Chapter Four: Everything Changes
Glancing up at the sound of footsteps in the hallway outside the lab, Abby turned, her finger to her lips as she pointed to her office where Tony slept on.
"Something wrong with Tony's blood test, my dear?" Ducky asked, keeping his voice quiet.
"Not wrong but it just... I had do have done something wrong, Duckman. There's no way this is right. Tony would have told us by now!"
"What seems to be the problem?" He asked, resting his hand on Abby's shoulder to calm her.
"Come see for yourself," she offered, a frown darkening her face.
Adjusting his glasses on his face, Ducky squinted to read the small print on the screen. After a second, he stepped back, his frown mirroring Abby's.
"Oh dear. Well... This does explain things I suppose."
A look of realization dawned on Abby's face, her mouth falling open. "Oh Ducky... You don't think... You don't think he knew and didn't tell us, do you?!"
"There is only one way to find out."
Not needing to be told twice, Abby turned on her heel, crossing the lab quickly.
On the futon, Tony stirred at the sound of the automatic doors opening, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Tony?"
"Hmm?" He responded sleepily as he pushed himself into a sitting position, leaning heavily against the wall.
She narrowed her eyes at him as she looked him over before she balled her hand into a fist and socked him hard in the shoulder.
"Abby! What the hell?!" He asked incredulously, rubbing the spot where she'd punched him.
"That's what I'd like to know! How could you keep something like this from me?! We're supposed to be friends!"
"What the hell are you talking about, crazy woman?!"
She punched him again before her eyes widened in horror. "Oh my God! I shouldn't have done that! Oh my God! I'm so sorry! Are you okay?!"
Pushing himself to his feet, Tony stumbled away from her, concerned that she'd lost her mind. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
Spotting Ducky out in the main lab, Tony hurried out to him, moving away from his raven haired friend.
"You might want to give her a physical too Duck. And make sure you run a full tox screen," Tony suggested, running his fingers through his hair.
"Tony! That is not nice!" Abby scolded as she walked out of the office, scowling at her Italian friend.
"That's enough Abby," Ducky warned as he took Tony's arm gently. "Come, my boy. Perhaps it's best if you sit."
"What? Why?" Tony asked as Ducky led him over to the stool. "What's going on?"
He did not like the look that Abby and Ducky exchanged.
"You mean you really didn't know? Honest to God?"
"Didn't know WHAT?" He snapped, his patience wearing thin.
Ducky hesitated slightly. "There... Is no easy way to say this..."
The color drained from Tony's face as Abby's frown deepened. "I'm not... The plague... I haven't..."
The older doctor chuckled quietly, patting Tony's shoulder reassuringly. "Heavens no, dear boy!"
Tony relaxed visibly with a sigh of relief. "Thank God. What's the problem then?"
Ducky and Abby exchanged another look.
"Well... It appears that..."
"You're pregnant Tony!" Abby blurted out, unable to stand it any longer.
What started out as an amused snort quickly morphed into uncontrollable laughter as Tony doubled over on the stool.
"H-how long did it take you two to come up with this one?" Tony asked, snorting again as he tried to control himself. "Jesus! You really had me worried for a minute!"
He shook his head as he slid off the stool, still laughing quietly.
Gripping his shoulder, Abby stopped him, her face still set in a frown. "Tony..."
"I know this must be difficult for you to process Anthony but--"
"No," Tony interrupted, the smile sliding from his face. "No. Ducky, no doctor has ever--"
"Things were much different when you were younger. They did not have the mandatory tests that they have now."
"As much as I've been in and out of hospitals, you mean to tell me that no doctor thought to check?!" Tony snapped, his temper flaring.
"It was overlooked."
"Over looked?! How the fuck do you overlook something like that?!" He sank back down on the stool heavily. "You have to run that test again. Maybe it's wrong."
"It's not wrong," Abby said quietly, resting her hand on her friend's shoulder. "I double checked it T. I called Ducky down here to triple check it."
Tony dropped his head into his hands and sighed heavily. He stood up, shrugging out of Abby's embrace when she moved closer, trying to comfort him. "Check it again!"
Abby took a step back from him, narrowing her eyes. "Tony..." She said, pointing a finger at him as he began to pace in front of them."You being a pain isn't gonna change the results."
"I know this is a lot to take in, my dear boy, but you must trust that it'll all work out. I have the number of a wonderful doctor that I'd be more than happy to pass along to you. You'll need to be seen immediately."
"Yeah... yeah, that'd be great. Thanks Duck."
Offering the younger man a kind smile, Ducky patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Come along. I'll go dig up that number for you, and then I think an afternoon off is in order."
"Ducky, I'm--"
"Going home. End of story. You've had a trying morning. You could use the rest. Especially now." Not prepared to take no for an answer, the older doctor grabbed Tony's bag from the floor, his hand resting on Tony's shoulder. "Let's go."
"Tony..." Abby hesitated, gripping his hand as he turned to leave. She offered him a slight smile when he turned. "Should we call Timmy before you go?"
"No," he responded, shaking his head. "No."
"You have to--"
"I will."
She eyed him for a moment before nodding. "Okay. I'll see you tomorrow, huh? You wanna meet me for breakfast before work?"
"Sure thing Abs," he responded, forcing a smile. Leaning down, he pressed a kiss to her cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow."
----
Stepping off the elevator in the bullpen, Tony headed for Gibbs' desk, ignoring Ziva's quiet chuckle and McGee's inquisitive look.
"Boss?"
"Go on, DiNozzo."
"You sure?"
Looking up at his Senior Field Agent, Gibbs cocked an eyebrow. "Would I have said it if I wasn't?"
"No, guess not."
"Good guess. Get out of here before I change my mind."
Not needing to be told twice, Tony nodded curtly before walking over to his desk, grabbing his gun and badge from the top drawer.
"Where are you going?" Ziva asked, narrowing her eyes at her partner.
"Home."
"Everything okay?" McGee asked, frowning at his lover. "How'd your physical go?"
"Yeah... yeah it was fine," Tony responded distractedly. "I'll see you guys tomorrow."
Standing up from his desk, McGee followed Tony to the elevator. He slid in just as the doors were closing and immediately reached for the emergency switch.
"T, what's going on?" He asked as the elevator screeched to a halt.
"Still a little nauseous from earlier," Tony lied smoothly. "Ducky thinks I've caught that twenty four hour bug. Told me to go home and get some rest."
"You want me to come by later? I'll bring dinner."
"I'm probably going to crash early, but give me a call when you get off and we'll see," Tony responded, forcing another smile as he reached for the emergency switch.
McGee frowned at his partner's casual dimissal. "Are you.. I'm really sorry about this morning. You aren't... are you still mad at me? Because I feel like--"
"Tim. It's fine. I'm over it. Really, I'm just tired. That's all."
"So we're okay then, right?"
"We're fine," Tony promised.
"Okay, but see, when you say things are 'fine', do you really mean they're 'fine', or are you really saying that no, things aren't okay but you don't want to talk about it because when you say fine, everyone knows you really don't mean it."
Try as he might, Tony couldn't stop the quiet laugh that escaped him. Leaning over, he pressed his lips to McGee's, pulling away as the elevator came to a stop. "We're better than fine. I'll see you later. Call me when you leave."
McGee nodded dumbly, unsure of what else to say as he watched Tony step off the elevator. With a quiet sigh, he punched the button for the third floor. Leaning back against the wall as the doors close,d he couldn't help but wonder if his lover was being completely honest with him.
OoOoOoO
Abby spotted the Mustang parked out in front of Gibbs' house as soon as she turned onto the street. Though she had been expecting to hear from Tony at some point, she was surprised that he had given in so soon. Pulling the Hearse into the driveway, she threw it into park and climbed out, snatching her bag from the passenger seat.
Tony was waiting for her on the front porch, his elbows resting on his knees as he sat with his face hidden in his hands. At the sound of her quiet footsteps against the pavement, Tony lifted his head and pushed himself to his feet.
"There's my favorite girl," he greeted with a grin.
"Hey T," she responded as she approached him. "How long have you been here?"
"Long enough to know that Gibbs really needs to work on these flower beds. He's starting to grow a jungle."
She snickered, shaking her head as she linked her arm through his. "I'll be sure to pass the message along," she promised as she tugged him towards the front door. "Come on."
"Where are we going?"
"Well I'm assuming you didn't come by to inspect our flower beds."
"Oh. No, I was... just in the neighborhood and thought I'd stop by."
"You live twenty minutes away. Try that on someone who doesn't know any better," she smirked, pushing the front door open. "In. Living room. Tea?"
She didn't wait for a response before she headed into the kitchen. Sighing quietly, the forced smile fell from Tony's face as he trudged into the living room. He sank down onto the couch, resting his head against the cushion as he waited for Abby.
It wasn't long before she returned, two mugs in hand. "Alright," she ordered as she sat beside him, "spill."
The forced smile was back in place as he accepted a cup from her. "What are you talking about? I can't just... come over and hang out with my best girl?"
"Come on, Tony. Don't do this, okay? Not with me. You obviously came here to talk, so talk."
Setting the mug down on the coffee table, Tony pushed himself to his feet. Afraid that he was going to leave, Abby reached out to him, frowning when he snatched his arm away.
"Tony--"
"I can't do this Abby!" Running his fingers through his hair, he started to pace in front of her. "I don't... I'm not ready for this! I can barely take care of myself, for shit's sake! How the hell am I supposed to take care of a helpless little thing that can't even hold it's own head up!? Kids hate me! I don't know the first thing about changing a diaper or... or... mixing a bottle! And what about my car? My CAR, Abby! It's SO not baby friendly and I'll have to get rid of it and--"
Grabbing his hand, she pulled him back down onto the couch, wrapping her arms around him in a fierce hug. She could feel him trembling against her, his breath coming out in short, ragged spurts as he tried to get himself under control.
"I can't do this," he said again, his voice muffled as he buried his face against her hair.
"Yes you can."
"I can't," he repeated, his voice cracking slightly.
She pressed her lips to the top of his head, her hand rubbing his back soothingly as she held him. "We're all here for you, T. We're not going to make you do this alone. You know that."
He nodded against her before he pulled away, swiping at the wetness under his eyes. He forced another smile as he looked away from her, unable to look her in the eye after his minor freak out. "Sorry," he muttered. "I'm okay. I just..."
Ignoring him, Abby reached for him again, tugging him back against her. "It's okay to be upset and freaked out, T. Getting pregnant is scary enough even when it's planned. I can't imagine how you must feel, not even knowing you were able to do this, you know?"
She wrapped her arms around him, smiling as he settled against her chest. Reaching up, she tangled her fingers in his hair, scratching his scalp lightly. She could feel him as he started to relax against her, the tension leaving his body.
"Everything's going to be okay, Tony," she promised. "I know it probably doesn't feel that way right now, but it's all going to work out."
----
"Feeling better, DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked as he stepped into the living room, cocking an eyebrow at the sight of his Senior Field Agent cuddled up on his couch with his girl.
Jumping at the sound of his boss' voice, Tony nearly toppled over in a hurry to climb to his feet. "Oh! Hey boss!" He greeted, forcing a smile as he straightened his wrinkled shirt. "We were uh... we were just--"
"--Talking," Abby finished, peering over the back of the couch at her lover.
"Yeah, I can see that. Good conversation?"
"Not really. Unlike you, Tony's not much of a conversationalist," she teased as she pushed herself to her feet, winking playfully at Tony.
"Right. Uh... well... I'm just... gonna go. Thanks for everything Abs. I uh... I'll see you tomorrow, boss."
"Isn't it cute when he gets all flustered like that?" Abby giggled, linking her arm through Gibbs'. Though the older man rolled his eyes at Abby, he couldn't stop the amused smirk that tugged on the corners of his mouth.
"Leave him alone. You'll only make him more flustered."
"Aww, c'mon Gibbs! You're no fun."
"Wait a minute," Tony snorted. "You actually call him Gibbs? Even when you're not at work?"
"It's no different than you calling Timmy 'McGee' all the time," she shot back, sticking her tongue out at him.
"Yeah well, you don't want to know what I call him in bed," Tony smirked.
"And neither do I," Gibbs responded dryly.
Giggling at the blush that tinted Tony's cheeks, Abby pulled away from Gibbs and wrapped her arm around his waist. "Come on Tonyboy. I'll walk you out."
Shaking his head as the two headed outside, Gibbs made his way into the kitchen to start dinner. He hadn't gotten far when a pair of arms wrapped around his waist from behind as Abby snuggled up to him, resting her head against his back.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"It was my turn to cook."
Turning in her arms, he cupped her chin in his hand, looking into her pretty green eyes. "Wanna fill me in on what I walked into?"
"Tony had a really rough day."
He cocked his eyebrow at her suspiciously. "A rough day? Abby, he left before lunch."
"Tony had a really rough morning," she ammended as she pulled away from him. Turning to the refridgerator, she pulled the door open and pretended to study the contents inside, though she could feel Gibbs' eyes on her back. "Stop staring at me like that, J!"
Leaning against the counter, Gibbs crossed his arms over his chest. "Abby."
"Gibbs!" Closing the refridgerator door, she turned back to him, wilting under his intense gaze. "You aren't even going to believe me when I tell you."
"Try me."
"Tony's pregnant," she blurted out.
Had he been drinking anything, Gibbs was fairly certain that he would have choked. "What?"
"Pregnant! With child! Knocked up!"
"DiNozzo?"
"Yep!" Seeing the incredulous look on her face, she couldn't help but giggle nervously. "I know! I felt the same way when I looked over his blood test today! I had to call Ducky down to make sure I wasn't reading it wrong!"
For once in his life, Leroy Jethro Gibbs was speechless.
"You can't say anything though, J! He isn't ready to tell everyone yet and he'll be super mad if he finds out I told you."
Though he'd had a fleeting gut feeling earlier that morning after witnessing his Senior Agent emptying his stomach on the side of the road, he'd shaken it off as completely absurd. Male pregnancies were becoming more and more common, sure, but DiNozzo?
"How... the hell does that even work?"
"It's a genetic mutation. No one's sure what exactly causes it, but it's pretty fascinating stuff. They've started testing boys as young as ten years old now because it's becoming so common, but it was practically unheard of when Tony was a kid."
"He... didn't even know, then?"
"No! That's why he's so freaked out! Well, I imagine he'd be freaked out anyway, but it's even worse because he didn't even know he was ABLE to get pregnant!"
"Has he told McGee yet? I'm assuming McGee is the... father?"
"He's supposed to tell him tonight."
Snorting in amusement, Gibbs shook his head. "Yeah, we'll see about that."
OoOoOoO
Frowning at the sound of the quiet knock on the front door, McGee set the pot of water on the burner and crossed the room in three short strides. Pulling the door open, he was surprised to find Tony standing there.
"Hey," he greeted, unable to mask the confusion in his voice. "I uh... I tried to call you when I left the building, but your phone was off. I figured you were sleeping or something."
"Yeah. I was, but then I woke up and it was still early so I figured... Can I come in? I kind of... need to talk to you."
"Uh... Sure," McGee responded as he stepped back, holding the door open wide enough for his lover to slip in. Tony didn't miss the slight hesitation in his voice, nor did he miss the way McGee fidgeted slightly.
"Is this a bad time?" The older man asked, a frown darkening his face.
"No... no, not a bad time. It's just..." He trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably.
"Just what?"
"Well, I figured you were sleeping and I... kind of invited Sarah over for dinner."
"So? What does that-- Oh," he said quietly, the realization of what his lover was saying hitting him like a swift kick to the crotch. "You haven't told them yet."
"Tony..."
"No, it's okay. I should have called first anyway," he said as he turned back to the door, pulling away when he felt McGee reach for him. "It's cool. I'll see you at work tomorrow."
"Tony, wait!"
He paused at the doorway, closing his eyes when McGee gripped his arm. He had come with the intention of telling him everything, though at the moment, he couldn't even bring himself to look at the younger man. "I really should go."
"I can call her and cancel. Please. I'm sorry."
"Don't sweat it, kid." Forcing his confident, cocky smile into place, he turned back to McGee. "It's not a big deal," he lied.
"You swear?"
"Of course."
"What about what you wanted to talk about?"
Hesitating slightly, Tony could feel his smile falter. "Nothing important."
"Are you sure?"
"Yep. We'll talk later." Leaning over, Tony pecked McGee's lips before he pulled away. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Tony?" McGee called as he watched the man's retreating back.
"Yeah?"
"We're... we're okay, right?"
Forcing his smile back into place, Tony turned and nodded. "Yeah. We're fine."
Stepping onto the elevator, Tony punched the button for the ground floor, allowing his grin to slip away as the doors closed. Cursing himself loudly, he leaned his head back against the wall, ignoring the ache in his chest. He should have told McGee, he realized. That had been the whole reason he'd stopped by. But if McGee wasn't serious enough about their relationship to tell his family, how the hell was he going to react when he found out about this?
Chapter End Notes:
A/N: First of all, thank you guys so much for the reviews! I told you they help me write faster! As always, a huge thank you to my bffl Kelley, because I'm serious, you guys. Without her, this story would not be possible! Love you girly! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, and as always, don't forget to tell me what you think! Reviews are better than rainbows and ponies! ;)