Standard disclaimer applies; Not beta'd

Science doesn't lie, Chapter 8, Walks and Talks

Gibbs shook his head as he left the Director's office. Why was everyone so concerned about the fact that he was related to those kids? No doubt there were many people at NCIS who shared a common ancestor somewhere in their family, something akin to the six degrees of separation theory. He snorted softly to himself since 'everyone' actually only included Vance and Abby, then again, that did comprise of half the people who knew the details of the DNA test.

It had actually been one of his better meetings with Vance. There were a few moments when the two men were at odds, but they were able to come to an agreement, in other words, Gibbs was eventually able to convince Vance that he could handle his team-Tony, Ziva, and Tim.

The beginning was challenging. Going into the meeting, Gibbs wasn't sure how to explain what was going on, but it turned out that he only had to fill in the blanks. When he entered the office, Vance was livid and confused. Apparently, he had heard rumors en-route to his office, and after reassuring Gibbs that he didn't believe them, had actually referred to them as 'hogwash', he did want to know how they developed.

After he had finished explaining the origin of the rumors in full detail, Gibbs had physically blocked the door to prevent Vance from confronting everyone and keel-hauling Abby for creating this situation. At first, Vance had looked at him in disgust believing that he was so intent on protecting Abby that he would sacrifice a member of his team. Even now Gibbs growled as he remembered how insulted he had felt at that accusation. He had angrily retorted that it was Tim and his privacy that he was trying to protect. Reluctantly, Vance nodded his agreement and returned to his seat. He admitted that Tim was a private person and often seemed uncomfortable being in the limelight, especially if it had a negative glow. The two men were then able to rationally discuss how to proceed. Vance was insistent that they find the connection between Gibbs, Shane, and Kiva; something that Gibbs still did not understand, but in this instance decided to keep his thoughts to himself and concede to the director.

Other than mentioning the fact that he was going to meet with legal regarding Abby's actions in this debacle and that he was going to change things in the lab to ensure that nothing like this happened again, the Director didn't speak about how Abby would be reprimanded, but then again, nor had Gibbs asked. He had enough to deal with regarding his own team. He grimaced before entering the bullpen and telling his team what had been decided.

Gibbs watched as his agents cleared their desk, passing their notes and the case file to another team. He hated to do it, but felt he had no choice, no one's focus was where it should've been, even his own. He was worried that he was losing his team, his family.

When he had called them out on being away from their desk and not working hard, he knew he had crossed the line. He had left his desk more today than usual. Unfortunately, it wasn't due to the case his team had been investigating, or even coffee runs, but rather, due to Abby's earlier antics. It seemed like every time he returned to his desk, his team had been talking more about what was said regarding McGee and his children rather than the case. He owed it to the victim and his family to have the best team working the case. Today, that wasn't this team, the MCRT, his team. There had always been some rivalry within his team, but it had an overture of friendliness and seemed to make them work harder. Today, that feeling was gone. In fact, it seemed like any positive feelings within the team had disappeared replaced with anger, resentment, distrust, With a growl, he left to get some coffee, trying hard not to think about the road his team was heading down.

Ziva sat at her desk, scowling at the cold case file in front of her. Just because they hadn't come up with anything yet, that was no reason to yank the case from them. After all, not even Abby had found anything yet. Sometimes these things took time, Gibbs should know that.

Tim closed his eyes and took a deep breath, his head bowed over his desk. Cold cases, he thought. He had really hoped that the distraction of a hot case would keep Tony off of his back, now nothing would be able to distract the SFA. On the plus side, at least he would be able to leave at a decent time and make it home to be with his children.

Tony grinned as his gaze flitted between his teammates. The only good thing about cold cases is that it would give him more time to investigate what was going on with Gibbs and McGee. The only question was where to begin.

Ziva looked up, she could have sworn she heard Tony cackle. "What was-," she began only to fall silent when Tony avoided her gaze and looked down at the file on his desk. Hmm, yes, Ziva realized, he was definitely up to something.

"Tim," Ziva began asking the first thing that came to mind. "Why did you not share the news of your children with us?"

"It never came up," Tim replied, keeping his eyes focused on the papers in front of him.

"Bull," Tony snapped. "That's just an excuse and you know it."

"Perhaps," Tim shrugged. "But it didn't affect our relationship so why should I have told you?"

"We're your team."

"I thought you trusted us."

His two teammates replied simultaneously, staring at him, waiting for a response.

"In the field, to have my back, yes, of course," he answered, the unspoken words lingering between the trio.

"Why not off the field?" one of them bravely asked.

Tim sighed before first looking at the older man, "Because, Tony, you take every opportunity to mock, ridicule, and torment me. Whether it is regarding my professional life as an agent or as an author. You also attack my personal and private life every time you learn something new. Is it any wonder I try to keep things hidden and separate from all of you?"

"I woul-"

"Tony, you did it earlier today after I showed you pictures of my kids," Tim interrupted him, knowing what he was going to say.

"I was joking," he protested.

"You're always joking," Tim retorted bitterly.

"And me?" Ziva asked quietly.

Tim looked at her for a moment before answering honestly, "While you do not initiate most situations, neither do you try to rein Tony in. In fact, you often seem to encourage him by actively participating or finding amusement in his bullying."

"Hey, now, that's uncalled for," Tony protested.

"What? Calling it bullying? Tony, you have to realize that a lot of what you do to me is just that."

"You never said anything."

"Really, Tony? Never?" Tim questioned shaking his head. "Every time I have spoken up in the past, things have only gotten worse. You not only kept up on the original subject but mocked my protests as well. I soon realized that it was easier and best to let you have your fun and run its course without bringing additional attention to it."

Tim's words had the other two staring at him in shock, a fact Tim was quick to take advantage of by escaping, after all, without a case to work on, he now had the time to take a little break, perhaps grab some lunch and allow himself to regroup and get some peace into his life for a moment.

"Hey, Tim," Jimmy greeted when he noticed the young field agent sitting on the stairs, an unopened lunch container next to him. "Congratulations on being a father," he awkwardly added. Though he didn't believe the rumors about who the other parent was, he was pretty confident that this part of the rumors were true.

"Are you okay?" He asked when Tim didn't respond in any way, not even acknowledging him. "It doesn't look like you've eaten anything. Are you sick?"

"Just thinking," Tim replied. He had attempted to eat in the breakroom, but between the silence that dominated the room the minute he entered, the covert glances, as well as the stares and glares, his appetite had disappeared.

"About what?" Jimmy innocently asked only to receive a look from Tim in return. "Oh," an embarrassed Jimmy replied, "right, that."

Tim just snorted and looked away.

"Anything I can help with?" Jimmy offered.

Remembering Gibbs's words not to say anything about the situation, Tim gave him a slight smile as he automatically replied, "No, but thanks for asking."

Jimmy frowned, if anyone looked like they needed help or even a friend to talk to, it was the man in front of him. "If you think of anything or even just want an ear..."

Tim started to nod dismissively before mumbling "screw him," under his breath.

"Actually," Tim reconsidered, looking up at Jimmy, "take a seat, I could use someone to talk to."

Jimmy did so, "How can I help?"

"First, what have you heard about what happened this morning in the bullpen with Abby?"

"I...well," he hesitated.

"It's okay," Tim tried to reassure him, "I promise not to shoot the messenger."

"Uh, that she told everyone that you were a father," the autopsy assistant replied, continuing when Tim nodded. "Uh, did your team really not know?" he asked incredulously. "I mean, I can understand me not knowing, I'm just the autopsy gremlin, not apart of the team and haven't known you guys as long, or-"

"Hey!" Tim interrupted. "It wasn't anything against you, I just wanted to…" Tim shook his head as he wondered how he ever thought he could keep it private, in fact, he was surprised that no one had found out earlier. "It was a difficult situation," he finally said, "And truthfully, coming to work, having some time without anyone asking me when or if I was going to marry Kelsey, or about the health of the kids, well, I think that's what kept me sane, what helped me get through this," that and Gibbs, Tim silently added.

Jimmy nodded, "I get it," and he did. Sometimes the pressure from other people were overwhelming, and if one of those people were Tony, Jimmy shook his head and finished answering Tim's earlier question. "I heard you were also really upset with Abby for outing you...well, not that you shouldn't be, or that she really did out you, just..."

"I know what you meant. And I was pissed, still am. Not just for everything that Abby did but because of what is going to change because of that."

Jimmy frowned, "What's going to change?" He still found it hard to believe that so many of their coworkers were believing those rumors, but surely it was just a moment of idiocy on their part.

"I lost one of my closest friends, might soon lose my job, th-"

"What!? They can't fire you because of that," Jimmy protested, "Especially since it isn't true."

Tim looked at him, his eyes expressing his gratefulness for his words. Still, that didn't change the facts. "We all know who Gibbs favors, if I can't work with her, or rather, if she can't work with me, who do you think will be transferred or let go? He already asked me if I would be able to work with her," Tim added.

Jimmy paled. "But...but you guys are like family. And she's the one who's proven herself untrustworthy."

"You don't know the half of it," Tim muttered thinking about the stolen DNA before giving a shrug. "Not the first time someone's been disowned from their family. And Abby is more like family to him than anyone else," Tim added. "Now if this was Tony having an issue with Abby, it might be different, he's almost as much of a son to Gibbs as Abby is a daughter."

"Yeah. I...oh," an embarrassed Palmer paled, realizing that he had just agreed with Tim that the other man seemingly wasn't as valued.

"It's okay," Tim gave a sad smiled, "I know I'm more like the stepchild or distant cousin of the family, even if I thought things were changing."

"Why? How were they changing? And how does what Abby said change that?" Jimmy asked curiously. "Er, you don't have to answer that, I know it's none of my business," he added.

Tim shook his head, "No, I want to talk about it, and it's my life and my kids, so I don't care what he says," he replied defiantly before talking about how Gibbs has been supporting and helping him these last few months.

"So that's what you meant by things changing," Jimmy stated after his shock wore off. "He's almost been like a parent to you lately, definitely more supportive than usual."

Tim nodded. "Without me even asking for help, he's been there. Helped me move, recruiting Fornell and his daughter to help. Made me a rocking chair," Tim shook his head. "And I haven't even heard from my father yet about his grandchildren."

"Not at all?" Jimmy asked in surprise.

Tim shook his head again.

"How…" Jimmy hesitated but continued when Tim gave him an encouraging nod, "But how does this involve what Abby said this morning? I mean, yeah, obviously Gibbs has spent more time with you, but it seemed to occur after hours, or while you were on leave, so how did Abby know Gibbs had been helping you so much?"

Tim frowned as he thought about that. He was so caught up on what he knew she had done, that he didn't even think about what else had occurred. His mouth open and shut as an angry expression overcome his face. "That's a good question," Tim acknowledged, suspecting the answer, making that one more mark against Abby.

"And why did she think your kids were also his kids? It can't just be because he's been helping you out," Jimmy commented.

Tim snorted, before explaining what Abby did with his kid's DNA and results of the unauthorized test she ran.

After Tim finished sharing, all Jimmy could do was stare at him and utter "Wow!"

Tim shifted, feeling uncomfortable as Jimmy continued to stare at him without speaking. Maybe he picked the wrong person to share this with again?

"So, because Agent Gibbs came up as a match, Abby thought your kids were his kids as well?" He asked incredulously. "That's..."

"Yeah," Tim agreed.

Jimmy shook his head before continuing, "That's not even the least likeliest possibility," he stated. "We are a long way off from accomplishing that."

Tim shrugged, not saying a word.

"So, you and Gibbs are related," Jimmy mused. "Yeah, I can definitely see how that would change things."

Tim shook his head, "No, my kids and Gibbs are related," he corrected.

Jimmy frowned, "Isn't that almost the same thing? I mean, yeah, the blood relation between you and Gibbs might not be there, but if your kids are family, wouldn't that include you by extension?"

"Why?" Tim asked. "I've been part of his team for years and haven't really been family, so why should the fact that he and my kids are related change that?"

"It just will, it has to," Jimmy naively argued.

"Gibbs already has a family," Tim explained. "Maybe not one of blood, but he has one. And he doesn't seem all that interested or concerned about finding out more about this connection."

"Oh."

"Which I guess could be a good thing," he mused out loud.

"Er, how?" A puzzled Jimmy asked.

Tim shrugged, "I mean, yeah, I wish he was interested in acting like family with the kids and me, but if we don't know, then we don't have to worry about the team being split up because of perceived nepotism."

That had Jimmy frowning again, "You're not going to find out?"

Tim sighed, "I am curious," he admitted. "And I do want to know if the results are real, that it wasn't a contaminated sample or a fluke or something."

Jimmy nodded but didn't say a word.

"I just don't get why he doesn't care," Tim angrily shared. "I mean, Abby," Tim grimaced, "I don't know if I can ever forgive and forget this, but she was right about the fact that Gibbs has family, a sibling, an aunt, or an uncle-"

"Or a child," Jimmy injected.

"That he doesn't know about," Tim concluded before Jimmy's words were processed in his brain. "A child?" he repeated vacantly. "Well, yeah, I suppose, but…" his voice trailed off as he thought about what that could mean.

For once, Jimmy knew not to say anything, but sat beside Tim in silent support as he thought things through.

"Thanks," Tim said a few minutes later breaking the silence between them.

"Well, I better get back before Dr. Mallard gets worried…or worse, upset," Jimmy added with a grin as he stood up.

Tim returned his grin and also stood. "Thanks for listening. I mean it," he added when his companion shrugged off his words.

"No problem," another grin flashed across the doctor's face as they started walking. "You know, I still can't believe you hadn't heard from your father," he added right before the two separated.

Tim shook his head, he actually wasn't that surprised by his father's actions, or rather lack of. Disappointed, sure, but not surprised? Not really. "Even if he was out at sea, he would've gotten my message by now, especially since he makes it a point to talk to Sarah fairly often. He's probably waiting till he gets to shore so he can yell at me about being a disappointment without risking being interrupted."

"Yell?"

Tim shrugged, "He's a bit old-fashioned, since I mentioned kids but not a wife," Tim left the sentence hang before shaking his head. "Sometimes I wonder how we can be related," he laughed.

Jimmy snorted, "I get you; me, my dad, and my brother seem to be nothing alike or have anything in common."

"Yeah," Tim agreed. "Well, I better get back to work," he added. "Thanks for lending me your ear."

"Not sure how much help I was," he admitted, "But it was no problem," Jimmy reassured him.

12-30-19

Figured I needed to work on my narrative skills, so just recapped the convo with the Director. Yes, it would've been awesome to have him storm out of his office and yell at everyone, but it wouldn't have fit in the story. Plus I like how wrong Gibbs can be sometimes. I love him/his character, but he definitely isn't always right.

So, we finally get a glimpse of Jimmy. I love how awkward he can be at times. I don't get why Jimmy and Tim aren't closer friends...

Hope you all enjoyed it, would love it if you reviewed it and gave me your thoughts

Thanks for those who have patiently waited for updates. A lot going on this holiday season. Besides the fact that I work in retail and have worked crazy hours (First day off other than Christmas Day in two weeks) , I've been fighting various illnesses (Probably because I've worked so much and gotten run down), preparing to move, sell my grandmother's house, and general holiday activities.