Chapter 38 - ギフト Gift

Tony and Ziva followed Keiko and Abby to the conference room, while Jimmy held the baby bag and waited for Ducky to come up so they could check the little child.

We followed a few steps back and we weren't surprised by the astonished gasp coming from Keiko when she entered the room.

Abby took her hand and proudly pulled her in, pointing here and there at the variety of things that she had been able to buy or find donations for Keiko and her baby. The room was piled up four feet high with baby clothes, diapers, woman's clothes Keiko's size, formula cans and all imaginable accessories a baby and a new mother might need.

"When I told what we were planning to do everyone in the building wanted to pitch in. The diapers came from cybercrimes, HR donated the newborn clothes, Counter-terrorism pitched in on the formulas and Josh, from the security gate downstairs, gave this super nice all in one bag for mothers. You can carry your cell phone, diapers, bottles and it is pink, like our pink baby."

Keiko walked around astonished, touching here and there as if she couldn't believe what her eyes were showing to her.

She ran her fingers on the side of a beautifully carved crib, which was on the corner of the room.

"That came from Graham, the chef of the cafeteria across the street."

"It's too much, I can't accept that."

"Ah, you can." Abby insisted, turning to us. "Please tell her that she has to accept it. We don't accept returns."

I took a step forward and took one of the teddy bears on the conference table, this one with a big tongue hanging out and a red ribbon around its head.

"You have to. It's what Will wanted." I said.

McGee left me and went to Keiko's side, his hands going to her shoulders forcing her to face him.

"Hey, Keiko."

She lifted her tear stained face to him, so he said in a gentle voice.

"You've been through hell but you need to know that Will was trying very hard to come back to you." Keiko brought a hand to her mouth, biting it to keep from sobbing as McGee talked to her. "He wanted a better life - a safer life - for his wife and child, and he fought until his last breath to keep you safe. I'm sure he would want you to accept this."

She looked around desolated, her sobs shaking her shoulders as she shook her head in denial. McGee took pity on her and hugged her, so we silently watched as she broke down before the generosity of complete strangers, willing to offer just a small solace and help in the start of her new life.