X OR Y
By
Ashleigh Anpilova
Tim comes home to find Jimmy pondering over a decision.
An established relationship story.
Written: January 2012. Word count: 500.
"Hey, Jimmy. I'm home," called Tim, closing the door behind him. He headed towards the living room. "Hey," he called again, when Jimmy didn't answer. His boyfriend was sitting on the couch staring at two pieces of paper. "Are you all right?" Tim asked, bending over Jimmy and kissing his cheek.
Finally Jimmy looked up. "Hey, Tim. I'm sorry I didn't hear you. I was thinking."
Tim sat down next to Jimmy. "Can I help?"
"I hope so. You see I've been offered another job and I don't know what to do." Jimmy looked at Tim.
"That's great, Jimmy. I didn't know you were looking for one." Tim tried to keep the hurt from his voice.
He realized he'd failed when Jimmy took his hand. "I wasn't," he said. "I love
working at NCIS. I'm really happy there. It's a great place to work. This came
out of the blue. My professor has an old friend who runs a private research lab.
He's looking for an assistant who can dissect bodies and who is interested in a
future in medical research. It'd be a great opportunity for me."
Tim blinked. "It certainly would. Is it in DC?"
Jimmy nodded. "Yeah. It would be really good, Tim. But I love NCIS. And I hope that one day, when Dr. Mallard finally retires, which I know won't be for some time, that I might . . . You know."
"Take over his job? I'm sure you would, Jimmy."
"But what if I didn't? I mean what if they didn't think I was qualified enough? What if they brought someone else in, someone fairly young but experienced? Then I'd be an assistant for even longer. There's only one chance of promotion for me at NCIS."
Tim leaned back against the couch, pulling Jimmy with him. "If you knew you'd get Ducky's job when he retires, would you stay?"
Jimmy snuggled against him. "I think so, yes."
"When does your professor's friend need to know?"
"Next week. The job is mine if I want it, Tim. But I just don't know which thing would be right and best to do. Stay at NCIS or take this amazing opportunity. I even wrote the choices down." He grabbed the pieces of paper and showed them to Tim. On one he'd written 'X' on the other 'Y'.
Tim smiled. "Which is which?" he asked.
"'X' is stay at NCIS.'Y' is take the other job. Tim, what shall I do?"
Tim sat up a little. "No, Jimmy," he said firmly. "I can't make the decision for you. We can talk about it, we can discuss the pros and cons of both, but at the end of the day it has to be your decision. I know we live together, but I can't tell you."
Jimmy gave a half smile. "I know that, Tim, and I guess I wouldn't really want you to make the decision."
Tim kissed Jimmy's cheek. "Let's get some dinner and then talk about it."
Jimmy nodded. "Okay."
Feedback is always appreciated
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