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Gibbs fell to his knees beside Janessa within minutes of seeing her plummet to the ground. She was lying unconscious in an awkward position with her arm pinned beneath her. Gibbs cringed knowing instinctively that it was broken. He felt gently for a pulse, careful to not jar her in any way. He heaved a sigh of relief when he felt a strong, steady beat beneath his fingers. She'd fallen at least five or six feet, far enough to seriously hurt her. Gibbs clenched his jaw, trying to keep himself calm. Kids were resilient, he told himself. Just about any time he'd heard about a kid taking a nasty fall or involved in an accident, they always fared much better than an adult. Kids just didn't seem to have the same instinct to tense up the way adults did and that almost always worked in their favour. Janessa would be alright, he told himself. She had to be. He couldn't lose another daughter.
Aimee dropped to her knees beside Janessa, sobbing. "Oh, no! Janessa!"
The older girl reached out to shake her sister but Gibbs shouted at her sternly to stay back. His voice was much gruffer than he meant it to be but in those moments, his concern was for Janessa's wellbeing and safety. Movement of any kind could be life-threatening to the girl.
Gibbs gently patted Janessa's cheek to see if he could wake her. "Nessie, baby, it's daddy. C'mon, kiddo, open those blueberry orbs for me."
A daycare staff came running around from outside the fenced-in area and dropped to her knees beside them.
"Oh, gawd, Agent Gibbs! I'm so sorry! We didn't see her climb the fence. Is she okay?" The woman was visibly shaking.
Gibbs looked up, his face ashen. "Call 911."
"Erin is calling now," reassured the woman. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Gibbs shook his head as he took off his dress jacket and draped it over Janessa's still form. He needed to keep her warm. If she was to gain consciousness, she would very quickly go into shock.
Aimee crawled closer to Janessa and attempted to shake her again. "Please, wake up, Nessie."
Gibbs felt a part of him snap, his anger barely under control. "Don't shake her! What the hell happened, Aimee? What was Janessa doing climbing that fence?"
Coloured drained from Aimee's cheeks as she looked from Janessa still form to Gibb's angry face.
Gibbs gritted his teeth. "Did you tell her to do it?"
Aimee's mouth opened but instead of speaking, she just nodded her head, tears escaping down her bright red cheeks.
Gibbs dropped his head for several seconds before looking up at her furiously. "Damn it, Aimee; what were you thinking? Of all the stupid things you've done, this one takes the cake!"
Aimee blinked, tears falling down her cheeks. "I-I…" she stammered.
Gibbs glared at her angrily. "No, don't talk! I don't want to hear it right now. Get your butt to the bullpen, now!"
Aimee stood to her feet, her face pale with fear.
"And so help me, Aimee, if I don't find you sitting at my damned desk when I come back in, I'm going to paddle your ass into the middle of next week," he shouted at her, fear and anger overtaking all rationality.
The daycare teacher gasped.
Aimee turned on her heel and took off running, tears blinding her vision.
Gibbs closed his eyes and ran a worried, trembling hand through his hair as he looked down at Janessa. Her face was so pale that he could see her blood vessels through her ashen skin. His heart was shattering as he watched her shallow breathing. He was helpless to do anything but wait for the paramedics to arrive. His gut was screaming at him to pick her up and embrace the little girl but he knew he couldn't. The wail of the siren could be heard as he kneeled over his youngest daughter forcing himself not to allow his worst fears to consume him.
XxX—NCIS—XxX
Tony strolled into the bullpen feeling ready to explode. Every single time the local Leos got involved in a NCIS case, they botched things up and/or compromised evidence. It pissed him off. He'd worked as a cop for a long time before he came to NCIS and he was never that incompetent. Ever. Tony slammed his gear onto his desk and kicked it angrily. They might not ever be able to gather enough solid evidence to solve the case which meant it turned into another cold case where no one got any closure. Tony knew that Gibbs would be as livid as he.
"Son of a…" He stopped mid-sentence when he heard a soft sob from behind him. He turned to see Aimee with her head down on Gibbs' desk, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed quietly.
Tony forced himself to calm down as he walked to Gibbs' desk and ran a hand over Aimee's blond head gently.
"Hey, kiddo, what's wrong?"
His only answer was Aimee's sobs growing louder.
Tony sat on the edge of the desk, his imagination spinning at all the possible reasons the little girl could be crying. It wasn't hard for him to imagine the worst these days, especially with Gibbs so on edge and Aimee so hell-bent on driving him off that edge.
"Hey, did the boss-man get mad at you or something?"
Aimee shook her head back and forth on the desk, choking back tears and gasping for breath but never looking up.
"Hey, now, Aims, it can't be that bad, can it?"
Aimee suddenly sat up, her face red from crying. "Janessa's dead!" she screamed.
The blood drained from Tony's face as he listened.
"I-I made her climb the fence and s-she fell. She w-was all twisted u-up and not moving," sobbed Aimee, gasping for breath. "I-I killed her, Tony!"
Tony felt his mouth go dry as he instinctively wrapped an arm around Aimee, not knowing what to say or think.
"Where's your dad?"
Aimee's voice caught in her throat and she began choking. Tony rubbed her back gently to help calm her down. She was nearly at the point of hysterics and he was becoming more than a little concerned.
"Calm down, baby doll. Let's not jump to conclusions here, okay? Now, tell me where your dad is?"
Aimee nodded and worked hard to catch her breath. Her face was crimson as she continued to choke back sobs. Tony continued to rub her back as his mind whirled in a hundred different directions.
Just then Abby rushed into the room, her pale face even more ashen than normal.
"Tony! Janessa fell from the privacy fence and Gibbs went by ambulance to the hospital with her. She's unconscious and they weren't able to revive her." Abby was trembling as she walked up to him. "I've never seen Gibbs so upset, Tony. We need to get to the hospital right away!"
Tony stood to his feet and embraced Abby tightly to calm her down as well.
Aimee continued to sob, her hysterical cries ramping up once again. "S-see, I told you I k-killed her."
Abby pulled away from Tony and wrapped Aimee in her arms, hushing her gently. "No, no, no, Aimee; it's not your fault, sweetie. It was an accident."
Aimee pushed Abby away. "No, it's all my fault! Didn't Gibbs tell you what happened?"
Tony knelt down so he was face to face with Aimee and pulled her in close with one hand.
"Aimee, I don't know what happened, and it doesn't even matter right now. Janessa is going to be in good hands at the hospital so let's think positively, okay?" Tony could feel her trembling, and it was breaking his heart. Whatever happened to Janessa, whether it was Aimee's doing or not, Aimee was placing the full blame on herself. Standing around thinking the worst was only going to exacerbate that. They needed to find out the truth. Taking charge, Tony scooped up Aimee in his arms and tucked her on his hip. He walked across the bullpen and fished his keys out of the top drawer of his desk. He looked up at Abby and nodded in her direction as he began to walk towards the elevator.
XxX—NCIS—XxX
Gibbs raked a nervous hand through his silver hair as he paced the waiting room floor. He'd been waiting for some kind of update on Janessa for what felt like hours but anyone he saw had no news for him. He kept telling himself that no news was good news. Or at least, he told himself that was true. The longer it took them to give him an update, the longer they spent helping Janessa. That had to be a good thing, right? He looked up to see a picture on the wall of a child being held by her mother. The woman was looking out the window and the child was looking at her mother, love, and trust shimmering in her eyes. Gibbs found himself being drawn into the painting. Janessa had that look too. The times he would sit and cuddle her as he read yet another story to her. The times she would stall him that much longer so she didn't have to go to bed. All those times he treasured. She was a breath of fresh air on a hot, humid day. She and Aimee both were his second chance at fatherhood, and he wouldn't have changed it for the world.
Aimee. Damn it! He'd shouted at her. Sent her away and forgotten about her. What would she be thinking, not knowing if her sister was alive or not, she must be terrified. Damn it. He was an idiot! What was he thinking sending her away? He needed to find out if she was alright…he needed…
"Agent Gibbs?"
Gibbs blinked several times like he was being pulled out of a dream. He spun around to see a doctor staring at him.
"How is she?" he blurted out.
The woman smiled kindly. "She's doing very well and asking for her daddy." The doctor motioned for Gibbs to sit down and he obliged. "She took quite the fall but other than sustaining a broken arm and a severe concussion, she's going to be just fine."
Gibbs felt his whole body tremble in relief. His little girl would be okay. She wasn't badly hurt. He couldn't help heaving an audible sigh. "Why was she unconscious?"
"She hit her head pretty hard when she hit the ground. I'm guessing the trauma to her head kept her insentient. Once she arrived at the hospital, she gained consciousness very quickly. She's a little trooper that one and a delightful little thing."
Gibbs smiled. "Can I take her home?"
The doctor shook her head. "You can go see her if you'd like, but I'd like to keep her for 24 hours to monitor her. Like I said, she hit her head pretty hard. Children are generally resilient, and plasticity, that is, the ability for the brain to reorganize itself and form new connections is generally at its strongest in childhood, so most children recover from a concussion without any lasting problems. I just want to take all precautions."
Gibbs nodded. "Thanks, Doctor."
The woman stood to her feet and patted Gibbs on the shoulder. "Things happen like this every day, Agent Gibbs. Don't beat yourself up over it."
Gibbs managed a small grin in response. "May I see her now?"
"Of course. She's in ICU room 4. I'm sure you'll be able to find her just by her giggle. She's already managed to put a few nurses under her spell."
Gibbs chuckled. "She has that effect on people."
The doctor laughed. "I will be there soon to set her arm and cast it."
Gibbs nodded and the doctor walked away. Gibbs scrubbed his hand across his face, feeling his five o'clock shadow starting. It wasn't even lunchtime yet, and he felt like he'd been rung through the ringer. He rose to his feet and wandered through the emergency room doors looking for the ICU unit. He hadn't walked far when he heard a familiar giggle. He felt his heart skip a beat and he picked up his pace as he entered the closest room on the left of the wing. His face broke into a wide grin when he saw Janessa sitting up on a bed holding a little brown stuffed teddy bear with a bandage wrapped around his head. His breath caught in his throat when he saw her. Her head was wrapped in a bandage and she was favouring her right arm.
"Nessie!"
Gibbs walked up to her bed and carefully scooped her up in his arms. He brought her head close to his lips and planted a lingering kiss on her head, breathing in her little girl essence.
Janessa whimpered and the nurse in the room gasped in concern. "We have yet to set her arm, Sir. Please be careful."
"Have you given her anything for pain?" asked Gibbs, seeing Nessie's distress.
The nurse shook her head. "We needed your permission, sir."
"You have it!" stated Gibbs, feeling irritated that his little girl had been left in pain when he was close by to ask all along.
The nurse slipped from the room.
"Daddy," whispered Nessie throwing her good arm around his neck. "My head gots a bump and my arm gots all busted up. It hurts, daddy."
Gibbs swallowed the lump in his throat and gently set her back on the bed. Tears burned his eyes. He would never be able to erase from his mind her still form lying on the ground all crumpled up, with her arm twisted beneath her. "I'm so sorry it hurts, baby girl, but daddy's here and I'm going to stay with you until you fall asleep, okay?"
Janessa nodded and held his hand in hers.
Gibbs lifted her hand up to his lips and he kissed her hand, winking at her.
The nurse came back in, walking over to them and patting Janessa's leg kindly. "The doctor is going to be here in just a few minutes, Janessa, and then we're going to wrap your arm in a pretty cast. What's your favourite colour?"
"Pink!"
"Oh, good choice. I like pink too." The nurse looked to Gibbs. "It shouldn't take too long to set her arm and cast it then we'll admit her."
Gibbs nodded and kissed Janessa's hand again. "Sounds good to us, right Nessie?"
Janessa looked uncertain. "Is it going to hurt, daddy?"
Gibbs winked at her. "Maybe a little, but I will be right here with you, okay? Can you be brave for just a little while longer?"
The nurse smiled at the little girl. "I'm going to help with that pain now, honey." She held up a syringe. "This will take it away, okay?"
Janessa blinked back tears and leaned into Gibbs, and he pulled her in close, kissing her head. He blinked his eyes briskly to keep the tears at bay. He was so relieved she was okay. He didn't think he'd ever be able to forget seeing her fall. It would be forever burned in his mind.
"I don't wanna a shot!" cried the little girl.
"It will only pinch a little, I promise," assured the nurse as she prepped Janessa's uninjured arm for the pain medication.
Janessa hid her face in Gibb's shirt and sobbed. Gibbs wrapped a protective arm around her and nodded his approval at the nurse who quickly administered the shot. Janessa screeched her disapproval, and Gibbs pulled her closer to him to comfort her.
"You're a brave kid, sweetheart." He complimented, running a hand through her sweaty, tangled blond hair. Janessa sobbed into his sleeve in response. "That medicine is going to help make the pain go away."
Janessa continued to cry and Gibbs held her close, hushing her softly.
"The doctor should be here in a few minutes. There are some people outside wanting to come in, Agent Gibbs. Your daughter is going to be sleepy from the medication. Try to keep visitors down to a minimum."
Gibbs nodded and the nurse left.
Gibbs looked up to see Abby rush into the room with Tony on her heels. "Gibbs! Gibbs!"
Abby gasped when she saw Janessa sobbing into Gibbs' chest, sounding as broken-hearted as could be. Her green eyes shimmered in tears as she stood silently staring at them. Tony entered the room holding a very sheepish-looking Aimee by the hand. The youngster refused to make eye contact with him and partially hid behind Tony. Gibbs managed a small smile when he saw the concern of his family.
"She's fine, everyone. Broken arm and a concussion but she's going to be up and around before you know it."
Tony pulled Aimee closer to him and smiled. "That's good to hear, Boss."
Abby patted Janessa's shoulder kindly. "Hey, Ness, are you okay?"
Janessa shook her head and still kept her face hidden.
"She just got a shot, and she's kinda upset about it," explained Gibbs.
Tony made a face. "Hey, Monster, I don't blame you for being mad about that. I hate shots too!" Tony tickled her sides gently. Janessa wiggled beneath Gibbs's embrace, and she pulled her face away slowly.
Aimee inched closer and reached out to touch Janessa's hand. "Nessie, I'm so sorry," she all but whispered.
Janessa turned around and smiled at her sister through her tears. "Aimee!"
The smaller girl pitched herself forward towards her sister. Gibbs' quick reflexes grabbed her before she tumbled onto the floor after Aimee.
"I thoughts you left without me!" cried Janessa, working her way towards Aimee more.
Tony came to the rescue and lifted Aimee onto the bed so Janessa could reach her. Janessa fell into her sister's arms sobbing. Aimee immediately dissolved into tears as she hugged her sister. Gibbs wrapped his arms around both of them.
"I'm so sorry, Nessie. It's all my fault!" cried Aimee, hugging her sister.
"I was so scared you'd go away forebber !" Janessa sobbed, her breath hitched.
Gibbs tapped Aimee on the head firmly so she'd look at him. "Is that what you said to her?" he demanded, feeling his anger reignite.
Aimee swallowed and looked into Gibbs' eyes. "I didn't mean it, honest I didn't. I-I just wanted…" Aimee hesitated and blinked back hot tears.
"You wanted her to go with you," finished Gibbs, his voice rising in frustration. "Damn it, Aimee, how could you put your sister in danger like that?"
Aimee blinked back more tears and looked away, unable to endure his piercing gaze any longer.
Tony took a few steps forward, placing a comforting hand on Gibbs' shoulder. Gibbs felt his blood begin to boil as he thought about what Aimee did. The child had quite literally blackmailed her sister into running away with her, all on some kind of whim of revenge against him because he'd asked her to make her bed. It made no sense. What the hell was she thinking?
"Guess you discovered that Loch Ness Monsters are not the flying kind, huh squirt?" interjected Tony, attempting to lighten up the conversation.
Janessa snorted through her tears.
"When you get home, you're getting ice cream every day whenever you want it," murmured Abby, coming closer and kissing Janessa on her chubby cheek.
The doctor entered the room to find the family group all huddled together, each one touching Janessa in some way and each one thanking the good Lord above that nothing serious had happened.