CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Thirty days. That's how long Tim was forced to stay home. If it had been up to Director Vance, Tim wouldn't have missed a day, but his father wanted to make sure Tim was punished for his alleged negligence.

McGee didn't mind. Not really. Gibbs was right, his ribs healed more quickly when he had nothing much more to do than rest, write, and play computer games. Yet, his emotions were all over the map. One minute, he felt his suspension was fully justified. Thankfully no one was seriously hurt, besides Yancy of course, but if Lt. Owens hadn't managed to pull himself together, it could have turned out very differently. Yet, there were moments, a fierce anger overtook him. Why wasn't he good enough for his father? Why did the admiral make him feel like such a bumbling idiot? There were many nights during those thirty long days where Tim didn't sleep. He simply stared into the darkness wondering why he would never measure up.

His sister, Sarah called him a few times to check up on him. He smiled as he remembered some of their conversations.

"Tim," Sarah had said, "We both know Dad can be a royal asshole. He's always going to find some reason to pick at you. Even if you had gone to the Academy, he would have found some reason to be unhappy. Just forget about it. Don't let him get to you."

But it was easy for her. She'd been the admiral's favorite. He'd had no real expectations for a daughter and temperament-wise, they were very much alike. McGee had felt more than a twinge of jealousy over the years watching the two of them together. His grandmother, Penny had been his lifesaver.

Tim still had a week of his suspension left when the director had asked him to come in to sign some paperwork in preparation for his return. So it was with some trepidation, McGee found himself walking across the sunny Navy yard towards the NCIS building. He paused well away from the building and stared at it, his gut twisting with anxiety. Why should he be nervous? He'd worked there for years. He liked his co-workers, his team, even Gibbs. He missed them. A lot. Yet still, he felt an odd reluctance to go any further.

"What are you doing here, Agent McGee?"

Tim whirled to find Lt. Owens standing a few feet away, his lip curled in a mocking sneer. "I understood you were suspended. And rightfully so. If you ask me, they should have canned your sorry ass." He paused a moment, studying McGee thoughtfully. "So, did you come back to beg for your daddy's forgiveness?" He shook his head. "Well, I'd just forget that if I were you. The admiral has no use for a hopeless coward. He could have been killed thanks to you."

Tim felt his face flush with humiliation. "I didn't come to see the admiral. I came to see the director."

Owens snorted. "Right. Amazing coincidence that you just happened to come here on the first day Admiral McGee's been here in weeks. He's telling Director Vance right this very minute that he no longer needs or wants NCIS's so-called protection. He tried before, but this time he's got SecNav approval."

Tim glanced up at the building. Damn. The last person on earth he wanted to see today was his father. Maybe it would be better to just come back later.

"You know, I actually used to feel sorry for you."

Tim turned back to the lieutenant with a frown. "What?"

Owens' smug smiled broadened. "I mean, the admiral is an incredible man. And he chose me, to mentor. I can't tell you what an honor that has been. But you know, for a long time, I didn't even know the admiral had a son until someone asked him about you." He shook his head. "It was pretty obvious that the admiral had no interest in talking about you. Ever. He talked about your sister all the time. But you? It was like you didn't even exist. I thought that was really sad. Until I saw you in action." This time Owens actually laughed.

"My god, McGee, could you have been any more inept? It was like watching Inspector Clouseau or maybe Barney Fife. No wonder the admiral pretends he doesn't have a son. What an embarrassment you must be to him. Does Gibbs even allow you to have ammo for your gun? Or do you have to keep a single bullet in your pocket?" He laughed again, obviously pleased with his humor.

McGee's jaw clenched. He could feel his hand curling into a fist.

"Oh, wait!" Owens stopped laughing as his eyes widened with feigned amazement. "You're actually thinking about taking a swing at me, aren't you?" Then he narrowed his eyes and leaned forward, his handsome just inches from McGee's. Now his voice was low and menacing.

"Agent McGee, I used to be a Navy Seal. I know a dozen ways to kill you without breaking a sweat. I could tear you into tiny pieces before you even managed to raise a fist, so I strongly urge you not to even go there." He stood erect, an ugly twist to his mouth. "Now do you understand why the admiral prefers me to you? He wants a real man. Someone he knows will have his back. Not someone who can merely debug his computer."

He suddenly grinned again, reached out and ruffled Tim's hair. "See ya, McGee." He then turned and strode away back towards the NCIS building.

Tim stood fuming, yet frozen in place. Why did he just allow Owens humiliate him like that? It was like seventh grade all over again. Why, when confronted by a bully like Owens, was he unable to do anything to defend himself? It was no wonder his father had no use for him. McGee's shoulders slumped and he glanced at his watch. It was just after eleven. Maybe he'd go eat an early lunch, not that he had much appetite now. He could come back later. Hopefully after the admiral and that jerk Owens were long gone.

He sighed, turned and headed back to his car. Meeting up with Owens had pretty much ruined his day.

xxx

Finally, the day had come. McGee was allowed to return to work. It felt like he'd been gone years rather than just over a month. He was anxious to get back to work, yet he felt a certain amount of apprehension and anxiety. Would he fit back in after such a long absence? It's not like he hadn't seen any of the others during his suspension. Tony and Ziva had come by several times and even took him out to dinner or a club on occasion. He'd had several lunches with Abby, and even Gibbs had called to check on him a couple of times. They all made it abundantly clear that they had his back. But still. It felt strange.

With a smile, he settled himself into his chair, relishing its familiarity. He was early, he knew, but he wanted a little time to himself to reaquaint himself with the bullpen. For the first time in a long while, he felt happy.

"Well, well, if it isn't McGeek, alive and well and finally back where he belongs."

Tim looked up to see Tony sauntering across the squad room with a big, welcoming grin. Tim ducked his head trying to hide his embarrassment. "Hey, Tony."

"Welcome back, Probie. It's been too long."

"I agree. Welcome back, McGee."

Ziva appeared beside Tony, her warm smile instantly made Tim instantly feel better.

"Timmy! Oh, Timmy! You're back! You're back! You're back!"

Tim turned just in time to see Abby rocketing across the bullpen.

She surged around the desk and threw her arms around Tim, squeezing him hard. She held him for several long minutes before finally stepping back. She grinned and began to unroll a large banner emblazoned with "Welcome Home McGee!" "Look! I made you a welcome home sign." She frowned. "But you came in too early. I knew I should have put it up last night." Then she smiled again and hugged him hard once more. "I've really, really missed you!"

Tim's face warmed. "Um, thanks Abs. It's good to be back."

"Welcome, back, Tim." Gibbs smiled and placed a cup of fresh coffee on the desk beside Tim. "Now maybe we can get some real work done."

"Hey!" protested Tony as he settled himself in his own seat. "Maybe I'm not McGee with all the geeky computer stuff, but I was getting better."

"Like when you put up the Victoria's Secret underwear model instead of that woman we thought murdered Petty Officer Rankin?" Ziva leaned forward on her desk, her eyebrows high.

Tony flushed, but then grinned. "Hey, you gotta admit, she was a lot better looking than Angela Petruchio!"

Ziva just shook her head and pulled a folder out of a drawer. "Tony, you will never grow up."

"Not if I can help it."

Tim smiled softly to himself. Yes, it was good to be home.

Time passed and there was no sign of Jenson. Finally, Admiral McGee was able to get his protection detail dismissed.

"Morales told me the longer they were around, the more obnoxious the admiral got," revealed Tony one day while he and Tim were at lunch. Then he froze for an instant. "Oh, man, I'm sorry I shouldn't be talking about your dad after, well...um...after what happened."

Tim shrugged and studied his sandwich. "It's okay, Tony. I can't avoid the topic forever. Yeah, he treated me like crap, but I'm over it. I'm fine."

Tony's eyes narrowed. Tim was such a terrible liar. Yet, Tony decided not call him on it. It was pretty obvious there was still a lot of pain there.

"Well, anyway, I understand Jarvis let him get rid of the day to day protection, but insisted he still have some if he was going to any big event. Like that banquet next week."

Tim tilted his head, regarding Tony with a frown. "Banquet?"

Tony took a big bit of his hamburger and nodded. "Yeah. A bunch of Navy bigwigs all meeting to discuss something or other. Frankly, I don't have a clue what it's about, but your dad will be there."

"So, NCIS is providing protection for Dad?"

Tony shrugged. "For the whole shindig. We'll all be assigned to some area of the hotel."

McGee slowly set down his sandwich as a cold chill ran down his back. He suddenly had a very, very bad feeling about this.