TAP17
Three days after that fateful night that Emily had been told about Tim and Pete and she had threatened Pete, Emily had her academic decathlon. Unfortunately for her, that was the same day that Tobias had been sent undercover to investigate mob hits out in the Seattle office. Tim was stepping up to the plate as temporary team leader in Tobias' absence.
Tobias had reassured Tim before he left that Diane was due back tonight and Victor would be collecting Emily from academic decathlon, that there was no need for Tim to go out of his way.
For the foreseeable future, Tim had temporarily taken Tobias' office and Agent Mac had stepped into Tim's senior agent role within the team.
Tobias had left that morning, telling Emily the night before that he was going under. That it was a simple job, and he would be back soon. That if she needed help and her mother couldn't help her, to call Tim. That Tim also knew a way to get in contact with him if it was urgent and important. At the office, he had met with his handler, and he had nodded at Tim to take care of Emily and to watch his own six, before he left for the other side of the country.
After spending the early morning settling in, Tim and their team caught a case mid-morning, sending them out into the field for a simple body dump. They had their lunch when they got back to the office, before Tim had them hit the ground running in the afternoon. It was close to 1600, when the shrill ring of his cell phone broke through the silence of the office.
Tim answered the phone, "Hello Agent McGee," he said cheerfully, not recognizing the number on his caller ID.
"Agent McGee?" the feminine voice on the other end of the phone line spoke. "I am Principal Madison Walsh, from Emily Fornell's school. How are you?"
"Is Emily OK?" Tim rushed out and the principal could hear the concern and worry in the young FBI agent's voice.
"Emily is fine, Agent McGee. I didn't mean to worry you." She tried to placate him. Tim was wondering why Emily's school was telephoning him. As far as he knew they didn't even have his number. "We have an usual situation with Miss Fornell. Emily is currently in Victor Sterling, her stepfather's care. Her mother was due to arrive back from a business trip today and I believe her father is now on a business trip himself, is that correct?"
"That was the plan." Tim confirmed, letting his unasked questions colour his voice. "Emily was to spend one night in Victor's care, Diane would be home tonight and resume the primary care-giving role in Tobias' absence."
"I am afraid Mrs. Sterling has been delayed for the foreseeable future and Mr. Sterling has left town to join his wife on his own trip." Principal Walsh told Tim. Tim was angry at Diane and furious at Victor. "With no guardians in the area, I have to either turn her over to her emergency contact or to child services. Which is you. Were you aware that Mr. Fornell listed you as a primary emergency contact for Emily?"
"No, I wasn't." Tim answered her, as he sent a text message to the agent that was handling Tobias, asking for him to make contact with him as soon as possible. "Ok, so I need to know what time the academic decathlon finishes and where it is, so I can collect Emily."
"Come and meet me at the office by no later than 1700, Agent McGee." Principal Walsh spoke softly. Her voice was soft and sounded like a purring cat and Tim wondered why she had suddenly changed her voice. "I have also letter from Mr. Fornell to give to you, that was stored on file in case this had ever happened. We can discuss it here and I shall have Emily meet you at the office."
"I shall see you soon." Tim replied curtly, disconnecting the call. He leaned back in his desk chair and stared at the ceiling and sighed. He wished he had Victor's cell number; he would call him up and ream him out. How dare he leave and abandon Emily? Especially after Tobias and Diane trusted Emily into his care. Victor obviously didn't know; or care that Tobias had made a contingency plan for Tim to take temporary guardianship of Emily, in the event that something like this happened. He didn't even know about it, that was why Tim was so sure that Victor and Diane had no idea about it.
Luckily for Emily, her father had put some contingencies in place. Otherwise, Emily would definitely find herself in the care of the CPS. That would not bode well for any of the legal guardians of the young woman. Tim noted the time and shut down his computer, gathered his gear and locked up the office. He waved off to Agent Mac, whom he informed that he was leaving early to go to a meeting. Not a complete lie, since he would be meeting the Principal of Emily's school before meeting Emily, herself.
As he reached his rental, he quickly fired a text message off to Pete telling him that they'd have to stay at Tim's house tonight because they now had Emily staying over and that he would explain everything when he saw Pete tonight.
Pulling up in the guest parking lot at Emily's school, Tim threw the black, sleek and sporty Camaro in park and checked his phone. He had a few minutes to spare and was also relieved to see that Pete had replied to Tim telling him that it was more than OK that they would be staying at Tim's. Before he suggested that he might stay at his own house tonight because although he and Emily knew one another, they were still getting to know one another. He didn't want to make Emily uncomfortable in Tim's home. Tim reminded Pete, they could discuss it tonight and that they could talk to Emily about it too.
In the foyer of the school office, Madison Walsh was making herself look comfortable. The rest of the office staff had left long ago. She undid two buttons on her blouse, shimmied her mini skirt a smidgen higher on her hips and had reapplied her lipstick. When she had overheard the pre-teen girls giving Emily a rough time because her 'Uncle Tim' was hot, Madison decided that she would snag him for herself.
Tim slipped into the main entrance of the school, undetected. He could see the principal was tall, blonde and dressed for seduction, not education on her mind. That was rather obvious by the three unbuttoned buttons on the blouse, the skirt hiked higher than what was appropriate for her job, a fresh coat of make-up and her flirtatious manner.
"Ms. Walsh, I assume?" Tim asked, startling her as he offered his hand. She hadn't heard the devilishly handsome agent enter the office foyer. "I am Special Agent Timothy McGee. My official FBI credentials, in addition to my ID." Tim offered, holding up his ID for the school principal to study.
"It's Miss Walsh." She corrected him with what she thought was her most charming, alluring smile. "But you can call me Madison." Her voice was purring still, much like it had been on the phone and Tim was dreading this interaction now.
"Miss Walsh is fine." Tim conceded, as he took in his surroundings. The office was deserted. There were no teachers milling around, no office staff, not even a janitor in sight. This set alarm bells off in Tim. "Where is Emily?"
"Miss Fornell is over at the gymnasium, competing in the academic decathlon." She informed Tim. "The letter from Mr. Fornell is in my office, follow me and we can sit down and discuss the situation at hand."
"I'd rather you retrieve the letter and I make my way over to the gymnasium to see Emily, as soon as possible." Tim declined, politely. Something about this whole scene didn't sit well with his gut. He was worried, but not because he was tempted. But because the office was empty. He didn't want Ms. Walsh to be able to claim any untoward behaviour on Tim's part. He could see the security cameras and he was sure to stay in the security shot at all times. He knew a woman like her in the past and he had seen that woman get a brilliant student thrown out of school with behaviour like that. It wasn't worth the risk.
"As you wish." She sighed and went to retrieve the letter from her desk. When she returned, she held the letter in her hand, and she had unbuttoned her blouse completely, revealing a purple and black satin bra. Tim would bet dollars to donuts that she had matching underwear on too. But he wasn't interested. Him and women always lead to nothing but trouble for him. "You want the letter, you better come here."
"Button your blouse back up, Miss Walsh or I will be forced to make a formal complaint to the county superintendent. I am sure that she would be very interested to hear of my experience here today."
"I am simply offering a young frustrated underpaid public servant like me, the chance to have some fun." She teased, as she fingered her nipples, through the cup of her bra, trying to entice Tim into engaging in a sexual liaison with her. "I am very good."
Tim didn't even miss a beat. "I am gay, Miss Walsh." Tim announced. "Didn't you wonder why Tobias and Diane would trust a young, single thirty-year-old man to care for their pre-teen daughter in their absence?"
"I apologise, Agent McGee." Madison Walsh blushed, as she handed him the letter and immediately began buttoning up her blouse. "Please know I meant no disrespect. I simply found you attractive and assumed that you might have been up for a little fun."
Tim had no intentions of letting the incident slide. He was a stranger, and it was dangerous for a young woman like her to assume that all men were nice. Her behaviour was appalling. Her she was, an educator, a feminine role model for the young women in her care, in a position of authority, setting a poor example of how young girls should behave. Not to mention that it was borderline prostitution. All aspects of prostitution are illegal in Maryland. This includes buying (traditionally called solicitation, but called "assignation" in Maryland), selling (prostituting oneself), and pimping (also known as pandering, but now called "human trafficking" in Maryland).
"Miss Walsh, Maryland state laws under the Maryland Criminal Code Title 11, Indecency and Obscenity, Subtitle 3 covers prostitution and sexual-related crimes. The term "prostitution" is strictly defined in Section 11-301c; as any sexual act, sexual contact, or vaginal intercourse, the performance of which is for hire. The term "sexual act" is stated as holding the same meaning as the definition in Section 3-301 the section on sex crimes. Section 11-301D, includes any of the following acts, regardless of whether the act is finished or semen is emitted: it includes Anilingus, fellatio, anal intercourse or any penetration of the anus, cunnilingus Any act where an object, whether animate or inanimate, penetrates another person's genital opening or anus– where the purpose of the act can reasonably be determined to be the sexual gratification, arousal, or abuse of any part. This does not include vaginal intercourse or any bona fide medical procedure which requires the penetration of a person's vagina or anus." Tim began informing her factually in his best lecturing agent voice. He was reciting the criminal code by rote recall to her, in hope that she would never behave like that again. "In section 3-301F part 2, it does not include common expressions of friendly or familial expression nor any bona fide medical procedure. Section 3-301F part 3, the term "sexually explicit performance" is defined as any act or show, where the performer is at least partially nude, with the intent to sexually arouse or appeal to the sexual interest of any person watching the show, regardless of whether the show is public, private, photographed, live, videotaped, or otherwise recorded. In Section 11-301F The term "solicit" is used in these sections to mean any encouraging, requesting, advising, persuading, inducing, urging, or commanding of another person.
Under the criminal code, section 11-301G Technically, you could be arrested, charged and prosecuted for solicitation. Penalties in Maryland are typically described in the statute, for solicitation, you are looking at misdemeanor subject to up to 1 year in jail and a fine up to $500. Depending on the judge, conviction of some of these offences, including solicitation, will require you to register as a sex offender in the tier II category. That's 25 years on the registry. It is also worth noting that felonies and misdemeanors with terms of imprisonment can usually be prosecuted at any time, meaning crimes you committed years ago can come back to haunt you. A defense such as innocence, lack of intent, lack of knowledge, or lack of any necessary element to a crime above could be a useful strategy in a prostitution-related, but is rarely successful. Knowledge is power, Miss Walsh."
"You are very knowledgeable of your job, Agent McGee. I am impressed." Madison Walsh praised him, as she indicated to follow her over to the gymnasium where the academic decathlon was being held. "Have you thought about coming to speak with the senior students about a career in law enforcement? With a passionate speaker like you, I am sure the Bureau would recruit plenty of kids."
"Being a federal agent is not as simple as it seems." Tim politely explained. The principal was starting to get on his nerves and irritate him. "To be eligible for the special agent position, you must be a U.S. citizen and be at least 23 years old. The application must be received before your 36th birthday unless you have veteran's preference or federal law enforcement experience. You must possess a valid driver's license. Have a bachelor's degree and at least two years of full-time professional work experience or have an advanced degree and at least one year of full-time professional work experience. You must be able to pass and obtain a Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information Clearance called an SCI clearance. If you can pass all of that, you must meet physical fitness requirements. They are to ensure you are able to meet the physical requirements of the job, you must provide medical documentation from your personal physician, show proof of required vaccinations, and complete additional medical examinations. You must also complete the Physical Fitness Test several times throughout the process, which assesses your fitness levels through four main events. The fitness test consists of; a maximum number of continuous sit-ups in one minute, a timed 300-meter sprint, a maximum number of untimed, continuous push-ups, a timed 1.5-mile run. In addition, those requirements, all students enrolled in the Tactical Recruitment Program have a fifth event, a maximum number of untimed continuous pull-ups. If a prospective candidate manages to pass all of that successfully, then it's on to FLETC for sixteen weeks of intensive training. Becoming an agent, is not for the faint hearted, Miss Walsh, it takes hard work, they don't just recruit high school students."
"I apologize for my naivety, Agent McGee." She smiled at him, as they entered the gym. "I did not realise that there was so much involved in becoming a federal agent."
Tim was sure that the principal would have continued to chew his ear off about his job, but in that moment, Emily spotted Tim and rushed over to him, interrupting the principal. "Uncle Tim! Uncle Tim! We won! We're off to the state finals." She declared, as she dropped her backpack on the ground and hugged Tim tight.
"Hey Em, ready to go?" Tim asked, as he bent down and retrieved her book bag from the floor. "We still have to stop at the market on our way home and pick up some food for dinner."
"Agent McGee?" Madison Walsh interrupted the two of them, in a last effort bid to annoy Tim further. "Perhaps the three of us could head out to dinner and you could tell the both of us about the interesting work and fascinating cases you work on. I am sure that Miss Fornell won't mind if I tag along."
"Actually, I would." Emily argued, politely. "I need to have a happy balance between my home life and school life. Inviting yourself to dinner with my Uncle Tim and I, it encroaches on my home life. I have these boundaries in place and as my educator, you are supposed to respect them."
Madison Walsh raised her eyebrows in surprise, at Emily's objection and explanation. When she had used this tactic in the past to worm her way into getting to know the adult members of her school community better, it had always worked. She gave Agent McGee a moment, to see if he would override Emily and her attitude. But he didn't and she was disappointed.
"I respect your feelings on the topic, Emily." Tim told her, succinctly. He too, felt he had been too polite and had been firmer with her. She still hadn't taken the hint. "Miss Walsh from here on out, we will have nothing but a co-existing acquaintance. You are my niece's educator; I am my niece's carer until such time as either her mother or father return. You will only communicate with me on matter's relating to Emily and nothing further. Have a good evening, Miss Walsh."
Tim put his hand onto Emily's back to usher her away from the lecherous principal of Emily's school. When they were safely away from the gymnasium, Tim let out a sigh of relief. "Was she hard to handle? Dad says she is a Man-Eater."
Tim couldn't help but laugh at his niece. Emily opened the door and climbed in. She always loved riding in her Uncle's Porsche and since he had been renting the black, sports car it had been no different. Once both of them were safely inside the vehicle, Tim put the key in the ignition and turned to look at Emily. "You ever behave like that woman, you'll be in big trouble, young lady. The lecture and punishment from your parents will be a cakewalk, compared to what I will do to you." Tim used his best parenting tone. It was a little rusty, he hadn't used it since he had spoken to his half-sister Sarah last. "Now that's out of the way, we can swing by your dad's place, get some of your gear and get you settled. That is if you're ok with deciding between chinese and pizza for dinner."
"So, why aren't I staying with Victor?" Emily asked, once they had hit the main road. "I'm not complaining, I love staying with you, but that was the plan when I went to school this morning. By the Way, Chinese sounds like a winner to me. But I know it's a democracy and everyone gets a say."
"I am not overly sure, I just received a call from the school." Tim tiptoed around the reason the school had called him. He hadn't had a chance to double check what he had been told. Although he didn't take the good old Gibbs rules, as gospel now. Double checking was always a good rule, one he chose to keep. "Maybe you can Facetime your mom tonight and find out why."
After a quick stop at Tobias' house for some clothes for Emily, some of her personal belongings and books. Emily was surprisingly fast and methodical with getting some of her belongings together. Tim did remind her in advance that although he had a key and they could come back and get things, he wouldn't be making daily trips over to the house. Which she was more than ok with.
"Home sweet home." Tim told Emily, as he switched off the ignition of his car and gathered his work bag and helped Emily with her bags. "Let's set you up in the guest room. While you are here, this is your bedroom. Your personal retreat, just like at your house, it's your room. We will knock before entering your room and respect your privacy. But I do have some house rules."
"Pick up after myself, I am responsible for keeping my bedroom clean and tidy, and the bathroom. You will do the half bath, since it's part of the main house. Anything else?" Emily asked, knowing that she had all of those rules at both of her parents house, as well as when they all went to stay with Victor's parents lake house. "I promise that I will do my best."
"Yeah, homework. It must be done, every night, no excuses. In bed by no later than ten and up by six on school mornings and eight on weekends." Tim grinned at her. He knew that she had those rules at her father's house too. "Hey, remember if there's anything you want or need from the market, let me know, OK? I'd rather you ask me and be honest, than sneak around behind my back when there is no need to. One more thing, no boys in the bedroom. If you have anyone over, common areas only. You know living room, kitchen, back alfresco area. Does that sound fair to you?"
"Yep, can I ask you something?" Emily hesitated as Tim stood at the door, preparing to let her get settled. "Is Pete going to always be here?"
"Not if you don't want him to." Tim promised, as he kissed her forehead. "But let's talk about Pete for a minute."
Tim closed the bedroom door behind him, and he told Emily to sit in the double bed, while he took a seat on the chair at the desk. "I just don't know him well. We've only met twice before." Emily sighed out loud, not really sure she was articulating her feelings in the best way possible.
"Oh honey, you don't have to explain your feelings to me or anyone else." Tim reassured the young woman. "He's still practically a stranger to you and that's ok. Over time, I hope that you and he will get to know one another better. But I won't force you to. I just ask that you be honest with me about your feelings. If either of us, do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, I want you to tell us, ok? It is important you feel safe, and you feel like you can come to us."
"Of course, Uncle Tim." Emily smiled at him. "But it's your home and he is your boyfriend; I don't want him to feel awkward or unwelcome around me."
"Em, Pete's a respectful guy. Plus, he doesn't always stay the night and he goes away for his job sometimes." Tim confided in her. Tim wanted to her to feel like this was her home while she stayed with him. He needed her to be as comfortable with him as what she was with Tobias or Diane. That was important to Tim too, and he would do everything possible to make that happen for her.
"Maybe we can ease into Pete, not a total submersion on my first night here." Emily suggested with a nervous chuckle. "Like maybe while we get used to one another, he cannot spend the night tonight and we reassess over the weekend. Uncle Tim, please don't think that I don't like Pete, because from what I know about him, I do. But... "
"It's ok." Tim smiled and held his arms out to offer her a hug to show her there was ill-will towards her. That he was accepting of her feelings. "Besides, even Pete said he wants you to be comfortable. Believe me, he will understand."
After their hug Tim left Emily to get settled in, while he went into his bedroom to get changed out of his work clothes, stow his weapon in his lock box and call Pete. As Tim stowed his weapon, he called Pete. Pete was understanding of the situation and truthfully, he was relieved. Emily was his first experience with a teenager, and she terrified him. Tim laughed at him in return, reminding him that Emily is only a teenager, that she is not as scary as half the things he faces in a normal day. Pete asked about dinner and Tim told him about his offer of Chinese to Emily. Pete told him it sounded good and if Tim called in the order, Pete would collect it on his way over after work.
Disconnecting the call from Pete, Tim immediately called in their order of Chinese at their favourite place, already knowing everyone's favourite order. he laid back on his bed briefly in a sigh, before briefly remembering the letter that Tobias had left for him with the school. The letter that the principal had barely let him get his hands on, without getting her hands on him first. Tearing it opened, he began to read it.
Dear Tim,
If you are reading this, then my worst fear has come to fruition. Not long before we met, back when Diane had main custody Emily, I always feared that there would come a day when Emily might find herself with no one to care for her. But not having custody of her, there wasn't a lot I could do. Then I met you.
After we met, things began to change. I would begin to have Emily more frequently and Diane was looking at returning to work and sharing more of the parental responsibility with me. Something changed her too, when you met her. I am not sure what and I don't want to ponder it too much because a year after we met, I got full custody of Emily, and we haven't looked back.
But in the back of my mind, I have always wondered what would happen if there was ever a time when both Diane and I were away for work, who would care for Emily? Gibbs is great and all, but he isn't comfortable watching Emily unless he really is the last resort. We both know that's understandable, given his history.
Inside this envelope is my lawyer's business card. I am granting you full custodial and medical power of attorney, as well as guardianship over Emily whilst she is in your care. I trust you to watch out for Emily. To watch over her and help raise her. I am not sure how long I will be gone for, or where Diane is, but don't let Victor take her from you. One night with Victor is ok, but you know my feelings on the man regarding long term care, unless Diane is there too.
My lawyer has all the paperwork you will need to care for Emily, all the allergies and stuff you already know. I am counting on you to keep her safe and keep her loved until I get home. I am sorry I never got a chance to give you a heads up about this, but there never seemed like a good time to bring it up with you. Our lives are crazy and there never seemed to be a moment of peace to casually mention it. But I know I can count on you. You are a good friend, a true friend to both Emily and me.
Take care of her Tim, and of yourself. Tell Emily I love her every day and I really appreciate you doing this, Tim. I know you'd never let Emily end up in the care of CPS, even if I didn't set. Talk to my lawyer Tim, ASAP. Diane and Victor don't know about this and I want you to talk to the lawyer, before they find out. Don't let Victor take Emily by herself.
Tobias.
