Chapter 4

A couple days later, the doctors continued to monitor Erin's progress and were becoming worried since she hadn't woken up. Fornell had been forced to return to the office as Erin's mother stayed by her bedside.

Tim decided to stop by after work on night to see her. Tim walked into the room with flowers in his hand. He quickly jumped when he saw Fornell was sitting by her bed and not Erin's mother. "Ohm uh, Hello Agent Fornell."

"Agent McGee, can I help you?" Fornell asked as he clung to Erin's hand.

Tim quickly looked down as he sighed "I just wanted to see how she was doing?"

"Oh okay." Fornell replied as he noticed Janie walk in behind Tim.

She smiled as she greeted "Tim, it good to see you again."

"Again?" Fornell questioned as he realized Janie and McGee had met.

Janie looked toward Fornell with a glare then quickly changed her expression "Those flowers are beautiful Timothy."

Tim smiled as Janie took his flowers and filled a pitcher with water for them to sit in. Janie looked at Fornell and motioned for him to meet her in the hallway. Fornell reluctantly nodded as he let go of Erin's hand.

Tim watched as they walked into the hallway. Fornell quickly turned to Janie as he asked "Why does it seem that you two know each other?"

"Tobias, that boy feels responsible for Erin being in that bed. He has been in here every night to check on her." Janie replied as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Every night?" Fornell questioned as he retorted "He should feel responsible."

Janie glared as she replied "What don't you get some dinner?"

Fornell sighed as he felt he was losing the argument and turned back to the room. He stopped when he saw Tim whispering into Erin's ear. Fornell cleared his throat and smiled when he saw Tim jump from the chair.

"Uh, sorry Agent Fornell. I-- I read that you should talk to people who are unconscious." Tim explained as he moved far away from her bedside. Fornell walked to Erin's beside and rub her forehead as he spoke "I'll be right back."

Fornell quickly turned toward the door but glared at Tim before he left. Tim watched with confusion etched on his face while Janie walked into the room with a smiled on her face.

"Hello Mrs. Arthur." Tim greeted as he moved toward the other side of the bed.

Janie quickly chuckled as she reminded him "Please Tim, its Janie."

"Sorry." Tim quickly replied "How is she today?"

Janie sighed as she looked at Erin "She is still improving. They don't understand why she is unconscious though."

Tim nodded as he quickly cleared his throat "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure Tim."

Tim took a deep breath "Is Erin seeing Agent Fornell?"

"As in dating?" Janie cleared up as Tim nodded in response "I hope not…. Well no they are co-workers or rather work together."

Tim narrowed his eyes in thought as he looked back at Erin.

An hour later, Janie had left to call her husband and Fornell had been called in to NCIS. Tim sat quietly in the chair beside Erin's bed when he heard a soft moan. Tim quickly looked at Erin and whispered "Agent Morgan?"

Erin blinked a couple of times as she focused in on the blurry face saying her name.

Tim smiled as he hit the nurse call button "May I help you?"

Tim quickly stuttered "Uh, yea….Agent Morgan is waking up."

"Oh good! We will be right there."

Tim smile widened as Janie walked into the room.

"Mom?" Erin's voice strained as she spoke. Janie quickly need to her bedside "Oh baby! Thank god you're awake."

The doctor quickly walked into the room as he said "Good to see you awake Agent Morgan."

Erin looked around the room as she said "How long have I been out?"

"About a week. The bullet did some serious damage but most of your injuries are healing nicely."

The doctor explained as he looked at Erin's charts.

Erin nodded as she replied "How long do I need to stay here?"

"Probably another week. We need to make sure all the bleeding has stopped." The doctor replied as he continued "I would like to take a look at your stitches."

Erin nodded as she carefully rolled toward McGee. The doctor rolled her gown up as he looked at her sutures then on to her stomach. Erin looked at Tim, who began to blush as he saw her toned beaten body. Erin winced as she rolled onto her back.

"You need to be careful not to strain or move around too much while you heal."

Erin nodded as she watched the doctor leave "Mom, can you call dad to tell him I am awake." Erin saw her mom begin to protest as she explained "I need to speak to Agent McGee alone."

Janie took a deep breath as she nodded and left the room. Tim gave Erin a questioning look as he sat down close to her.

"Did you catch Moretti?" Erin asked as she quickly looked at the door.

Tim turned to look at the door then back to Erin "Yes, from what my boss told me, Jordan rolled on Moretti."

"Good! What about James?" Erin asked as she watched Tim's expression.

Tim looked down as he said "I shot him after you went down."

"He's dead?" Erin questioned as she watched Tim nod.

"Erin, I am sorry that you got shot because of me." Tim apologized but watched as anger flashed in Erin's eyes as she said "Tim, if it was anyone's fault it would be mine. I stopped you in that room without clearing it first."

Tim shook his head as he replied "No, uh it's not your fault."

"I--" Erin began but was interrupted but her father "Welcome back Agent Morgan."

Erin smiled as she watched Fornell, Janie and Gibbs walk into the room.

"So you finally nabbed Moretti?"

Fornell sat down as Gibbs motioned for Tim to follow him out of the room.

Fornell brushed back the hair on Erin's forehead as he said "We got him. Jordan is going to testify but we will need you too Er."

Erin nodded as she yawned and said "These pain meds are kicking my butt."

Janie quickly said "Rest sweetie. We will be right here."

Erin nodded as she closed her eyes and was on in minutes.

"Why did you lie to me Tobias? You told me she died."

Fornell sighed as he said "She wanted to protect you. Her cover had been compromised so we had to make her vanish.

"She was alive and still working for the CIA. I wanted her out of there after Iraq and you knew that." Janie argued as she became increasingly upset.

Fornell retorted as he felt a migraine coming on "She hasn't the last four years. She has been working for the FBI."

Janie shook her head "She needs to get out. Three near death experiences is not good. What happens the next time?"

Tobias replied as he looked at his daughter "She will have to take time off now but its not our decision to make."