Fatherly Conundrums
By ProfessorElk
Disclaimer: The NCIS characters mentioned below are not mine and no profit has been made in the writing or posting of this story.
Summary: Sequel to my story Superman Soup: "The Admiral's expression was steely. 'I don't have a son. That relationship stopped the day you killed your mother.'"
Spoilers: Set after my story Superman Soup. It is not necessary to have read Superman Soup prior to reading Fatherly Conundrums, although it will help to clarify this story. General spoilers for NCIS Season 10, specifically 10x11 "Shabbat Shalom" and 10x12 "Shiva."
Chapter 3
The breeze was cool against his face, and he regretted leaving his heavier coat inside as the night air chilled him, easily penetrating his lighter jacket. The calendar might have reported it as being spring, yet the warmth associated with the season had yet to defrost the discomfort of winter. The weather is not the only thing that is still icy.
He clenched the small stones in his hand, comforted by their solidity and the release they could give him. Transferring one to his open palm, he tossed the stone up in the air before catching it with the same hand, gripping it between his thumb and forefinger, and flicking his wrist, releasing the stone as he did so. He watched it skip across the water seven times before sinking into the Anacostia, the twinkling lights strung along the gunwale of the Barry illuminating his endeavor.
A presence sidled up alongside him, posture mirroring his own, leg casually braced against the black metal posts lining the waterway. He smirked slightly to himself, knowing who was there without even turning around.
"I'm getting better," he announced.
The figure said nothing, but stooped down, picked up his own stone, tightened his fingers around the object as he propelled it forward with a sideways motion. The luminosity from the ship cast a yellow glow on the water as the pair watched the stone skip eleven times before finally giving into gravity with an audible splash.
"Showoff," he muttered to himself, though the muted snort of laughter from his companion told him that the comment had been heard.
They remained like that for an indiscernible amount of time, silently watching the boats sail past, lights from the cabin interiors brightening the dark water, peals of laughter from the inhabitants breaking the silence. A jogger ran by, out for a late night run, though neither turned around to watch him go, transfixed to the view of the water. He liked this, the feeling of being in one's company without having the need to converse, to needlessly fill the space with endless chatter. Usually lulls in conversation made him uncomfortable and he would desperately try to fill the void with mindless babble. However, too many words had been spoken for one day. Now was the time for quiet.
"How's it coming, McGee?" Gibbs asked without turning to look at him, the beauty of the silence broken.
He let out a puff of a sigh as he reluctantly began his report. "Director Craig's files came through earlier this afternoon. Along with the files I got this morning, I was able to put in more variables to the equation. It's running now through the computer, so all we have to do is wait for the results."
"I'm talking about your dad, McGee. The Admiral."
"Oh. Yah, Dad." He paused, unsure of how to answer. His gaze never wavered from the water, though he was no longer seeing it. Instead images of an office and a steely admiral came to mind.
Gibbs prodded, breaking his reverie. "Well?"
He sighed tiredly. "He's one conundrum I'll never solve." Wondering aloud after a moment of silence, he asked, "You knew I'd have to talk to him, didn't you? You made me go so that we'd have to talk?"
He ventured a gaze, though the expression on his boss' face was as guarded as ever as Gibbs met his eyes. "He's your dad, McGee. You'd have to talk to him someday."
That made him laugh, though there was no humor behind his mirth, and turn back to the river blackened by night. "He's the Admiral. No one talks to him, ever. He takes care of all the talking on his own."
"What can I say? I did something he thinks is unforgivable. We could argue back and forth forever," he choked out a somber huff. "We probably are. It's less painful for Penny, Sarah, for everyone if we don't. He won't ever let it go, so I…"
He stopped, unable to continue.
"Have to be the better person," Gibbs finished for him.
He smiled tightly at the summation, biting his bottom lip to reign in his emotions. He took another stone in his empty hand and threw it out across the water, no longer attempting to make it skip. It made a noisy splash
"You only get one dad, Tim," Gibbs tried, throwing him a look he caught in his peripheral.
He could feel Gibbs' eyes on him as he mulled over the man's words, weighing the validity against the truths he had come to know. "Yah, you do," he finally agreed, casually glancing at Gibbs. He waited until blue-green eyes were locked with pale blue. "And sometimes you're lucky enough to pick who he is."
He broke eye contact, throwing the last stone into the harbor, before tucking his empty hands into the pockets of his coat. He could feel the fond smile on his companion's face without even seeing it. Enough words had been spoken for the day. Now was finally the time for peaceful silence.
a/n: Thank you to all who have followed this story from start to finish and especially to those who were kind enough to offer their feedback. I cannot begin to describe the joy of logging on and seeing how many people read my stories from all over the world. To know that so many people worldwide enjoyed this story is both humbling and amazing. Thank you for the support!