Thanks, earthdragon for your in-depth reviews, always appreciated and helpful

I Do Not Own NCIS

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Ziva carefully pulled the shirt over Tim's head revealing his smiling, goofy face looking at her, fondly. She couldn't help but giggle.

He was sitting on the edge of the bed as she helped him dress, his ribs still sore, hindering easy tasks that apparently he had taken for granted up till now.

"Have I thanked you for taking care of me?"
Ziva smiled warmly, "Everyday, sweetheart. But, it is not necessary. I am happy to help you as you get better. As a matter of fact, I love to."

"Yeah, but you saved my life, Zeevs-"

"That is what I do."
"But, I am still grateful."
"Okay. You are very welcome. Happy? Besides. I know you would do the same for me." Ziva tapped his nose as Tim's face and neck reddened.

"Its going to be so weird seeing Jackson and Mrs. Fielding as family now. Add the fact they will now be seeing me in a whole new light. Do you think any of this will make a difference to them?"

"From what I understand, Jackson adored Shannon and we know Mrs. Fielding, very much loved her daughter so knowing you two were related... I can safely say you will now hold a special place in their heart. But first, let's just worry about telling the rest of the team."

"That shouldn't change things too much." But even as Tim spoke the words out loud he thought of Abby, Jethro's favorite and Tony who he had worked with long before Tim was even accepted onto the team. Was there a possibility bad feelings could develop between them because of this new development? He decided it wasn't worth worrying about, they were adults so it shouldn't be difficult to accept.

He smiled thinking of how much Gibbs had changed since he found out about the familial connection. He already felt closer to Gibbs, because the man had taken on the role with such vigor and commitment. Tim knew,once he heard the news, it could only be good for their relationship. Often Tim had felt distant with Gibbs, unable to connect on a personal level with him. They both held their emotions in so it was difficult for them to know what each other was feeling. But now he felt safe opening up to him, knowing he would be accepted and loved; a special bond through the love of his uncle's life, who he had never had the pleasure to even know.

"Just to think, Kelly was my cousin and we would have grown up together. And who would have raised me? The Fieldings...or Gibbs and Shannon? Wow! What could have been. All, so mind boggling."

Ziva was standing over Tim, buttoning his shirt. "Are you angry with the choices your mother made? Your life would have been so different if she hadn't lied to her parents."

"I don't think so. I'm sure there was a reason for what she did. I don't know what that was but, maybe she was in some kind of trouble or... who knows? Hopefully I will know some day. So, I will not hold anything against her. Things happen for a reason-"

"Do you believe that?"

"Yes. Maybe if I had been raised by the Fieldings or the Gibbs I would never have met you." Tim shrugged. "I don't know what I missed by either of the families not raising me but I do know what I'd be missing without you in my life. I can't imagine life without you, Zeevs." Tim wrapped his arms around her waist, planting his face in her stomach, playfully kissing her then snugly hugging her.

Ziva touched his chin, lifting it to kiss him slowly, conveying the love she felt for him and the openness she cherished about him.

"Do you, Ziva? Believe everything happens for a reason?"

Ziva placed her hands on his shoulders. "I do not know. I would like to believe we are all here for a reason and making an impact on each others' lives. You've made a big one on mine." They exchanged a smile as she leaned down to face him. "Have I told you how much I am glad you are okay? If anything bad had happened to you-"

Tim pulled Ziva close and guided her to his lap. "And here we are, safe and sound and happy. We don't have to ask ourselves the "what if" questions. We can focus on the... "Yeah! All is good." thoughts.

"You know, hon, this is a good day and very appropriate to be so thankful, being that it is...Thanksgiving, but, we need to get going. I'm sure Ducky spent a lot of time on the preparation of this dinner."

"Yeah, and I can't wait to eat more of those Tahini butter cookies you made." Tim licked his lips smiling at Ziva.

"The team will be lucky if they are able to sample any after you ate half the batch!"

"Well...they were really gooood." Tim flashed his puppy dog eyes.

Ziva got playful and squeezed his cheeks. "No, you're really goood."

"No you are." Tim hugged her, pressing his face into her neck, sending her into a fit of giggles.

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There was a light dusting covering the grounds of Ducky's estate as they pulled into the packed driveway, the rest of the NCIS team had already arrived. Tim and Ziva huddled together on Ducky's front porch as Ziva pressed the doorbell. They could hear Ducky yell, "Come in!"so they entered quickly getting in and out of the frigid cold. Ziva could detect the apprehension in Tim's composure as she felt the same way. Knowing Gibbs planned to tell the team that Tim and himself were related and also assuming everyone would now be well aware of the committed relationship they were in could spark some interesting comments and maybe even some objection.

Ducky was the first to greet them at the door. "Oh, Ducky, everything smells delicious."

"Why thank you my dear. And what may I ask is in this festive container? An Israeli dish I hope?"
"Those are the most extraordinary cookies in the world, Duck, Tahini butter cookies-" Ducky smiled at the enthusiasm in Tim's face.
"Did you make these young lady?"
"Yes." Ziva answered shyly.

"I always love the foods you introduce to us Ziva and am well looking forward to tasting these."

Ducky turned his attention to Tim. "I trust that you are mending sufficiently, Timothy."

"Oh, of course, Duck. Well, I have the best nurse."

Ziva looked down with a big smile as Ducky and Tim chuckled. Tim leaned in close to Ducky. "I love making her blush." Ziva squeezed Tim's arm as she pressed her face into his sleeve, smiling "Stop, you."

They entered the dining room where everyone was gathered around the large table, the turkey and side dishes covering it. Candlesticks were lit and a fire roared in the next room warming the house with an endearing, homey touch. Abby met them with her arms stretched out, "Oh, Timmy! You look so good. It looks like someone has been taking good care of you." Abby winked at Ziva. She relaxed, taking the comment as a good sign of approval, relieved that the forensic-scientist-that-could-kill-her-without-lea ving-a-trace would not have to be dealt with.

Tim spotted Jackson at the other end of the room sitting at the table. Now he would see the man's reaction firsthand when his son announced the news. Butterflies took flight in his stomach. Ziva saw the nervous look on Tim as he eyed Jackson. "Do not worry, Jackson will be ecstatic to learn he has someone else to call family, and especially finding out that, that someone is you."

Tim gave her a crooked grin.

Gibbs was standing beside his father at one end of the table pouring a bottle of champagne into glasses and passing them around. "Now that the whole family is here there is something that I would like to say. Here Palmer, could you pass these two glasses down to Tim and Ziva? Tim you can have a drink, right? You aren't still on the pain medication anymore, are you?"

"No, I'm good Gibbs, almost all healed, thanks." Gibbs gave Tim a wink. Ziva held Tim's hand. He looked at her, grimacing then gently released her hand. "Sorry. Sweaty palms." He wiped his hand down his trousers then found her hand, again holding it tight.

"Actually, Tim. Could you come here?"
"Certainly boss, uh, Gibbs." Tim tugged Ziva along with him.

"As you all know the case we recently finished was a tough one-"
"Now that's an understatement, Gibbs." Everyone could see Abby begin to get emotional thinking about it.

"But, every cloud there is a silver lining. I won't get into the nitty gritty details right now because I am sure you are all hungry-"
"Boss, you're killing us here." Tony sat at the table, a napkin already tucked in the collar of his shirt and silverware in his hands, ready to eat.

"So, not to delay any further-" Gibbs hand found Tim's shoulder.
"I think Jethro is having fun milking this-" Ducky looked over the team, smirking.

"I am very proud to announce that Tim...is my nephew. We found out that his mother was Shannon's younger sister, so that means we are related. Cheers."

Gibbs was the only one that raised his glass and drank. Everyone else sat or stood speechless, looking at each other.

Jimmy chuckled looking around the table at the blank faces of the team. "Yeah. Sure. That would mean they had been family all this time and hadn't known it... uh" Jimmy cleared his throat. "Is that true?" Gibbs nodded at Jimmy.

Jackson could see the apprehension in Tim's face as he looked to the floor. "You're my son's nephew, Timothy?"

"Uh, yeah...according to a birth certificate that Gibbs was able to locate and-" Jackson had risen from his chair and was quickly covering the short distance around his son to get to Tim. He engulfed him into a big bear hug that was so tight Tim couldn't breath.

"I always liked you and now I know why." Jackson whispered in Tim's ear.

"Thank you, Jackson." Tim answered shyly.

"Do you mean you're a giblet, Timmy?" Abby had jumped up at this point to give Tim another hug.

"Hey does this mean he won't receive head slaps anymore, boss?" Piped in Tony.

"Oh, he'll probably get more than ever, DiNozzo. I'll be watching him like a hawk if he misbehaves. Might break even your record." Tony smiled over the group rubbing his hands together, sarcastically. "This could be good. So, Probie, how do you feel now that you know Gibbs is your uncle?"

"Well, after I realized I would be getting more presents at Christmas time-"

The group chuckled.

"But in all seriousness...I'm honored and happy I finally have someone I can say I am related to. And, it's...Gibbs. I think I got a good deal." Gibbs squeezed him close, kissing his cheek.

"You will have to explain this in more detail, Jethro. This is just...astounding news!"
"Okay Duck. While we eat."

xxxx

As Duck sliced the turkey and everyone dug into the meal, Jethro explained the story to how Tim and himself found out they were related. Everyone had many questions that were answered to the best of Jethro's knowledge.

"Well, now that you know all this probie I'm sure you'll be hacking up a storm to see what else you can find out."
"Already started, Tony."

"This is just...weird." Commented Jimmy. "I mean, now with Ziva and Tim dating and if they were to marry then Ziva would also become a giblet and if they have kids-" Palmer looked around the quiet room, all eyes on him. "Was I not suppose to bring that up?"

"No, it's okay Palmer, we're family. It's good to be open. First of all, I don't want anyone getting the idea this is special treatment because Tim is my nephew. But...as we can all see, they are good together."

Tim and Ziva smiled at each other.

"Now to break up something as good as that would be the crime."

"Ahhh, Gibbs finds out he's an uncle and he becomes all sappy and sweet." Abby giggled. Gibbs rolled his eyes.

Tony stood holding the glass Gibbs had poured him, recently. "I think we forgot to acknowledge Gibbs' toast earlier, because... well... we were all in shock. But I think I can speak for everyone when I say, to the Gibbs' growing family, you all have all our blessings."

"To the Gibbs!" everyone recited in unison clinking their glasses together.

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TBC...?

If you'd be interested in a a sequel, let me know and I'll see what I can come up with. Papa Smurf Prequel will be finished up next if all goes good. Thanks for the reviews, follows, faves and sweet support!