Taking a sip of the lukewarm, black syrup tentatively called coffee, Gibbs grimaced and swallowed. Placing the Styrofoam cup back down on the coffee table in front of him, Gibbs glanced up at the wall clock and sighed impatiently. "What the Hell is taking them so long? Tony has been in surgery for hours!"
"Patience, Jethro." Ducky quietly admonished, ignoring the angry glare he received from the younger man. "Young Anthony is in the best of hands. I have been told that Dr. Willis is the top Neuro-surgeon in the state and Dr Pitt is assisting him. I'm sure that Dr. Willis will be in to update as soon as the surgery is finished."
Gibbs sighed impatiently again and picked up the cup of black sludge that he had only moments before put down. Raising it back to his lips, he muttered, "Somebody better update us soon or I am going into that operating room and getting an update personally!"
Any response to the muttered comment that Ducky may have had was quickly forgotten as the waiting room door opened and a doctor still dressed in surgical garb entered. Gibbs did not wait for the exhausted man to approach as he quickly jumped to his feet and crossed the room to meet the man near the door. "How is he, Doctor?" Gibbs snapped anxiously.
"He's alive." The doctor announced succinctly. "If he can make it through the next forty-eight hours then he has a good chance of recovery. The bullet damaged two vertebrae before it lodged in his left lung causing the lung to collapse. We managed to repair the lung and stop the bleeding."
"What about his spinal injury, Doctor?" Ducky asked softly.
The surgeon shrugged his shoulders. "I'm afraid at the moment it is too early to really ascertain just how severe the injury is. There is too much swelling and bleeding around the spinal cord for us to be able to make any definite diagnosis or prognosis for recovery. Both the X-rays and the MRI we performed on Agent Dinozzo's admission to the E.R are inconclusive regarding injury. There is just too much bleeding around the site to see."
"I would appreciate having a look at the X-Rays later if I may." Ducky requested, "But is it possible for us to see young Anthony?"
Dr. Willis glanced down at his watch and nodded. "They should have him settled into Surgical ICU by now. I'm afraid that there is strict visiting policy enforced in the unit, so your visit will be restricted to 5 minutes, hourly. He is heavily sedated to prevent him from moving, so I doubt that he will be aware of your presence." The doctor began to explain as he led the two men towards the elevator. "Only Next of Kin are allowed to remain with the patient for longer periods."
"We're the only family Agent DiNozzo has." Gibbs stated firmly.
Confused, the surgeon turned to the lead agent. "I'm sorry but I thought that Agent DiNozzo Next of Kin is his father."
"His father is still alive but you will find my name listed on Agent DiNozzo's medical records as Next Of Kin." Gibbs informed the doctor, "Tony has requested that his father not be given the status of Next Of kin and any medical decisions made on his behalf are to be made by me."
Stepping into the elevator, Dr. Willis surreptitiously glanced across at the lead agent. The man's demeanor warned the doctor whatever reason his patient had refused his father to be listed as Next Of Kin was justified and that the staff should be warned to note the Next Of Kin listing. He would definitely not enjoy being the one who would have to explain to Agent Gibbs if an error was made in regards to the Next of Kin status.
NCIS NCIS NCIS
Swallowing hard to stop the bile that rose in the back of his throat, Gibbs stepped closer to the side of the bed. He tried hard to ignore the many machines, wires and tubes that were connected or inserted into his agent but found it almost impossible. He had never seen Tony so still or looking so vulnerable.
Placing a hand lightly on Tony's bare shoulder, Gibbs was careful not to knock the I.V tubing that had been inserted beneath a small dressing at the junction of Tony's neck and shoulder. He gently squeezed the shoulder as he leaned forward and whispered. "You are going to be fine, Tony. You are going to walk away from this do you hear me? That is not a request DiNozzo, this is an order! I want you to concentrate on getting better and not worry about anything else. You're safe! There will be a guard outside your door."
He paused a moment studying the pale face, half covered by an oxygen mask. Tony's complexion was gray from shock and trauma. Reaching up, Gibbs allowed his hand to gently rest on the top of Tony's head as he stared intently into Tony's face. "I promise you we will get who ever did this! They will not get away with it!' He whispered. "I will NOT give up looking for this bastard, Tony, I WILL find him! He will NOT get away with this."
Straightening abruptly, Gibbs murmured, "I'll be back in a couple of hours DiNozzo and I expect to be told that you are improving!" He ordered gruffly before he turned towards the two doctors standing silently behind him. "I am posting a guard at the door, Doctor. Only authorized medical staff or people I have pre approved will be allowed into the room."
Doctor Willis nodded, unsurprised with the security measures.
Turning to Ducky Gibbs ordered, "I need a full report of Tony's injuries, Duck, also I want to be kept fully updated with his condition. If you need me to return to the hospital, I will be back at NCIS."
"Of Course, Jethro." Ducky called as he watched the agent turn and walk away.
NCIS NCIS NCIS
Tommy Salina turned and watched the elevator doors slide open. Spotting the man he was waiting to speak to, he hurried across the hospital lobby. "Excuse me, Agent Gibbs. " he called.
Gibbs turned towards the voice and frowned in annoyance as a young, heavy set man hurried towards him.
Panting from exertion from the brief sprint to catch up with the NCIS agent, Tommy drew a breathless gasp of air into his lungs. "I was wondering how Agent DiNozzo is doing?"
Studying the man more closely, Gibbs asked, "Who are you and why do you want to know about my agent?"
Pulling a handkerchief from his pocket, Tommy quickly wiped the sweat from his face before tucking the piece of material back into his pocket. "I'm a security officer at NCIS. I've known Tony- I mean Agent Dinozzo for a couple of months now. He's always treated me fairly decent. Never been like some to ignore me. I couldn't believe it this morning when I saw that guy shoot Tony in the parking lot. I tried to get down there when I saw what was going on but I was to slow to stop it.'
"You saw what happened?" Gibbs asked.
"Yes Sir, I was manning the video surveillance. I called it in as soon as I realized what was going down and I tried to get to the scene myself but by the time I made it down to the parking lot, it was too late. I already told that Agent McGee all of this. I didn't get a real good look at the guy. The parking lot ain't lit well enough. Makes it kinda hard to make out people's faces, know what I mean?" Gibbs nodded as Tommy continued, "I heard that Tony was rushed here after the shooting, so I just thought I would come and see if he's gunna be okay?"
"Agent DiNozzo's condition is still critical at the moment." Gibbs answered softly.
"Do you think that they will let me in to see him? I promise I won't stay long."
A small smile tugged at his lips at the younger man's eagerness. "I'm afraid that Tony is in the ICU. No visitors for a couple of days but I'll let him know you were asking after him." Gibbs assured Tommy with a small pat on the shoulder. "Now if you will excuse me." He said quietly before he turned and walked away.
Tommy smiled as he watched the agent disappear through the doorway before he turned and hurried to the elevator. The ICU was on the third floor.
NCIS NCIS NCIS
Getting off the elevator, the young man looked around and spotted an unmarked door. Hurrying to it, he turned the handle to slip inside the dark room. Just a few minutes later, he walked out again but this time not resembling anything like he did when he first went in. The slight paunch he had sported earlier was gone as was the pale coloring and light, hay-colored hair. In their places was now his normal appearance - the dark, closely-cropped hair and complexion to match. Trim figure and almost hard lines. His facial expressions had morphed as well to those of a killer a man with revenge burning in his soul. Gone was the naive innocence that had stared at the NCIS senior agent minutes ago.
Inhaling and exhaling deeply, he clamped down on the burning rage inside and headed for the ICU unit door. Upon entering the cool stillness, he moved purposefully towards the whiteout board on the large wall near the nurses' desk, knowing that he'd be able to find his quarry there. Grateful for the genes that gave him excellent eyesight, he spotted the room number he wanted before he got too close and moved off towards it.
"Sir, sir, it's not time for visitors yet. Sir!"
He turned and immediately put on the dazzling smile that always seemed to work with the ladies he encountered. Reaching into a pocket, he removed a black billfold and flashed the gold badge held within. "Sorry, m'am. Should have checked in with you I know but I didn't want to waste time getting to my post. Andrew Martinow, sent by Special Agent Gibbs to keep an eye on the agent who was gunned down." He winked slightly as he spoke his name, confident of the effect it would have and was not mistaken.
A flush colored her cheeks and she ducked her head in embarrassment. "Of course, Sir, can I show you to the room or do you need anything extra or special?"
Tommy grinned, allowing the smile to reach his eyes and crinkle his laugh lines sure of the reaction it would bring and was not disappointed again. He made an effort to read the name tag on her trim, wrinkle-free printed scrub shirt. "Actually Jessica I'm familiar with the layout here so I know where he is and no, I don't require anything additional from you, at least not for my job." He winked again and watch as the plain looking, slightly overweight young woman quickly excused herself.
Moving to the room, he pushed the door open and entered, waiting as it snicked closed before jamming a chair against it to ensure several minutes of privacy. He walked to the bed and eyed the various tubes and machines that surrounded the injured agent. Smirking as his eyes lit on just the tube he needed.
NCISNCISNCIS
Gibbs strode purposefully through the front entrance of the building paying nearly no attention to the guards as he automatically emptied his pockets and headed through the scanner. His non-acknowledgment was nothing new and garnered nearly no reaction from the men. He was almost to the elevator when one dared to speak to him. "How's DiNozzo, Agent Gibbs?"
The reply was brusque and brief, normal for the senior agent, and gave little actual information. Gibbs' mind was already working on the issue of finding out who had targeted and hurt a member of his team, finding them and making them pay. Reaching the bullpen, he glanced at the empty desks, growling under his breath before heading back to the elevator and stabbing at the button that would take him to the forensic lab.
"What've we got?" The senior agent demanded as he pushed past the doors that never slid open fast enough for him.
"Anything new on Tony, Boss?"
Gibbs shook his head wordlessly, the scowl still present. The condition of his senior field agent was not something he wanted to dwell on at the moment. Back in his power base, his equilibrium had returned and would hopefully carry him throughout the investigation into what had happened in the parking garage. He needed to find this man before he hurt more of his people and worrying about DiNozzo would not be in his best interest at the moment. Besides although he would never admit to it out loud and didn't even really want to think about it, in the back of his mind lurked the fear that there would be permanent damage to his agent from the incident. On a continual feedback loop in his head was the moment in the garage when DiNozzo had briefly regained consciousness and proceeded to tell him that he felt no pain or really anything at all. What if...?
His deeply rooted stubbornness took hold and slammed the door shut on the uncomfortable thought. "Well?" he barked, his tone more of a reaction to the inner turmoil than the lack of external action.
"Not really a lot left behind here, Gibbs. No physical evidence that can be attributed to the shooter. Tapes show only what happened. It's as if he was really careful to not be picked up until he was behind Tony." Kate's reported, her face wore a mask of pure professionalism but Gibbs could see the fear and anguish that haunted her eyes.
Gibbs glanced over at Abby. The Goth lab tech was jumpier than normal, arms twitching as she stood by one of her many computers, occasionally entering data. Upon closer examination the older agent realized she was minutely shivering. No doubt a reaction to all that had happened so far. "Abs?"
"I just got Tony's...shirt... or...what's left of ...it...from the hos...hospital," she sniffed audibly, never afraid to reveal her emotional side to the man she alone called 'bossman'. He indulged her as well and now she wished he'd do just that. She needed a hug and no one did that better than Gibbs.
"Let me know if there's anything there, Abby." His words were gruff but his tone was gentler than he normally used. It was all he could give her at the moment although he knew she wanted more from him. He also knew that she wouldn't push him to do what he wasn't able to do.
NCISNCISNCIS
Tommy leaned against the wall closest to the door in the dimly lit room. He knew he was severely pushing his luck by remaining in there as long as he had and knew the whole situation had become a game to him. When would they figure out he wasn't who he had claimed he was to that nurse? When would they realize he was still in the room and shouldn't be? When would Gibbs realize how close he'd come to grabbing him when they'd talked in the lobby? He chuckled quietly over how easily he had fooled the agent before he looked across at the unconscious man in the bed.
He nodded his head as his plan solidified in his mind. But before he could take any kind of action, the door quietly swooshed open and a trim figure entered. This one, unlike the previous one he had encountered was dressed in all white and not the colorful, printed scrubs from before. She had not seemed to notice him until he cleared his throat and she jumped, startled by his presence.
"I'm sorry, miss." He spoke quietly, not wanting to alarm her. "My name is Agent Martinow, I'm Agent DiNozzo's guard for the day."
"Oh! No, no. It's no problem. I mean, it's not like you don't have permission to be here. I'll only be a few minutes. I need to check on Agent DiNozzo's condition."
"Take your time. I'm in no hurry. After all it's not like I can leave or go anywhere exciting."
He watched as she moved about the bed, checking the tubes and lines, the monitors and various other bags and equipment that were there, all the while murmuring quietly to the patient. She had a quiet calm about her and Tommy knew that it was something he'd want to experience if he was ever in a hospital bed. He silently chided himself for letting her pull him into her presence as it had distracted him from the task he would begin as soon as she left the room. When she turned away from the bed, he once again resembled the cool, professional agent on the job he was pretending to be. She smiled quietly at him as she moved from the bed and exited the room as soundlessly as she originally entered.
As the door clicked shut, Tommy grinned with an almost feral like baring of his teeth and moved closer to the bed.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Somebody wants revenge against Gibbs and Tony is the weapon of choice. (This story is being rewritten and reposted)