Word Count: 1443

A/N: No excuses guys. If you're still following this story, thanks a bunch. And thanks to everyone for your interest and reviews in this story!

Chapter 4- Punishment

McGee veered off the second he was in the door, walking with shaky steps to the guest room. The blankets were perfectly neat on the bed, nary a speck of dust to be seen anywhere in the room. The walls were a sky blue (Tony's pick) and the items in the room were darker shades of blue to accent the walls (Tim's pick). Tony had questioned his sexuality when he explained the reasoning to him, but was put in his place when the girls congratulated Tim on his colour sense. Tim almost smiled at the memory of Tony's expression, before he remembered why he was here now and the smile ran away screaming.

He set his bag on the bed, valleys forming on the flat plain of fabric. Tim resisted the urge to bury his head in the pillows, know thing the scent would sooth him. He knew that he had to go back to Gibbs, accept the consequences of his actions like a man.

Tim eyed the closet, wondering if he could lock himself inside. Man, yeah right. I'm still getting punished like a little kid for little kid stuff, like Tony does. I'm supposed to be the responsible one!

"Tim!" the call came from what he guessed to be the living room. Where his boss was no doubt waiting on the couch to-

No. He wasn't going to make him come get him; he would go willingly. But to do that, he'd have to detach himself from the reality in front of him. He moved suddenly, silently cheering the motion of his feet forward, when his mind screamed to turn around and hide.

Gibbs was indeed sitting on the couch. He beckoned with one hand, holding it out. McGee reluctantly stepped forward and offered his wrist, which was grabbed and used as a lever to pull him over Gibbs' lap.

Please let me keep my pants on... he silently begged as Gibbs held the arm firmly in place behind his back.

"I think you understand why we're here Tim, so we're gonna keep this short." Relieved, Tim reached for a pillow and did actually bury his face in it. Gibbs gently tugged it. "Keep your mouth free Tim; we're gonna have a talk." McGee almost whimpered, but nodded instead. If he turned his head, he could still take comfort in the homey smell of the fabric and speak.

Smack! As always, there was no pre-emptive speech, just a start into the festivities. In another situation, he might have laughed at the irony of his wording. They certainly had some 'festivities' back at the lab, though with rockets instead of fireworks. McGee kept from making any noise, not sure why he bothered. He'd be crying eventually anyway.

"Why are we here, Tim?" If he wasn't on his stomach having his butt whipped, McGee might have been interested in how his boss always used his first name when he spanked him. As it was, he was trying to focus on not showing any sign that it was affecting him.

He tried to talk without crying, the pain now searing into his skin. The words came out soundlessly.

"Answer me." The smacks got a little heavier.

"B-because we fired rockets in the lab." He managed, a sob escaping with several tears.

"Abby's lab. You fired potentially dangerous rockets in the workplace, and a place that wasn't even yours! Not to mention what could have gone wrong. What if the rocket had gone off course and hit other chemicals, or the machines? How do you think Abby would have felt, coming in to find her lab destroyed, or worse, you two dead?!" though he'd understood that what they did was wrong, the severity hit Tim at that moment. Abby loved her lab, and it would kill her to not be able to work there whether because it was obliterated, or people she loved had died there.

"I'm sorry!" Tim now had to work to not squirm, the pain was so severe. He only bothered because he believed he deserved this. Gibbs was thorough and efficient, and none of his backside escaped the rain of smacks being dealt. "It was stupid!"

"Yes, it was. I don't even care that you did it Tim: I know you two are trained professionals. I know that you're a responsible adult and I DO trust you to handle those materials safely." Guilt twisted painfully in his gut, feeling ever more miserable that he'd betrayed his boss's trust. "But doing it in the lab was just stupid!"

"I know! I'm sorry!" he wasn't sure what he was apologizing for now; the harsh stinging was blurring his thoughts.

"And you'll never do it again in the lab?"

"Never!" he was truly crying now. "I'm so sorry boss!" he was hugging the pillow frantically when he realised that Gibbs had stopped, and he was now rubbing his back soothingly. McGee was grateful, as his effort to stay still made his back muscles incredibly tense.

They remained that way for several more minutes, until McGee relaxed. He hadn't even realised that so many of his muscles were taut until they weren't. It was then that Gibbs carefully flipped him over, minding the sore spot. He set Tim's head on his shoulder, whispering soothing things.

When he'd calmed down enough, he apologised again.

"I am really sorry boss. I don't know what we were thinking." Gibbs raised a semi-amused eyebrow.

"Really? I think I can guess."

"Well... yes, we thought it would be really cool to fly the rockets. I suggested Abby's lab because we would be close to our supplies..." he suddenly glanced at the phone. "Maybe I should tell Hotch that specific part was my idea?" as tired as he was, McGee couldn't stand to have his friend for something that was his fault.

"He agreed." Gibbs told him sternly. "He's as guilty as you." Tim still looked worried. "I'm sure Hotch will let him explain."

That immediately made Tim uneasy. "Boss?" Gibbs tilted his head. "Why didn't you ask me my side of the story?"

"I saw how guilty you were." Gibbs replied easily. "Figured we might as well get it over with; any explanation would've been superfluous."

McGee blinked. One thing that surprised him most with this form of punishment was that Gibbs actually talked at length during and after. But he continued to be surprised by his vocabulary as well. Then it occurred to him.

"You've been using that 'Word of the Day' calendar Tony and I got you, aren't you?" he asked, his salt coated face cracking into a smile.

Gibbs gave a grin. "Eh. Gives me something to impress Ducky with." McGee laughed. Though he hated getting spanked, and the pain that lasted for days after, he enjoyed getting to know his boss better. He was a little sad; uncovering the secrets of Leroy Jethro Gibbs was like learning how a magic trick is done. You're glad that the wondering doesn't bother you anymore, but the magic is gone.

Looking at Gibbs rare smile, he decided that there was more than one kind of magic. 'One door closes and another, much cooler one opens.' Laughter bubbled up; Tony was finally rubbing off on him.

His boss looked at his watch, and Tim noted the small transformation in facial expression that changed him from friendly parent to strict parent. "Bed."

Tim didn't have the energy to argue. He nodded, and Gibbs helped him to his feet. Tim made his way to his home away from home, resisting the urge to rub at his backside.

Five painful minutes later, he was clean and ready to sleep. He was lying on his stomach with his eyes closed, but he heard the door open. The blankets were tugged a little higher, a hand laid on his head with a quiet "Good night, Tim."

"Night, boss." He mumbled sleepily. He heard his surrogate father leaving. "Hey, boss?" the footsteps stopped.

"Yes?"

"You said 'in the lab again'. So we can still make rockets?"

Gibbs chuckled. "Yeah Tim. But let me know next time; I could give you some pointers." He heard his boss leave, the door snicking shut behind him.

He replayed their conversation over in his head. He did have his own father who was alive and well, but he still cherished the small moments that he shared with his other 'father'. He only wished that he didn't have to get in trouble to spend time like that with him.

He fell asleep eventually, a smile on his face, dreaming of rockets...

~TBC

Please don't hate me for leaving it here! Thanks for reading.