A slightly less happy one. Hope you like it
Eliana DiNozzo always hated the hospital. Ever since she was a young child, she always found the place scary, and even a little unworldly. These sterile and shiny buildings were often situated in the centre of a city, or middle of a town, but it never really felt like real life when you set foot inside them. There was just something about the noise, the smell and the general essence of fear that made a hospital a very uncomfortable place. Ana had long ago ruled out being a doctor when she was older.
She turned to her older sister, who she still found it weird to be driven around by, and registered the look of pure fear and worry in her expression. Sometimes, looking at Sarah was almost exactly like looking at their mother. They shared almost every exotic feature, something Ana used to feel quite jealous about, but their Dad insisted they both look more and more 'Ziva-like' every day. And, really, he would know best, right? He'd known Mom for a lifetime.
Thinking about their Dad made Ana's heart sink, and she was cruelly reminded why they were on their way to hospital in the first place. Not that Sarah's face could let her forget. She decided to try and keep her sister's mind occupied with relatively happy thoughts before they had to enter the building of doom.
''You're getting really good at this whole driving thing, you know.''
Her words seemed to snap Sarah out of her thoughts, and she glanced in Ana's direction briefly. ''Really?''
She nodded appraisingly. ''I think so.''
''Dad's still worried I'll end up driving like Mom.'' Sarah recalled with a smile.
She chuckled lightly. ''Well, I haven't feared for my life at any point in this journey, so that's gotta count for something, right?''
To her relief, Sarah laughed for the first time that day. ''I guess so. But you've always been fearless, so maybe you just haven't noticed any of the close calls.''
''There haven't been any.''
''I know.''
After a few minutes of comfortable silence, it was Sarah's turn to keep their minds ticking over. ''So, are you gonna get yourself out on the road soon?''
Ana sighed with frustration. ''I'm not sixteen for another four months.''
''No, but in the grand scheme of things, four months is nothing.'' Sarah assured her. ''Besides, Dad can take you out and teach you the basics first. That's what he did for me.''
Unless he can't she thought to herself, but she didn't dare say it. Instead, she actually found herself smiling at a fond memory. ''Remember when you asked Mom and Dad if you could learn in one of their cars?'' Sarah's DiNozzo-grin signalled that her older sister knew exactly what she was talking about. ''And Mom was all like, Of course. I can teach you, and then Dad nearly choked on his dinner.''
Sarah let out a small burst of laughter at the memory. ''No way is that happening.'' She mimicked in her best impression of their father. ''You're a DiNozzo, so you're gonna drive like a DiNozzo.''
''That led to one hell of an argument.''
Sarah nodded. ''Oh, yeah. I think Mom just pouted for whole evening after that.''
''In fairness, though, I can see where Dad was coming from.''
Her sister hummed in agreement. ''Apparently, her driving got, like, ten times safer after I was born as well. Can you believe that?''
Ana's jaw dropped, ''No way.''
''I know, right?''
''How bad was it before?''
Sarah chuckled. ''I dread to think.''
Their conversation abruptly ended when they arrived at the hospital car park. Reality came crashing back to them, and Sarah's face screwed up with worry again as a heavy sigh left her mouth. Ana wondered how long it would be before she saw her big sister smile again, but was fairly certain it wouldn't happen again for the rest of the day. They both hated the damn hospital. Especially when they were visiting someone close to them.
It was hell on Earth when they were visiting their own father.
They parked up, and slowly made their way over to the entrance of the dreaded building. Ana felt a huge weight in her chest as she stepped through the doors, and instantly wished she was at home instead of here. At home, on the couch with her Dad, watching one of his classics while Mom made them hot cocoa. God, she'd never really appreciated those kind of snuggly evenings until now. What if it never happened again? What if….
No. She couldn't think like that. She had to stay strong, for her mom, for her sister, for him. Uncle Gibbs always said that her dad's strength came from his family, so it was her job to make sure she gave him everything she had.
''Now, remember,'' Sarah began as they approached the elevators, ''Mom's gonna be acting all tough and calm, even if we know she's actually sick with worry, so try not to treat her like a helpless victim. She hates that.''
The elevator doors opened, and Ana simply nodded before stepping through them. ''I know. I just wish this wasn't happening.''
Sarah let out another heavy sigh. ''Yeah, me too.''
They stepped off on the third floor and made their way towards the room where they knew both their parents were currently situated. For some reason, Ana felt like she was holding her breath as they both crept through the door, but she was breathing normally again when she heard the steady beep of the heartbeat monitor. Before she could take a good look at her bed-ridden father, however, a familiar figure got to their feet to greet them.
Their mother didn't always need words, though. Instead, she simply gave them both a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek. Ana could feel the tension and exhaustion radiating from her, even if she was putting on her usual brave face. She was always a hard woman to read, but when it came to their father, Ana could just tell. Worried didn't quite cover it.
''How's he doing, Mom?'' Sarah asked as they all walked over and surrounded his bed.
Ziva took in a shaky breath. ''He is… hanging in there. He has been asleep for a few hours now.''
Ana's heart squeezed when she heard the rattle in her dad's chest and throat as he breathed. He looked so pale under the oxygen mask, and for the first time that day, she felt her gut twist with fear. Her father was supposed to be invincible. She almost wished she could wind back the clock to a time when she truly believed that. But, as she got older, she learnt about his trying life, his battle with the plague, and his permanently damaged lungs. It had been made clear that pneumonia could be lethal for him, but she never really thought it would be a problem.
If the stories had taught her anything, it was that both her parents were fighters.
You've got to stay strong she reminded herself. ''And how about you, Mom?'' She asked softly, ''How are you doing?''
At first, her mother looked a little confused by the question, but the eventual softening of her features told Ana she would get an honest answer, even if it was a vague one. ''I am worried.'' She replied quietly. ''He was not sick for this long last time.''
Sarah reached out and ran her hand over his wrist gently. ''Well, he's not getting any younger. Maybe it'll take longer to shake it off.''
Ziva said nothing in reply. When her eyes dropped down to her husband again, Ana could have sworn she saw her chin quiver slightly. For any other person, that is the equivalent of full-blown weeping. God, she must've been really scared. And who could blame her? They had been partners, in almost every sense of the word, for decades.
To their surprise, Tony lifted his hand to his face and removed his oxygen mask. ''Hey,'' He rasped as his eyes opened for the first time. ''What do you mean, I'm not getting any younger?''
His daughters both chuckled, but Ziva's mouth barely lifted at the corner. There was an unmistakable glint in her eyes as she looked down at him, though.
Ana leaned over him and placed light kiss on his forehead. ''Hey, Dad.''
He let out a small cough. ''Hey, baby girl.'' He wheezed. ''How you doing?''
''Good.''
Sarah gripped his hand, and leaned over to give him a hug in greeting. ''Hi, Daddy.''
He hummed as they embraced. ''How's my little driver?''
''I'm okay, I guess.''
He cleared his throat, the pain it caused etched across his features. ''You staying safe out there?''
''Of course.''
He nodded, and they pulled apart from their hug. ''Good, 'cause you know how much that car cost.''
She tilted her head and sent him a look of gentle admonishment. He simply chuckled at her reaction, but that action brought about a fit of wet coughs that had all three of their faces falling with concern. It sounded awful, and unbearably painful. Ana felt tears prick the backs of her eyes, but choked back the sobs that threatened to surface.
When the coughing died down, Ziva reached over and held his hand. ''How are you feeling, Tony?'' He held her gaze for a few loaded seconds, before glancing at Ana and Sarah. ''And don't you dare lie about it.'' Ziva ordered sternly. ''They are not children.''
He let out a deep, painful sigh as his eyes dropped to the hand his wife was currently holding. ''Pretty terrible, if I'm honest.''
''Oh, Dad.'' Sarah said quietly as tears visibly began to gather in her eyes.
Ana, once again, fought back the flood. She swallowed, trying hard to find her voice through her tight throat. ''Is there anything we can do?''
He forced a smile. ''You just being here is enough, Eliana-banana.''
In the corner of her eye, she could see her mother smile slightly as she bowed her head. He hadn't used his old nickname on her in a while, but she couldn't find it within herself to give him the teenager scold for it. ''Has Uncle Gibbs come to see you yet?''
He grunted in response, allowing Ziva to step in and talk for him. ''Abby brought him this morning.'' She said as she leaned over and brushed loose strands of hair off Tony's face. ''He looked good, I think. He seemed to have a bit more life in him.''
''Not enough to head slap me,'' Tony rasped, ''thankfully.''
Ana recalled that particular detail from the story she'd heard so many times. ''That's what he did when you had the plague, right?'' She asked in as light a tone as possible.
He nodded with a distant look in his eyes. ''That was his way of showing affection.''
''That's what he's always told himself.'' Ziva told them with a knowing look.
He looked back at her with a teasing grin. ''You're just jealous because he hit me more than you.''
She rolled her eyes. ''Yes, that must be it.''
''Gibbs always says you two drove him mad.'' Sarah told them with a fond smile.
Their parents' eyes locked, but there was nothing but affection shining in their eyes. ''We drove each other mad.'' Ziva said softly.
''Still do.'' Tony added cheekily.
She gently swatted his arm. ''You are lucky to be driven mad by me.''
''I know.''
After a long silence fell over the room, Ana decided to try and keep the mood as light as possible. ''Hey, Dad, you would have been proud of me last night.''
''Oh yeah?'' He rasped.
She nodded as a smile formed on her face. ''I taught little Andy the word 'probie.' And now he won't stop saying it to Uncle Tim.''
As she hoped, her father shot her the full DiNozzo grin. ''Really?''
''You should've seen his face.'' Sarah added with a chuckle.
Ziva tutted a few times. ''That is very cruel.'' Though, her own smile betrayed her.
''I trained you well.'' Tony beamed proudly. ''How'd he take it?''
''He added 'probie' to their 'naughty word' list.'' Ana told him with a smirk.
Her dad actually snorted. ''No way!'' He said in disbelief, before his chest started heaving with laughter. ''That's amazing.''
His voice was as thin as she'd ever heard it, and soon his laughter was replaced by another fit of coughs. These sounded much worse than before, and both she and Sarah shot their mom a panicked look. Ziva's face had already fallen, and her jaw had visibly tightened as she leaned down and grabbed his oxygen mask.
He waved her away. ''I'm good.'' His voice was barely audible.
''Put it on, Tony.'' Her voice cracked a little as she spoke.
His coughing wouldn't subside. ''I'm fine.'' His lungs begged to differ, however, and they could see his chest heave as he struggled to inhale.
''Tony, please.'' Ziva said in a softer tone.
He eventually accepted the mask, but his breathing didn't seem to get any easier. In fact, he almost looked like he was choking. His wheezy attempts to take in air got weaker and weaker after each cough, and Ana looked at Sarah with wide, panicked eyes. Her sister's eyes were now wet as she held her hand up to her mouth. She was trembling, and it took Ana a few seconds to realise that her own hands were shaking, too.
''Tony?'' Ziva asked, this time not even trying to hide her concern.
He shook his head and lifted his hand to grip her arm tightly, as more painful noises erupted from his throat.
''Dad, can you breath?'' Sarah asked in a panic.
''Go and get help!'' Ziva yelled.
Ana felt frozen to the spot. ''Mom-''
''-Quickly, Ana!''
Her heart was hurting, and her head was spinning, but she was out of the door in a flash. She wasn't even sure what words left her mouth, if any. Whatever she shrieked down the hallway achieved its intended purpose, though, because three nurses and a doctor came running towards her before disappearing into her dad's room. She followed them back in without hesitation. Before she could make three steps into the room, however, she was ushered out of it, along with her shaking sister and hysterical mother. They practically had to drag Ziva away from the doorway as she screamed and shouted to be allowed back in.
''Mom.'' Ana said as gently as possible. ''Mom, come on.''
''No, I need to be with him!''
''We are with him.'' She insisted. ''Please, Mom.''
After they eventually got Ziva to calm down slightly, she finally burst into tears. And that, above all else, is what made Ana's own eyes start to leak. She'd rarely seen her mother cry, but she'd never seen her like this. She just looked so lost and helpless and terrified. Before she really knew what she was doing, Ana pulled her mother into a tight hug, and was surprised at just how urgently the embrace was returned.
Sarah stepped in and made it a big, sad group hug. ''He's gonna be okay, right Mom?'' She asked in a whisper. ''I mean, he just has to be.''
Ana could feel her mom sob against her. ''I do not know what I would do.'' Ziva said thickly. ''I cannot do this without…'' Ana's heart broke as she heard the strongest woman she'd ever known struggle to find words. ''We cannot lose him.''
It didn't bare thinking about. Fifteen years' worth of memories suddenly flooded her. Her dad was always there to cheer her up, to talk her through the tough times, to be her rock, to teach her all the right lessons. He was safety. He was security. He was joy. And, living in a house without him? That just wasn't going to happen. It couldn't. He would never allow himself to leave them. He was too strong. But, right then, he needed his family to be strong for him.
''Hey,'' she said sternly as she pulled back from the hug slightly, ''we're not gonna lose him.'' Two sets of brown eyes met her as they all sniffed back tears. ''Okay? I mean, come on! He's Dad.''
Sarah wiped at her eyes before speaking. ''He's not invincible, Ana.''
''I know,'' she assured her, ''but he's been through too much to let this beat him, right Mom?''
Ziva sniffed again. ''His lungs are very bad, baby.''
Ana sighed in frustration. They just weren't getting it. ''Remember when you told us about the last time this happened? When Sarah was just a baby?'' Ziva nodded, her eyes were suddenly swimming with the pain the memory seemed to inflict on her. ''You said that, at the time, you didn't think he was gonna make it.''
Ziva shook her head. ''He was younger then.''
''Yeah, but you said that he started getting better as soon as you brought Sarah to visit him.'' Ana reminded her softly. ''You said he started fighting for her.''
Their mother turned to Sarah with a tiny ghost of a smile. ''He did not want you to grow up without your daddy.'' She recalled quietly.
Ana decided to throw in a Gibbs quote. They always seemed to have an effect on her parents. ''You do what you have to for family, right?'' Ziva's gaze returned to her, and Ana could see the hope reigniting in her deep, brown eyes. ''He's never gonna stop fighting for us, guys. He's not gonna give up.''
Ziva reached over and ran her hand over Ana's cheek with impossible gentleness. ''You are just like him, you know that?''
''That's not a bad thing.''
She shook her head. ''No, it is not. I love you two so much.''
They stood there, in a tight DiNozzo group hug, for what felt like hours before the door to Tony's room reopened and the doctor came back out with a sympathetic expression. ''DiNozzos?'' They all turned to him with hopeful looks, and weren't disappointed. ''He's stable, and his breathing has evened out.''
All three of them let out a sigh of relief, and Ana squeezed her Mom's arm in support. Ziva let loose a watery smile.
''Feel free to go and see him again, but make sure he keeps that oxygen mask on, okay?''
They all nodded, but it was Sarah who spoke up. ''We'll kick his ass if he takes it off. Thank you, Doctor.''
When they re-entered the room, the steady beeping of the heart beat monitor was, once again, a calming source of reassurance. Only, this time, it was ten times more welcome to Ana. He was okay, just like she knew he would be. Every rise and fall of his chest was proof of his undefeatable will to live.
She could see her mother's hand shaking as she reached over and ran it through his hair, before she leaned over him and kissed his cheek. Her mouth was moving as she whispered quiet words for his ears only, and her eyes were still wet with tears. Ana knew her parents loved each other, but in times like this she couldn't help but feel like they practically shared the same lifeline. As if one would fall without the other. That was why they'd spent so much of their lives holding on to each other.
His eyes were closed when she approached the bed, and she was quite glad to see her father resting, if she was honest. He needed it. She reached for his hand, and held it tightly as she tried her best not to let her emotions get the better of her.
She had to stay strong.
Even in unconsciousness, she felt him squeeze her hand. It was only a small twitch, but it was enough to spread warmth through her chest.
He was staying strong, too.
Tony wouldn't leave his girls, eh? Hope you liked the latest one-shot. Delirious chapter 12 is in the works, I promise. And Balance will get my full attention after I finish that story.
