Disclaimer: Not mine.

Except: The Marks family, Marco, and Zoe. They are figments of my imagination.

5-22-19

"Daniel…"

The high picked squeal came from Vala as she sprinted across the pavement. Reynolds had apparently called for medics, because there was already three ambulances parked outside. Ducky and Palmer were helping the EMT's with one of the people on a gurney. Tim was standing next to another, trying, and failing to get Daniel to lay down. With the screaming of Daniel's name, everyone looked up. Luckily Towen was fast enough to catch Vala mid leap, so she didn't land on top of the injured man.

"Towen." Vala threatened.

"Easy there girlfriend, he's hurt. No smothering him." Towen slowly let go as he felt Vala relax in his grip. She took a tentative step towards him until he put his hand out. She grabbed it, as he pulled her forward, wrapping an arm around her back.

"I'm okay." Daniel whispered into her ear, as she cried into his shoulder. By then everyone else had caught up.

Gibbs went straight over to Tim, "Hey Boss," Tim started to say, until Gibbs grabbed him in a hug. One arm around his back, the other hand cupping the back of his head.

"Are you okay?" Gibbs softly asked, holding tight.

Surprised, but holding on just as tight Tim replied, "Not a scratch Boss. Daniel made sure of that." Each letting go, Tony and Ziva grabbed for him at the same time. They both wanted to say so much, yet knew now, was not the time.

"Daniel, Da.."

"Jack, please don't yell."

"Then do what Doctor Mallard is telling you to do."

"In a minute. Ducky, hows Marco, Adam?"

"Daniel!"

"Jack."

Ducky was finally able to cut in, "Don't worry Daniel, both of them have already been taken to the hospital. I can't say anything for certain, but I believe that they will be alright. But you young man, need to lay down and let this nice paramedic do his job."

Fatigue and blood loss was finally catching up and Daniel had no more energy to fight, now knowing Marco and Adam were being taken care of. He could feel all of his team members hands resting somewhere on him as he was stretched out on the gurney. Felt Jack's fingers card through his hair, and his breath by his ear as Jack whispered softly just for him, "Good job, Danny. We're all here for you, so you just hang in there SpaceMonkey." Wanting to roll his eyes took to much energy as unconsciousness took over.

Gibbs, Tony, and Ziva could have been back at NCIS. Could have been writing up their reports, or getting a change cloths, or even gone home to get some rest. Yet they hadn't done any of those things. Tim had been seen by the doctor three hours ago, and got a clean bill of health. As he told Gibbs, he didn't have a scratch on him. But Tim wasn't about to leave the hospital. And they certainly weren't going to leave their probie. They would never say it out loud, but they all wanted to be here for Daniel too.

Abby had been at the hospital when they arrived, and now was curled up next to Tim, her arms wrapped around one of his. They all sat listening as Daniel's teammates told, (very censored) stories of Daniel. Funny things, serious things, stories Daniel had told them. Finally Jack had to know, "Reynolds, how did you find him?"

"Actually Sir, they found us. They were climbing out of a window, and we stumbled upon them." With a sneaking grin Reynolds continued, "At least he remembered who he was this time." Jack, Carter, and even Teal'c laughed at that. Everyone else was just confused. "Sir, if I'm going to be the one to keep finding him, shouldn't I get a pay raise?"

That sobered Jack up real quick, but had Carter laughing harder. "He's got a point Sir."

"Oh no. No,no,no,no." Jack said wagging his finger back and forth, "If I didn't get one, he can't either." Pointing at Reynolds.

Tony had to ask, "What do you mean, keep finding him?" Everyone got quiet with the question. "Sorry, you don't have to answer." He said, knowing he must have hit a sore spot.

"Nah, no worries Agent DiNozzo." Jack waved, "Daniel has a habit of getting into trouble, as you may have guessed from some of these stories." Everyone chuckled, "About 5 years ago Daniel went MIA. He was just gone. A whole year went by, then Reynolds here stumbles across this guy. It was Daniel. Only he didn't have a clue who he was. Took awhile but we were able to help him get his memory back. That's what he meant by finding him, and Daniel still knowing who he was."

"So what happened to him? During that year?" Tony wanted to know, glancing at Tim to see if he was just as curious, or knew the answer already. Only Tim didn't seem to be paying attention to anything. He was just staring out the waiting room door, and down the hall.

"Don't know. Those memories he never got back." Cater answered, seeing that Jack wasn't going to. "It's probably for the best anyway. I don't think I'd want to know." She said softly, and silence descended on the room.

After about a half hour the comfortable silence they had all fallen into was shattered.

"Heart rate is dropping Doctor."

"Where is it all coming from?"

"I don't know, can't see anything."

"B.P.'s dropping!"

"Dang it, we got to find that bleeder!"

A women's voice broke in. "Seems like I came at the right time to help."

"Hank, wasn't expecting to see you here." Jack said as he stood up. Carter and Mitchell also started to stand, but the man just waved them off.

"You really thought I'd just sit back in my office and wait for you to call?" The new arrival said with a knowing smirk.

"I would have called."

"Yeah, that's why Colonel Mitchell was the first to call me, almost four hours ago."

At that moment Director Vance walked in, saving the rest of the room from the two. "Any news yet?" He asked.

"No, none." Gibbs replied.

"We have some other worried people with us. Mind if they join you?" Hank asked.

"Not at all." Jack smiled sadly.

"Captain." Hank said, as he leaned out the door. Turning back to the room of people he said, "I'm General Hank Landry. I want to thank all of you for your cooperation and help in finding my men."

Before anyone could reply, two women came in, escorted by the Captain. "Any news yet?" The older of the two asked.

"No Mrs. Marks, the Doctors haven't been in yet." Jack told her, as a Lieutenant walked in with four children. The oldest was a boy, the next was a girl, and the two youngest were the same age. The two oldest were holding the hands of the younger two, as all their eyes wandered the faces in the room.

Vala peaked out from around Carter, "Psst," she said smiling.

"Auntie Vala!" The two youngest cried as they ran over to her. Vala sat down on the floor as they jumped into her lap.

"Hello my little sweets," she said while hugging them tight.

While the two went to Vala, the other girl went over to Teal'c. Not saying anything she held out her arms, in the universal sign of wanting to be picked up. Smiling, Teal'c did so, setting the girl on his lap, as she curled into his side.

The oldest boy went over to Jack, "General Jack?" he asked in a quiet voice.

Jack knelt with one knee on the ground so he was face to face with the boy. "Yes Nathan?"

"Is my dad alright"

"I don't know yet buddy. The Doctors are taking care of him right now."

Nathan was silent for a moment, as he looked around the room, "And Uncle Daniel?"

"He's in with the Doctors too."

"He promised me."

"What exactly did he promise?" Jack asked confused.

"That he'd do everything he could to come back alive."

Taking a deep breath Jack responded, "Let me tell you something kiddo. You, can, not, kill, Daniel. It's been tried before."

This statement brought an uproar of, "Jack, General, and O'Neill" from most of the people in the room. Jack just looked around the room and calmly stated, "I'm not going to lie to the kid." Looking back at Nathan, "If he promised he'd try, then he'll do anything he can to come back to all of us."

Silent tears gathered in Nathan's eyes as Jack offered him a hug. Nathan wrapped his arms around his neck as Jack picked him up, then sat down in a chair. Everyone else that had just got there settled in a seat quietly, waiting to hear news.

Gibbs, along with the rest of his team, had been watching silently. There was nothing they could really do, or even say, to help. Gibbs didn't like the feeling of being on the outside looking in, but that was exactly what was happening. These people were all family. He felt like he was intruding on a privet moment. He looked around at his people. His team, Abby, Ducky, Palmer, even the Director. They were his family, and they were all here to support Daniel's family. They were here, and they were going to give as much moral support as they could.

Wednesday 2pm….

Doctor Kaylee Bryant walked down the hall to the waiting room. The Nurse at reception told her there was a large group gathered, waiting for news. When she got to the room, the door was shut and there were two men in military uniforms standing on each side of it. Dealing with military people most of the time, this didn't come as a shock, but when they wouldn't let her in the room she was. "I'm Doctor Bryant. I'm here to talk with the family of Adam Marks."

"I.D. please, Ma'am." The Captain said politely.

Handing over her I.D. badge, she saw him comparing it, and her, to what she guessed was a list of names and photos. Giving her badge back he said, "Thank you. One moment please." Then he quietly went into the room, closing the door behind him.

Not knowing what to think, she just stared at the door. After a few minutes she started to fidget, until she realized the other man was watching at her. "Yes, Lieutenant?"

"I just wanted to say thank you for taking care of our people." He said quietly, then straightened, and his gaze was focused back down the hall. Before she could respond the door finally opened again.

Over the last hour, all four kids had made the rounds with everyone in the room. While before the two teams were split into their own groups, now they were all mingled together. Abby, Ziva, Tony, Palmer, and Vala were all on the floor with the twins, Eliza and Elijah. Carter, Mitchell, and Palmer sat in chairs behind them.

Megan was regaling the Director, Ducky, Landry, Jack, and Teal'c with a story about baby birds, which lead to Ducky telling stories also.

Mrs. Marks and Zoe Martinez sat watching them.

Only Gibbs and Tim sat apart from it all with Nathan between them, snuggled into Tim's side. "Tim?" Nathan asked.

"Yeah Nate?"

"You going to come visit us sometime? It's great seeing you now, but…" He trailed off.

"I know, not the best place, huh?"

"No. It's not." Nathan said sadly.

"Daniel actually asked me about that not too long ago. The twins birthday party. Would you mind if I came out then?" Tim timidly asked, not knowing if he would be intruding on family time.

Nathan sat up and looked Tim in the eye. "That would be the best time for you to come."

They both smiled at each other as Nathan leaned back into Tim's side, "Sounds like a plan then".

The door quietly opened and the Captain came in. "Sir, there's a Doctor Bryant, to see Mrs. Marks." The Captain softly said to General Landry. The two women that were waiting for news grabbed each others hands. They hadn't heard what the Captain said, but knew it must have been important.

"General?" Caitlyn Marks questioned.

"There's a Doctor here with news about Adam."

"Anything on Marco?" Zoe asked.

"No, nothing yet." The Captain replied.

Caitlyn slowly got up with the General and Jack. Nathan sat up, "Mom?"

"I'll be right back okay sweetheart?"

"Okay."

"Caity?" Tim didn't know exactly what he was asking, but felt like he needed too.

She was silent for a moment, then straightened her shoulders, and asked, "Can you stay and watch the kids? Make sure Vala isn't teaching them words they shouldn't know?"

Smiling, Tim nodded, "That I can do."

Having notice their mom getting up the twins started to get up too, "Mama?"

"It's okay babies, Mama will be right back. You stay with Auntie Vala, and do what Uncle Tim tells you, alright?"

"Okay-dokie Mama!"

"Wait, do you not trust me?" Vala inquired, tilting her head.

"Do you not remember what happened the last time I left you alone with my kids?"

"Oh, yeah." Vala nervously laughed. "Timmy's in charge. Gotcha".

"Do I want to know?" Palmer asked, as Caitlyn, Landry, and Jack went out the door.

"It's not a story we like to repeat, Caitlyn doesn't see the humor in it. There was nothing illegal about what they all did to the neighborhood, but… let's just say that the kids now know what the inside of a police station looks like." Mitchell said.

—

A/N: Well here's chapter 20! More info on the injured boys, and hopefully what may or may not have happened to the bad guys, in the next one. Just needed some light humor before hand. Hope your still enjoying, and thanks for reading! Should hopefully have the next one up by Sunday!