To say Gibbs wasn't happy was an understatement. When calling Franks cell was met with hearing his voice-mail, Gibbs called the office phone.
"Agent Bur.."
"Stan."
".. Gibbs."
"Where's Mike?" Stan was silent for a moment too long. "Stan!"
"He's hiding. I don't know exactly where he is." Stan confessed.
"Okay then. Maybe you can explain what Agent Clark said."
Muttering under his breath that Franks owed him one he said, "Gibbs, you've been at the hospital, sleeping at the hospital for days. You need a proper night's sleep, in your own bed. Yes, we'll be switching out the agents, but you need to be at the top of your game too." Stan said as calmly as he could.
There was silence on the otherend of the phone for a long moment. Stan was being to wonder if Gibbs had hung up on him when he heard, "Tell Mike I will be speaking with him.. soon." Then he heard the dial tone.
Letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding in, Stan put the phone down along with his head onto the desk. "Well, that went better than I thought it would."
-NCIS-
While sleeping in his own bed sounded like heaven, Gibbs wasn't totally convinced leaving was the right decision. His gut wasn't the only thing telling him to stay.
"No Gib 'tay."
"Gibbs stay, no 'eave!"
"I know Buddy, Champ. I know I promised to stay, but Mike said.."
"No." Was the response from both boys.
"Agent Doubs will be right here, and Agents.."
"No go."
Looking into the fear filled eyes of the two little boys, Gibbs didn't know if they were feeling the same thing as his gut, or if they had really fallen that deep in their trust for him. Or maybe it was a little of both.
Sighing he said, "How about this. I'll go home," he held up a finger to silence the complaints before they came, and continued, "Get a shower, and then come right back. It will be our secret." He winked at Doubs as he said that. "How does that sound?"
Timmy and Tony looked at each other for a moment as a silent conversation went between them.
Turning back to Gibbs they both said, "No."
Dropping his head to his chest Gibbs sighed, then looked back up. "Boys. That's the best I can do. It was an order from my boss. I have to go home. At least for a few minutes." Seeing the tears start to form in their eyes Gibbs nearly caved. "Look, it's time for you to get ready for bed. Let's get you washed, pajamas on, stories read, and after you fall asleep I go get my shower okay? You'll be asleep, you'll never know I'm gone."
No tears actually fell, and no more compliments were said, but there also wasn't any smiles or laughter throughout the nightly routine like the day had been filled with. After reading from a Winnie the Pooh book Nurse Lisa had dropped off, Gibbs tucked the boys into their beds. Timmy was fighting hard but sleep had almost claimed him. Tony was refusing to close his eyes as Gibbs pulled the covers up to his shoulders. "Close your eyes Buddy. Go to sleep."
"Gibbs no go."
"I'll be back before you even know I'm gone."
"Gibbs.." eyes closing as a yawn interrupted the rest of what Tony was going to say. He had a hard time reopening his eyes as Gibbs hand rested on his forehead, gently stroking back and forth until Tony's breath evened out into sleep.
Looking over he let out a small chuckle as he saw Timmy was valiantly still fighting to also keep his eyes open. Switching to perch on the other bed, Gibbs started to rub Tims forehead like he had done with Tony. "Go to sleep Champ. I'll be right here when you wake up." Gibbs kept up the gentle stokes until Timmy was as deep asleep as his brother.
Standing up Gibbs quietly signaled Doubs to follow him. Once in the hall with the other three agents Gibbs said, "I'll be back in about an hour. No one. I mean no one but the four people you have pictures of are allowed into this room."
"Yes Agent Gibbs. We got this. They'll be just fine. See you soon." Agent Doubs said.
Giving one last meaningful look to the agents, Gibbs headed to the elevator. With every step he took the feeling in his gut twisted. Standing in the elevator he saw Doubs go back into the room and Reed walk down the hall the opposite way, as Clark and Smith stood on either side of the door.
Stepping out into the darken parking lot Gibbs took a deep breath. He did not want to do this. He wanted to run back upstairs and hold onto those two little boys and never let go. 'Great, if I can't even leave them for an hour what's going to happen when this case is over?' Realizing he was just standing there in the doorway, he started walking to his car. Halfway there he realized he didn't have his car keys. Sighing he turned to go back in. As he did the same chill he had felt earlier raced down his back. 'Oh crap.' He thought as he kept walking towards the front door. He could see a security guard in the main lobby coming his way, but Gibbs never made it to the door.