A/n: This is all McGee's POV from the sonogram at 17weeks to the third trimester, 7months. Next chapter will cover the same time period from the Team perspective so if this feels rushed, it is, but there is more coming from the same time frame.

Part 4

Tim could not stop smiling. A girl. A beautiful, baby girl. God I hope she looks like her mother or Sarah. She'll have blue eyes for sure Jess and I both have blue eyes. She will be the most beautiful, smart, sweet baby girl. He missed the raised eyebrows between Tony and Ziva as he slid in his desk and set up his computer.

"Good weekend Probie?" Tony startled him out of his daydream.

"The best!" he agreed unable to stop the grin from spreading.

"You got laid?"

"Not everything is about sex Tony. No."

"Wow really?" Tony moved over to sit on his desk. "But it is a girl, right?"

Tim paused for a moment his smile softened. "Yeah. It's a girl." For a moment he let himself believe that his team knew what he was talking about.

"So tell. What does she look like?" Tony seemed pleased and was smiling too.

"…I don't know yet." Tim felt some of his happiness fade as he realized the mess he was in. Do I lie or tell them.

"Oh, McGee." Tony looked disappointed putting a hand on his shoulder. "What have we talked about with this online dating?"

"Oh leave it alone Tony." McGee pushed the hand away.

"I think it is very nice that McGee has found someone who makes him happy." Ziva cut in.

"Well thank you Ziva." Tim responded warmly.

"Hey! I'm happy for you. I'm just also worried about what kind of wacko you've attracted this time. You have to admit your track record so far is-"

"Let's not do this today Tony okay?" Tim felt tired.

"Gear up!" Gibbs call stopped whatever Tony was about to say.

XXXxxx

He'd managed to avoid more of Tony's questions for the rest of the week and it looked like he was free and clear. McGee reached up and touched the photo frame holding his daughter's sonogram. He moved his mouse clicking on a black Santa Fe. It was a 2004 model, used but with a fantastic review, clean interior. He hesitated then shook his head. Oooh but it's the right price range… Do I get it now…He clicked the tab to get the number of the dealer. He'd check it out.

XXXxxx

"McGee." He answered his phone without checking the number.

"Tim?"

"Sarah? What are you doing calling me?" Tim was frozen on one hand holding the phone the other paused mid-stir over the pasta.

"Tim! What do you mean why am I calling. We haven't talked in weeks! Months. First Mom calls me and tells me to stay away from you and then nothing for months. I thought you were involved in some dangerous case or something then I talk to Mom today and she flips. She said something about you betraying the family? What is going on Tim?" Sarah sounded frightened and confused and his heart twisted.

"Look Sarah… Mom, Dad and I had a rather heated disagreement. It's complicated, and I won't drag you in the middle of it."

"That's not fair Tim. You guys are keeping secrets. Why didn't you call me? I was really worried."

"Look Sarah, it's not that easy. Mom asked me not to talk to you, to leave you out of this, and I am doing my best."

"By not talking to me?"

"Yes."

"That's not fair Tim."

"You keep saying that, but none of this is fair." Tim felt his temper flair and clamped down on it. "Look Mom asked me not to talk to you so I need to go."

"And you'll listen just like that? Stop talking to me on her say so…"

"Sarah- look Sarah… You are still in college. Mom and Dad have disowned me over this. You are only on a partial scholarship, do you know what that means?" he heard her try to interrupt but kept talking. "That means that if Mom and Dad decide to cut you off you will have to take out thousands of dollars on college loans to keep yourself in school. You won't qualify for additional aid because technically our parents make enough for you not to qualify. I am not going to screw up your life like that Sarah. Just listen to Mom and stop calling me."

"…I don't get any say? This is a big enough fight that you thing Mom and Dad would… but I don't get to decide for myself whether this is worth it? What if I am on your side?"

"You don't get to choose sides on this Sarah. This is me being your big brother and looking out for you. I'll call if anything bad happens. Don't worry about me. Good bye Sarah." Tim hung up the phone.

The pot of noodles boiled over and he turned the heat off. His phone rang. Tim backed away from the stove until he hit a wall then slid down it clutching the phone. He sat with his head on his knees and listened to it ring. There were several pauses where voicemail picked up, but it was after midnight before the phone stopped ringing. Opening it Tim adjusted the settings to block any other incoming calls from the number on the screen. It was a long time before he moved from his spot on the wall.

XXXxxx

Tim curled up on his bed close to tears. He'd been shifting, rearranging, reorganizing his apartment trying to figure out how to baby proof. He wanted it done before the baby arrived. Between work and caring for a kid, I am going to have no free time until she is old enough for dance lessons or something. Overwhelmed he pressed back against the headboard hugging his knees tighter to his chest. I don't think I even have room here for a kid. But I really like my apartment. Damn it this isn't fair. None of my life is the same anymore! I want to call home. I want to go bowling with Abby on Saturday I want Tony to stop giving me those looks. He shook his head and closed his eyes tighter. I want one thing to be normal in my life right now.

Tim opened his eyes and forced himself to get out of bed. He shuffled into the main room and sat at his typewriter. Smiling at the click of keys, he poured himself into his novel enjoying the soothing familiarity of the written word. He paused at the end of the line and reached out, gently brushing the image of his baby girl.

XXXxxx

His phone was ringing. Waking from a sound sleep he found the answer button. "McGee."

Tim? It's Jess. Look I know it's late but I really need some chocolate raspberry ice cream and McDonalds French fries.

"Jess?" he answered stupidly.

I need it right now, Tim. Hurry.

"Cravings?" glancing at the clock he realized it was 2am. "Look just go back to sleep."

Go Back to Sleep! You jerk! This is all your fault. You don't have to deal with this bowling ball or the swollen ankles or the odd looks at your diet. Don't you tell me what to do mister. I-

"Okay! Jess, just calm down. I'll bring you some ice cream."

And the fries?

"Yes an order of fries too."

I'll see you in five.

"It may be closer to fifteen, thirty but I'll be there as quick as I can." Tim rubbed his face wondering why he did this to himself.

XXXxxx

McGee hesitated before he sent the draft to his agent. He really was nervous about the newest development with Tommy. He'd held off on the revelation until the end of the book, so if it went over badly the next novel could have a paternity test and the whole thing could go away. McGee flinched at the thought of making his daughter's character disappear completely.

Sealing the envelope he set it aside and looked at the clock. It was almost time to meet with Jess. Entering the third trimester she was preparing for bi-weekly visits and having odd cravings. He was excited to start talking about the birth process, but knew Jess was less than pleased. He was planning to treat her to her choice in restaurants for lunch after their appointment maybe take her shopping to cheer her up. He was pulling on his shoes when his cell rang.

"McGee."

"Gear up. We have a dead marine."

"Right now Boss?"

"Yes now McGee move it." Gibbs hung up.

"Damn it!" McGee snapped his phone closed and then open punching the speed dial. "Jess? Hey it's Tim. Look I can't make this appointment. An emergency came up, and I hate it but I can't…Yeah. I am so sorry Jess. I'll call you when I'm free….Of course I will. It's the least I can do. Godiva it is."

He slammed out of his apartment.

XXXxxx

McGee watched the rest of the team leave the bullpen in a rush. He was stuck here watching the GPS tracker in case the suspect decided to move before the team was in place. The case was surprisingly straightforward and he had a hard time not resenting missing the appointment for this.

It's not like I can blame anyone. If I'd spoken up about Jess I probably could have come in later, the team would have done their best to make it happen… Frowning to himself he put the tracker up on the plasma and opened his email.

Subject: Dinner Friday

You are all invited to dinner at my place this Friday July 19, 7:30pm (unless we work a case). I have something I'd like to

He paused glancing at the tracker. I don't want to say 'tell you' then they will hound me all week. How do I get them to come over?

Something I'd like to show you. It's really great!

See you there,

Tim.

Grinning he hit send then went back to monitoring the target. For better or worse…

XXXxxx

A/n review, review!