Chapter 3

Fornell quickly walked into the lobby with Gibbs. "What is the status of Erinreanna Morgan?"

The nurse looked up from her computer to Fornell then back down as she said "Only family can know that information sir."

"I am her emergency contact!" Fornell shouted as he stood impatiently.

The nurse glared as Fornell as she replied "She is still in surgery. That's all I know."

"She has been in surgery for an hour. Why isn't there an update?" Fornell stated harshly as he stood at her desk.

The nurse was about to reply when Gibbs saw McGee walk out of the ER.

"McGee! How is she?" Fornell asked as he walked up to the younger agent.

Tim shook his head as he said "They wouldn't tell me anything Agent Fornell."

Fornell threw his jacket down in a chair as he said "I need to call her mother."

Fornell walked away as Gibbs questioned Tim "You okay?"

"Yeah boss, I'm fine." Tim replied as he knew what was next "Agent Morgan caught me in the study. She asked about NCIS' involvement then told me that Jordan didn't kill Lewis."

Gibbs nodded as Tim continued "Moretti walked into the room and called for Jordan who had been hiding in a closet. Carlos asked Erin who I was; well actually, I guess that is what he asked. Both he and Erin spoke in Italian. Anyway, Moretti found out that Morgan was an agent and hit her. The other man came in and shot at me but Erin took the bullet and I had no choice to shoot back." Gibbs nodded as he sat beside McGee as they waited on Fornell.

Thirty minutes later, a petite woman in her early fifties walked into the lobby with a man who looked about the same age. Behind them was a young man in his early twenties who had some resemblance of Erin.

"Tobias?" the woman said as she walked to the elder FBI agent.

Fornell turned away from the group which included Tim and Gibbs.

"Janie." Fornell greeted as he continued "Steve, Mike."

The older man nodded as he stood behind Janie.

"Why did you want me to come here Tobias?" Janie questioned as she looked in FBI agent in the eyes.

Fornell quickly looked at Gibbs then asked "Can we speak alone?"

Janie nodded as she followed behind Fornell toward a quieter part of the waiting room. Gibbs watched as Fornell looked uncharacteristically guilty while he talked with the woman. A loud smack was heard from the two as Janie sobbed "You led me to believe she was dead all those years Tobias!"

Fornell quietly began to explain as the two men with Janie watched intently. While the four of them talked, a doctor walked into the room.

"Who is here for Agent Morgan?"

Twenty minutes later, Fornell walked over to the two NCIS agents.

"How is she Tobias?" Gibbs asked as he looked at his old friend.

Fornell, who looked run down, began to explain "The bullet caused major damage in her chest. She came in with a collapsed lung, two broken ribs, and a lot of internal bleeding. The doctor said she lost about a third of her blood. She is in stable but critical condition. Barring any complications, she will make a full recovery."

Gibbs looked at his younger agent and ordered "Go home McGee. Get some rest."

"Yes boss." Tim replied as he noticed Tony waiting for him at the entrance.

Gibbs quickly looked toward his friend "Agent Morgan is more than an agent to you, isn't she Tobias?"

"Gibbs!" Tobias warned but looked at his friend's face "Yes, she is my daughter."

Gibbs' eyes narrowed as he asked "How long have you known?"

"About six years. She sought me out. We went through the process and she is mine. Janie found out that I knew Erin and told me the whole story. Erin was in an undercover assignment a few years back that was compromised so when these last operations happen I told Janie that Erin died in the line of duty." Fornell explained as he sighed and quickly looked to where Janie was standing. "I need to go Jethro."

Gibbs nodded as he watched Fornell followed Janie into ICU.