This chapter took longer than I thought it would because I added elements from a story I wrote a few years ago (but never finished), and I wanted everything as perfect as I could get it. Also, I have been down a rabbit hole of Harry Potter fics that have two peculiar pairings. Anyway. Thank you to all of my lovely peeps for the great feedback! I appreciate each and every one of you!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but OCs, the plot for this fic, a vivid imagination, and the fear that I use too many commas... oops? Everything else and the rights of such things, go to their respective owners. I make no profit from writing fanfiction.

This will be the last disclaimer of the story. That is because I am tired of typing it out before the beginning of each chapter. Also, a HUGE thank you to my co-worker for chatting with me and giving me ideas. I truly, sincerely, appreciate you!

Read and Enjoy!

As they pulled into the parking lot of the hospital, Gibbs' nerves peaked. Going by DiNozzo's semi-evasive answer, he had guessed that Jenny must be in really bad shape. Saying that he was nervous was an understatement. He was borderline terrified that, if he were being honest with himself, he still loved her and didn't want to lose her.

"Just a forewarning, Jenny looks a little... rough," DiNozzo sighed. "It has been hectic and a bit nerve-wrecking. Whatever happens though, keep your cool, yeah?"

All Gibbs did was grunt in reply. He wasn't really sure that he could say more than that at this point.

The closer Gibbs and DiNozzo got to Jenny's fifth-floor room, the more Gibbs became fidgety and his intuition thought there was more to this whole situation than DiNozzo was telling him. When they finally got to Jenny's room, Tony spoke in a hushed tone. "Remember what I said: keep your cool and don't get enraged and storm out of the room. None of us need that right now. Especially Jenny and her little one. Got it?"

A curt nod was all that Gibbs responded with. DiNozzo's comment about Jenny having a kid was either unheard or ignored.

XXX

As DiNozzo opened the door and let him in, Gibbs' heart leapt to his throat. He took one look at Jenny and then saw the little girl curled into Jenny's side. He whispered, "Shit," turned around and left the room silently.

So many wires, bandages and bruised cuts. A small little girl with red hair like Jenny's and blue eyes like his.

As he slid down the wall outside the hospital room, his gut twisted for two reasons; seeing Jenny seriously injured hurt like hell, and so did the fact that the little girl looked just like Kelly used to when she was little. So many emotions were running through Gibbs' head, and he didn't quite know how to process them.

A few minutes later, Ducky stepped out of the room and stood next to where Gibbs was sitting. "I know you are hurt and you have a multitude of questions, but I need you to listen carefully. Are you capable of doing so?"

Gibbs mumbled something that sounded like a yes.

Taking a deep breath, Ducky began to give an explanation on Jenny's behalf. "It all started in Paris-"

"Of course it did," Gibbs interrupted.

"Jethro..." Ducky chided gently.

"Continue."

"Remember that farmhouse in Serbia? After you and Jennifer fought and made up, she told you that she loved you with her whole being. Your response was, "I love you too, Shannon" and then you fell asleep."

"After that?

"Well, the next day, she left you on that plane with a letter and she left with a broken heart. Four months later, Jennifer found out she was pregnant. She wanted to tell you about Natalie, but when she was able to go and talk to you, you had just gotten engaged to Stephanie. She didn't want to destroy your happiness."

Gibbs looked up at Ducky with tear filled eyes. "Wh-why hasn't Jenn mentioned anything in the time between my divorce from Stephanie and now?"

"Because," Ducky sighed heavily, "She was and still is scared of your reaction and whether or not you would want a family after Shannon and Kelly's deaths."

"Oh. What's her full name?"

"Natalie Grace Gibbs. She was born November twenty-first, two-thousand. She was due to arrive on Christmas, but Jenny had to be induced due to high blood pressure and low amniotic fluid. She and Natalie could have died."

Gibbs stood up and rubbed his eyes. To say he was shocked was an understatement. If he had known about Natalie, he would have been there instantly. He would have been there for the entire ride. Instead, he had married the wrong redhead and missed out on the first five, almost six years of his daughter's life. It weighed heavily on him.

"Don't beat yourself up, Jethro."

"I missed the first five years of my daughter's life. How can I not beat myself up? If I hadn't married Stephanie, I would have been able to be there for Natalie and Jenny from day one."

"While that is true, you need to focus on the present because," Ducky paused, choosing his words and tone of voice, carefully.

"Because what, Duck?"

"Because in that room is the love of your life and the daughter you share... Both Jenny and little Natalie need you and your support, Jethro. So step out of whatever pity pool you're standing in and be there for your girls."

Was it really as simple as Ducky made it seem?

As Gibbs reentered the room, he was silent for a moment. He had a lot that he wanted to confess to Jenny and Natalie, and he didn't want witnesses of any kind. "Hey guys. Can I have a moment alone with Jenny? Natalie can stay, she looks too comfortable to disturb."

DiNozzo nodded and led the team out of Jenny's room.

Sitting down quietly, Gibbs softly murmured, "Hey, Jenn."

It seemed kind of ridiculous to be talking to someone who was unconscious and couldn't answer him. However, Gibbs felt compelled to speak anyway. They were things that needed to be said and he would repeat them when she was conscious, coherent and could talk.

"I am so, so sorry that I've failed you and Natalie," he paused and ran his hand over Natalie's hair. "Once you're out of the woods, willing to talk and ready, I'd like for both of my girls to be a part of my life."

A small movement in the corner of his eye, brought his attention to Natalie who was curled into Jenny's side. She looked at him with wide, watery, blue eyes. "Daddy? Daddy!"

Gibbs was shocked as the child carefully untangled herself from Jenny and launched herself into his arms. He didn't even question how she knew of him. All he knew was that Natalie was the perfect mix of him and Jenny.

"I love you, baby girl."

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