Author's Note :

Thank you for the reviews. You guys are great!

Regarding Pachhi – Why do people get hooked up on such small things? Anyway, Yes I know that he died in Season 2 – but for the purposes of this fic, he is alive and he and Cassie are partners and they work at NCIS head Quarters. There, I hope that Badger Girl and Special Agent Pacci are happy now…

Warning : Jibbs sentiments expressed…

Here's the next chapter …. Enjoy and please Review asap…Thanks!

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The room is cool and the colours are stark. The sounds of the various beeping machines is annoying and reassuring at the same time. The nurse standing next to the Gibbs' bed nods her head, indicating that Jenny and Ducky may approach the bed.

Gibbs is lying at an angle on the raised backrest of the bed. He looks so pale and his lips quiver as if he is still cold even though there are two blankets covering him. The cut on his forehead looks purplish / red and that side of his face is swollen. As the Doctor warned, Gibbs has 4 IV lines, 2 hooked up to his jugular vein and 2 in his right arm. His chest seems elevated but that is as a result of the back brace which is stabilizing his back and shoulder. His abused left arm is slightly raised on a pillow lying next to him.

"Mmmmm." Gibbs moans out softly. "Pain!…shshh…Cold! shh shh…" Gibbs murmurs as he shivers continuously.

"We are giving him warmed fluids, so he should start feeling warmer soon. I have also arranged for heat packs to be placed in the bed. They should be arriving any minute now." The nurse reassures Jenny and Ducky.

"What about the pain meds?" Ducky ask as Jenny lightly caresses Gibbs' head.

"I have just given him a shot of morphine, but we do not want to sedate him, so I will administer smaller doses as and when he needs it." The nurse replies.

Gibbs turns his head towards Jenny's warm hand and his eyes flutter open. Jenny is so happy and relieved to see his eyes open that tears just roll down her face.

"Jethro…" Jenny smiles through her tears. She leans forward and kisses him on his cheek trying to convey all the love and fear she feels for him.

"shh shh, Jen!" Gibbs shivers. Are you… really here! Where is .. here? Mmmm … this pain! And …cold!

Gibbs' head seems to be stuffed with cotton wool but his face is tight and sore. His back and side are on fire, yet the rest of him is so cold. And now he is seeing visions. Visions of Jen…touching him… kissing him…

"Jethro, love, the pain should lessen in a few moments and they will get you warmed up real soon." Jenny whispers through her tears.

"What…. shhhh…. happened?" Gibbs asks in a thick voice not really sure whether he is talking to Jen or her vision.

"Don't worry about that right now, Jethro. You need to rest and regain your strength." Ducky says from the other side of the bed. Gibbs shivers and looks at Ducky. He blinks as few times and finally realizes that, yes, Jen and Ducky are really here.

Ducky smiles compassionately and takes Gibbs' uninjured hand into his as he pats it gently.

"Here we go. These should warm you up in no time." The nurse says as she lifts the covers and places warm packs all around Gibbs' body.

"In a few minutes, I'm going to get you something warm to drink." The nurse smiles as she records Gibbs' vital's on a chart at the foot of the bed.

"Nau…seous!" Gibbs murmurs, feeling heat steal into his ice cold body.

"Taking in something will actually help with relieving the nausea." The nurse says as she leaves the room.

"Tony? … Ziva? …McG…" Gibbs questions, as he becomes lucid for a moment.

"Tony and Abby are fine. Ziva and McGee will be in shortly to see you." Ducky says, just as the door opens and Ziva and McGee walk in.

"How is he?" Ziva whispers.

"Is he awake?" McGee whispers as they approach the bed.

Gibbs looks at them, noting the fear, concern and …. love in their eyes.

"I'm….. okay!" Gibbs says in a slightly stronger voice, wanting to put them at ease.

McGee blinks compulsively as Ziva lets her emotions show by moving in front of Jenny and kissing Gibbs lightly on the cheek.

She whispers, "It's good to have you back, Gibbs."

The warmth from the heat packs saturates Gibbs' body, making his drowsy. The morphine also seems to be taking effect as the pain, although still there is not as sharp as earlier.

"Boss… I'm sorry that I didn't get to you… sooner!" McGee whispers as he places a hand on Gibbs' shoulder.

Gibbs looks up at him and murmurs, "Not … your … fault, Tim."

Then his eyes roll close and he sighs for the first time without shivering.

Thank you Boss! McGee mentally communicates glad that he didn't lose his Boss, his mentor, his father figure, today.

"Ducky places a hand on Ziva's shoulder and an arm around Jenny's waist.

"We should let Jethro rest." Ducky says as the nurse walks in.

"Yes, Agent Gibbs needs to rest." The nurse says as she approaches Gibbs with a mug in her hand.

"Agent Gibbs, you need to drink this." She says. Gibbs opens his eyes and says, "Later…"

"Now would be better." The nurse insists. Jenny approaches her and takes the mug from her hand

"Jethro, just have a few sips. It will make you feel better." Jenny says as she caresses his head lightly."

Gibbs looks at her and gives her a drowsy half smile. Then he whispers, "Anything ...for ... you, ... love."

Jenny smiles down at him surprised by his smile and his words. Ducky raises his eyebrows and Ziva and McGee grin at this interplay between their Boss and the Director.

"Mm," Jenny clears her throat when she sees the team smiling at her. "Here, take a sip." She continues as she holds the straw to Gibbs's lips. He sips slowly as his eyes focus on Jenny. He gives her a puzzling look, conveying love and mischief, as he sips the delicious, warm liquid. She forces him to take a few more sips, before taking the cup away and wiping the corner of him mouth with her finger tips. He turns his head slightly and kisses her finger tips.

"Thanks…" he sighs with a soft smile on his face as he drifts off to sleep. Jen smiles down at him and kisses his cheek again as she thinks Oh Jethro, you look just the way you did in Paris, after you had been shot. Helpless yet mischievous and absolutely adorable.

When she looks up, she finds Ziva grinning at her. Ducky and McGee tune away but not quick enough to hide their smirks, as they head out of the door. Jenny blushes as she looks back at Gibbs.

Everything is going to be okay now. Sleep well, my love. I'll be back in a few minutes. Jenny promises, as she leaves the room.

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Author's Note :

That's it for this chapter.

Stay tuned for … more Jibbs and Tiva in the next chapter.

And please Review ASAP…