Author's Note: Rule 28. The trio seldom ask for help, and for perspective, I thought I'd add two Gibbs Rules into the segment: an unspoken and a recently revealed in Season 13 of NCIS to Special Agent Eleanor Bishop, Rule 28. In the previous chapter, a Press Conference was held about the Gibbs' Triplets, the second set born at University Hospital within a 5 year period. It was newsworthy for another reason: Executive Assistant to the President, Suzanne Gibbs, wife of Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, is the mother. Suzanne experienced complications during pregnancy, during and after delivery.

The following is a short summary of Rule 28. Friendships for life, true meanings of friendship, and finally, Suzanne emerges.

'If you need help, ask for it.'—13.10: Blood Brothers

Fornell casually mentioned a friendship with the President's Executive Assistant to colleagues at the FBI, addressing a well-known, respected woman as 'Skirt' whenever an image flashed on the screen. It was not name-dropping for the sake of importance; it was all pride. To explain an assignment on a personal matter for the Commander, leadership role for safety and security measures were duly noted.

'Why Skirt?'

His responses, generally inappropriate for the diverse agency, and again, a reason for additional mandatory sensitivity seminars (Thank you, Fornell), were honest.

'The woman has the longest, shapely set of legs underneath those pant suits…'

Truth told, the episode was taken out of context. The compliment sparked an official complaint from a third party who missed the entire dialogue. Fornell shared the background story: a costume contest from years past where Suzanne wore a Washington Cheerleader uniform for a costume party. No one knew of her athletic ability or dance background at NCIS.

Tobias Fornell came in after the press conference. It was the unspoken rule between all three: 'You do any and every thing for family.' The moment wasn't just 'Jethro's wife.' Static, in that hospital bed, was 'Skirt.' The word itself was a personal nickname for stratospherically intelligent, fiercely opinionated, but attractive, compassionate, and equally loving Suzanne Gibbs. The initial meeting and use suggested gender identification, an aged term to describe a female. Her natural wide smile, part diabolical with the eye roll and pure joie de vivre, not to mention a fantastic body, mesmerized upon first impression.

The personnel removed the nasal cavity and the oddly contorted cap.

"EEG monitoring." Jethro clarified. "Braided hair…hard to get a reading with the disks."

"Guess it would be."

"There you go, Susie." With gentleness, he bundled the individual coiled strains together. Twisting the heavy band above his watch on his left hand, Jethro gathered and placed the coif into a secured and comfortable pony tail. The simple gesture made Fornell understand their partnership. Suzanne naturally brought out the equally loving side of Jethro. Gently, he stroked her forehead. "I know you like it all contained…"

Nurse Colleen's assuring words from earlier were precise. She was breathing without assistance. The neurologist viewed the measurements from the time of delivery until several hours afterward. No damage or signs of epilepsy. Suzanne's severe headache and blurred vision were additional affects from delivery trauma. The heart rate was strong and blood pressure much lower than pre and post-delivery. Still, it was still elevated. Both doctors recommended the EKG.

Fornell finally convinced Jethro to at least go home two hours, suggesting to shower and grab two hot cups of real coffee. In his pocket he gave the set of keys to Jethro.

"McGee brought your truck; Ducky drove Suzanne's jeep with Susan and Fred back to his place." Tobias brought Jethro into the latest decision-making precautions. Jethro slowly processed the information. He nodded, yawned. Before he asked why Susan rode back, Tobias answered the next question.

"She got sideswiped early this morning on 14th Street." He reminded Jethro.

"Oh boy…" He groaned.

Jethro glanced at Suzanne, resting comfortably, and then the door. Conflicted. His responsibility was primarily his wife. Also, Susan was a priority. He barely said two, three sentences to Mom since 5 AM. The clock indicated 10:30. Genevieve, Jacqueline and Jackson were added responsibilities. Gibbs was tired, overwhelmed with the endless stream of events. A long, hot shower and a fresh cup of coffee would help. He stood to his feet, stretched and headed for the door.

"I haven't seen the children…"

Tobias settled into the chair, television remote in hand, finally settling on the sports network. The speakers were inside the bed, so the sound was adjusted to reasonable decibel level. Fornell moved closer, wrapping his remote arm around a sleeping Suzanne.

"Ok, Susie. You and I can watch 'Early Prediction' for the weekend games." He whispered to Suzanne.

"I'll be two hours, tops…" Jethro clutched for the car keys.

"Thought he'd never leave us alone..."

Both shared an appreciation for professional football, same division but different teams. When home, Suzanne invited Fornell to watch Sunday games. He provided beers, while she prepared the wicked nachos and chicken wings for appetizers. When the President had extra passes for a home game, it was Fornell she invited into the exclusive skybox when Jethro declined. Suzanne's knowledge of defensive and offensive calls impressed, even improved her standings in a weekly football pool. Gibbs and Fornell laughed as the only female to play won often while working at NCIS, collecting her winnings on Tuesdays.

'Of course, take Washington over Tampa Bay…' Fornell circled with pen.

Tobias hoped the familiar tones and bell stirred her attention and lulled her from the deep sleep.

As the announcer read the upcoming matches, Fornell repeated. With every positive prediction, Tobias predicted the opposite.

'New England to beat Miami in Miami? Denver vs. Seattle in Seattle? New York against Dallas at Texas Stadium? Giants? Are you sure?'

He waited in anticipation for a moan or toss. Suzanne remained still. Fornell knew Suzanne all too well with choices. Instead, she'd go with Miami, Seattle but keep the Giants pick. For the first two teams, Suzanne would cite the home defensive crew would keep the offense from moving the ball. For the last game, the visiting team's quarterback threw long and deep into end zones. It was hard to contain a mobile and accurate thrower.

After 20 minutes, he turned the television off.

Fornell was taken aback by her inactivity. Even the long stream of quietness was atypical, particularly when it came to their friendship. Every endeavor, Suzanne was dynamic. Her laugh, the smile, and even the bickering filled the room with joy.

"You're scaring everyone—your mom, Jethro, me…" His tone became serious. Jethro overheard the nickname one too many instances.

Suzanne hated Tobias' nickname for her. Before, she quickly responded with either "Pants" or her personal favorite "Jackass." After marriage, eyes rolled and a short chuckle came before simply, 'Agent Fornell.' Behind the cubicle was a picture of Suzanne in the rainforest, the caption reading 'The Rainforest Skirt.' It was from one of Suzanne's archival photos from the White House, the writing her very own. Curious, Fornell examined the picture, read the description on the back.

"The lower branches of a tree when near the ground; the rim, periphery, or environs of an area. Parts or attachments serving as a rim, border or edging. Añangu, a beautiful pristine rainforest in Ecuador."

"We need you. Susan needs you. Jethro and the kids need you. I need you back, Skirt."

He wept, openly cried associating the power of nature, of God's beauties in the world often misidentified. The picture seared the ultimate 'teachable moment.' Trees extend, grow mighty and strong. Suzanne was a skirt, as the youngest child, the seedling from deeply rooted, firmly planted people. The enthusiasm as student served her well as the edging, the peripheral for a community. She was not just a girl, a woman. Her purposes in life were endless, multilayered and nurturing, just as the world's rainforests.

He recited prayers, one after another using the Rosary tucked in his pocket. Fornell's tears lulled him to rest against Suzanne's shoulder.

Suzanne was accustomed to a right-side snuggle against her shoulder. A little tingle from inactivity and head weight disturbed her sleep at times. She fluttered her eyes several times, struggling to find some sight without her glasses. The reach for glasses in a drawer remained unsuccessful. She glanced and recognized Tobias Fornell in her hospital bed by the missing hairline. She softly chuckled and just slightly readjusted. At least I'm safe. As for memory, Suzanne struggled with filling in the details. She laid there, closing her eyes, slowing her breathing and visualizing each detail for answers.

Colleen returned into the room around noon. Before entering, she tapped lightly on the door. The experienced nurse was pleasantly surprised on several levels.

"Come in."

At the bedside was an exhausted Tobias Fornell, sleeping peacefully against her shoulder. Suzanne was awake, smiling. Luckily the phone was within reach and the numbers were larger. She dialed several numbers, wiggling a single finger for the nurse to listen. Throughout the entire exchange, Tobias remained asleep. It was her turn to gingerly stroke his silky gray hair.

"He'll answer by the second or third ring…" Suzanne whispered. The line connected.

'Yeah, Gibbs.'

"Hi."