Leroy Jethro Gibbs x Fem!OC
Warnings: hospitals, mild swearing, drinking (I’ve never done these kinds of tags before so lmk if I need to add more)
A/N: first post and definitely not proof read so… yeah. Have fun!
“Elaine,” Tony’s voice was urgent.
“Tony I’m a little busy the floor is packed,” Elaine said as she filled multiple syringes and replaced the protective caps.
“Yeah we have one coming your way right now,” Tony said. Elaine straightened.
“What? Who? Is everyone okay?” Elaine asked.
“It’s Gibbs,” Tony said, “he was in an explosion. Bus just took him and they’re en route to you. I thought you would want some warning.”
“Yes thank you Tony,” Elaine looked at a passing nurse and handed her the syringes, “room 4.” The nurse looked puzzled but nodded, “ETA?”
“Copy that, I’ll take care of it,” Elaine said before hanging up the phone. She looked to the bustling nurses before shouting, “I need a trauma bed prepped stat! IV and intubation on hand!” The nurses around her quickly sprang into action. It wasn’t long until Elaine heard the ambulance pull up to the bay, “This one is mine!” She shouted. She ran to the offloading dock and looked down at Gibbs. His face was harshly burned and his eyes seemed to be bleeding. As the team of nurses walked along his side Elaine spoke to him, “Leroy! Leroy!” She held a small light into his eyes, watching the pupils slowly dilate.
“Do we have an ID?” one of the nurses around her asked.
“Special Agent Gibbs, NCIS,” Elaine said quickly as they pulled up to the bed. They heaved his body onto the hospital bed and began further examination. One nurse prepped the IV, another intubated him, while a third began assessing injuries. Elaine shouted orders and began pushing medication into the IV. Her heart seemed to pound in her ears, the sounds around her blurring into one another. THe only thing in focus, Gibbs.
“Skip the X-Ray, Go straight to a CAT scan,” Elaine said to a nurse as they left.
For the next hour Elaine moved with Gibbs from room to room as they began to slowly stabalize him from the explosion. She took a detailed record of all of the injuries. She looked down at him quietly, standing by his bedside, eyes darting from one burn to another.
“Ma’am, a call for you at the nursing station,” A male nurse popped his head into the room. Elaine followed them quickly. From the other end was Jenny’s voice.
“I’m trying to see him but your head nurse won’t let me into trauma,” Jenny sounded irritated. Elaine sighed and looked to the trauma doors. She slammed the phone down and jogged to the doors, pulling them open, “Jenny,” She nodded into the trauma room. Jenny quickly slipped in. Elaine looked at the head nurse with a withering glare, “If anyone else comes for Gibbs you let them back, do you hear me?” She said.
“Yes ma’am,” The head nurse said just as the doors began to close. Elaine looked at Jenny.
“You look nice,” Elaine said as they quickly began walking back to where Gibbs lay, surrounded by machines taking tests and keeping him stable.
“I came from a dinner at the whitehouse,” Jenny said. Elaine raised her eyebrows and nodded, “Is he going to be okay?”
“I-” Elaine sighed and ran a hand over her face, “It’s bad, Jenny, but we’re doing everything we can,” Jenny nodded, ‘Once he’s stable we can move him to a bed in the trauma bay-, something a little more permanent.”
“Sounds good,” Jenny looked at Elaine, “You look like hell.”
“Oh yeah?” Elaine smiled slightly and shook her head, “I guess you took all the good looks for yourself tonight.” Jenny laughed. Soon the telltale clunking of platform shoes echoed down the hall.
“Ellie?” Abby cried, throwing her arms around the doctor. Abby pulled back and held Elaine by her shoulders, “Is he going to be alright?”
‘You think?! No! I need an ‘I Know’! ‘I think’ isn’t positive news!” Abby said, “you have to do something!” Jenny pulled Abby back.
“No! There has to be more-!”
“Abby!” Jenny scolded, quieting abby, “she’s doing everything she can.”
Elaine, abby and Jenny stood by as they moved Gibbs into a room. Elaine looked down at him. His eyes seemed to be darting around behind his eyelids. Elaine told them everything she knew about the situation, and what was happening to Gibbs.
“Neurology will be back in tomorrow, and hopefully we can assess his brain better then,” Elaine crossed her arms, “Until then… It’s just about keeping him stable.” She looked back down to the man on the bed and felt her hands start to shake. For the first time since the call, the gravity of the situation was actually beginning to weigh on her. Her hand moved to softly take Gibbs’ limp one. She gave it three small squeezes before laying it back down, “I’ve done everything I can, for now,” Elaine’s voice was quiet. Scared.
“You’ve done well, Elaine, thank you,” Jenny said, placing a reassuring hand on Elaine’s shoulder. Elaine felt tears burning at the back of her eyes. She coughed and cleared her throat with a sniff.
“Um, ill be in throughout the night to check on him. One of you is welcome to stay the night though. Let me know if anything changes. My nurses will take care of him,” Elaine said. She walked from the room, stopping momentarily to look back at him before taking a deep breath and returning to work.
Morning came slowly, and with the strike of 700 hours the neurologist was in and briefed by Elaine. Jenny had stayed the night to look over Jethro, as well as Elaine. The neurologist looked down at Gibbs’s sleeping form as he performed tests. Elaine stood in the back with Tony and Jenny. Tony had her tucked against his side as they watched the doctor work.
“Off the clock now, Duckling?” Tony asked. Elaine nodded, “You should go home then.” Elaine shook her head.
“Not until Leroy is awake,” She said. Tony sighed but relented, tugging her in tight and resting his chin on her head.
“Very Ducky of you,” He said. Elaine smiled weakly.
“Doctor,” Jenny called, “is he in pain?”
The doctor seemed contemplative as he looked down at Gibbs. Jenny called to the doctor again, “Did this man serve in desert storm?”
Elaine sat alone in Gibb’s room. While Tony wasn’t able to talk her into leaving, he did managed to get her fresh clothes. The director had left hours ago as the rain still pelted on the windows outside. Gibbs was completely still and yet still somehow looked restless. She sat there in the silence, just looking at him, watching his chest rise and fall with each breath, remembering that he was alive.
“You know, to the untrained eye, you just look asleep,” Elaine spoke. She traced gentle patterns into the back of his uninjured hand, “I know better, but it’s nice to pretend sometimes.” She sighed and put her head down on the bed. Tears pricked at her eyes as she’s turned her head to look up at Gibbs, “please wake up,” her voice was a weak whisper.
“Ah, Tony told me I would find you here,” Ducky stood at the opening of the room. Elaine sat up and rubbed the tears from her eyes with a smal sniffle.
“Hello, sweetie,” Ducky moved across the floor and Elaine stood. Ducky opened his arms and Elaine quickly moved to his embrace. The dam broke and the tears fell. She clung to her father and sobbed into his shoulder as he gently pet the back of her hair, “I know, my dear Elaine, I know.”
Ducky and Elaine sat with Gibbs for hours, telling stories. Until the neurologist came in.
“Doctor Wright,” The neurologist said. Elaine stood.
“Doctor Gelfand, hello,” She moved to him.
“Forgive me I shouldn’t have been eavesdropping but your company was telling a fascinating story,” Dr Gelfand said with a smile. Elaine laughed lightly and nodded.
“This is my Godfather Dr. Donald Mallard,” Elaine said, “he’s a medical examiner.”
“Yes I’ve heard, it’s nice to meet you,” Dr Gelfand shook Ducky’s hand, “did you know Agent Gibbs was wounded in Desert Storm?”
Ducky shook his head, “Jethro doesn’t speak much of his past. I consider myself one of his closest friends but even I do not know much about before we met.”
“He has an ‘always moving forward’ mentality,” Elaine said. Gelfand nodded and moved to Gibb’s side to begin performing tests.
Suddenly Gibbs’ heart monitor began increasing. Elaine rushed to his side as Gibbs’s eyes shot open and he began gasping and straining.
“Gibbs? Gibbs! Can you blink?” Gelfand watched as Gibbs squeezed his eyes closed and open again, “okay and then stuck out your thumb!” Gibbs’ straining hand formed a fist and lifted it thumb, “do you want the tube out?” Gibbs nodded and Elaine quickly removed the tube from his throat and put an oxygen mask over his nose and mouth.
“Good job, Leroy,” Elaine said as she put her stethoscope to his heart.
“I’m Doctor Gelfand, this is Doctor Mallard and Dr Wright,” Gelfand said as Gibbs’ eyes darted around the room.
“He knows me as Ducky,” Ducky corrected.
“You were in an explosion, so you remember?” Gelfand asked. Gibbs nodded and looked at Elaine and Ducky. His shaky hand removed the mask.
Elaine stepped out of the hospital, her breathing ragged as tears blurred her vision. In Gibbs’ brain it was just after desert storm. The last 15 years of his life were completely blank meaning everything between them was gone. With all of the power she could muster she shouted into the air, hoping some god somewhere would hear her and return Jethro’s memory.
Gelfand said he was having a potential depressive relapse from desert storm after losing Shannon and Kelly. When Jenny heard of the news she began looking for other desert storm operatives that Gibbs may have known.
As the tears slowed Elaine pulled out her phone and flipped it open. She typed in DiNozzo’s number and held it to her ear.
“Super special agent Anthony DiNozzo,” he greeted. Elaine took a deep breath.
“Hey, Jenny’s coming to give you more information but… Leroy is awake.”
“That’s great!” DiNozzo said. Elaine sighed and ran a hand down her face, “that’s… not great?”
“He has amnesia,” Elaine said, “he thinks he just got back from desert storm.” Tony was quiet on the other end, “I neeed… I need to go home and get ready for my next shift.”
“Elaine, are you sure you shouldn’t call out?” Tony said.
“I’m fine, Tony,” Elaine said, “Leroy is still my patient, it’s my job to take care of him. I’ll call you with any more updates.”
When Elaine arrived to her night shift she couldn’t help but peek into Gibbs’ room first, “good Evening Mr. Gibbs!” She plastered on her best professional smile, “I’m Doctor Elaine Wright. Im the doctor in charge of your case.”
Gibbs looked at her and studied her face, “you were here earlier,” he said, “when I woke up.”
Elaine nodded and stepped further into the room, “yes I was.”
“You called me Leroy,” He said sitting up, “the doc said I knew you.”
Elaine nodded and sat down next to him, “you do,” her voice was soft, “but it’s okay if you forget for awhile. It’ll come back.”
“How do we know each other?” Gibbs asked. Elaine smiled and looked down momentarily, debating whether or not to tell him the truth. She looked at the engagement band on her finger and played with it slightly. Gibbs’ eyes followed the movement and he visibly deflated, “oh.” He ran a hand down his face with a long sigh, “well that’s one way to make a man feel like an ass.”
Elaine laughed lightly, “it’s okay. As long as you are like this we are simply Doctor and patient,” she patted the back of his hand and stood, “I’ll be in throughout the night so let me know if you need anything.” She gave him her professional smile again and turned to walk out.
“Are we married?” Gibbs asked. Elaine shook her head.
In the early hours of the morning Elaine felt Gibbs eyes on her as she looked through charts at the nursing stand. she looked back at him to see him studying her face with a concentrated expression. She put the clipboard down and slipped into his room.
“You should be sleeping, Mr. Gibbs,” Elaine said to him as she approached the computer next to him to enter his vitals for the hour. Gibbs was quiet as he watched her work.
“Your ring,” he reached his hand out towards her. Elaine turned to him and placed her left hand in his to present the engagement ring, “it was Shannon’s.” His thumb rubbed over the modest diamond. Elaine nodded.
“You said it just felt right for me to have it,” She said, “you can take it back for now,” she whispered.
“No, keep it,” Gibbs said, “feel bad enough not remembering my apparent fiancée, taking your ring too just doesn’t sit right with me.”
Elaine laughed lightly and pulled her hand away, “it’ll come to you. Now, get some rest,” She fake glared at him, “or you will be in serious trouble Mr. Gibbs. I’ll be off the clock soon so let the charge nurse know if you need anything.”
Entering the house felt strange without Jethro at her side. The usually familiar and warm walls felt claustrophobic. She sighed and dropped her bag on the ground, kicking her shoes to the side in the way she knew Gibbs would scold her for.
Elaine rolled out her shoulders and approached the kitchen, throwing open the fridge and retrieving one of Gibbs’ beers. She used the edge of the countertop to pop the lid off and took a long swig before padding her way to their shared bedroom. She threw on one of his sweaters and some spanks before making her way to the basement door, grabbing another cold one on the way. She stared at the boat from the top of the stairs. She chugged the remainder of her first beer, tossing it into the garbage can beneath her before descending the stairs.
“It’s quiet down here without him, huh?” She spoke to the boat, patting its hull. She then cringed at herself, “I’ve been spending too much time around my godfather.” She plopped down on the stool by the boat, looking over the various tools lying out on the workbench. Her eyes caught in the sandpaper. She sighed and cracked open the second beer before grabbing the sandpaper and walking over to the boat. Carefully she sanded the wood, “with the grain,” she said to herself, as though trying to create a Gibbs in her mind. Preferably one that knew who she was. She felt the sting of tears behind her eyes and rested her forehead against the wood. Small dark spots appeared where her fears fell onto the wood, “Dammit Leroy,” she whispered to the empty room. She grabbed her beer and chugged it before frowning. She dropped it next to her and let it shatter.
She moved back to the workbench and shuffled through the shelves before her hand found what she was looking for. The half empty bottle of bourbon Jethro hid down here. She uncorked the top and took a long swig, suffering through the hot burn down the back of her throat. Once she swallowed she coughed and looked down at the bottle. Elaine wiped her eyes and sat down as she took another long swig and waited for the old buzz to hit.
“Duckling?” Elaine’s eyes opened, her head throbbing as she squinted into the midday light let down from the high windows, “Elaine,” she rubbed her eyes, the person in front of her coming into focus.
“The one and only,” Tony placed his hand on her shoulder as she tipped over, “let’s get you away from the sharp woodworking tools.”
“I feel like shit,” Elaine said as Tony helped her to her feet.
“You don’t look much better,” he said. They reached the top of the stairs and he shut off the light before helping her over to the couch, “how much did you have to drink?” He asked as he helped her sit.
“Two beers,” Elaine said, Tony side eyes her and she rolled her eyes, “one and a half beers and some of Leroy’s bourbon.”
“Ah,” Tony said, “that stuff is practically paint thinner and you, sweet doctor, are what the professionals call a ‘lightweight’.”
“My liver is screaming at me,” Elaine grumbled, “and my head, and my-“ she gagged, “stomach.”
“Where do you keep the Advil?” Tony asked. Elaine pointed to the bathroom and Tony quickly returned with a few tablets and a glass of water. “Had anything to eat?”
“Whatever Leroy didn’t finish last night,” Elaine said.
“I should go to the hospital,” Elaine said after chugging the water, “check on Leroy.”
“Na-ah,” DiNozzo said, “you are gonna stay right here. The director is with him right now.”
“The director is my competition,” Elaine said.
“Something about that ring Gibbs gave you tells me otherwise,” Tony sat next to her. His phone rang and Elaine groaned. Tony flipped the phone open and spoke quietly into the receiver, “right, on my way.” He flipped the phone shut, “duty calls. He stood and looked down at her with a frown, “no more drinking.”
“No more drinking,” Elaine repeated.
“Where is Leroy?” Elaine asked as she clocked into her shift. The room was empty where he was supposed to be.
“Some guy took him out front,” one of the nurses said. Elaine sighed and quickly made her way outside. Her eyes darted around before landing on him shoveling in a steak and fries across from an older man. She began walking over when Gibbs’s eyes got wide and he dashed to a trash can quickly emptying out that steak. Elaine dashed forwards, “Mr. Gibbs? Are you alright?” She called. The other man stepped in front of her and put his hand out to halt her.
“He just got some… bad news,” the man said. Elaine glared at him.
“Your nurse was right doc,” Leroy said, wiping the corner of his mouth, “I wasn’t ready for that steak.” Elaine sighed, “Mike, this is my doctor, Elaine Wright.”
“Oh the fiancée,” the older man said. Elaine furrowed her brows looking at him.
“And you are?” She crossed he arms.
“Mike Franks,” The man stuck out his hand, “I’m your parents first boss.”
“Well my patient needs to come back inside,” Elaine said. Franks laughed.
“Sassy redheads,” He said, “Gunny always did have a weakness.”
It was late into the night when Ziva came to visit. Elaine showed her to his room where he laid asleep in bed.
“Do you mind if I speak to him? Alone?” Ziva asked.
“Of course not. Give me a shout if you need me,” Elaine squeezed Ziva’s hand nod walked off to check on other patients. It wasn’t 30 minutes later when Gibbs’ voice rang through the quiet halls.
“Elaine?! Elaine?!” He shouted, rounding out of his room. Elaine turned around from the nurses station.
“Over here!” She said. When Gibbs looked at her Elaine knew something had changed. There was recognition in his eyes. He rushed to her, grabbing her face and slotting his lips to hers. Relief flooded through Elaine’s body as she melted against him. One of his hands moved down her neck and left arm before clutching her left hand. He ran his thumb over the engagement ring before pulling away. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the ring, “Leroy?” Elaine asked tentatively. He nodded.
“I need to get to NCIS,” He said softly.
“You are in no state to drive, Leroy,” Elaine said, eyes darting between his.
“It’s important,” he said, voice urgent. Elaine nodded.
“Okay, okay, I’ll drive you,” She said. She began to pull away but he pulled her close again, kissing her breathless once more.
“Sorry I forgot,” He whispered against her lips.
“Don’t apologize, it’s a sign of weakness,” was her reply. Gibbs placed one last kiss on her lips before pulling away with a small smile.
They rushed into the NCIS building. Elaine had given Gibbs’ a pair of scrubs from the nurses station. Gibbs sped out of the elevator with Elaine trotting behind him.
“Boss!” Tony quickly stood.
“MTAC,” Was all Leroy replied all of the team stood up and began following him. Gibbs suddenly stopped and turned around. He took Elaine by she shoulders and guided her backwards to his desk where he plopped her down in his chair, “stay.”
“I’m not a dog,” Elaine said with a raised brow. Leroy smirked and kissed her forehead before turning and rushing up the stairs speaking quickly to his team and greeting Abby and Ducky.
While Elaine was elated to have him back, there was a familiar anxiety gnawing at the back of her mind that something bad was about to happen. She watched the MTAC doors shut and leaned back in her chair. Abby and Ducky moved to greet her as well.
“Are you doing okay?” Ducky asked quietly. Elaine nodded quietly and looked to the older man.
“What happened?” She asked.
“I’m afraid that’s strictly-“
“Need to know,” Elaine finished for him. Abby nodded with a sympathetic look. Elaine sighed but nodded.
It wasn’t long until Gibbs stormed down the stairs, an icy glare painted on his face. Elaine jumped to her feet, “Leroy-?” But he just shouldered past her and opened his desk, retrieving his gun and badge before storming off again, “Leroy!” She called after him.
When he came down next, he was calm, almost too calm. He looked around at his team and his eyes landed on Tony, “you’ll do,” He said, taking Tony’s hand and placing his badge into him, “they’re your team now, DiNozzo.”
Elaine’s eyes widened, but when Leroy looked over at her she felt that familiar calm. She just nodded, “Let’s go home, Ellie,” He said.
Elaine looked over at him on the couch. He still had burns across his face but he looked content with her legs pulled over his lap, tracing mindless shapes into her skin as he watched the television. She studied the side of his face over her book taking in every detail. She felt grateful. Grateful that he had survived, thankful he had gotten away from the bomb. And now, grateful that when he looked over at her, his eyes sparked with that familiar fondness.
“Ellie,” He looked over at her and she felt that sub she felt every time they locked eyes, “you look like you want to say something.”
Elaine smiled and put down her book, scooting closer to cup his cheek in her hand and gently stroke it, “I’m just glad you’re home,” her voice was soft.
“Yeah?” The corner of his mouth ticked up in a small smile as his arm hooked around her waist and pulled over flush to his chest.
“Yeah,” was all she replied. The sat in silence for a moment, enjoying the closeness and the comfortable quiet.
“What do you think about Mexico?” Gibbs asked just before kissing the top of her head, “you, me, a beach. No screens, no phones, no emergencies,” He murmured into her hair. Elaine smiled against his chest.
