Hope you're all still sticking with me. It's about to get really intense.
Nate grinned awkwardly at them and pointed towards the kitchen, looking at Gibbs to give him permission to follow Tim deeper into Gibbs' personal home. Into the other room, where Tim had taken refuge. Secretary Porter, Leon Vance, Kyle Rigby and Gibbs looked awkwardly at one another. Before they heard Tim let out the most vulgar, vile stream of profanity that anyone had ever heard spew from his lips. Most of it was muttered, but they caught some interesting and amusing catchphrases. Gibbs had to admit that his youngest agent's profanities put he and DiNozzo to shame, both individually and collectively. He was moderately impressed with Tim's colourful language and couldn't help but feel for Tim and Nate. Stealing himself, Nathan came back into the room, sending Gibbs a nod to go on in and check on Tim, seeing the man was worried about his agent. He could see the worry on the team leader's eyes and the longing to go comfort the man.
"This is what we're going to do, Kyle." Nate decided, taking control. Tim came back with Gibbs' arm around his shoulder in a paternal fashion. Tim grinned at him, and Gibbs couldn't bite back his smile at the look on Tim's face. He could see for himself, just how much that Tim and Nate cared for one another, relied on one another and backed each other up. "Get me, Bob O'Hara. I can't imagine this will have any adverse effects on their campaign. Most likely a small blimp on their radar. It will on mine, and I don't care anymore. It is time to fight fire with fire. But I'm still going to run it by O'Hara. Then, I need to talk to the big man too. Tim, honey, you need to sort out your end. You can't be identified by the email sender or your handle, but what you've written to me, that is going to require some damage control at your end. With your family, your friends and colleagues, as well as the agency on a whole. Even though Tim never used the words NCIS or people's names, we used a code, and it wouldn't take much for anyone to decipher, should they suspect Tim is the person on the other end of the emails. Like Gibbs said, it's not a matter of if, but when, Tim's identity comes out."
"What are you going to do?" Leon asked, scrutinising the Senator. He hadn't crossed paths with Taylor very often, more with his father as he often briefed the man on the status of top-secret missions and highly classified ops, that the agency was involved in.
"Exactly what I said I was going to do. Come out of the closet, live on national television." Nate said, winking at Tim. He looked Tim in the eye. He could see the worry there, and he knew that Tim had struggled with feeling out in the past. "I have known and loved you for twelve years now, Tim, I am not ashamed of that. Tim, you're a gorgeous, brilliant, talented, smart man. A man that I have known and love. We have spent the last decade building our lives together, behind closed doors. Both, for the sake of one another, we've have had to deceitfully keep up appearances, that implied otherwise. We've never had a holiday together that wasn't to one of our private homes. We've never so much as looked at one another with anything less than one hundred percent professionalism. I am not ashamed of that. But I need to be the one to protect you in this mess. You took one for the team first, now it's my turn."
"There has to be another way." Gibbs grumbled, shaking his head. He didn't want to see either of their reputation's tarnished by the scandal that would occur because of these damn leaked emails. "A person's sexuality should have no bearing in politics. It should have no bearing on national security, or a security clearance. But most of all, it is no one's damn business but the said couple. I mean if we had twenty-four hours, we could see what Tim and Dorney could dig up together on this. Two of our absolute best against this lone coward. They're good odds to have."
"Unfortunately, that's not how politics works, Agent Gibbs." Sarah snapped out loud, slumping back down in the armchair she had been sitting in, frustrated that this was happening to one of NCIS's best and brightest agents. She wasn't trying to be nasty to Gibbs, but she knew that both the senator and his aide were right. Someone was going to have to come out and confirm the rumors, they were too damning to deny. It was too late to deny anything. "Can we play the national security card with the media?" She suddenly thought, jumping up onto her feet, excitedly. "Tim's an NCIS field agent. He is sometimes required to go undercover in dubious circumstances. Having his identity plastered all over the national media, and potentially worldwide media, could have deadly consequences for him and dire consequences for the agency."
"I don't trust Ethan Gawn as far as I could throw him." Kyle, the Senator's aide spat out and everyone in the room nodded in agreement. "Let's go to Bob O'Hara first. I don't trust that they don't have all of our phones tapped, by now. Hopefully we can catch him between the decathlon of meetings that have been scheduled for the president, today."
"1800 hours, oval office. Dad religiously takes thirty minutes, every day to enjoy a cigar in private and mentally regroup. Tell O'Hara, I need to see him, it's urgent and personal. He will let me see him." Nathan declared, as he put his arms around Tim's shoulders in support. He could feel the tension radiating off Tim and he could feel his own tension too.
While Nathan and Kyle conspired in one corner, Gibbs steered Tim into the kitchen, with the Director on the back of his heels. "What is it, Tim?" Gibbs asked, passing Tim a now opened bottle of water, encouraging him to drink up. "Besides the fact, you have had your privacy violated in the most traumatic way possible. Not only is it all going to come to light and play out on national tv, but it will also be in every news publication in the country and possibly make international news."
"More importantly, the senator hinted at something and now, I hate to ask... " Sarah interjected, interrupting what had been the beginning of a private conversation between he, Vance and Gibbs. "What did you specifically type in the emails, that is so damning? Did you break a security protocol? National security? The confidentiality of an op? Is this something that the agency is going to have to deal with the fallout, on a huge political scale?"
"I told Nate about the snipping and sniping between us, the constant bickering over the close, cramped quarters on the latest surveillance op." Tim admitted, keeping his head lowered, ashamed of having vented his frustration. "I can show you the particular email to prove it. At no time, was any details of the case discussed."
"As much as you don't want people invading your privacy Tim, you do realise that Gibbs, Leon and I, will have to read the leaked emails at some point?" Sarah asked and the horrific look Tim had on his face earlier, was now back. "Possibly even Gene from Internal Affairs will have to read them."
"I think what Secretary Porter means, is, we will only read the parts pertaining to your job and your colleagues." Gibbs amended, seeing the distress grace Tim's face, but directing his words to the SecNav and Director of their agency. "The ... and I am merely speculating here ... explicit and more intimate emails between the two of you, that was exchanged are not and will not be under speculation, by anyone from our agency, or internal affairs."
"Unless IG decides to open an investigation." Leon sighed, knowing that was a real possibility. "I have been in contact with our legal department, if, once the story breaks and IG decides to open a formal investigation into Agent McGee's relationship with the Senator, then everything, the whole kit and caboodle is on the table. Depending on the outcome, the contents of the emails may become public knowledge around the agency, too."
"Well, that's just fucking great!" Tim seethed out loud, wiping his hand through his hair, frustrated. "You and Jackie can exchange messages on your personal cell phone. DiNozzo and his latest conquest can have phone sex on his personal line, but I am not afforded the same consideration to exchange emails with my life partner on my private phone. We've been together for ten FUCKING years!"
Tim was venting and rightfully so. Gibbs was beside him, sending Leon and SecNav away with a harsh glare. "Tim?" Gibbs tries to garner his attention, softly. "Tim? Listen to me!" Gibbs requested. Gibbs holds Tim's head in place by his cheeks, forcing the green-eyed man to look into his crystal blues. "You and Nathan, you love each other. You've been together for ten years, already. I can see how deeply you care for one another, and I am the most jaded man on the planet, when it comes to love and relationships. Whatever your play is here, I'll back it and I will back you. You've always had and will always have, my unwavering support. Besides, if IG do open an investigation into you, or the FBI open an investigation into Nathan, then we'll handle it. Together, OK?"
Tim shook his head yes and Gibbs handed him the brown paper bag. Tim took a couple of breaths into the bag. "Thank-you, Boss." Tim whispered and Gibbs could see the gratitude in Tim's eyes.
"Attaboy, Tim!" Gibbs said in comfort, placing his arm around Tim's shoulders, once more. He had always had a soft spot for Tim, and he had been in denial as to why. Tim was his youngest agent. But he had also been the greenest agent, the veteran team leader had ever hired. But he hadn't been recruited onto the team because of how green he was. Not even because of who his father and grandfather are. It wasn't even for his smarts, his intellect, or his computer and tech savvy skills. He was recruited because Gibbs saw the untapped potential that Tim had and he recognised that the young case agent out of Norfolk, just might have what it takes to go all the way to the top of their agency, with the right guidance and training. As Tim grew into the new job and his new position, he recognised some of his own traits coming through in the shy, young agent.
"Give me a minute with him, Gibbs?" Nathan Taylor asked Gibbs, coming into the kitchen. Gibbs gave Tim a small knowing grin and he pat Nathan on the shoulder as he left the couple in question alone in his kitchen. He loitered in the living room and kitchen doorjamb, but from his vantage point, he could still see Tim. He wanted to be sure that Tim would be ok and wasn't yet willing to completely let Tim out of his sight, for fear that Tim might actually have the panic attack that had been threatening, since Tim and Nathan's arrival at his home.
"What do will we do?" Tim asked his boyfriend and longtime companion in a small voice. It was just above a whisper, but Gibbs' super hearing allowing him to hear the uncertainty in Tim's voice. The protective streak in Gibbs' heart wanted to go and scoop Tim up and make sure he would be ok. It was the streak that Tony and Abby often, and lovingly referred to as his 'Papa bear' mode.
"I'm going to go and see Dad, Tim." Nathan said softly, holding Tim's hands in his, at their chest level. Gibbs observed as Nathan brought Tim's hands to his lips and placed a ghost of a kiss on them. "I need you to stay here with Gibbs. I want you to watch your back, I wouldn't put it past him to try something, as soon as this comes out."
"I know." Tim whispered, letting out a small, sad sigh. "My bosses are going to have to read everything, all of it. I might have to face an IG investigation at work, too. I could lose everything, Nate."
"Kyle has to, as well." Nathan said softly too. "My dad is going to want to read it, too. I said worse things about my family, my colleagues and my job, than you said about yours. I think you'll be ok, but don't worry. We will be ok." Nathan pulled Tim into a full body hug, making himself feel more grounded and connected to Tim. He felt like he was being watched and he worried for a second. He could feel that he was being watched, too. It was the first time that Nathan and Tim had ever shared an intimate hug that someone else had witnessed. Nathan released Tim and looked up to catch Gibbs' gaze upon them. "I promise I will come right back, and I won't talk to Ethan Gawn until after I come back."
Gibbs watched, a small smirk on his face, threatening to turn into an actual smile. It graced his face, as he watched Tim reach up and cradle Nate's face in his hands. "Whatever happens, I guess we still have each other."
"Of course, we do, you and me, together. We'll go and live in recluse." Nathan laughed against Tim's lips before placing a small, closed mouth kiss on them. He pulled Tim in for another hug, enjoying the closeness between them and whispered into his ear. "Picture it, Babe. Both of us spending our days writing under our pen names, living in total seclusion, at our private hideaway. Spicy Margaritas for lunch. Beach days and lazy mornings in bed. Our hammock built for two, to nap the afternoons away. Sleeping and making love under the stars. Just the two of us, together."
Nathan had achieved what he set out to do. He made Tim laugh. Not just a chuckle, but belly deep laughter filled the kitchen and spilled into the living room. "Sounds like heaven." Tim laughed against Nathan's neck. The reverberations of Tim's laughter vibrated onto Nathan's body. Tim had his hands in Nathan's hair, the dark unruly curls on top of his head tangling in Tim's long slender fingers. Nathan's large, gaunt hands cradling Tim's face as Tim spoke in a low, hushed tone. "Good luck with your dad, Babe."
"The president has been briefed." Kyle said from the doorway. His tone of voice conveyed his reluctance to intrude on the intimate moment, but unfortunately, the leader of the free world waited for no one, not even his own son. "He is expecting us, it's time to go."
Nathan reluctantly released Tim from his embrace and winked at his boyfriend. "I'll be back soon." As he headed out of the kitchen, where he and Tim had been having a private conversation, he passed Gibbs. "Watch his back, Gibbs. I'm trusting you, here." Nathan said in a low voice, as he bypassed Gibbs. Gibbs gave no verbal acknowledgment, but he did feel the older man clamp his hand on his shoulder in an unspoken gesture of support, agreement and acceptance.