Midway through April, both Tony and Gibbs took a week off since
Jenny had spring break. They had planned on a lot of day trips in
the state since they could not take Jenny out of state due to the
custody battle. The court date for that was finally set, and it
would be June first. It was a Thursday, not that it mattered. This,
they were hoping, would be the final one that would decide who got
custody.
The whole team, as well as Marrow and a few other friends, all went
up and testified over the months in favor of the men taking care of
Jenny. The judge even took Jenny aside into her chambers and talked
to the little girl. Most of the time a judge would not do this till
the child was 12 but the judge still wanted to hear what the little
girl said.
Tony had planned a trip to Disney for the family in July, and if
they didn't get a ruling then the lawyers were going to fight so
they could take Jenny there. They weren't flight risks with both of
them working for the government and in the field that they worked.
One day in the first week of May Abby got a call from Tim, who was
in the field on a case. She dropped the phone with a startled cry,
then picked it up again and assured him she would pick Jenny up and
bring her to the hospital. Gibbs had been shot.
Abby walked into the school and was looking at the secretary, who
was looking back at the strange goth chick.
"Yes, can I help you?"
"Yes, my name is Abby Scuitto, and I need to pick up Jenny Bliss."
"One moment, please."
The elderly lady picked up the phone and was talking to someone on
the other end, announcing the goth girl. Abby was very anxious. This
would really hurt Jenny. After a moment of waiting that felt like an
eternity, out walked an attractive younger man.
"Yes, ma'am, I'm the Vice Principal, Mr. Schafer. How can we help
you?"
"Yes, sir. As I said, my name is Abby Scuitto, and I need to pick up
Jenny Bliss."
"Yes, ma'am, and what relation are you to the young girl?" The Vice
Principal was looking up the name on the computer.
"I'm a friend of the family."
"Okay, let me see here, what does it say on the computer screen? Yes
ma'am, your name is down as an emergency contact and that the young
lady can go with you. If I can ask, what is the emergency?"
"My boss, one of the guardians looking after her, was just shot in
the line of duty and I am taking her to the hospital."
The man could see that Abby was jumpy and even for Abby this was a
little more than normal.
"Oh, I see. Let me get the young lady."
The man walked over to the PA system and called over it to Jenny's
classroom, asking for the young lady to come to the office with her
things. Abby was biting her fingernails, waiting for the young girl.
After what seemed like forever but was really only a moment of time,
Jenny came walking around the corner. Jenny could tell that
something was wrong just from Abby being there, but even Jenny know
that this reaction was a little off for Abby. Jenny's pace quickened.
"Abby, what's the matter?"
"Miss Scuitto, please sign the book showing that our young lady here
was excused and accounted for."
"Yeah, sure, right." Abby signed the book. "Thank you, sir."
"If you should need anything, just call the school. Jenny, it was
nice to see you again." The man smiled.
"You, too, sir."
Abby took her hand and they walked out.
"Abby, what's wrong?"
Abby still didn't say anything. They got into the car that was
parked out front. Jenny was practically vibrating with worry over
Abby's unusual behavior.
"Abby?"
"Jenny." Abby turned and looked at the little girl. "There's been an
accident."
"What?ah?what's the matter?" Jenny started to panic now, thinking
the worst, that she'd lost the men.
"Gibbs got hurt on the job. He's in the hospital right now."
Jenny was almost hyperventilating. Abby hadn't put the car in gear
yet. She started to rub the little girl's back, trying to calm her
down.
"Honey, Tim said he was fine at the scene and they took him to the
hospital to remove the bullet."
"Abby, what if" she pauses and starts to quicken her breathing "what
if" still could not finish the statement "what if he dies? What
happens to Tony? Where do I go?"
"Oh, honey, Gibbs is a fighter, nothing will happen."
Abby then put the car in gear and drove to the hospital. When they
got there they walked into the ER, hand in hand.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for-"
She never got to finish the sentence because Tim saw them and walked
over.
"Abby, Jenny, this way."
Tim led them to the bed that Gibbs should be in. Tony was pacing the
floor in the tiny cubicle. He saw them both and stopped. Jenny ran
to him and they hugged. Tony picked up the crying form of Jenny, not
caring that she was getting heavy. After pacing Tony sat down, Jenny
laying her head on his shoulder. She had stopped crying, being held
in his arms.
Then the transporter was bringing Gibbs back from wherever they had
taken him. Tony didn't even remember; he was gone and hurt and that
was all Tony knew.
"Hey there, Sunshine," Gibbs rasped out, mouth dry from the
painkillers.
"Jethro."
Jenny looked into the ice blue eyes. She got off Tony and was trying
to climb up on the bed with Gibbs.
"No, Peanut, let me help."
Tony didn't care if the nurse said no. He picked her up and laid her
in the bed with Gibbs, careful to put her on his good side. The
nurse came in then.
"I'm sorry, but the young girl cannot be in the bed with the
patient."
"Deal with it," was all Tony said, barking it as if he was Gibbs
himself. His family hurt and he was now the protector and had to
look out for them.
"Honey, be nice to the staff, they're only trying to help." Gibbs
was holding Tony's hand and holding Jenny all at the same time.
In walked Ducky with the doctor.
"Well, Jethro, good news. It didn't do too much internal damage. It
just missed the artery."
Gibbs had been shot in the right shoulder.
"They will be taking you up for surgery in a few moments."
"Thanks, Ducky," Tony said; Gibbs was out of it.
"Sir, I'm sorry, but the little girl can't be on Mr. Gibbs' bed."
Tony was shooting daggers now at the doctor.
Ducky, seeing the reaction that he was giving the doctor,
said, "Doctor, may I please see you for moment in private?"
"Yes, Doctor Mallard."
Both the doctors left. Abby and Tim could see them talking in the
hallway, Ducky explaining something to him. Then Ziva came in. She
had taken the shooter, the guy they'd been after, to booking.
"How is he?"
"Good drugs," was what Gibbs said and smiled, voice and smile both a
bit blurry.
Tony was a wreck. Jenny had managed to fall asleep in Gibbs' arms,
emotionally exhausted from worry.
"Is it safe for her-" Abby put her hand on her lover, stopping her
from saying the words and meeting Tony's wrath.
Then Ducky came back in.
"Okay, your Jenny can remain there, but after the surgery they
request that she not lay in the bed."
Tony just looked at the man and kissed the back of Gibbs' hand. Tony
was stroking Jenny's hair and rubbing the back of Gibbs' hand, both
of his family sleeping in the one bed.
"Tony," Abby said when someone in a gray uniform came in.
"Um." Tony snapped out of the thoughts he was having about what
might have happened and losing Gibbs.
"I'm here to take Mr. Gibbs up to surgery. The doctor is scrubbing
in as we speak."
"Um, yeah, sure." Tony didn't quite know what to do.
Tim, seeing Tony so flustered, walked over and woke up Jenny. "Come
on, honey, time to get up. They're taking Gibbs to surgery."
"But I want-"
"No, honey, I know, but they need to make it all clean, so we can
all wait out here, okay? He'll be fine, honey." Tim helped the
little girl off the bed.
Tony walked up with them, holding Gibbs' hand all the way till he
couldn't go any further. Leaning over, he kissed Gibbs till they
broke apart, gasping for air. Tony dropped down into the nearest
chair and sat there crying. After about ten minutes Tim found him
there. Abby and Ziva had taken Jenny to get something to eat.
"You, okay?"
"Pro- Tim, it's my fault. I wasn't there in time."
"Don't, Tony."
"Gibbs got shot because of me."
"No, he didn't, Tony, and you know it. This is in no way your
fault." Tim knew that Tony had been crying.
"Tim, what if-"
"Damn it, Tony, Gibbs will be fine. This is not your fault at all.
You were following his orders."
"Yes, to protect me and not let me get in the way."
"Then it's my fault for not being there, Tony. He told us both to
hold back."
Tony laid his head on Tim's shoulder and was crying again. Tim was
rubbing his teammate and friend's back to soothe him.
"Think you want to go find Jenny and the girls and maybe make sure
Jenny knows that it's okay?"
"Oh, God, I didn't even think."
Tony got up and was almost running out of the waiting area till he
stopped right outside the doors. Tim was walking as he followed him.
"Um, do you know where they are?"
"Yup, in the cafeteria getting food."
Tony hit the elevator and was on his way with Tim to the cafeteria.
When he got there Jenny saw him first and got up and ran to her
caretaker.
"Hey, Peanut."
"Tony, is Jethro okay?"
"Oh, sure, Peanut, he is an old war dog. This won't stop him."
"Really?" Jenny looked up at Tony.
Tony bent down to one knee, going to her level. "Yes, honey. Ducky
said it looked good and with no complications he will be out
tomorrow."
"I'm scared, Tony."
"Oh, honey, don't be. Gibbs will be fine."
Tim walked over and was sitting with both of his lovers. Abby took
Tim's hand and was squeezing it. Ziva took Abby's other hand and was
trying to comfort her after finishing their food. Tony didn't eat a
thing. He was putting on a great front for Jenny but the adults knew
better. Jenny did eat a little.
Gibbs was in surgery for about an hour, after which Ducky had joined
the group in the surgery waiting area when the doctor entered.
"Everything is fine. He will be out of recovery in an hour or so,
then moved to the fourth floor."
Tony had to smile at that. It was there that this all began. They
got a room number that they would be moving him to.
"Okay, thank you, Doctor." Tony shook his hand, then he turned back
to Jenny. "See, Peanut, Gibbs is just fine. We just have to be
careful when hugging the big guy, okay?"
Jenny was nodding her head yes. They all went to the 4th floor and
were waiting there. Beth was on Duty.
"Well, hey there, honey and how are these men treating you?" Beth
asked, talking to Jenny.
"Fine, ma'am."
"Good. I knew they'd treat you like a princess."
"Yes, ma'am." Jenny was holding on to Tony for dear life now.
"And a hello to you, Tony."
"Hey, Beth."
"So, Jethro should be brought up in a few minutes. He'll be in a
private room."
"Thanks, honey." Tony turned to Abby and the rest. "Can you run to
the house and pick up an overnight bag for us?"
"No, they cannot," Beth said firmly.
"What? You let us-"
"I will not let this sweet little girl stay the night here if she
doesn't have to, and I will not let you leave her in the care of
someone else. She is scared enough. Look at the way she is gripping
you. You can stay away from your stud for one night, and if all goes
well he will be discharged some time tomorrow."
Tony was looking at the charge nurse. He knew she was right, but he
didn't like it. "Okay, you're right." He picked up Jenny, who
latched onto him around his neck.
After waiting another ten minutes, Gibbs was wheeled into the room.
He seemed to be sleeping. Tony put Jenny down, but she wouldn't let
go of his hand.
"Okay, Jenny, stay with Abby for a moment, okay, Peanut?"
"No," Jenny barked back.
"Come on, honey, we can paint our nails black again," Abby cajoled.
"No." Jenny latched onto Tony's leg.
"Okay, honey, let's go and see if he's okay." Tony took her hand and
they both walked into the room; the rest of the team stayed in the
hall.
Tony wanted to cry, but he was strong for Jenny. Jenny, Tony could
hear, was sniffling like she was trying to hold back the tears to be
strong for Tony. They both got to his bedside. Tony brought over a
chair that Jenny was kneeling on to see Gibbs better. He was propped
up a little. Jenny still wasn't letting go of Tony's hand as she
looked at Gibbs. Tony, with his free hand, was fussing with stray
hairs on Gibbs' forehead.
"Um," Gibbs moaned.
"Hey, baby."
"Tony."
"In the flesh."
"Where's Jenny? Is she okay?"
"I'm right here, Jethro."
Gibbs smiled and fell back to sleep. Tony kissed his forehead, then
he sat down, took his hand and just held it. Before taking his hand,
he moved the chair over so Jenny could hold his other hand. After
they both were sitting down, the team came in to make sure he was
okay. After seeing for themselves they all left. Ducky said he would
call tonight to make sure everything was okay and see if they needed
anything.
Beth came in and did a round of vitals around 7:30 PM. Gibbs was
still not awake. He was on good painkillers and still weird from the
anesthesia.
"Okay, guys, time to go home."
"But-"
"No buts, young lady. He's fine and will be okay tonight. You both
need to go home and take a hot shower and get some sleep. You both
have a hard road helping him get better."
Jenny didn't argue with the nurse; she could tell from Beth's tone
that she wouldn't take no for an answer.
"Thanks, Beth." Tony got up and hugged the charge nurse.
"Hey, studly, think I can get some of that?"
Tony head spun around at the raspy voice, seeing Gibbs awake and
watching him hug Beth.
"You have ten minutes, and then I kick you out." Beth winked at
Gibbs and Tony.
"Hey, baby."
"Hey. This hurts like hell."
"Jethro, you okay?"
"I am now, Sunshine."
"I don't want to go home. I want to stay with you and Tony."
"Honey, come here." Gibbs couldn't move the arm that she was holding
the hand of. She got closer. "Honey, I love you, and I'm not going
anyplace. I'll be home soon, so take him home and make sure he gets
a shower and eats something, and you both can come back tomorrow."
Jenny was giggling.
"What?"
"Tony's an adult, and you want me to make sure he showers."
"Yup. You know why?"
"No."
"If you don't, he'll stay on the sofa counting the time till he can
get back here."
"Hey, I would not," Tony said indignantly.
"Want to bet?"
"How do you know?"
"Because it's what I would be doing." Gibbs gave the smirk he was
famous for.
"Okay, guys, this good-looking man needs rest, and so do y'all. Now
get the hell out and not till 10:00 Am tomorrow do I want to see the
both of you." Beth was smiling the whole time.
Tony kissed Gibbs with as much passion as when they first kissed but
so lightly as to not hurt him. Jenny kissed him, and he kissed her
temple.
Tony and Jenny stopped at Burger King that night and had fast food
for dinner. Then they got home and Jenny took a hot bath with her
toys. After she got all dried, Tony put her on Gibbs' side of the
bed. She was falling asleep when Tony was getting into a hot bath
himself. It was then and there he was thinking very hard on how to
phrase his resignation. He couldn't lose Gibbs, and he sure
couldn't do this to Jenny.
Chapter End Notes:
Warnings: thank you for reading and providing feedback. i'm writing
as i go along and would like to take a moment now to warn readers
that there will be major life altering changes coming. while not
wanting to spoil the story for hte readers, i just wanted to let you
know now and i will warn on all future parts as well. This might not
be for a while but given a heads up. I will also warn you that the
story will have a lot of Cliffhangers comeing up
Acknowledgments: I would like to thank G for writng such great SMut
she is the smut queen. She is also great wiht me boucning Ideas off
of and just do not listen to her my Muse is not pure evil. I would
also like to thank my new adviser. BC she so rocks on picking out
stuff and now almost writing the next part i was working on )poor
Gibbs) she so fucking rocks. now wiht out
any more enjoy the reading
as i go along and would like to take a moment now to warn readers
that there will be major life altering changes coming. while not
wanting to spoil the story for hte readers, i just wanted to let you
know now and i will warn on all future parts as well. This might not
be for a while but given a heads up. I will also warn you that the
story will have a lot of Cliffhangers comeing up
Acknowledgments: I would like to thank G for writng such great SMut
she is the smut queen. She is also great wiht me boucning Ideas off
of and just do not listen to her my Muse is not pure evil. I would
also like to thank my new adviser. BC she so rocks on picking out
stuff and now almost writing the next part i was working on )poor
Gibbs) she so fucking rocks. now wiht out
any more enjoy the reading