Not Beta'd; standard disclaimer applies.

a/n: thank you to nikkiesplace who pointed out an error on my part (Tim's phone not working,yet him telling Jenny that he would have his phone on him to monitor/update searches when he went to the hospital). I will be updating the previous chapters to show that instead Tim would have his laptop with him, so he would be able to keep on top of what's going on.

Next of Kin, Chapter 8, Need to Know

The minute she was left alone in her office, Jenny contacted her assistant and requested that Agent McGee's file be brought to her office. She then opened the folder labeled Leroy Jethro Gibbs that had been sent to her. Per agency policy, if an agent was seriously injured, personnel forwarded their file to their supervisor in case the worst had happened. This particular file remained unopened on her desk, partly because she was denying the fact that Jethro's injuries were that serious, but also because she was hesitant to open it.

It was no secret in the agency that she and Jethro had known each other for quite a while. The fact that they had been…involved, wasn't a secret either. And it was because of their previous relationship that she was reluctant to open his file. The reason for this was simple, because she knew that she would read it cover to cover and not just look at the pertinent facts, in this case, his medical proxy or listed next of kin. That was the same reason why she hadn't requested his file the moment she took office, but instead, only read his recent reviews, commendations, and any complaints lodged against him. She knew it was much easier to resist temptation when not faced with it.

Oh, how she wished she had requested that file, she thought, as her mouth dropped open in surprise.

"Get me Tom Morrow on the phone," she demanded, after pressing the intercom button that connected her to her assistant.

A few moments later, her assistant's voice rang out over the intercom, causing Jenny to tear her gaze away from the words she had been staring at in disbelief, "Morrow, line one."

Jenny immediately reached for the phone and greeted her predecessor, "Tom, hello. Thank you for taking my call."

"Jenny," Tom replied as a greeting. "What do you need?"

"Information," she began, casting another look of disbelief at the file in front of her. "Gibbs was injured in an explosion,"

"I heard," the previous director interrupted. "Don't know how I can help your agents with that case, though."

"My agents do not need help," Jenny snapped. His interruption and comment had her deciding not to ease into the topic. "Why wasn't I informed of the relationship between Agents Gibbs and McGee?" she demanded to know.

Tom fell silent.

"Well?"

"Need to know," he began.

"Don't give me that bull," she angrily returned. "You seriously expect me to believe that as Director I didn't need to know about this?"

"Did you?" he questioned in reply.

"Hell, yes," came the immediate response.

"Why?" Tom asked, continuing before an angry Jenny could speak. "Has it affected their work?"

At his question of 'why' her eyes had narrowed, but after she heard the second half of his reply, her mouth opened then shut without uttering a sound.

"I'll take that as a no," he said, and she could practically see the smirk on his face.

"How about the office? The other teams? Has anyone made any complaints that made you look into this matter?"

"No," she reluctantly replied.

"How about their team? Have any of them noticed anything or brought any concerns to your attention?"

"Not yet," she bit out.

"Finally, would you have believed me if I had told you? Or would you have thought I was playing a joke, former director to new director?" he asked.

She growled, but didn't speak any words. She knew what she would've thought if he had told her this information, even reading it in the file, she hadn't been sure that it wasn't a joke. Even if he had shown her the file, she would've thought it was a fake file designed to trick her.

"That's what I thought," he smugly stated. "If you had known, would you have been able to keep it a secret?"

Jenny's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

As if knowing how his words might have been taken, he continued, "Oh, I don't mean that you would tell others, but most likely, by your actions, you would have inadvertently given something away, which would have caused problems with their team, other teams, or the office in general. That is why it was need to know."

"I still think that I should have been informed," she argued.

"SecNav thought differently," Tom informed her. "Naturally, he was the first one I turned to after I was approached with this situation. It was also his decision not to inform anyone, including the new director when I was no longer involved."

"Somehow I get the feeling you didn't fight him too hard on that decision," she drolly stated.

His simple comment of "Eh," was taken by Jenny as admittance that her previous statement was correct.

"Now, appease my curiosity," Tom pleaded, changing the subject, "How did you find out?"

Jenny remained silent, tempted to hang up and end their call then, but decided it wasn't worth making an enemy over.

Before she could reply, he continued, "Did you detect the truth on your own?"

"No," she reluctantly admitted. "I never would have suspected it between those two. Abby or Tony, maybe," she added, though her tone belayed her doubt about that.

Tom smiled, "Gibbs likes to collect his ducklings," he commented good-naturedly. "This one...well,"

"Why? How?" she asked, still curious about how everything came about.

This time it was Tom who spent a few moments in silent contemplation, though he wasn't tempted to end their call. "Would you hang up if I said need to know?" he asked.

"No," Jenny replied, "I would just shoot you the next time I saw you."

Morrow laughed, "Then I won't say it, even if it is the truth."

"Tom," she warned.

"It is their story to tell," he finally stated.

"As director,"

"It is part of their personal life," he reminded her, cutting her off. "and you admitted that it hasn't affected their work or the team, nor that you suspected anything, therefore, your position as Director does not play into it."

Jenny fell silent once more.

"How did you find out?" Tom repeated his earlier question.

"I read it in the hard copy of one of their files," she admitted.

Tom rolled his eyes, since that didn't really tell him anything. "Why? What made you read the file?"

"Gibbs's injury," Jenny replied. "Agent McGee wanted to leave for the hospital after being informed that Gibbs was awake. When he hit some resistance, he admitted that he was listed as Jethro's next of kin. After dismissing the team, I checked the file to confirm that information."

"That the only thing he admitted to?" Morrow asked in amusement.

"Yes," she replied, "Hence my surprise and call to you when I read about their relationship in Jethro's file."

Tom snorted, "I would love to be a fly on the wall to witness everyone's reaction when this other news breaks."

Jenny groaned, imagining the headache that would cause. "If you want, I can make you acting Director that day so you can witness it and deal with it first-hand."

Morrow laughed at her offer, "I'll pass, thank you. As I said the day I left NCIS, not my problem any more."

"Lucky you," she commented.

"Now, anything else you would like to discuss?"

Jenny sighed, "Isn't that enough?"

Tom contemplated whether or not to say anything. "I take it you haven't finished reading Gibbs's file?"

She tensed, "Not yet," she admitted. She had been so surprised about what she had learned and focused on finding out why she hadn't been informed when she took on the position of director that she actually hadn't read anything else. "Why? What else is in there?"

Tom's tone got softer, "A heart-breaking story and part of the reason why I agreed to all that I had," he added.

Jenny closed her eyes, "Any suggestion on how to proceed?"

"Brace yourself," he said. "And you might want to keep a box of tissues handy," he advised before ending the call.

Tony's prediction about Ziva's driving wasn't too far off; he, Ziva, and Abby had caught up to them while they were waiting for the elevator. Having been there earlier and knowing the way, Ducky lead the way towards Gibbs's room.

"Dr. Gelfund," Ducky quietly called out as a doctor left a room a few feet in front of them.

"Dr. Mallard, you're back," he greeted after turning around upon hearing his name.

"Uh-huh, what did I tell you call me?"

"Ducky," he corrected when the older man continued to look at him. "And a lot of people," he added, noting the entourage standing around the other doctor.

"They are members of Jethro's team," he explained. "Once they heard that Jethro was awake, there was no keeping the hoard away," Ducky dryly commented. "They do know about his amnesia," he added.

"Can we see him?" Abby eagerly asked, spying into Gibbs's hospital room.

The doctor looked between his patient laying on the bed and the crowded doorway where his teammates stood.

"Talk to him," Abby corrected. "I mean, we can see him from here, but it's not really the same. I really, really, really, would like to talk to him. I know that he doesn't remember me yet, but he will. And seeing, talking to us might help him remember. It's"

"Abigail," Ducky murmured, placing a hand on her arm to calm her down.

Todd smiled, "Yes, you can see and talk to him," he agreed. "But don't overwhelm him," he cautioned. "Introduce yourself, but don't talk about work, the explosion, or the past. He's pretty confused and we do not want anyone to say or do anything to upset him or make the situation worse."

"We can do that," Tony promised as he ushered Abby and Ziva into the room before him.

Tim remained outside in the hallway, longingly looking into the room before turning to face the neurologist.

"You can join them," Todd commented, seeing the look on the younger man's face. "As long as everyone is quiet, there is no need to limit the number of visitors he receives at a time."

"Oh! Where are my manners?" Ducky exclaimed in dismay before Tim could reply. Turning to face Jethro's doctor, he said, "Dr. Todd Gelfund, Neurologist, this is a member of Jethro's team and his listed next of kin, Timothy McGee," Ducky introduced the young agent to Gibbs's physician.

"You are a tough person to get a hold of," the doctor said, reaching for Tim's hand.

"I apologize for that. My phone was damaged at the same time as the explosion and I haven't had a chance to check voicemail or set up a new one yet."

Ducky raised an eyebrow at that, he remembered Tim mentioned that he was without a phone in the Director's office, but still hadn't been able to figure out how an explosion on a ship could damage a phone a mile away, but knew that this was not the time to mention it. "Young Timothy here, says he has information to share regarding Jethro. More specifically, I believe he might know who Shannon and Kelly are, and perhaps even Jethro's son."

"Are they here?" The doctor asked. "He has been continuously asking where Shannon and Kelly are."

Tim gave a sad smile, "No. Unfortunately, Shannon and Kelly died February 28, 1991. Gibbs was injured a few days after receiving that news and, as you know, was in a coma for weeks."

"Oh my, how sad," Ducky empathized. "Who were they?"

Tim took a deep breath, "Shannon was his wife and Kelly, his eight-year-old daughter."

"Oh dear," a shocked Ducky muttered.

"And his son?" Todd asked. "That is the only other person he is asking for."

Tim hesitated, his confusion evident on his face. He knew that Ducky had mentioned that Gibbs had asked for his son, but it was still surprising to hear, especially since the older man's mind regressed fifteen years into the past.

"Did he die then as well?" The doctor wondered, when no answer was forthcoming.

"No," Tim replied, shaking his head. "But…"

"But what?"

"I am confused as to how he remembers his son," Tim admitted. "The…the relationship did not exist in 1991."

Both doctors looked at him in surprise, "The mind is a curious thing," Ducky finally shared, briefly breaking the silence. "It is said that nothing can erase the love a parent has for a child, and in this case, that appears to be true."

Dr. Gelfund smiled at the older man before addressing the younger one, "His subconscious seems to remember those important to him. Shannon and Kelly were an important part of his life then, so he remembered them and their names. With his son, the name might not be in his grasp, but he is aware of his importance, his existence and is asking for him since he believes that he should be here."

Tim nodded, believing what the two doctors shared. Now he just had to state who that son was. It would've been awkward earlier, now, it was even more so, and humbling after those speeches. He shuffled back and forth, not sure how to say it.

"Is his son on his way?" The doctor asked again, breaking the silence. "Perhaps someone is picking him up from school?" After all, if the son his patient is asking about didn't exist in 1991, then the boy would be a child of less than 15.

"School? Why…" Tim started to ask, bewildered by that comment before breaking himself off and realizing that it didn't matter. "No, I mean, he doesn't go to school, and he's not on his way, he's here," Tim replied, rambling a bit. "Er, I'm here," he corrected sheepishly. "I mean, I'm his son."

"Oh my," A shocked Ducky repeated looking between Tim and his friend's hospital room before quietly muttering, "J.G."

Dr. Gelfund raised an eyebrow, "I am pretty sure you were born before 1991," he dryly admitted.

"I…yes," Tim agreed. "It's a long story," he said, and definitely one he didn't want to get into right now he thought as his eyes once more drifting to Gibbs laying in the hospital bed.

Todd nodded, "Well, luckily, you don't need to share it with me. Let's get you in to see your father," he offered, making a sweeping motion indicating that Tim should precede him into the room.

"Er," Tim stammered hesitantly as he nervously looked at his teammates and co-workers surrounding Gibbs's bed, "Can I see him alone?"

The neurologist frowned.

Seeing and interpreting that look, Tim clarified, "I mean, without any other visitors present?"

This time it was Ducky who frowned. Why didn't Timothy want him or the rest of the team there? Surely, he wouldn't restrict their access to Gibbs.

"You can come in," Tim said, correctly guessing half of what was bothering the older man. "They don't know," he offered in explanation, "about me being his son, I mean and I don't think they need to, not right now."

"They will find out," Ducky predicted.

Tim sighed, not looking forward to that. "Yeah, I know," he agreed. "But hopefully not today and definitely not right now. Not with everything that's going on. I just…I'm still not sure how much Gibbs remembers about me. He might remember the idea of me, but maybe not me," he whispered, his eyes watering as he gave voice to his fears. "I can't handle that, especially not with them present. Plus, if you add in their reaction to the news…"

"Oh, Timothy," Ducky comforted, his heart wrenching at the thought of what this young man has been going through. And to think he had been trying to deal with all of this alone. "Come, let's talk," he offered.

"But-" Tim protested, looking at his father's hospital room.

"Only for a few minutes, while Dr. Gelfund checks on Jethro and clears the room." Seeing Tim still hesitate, he adds, "It will do you good to calm down a bit before you see Jethro. You know, him, even with amnesia, he'll pick up on the fact that you are nervous or worried."

Tim gave a laugh at that, knowing it was true and allowed the ME to lead him away.

"Is he sleeping?" Abby asked, staring at the man laying on the bed with his eyes closed.

She, Ziva, and Tony had entered the room a few minutes previously, yet Gibbs hadn't acknowledged them in any way, he hadn't opened his eyes or even turned his head, leading her to believe that he was sleeping, something not many had believed he did.

"If he is, it is understandable," Ziva remarked. "He has been through a lot."

"C'mon, it's Gibbs," Tony argued. "This is nothing, he can handle this."

Ziva rolled her eyes.

"What? It's true. I'm telling you, he'll be fine. The only thing that could've happened is that he might've had a little sense knocked into him."

Ziva's eyes narrowed as she wondered what Tony was implying.

"Hey, where's Probie?" Tony asked. "Why didn't he come in with us?"

Abby looked around and noticed the three men still outside the doorway, "Talking to Ducky and the doctor," she informed them, nodding her head in that direction.

"Oh, right," he despondently replied, remembering why McGee would be doing that. "You really think he knows something that could help?"

Abby shrugged while Ziva nodded, "I believe he believes he does," she replied.

"What?"

"As Gibbs once told me, 'McGee doesn't lie'.

Tony snorted, "Yeah, that is clearly not true," he said, meeting her eyes as he remembered what they had learned in the last hour.

She frowned, "He did not lie,"

"No, just kept secrets,"

"It-"

"Guys, guys, stop," Abby interrupted, "Look. I think he's waking up."

Looking at the bed, they saw what Abby had: Gibbs stirring and his eyelids fluttering.

"Gibbs? Gibbs?" she questioned repeatedly.

"Abby, give him some time. Let him wake or fall back asleep on his own," Ziva suggested.

"But I want to talk to him," she argued. "I didn't come all this way to watch him sleep."

"How far would you go to watch him sleep?" Tony curiously asked only to receive a head-slap in reply. "Ow!"

"You deserved it," Abby and Ziva replied in unison.

"Shannon? Kelly?" a groggy voice asked from the bed, eyes opening after he said that and his mouth frowning in disappointment as he saw three strangers standing around his bed staring at him.

Abby frowned, wondering who they were and why Gibbs was asking about them. "No, it's Abby. Abigail Sciuto," she clarified. "We work together at NCIS."

Gibbs blinked, taking in her appearance, "You're a navy cop?"

Tony laughed.

"No, I'm a scientist," Abby replied, before turning to the amused male, "I could've been an agent if I wanted too," she informed him, "But as a forensic scientist, I learned how to kill and leave no forensic evidence behind so I suggest you zip it," she threatened.

"Right, the Duck mentioned you," he said, not sure if he should make a comment about her threat. Shrugging his shoulders, he turned to look at his other two visitors.

'The Duck?' Tony mouthed in amusement as Gibbs's gaze settled on Ziva.

"Mossad," he said.

"Yes!" Abby exclaimed in delight, sure that this was a sign that Gibbs was remembering them.

Ziva inclined her head in acknowledgement of his words. "Gibbs. How are you feeling?"

"Confused," he admitted.

"That is understandable," she offered. "Give it some time, I am sure your memories will return to you."

"Then you can answer some questions for us," Tony muttered, only to earn an elbow to the ribs from Ziva. "What? I meant about the explosion and the case."

"I am sure you did," she agreed, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "However, do remember your promise to the doctor."

"Yeah, yeah," Tony replied dismissively before meeting the blue eyes of his boss. "I'm Anthony DiNozzo, you can call me Tony,"

"The joker," Gibbs supplied.

Tony hesitated, "Among other things," he admitted. not knowing what else to say.

They spent a few minutes silently looking at one another.

"You really don't remember anything about us?" Abby softly questioned.

Gibbs shook his head.

Abby sighed, "Well, you will. We're like family."

"Family," Gibbs repeated, looking around the room and noticing that his family was still missing.

"Yep. Most of us have worked together for years. We know all of each other's secrets," she added.

Tony snorted, "You mean, we do now."

"Tony," Ziva warned, knowing that this was definitely not the time or place to bring such matters up, not unless they wanted to be barred from the hospital and Gibbs's room.

"Fine," Tony muttered, taking a step back. This was more awkward than he thought it would be. How do you carry on a conversation with someone when they didn't know you? When you couldn't mention your work, his injury, or the past?

"Do you need anything?" Abby asked. "It might be a bit early for dinner, but I'm sure I can get you something if you're hungry," she promised. "I would offer to get you a coffee, but, well, I'm sure they're restricting that particular beverage. Well, that and bourbon," she added, grinning at him.

"Abby…it is Abby, right?" he questioned, continued when she nodded. "I'm fine," he reassured her.

"Good, good. That's good."

Gibbs smirked, amused by her behavior.

"Hopefully, you won't have to be in here for too long," she added.

"Yeah," he agreed.

"He'll be our guest for a bit longer," Todd stated as he reentered the room and heard the end of their conversation.

"But why?" Abby questioned. "Won't it be better for him to be surrounded by familiar things than these boring walls?"

"Familiar people and objects can help with memory," the doctor agreed, "But that isn't the only factor," he added. "Oh, he is recovering well," he said, as looks of alarm crossed all three faces. "But there are a few things we are still tracking to make sure he continues to do so."

"Like what?"

The neurologist looked at Gibbs who subtly shook his head before he turned to Abby to answer, "I can only share that information with his family."

Abby opened her mouth to argue, "But"

"That is expected and understandable," Ziva injected, cutting the other woman off before she said something regarding Gibbs's family.

Todd nodded in relief, glad the situation didn't develop into anything that would've upset his patient. "Now, if you will excuse us," he said, glancing towards the door, "I need to check on my patient."

After a bit more mumbling, Abby joined Ziva and a frowning Tony in the hallway.

"Where's Ducky and McGee?"

9-21-2020

So, what did you guys think of Jenny's conversation with Tom?

How do you think the team will react to the news regarding the relationship between Tim & Gibbs? How do you think they'll find out? Do you think Jenny will tell them (maybe when she lets Tim know that she knows?)? Will Ducky tell them, hoping to soften their reaction (so they won't get upset and take it out on Tim)? Will Tim tell them directly?

Do you want to see Ducky's and Tim's convo or do you want to go straight to Tim's visit with Gibbs?