Tag to NCIS S11

"The president has requested the team's presence at the white House."

McGee was still processing the words and their implications as Gibbs pushed him ahead and said to the investigator, "So Eugene we'll get back to you about that." Tim couldn't help the smile that spread across his face and it only got bigger as Director Vance said, "Great job, Tim. This was seriously some out of the box thinking and ingenuity. I'm glad and proud to have you with us." "Thank you Director!" "We still need to discuss what happened today, Tim." Gibbs deliberately used his first name as opposed to his go-to reference of McGee. But that subtlety was lost on the agent whose anxiety levels hadn't really had a chance to come down. Tim nodded morosely and got into the car.

Gibbs was a little worried when Tim was silent throughout the car ride. He wouldn't even rise to Tony's remarks about his geekiness saving the world and references to his high school days. Gibbs got even more worried when his attempts to try to get his agent to talk by asking him about the tech didn't elicit anything more than monosyllables. Tim never left an opportunity to talk about technology and gadgets. Something was wrong.

But once they got to the White House and the president congratulated the team and continued with a question to Tim about how else they could use social media to improve law enforcement, Tim was back in his element. It certainly helped that the president had his chief of technology tag along too. Gibbs beamed with pride seeing his agent and surrogate son contributing so much and being appreciated for his contributions. And that strengthened his resolve to deal with him tonight like he would have without this presidential intervention. He needed Tim to be more respectful and careful with his credentials and the protocols so as to not lose his job and continue to do the good work. And, he needed to drive home the point that lying to him was never a good idea.

Tim, oblivious to his fate being sealed, was enjoying himself, talking about things he cared about, eating the good food - after a long case any food tastes like heaven but this was genuinely excellent food - and taking lots of pictures. Finally the meeting drew to an end and the weary agents started making their way back home. When Gibbs missed Tim's exit, he debated speaking up but the emotional rollercoaster and tiredness won out as he said, "Boss, you missed my turn. It's okay. I'll get off here and get a cab. See you tomorrow."

"No Tim, you're coming home with me."

"What? Why? I want to go home. I'm tired, boss."

"I am too, McGee. Look Tim, we need to talk about this."

"What's there to talk about? I'm sorry I lost my credentials. But I found them. And after this experience you can rest assured that I will not be carrying them to any concert venues."

"Tim I know that you know that's not the point."

"Why not?"

Gibbs sighed.

"Timmy, not now. Let's get home." Gibbs stepped harder on the accelerator.

Tim was about to argue when his phone buzzed. It was his grandmother telling him that she was having dinner with his father the admiral and asking if Tim was up for a call. Tim got excited to share his great achievement and sent across a picture of him receiving the award from the president but said that he was too tired for a call. Tim couldny help but grin with anticipation about hearing praise for his feat. So the message that he did receive bothered him, a lot. It simply said, "so what? It's not a medal of bravery." He knew that this was from his father, not Peggy. And soon enough Peggy responded that she had left her phone with the admiral for a bit and that he should pay the military man no heed and that Peggy was so proud of him but Tim hardly registered the words. His joy had turned into sadness and anger at the world and at himself for not being enough.

Gibbs sensed the change in Tim's demeanor but put it down to the late night and his impending discipline and decided to get it over with. Once he was in his driveway he said, "I want you showered and standing in the corner in 30 minutes." This was standard enough that he didn't even look back as he got out and started walking to the house but was taken aback when he heard, "No, I'm getting a cab and going home."

"Excuse me?

"I know you heard me well enough. Good night, boss." And Tim reached for the car door. Gibbs acted on instinct and activated the child locks.

"What the hell Gibbs? Let me out?" Gibbs was shocked for a few seconds. McGee never called him Gibb. It was always boss.

"What's going on Tim?"

"What's going on is that you are being a jerk. I just got a commendation from the freaking president and I don't even get a night's rest in my own bed? Who do you think you are?"

Gibbs knew that talking was going to go nowhere with someone so agitated. So he did not respond and instead got out of the car. He got to McGee's side and pulled him out while maintaining a strong grip on his arm.

But the escalation wasn't enough to bring Tim back from his rage. He started pulling away and kicking.

"That's enough Tim unless you want the grip to move from your shoulder to your ear."

McGee was astounded and furious. He put his shoulder into it and pushed Gibbs away. Acting on instinct, Gibbs used his years of marine training, got hold of McGee and gave him a short but sharp spanking. He didn't skip a beat as he took hold of Tim's ear and started walking towards the house. McGee now had physical pain added to his list of ailments and he never did well with it. So when Gibbs left him at the stairs with another swat and "you know what to do" he just nodded with a "yes sir" and went up without a fight.

Gibbs' gut was churning that something wasn't right but he couldn't put a finger on it and it was getting late so he wanted to get it over with. He made some coffee to pass the 30 minutes but when the clock indicated that the time had passed he didn't feel any more ready to go up and do what he had to do.

When he entered the room, Tim was in the corner as he had asked and he left the breath he didn't realise he had been holding.

"Tim, come here."

Tim demonstrated an almost military about turn and march as he came to stand in front of Gibbs with a "yes sir" to boot. The only thing missing was a salute.

Hoping to ease some tension, Gibbs said, "At ease, sailor" but that seemed to tense McGee some more.

Gibbs reached out to his shoulder and tried to look into his eyes as he said, "Tim, I'm always so proud of you and today I got a chance to see other people admiring the qualities in you that I cherish everyday and I treasure that." Gibbs waited for a thank you boss or some acknowledgement but once he realised it wasn't coming, he continued, "But son, today you also did things that made me disappointed in your actions. Can you tell me which ones Tim?"

Tim seemed to be looking at him but he was looking through him. There was no emotion in his voice as he said, "I lost my credentials and then lied to you but omitted the information, sir."

Gibbs couldn't count the number of times he had given the 'lie of omission is still a lie' lecture but instead of feeling happy about the lesson sinking in, Tim's words just made him feel worse. But he decided that getting it over with would be the best for both of them, he said, "Okay then, Bend over the chair, Tim. Let's get this over with."

Gibbs always felt that the last ditch pleading and begging from his kids was the worst as it broke his heart into a million pieces each time but the extremely uncharacteristic silent obedience was downright unnerving.

Gibbs pulled his belt out, put a hand on Tim's back and started. Tim tried to hold out on showing any signs of pain longer than usual but he broke down into sobs soon enough. Gibbs gave him 5 more and brought the worst part of the night to an end and reached out to rub circles on Tim's back.

But the surprises of the night continued as Time breathed in and out audibly, got up, rubbed the tears from his eyes and stood at attention. Gibbs tried to pull him into a hug but the man did not let go of his attention stance.

Hoping that a night's rest would help, let it go, and patted Tim with a "get into bed, son".

"May I go home now sir?"

Gibbs was a little taken aback. Before discipline, his kids tried to run out of his house like it was on fire but after discipline was the time when they really sought him and the house out. He couldn't figure out why McGee would want to leave.

Again trying to bring some brevity he said, "Got some late night plans, son?"

"No sir. I'm on duty tomorrow."

"I know you're on duty tomorrow which is why I'm surprised you want to drive another half hour instead of using it to get the little sleep you can."

"I'd be a lot more comfortable in my own bed, sir."

"You've slept fine here multiple times Timmy. What's really going on? And for heaven's sake will you stop calling me sir?"

"I'm sorry, Agent Gibbs. I'll do as you say. And I have learnt my lesson. It won't happen again."

Gibbs tried to pull him into a one-armed hug but McGee resisted. Gibbs sat on the bed, pulled up the pillows and said, "sit down."

Mcgee opened his mouth but then closed it and sat down, visibly wincing.

"Talk to me son."

"Will you stop calling me that? I'm not your son."

"Yes you are."

"No I'm not and I don't want to be. So now that you've hit me will you just let me go?"

"Hit you? I disciplined you McGee for lying to me."

"Same difference."

"You know what, you made a mistake. It is my job to correct you. That is done and over. Now let's talk about how you'd like to celebrate this presidential honour? Are you up for a drink or any special breakfast requests?"

"I'd like to go home now, please, Agent Gibbs."

That term was really starting to grate on his nerves. "Stop sulking, Tim. You made a mistake

you got punished. Man up, learn from it and move on."

Tim stood up, "I don't know what you want from me. I literally solved a major case, saved the man's life and a national emergency and won a presidential honour but it's still not enough. All you care are about is my stupid credentials falling out of my pockets at a concert. I'm sorry, okay. I can't live up to your expectations."

Gibbs figured that right now McGee needed some physical space and so did not go closer. "McGee the two aren't related. I'm very proud of the good things you did today. But that doesn't erase the fact that you lied to me. I need to be able to trust you."

"Great. First you're disappointed in me and now you don't trust me. Just great. You know what? I don't need this. I'm out of here."

Gibbs caught him before he even reached the door, and gave him five smacks with a "I did not dismiss you."

"We'll continue this tomorrow when both of us have had some rest. Get into bed."

"Yes sir."

As Gibbs got closer to tuck him in, Mcgee snapped, "Please don't touch me sir. I am not comfortable with it."

Just wanting this day to be over, Gibbs nodded, turned the lights off and left the room.