"I thought she could be released after twenty-four hours."

"I'm sorry but we'll have to keep her longer. When we said that, we were unaware that she was living alone."

"Did you see a ring? Of course she's been living alone!"

"I'm sorry but I'll say it again, Miss Shepard is not to be released unless she will have some form of support in her home."

"She has a housekeeper! Surely that would be enough?"

"Not unless this housekeeper stays at night which is most likely when Miss Shepard will require immediate assistance."

The bickering between Tony and the doctor continued for another ten minutes before the Italian excused himself and went to update the team.

"She's stuck in the hospital for at least a week." He announced grimly.
"Why? Is she OK? Were there complications we didn't know about?" Abby demanded, her voice filled with worry.

"No,no. Jenny's fine. The thing is, she lives alone and the doctor won't release her."

"Ugh, at this point, she can move in with me. We just need to get her home!" Abby offered immediately.

"She could stay with me if she chooses." Ziva volunteered.

Neither of the men offered because although they were becoming fast friends with their boss it would seem far far too awkward.

"I would offer but mother is such a handful these days."

"No, she'll be staying with neither of you."

The team turned their attention to the source of the all too familiar voice.

"The hell she won't! We're not leaving her in the hospital because you don't want to have to deal with her at work! If I remember correctly, and I sure as heck know I do, then it was your girlfriend who landed her here in the first place! Speaking of which, I assure you that if she comes within three hundred yards of the Director Ziva will personally see to it—"Abby was cut off on her rant by Ziva.

"That she receives, as a gift from Mossad, a bullet in her forehead. Right in the middle."

"Calm yourselves! I said she won't be going to live with either of you because I've decided she's moving in with me."

Looks of shock and immediate disapproval were shared by the team and by Ducky.

"Jethro, I think this is hardly the time to be rubbing in your relationship with Colonel—what do you call her now? Oh that's right—Colonel Flirt. in Jennifer's face. Jennifer quite possibly could have broken her neck and died."

"I know that Duck, I know. It kills me." Gibbs's voice lowered in volume as he pleaded with his old friend.

"I need to know one thing, Jethro, is this out of guilt for what Mann did to her?" Ducky studied his friend's face as he received the answer.

"No." Gibbs objected immediately and pulled Ducky aside.

"I'm doing this, Duck, because I love her and I've only just realized what a complete bastard I've been."

Ducky sighed in response. "You know if you hurt her then I will be the least of your worries, Jethro. I dare say they've grown to love their mother figure and children tend to be protective."

"I know, Ducky. And thank you." Gibbs went to speak with the doctor who after much deliberation agreed to this new plan.

Gibbs had spent the remainder of yesterday thinking and drinking bourbon and of course working on his boat. He'd reached the conclusion that he needed to prove to Jenny that he actually loved her.

****Author's Note****

If you'd like a lot more Jibbs right now then I suggest you read JibbsGal1's A New Life which is a brilliant Jibbs work and has a sequel for it in the works. Go on, READ IT! And review! I know she appreciates reviews as much as I do.

-C.E.S.