Okay so here it is, chapter 6, this is actually the longest story I've ever written, WOW!
Anyways I hope you like, the ending of this is not the complete ending, there is at least one more chapter to come but I don't know how I want it to end so it may be a while 'til I update, sorry.

Enjoy … and please review!

Chapter 6

Gibbs woke the next morning to an empty bed, and a note which simply read:

Gone to work, see you there
Jen x

'God that woman, she's ill and then she goes into work this early!' It was only 7:00 when Gibbs awoke and he was sure Jen had left at least an hour before. He dressed in his usual work attire, and left for the headquarters, stopping on the way for coffee. On arrival he headed straight up to Jen's office, barging straight past Cynthia who sat in the outer office, yet she made no attempt to stop his as she had learnt long ago that even attempting to stop him was a waste of her breath. Jen was sat at her desk dealing with the paperwork infront of her, when she heard the slam of her door.
"What the hell are you doing Jen?"
"Working Jethro, it's what I'm paid to do."
"You paid to kill yourself too?" Her face dropped as the words left his mouth, fear passed through her eyes.
"No, apparently I don't need any help with that." She replied in an icy tone.
"Look Jen…what I meant was you need to be taking it easy. Finish early tonight."
""I can't, Sec-Navs arranged a call at 19:00."
"Move it then."
"I can't Jethro, he's my boss, I have to follow orders too!"
"I'm sitting in, no protests."
"Jethro…"
"No protests!"
"You'll need to be briefed."
"Fine."
"Okay." She said slightly reluctantly.
"What you got planned for lunch."
"Nothing, I'm free. We'll take your team, Abby and Ducky out."
"Okay, meet you in the bullpen at noon." He knew her, and how stubborn she was. Working long, hard days was all she knew. Just as he was beginning to walk out of the room her heard her call him.
"Jethro…"
"Ye?"
"That for me?" she indicated to a polystyrene cup he was holding.
"Ye nearly forgot. its tea."
"Thanks, god I miss Coffee." He just laughed and walked out. Cutting down on caffeine had to be the worst thing, before she had near enough lived on Coffee, now she felt constantly tired without her fix.
Jen's morning went slowly, she was completely bored, her pile of paperwork seemed to be everlasting. Finally at 11:45 she'd had enough, heading into her bathroom she reapplied her makeup before heading down to where Gibbs' team where clearing up, and Abby and Ducky where waiting.
"Jennifer my dear, how are you today?" asked Ducky with concern.
"I'm okay Duck." Replied Jenny.
"She'd be even better if she took it easy." Added Gibbs, for which he received a death glare from Jenny.
"Now Jennifer, doctors give advice for a reason, you need to look after yourself. Don't turn into Jethro in that respect."
"I won't Ducky. Once the next few days are out of the way I'll be able to take it a bit easier."
"I hope you will be doing." With that they left for the restaurant Jenny had booked earlier that day. It was small and was sat on the narrowest part of the seine. When they arrived Gibbs gave Jenny a smirk, he recognised this place. It had been where they had spent there first night on the op. in Paris after they he had discovered just how much of a bad cook Jenny was. The meal was full of light hearted banter. Ducky, to both Jenny and Gibbs' dismay, told the team many an embarrassing story from their time undercover, and also Jenny's early probie days, from her fist autopsy to her stealing a boat, and how he was pretty certain that there was still a warrant for their arrest somewhere. By the end of the meal Jenny especially was majorly embarrassed and seriously considering sending Duck back to the states.

19:10

"Sir, with all due respect, the agents have been put in an almost impossible position. I feel it the best course of action to get them out, A.S.A.P" Stated Jenny in a serious tone.
"Although I completely agree with you, this mission is one of the most important in a long time, if it succeeds then this is years of hard work put to good use." Replied Sec-Nav on the video conference.
"But surely sir, our agents safety is more important." Jethro who was stood at the side of her felt her grab his had as if in pain.
"Jen, come on sit down." He said gently. But as she followed him over to a seat, her legs suddenly gave way, her vision went blurry and she was passed on the floor. "Jen, Jen?" questioned Gibbs, after no response he turned to the screen. "Sir gonna have to call you back."
"Fine, don't rush Agent Gibbs, call me and tell me how she is when possible" with that he hung up.
"Right, I need an ambulance now and will someone get doctor mallard up here now!"
Duck arrived, checked her vitals and found she was unconscious. The ambulance arrived, took her to hospital, Gibbs went with her. But if he was honest it was all a bit of a blur to him.
Ducky had followed the ambulance in his Morgan as only one person was allowed to ride with Jennifer, he had called the rest of the team on his way. When he arrived they were all already there waiting, and from the greenish tinge on Anthony's face, he guessed that Ziva had driven. "How is she?" He asked, hoping with all his heart for the best of news, but from the looks of worry plastered across everyone's faces, he feared the worst.
"Gibbs is talking to a doctor now." As if on cue he walked through the door.
"Her tumour is more developed than they originally thought. They've had to take her into surgery to remove the tumour like they were going to do in a few weeks. Apparently her chances of survival are 40 to 60… not in her favour."
"She's strong Jethro, a fighter, she'll pull through."
"I hope you're right Duck, I really do. I don't think I can cope with losing her, not again."
Three hours passed with not a word, but with every passing minute all became increasingly worried. Gallons of canteen coffee where drunk with the hope of staying awake, no-one was willing to miss receiving any news. Eventually there came news, in the form of a middle aged doctor. "Family of Jennifer Shepard?" All stood up. "All of you?" he questioned.
"Yes, I'm her husband; she didn't take my name when we married due to her job." Said an anxious Gibbs.
"Father." Stated Ducky without a second thought.
"Daughter." Added Abby.
"Sister." Declared Ziva.
"Son." Said Tony.
"Son-in-law." Added Tim while placing an arm around Abby.
"Okay. Mrs Shepard has come out of surgery, yet…complication arose." Said the doctor.
"What do you mean by complications?" asked a now much stressed Gibbs.
"When removing the tumour a nerve was struck, Mrs Shepard's bod has fallen into a coma. The good news is that it should last no longer than a few days. Other than that it all went very well, as long as she has a good night tonight I can see no problem with her waking up by the end of the week."
"Can we see her?"
"Yes, but only two of you at a time please." The doctor showed them to the room, and Gibbs entered with Ducky, who was then alternated. Gibbs remaining by her bed side the whole time. He did not leave, not even for coffee. Late that night he nodded off, but his hand remained on top of hers the whole time.

Jenny Shepard had a good night that night, no complications arose and all seemed good. But she did not wake the next day, nor the next nor the next. Days passed and nothing changed, she still lay there, looking lifeless. Jethro by her side every day, yet not with all of the support of the team did her condition begin to change.