A/N - you guys are the best! Instead of individual replies to your reviews, I thought I'd give you another chapter instead. To all of you who did review, please know that I am grateful. I'm sensing that not many of you like Dr. Ryan. In case you haven't guessed, I like her character, although I'm not sure if I trust her. Wonder if we'll see her in Season 10?
Chapter 7
Ducky returned downstairs to Tony's hospital room, expecting to find him there. He checked the room and was surprised to find it empty. He then enquired at the nurse's desk if they knew of Tony's whereabouts.
"Tony?" a nurse said, smiling to herself, not needing to look up the patient details. "I mean Agent DiNozzo. He checked himself out. You just missed him."
Ducky thanked the young nurse and immediately took out his cell phone. He couldn't help but worry about Tony. He tried to call him but his call went straight to voice mail. He left a message asking him to call back and hoped that he would, but suspected that the young man just wanted to be left alone. Ducky realised that Tony was very like Gibbs in that respect. When he was hurting or struggling to deal with something, he would retreat into himself, try and cut himself off from the world until he had dealt with it in his own way. He knew all too well how Jethro dealt with trauma-it usually involved a bottle of bourbon and sandpaper-but he wasn't sure exactly how Tony would handle it. He would have to make sure that there was someone there if and when Tony needed them.
Tony, meanwhile, had caught a cab and was on his way home. Emotionally, he was barely managing to hold it together. He wished and prayed that this whole saga was just a nightmare and that he would wake up soon and Gibbs would be fine. He stared out the window and watched as people went about their everyday lives. He wondered how they could go on, oblivious and unaffected by the depth of what had happened. Didn't they know what Gibbs had sacrificed in the line of duty to protect his country? He didn't do it for himself, he did it for them. Inside he grew angry. He convinced himself that his anger was based on their obvious lack of appreciation for the risks they, as agents, took to protect these people, but really he was just angry with himself, angry with his failure. Slowly, it was eating him up.
When the cab arrived at his address, he paid the driver and got out wearily. He then climbed the stairs to his apartment. He fumbled with his keys and finally managed to unlock the door to his apartment. He dragged his exhausted body in and closed the door behind him, grateful to be able to shut out the rest of the world. He stood with his back against the closed door for a moment and tried to control his emotions before finally surrendering to the feelings that he had been bottling up. He broke down and cried like a child, eventually sliding down the door onto the floor, utterly distraught. As far as he was concerned, he was solely responsible for ruining Gibbs' life. The realisation that Gibbs could possibly spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair because of him was crushing. He couldn't handle that and neither could Gibbs. Tony realised that there was no way that he would be able to face his mentor ever again.
That hurt him more. Gibbs held such an important place in Tony's life. He was more than just his boss. He was his friend, his family. Gibbs would never forgive him.
Back at the hospital, Abby was on her way back to Gibbs' room, having eaten breakfast and freshened up briefly in the ladies room, when she spotted a familiar face standing at the nurse's station. It was Dr. Samantha Ryan. She looked upset and flustered by whatever the nurse was telling her. Abby hurried over to see if she could help.
"Dr. Ryan? What are you doing here?" Abby asked, surprised to see her. She suddenly felt guilty for forgetting to call her to tell her about Gibbs and wondered how she knew.
"I heard about Gibbs and I wanted to see him but this…..this person won't let me see him because I'm not family," she explained crossly.
"Oh, that's okay. Technically, I'm not his blood either but we're all Gibbs' family," Abby said, loud enough for the benefit of the nurse. "Gibbs would want you here. It's fine, she is family."
The nurse shrugged and relented without a fight.
"Fine but will you please try and stick to the two visitors at a time rule?" the nurse said as the two ladies turned and walked away.
They both agreed and thanked the nurse before Abby guided Dr. Ryan to Gibbs' room. Dr. Ryan hesitated at the entrance to the room. She could see Gibbs in the bed through the glass window and was slightly taken aback when she saw him lying there, partially obscured by the ventilator and monitors. It took a moment for the seriousness of the situation to sink in. Gibbs really was fighting for his life. It didn't take a genius to figure that out.
"It's okay. Come on in," Abby said sweetly, realising how much of a shock this must be for Dr. Ryan. "I've been talking to him, reminding him of how much we need him. It's working, he's doing better."
Ryan slowly approached the bed and placed her hand on the back of Gibbs' hand. He looked very peaceful, she noted.
"We were supposed to have breakfast this morning, you know? When he didn't arrive, I just thought I'd been stood up. It wouldn't be the first time our plans were blown out of the water by his work," she told Abby. "It never even crossed my mind that something like this could have happened. Is he going to be okay?"
"Of course he is," Abby replied, oozing positivity. "He's Gibbs, he's always okay. The doctor said he's already showing signs of improvement."
"How did this happen?" Ryan asked, her eyes lingering on Gibbs' pale features.
Abby told her what she knew about the case and Dr. Ryan listened attentively. Her facial expression changed when Abby mentioned the possibility of spinal damage. She realised that psychologically, such a diagnosis could be shattering for such an active and independent man like Gibbs. Her own emotions were in turmoil. Their relationship was still in the infant stages. She wasn't sure if she loved Gibbs. She knew she cared very deeply for him, but she was not one to put her feelings out there to get trampled on. They had been spending more time together and they were enjoying each other's company. Slowly, she was letting him into her closeted life. She had always been very protective of her son and still hadn't introduced him to Gibbs, waiting to find the right time. Although recently she had told her son about the new man in her life and was planning to arrange a proper introduction.
Abby interrupted her thoughts.
"How about I give you two some time alone?" she said, walking around to the head of the bed and kissing Gibbs on the forehead. She looked up and smiled at Dr. Ryan, who returned the smile and thanked her.
Dr. Ryan pulled a chair from near the wall closer to the bed and sat down. She took Gibbs' hand in hers.
"Hey, Gibbs. It's me. There are easier ways to get out of having breakfast with me, you know?" she began with a half laugh. "Abby tells me that you're doing much better. You need to get well, do you hear me? I've kinda got used to having you around. I even told Parker about you and he's asking to meet you. I said I'd cook dinner and you could come over. I'm not a bad cook when I make an effort. I do a mean lasagne. He's looking forward to it, so you can't let him down, okay?" she said, reaching over and tenderly stroking his cheek.
She made herself comfortable and settled in. She stayed there for some time, holding his hand and talking to him. She was startled when someone at the door cleared their throat to get her attention. She turned towards the door. A white-haired, elderly gentleman stood in the doorway. He had a red, round face with watery grey eyes.
"He looks pretty sick," he said, shuffling into the room.
"He is," she replied, curious as to the identity of this man.
"Are you his lady friend?" he asked bluntly.
Dr. Ryan wasn't quite sure how to answer that. She considered the question for a moment before replying, "I suppose I am." The old gent smiled, came over to her and pulled her into a hug.
"I'm Jackson Gibbs, Leroy's father. It's nice to meet you."
"You too. I wish we were meeting under better circumstances," Dr. Ryan said, as he released her from his embrace. "I'm Dr. Samantha Ryan."
"Ah, a doctor," Jackson said, suitably impressed. "Leroy never mentioned you. Do you work here?"
"Oh, no, I'm not a medical doctor. I'm a psychologist," she explained.
"Oh. So, how is my boy?" Jackson asked, staring at the frail body of his son.
"I only know what Ms. Sciuto told me. He was shot in the back and suffered internal injuries. He's sedated and they hope to wake him in the next 24 hours," she told him.
"Is he paralyzed?" Jackson asked straight out.
"What?" she asked, surprised by his bluntness.
"You said he was shot in the back. Is he paralyzed?"
"There's a chance from what I understand. They won't know for sure until they do some tests when he's awake," Dr. Ryan explained.
"Oh dear God," Jack replied, reaching for the end of the bed for support. Dr. Ryan quickly pushed her chair in his direction and he sank onto it gratefully. She poured him some water from the jug on the small table close by. "I always feared something like this would happen someday."
"Jethro's strong. He can get through this," she reassured him.
"I know he is. Always has been. I just worry how much more tragedy he can handle," Jack said solemnly.
Samantha wasn't exactly sure what he meant by that. She knew Gibbs had been married and he had mentioned that he had a daughter who died. She presumed that was what he meant.
"I should go. I'll check back later and see how he's doing," Samantha said as she grabbed her handbag and coat. "It was nice meeting you."
"You don't have to leave because of me," Jack told her.
"Oh, it's not that. I have to be somewhere," she said, smiling kindly at him.
Jackson returned her smile and stood to move the chair closer to his son. He placed his hand on his son's forehead and brushed a sliver of hair from his brow. He offered a silent prayer that his son would recover from his injuries.
While Dr. Ryan was visiting with Gibbs, Abby had taken a walk. She headed downstairs and outside for some air. She was strolling around the parking lot when she spotted two familiar faces in the distance. It was Ziva and McGee, looking tired and dishevelled. She ran towards them and hugged them both.
"You made it!" she exclaimed with zeal.
"We drove straight here. Vance assigned another team, so we left as soon as they arrived at the cabin. How's Gibbs doing?" McGee asked.
"He's doing better. The doctor was with him earlier and said he's doing better than they could have hoped. They're keeping him sedated for another while, but he's going to be fine," she told them.
"Thank God," McGee said, sounding relieved. "For a while out there, I thought he wasn't going to make it. I've never been so scared in all my life."
"I know what you mean. But this is Gibbs and if anyone can pull through, it's him, right?" Abby enthused, with a brilliant smile.
"Absolutely," McGee replied.
"Come on, I'll show you where he is," Abby said, guiding them into the hospital entrance.
When they got there, Abby was surprised to see Gibbs' father by his side.
"Jack! You made it," she said sounding delighted, as she entered the room.
"Abby, it's so good to see you," Jack said, embracing the young woman. "Ziva, Tim," he said acknowledging the other two agents.
"He looks better than when we last saw him," Ziva commented, looking over at her boss.
"He is better," Abby told her. "It was a close thing, though. I can't believe we came so close to losing him."
"I know, Abs, but we didn't," McGee reminded her as he put an arm around her shoulder.
"I know," she replied, "and we won't."
Abby smiled and then let her eyes rest on Gibbs. It was rare that she ever saw Gibbs at rest. His face was relaxed, his frown lines disappeared, which made him look younger, she realised.
"Where's Tony? I thought he'd be here," McGee asked.
"He was here. Ducky went to find him and said that he checked himself out. It's a long story. Let's just say I wasn't very Christian towards him," Abby admitted shamefully.
Jackson, Ziva and McGee exchanged curious glances but didn't ask for elaboration.
"Abby, you look exhausted. Why don't you go home and get some rest. Ziva and I will stay here with Gibbs until you get back," McGee suggested.
"Oh, that's okay, McGee. I'd rather stay," Abby replied.
"I know that, Abby, but Gibbs would rather you were here when he wakes up and that won't be for a while yet, right? He won't want you looking tired and exhausted when he sees you. He'll only worry then," McGee said trying to reason with her.
"You should all go. It's been a long night for you all. I'll stay with him until you get back," Jackson promised.
The three agents considered what Jackson was saying and everyone agreed that it was best for Abby to get some rest and for Ziva and McGee to get cleaned up after their night at the cabin. They bumped into Ducky as they were leaving and informed him that Jackson was sitting with Gibbs and that they were all going home for a while.
As Abby left the hospital, she felt very guilty for how she had treated Tony. She considered calling around to his apartment but she guessed she wouldn't be welcome. She decided it prudent to give him some space. She thought about calling him but suspected that he wouldn't answer so instead she went straight home, feeling guilty and ashamed. She was going to have some making up to do to get Tony to forgive her.
TBC
A/N - May not get a chance to update this weekend but will try by Sunday at the latest.
