To the Hospital

[ncis_ljgibbs]

Jethro made his way through the hospital trying to keep his nerves under control. He wasn't a hundred percent sure what had happened though he'd listened the voice mails left on his phone. He tracked Jen's room down fidgeting nervously not totally sure she'd really even want him in there. He tapped on the door frame before stepping inside.

Comments

[on_jennys_terms]

When her text had gone unanswered and the nurses had told her they couldn't get a hold of him on the phone, her tired mind had gone right back to being convinced he wasn't coming. She tried to remember what Liz had said the night before, that if she weren't pregnant, then it wasn't real. But here it was, playing out in what appears to be reality. He wasn't coming.

Jen just lays there on her side, drowsy eyes half-closed, staring at a spot somewhere on the floor. She's almost shut down after the meltdown from earlier. But the tap on the door frame catches her attention and she picks her head up slowly. "Jethro?" she asks, unsure of what she's seeing.

[ncis_ljgibbs]

"Hey, I'm so sorry Jen. I had the phone on silent because of my hangover. I didn't realize the ringer was still off until Tobias said something,"he edged toward her. Jethro knew he looked like hell but he hadn't even bothered to shave once he'd gotten her messages.

[on_jennys_terms]

"I didn't think you were coming," she says, starting to cry simply out of...what? Desperation? Relief? Maybe nothing more than exhaustion. She sits up and holds her hand out to him, wanting so badly for him to wrap her in his arms. She's even more lost than before. Now, her messages got mixed, the wires got crossed, and she's afraid she's completely lost her grip on reality.

[ncis_ljgibbs]

"I'm so sorry I wasn't there Jen,"he hurried over to her wrapping her up tightly in his arms. Jethro had been terrified he was going to lose her and their baby that getting the news she was in the hospital nearly sent him over the edge. "I'm here now."

[on_jennys_terms]

She clings, just sobbing into his shoulder for what feels like forever. "I'm sorry," she says over and over again, apologizing for kicking him out of her life. If apologies were a sign of weakness, what were they when you are weak? She cried hard, deep sobs, the kind that make her chest ache and completely steal her voice. Pent-up emotions and hormones finally breaking down walls.

[ncis_ljgibbs]

Jethro shifted so that he was on the edge of the bed holding her tight. He rocked her gently his hands running up and down her back trying to sooth her.

[on_jennys_terms]

She pulls back slowly and takes his face in her hands, meeting his eyes. The sobs have subsided but a few tears still roll down her cheeks. "Promise me you won't leave me like that again."

[ncis_ljgibbs]

"Leave you like what Jen? You mean not answering the phone?" He looked back at her his hands resting on her hips.

[on_jennys_terms]

"Yes," if that's what she truly meant. She's not sure how far it extended. It's possible she means ever, as in 'come home now'. But for now, that's good enough and easy enough and she can even put on a small smile. "Rule 3, never be unreachable," she says with a sniffle and a lame attempt at humor.

[ncis_ljgibbs]

"I promise Jen it won't happen again,"he reached out gently wiping her face. "What happened?"

[on_jennys_terms]

She nuzzles his hand and then shakes her head lightly. "I passed out in the kitchen this morning," she says, brushing her bangs back and revealing two little stitches near the hairline, near the mostly-healed cut from before. "I must have banged my head on the counter." She swipes at her eyes before dropping her hand to her lap.

[ncis_ljgibbs]

"Have the doctors said why you passed out yet?" He let his thumb brush over her cheek gently wishing he had been there.

[on_jennys_terms]

"Low blood sugar. They've been feeding me and sticking me with needles all day." She really, really just wants to go home to her own bed. But that's not going to happen any time soon.

[ncis_ljgibbs]

"Did you eat anything after I left?" He settled down on the bed running his hand down his face.

[on_jennys_terms]

"I had the soup you made. Maybe a sandwich, if I'm getting the days right." She takes both of his hands in both of hers, careful to not tangle them up in her IV line.

[ncis_ljgibbs]

He held her hands looking over her,"Oh Jen, that's not enough food."