Charity woke in the middle of the night, her heart racing and a cold sweat covering her body. She looked at the basinet and saw AJ lying there, peacefully sleeping with a soft snore. She then looked over at Tony, who was snoring quite a bit louder than AJ. She couldn't help the smile that came to her face listening to her boys snore.
Her smile slowly faded as she thought back to everything that had just happened. She couldn't help but to feel responsible for what almost happened to her family. Charity let out a sigh and gently climbed out of bed. She walked over and looked at AJ. He was in a deep enough sleep that he shouldn't be waking up for a while longer.
Charity crept out of the room, making sure to be as stealthy as possible. She walked down the stairs and made her way to the basement, where she could hear the sounds of her father working on the boat. "I had a feeling you'd be down here." Gibbs said.
Charity walked over to the work bench and picked up a piece of sandpaper. She then picked a spot on the boat and began to rub the paper over it, going with the grain as her father had taught her. "I can't sleep."
"I know the feeling." Gibbs replied.
"I put my family in danger."
"You put yourself in danger."
"Yeah, but that's me." Charity replied. "Smith is the craziest son of a bitch I've ever met…and he…he could have hurt everyone. He could have hurt AJ, Tony, Pappy, you, my team…my family."
"But he didn't." Gibbs replied.
"But he could have…and I don't know what I would do if anything happened to my family, Dad…and it would be my fault. My team put their lives in danger by protecting me…and Tony was protecting me…and AJ…I…" By this time, Charity was breaking down into sobs.
Gibbs put his tools down and walked over to his daughter and pulled her into his arms. He held her for a few moments and then pulled back to look at her. "Charity, look at me." He told her gently.
Charity lifted her head to look at her father. "I should resign. I can't put Tony and AJ or anyone else in danger again."
"You can't resign…at least not because of this." Gibbs told his daughter. "You listen to me. Had your team not been putting their lives on the line for you, they would have been doing it for someone else. Me, I'm a Marine and used to risking my life for others, not to mention I am your father. I would rather die than lose you. I thought I did once and it was the worst day of my life. Your grandfather fought in the war. He's no stranger to fighting for life. Tony is a homicide detective. He's used to the danger as well, just as you are. And he is your husband and loves you and would do anything for you…as it should be."
"And what about AJ?" Charity asked.
"He wasn't hurt and I know that between having you and Tony as parents, me as a grandpa, and your team as extended family, he is the most well protected child out there."
"But Smith was so close to hurting my family." Charity countered.
"Don't make any rash decisions right now, Baby girl." Gibbs told her. "You're a new mom and your hormones are still out of whack."
"I recall you wanting me to quit when you first came back."
"I was a worried father. And that was also before I found out about all of the good you do for others." Gibbs replied. "Think about all of the victims and their families you have helped. Think about all of the good you have done and all of the good you can still do for others as long as you're at NCIS."
"But AJ…"
"Will grow up protected and safe and proud of the work his mother and father do."
"Thanks, Daddy." Charity replied, hugging her father. "I have a lot to think about."
"Just take your maternity leave to think about it." Gibbs told her. "Don't rush into any decisions."
Charity nodded. "Okay."
Gibbs kissed the top of her head. "Now, go get some rest."
Charity nodded and headed up the stairs and back to her old room. Tony and AJ were both still snoring away, just as she had left them. She headed for the bed, but was not quite ready to sleep. So, she walked over to the chair by the window and sat down, staring up at the moon and stars, contemplating the decisions that lay ahead of her.
Tony woke up in the middle of the night to find his wife no longer in his arms. He sat up, looking around the room to find Charity sitting by the window. "Is something wrong?" Tony asked her.
"I just couldn't sleep." Charity answered. "I have too much to think about."
Tony climbed out of bed and walked over to his wife. He knelt down in front of her. "Like what?"
"Like if I should return to NCIS or not when my maternity leave is up."
"This whole thing really scared you, didn't it?" Tony asked.
Charity nodded. "It's not just me anymore, Tony. I have more to risk than just my life. I have you and AJ. Dad and Pappy…and my team. Everyone could have died today because of me."
"You can't think like that." Tony told her. "Besides, AJ is fine. We will always protect him. I will always protect both of you."
"I've lost my entire family once before, Tony. I can't go through that again."
"And you won't." Tony assured her.
"I at least have to think about it, Tony." Charity countered.
"Just remember all of the people you have helped through NCIS." Tony told her. "And the fact that we met there."
"I know." Charity replied.
"Come to bed. You have plenty of time to think about this. You need your rest…especially while AJ is allowing it." Tony said the last part with a smile and a small chuckle.
Charity gave him a small smile in return. "Okay." She agreed, allowing Tony to lead her back to the bed and pull her into his arms.