The two agents were greeted by a dark-haired, green-eyed beauty that Tony could only hope was Annie’s friend, Gretchen. Her perfect smile made her eyes sparkle as she approached him with an air of confidence that he would normally find very appealing; unfortunately, his life was about as far from normal as it could get. He expertly slipped his mask back on and returned her smile, he was prepared to pretend that he was willing to accept his future.
“You must be Agent DiNozzo,” Gretchen exclaimed. “Annie has told me all about you.”
“I hope she hasn’t told you everything,” Tony teased.
“Just enough to know that I’m going to have to keep my eye on you.”
Tony winked at the nurse, his grin effectively hiding his increasing discomfort. The ride in the transport ambulance had been difficult and if he were honest with himself, a dose of pain medicine would certainly make his life easier at this point; it would also mean a loss of control. At the moment, he had very little control of his life and the very idea of not being able to have power over his own body was more than disconcerting.
“Seems like she’s got your number, DiNozzo,” Gibbs said, inadvertently slicing through the tension that Tony had created with his silence.
“I’m sure I still have a few lines she hasn’t heard yet,” Tony pointed out.
“I doubt that,” she playfully shot back as she turned her attention to the team leader. “You must be Agent Gibbs. Annie said that you would be accompanying Tony and that you were good to have around when it came to handling our prize patient here.”
“I don’t know about that,” the older man icily replied. “I’m here to help Tony any way I can, but he’s his own man.”
“I didn’t mean to imply…”
Tony couldn’t figure out why Gibbs’ mood seem to sour so quickly, but he was certain that he didn’t want to be caught in the middle of a standoff between the former Marine and the nurse. “So, where’s my room?”
Relief flooded Gretchen’s lovely features as she turned her focus back to him. Tony flashed his famous grin once again, hoping to diffuse yet another stressful situation. He was getting tired of being the peacemaker and one of these days, Tony knew that he would reach his limit and he prayed that no one would be around to witness the fallout.
“We’ve got your room ready for you. It’s on the second floor, room 222; your room is on the west wing. It’s a semi-private room but you don’t have a room mate right now,” Gretchen informed him. “I’m going to escort you to your room and get you settled in and then we’ll go from there.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“All right. I’ll get a couple of aides to push the gurney and we’ll be on our way.”
“I’ll wait right here.”
As soon as Gretchen was out of earshot, he glanced over at Gibbs who was clenching his jaw so tightly that the vein in his head was throbbing. Tony had seen that determined expression before and knew that something was weighing heavily on the team leader’s mind.
“You want to tell me what that was about?” Tony asked.
“What?”
“Give me a little credit, Gibbs. I may not be able to walk, but I can hear and see; you were fine when we came through the door,” he recalled. “Why’d you nearly take Gretchen’s head off? She was just doing her job.”
“I didn’t like her implying that you needed someone to keep you in line.”
Tony couldn’t help but laugh. He instantly regretted the action when a sharp pain shot through his shoulder; he rubbed his shoulder as he forced his breathing to even out. “You’ve always kept me…in line; gonna have to come…up with something better than that.”
“You should let them give you something for pain.”
“Quit changing…the subject. What gives, Boss?”
“I guess everything’s just catching up to me, DiNozzo.”
“Fine, don’t tell me; but you know I’ll eventually figure it out,” he reminded Gibbs. “I am a top notch investigator.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“Just wanted to remind you, just in case it slipped your mind.”
He found himself unnerved by the team leader’s unwavering gaze. “I want you to listen to me, Tony,” Gibbs instructed.
“Sure, Boss,” he nervously answered, feeling slightly unbalanced by the serious tone in Gibbs’ voice.
“I told you a long time ago that you’re irreplaceable and I meant it; I only work with the best and you DiNozzo, are the best.”
“Um…thanks, I think. Why are you telling me this now?”
Gibbs shrugged. “Just felt like it needed to be said.”
“Oh.” Tony was at a loss for words. Gibbs didn’t normally hand out compliments, especially to him. “Are you sure nothing’s going on that I should know about?” He couldn’t shake the feeling that his mentor wasn’t being completely honest with him.
“Nothing you need to worry about.”
“Yeah,” Tony mumbled, realizing that Gibbs was not going to reveal anything else until he was ready. He would have to be temporarily satisfied with the unexpected praise and use his lauded skills as an investigator to find out the reasoning behind the commendation.
Fortunately, his mind didn’t have time to wander too far as Gretchen approached him once again. “Are you ready, Agent DiNozzo?”
“I was born ready,” he quipped.
“I don’t doubt it,” she laughed.
“Be prepared, that’s my motto!”
“I think that one belongs to the Boy Scouts.”
“And what makes you think that I wasn’t a Boy Scout?”
Gretchen shook her head in amusement. “Were you?”
“Nope,” he grinned.
“I didn’t think so.”
Tony noticed two men making their way down the corridor towards him. He watched with interest as the nurse greeted them and then turned to introduce them to him. “Tony, this is Tom and Mike; these guys are going to take you to your room and get you settled in so we can get you squared away.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
He glanced up at the team leader. “Comin’ Boss?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, DiNozzo.”
“Follow me, gentlemen,” she sweetly instructed, her previous encounter with Gibbs all but forgotten. Tony hoped that Gibbs would do the same; it certainly would make things easier for him.
As he was pushed down the hall, Tony stared straight ahead, not wanting to look into the eyes of those that he passed by. He knew that these people wondered who he was and what his story was, but Tony wasn’t ready to share anything with these strangers. Truthfully, he still wasn’t convinced that this was where he wanted to be, but he had given his word and Tony DiNozzo did not go back on his word; right now, that was all he had.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The silence in Abby’s lab was oddly deafening to the two individuals who were standing outside the door; the absence of music told Ziva and McGee that the Forensic scientist was not happy. Tim had explained what had happened and although Ziva couldn’t blame McGee for wanting to become a senior field agent, she couldn’t blame Abby for her anger and for her desire to protect Tony. The senior field agent and the Goth had always enjoyed a special friendship and she admired Abby’s loyalty to Tony, but Ziva also knew that Abby Scuito tended to be blinded to reality by her emotions and the reality was that Tony may never come back and work as an NCIS agent.
Ziva knew that many people considered her at times to be cold and sometimes heartless, but that truly didn’t matter to her. Those individuals who shared those opinions simply did not realize that she was a realist and accepted the circumstances that were dealt to her; perhaps that explained her unwillingness to form a deep bond with people. Trust did not come easily to her and she knew that it would take a long time before she arrived at being able to completely trust the people that she now considered to be friends; maybe someday, she would even consider them to be family.
That future was now at stake and she had felt compelled after talking to McGee to help him make amends with Abby. The two of them had too much history to simply throw away and now, with McGee standing beside her, Ziva was prepared to try and fix a friendship on verge of collapse.
She cleared her throat and softly called out as they entered the lab, “Abby?”
It only took a couple of seconds before they discovered Abby in her office with the door closed. The scientist was at her desk, worry etched in her porcelain features as she stared at Tony’s picture on her monitor. Ziva blew out a pent up breath and glanced at McGee. “This may not be as easy as I thought.”
“I told you,” McGee reminded her. “She’s really mad about this.”
“I can see that.” Ziva knocked on the glass door. “Abby?”
The scientist looked up, her eyes narrowed as she shot daggers of rage through McGee. “I’m busy,” Abby snapped.
“We just want to talk to you.”
“I don’t have anything to say to Agent McGee at the moment.”
“Please, Abby,” Ziva pleaded. “Just hear me out.”
“Are you siding with him?”
“Not completely, but I think that you are being a bit irrational about this.”
“Think what you want, but I believe that Tony is coming back and that he’s coming back as Gibbs’ senior field agent.”
“And what if he doesn’t, Abby? What if he can’t come back? Then what?”
“That’s not a possibility. He’s coming back.”
Ziva sighed in disgust as she turned to McGee. “Maybe you better let me handle this,” she suggested.
She was relieved when McGee readily agreed with her. “Sounds like a plan to me. Let me know what happens?”
“Of course, McGee.”
As she watched McGee until he was out of sight, Ziva quietly considered how she was going to get through to Abby. She was regretting her offer to mediate between Tim and Abby; she would more than likely have better luck negotiating world peace. “He’s gone now, Abby. Will you let me in?”
Much to Ziva’s relief, Abby opened the door via remote and then returned her attention to the computer screen. “That’s a good picture of Tony,” she began, deciding that a more gentle approach would be necessary. “Where was it taken?”
“Virginia Beach.”
“Really?”
“Yep. It wasn’t long after he started here,” Abby began to explain. “We were talking one night and something came up about the sunrise and how beautiful it was as it came up over the ocean. We hopped in his car and drove down to Virginia Beach; I remember we sat on the beach and watched the sun come up and just talked. I learned a lot about Tony that night and that was when I figured out that I could always count on him; just like I can Gibbs. They really are two of a kind.”
“I’ve never thought of Tony as being comparable to Gibbs; to me, they are two very different people.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Ziva. They’re more alike than anyone realizes; sometimes Tony and Gibbs don’t even realize it, but I do.”
Ziva sat on the edge of Abby’s desk. “Abby, about what happened with McGee; don’t you think you’re overreacting just a bit?’
She saw Abby visibly bristle. “No, I don’t and Gibbs doesn’t think so either. He’s not very happy with McGee or Director Shepard.”
There was no doubt in Ziva’s mind that the situation had now escalated beyond her powers of mediation. “You called Gibbs?”
“Of course I did. He’s the only one that can fix this.”
“Abby, don’t you think McGee has earned the right to be senior field agent?” Ziva pressed.
“I don’t have a problem with him being a senior field agent; he just can’t be Gibbs’ senior field agent,” she countered.
“Why not?’
“Because.”
“That’s not a reason, Abby. What if the shooting had never happened and one day Tony decided to leave for a better job? Would you deny McGee the promotion?”
“That’s different. If Tony left, it would be his decision. It wouldn’t be anyone else’s decision and I would be fine with that. Right now, he has everyone making up his mind for him and that’s not right. It’s bad enough that he’s lost the use of his legs; I’m not letting anyone take anything else from him,” Abby vowed.
Ziva found herself speechless. Tony was truly a lucky man to have Abby and Gibbs in his corner; the three of them made a formidable team. “Abby, I…”
She was interrupted by the ringing of her cell phone. “David,” she answered, which was quickly followed by, “Yes, Director.”
Placing her phone back in her pocket, she met Abby’s cool gaze. “That was the Director,” Ziva informed her.
“What does she want?”
Ziva took another calming breath and blew it out. Her failed attempt at resolving the emotional upheaval between Abby and McGee had failed and now another player had been added to the mix. “Director Shepard wants me to keep you here. She’s on her way to see you.”
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Gibbs watched the flurry of activity buzzing around DiNozzo as the orderlies and nurses situated Tony in what was to temporarily become his new home. He waited patiently while Gretchen formally admitted the younger man, who was now sporting a wrist band and complaining of writer’s cramp from having to sign his admission and consent forms. All the while, DiNozzo had been joking with everyone within ear shot, but the team leader knew all too well that the younger man was hiding behind the mask of a clown. He was one of the few people who had ever been able to see behind the mask and Gibbs considered it to be both a privilege and a burden.
“Did ya hear that, Boss?” Tony’s voice broke through his reverie.
Putting on a smile, he moved to stand beside DiNozzo’s bedside. “What’s that, DiNozzo?”
“Remember Brad Pitt? Not the actor, but my doctor when I had the plague?”
“I remember.”
“Gretchen and Brad were dating the very year that I broke my leg. I told you about that game, right?’
“They’ll have to compare notes,” Gibbs teased. He was often amused by other’s reactions when they discovered that DiNozzo had suffered from the plague, and Gretchen was no exception. Tony had beaten the odds then and there wasn’t a doubt in Gibbs’ mind that he would be them again.
“You had the plague?” she questioned, disbelief etched in her graceful features.
“Yeah, about two and half years ago,” Tony answered.
“He almost died,” Gibbs quickly added.
“But I’m too tough.”
“I’m inclined to agree with that. You’re obviously a fighter,” the nurse stated. “I’m looking forward to seeing you use some of that strong will and positive attitude while you’re here.”
“You got it,” Tony agreed. “I’m the poster boy for a positive attitude.”
The confidence in Tony’s voice didn’t match the look of fear and apprehension in his eyes; Gibbs knew that DiNozzo needed a break from the attention that was being showered upon him. He watched as Tony laid his head back against the pillow and closed his eyes, purposefully shutting out the world around him.
Obviously, the staff had sensed DiNozzo’s discomfort as well and had wisely and efficiently dismissed themselves from Tony’s room. Gibbs watched as Gretchen patted Tony on the arm, assuring him that things would be all right. “I’m going to let you rest for a while, Tony,” she informed him. “If you need anything, the call button is right beside you.”
When Tony didn’t even acknowledge her, he knew that DiNozzo was truly struggling. Gibbs didn’t miss Gretchen’s concerned gaze as her eyes danced between him and her patient. With a curt nod, he silently communicated to her that he would make sure Tony was all right. He was grateful that the nurse didn’t seem to hold his previous comment against him and was willing to trust him with her patient. When he was finally alone with Tony, Gibbs sat down in the chair in the corner, prepared to give the young man the space that he seemed to crave.
“It’s too much,” Tony finally whispered as he met his steady gaze. “It’s too much to handle.”
“Just take it a day at a time, Tony,” the team leader urged.
“I don’t know about this, Gibbs. I can’t get my head around it.”
“No one expects you to have your head around it; no one expects you to be positive and upbeat all the time,” he insisted. “You’ve just had your life turned upside down and you’re trying to make everyone think that you’re all right with that and we both know that it’s not.”
“Thanks, Dr. Phil.”
Gibbs immediately knew that Tony was shutting down; there would be no more heart to hearts today. The team leader would concede for now, but he would be ready to listen whenever Tony was ready to talk. “I prefer Montel,” he replied.
“You just like Montel because he sends everyone to boot camp to solve their problems.”
“It works.”
“Guess it does. It’s probably cheaper than boarding school.”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“Trust me. I was told at the beginning of every school year just how much it was costing to send me away.”
He wasn’t expecting a glimpse into Tony’s past, but DiNozzo had surprised him yet again. Gibbs’ dislike for DiNozzo’s father seemed to grow with every passing second. “Did you…”
“You know, Gibbs. I’m kind of tired,” DiNozzo admitted. “I think I’m going to start reading this patient guidebook and maybe catch a little nap before lunch. You can go on and do whatever it is that you need to do. I’ll be fine.”
“It’s nothing that can’t wait.”
Tony shook his head. “I don’t believe that. I know that something’s got you worked up; go and deal with it. I’m kind of looking forward to some alone time.”
Knowing that after all the events of the day, Tony had certainly earned some time to himself. Gibbs rose from his seat and shook DiNozzo’s good hand. “All right. I’ll be back soon. Can I bring you anything?”
“Pizza?”
The team leader smiled at Tony; he should have expected that request sooner rather than later. “I’ll see what I can do.”
He headed towards the door, sparing a final glance over his shoulder at his senior field agent. Tony was staring out the window and Gibbs couldn’t help but wonder what was going through the young man’s mind. Hating the feeling of helplessness, the team leader found a new determination to do whatever he could do to help the man that was like a son to him and he knew exactly where to begin.
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