To alix33: I know a small sob isn't really a mental breakdown but I just meant it's the start of Tim's mental breakdown. It's going to take everyone on team Gibbs to really help him. I hope that's a good explanation because it's very hard to explain how my mind works. I should know, I don't understand it either at times LOL.
Tim just laid curled up on the floor crying quietly. Tony stared at him a full minute before snapping back to his senses.
He knelt by Tim and gently rubbed his shoulder. "Relax Probie, it's not your fault this happened" he whispered. He thought about yelling at the kid to man up but decided to try a nicer approach instead. He realized he never really gave the kid a fair chance like Gibbs did. Tony decided then he'd help the kid become a great agent and he wouldn't let Tim ever give up.
Tim let out a scoff and sat up. "Yeah right" he hissed. "McGee…" Tony said and Tim only scoffed again.
"How can I believe you Tony? I don't even know who you are except that I work with you and I'm just a computer geek with a gun" he answers.
"Well, it's the truth McGee" Tony pointed out. McGee turned and stared at Tony with an emotionless stare. "You both never wanted me on the team" he said after a few minutes of staring and studying the older man.
"That's not true" Tony immediately said and Tim let out another scoff. "That why Kate was wondering why I even joined?" he asked. Tony let out a little sigh and sat next to Tim.
"Here it is Tim, you are a special agent who is very good with computers and most our little nerds like to stay indoors with a computer"
"But not me?" Tim asked and Tony nodded with a proud smile.
"Nope and to be honest it's why Kate and I are still hesitant about you, you don't have special training or anything, all you have is probably the best computer skills of any agent in NCIS" Tony replied.
"Then why am I here Tony? How did I end up with amnesia in the hospital?" Tim asked.
"Because you have guts Timmy. You easily separated yourself from the geeks and kept popping up under Gibbs nose" Tony supplied.
Tim wiped his eyes but didn't answer. His eyes were like a child hearing an amazing story and not wanting to interrupt.
"All right Timmy McGee quiz time" Tony said when he saw Tim wasn't going to speak again. "Based on what you just saw of our boss man do you think LJ Gibbs would have you if you didn't have potential?" he asked.
Tim thought about that for a moment. "When I woke up the man was arguing with a doctor. He was very hostile and aggressive towards the doctor" he mused.
"Yeah boss man isn't a patient man" Tony answered.
"Which means he wouldn't waste time hiring someone who wasn't cut out for the job" Tim added.
"Exactly" Tony ended. "You got his attention Probie now you have to keep it up and you can start by solving this case" Tony added.
"But I can't remember…" Tim started and Tony held up his hand. "I never said you had to do it alone Tim" he pointed out.
Tim gave a small nod and suddenly looked a little stronger. Tony could see there was still progress to be made but at least the kid stopped crying. It was a start at least.
"Thanks Tony" Tim replies and Tony just smiles. "No problem kid, just trust your instincts, they won't let you down" he said.
"Okay" Tim answered with a nod and Tony helped him stand. "My instincts tell me to just trust you all" he adds and Tony nods.
"Then lets stop wasting time and head to the office" Tony suggests. Tim nods and Tony helps Tim up and guides his young friend out.