Author's Note:
You guys are spoiling me with all the great reviews and I love you for it.
Now here is the next chapter… Enjoy and keep those reviews coming… Thanks!
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Gibbs watched as Jenny busied herself by unpacking the paper bag. She removed two Styrofoam cups, and two large plates piled high with eggs, bacon, sausage and toast. The aroma made him realize that he was starving.
When Jenny removed her jacket and turned back to the food, he noted her glowing skin, rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes.
You're nervous.
He looked down her body taking in her heavy, rounded breasts as they pressed firmly against her blouse. Her pants also hugged her more tightly.
You're already showing.
Then she turned to him and his eyes fell to her stomach.
My baby's safely in there.
Oh God, how am I going to handle this?
He felt her eyes on him. He took a moment to swallow down his fears. Looking up at her he asked, "How are you?"
Jenny raised an eyebrow as if surprised,
"I'm doing better." She replied as she handed him the Styrofoam cup. He took a deep swallow and grimaced.
"Tea?"
"Delicious isn't it." Jenny smirked. Gibbs put the cup down in response to that. Jenny sighed as she handed him the plate of food.
They ate in silence, each watching the other, neither wanting to disturb the peace that surrounded them. Once they were done, Jenny cleared away the dishes and moved to sit on the edge of Gibbs' bed.
"How are you feeling?" Jenny asked.
She surprised him by taking his hand into hers. She caressed his knuckles as she moved her thumbs across his palm. Gibbs' pain faded, his dizziness eased, his nausea subsided. He focused all his attention on her hand as she continued caressing and stroking his.
"Jethro, are you okay?" Jenny asked again. He looked up and noted her concern. He supposed he looked dazed.
"I'm okay, Jen. But we need to talk." He said, straightening up in the bed. "About this… your… our … your… the pregnancy." Gibbs stammered.
"What about it?" Jenny asked.
You're not going to make this easy for me are you? Gibbs mentally sighed.
"How far along are you?"
"8 weeks."
"And what do you plan on doing?" Gibbs asked the question that most plagued him.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean you're an ambitious, career driven woman and having a child will interfere with your climbing that corporate ladder. Let's face it. You don't really want to be pregnant. You never did when we were together in the past and I'm pretty sure your views have not changed. If anything you must be pissed that this happened."
Jenny remained quiet but withdrew her hand from his. Gibbs immediately felt the air in the room change as her eyes flashed and her fists clenched.
You think you're mad now. Just wait until I've had my say.
Gibbs stared at her and whispered, "I won't let you terminate this pregnancy"
"What!?" Jenny gasped, her chin jutting out indignantly.
"It's true that I never thought about becoming a father again." Gibbs continued as if Jen had not said anything. "But now that this has happened, I won't let you or anyone else hurt my baby."
"Jethro…" Jenny tried to interrupt but Gibbs held up his hand and continued.
"The thought of being responsible for this child terrifies me. I failed before but I won't this time. This is a chance for me to make things right. So you just have to give birth to the baby and then give him or her up to me. I won't demand anything more from you." Gibbs spoke, afraid that if he stopped he would lose the baby that suddenly seemed to be the most important thing in the world to him. He heard his pressure monitor beep, but he could not stop.
Jenny moved closer to him and said, "Jethro calm down."
"No!" Gibbs said, leaning forward and grabbing her arm. "Rothman said I need to decide. He's right!"
"Jethro…"
"I have decided. I want this baby. You will not take this away from me, Jen! I won't let you."
Images of Shannon and Kelly flashed through his mind. Shannon and Kelly smiling… crying… dying…
He sobbed, pulling Jenny closer.
"I won't let you kill my baby!" He said, his grip on her arm becoming brutal.
"Jethro," Jenny gasped trying to pull away. "You're hurting me!"
He dry startled him. He looked up at her face and saw the tears shining in her eyes. Looking down her arm, he jerked, removing his hand instantly.
Grabbing his head, he gasped, "Jen!"
The monitors picked up in tempo.
"It's okay Jethro."
"Oh God… I'm … sorry. I don't know … what's wrong … with me." Gibbs swore, the pain in his head spiking. "I keep hurting those I love."
Jenny gasped at his words. Gibbs didn't notice. He just went on as if drugged.
"I did it to Shannon and Kelly. I was off fighting a foreign enemy on foreign soil, instead of being home where I was needed. And Emily died because I was too slow. I should have saved her. She asks everyday, every night 'Why did you let me die?' And all I do is stare at her like a bloody idiot. Now you're carrying my baby, and what to I do. I hurt you!"
The monitors were going crazy. Gibbs' breathing turned harsh. His headache pounded in full force and nausea ripped through his stomach forcing the breakfast of bacon, eggs and sausage up to his throat.
Then he felt it. Her soft breasts against him head, the lavender scent at her throat, her manicured nails caressing the back of his head and her lips against his brow.
Her words reached his ears.
"Shhh, Jethro. Everything is going to be okay."
Fingers massaged his aching skull. The sound of her heartbeat in his ear soothed him. His hands wrapped around her of their own accord pulling her closer.
"Jen…" The tightness in his chest eased.
"Shhh, Jethro…" She whispered, her lips peppering his brow with kisses.
"Jen…" He sobbed, unable to mask his emotions. "Don't hurt our baby… Please."
"Shhh, I won't hurt our babies Jethro. Calm down now."
"Don't hurt our baby…" Gibbs repeated. Moving down from her chest, he touched his lips lightly to her stomach.
Jenny held his head against her stomach, against her babies and let her tears fall unheeded. This was so intimate, so touching, so beautiful…
"Don't hurt our baby, Jen…"
"Shhh, Jethro." Jenny said, pulling his head up and looking into his bloodshot eyes.
"I will not hurt our babies. I promise you." She said.
She leaned forward and kissed his lips lightly. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she eased him back against the pillows just as a nurse rushed into the room.
"He is very upset and in pain." Jenny said. The nurse nodded that she would be right back.
Gibbs just repeated, "Don't hurt our baby…"
Jenny took his face in her hands and looked into his eyes.
"I will not hurt our babies." She stated each word clearly. "Did you hear me, Jethro?"
Gibbs nodded as the nurse returned and emptied two syringes into his IV line.
"Jen…" Gibbs felt the meds hit his system, threatening to take him under.
"Shhh." Jenny soothed her hand in his hair.
"Jen… I … love…" He blinked then.
"Babies?!" His eyes widened a second before closing as sleep washed over his exhausted body.
Jenny smiled despite the tears in her eyes.
Jethro wanted their babies as much as she did… but for the wrong reasons…
He wanted to make up for a terrible past but she would teach him to look to the future…
She leaned forward and kissed his lips gently…
I love you, Jethro…
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Author's Note:
That is it for this chapter…
The next sees Jenny discuss Jethro with Ducky and Rothman.
Tony and Ziva visit Gibbs and take him home when he discharges himself from hospital…
Abby and McGee find out about the twins…
So stay tuned and review ASAP… Thanks…