The Red Queen

Gibbs stood up and went to the bathroom just off the dining room. Lainy suddenly heard a thud. She ran to the door and found Gibbs inside on his knees in front of the sink holding his head and gasping, his face flushed. He made an incoherent sound of pain and slumped against Lainy as she gathered him into her arms. For the first time Lainy felt a cause for his pain. She lifted her head simply and purely furious.

"Stop this! Stop it! You're going to kill him! He can't cope with this. His brain is injured. You know he was shot! You can talk to me, I can tell him what you need to say! But you have to stop. His gift isn't powerful enough to hear you clearly…"

She looked around the bathroom alertly. In her arms Jethro suddenly went limp. The room became icy cold. Lainy could see her breath. Wisps of a smoky like material began to gather in the doorway. Lainy shivered and gathered her husband closer to her. Gibbs was in a dead faint.

"Thank you." Lainy said to the figure now half formed. "You don't have to materialize in this room. I can see you with out it."

"I didn't know you could see me." Ivy said in a whisper. She moved forward stepping into the bathroom from the door. "I'm sorry."

Lainy held her husband close to her and kissed his lips gently. She anxiously

rubbed his shoulder.

"Jethro, love, please wake up…try to wake up. Can you try?" Her expression was one of focus and anxiety.

"I think I can help…" Ivy stepped forward and touched Jethro's temple.

He began to stir, moving his legs and turning his head into Lainy's body. He moaned, eyes beginning to flutter. As he opened his eyes he saw emerald green ones looking into his, full of unshed tears. He reached up and touched her cheek, fine azure eyes questioning.

"Babe?" His voice slightly hoarse. She smiled and leaned in to kiss him again, lips brushing across his. They touched foreheads for a moment.

"Ivy is here. She's the reason for your 'spells' of fainting. She has been trying to reach you." Lainy nodded in the direction of the window where Ivy was standing.

Jethro slowly straightened himself out. He sat up and rested his elbows on his knees while holding his head.

"I expected headaches. Maybe some really bad. But I've never passed out from them. That was all her?" He rubbed his temples and looked up slowly. Ivy stepped forward again and touched Gibbs on the shoulder. He looked down at his shoulder and then at Lainy in silent question. She nodded.

"I don't see her like I did before at the hospital, but I can feel her. I know she wants me to remember Watson. But can she help us find him?" Lainy looked askance at Ivy.

"Maybe. I'm not sure. It's all different now. I saw lights when I woke up. Yours was so bright, even though you were hurt. It was all around you at the coffee shop. It was why I followed you. It's not as bright as hers. Some of your light is because of her. I can see that now. But you have a light brighter than most people. I just knew I could make you remember him. I know now that my life could have been really different if I just stayed away from him. I had so many opportunities to escape." She sighed. "He kept telling me he loved me…I wanted so much to believe that. I hope you can understand and forgive me."

Lainy was giving Jethro Ivy's word in the first person. He waved his hand in the air then gripped the sink to stand shakily. He shook his head slowly. He hated that his voice shook as he replied.

"We don't have time for regrets right now. This man is responsible for some serious crimes. So're you I bet, but you'll be getting your judgment later. I can't be responsible for that, a higher power will do it. If it helps you I can forgive you for my injury. But I also would hope you'll make amends by helping me find him. Not for revenge, but because it's right."

Ivy looked upset then disappeared. "She's gone." Lainy said quietly. She rose and put an arm around Jethro's waist "Let's go lie down on the couch."