Souls Companion (The Child) Chapter 5
“So McGee, what does Abby want to speak to us about in her lab later?”
Tony studied his close lipped friend and watched him blush and squirm at his desk.
Interesting.
“Uhhhh I would rather not talk about it right now. It’s more of an after work thing”
Tim knew he couldn’t lie and say he didn’t know. Tony would be able to tell straight away he was lying anyway. Besides this was Abby‘s call. She wanted a child and she had been the one to set this whole ball rolling so she should be the one to tell the team.
Tony grinned “So you DO know what it is then. And it’s something personal....... Hummm maybe she wants help selecting a new tattoo?”
Tim attempted to ignore Tony and return to his paperwork but it was difficult with the end of the day looming over him. He wanted to crawl under his desk and hide.
How on earth were they going to tell the team (and most especially Gibbs ) that he was planning on fathering a child with Abby and still have his genitalia attached to be able to physically do the deed afterwards?
Abby thought he was just being silly but she wasn’t a GUY. She didn’t understand about the silent Guy Code that included things like you NEVER sleep with a friend’s sister. And since Abby was the closest thing Tony had to a sister it was making him sweat. The teasing from Tony was a certainty but there might even be some firm words of warning in an empty stairwell for all he knew.
How Gibbs would react was something he was trying not to think about. It would be like telling Gibbs that he was planning on knocking up his daughter.
Besides they would know. They would know that he was planning on having SEX with Abby.
It made him blush just to think about it.
The three of them had discussed making the whole impregnating process clinical but to his surprise, both Abby and Dante had been against it. Dante amusingly enough thought the whole turkey baster option an ‘unnatural process’ and Abby figured that it wasn’t anything they hadn’t done before.
In fact she seemed quite enthusiastic about having sex with him, as long as it was with Dante’s permission. It alarmed Tim slightly but then again Abby had always been a lot more relaxed about sex than he had ever been. It was part of what had been different between them when they had dated. To Abby, sex was fun but to Tim it was something to be shared with someone special.
He was a very private person and he had already warned Abby to keep as many details as possible to between just the three of them. Especially when it came to Dante’s contribution. He had enough to worry about without wondering what the team thought about his unusual sex life.
He had even considered not telling the team until it reached a point when it could no longer be avoided but Abby had firmly insisted. Finally he caved as he could understand her wanting to tell the team straight away. They were like family to both of them and it would affect their work too as Abby would need to start training up a replacement to take over her work in the lab. Then there were all the doctors’ appointments she would like him to attend with her, the books and leaflets to read not to mention the actual birth itself. It would all be a lot easier if they knew what was going on.
Sneaking around was something that would only make a difficult situation worse. Working long hours with a team of investigators meant that they were all very familiar with each other’s moods, habits and idiosyncrasities. The slightest twitch or blush would give him away. Before he knew it Tony would probably have broken into his apartment looking for answers while Ziva would start following him home. Gibbs would simply glare at him in the elevator until he buckled and told him what was up. He might as well save the hushed discussions and his apartment’s door lock and just get it over and done with.
Besides Tim had a feeling he was going to need his friends support with a Caf Pow free, heavily pregnant and possibly emotional Abby on his hands
The long minutes ticked slowly down to the end of the day and Tim felt every single one of them.
This was a good idea, wasn’t it?
*******************************************************************************
Abby bounced in her excitement. She had taken her temperature again and the optimum time for her to fall pregnant in her cycle was THIS weekend. So it was now or never. She was going to be a Mommy! She had brought 12 pregnancy tests just in case and she was already on extra folic acid and recommended vitamins.
“Hey Gibbs, Ziva, Tony!”
Gibbs walked into the lab after a long day with some suspicion as Abby seemed to be playing classical music. Ducky and a nervous looking Palmer were already sitting in the corner of the lab, waiting.
“What's with the music Abby?”
“Oh I thought I should start getting used to it. Studies have shown that classical music is good for the developing brains of children.”
Gibbs stared at her and Abby suddenly whirled and cursed.
“There I go AGAIN. I’m just so excited I can’t remember to keep my mouth shut!”
“Ahh Abby I’m sorry but I don’t think any of us has any idea what you’re talking about?” Tony joked as a dawning realisation crossed Gibbs face.
“I am planning on having a baby Tony” Abby announced proudly with a huge grin on her face.
Ducky smiled and walked over to give her a hug “Oh Abigail that’s marvellous!”
Tony screwed up his face as he thought it through.
“You’re planning on having a baby? You’re not pregnant now then? Or do you mean you’re doing a Brangelina and adopting a baby?”
Abby frowned as her team looked at her. This wasn’t the reaction she had expected. Where was the excitement, the jumping up and down?
“No Tony I’m not pregnant now. But I soon will be. I just thought you guys should know so you are all ready for the big day.”
Abby stood there expectantly waiting for the squealing and the announcements of excitement.
“But it could take months, maybe years to get pregnant Abby, why didn’t you wait until then to...” Tony responded
Ziva punched Tony in the arm then turned and smiled at Abby, giving her a big hug “That’s great news Abby. Congratulations. It is a big decision to make.”
“So who is going to be the father?” Gibbs asked patiently, wondering if this was the way it was done these days. Announcing a child before it had even appeared and without a father in sight.
Tim came into the lab looking nervous and flustered, his hands fluttering and smoothing his jacket.
“Sorry I’m late Abby, I couldn’t get out of MTAC. Did you tell them yet?”
“And there he is” Abby announced proudly as she pointed at Tim.
Gibbs started in surprise and suddenly Abby got the noise and excitement she had been hoping for as Tony practically leapt in the air.
“McGee? McGee’s going to be the father? But what...I mean....he’s....well you know........MCGEE??? Hello angel stuff? Man, I didn’t even think you guys were going out? Did I miss something massive here? Doesn’t Dante have anything to say about this? You know tall, undead guy who like Abby sleeps in a coffin but not because it’s cool?”
Ziva was grinning and walking over she gave Tim a big hug while Tony seemed to still be recovering from his shock and waving his arms around. Gibbs was utterly silent and watching Tim with a careful considering air.
Tim smiled and gave Ziva a grateful squeeze before whispering his thanks in her ear. It was nice to know someone was happy for them.
Dante? I think it’s time you turned up. I think they are going to have some questions for us
Tim sent the thought out into the evening, knowing that Dante had been feeling his apprehension all day and wouldn’t be far away.
Companion
With the barest shimmer Dante walked out of Abby’s office and into her lab and greeted his Companions mortal friends. Palmer edged behind Ducky and tried not to look like he wanted to run away. The handsome pale vampire still terrified him. Abby bounced on her feet, clapping her hands in excitement while all the colour drained from Tony’s face as if he expected a showdown. He opened his mouth to say something and Ziva promptly told Tony to hush so that Abby could finish her announcement.
Abby beamed “Ok so as I was saying I have decided I want a child. I thought about it for a long time and the reality is I’m getting older and I might not have many chances. I wanted the father to be someone I cared for and respected so I picked my best friend, McGee. He and Dante have agreed to be the father and I’m hoping Timmy here can knock me up as soon as possible”
Tim blushed at Abby’s turn of phrase and he felt them all turn and stare at him.
“Abby! Do you have to put it like that?” Tim complained
“Like what? Clocks ticking Mister. That’s the point. I don’t want to waste any time here. It’s bun in the oven time.”
Gibbs couldn’t hide the smirk that twisted his mouth at Tim’s henpecked expression as Abby stood glaring at him with her hands on her hips. It had been a shock initially but right now he couldn’t think of anyone else capable of being the father to Abby’s child. She was a handful and as a mother she was quite possibly going to be terror so perhaps it might take special powers to be the father she needed.
Gibbs gave McGee a good once over and he could see the sweat beginning to bead on his forehead as he stood ramrod straight, trying to return his gaze. It was good to see even after all this time McGee still had a healthy respect for his authority. Abby was right though. With his kind heart, intelligence and endless patience McGee would make an excellent father. Gibbs nodded to himself even as he realised that this would mean some major changes to his team, not to mention the paperwork.
Dante watched as Gibbs studied his beloved and smirked as he could see Gibbs’s subtle approval of Abby choice. It pleased him. Of course Timothy would make a perfect father!
Tim felt Dante come up behind him and wrap his arms around him, his head resting on Tim’s shoulder protectively and Tim sighed out and leaned back slightly into the vampire’s arms, taking in his support.
Ducky pushed his glasses up further on his nose as he peered at the entwined couple. Tim had come to him some months ago and revealed his ‘special gifts’ to him knowing that there might be certain situations where having someone in the medical profession who knew about his unusual bloodlines would be useful. He still found himself fascinated with the whole concept and what it represented from a scientific standpoint. Ducky cleared his throat as he considered how to ask such a delicate question.
“I don’t mean to sound harsh but do we even know if Timothy, given his altered state is even capable of biologically fathering a child?”
Dante seemed to take it as a bit of a personal affront and he pulled Tim tighter into his arms before responding.
“Timothy as part angel is the living embodiment of the Life Force. He is all that is positive and alive in this world. “
The vampire’s eyes glowed as he smirked “Trust me he could knock up a rock if he put his mind to it”
Ziva instinctively took a step back away from Tim and Tim smiled when he met her eyes.
“Don’t worry Ziva, I think Dante is exaggerating just a bit. But to answer your question, we don’t anticipate any difficulties in that regard Ducky.
Tony eyed them cautiously “So...you know...you’re cool with this Dante? You’re fine with McGee going off and ...you know into a cup and ...whatever they do....... with the thing and the tests?” Tony flailed his arms around trying to represent the scientific process of artificial insemination.
Abby shook her head furiously “Oh no Tony. No we’re going to do it the old fashioned way”
Gibbs choked on his coffee while Tony’s eyes grew wide.
“So you two are going to go off and...you know...until Abby’s knocked up?”
Dante smiled down at Tony knowing he still made the Italian slightly uncomfortable.
“Actually it’s going to be the three of us”
Gibbs held up his hands in surrender
“Ok. That’s enough information for me. Abby that’s great. Let me know when you need me to sign off on your Doctor’s visits. Dante. McGee.”
Gibbs gave Abby a tight hug before briefly nodding to the others and then heading swiftly out of the lab muttering to himself about threesomes certainly NOT being the old fashioned way to make a baby.
Tony just gaped.
Ziva turned and looked at Abby with curiosity.
“Well Dante can feel everything that’s going on with McGee anyway whether he is in the room or a thousand miles away so he might as well be there. And if he‘s there it feel less like we are cheating on him. You know sneaking off and having sex without him.”
Palmer was blushing bright red and Tim was refusing to meet his eyes. Ok this was getting into detail territory here. He gave Abby winding up signals which she ignored while Dante sent distracting hot thoughts about showing everyone exactly who he belong to into Tim’s head.
“So when are you guys going to....well you know?”
Tony found himself distinctly embarrassed. Hot sex was one thing and sex between friends was something else. Sex with friends and vampires to make babies was something that was turning him rather old fashioned.
“This weekend! THAT’S why I wanted to tell you so soon because this thing is happening and I’m going to need to train up a replacement”
Gibbs voice suddenly crackled down over the video link.
“Going to need you guys up here. Case just been reported in. You’re going to need to go home and back some bags”
“Why Boss? Where are we going?”
“Let’s just say its past Eden Vale Tony so pack enough for a few days”
Abby scowled as everyone in the lab scattered back to their various departments. She pointed at McGee imperiously.
“You better make sure you’re back in time to have sex with me McGee!”
Tim frowned at her while Dante vanished with a smirk
“I don’t think cases work according to your menstrual cycle Ab’s”
“Yeah well they should.”
Tony shook his head as they headed back up to the bullpen.
“What?” Tim questioned him
“You have Abby demanding that you be back in time that you have sex with her. Doesn’t it seem a little weird? Oh no wait. You’re level of weird is way higher than mine.”
Ziva looked at the two men “Well I can tell you I would not like to be around her if we are NOT back in time.”
“Do you think she’s going to be like that when she pregnant?” Tony asked giving Tim a worried look.
Tim fell silent.
“I don’t like to think about it.”