Summary: Post "Singled Out". Gibbs doesn't seem to remember Tony as well as he should. Could he have forgotten something important? Kind of a sequel to my other story "Singled Out," but can be read as a standalone with little problem.
AN: By my standards I am one of the worst people at inconsistent updates. It should be a crime. Okay maybe not. But I am SOOO pleased with the positive response! I really appreciate the feedback and I feel bad that I don't respond to everyone T_T.
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Of the Greatest Importance
Chapter 2
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The ride back the Yard was quiet, save the quiet, almost imperceptible chattering of Tony's teeth. He was trying with little success to stifle the tickle forming at the back of his throat. As the truck pulled into the garage a wet hack was just barely chocked back by the still soaking Special Agent.
"DiNozzo, stop screwin' around! Whining isn't going to get you off the hook."
"Come on Boss, you're not being fair." During the hours McGee spent with Tony in the rain, he had seen the worry grow in his senior's eyes. McGee knew what sitting in cold rain could do to a person of
average health, but he also knew what the risks were for someone with an immune system as compromised at Tony's. "Tony isn't faking it."
Gibbs scowled at McGee's sudden growth of a backbone. He looked from the Probie to his Senior Agent, noting the pallor of latter's face. "DiNozzo, go—"
"Yeah, Boss, I know. I'll go take the camera to Abby, see if she can still get anything off of it." As soon as he said it, Tony was off to the elevator. He didn't bother to look back as his team and quickly pressed the button to Abby's lab.
Gibbs growled a few orders to Ziva and McGee, both of whom were now developing a strong sense of worry towards their partner. The two followed Gibbs, evidence bags in hand, up to the bullpen.
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Tony strolled stiffly into the lab and quickly brought his hands to his ears. "ABBY! Turn down the music!" The music continued to blare, driving Tony further into the cool room to turn off the music himself.
"Hey!" Abby complained. "Tony I was listening to that!"
"Well I need you to look at this and I'd like to still be able to hear when I leave." Tony flashed a quick smile and handed Abby the soggy camera.
"Tony, why is this poor piece of equipment all wet?" Abby punched him on the arm. "And why are you all wet?"
"Well Abby it is raining outside," Tony answered with slightly more bite than he had intended. "And," he continued more gently. "And, I may have slipped down a hill.
"Tony! You worked all day out in that mess? How long have you been sitting in those clothes?" Abby was starting to get restless. "Did Gibbs tell you to take the outside job or were you just trying to show off?"
Tony was genuinely hurt by Abby's insinuation and he felt his anger begin to rise. Instead of raising his voice as he had intended however, another chest rattling cough erupted from his throat. He doubled over, hand on the side of Abby's desk, the other at his painfully restricted chest. Seeing the distress in his eyes, Abby rushed to her friend's side.
"Tony, Tony! I am so sorry! I didn't mean to upset you." She patted his back hoping to help break up whatever was filling Tony's lungs. "It's just I didn't think Gibbs would purposely have you work outside in this kind of weather."
"It's…okay…Abbs…I…" Tony was having difficulty regaining control over his breathing. "I…d-don't…think…he remembers…"
"Doesn't remember!? Tony we all remember…remember when you almost…" Abby paused as she found herself getting truly upset. "You're Gibbs's favorite. There's no way he would forget."
"Well if he didn't forget," Tony's began with a steadier voice. "I must have done something major to piss him off."
Abby frowned. "I dunno Tony. You can't blame him either way."
"Yeah, I know." Tony looked away and then back to the camera he had brought in. "Anyway, I really need you to get what you can from this. Otherwise Gibbs most definitely will kill me."
"And where are you going?" Abby asked to his quickly retreating back. "Don't you think you outta lie down or at least change?"
"Abbs, there is no way in Hell I can goof off after my camera ordeal. I'll catch ya later." And with that Tony left the lab.
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Tony walked into the bullpen to find McGee and Ziva already working on tracking down leads and alibis. Gibbs however, was nowhere in sight much to Tony's delight.
"What's going on?" He asked as he sat down at his desk.
"Well the roommate, Jeffrey Naley claims that he was with another faculty member and several other students last night." McGee said as he pulled up a photo of Naley on the plasma. "Apparently he was taking a remedial class for History of War."
Tony laughed slightly.
"What is so funny? I am sure you had to be tutored yes?" Ziva hadn't intended for the remark to seem mean, she just wanted to get a reaction from Tony. Since he walked in, he had been quiet and subdued.
"Not really." He didn't elaborate. "I just find it funny that people send their kids to military school hoping that the discipline will whip them into shape. Works for some kids, but others end up failing anyway."
"Yeah and is it funny that one of them is dead, DiNozzo?"
"No, Boss." Tony mentally smacked himself.
"And why the hell are you still in your dirty clothes? This is a government building! Look respectable!" Gibbs moved over to McGee and Ziva. "Did you two find anything useful yet?"
"Not yet, Gibbs." Ziva said from her seat. "So far all the statements check out. Haynes was a mediocre student from Oakridge High School in Jacksonville, Florida* but was a promising football player. Parents are still in Jacksonville and are on their way up to reaffirm the ID made by Jeffrey Naley."
"Naley's alibi checks out Boss. Corporal Frank Reese teaches the History of War class and verified that he was with Naley until midnight."
"That still leaves two hours unaccounted for, McGee." Gibbs sighed. "Keep working! I'm gonna go see if Dr. Mallard has come up with anything more useful than you three have."
The team let out a sigh and promptly went back to work.
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The pressurized doors whirred open and a very purposeful Gibbs walked over towards the M.E.
"Whatdya got Dr. Mallard." The two were still on shaky ground ever since Gibbs returned from Mexico. The formality was the outward manifestation of Ducky's feeling betrayal.
"Well Jethro, to confirm what I suspected before I cut the poor boy open, I found massive gastric and pleural bleeding. I have sent stomach and lung contents to Abby for analysis and I will know more when that comes back. If you look here," he said pointing to the perforated stomach. "This hole here was caused by something extremely caustic. But like I said, I need to wait for the results."
"Thanks, Duck." Gibbs turned to leave, but stopped just short of the doors. "Duck…"
"Yes, Jethro?"
"What's…" Gibbs paused—still unsure of how to progress. If he voiced his question, he would be admitting to himself how unreasonable he had been with Tony the last few days. So, like usual Gibbs kept his emotions hidden. "Gah, it's nothing."
He turned again and walked briskly out the door.
"Mr. Haynes, I do hope we get your situation sorted out quickly so we may deal with another situation quickly arising." Ducky sighed and went back to weighing Hayne's organs.
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Meanwhile in the bullpen, Tony, Ziva and McGee were still typing furiously. The latter two were focused on their work, but although Tony still typed, his movements were becoming slower and less coordinated. Rubbing his pasty brow, Tony rose from his seat, grabbed his coat and walked over to the elevator.
"If Gibbs comes back tell him I'm going out for coffee. You two want anything?" he asked with his hand in the elevator. Both shook their heads in the negative.
"We'll tell him but you better come back quick. Gibbs has been at your throat all day." McGee said.
"Yes and Tony," Ziva started. "Take it easy. You look run over again."
"It's rundown!" Tony shouted through the shutting doors.
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Gibbs returned to the bullpen to find two of three of his agents working.
"Where is DiNozzo?" Gibbs growled.
"Coffee, Boss." McGee said laconically.
"You get anything new?"
"No." Both chorused.
Now irritated by the poor attitude of his team Gibbs raised his voice. "What the hell is wrong with you two?"
"Well to be honest, Gibbs," Ziva stated. "You have been rather unfair to Tony today."
"Why the hell is that a problem? Since when do you two question how I run things?"
"Since you put Tony in a dangerous position!" McGee was angry now as well—an emotion he never expressed often.
"Dangerous!? That's our job description! Every day is dangerous for a federal agent you all know that!"
"Not when it is something that could have been avoided!"
"Don't be ridiculous! This conversation is over! Get back to work or go home, but don't expect a job tomorrow." Gibbs barked as he sat back down at his desk.
A heavy silence fell over the room. The three sat uncomfortably for several minutes before the typing and phone calls resumed. The pattern continued for more than an hour.
"It has been over an hour since Tony left for coffee. Do you think he is alright?"
"Sometimes he takes almost two. He's fi—" Gibbs was stopped mid word as Ducky rushed through the elevator doors.
"Jethro. Anthony is in the hospital."
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AN: OMG I cliffy! I did it. I made a cliffy. And it took me 2 weeks to do so. I am so sorry for the delayed updates. School happened as anyone in university knows. But I love the reviews you all have given. And don't worry, Gibbs will be unbastardized come next chapter !