Chapter 7

Jarvis the Marine had been shot. Word was he was in critical condition and so were two others. Several others were seriously hurt but they would be okay. That could not be the same for two of the attackers that Jarvis had managed to kill in the fight. The attackers were the same men who had been there earlier in the day and this time they meant business. Jarvis and the others had fought back and they had lost.

Dabi had been told of the fight and she had demanded to be taken to the hospital where Jonesey and Jarvis were.

"Either you take me or I'll get there myself," she told Danny.

Danny glanced at her, busy driving back to Headquarters, and realized she was serious. He sighed heavily and hit the speed-dial on his phone.

"Yeah, Danny?" Steve asked.

"We have a very stubborn girl insisting she be taken to the hospital where Jarvis and Jonesey are," said Danny. "She's saying either I take her there or she'll take herself there."

"Oh boy," said Steve.

"As long as she's with one of us, and after that fight I just saw, I think we'll be safe there. Tell Gibbs we'll meet him there. Besides, it wouldn't hurt to have a doctor look at her, especially with Mika mentioning a head injury," said Danny.

"All right, do it. We'll meet you there," said Steve.

Danny hit the Off button on his phone and changed direction. "We'll head for the hospital, but there's a catch involved," he said.

"Okay," said Dabi.

"You get checked out by a doctor. Mika said you had a head injury. I want to be sure there are no lasting effects," said Danny.

"Fine," said Dabi. "What about my dad?"

"Steve said he'll meet you there."

"Wish I could remember him. What about my mom? Do I have any brothers or sisters?"

"Your mom died when you were eleven and you are an only child, although Gibbs did mention you have a godsister."

"Who's Kelly?"

"Your half-sister, who died before you were born. Gibbs said she's one of the butterflies on your back."

"And the others?"

"Your grandparents, who pretty much raised you after your mom died, and your mom."

"Do they work in a bakery?"

"They work and apparently own a bakery, one that you had clear plans to take over one day."

"That explains the memory of cinnamon and nutmeg and apricots," said Dabi.

"Seems you're quite the baker yourself. Your dad says you do a mean coffee cheesecake, and he's a coffee addict."

"I think I am too," said Dabi, eyeing one of the coffee shops that specialized in iced coffee.

"Apparently you are."

"What about the dog paw print?"

"From what I understand, you had a dog named Azan, who was your constant companion since you were twelve. He was trained as a Hearing Dog but died earlier this year from cancer. You took his death pretty hard."

"Was he a terrier?"

"No, that's probably Gibor, the dog you found in Stillwater, while you were on vacation with your dad, shortly after Azan's death. Azan was a Golden Retriever and Gibor is a Russell Terrier mix."

"That explains the memories." Then her brow furrowed. "Who is Jed?"

"A kitten who walks on his elbows that Gibor found in Los Angeles. Seems he's missing the bones in his forearms. Your dad sent both of them back to Washington to your grandparents."

"That's good, I suppose."

They arrived at the hospital and were quickly ushered through. An intern doctor gave Dabi a preliminary examination and determined her to be in good health, aside from a nasty bruise on her head but assured her that her memory would return in time, seeing that parts of it already were.

"What about Jarvis? The Marine from the camp?" Dabi demanded.

"I'll find out what I can," the intern promised. He was back a few minutes later, a worried look on his face. "He's in surgery right now," he said.

"You don't look too optimistic about that," said Danny.

"He was critical when he came in," said the intern, his name tag reading Adams. "I'm not an expert, but I am seriously concerned about him surviving the surgery."

"He has to!" said Dabi. "He's a Marine! They keep fighting even when the rest of us have given up!"

"But he's also human, and there's only so much the human body can take, Marine or not," Adams reminded her gently.

"Dabi!" Gibbs yelled, charging into the Emergency Room, looking around frantically.

"Sounds like your father is looking for you," said Adams. He stuck his head out of the examination tent and caught Gibbs attention. "She's over here, sir, and she's fine."

Gibbs charged into the tent and froze when he saw his daughter sitting on the bed. She looked at him, tilting her head almost quizzically. Memories came to her. "Can I see your badge?" she asked.

It was an odd question but Gibbs was willing to do whatever it took. He handed her his badge and watched as she fingered it, studying it. Then she looked up at him, recognition in her eyes.

"I'm surprised your phone isn't vibrating itself stupid," she said. "Abby would be frantic."

"She is," he said. "They're demanding to come down as soon as I find you."

She nodded and handed him back his badge but he didn't accept it. Instead, he hugged her, tightly and was relieved when she hugged him back just as tightly.

"Jarvis is in surgery and Dr. Adams isn't sure if he's going to make it," said Dabi.

Gibbs waited until she was looking at him before saying, "Then we'll wait for him."

They waited in the Waiting Room for nearly an hour before another doctor, this one in scrubs, came into the room. After speaking with the head nurse, he came over to them.

"Are you Kelly DiNozzo?" he asked. Dabi nodded. The doctor handed her something in a clear plastic bag. "He wanted you to have this. He said to make sure you got them and to tell you, 'Fight. Don't let the bastards win.'" He gave her a sad look and said, "I'm sorry for your loss."

And he walked away.

It was stainless steel tags that hung on a ball chain necklace. As always, there were two of them that were identical, with the second tag hanging on a smaller chain attached to the first one. There was a third tag, though, and this one was done differently. On one side was the Marine Corps logo. On the other side appeared to be a prayer of sorts.

Joshua 1:9 I will be strong and courageous. I will not be terrified or discouraged; for the Lord my God is with me wherever I go.

Dabi took the tags out of the bag and studied them, watching the metal glint in the artificial lighting.

Then the tears came. Gibbs wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly while fighting back tears of his own before giving up. Rule 21: sometimes it's okay to cry, especially if you're grieving.