"Dad!" Lizzie cried, spying Gibbs waiting for her and running towards him to give him a hug. "What are you doing here?"
"Picking you up," he replied.
"You know what I mean," Lizzie said. He grinned.
"I've got a surprise for you," he said as they walked towards the car.
"Is it a nice surprise?"
Gibbs opened the passenger door for her and she jumped in, swinging her bag into the back seat.
"Yep."
"Is it to do with why I had to stay at auntie Ziva's until this morning?"
"Yep."
"Tell me!" she said, turning in her seat to look at him expectantly.
"Okay," he said. "How about if I tell you that after I finish work we're going to the hospital?"
Lizzie frowned. "That doesn't sound like a nice surprise."
"How about if I tell you we're going to visit someone? Well, two someones."
"Mom had her baby?" she gasped. Gibbs nodded, smiling at her reaction. "Can't we go now?"
"No Lizzie," he laughed. "I have to work."
XOXOXOX
"Hey Abs."
"Gibbs," the goth greeted him. "Who's this?"
"This is Lizzie," Gibbs explained. "Lizzie, this is Abby. Would you be okay with staying with her until I finish work?"
Lizzie considered it, looking at Abby.
"Okay," she replied.
"Abs?"
"Sure," Abby smiled. Gibbs crouched down.
"Be good Lizzie," he sai.
"Amn't I always?" she asked innocently. He didn't reply, he just smiled and kissed her.
"Be good," he repeated.
"Okay daddy."
Abby's eyebrows shot up and she looked at Gibbs, smiling. He kissed her cheek.
"Thanks Abs."
"It's okay," she replied. "And if you bring me a CafPow I won't tell Tony," she whispered.
XOXOXOX
Gibbs practically had to drag Lizzie away from Jenny and Ava when visiting hours ended. She was thrilled with her baby sister, although she wasn't a brother she could boss about. In the car on the way home to Jenny's house, she dozed off. It was the most peaceful Gibbs had ever seen her. It seemed the only time she wasn't jumping around was when she was asleep.
As soon as he pulled into the driveway, she jolted awake, as if she had some special radar which told her they were home. They had dinner (pizza-Lizzie's choice), then it was her bedtime.
"But-" she began to object.
"School night, bed," Gibbs said. "Go get ready then I'll come say goodnight."
Lizzie pulled the purple duvet up under her arms.
"Comfy?" Gibbs asked. She nodded, looking sleepy again. He kissed her forehead. "Good night. If you need me I'm just down the hall." She nodded again.
"Night dad."
"Night Lizzie," he said, turning off the light.
It felt weird sleeping in Jenny's room without her there. But then, being without Jenny in general felt strange nowadays. He was just beginning to drop off when the door opened. Instantly Gibbs was awake, his sniper's instinct taking over. His eyes focused on the little girl at the door and his paternal instinct took over.
"Lizzie? What is it?"
"Can't sleep," a small voice replied.
"C'mere," he said gently. She ran over and jumped up beside him. "Nightmare?"
She shook her head. "Just can't sleep."
"Okay," he said, pulling the duvet over her. Lizzie snuggled against Jenny's pillows. "I know how it feels."
"You can't sleep either?"
"Sometimes. Then I fall asleep working on my boat."
"You have a boat?"
Gibbs nodded. "In my basement."
"Why do you have a boat in your basement?"
"Why can't you sleep?"
Lizzie giggled. He began telling her about his boat until eventually she fell asleep. The last thing he remembered before falling asleep was thinking how like Jenny she looked when she was asleep.
XOXOXOX
The next evening, leaving Lizzie at home with Amee-who'd returned from her parents to watch her-Gibbs returned to the hospital to take Jenny and Ava home.
"Hey," he said, standing in the doorway of Jenny's room.
"Hi," she smiled. "We're all set."
"Good."
"How was Lizzie about staying at home?" Jenny asked in the car.
"Guess," he grinned.
"Unimpressed?"
"Just a little."
Jenny laughed. Just like Lizzie. "How was she last night?"
"Fine," Gibbs replied. "I stayed with her."
"You could've called Amee."
"Yeah. I wanted to stay with her."
"She thinks the world of you," Jenny smiled. Gibbs didn't reply. They'd reached that crossroads, the one where they would have to choose where they went from here in their relationship.
"Jen?" he said, turning to look at her.
"Yes?" She looked at him. Neither spoke.
"Nothing," he said eventually, facing the road again. Jenny put her hand on his, linking their fingers.
"Let's go home," she said, an unspoken agreement in her words. He smiled.
"Sure Jen."
