Disclaimer: Not mine except Jess and Baby.

Part 1

Tim left the café feeling great. Once the decision was made he felt much lighter. Later he'd panic over the responsibilities, but for now he planned to enjoy his day off. Reaching his apartment he paused and decided to go for a drive.

He found himself outside a bookstore and hummed to himself. Browsing through the stacks of shelves he found the section of parenting guides. He lifted a book of baby names flipping through … Ashton, Christopher, Eric…Bethany, Katherine, Rosemary….He re-shelved the book and opened another snapping it shut quickly at the full color photos of pregnant women exercising. Reaching for another he smiled at the picture of the sleeping newborn.

Title after title there were books on everything from names to rooms to ways to make your fetus smarter. Still feeling optimistic he decided to start with the internet. There has to be a site with recommendations and reviews on this mess. I just need to sort through it all. I bet I can write a program that will…

Tim wandered out of the bookstore and back to his apartment. He spent the rest of the day on his computer, stopping when his stomach protested loudly.

"How do people do this? I mean seriously my parents didn't even have the internet to-" Tim froze cell phone and take out menu in hand. "Oh wow. I have to tell my parents!" his stomach answered him angrily.

By the time he'd finished eating and fidgeting with his newest program he decided it was too late to call and it would be better to tell them in person.

XXXxxx

It was an easy drive to his parent's house and a less easy walk up the drive to the door. He was excited and nervous. He knew his parents would be excited to have a grandchild, but he had a bad feeling that he couldn't place. Tim grinned and knocked.

"Timmy!"

"Mom! Is Dad home?"

"Of course he is sweetie. Is something wrong?" his mother wrapped him in a hug her eyes bright with concern.

"Nothing is wrong. Actually I have some news."

"Well come in come in." she led him into the living room where his father sat in his lounger.

"Well I don't know how to say this exactly…"

XXXxxx

"You what!"

"I know it's a bit of a shock but…"

"You knocked up some hussy and you won't even try to make an honest woman out of her?" his father snarled.

"Dad, listen it isn't like that. She doesn't want-"

"Who cares what she wants she lost that right when she got herself with child." His mother snapped out.

"Seriously 'with child', Mom? And she has every right-"

"You can't be thinking of bringing a bastard into the family? We're McGee's!"

"Dad it's not a big deal these days-"

"Not a big deal? Not a Big Deal?! You are going to go marry that girl-"

"No Mom, I can't do that. I am not going to marry her just-"

"You are so going to marry that woman. She is carrying your baby!"

"Dad I am not-"

"Don't you back talk me! I understand she's a bit finicky right now but once you start waving around some of that author money-"

"Dad I am not going to marry her much less bribe her to…I'm not. I know you two are upset but-"

"Upset? You think I'm upset!" his father surged to his feet and stood in front of him. "I will not allow you to besmirch the family name like this!"

"Besmirch? I am not besmirching anything! What is wrong with you two? I thought you'd be, not happy, but at least excited to hear you're having a grandchild." Tim's head snapped to the side from the force of the slap.

"That bastard is no grandchild of mine, and you are no McGee either if you allow such a disgrace." The words were spoken quietly but with venom.

"You will marry that woman before you come back here, Timothy. Do you understand me?" his mother's voice was spoken equally soft and firm.

Tim rose to his feet bringing one hand up to touch his cheek. Without a word he turned and walked to the door.

"And I'll be calling your sister. You stay away from her until you make this right!" his mother shouted at his back.

"I'm sorry Mom."

XXXxxx

Part 2

Tim stared at the bruise in the mirror. He had a black eye and a distinguishable shadow from temple to just below his cheekbone on the left side. His hand shook as he reached up to probe the injury. Why would he? Dad has never been violent. He was so angry. What did I do? How could he say that about me? About Jess? About an unborn child. My unborn child. This isn't right. I expected them to be a bit disappointed in me, maybe lecture me on promiscuous behavior, but this? He hit me! Tim didn't know when he had started crying but he found he couldn't stop as he slid to the floor. I expected them to be supportive. They said they'd always be there for me! How can they be so…archaic! God and Sarah! She might never talk to me again. I won't get between her and Mom; I can't make her choose sides. I'll just… I just need to do this on my own. On my own, single parent, without family. There are teenage girls that can do this, I can manage. I am a successful writer and a federal agent. I have the money and resources to do this without any help. I can do this.

He stood up and looked in the mirror again. His eyes were red and puffy and the bruising was still there but as he washed his face he felt calm again. He left the bathroom and planted himself in front of the computer. Pre natal care, searching now.

XXXxxx

Tony strolled into the office Monday with coffee and doughnuts. It was his turn, unofficially, to bring in the morning goodies. Ziva was at her desk typing away, Gibbs' desk was empty but his jacket was on the chair. He smiled as he set the black coffee on the corner.

"One chocolate caramel caffeinated beverage for my favorite ninja lady!" he chirped, overly perky. "And one- oh my God McGee what happened to your face!" Tony nearly dropped the two last coffees as he spotted his teammate's bruise.

"Bug off Tony, it's not that bad." McGee was defensive already, not good.

"Whoa McLiar, it looks like you were in a fist fight. You don't do fist fights Probie." Tony kept his tone light hiding his concern. Gripping the coffees tighter he waited for a response.

"Just pass me my coffee Tony."

"Can't do that Probie, it's my leverage. Now tell me what happened to you this weekend. Did you hit on some biker's girl 'cause I've told you-"

"No Tony it wasn't a girl or over a girl. And I'm not telling you, so leave it alone."

"Not going to happen McStubborn. Was it one of those live role play games gone bad? Some Elf Knight clock your Elf Lord - " he waited for the no tony if you must know…Tim always caved.

"No Tony. Are you going to give me my coffee?"

"Not until you tell me what you were up to this weekend." Tony held the beverage over his head as if playing keep away.

"I slept, ate, worked on my computer and designed a program. Not much else happened."

"And the bruise?" Tony prompted.

"It's none of your business. You know what I don't want that coffee."

"Uh uh uh McSneeky. That reverse psychology isn't going to work on me." Tony exchanged a worried look with Ziva who had been quiet up to this point.

"You know Tony is not going to let this go McGee."

"Well he should." McGee slammed his desk drawer shut and pounded each letter as he typed.

Tony felt his gut twist. Something was wrong with his Probie, and he was protective of his team. Not good. Standing silently he delivered the coffee to the other desk, leaving it there with a sprinkle doughnut as a silent apology. He booted his computer and toyed with a magazine while he pretended not to watch the younger man. After five minutes McGee finally reached for the cup blowing at it before sipping. Tony looked over at Ziva who seemed to be watching the both of them with worry.

Gibbs slammed into the office with his usual flare and settled behind his desk. "Cold cases for now, there is another harassment workshop this Thursday, let's crack something before then. Get to work."

Tony pulled out a stack of cold case files and began looking for a lead.

XXXxxx

Gibbs could feel the tension in his team as he walked in. He quickly set the team to work and waited. After a few minutes they were all absorbed in their work. Ziva looked fine and seemed to be the most relaxed. His boys were tense. Tony what did you…no not you you're worried. He watched his senior field agent cast a concerned look at McGee. He studied the younger man for a moment noting his discomfort, anger, and stress. It wasn't until McGee turned to type something that Gibbs spotted the ugly bruise. Damn it McGee, you better be will look after you for now, but that better be a one off. If you start coming in here like this…No one hurts my agents. Gibbs reeled himself in forcing himself to calm. If Tony or Ziva came in with a similar mark he knew he wouldn't be nearly as defensive, but McGee wasn't one to seek a physical fight. Someone gave him one hell of a knock and from the look of his agent's knuckles he didn't hit back.

XXXxxx

McGee couldn't decide whether to be angry or touched by his team's concern. After the coffee argument Tony had backed off but he could feel the Senior Field Agent's eyes on him all day. Ziva sent him an email after lunch: McGee I am worried about your face and the way you spoke to Tony. I am here if you wish to talk, but I will respect your privacy also if that is your wish. He appreciated the thought.

It was Gibbs that had him the most concerned. The team leader hadn't commented on the bruise yet but was shooting dark looks in his direction. He can't be angry at me about this. Is he? It's not like we were on the clock. And it shouldn't matter what I do in my free time. Tony comes in with bumps and bruises regularly. One little incident shouldn't have me in trouble. Am I in trouble?

He focused in on the folders in front of him and got to work. Tony held out until almost three o'clock before he started pestering again. That only lasted about five minutes before Gibbs stepped in surprising everyone and setting the bullpen back into silence.

It wasn't until he was getting in the car at the end of the day that McGee realized he hadn't told his team about Jess. With the way they fussed about his bruise he had spent the entire day ignoring or being angry at his team.

XXXxxx

A/n: The next few chapters I am going to speed things up with time jumps. I will try to make these clear, please let me know how I am doing. Review!