Jason froze.
"I double dare you," Kellie said
"How many times do I have to tell you two…" Epiphany started to say.
"He gets to stay if my blood pressure goes down," Kellie said, causing Epiphany to pause.
"Alright, you have a point," Epiphany said, "But if any one asks, I know nothing about it."
"We will leave your reputation for….," Kellie started to say.
"I'd advise against finishing that sentence," Epiphany said.
"generosity intact," Kellie replied.
Epiphany gave Kellie a look as Monica walked in.
"Thank you," Kellie added. Epiphany just shook her head.
"While your blood pressure has come down," Monica said, "It's still higher than we'd like to see right now. We'd like to keep you overnight for observation. Hopefully it will drop. Even when you get to go home, you'll need to take it easy and avoid unnecessary stress."
Kellie didn't look happy.
"I know that's not what you want to hear," Monica said.
"I know, Monica, I get it," Kellie said, "It's the way it is."
"Could you give us moment?" Jason said
"Yeah, sure," Monica said.
"I guess we're definitely camping out here for the night," Kellie said after Monica and Epiphany left.
"I'll see if Charles or Olivia can watch the kids," Jason said.
"Parenting isn't the thing that causes me stress," Kellie said, "Just….."
"Now that Calvin and Arthur have been arrested," Jason said, "Maybe the foundation will go back to normal and you don't have to worry about the investigation. "
"Maybe," Kellie said, "I just assumed I'd help fix things once they were out even if I didn't go back to work there…but I don't even work there actually."
"But Lorenzo does," Jason said, "He's just been on leave. He might be ready to take that on. Him and Charles if the board hires Charles back as legal counsel. Is Lorenzo staying with Alexis?"
"I think so," Kellie said, "I could have throttled him for doing that experimental treatment to speed up his recovery. But he's getting around with a cane now. I would think he'd have left Alexis's by now. But then again maybe they're getting back together. I really have no idea."
They were interrupted by Willow knocking at the door, "I hate to interrupt but I'm supposed to meet Chase and I wanted to stop by before I left. Monica said you were awake."
Jason waved Willow in.
"I'm going to go talk to Sonny," Jason said, "I'll be back in a few minutes."
"Dad's here," Kellie replied, "I'm surprised he's not already in here."
"He might have had words for Agent Gibbs," Jason said,
"Gibbs is still here?" Kellie said, "Never mind that.… I haven't had lunch yet today, your daughter and I are starving. Could you bring us a chocolate shake and French fries from the cafeteria."
"I'm not bringing you that junk food," Jason said, "But I'll bring you back a salad or soup or something."
Kellie rolled her eyes at Jason, "Forget I asked for now. We'll continue this discussion after I talk to Willow."
Jason left the room and Willow asked, "How are you doing? Actually, that's a really dumb question. Why don't I start with are you and the baby okay?"
"More or less," Kellie said, "My blood pressure is still on the high side. I won't be going home until tomorrow."
"I'm sorry that…," Willow said.
"Hold on, you have nothing to be sorry for" Kellie interrupted.
"While I'm happy Shiloh is going to prison," Willow said, "I don't want it at the cost of Garrett getting out and harassing you and your family."
"Totally not your fault," Kellie said, "Knowing Garrett if Shiloh wasn't an option to turn on, he would have turned on somebody else. Plus based on the deal he got and what went down, I'm pretty sure he leaned on somebody somewhere."
Kellie looked annoyed at that last part.
"That's infuriating," Willow said, "Can Agent Gibbs do anything about it?"
"He wouldn't be here if he could," Kellie said, "If only…."
"If only what?" Willow asked.
"Just wishful thinking," Kellie said.
"I'm pretty sure when any idea in regards to Garrett must be worth considering," Willow said, "Michael told me you're a genius at helping cops get the bad guys. I'm sure you'll come up with something eventually."
"Problem is it feels like I've tried everything," Kellie said, "All I want is to protect my kids and I…"
"And what?" Willow asked.
"I don't know," Kellie said, "But you have a date to get to. So go, have fun, and celebrate. Don't worry about all this."
"Are you sure?" Willow asked.
"Yes, I'm sure," Kellie said, "Now don't keep Chase waiting."
In the hospital waiting room, Gibbs had disappeared. Jason found Lorenzo and Sonny off in a corner.
"How's Kellie?" Lorenzo asked.
"She's awake," Jason said, "Doctor's said her blood pressure is still high, but it's better. They want to keep her overnight for observation. Once she goes home, she'll have to take it easy."
"I'm sure that would be a lot easier if your government cronies hadn't played nice with Esoterra," Sonny said.
"They aren't any happier about it than we are," Lorenzo said, "They had leads when they were shut down with Esoterra's confession. I'd love to know who arranged that little deal."
"Do you think we could lean on Agent Gibbs?" Sonny asked, "See if we can find out who authorized Garrett's deal."
"I wouldn't advise it," Lorenzo said, shaking his head, "You'll just agitate Gibbs unnecessarily. It's safe to assume that Garrett getting that type of deal doesn't sit right with Gibbs. If anyone can dig the truth out at NCIS, it's him and you pushing him to do it won't provide any incentive for him share information."
"Do you have any better ideas?" Sonny asked.
Lorenzo leaned in close to Sonny and Jason.
"Do whatever you have to do to make sure Kellie can sleep at night and not walk around worried about Garrett showing up," Lorenzo growled under his breath.
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Jason asked.
"Yes," Lorenzo said, "And we'll leave it at that."
Sonny nodded.
"I'm going to go see Kellie before I go," Lorenzo said, seeing Willow leave.
"How's the treatment?" Sonny asked.
"Better than expected," Lorenzo said, "But my energy isn't what it was yet."
"Do you need a ride?" Jason asked.
Lorenzo shook his head, "Alexis drove me and I have a guard."
"Alexis drove you?" Sonny inquired as Lorenzo walked off and ignored him.
"Lorenzo's right," Jason said to Sonny, "We need to…"
Jason stopped talked realizing Gibbs was approaching, holding a lunch bag from the cafeteria.
"Don't let me interrupt," Gibbs said, "Continue…"
"I was just saying we need to see about hiring extra guards," Jason finished.
"Thought you would have already been working on that?" Gibbs replied.
"We were and then Francis was shot," Jason said, "We still need to hire a few more. If Garrett's get out of prison."
"If Garrett gets out…?" Gibbs replied.
"I'm sure if you keep digging," Sonny said, "You'll find evidence to keep him from ever getting out of prison."
"I'll keep digging, Corinthos," Gibbs said, "We can both agree he shouldn't be getting out of prison every. What I don't agree with is the idea that you and your business partner might interfere in the investigation or with Garrett Esoterra somehow."
"I think you're imagination must be running away with you, Special Agent Gibbs," Sonny said, "We're just coffee importers. How could we possibly interfere?"
"You tell me," Gibbs replied as he and Sonny stared each other down.
"I have plane to catch," Gibbs finally said.
"I'm going to head to the cafeteria and grab Kellie something to eat," Jason said, "Gibbs if you hear any thing has changed regarding Garrett's prison sentence.."
"I'll let Kellie know," Gibbs said, "I'd say keep your wife out of trouble, but knowing her that's a challenge."
"I wouldn't have her any other way," Jason said as Sonny tried not to crack smile.
"I'm curious," Sonny said, "Kellie tends to have a knack for getting along with law enforcement. You don't quite fit that pattern. It makes me wonder what Kellie did to irritate to you?"
"Doesn't take orders well and runs head first into danger," Gibbs said, "Which I can imagine has probably given you more than a few headaches over the years."
"She did something specifically," Sonny said.
"That's classified," Gibbs said, walking away, "Now if you'll excuse me."