Chapter 2

Gibbs knew he had made the young man reach his limits when Tim left the bullpen with only muttering a quiet "goodbye". Feeling his agent's presence close to him he looked up just in time to see Tim putting his report in the far end of his desk and heading back to his own to wear his coat and leave. It was the first time he actually looked at the younger man. Not even when Tim had returned from his assignment at the crime scene had he taken the time to look, really look at him so he brushed off his complaints as whining from being left out in the cold on his own. As he watched his son's retreating back Ducky's words from earlier came instantly in his mind. Was Tim really feeling so awkward all evening?

The case they had was keeping him pretty much absorbed and he knew he had lost his control towards all his agents these last weeks, but he hadn't gone too far, had he? And he was certain Tim knew he was being harsh on him, because well, let's face it, all people are showing their worst self only to those they care about. For example, the one whom every person always yells and shouts at is their mother, right? Of course Tim knew that and had done it himself as some point, Gibbs was certain.

So he let his memories drift to a time when he was a father and he could say it to everyone. His little girl and his wife were the centre of his world and when he lost them that balance was more than disturbed. If he was asked before learning about Tim and Synthia he would most probably deny it with all his might. But now? Now he was a father once again and despite everything, all differences and his child's age he could recognize the feeling of living for someone else as much as he did for himself. He was whole once again.

His strong feelings about his son was probably the reason he forgot the younger man's insecurities and brought on him every miserable feeling of ineptness this last case was putting on him, but he was sure Tim understood and his gentle forgiving nature would do the trick once again.

He would lie if he didn't admit to himself that he indeed kept some negative feelings for Tim when he remembered a conversation they had about a month ago at his basement. The younger man was in sweatpants, a pair of which Jethro hadn't seen before and it was probably a remaining of the older days when Tim had a bit more flesh around his bones because they were ridiculously big and made him look even younger.

Tim went down to found Jethro once again doing something to his boat and as the blue eyes settle on him he could see the seriousness change into amusement.

'What?' He asked not sure he wanted to know the cause of Gibbs' amusement. The older man made a move with his arm indicating Tim clothes; his oversized pair of pants and extremely extra-large sweater he had chosen to wear. Tim raised his eyebrow, in a way that every person who ever knew Gibbs could instantly recognize, and made a show out of staring at Gibbs' clothes that weren't in any better condition. Soon both men were smiling at each other and Gibbs threw a piece of sandpaper to Tim and led him to the other side of his boat.

'I think you got the bigger part of this deal…' Tim said.

'What do you mean?'

'Well, yesterday we went for training, for reasons only you know while you were saying it was my day to pick our activities and today here we are doing… well, this.' He rolled his eyes at his father's amusement.

'The more training, the better Tim. It is good for both of us you know and you need it.' At his son's scowling his wrapped his arm around the taller man's shoulder and moved them both closer to the boat. 'And if you learn how to do this correct, tomorrow you will show me the computer games of yours.'

'You do realize I'm not some teenager spending his time playing stupid games on line. If I wanted to I'd have had a PhD degree by now.' Tim wasn't one to brag about his intelligence and skills, but he wanted his father, both of them, to be proud of him. Gibbs wasn't certain if the green eyed man in front of him had any idea how proud both he and Thomas were about him. He tousled his kid's hair with a laugh and a grunt by Tim. That moment life was good. 'And to tell you the truth, I have a feeling I won't be having the chance tomorrow. With my luck we will probably be on duty call again.'

'Then, let's enjoy the moment.'

'Yea right. So, what am I doing?' He stared intently at the sandpaper in his hand as if it was a big, important project of his. Gibbs put his own palm above Tim's bigger one and then showed him how to do it right without destroying the wood's lines and waters. After a couple of minutes of doing it together he observed Tim's progression. The kid was natural; he could do almost anything with those hands of his. Jethro went to a desk and drew out a pair of gloves. His hands may be used to harsh treating but Tim's soft ones would have a serious problem by the end of the day.

'Hey, grab these.' He called and threw them to the startled man with a laugh. And on second thought he took another pair for himself too.

That night was good for both of them. A few hours later Tim and Jethro were sitting on Gibbs' house where Tim found himself talking about his childhood. Jethro realized that it wasn't an easy one; a smart kid who was always ahead of his age-mates is looked down by them. Kids are hard enemies and even though Gibbs himself never had a problem like that in the small town he grew up, being always the team leader in everything he could still remember some loners who were just too smart for their own good.

With a sudden feeling of loss he reached his arm and pulled Tim closer to him wrapping his arms around his shoulders. It was the first time he had done it after that night in the bullpen where Tim had broken down worried about Jethro. Tim held onto him for a while and then pulled back looking down at his host.

'What was that about?' Jethro just smiled and pulled him in a hug once again. It was a long time since he had held Kelly in his arms and, sure Tim wasn't a child by any mean and measures but that moment he didn't care. He hadn't been there when his son needed him the most, and he knew very well that in Tim's life there were many times like that with all the bullying he had to endure, but now there's not a chance of not being there if Tim wanted him.

'Will you stay here tonight?' Tim didn't need any persuasion as to agree.

'Sure! I'll go and bring my bag.'

'So, you came prepared.'

'Isn't that scouts' motto?'

And Jethro was ready to use Tim's scout's experience on his own behalf, he thought as he went to prepare his guestroom. When Tim came up and found him he gave Jethro a set of keys. The older man looked at them quizzically.

'It's for my apartment. You never know when you'll need to use them.' Gibbs' pulse became faster as realization dawned on him and understood what the small move meant. Tim had already accepted him and given him the trust he treasured only for few.

'Thank you.' He held the keys tight. 'Sleep well, Son.'

'You too.'

Upon returning home he thought of calling Tim to ask how he was. Then he saw the time and decided not to. It was too late and Tim needed his rest after the tiresome day. And he could always talk with him the next day.

tbc