"Good morning." Tim woke to the words, surprised that he'd slept the entire night. Gibbs smiled down at him and set a plate of crackers on the nightstand. "This always helped Shannon."

"Thanks." He rolled to his side, preparing to get up, when Gibbs laid a hand on his arm.

"Take your time and nibble on a few crackers before you get up."

The nausea had been lessening over the last two weeks, but the crackers did seem to help and by the time he'd eaten all of them, Tim was ready to eat breakfast.

Gibbs was frying bacon and eggs when Tim walked into the kitchen, freshly showered, a bathrobe tied loosely around his middle. "We've got plenty of time before we need to leave. Sharon arranged for an informal meeting in the judge's chambers instead of a full court hearing."

"That's good." Tim was obviously nervous about the upcoming meeting, so Gibbs asked him to start the toast as a distraction.

Once they were eating, Gibbs reached over and squeezed Tim's hand. "It'll be all right." Biting his lip, Tim nodded, but didn't look at all convinced so Gibbs wrapped his arms around Tim and pulled him close.

"He never even tried to talk to me, neither did Mom." Tim melted against Gibbs as strong hands rubbed up and down his back. "All he cared about was being embarrassed and being right."

"I know." Gibbs kept rubbing his back, not even realizing what he kissed Tim's forehead. "I know, but we're going to get through this and then you can just concentrate on having a healthy baby, okay?"

"Yeah, okay." Giving a shaky laugh, Tim straightened and wiped his eyes. "Damn, I can't believe I fell apart like that."

"Better now than when you face him. Besides," Gibbs waited for the questioning look in Tim's eyes. "You can blame it on the hormones." That got more of a laugh and he nudged Tim's plate closer to him, encouraging him to eat more.

Trevor arrived just as they were finishing breakfast, garment bag in one hand, a box of tree ripened oranges in the other. He presented the box with a flourish. "Flown in fresh from Florida this morning and so much better than what you'll get at the grocery store. Clayton told me that bananas were a no-go, so I thought these would be a better option."

Tim enjoyed the scent for a moment before he was sent up to change. Once he was up the stairs, Gibbs turned to Trevor. "So, how long have you been the SecNav's tailor?"

"Ever since that barbarian married my baby sister, but I'll get him civilized yet."

Gibbs choked in laughter and Trevor decided to ask a question of his own. "So, what about you? Happy to be a father-to-be?"

"Don't know if it's mine."

Trevor had been watching the interaction between the two men. "Does it matter?"

"Not to me, might to the others."

"Don't see them here taking care of him."

Gibbs didn't have an answer to that before Tim came back down the stairs, jacket draped over his arm. Trevor had done a wonderful job altering the pants, replacing the original waistband with a slightly stretchy fabric of a similar weight and appearance and adding suspenders to help support them. The shirt had been taken in at the shoulders, allowing the fabric to flow back out starting about mid chest. When Tim slipped the jacket on, Gibbs could see that it had undergone a similar modification. Between the perfect fit at the shoulders and the dark color, Tim's thickening waist was barely noticeable.

"That looks great, Tim."

"Thanks, Boss." McGee turned to Trevor, who was holding up two ties as he compared them.

"Hmm, this one for today." The tie he handed over had very little flare to it and the graduated colors drew the eye to the middle line. "Now you're set."

-NCIS-

Tim walked into Judge Parker's office with his head high and his friends around him. It was a snug fit with everyone and the clerk scrambled to find enough chairs. Tim sat on the judge's right hand side, his lawyer and Gibbs flanking him, the entire team, Leon, Jackie and Dr. Hughes behind him, and watched as his parents arrived. His mother took one look at him and started crying, while his father never made eye contact. Dr. Anderson accompanied them along with a man Tim assumed was their lawyer.

Parker set down the files he was reading and looked first at Admiral Edward McGee. "I must admit this is the most unusual set of circumstances I've ever run into in my thirty years on the bench."

"Yes, sir, what was done to my son was horrible." As the Admiral spoke, his wife dabbed at her eyes and continued to cry. "But the greatest travesty of all is the lack of proper care and counseling he's received since his rescue. As Timothy's father it is my duty and obligation to make sure he is properly taken care of rather than to be encouraged to continue the medical experiments that he's endured."

Nodding gravely, Parker looked carefully at McGee. "After reading your father's petition, I must admit you're looking healthier than I was expecting."

"Thank you, sir, I'm recovering well."

"Yes, well, the Secretary of the Navy requested that we meet informally in chambers before a decision is made about formally answering the petition. Do you know why that request was made?"

"I believe he was hoping to protect both me and my family from the media getting involved and making my condition public."

"By your condition, I assume you mean your belief that you are currently pregnant?" It was almost amusing to watch the elderly man squirm at the thought.

"According to my obstetrician, a little over fifteen weeks. Would you like to to speak to her or see the ultrasounds and CAT scans?" At Tim's calm question, Ms Collins handed over copies of the images. Parker stared closely at the pictures before handing them back.

"Well, Agent McGee, I do have to agree with your father that this is not normal by any means. Do you really believe that you fully comprehend the dangers involved with continuing this experiment?"

Tim took a deep breath. "Yes, I do, but I'm healthy, and my baby is healthy and developing normally."

Off to the side, Tim's father snorted. "There's nothing normal about any of this."

"Just what is normal, Dad?" Tim kept his anger reined in, but it could still be heard in his voice. "I may not approve of Dr. Davidson's methods, but the simple fact is that his research was right. I have been thoroughly and repeatedly examined since my rescue and there is no medical reason to terminate. Even Dr. Anderson could give me no reason except for his disapproval of what was done to me."

Tim turned back to the judge. "I will be the first to say that I would not have chosen to become pregnant, especially under those circumstances, but I've come to terms with what happened to me and I have made the informed choice to continue with the pregnancy. My doctor is checking on me every day and studying everything she can about the artificial womb and any risks I might be facing. As long as she feels there is a reasonable chance of carrying the baby until it is developed enough to survive, then that is exactly what I intend to do."

"And your father did not understand this?"

"My father hasn't spoken to me since my kidnapping. When told of my rescue, he demanded that the womb and my baby be immediately removed. When told that I refused, he hired a lawyer. He, nor my mother, have made no attempt to call me or to see me since my rescue. In fact, I have only spoken to my father once in the last seven years."

In the back row, Tony leaned over and stage-whispered in Vance's ear. "Doting father, my ass." The judge's mouth twitched, but he made no other indication that he'd heard the comment.

Tim smiled and sat up straighter. "The fact of the matter is that I am a healthy man that has been given an incredible gift. I have a wonderful support system and an excellent medical team that has been working around the clock learning everything they can about my condition. If a female agent were to become pregnant after being kidnapped, would you consider forcing her to undergo an abortion? I have the right to the same consideration."

"Well, you sound pretty sane to me, Agent McGee, even if I hope you see a therapist to help you cope with the changes in your life." The judge closed the files on his desk and looked over at Tim's parents. "I don't know if your son is brave or foolish, but he's competent to make the decision himself. If you want a piece of advice, learn to come to terms with it, because you've got a grandchild on the way. Case dismissed."

For the first time since she'd arrived in the courthouse, Tim's mother spoke up. "Could I see the ultrasound pictures?"

The Admiral glared, but Sharon quickly handed one of the images to her as the rest of them stood.

"That's a copy, you can keep it if you'd like." Tim gave a tentative smile to his parents as he rested his hand on his belly. "Maybe someday you'll be ready to accept the both of us." Not waiting for a reaction, Tim headed for the door, the rest of them falling into place behind him. He didn't relax until they were in the elevator, then he leaned heavily on Gibbs.

Gibbs pulled him even closer. "You did great in there, Tim, I'm proud of you."

"Yeah, way to go, Probie." Tony grinned at the couple. "And the Boss didn't even have to take on the Admiral."

"Nope, Tim did it all on his own." Gibbs rubbed his hand up and down Tim's back. "How are you feeling, this wasn't too much for you, was it?"

"I'm hungry." Blushing at the chuckles filling the elevator, Tim ducked his head back down. "After all, I'm eating for two."

Vance grinned and pulled out his phone. "That you are, McGee, and I learned many years ago never to argue with a pregnant stomach. He laughed as Jackie elbowed him and called his favorite restaurant to ask for the private dining room as the elevator delivered them to the main floor.

As they were walking down the front steps, the sudden squeal of brakes had the armed members of the group stepping in front of the others. When Trent Kort jumped out of the car parked haphazardly in front of the courthouse, they didn't relax right away.

Kort ran straight for Gibbs. "Tell me you were able to stop the petition?"

"Yeah, why? What aren't you telling us, Kort?" Gibbs tightened his arm around McGee.

Kort looked over their shoulders at Dr. Anderson coming down the stairs. Anderson saw the scrutiny and changed his angle, heading away from them. "Let's just say that certain members of my agency are extremely embarrassed about this becoming public knowledge, and for a Navy doctor, Dr. Anderson has a pretty strong relationship with the CIA."

"Really?" Vance still had his phone in one hand and immediately dialed the SecNav.

Tim's mind immediately went to the next step. "Does my father?" The possibility that his own father would join with the CIA against him was too much to even put into words.

"Don't know yet, kid, but I believe I'll go and find out."

Gibbs would have loved to been part of that confrontation, but he had other priorities at the moment. "Thanks, Kort, that's another one I owe you."

"Nah, this one's on the house. After all, how often do I get to go rattle a Navy cage without worrying about invoking the wrath of Gibbs?" With a sarcastic grin, Kort headed into the courthouse.

-NCIS-

Over various luncheon platters the chatter was tinged with a nervous relief, but it was McGee's announcement that had the group in an uproar and Gibbs turned to stare at him.

"McGee, you cannot be serious. You've been under too much stress already today." Even as he said the words, Gibbs took one look at that stubborn face and knew he was losing the battle.

"Best way for me to relax is to lose myself in code for a few hours."

Abby smiled and reached across the table for Tim's hand. "Aww, Gibbs, you know he's right. Besides, look how far he got on the encrypted files last time."

"Same rules apply." He looked at them both, waiting for agreement. Tim nodded with a soft smile at the worry and Abby's pigtails bounced with a more vigorous nod.

Across from Ducky, Tony held out his hand and Ziva slapped some money into it. Trying not to laugh at how well Tony knew McGee, Gibbs pointed at him. "You're buying dinner tonight."

"Planning on it, Boss." Tony looked at the two doctors sitting with them. "Was McPapa's lunch healthy enough to have pizza tonight?"

"Mmm, sausage and artichoke hearts on garlic white sauce."

Multiple heads swiveled at McGee's request, but Gibbs was the one to lay down a new rule. "If you start craving anchovies, you're eating on the back porch."

-NCIS-

Closer to the courthouse, it was a much more subdued scene as Edward and Melissa McGee reviewed their options over coffee. "Why can't any of them see reason? This will destroy Timothy in the long run."

"Hardly." Kort grabbed a chair from a nearby table and swung it around, straddling it as he joined them. "Like it or not, your son was chosen because he was the most likely to survive this. Hell, he's not only surviving, he's thriving."

The Admiral glared at the grinning man. "Just who in the hell are you?"

"Trent Kort, CIA. Our agency is somewhat indirectly responsible for this little problem, but I suppose you already knew that."

"Is there a point here?"

"Ah, direct, I like that. I knew your boy had big brass ones, but after seeing you led around by the nose today, I wasn't sure about you." Letting the Admiral stew about that for a moment, Kort picked up the ultrasound picture his wife had been staring at.

"What in the hell does that mean?"

Kort smirked at the agitated man. "Let's just say that there are certain members of my agency who would like this problem to go away at any cost." He handed the picture back to Melissa and she stared at him.

"Any cost? Are you saying..."

"Your friend, Dr. Anderson? He's a whole lot cozier with my agency than he is with your son's." Kort stood and leaned close to Edward's ear. "Gibbs is the most fiercely loyal and protective man I've ever met. He will kill to protect your son; if necessary, he will die to protect your son. What side of that fight to you want to be on?"

Leaving them something to think about, Kort stood and tossed some money on the table. "Coffee's on me."

Melissa watched him leave before turning back to her husband. "Ed, we have to find a way to fix this, I can't stand the thought that I won't know my own grandchild."

The vibration of the phone at his hip stopped any answer he might have had for his wife. Edward McGee showed her the caller ID on the screen before answering it. He was silent as he listened, and took his wife's hand before he replied. "We thank you for your concern, Dr. Anderson, but my wife and I are satisfied with the outcome of today's meeting with the judge. We won't be pursuing this any further." They could both still hear the arguing as he closed his phone.

a/n - so, is Dad a villain or just misguided? I'm still chugging away at this, currently finishing up chapter 13. Didn't get as much writing time as I wanted this weekend, but Army son came home for a visit. He was just presented the highest award for his MOS, so we had some celebrating to do. Not bad for a 23 year old kid. He broke all the records at his advanced training over the summer so it was great to have him recognized for it.