Chapter 9

When Synthia and Thomas walked into the room, they found Jethro sitting next to Tim, not talking just being. It was discontenting in a way seeing those two together in peace.

'Hey Mom.' Tim said. His few minutes alone made him think about his earlier behaviour and despite everything his Mom loved him and so did he.

'Hey, honey. I know what we told you before threw you a bit off but there are more things we need to explain to you.' He didn't understand why Gibbs had to be there for that but he went along. 'If you prefer to wait until you get out of the hospital…' She wanted as much time as he was willing to give them. But, apparently he didn't share the same opinion.

'No, Mom let's get it over with it now. Should we call Sarah too?'

'No.' Gibbs said. 'You can tell her on your own. Right now it's just you.' He didn't know how Tim was going to react so the less audience the better.

'You have me creeping out here guys. Can you just say what it is?' What could have been worse than what he had already heard?

'Not really. It's too delicate.' Thomas didn't know how to say it and unfortunately non other did either. Gibbs wanted to give the others the chance to actually spit it out but it was taking too long and they were all freaking Tim out.

'I think you want to tell me about my biological father…' he kept his eyes as far away from his mom as possible. 'Go ahead and do it. Is he someone I know?' He thought about all older men back at his hometown from teachers to doctors to taxi drivers; that wasn't helping at all.

'Yes, you do know him.' Jethro saw sweat at the boy's brow, he leaned over and tried to calm him. Those people were going to give Tim a heart attack.

'I am your father.' Stunned couldn't describe Tim's expression, shock mixed with disbelief and amusement probably. Did the young man think they were toying with him? Thomas seemed relieved and Jethro didn't want to see Synthia's face as he took in Tim's one. His boy couldn't take his eyes off him. What was inside his head?

'You're my father?' He just asked never moving his eyes.

'Yes.'

'Mom?'

'He's telling the truth.'

'Yes, son, Agent Gibbs is your biological father.'

'Are you sure?' What was wrong with him? Of course they were certain! Being there explaining to him, of course they were. 'But how… did you… know my Mom?' He blushed finally taking his eyes off Gibbs and looking at the blanket examining the non existent daedal motives on it. Gibbs probably knew his Mom in every possible way… well that said he didn't know what to think about it.

Tim listened to their story carefully wondering at the same time about his mother's life; if she was actually happy with them. During his whole life he thought his parents had the perfect relationship, something he dreamt for himself. Smiling, he realized… he finally realized that they probably had. Synthia's short relationship with Gibbs, his real father his brain provided, and Thomas' later acceptance only showed her that there was only one right man for her. Yes, they did have a wonderful relationship.

'Tim? Timmy? Are you listening to us?'

'Yes, Dad, I am.' But he didn't really. He didn't care about the past because he had nothing to forgive his Mom about. He was proud of them even more so than before. He had just to focus on present. And this present had brought him another father; that was the hard part he had to wrap his mind around.

'Can you leave me alone for a while? A week or so?' Thomas was ready to get up but Gibbs wasn't.

'No, we can't! Talk to us, Tim.' Oh now he was Tim no McGee anymore. Interesting! Gibbs asked the other two to leave him alone with his son. They needed to talk before Tim accepted their newly found relationship. They weren't going to do it though; they weren't going to leave him alone, unless Tim agreed first. And Tim understood it.

'Mom, Dad? May I talk with Boss alone? Gibbs sighed; would Tim ever stop calling him Boss?

Synthia didn't want to and Thomas didn't either but he at least could see why Tim needed this. Gibbs was no stranger and now his boy had to merge the two images of the same man in one. His superior, from one side, who used to give head-slaps when he wasn't fast enough in his work and the father who was tender and affectionate. Thomas didn't envy Jethro that moment, but he knew his son and he believed that one day could and would learn to love and respect both sides of the man.

Jethro didn't share Thomas' optimism. He could clearly see they had a long road ahead. Synthia leaned down and kissed her son's cheek and left the two men alone. Gibbs hadn't got up from his seat next to Tim. He put his hand under Tim's jaw and made him raise his face to look at him.

'How long do you know?'

'I have known for sure since the day your parents came to see you. Before that I could only speculate.' Jethro wanted to answer all of Tim's questions but he really didn't anticipated what came next.

'Am I a replacement, Boss?' Tim's voice was quiet and soft, so much that Gibbs had to lean closer and tell him to repeat it. Tim took a shuddering breath and spoke louder this time.

'I said… I asked if I am a replacement.' Jethro didn't get what his son was talking about but he should have known. Despite growing up in a loving environment Tim never had a big opinion about himself and working with him and Tony hadn't done any good at his self-confidence.

'I'm not following you, Tim.'

'Would you still want me, want to be my… un… Dad if your wife and daughter were still alive?' There he said it. Gibbs couldn't believe what he had heard though. God was that what Tim thought? Jethro put his hands on both sides of Tim's face. And boy, did he look young?

'Listen to me and listen well. I never left you, if I knew about you I never would have gone. I am not looking for anyone to replace Kelly. You're my son. You! And I just want to get to know you better, make up for the lost time. I didn't see you growing up but I can be with you now, if you permit it, if you let me and try to know me as well.'

'But, I'm so different.'

'Deferent to what, to whom?'

'To you! We have almost nothing in common.'

'And how do you know that, Tim? You know your Boss but you don't know me. But, hey, let's make a deal. You'll be coming to see me making my boat and do whatever you can as assistance and I will try and learn your computer crap… I mean technology what ever you're good at.' Tim smiled again.

'OK. Mmmm…' Jethro saw him abusing his bottom lip and asked.

'What is it now?'

'What do you expect of me Boss?'

'Nothing you can't or don't want to give me. I only want you to be willing. That's it, nothing more nothing less.'

'It's too much, Boss. Can you give me some time to absorb everything?' Gibbs face fell and hope turned into anticipation for something either bad or good, but Tim was overpowered by guilt as he was the one who disappointed and subdued Gibbs.

'You can have as much time as you need time. '

'So, you don't expect to call you Dad?'

'All in good time, all in good time.' He said and leaned down to kiss his child's brow for the first time. Tim's shocked expression was his reward.

'Thank you.' Tim said. 'I will call you or come over to see you soon.'

'I'll wait for you, kid.'

Being alone in the hospital room, Tim didn't want to see anyone; just stay there and think. He knew how he felt about Gibbs. After the original shock he was actually happy it had turned out like this. His feelings about Jethro were strong, always so yes, he couldn't be more proud about his biological father. But what about Thomas? How was he going to react? Tim hated this situation. How dare they coming here and making him choose?

Days passed with Tim thinking about Jethro and Thomas, his feelings for both men. Gibbs had kept his promise and had stayed away waiting for Tim to make the first move. Would he be betraying Thomas if he'd accepted Jethro? He held no illusions; he would love to have Gibbs in his life as a father figure. He had never before thought that his real dad could have been someone like special agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Yes he was ready to admit he was happy about it. And he finally got his answer after a conversation with Thomas.

'You know I love you, Son and I want the best for you, right?' Thomas asked Tim when they sat on the couch in the last one's house. Tim nodded. 'What's our problem, then?'

'How do you feel, Dad about Boss being my real father?' He cringed at how his words had sounded but Thomas didn't mind.

'I won't lie to you, Tim. At first I didn't like it. I thought he was going to take you away from me. No, no listen to me. Then, I talked to him and I know he wants the best for you as well. After all I already had a competition with him before you learnt he is your real Dad. And you can have us both. You will have us both, and we are as different as day and night.'

'No, no you're not. You're both upright and decent; you have similar personalities even if you don't believe it.'

'OK. In addition we will both have you. Don't make him lose that because you worry about me. You need him and he needs you.' Tim hugged his dad wondering if he was right and Thomas intellectually believed he had done the right thing foor everyone.

It was late at night when Tim drove to the Navy Yard. At the entrance he saw another Agent.

'McGee! Long time no see. How are you?'

'Fine. Thanks Horn.'

'Did you come to see how Gibb's doing?' Tim's heart fell to his feet.

'What do you mean?'

'Well, he was injured earlier, but I think..' Whatever Agent Horn was to say, Tim didn't hear it as he ran to their office heart beating faster and unsteadily. Unthinkingly he a mantra started inside his head. "God, don't let me be late, don't let me be late, God, don't let me be late…" Later one he would scold himself for that breakdown, but that moment his brain wasn't working properly. He was just thinking of the time he had left unexploited…

Getting off the elevator he saw only Gibbs sitting in his desk, arm wrapped in bandages. Tim leaned on the wall behind him and slowly slided down on the floor as strong emotions overflowed him. He started sobbing; what for he didn't know. It just felt right. The tears running had a cathartic balm for his heart and worries.

Gibbs heard him and when he saw him sitting on the floor crying he ran to takinghim in his arms in a strong hug. Tim went along with the other man.

'What happened, Tim? What's wrong?' Even in the darkest hour Jethro hadn't seen Tim broke down.

'I came to see you and talk with you and…Agent Horn told me you were injured…and…'

'And?' Jethro pushed.

'I thought I was too late.'

'I'm fine Tim. Just fine. Just a scratch. Nothing serious. I didn't even go to the hospital, but we won't say that to Ducky will we?' Sobs of crying turned to those of laughter.

Jethro felt Tim's arms wrapping around him and he held his son until the younger man calmed down. Then Tim pushed a little back and looked down at the blue eyes.

'It may take some time and… well, fewer head slaps, but one day soon, I will be able to call you Dad.' Jethro felt his eyes wet and this time he was the one who hugged his son stealing some of the taller man's strength. Tim was more than happy to oblige.

None of them saw Tony watching them from above the stairs with a curious expression on his face, so when said agent went to his boss next morning, Gibbs had no idea what to expect.

'Boss?' Jethro looked up at the worried blue eyes.

'Yes?'

'Is McGee alright?' Gibbs leaned a bit to take a look of the younger man.

'Yes, why are you asking?'

'Well, you see I was wondering….?'

'Spit it out, Tony. You were wondering about what?'

'About last night. I saw you hugging McGee.' Is he sick or something? The head slap that came wasn't fully unexpected, the softness of it was though.'

'There's nothing wrong with McGee. Stop spying at people Tony.' He said and moved towards Tim's desk that its occupant was looking at them. 'And DiNozzo? Mind your own business. Soon, you'll know what is going on.'

He said and put his arm around Tim's shoulder.

'Any lead on the case, McGee?'

Finis

Once again, I want to thank you all for reading, commenting, alerting, favouriting. The sequel will most probably be posted when it's finished...