He punched the center of the steering wheel, frustrated as he drove by Superior Court, scanning the parking lot. Well, he did it again. His intentions were good, he had told himself repeatedly that he would not miss this hearing. He was going to gain custody of his son, become a father and that was that. But, as usual, he did not follow through. He missed the meeting and now they, more than likely would not even consider letting him have his son...his own son.
He noticed a group of people standing around in the parking lot. "So that must be Gibbs and his posse." The man was dressed in a nice suit and had a gorgeous, hot girl hanging off his arm. A couple of men stood with him, probably good friends who were more than willing to support him.
Michael McGee was not wearing a suit but had a nice pair of jeans on and button-down shirt. He knew of no one who would be willing to accompany him to the hearing so he was alone. His only current love interest was Jesse and she only agreed to come around if he had money to spend on her.
Observing them from afar, he envied the confidence in their stature, their nice clothes, and good looks. There would be no way in hell he could face them, with his pathetic fast food job and lack of support from families and friends. This guy was an ex-marine...a federal agent. Miss Todd had already brought him up to speed on just how successful the man was.
He was just so sick of being alone. If he had his son, life would be different. He would have a best friend that he could go fishing with and take to the car races. Maybe Jesse would become more interested in him as she loved babies.
His aunt would help him...she did not want anything to do with him right now but once he had his son she would pay him some notice. Maybe her obsessive criticism towards his embarrassing life would cease and she would consider including him in her will. There could be many benefits to obtaining custody of his son. He could visit her in Seattle, bringing Tim. From what he could tell from Tim's portrait, he was adorable and he'd be sure to win her heart.
He'd find another way to get Tim. It would be much easier than having to prove himself in front of a judge plus Gibbs and his clan.
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Jen lay in front of Gibbs, his arms wrapped around her talking, while the evening news was on in the background. Jen loved these moments, when the boys were quiet, entertaining themselves and she could enjoy Gibbs' conversation and intimacy; she craved the sense of security, snug in his arms.
"How are those wedding plans coming? Do you need any more help?"
Jenny turned a bit to look him in the eye. "Actually, yes. I've been meaning to ask you if there was a certain flower you were partial to."
"Hmmm...how about the kind you smell like."
"The kind I smell like?" Jen's nose scrunched up in confusion.
"Yeah...you know, your perfume smells so good. I can't think of the flower..."
"Roses? The fragrance that I wear is Words of Windsor.."
"If you say so...I'm not a big...flower guy. But, the scent of roses sure suits you."
"You sure are romantic in your own way."
"I try..." Gibbs leaned in, kissing her neck. Jen was overwhelmed with a feeling of warmth, she could feel growing goosebumps over her body from the tingling sensation moving along her spine. She cuddled closer noticing Gibbs staring at the floor, smiling.
"Are you okay, hon? I know its been a tough day."
"Yeah, I'm good. Still processing everything that happened. When I saw Tim across the room at the daycare, today, all covered in blue paint, all I could think, this beautiful kid is really ours? We are on our way to becoming his parents...we can take care of him and watch him grow before our eyes."
"I know, it seems to all be falling into place."
"I felt so stupid when I realized tears were streaming down my face, standing in the middle of the center... I know I scared Timmy."
"That's not stupid. It just shows how much you love him. For a quiet guy, you have a lot of emotions in here.' Jen laid her hand over his heart.
"I'm just finding it hard to believe that it was that easy. Kate still hasn't heard from him."
"I just know it was meant to be and this time it was just a little easier, than usual, to get there. Look at his life before you came along. We don't know all the details but from what we do know he was not being raised in a safe environment; he was neglected and abused. I will never forget how desperate he was clinging to you when you brought him into the hospital."
Gibbs thought about her words, massaging his forehead.
"Please don't be worried, honey."
"But, you have to know, Jen, there's no reasoning when it comes to my 'famous gut'. There's no stopping its spot-on intuitiveness."
"If you ask me, it's a curse."
Gibbs shrugged. "Or not. Well, I'm gotta start dinner." Jen was reluctant to move from Gibbs' embrace.
"I'll help.."
"No, you relax. I know you like to watch the weather." Gibbs stood then leaned in to give her a departing kiss.
Jen smiled with gratitude.
His brows knit together. "Hhhmmff. It's too quiet."
He stood looking towards the stairs. "Tony?"
"Yeah, dad?" Tony answered his father from his bedroom.
"Is your brother up there with you?"
"No, dad!"
Gibbs put his hands on his hips, looking into the kitchen. "Tim?" Gibbs started to walk through the house yelling his name when he didn't receive an answer. "Tim?" He searched the remaining rooms of the house, his worry beginning to grow. Jenny joined him in his search. They went into the backyard calling his name.
"Could he have gone to Abby or Jimmy's house?"
"Nah, their parents would be concerned if he showed up there alone, I'll look a little more then call, anyway."
Tony ran past them, pulling himself up onto a branch of the nearby oak tree. "I'll get a better look, dad."
"Tony, be careful! Remember what happened the last time you climbed that tree."
"But we have to find Tim."
Gibbs sighed. He knew he had to start thinking outside the box. Where would Tim run off? He ran to his car searching the inside with no sign of him. Gibbs ran back into the house to search more thoroughly, calling his name.
Gibbs and Jen regrouped in the kitchen looking at each other for answers. They were both startled when they heard a bump from the inside of the broom closet. Gibbs darted to the door opening it quickly.
Tim was crouched in the corner blinking from the sudden onrush of bright light, raising his hands in defense. "Dad, No! Don see me!"
Tim covered his eyes with his hands shaking his head from side to side. "No, dad! Pwease don see me." He bent over, his face buried in his arms resting on the floor.
"Tim why didn't you answer me? We were worried about you."'
Gibbs reached in picking up Tim as he burst into tears squirming in his arms. "Dad, no! M' sowery, dad! " Jen and Tony stood near by, dumbfounded, as Tim wailed, trying to get out of Gibbs' grasp. Gibbs noticed chocolate smeared over Tim's face and a cookie in the front pocket of his overalls.
"Were you eating the cookies, Timmy?" Asked Tony.
Gibbs placed the small boy on the counter, facing him, his hands resting on the counter on either side of Tim. Tim was a mess with traces of blue paint still on his face; now combined with smears of chocolate and tears streaming through.
"Tim what's wrong?" Gibbs firmly placed his hands on Tim's sides to hold him securely as he twisted from side to side crying.
"Was... hun...gry." Tim sniffled, rubbing his eyes as he looked down.
"Why are you so hungry? Did you eat your lunch today?"
Tim nodded with an arm covering his eyes.
"Did you eat your snack?"
Tim shook his head.
"Why not?"
"Justin ate it." Gibbs eyed Jenny, both knowing to whom Tim was referring. Tim still would not look at Gibbs.
"Why?"
"I gave it to him. He was hun...gry." Tim mumbled.
Gibbs enveloped Tim in his arms as the toddler clung to him.
"Are you afraid that I'm mad at you?" Gibbs could feel him nod against his chest. "For giving away your snack?"
"Yus." Tim talked into Gibbs' shirt.
Jen walked closer rubbing circles on Tim's back. "Oh honey. It sounds like you did a very nice thing, giving Justin your snack because he was hungry."
Tim finally turned his head, his eyes meeting with Jen's.
Tony tugged on Tim's foot. "Its okay." Tim cracked a smile at Tony.
Gibbs pulled Tim back so he could look into his eyes. Tim finally looked. "Tim. I was afraid when you didn't answer me. We didn't know where you were. We thought something bad might have happened to you."
Tears poured down Tim's face. "Sowery, dad." He rubbed his eyes, sniffling. Gibbs pressed Tim's head into his chest, stroking his hair. He looked at Jen, "I'm going to give him a bath. Can you order a pizza?"
"Pizza!" Tony jumped up and down.
Jen high-fived, Tony. "Of course, I can."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Tim ran from the upstairs' bathroom in just his long john bottoms, a belly laugh bellowing throughout the bedroom. Gibbs followed him taking big steps, holding the matching shirt. "Catch me daddy!"
Gibbs followed, chuckling. He was relieved Tim's earlier emotions had morphed into happier ones. A bath could do wonders. He could barely keep up with the little guy as he ran out of the bedroom towards the stairs.
"Tim! No stairs." His breath caught when he heard a loud thumping followed by Tim's high-pitched yells. He ran quickly to the top of the stairs to see the tailend of Tim's ride on his hindquarters to the bottom of the carpeted steps.
Tim was laughing, uncontrollably, having a tough time trying to stand up. Jen appeared next to him, surprised to see Tim run under her legs past her. He stopped and turned to her, yelling, "catch me Junny!" His little arms pumping by his sides.
Jen looked up at Gibbs, as he exhaled loudly, leaning against the wall.
"I thought he fell. He's gonna kill me tonight, Jen."
Jenny turned, laughing, with determination in her eyes. "I'm gettin you, Timothy!"
Gibbs could hear Tony's laughter join in with more footsteps echoing throughout the house.
Jen was just behind Tim when Tony grabbed his arms and held him in front of him. "Here, Jenny, got him!" Jenny reached out to tickle him.
"No fair! No fair!" Tim wiggled his way from Tony's grip and took off into the living room. "Get me, Junny!"
He ran full force into the couch bouncing onto the cushions. Jen reached him tickling his neck and belly. Tim's belly laugh sounded through the house, loud and uninhibited. Gibbs joined them, picking Tim up throwing him over his shoulder.
"Daddy, catched me, Junny!" Tim relaxed, his arms hanging down, trying to catch his breath.
Tony wrapped his arms around Gibbs, as he maneuvered their bodies, sprawling them out onto the floor. He tickled them both, mercilessly, then lay on his back next to them as they caught their breaths. Tony dove on top of him, then Tim followed sitting on Gibbs' belly. Gibbs laughed causing Tim to bounce. He grabbed them, hugging them both and then rolled so he was over them, taking turns blowing raspberries onto their bellies. They squirmed, rolled and laughed as Jenny crouched over them, tickling their necks. Tony snuck out of his father's attack, climbing onto his father's back, blowing raspberries onto his neck. Gibbs squirmed, his wet kisses tickling him.
Tim laughed so hard he went into a coughing fit so Jenny picked him up and carried him into the kitchen to get a drink. She wiped his hair off his sweaty forehead. "So, much for the bath."
The doorbell rang so she answered it with Tim, as she paid for the pizza.
"Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!" Tony stormed into the kitchen, sliding into his chair.
Jenny strapped Tim into his booster seat. "Peesa, peesa!" Tim copied, his hands waving in the air. Gibbs cut up a slice for Tim, placing it in front of him.
When dinner was done they all piled onto the couch to watch a movie. Tim was the first to fall asleep, within minutes, curled up in Jen's arms as she rubbed circles on his tummy. Tony was next, draped over his father, snoring quietly. They tucked the kids into bed then Gibbs switched the movie to one rated PG 13, both enjoying the rest of the night, snuggled close.
