Authors note and Review responses

For those questioning my writing abilities, I suffer from dyslexia. I do use a spell checker but it does miss the grammar. Also, it may not be "proper" english, but it is the modern slang version of it. English is not my first language, Welsh is. But, very few people would be able to read it so I write in English. Sorry if it upsets some of my readers, but after some of todays comments, as the saying goes, "haters gonna hate."

Rant over.

"I'm your boss."

Tim sat in Dr. Jay Blocks office. Dr. Block, or Jay as he prefers, was an NCIS psychologist and therapist. Tim had requested a meeting with him over his anger issues. He couldn't see red every time he bumped into Gibbs or DiNozzo, otherwise he'd never stop being angry.

"Yeah, those were his exact words."

"What did you feel at that moment? Not just the emotional, but the physical sensation as well." Jay never just got his patients to talk about how they felt, but the what was just as important.

"Anger, rage, disappointment, hatred, disbelief."

"And the physical?" Jay prompted.

"Hot, I felt hot. The heat was all over my skin. And my hands, they were shaking." Tim didn't know what all this meant, thats why he had asked for help.

"Tim, based on what you've told me about yesterday, I have to clarify a few points. You just got back from seven weeks in California, and prior to that, three years in Florida. How did you relax in Florida?" Jay had a rough idea what was wrong with this man.

"I relaxed." Tim said.

"I understand that, but how? Exercise? Movies? What did you do during your non-work hours?"

"I went to the theatre, I went for walks and drives. I read on my balcony, I spent time with my friends, I cooked for them. I spent time alone."

"OK, Tim, in your seven weeks in California, in a different apartment with no friends, how much of that did you do?"

"I went for a couple of drives and walks, I spent time with a couple of new friends. The only reading I did was work related." Tim watched as Jay smiled at him.

"Exactly. Your whole routine for the past seven weeks has been different. You were, or maybe are, angry at Gibbs and DiNozzo, possibly at the Director as well. However, with not relaxing over the past weeks as you have been doing for three years, your mind, and more than likely body, have become tense." Tim wasn't too sure how to take this. "Did you cook for anyone in the past seven week?" Jay asked, watching Tim shake his head. "Have anyone over the night? Or a drink?" Another shake of the head. "When you were alone, were you almost always working? Even on weekends?" Tim nodded, not even looking at the man now. "Tim, its simple, you have worked too hard with little rest, and what rest you had was not the rest you have become accustomed to."

Jay had seen this many times in NCIS employees, and the cure was simple enough. "Tim, when you get back to Florida, take a few days to relax. Have your friends over, read a book, sit on your balcony. If your anger persists after a couple of weeks, schedule another appointment."

"Thats it?" Tim asked, not quite believing it was this simple.

"Would you rather the stereotypical therapy session?" Jay asked, with a hint of sarcasm. "Talk about your childhood, ask if your father ever yelled at you, if you thought your mommy hugged you enough?" By now, Tim was smiling. "Not all therapy is like that, and not all cures involve eight sessions and a prescription for medication." Jay was all business now. "Most people improve only once they have admitted something is wrong. You've done that. Most people accept things have changed in their lives and say they coped brilliantly. You admitted you struggled with the change, mainly to other changes to your life, such as the beginning of your new relationship. Like I said, if the issues continue, schedule an appointment with either myself, or the counselor on base at Mayport. Tim, you are not as bad as you feel, trust me." Jay smiled at the man, wishing the majority of his patients were as open to therapy and self reflection as Timothy McGee was.

"OK, I may be moving back to Washington in the near future. I'll probably book a few sessions, if you don't mind, more as a preventative measure, than a cure, if thats ok?" Tim hoped it would be, he didn't want to start screaming at Cassie.

"That's fine, Tim, glad to help." Jay watched the man leave, hoping not to see him again soon, after all, most therapists wish never to see people, but not all wishes are to granted.

Tim had bit the proverbial bullet, while putting his head in the lions mouth at the same time. He was having dinner with his parents and sister. His dad was just bursting with pride about his son, and not just his NCIS career. William McGee was firmly against nepotism, and never helped his son in his career. He had helped his son with his education, helped him financially when he needed it, but everything at NCIS was all Timothy. In his mind, no father could be prouder than he was, especially after his son was a published author as well as an NCIS special agent, and was finally settling down. Will had heard the rumours surrounding his sons sexuality for many years, but never cared. When both his children were born, he silently vowed to love them unconditionally, to support them in everything they would do. This he had done, and would continue to so. As long as his wife and children were happy, he was happy. Tonight, the man was ecstatic.

"When are you going to introduce us, Tim?" His mother wanted to meet her future daughter-in-law.

"After we have both settled back in Washington, Mom. I don't us all getting together and me and Cassie being exhausted and on call. Just give me a few weeks." Tims request was not outrageous, it was very logical, very Tim, as Sarah would say.

"OK, enough about my big brother. Time to talk about me." Sarah had missed the family dinners, and her brother more. "Dad, I need a new car." Tim smiled at his mom, knowing how these conversations went.

"I need a new hairline, its nice to want things." Tim loved his dads wit, it was one thing he hadn't inherited, along with the hairline.

"I need a new laptop." Sarah was prepping for her proper need.

"I need a tutor for the one I've got." This was true, not just a rejoinder. With Tim being so far away, William hadn't gotten his crash course that normally came from Tim whenever the Navy changed his laptop.

"I need two thousand dollars for a security deposit." Sarah was moving again, it seemed.

"Where is it?" Dad had become Admiral McGee within two words. Security deposit. New place, new risks.

"Anacostia, seventh floor, up to date security, extra locks on the door, as well as separate alarm system." Tim and his sister had been drilled about security concerns when his dad had been promoted to Admiral more than ten years ago, and again when he joined the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "I've done all the checks, and its fine. I just need the help with the deposit. i can pay it back once I've got the deposit back off my current place."

"You have a deal." William and Sarah even shook on it, an old family joke that lived on to this day. William knew his daughter would give him the money, and Alice would spend it on her straight away, in some way. They always did this for their children. They had moved both kids around when they were younger, different bases and countries every couple of years. When it came to settling down and having a proper home, Will and Alice had agreed to help as much as they could.

"Tim, what are you doing about a new apartment?" Alice had always hated his old place, and after seeing his Jacksonville apartment, she hoped her son kept the same standards.

"I've seen a place in the Atlas District. Two bed, two bath, balcony, kitchen/diner area. It has a pool and fitness area as well. Or, Skyline Towers." Tim hoped he hadn't given his mon whiplash, her head had turned so quickly at the mention of these apartments.

"Smithsonian, Mount Vernon or Dupont?" His mom practically demanded. Being the wife of an admiral, Tim knew his mom kept up to date on the latest living spots in the city. She was an amateur interior designer and house renovator. These passions, along with antiques, he had inherited from his mother, those genes completely missing Sarah.

"Smithsonian or Mount Vernon most likely, just because of the extra space." Tim had looked at apartments with two or more bedrooms, same in bathrooms, with a balcony being a deal breaker.

"And will you be cooking meals for one or two?" Tim glared at his sister. He and Cassie hadn't even been on a proper date where he had asked her out, and she had to see if he was going to ask her to move in.

"I'll cook for Cassie soon. Cooking for you is way off in the distant future." The parents were smiling at their children, enjoying the familial banter, relishing the fact they don't hear it every day, followed by slamming doors. The McGees may be a loving family, but in its earlier years, the family had their fair share of screaming matches.

"Me and Cassie, I'm not rushing it, if she wants to move in with me, or me with her, thats fine. If not, thats fine, too." Tim was being truthful about this.

"Good to know, son. Now, before we hear anymore of your new home, which your mom is anxious to discuss," the Admiral smiled at his wife as he said this, knowing her hobby had stopped her from worrying when he was at sea, " We are here to celebrate."

All four of them raised their glasses.

"To Sarah, for becoming a published author, like her brother, and on becoming the newest teacher at the Washington International School." They all cheered at this. "And to Tim, for becoming the newest…"

to be continued in the next adventure, "Do You Know I'm Watching?"