Disclaimer: on previous pages

AN: Sorry took a little longer than usual for an update! Things got a little hectic between hockey and work so I wasnt able to upload or write for a while. But here is chapter six! Hope you enjoy.

Chapter six:

"Papa," Hunter asked in a small voice after a time of silence. He was looking up at Gibbs from the seat next to him. Gibbs gave him a smile and pulled him into his lap. Hunter went willingly.

"Yeah, buddy?" Gibbs asked.

"Will those bad guys come back?" Hunter asked and he pressed himself into Gibbs' chest. Kate could see how much it pained Gibbs to see Hunter in this condition, not to mention the stress of waiting for word of Jeb.

"Don't you worry about it, buddy, I'll protect you," Gibbs replied. Kate watched the boy's reaction and could see that there was still fear and doubt in the boy's eyes. Gibbs took a deep breath and closed his arms around Hunter, letting go of Kate's hand to do so. Kate let her hand fall to his leg and rested it there.

"Papa, your house is all broken now, where we gonna stay?" Hunter said quietly. Gibbs stroked the boy's hair and looked off at the wall. His arms were still wrapped around the boy.

"Don't worry about it, buddy, we'll be ok," Gibbs replied. The boy nodded slightly and then laid his head flat against Gibbs chest. Kate could see the worry in Gibbs face. She picked her hand up and put it gently on his shoulder. He looked over at her and she offered a smile. He just nodded and then looked at the wall again.

A half hour passed and still no word on Jeb's condition. Hunter was in a fitful sleep again in the chair and Gibbs was standing by the window again. Kate sat next to Hunter, rubbing his back when he would start to roll around.

She finally stood up and moved to stand beside Gibbs. He briefly looked at her then back out the window. Kate stared at him and studied his face. She could see him staring at her from the corner of his eye. Finally he looked at her.

"What?" he asked.

"You ok?" Kate asked. She immediately felt stupid asking that. Of course he wasn't ok. His son was in surgery after a gunshot, his grandson was almost killed. She looked at the floor. "Sorry, that was a stupid question."

Gibbs smiled and leaned his head sideways against the window. He watched Kate study the floor. He reached out and gently lifted her chin up with his finger. Her eyes came up to his.

"It's ok," he said quietly. "I'll be ok. Are you ok?"

"Me?" Kate asked a little shocked. Gibbs just nodded. "I think so. I think I'm going to go outside for a while to get some fresh air."

"Sounds good. I'll watch Hunter. Get some fresh air," Gibbs said softly. He leaned in and gently kissed her on the lips. She pulled back and smiled. She then turned and walked away.

Once she was outside she pulled her cell phone out and checked her messages. She noticed she had multiple messages from both Tony and McGee. She punched Tony's number and put the phone to her ear. It barely rang once before she heard Tony.

"Yeah, Kate? Gibbs?" Tony practically yelled it in her ear. She pulled the phone away because of the level of noise. She brought it close again.

"Yeah, Tony, it's Kate," she replied.

"Where the HELL are you?" Tony was near hysterics.

"What do you mean?"

"Probie and I have been trying to reach you and Gibbs for like an hour now. You're not at home; you don't answer your cell phone. Gibbs isn't answering his and we KNOW he isn't at home."

"Tony, calm down."

"CALM down, KATE! Have you SEEN Gibbs' house?"

"Yes, I…"

"I mean there are major bullet holes here! And the cops said someone left in an ambulance…and they found a trail of blood. Kate where the hell are you!"

"TONY!" Kate shouted into her phone to get his attention. When she was met with silence she finally continued. "Listen to me. I'm fine. Gibbs is fine. Something came up and then…well it's a long story and Gibbs' should really tell it. Listen we are at the hospital."

"Why are you at the hospital if you and Gibbs are ok?"

"Listen, Tony, I can't go into detail. You'll have to ask Gibbs later."

"I WOULD ask GIBBS IF he would ANSWER his PHONE!"

"Is Ducky there?"

"What?"

"Is Ducky around? Can I talk to him?"

"Yeah, fine, Kate." There was a moment when Kate could her Tony yelling at Ducky. Finally he came on the line.

"Yes, Caitlin?"

"Ducky, I don't think Gibbs would mind telling you," Kate began.

"Oh my, it has to do with a certain someone doesn't it."

"I think so, Ducky, if we're thinking about the same thing. If you could smooth Tony's feathers?"

"Certainly, Caitlin. Tell Jethro to give me a ring will you?"

"I sure will, but he is not about to leave the waiting room."

"Is it serious?" Ducky asked. Kate could her the serious concern in his voice.

"Jeb is in surgery for a bullet to the shoulder, we haven't heard anything when I came out for air."

"Oh my, how is Jethro?"

"Hanging in there. Look I should go back up. You think you can contain Tony?"

"I certainly will, Caitlin, and please tell Jethro to give me a call as soon as possible."

"I will, Ducky, thanks," Kate said and flipped her phone shut. She turned around and headed back inside. She went back up to the waiting room to see Gibbs sitting in the chair by Hunter. Hunter was curled up against Gibbs' side asleep. Gibbs had his head lying on the back of the chair next to him also asleep. She stood for a moment and watched the scene. Her heart went out but her brain was screaming. This was complicated she told herself. How could she let this happen?

But in the end the heart was stronger and she went over to him. She slid quietly into the seat next to him and laid her head against his shoulder. He didn't move, neither did Hunter. She sat contently and waited.

Another fifteen minutes passed before Kate saw a doctor coming their way. She picked her head up slowly and looked at Gibbs. He and Hunter were still out. She watched the doctor come into the waiting room and she gently shook Gibbs' shoulder. His head came up and he blinked. Kate pointed towards the doctor coming towards them and she saw the light go on in Gibbs' eyes. He stood up slowly as to not wake Hunter. Kate slipped into the seat Gibbs and just got out of, letting Hunter curl into her.

"Mr. Gibbs," the doctor said when he got to him. Gibbs just stared at the man. "Your son came through the surgery ok. There was some damage to the muscle and the pins in his shoulder but we were able to repair them and he will have a full recovery. His shoulder will be extremely sore for a while and he will have limited mobility but in time it will all come back."

Kate heard the air escape Gibbs' lungs as he breathed out for the first time since the doctor came in the room. She saw the relief spread across his face as he wiped a hand over the back of his neck.

"Thank you," Gibbs said quietly. It was all he said to the doctor. The doctor nodded.

"You can go back and see him now," the doctor said and then turned and left the room. A nurse was coming in as he left and she looked from Gibbs to Kate. Kate looked down at Hunter.

"Go ahead, Jethro," Kate said quietly. "I'll stay with Hunter." Gibbs nodded and then followed the nurse out of the waiting area. He disappeared from Kate's sight and she let out a sigh.

She stroked Hunter's hair and the boy curled tighter to her body. He was finally getting some sleep and didn't appear to be having a bad dream this time. Kate studied the boy. He had some of Gibbs' features, most notably the eyes. His hair was strawberry blonde. He was small like his uncle.

Gibbs was gone for a while; Kate wasn't sure how much time had passes. She had fallen asleep at some point. She woke up to him sitting down next to her. She looked up and blinked a few times before sitting up straighter.

He looked exhausted. He looked drained. She felt the pang of worry hit her and she reached out and took his hand in hers. He met her eyes and smiled. She smiled in return.

"You ok?" Kate whispered, her other arm wrapped protectively around Hunter. Gibbs took in the scene of her and Hunter before he smiled and nodded.

"Just been one of those days," he said. They both smiled.

"Ducky wants you to call him," Kate said. "Tony is freaking out."

"Tony? Why?"

"They were at your house," Kate said.

"You talked to Tony?"

"Yeah he left a bunch of messages on my cell. Yours too probably."

"Christ."

"Jethro, you really didn't think they wouldn't find out did you? I mean your house was full of holes."

"I know," he said quietly closing his eyes. They were quiet for a while. Kate finally broke the silence.

"What now?" She asked softly. Gibbs opened his eyes and looked at her.

"First of all, I take you home. You don't need to stay here anymore. Secondly I try to get some stuff from my house."

"You can't go back there," Kate said quickly. The concern and worry in her voice stunned Gibbs. He searched her eyes for a moment before he continued.

"Kate, I need to get a few things is all. I'm not planning on staying there."

"Then where are you planning on staying?" Kate held her breath after she asked the question. Gibbs was taken aback by the question. He really hadn't thought about it until right then.

"I don't know," he answered honestly. "I need to think," he continued. He rubbed and hand over his eyes and then the back of his neck. He felt his muscles tighten and knot under the stress he was feeling. His gaze settled on Hunter. He needed to get Hunter out of here.

Kate could see Gibbs thinking. She watched as his gaze fell on Hunter. She knew he was worried about the boy. She didn't know what to do anymore.

"You could stay at my house tonight until you find some where to go," Kate said quickly. Gibbs eyes snapped back to her. They flashed with all kinds of emotion, but the most dominant one Kate saw was fear. She looked away; mad at herself for even thinking he would go for an idea like that. She looked at Hunter so she didn't have to look at him. They were both quiet for a while.

"Ok," Gibbs said finally. Kate looked up at him, a confused look on her face. Gibbs looked at her and smiled. "We'll stay with you."

TBC...