A/N: Thanks for the reviews, follows & favourites, so glad to be back! To my recent followers & favourites, welcome to this ride, glad to have you with us! To my reviewers, thank you so much! I love hear your thoughts, they spur me on to write more!
To answer my guest reviewers: Sue Dooley: Thanks! Glad you liked it!
Ladylicious: Thanks! Glad you liked it, Mac certainly got what he deserved & as far as Joanne is concerned.. time will tell..
Guest: Thanks for you review! In this timeline I don't see the 'Mrs Gibbs' title coming into play, the interactions will be vastly different to that of my other 'verse, which I'm presuming you've read too.
Now, how's Joanne? How's the family doing? Let's find out!
Gibbs was glad when they'd pulled into the parking bay outside the hospital for numerous reason, for one his girl had gripped him tightly the entire drive, which he didn't mind, but it reminded him that he'd done some damage to his rib cage, he was going with severely bruised, they didn't feel too bad to be broken, at least he'd hoped that was the case! For another he'd hadn't been able to connect with not only his wife, but his boy too, as they'd been riding in the back row of the SUV out of his single arm's reach. For another, he wanted them to get here quickly to check on Joanne & how she was dong, and lastly, he was worried about his girl & how she was doing, he was just glad that it was reasonably short & smooth drive.
Gibbs led the way out of the car "come on angel" he murmured, she wasn't looking the best, he put it down to stress on top of her motion sickness stuff. He saw his dad had hopped out of the front seat, Harry had gotten out on the other side & that Ted was now helping Shannon & Nix out of the back row.
Ted pulled the middle seat forward "come on Nix pal, out ya come" he motioned with his arms outstretched.
Shannon had been holding onto her boy tightly throughout the drive, she knew he was doing likewise & didn't want to let go "I'm right behind you darling"
Nix nodded & allowed Ted to help him out of the SUV.
Ted couldn't help but give a sad smile "We will never leave any member of the Gibbs or Taylor families behind Phoenix, never" he assured the young boy as he placed him on the footpath "ok?"
Nix was glad to hear it, he really couldn't bare to be away from his parents right now, he just nodded.
Ted saw him nod, he then considered something to get his mood up, he leaned in & whispered only loud enough for the pair to hear "we may though have to sneak out to attend a park session or two"
Nix couldn't help but return the grin.
Shannon was making her way out of the SUV when she saw her son grin, she was glad, but wondered why "something amusing?"
Ted went help her out ""just some boy talk Shan" he smiled.
Jack watched as his family all got out of the SUV but his granddaughter wasn't looking all that good "are you ok Kell darling?" he asked, she was looking a little pale.
Shannon returned the smile but her daughter caught her attention & then she'd heard Jack's remarks, she was enveloped into her husband's side, she went over "darling, are you ok?"
Kelly was leaning into her dad, her stomach was still in knots "a little queazy, but I'm ok" she whispered.
Shannon's eyes widened, she moved the hand that she'd rested on her husband & caressed her daughters head "Should we go find a bathroom?"
Gibbs could only agree "come on, let's go find it"
Kelly just shook her head "I'm ok"
Gibbs was skeptical & traded a look with his wife "you sure Kells?"
"Yea, we should go see grandma" Kelly whispered.
Shannon gave her daughter a sad smile, she was trying to be brave & put her own needs to the background "grandma is well looked after, I want to make sure you're ok, so come on angel, let's get you feeling better"
"I am, solid ground, fresh air, doing wonders" Kelly replied.
Shannon wasn't too sure, but she didn't want to push "ok, but if you need the bathroom, you tell us ok?"
Kelly nodded "ok"
Ted drew closer to Gibbs "Robertson's coordinating a quick sweep of the exterior, we'l keep a constant presence on roaming sweeps, just in case"
"Is it necessary?" Shannon asked.
"I'm not taking any chances Shan" Gibbs answered, he looked back to Ted "just make sure everyone gets checked too"
"That's already being done, they're pretty stretched in there right now, waiting for staff to get here to help, so those that are a less priority are taking point on the sweep with Robertson" Ted replied.
Gibbs nodded, his eyes swept the exterior & then went towards Tony & Ziva, he beckoned them over "Shan, this is Ziva David, one of my field agents. Ziva, my wife Shannon Gibbs"
"Pleased to meet you" Ziva greeted, this was a little strange.
"Pleased to meet you as well" Shannon smiled, she wondered where this lady was from, she was clearly not American. She would have talked to her longer, but she had something more pressing to attend to.
Gibbs knew they had to get inside, he crouched down, knowing this would be sticky for his boy "Bud, Harry's going to stay out here with Buster, they're not going to go far, but Buster can't come into the hospital"
Nix didn't like that "he's not going to wander, he's on his leash, can't I keep him with me?"
Gibbs wished he could say yes "I know you want him inside pal, but they don't allow animals inside, it's a health & safety…"
"He wouldn't hurt anyone" Nix protested, as he held tightly onto his dog.
Gibbs knew Buster wouldn't hurt anyone, unless of course there was due cause "I know pal, but they're the rules, we don't make them, but we have to follow them" he said gently.
"We'll come back out soon darling, but dad's right, we can't take him inside" Shannon added gently, she already realised how close her son was to the dog.
"He'll be fine Nix, wont let him off the leash" Harry assured him.
Nix reluctantly, very reluctantly, handed the leash over to Harry.
"Good boy" Gibbs praised, giving him a kiss to his head, he stood back up & took his wife into his embrace as they headed inside, but he called back to his agents "DiNozzo, go get yourself & Ziva checked out"
"Sure thing boss" Tony replied.
Gibbs led his family down the hall to where he saw Cameron.
Cameron saw Gibbs approach with his family "Ma'am" he greeted Shannon before turning to Gibbs "She's in the ICU, bed to the left, Lt Peters is with her sir, I'll page the Doctor for you"
"One second Cameron" Gibbs stated, he wanted to ask a question but he suddenly considered that maybe the kids shouldn't hear all this stuff "hey, why don't you two go back outside & keep Harry & Buster company. Mum & I are going to check on grandma & we'll then come back outside, we wont be long"
Kelly really didn't want to "can't we see her too?"
Shannon had suddenly realised that her husband was right "of course Kells, but dad's right, let us check on her first & we'll then come to get you"
"I wouldn't mind getting some more fresh air myself" Jack commented
"Sounds like a solid plan" Ted remarked.
Gibbs smiled "there you go, gramps & Ted will go with you guys. We'll be out soon" he rubbed his girl's arm "go on angel"
Shannon watched as ever so slowly her daughter took hold of her brother & headed back out.
"I'll keep an eye on them " Ted smiled as he headed off after them.
Gibbs nodded & turned back to Cameron "what happened?"
"Ahh" Cameron wasn't too sure how to say it "she was subjected to a few electric shocks & before we could stop it, she… but Lt Peters & Agent David administered CPR instantly, we got her back"
Shannon couldn't help but feel utter shocked, she was glad her husband was holding her "electric shocks?" she whispered.
Gibbs didn't like the sound of that either, what had that bastard done?! "Let's talk about that later, how is she now?" he asked, not wanting her to hear the details now.
Cameron was about to reply when he saw the Doctor.
"Allow me" the doctor interjected "Mr & Mrs Gibbs I take it?'
Shannon nodded "how is she?" she asked, but she couldn't help but smile at being addresses as such, it was something very very special.
"I'm Dr Bailey" Dr Bailey introduced herself "your mother is resting, the EMT's lost her a few times, but we've managed to stabilise her now. Her heart however is still showing an abnormal rhythm. We've had to place her into an induced coma to make sure she can rest & give her time to allow her body to heal."
"What are her chances?" Gibbs asked, he knew it was blunt question, but it was one they needed an answer to.
"All things considered, we're optimistic, but I wont sugar coat it, there is a high chance we will have to operate to give her a pacemaker if the rhythm doesn't sort itself out within the next 48 hours" Dr Bailey answered.
"Can we see her?" Shannon asked quietly.
"Of course" Dr Bailey nodded "but I must insist that its only for a few minutes & no crowds, and I don't suppose I can request that Lt Peter's leave the ICU, it isn't procedure to have anyone in there, like he is" this whole situation was just.. she didn't even know what!
Gibbs took a breath & turned to Cameron "how many exits?"
"Two sir" Cameron answered.
"Get your LT out here & have a man on each door, only authorised people can enter" Gibbs ordered, he saw the expression on the doctor's face "its either that, or I have a man in there with her, your choice" while he knew the threat was over, he just couldn't bring himself to dial down the protective instincts.
"Fine Lt Peter's can remain, but only when she has no visitors" Dr Bailey conceded, that was more preferable than having people screen ever person that walked through those doors.
Gibbs nodded in agreement & as he headed into the ICU he wasn't sure what would await them with Joanne's condition, he just took a strong hold of his wife & motioned Lt Peters out as soon as he saw him. He took a deep breath as he took her in, while there didn't seem to be many superficial wounds, there were a many cords running from her body to a vast array of machines that were beeping. What had that bastard done to her? He'd have to check with Lt Peters.
Shannon wasn't sure what to expect, but when she saw her mum lying there, strung up to so many machines it broke her "mumm" she sobbed as she rushed to her side.
Not wanting her to interfere with all the cords Gibbs had to pull her slightly back & was thankful when a nurse appeared with a pair of chairs, he sat them down & saw that while she'd sat down with him, she'd buried herself into her mum. "Shhh Shan, she's going to be ok, she'll be ok" he soothed softly.
Shannon was beside herself, how could she have agreed to not speak to her mum? How could she have let that man rule over so much of their lives? She should have been stronger! "my fault, all my fault" she sobbed.
Gibbs eyes widened, he pulled his wife up so he could look her in the eye "I know we haven't spoken about anything yet, but there is one thing I know & that is none of this mess is your fault, none of it Shan!" he said determinately, as his single hand caressed her cheek.
Shannon shook her head "No, it's my fault, I allowed him….."
Gibbs had to interrupt her "NO Shan, you didn't allow him anything, anything! He got you at one of the lowest possible points & took advantage, he knew what buttons to press. You aren't to blame, he is the only one responsible, he abused the sacred position of being part of the family, this mess, not your fault, I don't blame you at all!" he wouldn't let her think it was her fault, it wasn't, it was Mac's.
Shannon fell into her husband & just stared at her mum, she'd aged but she was still the same as she remembered "how on earth am I going to say hello, let alone what happened?"
Gibbs had to admit that was a good question, especially with her having heart issues, she could very well have a heart attack at the all information she's going to hear "Not sure, but we will tackle it together babe, you're not in this alone"
A/N: Doesn't seem like Joanne is doing too well, hoping she gets better! But Shannon is right, how on earth does everything get explained to her? And in her current condition, could be tricky! Shannon though doesn't seem to be all that well, but considering well, everything! That's more than understandable!
How are the kids doing outside? How about everyone else, how are they all doing?
You know I love to hear your thoughts & comments, so review away! More up soon!