Not Beta'd'. standard disclaimer applies.
"I know these are our twins," Tim stated worriedly.
"Our?" Gibbs asked, surprised by the possessiveness of his agent.
"I mean, they have to be. Everything fits…almost."
"Almost?"
Tim sighed as he explained his quandary, "The blankets have TASG & KASG embroidered on them. But the hospital records only have Todd Anthony Gi-and Katelyn Abigail listed. No S, no names for the S," Tim explained.
Gibbs frowned, while it could mean that these records weren't for the twins currently in NCIS care, it was too much of a coincidence to believe. Every part, showed a connection to NCIS and specifically, the MCRT. Could the hidden names provide a valuable clue to the father's identity? More importantly, why was it hidden?
"You said two middle names were unusual for American children, could it be that the hospital just used the first one listed?"
"Well, yeah, that's what I figured when my original search showed no S," Tim agreed, leaving the sentence unfinished.
"But,"
Tim grimaced, "I found the official birth record of the twins, and that also doesn't list an S name."
Gibbs eyes narrowed as he glared at his agent. "And you didn't mention that earlier?"
"It didn't provide any new information?" he replied questioningly. "I mean, because it didn't provide any new information," he shared firmly. "Same name, birthdate, and times. Both the mother's and father's information is kept off the record."
"Which means?"
"The most common reason is because the mother or father is under age,"
"If the mother was underage, then there's no way in hell those are my kids," Gibbs snarled. "And they better not be yours or Tony's or anyone over the age of 18 if that's the case."
"No sir, I mean, Yes, sir. I mean, if that's the case, they're definitely not mine, either," Tim stumbled trying to proclaim his innocence. "It could also mean that adoption was considered as a possibility."
"Any other reason?"
Tim shrugged, "A few, she could've planned it to happen that way. If she either didn't give her name upon entering the hospital, or if she came prepared with legal documents to ensure her privacy, the hospital would have no choice but to leave the mother's name off the record."
"Why would she want that and which is more likely?"
"It's done to ensure privacy. A few celebrities have done it to keep from being hounded while at the hospital. She could've done it so no one would track her down. After all, the hospital can't say whether or not Mary Sue is there if Mary Sue didn't tell them her name.
"As for which is more likely of the two, the legal document scenario. With the cost of delivery, especially when carrying twins, she would've needed to provide a name for insurance purposes, assuming she had insurance," he added. "Asking to be anonymous at the hospital, well, she could've declared that she was on the run from an abusive ex, that would've had most lawyers drawing up the paperwork and the hospital agreeing. Of course, giving a reason isn't necessary, one just has to claim confidentiality."
"I see," Gibbs stated. "So it could be that the S isn't officially part of their name."
"Yes, or it could be that she changed their names later on."
"Wait, that's possible?" Gibbs asked. "In that case, couldn't the twins have been born with the name John and Sally Smith?"
Tim tried to hide a smile, though from the glare Gibbs was sending his way, he wasn't succeeding. 'Yes, it's possible. But if there was a major name change, usually the courts would require a valid reason and proof."
"Like?"
"Adoption, is the first reason that comes to mind. Especially if the last name changes. Change in custodial parent is another. With child abductions being so prevalent in the world, no one wants to risk helping a criminal hide a child from the rightful parent or guardian. In most cases, the one requesting the change has to assure that it is not for fraudulent or other illegal purposes.
"And often if it is a complete change in name, it would require notice be given to any living birth parent or that a notice to be placed in the local paper for a set period of time, giving others a chance to discover it and file a petition to prevent the change."
"Okay, but to add a middle name?"
"There are two ways to do so. The first is through the legal system. You would need to complete any necessary forms and file amended paperwork, birth certificates in this case, and add the name. The lawyer will present the request to the local court system, which will review it and most likely in this case approve it."
"And the second way?"
"Doesn't provide a paper trail," McGee admitted. "It's basically done by use. Known as either 'common law' or 'assumed name'. Basically it means that by using those names for the twins, it becomes their names. Likewise, if, when they get older, if they stop using one or both middle names, then it is no longer considered part of their name."
"Seriously?"
Tim nodded. "As it is, SSA doesn't consider a middle name as part of your legal name."
Gibbs shook his head and began walking away. "See if you can find anything regarding the name change through legal means."
"Will do, Boss. Most likely that is the one used, since not many are aware that the other is legal," Tim informed him.
"Abby?"
"No news yet, Gibbs," Abby responded, trying to hide her smile at his anxiousness. It had only been a few hours since she started the test comparing his DNA to the kids.
"McGee?"
"Still haven't been able to identify the birth mother yet. I have a program running through the courts regarding name changes, but since I don't know if she filed it right after their birth or if it was done more recently, it's a lot of data to look through. And since I'm not sure when she started the process, there is a possibility that it hasn't made it into the court system yet, she might've just recently contacted a lawyer."
"Any good news?" he asked, starting to pace the length of Abby's lab when neither had a response.
"You know a watched Major Mass Spec doesn't beep," Abby informed him.
Gibbs just glared and continued pacing.
"Boss, it's okay,"
"How can it be okay? I'm old enough to be their grandfather, plus there's the fact that I don't even remember seeing anyone during that time frame," Gibbs snapped, in a rare show of emotion and loss of control. "I don't know if I can do this," he quietly admitted, taking a seat on the stool by Tim.
Abby's jaw dropped in shock. She's known Gibbs longer than anyone, except Ducky and the Director, but she's never heard him be so open with his thoughts and feelings before or sound so…hopeless…doubtful…insecure…negative. She wasn't sure which word was more accurate, but they all seemed to fit. And she hated that.
Just as she opened her mouth to remind him to have happy, positive thoughts, Tim spoke up.
"Boss, it will be all right," he assured the older man.
"If the test is positive," he began, glaring at Abby, when she tried to correct his terminology, "We will help you figure out how it happened, when, with who, and why you have no memory of it.
"And like I-we told Tony, you won't have to do this alone. Every single one of us will help you, including those who don't know yet.
"Yes, it will be tough and challenging. Physically, emotionally, and mentally, as well, but Abby and I know you can do this. We also know you will excel at it. All of us look upon you as a father-like figure.
"Those kids would be damn lucky if you were their father."
Silence reigned both in the lab and outside of it after McGee's impromptu speech.
Once more, Tony stood in the hallway, dumbfounded by McGee's words, he had arrived at the lab and stopped before entering, hoping that what he heard would confirm his suspicions about Tim and Abby. Yet it seemed there was a completely different conversation taking place, still personal, but not about the two of them. He couldn't help but grin proudly as he thought about what was just said. It looked like Probie was growing up. Tony knew he couldn't have said it better himself, just like he knew there was nothing he could add, especially since he wasn't sure why Gibbs needed to hear those words.
With a nod to himself, he walked to the stairwell ready to head back to the bullpen. As McGee stated at the beginning of the week, if it involved him, they would let him know.
"The results won't be ready for a while," Tim reminded his boss. "The way I see it, you have four options right now, five if you want to overreact without knowing the results. One, you can go home, try to relax and fail and drive yourself crazy thinking about the possibilities; Two, go upstairs, try to get some work done; Three, stay here and drive Abby to finally follow through on her promise of killing and leaving no forensic evidence; or Four, come with me to the daycare center and do something productive by helping to take care of the twins."
"What's five?"
"Go out and get drunk," Tim replied dryly. "Which really wouldn't accomplish much, except make you that much harder to track down once we do have the results. It could also make you not care about the results at that time as well."
"I vote for number 4," Abby advised softly.
"Me, too," Tim added.
Gibbs looked the two, before sighing and giving in. "Fine, we'll do that," he agreed. "I have to make a stop first."
McGee nodded, he had a few things he needed to finish up as well, "Meet you there?" he asked the older man, receiving a nod in reply.
Abby gave him a hug, "I'll be by in a bit."
Gibbs looked at the machine running the DNA tests before looking back at Abby, "What about-"
"I told you, a watched Major Mass Spec"
"Doesn't beep," They all concluded in unison.
Abby grinned, before turning serious for a moment, "It will be a while. I will come back and check on them later, after I get my snuggles in."
"Okay," he said before exiting the lab, leaving the two alone.
"Take care of him, Timmy, I suspect it's going to be a long night."
"He'll be fine," Tim comforted. "I think it's just the not knowing that's getting to him. If he knows he is, well, he'll deal with it and as I said, he'll be great and he won't be alone. If he's not, well, again he'll deal. I think there'll even be a small mourning period about what could've been before he refocuses on the case, determined to discover who the father is."
"You think he's not?"
"He's confident he's not. Yes it could happen without him remembering, especially with the memory issues he had earlier this year. Still, he's been steadfast in his beliefs. Major Mass Spec will have to tell us for sure."
Abby lovingly patted the Major, "Don't let us down now, baby," she pleaded.
6-30-18