Paternal Instincts

Rating: T

Disclaimer: With the exception of Jasmine, Nicole, Christopher, Nathaniel, and Mr. and Mrs. McRae, none of these characters belong to me. No infringement intended

Pairings: McAbby and Palmer/Jasmine

Summary: Jimmy Palmer receives some life-changing news.

Author's Note: In spite of the fact that this is probably cheesier than the Cracker Barrel factory, the purpose is also to introduce a new AU character of my creation to possibly utilize in future stories. Please don't roll your eyes too hard – they may stick like that. ;)

Chapter 1 – Reunions and Revelations

"So, you think you and Ducky will have a better idea on the COD by tomorrow afternoon? Timothy McGee was asking Jimmy Palmer, as the two young men walked out to the parking garage at the Navy Yard in Washington D.C.

"Yeah, hopefully. It's a bit vague… but Dr. Mallard will figure it out. He's always loved a challenge." Jimmy smiled at his companion, then noticed movement in the distance, close to his car. McGee noticed this, and glanced curiously at Ducky's young assistant. "Jimmy… something wrong?"

Jimmy said nothing, bringing up his hand in a "hold that thought a moment longer" gesture. "I don't know," he finally said. McGee gazed down the length of the parking garage, his green eyes flitting back and forth between the stranger in the distance, and Jimmy. "Do you know that person?" he asked quietly. Jimmy stopped walking, then closed his eyes, thinking. When he opened them again, his face had gone slightly pale, in contrast to the small smile that had also appeared, crinkling his mouth in a happy memory.

"I think I do. I can't really tell from this distance… but, I think that's Nicole… she was my girlfriend in high school. We were together the entire four years… but we drifted apart after graduation, when we moved away to go to different universities." McGee's face didn't register surprise at the revelation that Jimmy had had a steady girlfriend, but he did seem impressed. Jimmy did seem like the type of guy who could commit, if the girl were right for him. Considering the fact that Jimmy was now engaged to Tim's younger sister, Jasmine, it seemed a good omen – one that McGee had already suspected, in his protective, big-brother's instinct sort've way.

"Do you want me to take off?" McGee asked him. Jimmy frowned slightly. "Well, maybe. I'll see you tomorrow then?" McGee nodded, grinning. "See you tomorrow." The two men waved goodbye to each other as they parted ways.

When Jimmy approached the woman standing by his car, he realized that she was, in fact, standing by her own car, as well. He smiled as he drew closer, recognizing her. "Nicki?" he asked, grinning.

Nicole smiled at him warmly. "Hey Jims. Long time, no see," she said, moving towards him and wrapping her arms around him.

"Wow… it's been… how long? Ten years?" He seemed almost in disbelief – he had honestly thought that he'd never see Nicki again. Nicole nodded. "Yeah, it's been 10 years. Time flies, huh?"

Jimmy nodded at her, green eyes sparkling. "So, what have you been up to? Did you become a teacher like you wanted to?"

Nicole's face changed slightly, reflecting a sort of sadness born of regret. "Well… I started to, but I couldn't finish. It took a few years to do it, but I am a teacher now. My husband… he died in Iraq a couple of years ago. So it's just been me and Christopher."

Jimmy smiled broadly. "Christopher? You have a son? I always knew you'd be a great mom, Nicki." Nicole looked away, almost shamefully. "Yeah, Christopher James. He's a great kid. He's nine now." Jimmy was about to say something to her when the math suddenly clicked, along with the boy's middle name. "Nine? He's nine years old? Nicki…?"

The woman before him looked away, until Jimmy reached down and nudged her chin to look up at him again. "Nicole, I'm not sure I understand…" he shook his head.

"Well, it's pretty simple, really… that goodbye we shared… we were careful… but I guess, accidents can still happen." Then she shook her head, correcting something that she had clearly not meant to say. "No, that's not fair… Christopher has been a blessing, losing Nathaniel like that, he was my rock, my reason to go on… Chris was a happy accident. Someone I didn't know I wanted until I had him." Nicole turned her head again, looking away.

Jimmy shoved his hands in his pockets, and sagged against his car. He drew a deep breath, holding it a moment, and then let it out slowly. "Nicki, why didn't you tell me? God… it must have been so hard… I would've been there, you know I would have. I never would have let you go through that by yourself."

Nicole nodded, and Jimmy noticed for the first time, that she appeared drawn and pale, and there was fatigue in her voice. "Yeah, I know. That's why I didn't say anything. I knew you had a clear picture of what your future should be like, you had everything all planned out. I didn't want to ruin that."

Jimmy paused a moment, absorbing what he'd just been told. Finally, when he'd found his voice, he said, "So, where is he? Is he at home? Can I see him?" Jimmy was suddenly anxious to see this young person he'd apparently had a part in creating, and the words tumbled out of his mouth in an anxious deluge. The thought briefly occurred to him that Tony would have a field day with this, once he got the idea wrapped around his head that not only was Jimmy Palmer not a virgin, but he was a parent. Of course, then there would be the inevitable lecture about safe sex… but it was a little late for that, and anyway, they had taken precautions. But nothing was foolproof, as was glaringly obvious in the young, dark haired boy who suddenly stepped out of the back seat of Nicole's car.

Jimmy caught his breath, his eyes growing wide behind the round lenses of his glasses. The nine year old boy who stood before him, gazing up at him with his own green eyes, and his own loose dark curls adorning the top of his head, was a reflection of a 9 year old Jimmy Palmer. There could be no doubt, just based on that.

"Wow," was all he managed to say, shaking his head.