Means to an End

Rated: T for language, violence, suicidal themes...

Summary: When McGee loses everything, it's up to his team to convince him otherwise; before it's too late...

Disclaimer: Really? Every time? Okay...I don't own NCIS, but I like to play with them... (Every time I gotta say that, I get all the closer to PTSD...)

A/N: If you're not into long character-focused emotional stuffs, this definitely isn't the story for you. Fair warning...

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Special Agent Timothy McGee sat, fully clothed, in his dry bathtub. Leaning his head against the cold tiles of the shower wall, he went through a mental checklist, attempting to confirm he hadn't forgotten anything he needed to take care of before he could continue.

A letter to his family sat next to his computer in a sealed envelope. There was plenty of money in his account so this wouldn't be a burden on anyone. He'd set up a delayed sending of emails to each of his co-workers, which they would receive the following morning. And he'd made sure to keep this as simple, quick and least messy as possible for whoever ended up finding him first.

Tim closed his eyes, recalling the events of the past week; every moment that had brought him from complete and utter bliss, down to the deepest possible pit of despair and hopelessness that his life had become. The fact that happiness had so easily been ripped from his very being...so quickly...this next and final step held him in a weightless feeling of being just another moment before peace. Soon, he would have that peace.

He opened his eyes to look down at the cold Sig in his hand and his fingers squeezed painfully around the barrel before slipping it into its proper position. McGee wasn't even fooling himself; he was terrified. But it wasn't a fear that would keep him from bringing an end to the pain that had completely consumed him. Of that much, he was certain.

Tim cocked the weapon, gripping it in his hand and studying it for a few moments longer. Then he slowly picked it up and aimed it at his temple. "I'm sorry..." he closed his eyes...

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Tbc...