Tony's hands shook as he lifted his coffee mug to his mouth. Sadie had her appointment this afternoon the appointment where he would find out if his baby girl had any problems because of him. He tried to pull himself together when Gibbs entered the room. He had no right to be upset about what could happen in front of somebody who had lost everything. He was also worrying about telling the team today. He had promised Gibbs that he would break the news the first thing Monday morning but a surprise emergency drill had thrown the whole office through a loop and taken up the entire day. At least team Gibbs had passed with flying colors and Tony and McGee had taken down a would be "shooter" before any damage could be done. Even though it was all pretend it was still a rush.
"Morning DiNozzo." Gibbs greeted.
"Morning Boss." Tony replied.
"Sadie's got her appointment at three today right?" Gibbs asked.
"No two." Tony corrected.
"Oh right. Do you need me to come with you?" Gibbs asked.
"No Boss I can handle it on my own." Tony replied.
"Don't be nervous she will be fine. I know it." Gibbs replied.
"It's not just the appointment. I have to tell everybody at the office about Sadie today." Tony replied.
"Don't worry about it they will understand." Gibbs assured.
"What if they don't? What if they attack me?" Tony questioned for the umpteenth time since taking custody of Sadie.
"I will deal with them." Gibbs grunted.
"Thanks" Tony sighed.
"Hey if you would like I could tell everybody." Gibbs offered.
"No thanks somehow I think that could make it worse." Tony sighed.
"Well just know I will back you up." Gibbs replied.
Tony made sure that the director of the daycare knew that Sadie would be leaving early for a doctor's appointment. Then headed to the office to face the music. Part of him wished that he had taken Gibbs up on his offer to tell the others for him. According to his watch he made it to the bullpen at eight o'clock and fifty-seven seconds.
"Made it by the skin of your teeth DiNozzo." Gibbs commented.
"Yeah sorry I had something come up." Tony lied.
"Not interested in excuses unless you're actually late DiNozzo." Gibbs replied.
"Right Boss sorry." Tony apologized.
"Don't you have an appointment today?" Gibbs asked.
"Yeah at two." Tony replied.
"You've had a lot of appointments lately." McGee commented.
"It's no big deal but I do need to talk with you all later." Tony replied.
What time?" McGee asked.
"Twelve-thirty." Tony replied.
"Alright" McGee replied.
"I'll be there." Bishop added.
"I need to go tell Abby and Ducky about our little meeting." Tony replied.
"What about Jimmy?" Bishop asked.
"I already told him everything. Gibbs and Vance know too." Tony explained.
The morning passed without much incident. Tony had made sure Vance knew he needed to leave at one and that Abby and Ducky were aware of the meeting before hand. Tony was secretly praying for a case to take them away from the office and get him out of his promise. Unfortunately no cases came for MCRT and his deadline got closer and closer. Eleven Gibbs sent McGee out to get lunch for the team. When the junior agent returned to HQ he was obviously upset. He stormed into the bullpen, loudly announced that lunch was here, and practically threw his phone down on his desk. Before grabbing his food mumbling something about going to Abby's.
"Something wrong Probie?" Tony asked.
"You're damn right something is wrong!" McGee snapped.
"Tel us before you give yourself a coronary." Gibbs replied.
"I ran into this jock loser I went to high school with at the restaurant!" McGee barked.
"You know you are a federal agent now and can get somebody on felony assault charges for giving you a wedgie right?" Tony asked.
"DiNozzo!" Gibbs hissed trying to hide his amusement.
"He didn't give me a wedgie in fact I thought he had changed. Until he told me that he just found out he had a kid. That was like two or three. He claimed that the mother told him it was with another man but I doubt that's true. I mean he couldn't at least demand paternity test. Now the kid has all these severe health issues from the environment he was raised in and he's acting like he cares but I see right through him. What a loser right?!" McGee explained.
"Well in his defense maybe they used protection and he didn't realize it failed and maybe now he is trying to make up for it." Tony suggested.
"No Tony! Anybody who is that stupid doesn't deserve to have children! The child they already have would be better off taking their chances in foster care." McGee argued.
"Probie" Tony begged.
"Save it Tony! He is an ass and any of your frat buddy losers who pulled that crap are asses too!" McGee shot back.
"You know what forget my announcement! I have to go! I may be back or I may not ever!" Tony snapped running from the bullpen.
"Oh come on Tony! Grow up!" McGee shouted after him.
"MCGEE ELEVATOR AS SOON AS TONY IS GONE!" Gibbs demanded.
"Why the hell are you always taking his side?!" McGee demanded once he and Gibbs were in the elevator.
"I do not always take his side." Gibbs replied.
"Bullshit! I was just venting about that idiot from high school! Which he asked about by the way and when he gets all argumentative you side with him!" McGee argued.
"McGee he wasn't be argumentative. What you said just hit really close to home for him." Gibbs replied.
"Oh yeah? How?" McGee questioned.
"Because McGee, Tony has a daughter that he just found out about, and her mother told him that another man was the father, he believed her, and he really is trying to do right by Sadie." Gibbs explained.
"That's classic Boss! I mean I get that you will do anything to defend Tony but make up a story like that! That's gold! I did not know you were so funny!" McGee laughed.
"No McGee I'm not joking." Gibbs replied.
"OK how old is this "Sadie"?" McGee asked.
"Two" Gibbs replied.
"Tip of advice Boss. Next time you cook up a fake kid for one of us. Make sure one of us were in a relationship at the time and I know Tony was with E.J. around then and I know for a fact she doesn't have kids." McGee explained.
"No McGee..." Gibbs replied.
"You know what Boss that joke made me feel a lot better. If you see Tony before I do. Tell him that I am sorry." McGee replied before exiting the elevator.
A/N: At least McGee doesn't hate Tony anymore but what will it take for him to believe Sadie is real? Will Tony still have the courage to tell the others? New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.
