Personal Note: I don't usually talk about personal stuff but my mother, who I cared for, for a long time, died two weeks ago. As you can imagine, I'm sorting things out on several levels. Still, I'm trying to find time and impetus to write and create, and if these chapters meander a little, you'll have to forgive me. I know a lot of you have been (or are currently going through) similar situations, and so kudos of the highest kind to you. That's all, no sympathy needed. Life goes on.
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Hawaii
Tony found Tim in the kitchen, eating a bowl of Jethro's Wheat-Os. Tony planted a kiss on his mouth then complained, "Ew! You taste like library paste."
"Morning to you, too, honey."
Tony made himself a cup of herbal tea; no coffee for him. In fact, he'd never eaten healthier in his life. He grabbed a slice of pizza out of the fridge and took a bite.
"No pizza."
"It's organic. Gibbs brought it home last night. Not bad." Actually, it was pretty good and even Jethro had enjoyed it.
"How'd the lunch with Abby go?"
Tony smiled. "Good."
Tim narrowed his eyes at Tony's expression. "You told her."
"Oh, she'd already figured it out." Tony sat down with his tea and pizza. "She was bouncing until she realized how difficult it's going to be, carrying this kid, giving birth." Tony pulled up his t-shirt to display his stomach. "I can't hide this much longer."
"Tony, why'd you stop me yesterday? From telling people at work?"
"I guess I didn't think I was ready. Then I thought, my lung is healed and this baby is twelve weeks old. So maybe it's time to make the announcement."
"What made you think I'd go anywhere without you?" Tim wrinkled his nose. "What have you got on that pizza?"
"Sardines and applesauce." Tony grinned and licked his fingers.
"You're gonna barf."
"No way."
"Then I'm gonna barf." Tim took the remainder of the pizza away from Tony and held his hand. "Look, this is the perfect window of opportunity for us to move back to our own home."
"Home?"
"We'll double-check with your doctors first–"
"But Jimmy isn't vacating for two weeks."
Tim looked at him blankly and then laughed. "I'm not talking about our house here. I'm meant our home in Okinawa. You and me and Nicky. Tony, if I don't go back, they're going to replace me; I'll lose my position."
Tony snorted. "Nobody can replace you, Timmy."
"I'm serious."
Tony stared at him. "I cannot do this without Brad."
"There are excellent doctors in Okinawa, Tony, and Dr. Pitt can confer with them."
No. "Tim–"
"We can make the trip in easy stages, stop in Hawaii."
"Hawaii?" Tony stood quickly, feeling lightheaded. "No! I can't go with you."
"You can't?"
"All right, I won't go." There, it was out, and Tim was looking at him like he'd lost his mind. Which he probably had.
At that moment, Gibbs, with perfect timing, walked in. He sized up the situation but instead of retreating he ordered, "DiNozzo, sit."
Tim rose to his feet, pissed. "Hey! Can you give us some privacy?"
"I'm fine, Gibbs," Tony said weakly.
Gibbs just growled, "Tony. Sit before you fall."
Tony sat. "Bossy."
Tim demanded, "Tony? Is this why you won't go home with me? Because of him?"
"McGee," warned Gibbs.
"Fuck off, Gibbs," Tim snarled.
Tony held his head in his hands, sure he was going to puke, and wished they would both just go away.
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