Chapter 21

A/N:I'm back from hiatus, and what I meant by that is I was in Oklahoma, staying with my aunt without any internet connection, but I'm back! Did you miss me? Thank you so much for all of the kind words that were said in the reviews. You guys are awesome and inspired me with ideas. I hope you guys like this chapter. Once again you guys are awesome thanks so much. I'd like to apologize. I got some very good advice from the wonderful JibbsGal1 that has given me a new incentive. Thanks!(JibbsGal1, left my heart in paris, teardrops of ink, OrtonsMistress, hairyginny9, itzcheeseball,hslacer) I love you guys:)- Shy Chey

"Yes," Jenny said firmly

"No," Gibbs fired back adamintly

Jenny shook her head flabergasted at his stuborness, but then again what else was new? She couldn't believe he was fighting her on this when she was clearly right. "The doctor said that they were done with observing me and that I was free to go home so start packing. I want to get the hell out of this place. I want to go home Jethro." She stomped her foot down like a child would who was currently not getting her way. She ignored the pain that it sent through her leg and stood her ground. She was not staying here any longer and if he wouldn't drive her home she would, even if it was very ill advised, and had a high chance of backfiring on her.

Gibbs laughed and shook his head. "The doctor also said that he would like to keep you here, only that it was no longer necessary, or did just forget that part, Jen?" He knew that she was angry but he was still very concerned for her.

Marie had been watching them bicker back and forth for the past 10 minutes and she was already sick and tired of it. She decided that she couldn't take it any longer and decided to intervene. "Okay would you two shut up. Both of yall are right, but I think that Dad you should respect mom's wishes and let her go home. I promise if anything goes wrong I will personally drag her butt back here." Marie said glaring at both of her parents who acted like bickering teenagers sometimes- wait make that all the time. She hoped that she wasn't like this, but knew all to well that she probably was.

Gibbs opened his mouth to argue. "But-"

"No. Now if I were you I would just go with it because if you don't I can pretty much gaurentee you that my mom will try and drive and you know how bad that can be, and last time I checked you seemed to care very deeply about your car. So please do us both a favor and start packing. Besides if she wrecks that car then I'll just drive your orange one that your hiding in the garage" Marie said, trying her best to add a little incentive. She knew that Gibbs was just concerned for her mother and she was greatfull. But in all honesty she didn't like hospitals and was looking foward to finally getting out as soon as possible, and to her soon pretty much meant NOW.

Gibbs looked like he was about to argue more, but quickly nodded, finally giving in when he recieved two death glares from both Jen and Marie. He did not want to piss them off. He already made that mistake yesterday when he kicked Marie out of her chair, which was on accident by the way, not that it made any diffrence to her. Apparently it was that time of the month for Marie and she did not want to be bothered. Josaf's trial was tomorrow and they were all stressed out, so GIbbs just shut his mouth and did as he was told. He really didn't want to die today anyway.

Jenny was happy. She was going home, and even though Gibbs didn't see how good this was now, he would really soon. She would finally talk with him and get everything out in the open. She would no longer be suffocated by the guilt and regret. Soon Jethro would know everything and then they would finally be able to move on. She needed this especially since she was still gathering the courage to ask if Jethro would take her to the hearing. His first answer had automatically been no, but she had a feeling that if she kept pressing he would give in. She needed to be there. Yes, she still feared Josaf, but it was better to see him before he actually went on trial for what he had done to her. The more she saw him the more strength she would have to go on the stand. Seeing him would only fuel her anger and give her that much more drive to take the stand. She would be ready no matter what they through at her. It was time for him to pay. Now if only she could convince Jethro that she really was ready to face him.

It took them over an hour to get everything packed, but after that everything else went easily. The doctors cleared her. She was given a perscription for the pain. Jethro signed the papers, and they were off.

Gibbs drove very slowly once again being very careful about avoiding the bumps. Jenny was actually concerned. In all the years that she had known Jethro he had never driven this slow and frankly she was bored. She looked at Marie who to her suprise was smiling. She kept looking at Gibbs and smiling as if she knew something that Jenny didn't. She was going to get to the bottom of it eventually, but for right now she just wanted to enjoy the moment while she still had it.

Jenny breathed a sigh of relief as Gibbs' house came into view. She had missed this sight and had often lied awake at night wondering if she would ever have the luxury of seeing it again. It had been a long time since she had walked the halls of the infamous Gibbs residence and she was interested to see how much had changed, but then again knowing Gibbs things were probably the same. That was the one thing that Jenny could always count on it was something constant and right now she needed that in her life.

"Home sweet home."Gibbs said embracing the cliche of it all as he pulled the car into his vacant driveway. He helped Jenny out of the car instructing her to leave the bags, promising her that he would come for those later, but right now he just wanted her to lie down and rest. Maybe now she could finally get some sleep. He knew that she was not very comfortable on that rusty old hospital bed and he knew that she would fall asleep fast in his bed. She had always told him that she felt safe there. He just hoped that she felt the same way still. He wanted to make her as comfortable as possible. She meant the world to him and he wanted to help her in every way possible. Even if that meant he would become his own worst nightmare. The overbearing housewife.

He smiled. Yep that was his new role in society and he was eager to embrace it if that meant that life would be easier for Jen. He opened the door to his house and as usual it was very quiet just the way he liked it. He rounded the corner into his living room and nearly had a heart attack.

"Suprise!" They screamed in unison. He watched silently in shock as his entire team and Ducky launced themselves from behind the couch. So much for the peace and quiet he thought to himself. He looked around and spotted Abby who no doubt put this whole thing together. She looked excited and relieved to see him and as if on cue she launched herself into his arms. "Yay you're home!" She squeled in delight and squeezed hm tighter, so much to the point where he thought he was going to suffocate. He lightly tapped her on the shoulder and she immediatly loosened her grip on him. Seeming to get the unspoken message that he relayed.

She pulled back and looked at GIbbs. She looked very proud of herself and even though Gibbs would rather have spent his first days at home with Jen alone, he couldn't really be mad at her. She was just happy that the director was finally home and her gesture was sweet. "Abbs want to explain to me why my house just about everyone at NCIS is at my house?"

Abby laughed. "Isn't it obvious Gibbs were celebrating the return of everyone's favorite director. Now put your stuff down and join the party," she ordered sternly.

"Abbs I don't-"

"Don't even try it Gibbs You're going to have fun. Everyone at NCIS has been working their butts off for you and no one is more happier for you and the director than the team. C'mon Gibbs we've been wishing for this to happen for the past 6 years. Loosen up a little. I promise tomorrow you can worry as much as you want- we all will, but please just relax. If not for you then for our beautiful gibblet. She deserves a normal teenage life instead of being crammed with law stuff... I mean not that law stuff is horrible. I love being in law enforcement... I mean you know how much I love NCIS. You know I do- Gibbs I meant-"

"Okay okay Abbs its fine you're right, but tomorrow its back to work and if DiNozzo or any of yall get drunk you're staying here got it?"

"Oh Gibbs thank you so much you won't regret it- well you may but its still going to be awesome." and with that Abby blared the music and they disappeared into oblivion.

Four long and torturous hours later Gibbs' team was passed out on his living room floor. The music was off and everything was silent. All except for Ziva's outragous snoring. Gibbs was going to have to fix that. Marie was the only one aside from Gibbs and Jenny that remained awake after everything. One thing was for sure she was a tough girl. She had participated in every single game that Abby had planned that night, and she didn't complain once. That was considered very brave in Gibbs' book, considering he hardly had the patience to get through one.

"You really should lighten up a bit dad. I know you're worried we all are. But you know what we need to take the relaxation time whike we still have it because come tomorrow all of that wil be gone. After today our entire focus will be on Josaf's trial and making sure that the bastard pays. Pardon my french." Jenny opened her mouth to say something that she had said to her daughter numerous times over the years, but of course her wonderful daughter beat her to the punch. "Yeah yeah I know not every cuss word in America is french sorry. But hey you know how I get when I'm cranky. What time is it anyway?" She asked looking around for any signs of a working electronic device. One thing that she had learned during her time while living with Gibbs is that he seriously needed to get out more. She looked around the house and saw things that probably cave men had forgoten about and that was saying something. The word technology was not applicable in this house both figuratively and literally speaking.

Gibbs nodded and said," Its 0130. Which means that it is no longer yesterday and its time for you to go to bed young lady." Marie was right, but it was his trade mark to worry often times people had told him that's all he did, and 9 times out of 10 he was inclined to agree with them. It was in his nature to worry that's just who he was. No matter what he would continue to worry about his family till the day he died and possibly even more after that.

Marie nodded and looked around the occupied living room full of the wonderful and bubbly NCIS team that she had come to love and who had come to love her. It was as if they really were a family and that was something that she had always wanted and now she had it. It was the best thing she could ask for at the time, and she was very greatful.

After fighting pure exaustion for about ten minutes Marie finally crashed in the safety and comfort of her bedroom, not to be disturbed unil dawn came calling.

Gibbs watched as Marie finally gave in and went to sleep. he didn't know why but he found it the most beautiful sigh. His daughter sleeping peacfully. Everytime she slept he would watch her breathing as if she would stop at any moment. He used to do the same thing with Kelly. Maybe he was a little over protective, but because he was he slept well at night, knowing that no one would ever get to her. Tomorrow he would make sure there was no possible way that Josaf could get out, and he had all of NCIS to back him up, so chances were good.

"Beautiful isn't she, Jethro?" Jenny asked while handing him a steaming cup of coffee. He took it with an appreciative glance. He nodded she really was beautiful just like her mother. He found striking simularities in both physical and mental appearances. She had his and Jenny's stubborness as well as bravery and strength. She was just like her mother in so many ways, but so much like him at the same time. He was so proud to have her as his daughter. He felt very lucky and he for sure was not going to take any time he had with her for granted. He was going to love her unconditionally. No matter what.

Jenny wrapped her fingers around his hand and squeezed reassuringly. She loved him and trusted him with everything. He had certainly earned it. He had saved her and been completley understanding and respectful of the boundaries that she had set, and that was more than she could ever ask for at any time.

"Jen why didn't you tell me about her?" Jethro asked quietly, trying not to sound to demanding, but also wanting desperately to know her reasons for lying to him and keeping him from his own daughter. He was angry, but he just wanted to know.

He immediatly felt her tense and pull her hand away. She had clearly been avoiding this. It was clear that she had some explaining to do. She just wasn't sure she was ready. There was nothing she could really say to defend herself. She had lied, there was no hiding that.

"I'm really tired can we talk about this in the morning?" She didn't wait for his answer she just turned to leave, but he wasn't done. He wanted to know. They were going to talk tonight he wasn't going to wait any longer. He reached for her arm and grabbbed her around the wrist, preventing her from going any further. She tried to pull away but his grip was to strong. Finally she faced the inevitable and turned to face him. She had no idea that she was crying until he reached and wiped the tears away that were now falling down her cheeck.

"Jethro please I don't want to talk about it right now just please let me go to bed I promise you I will explain it to you in the morning, but could we please not do this tonight." She turned once more and began to pulll away, and he tightened his grip on her arm. He momentarily loosened his grip on her arm when she flinched, but he never fully let her go.

"Jen we need to talk. Just talk that's it. Just tell me please." His voice was pleading and her heart broke. He was right about everything. He had a right to know.

After a couple of seconds she finally turned to face him. She was scared. It was probably the first time she had been afraid of Jethro. "I had already left Paris when I found out I was pregnant, and by the time I finally gathered up the courage to tell you. You had already moved on and gotten yourself married. I thought why not wait until it ended and then tell, and I guess after that I chickened out. You can hate me all you want and that's probably the least I deserve, but the past is the past and I can't change it. All I can do is tell you that I'm sorry and hope that one day you can find it within yourself to forgive me. I'm sorry Jethro. I never meant to hurt you. I'm so sorry that I did. That was never my intention." And with that she turned to leave, and this time he didn't stop her.

He stood there for a moment taking in everything that she had just said to him. That was it? That was her excuse for not telling him that he had a daughter? He thought to himself. There was so much that he had missed within her life like her fist bithday, when she learned to crawl and walk, when she first learned to ride her bike. All of that was gone and there was no way he was going to be able to get that back. Hell he had even missed the birth of his child, and that was something he promised never to do after Kelly died. He had broken his promise. He hadn't been there.

How was he supposed to forgive Jen for that so easly? He was so angry. He loved her, but he was still so angry with her. He needed a break, a distraction to say the least. It was then that he went down to the basement. For the first time since Jen was back he felt sad and angry, and he needed his boat. His boat always calmed him down. Even in the midst of a major crisis or compicated case his boat never let him down. It was something about his hands, and having something to do constantly. When he was busy he didn't have to remember. Many people didn't understand why he did what he did or why he was obsessed with his boat. Often times people would chastize him for being anti-social, but if he didn't have his boat he would be angry and probably lose it and shoot the first person that dared to piss him, and despite everything he had become for fond of the one Tony DiNozzo.

He picked up the sander, finding comfort in the familar way the wooden tool contoured to his hand. He began to move the sander in repetive motions along one of the ribs of his boat. After just a couple of minutes he could feel some of his stress begin to melt away. He thought over the whole conversation with Jen. He was angry with her and he had a right to be. He wouldn't be so mad because part of it was his fault because he could've gone after he just chose not to. He was mad because he had worked with her for 3 years and not once did he tell him about her. That's what he couldn't get over. She had lied to him repeatdly over the years. He was hurt, but he still loved her. He would never stop loving her no matter what she did. He had to tell her that.

He dropped the sander and began to make his way up to the bedroom where Jenny now resided. He ran up the stairs not caring that he was skipping steps, and that it could be very dangerous.

He had just reached the top of the stairs when her blood curtling scream rang out from inside the bedroom. He ran as fast as he could to her, and when arrived in the room he froze, because standing right in front of him with a gun pointed at his head was the woman that he loved.

Jenny stood gun in hand, slowly she cocked the gun and the only thought that was going through Gibbs' head was Oh sh**.

A/N: Cliffhangers! Don't you just love em? Lolz sorry:) Will update as soon as I can thanks again and please review:)- Shy Chey