Hi again! I want to thank LadyRynofSunnydale, dancerlittle, anymousie, HawkEye DownUnder, and Ncis Rulz for reviewing!
Here's the next chapter.
Chapter 8
Leaning against the wall of the elevator, Jeanne watched as the last member of a large group exited the small quarters to the ground floor. For the past hour, she had stood in the elevator without getting out. Various families and a number of staff had sent her odd glances, but she ignored them all. She needed to think.
Why was she helping Tony? It was a simple question that she didn't have an answer to. Cara hadn't talked to her for the rest of the day and she was almost sure that most of the staff knew about her situation.
The elevator opened once more and she looked up. Staring at her was the chief of staff, George Carter. He walked to her and put an arm around her shoulder. "So, what are you still doing here?" he asked kindly. "Your shift ended an hour ago."
She shrugged and said softly, "I just needed to think."
He nodded. "I think you need to do whatever your heart is telling you to do." Jeanne looked up at him and he gave her a sympathetic smile. "Cara told me to knock some sense into you, but personally, I think what you're doing is very brave."
"I know, but no one understands. Maybe if I was more like them-"
"Jeanne," George interrupted sternly. "You are one of the best doctors I know, and do you know why?"
She rolled her eyes. "Because I went to a good medical school."
"No," he said firmly. "You're a good doctor because you care. You care about your patients more than anyone else. I can tell you that you're the only doctor in this hospital that takes extra shifts because you want to, not because you need to."
George paused for a moment to let her think about what he had said before continuing. "You're a very strong woman to be able to help someone that hurt you in the past."
"Are you sure that it's strong?" Jeanne questioned. "Maybe the adjective you're thinking of is stupid."
George turned her so she was facing him and stared into her eyes. Raising an eyebrow, he squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. "I trust you to make the right decisions everyday here with your patients and I trust you now."
Jeanne smiled as the elevator dinged. The doors opened to show the lobby of the hospital's ground floor. George pulled his arms away and pointed out of the elevator. "Now, it's time for you to go home and take a nap. Forget about what Cara said, she's just blowing steam. She wants to protect you, you know. And so do I."
Jeanne felt him give her a small push and she walked out of the elevator into the lobby. The waiting room was nearly empty, except for an older couple. She waved to the woman at the front desk and pushed the door onto the street. Standing at the entrance to the hospital was Tony.
In his hand he held a balloon that said "Thank you" and a card. He held them out to her. "This is for all the help you've given me so far."
She took them in her hands, not expecting the gifts in the slightest. "Did you talk to McGee today?"
He nodded. "I did. He's been going to work, but he can't do much without the rest of his team." He turned to her as they began to walk. "How was your day?"
"Fine," she lied, not wanting to tell him of Cara's reaction.
Tony sighed and bit his lip. "I have a question," he said.
"Okay," she said. "What is it?"
They walked a few feet before Tony spoke. "I've been thinking about when Gibbs comes back and..." he paused. "How am I going to do this, Jeanne? I'm going to be a single father to a toddler. She's not even five yet!" He looked down at the ground. "She's not going to remember Ziva at all."
Jeanne looked down at the ground. "You're going to have to help her remember her, Tony," she told him, not knowing what else to say.
"I mean," Tony continued. "I was almost a teenager when my mother died and I can't remember too well. Only that she dressed me up in sailor suits."
"How old is she?" Jeanne asked.
Tony sighed. "She'll be five in August." They stayed silent until Tony began once more. "I expected her not to understand. I just told her that Mommy had to go away for a while and it was probably one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. But, I think she understood that...she's not coming back."
The two reached Jeanne's car and Tony stood off to the side as she got in. "I'll talk to you later, Jeanne," he said as she closed the door.
He turned away and Jeanne called out to him. "Do you need a ride, Tony?"
Shaking his head, he told her he had his car. She sat in her car and watched him turn the corner. He had tears in his eyes and she hoped he'd be careful driving home. The last thing his little girl needed was to be parentless at the age of five. Tears formed in her eyes as she thought about his daughter. She hadn't even asked for her name.
She couldn't help feeling sorry for the little girl who was barely five and without her mother. She rested her hands on the steering wheel, trying to imagine growing up without her mother. After a few moments, she stopped because she couldn't imagine her childhood without both of her parents like Tony's daughter would have to.
Thanks for reading. Sorry it's kind of short.
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