"What?" Jen says, she has a hint of anger in her voice but still full with sadness.
"Her husband Mark, has cancer, Jen"
"Oh my god, Jethro I am so sorry. I had no idea who it was."
"It's fine. I was just trying to comfort her. She has been really depressed lately and with the news about Mark, she is just a mess."
"Oh Jethro"
"We have been keeping in touch ever since Shannon and Kelly's death, and we both feel more closure after talking to each other"
"Not being mean or anything but why you? Didn't her mom go through a lot too?" she noticed how bad that sounded and tried to fix but she was too late.
"It's ok Jen, her mom see's her as a disappointment. Always have, always will. So with her dad gone and Mark who didn't really know Shannon that well due to her…"
"It's ok Jethro, you don't have to say anymore." She sat up in her bed and rubbed both of his shoulders.
"No, it's not ok Jen. If I was more open about my past I might not have lost you in Paris."
"Jethro, that was not your fault."
"Dammit Jen…" He stood up and flung his hands in the air and then began to scratch the back of his neck like he was searching for something to say. "Yes it was, you felt closed off. Like I was only in it for sex. Or I was only interested in your past to avoid my own. And that's not right. I should have been more open. I had no right to make you feel like I made you feel."
"Uh….I don't know what to say."
"I was even going to.."
The nurse interupted Gibb's sentence. "Um sorry sir but she has to eat something, I will come to see you in the waiting room when she's done and ready to go home."
"Ok thank you." He felt horrible, he couldn't imagine the mental pain that she has and is going through. Not to mention the physical pain. He had no idea how to walk back in there and take her home. He had no idea where they stood.
That fateful day where she said "there will be no off the job Jethro" kept coming into his mind. Along with that horrific day in France where they both thought would be the last time they would see each other. But that has all changed.
30 minutes had passed of constant pacing and memories swirling in Gibbs's head. The whole team look really concerned and tired.
"Hey guys." Gibbs's says in the most calm and nice way possible.
"Yeah boss"
"I'm going to stay with her tonight and make sure she's doing ok, you guys can al go home and take the day off tomorrow. Get some sleep."
"I am not leaving Jen here." Ziva shot back.
"Ziva, I promise I will keep her safe and healthy. I will even call each of you every two hours for an update. Deal?"
"Ok but make sure you don't forget."
The whole group came at me with a big open armed hug. It felt nice to feel like a family. Even though no one ever said it aloud, they all felt it.
Gibbs is the first to breakaway saying "thanks guys" he gave and tony a shoulder grab. But quickly after pulled Ziva in for another hug. He whispered in her ear "don't worry Z I would never let anything happen to her.." He paused and then continued. "I love her"