A/N: Sadly I own nothing pertaining to NCIS or its' characters.

Old Nemesis, New Respect

Chapter 9: New Respect

"I always knew this day would come. I mean, I thought Kyle would one day want to look for his biological father…look for you. Never guessed in a million years it'd be you."

"Does he know about his mother?"

"Yeah. You can't explain his medical issues without telling him how they came to be. At least he'll know her name now and the circumstances that led to that point in her life. Kyle's a forgiving soul. "Everything happens for a reason." He'd always say. I don't think he ever blamed Erica."

"And me?" McGee wondered, "What does he know about me?"

"More or less, thought you were in the same boat as she was. Who would've guessed, huh?"

"Wish I knew. I'd like to think I would've been there…for both of them."

"Underneath all her sadness I'd like to believe Erica would not have stood in the way of your future and MIT. All she had to do was tell her dad your name. She had honor."

"Neil…?"

"Tim…?"

"I can tell the boys love you. You're tight knit. I don't want to come between you guys, but I would like to get to know Kyle."

"Tim, I'm not going to keep Kyle away from you. He should know his father."

"You're his father Neil. We don't have to turn his world upside down and tell him who I really am. Just let me be a part of the rest of his life."

The door opened slowly as Gibbs slipped his head in. "You up for some company?"

"Agent Gibbs, come on in."

Gibbs waved his hand behind him. "Come on fellas."

Kyle and Oliver followed by DiNozzo rushed into the room.

"Hey guys," Neils' face became instantly brighter.

"Dad!"

Oliver noticed Tim and extends his hand. "Agent McGee, good morning sir."

"Oh, hi Agent McGee," Kyle adds after his brother acknowledges Tims' presence.

"It's Tim, ok? How's it going guys?"

Oliver approached he father, "Dad, letter came today. I'm in."

"Ollie? MIT?"

"Yeah, now all we're waiting for is my scholarship apps to come through."

"With your grades and brains, you're a shoe-in. Proud of you son."

"I can commute and save on room and board."

"Nonsense. Campus life is part of the college experience. We'll make it work."

"But dad…"

"I have a few connections. Perhaps, if I can help. MIT is my old alma-mater."

Neil and Oliver both took a long look at Tim. Neil then turned to Oliver, "Listen fellas we have to discuss a few things anyway."

"Can't it wait 'til you get home dad? Just concentrate on getting better." Kyle, always the mother hen.

"No it can't. It's about my recovery and your futures."

"But dad.."

"Time and life waits for no man son."

McGee rises from his chair and walks towards Gibbs.

"Where are you going Tim?"

"It's family. We'll let you talk privately. I'll come by later."

"Tim stay, you to Agent Gibbs. Please."

Tony knew it was going to get serious and took his leave.

Oliver kept shifting his eyes between the two men. "What's this all about dad?"

"Boys, I've decided to admit myself to rehab. I need help, I cant do it on my own, obviously."

"That's what Ollie and I are for dad."

"Yeah dad, we can help."

"I know you can and are willing to. But at sixteen and seventeen, there's so much more you should be doing.

" He's right Kyle. You'll be getting your drivers license soon and start dating."

After a pause for the heavy life changing stuff they were discussing, the group of men broke out into a hearty laughter.

"Ok, ok, ok, seriously we need to decide who, what and where you boys are going."

"Olive, you need to get me the proper room and board applications. That'll take care of you come September. As for the rest of the summer…" Neil turned to look at Tim, who saw the "I have no right to ask you" look in his eyes.

"I think that's where I come in."

"Excuse me?" Neil had forgotten that he'd ask Gibbs to stay.

"Yeah boss, what do you mean?"

"Well, there's certainly no room in that cracker jack box of apartment you call home McGee."

"Wait, Agent Gibbs. I can't ask you to take on the responsibility of my boys."

"You didn't. Whether you know this or not your "boys" aren't boys anymore. Besides we're Marines and Marines is family."

"Did you hear that Ollie? Someone noticed we grew up."

"Yeah Kyle "grew up" not matured."

"Speak for yourself."

"Alright "boys", we've gone off topic."

"Sorry dad. How long is it going to be?"

"You said past September, I still have school, here."

"I know Kyle, and I don't know how long."

"As long as it takes Neil. We'll make it work."

"Tim…?"

"What am I missing Ollie?" Kyle had realized the silence that had dropped between their father and Agent McGee. "Oliver?"

"Shhh, Kyle wait a minute. Dad…Agent McGee…what is it?"

"It's a long story son."

"Oliver, what say we go and get a round of sodas for everybody?"

After a slight stare down, Neil gave Oliver an affirmative nod. Gibbs placed his hand on Olivers' shoulder and pointed him towards the door.

Oliver looked back slowly, Neil just smiled, "It's ok son, we're fine."

Kyle heard the door close and waited for one of the remaining men to speak. "Is everything alright dad, really?"

"Better than alright son."

"Um Kyle there's a reason Agent Gibbs and I are willing to help you and your dad out."

"Ok…Why?"

"During our investigation we ran several samples through our database. One sample was a strand of your hair.

"It matched someone in your database? Was it my mothers' because of her drug arrests?"

"No Kyle. It didn't match your mother. Your DNA matched someone in our control group… in which your father belongs."

"Really, my dad's a cop or a federal agent?"

McGee gave Kispert an "Are you sure" kinda look. But Neil continued.

"Kyle come here son." Neil placed his hands on Kyles' shoulders and talked straight to his sons' face. "You know I love you and I'll always be there for you. Your mom and I chose you because you were special, always have been. You were our son from the first time we laid eyes on you. But you are also the biological son of…(deep breath) Agent McGee."

"Huh?" "What?" "Dad?" "Agent McGee?" Kyle began to shake as he reached through the air to find a place to sit down. Not finding one he opted for the floor for fear of falling where he stood.

McGee stepped around the bed to get to Kyle and pulled a chair up to put him in.

"Just put your head between your legs and breathe, slowly."

Kispert tried to reach his son but without his legs it was impossible. Let's just say he knew McGee had it covered and he thanked God that Tim was back in his life again.

"Kyle…son?"

"I'm ok dad." Kyle sat straight up in the chair and questioned himself. Turning to both men, "Oh God… Dad?"

"It's alright Kyle, call me Tim. After what Neil, after what your dad has done for you and in retrospect for me… I just want to be a part of your life, your future. I've missed so much already. Let me help and be there, ok?"

Kyle stood and walked in McGees' direction. Tim didn't expect acceptance right away, but hopefully understanding.

Kyle threw himself at Tim with such force that both men fell against Neils' bed in a massive hug that Abby would be proud of.

Realizing that everything was going to turn out fine, Neil leaned forward and wrapped his arms around the both of them.