Gibbs woke up at midnight that night. He looked around the room. McGee was dozing on his left facing the wall but close to his bed. None of them fully slept while on protection detail. He slowly looked over the room. As he looked to his right he met Tony's eyes. Tony stood up and leaned over the bed, getting Gibbs' groggy focus.
"You okay?" Gibbs shook his head slightly, waking himself up.
"Feel like I'm being watched." Tony nodded'.
"Okay, don't worry we have your six."
"Yeah boss." McGee said wide awake despite their whispering. Gibbs smiled proudly at his senses.
"The blinds to the hallway window are open. I only see nurses. Not even doctors. The wood doors shut."
"Ah, those blinds aren't all the way. Sorry boss." McGee said and closed them.
"S'alright M'Gee." He replied sleepily.
"Feeling still there?" he asked, getting a head shake. They sat down in their chairs, relaxed but alert.
"Okay, sleep boss. Like Tony said we've got your six." McGee said. It was an answer of his trust in itself that he just went into an almost immediately deep sleep.
They stayed up all night to tag team to insure his safety. They had learned to trust Gibbs feelings, kept them from getting shot enough times to trust it, going on high alert when the 6th senses flared. The others walked in, including Jimmy and Brenna at 9:30a.m, surprised at his snoring body.
"Is he okay?" Abby whispered.
"Yeah, got a warning last night." They looked troubled.
"He felt eyes on him." McGee said. Now they were concerned and afraid.
They smiled at Gibbs as he snorted and scratched his nose, turning on his left side, an arm under his head. He looked very comfortable being stretched out. They chuckled at his grumble as he went back into a deep sleep.
"He really does let his guard down around us." Brenna said.
"Yes he happens feels safe around family." Ducky said and they nodded.
She and Jimmy sat on the couch/bench against the hall window, only a foot away from the bed. Abby and McGee sat there two, Abby deemed it close enough to Gibbs. McGee sunk into the cushions as Abby leaned against him. Tony sat on the left by his head the side of his chair against the bed and the other against Ellie's chair. Ducky was by the foot on that side facing them. While Gibbs slept they read. They didn't want to talk and risk interrupting his sleep. Ellie had one headset in listening to music while she read a book. McGee read a Nat-Geo magazine, while Tony read a sports magazine. Ducky was reading an old detective novel. Abby was reading a scientist monthly magazine. They stay like this for almost an hour. Gibbs woke up with a snorted snore and groggily blinked his eyes to see his smiling family seated around him, at 10:15. He turned over and used his arm to sit up some. He lifted the bed as they turned their chairs, angling towards the t.v. and him.
"Hey" he said groggily.
"Hey Gibbs," Abby smiled as she hugged him. Ellie mirrored her.
"What time s'it" he asked.
"you woke up at 10:15 on the dot. Now, why am I not surprise me?" he asked rhetorically, getting a smirk.
"How are you, Gibbs" Brenna said.
"No change…thought I told ya to call me Gibbs."
"Ya did but we were thinking…Dad would be better." Gibbs smiled wildly as he initiated their hug.
"I'd love that kid." He said kissing her cheek. "I'd love that." He repeated, he shook Jimmy's hand, pulling into a hug. Jimmy made sure not to land on him.
They could tell Gibbs was teary eyed but just smiled at him. He got gentle pats on the shoulder from Tony, Tim, and Ducky. Abby and Ellie hugged him again. They sat back down and joked, going on like this until Gibbs tried to reach over himself, he squeezed his eyes shut and held his breathe.
"You okay?" Tony asked.
"Yeah" He responded.
"What do you need dad." Everyone saw Gibbs pause. They got worried a minute went by.
"I'm sorry if it's too painful, or fresh, or unreal or…" His babbling was interrupted by Gibbs hand on his shoulder. He smiled at him.
"Just hard to get used to, again. I'm really happy, not too painful, or fresh or anything, promise"
"Oh, that's good." Jimmy relaxed smiling. Gibbs smiled at his worry, relaxing into his pillows wincing.
"What did you need, dad?" there was no pause, just a smile.
"Phone" He said.
"Why?" Brenna asked.
"I'm hungry, Bree."
"Well you did miss Breakfast mister." She replied in mock sternness.
He playfully held up his hands, mocking worried face. Everyone laughed as she gently slapped his elbow, handing him the phone with a fond smile. They ordered lunch. They relaxed while eating lunch; he savored his morning coffee as usual, taking a big gulp, sighing in content. They went on their usual walk.