To Tony life seemed surreal. He was vaguely aware of people screaming. He went into a calm and authorative mode. He quickly went to Abby and called out instructions for Ziva.
"Ziva, check on Tim while I deal with Abby."
Tony turned to the first person he saw "Call 911 NOW"
Tony bent down and picked up Abby and put her on his lap. Abby was beginning to stir.
Tony was tapping her cheeks "Come on Abbs, open your eyes for me, come on" he coaxed.
Meanwhile Ziva was at McGee's side and feeling for a pulse. She was relieved when she felt one and saw his chest rise and lower with his breathing. Thank god he was alive.
"Tim, can you hear me Tim. Don't try to move just open your eyes for me."
Abby began to come to. She was vaguely aware of what had happened but her fever was so high she was having trouble thinking straight.
Tony stroked her forehead "Abigail you are burning up. I am calling mom and dad and telling them to meet us at the hospital.
Abby tried to shake her head "No. I'm fine."
"Abby you are not fine. You are burning up and need to be seen by a Dr."
Tony took out his phone and dialed his parents in the hopes they were home by now and would answer his call.
Jenny and Gibbs had gotten home about 20 minutes ago and were enjoying paella that Noemi had made and left on the stove for them. Jenny answered the phone.
By the look on her face Gibbs knew something was wrong.
Jenny hung up and quickly relayed the information about Tim and Abby to her husband.
Gibbs grabbed his keys "You call the McGee's while I call Ducky to meet us at the hospital."
Back at the scene Tim was beginning to open his eyes. He tried to sit but Ziva put a hand on him to stop him "No Tim do not move until the paramedics arrive. Can you answer me. Does anything hurt?"
Tim tried to concentrate on what was hurting exactly. All he could think about what the excruciating pain he was feeling.
"I hurt Ziva" he managed in a small strangled voice.
Ziva held his hand. "It is going to be okay Tim. Can you tell me what hurts?"
He tried hard to pinpoint the pain. "My right arm…..I think"
"Ok, just hang on Tim. I can hear the sirens now, they will be here soon".
Tony handed Abby to a guy sitting on the wagon while he climbed down, then he took Abby and went to join Ziva and McGee.
Finally after what seemed like hours to most of the spectators, but was really only 8 minutes, the paramedics arrived. One set of paramedics went to help McGee while the other went to take a look at Abby.
It wasn't until the paramedics had taken over that the severity of what had happened hit Tony. He took Ziva in his arms. "Zi thank you so much for helping."
Ziva gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek "Tony they will both be okay. You were very brave and level headed."
The paramedics loaded Tim and Abby into 2 different ambulances. Ziva rode with McGee so Tony could be with Abby.
In the ambulance they were starting an IV line in Abby's arm so they could give her fluids and some medicine to bring the fever down.
Abby held Tony's hand like her life depended on it.
The ambulances arrived at the hospital within minutes of each other and Tim and Abby were taken in two different directions.
Tony and Ziva stayed with their respective patient until Gibbs and Jenny arrived followed by the McGee's.
All 4 adults descended on the emergency department like a bunch of vultures. They were all shouting and talking at once trying to get answers. Tony could hear the commotion from Abby's room. He came out into the hall. When the 2 sets of parents spotted him they descended upon Tony. He told them about the accident on the wagon and told his parents about Abby being sick.
The McGee's went to find which room their son was in.
Jenny and Gibbs went into Abby's room. She was sleeping. Gibbs couldn't help but feel a lump in his throat at the sight of his baby girl. She looked so small and helpless lying in that hospital bed hooked to monitors.
Jenny was already crying "Damn it. I knew she was sick last night, but she insisted she was fine. Why didn't I trust myself and take her temp. What the hell kind of a mother am I?"
Gibbs embraced his wife in a hug "Jen, it is not your fault anymore then it is mine. She looked hinkey this morning but I didn't pursue it when she said she was fine. It is no ones fault. It just happened."
Just then there as a knock on the door. It was Ducky.
"Ahh Jethro, Director."
"Hey Duck…. Did you get any answers from the Dr,'s"
"Well as a matter of fact the attending Dr. was an old friend from my days in medical school. From what I gather Timothy is suffering from a broken arm. He will be in a cast for some time but will make a full recovery. They will keep him here overnight for observation just to be safe."
"As for our dear Abigail. It seems she is suffering from a severe case of strep throat which left untreated caused a dangerously high fever. They are giving her antibiotics and will be releasing her tomorrow on the condition she rest."
Gibbs gave his friend a pat on the back. "Thanks for coming down Duck. We appreciate it. And believe me she will be doing nothing but resting. She is grounded until she is cleared by the Dr to be out and about."
Jen smirked at the thought of a grounded Abby. "Ok Jethro, you tell her that and then you stay home while she whines. I will gladly grant your leave from work."
"Why madam Di rec tor, I believe as her mom you are better suited for her whining and tantrums. Plus I have to catch bad guys."
"Funny Jethro, real funny" came Jen sarcastic reply
Just then the McGee's knocked on Abby's door.
Jen and Jethro went out into the hall to speak to them so as not to disturb Abby.
Mr. McGee shook hands with Gibbs "I just wanted to say thank you for raising such a good boy. From what I hear Tony and Ziva handled everything until the paramedics came. The driver of the hayride was too stunned to do anything and everyone else ran around like chickens with their heads cut off. Tony and Ziva remained calm and they each took care of a child."
Jen spoke first "Well thank you Mr. McGee. We heard that Tim is expected to make a full recovery."
"Believe me when he is feeling better, the pain in his arm is going to be nothing compared to the pain I am going to cause his backside for sneaking out again."
Jen cringed. Neither she nor Jethro realized he snuck out to go to the fair, but she had to agree with Mr. McGee having had to deal with Abby sneaking out to the cemetery once before. Obviously grounding hadn't been as effective as the McGee's had thought.
Gibbs gave Mr. McGee a knowing look "Yep we have been there and done that with Abby."
Tony and Ziva came down the hall to say goodbye to Abby.
Mr. and Mrs. McGee thanks both Ziva and Tony for their bravery that night.
When the McGee's had left to go back to Tim's room. Gibbs turned to his son. "Tony I am very proud of you and Ziva. It was very mature and responsible of both of you to keep the kids calm until help arrived."
Jen hugged both Ziva and Tony. "Next weekend your father and I are treating you to dinner and a movie. After your night you deserve a date night, without drama."
"Thank you Mrs. Gibbs. That is very nice of you".
"Please call me Jen"
Ziva smile "Ok thank you Jen".
"Tony why don't you take Ziva home. Your dad will be home soon. I am spending the night with Abbs."
"Ok. Love you mom. When she wakes up give her my and Ziva's love."
"Promise. Drive carefully. And take Ziva home before her parents get upset."
TBC?
