"DiNozzo?" Gibbs shouted looking in the direction DiNozzo had disappeared in 5 minutes earlier.
"I'll go look for him." McGee offered standing up next to the victim.
"Secure the scene, McGee." Gibbs said and started walking towards the tree line.
What am I going to do with you Tony? Gibbs wondered. He knew Tony was hurting big time and the fact that he wasn't talking about it was in itself worrying.
Well, I know all about keeping things bottled up. It didn't work for me and it ain't going to work for you.
Gibbs looked around but Tony was nowhere in sight.
"DiNozzo?" he shouted again, the hairs at the back of his neck rising.
"Damnit, Tony. Where are you?"
Gibbs scanned the ground looking for any sign of the direction Tony may have gone off in. He spied footprints leading to a slight incline. Quickening his pace he reached the incline and looked over the edge.
"Tony!" He shouted. The young man lay face down, unmoving on the cold hard ground.
"Tony, can you hear me?" Gibbs demanded. There was no response. Gibbs swore softly as he started making his way down the side of the hill.
Simultaneously, he grabbed his phone and speed dialed McGee.
"Boss?"
"Get Ducky. Tony's hurt."
"What?"
But Gibbs had already cut the call.
"Tony."
No response.
"DiNozzo!"
Still nothing.
"Damnit, Tony. Hang in there. I'm coming." Gibbs stated, the sense of dread making his voice harsh.
Tony heard someone calling his name.
Ziva?
"DiNozzo!"
No, definitely not Ziva, Tony thought as he moved.
"Argh!" Pain sizzled up his side and his head ached.
"Lie still." It was Gibbs.
Shit, what the hell's going on?
Then he remembered. He was taking photographs and then he was falling.
Great. I don't need this now.
"Argh," He groaned as he ignored Gibbs' warning to lie still. Rolling onto his back, he took a quick inventory of what hurt and how bad it hurt.
As Gibbs reached his side, he forced himself into a sitting position.
"Damnit, I said don't move." Gibbs admonished, kneeling beside him as he placed a hand on Tony's shoulder.
"Sorry, Boss." Tony winced as Gibbs' hand skimmed over a bleeding gash at the side of his head.
"Where else does it hurt?" Gibbs asked, his eyes scanning Tony's body for blood.
"No where." Tony lied.
"Really."
"Ah, just my head." He lied again.
"Then why are you pressing your arm to your side?" Gibbs demanded, moving his hand away.
"Argh…" Tony took shallow breathes as Gibbs lifted his shirt.
"It's nothing." Tony insisted.
"Don't look like nothing to me." Gibbs growled as he examined the angry purple and maroon bruises across Tony's left side.
Just then McGee and Ducky arrive.
"Tony, what happened?" McGee asked concerned.
"Sightseeing gone wrong." Tony smirked and then grimaced in pain.
"Anthony," Ducky admonished as he kneeled on Tony's other side and started examining him.
"I'm okay, Ducky." Tony pleaded, wanting everyone to back away.
"Obviously you are not okay. Now hold still and let me take a closer look." Ducky stated.
"Ducky?" Gibbs questioned.
"Was he unconscious when you found him?" Ducky asked.
"No." Tony insisted.
"Yes," Gibbs corrected.
"I see." Ducky looked from one to the other.
Gibbs glared at Tony, wondering why he was lying.
"This may hurt, Anthony." Ducky said as he ran his fingers over the angry bruises on Tony's side.
Tony hissed through clenched teeth.
"Broken?" Gibbs asked.
"No, but very badly bruised." Ducky replied.
"Good." Tony said attempting to push them away. "Can we get back to work now?"
"You're going to the hospital for a thorough check up, young man." Ducky said his voice stern.
"No, Ducky." Tony pleaded. "It's just a few bumps and bruises. I'm okay. Really." And to prove his words he pulled himself up and attempted to stand.
"Tony." McGee shouted as Gibbs reached around Tony to break his fall.
Looking at Gibbs sheepishly, Tony murmured, "Sorry Boss."
"McGee, call the EMT's."
"On it, Boss." McGee replied as he got his phone.
"Tony, I'm going to lower you back to the ground." Gibbs said.
"Okay." Tony hissed out a breath as Gibbs supported his weight and got him safely onto the ground.
"Don't let him sleep, Jethro. He could have a concussion." Ducky warned examining Tony's eyes one at a time.
"EMT's will be here in 10minutes, Boss." McGee said.
"You and Ducky finish up at the scene and head back." Gibbs ordered. "I'm staying with Tony."
Tony watched as McGee and Ducky headed back up the hill side.
"Boss, you really don't have to stay." Tony said.
"No, Tony. I do." Gibbs replied.