She was back in the doctor's office, only this time, it was Gibbs and not Tony who sat with her, waiting for the exam results. Again, Doctor Brown entered the room, file in hand, and dropped down behind his desk.
"So you're Special Agent Gibbs?" The OB/GYN questioned.
"Yes, Doctor. I believe Anthony explained I'm Callie's medical POA."
Nodding, he answered, "He did, Mr. Gibbs. And, made me promise that I would communicate directly with you or him since Ms. Harris sometimes omits the more salient details."
Callie had the grace to blush at the subtle set down. The doctor continued, "I was hoping the restricted bed rest would help bring Callie's blood pressure under better control, but it's just not having the desired effect. While I don't think the baby or the mother is in real distress, I would just feel better if we prescribe full bed rest until little DiNozzo decides to join us."
"Doctor," Callie whined, "I'm about ready to pad the walls, now."
"I'm sorry, Callie, but I would rather be safe than sorry. I've got all the necessary paperwork ready to send to your employer," Doctor Brown continued.
"Not necessary, Doc. Just give it to me and I'll see it gets where it needs to be." Gibbs responded, "And, is there anything else that we need to be doing?"
The doctor shook his head, "No, Mr. Gibbs, nothing else unless Callie has some kind of distress or the baby chooses to make an early entrance."
Standing as the doctor did, Gibbs shook the man's hand and then led a very quiet and somewhat depressed Callie Harris back out to the car. As they headed towards the apartment, Gibbs asked quietly, "How would you feel about some ice cream?"
Callie cast the older man a sideways glance, "Isn't that a bit cliché?"
Grinning, he replied, "Only if we're adding pickles as a topping." Seeing her smile in response, he pressed, "Well?"
She nodded sheepishly, "That would be nice."
Once back in the apartment, Gibbs let Callie get changed as he prepared the bed where she would now be spending most of her days.
Coming out of the bathroom, Callie sighed. "Do you know how much I hate being tied down like this?"
Smiling at the forlorn tone, Gibbs patted the bed and helped her lay back. "I do."
As she positioned herself on the pillows, Jethro reached out absently and ran his hand over the baby. Callie stayed still and watched the unguarded emotion on the boss' face. Realizing what he had done, Gibbs quickly pulled his hand away but not before Callie had grabbed it and forced it back down on her belly.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly.
Smiling, she replied, "Rule #6, Agent Gibbs, apologies are a sign of weakness."
Shaking his head, "This has just brought back too many memories. I'm afraid I used to do that to Shannon when she was carrying Kelly."
"Tony does the same thing. I sometimes think it's just to convince himself that this is real and not some trick I've cooked up." Callie tried for levity.
"No, it's more of a fascination that there's a living, breathing little person that is about to turn your life completely upside down." Gibbs explained.
"I guess the ice cream after the doctor's appointment was something you used to do with Shannon, too?" Callie continued.
Nodding, he answered, "Yeah. Became our little ritual. Even after the baby came, anytime we had some kind of doctor's visit, we went for ice cream. Even right up to the time that Kelly was seven."
"I never thought about this being difficult on you, L.J."
Gibbs stood but not before Callie grabbed his hand again and stopped him, "Please? Stay and talk. We haven't in a really long time."
Gaining his agreement, Harris released his hand and he crossed to the other side of the bed. Dropping down next to his friend and colleague, he added, "There's something I've needed to do, Callie. I hope you don't mind."
And before she could respond, Gibbs slapped the back of her head. The shock registered and, open mouthed, she cried, "What the hell was that for?"
Smiling as he settled himself on the pillows next to the agent he answered, "Los Angeles."
"I'm gonna shoot G. Callen."
"No, you're not. I can't believe you were that stupid as to even try what you did. What were you thinking?" Gibbs quizzed.
Shrugging her shoulders, Harris answered, "I was safe, Gibbs. The guys were all right there."
"Nothing is ever safe or simple in our line of work, Callie. You know that. Even serving a warrant can go wrong. Why don't you just call it for what it was?" Gibbs admonished.
Callie's look was distant as she replied, "I never thought it would be this hard to just walk away. The first time Tony left me here to go work a case was terrible. And, the not being in the loop, not knowing what's going on? That was my last time in the field, Gibbs, and I knew it. I just needed to prove I could do the job."
"Harris, you wouldn't have been there if you couldn't do the job. You wouldn't be running an Intelligence Division if you couldn't do the job. Sometimes I forget just how much alike you and DiNozzo really are. It's scary, you know?"
She smiled, "I know. It's part of why we get along so well."
"There's something else I need to tell you, too." Gibbs continued.
"Am I gonna get Gibbs' slapped again?"
He smiled, "No, but you might want to make a note. It'll be the second time in one night that I've apologized."
Grasping her chest in mock horror, "Gibbs!"
"That day in the Director's office," he ignored her response, "you tried to give me a graceful out and I didn't allow it."
"L.J." she interrupted.
"No, Harris," Gibbs continued, "you wanted to tell me and I forced your hand. And, for that, I'm sorry. It made it very hard on you and, well, on Tony, for awhile."
Callie laced her hand through Jethro's, "I'm sorry to have backed you in a corner like that. I would never have done that to you, especially in front of the director."
Gibbs nodded, "I know. So, we're all better, right?"
She smiled, "Of course. We were all better that night you waited on me while I was in L.A. I knew you'd be there."
"Just like I knew you'd call." He shook his head.
"So, since we're bearing all here. Has Tony talked to you about naming the baby?"
"Tell me he doesn't want to call this poor child Leroy or Jethro," Gibbs tone was tired.
Smiling, Callie responded, "No. He's been convinced from the first day that this baby is a girl."
Jethro tensed slightly not sure he was prepared to hear what came next from Harris, "So, he's got one name and one name only for his baby."
"And that is?"
"He wants to name her Kelly Isabella DiNozzo," Callie finished.
Gibbs looked as if he had been physically struck. His demeanor, which had been open and friendly only moments before suddenly became closed and guarded. Callie was instantly contrite, "L.J."
"No," Gibbs responded, holding up his hand and rolling off the bed, "Just give me a minute, Cal."
She watched as he paced the area beside the bed. Finally, turning back to Callie, he asked, "Why?"
Smiling, she replied, "You mean more to him than any person in the world, L.J. And, he also knows that you're pretty special to me. This is his way, no, really, our way, of giving you the honor you deserve."
Gibbs shook his head, "I don't know, Callie. No one could replace my Kelly."
"And no one is trying to, Gibbs. But," Harris paused, realizing the emotional distress this appeared to be causing her friend. "Look, no decision has to be made right this minute. You just think about it, okay?"
Nodding at her change of tactics, Gibbs agreed. "Now, you Ms. Harris, need to get some rest." He came back around to Callie's side of the bed. Leaning in as to a small child, he kissed the top of her head. "I'll be out here if you need me."
"Thanks, L.J., for everything."
He smiled and turned out the light as he left the bedroom, contemplating a new Kelly that would soon want to enter his life.
