At that very moment Gibbs didn't how to feel about what the Doctor had just told him, because as much as he was happy that the medical condition of his daughter was stable so far, it was also undeniable that there was huge risk that something could change in a dramatic way in the next twenty four hours. It was easier said than done, with it came to keeping all those negative thoughts banned from his mind because he knew one thing for a fact: Losing Kelly for real this time around would emotionally drag him down into a hole, which he maybe couldn't escape from and deep down he knew that he didn't want to go down this dark road again. As he looked at Hollis for a little bit emotional support, he couldn't help but feel so helpless right now, having to sit here at the bedside of his daughter without being able to do anything that would make her feel better.
Of course it didn't go by Hollis unnoticed, how much Gibbs struggled with his inner unrest, so she gently lay her hand into his. Sometimes one simple gesture said more than a thousand words, so did an old saying go that she knew very well. Gibbs wiped away some tears that threatened to fall down his cheeks with his free hand, kind of still a little bit surprised of the fact that he had become such an emotional person since the unexpected reunion with his daughter. He then gave his girlfriend a quick kiss on her right cheek, so thanful for the fact that she had been by his side since his little girl had been admitted to the hospital.
A couple of hours had passed and Gibbs had been so busy with worrying about his daughter that he simply forgot about eating, as it wasn't that important to him right at that moment an das much he tried to surpress it, he couldn't help but yawn a lot and of course that didn't go by Hollis unnoticed.
„I hate to say it Jethro, but you look awful and when was the last time that you've eaten something?"
The former Army CID Officer asked him with quite the concerned look on her face, as she wanted to avoid one thing from happening: Her boyfriend stop taking care of himself, even if she was very well aware of how difficult this whole situation must be for him. He hated to admit it, but deep down he knew that she was right, so he sighed and finally replied:
„I know and yes I admit, that my last meal has been a long time ago. Maybe it's a good idea if we take the time to eat something tonight in a nice restaurant." It took a lot out of him and even if he was so tired right at this moment, he was able to force himself to smile a little bit. Hollis then put both of her hands on his cheeks before she replied with a small smile on her own:
„I'm happy to hear that Jethro, because you need to take care of yourself no matter what happens, please promise me that one thing please?"
Leroy Jethro Gibbs couldn't help but think: Wow, I can never get enough from looking at these wonderful eyes. It might sound a little cliche but it sometimes feels I could get lost in them for a couple of minutes and just forget everything around me for a few minutes.
Before Gibbs and Hollis left the hospital room, he kissed his daughter on her forehead and said:
„Please get better soon my angel and I'll be back tomorrow to visit you again. I miss to hear your voice so much and even if I can't control it when it happens, I want you to wake up again right now or at least tomorrow. I also don't know if I could handle it at all if I really lose you this time, all of this uncertainty kills me a little bit more with every day that goes by." Hollis could only imagine how difficult it had to be for him to stil keep himself collected at this time and just like him she hoped that Kelly would wake up again very soon.
The two had finally left the hospital behind them, Gibbs rubbed his eyes for a second trying his best to stay awake, even if this was easier said than done but one way or another he needed to do this for Hollis.
Realizing that it wasn't that late as he had expected, as he looked at his watch, he knew at that moment that he lost track of time and it bothered him a little bit. Maybe Hollis was right when she said that he needed to take more care himself, especially in the bad times and of course he would try his best to do that from now on. After a few minutes the two finally decided on a nice little italian restaurant, Hollis was happy to see a little smile on her boyfriend's face for a second as he had recognized this particular restaurant from the first date they ever had.
Shortly after they had sat down at their uusal table, they were greeted by a waiter:
„Good evening Miss Mann and Mister Gibbs, can I bring you the uusal tonight?" Alfredo asked the happy couple and both of them couldn't but chuckle, as they were aware of the fact that they were like an open book to Alfredo. So they ordered their uusal meals: Hollis had the Spaghetti Bolognese and Gibbs the Lasagne al forno and he was able to forget about his recent troubles for at least these next few hours
Back at the hospital an alarm sound went off on the heart monitor that watched Kelly Gibbs heartbeat, a couple of nurses entered the room starting with the life support meassures, fighting for the life of their patient.
AN: Thanks to- jackie fu 557 for adding this story to her story alert subscription and it to her favorite stories list. Will the doctors will be able to save Kelly Gibbs life?