Thanks for all your reviews, guys; I love to read them.
Tweeter; you thought it was better than your own story? How is that even possible?
There is some minor Gibbs / Mann in this chapter, but nothing beyond cannon.
When Gibbs woke, he was lying in hospital, Colonel Mann sitting anxiously at his bedside.
"Holly?" He managed.
"Jethro; you're awake at last," she said in relief, hugging his blanket wrapped form warmly.
"Can't breathe, Hol," he managed.
She released him. "Oh. Sorry."
"Don't worry about it. How's Maddy?"
"In better shape than you. She's being released in a few hours. Whatever possessed you to go and try to buy her freedom alone, without even telling anyone where you were going?"
"Didn't want any of my team getting in trouble for a personal case."
"You should've known that wouldn't stop them. Director Shepard told me Tony saved your lives. He's just down the hall and very pissed about it, according to Ducky."
"What?" Gibbs sat up, eyes widening in concern. "Is he hurt? Is it his lungs again?" He began to struggle out of the layers of wrappings around him.
"They were worried about his breathing; they called in some expert consultant…"
"Doctor Pitt?" Gibbs' struggles intensified.
"Get back in that bed, Leroy Jethro Gibbs," ordered Ducky wearily, entering the room. "Honestly; you and Anthony are as bad as one another." Gibbs ceased his wrestling with the coverings as Ducky slumped, exhausted, into a chair.
"How is he, Duck?" He asked urgently. "Is he sick again?"
"Not yet; but I wouldn't be surprised. He tried very hard to avoid medical treatment and ran the crime scene soaked to the skin and with dirty water still in his lungs. His temperature's still not where I'd like it to be and he has been coughing a good deal. Bradley should be here any minute to consult and I'm hopeful he'll order Tony to stay in hospital for a few days in case of infection. Goodness knows I've worn myself out trying to persuade him."
"I'll talk to him when I get out of here. He'll follow my orders more than any doctor's."
"Well, that was certainly true last time, Jethro."
"What about the dirtbags?"
"Both waiting in my drawers at home. Anthony's work again; one shot three times, the other twice. He missed twice as well, though; most unlike him. But then he was moving at some speed to try to reach you and Maddy in time. I understand he dived in to pull you both out of a sinking car."
"Yeah; he had to punch out the windshield to get to Maddy, take her to the surface and then come back for me. I was trapped under the steering column."
"And then he had to resuscitate both of you, single handed, despite his own breathing difficulties. I've already recommended to the Director that he be rewarded for his bravery."
"I'll second it once I've signed myself out, Duck. Go get the paperwork, willya?"
"I will not. You almost died, Jethro; and you can't order Anthony to stay while you sign yourself out. At the very least, stay until morning. You can get some more sleep, and keep an eye on our poor boy."
"Ducky's right, Jethro," said Mann. "The best thing you can do for Tony and yourself is to stay here a while."
"All right," said Gibbs reluctantly. "But I'll need coffee."
Dawn was just breaking as Gibbs slipped into Tony's room, coffee in hand. As always, in sleep Tony looked younger, and somehow vulnerable. Childlike. The sight caused a sharp stab of pain in Gibbs' chest.
This is my fault. I put Tony here; I did this to him. Because I acted like a father and not a cop, Tony's lying here with his lungs compromised again and if he dies… if he dies, I'll have lost another child. I can't let that happen. I can't lose anyone else; I can't lose Tony…
"Ahh, dammit, DiNozzo; what am I gonna do with you?" He breathed, scrubbing a hand through his hair.
"Pizza'd be nice, boss," Tony replied, without a trace of sleepiness in his voice. "How's Maddy?"
"Fine. She's being released in a couple hours." Gibbs took a moment to seat himself in a chair at Tony's side before he continued.
"You took one hell of a risk, coming in after me," he said.
Tony's eyes opened and narrowed on Gibbs. "You saying it's not what you'dve done, if it was me trapped in that car?"
"Not the same thing, DiNozzo."
"Sure it is, boss. We've been working together more than six years; you save my ass, I save yours. 'S how it is."
"You're not meant to have to save me, Tony."
"Like Kate wasn't, when she took that bullet to the vest on the rooftop?"
"Like she wasn't when Ari put a bullet in her head, DiNozzo. You could have died."
"Technically speaking, Boss, you did die for a minute there. And I'd rather catch cold than have to go to your funeral any day."
The pair locked gazes, Tony determined, Gibbs exasperated. Finally, the older man broke the silence.
"You're a brave man, Tony DiNozzo," he said.
"Thank you, Boss," said Tony.
"You're also an idiot."
Tony grinned. "Hey, you knew that when you hired me."
"Yeah; I did." Gibbs produced something from his pocket and laid it on the nightstand. "Your new cell. Get some sleep." He rose to go and then turned back. "Oh, and DiNozzo?"
"Yes, boss?" Said Tony expectantly.
Gibbs smacked him on the head. "If you ever do anything that stupid ever again, I'll kill you myself," he warned gruffly.
Tony only smiled; he understood the sentiment Gibbs couldn't put into words. "I gotcha, Boss," he said.
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