I'm sorry I disappeared, my fingers still haven't healed – unfortunately.
Disclaimer: I still don't own anything, but Talia and Mossad officer. I just like to borrow them for my own purposes. I know Jenny's story might not be realistic, but I miss her so I decided to bring her back.
Chapter 19
At the safe house:
"It's Gibbs", Abby said and answered her phone: "Hi Gibbs! Please tell me that everything is okay. No one didn't injure, right?"
After Abby's questions there was silence. First Abby was scared, then she sighed of a relief and finally she became surprised. Abby opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
"Abigail", Ducky begun. "Speak to us."
"They got Benjamin Gideon. He was about to kill Ziva, but director Vance pulled the trigger. He is not dead, only injured. He is in custody of the FBI. Everyone is safe. They investigated the area and didn't find anything. Vance was about to call dog unit just in case. But then Ziva heard faint voice and they found Jenny. She is not dead", Abby explained. "Gibbs wants us there. Vance is sending us a car."
First no one moved at all. They were just too surprised. But finally they managed to take everything they needed and left the safe house.
At the hospital:
After 40 minutes Abby, Ducky, Jack, Breena and Vance's kids came in.
"Where is she? Is she alive? Is she okay?" Abby asked.
"Calm down Abby. He is most likely alive since doctor hasn't told us otherwise." Gibbs answered.
Everyone sat down. No words were spoken. Everyone had a lot questions in their minds, but they were still too surprised to ask them.
"How is this possible?" Ziva finally broke the silence.
Everyone just shook their heads and shrugged their shoulders. No one had any answers.
"I hope Jennifer can tell us", Ducky hoped.
No one watched the clock that was ticking in the wall, but waiting felt like an eternity.
"Family of Jennifer Shepard" doctor finally said.
"I'm her doctor, Donald Mallard", Ducky stated.
"I'm her fiancée, Jethro Gibbs", Gibbs continued.
Everyone in the room became surprised, but they didn't say anything. They hoped that doctor wouldn't notice anything unusual in their behavior. And apparently he didn't since he said:
"Very well then. Is any of you Ziva David?"
"It is pronounced Da-Veed, but I am", Ziva said and stood up.
"I'm sorry, Miss David, my mistake. Miss Shepard is asking for you. Could you please follow me? " Doctor asked.
Gibbs, Ducky and Ziva followed the doctor.
"First, she is alive and that is of course the most important thing right now. She has been very ill like you probably know. But in her case the experimental treatment has worked. She is still weak and underweight. She is also dehydrated. She has wounds and bruises all over her body and a broken ankle. We cleaned and patched her wounds and put a cast on her ankle. She is awake and in IV. You can go and see her if you like, doctor explained."
"What kind of a treatment did she get?" Ducky asked.
"I don't know for sure, doctor Mallard, but I think Miss Shepard can tell you", doctor answered.
Gibbs, Ziva and Ducky followed the doctor to Jenny's room. Jenny was lying in hospital bed. She was small and her hair weren't red, as usual.
"Jen", Gibbs whispered quietly.
"Jethro", Jenny weakly answered. "Ducky, Ziva."
"Hi Jenny", Ducky and Ziva greeted.
"I'll leave you alone. Just press the button if you need me", doctor said.
"I'm sorry Jen, but I had to lie that I'm your fiancée so that I was able to get information about you and come here", Gibbs admitted.
"That's okay, Jethro, I forgive you", Jenny smirked.
"Jennifer, my dear. How did you survive from the shooting? Where have you been all this time and what did they do to you?" Ducky asked.
"I was almost dead. My pulse was so weak that it was easy to miss. I was taken to helicopter and to Switzerland. I don't know whose body you saw and how did they get my blood to my fake body. U.S. Marshall's handled it. I've been in witness protection all this time. Few months ago I got an information that I can return to be Jenny Shepard instead Linda Queenie if I want. I was at the hospital in Las Vegas to recover from the journey before I return to D.C. But I got kidnapped by Mossad." Jenny started. "I went through brain surgery and chemotherapy. I got kidney transplants and my whole blood has been changed several times. Doctors weren't sure if the treatment is going to work, but it did. I'm quite okay. I can't use high heels anymore and I'm not sure how much I can walk, but at least I'm alive and my hands work. I'm so sorry I left. I have missed you so much. But I did it to protect you. I know I did a lot bad things and I caused so much pain to all of you. I understand if you don't want…"
"Jenny", Ziva interrupted, sat to Jenny's hospital bed and touched her gently. "I do not know about these guys, but I forgive you. I understand why you did what you did. Yes, yes, yes, yes I missed you so much, but I am not angry. I have been angry to myself for leaving you. But I have never forgotten you. I have remembered you many times during these years. Every year the day you died, I lighted a candle and watched our picture. I sent a silent pray to heaven that you would be safe. I still have that half heart-jeweler. You were my first female friend. You saved me, Jenny. I am going to remain in your side no matter what. I am not going to leave you alone ever again."
After Ziva's statement Jenny was crying, but she managed to say:
"Thank you Ziva."
"Jen, do you think I would have lied to be your fiancée if I would hate you?" Gibbs asked.
"No", Jenny answered and smirked.
"Jennifer, I'm happy that you're alive. You are you and I don't expect you to be anything else. I'm going to help you recover", Ducky promised.
"Are you up for a few visitors?" Gibbs suddenly said. "I'm sure rest of us would like to see you."
"Yes", Jenny promised.
Gibbs left the room.
"How is she?" Abby immediately wanted to know.
"Come and see", Gibbs stated.
Abby, Tony and McGee first stepped into Jenny's room.
"Tony", Jenny said. "I know I hurt you badly. I don't want you to blame yourself about anything. And Tim, I should have said to you many times more how good agent you are. I'm sorry about everything. I know I hurt all of you. I hope you can forgive me some day."
"I did blame myself from your dead, but everything is forgotten and forgiven", Tony stated.
"And I knew you respect me, but thank you for saying it", McGee commented.
"Can I hug you?" Abby asked. "Let that be my explanation about my feelings."
"Of course, but be gentle", Jenny answered.
Abby gently hugged Jenny.
"This is my wife, Breena", Jimmy introduced.
"Congratulations", Jenny commented. "And nice to meet you."
"Thanks, you too", Breena replied.
"Jackson Gibbs, you have gotten grey hair, but otherwise you look the same", Jenny commented.
Jackson just smiled to Jenny and shook her hand.
"Leon, I heard about your wife. I'm so sorry for your lost", Jenny continued.
Vance just nodded and kept his kids near.
"You are smaller than Kayla", Jared suddenly commented.
"Jared", Vance reprimanded.
Jenny just laughed and said:
"That's okay. Truth comes from child's mouth. I hope I will get bigger."
"Jenny Shepard, don't you ever do that again, you almost gave me a heart attack", Fornell playfully became angry.
"Almost doesn't count", Jenny stated back and got everyone laugh.
"Jenny, there is still someone you have not met", Ziva said and gently placed Talia right next to Jenny.
Jenny became surprised, but managed to ask:
"Who is this little one?"
"Talia Rivka Leah David, my daughter", Ziva introduced. "I adopted her. She was born in Israel and her mother was my childhood friend. It was her last wish that I raise Talia in case she cannot. Leah died during labor and Aaron, Talia's father is most likely dead too."
"Well, shalom little Talia", Jenny gently said and rubbed Talia's tummy.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but only two visitor are allowed to stay longer", nurse explained.
"I'll stay", Gibbs and Ziva immediately said.
"Tobias, can my father stay with you?" Gibbs wondered.
"Sure", Fornell promised.
"I'll go get some coffee so that you can have some time alone", Gibbs promised.
After everyone was gone, Ziva fed, burped and changed Talia.
After that Jenny asked:
"So Ziva, why is Mossad after you? Do they want you back or what?"
"I am no longer part of Mossad", Ziva explained.
"Oh?" Jenny commented.
"I was sent to a suicide mission to Somalia about four years ago. I was tortured for months, because I refused to tell anything about NCIS. Neither my father nor Mossad cared if I was alive or not. I was eventually rescued by Tony, McGee and Gibbs. They brought me back to D.C. After that I realized that my life and real family is here. I sent my letter of resignation to my father. And after I was being proved innocent to US marine's murder in a ship that brought me to Somalia, I became probationer agent. Vance gave me a hard time while interrogating me. And Mossad officer tried to frame me guilty. He came to NCIS and tried to force Gibbs and Vance to let me leave with him. They did not allow it and told Malachi to tell my father that he cannot touch me anymore. About three years ago, I passed all the tests and I became US citizen. And over 1, 5 years ago I earned my status as a special agent. And why they are after me? They want Talia. And after my father died, there is no one left to protect me. But I am happy here. I am dating Tony and I have Talia. My real family is here. Gibbs is closest to a father I have. He is a father I never had", Ziva explained. "Talia was found near our crime scene. Abby found Mossad protection jeweler and badge. I put up a fight to get Talia and finally I won. She is my daughter now.
Jenny didn't say anything, she just asked Ziva to lay down right next to her. Ziva did so and Talia looked happy between them.
"You have changed so much", Jenny stated.
"Yes, because now I have family and I can be happy and free. I have finally left all my demons behind" Ziva admitted. "We are both tired. Let's continue tomorrow."
Jenny nodded. Both women fell asleep and that's how Gibbs found them. He tucked them in, gave all of them a kiss and sat down.