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Later that night, Jenny and Gibbs tucked the girls into bed. Jenny took Nikki and Gibbs took Rachel. They lay them down and Jenny spoke to Nikki softly. Gibbs tucked Rachel in and went to kiss her forehead when Rachel stopped him.

"Daddy?" she said. He looked to his little girl.

"What is it sweetie?" he asked.

"I'm sorry for about what happened after my bad dream. I didn't mean to be scared of you," Rachel said softly.

"It's okay baby. I understand why you were. You and Nikki have been through a lot and it's normal for things like that. Just know that I will never hurt you and I love you a whole lot," he explained to his baby.

"I know Daddy," Rachel replied, "I love you too."

Rachel leaned up and hugged her father tightly. He hugged her back and kissed her forehead.

"Get some sleep," he said.

Jenny and Gibbs switched spots and they gave hugs and kisses to the girls. They went to the door and turned off the big light. The girls had little nightlights. They closed the door and headed downstairs, but before walking into the room with the children Jenny pulled Gibbs to her and kissed him forcefully. He kissed her back. They broke the kiss and looked at each other.

"What did Rachel have to say?" Jenny asked him.

"She told me that she was sorry for being afraid of me earlier," he replied, "I told her it wasn't her fault."

"Oh Jethro, you know it's not yours either right?" Jenny asked with concern. She knew that her husband was likely to blame himself for everything that had happened for the last week.

"I know that in my heart, but in my head…uh, not so much. I just…I don't know Jen. I don't want them to be afraid of anything, least of all me! I just wish that it had never happened," Gibbs told her.

Jenny sighed and knew this was coming. She felt the same way, but there was no way to turn back time to get their girls back to the way they were, but they could try to get them close to they were.

"Jethro, I wish that too. We can't change the past, but we can help them now. They need us as much as we need each other. I know that you don't like talking about your feelings, but you need to talk to someone and you need to stop blaming yourself for something you couldn't help," Jenny told him.

"It's not that easy Jen. It's…it's very difficult. I'll try to talk to someone, but I can't guarantee that I will stop blaming myself when I feel that it is my fault. As their father, it's my job to protect them and I failed," Gibbs told her.

Jenny shook her head and pulled her husband to her and wrapped her arms around him. He returned the embrace.

"It's not your fault and you didn't fail," Jenny told him, "You got them back and they are safe and they are loved."

"They why do I feel so guilty?" he mumbled.

"I don't know, but talk to someone. You can talk to me or anyone of the kids or Ducky. Your family is here for you and we want to help," Jenny told him.

"I'll do what I can. Let's get back in there to make sure that they haven't destroyed the place," Gibbs said.

Jenny gave a smile and kissed him again. They walked back into the living room again.

Tony and Ziva were making rounds to make sure everything was tight and the house was locked up for the night. McGee and Abby were setting up the living room for the sleepover. They had cleaned up the mess from lunch and since lunch was so late they all skipped dinner. Tony and Ziva walked back into the room as McGee set up the last cot.

"Everything in order?" McGee asked looking at his partners.

"Everything is locked-up tight. No one is getting in without us knowing it," Ziva replied.

"You guys think that the girls are going to be okay?" Abby asked, "I mean, they had nightmares. Are they going to have PTSD or something like that? Are they going to be able to go back to school? Are Gibbs and Jenny going to ever let them out of their sight again?"

"Abs, there is no way to know what's going to happen. We just have to take it one day at a time," Tony said, "With us all together, we can get them back on track."

Tony took a seat next to Abby on the couch and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She leaned over and hugged him to her.

"You really think so?" Abby asked.

"I know so. Family is the strongest thing out there and I don't think any family is stronger than ours," Tony told her.

"I agree, for once, with Tony. We have overcome a lot together and I do not think that this is going to stop us," Ziva said.

"I think, if anything, this may bring us closer," McGee interjected.

They all looked at each other and nodded. They made that silent pact that nothing would tear them apart. They were going to help wherever they could, whenever they could.

Jenny and Gibbs walked in on the silence. Gibbs looked around making sure that nothing was broken or anything like that.

"What's going on?" Gibbs asked.

They all looked over to the couple. Tony looked to Ziva and Ziva to McGee and McGee to Abby.

"We were talking about the future and what it holds for our…family," Abby said.

Jenny looked to Gibbs who was staring at his children. She rubbed his back. He looked to her and they spoke silently with their eyes. Jenny faced her children.

"I don't know what it holds for us all, but we are just going to take it one day at a time," Jenny told them. They all nodded in agreement.

"Do you, um, do you think that they may have PTSD?" Abby asked quietly.

"We don't know yet, Abby. It may take time before we know," Jenny said.

Abby nodded and looked to Gibbs. She got up from next to Tony and gave her surrogate father a big Abby-hug. Gibbs wrapped his arms around the girl.

"It'll get better, Gibbs," Abby whispered to him.

"I know Abs. Thanks," Gibbs whispered back. Abby pulled out of the hug and gave him a big smile. He smiled back. She turned and pulled Jenny into a hug as well. Jenny smiled as she hugged her back. Abby let go of them and went to sit back down next to Tony.

Jenny and Gibbs walked into the room and Tony and Abby vacated the couch so that the couple could have it. There was a tapping at the door and Ziva sprang into action with Tony and McGee behind her. Ziva pulled the door open slightly and saw that it was Ducky. Ziva gave the signal to stand down and they put their weapons away. She opened the door the rest of the way and the Scotsman walked in.

"Well, hello to you too, Ziva," Ducky said with a chuckle. Ziva smiled.

"We have been a little on edge," Ziva gave as an explanation.

"I most certainly understand," Ducky said. They all walked back into the living room.

"Ducky!" Abby said and gave the man a hug.

"Good to see you too Abigail," Ducky said, "I've come to check on my granddaughters. How are they doing?"

"They're in bed asleep," Jenny replied, "They had a…rough homecoming."

"What do you mean? Are they okay?" Ducky asked with concern.

"They're fine. They had nightmares. I think Rachel had it worse that Nikki. Rachel hardly said a word today after that and when Jethro tried to wake her out of the nightmare she flinched away from him," Jenny said as her gaze flickered to her husband.

"Oh dear. I hope that isn't the onset of PTSD," Ducky said, "Those poor girls."

"I'll take you upstairs to check on them," Jenny said.

"No, I'll do it," Gibbs said as he got up and led Ducky upstairs. Jenny watched after them. She hoped that her husband was going to do what she thought he was going to do.

Ducky checked over Rachel's wounds and noted that they were almost healed completely and then moved to check Nikki's arm and other wounds under the bandages as quietly and quickly as he could. After he was finished he stepped out of the room and into the hall with Gibbs.

"They okay, Duck?" Gibbs asked. Ducky looked at his friend.

"They are both healing quite nicely. Though what Jennifer told me earlier about their nightmares worries me," Ducky said.

"Do you think it could be PTSD?" Gibbs asked.

"We won't know for some time unfortunately. I hope that it is not, for both of their sakes," Ducky said, "PTSD is rough for the patient, but even rougher on the patient's family."

Gibbs nodded and ran a hand through his hair.

"What's the matter Jethro?" Ducky asked. Gibbs sighed.

"Well, uh, when Rachel flinched away from me earlier the expression on her face was one of complete terror. I can't help, but to think that this, all of this, is in some way my fault," Gibbs said.

"That is absolutely not true! Those girls know that you would never hurt them and that you worked so hard to find them and get them to safety! They love you and in no way is this your fault and I'll not let you think such rubbish!" Ducky told his friend.

"Duck, I'm supposed to protect them and I failed!" Gibbs responded.

"As all parents come to know, you cannot protect your children every second of every day, especially not with something that was out of your hands! This was the fault of those morbid and vicious men and that horrible woman! This is their fault, not yours!" Ducky said.

"You're right," Gibbs said, "It's just gonna take time for all of us to heal from this."

"Everything will take time. It WILL all get better," Ducky reassured him. Gibbs nodded. Ducky patted his shoulder.

"I am glad that you are expressing yourself, Jethro instead of letting it stew," Ducky said. Gibbs chuckled.

"I'm doing it for Jenny and the girls. I need to be at my best in order to help them as much as I can," Gibbs said. Ducky nodded.

"I understand. Now, let's head back downstairs. I'm sure they are all wondering what is keeping us," Ducky said. Gibbs nodded and they went down the steps to join the others.

Once back in the living room, Gibbs moved to Jenny's side and Ducky sat in the chair there.

"The girls are healing well. Tomorrow I think I shall talk to them about their nightmares and assess them to make sure that they aren't experiencing the onset of PTSD. If they are, it is going to take a great deal of support and patience to get them through this as well as therapy," Ducky said.

Jenny looked to her husband and he read her eyes and nodded. The kids and Ducky watched the exchange with fascination at how they could speak without words.

"Well, it's getting late. Let's get to bed," Jenny said.

The team nodded as did Ducky. They said their goodnights. Gibbs walked Ducky out.

"Thanks for everything Duck," Gibbs told him.

"No thanks necessary. It's what family does," Ducky said. He patted Gibbs shoulder. "Good night Jethro," Ducky said.

"Night Duck," Gibbs said as Ducky left and Gibbs shut and locked the door behind him. He walked back to the living room where Jenny joined him. They told their children goodnight and to behave and then walked upstairs. After looking into the girls' room to make sure they were okay, they headed to their room and prepared for bed.

"Ducky and you have a nice discussion?" Jenny asked. Gibbs looked to his wife.

"Uh-huh," was all he said.

"You aren't going to elaborate are you?" she asked.

"Nope," he replied. She smiled and chuckled. They both climbed into bed. He wrapped his arms around her.

"I love you Jethro Gibbs," she said to him as she kissed him. They broke the kiss.

"I love you too Jenny Gibbs," he replied and kissed her again.

They soon feel asleep and hoped for an interruption free night.

AN: I hope you enjoyed it! More to come! Leave a review, please and thank you!