3

Ducky hated to think of his old friend in the hospital. He had no doubt the former marine would be well looked after and that Jack would be just as well cared for. What he hated was the idea that just as he got a little happiness in his life some nefarious scoundrel had set about trying to ruin it in the most cruel way possible. He sighed as he thought of the couple who had finally admitted there was a 'thing' as the younger members of the team called it. Now Eleanor had called him about young Alexandra. It seemed that the former agent was in need of a friendly face, it seemed the least he could do was provide her with a ride home.

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"Gibbs." Ziva sat next to his bed, mindful of all the technology around him, each monitor watching for a change in his condition or administering a life saving medication. She sighed as she watched him. "I was called. McGee called me." She paused as if expecting him to answer. Sighing heavily she explained how they were all there, the old team and the new, how Abby and Tali were now firm friends and Vance had at least temporarily given them all their jobs back.

"We will find who did this." Her Israeli accent more prominent as she became upset. "Then, when you are awake and stronger I have things I must ask you." She watched the rhythmical rise and fall of his chest. "Because you will recover from this. You will be well again soon. Jack is going to need you. Tali needs her grandfather." She paused, holding his hand. "Your daughter needs you. So you must be well." She paused as the monitor bleeped. "I know. I know you and my mother were." She paused as she thought for a word to describe her mother's relationship with her former boss. "Intimate - and were last so about nine months before I was born." She paused. "I would never have known Eli David was not my biological father, that Ari." She shook her head. "When you are well, we will be talking." She bit her lip, watching the monitors. "We will."

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Kasie walked around the exterior of the exploded car. Part of her had no idea how the NCIS officers had escaped alive. The bomb had rendered the car unrecognisable.

"The accelerant?" Jimmy asked as he and Abby leaned against a work bench. Abby sighed.

"IED, looks homemade. Cheap, nasty and powerful."

"Like some of my exes." Kasie smirked as Jimmy and Abby exchanged glances. "Sorry."

"Hey." Abby raised her hands. "No judgement. You should see the mess I made of my love life."

"Maybe that's it? Maybe its a disgruntled ex partner we need to be looking on. We've been focused on work so much, maybe its not a work related thing? Both Jack and Gibbs have a history of being in the Armed forces. Jack in the Army and Gibbs a Marine. Maybe its someone from their past there? I mean, Jack was the only survivor of her team in Afghan, maybe someone resents that?"

"So you think Jack is the target? Gibbs was what?" Tony walked in as Abby smiled broadly. "What?"

"Like old times." Abby smiled before hugging her friend. "Where's Tali?"

"With Delilah and the twins. Having a ball." He smiled slightly. "Wish I could say the same for Ziva."

"You knew Gibbs was her dad?" Jimmy asked. Tony shot him a look.

"Can we not talk about them in the past tense, please! Gibbs is going to get well. So is Jack. OK?"

"Ok." Jimmy and Tony exchanged glances, hoping she was right.

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"Ah." Ducky walked towards Ellie and Alex as the younger women seemed to be deep in conversation. He had known Alex had lost her mother and felt a great deal of sympathy for her, he knew how painful it was to lose a parent. Dementia was really a cruel disease.

"Eleanor, Alexandra."

Ellie smiled. "Thanks for coming."

"Anything to help. And if I meet an old friend at the same time. Alexandra, I am so sorry to hear of your mother. I wish we had come across each other again in better circumstances."

"Me too, Ducky." Alex hugged him as the elderly medical examiner blushed.

"I believe you need a ride home?"

"I don't know what to do. Honestly. First Mom and now I hear about Gibbs and his friend? Its just." She shook her head. "I don't know what to do." Ellie hated to hear her old friend sounding so defeated, blinking back tears she glanced at Ducky for guidance. He held out his hand for her.

"Then may I suggest you don't do anything? Just let yourself be." He smiled kindly at her. "Its small comfort but not everything has to be arranged right this minute. I assume the hospital have given you the appropriate forms regarding your mother's passing?"

Alex nodded.

"Then there is no need to be here for that."

"But Gibbs."

"Has Eleanor and Ziva here. You need to put yourself first now. Something I dare say you stopped doing the day you left NCIS."

"Mom needed me."

Ducky nodded, knowing the younger woman had given up her career and home to look after her mother. He had admired her for doing so, knowing not all adult children would do what she did. "May I suggest, if you feel up to it you spend time with those that care for you. That have missed seeing you."

Alex frowned.

"I need to be alone. I think. For a little while."

"Of course." Ducky squeezed her hand. "Let me take you home. Yes?"

"Go." Ellie whispered. "I'll call you."

Alex sniffed back a tear, before nodding and letting Ducky lead her out of the building. Ellie sat back down on the plastic chair, ready to settle in for a long wait.

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