Not beta'd; Standard disclaimer applies.

Next of Kin, Chapter 6: Complications

Once he returned to the Navy Yard, Ducky faced a dilemma. He knew that he should contact the director first, to let her know that Jethro had woken up. She should also be informed of his amnesia, not to mention the mystery of Jethro's son, but Ducky was reluctant to do so. No doubt she will share her displeasure over the fact that she hadn't been called while he was still at the hospital; still, even that wasn't enough of an incentive to stray from his current course. He wanted to talk with Timothy first, in private. While he had no doubt that the Director would have Agent McGee summoned to her office so that conversation could happen, with her present, Ducky was also sure that the rest of the team would quickly follow. That was not the best scene to get the answers he sought; Ducky realized.

In order to make his return from the hospital unknown, Ducky entered the building through autopsy so at to avoid security and the more frequently traveled lobby. Like the hospital, he had tried to call the young man, but all the attempts had the same result-the dreaded voicemail. He had also tried calling his desk phone, but that went unanswered as well. Ducky was grateful for that small blessing, since he knew Tony wouldn't hesitate to answer the phone if it rang in his presence. Of course, all of that meant there was only one option left, Ducky would have to physically search and locate Timothy. The hope that the young man would be waiting for him in autopsy died as soon as he entered the empty room. With a sigh, he logically started his search in the location closest to his, hoping to eliminate the unnecessary need of climbing up and down the stairs.

Hearing familar voices from Abby's lab, Ducky realized that he quickly found his target. He had hoped that Timothy would be alone when found, or at least at his desk where the older man could call him and quietly entice him away privately, here, however, that would not be an option. He decided to watch and wait, after all, Timothy would need to leave the lab and return to his desk at some point, he could corner the agent then, he thought.

Covertly watching him from the doorway of Abby's lab, Ducky could tell that Tim seemed to be barely holding it together. It wasn't anger or tiredness that drained him, but rather looked more like heartbreak and grief. Between that, and the fact that it didn't look like Tim would be leaving the lab anytime soon, Ducky decided not to wait, but to take a chance and make his presence known.

"Timothy, may I speak with you for a moment?" he called, stepping into view of the doorway.

At his voice, two heads turned. "Ducky!" Abby greeted, waving him into her lab. "You're here. Who is at the hospital? How is Gibbs? Is he awake? Is he here?" She asked, peeking behind him when he reluctantly took a single step forward.

"Jethro is awake, his recovery will take some time" The medical examiner informed them. "He is still at the hospital and in very good hands." Ducky didn't want to give any additional information until he had a chance to talk to Timothy and find out why he was listed as Jethro's next of Kin. If time permitted, he also hoped to get the answers to some of the many other questions he now had regarding him and Jethro.

"Good! I'll have to go visit," Abby stated joyfully, returning to her work, after all, the sooner it was done, the sooner she could leave to go to Bethesda and see her silver-haired fox.

Tim met the older man's gaze, and Ducky was shocked at the emotional turmoil in those eyes. "What aren't you telling us?" the younger man quietly asked. Something was wrong. His gut and the guarded look on Ducky's face was proof of that.

"Timmy," Abby chided, staring at her friend and coworker, "Ducky wouldn't hide things from us, especially not about Gibbs's health," her voice trailed off as she turned to Ducky, her eyes widening as she realized that her friend was right.

Ducky kept his gaze on Timothy. He thought about once more requesting that the younger man join him somewhere private, but knew that he would not be able to leave Abigail's lab without sharing some information with the scientist.

"There are complications," Ducky admitted, wishing that Timothy had voiced his concern in private.

"Oh, God," Tim mumbled, closing his eyes in the hopes that this was a dream, that the past 24 hours hadn't really happened. Before he could give voice to the obvious question of what kind of complications, Ducky spoke again.

"It appears that Jethro seems to have lost some of his memories," the doctor began.

"Some?" Tim asked in concern. If Ducky was worried enough to bring it up and refer to this as 'complications' he had a feeling the memory loss didn't just involve the case or recent events.

Abby, however, nodded in relief, "Retrograde amnesia, not too surprising due to the blast radius and his injuries. It is very common to forget the situation immediately surrounding the cause of such a head injury," she stated knowingly. "Oh! What if he had information on the case? What if that was why he was targeted? There might be more going on here than we suspect. We should mention that to Tony," she added, before making a note to do just that.

Both men ignored her words as Timothy just continued to stare at Ducky.

"His memories?" Tim prodded when Ducky remained silent.

Ducky inhaled deeply. Part of him now wished he had called the Director and shared the news with her so that either it would've given him the experience of telling someone else or so that she could break it to the rest of the team. With a sigh, Ducky realized that there was no easy way to share this news and that it would be best to just say it. "Jethro believes it is 1991 and he was injured in an explosion during Desert Storm."

Tim swayed, only the fact that he was holding onto the table prevented him from falling onto the floor, something Ducky was quick to note.

"He doesn't know us? Doesn't remember us?" Abby questioned mournfully.

Ducky shook his head, "No, unfortunately not," he confirmed before turning to the agent before him. "Now, Timothy, if I can see you for a moment," he repeated, waiting until Timothy moved before leading them both to autopsy. Abby tried to protest, wanting more information, but luckily, was unable to leave her lab and follow them out while in the midst of testing some evidence.

Ducky didn't waste any time in trying to get the answers he sought from Tim, since he was sure that Abigail would most likely contact the others to inform them of his return and possible of the news of Jethro's amnesia. Which meant that at any moment, someone, or all of them, could appear in his doorway.

"Now, Timothy," Ducky began. "I've had a very informative conversation with Jethro's doctor. Oh, do not worry," he said, even though his companion hadn't given any indication that he was doing so, or in fact that he even heard what had been said. "Jehtro is in good health, aside from the confusion. He had asked after a couple of people," Ducky admitted. "I am afraid that for once, I did not have anything to say, since I do not know who he was referring to. In fact, one of them, well," Ducky said, thinking about how Gibbs had asked about his son, "Well, to be honest, I did not even know he existed," he added, glancing at the man who was walking at his side. "I was hoping you might be able to tell me who they are. After all, since you are listed as Jethro's next of kin, and what a surprise that was," he stated, shooting another look at Tim to see how he reacted to that. "I cannot tell you the last time I was that surprised. I will have to think about it," he rambled. "Anyway, Jethro asked for a couple of people. A Shannon, a Kelly, and his son. No name for his son," Ducky mused out loud. "Which seems rather odd. Of course, in my mind, Jethro asking about a son at all was odd. Still, I was hoping you could enlighten me."

Ducky turned and looked at Tim again, this time for more than a passing glance. "Timothy?"

"Timothy?" he repeated when he hadn't received a response.

"Oh, dear," Ducky muttered, before sitting the younger man onto one of the autopsy tables and preparing a cup of tea for him. After all, in his opinion, there isn't much a cuppa can't fix.

It was several minutes later, after Ducky had wrapped Tim's hand around a warm cup of team that younger man returned to himself.

"Timothy?" Ducky repeated, noticing that his eyes were now more alert. "Are you all right?" He still wanted answers, but seeing the physical condition of the young agent, and how he responded to Ducky's earlier statements, he was now more concerned about Timothy.

"Ducky?" Tim asked, before registering the rest of the doctor's statement, "I'm fine. What's going on? What do you want to tell me that couldn't be said in front of Abby? You said Gibbs was fine; he is, right?" Tim looked down at the warm cup in his hands and frowned into it. With a shrug, he placed it down on the table next to him.

"Other than mixed up memories and a severe headache, yes. He is a bit confused since the last thing he remembered was being a Marine fighting in Dessert Storm, however he should make a full physical recovery," Ducky replied, continuing when Tim continued to just stare at him. "The doctors are hopeful that the memories will come back with time." Ducky reassured the young man, curious at the relief that was portrayed on his face.

"Then why…" Tim began only to pause, "If this is about the case, Tony is obviously taking point, you should talk with him."

"It's not about the case, this is about Jethro," Ducky said harshly, tired from the long day of worrying about his friend. "And his son."

"H-h-his son," Tim stammered in shock.

Ducky eyed the younger man, not sure if the surprise was due to Tim not knowing Jethro had a son or to the fact that Ducky knew about him.

"Yes. Jethro woke up and asked for Shannon and Kelly," Ducky watched as Tim simultaneously inhaled sharply, closed his eyes, and clutched his fingers around the autopsy table he sat on. "I told him I would find out where they were." Tim's eyes flew open in panic. "He then asked about his son."

Timothy jumped up from the table. "I…I need to go…see him...talk to the doctor…the director...see…go."

"Timothy," Ducky said, causing the young agent to freeze at his tone, before continuing his tale. "As far as I knew, and I've known Jethro for quite a while, he does not have any children. Before I left, I asked to be kept apprised of his condition, who he asked for, what he remembered. The doctor mentioned that he was still trying to contact the next of kin. I asked if I could help." Ducky stated, staring at McGee, who returned his gaze. "Imagine my surprise when he told me his next of kin was listed as Timothy J. G. McGee."

Tim nodded sharply. "Yeah. I need to get to the hospital," he said, heading towards the door. "I need to be with him," he muttered.

"Timothy," Ducky called again. This conversation definitely wasn't going how he thought it would. Apparently if he wanted answers, he would need to be direct. "Why are you listed as his next of kin? Who are Shannon and Kelly? What do you know about his son?"

Tim faltered. "I…I don't kno"

"Do not lie to me, Timothy," Ducky interrupted. "It is obvious from your reaction that you do know," he continued before repeating his earlier questions. "Why are you listed as his next of kin? Who are Shannon and Kelly? What do you know about his son?"

"I don't know if I can tell you," Tim said, finally saying what he had tried to say earlier.

Ducky was taken aback by those words. "Well, then, what can you tell me?"

"It's complicated," Tim stated, hoping that Ducky would realize that every moment they discussed it was time that kept them away from the hospital. "And I need to get to the hospital," Tim repeated. "Let me go to the hospital, I promise that I'll tell you and the doctor what I know; I'll make sure that Gibbs has everything he needs to help him recover, physically and his memories, then I will return here and do whatever it takes to catch this bastard."

"Timothy!" Ducky cried in surprise, it was unusual for the young agent to use such language.

"He almost killed Gibbs," Tim snapped back, his voice filled with pain and anguish. "Plus, there's the fact that he is now laying in a hospital bed, alone and scared, trapped in the past and asking for people who can't be there,"

"Timothy," Ducky tried to cut in, his heart saddened to hear that Dr. Gelfund's theory of a child no longer existing was correct.

"I need to be there," Tim repeated once more, this time firmer than before. "I won't leave Gibbs there alone."

"Timothy, the amnesia," Ducky tried to remind him.

"That doesn't matter," Tim said dismissively. "It's Gibbs. I can't lose him."

"I?" Tony asked from the doorway.

"We, we can't lose him," Tim corrected, not meeting the SFA's gaze.

"Then we," Tony said pointedly, staring at Tim, "better get back to work."

Tim nodded in agreement. "Yes, of course. I have multiple computers running searches, looking for information, I will be notified when it finds something, I'll run any additional searches I think of or might need from my phone while I'm there."

"There where?"

"I…" Tim began only to hesitate, unsure what to say.

"Where, Probie?"

"The hospital," Tim whispered.

"What?" Tony asked, "We are already a man down; you're needed here."

"I need to be there," Tim stated firmly. "I should've been there earlier."

"You need to be here, doing your job," Tony corrected. "The case stops for no one," he said, paraphrasing Gibbs's unspoken motto of the case comes first. Anyone who worked with the former marine knows that that is how he runs his team. "What would Gibbs want you to do?"

Tim closed his eyes as he thought about that. What would Gibbs want him to do? He knew that the older man would want him working on the case; finding out the truth, preventing others from being hurt, and getting justice for the victim superseded everything else. That was why he hadn't yet been to the hospital. But work wasn't the only thing Gibbs was about. As a marine, he knew the importance of loyalty, duty, responsibility. Being here working was the right thing to do while there was nothing he could do for Gibbs, but now, his boss was awake and there was some place else he was needed more.

While Timothy sought an answer to Tony's question, the SFA observed. His gaze flitted between the junior agent and the ME. His eyes narrowed as he took in the situation. Ducky's presence, meaning that he has returned from the hospital, most likely with news regarding Gibbs; Tim's paler than normal complexion, and need to leave an active case to visit the older man. "What's going on, Tim?" he asked before Tim could share the answer he found.

"Perhaps now is a good time to talk to the director," Ducky injected, earning a look of gratitude from the younger agent.

9-1-2020

Had a few possible titles of this chapter:
'Pain and anguish'-due to how Tim took the news of Gibbs's amnesia...but I didn't want you guys to get too worried seeing that title :)
'WWGW?'/'WWGD?'-What would Gibbs want/do?
Decided Complications fit best, though. Since Ducky used that word, Tim said the situation was complicated, and then Tony showed up and prevented Tim's easy escape to the hospital...

Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter...