Not Beta'd; standard disclaimer applies.

The Investigation begins (S4)

"Well, whatcha got?" Gibbs asked as he returned to the bullpen.

"We have developed a plan of attack," Ziva replied, before explaining what they came up.

Gibbs nodded and returned to his desk, "Let me know as soon as you get something."

"Boss?" Tony asked as the older man sat down.

"Got something, DiNozzo?"

"Just wondering if there is something you need to tell us," he asked looking at Ziva, making it clear who 'us' entailed.

"Yeah," Gibbs responded, causing Tony to grin in victory. "Get back to work and focus on the case," Gibbs stated firmly before ending the conversation by leaving the bullpen once again, something Tim wished he could do as well since he suspected Tony would now turn to him for answers.

"Really, Tony?" An exasperated Ziva said, glaring at him, Tim also shooting him looks.

Tony shrugged, "He definitely wouldn't tell us if we didn't ask."

"He did not tell us either way," she snapped.

"No," Tony agreed before turning to McGee, "But Timmy will, won't you?" he added, glaring at the younger man.

"No," Tim replied, answering both Tony's asked and unasked question.

"What's going on?" Tony asked, ignoring Tim's response. "Why does Abby think you and…you two are together? What does Abby have as proof? Why won't either of you even talk about it?"

As he was talking, Gibbs came up behind him and gave him a head slap. "Because we have a case to solve, now get back to work," he growled the order. "And I will not be reminding you again," he warned.

Catching Tim's eyes, Gibbs nodded towards the hallway before heading in that direction. A few minutes later, Tim grabbed his coffee cup and also left, thankfully not followed by his other teammates.

"McGee? You okay?" Gibbs asked once he was sure they were alone.

Tim nodded, "Yeah, sure, fine," he replied.

"McGee," Gibbs frowned when his young agent didn't respond. "Tim," he said softly, lightly touching his shoulder. "Talk to me."

Tim shook his head. "I…You…I can't," he finally got out.

Gibbs paused, Tim rarely stuttered or stumbled over his words around him in a long time, and never in the last few months. "Hey, I thought we were passed that."

Tim looked at him sadly before frowning, "Me, too."

"What's going on?"

Tim shot him a look that spoke volumes. A look that clearly indicated that clearly said 'Really? You seriously just asked me that?'

Gibbs rolled his eyes, "Not the situation, you."

Tim shook his head, not willing to speak.

Gibbs moved so he could look Tim in the eyes, "What did you mean by that?"

"This is about me," Tim finally stated. "About my kids and what Abby did to us. Why do you get to decide whether or not we get to talk about it?" he asked.

Gibbs frowned, "I thought it was for the best. Denying a rumor often has the opposite effect. Like lady doth protest too much," he added.

Tim frowned, "But that wasn't a-, right," Tim cut himself off when the older man gave him a look.

"It's best to let it die a natural death. If we don't give it any attention, neither will anyone else." Gibbs explained. He had never paid any attention to scuttlebutt and he didn't see a reason to start doing so now. Especially since this building was filled with people he has known and worked with for years. These people knew him, the majority of them even knew about Rule 12, they would know he wouldn't flaunt breaking it in such an obvious way.

Plus, they know that neither he nor McGee were gay. Yeah, no doubt they believed it for a microsecond when Abby shared her theory, but given a bit of time to think about it, logic would prevail and they would realize that it wasn't true.

Tim snorted as he pointedly looked towards the bullpen.

"Ignore him," Gibbs suggested. "Nothing he says or does changes what is true. Usually he only teases you because he's bored and he finds your reactions amusing, not because he actually believes what he is saying. Don't react and he won't tease," Gibbs suggested. "Besides, we should be too busy working this case for him to worry about this."

Tim nodded, that was true. He couldn't imagine his teammates ignoring a case to pay tribute to Abby's absurd accusation.

"Plus," Gibbs stopped.

"What?" Tim asked, curious about what the older man was going to say. He had never known Gibbs to hesitate like that before.

"I know how you like to keep things private," he admitted softly, continuing when Tim just looked at him. "Abby shouldn't have said or done what she did,"

"Would've been nice if you told her that," Tim retorted before he could stop himself.

"I will," he promised. "But you know Abby, you correct her in front of others and she shuts down, not willing to hear it or back down. And if she does, she'll find some way to make things ten times worse."

Tim's mouth opened in surprise. "I…I…I didn't think you knew that about her," he finally got out.

Gibbs shrugged, "After years of working together, I know the good and bad, pros and cons about all of you. Just because I care for her doesn't mean I don't see her faults," he admitted.

"Yeah," Tim nodded. He definitely understood that one. He had often overlooked Abby's faults as well, giving in to her even if it meant getting in trouble or at least finding himself in a difficult situation.

"I knew you were upset because everyone knew about Kiva and Shane before you wanted them to. I figured the last thing you needed was them talking about how I might be related to them." Gibbs paused for a moment and shook his head, "I can only imagine some of the theories they might come up with."

Tim snorted, "It can't be any crazier than Abby's."

Gibbs looked at Tim, "Really? 'Cuz I'm thinking someone will mention cloning or alien abduction."

"Kinda wish Abby had," Tim muttered before nodding and thinking about other ways people would try to explain this. "Wormholes, time travel, and superfecundation are possibilities as well" he added drolly. "I can definitely see those and more making it on the list." Maybe keeping it quiet was for the best, Tim thought, deciding he would just ask like it was another day at work.

Gibbs also nodded, deciding he didn't really want to know how each of those might pertain to him being related to McGee's kids, or even what that last one was.

"I figured I would do what I could to make sure your private life remains just that-private."

Tim appreciated the sentiment but still couldn't help but wonder how private it would remain with Tony around.

"Do you think it's true?" Tony asked Ziva once the other two men were out of earshot.

"Do not tell me that you believe Abby?" Ziva asked incredulously.

"I don't know what to believe," he admitted. "I wanted to dismiss it, but, well, the fact that Gibbs brought them into a conference room to discuss it," he shrugged. "Something is definitely going on and it has to be something, as in something big, if they aren't talking to us about it."

"Or maybe it is nothing and not worth our time," Ziva retorted.

Tony snorted, "Like you really believe that."

"Either way, it is not our business," Ziva reminded him.

"Everything that involves half of our team is our business, you know, majority rules," Tony slyly added.

Ziva frowned, "Half is not the majority, not to mention that I am sure Gibbs would not agree with that sentiment."

Tony easily dismissed her words, "Do you think it's true?" he asked again.

Ziva thought about everything she had heard and observed. "I admit that something is going on," she reluctantly stated, "but I will not believe that what Abby said is the truth without proof."

Tony nodded, "I get that, but think about this: who knows both McGee and Gibbs the best? Why would Abby announce it in front of everyone if she hadn't been sure? If it's not true, it would be so easy to prove that she would only have ended up embarrassing herself, not to mention possibly alienating the two guys at NCIS that she has completely wrapped around her finger," Tony argued.

Ziva paused as she thought about his words. "Perhaps she said it to embarrass them?" she finally offered. "No doubt she has a plan of some kind in mind, I have never claimed to be an expert on how Abby thinks."

"Embarrass Gibbs?" Tony snorted. "Unlikely. Probie on the other hand…" Tony trailed off, grinning. "It would be suicidal to involve Gibbs in a scheme to punish McGee if she didn't think it was true."

Ziva shrugged, "As you said, she pretty much has them wrapped around her finger. Perhaps she thought it would be easy to get Gibbs to forgive her."

Tony nodded, "Rule 18," he muttered before speaking again. "We need more information," he decided.

Ziva looked hesitant, "What are you going to do?"

Catching movement out of the corner of his eye, Tony replied, "I am going to do everything I can to find a lead and solve this case."

Ziva rolled her eyes, as she got back to work, suspecting who was approaching.

A half hour later, after trying to work on the case, Tony told the team that he needed to check on something. He left the bullpen and headed down to the forensic lab.

"Tony!" Abby cheerfully greeted when she saw who entered her lab. "What can I do for you?"

"Just needed some information," he replied. "I have some questions for you if you have a minute."

She grinned, "Always happy to help. Shoot."

"What you said about Gibbs and McGee..." Tony hesitated not wanting to say the actual words.

"Being together," Abby eagerly supplied, nodding her head.

"You didn't really mean that, did you? I mean, you were just setting Probie up for some joke, right? A way to get back at him for not mentioning his kids to you sooner? Of course, involving Gibbs like that takes a lot of guts, even for you," he added.

"Oh, I meant it," Abby informed the Senior Field Agent.

"Why?"

Abby shot him a look.

"No, seriously," Tony stared at her. "Why did you think they were together?"

She paused. She promised Gibbs she wouldn't talk about the DNA test she did or the results, of course, that still left plenty she could talk about. "Because it explained so much," she finally said.

"Like what?" Tony asked skeptically. In his opinion the only thing her theory did was convince him that Abby has had one too many Caf-Pows.

"Like why Gibbs always treated Tim differently," she began. "He never showed particular care or concern for him, in fact, he seemed to be tougher on him, more critical."

"So?"

Abby rolled her eyes, "Obviously Gibbs cared more for him, but being Gibbs, couldn't let it show, especially at work. Then there is the fact that he also never seemed to treat Timmy as a 'Gibblet', one of his kids. Which makes total sense if he thought of him as a lover, a partner."

Tony blanched, "I don't think that's true," he protested.

"What other reason would Gibbs have for being so distant to McGee?" Abby asked.

"Maybe because they have nothing in common? Because they are nothing alike?" Tony offered.

"They have the twins," Abby began before snapping her mouth shut.

Tony looked at her, he recognized that stance, she wouldn't talk for much longer. Only one thing left to figure out now. "What you said, about combining the DNA from two people, two men to create a baby, is that really viable?"

Abby nodded, "They've done it with mice a lot," she replied. "I haven't heard much about success with humans," she admitted, "But it's not something I'm interested in, so I haven't kept up with it. With Tim's science medical background and connections, I figured he would know who to go to to make it happen."

Tony nodded, last time he had broken into McGeek's apartment, there was a lot of scientific and medical journals around. He frowned, when was that again? A year ago? Could it be possible that McGee was doing research on this subject?

"Of course, it could also be that they used a harvested egg from a close female relative, and implanted that in a surrogate's body," she added. "That would also g-" she snapped her mouth shut. "I have work to do," she said, pushing him towards the door, "You'll have to leave now."

"You really believe Abby is correct?" Ziva asked incredulously. She had been sitting at her desk, working when she received a text from Tony asking her to meet him in the men's room. His place of meeting would normally be suspect, if she wasn't known for barging in there constantly. As soon as she entered, Tony had asked her what she thought about the relationship of their two teammates and how long she thought it had been going on, causing her to ask that question.

"Look, something is going on and Abby knows both of them really well. Even though it sounded crazy, like something out of Probie's comic books or SciFi books, I wasn't just going to dismiss it."

"So you said," she reminded him. "But what makes you so sure now when earlier you did not know what to believe?"

"Abby," he replied. "You heard what she said, Gibbs has a family, plus I just talked with her. Add to that the fact that Gibbs didn't tell us anything, didn't explain away the accusation. Hell, he wouldn't even let us in the meeting. He's hiding something, what else could it be but that?" he asked. "And I got confirmation that is possible, maybe not the most likely way for two men to have a baby that shares both of their DNA, but possible."

Ziva stepped back scrutinizing Tony, "You cannot seriously believe that they are in a relationship and didn't tell us."

Tony looked away, refusing to comment.

"What possible reason would they have to hide it?"

"You mean other than the fact that I teased Tim about being gay since he started here? The fact that both Gibbs and McGee like their privacy, especially when it comes to their dating and se-, personal life?" he asked.

"Yes, other than that," Ziva replied, her tone indicated that those are not real reasons. "And how can you believe it if you cannot even say it?" she smirked. "Gibbs's and McGee's sex life."

Ziva frowned as Tony shuddered. "If it is true, perhaps that is another reason to add to why they kept it quiet, you are a homophobe."

"I'm not," he denied, still tense.

"Then why do you shudder and tense at the mention of two men together?"

"Not two men," he corrected, before reluctantly admitting, "Just those two men."

"Gibbs and McGee?" she clarified with a smirk, enjoying Tony's discomfort. "Why?"

"Because it's Gibbs…

"And?" Ziva prodded. In the past Tiny had no problems speculating about their boss's romantic relations. A few times, he had even had the nerve to comment or ask Gibbs directly.

"And McGee," Tony replied as if that explained everything.

"So?"

Another shudder, "It's like finding out that your parents have sex," he finally answered.

"Well, obviously they had, or you wouldn't be here," Ziva retorted, her voice filled with amusement.

"In more than an abstract way," Tony added. "I mean, okay, fine, I'm sure both McGee and Gibbs have had sex before, but together?" he shuddered again. "I mean only Abby would like that idea."

Ziva paused, "I do not know, they would be rather hot together," she stated, smiling at Tony.

"Ziva, don't," Tony pleaded before looking around to make sure Gibbs didn't somehow appear to hear. He then returned to the original topic. "Plus, there's rule 12,"

"Rule 12?"

"Reasons why they didn't tell us," Tony reminded her. "One, it's hard to own up to breaking your own rules, and two, how can you enforce said rule when you aren't following it?"

Ziva nodded, "Yes, I can understand that," she agreed, thinking about the points that Tony had shared, as well as what they had overheard. It still did not mean that Abby was right, but the possibility was there.

"So, what do we do?"

Tony shrugged, "What can we do? They haven't officially told us anything, nor asked us how we feel about it."

Ziva nodded knowingly, as she figured out part of the reason why this was bothering Tony so much. "And how do you feel about it?"

"Other than nauseous at the image it presents?" Tony joked. "Hurt, betrayed," he admitted. "I don't necessarily care that they are together, but that they kept it a secret, even after it got serious…" his voice trailed off.

"The kids," Ziva nodded in understanding. "Obviously it would not be an accidental pregnancy," she commented.

Tony snorted before he nodded in agreement, "We just have to hope it doesn't break up the team, though I don't see how it couldn't, especially when Gibbs refuses to trust us with this information."

7-24-19

Okay, so I did have a guess reviewer basically say that they were done with this story because no one yelled at Abby...How often have we seen Gibbs actually take Abby to task over something? And Tim, he didn't, partly because he was still in shock that this had happened, but also because he knows that the middle of the bullpen at work isn't the place to do so. It would take something really extreme (or a bunch of things together) to get him to yell at someone at work. Of course, that doesn't mean that she's going to get away with everything either, just that it might take time.

Will the team break up over this?

What do you think about Gibbs's reasons for not talking about it? Should Tim follow that lead or tell someone the truth? and if so, who should he talk to?