Chapter Thirty Seven: Finding a Family

The team stood holding their collective breath after Ducky asked the doctor for the news. Dr. Wilson seemed to sense the deep caring and compassion these people had for their friend in recovery and he cleared his throat to ease their tension. He made sure to look at everyone while he was speaking, to reassure them of what he was saying.

"It is still touch and go but at this time he made it through surgery and is in recovery. There was extensive damage to his right shoulder that needed repair done and he will be without the use of his right arm for a long time before he'll need physical therapy.

"The bullet fractured his scapula and broke the clavicle from the acromion. In this current condition, never mind the muscle damage, he won't be able to move the shoulder at all. The clavicle will need to refuse to the acromion first. We also had to repair his Teres muscle group, both the major and the minor.

"Those are the muscles here," he said reaching around his back and pointing to the shoulder blade. "The bullet tore through that muscle group before coming out the front through the trapezoid muscle. We had to reattach the trapezoid to the deltoid.

"His shoulder is being casted as we speak. His entire arm will be immobile for about 6 to 10 weeks depending on his rate of recovery. He also broke his third and forth ribs on the right side," the doctor finished. Tony cocked his head to the side and closed his eyes, Ziva nodded slowly as Abby grinned at the news. Nicole just watched anxious to go see him, as Jen closed her eyes and pursed her lips. Ducky was nodding listening intently to what Dr. Wilson had to say.

"So that means he's ok?" Tony asked.

"Well, Anthony, he's still alive but he is still in critical condition and it is still touch and go," Ducky started.

"But the prognosis looks good for a recovery. The question is going to be how much of one. There is a strong possibility that he will not regain full mobility and strength in his shoulder. I also saw this is not the first time his shoulder has been injured," Dr. Wilson continued.

"No, he took a bullet in that shoulder over ten years ago," Ducky said softly.

"Can I see him?" Nicole asked suddenly looking up at the doctor with big brown eyes saturated with sadness.

"You'll have to wait just a little longer, Honey, they need to finish with the cast and then you can go in and see him," Dr. Wilson replied with a smile.

With that Dr. Wilson excused himself and left the team standing together letting out their collective breath. No one spoke, again not finding the words to express what they were feeling, knowing that they didn't need to. Abby turned to Ducky after a moment.

"How serious is this, Ducky?" she asked in a quiet voice, the nail of her right index finger sticking between her teeth.

"Very, my dear. He'll need lots of help when he leaves the hospital. It is going to be a difficult road, his arm will be immobile for at least 6 weeks but most likely with the extent of the damage it will be closer to ten. And even then it will be a painful road to recovery with physical therapy," Ducky replied with a sigh. Abby nodded.

They made their way back to the room they had occupied for what seemed like a lifetime, waiting for someone to tell them it was ok to see Gibbs. The room held a heavy atmosphere as the tension of the previous night leaked from their pores.

McGee landed in Washington DC just as the sun was peeking up over the horizon. He thanked the pilots and then scrambled off the plane looking for a ride to the hospital. He finally found one after thirty minutes of frantic searching. A Petty Officer agreed to drive him. He pulled up to the front and thanked the Petty Officer before hustling through the front doors.

He asked the reception desk about Agent Gibbs and was told the rest of the team was in the waiting room on the surgery floor. They didn't have any other information for him. His gut was tight when he rode the elevator up to his desired floor. As the doors opened he looked both ways before heading to his left down the white hallway.

He came upon the group sitting silently in a room, all looking somber, but with a glint of hope in their eyes. He stopped in the doorway taking a breath before he smiled weakly at them. Abby jumped from the chair she was in and came up to him throwing her arms around him and squeezing him tight. He brought his arms around her, holding her.

"Hi," he said a little surprised. Abby leaned her head on his shoulder and he looked at Tony. Tony stood and walked up to McGee.

"He's alive, McGee, a lot of damage to his shoulder, but they think he'll live," Tony explained. They spent the next couple of minutes explaining to McGee what the doctor had relayed to them before Tony sat down again. McGee and Abby sat down next to each other, with Abby sitting next to Ducky. Abby had her arm linked through McGee's and her head on his shoulder.

McGee's gaze landed on Nicole and he watched her, studying her. Her eyes were downcast, filled with fear and sorrow. The emotional trauma that girl had suffered in the last week had to be overwhelming. Her shoulders were slumped forward almost in defeat, as her head rested lightly against the Director's shoulder. Nicole's legs were stretched out straight in front of her as the gown hung past her knees. Her eyes came up and met his locking on for the moment. McGee gave her a small smile before she dropped her eyes again and shifted positions slightly.

All seven heads slowly came up and looked at the woman that had just entered the room. She looked around hesitantly at the bodies in the room, noticing the haggard look on each face, the exhaustion expressed in their eyes. Her eyes landed on the little girl and then looked up at the woman holding her. Nicole sat forward, breaking away from Jen's grip and got to her feet staring at the woman with hope.

"Dr. Wilson said that you can come back now but only two at a time," she said softly. Nicole looked at Jen with pleading eyes and Jen nodded. Jen then looked around the room, hoping someone else would want to go first; she wanted to go last. Tony stood and nodded after locking eyes with her.

"Come on, Nicole, let's go see him," he said gently sticking his hand out towards the girl. She reached out and took it, gripping it tightly, squeezing him almost to the point of pain. Tony smiled down at her as they walked down the hallway leading to the room.

"He's in there," the nurse said pointing to a room up ahead. Tony followed her pointed finger to the room 6205 and then nodded his thanks to her. Nicole pulled him forward, walking quickly towards the shut door. Tony got there and pushed the door open and Nicole stopped just inside staring at the man in the bed.

Tony closed his eyes quickly and took a deep breath after seeing Gibbs in the hospital bed. His boss was still unconscious, arm in a full cast, positioned like a waiter's arm. The bright white cast completely surrounded his shoulder before crossing over his chest and wrapping around his back. It continued down his arm, around his bent elbow and up to his wrist. There was a support beam leading from his triceps muscle to his side.

There was a machine next to the bed silently keeping pace on his life, but other wise he simply looked like he was sleeping. Nicole broke from Tony's grasp and moved to Gibbs' side standing next to the bed. She came up on his left side and stood, watching his chest rise and fall. New tears came down her cheeks as she reached out and laid a hand on his good arm. Tony came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders.

"It's going to be ok," he whispered to her. She slowly nodded as she pursed her lips.

"Everything is different now though," she replied after a moment of silence. Tony looked down at her and felt his heart go out to this little girl who lost every thing in such a short period of time. It was then he saw the strong connection in her eyes as she stared at his boss.

"I know, but we'll help you through this, I promise," Tony said and he meant every word. He made the decision then and there that this kid needed a 'family' and the team was as good as any other. He knew the others would agree, and he was certain that Director Shepard had grown more than a little attached to the scrappy eleven year. He also knew that Gibbs was completely and utterly attached to this little girl. Nicole looked up at him with question in her eyes, as if she didn't understand why he would say a thing like that. He smiled down at her with all the compassion of an older brother or uncle and she knew then that he meant what he said.

Her attention went back to Gibbs. She looked up at Tony a moment with uncertain eyes. He was staring at Gibbs but felt the force of her stare and looked down. She didn't know how to ask and he saw she needed to say something.

"What?" he asked softly.

"Can I lay up there with him?" she asked almost embarrassed by her request. Tony's smile broadened and he scooped her up gently and placed her next to Gibbs. She smiled at him with appreciation before she snuggled closely into his good side. She felt her eyes growing heavy, and the fear of sleep left her. She felt safer than ever as she absorbed Gibbs' body heat. Her eyelids drooped and she finally drifted into sleep.

Tony smiled at the image. He knew there was hope now for both of them. He turned and left them in the room, heading back to the waiting room. When he came back the smile was still on his face and Abby looked up at him.

"Tony?" she questioned but he just simply shook his head before sitting down.

"Next two can go. He's in sixty-two-oh-five," he said looking at Abby and McGee. Jen eyed Tony before looking to the doorway for Nicole.

"Where's Nicole?" she asked after Abby and McGee walked out. Tony looked over at her.

"In the safest place she could find," Tony said with a smile and Jen nodded.

McGee and Abby walked into the room not knowing what to expect. The smile on Tony's face had intrigued Abby. They came through the door and stopped short, Abby's arm linked through McGee's. Abby's other hand came up to her mouth to cover the 'awe' that was coming out and McGee simply smiled. Abby looked at McGee.

"That is so cute," she whispered and hugged a little closer to McGee. Gibbs was still unconscious with Nicole sound asleep tucked closely into his side, with Gibbs' good arm draped over her holding her tightly to him. McGee smiled widely at the sight in front of him.

"Yeah, I think they're a good match for each other," McGee whispered back as they looked over their boss. Abby felt better knowing that Gibbs was going to be alright, even with the cast on his shoulder looking hideous to her. They stayed for a few moments before they returned to the waiting room. Ziva and Ducky were next to come down to see Gibbs, both smiling when they saw the child nestled with him. Ducky turned to Ziva.

"This I believe could be the best thing for dear old Jethro. A second chance if I do say so myself," Ducky said softly. Ziva looked up at him knowing what he was talking about.

"He'll need help," she said simply and Ducky could only nod. After standing watching Gibbs for a few moments they left, knowing that the Director wanted to be in the room with him. They came back to the waiting room and let her go.

When Jen came through the door she stopped and tears slipped from her eyes. The sight before her made her heart beat just a little bit faster. The image of Gibbs and Nicole together made her think seriously about her own future. She walked up to Gibbs circling around to the casted side. She pulled a chair up to the bed and reached across taking his left hand in her own hand.

She traced the cast with her eyes and then wiped at the tears with her free hand. Sitting in the quiet room she started to explore the feelings that had resurfaced for the man lying in the bed before her. The time she had spent with Gibbs and Nicole in the basement had changed her mind on him. She realized that he could open up; he could let someone love him.

The time in the elevator while she comforted him made her realize that he knew what he had done, knew he acted in protection of his own heart, disregarding the feelings of another. She also knew he was weary of falling in love again. She took a shuttering breath, trying to sort through everything in her mind, the feelings and emotions for the two people in the room were building and she knew she wouldn't be able to hide from them again.

Her next train of thought was about the little girl holding onto Gibbs with everything she had. He couldn't raise a child on his own, he would need help. He would need someone by his side. She thought about the connection and realized that she would be up for the job. She just hoped Jethro felt the same way about her.

She didn't know how long she had been in the room with Nicole and Gibbs, watching them. She was so absorbed in her own thoughts she didn't notice someone come to the door. Tony stood leaning in the door jamb watching the Director. He finally cleared his throat to gain her attention. The noise startled her slightly, causing her to jump. Tony gave a slight smile.

"Sorry," he said. She smiled back at him and shook her head.

"It's alright, I just didn't know you were there," she said softly. Tony looked at Gibbs in the bed before looking up at the Director again.

"Everyone was going to call it a day and get some sleep. We were thinking to come back up later see if he comes around," Tony continued. Jen nodded.

There was a brief pause as Tony contemplated if he should continue with what was on his mind. He looked at Nicole, watching the girl sleep peacefully for probably the first time in a week. His eyes drifted back up to the Director to find her studying Gibbs face.

"He's going to need help," Tony said finally. Jen looked up at him with questioning eyes.

"How so?" she asked.

"After he gets out of here," Tony explained. "He's right handed, and he's not going to have use of that arm for like ten weeks. That's a long time."

"I know."

"And with Nicole," Tony said. Jen's eyes came up quickly to meet Tony's before they drifted to the girl.

"He'll have help," she said her fingers intertwining with his. Tony nodded.

"I'm glad, he deserves it," Tony said.

"What do you mean, DiNozzo?" Jen asked.

"Just that, I don't know, he's had it rough as of late and he…umm, well he…deserves happiness," Tony said stuffing his hands in his pockets and averting his eyes to the ground.

"Happiness," Jen repeated. Tony's eyes came back up as his shoulder rose and fell.

"I don't know, when you answered his cell phone I just thought…um…well there was something in your voice…that…"

"That what?" she asked when he didn't continue.

"He's been acting differently since then and since Nicole came around, that's all," Tony said his face a little red.

"Are you saying you detect something more going on?" she asked as her lips curled upwards into a smile. Tony licked his lips and pulled his right hand from his pocket and rubbed the back of his head.

"Yeah," he said finally. Jen only nodded once before her shoulders rose and fell. Tony smiled at her and then slowly turned on his heel. "Get some sleep, Director, I'll see you later."

"Goodbye, Tony," she said softly and he almost stopped when he heard it but then continued to walk, a smile on his face as he made his way down to the car. He found Ziva waiting for him looking at him curiously. He slipped into the driver's seat without a word.

"What's with the smile?" Ziva asked.

"Gibbs is going to be ok," Tony said looking at her as he turned the key.

"How so?" Ziva asked. "I mean he still has a long recovery…"

"I mean emotionally," Tony said cutting her off.

TBC…