandson. With his hand held out in an offer of a handshake, he repeats his earlier promise. "You have my word. I won't let anyone hurt him."
With a pat on his arm, she smiles and descends the stairs, both of them knowing nothing more needs to be said. He watches her leave, relief filling his heart while a smile crosses his face. Sitting back down on the swing, he waits for his love to come home, the plans for the most intimate evening yet, now forming in his mind.
*******NCIS*********
Driving home, Tim has to smile at how well these two discussions have gone. Part of him is concerned about how Leroy's handled the McGee women forcing their opinions on him and in his absence, but the other part of him knows he's got nothing to worry about. He is, however, really tired of the outside forces trying to beat his new relationship with Leroy into submission. It's time for some serious reconnection with the man while they barricade the rest of the world out.
Pulling into the driveway, he turns off his car, watching silently as his lover sees him and connects gazes with him from the swing on the front porch. That swing promotes so many memories already that Tim smiles every time he looks at it and it's only been there a week. A movement on the porch catches Tim's eye and he refocuses on the older man as he settles back comfortably and sets his arm up on the back of the swing invitingly.
Without hesitation, Tim is out of the car and heading to the porch, sitting down beside his lover before he even remembers taking his next breath. "Hi." He greets more huskily than he intended. He can't help it; he's missed him something fierce while he's been impressing upon his family members that he's not ever letting him go.
"Rough time?" Leroy asks quietly as he wraps him in a warm one-arm embrace.
"No. Actually, it was ….liberating."
"Which one?" The older man jokes.
Tim sighs. "They both came to see you didn't they?"
"Yup. Guessin' they took turns with us." Leroy answered with a grin. He's far from angry about it and he doesn't want Tim stressing over it.
"Actually, I sought Sarah out. Wanted to set her straight about us."
"How'd that go?"
"Pretty good." Tim smiles. "And at least that's over with. Right?" Tim sighs as he snuggles back and into his lover's embrace. "I'd apologize, but I know it wasn't my fault."
"Good." Leroy kisses him on the corner of his mouth.
Tim turns into the kiss, his own lips touching Leroy's, feather lite, yet promising, gently asking to be let in, opening his mouth, letting the older man in, taking him in and begging for more, like he'd done the very first time they'd ever kissed.
Taken back in time to their first kiss by this gentle invitation, Leroy wraps his free arm around Tim's back and pulls him closer, further into the kiss, tenderly and without hesitation, letting his lover drink from him as much as he wants. Feeling his passion flare for the young man almost completely engulfing him, he forces himself to pull back, their lips separating just enough for them to draw in air.
Tim. opens his mouth a little more, silently inviting more, welcoming his lover home as their mouths mesh into the excellent dance partners they've become. The older man cherishes the invitation and he sends his tongue to explore Tim's mouth thoroughly as if for the first time all over again, tasting, searching and mapping. It isn't long though, before the novelty makes room for familiarity and Leroy's mouth now possessively lays claim to his lover's lips, wringing forth a moan of pleasure from Tim's throat.
Pulling back, Leroy reaches out and cards Tim's hair as he quietly makes him a promise he hasn't been asked for. "Wanna take care of you tonight."
Tim returns the gesture without hesitation, his own fingers running lovingly through those silver locks he loves so much. "Leroy." He murmurs appreciatively. He's always nearly speechless when his lover puts him first; especially when he lets him know ahead of time like this and now, as always, he's also almost immediately feeling like a strung bow ready to snap at the very image filling his mind, of being taken care of by this beautiful, loving man.
Unexpectedly, Leroy urges them to their feet. "Let's take this inside, tonight." He whispers into Tim's ear, his breath sending a shiver of excitement up Tim's spine as together, with his arm around his lover's shoulder while the younger man's arm is supportively slung around his waist, they walk inside, close and secure the door, tug the curtain closed and turn off the outside light, effectively shutting out the rest of the world.
********NCIS***********
From her hidden place along the edge of the front yard, Sarah grins. Oh, yeah. Big brother was definitely telling the truth. Those two are undoubtedly in love! Happy and at peace about it at last, she's finally able to get back to her own life. As she turns to leave, she catches a glimpse of movement from across the yard in the other neighbor's hedges. With a triumphant smile plastered on her face, she waves at a very obviously angry Abby. Maybe now, the stupid woman will get the point and leave them alone! Sarah chuckles. Whattaya wanna bet Gibbs realized he had unwanted witnesses and took Tim and their intimate moment inside because of them?
Laughing now, at Abby's probable fate here on in, Sarah drives away. Probably no more to worry about with her after tonight! Now, she just has to face the music in her own life. Penny!
********NCIS************
Standing silently together, side by side on the inside of the now thoroughly closed door, Tim's breath catches in his throat as he looks into Leroy'' eyes, dark, hungry and already dilated with his arousal. With his body nearly vibrating with electric current of rising lust, suddenly, Tim finds that he can barely find his next breath. Just as suddenly, Leroy mouth is reclaiming his – gently now, asking to be let in again, his lips touching Tim's until the younger man, lets him in, giving him more; with Tim's mouth begging for more in return.
Again, Leroy lets his passion climb, nearly too high to pull back, this time as he tongue probes every corner of the sweet mouth he's reclaiming, two lovers in unison and equally shared passion as both seek to quench their thirst for all their partner can give. Arms wind themselves around each other, securing them both in place without conscious thought as the heat building between them rises quickly.
Tim locks his mouth firmly on Leroy's, his tongue searching and teasing on its' own before settling the kiss back into the slow, sensual, breathtaking dance so poignant and powerful, he has to break away to catch his breath. As if in a daze his eyes close on their own, remembering how similar to this, their first dance was not too long ago; their first kiss when Leroy drank from him in gentle caresses through it all his mouth mesmerizingly strong, leaving Tim wanting more. Every touch from this man still leaves him wanting more; wanting every thing Leroy has to give. Every. Single. Time.
"Wanna play around with somethin' you've been itchin' for." Leroy offers seductively as he pulls back just enough to say the words and follow them up with an inviting kiss on the lips.
"Something I've been itching for? the only thing I…" Tim responds with a touch of confusion while his lover softly interrupts to provide some clarity as he wraps him in an embrace, nuzzling his neck at the collarbone.
"Gonna ride that edge, tonight, Tim. See where it takes us."
Tim's heart beats loudly in his chest as his eyes widen in shock. "God, Leroy, that would be…. what if …?"
Shaking his head, the older man heads off Tim's doubts. "Just enjoy the ride, luv. Nuthin' to worry 'bout."
Tim's eyes seek those of his lover, his head coming up and turning so their eyes meet. "You think I can ho…?"
"What I think, Tim." Leroy's eyes light up teasingly. " Is that we're gonna ride the edge together, no matter where how long the ride lasts and if you need to – find a stray thought to hold onto for distraction."
"I'd really like to be able to hold out…." Tim earnestly reminds him as he snuggles into his lover's arms.
Leroy leans further into Tim's persona space, peppering his neck and jawline with them while he reminds him pointedly of what's most important to hold onto through whatever happens tonight. "Love you just the way you are." Pulling away enough to look directly into Tim's eyes as with his eyebrows raised, he waits.
Tim swallows hard around the lump in his throat as he nods in understanding. This isn't Leroy changing his mind about loving the way he can take the edge off for both of them rather quickly but rather, his willingness to play in a way that will let the younger man try something's he's expressed a keen desire to do. His lover's selflessness leaves Tim humbled and at a loss for words.
"Just gonna have some fun with this,
The younger man finally finds his voice, quietly responding with a touch of uncertainty, not in Leroy's motive o intention, but in his own ability to go the distance. "Okay."
Leroy has a good idea of what's parading through Tim's mind at the moment. The young man's believing that he's risking being a huge disappointment to his lover, for all the man's good intentions. To provide some relief on the worry he hadn't wanted to even show up tonight, the older man sures up the parameters of his own expectations with a tender smile while he gently chucks the younger man under the chin so they're still looking each other in the eye. "Short or long, doesn't matter. Just gonna have fun with it all right?"
Tim's smile lights up the room.