Author's Note: The Gibbs' make it to the hospital, where Suzanne experiences complications. Note: there is an interesting twist to the story. Please comment. Thanks for following!

They waited at the emergency entrance, the emergency personnel Ducky notified by phone. A team of EMT's and nurses motioned the dark brown jeep to pull in.

'We got the call, Sir.'

Jethro nodded. "Our last name is Gibbs."

Gibbs. Is she…?

"Right now is NOT the time…" Jethro snapped. With gentleness, he unlatched the seat belt, gathered his semi-conscious wife into his arms. Repeatedly he whispered her name and stroked her hair.

'Susie?' A moment passed before he spoke her full name louder.

"She's not responding…Suzanne?!"

"Jethro?"

"We're here, baby." He placed a gentle kiss across the forehead.

Quickly, the emergency staff helped placing her onto the stretcher. An attendant reassured Gibbs he'd find a parking space, noticing that look of panic. The staff hurried her into the building and loudly assessed the situation further. Staying back was not an option; Jethro rushed alongside the medical personnel.

How far along is she?

Almost 32 weeks. 31. 3 days. Had a checkup three days ago, dilated at only 4. Husband brought her in. A Doctor Donald Mallard called, said she may be going into convulsions, mentioned numbness and headache at time of labor pains. Diagnosed with preeclampsia in 13th week of pregnancy.

'Get Doctor Baker from Triage immediately. Tell him Code 3.'

"Susie?" Jethro softly whispered, stroking her forehead.

'Get a room ready for Mrs. Gibbs in Trauma Ward.' The head nurse/practicing practitioner suggested without hesitation.

'BP's 150/94, Doctor. Pulse is racing.'

The attending physician reached into his coat pocket, pulled out a small flashlight.

'Susie?'

'My name is Suzanne." She answered softly, fighting to keep alert.

"She doesn't know you, Doctor." Jethro chuckled slightly, still rubbing her hair.

'Mrs. Gibbs, I'm Dr. Baker.' He thoroughly inspected her eyes. "Do you know what's happening?"

'Gibbs?' She moaned Jethro's name, extended her hand. There was a moment of silence from the doctor. He called for Suzanne once more.

"I'm in labor." Her breathing was heavier. "I want my husband."

'She's still at 4, Doctor.' The practitioner continued listening and measuring her pressure. '156/99.'

'You are experiencing some complications right now.'

Suzanne repeatedly asked to see Jethro.

"Prepare Mrs. Gibbs for surgery. Now."

'No!' From her shaky hand was a well-worn hand sized Crucifix.

'I need to tell him something.'

"Jethro…"

The anesthesiologist arrived within minutes, awaiting the orders from Baker.

"Prepare an IV of Valproate. Get her prepared with electro pads for an EKG and an EEG. It is a mild sedative for a headache." The doctor explained.

"Mr. Gibbs, you need to leave." At that precise moment, Ducky arrived inside the room.

"Jethro, she's in good hands...now." He whispered and gently motioned him toward the waiting room. Eye-to-eye, firm handshake, Ducky assured, "Nothing will happen to Susie."

"Who are you?"

"Sir, I've been a physician longer you've been on Earth." Again, Ducky examined Suzanne, glanced at the monitors. "Donald Mallard, M.D. and Medical Examiner."

'Ducky…' Suzanne mumbled.

'Right here, Suzanne, like I promised.' He washed his hands thoroughly; the others remained quiet, observing and watching the elder's bedside manner of storytelling. Ducky recalled his intention after residency—obstetrics.

'You, my love…may be the reason I'm becoming more fascinated with life.' He continued. The others shared specific details of the medication and watched as Suzanne's blood pressure decreased and heart rate stabilized.

"Yes, Suzanne…it appears you have a reasonable explanation for the full-blown eclampsia symptoms…" Ducky whispered in her ear as he further examined her abdomen by touch. With his stethoscope, he listened closer, his eyebrow raised in surprise. "There's a mystery guest…"

Baker took the instrument, gave it a listen as well. Distinctly, he heard two high sets of heart rates, while the third was on the left side.

Jethro and Suzanne shared one specific personality trait in common: sit-reps. Both liked staying in the know, remaining in the loop. Anger and hostility boiled over as he stood behind the steel doors, desperately finding a way inside.

'Soy un católica. En caso de una emergencia , por favor llame a un sacerdote..'

His Spanish, basic compared to his wife, was enough to comprehend the message.

'I am Catholic. In case of an emergency, please call a Priest.'

He stared at the Crucifix, tears forming around his dark blue eyes. His eyes closed briefly, imagining Suzanne's life at the very time she first acquired the life-saving charm in Latin America. 2:45. He sat alone in the waiting area, head buried in his lap.

'God, where are you, Suzanne?' Jethro whispered.

Tobias Fornell arrived in the waiting room. He sat on the bench, held a cup of coffee for his friend.

"Leon called, explained to me what was going on. Thought I'd keep you company." Jethro accepted the cup of coffee. "He's watching the kids. Going to come around 6:30."

"Thanks for coming."

"Skirt…Suzanne…" Tobias chuckled. "Not even an option." It was silence for a moment. He wanted to respect his friend's space. "She's not due until the beginning of next month."

"Suz's about 7 weeks early." Jethro rubbed his eyes together. "She's had a seizure…blood pressure spiked…"

"You call her mother?"

"She's on her way." Gibbs answered. "4 AM, on 95 North bound, driving like a bat out of hell…" The two chuckled.

"I didn't tell Susan about…" He clutched onto Suzanne's rosary and Crucifix. "The seriousness of the situation."

"Probably best you didn't." Tobias nodded.

"You know Suzanne pray the rosary every day?" He stroked them gently. "John 9, 5: 'As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.' She was reading before going to bed." Briefly, he smiled, drew in a huge breath. "I can't…in there is my light from God." Another hour passed as they continued waiting for the Priest, with Jethro growing more frustrated.

"Suzanne…wants this sacrament." Jethro growled. "She is a practicing Catholic."

"The best thing we can do…is pray." Tobias suggested. "We pray until the Priest arrives."

"I'm not Catholic…"

"God hears all prayers."

On bent knees, Jethro joined. Tobias led, holding the rosary and reciting the Prayer in Time of Sickness.

'We are in prayer, Father God, Mary, Virgin Mother, for one of your faithful, Suzanne. O Jesus, You suffered and died for us; You understand suffering; Teach me to understand my suffering as You do; To bear it in union with You; To offer it with You to atone for my sins And to bring Your grace to souls in need. Calm my fears; increase my trust. May I gladly accept Your holy will and become more like You in trial. If it be Your will, restore me to health so that I may work for Your honor and glory and the salvation of all men. Amen.'

Jethro quietly prayed, his voice barely a whisper and remembering a Psalm Suzanne scribbled once.

'This is from Psalm 91. Suzanne…' He paused, and Tobias placed a hand on his shoulder.

'Whoever goes to the Lord for safety, whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty, can say to him, "You are my my defender and protector. You are my God; in you I trust." He will keep you safe from all hidden dangers and from deadly diseases He will cover you with his wings; you will be safe in his care; his faithfulness will protect and defend you.'

"She's stubborn." Tobias reminded his friend. "You know, God built her that way."

The hiss from the steel doors opened. 5 AM, and the doctor emerged.

"Doctor Mallard was right: she was having a seizure and we caught it in time." Dr. Baker explained the circumstances. "Her blood pressure was spiking dangerously high…" Jethro nodded as the doctor continued with the explanation. "The more she got anxious, the dangerous the delivery. We've found the source, and everything will be fine in a few hours."

"How is she, Doctor?" Fornell asked. "How is Mrs. Gibbs?"

"Better—a lot better, just waiting for her to wake up naturally to perform an emergency Cesarean." He grinned. "Mr. Gibbs, you're going to become a father of three."