See Chapter 1 for disclaimers and warnings.

Chapter 2

Warning: One swat, grounding and spanking.

Chris looked at Mary and then looked down at Billy, "Just wonderin' if you knew."

Mary could tell that there was something going on but had decided to wait and ask later that day.

Meanwhile, Tony and Tim were in the woodshed anxiously awaiting their discussion with Gibbs.

Gibbs sat in the den contemplating his next actions. He thought about Chris' words the day before.

"It seems as though Tim and Ezra decided to begin a card game. Ezra is a card sharp. Tim felt he could beat Ezra usin' his smarts. Another man came in and challenged them. One thing led to another and the man accused Ezra and Tim of cheatin'. Instead of lettin' the man have the money, Tim decided to argue. He said it was somethin' about principle. The man went to pull his gun, but Ezra was too fast for him and the man was shot dead. Tim was pretty shaken about it. You need to teach Tim that the principle of things will only get him killed in this time period. The only thing Tony did wrong was not tell you."

Gibbs was brought out of his thoughts when Jenny came into the den.

"Jethro, what are you going to do?"

"What do you think Jen? I can't let Tim think it is fine to put himself in danger or lie to me. I also cannot let Tony get away with lying even if it was just omitting information."

Jenny smiled and said, "Well Jethro, it looks like Tim should get the greater of the punishments. Jimmy has one week left with the horses. Tell them that Tony and Tim can help Jimmy muck the stalls for one week. Tim can continue to muck the stalls and take care of everyone's horses for the next week."

"And you called me bad, Jen? You enjoy being able to ground them, don't you?" Gibbs asked jokingly.

"I don't enjoy it. I just have to remind them every once in a while that I am still the director." Jenny said with a smile.

"You are director, but remember, I am 'Boss'." Gibbs said with friendly banter.

"Ha! Ha!" Jenny said sarcastically.

"Oh? You don't believe I can be Boss? Should I prove it to you? You know I never say anything I don't mean." Gibbs said with a raised eyebrow.

"Just what are you getting at, Jethro?" Jenny asked playfully, knowing where this conversation was going.

"I'm saying that after I take care of the boys, I can then take care of you. I'll show you who is Boss."

"Really? I'd like to see you try." Jenny said teasingly.

"I assure you, there will be no trying. I'll see you in a little bit." With that, he kissed her passionately. When Jenny turned to leave the den, Gibbs sharply smacked her backside.

"Ouch! Jethro!" Jenny screeched.

Gibbs smiled and made his way to the woodshed.

Jenny rubbed her backside and smiled. She was glad she had come on this vacation. She loved that man, even though he infuriated her at times. She was also happy that she could be Mom to these wonderful kids.

Jenny had decided that the girls' punishment could be lifted as long as they agreed to help Nettie in the kitchen every so often to practice their skills. Jenny would do the same. They needed to survive in this time period and Nettie would be part of their training ground.

Ziva, Abby and Jimmy sat in the girls' room discussing Tony and Tim's fate.

"Dad and Mom really love us. I don't know what I would have done if they would not have been there with us that day. I'm glad they are here." Abby said with a smile.

"Yeah, even though Dad's attention is not always fun." Ziva said knowingly.

"I'm sure Tim and Tony won't be enjoying his 'attention' soon." Jimmy said nervously.

"What is wrong Jimmy Boy? Do you think you are next?" Abby asked jokingly.

"Yeah, Jimmy what did you do? Is there a lie of omission hidden somewhere?" Ziva continued the ribbing.

"N-n-n-no, I didn't do anything wrong." Jimmy tensely replied.

The girls broke out in laughter.

"We are just kidding Jimmy! We have all felt like we were next at one time or other and have to remind ourselves that we didn't do anything wrong." Abby said through her laughter.

Gibbs stepped into the woodshed to find the boys nervously standing in their respective corners.

"Boys front and center!" Gibbs barked out orders.

The boys met Gibbs immediately and Gibbs said, "Mom decided on your groundings. Tim you will muck stalls and take care of all horses for two weeks. Tony you will muck stalls with Jimmy and Tim for the first week."

The boys groaned.

Tony thought, "Mom never forgot her director status."

Tim thought, "I'll worry about the grounding when Dad is finished with me."

Gibbs could see that the boys were processing the new information. He allowed the process then asked, "Boys what were you thinking?"

"You asked if I had gotten in trouble. We simply answered your question." Tony said bravely.

"I had the same thoughts as Tony. I didn't want you to know what happened in town. I know that was unwise now. We should have known Chris would talk to you. I should not have omitted the information about me." Tim said apologetically.

"So let me get this straight. Tim, you act like a child throwing a tantrum in town by not giving in to the outlaw. You knew this gunslinger could kill you on the spot if Ezra would not have been prepared to react. All of this for principle and to prove that you hadn't cheated in a card game?" Gibbs was getting angrier as he thought of the fact that one or both of the boys could have been killed if Ezra would not have been prepared.

Gibbs took a calming deep breath and asked, "Tony, what did I say about omitting the truth about a sibling when said sibling could have been hurt?"

"You said not to withhold information about each other to you. You said you weren't the enemy. We know we don't have to protect each other from you Dad. We are just in the habit of protecting each other from everything. The lines just get blurred sometimes." Tony replied.

"I am proud of you all for wanting to protect each other, but the lines can never get blurred where I am concerned. I'd rather have to hug you and tell you it will be okay after I tan your hides than to stand over your graves with regrets that I didn't do everything to teach you to survive in this time period. Tim, principle will only get you killed here. Do you understand me?" Talking about how much he wanted to protect them had softened him a bit.

"Yes Dad. I know that now. It won't happen again." Tim said knowingly.

"Tim, go to the barn and wait for me there." Gibbs said.

After Tim nervously walked out of the woodshed, Gibbs said to Tony, "Lean over the woodpile." The blanket was still there from the last time.

While Tony complied, Gibbs retrieved the paddle from the wall.

"Since we have already discussed the reason why we are here, I do not believe there is any more to say. Do you understand why you are here and why you should never omit any information from me?"

"Yes Dad."

With that, Gibbs began paddling Tony. All that could be heard was the whacking sounds of the paddle and Tony sobbing quietly. After Gibbs was satisfied that he had gotten his point across, he gave Tony a quick hug and told him all was forgiven and over. Tony received his hug and went back to the ranch house with promises of never omitting any information again when it came to the safety of his family and friends.

Gibbs steeled himself for his next appointment with another wayward son. He knew that this punishment had to be more severe. He did not want to be so stern with Tim. Like Jimmy, Tim was usually a compliant son. It still surprised him that Tim had thrown that little 'tantrum' about the principle of the matter with the gunslinger over a card game. He was glad that Tim was standing up for himself, but not at the cost of his life. Some things were just not that important to fight about. He brought the paddle to the barn.

As Gibbs walked into the barn, Tim heard the door hinges squeak. He knew what was about to happen and when he saw the paddle in Gibbs' hand, he swallowed the lump in his throat. Gibbs sat on a bale of hay and patted the one next to him for Tim to sit.

"Tim, you know why we are here. I am not going to go back over that. It is never alright to put yourself in danger. I cannot lose you. Do you understand?"

Tim said, "Yes Dad."

"Since you acted like a child throwing a tantrum, I will treat you like one for the first part of your punishment."

"First part?" Tim whispered.

"Yes Tim. This is serious. The first part will be a child's spanking and the second part will be a paddling for the lies. Let's get this over with."

With that said, Gibbs pulled Tim over his lap and began spanking him. Tim began sobbing after the tenth swat. He was sobbing over the relief of the fact that Gibbs loved him enough to correct him, the fact that Ezra saved him and that this would soon be put behind them and forgotten. After the twentieth swat and knowing that Tim was releasing all the guilt and stress over the past couple of days, Gibbs stopped the childish correction and helped Tim stand. He did not hug him yet.

"Lean over the bale of hay." Gibbs commanded.

Tim braced himself for the remaining punishment. The paddle came down on Tim's sore backside quickly and painfully. He knew that this part was for the lies. Gibbs gave him the whacks he felt Tim needed and stopped. Tim felt like he'd never sit again, although he knew that that was not true.

Gibbs pulled Tim into a hug and said, "Don't ever put yourself in danger again, especially over the principle of the matter." Holding up the paddle and tapping it, he said with a small smile, "You do it again and I'll show you principal. Most days I feel like one anyway."

With tears still in his eyes, Tim couldn't help but smile. "Dad, are you making a joke?"

"Don't get smart with me, young man or I'll show you if I'm joking." Gibbs said as he lightly tapped the paddle on Tim's backside. With that they laughed and walked out of the barn.

In town, the guilt was eating at Billy. He knew he needed to tell Chris what he had done, but knew he'd be in trouble. He also knew that he'd get JD and Abby in trouble too. He just didn't know what to do. Meanwhile, Chris had noticed something wasn't right with Billy. Chris waited. Billy approached Chris and asked, "Pa, can I talk to you about something?"

TBC...