Tim was working distractedly at his desk when Tony came flying in. He stopped at Tim's desk and placed a large handful of Skittles in front of Tim with an elaborate flourish.
"These are for me…" Tony went over and placed a second handful on his own desk. "And these, McDweeb, are for you." Tony sat down at his desk and grinned crazily at his partner.
"I don't have time for whatever game you're playing, Tony." Tim said in an exasperated tone.
"Funny you should mention games. Because this is going to be an excellent one." Tony picked up a Skittle. "Open wide, Probie!"
Before Tony's command could register, a Skittle bounced off Tim's forehead.
"OK, now me!" Tony opened his mouth as wide as possible and tilted his head back.
"I'm not throwing a Skittle at you, Tony." Tim said drily.
"Es oo ahr," Tony replied without closing his mouth.
Tim turned back to his computer screen and started typing, being sure that he was clicking the keys loudly enough for Tony to hear.
A Skittle ricocheted off his temple.
"DiNozzo!" Tim hollered. When he looked at his partner, Tony was waiting once again with his mouth open. Tim sighed, knowing when he'd lost. He selected a green Skittle and launched it in Tony's direction. It soared over Tony's nose and landed behind him.
"Strike one!" Tony cried. "Aim higher this time."
Resigned, Tim tossed another candy in Tony's direction. To both their amazements, it flew squarely into Tony's mouth.
"Home run!" Tony jumped up with his arms raised in a cheer, only to freeze in his place. Tim didn't even need to turn around to know that Gibbs was standing behind him.
Gibbs picked up the closest trash can and held it out in grim silence. Tim gathered up his pile of Skittles and disposed of them without making eye contact with his boss. Reluctantly Tony followed suit, though he flashed Gibbs a cheeky sad look at the waste of perfectly good candy.
Gibbs put down the can. "Both of you, over your desks," he ordered. Tim winced but obeyed. He laid himself across his desk and gripped the far side. Glancing over his shoulder Tim saw Tony get into position and Gibbs retrieve a wooden paddle from his drawer.
The senior agent moved behind Tony first and landed a hard swat on DiNozzo's backside. Tony let out a loud "Ow!", and while Tim knew it hurt, he also knew that his partner liked to make a spectacle of his punishments. Gibbs showed no sign of noticing, though, and brought the paddle down seven more unyielding times to the tune of Tony's vocal protests.
Tony groaned as he began to ease himself up.
"Stay in position till I'm finished with Tim," Gibbs directed, and DiNozzo lowered himself back down with a sigh.
Tim tightened his grip on the desk as Gibbs began spanking him. He felt the solid impact of the wood as it landed, and then an intense pain radiating across his butt and legs. There was little time for it to dissipate before another firm blow came on top of it. Tim closed his eyes and silently immersed himself in the experience of the spanking. Each time the paddle landed Tim felt himself sinking deeper into his trance. Gibbs, Tony, and the entire office seemed impossibly far away.
When Gibbs ordered them both back to work, Tim emerged from his dazed state and returned to his seat behind the desk. Once their boss was out of earshot, Tony sighed and looked longingly at the garbage can. "I don't see why we had to throw out the Skittles."
Tim wasn't paying attention, though. He realized that he felt perfectly calm.
For the first time in weeks, Tim didn't cut himself at all during the day. And when he climbed into bed that night, he fell immediately asleep and stayed that way until his alarm woke him the next morning.
It appeared to Tim that he'd found an alternative to cutting himself.