The team leader was standing against the wall opposite of Tony’s father’s room, slowly sipping his coffee as he silently contemplated the physical and mental welfare of his senior field agent. DiNozzo was currently in with his father, discussing the results of Senior’s heart catharization with him; the results had not been favorable, but a complete recovery was expected.
Gibbs knew that this situation was as difficult for Tony as it was his father; DiNozzo had been thrust in the position of caretaker, a role that he more than likely never imagined himself playing. The elder DiNozzo was self-reliant, constantly looking out for his own interests, not caring who he hurt in the process and that included his own son. Unfortunately, Tony was too accustomed to picking up the pieces of his life and trying to rebuild them from the ashes that his father had left behind.
Now, Senior desperately needed the love and attention of his only child and Tony was more than ready to play the part of the dutiful son. DiNozzo was solely focused on getting his dad through the next few days and Gibbs was aware of the fact that he had more than likely already pushed his own physical infirmities to the back of his mind. Tony always put others first and although many people considered him to almost be narcissistic at times, Gibbs knew better; he knew the real Tony DiNozzo and hopefully one day, Tony would step out from behind the mask that he so efficiently wore and let others see him for the good man that he was.
He was brought out of his private musings by the sight of Tony coming out of his father’s room and closing the door behind him. Gibbs didn’t miss the fine lines of pain crafted around Tony’s eyes as he slowly made his way across the hallway in order to join him. The former Marine easily sensed that Tony was hurting and had used a lot of his waning strength to hide his pain from his father.
Gibbs offered him his coffee; the symbolic act speaking of the deep level of trust and respect they held for one another. His eyes were fixed on Tony’s exhausted features, knowing that the agent would get very little rest until he knew his father was out of danger.
“It looks like you need this more than I do,” he quietly observed.
Tony nodded his thanks and took a sip. “Ugh…needs sugar.”
“I think you better just drink it straight up,” Gibbs suggested. “It’s got more of a kick that way.”
“You’ve got a point,” Tony conceded as he took another drink of the warm liquid.
“How’s your dad doing?”
“He finally drifted off to sleep; he’s pretty worried about the surgery.”
“Can’t blame him for that.”
“Yeah. Hopefully after talking to the doctor, Dad will be a little more at ease.”
“I’m sure he will. Are you okay?” Gibbs inquired, his concern for his friend evident in his hushed tones.
“I’m fine,” Tony assured him.
“You don’t look so fine.”
“That’s not what the nurses’ say,” Tony tiredly quipped.
Gibbs smiled at the dark-haired man; despite his exhaustion and the heavy burden weighing on his mind, Tony was able to maintain his sharp wit. He truly admired the man’s ability to play the hand that life dealt him, even though there were times he wondered if DiNozzo ever wanted to fold.
“Really? I haven’t heard them say a word about how fine you look,” Gibbs countered.
“Well Boss, hearing is the second thing to go.”
“And the first is?”
“Eye sight of course.”
“Keep it up, DiNozzo or you’ll lose all your senses at one time,” he retorted.
The playful banter between the two of them seemed to alleviate some of the tension emanating from Tony. Gibbs wished that he could talk DiNozzo into going back to the ER and getting checked out in hopes that the doctor would send him home to rest, but he could tell by the determined look on Tony’s face that he had every intention of staying by his father’s side. Of course, that wasn’t going to stop him from trying.
“I don’t think it would take much for that to happen, Gibbs.”
“You need to get checked out and then go home and rest.”
“I can’t; not yet.”
“It wasn’t a suggestion.”
Tony took the final drink of coffee and threw the cup in the nearest trashcan. “I can’t leave right now, Gibbs. My dad…my dad needs me.”
“You’re not going to be a lot of use to him if you end up in the hospital; I would think he would want you to take care of yourself,” Gibbs surmised, hoping that he was correct in his assumption. Although he believed the elder DiNozzo to be self centered, he certainly expected that somewhere beneath the exterior, his paternal instincts were still intact. Surely, Tony’s father could see that his son was physically hurting; Tony was trying to hide the pain he was in but Gibbs could easily see through his façade.
Tony shook his head in protest. “I need to stay close by,” he protested.
“You said yourself that he’s asleep; you’ll probably be back before he wakes up,” Gibbs pointed out.
“Gibbs, I…”
He studied Tony as the younger man pinched the bridge of his nose; the events of the past couple of days were wearing on DiNozzo’s frazzled nerves. “I’ll tell the nurse where you’ll be and she’ll call if your dad wakes up,” he promised.
“Fine,” Tony finally conceded, much to Gibbs’ surprise. DiNozzo was definitely hurting if he wasn’t putting up any resistance to the idea of going back to the ER.
“Don’t tell her that I’m in the ER; just tell her we’ve gone to get something to eat,” the senior field agent instructed. “I don’t want my dad to worry.”
Gibbs’ eyes narrowed as he realized the implication of Tony’s instructions. “You didn’t tell your dad about Brewer,” he stated.
“No and you’re not either,” DiNozzo warned him. “He’s got enough on his mind and I don’t want to add to his stress before he has his surgery.”
“Tony…”
“Gibbs, if you want me to go to the ER, then just drop it for now,” Tony pleaded. “I’m too tired to get into this with you right now.”
“All right,” the former Marine relented. He knew that there was no use to argue with Tony at this point; DiNozzo had made up his mind and no amount of pleading was going to change that. For some unknown reason, DiNozzo had agreed to go to the ER and Gibbs was going to make sure he got there. He was still concerned about Brewer’s men possibly making Tony a target as a means to get to his father, but Gibbs had already appointed himself DiNozzo’s personal security detail and Brewer would have to go through him first.
He quickly told the nurse that they were going to grab a bite to eat, instructing her to call if Tony’s father woke up. Gibbs gently took Tony by the elbow and gestured down the corridor towards the elevator. “Let’s go,” the team leader softly urged.
“On it, Boss,” Tony tiredly replied.
As the doors to the elevator closed, Gibbs spared another glance at his senior field agent. He wanted nothing more than to help alleviate the burden that weighed so heavily on Tony’s shoulders, but as always, DiNozzo was calling up on his inner reserves to give him the strength and the insight that he would need the next few days.
Tony’s independence was something that he truly admired and one of the traits that had drawn him to the former Baltimore detective; unfortunately even after all these years of working for him, DiNozzo was still reluctant to ask for help. Gibbs blamed Tony’s father for this; ever since he was a young boy, it had been drilled into Tony that DiNozzo’s didn’t need help nor did they ask for it.
Sighing as the doors opened, he and Tony exited and began to make the slow trek back to the ER. Giving Tony’s shoulder a gentle squeeze, he decided that he going to have to remind DiNozzo, as he often did, that it was all right to ask for help.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Tony had lost track of how long he had been in the private room waiting for the doctor and nurses to finish their poking and prodding. He did not play the role of patient very well and he realized that those who were tending to him were probably just as frustrated as he was; his intense dislike of hospitals and everything associated with them was manifesting itself every second that he was forced to stay in this room at the mercy of the medical staff.
He wished he hadn’t insisted on Gibbs remaining in the waiting room; it would sure be good to see a familiar face. During his hospitalization after the plague, the team leader had been a constant source of reassurance that he was going to be all right; something that his own father had not done. Of course, Tony didn’t bother having anyone call his dad to inform him that he’d been sick; he knew that his father had more than likely been occupied with another business venture and that there was no use to contact him. But Gibbs had remained by his side, once again demonstrating to Tony that his Boss was full of surprises.
Tony gingerly flung his arm over his eyes, shielding them from the bright light; the residuals effects of the migraine that he had earlier were still lingering, making him more sensitive to noise and light than normal. It always took him a day or two to get over a migraine but with the added stress of his father’s illness, he doubted that his discomfort would be abating for several days.
He heard the door open once again, prompting Tony to peer out from under his arm to see who entering his temporary domain. Recognizing the doctor who had been attending to him, he slowly pushed himself up to a sitting position, battling the slight dizziness that came from rising too quickly. Tony quietly waited for his doctor to acknowledge him but at the moment, the physician was seemingly fascinated by his X-rays.
“Well Agent DiNozzo, it seems that you do have a broken rib; you took quite a hit but fortunately, the break isn’t too bad. With time and some rest, you should mend nicely; I’ll prescribe something to help ease the pain and…”
“I…uh don’t do well with pain killers,” Tony admitted.
“I’ll be sure to make it a mild one,” the doctor promised. “I’d also like to give you an IV; your blood sugar is a bit low and I think if we get it back up, it’ll help you feel better.”
“I really don’t have time for an IV…”
Before Tony could offer any further protest, Gibbs walked in the room. “According to the nurse, your dad’s still sleeping,” the team leader announced.
“You were saying?” his doctor pressed.
Tony lay back on the bed and closed his eyes. “Wake me when it’s over,” he mumbled.
He didn’t see the silent exchange of concern between Gibbs and the ER physician. Tony was a firm believer in picking his battles and he knew that this was one that he didn’t want to waste his energy fighting. He would take the IV and the pain killer and then he would go back and sit with his father, hoping that his dad would be none the wiser.
The agent ignored the hustle around him as a nurse started his IV and pulled a blanket upon his shoulders. It was a few minutes before he heard the door close and although the room was now quiet, he knew he wasn’t alone. Gibbs had seen him simply shut down and Tony knew that the former Marine wasn’t going to stand by and let him wallow in his own pity.
“They’re gone, DiNozzo,” Gibbs informed him.
“You don’t have to stay either; I’m a big boy.”
“I know; just thought you could use the company.”
“I’m not going to bolt,” Tony insisted, meeting Gibbs’ neutral gaze.
“Didn’t say you were.”
Tony fingered the tubing of the IV, knowing that the nutrients flowing through the clear plastic would hopefully give him the physical boost that he desperately needed. He wished that his mind could rest but the only way that could happen was in a drug induced slumber and that was the last thing Tony wanted; there would be time for rest later after he figured out what he was going to do.
Not only did he have to deal with the emotional and physical aspects of his dad’s surgery and recovery, Tony had to figure out what he was going to do about his father’s financial woes, not to mention his association with Sam Brewer. He had a feeling that his dad’s recovery was going to be a lot easier than taking care of his debts. Tony had already listed himself as the responsible party and would try and set up some kind of payment schedule to take care of his hospital bill, but Sam Brewer was going to be a problem.
Tired of thinking about the problems facing him in the future, he quietly studied the man sitting beside him. Once again, the team leader was by his side, prepared to stay for as long as it took for him to get over this latest obstacle that his father had thrown his way. Sometimes he was just an ungrateful bastard. Clearing his throat, he called out, “Gibbs?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks.”
The ex-Marine smiled at him. “Any time, DiNozzo.”
Another few moments of silence passed. “Hey Gibbs?”
“Yeah?”
“Are you sure my dad’s still asleep?”
“Would you stop worrying? The nurse has my number and will call me when he wakes up. I told her that I managed to convince you to rest for a couple of hours and that we’d be back as soon as you got a little sleep.”]
“You always have my six, Gibbs.”
There was a knock at the door, which both men found strange. The medical staff usually floated in and out at their own discretion, not bothering to knock. He watched as Gibbs made his way to the door and opened it to reveal McGee standing in the hallway; Tony noticed how relief flooded Tim’s features as he entered the room. There was something definitely bothering his friend and Tony couldn’t help but feel like it somehow involved him.
“Hey, McGee,” Tony warily greeted.
“Hey, Tony,” Tim replied.
“What are you doing here?”
“I uh…talked to Abby and she filled me in on what’s going on; I just wanted to make sure that you’re okay.”
“I’m fine,” he assured the younger agent. “Just a little run down; nothing a little pick me up juice won’t cure.”
“How’s your dad?”
“Sleeping. He’s having surgery tomorrow morning.”
“Do you need anything?” Tim anxiously replied.
McGee’s nervousness was starting to wear on Tony’s last nerve. He knew Tim well enough to know that he always acted like a kid who had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar when there was something he didn’t want to talk about or when he discovered something that he knew Gibbs didn’t want to hear.
“I need for you to tell me why you’re really here.”
“I uh…I needed to talk to Gibbs.”
“And you couldn’t have called?” Gibbs interjected.
“It’s kind of important, Boss,” McGee explained. “I thought I’d better come in person and uh...”
“Would you two like some privacy?” Tony growled, tired of playing the guessing game with McGee.
“Uh, yeah. I won’t keep him long,” Tim promised.
“Don’t hurry on my account. I’m not going anywhere.”
Tony listened for the door to shut once again. “Alone at last,” he mumbled to himself. He glanced up at the IV and saw that it was about half empty and mentally calculated that he probably had another hour before he could be released. Knowing that he wasn’t going to sleep, he continued to consider the circumstances that were now controlling his life and how he could come up with a solution that would keep his dad alive.
Of course, every once in a while, he couldn’t help but let his mind contemplate the conversation taking place outside his door between Gibbs and McGee. Slowly sitting up, he grabbed the pole that his IV was hanging on and began to make his way over to the door. He braced his aching side with his free arm, the sharp pain in his side almost instantly made him regret his decision to eavesdrop; sometimes being a good investigator could be downright agonizing.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
If there was one thing that Timothy McGee hated more than anyone in the world, it was being the bearer of bad news. Maybe he should have called, but for some inexplicable reason, he had to make sure that Tony was all right; he couldn’t even begin to describe the feelings of worry and doubt that had been consuming him until he had seen Tony lying in bed, apparently unscathed except for being exhausted.
“What’s going on, McGee?” Gibbs demanded to know, his gruff bark bringing him back to the present.
“I was at the office upgrading our computers and Tony’s phone rang. I uh…answered it and it was Phil Carson from Metro; he’s one of Tony’s friends and…”
“I know who he is, McGee. Can you get to the point?”
McGee nervously licked his lips. “Sure, Boss,” he pleaded. “Apparently Tony’s apartment was broken into and it’s been pretty much trashed; Officer Peyton wanted Tony to see if anything was missing and when I couldn’t get a hold of Tony, so I called Abby and…”
“She told you about Tony and his dad.”
“Yeah.
“Who called the cops?” Disbelief and anger were clouding the older man’s features.
“His neighbor; the police were going to question him and see what he heard or saw. Abby’s volunteered to go to Tony’s place and see if she can figure out if anything is missing; she’s obviously been to his place a lot.” Tim winced at his inability to hide the petty jealously evident in his tone.
“Once a week ever since he came to D.C,” Gibbs stated.
“Really?” Neither Tony nor Abby had ever divulged that piece of personal information; how did Gibbs know about their ritual?
“Yep.”
Gibbs was clearly not in the mood to elaborate on his revelation, so McGee wisely decided not to press the issue. “I called Ziva and left her a message but she hasn’t called back.”
“She’s out of town; fill her in when she gets back,” Gibbs ordered.
“On it, Boss. Anything else you need me to do?”
“Keep on top of this investigation and keep it under your hat,” Gibbs ordered. “Also, I want you to find out anything you can on Sam Brewer.”
“Sam Brewer?” McGee asked, unsure if he had heard correctly. “You mean Sam Brewer, the Sam Brewer who owns half of Atlantic City?”
“The one and the same.”
“Okay,” Tim reluctantly answered. “Is there something I should know? Is Sam Brewer responsible for the break in?”
His inquiry was met with silence. Tim followed Gibbs’ gaze, coming to rest on Tony’s door. The team leader blew out a long frustrated breath; it was then that McGee noticed how tired the older man looked, ravaging him with guilt for adding to the lead agent’s stress. “Boss, are you okay?”
“I’m fine, McGee,” Gibbs coolly stated. “As far as Brewer’s involvement in the break in, that’s what we’re going to find out. I’ll meet you in the office later tonight to see what you’ve managed to come up with.”
“All right; but what are you going to do now?”
Before the team leader could answer, a crash sounded from the other side of Tony’s door. In two strides, Gibbs was at Tony’s door; the two men peered in to find Tony sitting on the floor cursing the IV pole that he had apparently tripped over. The team leader glanced over his shoulder and McGee could easily sense his irritation with the senior field agent. “I guess I’m going to talk to Tony.”
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.