This is being written in collaboration with my talented friend nightchild78. We are having fun bouncing ideas off each other, and sharing in the excitement of watching this story unfold!
Special thanks to Rose Malmaison for making the image to go along with this fic!
Categories: NCIS/Torchwood
Rating: M
Characters: Tony DiNozzo, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Abby Sciuto, Tim McGee, Ziva David, Dr Donald Mallard, Jimmy Palmer / Jack Harkness, Ianto Jones, Toshiko Sato, Owen Harper.
Pairings: Tony/Gibbs, Jack/Ianto, Tosh/Owen.
Warnings: Swearing, slash, Mpreg, explicit sexual situations.
Spoilers: Set during the 6th season of NCIS and after Children of Earth for Torchwood. Mentions of the episodes SWAK, Boxed In, Hiatus Part 2, Escaped, Singled Out, Bury Your Dead, Chimera and Requiem for NCIS and for the episodes Cyberwoman, To the Last Man, Dead Man Walking, A Day In the Death, Exit Wounds as well as the whole of season 3 of Torchwood. Miracle Day never happened.
Disclaimer: We don't own these characters. We just like to play with them.
RENASCENCE RENASCENCE RENASCENCE
The next several minutes were a blur as Gibbs hurriedly wheeled Tony into the operating room that Owen, Ducky and Jimmy had set up months ago in anticipation of the birth.
At some point, Ducky and Jimmy arrived, and the room began bustling with activity as they, along with Owen, efficiently set to work.
Gibbs helped Tony stand up, which was especially difficult, not only because of his large size, but also the crippling waves of pain that were washing over him, causing him to shake like a leaf between each contraction.
Tony leaned into Gibbs for support as Ducky sterilized an area of skin, then pricked a needle into his back. The pain of the injection was mild compared to the labor pains Tony was experiencing. But by the time Gibbs and Jack had helped Tony onto the operating table, those, too, had started to subside.
As Tony lay there, his body becoming numb from the chest down, listening to the bustle of people around him, his mind started racing. He thought of how the pregnancy had wrecked his body. His lungs were further weakened and damaged beyond repair, he was brain damaged, and it would be a miracle if he ever got back to his pre baby weight. And with the baby squeezed in so tightly, and his organs compressed to the point they were, the c-section would be a delicate and risky procedure.
Tony was excited about the idea of becoming a mother (yes, inwardly, he embraced the title of "mother"), and he looked forward to holding his daughter in his arms. But those feelings were overpowered by fear and panic. Tony felt himself start to lose control as the room became blurry around him. He felt his breathing quicken and his blood pound in his temples.
It was Gibbs' calming presence at his side that soothed Tony out of anxiety induced danger. "Shh...Tony...relax...breathe," Gibbs cooed, running his fingers through Tony's hair. "You've already come this far. You're almost there."
"I...fr...fraid," Tony said in a small voice.
"I know, Tony," Gibbs whispered. "But you're in good hands. And I'm here. I won't leave your side. I promise."
A screen was placed over Tony's chest, and he considered it a mercy that he wouldn't be able to see as Ducky cut him open.
Tony's closed his eyes, taking deep breaths through his nose, trying not to let anxiety get the best of him again. He didn't feel too much pain, mostly a gentle tugging. But Tony's head began to swim with a dizzy nausea at the thought of what was happening to him, and he worried he might lose consciousness right there on the table. He didn't want that. He couldn't miss his daughter's first moments in the world. He needed to hold her, comfort her and welcome her into this life. This moment would be unique, and he wanted to live it to the fullest.
Tony focused his thoughts on the unwavering love and devotion Gibbs had displayed, even in the moments when he felt unattractive and disgusting. Jack, the loving grandparent who felt more like a big brother to him. Ianto, who had fast become his dearest and most trusted friend. Surrounded by love and friendship; cared for by people who never judged him. Tony realized that Imogen would be coming into a truly blessed life.
"Well, aren't you a beautiful girl! Welcome to the world, young Imogen!"
Ducky's soothing voice brought Tony back into the moment. His heart filled with excitement, he looked up at Gibbs expectantly.
"Imm-ji...heeah?" he asked in a weak, raspy voice.
"That's right, Tony," Gibbs confirmed with a smile, his gaze dancing between Tony and the baby in Ducky's arms, still just out of Tony's line of vision. "Imogen is here."
"See baby," Tony requested, eyes pleading.
"You will in a minute, Tony," Jack spoke up, looking down with love at his grandson. "Owen and Ducky are just checking her over."
"O-K?" Tony asked worriedly.
As if on cue, a loud, healthy cry echoed through the room.
"I think you have your answer," Ianto quipped.
"Perfectly healthy at 12 lbs, 6 oz," Owen announced. "You've got a little fatty there, mum!"
Everyone's eyes widened, especially Tony's.
"No wonder you could barely move," Jack commented with a sympathetic laugh.
"Do you want us to clean her?" Jimmy offered.
"Don...ere," Tony immediately dismissed, too eager to hold his daughter to bother about the state she was in.
Jimmy smiled warmly as he placed the tiny bundle, wrapped snugly in a blanket, on Tony's chest. "Tony, meet your daughter."
Wrapping his arms around the tiny new life, Tony's eyes welled up with tears, his lips quivering as he smiled down at his daughter. She stared up at him, already so wide eyed and alert. She had Tony's eyes, the only difference being they were blue. Though many newborns start with blue eyes. Tony knew they just might change to match his green soon enough. Her lips looked a lot like Tony's, while her nose resembled Gibbs'. She had a shock of dark, silky hair on her head, similar to the color Gibbs had before he went grey. All in all, she was a beautiful little girl, who was a perfect combination of both her parents.
"She's gorgeous," Tosh marveled, clasping her hands to her chest.
"Well done," Ianto added. Jack wrapped an arm around the Welshman's waist, squeezing tight as he looked down proudly at his great granddaughter.
"It seems good looks never skip a generation in our family," Jack half joked through a teary smile.
"No argument here," Gibbs replied, and Ianto nodded in agreement. "I'd say this is your best work yet, Tony," he added with a wink.
Tony looked up at Gibbs with an exhausted smile. "You...me...gedder."
"That's true. You did this together. Good work, both of you!" Ducky agreed, throwing out his surgical gloves.
"Now, Tony, I've got you all stitched up, and I also took the liberty of removing your recently acquired reproductive organs." A small smile ghosted the Scotsman's face. "I didn't think you'd mind."
Tony managed a small chuckle, eyes not leaving the baby in his arms.
"So, Tony won't be able to get pregnant again?" Gibbs asked. "Even if we don't use a condom?"
"As long as he's not wearing any enchanted heirlooms, he should be fine," Owen smirked.
Tony sighed with relief at that news. He loved the feeling of being filled with Gibbs' warm seed. He loved to feel Gibbs inside him. He'd never want to have to give that up. He had missed this closeness during his difficult pregnancy and didn't want anything, even a thin layer of latex, between the two of them.
"Jethro. May I have a word?" Owen motioned his head towards the door, and the two of them stepped out.
"Everything all right, Owen?" Gibbs asked with concern.
Owen stared at Gibbs, dead serious. "I didn't want to say this in front of Tony, because he needs to remain calm while he recovers. But you have to keep the pendant away from him. He absolutely should not get pregnant again! Another pregnancy would kill him. Hell, this one nearly did."
Gibbs nodded in understanding. "You don't have to worry about that. I don't think pregnancy is an experience Tony wants to repeat any time soon.
Owen smirked, satisfied with Gibbs' answer. It was obvious to anyone who saw the couple together how very protective Gibbs was of Tony. "At least I know I won't have to tell you twice."
Gibbs chuckled softly. "No. You won't."
As Gibbs and Owen re entered the room, they were greeted with a collective "shh". An exhausted Tony had fallen asleep, and Jack was now holding baby Imogen in his arms, rocking her gently and singing softly to her. This was a side of Jack that the others had never seen before, and everyone - especially Ianto - had to admit that it was very sweet and endearing.
Jack looked up at Gibbs, almost apologetically. "Do you want to hold your daughter?" he whispered.
Gibbs couldn't help but to smile at the tender moment.
"Nah. She looks peaceful with you. Besides, you're family", Gibbs whispered, bestowing a kiss on the sleeping infant's head, before doing the same to her mother.
"Will Tony be all right?" he asked, looking at Tony's pale, sleeping form; peaceful and still as death.
"Yeah, he should be fine," Owen confirmed reassuringly. "But his body has been through a lot, and he's likely even weaker now than he was before the birth. He'll need to rest up in bed for a few weeks to recover."
"Since neither of them will be up and walking for awhile, Tony can use that time to hold Imogen close and form a mother - daughter bond," Tosh mused.
"Uh...I'm not sure Tony wants to be referred to as Imogen's mother. I mean, I know he is, but he - " Jimmy began.
"No worries, Jimmy," Ianto said, looking down fondly at his sleeping friend. "Tony told me he's warming up to the title. So long as it stays between those of us in the know."
Jimmy grinned, giving a sigh of relief that he hadn't made a verbal slip up. Then, turning to Gibbs, he happily noted the former Marine's gentle, paternal demeanor.
"Agent Gibbs, have you and Tony decided on a middle name for Imogen?" he asked.
"We have," Gibbs nodded, letting Imogen wrap her fat little hand around his finger.
"Kelly."
RENASCENCE RENASCENCE RENASCENCE
Tony couldn't remember the last time he had felt so popular. It had been two weeks since he'd given birth to Imogen and, though he was supposed to be resting, it seemed there were always visitors. Abby, Tim, Ducky, Jimmy and Ziva came whenever they weren't working. Abby was especially enamored with baby Imogen, holding her, cooing at her and buying cute little outfits for her that Tony mentally called "baby goth". A few months ago, he would have been upset by all the fuss, and would have certainly doubted the sincerity of all these well wishes. But in the meantime, truths had been told and heard. Amends had been made, and now his relationships with the people around him were different, more appeased.
Director Vance and Jackie had also come around, Jackie offering not only helpful support and advice for Tony, but also toys, clothes and blankets for Imogen.
Tony felt loved and thankful for the company, and he was enjoying being a new parent. But he also felt overwhelmed. There was a reason he was ordered to remain in bed. In the weeks following childbirth. His body had practically given out on him, leaving him with just enough strength to hold his daughter, and little more. Owen reassured him that this would pass, and Tony did feel himself slowly becoming stronger. But sleep was a necessity for him, and the constant visitors weren't helping with that.
But today was, mercifully, a quiet day. Tony and Gibbs had just finished enjoying a lunch of egg salad sandwiches, baby carrots, and two glasses of ice cold milk that Ianto had prepared for them.
Ianto, meanwhile, was out in the living room with Jack, looking after Imogen. Jack had to smile as he watched the Welshman with his great granddaughter. Although Ianto claimed that he only had a little experience looking after his niece and nephew, he really did have a way with children.
Jack moved to sit on the couch next to Ianto, pulling him close as the two of them stared down at Imogen's chubby face.
She gazed up at them, with eyes that had changed from blue to green in the weeks since her birth. She truly did look like Tony. But she also reminded Jack of her grandmother Annabelle, who he had held all too briefly decades ago.
The clinking of dishes being washed made the couple aware of Gibbs' presence in the kitchen.
"Just leave those, Jethro. I'll wash them," Ianto offered.
"I already started. Why stop now?" Gibbs reasoned. "But Tony and I would like to see you, if you have a moment."
Ianto looked down at Imogen, who was grunting, her face red as a tomato as she lifted her little legs into the air. It could just be gas. That, or another blowout.
"Of course," Ianto answered Gibbs. "But first, I -"
"Go on," Jack urged. "I'll watch Imogen."
Ianto smiled, giving Jack an appreciative kiss on the lips as he handed the baby over. He wasn't sure why he felt such a strong sense of responsibility to Imogen, or why he loved her so much. Perhaps it was because of her connection to both his best friend and his lover. Maybe it was because he knew deep inside him that he would never be a parent himself. Whatever the reason, Ianto felt very much a part of this family.
※
Ianto arrived in the bedroom before Gibbs had returned, and Tony looked up from the show he was watching on the small TV.
"Ahn-to!"
Ianto smiled, sitting on the bed next to his friend. "Hello, Tony. You wanted to see me?"
"Wait...Jet-wo."
"Jethro's here," Gibbs said from the hallway, and moments later, he was in the room, taking a seat on the easy chair and turning to face the Welshman. "All right, Ianto, Tony and I...We don't want too sound bold or demanding. And we appreciate all that you've already done for us. But we're hoping you could do us a favor.
"Of course. Anything," Ianto said, guessing it must be a pretty significant matter to warrant a private conversation. "What do you need?"
Tony reached out his hand, brushing Ianto's fingertips.
"Ahn-to...nanny?"
Ianto blinked. "You want me to be Imogen's nanny? You would really entrust me with the care of your child?" he asked, surprised by the honor.
Gibbs nodded, giving his trademark crooked grin. "Can't think of anyone else we would as much as you. Except for Jack, of course."
Ianto sat upright at the sound of his lover's name. "Yes. Jack. We should probably clear this with him first. I have responsibilities to Torchwood. I -"
"You have a responsibility to this family," Jack said from where he stood in the doorway, cradling Imogen in his arms. "They already cleared the matter with me, and I'm fine with it. You can continue to do research and work the archives for Torchwood. But working as a nanny will keep you out of harm's way."
"Jack..." Ianto warned in a low tone.
"I know I'm too overprotective of you, Ianto," Jack admitted. "But that's not why I think you should do this. Tony is still recovering. It will be awhile before he gets his strength back, he still needs help breathing, and he's going to be starting speech therapy in a few weeks. Not to mention the fact that Jethro is returning to work next week. They could really use your help, and Imogen sure seems to love you. Torchwood America is much quieter than our former Cardiff branch was. I'm sure I can manage just fine with Owen and Tosh. Don't worry."
"Ahn-to...pyease?"
Ianto looked from Tony to Gibbs to Jack, feeling surprised and honored at the request. He only hoped he could live up to their expectations. After all, he didn't have any real experience with kids.
"Yes, Tony," he finally said, squeezing his best friend's hand. "I'd be happy to help you take care of Imogen."
RENASCENCE RENASCENCE RENASCENCE
Six months after Imogen's birth, life had settled into a comfortable sort of normalcy. Well, as normal as could be expected for the unusual assortment of people that called themselves a family.
Though Gibbs had set up a lovely nursery for Imogen in his old house, he and Tony were feeling more and more at home in the Torchwood mansion. Jack, Ianto, Owen and Tosh provided love, care and comfort, and the couple found they just couldn't make themselves leave. Seeing Owen vanishing into thin air when playing peek-a-boo while Imogen squealed in delight was something Tony knew he would never get tired of.
Selling the house was a difficult decision for Gibbs to make. But he was making a new start, with a new family. For so long, Gibbs had lived alone with his memories. As if moving on would somehow be a betrayal to Shannon and Kelly.
But his heart changed the day he and Maddie Tyler sat trapped in a car underwater. On the verge of drowning, he saw Shannon and Kelly, reassuring him; telling him to go back. Giving him permission to move on. It felt far too real to be a dream. Gibbs realized they were telling him exactly what he needed to hear.
The next thing he remembered was lying on the dock, and exhausted Tony panting over he and Maddie. Tony had saved them. It was at that moment that Gibbs began to realize that maybe, just maybe, Tony was the person he was supposed to go back for.
Now, family life was an interesting mix of diaper changes, late night feedings, and casual dinner table conversations about murder cases and alien sightings.
Imogen was well looked after, and Tony and Ianto's friendship continued to deepen as the Welshman helped in her care. The green eyed cherub would sit enraptured as Ianto read to her in those sweet Welsh tones, while Tony held her close, their eyes locked in a loving gaze. Imogen was content, so long as she was in her mother's arms, with Ianto close by.
As for Jack, he had revealed himself to be quite the doting great grandparent; showering Imogen with hugs and kisses, singing to her, and engaging her in playful games of peekaboo - though his performance was far less impressive than Owen's.
Seeing their Captain behave in such an undignified manner, the abrasive medic couldn't help but to playfully mock him. Interestingly, he spared Tosh such teasing when she acted in a similar fashion. She had a very nurturing, maternal quality to her, and Owen felt a twinge of sadness, knowing he would never be able to give her a child.
While things were blissful, that's not to say they were easy. Having a new baby is exhausting under any set of circumstances. And, while it helped having plenty of people around, Tony couldn't help feeling guilty that his own needs prevented him from giving 100% of himself to his daughter. Between therapies and his own limitations, having extra helping hands was a necessity. But Jack was quick to remind his grandson that he was giving Imogen the most important things: love and time. And the moments that Tony spent nursing Imogen were times of bonding, when he gave her something that only he could.
The good news was, Tony was up and around again. Though he was slow moving, and couldn't even get up to a brisk walk, he was still walking. There was a time not that long ago that he wasn't sure he'd be able to do that.
Tony was no longer tethered to the oxygen tank; a fact he was most happy about. But he did need to use an inhaler. Breathing troubles were a part of life now. While he didn't like it, he had come to accept it.
Tony's potbelly served as a lingering reminder of his pregnancy. Surprisingly, he didn't mind it, and wasn't even in a hurry to get rid of it. But the reason was easy enough to understand. For some reason, Gibbs liked it. Tony didn't understand, but if carrying some extra weight around the middle made him attractive to his lover, he could live with that.
Given Tony's mental health history, it was no surprise that he suffered from post partum depression. Since he was still nursing, he didn't want to take medication to treat it. So, in addition to seeing a therapist twice a week, he continued as he had while pregnant, managing his moods through nutrition, and the companionship of others. Daily walks in the garden with Jack also helped, and that time together was something they both cherished.
Through therapy, Tony's speech was slowly improving. He still sometimes struggled with consonants, and his sentence structure was often child-like and broken. But it was getting easier for him to communicate with his voice, at least to those who were close to him. Out in public, strangers often mistook Tony for mentally slow when they heard him speak. So he usually kept quiet then.
Tony and Gibbs knew that they needed a cover story for when people asked how they came to be parents, and the one they had was convincing enough. As the story went, before they were given their "top secret mission", they had decided to have a child, using an old friend of Tony's as a surrogate mother. She became pregnant just before they had to leave unexpectedly, and by the time the baby was born, Tony was just starting to recover from the injuries he sustained in Afghanistan.
Tony hated having to lie about being Imogen's mother. There was a time not so long ago when he would have been embarrassed to admit he had been pregnant. But now, he was filled with such love and pride for his little girl, and he wanted the whole world to know that it was he and Gibbs who had together created this beautiful baby. As Gibbs had told him so often, it was only his own stubbornness and determination which had brought his miraculous pregnancy to a successful conclusion
Gibbs was getting ready to retire soon, and this was news that came as a surprise to almost everyone. Ziva had a tendency to be difficult and insubordinate, and no one wanted to see McGee - the natural successor to Gibbs as team leader - left in a difficult situation. Yet, in recent weeks, she had been surprisingly easy to work with, and even cooperative the few times Gibbs had left Tim in charge. Her sudden change in attitude was a mystery until Jack hinted that he may or may not have had a little conversation with her, wherein he told her he knew methods of torture that hadn't even been invented yet. And he wouldn't hesitate to use them on her if she made any trouble. Ziva was not easily intimidated, but Jack had time and experience on his side, and she knew better than to piss him off.
Tony took a deep breath as he pushed Imogen's stroller into the elevator at NCIS, flanked by Jack and Ianto. It was his first time back at NCIS since the day he found out he was pregnant, and it felt bittersweet. The elevator itself brought fond memories rushing back. In a way, this was where it all started.
"Here Jet-wo kiss me first time," Tony told Jack and Ianto as the doors slid closed, a far off look on his face.
"Just kissing, huh?" Jack teased.
Tony smiled naughtily. "No..."
Ianto rolled his eyes, smirking at how alike Jack and Tony were.
As the elevator dinged open and they stepped out, Tony paused for a moment, taking in the orange walls and the glare of the skylight. After being away for so long, they were still oddly comfortable and familiar.
"You're here!"
Abby came bounding up to them, capturing each man in a hug before leaning over to gaze at Imogen.
"Shh...Imogen syeeping," Tony warned, before Abby's excitement woke the child.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Abby whispered the apology. "I'm just so happy to see you back here. This is probably the last time we'll have the old team back together before Gibbs retires."
"We're just picking Gibbs up for lunch," Jack chuckled. "We won't be here long."
"Well, you've gotta at least come and say 'hi' to everyone."
With that, Abby rushed ahead of them.
As they stepped into the bullpen, Gibbs and McGee stood up, Gibbs rushing over to Tony and embracing him before turning his attention to their daughter, arm still wrapped around Tony's waist. "I missed you guys."
"Miss you too, Jet-wo," Tony said, smiling sweetly.
"Abby's been waiting up here for the last half hour," McGee informed Tony, Jack and Ianto, rolling his eyes.
"Well, I had to be here the moment Tony first walked back in," Abby insisted. "It's been so long."
Tony laughed softly, reaching his arms out to Abby for another hug. Maybe it was hormones, or another after effect of the coma on Tony's brain, but ever since he had woken up from it, there was a sweet, almost child-like, loving openness to him. A quality that everyone found quite endearing.
Breaking free from the hug, Tony glanced over at Ziva, who stood quietly, smiling sweetly behind her desk.
"It is good to see you, Tony," she greeted, quickly averting her eyes when they met Jack's piercing gaze. Jack and Ianto exchanged a knowing look, smirking.
"Hi, Ziva," Tony returned the greeting, not missing her discomfort around Jack. It was about time someone put her in her place, he thought.
Finally turning around, Tony stared at his old desk. He'd been avoiding looking at it since they arrived. That desk had felt like home to him for so many years, and he knew it would be strange to see another agent sitting there.
The man he saw was a handsome Eurasian in his 30s, with short cropped hair, high cheekbones and full lips. Definitely model good looks, Tony thought. The man sat working diligently. It was clear he was half listening to what was going on around him, but didn't feel right about being a part of it. Tony decided to ease some of the the agent's discomfort by introducing himself.
Approaching the desk, Tony extended his hand. "I Tony DiNozzo."
The man stood, accepting Tony's offered hand and shaking it. "Phil Chen. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. I've heard a lot of good things. Seems I have some big shoes to fill."
Tony felt himself blush slightly at the compliment. He never remembered receiving such praise from the others when he was an agent. He never suspected they thought so highly of him.
"You are good," Tony assured the young agent. "Is why Jet-wo tose you."
Phil appeared comforted by Tony's kind words. "Thanks for saying so, Tony." Stepping away from the desk, Phil motioned to the chair behind it. "Would you like to sit behind the desk one more time? For old time's sake?"
Tony considered Phil's offer for a minute before a broad smile spread across his face. Making his way behind the desk, he slowly lowered himself into the chair. Taking in the view he had grown accustomed to over such a long period of time, for a moment, it felt like nothing had changed.
And yet, everything had changed. NCIS was just the beginning of the long and beautiful story that Tony's life had become.
(Author's note: This isn't the end of the story. The final two chapters will jump to the future, showing us the fates of our beloved characters.)