Unfortunately, life and work always seemed to get in the way when Tim tried to talk to Gibbs. They had cases almost back to back; when they finally had a break Gibbs was in a foul mood and after that Bella had been ill for a week. Apparently, that was the last time she would accept a dare from Tony regarding food.

Sitting at his desk, Tim looks around. Tony and Ziva were engrossed in some cold cases and Bella was down in Autopsy getting a quick check over by Ducky. He laughs to himself, she felt better but Gibbs refused to let her work unless Ducky gave the ok. Only Gibbs could make her do that with a simple look. Casting a glance at his boss, this is your chance Tim.

Naturally, the phone on Gibbs desk started to ring; thankfully it wasn't a case call. Seeing the change in his boss' demeanor, it was Ducky giving Bella the all clear. Waiting until he hung up, Tim approaches Gibbs desk slowly. "Boss?"

"What is it McGee?"

"Could I talk to you for a minute? Privately?"

Gibbs glances up before he nods, "Conference room." Standing up, he saw Tony's eyes flicker to Tim and then to him. "Unless you have something to say DiNozzo, talk now. Otherwise, get back to work." Gibbs growls at the nosey male agent.

Tony nods his head, looking back at his desk. "Yes boss."

"And DiNozzo, you better not try to listen you. If I catch you, it's desk duty for a month."

Tony's eyes go wide at Gibbs knowing his next move, "Yes Boss."

Following the younger man into the conference room, Gibbs shuts the door before turning to look at McGee. "What's on your mind Tim?"

Feeling his courage falter now that he was alone with the man, "I-um. "It's about Bella."

"Is something wrong?"

Tim waves his hands in front of him, "No, no, nothing like that."

"Then what is it McGee?" Seeing the young man stall, he had a feeling he already knew what Tim was trying to say.

"I wanted to ask your permission to marry Bella. You are the closest thing to a father that she has. It would give me great pleasure knowing that I have your blessing in asking for her hand," McGee explains.

There was only one word that Gibbs had been planning to say. "Why?"

Surprised, Tim stutters, "Wh-why?"

Gibbs keeps his steel blue eyes locked on Tim, "Why do you want to marry her Tim?"

Thinking of something to say, an image of her laughing and smiling flickers through his thoughts, "I love her smile, the way that her face lights up when she laughs."

Tim wakes up, feeling weight next to him. Bella was curled up on her side, her hair splashed across her pillow. Careful not to wake her, he moves slightly before sliding an arm around her waist, falling back to sleep.

"The first time I woke up with her beside me, I could have stayed like that forever and been happy. I get that same feeling every time I wake up with her next to me."

He realizes it's a pregnancy test. It was positive. A surge of happiness and pride flow through him… They're sitting on the bed as she tells him it wasn't hers. "We have plenty of time, Tim. We don't have to rush anything."

"When I look at her, I don't see a short-lived romance," He glances at Gibbs unsure how he is going to take his next statement, "I see-I see the chance of a family."

Walking into autopsy carrying down her spare shirt, he could see the bruises from the tire iron. The bruises that cluttered her neck, he realizes just how close he, err they were to losing her… His doctor looks at him, "Pretty brunette woman too. We don't know if she's going to make it"…

Gibbs remains unmoving, but his thoughts were racing. …For their family.' Ducky's words seem to come back to haunt him yet again but Tim had kept his word; he had stayed by her side, even after he had learned about Connor and her previous engagement. Hearing Tim's voice stop, Gibbs eyes snap to the younger man. His eyes were distant as if remembering something, but the pain that filled them was truly caught his attention.

"I just can't live without her," Tim manages to whisper, willing the recent memories to fade away.

Gibbs already knew what he was going to say. He had known before he pressed Tim for 'why.' He just wanted, no had to be sure. "What if I said no?"

Tim looks at Gibbs, almost answering automatically, "I would respect your decision," Tim pauses, "but I would ask her anyway."

Bold statement Tim. Gibbs gives him a small smile, which only Bella and Ducky have probably ever seen out of his team. "You have my blessing, Tim. But my previous statement still stands. You hurt her and I will not hesitate to shoot you."

"I have no intention of ever hurting her. I could never do that to Bella." Tim answers, almost pleading Gibbs to believe he wasn't that type of person.

"But you have Tim," Gibbs replies rather coldly, reminding Tim they all went through when he found out that Bella was the his niece.

Remembering all to well what Gibbs was referring to, "That was a one time thing. I could never put her through that again."

~*~

Several hours pass after Tim's discussion with Gibbs before he can move on to the next part of his plan, if you could call it that. Finding an opportunity to visit Abby, Tim takes it making his way down to the Goth's lab. Needless to say, you could hear the music before you could take a step off the elevator.

"Abs, Abby!" He yells over the music.

Seeing Tim, Abby beams and shuts off the music as he waits patiently. "Hey Timmy. Where's Gibbs? I told him that I wouldn't be able to find anything for a while."

Tim laughs as he shakes his head at her, "He's upstairs. I actually had a favor that I wanted to ask of you."

Straightening up, she bounces over to where he's standing, before narrowing her eyes. "Depends. What's the favor?"

"No questions asked?"

She pouts debating before she finally nods. "Deal. What's the favor?"

"I need you to take Bella away for a weekend. Doesn't matter when." Seeing her mouth open, he points a finger at her, "You agreed no questions Abby."

"But, I didn't expect something like that. Come on Tim," She pouts as she grabs his arm, "You have to tell me." Seeing him shake his head, "Fine. But I will ask until I figure it out."

"Abby, please I don't want Bella to overhear."

She grins devilishly, "So, you want it to be a secret and you want me to take her out for a few days. Redecorating her house?"

"No, Abby please-"

"Hmmm," she taps her finger against her chin, " I just don't see why you won't tell me. You know I'm going to find out eventually, I always do. Please Tim, maybe I can help you. You know I'm great at planning things. Please?"

Getting slightly frustrated with her, "Abby-"

Either not hearing or purposely ignoring him, "we are best friends Tim, why don't you trust me? What have I done to make you not want to confide in me?"

Tim grabs her by the shoulders trying to stop her rambling, "I should have known this was pointless, I should have asked Gibbs when I asked-" Tim pauses, realizing that she just got what she wanted. Oh, it was about to get loud. Very, Very loud.

"Gibbs? Now how does my silver-haired fox fit into this?" Have me take her out of town, it's a secret from Bella, and Tim talked to Gibbs…Wait, and reverse the order: Gibbs, out of town, secret from Bella… Abby's eyes get wide as she looks at Tim, "You're going to propose?!"

Tim feels his face heat up and he glances outside before he shuts the lab door. Knowing there was no escape from Abby he nods his head, "Yes."

She squeals and throws her arms around him, pulling him into a hug. "I'm so happy for you. Have you decided when yet? How soon do you need me to whisk her away?"

Tim smiles at her million questions, "You know Abby for someone who is never going to get married, you seem really interested."

She glares at him, "Watch it Timmy. Just because I do not want to marry does not mean that I can't be excited for my two friends getting married. And to think, you were so scared to ask her for a date a year ago."

"Thank you so much for that Abs. And no, I haven't decided when yet."

"Her birthday" Abby automatically answers as she checks on the evidence. Seeing the inquisitive look, "Her birthday has such a sad aura around it. She needs something good to associate with it."

"So, I've got a little under eleven weeks to figure everything out." Tim sighs as he leans against one of her counters.

Abby beams up at him, "If you want any help, all you have to do is ask!"

~*~

And that's all she wrote! Well for this chapter anyway.

Please, please, please, all subscribers and readers, please look at the poll I have. It's really simple all you have to do is chose between twins, boy or girl. That's it! I would like to thank those who have already voted!

The next few may take me a few days to write. Homework stops for no one especially us college grads.

Bye!