Gibbs opens his eyes as they near the hospital. A woman is bending over him, "Welcome back Agent Gibbs. Remember my name?"

Gibbs thinks for a second, "Susan." He looks around the ambulance. The other EMT is busy working on the young lady. "Ashley?"

Susan notes the concern in the agent's eyes, "She's ok. Just sedated. We will take good care of her." Gibbs looks back into those green eyes as the EMT promises to care for Ashley. He sees the genuine care in Susan's direct gaze. He relaxes a bit. He watches the flurry of activity as the ambulance doors are opened. He closes his eyes as the light hits sharply causing him to suck in a breath. Both EMTs give their stats as they wheel Gibbs and Ashley into the ER.

Gibbs opens his eyes slowly. He looks around the dimly lit area he was in. Ducky leans over, "Ah. Jethro. How's the head?"

Gibbs, "Better." He sits up and winces at the pain in his ribs. He moves slow.

Ducky notices the wince, "The bullet gave you a glancing blow at the temple. You will probably have headaches off and on for several days. You have some bruises from the squabble but nothing serious. I'll go get the doctor."

Gibbs grabs Ducky's arm to stop him. He waits for Ducky to look at him, "Ashley?"

Ducky looks at the concern in his friends face, "She had a blow to the back of the head most likely from the butt of the gun. She has a concussion. Her left ankle is broken as you already knew. She also has a fractured rib and many cuts and bruises. But thanks to you she's ok. I have been checking in on her." Gibbs squeezes Ducky's hand and releases him. Ducky leaves to find the doctor.

Gibbs sits all the way up. A slight wave of dizziness hits him and he breathes deep. He slips his legs over the side of the bed and stands up slowly. He moves slow and gets the clothes Ducky left lying in the chair. He puts on the jeans and shoes. He straightens up and again takes a deep breath when the dizziness hits. He slips his shirt on just as the doctor walks in. The doctor looks at Gibbs with a frown. He holds out his hand, "I'm Dr. Bryan Phips. How are you feeling Agent Gibbs?"

Gibbs shakes the doctors hand firmly, "I'm better." Gibbs sits on the edge of the bed.

The doctor comes up and looks in both Gibbs eyes with a light. "Any dizziness?" Gibbs shrugs his shoulders. The doctor sighs, "I would really feel better if you would stay over night and let us watch you. Your CT showed nothing. Everything seems fine. If you continue to get the dizzy spells you need to check in with your doctor. You will probably have headaches off and on for another week. If that bullet had been a hair closer, you would have been down stairs. You're very lucky."

Gibbs looks at Phips, "Ashley?"

Dr. Phips, "Miss Blevins is doing fine. Left ankle is broke and she has a fractured rib. She has a slight concussion but she will be fine. I have admitted her. She's being transferred to a room as we speak."

Gibbs shakes his hand again and the doctor leaves. Ducky is frowning at him. "Ah, Duck."

"I didn't say a word Jethro."

Gibbs sighs. "Find out what room Ashley is in while I check out." Ducky leaves without a word. Gibbs checks out and meets Ducky in the hall outside of the ER.

Ducky falls into step with Gibbs, "She's on the third floor. Room 302." They walk to the elevator and get on. "Are you going to tell me what happened?"

Gibbs hears the worry in the voice, "I couldn't sleep. Went for a run. She was lying on the ground on the path. The guy was leaning over her. I ran into him. We fought. He took off. I went to check on her but he came back with a gun. I took the gun." Gibbs takes another deep breath and blows it out. The elevator doors open and save him from saying more. He strides through the doors and goes straight to the room. He hesitates briefly before easing the door open. The room is dimly lit. He walks over to the bed, "Ashley?"

Ashley turns at the familiar deep voice. Her eyes tear up again when they meet the concerned blue of his. She swallows, "Thank you."

Gibbs shakes his head. "I was just out for a run. Anyone would have helped." He reaches up and brushes the hair from her eyes, "How do you feel?"

Ashley swallows again. "My head hurts but I am fine."

Gibbs looks into large golden eyes framed by thick, dark eyelashes and sees the fear she tries to hide. Gibbs turns to Ducky. Ducky comes closer, "This is Dr. Donald Mallard. He works with me and he's a friend."

Ashley nods and smiles at Ducky.

Ducky smiles at the young woman. "Hello my dear. I suspect with your fair skin and that thick black hair you have Scottish in you."

Gibbs sees Ashley tense for just a moment before smiling at Ducky, "I wouldn't know Dr. Mallard. I don't have any family."

Ducky smiles and reaches over and pats her hand, "I will leave you to your rest."

Gibbs leans down close to Ashley's face and says gently, "I promised I wouldn't leave you." He straightens and looks at the relief in her eyes. He walks over to where Ducky waits by the door. "I promised her I wouldn't leave her, Duck. I'm going to stay the night with her."

Ducky gives Gibbs a searching glance, "Yes. Well. You'd better go to the waiting room first and let Abby see you. Among others."

Gibbs smiles, "They're all here?"

Ducky, "Yes. I couldn't talk them out of it."

Gibbs smiles gently again to himself, "I'll walk down with you, Duck. Gimme a sec."

Gibbs walks back over to Ashley. She looks so lost among that bed. She reminded him of Abby. Maybe that's why this slip of a woman has gotten to him so fast. Kelly would be about her age now. "Ashley, I'm going to walk Ducky out and check in with my team. But I will be right back. Ok?" He squeezes her hand.

In the elevator, Ducky is still looking at him with concern. Worry is etched clearly in his friend's face. "I don't have any answers to your questions yet Duck." Ducky nods and leaves it be.

They both come off the elevator and Abby sees Gibbs first. She jumps up and flies across the waiting room. "Gibbs! Gibbs. I was so worried."

Gibbs grunts when Abby throws herself into him.

Ducky tries to subdue her a bit, "Abigail."

Gibbs just squeezes Abby tight, "I'm ok, Abs. Really." Abby doesn't let go and Gibbs just holds her. The others come up. He looks at Dinozzo and gives him a direct look to let him know he is fine.

Tony smiles, "Boss. Had us a little worried."

Abby releases her death hold but he keeps his arm around her waist to comfort her, "I went running and a young woman was being attacked. I stopped it. The guy had a gun. Everything's fine. I appreciate you coming." He looks at the faces of his family. Ziva trying not to show her emotion. He smiles at her. McGee smiling at him in relief. Dinozzo pulling in a deep breath. He kisses Abby's temple. "You guys go on. I'm going to stay and speak to the young lady. Officer Dale will also be coming by to take my statement. I'll see you guys Monday."

The team shuffles out. Ducky puts his hand on Gibbs shoulder, "If you need anything." And then he leaves.

Gibbs, "Thanks Duck."

Ducky doesn't even turn around but smiles as he goes out the doors.

Gibbs heads back up to Ashley's room. He calls Officer Dale and lets him know he is ready to make a statement. The officer says he will come by shortly. Gibbs eases into Ashley's room. He walks over to the bed. He looks down on her slight form lying there. Her hand is curled tightly around the railing and her chest is falling up and down too fast. Her eyes are darting back and forth under their lids. Gibbs speaks to her softly to wake her from the nightmare, "Ashley. I'm back."

Ashley starts from her dream. She looks into the concerned face of her agent. That's how she thinks of him, her agent. She smiles at him. He returns it and sits in the chair next to her bed. He puts his hand under his chin and looks at her. She relaxes and falls back asleep soon.

Gibbs looks at the enigma before him. He studies her face. Why do I feel the need to protect her so? I only just met her. He sighs. A sound catches his attention. He looks up and sees the officer at the door. Gibbs looks at Ashley once more and then gets up to go out in the hall.

Dale watches the agent look at his young charge before getting up. He'd done his home work. He knew the man before him. A decorated Marine. He hands the coffee to Gibbs.

Gibbs smiles his thanks and takes a hefty swallow, "I couldn't sleep. Went for a run. It was almost 2AM. I left the sidewalk and headed into the woods. The guy was cutting her clothes to shreds." Gibbs pauses as his jaw muscles work at the memory. He runs his hand through his hair, "I run into him. He came up swinging with the switchblade and I kicked it out of his hand. He took off. I went to see to her. She came to as I was bending over her. She came up fighting. I didn't retaliate. Just tried to calm her as I identified myself. She was about to strike me again with her right foot when he came back. I saw the gun aimed at us and I lunged at her. Took both of us to the ground. Felt pain in my head as we fell. I rolled us. He fired again as we rolled. I saw the flash and knew where he was. I rolled back and took his legs out from under him as he was coming closer to kill us. I unarmed him and tied him up. I stayed with her to warm her as she was in shock."

Officer Dale, "The gun had his prints. The bullet matched the one we found in the dirt. It had your blood on it. We have him for assault, attempted murder of a federal officer, attempted murder and rape, and whatever the hell else I can come up with to pin him with." Gibbs looks at the officer. He nods his head at him. "My brother is a Marine. Thank you, Agent Gibbs."

Gibbs takes the young man's hand. "Just doing my job."

Officer Dale watches him walk back to the girl's bedside. And then some. He leaves.

Gibbs stays all night with Ashley. He wakes her from nightmares as soon as he sees she is having them. He falls into a light sleep near morning.

Ashley studies the face of her agent as he sleeps. The morning sun is just peeking into the windows. His silver hair looks soft. His eyes open and gaze directly into hers. The intense blue gaze leaves her feeling naked. As if he can see right through her. Her gaze slides away, fearing he would see all her secrets. She hears him get up. His finger lifts her chin so her gaze goes back to his.

"I told you I wouldn't leave. Is there any thing else you need to share with me?"

Ashley immediately thinks of Wil. Oh God. Wil will be going nuts. Ashley looks at Gibbs and swallows, "No. But I want to go home today. I'm not staying here."

Gibbs looks at her for a long moment. It's ok. I'm patient and I love mysteries. "You don't have any family. How are you going to leave? Do you have someone to help you?"

"I will be fine." Ashley sits up. Suck it up, Ash. Quit leaning on this man.

Gibbs notes the hardening around her mouth. "Where do you live?" He smiles when she gives him the address. "That's a block up the street from mine." He looks up as Dr. Phips comes in.

"How are you this morning Ashley?" He smiles.

"I am much better. I want to go home today."

"I don't see why not. You will have to do PT and follow up with your doctor. The CT scans showed normal so you will just have a nice bump for a bit and probably suffer some headaches. If you have any prolonged dizziness, make an appointment with your doctor. I will get PT to come up and get you scheduled." He leaves.

Ashley nods. Gibbs can see the enormous relief at being able to go home. "Tell you what. I'll wait around a bit and help you get home. Ok?"

Ashley smiles, "If you're not busy I would appreciate it. But I don't want to be a bother."

Gibbs, "No bother." He walks out and dials Duck. "Duck. Could you…" He smiles. "Thanks Duck. Yeah. I'll call Tony." He hangs up and calls Tony, "Tony. Thanks for bringing the car. Yeah." He hangs up smiling.