TOML chp. 6
George Washington University Hospital
September 22, 2007
Washington, D.C.
0300 hours
Terry sat in the E.R. while the doctor checked him over, but his mind was elsewhere. The bomb at Muligan's was coincidental; as was the bomb in Jaleel's apartment. But he knew it wouldn't stop there.
"All done, Agent Gibbs. Your fellow agents are in the lobby."
"Thanks." Terry said, putting his shirt and shoes back on.
He walked, or rather limped, to the lobby. He saw his father and Ducky sitting in the lobby. He was half way to them before he noticed his mother's security detail. Too late now.
He sat down next to his father. "Where is she?"
"Upstairs, checking on Ziva. McGee's with her." Gibbs said.
"How long ago was that?"
Gibbs checked his watch. "Ten minutes." Terry swore in Russian under his breath.
A minute later, the director and the head of her security detail reappeared.
"Terry, go see your wife, then you're coming with us." Jenny said, her tone leaving no room for discussion.
Terry was on his feet, inches from his mother's. "You told her what happened?! You told my pregnant wife what happened?!" Terry shouted, not really caring who heard.
"Terrence, the director only…" Ducky started, trying to intervene on the director's behalf.
"Shut it, Ducky."
"Agent Gibbs! Control yourself! Have you forgotten that, before she was your wife, Ziva was a Mossad assassin."
"No, Ma'am, I haven't." Terry said, his voice calmer. "But she is my wife and it is my duty as her husband to do everything in my power to protect her, even if that means not telling her that I almost got blown up." Terry said, going to the elevator.
Jen sighed and sat next to her husband. "Not a word."
"Wasn't going to, Jen."
"It's not what you're saying, it's what you're thinking." Jen said and turned to Ducky.
"I apologize for Terry."
Ducky waved his hand dismissively. "It's alright, my dear. I'm sure, if I were in Terry's shoes, I wouldn't want anyone telling me how to conduct myself."
000
Terry got off the elevator one floor up and took the stairs the rest of the way. He stopped on the landing before he reached Ziva's floor and leaned against the wall, tears involuntarily coming to his eyes. "What am I doin', what am I doin'. Huh, you wanna tell me?" He asked, looking at the ceiling.
"Look, I've seen some bad things in my thirty-one years. But…for the first time I have a reason, a real reason, to wake up in the morning. I need to know it wasn't all for nothing. Because…because you and I both know what I'll do if anything happens to them." Terry said. He wiped his eyes, took a deep breath and walked the final flight.
000
Terry stood outside Ziva's room, unsure of himself for the second time that night. Finally, he forced his legs to move and walked into the room. He saw his wife and tears he'd been holding back started again. Ziva heard him and turned. Whatever anger she'd felt toward him for not telling her about the bomb left her. "Terry…"
"I'm sorry, Ziva." He said, going to the bed. "For everything. I'm not the husband you deserve, I should be a better father…"
Ziva put a finger on his lips. "shh. Stop this. Where is this coming from?"
"I can't do this anymore." Terry said. "I can't do this to you and Collin."
"Have you ever considered that there is no one better for this."
Terry sighed and wiped his eyes again. "Sorry, babe, I'm being pathetic."
"We are all allowed moments of weakness, Terry. Stay with me tonight."
"What about Collin?"
"Is he here?"
"No, He's at NCIS with Naomi."
"Give me until dawn with my husband. You could at least do that."
Terry smiled again. "Ok, I'll stay." Terry said, laying next to her on the bed.
And that was where the Director, Gibbs, Abby, McGee and a nurse found them two hours later.