While Gibbs certainly had no qualms about doling out spankings when they were required, Tim knew that their boss preferred not to overuse the disciplinary measure. Even Tony, who was on the receiving end of a thrashing far more frequently than Tim, still went most weeks without getting his backside tanned. Tim recognized that it was going to take some significant work to make getting spanked a viable alternative to cutting himself, since that was now part of his daily routine. He was also aware that he couldn't appear too much out of character lest he arouse Gibbs's suspicions.
Tim tried at first to just seem "forgetful", hoping that he would begin to try Gibbs's patience. He deliberately didn't finish a report in time, but it was a first for him, so Gibbs just made him stay at his desk until it was done. He "forgot" to gas the truck, but that only netted him a particularly sharp headslap. McGee realized he was going to have to step up his efforts if his needs were to be met.
Finally a morning came that Tim felt certain he'd succeeded. Although this had been his goal all along, Tim was anxious as he waited for his boss to arrive. He nervously rearranged the icons on his computer screen, trying to look busy. At last Gibbs strode into the office. Tim felt his stomach flip as the senior agent reached his desk.
"What the hell?!?" Gibbs roared. "Who was responsible for making sure this went back into the evidence locker last night?" He picked up a sealed bag with a cell phone inside and his eyes narrowed.
No one answered him.
"DiNozzo!"
"It wasn't me, Boss! I swear! I was helping Abby in the lab till 11!" Tony seemed truly panicked. "At least, I don't think I was supposed to do that…"
Tim saw Tony becoming confused, and realized that his partner was so used to screwing up that he might actually convince himself that it had been his fault. Tim needed to jump in before that happened.
"It was me." Tim said quietly.
DiNozzo and Gibbs both looked at McGee with shocked expressions.
"I don't need you to cover for DiNozzo's screw-up, McGee."
"I'm not, Boss. That was my job." Tim realized that he was going to have to embellish his story to make it seem plausible. "I was going to do it on my way out last night, but I…uh…I lost track of time, and I was supposed to be at home by 9 because there were people waiting for me online…"
"Are you telling me that you compromised the chain of evidence so that you could play a video game?"
Tim was terrified of Gibbs when he was angry, but he reminded himself that this was all for a worthwhile cause. He forced himself to keep playing the role.
"It's not exactly a video game." McGee pedantically corrected. "It's more of a…"
"Over here," Gibbs growled. "Now."
Tim knew that Tony was completely bewildered by the scene that was unfolding. This was not the usual course of events. Tim steeled himself and made his way over to Gibbs's desk.
Gibbs opened his drawer and pulled out a ruler.
"Hold out your hand."
Tim hadn't expected that. He didn't think that Gibbs would take kindly to being asked for a different punishment, though, so Tim did as he was told.
Gibbs cracked the ruler across Tim's palm four sharp times. It was swift and intense, and Tim couldn't deny that it hurt like hell. Tears stung in his eyes. But it wasn't enough. Tim needed it to be harder and to last longer. He looked desperately at Gibbs, but knew it was impossible to articulate what he was thinking.
"Get that bag down to Evidence, and thank your lucky stars no one else found it here before I did."
Tim nodded wordlessly and blinked back tears. He grabbed the bag, and with his other hand he felt his pants pocket for the telltale outline of his pocket knife. He knew that he'd be stopping at the head on his way back.