Dan walked into Tony's hospital room and found Charity sitting on the edge of Tony's bed. The couple was talking and laughing. Charity leaned forward and she and Tony shared a sweet kiss. "Hey, I know you two are playing the part of newly weds, but seriously get a room." Dan teased.
Charity leaned back and turned and gave Dan a smile. Tony looked at his partner. "We do have and room, you're standing in it." Tony told him.
"I guess so." Dan replied with a chuckle. "I just thought you might like some donuts." He then held up a box from their favorite donut shop.
"Okay, you're right. I could use some donuts." Tony replied.
"Wait a second, what time is it?" Charity asked.
"About one." Dan answered.
"Shit." Charity muttered. Then she turned to Tony. "I have to go get Dad. He's being released today."
"Okay." Tony replied.
"I'll probably come back later." She told him.
"You don't have to." Tony said. "Spend time with your dad."
"I'll be back later." She repeated, leaning forward to kiss him once again.
"You're very stubborn." Tony said. "You spend the night with your dad."
"Yeah, get it from my dad." She gave him one last kiss and then headed out.
Dan looked at Tony. "I don't know whose got it worse, you or her."
Gibbs...
Gibbs had just finished getting dressed. His daughter would be arriving any time to pick him up and take him home. Home. I haven't been home for so long. I never thought I'd see it again. Gibbs thought to himself.
His thoughts were interupted by a knocking on the door. Gibbs looked up to see a woman in professional attire with shoulder length red hair, but she was not the redhead he was expecting, not his daughter. She was just a few years younger than himself.
"I'm sorry to bother you, Gunnery Sergeant." She said. "My name is Jenny Shepard. I'm the director of NCIS." She held out her hand.
Gibbs took her hand and shook it. "It's nice to meet you ma'am." Gibbs replied. "I hope you don't mind, but what are you doing here?"
"I'm actually here to see your daughter." Jenny replied. "I knew you were getting out today, and I thought she'd be here."
"She should be any time." Gibbs replied.
"Your daughter is one of our best agents." Jenny told him.
Just then Charity came bursting through the door. She seemed not to notice the director at first. "Hey, Daddy. I'm sorry I'm late. Tony's in the hospital on the other side of town and I was visiting him and lost all track of time." It was then that Charity noticed Jenny standing in the room. "Oh, hello director."
"Hello Agent Gibbs." Jenny replied. "I know you want to get your father home and I'm sure he wants out of here, but could I speak with you alone for a moment?"
"Of course director." Charity replied. She and the director then walked out into the hall. "What is it, Director?"
"I'm giving you the next two days off." Jenny told her. "To do with what you will, but when those two days are up, I want you back at NCIS and your full attention on the job. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, director." Charity replied, understanding completely.
Jenny nodded. "Give your father my regards." Then she left.
Charity headed back into her father's hospital room. "Is everything okay?" Gibbs asked.
"Fine, Daddy." Charity answered, slapping a smile on her face. "You ready to get out of here?"
Gibbs nodded and stood up. He walked over to his daughter and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Charity wrapped her arm around him and hugged herself closer to him. Once the were in the car and on their way home.
"So, what happened to Tony?" Gibbs asked.
"He got called out on a case and got shot." Charity answered. "His shoulder. The doctors expect him to make a full recovery. He just has to spend a few more days in the hospital."
Gibbs nodded. "Been there before."
"Yes and I remember." Charity said. "Mom was pregnant with Kelly, almost ready to pop."
"And on bed rest." Gibbs added. "So there you were six years-old and taking care of me and your mom."
"I got really good at making toast." Charity replied.
After a while longer, the father and daughter arrived home. Charity parked the car and turned it off. "You ready?" Charity asked, looking at her father. She wasn't sure what was going through his mind or what he was feeling. There had to be so much. It was the first time he's seen their home in years. "The only thing I've changed is my room. I've never been able to do anything to the house. It's never felt right."
Gibbs nodded. "Let's go."
They got out of the car and headed inside. Gibbs walked in the front door and was instantly flooded with memories. Memories of Shannon and their daughters. He stood there, in the door way, looking around the house.
"Daddy?" Charity asked. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, just a lot of memories." Gibbs answered. Just then Gibbs remembered something. "So, have you done anymore work on the car?"
Charity grinned. "Yup. I've got everything almost done. Just finishing up a few things on the engine."
"Why don't we go and see if we can finish it up tonight?" Gibbs asked.
"Okay, then maybe if we have time, we can work on the boat?" Charity suggested. "I haven't done anything to that at all. I've been a little preoccupied with the car."
"And we'll order a pizza." Gibbs said. "Sausage, pepperoni, and extra cheese."
"You still remember my favorite."
"There are some things you can never forget." Gibbs told his daughter, pulling her close and kissing the top of her head.
Charity hugged her father. "I've missed you so much, Daddy."
Gibbs stood there, holding Charity close, for a long time. She was the only family he had left and he loved her so much. "I love you, Charity and I'm so proud of you."
Charity burried her face in his chest, having to fight back the tears. She felt so many emotions. She was happy that her father was home, sad that her mom and sister never would come home, but there was something else. She felt whole again. Ever since her mom and Kelly were killed and her father went MIA. Her dad was home, now. No matter how old she got, she would always be thankful for his return and always feel safest with him.