She tried desperately to claw her way out of the nothingness. Her body and mind both ached. She tried to move but her body wouldn't obey her commands. She could suddenly feel things around her. Her arms felt cold. She knew she was lying down. Things beeped around her. The smell, she knew it but couldn't place it. Bleach? She couldn't see, but somehow she knew there was someone standing over her.

"Open your eyes. Open your eyes. Please, baby just open your eyes." A male gravelly voice pleaded with her. She wanted to obey, but her eyelids felt like lead. "Please, just open…" Then she fell back into the nothingness.

NCIS

Bleach. It was bleach. She was sure of it this time. It was the first thing that registered in her mind when the nothingness let go of her again. The smell was so familiar to her. She just wished she knew why. There were men talking. She strained to listen.

"Boss, you should try to get some sleep." This voice was different from the gravelly voice from earlier. This one had an almost a boyish quality.

"I can't." There was the gravelly voice. He sounded broken and desperate. She wanted to reach out to him.

"Boss, you've been here for nearly eighteen hours. One of us will sit with her. If she wakes up, we'll come get you."

"I'm not leaving her." Were they talking about her? Why was she so important?

"Boss…" This was a new voice. He sounded more mature than the boyish voice. But less so than the gravelly voice. "At least go eat something."

"I'm not leaving this room." Now, he sounded frustrated and anxious. She desperately tried to open her eyes. She felt a rough but warm hand brush across her face.

No! The nothingness was trying to take her again. She didn't want to go! She wanted to stay with the voices. They made her feel safe…

NCIS

It took forever to pry open her tired eyes. But she finally did it. As soon as her eyes opened they swiveled around in her head to take in her surrounds. She knew at once that she was in a hospital. But why? There were several I.V. tubes sticking in her arms. As she struggled to keep her composure the beeping grew louder and quicker. She managed to tilt her head to the side. A man was slumped over in a very uncomfortable looking chair. He was snoring slightly. He had salt and pepper hair. She tried to get a better look at his face but it hurt to move her head much. Who was this person? Was he the gravelly voice? He said he wouldn't leave her, so it must be.

"Ah." The strangled sound that came out of her mouth was a far cry from the 'hey, who are you' she had been shooting for. But it was all her mercilessly dry throat would let her do. "Ah." She tried again. The man grunted. Ha! Success! "Aahh." This one was just loud enough to bring the man's head up. At first he just glanced up, then back down. But then he shot his head up again. He was on his feet in a second and leaning close to her. A warm smile broke out across his face. Now that he was closer, his second-day stubble was clearly visible. As her eyes traveled up his face, those piercing blue eyes captured her. She knew this man. But how?

"Hey, beautiful." He was the gravelly voice! His hands were on her face. These were the same rough hands that had touched her earlier.

"Ah." Why couldn't she speak? This was so frustrating! Her brow furrowed in concentration. "Ahhh." She wanted to cry.

"Don't try to speak, baby. Just relax okay. You're gonna be okay." Why was he calling her baby? She tried to ask him.

"Aye bee?" It wasn't exactly 'baby' but at least she got out more than one syllable this time.

"Yeah, the baby's fine." He smiled again.

She felt his hand on her stomach. It took everything she had to bend her head enough to see where his hand was touching her. Her eyes bulged. Her stomach was WAY bigger than it should be. She looked… Pregnant? She couldn't be pregnant! She would remember that! She searched her mind for something… Anything… Nothing came. Oh God, she couldn't remember anything! Her breathing became labored. The beeping quickened. The room started to spin.

"Brynn?" His blue eyes looked at her in alarm. Him freaking out did not help her stop freaking out. Who was Brynn? Was she Brynn? She couldn't remember her name! "Brynn!"

And here comes the nothingness.

NCIS

She fought to stay awake. She could feel a rough and familiar hand on her arm. His thumb was gently caressing her. It felt so relaxing. She let herself lay there with her eyes closed for what felt like a long time. She knew as soon as she opened her eyes, the stark whiteness around her would assault her senses. But this was dark and nice and comfortable.

"Mmhh." She didn't mean to let the noise escape from her mouth. As soon as it did, the gentle rubbing stopped and the hand gripped her arm just a little tighter.

"Brynn?" It was him again. But she knew it would be. "Please, open your eyes." He pleaded. She opened her eyes and cringed away from the brightness around her. The hand was gone from her arm. She heard footsteps. "That better?" She opened her eyes wider. The lights had dimmed.

"Mhh hmm." She tried to nod, but her head felt so dizzy she was afraid to move it. The nothingness might capture her again. The hands were back on her. One was on her arm, the other touched the top of her head. Warmth flooded through her at the touch. She looked up into his face. His stubble was longer. She squinted in confusion. How long had they been here? Days? Longer?

"I thought I lost you." His thumb rubbed her forehead. If not for the confusion, this would feel so perfect. "The doctors say you're gonna be okay." That was nice to know. "And the baby's fine too." Sure would be nice to know exactly when and by whom she got pregnant in the first place. "You're gonna be here for a while though. But I'm gonna be right here with you." Nice to have company, but who the hell are you?

"Who?" She had only been thinking the question. She didn't realize she said it out loud until her throat ached from speaking.

"Don't you worry. We got the bastard." His eye darkened for a second. "He wont hurt anybody else. I guarantee it." She believed him. But not exactly what she was asking.

"You?" Yeah, who are you? Tell me, cause asking just freaking hurts!

"Me? I'm fine, I'm just worried about you." He chuckled. "You're in a hospital and you wanna know if I'm okay. Classic you."

Okay, now she was getting pissed. It must have shown on her face because his expression grew more concerned. Who was this guy? She gathered every ounce of strength she had and very slowly…

"Who… Are… You?" Nothingness.

NCIS

The nothingness had let go again and the voices were back. But she kept her eyes closed. They were talking about her again. She wanted to know what was going on. And who were these people?

"I'm sure it's just temporary, boss. Your memory came back. So will hers." The boyish voice said.

"Stop trying to cheer me up, McGee." The gravelly voice warned. Why did they call him Boss? Well, she would too. Boss was easier to think about than gravelly voice. And the boyish voice was McGee? Okay, that was easy too. Thinking was just as tiring as talking. Now what to call the other voice?

"Boss, is there anything you need?" There was the other voice.

"No." She heard two sets of footsteps retreating. "Tony." Boss called out. The footsteps stopped.

"Yeah, boss?" Okay, third voice was Tony. Now everyone had a more simple name.

"Thanks. Both of you, thanks." She got the distinct impression that Boss didn't say 'thanks' very often.

"Sure, boss." She heard them leave. Boss sighed loudly. His hand ran up and down her arm. The touch surprised her and her eyes popped open.

"Hey." Damn! He saw her! Now, he would want her to keep her eyes open.

"Haaa." Her mouth felt less dry. The lights in the room were still dim but she could tell he had just shaved.

"Do you know who I am?" His eyes begged for a 'yes.'

"Nuh." So we were back to one syllable again. His face went from hopeful to deadpan. She squinted and tried to lick her lips. Her tongue didn't seem to want to work.

"Do you want some chapstick?" That was an unexpected question. "I have your purse." He disappeared from view for a few seconds. She tried to follow him, but her head wouldn't move. "Here we go." He produced a tube of chapstick. Then gently applied the it to her lips. It tasted like honey and oranges. She liked it.

"Thnk ooh." Her lips felt better, but her mouth was still chalky. "Ack." She smacked her mouth open and closed.

"Thirsty?" Yes! That's what she needed, water!

"Yah." Her eyes lit up. Maybe after some water, she'd be able to speak. He grabbed a cup with a long straw and moved over her. He put the straw in her mouth. His eyes never left hers as she sucked greedily on the straw. "Mhh." He pulled the straw away so she could take a breath.

"More?"

"Ya." He put the straw back in her mouth. She sucked until she needed more air. This time she was able to pull her face away from the straw. She tested her ability to speak. "Nay." He set the cup on the table beside her bed. "Nay."

"Just take your time." He sat down and scooted his chair up. He was leaning his upper body over the bed, putting his face close to hers.

"Nay. Name." There! Finally!

"Mine is Jethro Gibbs. Yours is Brynn Sutter."

*FLASH*

"Good morning, Agent Gibbs?"

"Uh, Good morning, Agent…?"

"Sutter, Brynn Sutter. Are you looking for coffee, sir?"

*FLASH*

"Age. Age nhh ent."

"That's right!" He got excited. "We're both Federal agents. Do you remember where we work?"

"Wor?" A flash of a computer keyboard. "Nh." Computers. "Com… oot… er?"

"Yes, you work with computers. Do you remember where?"

"Mhh." Her face scrunched up. It hurt to think. But she needed to know what was happening. "Mhh." She was crying before she could control it. The hot tears ran down her cheeks. "Nuh."

"It's okay." He stood and leaned over her body. "It's okay. Just rest." He kissed her forehead. It felt right and unfamiliar at the same time. Then he was wiping away her tears with his rough fingers. "You don't have to talk anymore."

But she wanted to talk! She wanted to remember! As soon as he had started talking, she started getting flashes.

"Ooh talk, plesh." At least she had gotten the word 'talk' out.

"You want me to talk?"

"Hell." His eyebrows came together. "Hells." She tried to clear her throat but it hurt. "Hell puh ssssh."

"Helps?"

"Ya!" That didn't take much.

"Talking helps?"

"Ya!" Luckily this one was smart. Or he just knew her really well. She had a feeling it was both. "Meh ber. Hells."

"It helps you remember." He sat back down. "Okay. Uh, well, we work at NCIS. It's the Naval Criminal Investigative Service." He paused and looked at her. When her only response was a very slight nod, he continued. "You work in cyber crimes."

"Poot er."

"Yeah, with computers. I'm an investigator."

"Bosh."

"Yeah, I'm a boss." She hadn't actually remembered that. But she didn't want to spoil it by telling him that she had heard the other two guys call him boss. He just seemed so happy to be having a conversation with her. "Uh, we work in D.C. Do you remember where we live?"

"Nuh." We?

"Okay…" This was getting hard for him. "Tim McGee, Tony DiNozzo, and Ziva David are on my team. We also work with Ducky, Jimmy, and Abby. Do any of those names ring a bell?"

*FLASH* Black coming at her. Arms wrapping around her. A very girly squeal. *FLASH*

"Hug."

"Yeah, that's Abby. She's a hugger." Brynn smacked her lips. "More water?" She was able to nod. He brought forth the cup again and she drank her fill.

"Ack. Bluh ack."

"Abby?"

"Ya."

"Yeah, she's a goth. She wears a lot of black. Black hair too." Her brow creased as another memory zoomed in front of her.

"Um, Ti… Mee."

"Timmy?" She nodded. "It's what you call McGee. You were friends with him before any of the rest of us met you. He worked with you in cyber crimes for a few months."

*FLASH* "Please help me! I want to take Tony somewhere nice for our anniversary. But I want to get him out of the city. Any ideas?" *FLASH*

Brynn blinked several times. Tim and Tony were gay? And a couple? Whoa… Information overload. Her eyes went wide.

"Lov ersh. Tim… Toey… Lov ersh?

"That's right. Tim and Tony are a couple. You remember getting them together?"

"I hells?" She didn't remember that part. But it sounded like something she'd do for a friend.

"Yeah, we both helped. Ziva was in on it too. Do you remember any of it?" She remember playing darts, dancing, and pool.

"Bar?"

"Yeah, we went to a bar."

There was something else she remembered. But before the memory solidified in her mind something happened.

"Ahhh!" Gibbs jumped when the choked cry shot out of Brynn. God in heaven, something just moved inside her! Moved! Something moved! Her eyes went down to where she felt the odd sensation. Her belly. Oh, right, she was pregnant.

"What's wrong? What is it?" His hands cupped her face.

"Aye bee."

"Baby?" One hand went to her belly and stayed there.

"Ooved."

"I can feel him kicking." He grinned first at her belly, then back at her.

"Hm?"

"We're having a boy." Brynn felt the room spin.

"Wuh eeh?" There was that word again. We. He hesitated before answering.

"I'm the father." He looked like he would rather her have remembered that on her own.

"Oh." Somehow she felt she already knew that. But to be told point blank was still a bit… Much. This man was her lover. She was going to have his baby. Why weren't they married? They had different last names. "Wuf."

"What?"

"Wuf. Whaaah. Whaf." Okay, 'wife' wasn't going to come out. "Mah." He waited patiently for her to get it out. "No may ree duh?"

Understanding finally crossed his features. It was followed closely by regret. Had she brought up a raw subject? She thought the question was only fair.

"No, we're not married." His voice had lost it's excitement.

"Wuh?"

"It hasn't come up." That was actually the truth. It still sounded lame. Her eyes went deliberately down to her belly then back up to him. "You're almost seven months along, now." Her eyes narrowed. "We haven't really discussed marriage… Yet." She felt the 'yet' was strictly for her benefit. That pissed her off a little. He saw the emotion cross her face. "I just… A lot's happened lately and… We haven't gotten around to talking about it." That still sounded lame.

Brynn cringed as another flash came over her. Yelling. There was yelling.

*FLASH*

"Don't you dare try to send me away!"

"I have to! You need to get away from me. Brynn, there are people trying to kill me, but they are gonna go through everyone I love first."

"I'm not leaving."

"Please Brynn, just this once."

*FLASH*

"No sah. Ray no sah. Meh icko"

"You remember them trying to kill me?" She nodded.

"Dah. Dah ad."

"Yeah, and my dad. He's okay. Everyone is."

"Me?"

"They never touched you." His eyes darkened again for a second.

"Nuh. Wha hap to me? Wha, why I huh ere?"

"Why are you here now?" She nodded. "Someone attacked you a week ago. You were walking to your car at the Navy yard. It was night. I was still working. You didn't have your usual strength, so he was able to overpower you. He put you in the trunk… The police found your car twelve miles from the Navy yard. He hit you on the head pretty hard. You'd lost lot a lot of blood. That's why it's so hard to speak and… Remember."

"We eek?" She'd been here a whole week? It felt like a lot less. How long had she been unconscious before she woke up the first time?

"Eight days to be exact." He rubbed one hand down his face. "You were missing for… Almost nine hours before we found you. It was so cold out, you were blue when we found you." The memory of her cold, unmoving body invaded his mind. "I thought you…" He squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again. "But we caught the dirt bag. And he won't hurt anyone else." Because the son of a bitch 'resisted' arrest and got shot… Through the head… Right between the eyes.

"Tie. Er. Tie er duh." She wanted to know more but she could feel her mind being pulled under.

"Just close your eyes. I'll be here when you open them again."

"Pom ish?"

"I promise." He kissed her forehead. Brynn let the nothingness have her.

NCIS

She was alone. This was new. She could tell it was early morning because of the orange and pink coming in through the window. The clock on the wall helped too. Brynn smacked her lips together. Her throat felt so much better than yesterday. Or had it been longer? Would she be able to talk better?

"Bruh." I can do this. "Bruh innh. Brynn." Okay, first name down. "Sud. Suddh. Shudder." Close enough. "Jeh. Jet. Jeh. Raw. Jet. Raw." This is hard! "Guh. Gub. Gih. Gibb. Gibbs." That was easier.

For the next twenty minutes, Brynn worked on naming every object she could see from her bed. She had cycled through almost everything in her room when her door opened.

"Gubbs!" Damn, she had it right earlier. But he seemed ecstatic that she had at least recognized him.

"Good morning, beautiful." He smiled. "How long have you been awake?" He went to his usual chair.

"No erry lonh." What the hell! She had been doing fine earlier, now suddenly she was all slurry again.

"I'm sorry I wasn't here."

"Ish kay." She saw the object in his hand. "Coe fee. Back. Black. Like it black." Her first full coherent sentence! Yay! She celebrated with a smile.

"That's right. It's not coffee if you put anything else in it." His smile grew.

"Marh. Marh een coe fee. Marh een." She wanted to say it right!

"It's okay, I know what you're saying. Marine coffee is black. So, you remember I'm a Marine?"

"Want sah wight!" She was getting mad again. She knew what to say, but by the time it came out of her mouth, it was all messed up. It was almost like there was a glitch between her mind and her mouth.

"You can't rush this. It's gonna take time. Don't get frustrated." He tried to soothe her. But seeing her old temper come out had relieved him. This was his Brynn. She would push herself and no one could stop her.

"Meh mem ber lots." She brightened up.

"Good, tell me."

"Wor. You work. Get bad guh." She smacked her lips. All this talking was making her thirsty. In a second, Gibbs had her water cup and was putting the straw in her mouth. She figured smacking her lips had become the signal for 'thirsty.' She drank and pulled her face away. "Crim nals." She finished her sentence.

"Yeah, I catch criminals. So do you. We just have different methods." He set her cup down. She scrunched her face in concentration. Gibbs knew this expression. It was the one she wore when she was trying to put together a puzzle.

"Tony joke lots. Tim mee besh frin. My besht frin. Zee scare nin juh. Duck doc. Abbs lab muse blasht." She paused and searched her mind for more. "Swin… Ing. Swing. My swing. Home."

"What swing are you remembering?" He was amazed. It seemed the more she spoke, the better he could understand her. And the more she remembered.

"You may. Made. Gran… Pa. Two Swins. Mem ber bofth"

"You remember your grandpa?" She nodded. "Do you remember any one else in your family?"

"Mom, Dad. die, crash." She sighed. "Bry Bry in."

"Your brother, Bryan." Gibbs' eyes darkened.

"Hursh me? He hursh me?"

"You remember?" Gibbs' voice changed. He sounded almost fearful.

"He took car. Hit me." Relief? Was that relief? It sure looked like it.

"So you remember when he hurt before he went to prison?"

"He not hursh me again." She felt confused. What was he talking about. She hadn't seen Bryan since he went away. How could he hurt her again?

"And he won't anymore." She was still confused, but there were other questions she wanted answered.

"We in ov. Love."

"Yeah, we're in love." He put one hand on the top of her head and gently massaged her scalp with his fingertips.

"I like dat." She smiled.

"What?"

"Head rub."

"You always did like your head rubbed." He bent down enough that his nose brushed her forehead.

"Feel nish." She stayed silent for a few minutes, just enjoying the touch. Her eyes closed.

When she opened her eyes again, Gibbs had shifted in his chair to face the T.V. It looked like the news was on. Did she pass out?

"Gubbs?" She knew she could say Gibbs, but Gubbs just sounded funny. And as long as she could get away with it… He jerked in his chair and whipped around to face her.

"Hey there." His hand immediately went to her head.

"Did I sheep?" She hoped he understood that.

"You were out for a few hours." He smiled. "The team is on there way here to see you."

"You no go work?" Another full sentence! She was on a roll.

"I'm taking time off until you get better." She knew that this was out of character for him. Her stomach suddenly growled.

"Have noms?"

"Noms?" His eyebrow came together.

"Nom noms." It was easier to say than food.

"Oh, you're hungry!" He jumped up. "I can get a nurse to bring you something. I doubt you're ready for anything solid though."

"Gubbs!"

"Yeah?" He turned just at the door.

"Juh, jush."

"Juice?" She nodded. "Okay, juice too."

Brynn had just finished sucking down two bowls of chicken broth. Gibbs was happy she had such an appetite. She had even surprised her nurse when she asked for the second bowl. She was smacking her lips and eyeing the juice box in front of her when her door was slowly pushed open. Gibbs ignored the door and picked up the juice box. He put the straw in Brynn's mouth and waited for the signal to pull away.

"That is the cutest thing I think I have ever seen." A feminine voice with a distinct accent grabbed Brynn's limited attention span.

"Zee!" She said after pulling away from the straw.

"You remember us?" Tony asked, half hidden behind a huge spray of blue lilies. He set the basket down and the three of them moved closer to the bed.

"Her memory is coming back pretty quickly. She still has trouble speaking though." Gibbs said for her.

"We thought about bringing you chocolates or something, but we weren't sure you were allowed to eat it." Tim spoke up.

"She just downed two bowls of broth." Gibbs sounded so proud.

"So, still strictly liquid?" Tony asked. Brynn nodded. It was easier to move her body now. Her slightly propped position was also helping her back. "Maybe we could bring you some chocolate milk then."

Brynn smacked her lips again. All this talk about liquids reminded her of her thirst. Gibbs was immediately there with the juice box.

"I say it again, cute." Ziva smiled. "I should have brought a camera."

"I have one on my phone!" Tony pulled out his cell. Brynn shook her head away from the straw.

"Nuh wah pick takey!" She glared. The other three froze. Non of them had understood what Gibbs had meant about her having trouble talking, until now. They gawked at her, shocked. Gibbs shot them a glare and they all looked down. Tim's eyes came up first.

"Sorry, Brynnie." He muttered.

"Ish kay. Jush no picks." She didn't seem to realize why they looked so ashamed all of the sudden.

"Hey, no problem." Tony said, putting his phone away.

"Nish flows." They just looked at her. She managed to half raise one arm and point behind them. "Flows, boo, like. Tinks"

"The flowers." Gibbs said impatiently when they still hadn't gotten it. "She said thanks, they're nice. She likes blue." He felt like head slapping all three of them. He turned to see Brynn glaring at him. "What?"

"Mean." She accused.

"Hey, I understood you. So should they."

Yes, but he had been dealing with her slurry baby talk for days. They hadn't. Of course she couldn't say this. So, she just glared.

"Gubbs, no be mean." She chided. Tony tried to hold in the snort, but it came out. As mad as he was at his team, Brynn's pouting face made him melt. She broke into a smile and giggled. This released the tension in the room and everyone relaxed. Brynn smacked her lips again and her eyes searched for the juice box.

"You finished it." Gibbs held up the empty box.

"I'll go find some chocolate milk!" Tony spun around and headed for the door. Tim and Ziva just stood there.

"Nee more share." Brynn said, looking around.

"Share what?" Gibbs asked.

"No. Share to sit. Nee more."

"Chairs?" Tim asked. Brynn nodded.

"No, we are alright." Ziva said shaking her head. Tony came back in holding four small milk boxes. "Did you steal those?"

"No!" That meant yes. Tony set them down on the food table in front of Brynn. Her eyes lit up immediately and her lips started to smack.

"Do you guys need to be somewhere?" Gibbs asked. He had opened one milk box and shoved the straw from her water in it.

"Gubbs!" Brynn protested. "Mean!"

"I'm not being mean! It was just a question!" She glared but let him put the straw in her mouth.

"Actually, Brynnie, we do need to get going. We just took our lunch break to come see you." Tim explained.

"See." Gibbs defended himself. Brynn stopped gulping the milk.

"You eat?" She asked the other three.

"We are going to grab something on the way back. We just wanted to bring you flowers and wish you better."

"Wish you well." Tony interjected.

"I go for besher." Brynn agreed with Ziva. The two women shared a smile.

"Well, we will come back by later." Ziva said. "Get better Brynn."

"Yes, get well and better." Tony stepped forward enough to pat her gently on the head.

"Next time, I'll bring you some chocolates you can suck on. Hershey kisses or something." Tim moved to kiss her on her forehead but stopped half-way. She may not be ready for that kind of contact. He just patted her cheek.

"Next time, bring coffee too." Gibbs called out just as they had turned for the door. Brynn shot him a glare. "Please." He added last second, rolling his eyes.

"Will do, boss." Tony called back over his shoulder.

"You so mean." Brynn shook her head at Gibbs.

"I said please!" She continued to glare. "Okay, sorry." He rolled his eyes again.

"Rule Sish!"

"Yeah, yeah, sign of weakness." He stopped when he realized she had remembered his rules. He turned to her and smiled.

"Wha?" She asked, still a little mad.

"Just glad you're getting better."

Out in the hall, Tony was trailing behind the other two.

"Do you think she calls him Gubbs on purpose?" He asked. Ziva and Tim stopped and turned to Tony. "She doesn't really seem to have a problem with her I's…"

"You're right… I think it is on purpose." Tim grinned.

"Do you think he would mind if we called him that?"

"You go right ahead, Ziva." Tony shook his head. "I'm too fond of my teeth to risk that."