Disclaimer – See Chapter 1

I'M BACK! Bet you all had given up on me, huh? I nearly had too!

Anyway, in the last chapter, I pointed out that there would be a "first", and despite a couple of guesses from my lovely reviewers, nobody spotted it. I had been holding it back for a long time, but it was the first time that Gibbs had referred to Mia as 'his'.

Chapter 53

Several hours later saw a very pale Mia sitting more upright than before. Requesting the change in position had eased the never-ending fire in her chest a little as well as allowing her to view her surroundings. Not having moved since awakening previously, Gibbs remained situated in the plastic chair, Mia's tiny hand clasped between his, the frown across his brow deepening as he bore a silent witness to her suffering.

Several times he had come close to attempting to discuss Mia's choice of refusing painkillers, but understanding the reasoning behind the decision stilled his words. A sheen of sweat had caused her already pale skin to take on a sickly tinge and the agent was very aware of the shallow depth of her breaths.

Ducky and Tony arrived some time later, a very familiar take-away coffee cup in Tony's left hand which he passed to the Marine with a knowing smile.

"How are we doing this evening, little one?" Ducky asked, keeping the concern from his face as he spoke to the child.

"Better... thank you..." Mia replied, her voice somewhat strained.

"Do you think you would be alright for a moment while I talk to Gibbs outside?"

Mia nodded slowly, feeling the hands which had been wrapped around hers suddenly leave, and was surprised to discover that she missed the presence of the agent, his gentle touch allowing her to feel secure and grounded.

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"Duck?"

"I do not wish to begin a debate regarding the use of painkillers, Jethro, but that little girl is in excruciating pain. And if we leave her suffering like she is now, her condition will worsen." Gibbs immediately tried to cut in, to defend Mia's choice, but was silenced by a wave of Ducky's hand. "What I am suggesting are other methods to make her comfortable."

"Other methods?" Gibbs asked, having no option but to follow the doctor as he re-entered the room.

"Mia, honey, I have an idea which might make you feel a little better, but I need you to trust me, can you do that?" Ducky asked, dropping to Mia's level.

"I... trust you..." She answered slowly, glancing between the three men.

"Ok, all I need you to do is relax and don't try to help us. Tony and I are going to keep you sitting upright while we lower the back of the bed, then Gibbs is going to sit in behind you." Ducky explained.

"Not... help?"

"No, while we lower the bed, Tony and I are going to hold you very gently, but if you try to help, it will make your ribs very sore. You need to let us do all the work, ok?"

A nod from Mia started the process. Ducky instructed Tony as to how to support Mia from his side of the bed in such a way that he wouldn't injure her and the two men supported the child's body as Gibbs lowered the back of the bed, slid the pillows backwards, and slipped in behind her.

"Alright, now, very gently backwards." Ducky instructed.

Mia closed her eyes and inhaled against a wave of pain as she tried not to lean too hard against Gibbs.

"Just relax, sweetheart, remember what Ducky said." Gibbs soothed, feeling the child trying to hold her weight.

As her muscles relaxed, she focussed on the Marine sitting behind her. Her back against his chest, the heat from his body seemed to travel right to her bones, easing the pains in her chest and back.

"Is the heat helping?" Ducky asked, watching Mia closely.

"Not... as sore... now..." Mia answered, managing a tiny smile as Tony pulled the blanket up to cover her. As the Italian agent watched the child pull her right arm under the blanket, he suddenly had an idea and moved to the small wooden locker by the bedside where Abby had stored extra clothing and essentials. He rummaged for a few seconds before finding what he had been searching for.

"Hey, Princess, you know what this is?" Tony asked, holding up a spare pair of purple fluffy socks.

"Socks...?" She answered, confused at the obvious question.

"Right!" He confirmed, smiling. "But these are no ordinary socks. See, this arm can hide under the blanket to get warm," Tony explained, pointing to her good arm. "But this arm can't do that right now, so we use these as 'Stumpy Socks'."

Mia watched with interested eyes as Tony tossed one sock aside and, stretching the other with his hands, gently eased it over her bandaged left arm. Gibbs and Ducky, who had watched the interaction with caution, immediately felt relief as Mia broke into a grin.

"S... Stumpy... Socks..."

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The night, although punctuated with the occasional tensing of the child's body as a wave of pain hit, seemed more settled despite the lack of painkilling medication. Gibbs, resting back against the headboard, felt a strong sense of joy that not only was he able to play an active part in Mia's early recovery, but that his team, who had always been his work family, were becoming massive parts in his and Mia's family.

The silver-haired agent was very aware that the death of Mia's father had not been disclosed to her. In all honesty, he had been waiting until the right time to tell her, but then, was there ever a right time? Would she understand what that even meant? Would it injure her mental state even further?

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