A/N: Short, but I needed the break for emphasis. I'll post more hopefully later tonight-F

The apprehension in his voice was almost comical, to her anyway. She had no fear of Gibbs; to her he was more like a father than anything. But she knew it was different for Tim, and for Tony as well. Fear probably wasn't the right word; they weren't scared of Gibbs. But intimidated; that they were. She knew that Tim had stood up to Gibbs about their relationship- technically they'd broken Rule 12-and she also knew that he'd been surprised at Gibbs' reaction. Apart from one very short conversation, Gibbs had pretty much totally ignored the situation. They'd done their best not to let their relationship interfere with work, but that was going to end.

As much as she hated to admit it, her pregnancy was going to mean a lot of changes. For starters, she was going to have to slow down; no more all nighters. And she was going to have to stop using some of the chemicals she used in testing, in case they harmed the baby. As she got further along, there was going to be things that she just physically wouldn't be able to do anymore, such as ballistics testing. She might have to get an assistant. She made a face. The only person that she'd ever worked with on a regular basis without wanting to kill them was her new fiancé, and somehow she doubted that Gibbs would want to lose a field agent for the next few months.

Suddenly she realised that Tim was still waiting for an answer.

She shook her head. "I only found out for sure yesterday, Tim, how could he know?"

"Because it's Gibbs?" he reminded her. "Besides, you said Tony knows"

"Tony guessed" she told him. Realisation dawned

"Oh"

"Yeah; if Tony guessed, I wouldn't bet on it that Gibbs doesn't know. We've gotta tell him tonight, Abs. He found out about us by accident, I'd really rather we told him this"

"Told me what, McGee?" the voice of their boss came from the doorway

...

They both startled, McGee wincing involuntarily as the movement jarred his shoulder. Neither of them had seen or heard Gibbs' approach. Abby shot McGee a look that clearly said "How long was he standing there?" He shrugged his good shoulder in reply

"Hey Gibbs" Abby said brightly.

He wasn't fooled for a second; he'd seen that look on Abby's face many times, and it usually meant she was up to something. McGee looked a little guilty also. Gibbs' eyes narrowed as he took in the scene before him. Something was different between these two. Knowing what Tony had returned to McGee when he'd regained consciousness, he drew his own conclusions.

He knew this day was coming anyway, he'd known it for a month. Ever since McGee had shown up in his basement in the middle of the night after a tough case. He'd been nervous and stuttering, a return to his previous lack of self confidence. He'd wondered what was wrong, but had done his best to put the young agent at ease. He'd been pleasantly surprised, and a little touched, when McGee had asked his permission to propose to Abby. He'd granted it, even though he knew full well that McGee had already sought her father's permission. Truth be told, McGee didn't need anyone's permission other than Abby's, but Gibbs appreciated the show of respect. As McGee had left, Gibbs hadn't been able to resist asking him the question that had been in his mind through the whole conversation

"What would you have done if I hadn't said yes, McGee?"

McGee had shrugged "Asked her anyway, Boss. But thanks, this'll mean a lot to Abby"

He was a far cry from the green kid that had mooned over Abby when they first met, that was for sure.

Recalling his attention to the present, Gibbs focused on the pair in front of him

"Got something to tell me, you two?" he asked

They exchanged glances again

"Abby and I are getting married, Boss" McGee couldn't contain the grin any longer. Gibbs smiled at that; he remembered how he felt when Shannon had agreed to marry him. He just hoped these two had a happier ending.

He took the necessary two steps to the bed and grasped Tim's hand, shaking it

"Congratulations, both of you" he hugged Abs, kissing her lightly on the cheek. She smiled, but interrupted him

"Wait, Gibbs, there's more"

He raised a quizzical eyebrow. There was more?

"I'm pregnant"