Entering the lab, McGee froze in his tracks like a deer caught in headlights as Gibbs turned quickly towards him and demanded, "Well, McGee, what do you have? "
"I talked to the guards, Boss, the…the … ones in security who were watching the cameras and the one at the parking lot entrance." McGee paused and took a deep breath as he glanced nervously across to Kate and Abb before returning his attention back to his boss. "The guys who were watching the video and said it all happened so fast that they barely realized what was happening before it was all over. By the time they raised the alarm and made it down to the parking lot, Tony was down and his attacker had already escaped. The guard at the entrance claims that nobody came by him."
"I already know that McGee." Gibbs growled impatiently, "Now tell me something I don't know."
"You do, Boss?" The younger agent asked in confusion. Seeing the angry scowl appear on Gibbs' face, he quickly added, "I…I just spoke to the guys in security…I mean…"
"Then you didn't talk to all of them McGee." Gibbs growled, "Because I just spoke to one of the agents who were manning the cameras at the hospital."
"Ahhh, Jethro, here you are, I've been looking for you." Ducky announced as he entered the lab, interrupting McGee's report and silencing the confused young agent. "I just phoned the hospital and thought you might like to know what was said."
"Any change?" Gibbs asked as he turned quickly towards the Medical Examiner.
"No, Anthony is still heavily sedated, I'm afraid. He is still listed as critical but his vital signs are stable."
"How long do they expect him to be unconscious, Ducky?"
"Hard to tell, Jethro. The nurse did not indicate whether or not they had reduced his pain medication at all. I am assuming that they are intending to keep young Anthony sedated, thus immobilized, until some of the swelling around his spinal cord has subsided." Ducky answered quietly before adding, "The nurse also asked me to tell you the guard you sent over has arrived and is guarding Anthony in his room."
"What guard?" Gibbs demanded as he turned towards his two agents only to see the same confusion he felt mirrored in their eyes.
"She wasn't sure of his name but said he was clear about how he was sent by you."
"Ducky, I never sent a guard to keep watch on DiNozzo!"
"Gibbs!" Abby whispered in horror as Gibbs turned and hurried towards the lab door. "You don't think…"
"Ducky, get that hospital on the phone! I don't want that guard to leave!" He ordered over his shoulder as Kate and McGee turned and hurried after him. "Todd, McGee, you're with me!"
NCISNCISNCIS
Leaning over the motionless patient, Tommy sighed, "I am so disappointed in you DiNozzo. You forgot to give Gibbs my message. I guess if I want something done- I just have to do it myself!" He chuckled as he looked down and re-read the note he had written again, making sure that it was phrased the way he wanted. Folding it carefully, he placed it in the agent's palm and closed his fingers around the paper. He lowered his face closer to the unconscious man's ear as he fingered one of the tubes and whispered. "Don't worry DiNozzo, I am sure one of the nurses will find you before you have time to bleed out." As he straightened up, his fingers moved quickly, pulling out the tubing and needle to the central line. Dropping it off the bed to drip onto the tile, he watched for a few moments as the blood bubbled and quickly oozed out of the small opening, the flow growing faster as alarms began to echo through the room. He grinned and then turned, moving to the door. Opening it a bit, he looked around before slipping out of the room and leaving the unit.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Somebody wants revenge against Gibbs and Tony is the weapon of choice. (This story is being rewritten and reposted)