Chapter 06

Later that evening Tim waited until the bathroom door closed behind Jimmy and the shower went on. Then he turned to Tony and said. "Um I can't really explain it right now. But if anything happens with Jimmy after he falls asleep. Wake me up before you do anything ok."

Tony raised an eyebrow and put his bag on the table. He said as he started going through his bag. "That something wouldn't have to do with why Jimmy was screaming last night would it."

"You and Gibbs heard that?" Tim asked sitting on the bed with a groan.

Tony looked over at him with an. Are you nuts? Of course we heard the screaming terrified member of our family and rushed to help. Look on his face. He pulled a chair over in front of Tim. A understand look on his face. After he was seated Tony said. "Yes we heard and yes we briefly stuck our heads in the room. To check on you both and to see if we could help. But we saw you had it under control. We all have nightmares Tim. You can't do the work we do without them. But we also help each other deal with them. Gibbs and I both decided not to bring it up in less you or Jimmy did. But know we have your back and Jimmy's if ether of you need help."

Tim closed his eyes and gulped and thought in for a penny in for a pound. He knew Jimmy would be angry but didn't know how else to help him. So he started babbling out his worries as fast as he could speak to make himself get it all out. "Jimmy has PTSD and suffers from night terrors as well as nightmares Tony. And probably other things that I haven't noticed yet. What both frustrates and worries me. Is he won't talk to me about it. I only found out that much last night. Because he woke up in my arms as he coming out of it and told me off. I think it's from his passed pack. I don't know what to do. You two thought I was in control last night. I was terrified and trying everything I could to help him and nothing worked. I felt helpless as my little mate was terrified and screaming in my arms."

Tony reached out and head slapped his little brother to get his attention and snap him out of his babbling. When Tim stopped. Tony said. "How many times have we called each other with nightmares Tim? Or shown up at each other's house or Gibbs house together. Unable to sleep alone and just want to be with someone that loves us and understands. Have we ever turned each other away? Has Gibbs?"

Tim glared at the head slap but nodded his agreement with the rest.

"We got this Tim. Whatever Timmy needs, whatever Jimmy needs. Gibbs and I are here. Just say the word and were there." Tony said then patted Tim's shoulder as the shower turned off and went back to getting his things ready to take the next shower.

Tim shook his head. Leave it to Tony to insult him and make him feel better all in one go. He stood up to grab his own bag and get his things ready. If Tony thought he was beating him to the shower after Jimmy he was insane. After Tony showered the water would be cold. He learned that the hard way several times and didn't want to spend the rest of night trying to warm up after an ice cold shower.

Jimmy walked out of the bathroom and looked from Tony to Tim and said. "Um how come neither of you called for a rollaway bed? Do you want me to?"

Tony looked at Tim and said. "Want to take this one Tim?"

"We're all sharing the bed Jimmy. Don't worry we'll fit." Tim said then slipped into the bathroom before Jimmy could respond. Grinning and turning on the water to drown him out. When Tony started pounded on the locked door. Demanding he let him in.

Jimmy looked at Tony as he pounded on the door. Shrugging he got into bed on the left side turned on his side and got comfortable. He about leaped off the bed when Tony started shaking him while saying his name.

"Sorry about scaring you. I tried saying your name but you didn't respond. I wasn't sure if you had fallen asleep yet. But I didn't want you to fully fall asleep before I asked you to move to the middle." Tony said.

Jimmy turned over and asked. "Why the middle?"

Tony said grinning. "Less chance of us missing you leaving Gremlin."

Jimmy rolled his eyes and moved to the middle of the bed. Getting himself comfortable again he dozed as he let his thoughts wander. His first thought was about what Tony said. He rolled his eyes again. Yeah like he could leave the room no matter where he slept with those two watching his every move. Not to mention the two Alphas next door. More like he'd get one foot out the door and then spend the rest of the day getting punished by all four them. No Thank you.

Jimmy shifted around again not noticing he knocked the covers off himself. He heard Tim come out and Tony teasing him before hearing the bathroom door close and the shower start. After he heard Tim moving around. Then Jimmy felt the covers being placed over him and himself being tucked in. He tried to fight the warm soothing feeling it gave him. He couldn't let himself get use to this. Not again he couldn't go through that pain again. It would destroy him this time, he just knew it.

Dam-it he needed to work on an escapee plan before they reached DC. Three of them was bad enough plus his brother. However once with the rest of their pack. Between them and the other agents they worked with and other packs they had ties to. He knew once back in DC he'd be constantly watched, even when he wasn't aware of it. He wasn't stupid the first time he got away was sheer luck and the time at his Dad's old cabin had been a fluke that he'd been dam lucky it worked. But he had to try something. Once they reached DC Gibbs packs home turf. He'd never get away again and he'd belong to McGee and the pack. He couldn't let that happen.

Jimmy snuggled in as he considered his options. He'd had a stroke of luck today though the others didn't know it. They had decided over dinner that they wanted to stop for two days in Los Vegas. Well to be honest the other four decided. Jimmy had only been asked if he could behave. It would add a few more days to their trip but a call to Vance had gotten the ok for the Agents. Clark mentioned as long as he wasn't gone past the month he said he'd be gone. That he was fine spending more time with his brother and his soon to be mate. Jimmy hadn't stopped eating his dinner and merely nodded. He had had to pinch himself not to laugh as his brother left the table to change the hotels they were staying in. He couldn't have asked for a better place to make his escape. He just had to figure out how.

How to do it ran through his mind. Hmm. He could fake being sick. No that would just meant someone would babysit him in a hotel room. Possibilities ran through his mind. He had started to drift off when he thought of the perfect plan. He would gain their trust and when he had it make his escape. He hated to do it but from what he could see it was the only way. He couldn't change things right away but slowly over the next few days. Then their last night in Los Vegas he'd make his escape. He gulped if this went wrong it would be bad really bad. But he told himself it was the only way. He snapped awake when Tim and Tony got into bed. Phase one of his plan would begin now. He just hoped he could pull it off. He opened his eyes as Tim spoke to him.

"Jimmy are you warm enough?" Tim asked.

Jimmy wanted to snap but instead said sleepily. "I'm ok just tired. Good Night Tim, Good Night Tony."

"Goodnight." Tim and Tony said kind of surprised that he hadn't fought the sleeping arrangement and that he used their first names. They both shared a look over Jimmy's head and shrugged figuring Jimmy was just tired.

The next morning Jimmy woke up first. He felt strangely safe and warm and to his knowledge had had the most pleasant night sleep he had had in years. Frowning when he went to move and found he couldn't. He tried everything to get free and nothing worked. Starting to panic he tried harder to move against what was holding him down. He started having a panic attack as he fought to breathe and get free. In a blind panic, tears started falling down his face. He thought he must have been wrong and was having a nightmare. Why else wouldn't he be able to move? Now breathing was a struggle as well. What would come next?

Tim and Tony woke up to Jimmy fighting to get free of them and the blankets tightly wrapped around him as he was gasping and crying.

Tim doing what he had done before wrapped Jimmy in his arms and spoke in his ear. But kept the hug lose so Jimmy could pull away if he wanted to. As Tony removed himself from the bed.

Tim was surprised when Jimmy cuddled close into him and clung. He held him tighter and removed the blankets twisted tightly around Jimmy with Tony's help. Tim loosely wrapped the blankets around them. Hiding Jimmy from view as he started rubbing Jimmy's back and kept talking. He was getting worried Jimmy wasn't calming down. Would he start screaming again or worse?

Tony realizing nothing was working ran next door and pounded on the door.

Gibbs opened the door with a cup of coffee in hand and said. "Tony?"

"Jimmy needs you and Clark. Now!" Tony said then not bothering to see if they followed returned to the room.

A second later Gibbs and Clark enter the room. What they saw shocked them both. Jimmy was completely hidden all you could see was the top of Tim's head and hear him softly talking.

Gibbs grabbed Tony and told him to go into the other room with Clark. Both men protested but Gibbs growled and said. "When a Sub feels vulnerable. He won't relax until all the danger around him is removed. I'm sorry to have to say this. But Clark you know after the other day he still fears you. Tony he sees you as a threat. We'll work on that as time goes by. But right this second he need Tim as his mate and me as Tim's Alpha. We will help him feel safe. I'll call you once he is calmed down. Now go before you make it worse."

Grumbling Clark and Tony left.

Gibbs moved towards the bed not surprised. When Tim's head popped up and he growled deeply. As soon as he got too close to his scared mate. Gibbs growled back softly and said. "Tim its Alpha Gibbs."

Tim's head moved to look over Jimmy's shoulder. He looked sheepish as he said. "Sorry Boss. My wolf is in protective mode right now. I don't know what else to do. He won't calm down."

"You're doing fine Tim. Just keep talking and don't shift." Gibbs said as he sat on the open side of the bed.

Tim nodded and went back to talking to Jimmy. Very much aware that the hand next to his rubbing Jimmy's back was his Alpha's.

Jimmy calmed down in stages. First his breathing returned to normal and as soon as it did by instinct. He but his face in Tim's neck breathing in deep. A few minutes later the panic left completely and he became aware that he was being cuddled by Tim as he clung to him. And that the both of them were wrapped in blankets and oddly Tim had three hands. Frowning at the odd thought and also at the fact that he didn't want to leave where he was. He made himself move. Shocked when he was able to leave the bed without a struggle and Tony was gone Gibbs in his place.

"Um what happen? Where's DiNozzo?" Jimmy asked.

Tim and Gibbs shared a look but Tim asked. "What do you remember?"

Jimmy frowned and said. "I woke up or at least I think I did and couldn't move and the more I struggled to get free the more I panicked. After a while, I could not breathe. Next thing I know I was in McGee's arms."

"You had one hell of a panic attack Jimmy. You ok now?" Gibbs asked noticing Jimmy had unconsciously moved as far away from them as he could.

"Yeah. I'm just going to go shower and get ready to go." Jimmy said looking from Tim to Gibbs. Getting a nod from Tim. He grabbed his stuff and disappeared into the bathroom.

Gibbs waited until the shower started and turned to Tim he said. "Give him time Tim. I know he has thing from his past to deal with. However, he needs to accept this and codling him will not help. We'll give him space and help him. But he needs to do his part to. And be careful he's plotting something."

Tim got up and said. "I know. It's just this isn't easy Boss."

"It never is Tim. I'll send Tony back. We leave in an hour. Be ready all of you." Gibbs said over his shoulder.

Jimmy after he was in the bathroom shut the door and started the water. Thinking 'What the hell was that? This was not part of the plan dam-it.' Shaking his head he went through the motions of getting himself ready for the day. His mind miles away as he replayed the morning over and over. Trying to figure out why he flipped out. Finally he brought his thoughts back full circle. Ok so Gibbs was right he had one hell of a panic attack brought on by from his best guess being pinned under Tim and Tony.

Hmm not his best moment but he could use this. But did he want to. Not really. It wouldn't be fair they hadn't done it on purpose.

What bothered him was it seemed like his wolf was accepting Tim as his mate. Why else would his wolf allow Tim and Gibbs near him in a weakened state?

Jimmy closed his eyes and rested his forehead on the shower wall. He couldn't pretend Tim was just comforting him. He was clinging to him and as soon as he could. He had buried his face in Tim's neck and breathed in his mates scent. He knew it was Tim's scent that put an end to the panic attack and helped him calm down the rest of the way. This was bad he really needed to up his plans and get away from Tim and the rest of them.

Cursing as soon as the thought crossed his mind. It wouldn't work if he moved to fast he'd be caught for sure. He would have to go with his plan as is and pretend this never happened. Tim knew he had issues hopefully he'd let this go as one of them and let it go as well. He snorted to himself as he forced himself to finish his shower. Boy was he in denial. Nobody would forget this. Maybe if he was lucky and Gibbs or Clark ordered it they'd not talk about. But if that was all he could hope for so be it.

Besides he thought with a smile. Chances are if his plan worked he'd be free in two at the most three days. Maybe he'd go visit Willow and the boys after he got away. He hadn't seen them in a long time. Smiling wider at the thought of seeing his friends again. Now he was even more determined to have his plan work. Now all he had to do was get to it. Finished he blanked his face and walked out.

The morning excitement wasn't brought up as Jimmy quietly helped them pack up. Stopping only long enough to switch helping Tony and then Tim. As the two men took their turns getting ready for the day. After a quick breakfast he was again in the middle this time Tim and Gibbs on either side of him. He frowned when his book and iPod was taken away by Gibbs.

"No hiding Jimmy. No one will force you to talk. But you're not hiding in a book and music all day and ignoring those around you." Gibbs said.

Jimmy shrugged as he was thinking to himself. 'Perfect. I don't have to do anything but sit here. And they think I'm doing what they want.' He watched movies with Gibbs and Tim or listening to the others talk around him until they stopped for lunch. Occasionally a question was sent his way. He'd nod or shrug in answer but remained quiet. Reminding himself he couldn't change to fast or they'd figure out his plan.

Around lunch time it was decided by the other four and Jimmy's nod of agreement to stop at a pizza place for lunch. Once inside Jimmy started to shift from foot to foot but remained next to Tim.

Tim pulled him aside as the others found a table and asked. "What wrong?"

Jimmy blushed and mumbled. "Restroom please."

Tim chuckled and said. "Go ahead I think it's in the back. You might want to ask though. I'll wait for you at the table."

Jimmy looked at him shocked.

"We have to trust you some time Jimmy. You know what will happen if you run." Tim said then turned and started walking towards the table.

Jimmy rolled his eyes and after asking a waitress made his way to the men's room. Washing his hands afterwards he thought about what Tim said. He tried to see if a trick was involved. This seemed too easy. Here he was trying to gain there trust and then he's sent to the bathroom alone. He growled they were playing the same game. Make him think they trusted him then catch him when he tried to run.

Jimmy smirked at himself in the mirror. Hmm well if that was the game he'd play it and play to win. He'd have to up the obedient act though. He shuddered but well he had no choice. Plastering a blank expression on his face he went to the table. He wasn't able to hide the glare when he was asked innocently by Tim if he had found the bathroom ok. The others laughing at his expense cracking jokes about Tim holding his hand so he wouldn't get lost, hadn't helped. As they ate he was quiet as he kept his temper in check not wanting to spoil his plan. But it was hard very hard not to go off on them as the jokes got worse as lunch went on. Once back on the road he didn't even try to get his book back. He ignored everyone as he closed his eyes and rested his head against the back of the seat.

Jimmy felt himself being shaken awake as someone softly called his name hours later. He opened his eyes to see Tim leaning in the open car door to wake him up. He looked around they were parked outside a hotel. He missed dinner and them arriving in Los Vegas. He shrugged and got out. He politely asked. "Do you want me to help carry the bags up Tim?"

Tim blinked at Jimmy. He frowned that was the second time he used his first name something he'd been refusing to do right along. It made him wonder what changed or if it was a trick. He'd have to mention this to Gibbs later. But not wanting him to think he was upset Tim smiled and said. "No that's ok Jimmy. We've all grabbed our own. Just worry about your own bags. Go on, it should be next to Gibbs bags he can show you."

Gibbs handed him his bag. "You missed dinner. You can get room service once you get to the room. It was decided McGee and I will share a room with you tonight."

Jimmy nodded and went to walk away. Turning back around when he heard Gibbs say his name.

"I know you're plotting something. Don't bother denying it. I'm giving you fair warning as I'm sure Tim has by now. That all running will prove is we can't trust you Jimmy. If you do manage to get away from us. We will find you and when we do. After that things will change drastically. The question won't be if you get your ass tanned but by who and how many times. Then we we'll still bring you back to DC. And you'll only have yourself to blame. Are we clear?" Gibbs said.

Jimmy turned around not answering as he caught up to the rest as they entered the hotel.

Gibbs sighed and grabbed his own bag. His gut was yelling at him that the sub was plotting something big and that they all needed to watch him as closely as possible. That's why he had tried to warn him. But both of them knew until he did anything there wasn't anything that could be done. Hopefully the warning would work. But somehow he doubted it. Sighing again he followed the group inside.

Once in the room Jimmy changed in the bathroom and then got into bed, moving to the center. He heard his name being called and turned over. He said. "What Tim?"

"What do you want to eat?" Tim asked showing him the room service menu.

"I'm not hungry just tired. I want to sleep." Jimmy said and turned back over.

"Jimmy you need to eat something. As soon as you do you can go right to bed." Tim said.

"I'm really tired Tim, not hungry. Can I just sleep and eat later please?" Jimmy mumbled.

Tim went to say something but was stopped. When he saw Gibbs shaking his head and motioning towards the balcony. He sighed and step out on the balcony with Gibbs. Shutting the door behind them so they could talk privately as Jimmy slept.

"Let him sleep. If he wakes up later and wants to eat. We can get him something then. The diner across the street is 24hrs or we can order room service. Making him stay up when he's already admitted he's tired and has asked not demanded to sleep. Will only end in an argument. You want to encourage it when he talked to you Tim." Gibbs said.

"Gibbs this goes against what I told him before we left. I told him to not fight me or risk his health. He's doing both even if he asked and said please. I know skipping a meal won't hurt him but if I let this go what's next." Tim said.

"I understand where you're coming from Tim. But you need to understand this isn't going to be easy for either of you. You need to learn when to let things be and when to not let it be. Right now he's doing as he's told. Because he knows, he does not have much choice. But as time goes on Jimmy's going to fight you and test you Tim. The more comfortable he gets with you the worse it will get. Until he knows just how far he can push you." Gibbs said.

"Why? I told you what happen the other night when I swatted him. Wouldn't he already know how far to push." Tim asked confused.

"No that night he was tired, angry and scared. I'm assuming it will get a lot worse than that. Think about our pack for a minute Tim. All the members of our pack know I'll tan your back sides if you misbehave. But yet you all still misbehave and push me in different ways. After any of you get caught all of you still try and talk your way out of it every time. Yet all of you know how far I'll let you go trying to talk your way out of it before you cross the line. This isn't any different? Jimmy will learn how far to push and when to keep quiet. But before he reaches that point he might end up with a sore back side a few times. I know you did when you joined the pack." Gibbs said with a raised eyebrow.

Tim blushed and shrugged. He knew everyone in their pack sometimes behaved like cubs and needed a reminder from Gibbs to toe the line. He also knew when tired or hurting physically or emotionally. That he tended to get sarcastic and sometimes outright mean. He had to answer to both Gibbs and Tony for it before and a time or two Ducky. But he had never looked at it though as pushing Gibbs or anyone else and said so.

Gibbs smiled at him and said. "Most don't when there pushing just to get someone to pay attention to them. But I bet after you feel loved and know the limits are still there. As well as know that someone that cares and loves you reinforces those limits. Jimmy just needs to learn the same thing from you and the pack Tim."

Tim nodded and told Gibbs about Jimmy calling him and Tony by their first names.

Gibbs smirked and said. "I noticed that as Jimmy was talking to you. Jimmy plotting something and using yours and Tony's first names is a distraction Tim. Be careful. I wouldn't let him know you're on to him. Eventually he will try and run. Right now he's plotting."

Tim nodded agreeing with him then turned toward the room looking inside the room his eyes went wide. He couldn't see Jimmy. He said already moving. "Gibbs where's Jimmy?"

Gibbs turned and looked. Nothing bothering to answer he raced inside Tim at his side. They both looked everywhere. The bed was empty so was the bathroom. He turned to Tim and said. "Go get Clark and Tony."

Tim returned a moment later with a sleepy and puzzled Clark.

"What the hell Gibbs?" Clark asked.

"Jimmy's gone. Wait where's Tony?" Gibbs said.

Clark rolled his eyes and said. "Jimmy is with Tony at the Diner across the street."

"What?" Gibbs and Tim shouted.

Clark looked around and his eyes landed on the note by their phones. He pointed and said. "You might want to read the note he left you Tim."

Tim looked where he was pointing and picked the note up reading it then handing it to Gibbs. He sat on the end of the bed with a sigh. He was trying to be reasonable but he was annoyed and he felt Jimmy took advantage of the situation. He looked over at Gibbs and said. "What do you think?"

Gibbs read the note out loud. "Tim: Since you and Gibbs want to discuss me loud enough for the world to hear and not let me sleep. Even though I ask you both repeatedly nicely to keep it down only to be ignored. Moreover, since your main issue is I have not eaten. I used your cell (Tim) to call Tony and asked him to take me to get dinner at the 24hr diner across the street. After both of us tried and failed to get your attention. We decided to leave this note. Hopefully when I return I will be able to sleep. Jimmy."

Gibbs looked at Clark and asked. "Why not bring him food here?"

Clark shrugged and said. "When Jimmy called Tony, after speaking to him. Tony tried to call you Gibbs but got your voice mail so he called me. Jimmy hasn't asked to spend one on one time with anyone. So we thought it might be a trick. But also that you two might be discussing something important. So I told Tony to check it out. If it wasn't a trap and he couldn't get either of your attention. To make sure Jimmy left a note. That it might just be that Jimmy was hungry. Tony came up here to meet him and the rest you know."

Gibbs nodded and said. "Let's go Tim. You coming Clark?"

"No I think I'll sit this one out. Jimmy and I have enough to sort out without adding to it. See you all in the morning." Clark said opening the door. But then he decided he had to say something. Standing in the doorway Clark said. "One last thing before I go though. Keep in mind you two he's not a criminal just a confused and frightened cub. He's trying. Maybe it's for the wrong reasons right now but he is trying." Clark said and headed back to his room.

A few minutes later Gibbs and Tim walked across the street and saw Jimmy and Tony sitting across from each other in a booth eating and talking. Tim slid in next to Jimmy and Gibbs next to Tony. Jimmy stopped eating and looked out the window.

"Boss…" Tony started.

"It's fine Tony and Jimmy. Both Tim and I were unreachable it won't happen again. From now on in-less you're sleeping or in water your cells are on you. And if you're sleeping the cell better be charging on the night stand where you can hear it." Gibbs said.

Jimmy went back to eating but he looked at Tony with a grin. As one they both took their phones out of their pockets and set them on the table. Showing both had full charges and were on but had no messages. Jimmy had been made to give his new number to them the first night. Therefore, they all had it.

Tim smirked and looked away so Gibbs would not see it. But he lost it a second later.

"Ok wise asses who's paying." Gibbs growled playfully.

Tony and Jimmy both said. "Tim."

Once he stopped laughing Tim had to ask. "And why should I pay for you two delinquent's dinner?"

Tony said grinning. "Well Probie it's ether you or Gibbs. As you two kept the gremlin up and he called on yours truly to rescue him. Had you not showed, I planned to pay but since you are here now. Why not get a free dinner?"

Jimmy bit his lip hoping Tony wouldn't get mad. He had told him earlier he should have called Gibbs and talked to him. Jimmy said. "Rescue? Where were you when I called Tony?"

"Shhhh gremlin they don't need to know that." Tony said winking at him. Letting him know that he was ok with what he said.

Gibbs and Tin exchanged looks and Gibbs said. "Oh yeah we do. I remember telling everyone to go to bed. Does this mean you snuck out Tony?"

Tony got a deer in the headlight look but nodded. He knew when he snuck out he'd get in trouble but hadn't cared he needed space and time to think.

"Where were you?" Tim asked.

Tony glared at Tim but caught Gibbs look and said. "Here. I got some bad news. After the call, I just needed space and time to think before I told anyone. But I didn't mind when Jimmy called. We sat here awhile talking before you two showed up and that helped. Thanks Jimmy."

Jimmy smiled and said. "You're welcome."

Tony sighed and before Tim or Gibbs could ask. He said. "My father's lawyer called. My dad died a few days ago but he could not get in touch with me before tonight. My dad's old pack is trying to make a claim to what he left me. I need to decide to fight it or not. The lawyer read a few things to me over the phone but he is overnighting them to me. I have choices to make after I see what it says. It might not be worth the fight just to lose in the end."

Jimmy reached across the table covering his hand with his and said. "Stop it Tony. You're going to call that number I gave you. Give her my name and then release her wrath on the idiots that call themselves your kin. When she's done with them they won't have a leg to stand on."

Tony tried to smile but couldn't.

"Explain Tony." Gibbs demanded.

Tony sighed and said. "When my mom died. My grandfather told him he needed to remarry quickly. Dad wasn't ready but grandfather force it through the pack and their old ways. Dad was in his early twenty's when he and mom married. He turned 30 a year after mom died so he had no choice. A match within another pack was found. Eventually they divorced and grandfather again forced him to re-marry several time actually. Each match helped the pack and grandfather not my Dad. When grandfather died Dad refused to take over the pack that allowed him to be forced into several loveless marriages. He was an elder by then and declared himself a lone wolf and took me with him. Enrolling me in boarding school. Later he told me he did it to help keep me away from the pack. As a lone wolf he could only protect me so much from the pack I was still a member of. I rarely saw the pack or my Dad over the next few year. Once I reached 18. I had to go before my Uncle and claim lone wolf status. He was livid and accused my father of brainwashing me. But he had no reason to deny me. I was leaving for college and the last ten years had barely been among the pack. So he accepted it. I only contact them again when I joined Gibbs pack."

Gibbs frowned and asked. "How does this affect you now though?"

Tony said. "The pack is trying to say their entitled to anything my father left. Because we both were members of the pack. Then left it after declaring ourselves lone wolves. In their minds lone wolves can't own anything. Which is true in a sense. Everything my father has he built himself after he left the pack. Same with me when I declared my status. Even though they didn't pay for anything I owned. It's part of the old way for them to only let you keep the clothes and shoes you walked in with. The rest they take literally. The pack emptied my bank account, took my car and everything in my apartment. I had nothing but the clothes on my back and the shoes on my feet. My Dad helped me though. I moved in with him before I left for college and I begrudgingly let him replace everything even my clothes. It was very humbling because we hadn't spoken in years and finally we sorted everything out. He told me to find a new pack by my 30th birthday or my Uncle would force me to mate with someone of his choice lone wolf or not. Lucky for me I found Gibbs a few years before I turned 30 and had already been in Gibbs pack for over 2 years by then. Therefore, I told my Uncle what he could do with his demands to return to him. Do remember that year Gibbs?"

Gibbs nodded and said. "That was a few years before you joined the pack Tim. And way before you started working at NCIS Jimmy. Idiot comes into NCIS demanding I return his nephew. The boy he saw as his cub. That he needs to do his duty and marry the girl he chose or he'd challenge me to a fight and he'd take him as well as my pack. Shocked the hell out of him when he lost and was sent home with his tail between his legs."

Jimmy blinked and said angrily not thinking. "You accepted a challenge to keep your pack. Are you insane or do you just have a death wish? A challenge is a death sentence Gibbs."

Tim and Tony both started growling at the disrespect of their Alpha. Both were surprised when the intensive glare left Gibbs eyes and they softened when he saw the true fear in the sub eyes.

Gibbs was about to growl and put the sub in his place when he saw his eyes. He realized Jimmy wasn't thinking he was unable to defend his pack but truly afraid of the thought that he would be killed. Which he reasoned was true as most challenges were no hold bar fights. Where fairness didn't matter and anything within reach was used to win. The fight only ended when one of the Alphas were unconscious or dead. Most often the losing Alpha might as well have died as they were not accepted in any pack after that. Usually they turned lone wolf never to be seen again or took their own lives.

Jimmy flinched at the growls coming from Tony and Tim. Pushing himself into the corner of the booth away from them.

"Knock it off you two. That's not what he meant. Is it cub?" Gibbs said.

Jimmy blinked he hadn't been called cub by anyone in years. But strangely he liked it coming from Gibbs. It made him feel safe like being wrapped in Tim's arms. He wasn't sure how he felt about that. This could mean trouble. His wolf now was starting to accept Gibbs as his Alpha. He blinked when Gibbs said his name.

"Jimmy I'm sorry. I shouldn't have…" Gibbs started.

Jimmy interrupted. "No that's ok. You just startled me. No one has called me cub in years. And you're right that's not what I meant Gibbs. I know you can defend your pack. I just… I've seen many challenges as I grew up. My Uncle took great pleasure in making the person that challenged him suffered as much as he could before he killed them. No Alpha that challenged him walked away. They all died and hideously. He used every one as a lesson to his pack and made us watch from beginning to end no matter their place in the pack. If you passed out, fell asleep or tried to leave you were punished severely."

Gibbs, Tony and Tim all blinked at him in shock. They were grown men and had seen challenges that left them nauseous. Jimmy had watched them since he was a kid. That's inhuman just what kind of monster was this Uncle.

Gibbs shook his head and said. "I understand Jimmy. However, any challenge I have taken the rules are firmly but in place before it begins. And any pack member on either side that wished to not witness the fight can leave and not be punished. Understand?"

Jimmy nodded.

Gibbs sighed great he had stop talking again. He signaled for the check waving Tim off when he reached for it and got his cubs back to the hotel for some shut eye.

Neither Gibbs nor Tim were surprised when Jimmy started having nightmares that night.