Not beta'd' standard disclaimer applies

Next of Kin, Chapter 11, Stuffy & Diplomatic conversations

"Agent McGee," the Director began after Tim was seated in her office. "Do you know why I called you in here?"

He suspected that she was aware of the relationship between and Gibbs. Between the earlier confrontation in the bullpen and her access to their files, he hadn't been surprised at this summons. The only real surprise was that it hadn't occurred as soon as he returned from the hospital.

"I can imagine," he replied with full honestly, meeting her eyes. "But just to make sure there isn't any miscommunication, perhaps you should elucidate?" Just in case he was wrong, he didn't want to admit to something and make the situation worse.

Jenny hid her smirk at his response. "I checked Jethro's file to confirm that you were listed as his next of kin. Do you know what I found?"

"That I was?" Tim offered, not willing to disclose any information.

"Yes, it showed that," she replied, rolling her eyes. "It also showed that not only were you listed as his next of kin, but that you were his next of kin," she paused and looked at her agent wondering if he would comment on that information. He remained silent. She supposed she really shouldn't be that surprised, no doubt he picked up a lot from Jethro the past few years. "To my surprise, you are listed as his son. Your file has him listed as your father," she added.

"That's kinda how it works," Tim's reply was automatic and as soon as it escaped his mouth he grimaced, becoming embarrassed at the smart-ass comment that could be seen as rude.

"So, it is," she readily agreed, her tone seeming more bemused than angry and giving Tim a momentary sense of relief. "My question is why I had to read about it in your file? Why wasn't I informed earlier?"

Tim sighed, like his father's question regarding Shannon and Kelly, he had been expecting it, he just didn't really want to answer, at least not now.

"It wasn't the time or the place," Tim finally replied. "Not with everyone else present as well. I just wanted to get to the hospital to see him, not spend all my time convincing you guys or explaining it. I didn't even want to tell you that I was listed as his next of kin. I only did so because I felt like I had to in order to get you to allow me to leave," he added. "Oh, don't in any way think that I was ashamed. I'm not. I am proud that Leroy Jethro Gibbs thinks of me as a son and I couldn't have a better father. It was because I knew how certain people would react. I mean, look at Tony, Agent DiNozzo," he corrected, his tone slightly bitter, "He laughed, thinking I was lying about being listed as the next of kin, how much worse would it have been if I said I was Gibbs's son and he was asking for me?"

"He was asking for you?" Jenny repeated, going off topic, excitement tinging her voice. "He remembered?"

"Er, no, not in the way you mean," Tim answered. "He remembered me, that I was his son, but he still didn't recognize Ducky, Abby, Tony, or Ziva."

"But…" she began before trailing off, her eyes drifting to the files laying on the corner of her desk. "Ducky said Jethro thought it was 1991."

"He does, did," the young man confirmed.

Jenny blinked her eyes then shook her head as she gathered her thoughts. As much as she would like to pursue that topic, she shelved it for now. That information wasn't related to the agency or her position as director. "I was actually referring to why I wasn't informed before this situation arose say like last year," she pointedly added, bringing the conversation back to her original question.

"Oh." Tim uttered before falling silent.

"Well?"

Tim figuratively bit his tongue, catching himself before he said something that would definitely get him fired. "We were told not to tell anyone unless they asked or it was necessary," he finally began.

"Need to know," she bitterly murmured, noticing Tim startle at those words.

"We could not even mention it unless they did so first," he continued, not acknowledging her words. He was definitely glad he hadn't given that answer. "Which is another reason why I didn't say anything earlier," he added.

"How many reasons do you have for not telling me?" She wryly asked.

Tim tilted his head in thought as he began ticking off his fingers, "Five, maybe?"

Jenny opened her mouth before closing it without saying a word. As interesting as those reasons would be, they weren't germane to this conversation. She would not allow herself to get distracted again. "Who told you not to say anything?"

"Dad, Director Morrow, SecNav, not necessarily in that order," he clarified.

'Dad', Jenny mouthed.

"Agent Gibbs," Tim corrected, seeing her reaction.

"Why?"

"I cannot speak for them," Tim replied. "You'll have to ask them for their reasons."

Jenny raised her eye in inquiry, "You won't even attempt to speculate as to their reasoning?"

"No."

Jenny sighed, "And I suppose in this case, that you're going to be as stubborn as your father."

Tim simply smiled at her, letting his silence speak for itself.

"You do know the headache and trouble this is going to cause when people find out. And make no mistake, people will find out," she added, making sure he knew that it couldn't be kept a secret forever. The fact that it had remained so for this long was nothing short of a miracle.

"Yeah, about that…" Tim hesitantly began.

"I will not keep it hidden," The director interrupted, suspecting what he was about to ask. "I do not know the reasons why Morrow did so, but I cannot, will not." she corrected, "do that."

"Um, yeah, that's fine," Tim readily agreed. "What I meant was that it seems like everyone now knows. Or will soon if they don't yet."

Jenny groaned, barely keeping herself from pounding her head against the desk. Suspecting that this was that the reason why Agent DiNozzo had called her requesting a meeting with her as soon as possible. She had hoped that she could get ahead of the gossip in this situation. "How?"

"I told the doctor at the hospital, as I said, Gibbs was asking for his son. Ducky was present, so he learned about it then as well."

She nodded, "Ducky is not one to tell tales. Well," she corrected, giving a small smile, "Tales, yes, but spreading rumors and gossip? No. Your secret will remain with him," she reassured the young agent.

"Yeah, but,"

"But?" she asked, thinking about what 'buts' might exist. "Agent DiNozzo or Miss Sciuto overheard?"

"I…no, I don't believe so, not then," he admitted,

"But they did overhear something at some point?"

"From what I can figure out, yeah. Ziva, as well," Tim admitted, giving a nod. "Ducky might know for sure when they found out," he added. "They didn't say anything to me about it before I went in to see Gibbs. They had gone in earlier while I talked with Ducky and Dr. Gelfund. I asked to see Gibbs alone, or at least without them in the room since I wasn't sure if he really remembered me."

"But he asked for you," Jenny said, repeating what he had said earlier.

"He asked for his son," Tim confirmed, "but he never referred to me by name. Ducky told me that dad thought it was 1991 and since we didn't know each other then…" he trailed off.

"I see," Jenny nodded.

"We-things got a little emotional. I didn't know they were right outside the door, though I probably should have," he admitted, upset with himself about that. "I was so focused on dad that I wasn't really away of anything else. He…" Tim hesitated and met her eyes. "You said you read his file? His complete file?"

"Yes," she said, her voice and eyes giving away the sorrow she felt as she remembered what else it contained.

"So, you know about his daughter and his first wife," he half-asked, half-stated. At her nod, he continued, "He asked about them. I was so …I had to get him to remember what happened. I called him dad. I believe they overheard that, as well as him calling me son."

Jenny closed her eyes, not just at the image of Tim telling his father about the deaths of his wife and daughter, but at the team finding out about the relationship that way. "So, they know."

"They definitely know," Tim agreed. "I didn't see or talk to them again before they left the hospital, well, except Ducky who made sure I would be okay if he returned back to work with them," Tim explained. "I didn't even know they knew then. It wasn't until after dad fell back asleep that I found out they knew. I was checking my e-mail and saw that I received some from Tony and Abby. They were asking me questions about my hospitalization from a few months ago and Gibbs-"

Jenny held up a hand to stop him. "What does you being in the hospital have to do with this?"

"Apparently, that day Gibbs told the doctor he was my father. The team just thought he did it so that he could see me and hear what the doctor had to say about my condition without waiting for my family to be there or for confirmation that Ducky was my physician. Now, well, they learned otherwise."

"And are upset about it," she observed, picking up on his tone. "Is that why the bullpen is so quiet?"

"We…exchanged some words regarding the topic," Tim replied, trying to be diplomatic about the situation. "The good news is that we agreed to work together to finish the case. They will wait until the case is solved before cornering me for details," Tim wryly added.

She nodded; grateful they came to an agreement which kept the team functioning. "And the case? Anything new?"

"I…you should discuss that with Tony."

"So, there is something," Jenny noted, leaning back in her chair and staring at Tim.

"Abby, what did you do?"

"Ziva!" Abby cried as she spun around. "Don't do that. You scared me."

"I sincerely doubt that," Ziva disagreed. "Nothing scares you."

"Not a lot," Abby shrugged in agreement. "Let's just say you startled me then," she offered, ginning. "Now, what brings you down here? Do you guys have something you want me to check?"

"I want to know what you did," she repeated.

Abby just looked at her, "About what?"

"McGee."

Abby frowned, "Nothing. I haven't seen him since I left you guys upstairs right after he returned from the hospital. Did something happen? Did he say something?"

"He has not said anything about you. The Director just called him into her office."

"Then why are you here asking me? I didn't do anything."

Ziva gave her a searching look, "You did not tell the Director what we learned at the hospital?"

"I haven't told anyone about Timmy and Gibbs," Abby denied.

"No one?" Ziva doubtfully questioned. "You did not say anything?"

"Well…"

Ziva's eyes narrowed, "Who?" she demanded to know.

"Bert."

"Bert?" Ziva repeated, trying to place the familiar name. "Your stuffed toy?"

"He's a hippo, and he's not a toy," Abby protested. "He's my confidant. He never shares my secrets."

"That is because he is a toy," Ziva repeated.

Abby glared at the younger woman.

"Why did you tell a stuffed toy, your hippo, Bert," she said when Abby continued to glare, "About McGee and Gibbs?"

She shrugged, "I needed a sounding board."

"A what?"

"I was confused and mad and upset and hurt. I needed someone to talk to. Normally I would talk to Gibbs or McGee, but Gibbs is in the hospital and McGee is the problem, so obviously I couldn't go to them."

Ziva raised her eyebrow at her comment regarding Tim. She wondered when Abby would realize that Gibbs was just as involved as McGee in this situation and how it would change the Goth's attitude.

"Naturally, that left Bert."

"You could have talked with me," Ziva offered. "Or Tony."

Abby snorted.

"What? I would have listened to you."

"You, maybe," she conceded. "But Tony and I probably would've gotten each other more riled up. Neither one of us was taking this information well. But I needed someone who wasn't really affected by this information, which meant no one connected to the team. That is why I didn't try to talk with Ducky either," she explained.

Ziva nodded. While she was not one to discuss things with toys, she could see that it appeared to have helped Abby. The scientist was definitely calmer and in a better frame of mind than she was earlier. "Well, you see better," she stated, "So it appeared to have helped.'

Abby nodded. "I am," she agreed. "Bert was a big help."

Unsure how to react to that statement, Ziva simply nodded before turning to return to the bullpen.

"Well?" Abby asked, causing Ziva to pause and turn around.

"Well what?"

"Aren't you going to ask what Bert had to say about the situation?"

"I would assume not much," Ziva replied, refraining from mentioning that as a toy, Bert couldn't talk or have an opinion on this matter.

Abby huffed and glared at Ziva.

With a sigh and a roll of her eyes, Ziva dutifully asked, "What did Bert have to say?"

"That I should get all the data before I threaten to kill McGee and leave no forensic evidence," Abby informed her coworker. "He pointed out that even the director didn't seem to know, though Ducky might have. Another reason why I didn't choose to talk to him. He-"

"Abby," Ziva called, trying to get her back on track.

Abby nodded, "Right. McGee could've had a valid reason not to tell us or anyone. Or it could be that it was a very recent discovery and he hadn't had the time to tell me or any of us yet." Abby paused and tilted her head to the side. "He, Bert, actually sounded a bit like Gibbs," Abby mused. "But more verbose," she added.

Ziva's eyebrows rose at that last comment. A stuffed toy was considered to be more talkative than their boss, somehow, she didn't think Gibbs would be upset by that last part.

"I am glad that conversation helped you," she tactfully replied, again trying not to focus on the fact that the good advice came from a stuffed toy.

"Thanks," Abby replied, smiling at her, before turning away to return to her work. "Anyway, I didn't tell the director. I had no need to. After all, because of the conversation in the bullpen earlier, everyone pretty much knows what happened. It is only a matter of time before someone tells Jenny, either directly or indirectly."

Ziva's eyes narrowed. Based on those words, as well as what she said earlier, it was clear to her that Abby was still upset with McGee over this situation. "You know," she began, peering at Abby out of the corner of her eye, "Timothy was not the only one who was keeping it hidden and did not tell anyone. Who do you think is more likely to follow the other's lead in this or any situation? Somehow I doubt it was solely Timothy's idea to not tell anyone." She smiled and turned away as she noticed Abby stiffen at her words.

"There is also the fact that if you kill or threaten to kill his son, how would Gibbs, his father, respond when he learns of that?" She added as she exited the lab, leaving Abby staring after her, her mouth hung open as she processed those words.

"Timothy?" Ducky asked, seeing the young man in autopsy. "Everything okay?"

Tim shrugged. He had left the director's office and instinctively refused to return to the the bullpen. He had wanted time to process everything the director said and didn't say. He had always felt like she hadn't liked him and now he couldn't help wonder if that dislike would increase due to the revelation of his father. He couldn't decide if her comment about being unable and unwilling to keep this information a secret had been a threat. Of course, there was also the issue of his relationship with the team. If they couldn't work together after he satisfied their curiosity about his relationship with Gibbs, the easiest thing for the director to do was to remove him from the team.

"I can see that they are not," Ducky said in response to his own question. "Join me for tea and tell me what is going on," he invited, as he lead Timothy to a chair next to his desk.

"What isn't?" Tim snorted. "My father was caught in an explosion; woke up believing he was fifteen years in the past; my teammates don't think we're friends because I didn't tell them about my relationship with him. They have barely acknowledged my existence since they learned Gibbs is my father, forget about talking to me unless it is case-related and they have to. The Director called me into her office asking why she wasn't previously informed about the familial relationship. Who knows what she's going to do now that she knows the truth. Oh, yeah, the one thing she did say was that she wouldn't hide it like her predecessor."

"Tom Morrow knew? It-" Ducky asked in surprised before catching himself. Like at the hospital, this was not the time for questions, to seek answers. This time should be used to help the young man in front of him.

Luckily, Tim didn't appear to hear his words. "My world is disintegrating. My family, my job, my friends. Everything is falling apart," Tim said, his voice trailing off.

"That is a lot," he sympathized. "I have to admit that I am surprised that Anthony is not talking to you. I expected him to be bursting with questions."

"Bursting with anger is more like it," Tim snorted. "Or at least some kind of attitude," he corrected, explaining the scene that occurred in the bullpen before the ME walked in. "And yeah, they do have questions, but agreed to wait until the case is resolved before asking them. But I didn't expect that to mean that they wouldn't talk to me at all. I'm sure you've had tons of questions," he said, looking Ducky in the eye, "But you put them aside to help and support me. Why couldn't they do the same?"

"I wish they had, my dear boy, I truly wish they had," Ducky commiserated.

"Maybe it will help if we break things down," he suggested. "Jethro, your father," he smiled as he said those words for the first time, "He is expected to make a full-recovery, all he needs is a bit of time. He remembered you. Quite a bit about you, actually, from what I heard," Ducky commented, giving Tim another smile as he remembered Jethro's list about his son. "That is very impressive, especially since you admitted the relationship didn't exist in 1991. I wouldn't be surprised if he remembered something new every hour," Ducky encouragingly added.

Tim smiled, "Actually, when I left the hospital, he remembered Mike and his retirement in 1996. Most things that happened in between as well."

"Mike Franks?" Ducky questioned in surprise. "That's a name I hadn't heard in a while."

"I called him about the explosion. He arrived at the hospital a bit after you guys left. Dad also remembered conversations between the three of us that occurred in the last few years."

"See!" Ducky cheerfully exclaimed. "His memory is already returning, it'll just take some time. Yes, most of it seems to be focused on you, but it proves that the memories are there."

"Yeah," Tim smiled briefly. "He even remembered something about the case," Tim admitted.

"That is good news," Ducky agreed. "But back to what is going on with you," Ducky redirected their conversation. "You're family is not disintegrating," he argued. "It will come out of this intact and stronger than before.

"As for your teammates and friends, and I do believe they are both," Ducky firmly stated. "Give them time. No one is perfect. This information was shocking to all of us. This is a knee-jerk reaction. Once they calm down, I am sure the team will be accepting."

Tim shook his head, "You didn't see or hear them earlier."

"No, I did not," Ducky agreed. "But while I was there, yes, things were a bit cooler than normal, but you all worked well together, that is something." At Tim's skeptical look, Ducky continued, "Let's talk about your teammates and coworkers directly involved.

"Ziva is new to the team. She's been with you guys for less than a year. She knew a lot about the team before she was appointed as liaison by the Director. I am sure she is probably wondering why she hadn't suspected anything earlier. She had been trained to pick up subtleties. No doubt she is more upset with herself than with you and Jethro. I am sure she understands the need to keep your professional life separated from your private life.

"I must say, it is amazing how well you and Jethro kept this hidden. No one even had an inkling of a familial relationship between the two of you," Ducky admitted.

"Back to Ziva, it will take her time to come to grips with this new reality, though I strongly suspect her main hurdle will be with herself and not actually the relationship.

"Anthony has not had a close relationship with his father since he was a child and his mother passed away. He has looked at Gibbs as more than a mentor these last few years. His willingness to stay in one place, let alone the same job these last few years attest to that," he added in explanation.

"Most of his anger or attitude could probably be attributed to how he learned about the relationship and not directly due to the relationship itself," Ducky added, peering at Tim.

Tim snorted in disagreement.

"Anthony has many faults, but he does care," Ducky stated. "He is hurt that he wasn't privy to not just what was happening in your life, but that of his boss, someone he saw as a surrogate father."

"Can he really get past it?" Tim asked. "I mean, he has known Gibbs longer, yet I'm the one he calls son. You saw him when it was revealed that I was listed as next of kin, this…" he trailed off.

Ducky gave a sad smile, "It will take work," he admitted. "But it can be overcome if the effort is made. Anthony will have to realize that the relationship has existed for a while, yet hadn't noticed any change in his relationship with Jethro. Once he realizes that, once he knows the status of your relationship with Jethro has no impact on his relationship, things will be better."

Tim nodded, hoping the older man was right.

"Abigail," Ducky sighed. "Abigail will be much harder to deal with."

"She always is," Tim readily agreed.

Ducky inclined his head in silent acknowledgement of his words. "Out of everyone, she had the most open relationship with Jethro. It should come as no surprise to anyone that she was thought of as his favorite. Add to that, the previous, personal relationship between the two of you, well, I have no doubt that she is hurt and upset, perhaps even feeling betrayed on multiple levels."

Tim groaned, if this was supposed to be helping, it wasn't.

"As close as the two were, it is nothing compared to what we witnessed at the hospital," Ducky quietly stated. "Abigail loves drama. That is obvious to anyone who has ever witnessed her presenting her findings regarding evidence. I am not saying that she doesn't care for Jehtro, or any of you, she does, but she is also extremely theatrical in that caring. No one would've been surprised if she called Jethro 'dad'. It would've been attributed to Abigail just being Abigail. Likewise, if Anthony had referred to Jethro as 'Dad', most would've thought of it as a joke or prank. Very few would have believed that the relationship had actually evolved to that level.

"You however," Ducky continued. "You and your father were genuine. Your tones and expressions conveyed so much more than your words ever could. It is why no one doubted what they overheard. There was no denying it, even as shocking as it was to them. As much as either of them might have liked their relationship to be that way, it never developed into that. You broke down his barriers. He let you completely into his life and you let him into yours.

"That is what Abigail is going to have trouble with, recognizing that her relationship with Jethro is what she made it to be. She never fully let him in; she hid her true self and feelings behind the drama. Because of that, he never barred himself to her.

"Anthony had a similar defense mechanism, but with the jokes and prank, the two are much more alike than they think," Ducky added.

"So, how do we get past it?"

Ducky sighed, "That is the hard part. There is nothing you can do." He paused, "Let me rephrase that. All you can do is explain what happened, how the two of you came to be or think of one another as father and son, and why it was never mentioned."

Tim grimaced, somehow, he had a feeling that telling them all the details of how the relationship came to be might make things worse.

Not noticing his companion's reaction, Ducky continued, "Abigail, Tony, Ziva, and everyone else will just have to accept what is. Hopefully they will realize what is at risk if they don't change their attitude," Ducky added. He couldn't help but believe that it was not just the friendship with Timothy that was in jeopardy because of their attitudes, but also their relationship with Jethro and his respect. He couldn't imagine his old friend tolerating someone treating his son so unjustly. Ducky also believed that if they worked things out, a closer relationship with the team leader could also develop. However, he decided to refrain from mentioning those beliefs.

"In regard to your job," Ducky began only to be interrupted by the ringing of a phone. Knowing that it wasn't his, he looked inquiringly at the young man before him.

"I purloined one of Gibbs's back-ups until I can get my phone working or replaced," he explained, as he pulled out the phone and answered it. A few minutes later he hung up. "Speaking of my job, I have to get back to it," he said, moving to exit autopsy. "The director wants the team in MTAC to help explain what's at risk."

9-12-2020