Author's Note: The section was almost 3,000 words total! I decided to split the thought into three (3) sections itself. The first, VIP, introduces Rule 20: Always look under. The popular couple Jethro and Suzanne Gibbs remain on the run and elusive, thanks to the assistance of family and friends. She just delivered under emergency conditions with a pleasant surprise: the birth of a son along with two daughters. The realities are disturbing, as the reader delves into another chapter of "Always on the Run." Please enjoy!
"Rule 20—Always look under." Jethro's voice soft, but his mind and physical state soon returned to the heighten, protective and skilled investigator.
A photographer from the Cloud Newspaper casually walked inside the campus, made its way into maternity and almost obtained exclusive photographs of Suzanne, Jethro and the three tiny Gibbses—until Fornell's quick-thinking stunned the inquisitive person. Fornell called Vance for assistance and moral support.
"The snake slithered into the maternity ward." Jethro rubbed his eyes, fighting the fatigue and determined to stay by Suzanne's bedside. "Tobias, I wasn't protecting my girl."
"Stay with her; I got your six."
Generally, Fornell followed rules similar to his friend, and surprisingly, the Skirt. Moments passed when a cellphone chimed. It was Tobias' phone.
'Unrestricted. I'll take it.'
'Well everyone knows I'm here.' Jethro said.
Fornell answered, pleasantly surprised to hear the President's voice at 6 AM.
"It's the lead-in for national news…" Owens began. "Suzanne okay?"
Tobias glanced rapidly, promptly excusing himself outside the room to have a detailed sit-rep with the President. He shared with the Commander all the particulars of the events, including the reporter who attempted to photograph the family.
"You will have reinforcements within the hour." Owens answered. "Of course, they won't let up…"
"I'll handle it like Suzanne would, Mr. President."
"I'm sending Claudia Bailey to the hospital to assist." He chuckled before thanking Tobias' service to the federal government, not to mention his friendship with Suzanne and Jethro.
"She thinks the world of you, Agent Fornell."
"I'm fond of Suzanne as well, Sir."
David Owens simply made the call. Who dare challenged the Commander in Chief? On the job, in military protocol, Suzanne's rank was a Code 2, the upper third of priority in the chain of essential personnel. Suzanne D. Gibbs was the Assistant to the President and the Deputy Chief of Staff, GS 11 based on her service and educational credentials. There were extenuating circumstances, such as the birth of her children, which could pose as a national security issue.
"She's sedated. She's had a rough delivery. I need several men to assist at University Hospital..."
He paced about while on the phone, a habit he observed from Suzanne. Catherine Owens softly knocked. Early morning, TV already on in the residence, she glanced at the crawling screen. With mouthpiece covered, the security plan was shared.
'She and Gunny won't get a minute's peace with a throng of reporters outside the hospital."
Convincingly, the President reminded that 'Thump' had access to itineraries, schedules and upcoming events for the next four months. Owens' power of persuasion soared as he injected a personal touch. The code name in movement was a Bond character; Thumper or Thump.
"If that were my wife or daughter who just gave birth to triplets and my name was Gunnery Sergeant Jethro Gibbs…"
Susan McNamara arrived almost an hour after Suzanne delivered via Cesarean section. Tobias introduced himself, immediately identifying the well-dressed woman, hurrying into the maternity's waiting area. He finished coordinating the plan with the President.
"Suzanne and Jethro are still in the delivery area." He motioned for her to sit.
"Been sitting the last three hours." Susan answered. "Who would miss a red light at 5:30 in the morning and cause an accident in the middle of at 14th Street?!" She chuckled, simply shook her head. "Some jackass following too close sideswiped my car, hit my passenger side door."
The door hissed and Dr. Mallard emerged from the restricted area. To Fornell, he simply nodded. Suzanne remained unconscious. It was a surprise for her to see Donald Mallard in hospital attire, as he explained he was indeed a medical doctor with specialty in obstetrics.
'It is what I studied in medical school, my dear.'
He suggested a cup of coffee and a long talk in the Doctor's lounge, explaining the specifics of the pregnancy. Suzanne had complications in the early stages of pregnancy but continued to work until her seventh month, where the doctors ordered bed rest for the high blood pressure.
"Suzanne neglected to share that with me…" The way she emphasized the first name, Ducky expected the middle name as well. He heard it said once, at graduation. Suzanne Denise. Generally, she was Susie.
Ducky shared with Susan the month he stayed with Jethro and her daughter.
"She didn't want you to worry." Ducky answered. "Suzanne wanted you to continue with your lecture series."
"I've worried about that girl since she came into this world!" Susan chuckled. Ducky's glance at Susan's smile confirmed the 'like mother, like daughter' suspicions along. The matriarch soon filled Ducky's head with stories about the younger Suzanne. "She was independent, so head-strong like her father."
"Like her mother…"
Caring and considerate, Ducky clarified it was not twins but triplets.
"When I initially examined her abdomen, I felt abnormal pressure above her right rib cage. Generally, women with triplets have the pressure of the left side." Ducky managed to sip the regular tea leaves without complaint. Granted, he used two tea bags for the medium-sized cup, but at least it was something hot. "Once I listened with my stethoscope and heard three distinctive heartbeats…" Ducky chuckled. "I took over."
The security problem—handled. Several Army officers entered onto the campus. Fornell convinced a probationary agent to work alongside, while the bureau coordinated with both Capitol and City Police. With cooperation, the group convinced more reporters to leave the hospital entrances quiet and orderly. The medical staff promised an 8 AM press conference.
"Just like that?" Susan watched in amazement the group of reporters escorted outside the hospital building and asked to converge into the educational wing.
Ducky nodded. "Susie has political pull in Washington, even on her maternity leave!"
"I was wondering what all those people were doing here…"
"They've been here since four this morning."
The three conversed with doctors from University Hospital to withhold the information about Suzanne and Jethro but focus on premature births and triplets, which they agreed. Vance called the team—the entire NCIS team—to the hospital for work within 45 minutes; tardiness was not acceptable. Both his employees along with Claudia Bailey, David Dash and Linda Person arrived to assist in any manner. Vance asked to remain alert for 'roamers,' assisting the Department of Army. It was mutually agreed. Tobias Fornell controlled the flow of information, with Leon Vance's authoritative, equally icy stare by his side to ensure the Agent's personal moment with his wife. Speaking as a White House representative was Claudia, who also spoke on the White House behalf. Tony, Palmer and Bishop were to meet at the educational center by 7:40 while McGee and Abby stayed on the maternity ward to secure privacy and safety of others.
Susan stood outside the Neonatal Unit, stared at her grandchildren. Abby came beside, embraced the older woman. No words for a mother helplessly watching both daughter and grandchildren desperately fighting for survival.
"They probably spotted Suzanne's newer car, Mrs. McNamara." Tim commented as he continuously scanned the room. "The reporters added two and two together and concluded she was in labor..." Abby's annoyed glance relayed to Tim, 'hurtful not helpful.'
"She hasn't regained consciousness." She glanced across and Suzanne, looking contently asleep. Jethro simply held his wife's hand, stroked her forehead. Susan removed her glasses to wipe a stray tear. "All those machines connected to Suzanne…" The tears flowed.
"Suzanne's going to be fine." Abby whispered, caressing her back. "She's Mrs. McNamara-Gibbs."
From Abby's shoulder, Susan regained composure. The two chuckled, nodded and smiled.
"Your first granddaughters..."
"Genevieve Shannon and Jacqueline Susan." She glanced, smiled at Tim. He too smiled and remained focused and on-the-job. Susan once again inside the unit.
"I'm so glad Donnie spotted Jackson."
Ducky overheard the chatter as he turned the corner. He showered and changed into a crisp dressed shirt, pants and of course, the bowtie. Jimmy Palmer brought the change of clothing from the town home.
"Jackson Donald Gibbs." He smiled. Ducky smiled at Susan with a boyish gleam in his eye. They paired months ago at Jethro's meritorious ceremony, called and exchanged letters through the postal service. The age dynamic was not necessarily a factor, with Susan actually decade younger than the doctor.
"We're going to the news conference, and then off to bed." The last of Ducky's sentence caught both Tim and Abby by surprise.
"Donnie is tired, as am I. I drove from Williamsburg to here, beginning at 2 this morning. Idiot hit me once I came onto 14th Street." Susan clarified.
All had a chuckle. The younger embraced the elder and wished safe travels. Susan and Ducky's conversation continued around the corner. Tim heard the beginning; it was advice-worthy.
"My son-in-law?"
"Semper Fi." Ducky muttered. Always Faithful; the Honor Code for Marines. The code of Jethro Gibbs. "Staying right there."
Boss, or Leroy Jethro Gibbs, did not want visitors. Not now.