I don't own NCIS

A/N picks up some time after Requiem and Tim has a middle name in this story.

He was shock. More than shock. He couldn't believe he was sitting here hearing this with these papers in his hands. When his mother had called him to meet with her well she was in town he figured it would just be a lunch date catch up after not seeing each other for a while instead his whole world was imploded. "Adopted." The word rang in his head he was adopted. It explained a lot. His father's lack of interest why Sarah was the favorite. Here he sat his mother across from him and a pile of letters in his hands.

"Sarah's not adopted is she?"

"No," Lisa McGee shook her head. "We desperately wanted a child and I was told I wouldn't have one that It was impossible. Your grandmother Penny knew a lady whose daughter had found herself in trouble at a young age and we adopted you. We had Sarah six years later by some miracle."

"And these." Tim held up the packet of letters.

"Those are from your birth mother. Penny would give them to us. Then when you were fourteen they stopped. Penny told us your birth mother had died."

"So she died and you had fourteen letters hidden away were you ever going to tell me, why now?"

"We were supposed to tell you when you reached 18. That was her wish but after she died, Penny asked us not too. Her friend didn't want the secret coming out. She said it would be too painful. We didn't question it because we figured the woman who had given your life was dead and the person she left behind didn't want to be contacted. As for why now I felt guilty I knew you had a right to know. I saw how hard you took your father's indifference and I thought you deserved to know your history."

"What about my birth father?"

"I know nothing about him and really I know nothing about your birth mother I don't even know her name. Penny never told us. I don't know if he knows about you or not. The answers may be in those letters."

"And my father does he know you're doing this?"

"No, though considering you haven't talked to each other in years I don't see how he can object."

"I just I don't know what to say about all of this." Tim shook his head. "I just I need to get out of here. To think." He swallowed clutching the letters tightly in his grip.

"Tim."

He looked at his mother standing in front of him wringing her hands. "What?"

"I'm sorry I hope you can forgive me for keeping this from you. I love you Tim."

"Can I ask you one more question before I leave?"

"Of course."

"Did you name me?"

"No," Lisa shook her head. "Your birth mother named you. You came to use with the name Timothy Jackson. We never got an explanation of why that name but we honored it."

"Okay." Tim swallowed hoping he'd find the answers he was looking for in the letters. He turned away then walking out of the restaurant. He loved his mother but he wasn't sure he could look at her then. He felt betrayed lied to all his life. Lied to by his mother and father his grandmother and he was sure his grandfather knew the truth. He had a sick feeling he hoped that Sarah hadn't known. He didn't dare turn around and ask though.

He found himself sitting in his own living room forty-five minutes later. He stared at the yellowed envelopes in front of him. Seeing the date etched into each envelope. He picked up the oldest one. 1977 etched into the corner. With trembling hands he broke the seal.

He unfolded the aging paper and saw his name written across the top and the date of his birth January 3rd 1977 written down next to it. He swallowed hard past the lump that was growing in his throat as he read the first words printed across the paper.

My Dear Timothy

Oh my darling boy how I weep as I write these words to you. How I wish I was stronger and could go against my mother's wishes and keep you safe in my arms. My darling I'm just not strong enough, not now. My mother assures me that the people who are taking you in are good people who will love you.

As I write these words I figure you're eighteen now reading them. And I'm sure you have many questions. Let me start with your name. Timothy is after your maternal grandfather he died when I was five but I remember him fondly and wished to pass that connection on to you. Your middle name Jackson. That comes from your paternal grandfather I only met him a few times but I felt it was only right for you to have a connection to that side of your family also.

Now I'm sure you're wondering where your father fits into this picture. He doesn't know. He's away being a marine. I love him desperately but I'm only just 17 and my mother has forbidden me from contacting him. He has no idea you exist my child. I'm sure if he did he'd want you desperately. I won't say his name here. Maybe later I'll be strong enough to reveal you to him. Or him to you but not yet it's still too raw.

You were conceived in a moment of weakness. He was shipping out and I was desperate to have him to myself if only for a moment not even sure if I'd ever see him again. I had been in his home town for the summer helping my aunt in her dress shop when we met. He was striking and I fell for him. I can't regret that weakness that lead me to his arms because it brought you into my arms if only for a brief moment.

As I close out this letter I hope you can forgive me my weakness. I hope you know I love you desperately my child

Forever in my heart

Shannon Fielding

Tim put the letter down and stared at it. Something was bugging him about the letter. He just couldn't put his finger on it. He shook his head he was sure it was nothing just his exhaustion and trying to come to terms with the information that he was feeling. Could he forgive her giving him up?" yes he could forgive her that. She was a scared teen but he wasn't sure how to take the part about his father not even knowing. Not being allowed to know and he wondered about the man who shared half his DNA was he still out there? If he was would he want to know him would he care?

His fingers itched to pick up the envelope marked 1978 but he stopped himself his hand hovering over the envelope and quickly pulling away. Could handle anymore tonight. He sighed looking at the open letter and then the other thirteen in front of him. No he decided for tonight what he'd learned was enough he couldn't learn more he feared if he did his head would explode. He tucked the open letter back into its envelope and stood up shooting off his living room light he made his way into his bedroom and fell onto his bed not even bothering to change. What was tomorrow going to bring. What would the other letters reveal? Could handle the truth? He didn't know the answer to any of those questions as they swirled through his mind and he drifted into a fitful sleep.