Short chapter I know but it had to be, you'll see why in the next chapter.

The lighting in the hospital room was harsh and if it was possible made Jenny look even paler, she looked so small and frail in the hospital bed and the lower part of her face was covered by the respirator, the low whirring echoing throughout the room. Rebecca gingerly reached out and stroked her niece's cool cheek, watching for any sign of movement, silently praying that she would wake soon. She very briefly looked up when her husband entered the room, he walked behind her and placed his hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently before speaking, 'They got the guy who did this to her, turns out it was burglary gone wrong, so they have of course released that Agent Gibbs'

Her free hand slipped up and entwined with her husbands as she sighed, 'I never thought that Agent Gibbs had done this anyway'

'It made sense'

She shook her head, 'No I saw him earlier at Jenny's house and he just wouldn't, he isn't the type'

'They never are. Do you think he'll come and see her?'

'He can try but he won't be getting in'

'Jenny might have wanted him here'

'I failed to protect her once, I won't do it again. When she wakes up she can over-rule that decision but until then he is not getting near her', Thomas heard the steely resolve in his wife's voice and decided not to push the subject. Instead he sat down next to her and let her head rest on his shoulder as her hand continued to hold onto Jenny's as though it was her life-line.

Gibbs's footsteps echoed as he made his way through the quiet hospital corridor. He made his way up to the nurses station and coughed impatiently when the woman didn't look up straight away. Sighing she placed her pen down before looking up and asking, 'Can I help you?'

'I'm here to see Director Jennifer Sheppard and I need to know what room she's in'

'I'll need to clear it with her family first'

The nurse went to get up from the desk before another female voice interrupted her, 'That won't be necessary', Rebecca turned her attention to Gibbs, 'Agent Gibbs you are not welcome here and I suggest that you leave', her upper lip curled slightly, 'No doubt your wife is waiting for you'

Gibbs watched slightly stunned for a second as she began to walk away, he then shook himself and darted in front of her, 'You can't stop me from seeing Jenny'

'I think you'll find I can, you have done enough damage. You should never have gotten involved with her and I won't let you give her false hope only for you to crawl back to your wife when things have improved'

Running a hand over his chin Gibbs muttered, 'My marriage is over, I love Jenny and I promise you I won't let her down this time'

Rebecca let out a hollow laugh, 'I appreciate the sentiment but you'll have to excuse the fact that I don't believe you. When Jennifer wakes up she can decide whether or not she wants to see you, until then stay away from here, you are not welcome'

'I need to see her'

Rebecca just shook her head and pushed past Gibbs, not even giving him a second glance as she walked away. For a moment he just stood in shock, he honestly hadn't expected this, he wasn't naïve enough to believe he would be welcomed with open arms but he thought that they would at the very least let him see her. Gibbs wasn't sure what to do next, he just knew he couldn't leave so he headed over to the chairs lined up along the wall and sat down, waiting.

Thomas had watched the exchange between his wife and this Jethro Gibbs and had continued to watch as the man sat down and waited patiently, refusing to give up. He shook his head slightly, he knew Rebecca was hurting after all he was just as devastated to see Jennifer like this, as far as he was concerned she was his daughter and he too felt as though he had failed to protect her.

He took a sip of the tea he had gotten from the cafeteria just a few moments ago, to say he was concerned was an understatement. This man was the baby's father and if worst came to worst and Jennifer remained in her coma then he had the right to bring up his child in the absence of Jennifer being able to express her wishes. Thomas felt that shutting him out wasn't the best idea, after all he could quite easily cut them out later on and he knew for sure that that would destroy Rebecca. The only problem was that she was unwilling to listen to reason.

xxxxx