5
Jack lay in the hospital bed, her arms heavily bandaged as the machines that were keeping her alive bleeped rhythmically. Faith sat next to her, acutely aware that each machine had a function needed to keep her mother on Earth.
"Why would anyone do this?" Faith sighed as she watched the pale face of her mother laying next to her. "Your blood pressure is better."
"That's good."
Faith turned to see Ellie stood watching her.
"I didn't want to intrude but I thought you'd want to know Gibbs is back in theatre."
"What happened?"
"Doctor said something about internal bleeding." Ellie folded her arms. "Ziva is calling Tony now. Jack's doing ok though?"
Faith sighed. "Not brilliantly but holding her own. The surgeon asked me about some internal scaring she has. I had no idea. Do you know if she had any injuries before?"
Ellie shook her head slightly. "She was held hostage with her Troop. Was the only survivor on her team. She never talks about it, just told me it was how she became interested in psychology."
Faith bit her lip. "There's so much I don't know. I mean, she's my mother and .."
"You were both separated through no fault of your own. You said Jack did the right thing. That you had a fantastic childhood. Your adoptive parents love you and brought you up as best they could."
She nodded. A tear slipped down her face as Ellie hugged her. "We will find who did this. We will."
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Tony closed his eyes as he listened to Ziva explain what had happened. Apparently Gibbs had become tachycardic and dropped his blood pressure dangerously low. A bedside scan had revealed he had internal bleeding - hence he had been rushed straight back into the operating room.
"Ziva." He paused as he realised she was just about holding things together. "Tali is fine. I promise you she is ok. Having a play date with Delilah and the twins. She's safe." He sighed as Abby shot him a look. "I'm coming to get you."
"No." Ziva paused. "That will not be necessary."
"You're on your own."
"I am not. This is a hospital, full of people. Besides Ellie and Faith are here."
"Faith is not an operative."
"Until we got back here, neither were we." Ziva held the payphone as she stood with her back to the wall. "I need you to be on the investigation. I can not help think that the person who did this has a chance to come back. Ellie is guarding Jack. I will guard Gibbs."
"Ok." Tony sighed, knowing that his partner was more than capable of looking after herself and protecting those she cared about. He had a feeling if Gibbs made it out of surgery he was in safe hands with Ziva at the door. She ended the call quickly as she realised Ellie was walking towards her.
"Hey."
"I think I have a motive. Gibbs was collateral damage." She spoke quietly. "I called Nick. They are looking for Faith's biological father."
"Reason for this?" Ziva frowned.
"He didn't know about Faith until she needed some medical forms filling out. Jack told her that her father was a college fling, that she had a one night stand."
"Happens."
"Jack has never been like that. She was." Ellie paused. "Attacked in the car on the way home from a party, too drunk to give consent."
"And now?"
"He knows about Faith. He also knows what he did would not exactly help his reputation. With Jack unable to corroborate Faith's story his reputation doesn't take a hit."
Ziva frowned. "We need to find him. Quickly. I'll call McGee, you stay with Faith. Babyguard her."
"Bodyguard?"
"Yes." Ziva nodded once. Ellie smiled slightly, knowing the Israeli woman would never admit that her use of the English language was not always orthodox. "There is not much I can do here with Gibbs in the OR."
"So?" Ellie frowned.
"So, I am going to chase our only lead."
Ellie tilted her head slightly. "Can I ask you? Does Gibbs know?"
"Know what?"
"That you're his daughter?"
Ziva sighed. "I don't know, but when he wakes up I will ask." She sighed, "But until then, Faith needs you and I need to speak to the others." She turned, heading to the main entrance of the hospital hoping that her suspicions were right.
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"I say we go over there and break his neck." Nick folded his arms as Kasie and Tim glared at him. "What? He hurt Jack all those years ago and now? He comes back to finish the job? No man. Not happening."
"As much as I agree with the sentiment." Leon glared at the younger officer. "I really would appreciate some evidence first." He looked over to where Ducky was exiting the elevator with Alex at his side. "Is that Alexandra Quinn?"
"Sure is." Alex sighed. "I, er. Ducky said it'd be ok. I mean."
"I heard about your Mom." Tony hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry." Alex closed her eyes, determined not to cry.
"Didn't want to be on my own."
"Understandable." Tony nodded, remembering how he had been heartbroken at the death of his own mother - although just a young boy at the time he remembered the shock and pain as if it were just a day ago. "The car was parked outside Gibbs place when it blew."
"So, uniform will have canvassed the area." Abby shrugged.
"Yeah, but we haven't." Alex looked around the room as Leon and Ducky smiled slightly. They had missed the former agent more than they had realised. Leon nodded slightly.
"Ms Quinn, my office please." Alex looked nervously at Ducky who just nodded. "Tony, you, McGee and Torres get down there. Talk to Gibb's neighbours, go through the scene again. I don't care what you do, just get some evidence." He turned, marching to the office at the top of the stairs as Alex knew she had no option but to follow him.
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