MOODY BLUES
Tony protested being wheeled out to Gibbs' car. He protested needing help getting into the car. Despite the fact he was not able to stand that well and he was still weak.
Gibbs's arm around Tony hurt. His chest and back were still sore from all the coughing. And any touch, no matter how light, brought discomfort. The journey up the four steps to Gibbs front door was tortuous. Tony grabbed and held on to the rail. He tried to get up the stairs himself. He tried to pull away from Gibbs's arm and ease his discomfort. But instead he ended up leaning heavily on Gibbs.
"Tony!" Gibbs said as Tony leaned against him. "Tony?"
"'m okay." Tony said. "Tired."
"Shoulda stayed in the hospital." Gibbs said trying to keep Tony from collapsing to the ground.
Tony shook his head as vigorously as he could. "No! Glad to get out. Couldn't sleep last night. Ready to leave."
"Tony?" Gibbs said. Tony didn't freely make admissions, even about being tired. Gibbs knew, by that, that Tony must be very tired. The medication too, had begun to kick in. He stood for a few moments, allowing Tony time to rest.
"Coulda gone home. Too much trouble." Tony said. He moved towards the steps again.
Gibbs looked at him. "You live alone, DiNozzo. How was that going to work?"
"Ms. Garry." Tony offered.
"She is 85 years old and has an arthritic hip." Gibbs reminded him.
"She likes me." Tony said.
"I bet she does." Gibb smiled, looking at Tony.
"There's Miss Harper." Tony offered.
"The spinster cat lady you said smelled like kitty litter?" Gibb asked.
"There's…." Tony started.
"There's nobody, Tony. You can't stay by yourself."
"I could…."
"Shut up, DiNozzo."
"Shutting up, Boss."
Tony slowly made his way up Gibbs steps, with Gibbs' help. Tony finally made it inside. He then collapsed onto the couch. His chest was killing him.
"Tony!" Gibbs knelt down in front of Tony. He put his hands on Tony's knees.
Tony shook his head. "Chest…sore. It's…I'm OK."
Gibbs stayed in the crouching position, only rising when Tony's breathing had evened out. "Come on. I'll get you to bed."
"Been in bed for a month, Gibbs."
"You are on bed rest for a week, doctor's orders. Plus, you are still on some pretty strong pain killers. You need the rest."
Gibbs helped Tony sit on the bed then disappeared into the bathroom to get a glass of water. He sat the water at Tony's bedside. He then helped Tony get his shoes and socks off, having left the hospital dressed in PJs. He closed his eyes as Gibbs pulled the covers up over him.
"You put on a nursemaid outfit..." Tony muttered. "…and I'm outta here."
"DiNozzo." Gibbs warned.
"Shutting…up,…Boss." Tony muttered as he went off to sleep.
Gibbs shook his head, smiling as he dimmed the lights. He then went into the kitchen to get his first of what would be, he figured, many cups of coffee. He then grabbed a blanket, his glasses, and a crossword puzzle and settled into the chair beside Tony's bed.
Tony slept through the night. He woke up early to find Gibbs asleep in his chair, his glasses hanging off the end of his nose. Tony reached out and touched Gibbs' hand.
"You OK, DiNozzo." Gibbs asked, stirring from his semi-conscious state.
"Better than yesterday." Tony conceded.
"Ducky is coming…."
Tony shook his head. "I'm been poked and prodded enough. I don't have any blood left. The vampires at the hospital took it all." Tony shuddered, recounting his many needle sticks and blood draws.
"I called him about your chest. He wants to check your lungs too."
"Dr. Pitt…."
"Brad's way of checking up on you." Gibbs said. "He asked Ducky to report his findings."
Tony nodded and attempted to stretch, then realized that it was a huge mistake. He groaned, loudly, as his chest and back muscles protested the movement. He put his hand to his chest and squeezed his eyes closed.
"Tony!" Gibbs said, concerned. "Damnet, Tony, stop doing that."
"What?" Tony asked, through his pain. It was bad enough he was hurting, what the hell was Gibb's problem now?
"Brad told you not to try and raise your arms."
"I forgot." Tony groaned out.
"Don't. Forget." Gibbs stated.
Tony closed his eyes and waited for the pain to ease instead of responding to Gibbs.
Gibbs immediately regretted his harsh words to Tony. He was the flash of hurt in Tony's eyes. He wanted until Tony closed his eyes before he moved his hand to Tony's head. He gently patted Tony's head. "I…I'm going to go make us breakfast."
Gibbs returned a few minutes later with oatmeal and a cup of coffee. He brought his own breakfast in so that he could eat with Tony. Tony stared at the oatmeal for a moment and when the sight and smell didn't cause his stomach to turn he decided to try to eat some. It has actually been pretty good. Gibbs had seasoned it just right, and Tony surprised himself by finishing the bowl. He drank all of his coffee also. He fell asleep in the position Gibbs had propped him up in, on a mound of pillows. Gibbs decided just to let him stay that way for a little while as he got down to business with his daily chores. He came into the spare/Tony's bedroom many times to check on him, each time finding Tony sound asleep or just dozing. He would leave again and go back to whatever he was doing.
NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS
"You gotta move around Tony, doctor's orders." Gibbs said as he encouraged Tony to get up out of the bed. He had been at Gibbs' for a week.
"Too sore." Tony responded as he sat up.
"Which is why you need to move..." Gibbs said. "…to get up and move around."
"I'm sore." Tony complained, again.
"You lay in bed you will get pneumonia." Gibbs reminded him.
Tony flashed back to that awful period, not too long ago. He decided to get up out of bed and move around a little. The next time it was easier to get up. The next time even easier, and before long the soreness was gone, a distant memory.
Tony sat down on the stair 3 steps up and watched Gibbs sand. He had been at Gibbs house a total of two weeks. He was going home tomorrow. He had been cleared by both Brad and Ducky to do so.
"Ducky said I could go home." Tony started.
"Yep." Gibbs replied.
"It's been….I…."
"Don't start, Tony." Gibbs warned. He wanted no mushy sentiment.
"You would deny me this Hallmark moment?" Tony asked, grinning.
"It's not going to be a Hallmark moment if I have to slap you upside the head." Gibbs replied.
"Thank…."
"Tony!"
"Just as well...I tried to wax poetic." Tony said, grinning. "But I could not find anything that rhymed with 'pain-in-the-ass' that would fit the occasion."
"Hallmark don't make those." Gibbs stated.
"No, they do not." Tony agreed.
Gibbs put down his sand paper and walked over to Tony. He put his hands to either side of his face. "You are irreplaceable to me. I want you to know that. I told you that before. I meant it then, and I mean it now." Gibbs patted Tony's face lightly with his right hand. "But, you are on medical leave for two more weeks. If I see you in the office before then, I will kick your ass. You understand?"
"Got it, Boss!" Tony said, smiling.
THE END
