A/N: Well I'm back at lot quicker with this update! It was acutally meant to be sooner but this one kinda grew...and grew...and grew on me! So here it is...longer than usual for a chapter.Also THANKS SO MUCH to everyone who reviewed! It means a lot to me. Also I'm glad so many are enjoying my creation. Without readers stories are just words. Also I know I said this was going to be the last chapter but I think there will be one more wrap-up type chapter (partly the 13 just didnt set well with me, partly cuz I think a wrap-up would be good :-D)SO! enjoy this one and I'll try to get the last one up ASAP! On to the story! -dark rolling sea

Chapter Thirteen: Together Again

When they got to the hospital they rushed Kate into the ER and stopped Gibbs at the door. They told him since he wasn't family he could not accompany her back. They said they would find him once they were finished. Gibbs put up a slight fight but soon grew weary of it and relented. So Gibbs sat in the waiting area, with Hunter clinging tightly to him as he waited for word on Kate. She had lost consciousness in the ambulance but her vitals seemed to stay strong. It had been almost an hour since they had arrived and he was sick with worry.

Get a hold of yourself he told himself. He took a deep breath and then sat back and looked at Hunter. The EMS had attempted to take the boy from Gibbs after the ambulance ride but they couldn't remove his grip. Finally Gibbs had told them to leave him alone. They backed off reluctantly and eventually they left the two alone.

He now inspected the boy to make sure he wasn't in need of immediate medical attention. He had bruises on his neck and jaw, as well as scratches along his back. Nothing major though in Gibbs' eyes. When Gibbs came back to his face he saw Hunter looking up at him.

"Papa?" the boy asked quietly. Gibbs smiled down at him.

"Yes, buddy?" he answered softly.

"Kate gonna be ok?" he asked. Gibbs could see the worry in his eye. Gibbs smiled again.

"Yes, buddy, she will be ok," he said. Hunter studied his face a moment before relenting and looking away. After a moment he looked back at Gibbs, "can we go see Uncle Jeb?"

Gibbs stared at the boy a little then nodded. Gibbs had sent word up to Jeb's room about what had happened but he had refused to leave the waiting area without word about Kate. When he got up he noticed Ducky coming in through the ER bay doors. Gibbs waved him down and filled him in on the little that he knew. Ducky agreed to wait on word of Kate, so Gibbs decided to take Hunter up to see Jeb.

"We'll be in room forty two-oh five, Ducky," Gibbs said. Ducky nodded and Gibbs carried Hunter up to Jeb's room. They rode the elevator up four stories and then exited into the hallway. They went into Room 4205 and Hunter slid down Gibbs' hip to the ground and ran to Jeb's beside. He lifted himself up onto the bed and Jeb smiled at him. Hunter kneeled and bent over and wrapped his arms, luckily for Jeb on the side that didn't have a bullet hole in it, him.

"Hey, kido," Jeb said quietly.

"Uncle Jeb, you ok?" Hunter asked with a very serious look on his face. Jeb laughed at him and nodded. Then Jeb looked up at Gibbs.

"You ok?" Jeb asked Gibbs. Gibbs took a deep breath and rubbed a hand on the back of his neck. He could feel the exhaustion taking hold on his body but he fought it.

"Yeah," he said very quietly but he didn't believe it. From the look on Jeb's face he didn't believe it either.

"She ok?" Jeb asked. Gibbs eyes came up and locked on Jeb's and Jeb could see the emotions running through them. Gibbs was silent a moment before he licked his lips and opened his mouth. Nothing came out on the first try so he closed his mouth and tried again.

"I don't know. They wouldn't let me go in with her."

"She's tough. She's something special."

"Don't I know it," Gibbs breathed quietly.

"Tell her," Jeb said, and Gibbs looked away. Jeb smiled at Hunter and ruffled his hair as he lay down next to Jeb on the bed. "How bout you, kido, you gonna live?"

"Of course!" Hunter said with a giggle, although Jeb could still see the fear in the boy's eyes. Jeb knew there was going to be a lot of nightmares following this day. Gibbs smiled and looked at the clock. He let out a long sigh and Jeb smiled up at him.

"She's got you," he said with a wide smile. Gibbs glared at him but couldn't hold it. He was too preoccupied with Kate's condition. "Go, I'll keep an eye on Hunter. I'm gonna be just fine, she's the one that needs you."

"You sure?" Gibbs asked, but Jeb could see he really did want to go back down to the ER.

"Positive. Just let me know what's what when you find out," Jeb said with a smile. Gibbs nodded then turned and left the room. When he got to the elevator and the doors opened he found Ducky standing in it.

"Ah, Jethro, I was coming to get you," Ducky said as he moved back into the elevator. Gibbs joined him. "The doctor came out and spoke with me. He said that Caitlin has three broken ribs, a concussion, and it took two stitches to close the gash on her cheek. He also said that she had a pretty hefty contusion on her chest wall that would take some time, along with the broken ribs to heal. She has not regained consciousness yet. They are going to move her to another room, but they haven't said which one yet."

"Thanks, Ducky," Gibbs said quietly as he stared at the floor. He didn't like the news. It tore at him that he let this happen. This was his fault, he never should have left her alone. Ducky saw the guilt in his eyes.

"Jethro, this isn't your fault," he said quietly, laying a gentle hand on Gibbs' shoulder. Gibbs looked up at him but didn't answer. He looked away. He didn't want Ducky to see his unguarded emotions. "Go be with her. Is Jeb doing well?"

"Yes," Gibbs said with a sigh. "Go see him. He'll enjoy the company."

"I will. I must say I am looking forward to meeting your grandson," Ducky replied with a smile. The elevator doors opened and Gibbs stepped off. Ducky remained on the elevator and rode it back up. Gibbs went to the nursing desk and asked if he could see Kate. They agreed since she was about to be moved to a room anyway.

He followed the nurse back, staying a few steps behind the entire way. His heart was beating hard and he felt weighted down. His breathing was steady but he could hear the blood rushing through his body. She finally stopped and pointed to her right with a smile. Gibbs nodded and entered the examine room Kate was in.

She was laying back on the gurney as he came up next to her. He scanned her over slowly, taking in each injury with his eyes. He then pulled a stool from the corner and placed it next to the gurney, taking a seat on top of it. He took a deep breath and reached down for her hand. He entangled his fingers with hers and waited. He didn't know for what but he waited.

"I'm sorry, Kate," Gibbs whispered quietly as he stared at her. He closed his eyes and cleared his mind. He was trying to hold himself in check, not letting his emotions take over.

"It's not your fault," Kate whispered in a raspy voice. Gibbs' eyes flew open and he looked down at her. She smiled up at him and Gibbs could see the pain killer induced cloud in her eyes. He breathed a sigh of relief and then pulled her hand up and kissed the back of it. He smiled back at her and felt his eyes mist over. She was awake.

"Welcome back," Gibbs said quietly. Kate shifted in the bed and Gibbs saw the pain spread across her face. He put a gentle hand on her shoulder and shook his head. She looked up at him.

"Don't move around," he whispered to her. "You have three broken ribs, a concussion, a bruised chest wall, and two stitches in your cheek." Kate frowned. Then suddenly she looked around the room frantically. Gibbs tensed. "What is it?"

"Hunter," she breathed out looking up at him.

"He's ok, and he's safe with his uncle Jeb, and Ducky by now," Gibbs said with a smile. Kate sighed with relief and smiled. Gibbs was about to continue when someone came in the room and he stood up, still holding onto Kate's hand. The nurse came over and looked at Kate's IV and monitor.

"Good to see you are back Agent Todd. Now that you've regained consciousness we can move you out of the ER," the nurse told her. Kate just smiled at her and returned her gaze to Gibbs. Gibbs watched the nurse for a moment more and then looked at Kate.

"Do you know what room she'll be put in?" Gibbs asked. The nurse looked up at him and shook her head.

"No, Agent Gibbs. The doctor didn't give me that information. He just told me to check on her. I'll let the doctor know she is awake and then we can see about moving her," the nurse responded with a smile and then left the room. Gibbs and Kate were both silent while they waited for the doctor to come in. He finally made his entrance and smiled at Kate.

"Well, Agent Todd, you finally came back to us. Good to see," he said and then he put Kate through a series of tests as Gibbs stood by the wall watching. Finally the doctor turned towards Gibbs.

"How is she, Doctor," Gibbs asked with his eyes on Kate.

"She'll make a full recovery. It may take a while, the ribs will take the longest to heal. We need to keep her for at least another day for observation with the head injury she sustained, along with the broken ribs and chest wall contusion to monitor her breathing. I'm going to have her moved upstairs. I'll let you know once we get the transfer in order."

"Do you know what room she'll be moved to?" Gibbs asked again. The doctor looked up at him.

"We haven't assigned her one yet. That will come once we get the transfer in order."

"Can she be put in room forty-two-oh-five?" Gibbs asked quietly as the two moved towards the door. Kate couldn't hear them anymore as the walked into the hallway. The doctor studied Gibbs a moment. "My son is already in that room and it would make it easier if they were together."

"I don't know, Agent Gibbs, it's not customary to place a male and female patient that are non-related in the same room," the doctor tried to explain. Gibbs stared at him pointedly his blue eyes ablaze.

"They are family," Gibbs said sternly. The doctor locked eyes with the agent for a moment before he nodded slowly and walked away. Gibbs watched him a moment before turning back towards Kate's room. When he was about to go in someone called to him.

"Hey, Boss!" Tony yelled down the hallway. Gibbs watched him as he approached. When he was finally in front of Gibbs, with a goofy smile on his face, Gibbs reached out and smacked him on the back of the head. "OW! What was that for?"

"This is a hospital, DiNozzo, show some respect," Gibbs said and then disappeared into Kate's room. Tony came in rubbing his head and smiled at Kate. Gibbs was standing off to the side of the bed with his arms across his chest. Tony walked right up to Kate and smiled down at her. Kate glared up at him.

"What's with the smile, DiNozzo?" Kate asked slowly.

"Just glad to see you alive and well, Kate," Tony said. Gibbs was staring at Tony and Kate kept looking up at him while trying to keep her attention on DiNozzo. Gibbs let his arms down as he realized he was standing in a very defensive posture.

"Did you capture the other two in the building," Gibbs asked Tony. Tony looked at him.

"Sure did. One is actually in surgery for a broken sternum and a torn knee ligament. The other one has got one hell of a headache from the blows Kate delivered," Tony said while making punching motions with his arms. Gibbs frowned at him, but his attention was diverted when he felt a hand take a hold of his. He looked down to see Kate had reached out for him. He looked up at her to see her smiling back at him. He couldn't help but return the smile.

"Get anything from them?" Gibbs continued.

"The one with the thundering head is spilling his guts to the FBI right now for some deal he made. Seems that the guy you shot, Gibbs, was in really deep to a weapons trafficking ring that the FBI was trying to bust and I guess that's what that Agent McPherson was doing to begin with. Anyway, the names he is spilling go way up so heads are going to roll," Tony said a little calmer this time. Gibbs just nodded. He was about to say something when the nurse came back in. It seemed to Gibbs that Tony had yet to notice Kate had taken Gibbs' hand. He pushed the thought from his head; he couldn't start second guessing this relationship already.

"All right, Agent Todd," the nurse began, "we are all set to move you upstairs. "Looks like," she said, pausing to read the clipboard in her hand, "you'll be in room forty-two-oh-five."

Kate just nodded but Gibbs smiled. Kate looked up at him and questioned him with a look but he just shook his head. She'd find out soon enough. Tony was now side tracked by the nurse as she prepared Kate for the move. He had engaged her in small talk. Kate squeezed Gibbs' hand and he looked down at her.

"What?" she asked quietly.

"You'll see," Gibbs replied softly. Kate gave him a look but he just smiled back at her.

Finally the nurse and an orderly started to move Kate. Shortly she was upstairs and her smile told Gibbs that she approved of her room. Once the nurse and orderly had her squared away Hunter lazily raised his head to see what the commotion was all about. His face brightened and a smile went from ear to ear.

"Kate!" he squealed, then leaped from Jeb's bed and made his way over to Kate's. Gibbs scooped him up and sat him on the edge of it. Ducky watched from the other side of Jeb's bed and Tony was a little taken aback by the crowded room.

"Hey, buddy," Kate said quietly. Hunter leaned in lightly and gave Kate a slight hug, ever careful not to hurt her. She smiled at the gesture. He then tucked himself in next to her and smiled. Kate looked up at Gibbs, and he was also smiling back at her. Tony was baffled. Ducky moved towards Jeb's side.

"Well, Jeb, this is goodbye for now. I'm glad you are going to recover would be a shame otherwise. You take care of that young spitfire over there," Ducky said to him.

"I will, Duck, I will," Jeb replied.

"And, Jethro?" Ducky said as he walked around Jeb's bed towards the door.

"Yes, Ducky?" Gibbs replied his eyes still on Hunter and Kate.

"You take care of these two," Ducky replied. Gibbs looked up at him and nodded. Ducky returned the nod. "Tony, won't you join me, we have much to do at the lab." Tony looked at him a moment then hesitated.

"Can I ask something first?" Tony said quietly. His tone surprised Gibbs.

"Yes," Gibbs said, thinking he knew the question that was coming.

"Who are these two?" Tony asked pointing first at Jeb then Hunter. Jeb smiled, but Hunter was almost asleep. Gibbs just nodded. He closed his eyes and rubbed his neck. Then he looked at Tony.

"Jeb is my son, he is in the hospital bed alone. Hunter is my grandson, he is in the hospital bed with Kate." Tony's jaw dropped as he stared at Gibbs. Gibbs showed nothing on his face. He felt Kate take his hand again and he squeezed her hand in return. Ducky walked to DiNozzo and pulled him lightly by the arm out of the room.

"Well," Kate said.

"What?" Gibbs replied.

"You finally made DiNozzo speechless," Kate said with a smile. Gibbs smiled back and then pulled the chair up next to Kate's bedside. Hunter was sound asleep now and Jeb was also about asleep. Gibbs guessed Jeb was in a pain killer induced sleep, but almost asleep nonetheless.

Gibbs looked at his and Kate's hand and studied it for a moment. He then looked up to see her brilliant eyes staring at him. He leaned forward and laid his head on the bed next to her. She let go of his hand and put her hand over the side of his head.

"It's ok, Jethro, everyone is safe," Kate said quietly. She felt Gibbs shift and took it for a nod.

TBC………………………………………………………………………………………