Author's note:
Thank you for your kind reviews and for your continued interest in this story…
Here's the next chapter…. Enjoy.
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The next day at about 4pm, Jenny was discharged from the hospital. She considered calling Gibbs but then decided to call her driver instead. He was probably out working a case and she could handle getting home herself.
Once home the first thing she did was have a long, luscious shower and get into her favourite pajama. Melinka hovered around her expressing how happy and relieved she was that she was back home and that the babies were safe.
Melinka told Jenny that Gibbs has brought over some clothes and toiletries and insisted on taking the room next to hers. Jenny smiled and reassured Melinka that; that was okay and that Gibbs would be staying for the foreseeable future. Melinka made a face at that and expressed that she didn't really like Señor Gibbs very much.
When Jenny yawned, Melinka apologized for rambling and offered to bring her something to eat.
"No Melinka. I'll have supper with Agent Gibbs." Jenny said.
"Sí Señora." Melinka replied before leaving the room.
An hour or so later Jenny awoke to a commotion in the hallway outside her bedroom.
Great!
Jethro and Melinka are at it already!
Then her bedroom door was flung open.
"Why didn't you call me?" Gibbs demanded.
"Señor Gibbs, no!" Melinka said.
"Call you?"
"When you were discharged!"
"No, Señor Gibbs. No shouting." Melinka interjected.
"Oh," Jenny groaned internally. "Melinka, it is okay. You can go."
"Well?" Gibbs demanded as Melinka left the room mumbling disapproval.
"I don't have to explain myself to you, Jethro. But if you must know, I didn't want to pull you away from a case."
"Get one thing straight," Gibbs stated deliberately. "When it comes to you and until you have had my babies, you will keep me informed of your every move."
"Oh, will I?" Jenny said, anger rising in her voice as she sat up straighter in the bed.
"Don't push me, Jen." Gibbs warned.
"Me push you?" Jenny replied. "Look at the pot calling the kettle black."
Just then Ziva and Tony stepped into the bedroom door.
"Ah, Gibbs where should I put this?" Tony asked holding a knapsack.
Gibbs huffed, walked to Tony grabbed the knapsack and headed down the hall.
Tony made an apologetic face to Jenny and followed Gibbs. Ziva closed the bedroom door. She poured a glass of water for Jenny, handed it to her and then sat on the edge of the bed.
"I have never met a more infuriating man in my life." Jenny said. "He is going to drive me insane by the time our babies are born."
Ziva smirked, "It's because he loves you so much."
"Oh Ziva, he has a terrible way of showing it." Jenny said as she thought back to what he had said.
When it comes to you and until you have had my babies, you will keep me informed of your every move…
"I know he does." Ziva said. "And you know it too. And he already loves your babies. But he is very scared. Scared of the past… Scared of the future… Scared even of the present."
Jenny relaxed against her pillows as Ziva spoke.
"It is the hardest thing in the world to be responsible for another's life… I know all about the pain of losing loved ones. It never leaves you… and it crashed over you in unexpected waves of agony at the most unexpected times. For Gibbs the storm is in full force and the waves are relentless…" Ziva said. Jenny's eyes misted over with unshed tears.
Oh God, Jethro.
I wish I could take it all away…
Wrap you in my arms and sooth you and convince you that everything is going to be okay…
"Once you and Gibbs are able to work through his fears, he will overcome his panic and he will turn to you. So you must hang on as I truly believe that you are meant to be together."
Jenny sighed, "Thank you Ziva. I won't give up on what we can have."
"Good."
"But I'm going to need all of you as we go through whatever we are going to go through. To be honest, I'm a bit rattled. I mean I've never done this before." Jenny said as she ran her hand over her belly.
"We will all be here for you and Gibbs. And I have no doubts that you will be amazing parents." Ziva assured her.
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In the other room, Gibbs unpacked his knapsack, fury on his face. Tony stood in a corner of the room out of his way.
"Boss."
"What?"
"You need to calm down. The Director… Jenny… She got home safe and sound."
Gibbs glared at him.
"Come on Boss, you know you can't be with her all the time and once she's back at the office she will not be able to report her every move to you and you will need to focus on our cases."
Gibbs stopped packing and turned to Tony.
Tony continued undeterred, "You love her and your babies. And I know in my gut that Jenny loves you and your babies just as much."
"Your gut?"
"Yeah," Tony smirked. "Spending all this time with you my gut has developed somewhat. Anyway, instead of fighting over every little issue, why don't you two agree to some ground rules?"
Gibbs sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed his forehead. Tony had seen the headache multiplying in his eyes but he'd refused the aspirin earlier.
"When did you become so mature, DiNozzo?"
"Me mature? Never, Boss." Tony replied mock horror on his face.
"I just want to keep them safe." Gibbs sighed surprising Tony with the depth and rawness of his voice.
"Boss…"
"Agent Gibbs." Suddenly Rothmann was standing in the doorway.
"Ah hell, it isn't Friday Rothmann." Gibbs growled as Tony moved to the door.
"I'll pick you up at 6 tomorrow, Boss." That said Tony left the room and closed the door.
Rothmann pulled up a chair and sat down facing Gibbs.
"So?"
"So what?"
"How are you?"
Gibbs glared at him.
"Other than the headache that's plaguing you, you seem to be physically okay."
"Why are you here?"
"I was checking in on Jenny and thought I'd look in on you too."
"You tell her anything we discussed!?" Gibbs demanded.
"Of course not. Whatever we discuss is confidential and you know that. But as she is your Boss, I need to report on your fitness to perform your NCIS duties."
Gibbs swore. "I am f*cken fit to perform my NCIS duties!"
"And I agree with that and have informed her accordingly, although I believe you started working again as of yesterday."
Gibbs' looked at him slightly surprised.
What's your game, Rothmann?
Rothmann looked around the room and said, "I'm glad you're staying here. Neither one of you should be alone."
"Really?"
"Jethro, you are still fighting off the effects of a concussion and Director Shepherd's been through an ordeal of her own. I can only imagine how unsettling and frightening it must have been."
Gibbs was taken aback. He had not considered Jenny's emotional state. Sure she had been afraid initially, but then she'd lied and had been working from her hospital bed.
But could she have still been afraid?
Is she still afraid now?
What is wrong with me?
How could I have missed it!
Rothmann could see the concern flash across Gibbs' face.
Good… focus on her needs and you will stop focusing on your fears.
Gibbs rubbed his head again, the ache getting worse with all these whirling thoughts.
"As I understand from Dr Mallard, Jenny is still on bed rest for the next two weeks."
Gibbs nodded.
"I'm sure her doctor has warned her about getting worked up. It's not good for her or the babies."
"Shit!"
"What is it?"
"We can't seem to spend 5 minutes together without screaming at each other."
"Well if you are so committed to keeping your babies safe, I suggest you take the lead and stop…"
"Rothmann!"
"Your threats don't work on me Jethro." Rothmann said.
"Leave!"
"Not yet." Rothmann said.
"Then I will." Gibbs said as he stood up.
Rothmann sighed as he also stood up.
"Look Jethro," he said. "You have an opportunity to make this pregnancy a magical experience for Jenny and yourself. So do that. This is all new for her and she's going to need you, even if she will not admit it."
Damnit…
I'm screwing this all up.
I need to keep Jen and my babies safe…
They are… One…
Gibbs rubbed his head again.
"And I suggest you take something for that headache stat." Rothmann said as he opened door to find Melinka about to knock.
She announced that supper was served and that Jenny was waiting down stairs for them.
Gibbs told Rothmann to go ahead and he would be down shortly.
He went into the end-suite bathroom and washed his face and hands. Then he looked at himself in the mirror. He felt drained.
Pull it together Jethro… he admonished himself as he downed two aspirins.
Approaching the dining room he heard many voices. The entire team including McGee, Abby, Ducky and even Palmer sat around the table, eating and chatting. Rothmann was also present. The seat next to Jenny was the only unoccupied seat and he made his way over to it as his team members greeted him and went back to their conversations.
Jenny looked at him as he sat down an eye brow raised as if in anticipation of him making some scathing remark.
Instead he took her hand, raised it to his lips and kissed her knuckles almost bringing all conversation around the table to a halt.
Jenny blushed and lowered her eyes. Tony and Ziva exchanged smiles. Abby's eyes sparkled and McGee tried to look away. Ducky started a story about his young days in England and Palmer looked intensely interested in it.
Gibbs waited for Jenny to look at him. Then he turned her hand over, kissed her palm and closed her fingers over his kiss. She blushed deeply and he smirked before releasing her hand.
"Pass the chicken, DiNozzo." He called out.
As supper progressed, Rothmann exchanged a look with Ducky and smiled having no doubt that they were on the right track.
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