Chapter 9

Helen and Jean arrived at Ducky's house shortly after lunch to help out. The team were just after having lunch and were cleaning up.

"Ah Helen, Jean." Ducky greeted. "Welcome."

"Thank you Ducky." Helen replied. "I must say this place looks just wonderful. You have a lovely home."

"Thank you for saying so. Now is there anything else that you need us to do."

"No it looks perfect." Helen replied. "Have the caterers arrived yet."

"Not yet, but they are on their way. They rang for directions. The caskets are also due in the next hour."

"That's good. I can't thank you enough for letting us use your home."

"It's my pleasure." Ducky replied. "Anthony is like a grandson to me and I will do anything I can to make this time easier for everyone."

"You are a kind man." Jean said. "How is Tony today."

"He's sleeping a lot." Abby piped up. "Also Gibbs said he hasn't eaten much."

"That's to be expected." Ducky sighed. "Grief tends to make one lose their appetite and Anthony didn't have much of one before this."

"No that's true." Abby agreed. "For someone who's always hungry, it's strange that he looses his appetite every time he is sick or hurt."

"Poor boy." Ducky sighed "Now Helen, Jean, lets go to the kitchen and I can show you what we have ready."

"Yes of course." Helen replied and they both followed Ducky.

The others continued setting up chairs and rearranging furniture and before they knew it, it was time to leave and get ready. They each went to their separate homes, showered and got changed before heading back to Ducky's house.

Meanwhile at the hospital Gibbs again woke Tony. The nurse's then gave him a bed bath and washed his hair. While they were doing that Gibbs went to have a shower. The nurses were just finished as Gibbs returned. Gibbs then helped Tony to shave before he got dressed. Just when Gibbs had finished dressing Brad and Dr. Philips arrived in.

"Hey Tony are you ready to get dressed." Brad said.

"Sure." Tony replied as the three men moved beside him.

"Alright Tony." Dr. Philips said. "First we are going to disconnect the catheters from the IV ports. The ports will have to remain in place."

"Ok." Tony said as the two Doctors got to work.

"Now we are just going to remove the monitors." Brad said as they started to disconnect everything.

"We'll put on your t-shirt and shirt first." Brad continued and Gibbs got the clothes as Brad and Dr. Philips checked the wounds. They then help Tony get his clothes on.

"We have to leave the urinary catheter in." Dr. Philips said as they pulled back the sheet. "We are going to attach it to a collection bag which we will strap to your leg so it won't be visible. We can take the diaper off for the moment. You haven't eaten much so there shouldn't be a problem. But make sure you tell someone if you feel you need to go."

"Thanks." Tony replied and closed his eyes as they continued what they were doing.

"We are going to put your pants on now." Brad advised as Gibbs handed him Tony's boxers and pants. They then eased him into his boxers and then his pants. When they had that done they helped him with his socks and shoes.

"I'm just going to get the wheelchair." Dr. Philips advised as Brad helped Tony into his jacket and Gibbs helped him with his tie.

When Dr. Philips returned they helped Tony into the wheelchair and reconnected the nasal cannula to the portable tank which was on the back of the chair. They adjusted the legs rests and then strapped Tony in.

"I don't need to be strapped in." Tony protested as he pulled on the strap across his waist.

"Tony you are exhausted." Brad sighed. "We don't want you falling out. This will make sure you don't. We won't put the strap around your chest."

"Fine." Tony sighed.

"Let's get going." Gibbs suggested and moved behind the wheelchair and began pushing.

When they got outside there was a car waiting. The car was specially designed for wheelchairs so they where able to get Tony in without having to take him out of the chair. Gibbs got in beside Tony and Brad and Dr. Philips got into the front and they headed for Ducky's house. They arrived a short while later and helped Tony out of the car. Gibbs again steered the wheelchair and they made their way into the back room where the coffins were set up.

"Hello Tony, Gibbs." Helen greeted and gave Tony a gentle hug. "How are you holding up."

"I'm fine." Tony assured. "How about you."

"The same." She replied with a sad smile. "Would you like to spend a few minutes with them before everyone else arrives?"

"Yeah I would." Tony replied and Gibbs started moving him towards the caskets. They had placed them low enough so that Tony would be able to look at them.

"I'll leave you for a few minutes." Gibbs said and moved a bit away from Tony.

Tony looked at Jeanne in the casket and a tear rolled down his face.

"I'm so sorry for… everything Jeanne." He sobbed. "I love you so much and I'll make…. sure the guy who did this gets what he….deserves. I'm going to miss you Jeanne…. I thought things were finally going….to turn out ok for us…..but I should have know, my life…. Doesn't work like that. I have…..to say goodbye to Katie now….keep each other company. I love you."

Tony kissed his fingers and placed them on Jeanne lips and then tried to move the wheelchair so he could see Katie but he didn't have the strength. Gibbs hurried over to him and wheeled him into place.

"Thanks boss." Tony mumbled as Gibbs returned to where he was standing.

"Hi Katie, it's daddy again. I just…. want you to know how much….I love you. I know I only just….found about you but I was so happy…..I'm sorry that we aren't going to…get to play games and stuff…..but your mommy will take care of you now." Tony again kissed his fingers and then gently placed them on Katie's forehead. "I love you Katie, never forget that."

Seeing that Tony was finished Gibbs went back over and crouched down beside Tony. "Are you ok."

"No, but I will be." Tony replied as he dried his tears.

Gibbs stood up and approached Katie's coffin. He two kissed his fingers and then placed them on Katie's forehead, he then done the same for Jeanne.

"Let's go into the sitting room until they are ready to start." Gibbs said and wheeled the younger agent out of the room. He brought him to the sitting room where the rest of the team and the 2 doctors were gathered.

"Oh Tony." Abby cried and ran towards him. She stopped in front of him and gave him a gentle hug.

"Thanks Abby." Tony replied with a small smile. "Thanks for being here."
"Of course we'd be here Tony." Abby replied. "Do you want a drink or something to eat?"

"No I'm ok thanks." He replied

"Just call if you want anything." Abby said as she went back to her seat.

Gibbs wheeled Tony over beside a chair and then Gibbs sat down. They sat their in silence for 10 minutes before the funeral director came to get them. They all went back to the room where a priest was waiting. When everyone had taken their seats he began. After a while he invited people up to speak about Jeanne, Helen went first.

"Firstly I would like to thank you all for coming. I'm happy to see my daughter had so many friends and colleagues who cared about her. Jeanne had wanted to be a doctor since she was a little girl playing with her plastic doctor set. She wanted to make a difference, to help people and save lives. She was a very active and outgoing person even in the past few months while she was pregnant. This past year had been full of ups and downs but I know that in her last few days she was the happiest I'd ever seen her. She rang me just the other night to tell me how happy she was. Herself and Tony had sorted things out and were back together and expecting their child. At one point during the call she started crying and I thought something was wrong. She told me she was crying because she was happy. She was also worried about Tony because he was so sick but she knew he would get better. I got to meet my granddaughter Katie for a few minutes before she died and she was such a sweet baby. It's a tragedy that their lives were cut so short and I'll miss them both very much."

Some of Jeanne friends went up next and told stories about her. By the time they had finished there were tears wetting Tony's face and Gibbs had a strong, but gentle grip on his arm. Gibbs noticed he seem a little short for breath so called Brad over. Brad hurried to the front and crouched down in front of Tony.

"Tony are you ok." He asked in hushed tones.

"No." Tony gasped as he gripped Gibbs' hand.

"Just relax Tony I'm going to turn up the oxygen and you'll be fine." Brad assured.

Helen also came over when she saw Brad and gently held Tony's other hand.

"Just breath through your nose." She said. "We're here, you'll be fine."

It took a few minutes but eventually Tony's breathing returned to normal and the priest continued with a blessing for the bodies. When the priest had finished, everyone got a chance to view the bodies and sympathise with the family. Many people came over to Tony and said some kind words. When everyone had finished they returned to the large sitting room and had some food. Tony was brought to the downstairs bedroom and Brad and Gibbs helped him into bed.

"You need to rest for a bit Tony." Brad said as he connected a bag of fluids to one of the IV ports and then injected some meds into it. "Stay here until the fluids are gone."

"Ok." Tony replied to their surprise.

"I'll stay with him." Gibbs said as he sat on the bed beside Tony. "I'll call if we need you."

"Alright." Brad agreed as he put away his equipment. "I won't be far."

"Thanks." Tony replied as he moved closer to Gibbs.

Gibbs put his arm around the younger man and held him close as Brad left the room.

Tony didn't sleep but lay there for over half an hour just resting. There was a knock at the door and Gibbs told whoever it was to come in. It was Helen.

"How is he?" she asked quietly

"I'm fine." Tony replied.

"I'm sorry, I thought you were asleep." Helen said as she moved beside Tony and checked his pulse.

"No." Tony replied. "I don't need to sleep."

"He just needs to rest a while and get those fluids into him." Gibbs said indicating to the half empty bag.

"Would you like me to bring you some food?" she asked them both.

"We're alright for the moment." Gibbs replied.

"I'll leave you alone for another while." She said and left the room.

A half an hour later Brad returned and disconnected the fluids.

"You can go back out there if you want." He said "Or you can stay in here for another while."

"I'll go back out." Tony sighed

They helped him back into the wheelchair after Brad checked him over and then went back to the crowd.

Tony was shocked to see some of his Frat brothers in the crowd and many people from NCIS were there.

"Why are they all here boss." Tony asked.

"They came for you." Gibbs replied.

"Why?"

"You just lost your girlfriend and daughter. They are here to show you that they care."
"That was nice of them. I…I didn't expect anyone to come."

"People care about you Tony." Gibbs said "We'll all be here for you"

"Thank boss." Tony replied.

They moved over to the group and listened to people telling stories.

Helen came over after a while and asked if she could speak to Tony. Tony agreed and Gibbs wheeled him into another room and Helen followed.

"What's wrong Helen?" Tony asked as she sat down in front of him.

"Nothing is wrong Tony." She assured. "I just wanted to talk to you about Jeanne's will."

"Her will." Tony repeated.

"Yes, her father left her quite a bit of money. She spoke to a lawyer a few days ago and had her will changed. You are listed as the beneficiary. Well you and Katie but now it all goes to you."

"Oh." Tony replied softly "Why would she do that?"

"Because she loved you." Helen smiled. "She wanted to take care of you and her daughter if anything was to happen to her."

"What about you?"

"Me, I don't need the money. I took half of Renee's fortune when we divorced. No it is all for you."

"I can't take it." Tony protested.

"Yes you can. I know Jeanne didn't tell me everything that happened between the two of you, but I do know that you are not a professor but work for NCIS and I know that your car was destroyed."

"Helen I……"

"It's alright Tony. I know you were doing your job, but I also know that you loved Jeanne."

"I did." Tony replied softly.

"That's all that matters now." Helen assured. "Now, I'll get the money transferred to your accounts tomorrow. You should take a holiday, both of you; you'll be off work for a while anyway. The villa in the south of France is also yours; you could spend some time there."

"He owns a villa." Gibbs said.

"I'll think about it." Tony replied. "Right now I just want to get through… this without collapsing. But thank you."

"It's ok Tony I understand. We'll discuss it when all this is over and you are feeling better. I just wanted you to know."

"Thank you." Tony replied.

"We should go back out." Gibbs suggested and the three joined the rest of the people.

Gibbs went to get something to eat and after filling his plate he returned to Tony. He tried to get Tony to eat something but he refused. The rest of the evening past quickly as many of Tony's friends and colleagues came over to talk to him. By the time everyone started to leave, Tony was exhausted and was nearly asleep in the wheelchair. Both Dr. Philips and Dr. Pitt were hovering near Tony in case he needed help.

"We should go." Gibbs said to Tony.

"Yeah." Tony mumbled "I'm tired."

"I'm just going to put the strap around your chest so you won't fall out." Gibbs said as he started pulling the strap around Tony.

"I don't want it." Tony whined.

"It's ok Tony." Gibbs assured as he buckled it in place. "It's to keep you safe until we get you back to the hospital."

"Ok." Tony sighed and Gibbs started wheeling him to the car. They said their goodbyes as they got into the car and then drove quickly to the hospital. By the time they arrived Tony was fast asleep only being held up by the straps. They quickly brought him inside and got him out of his suit and into bed. The doctors then reconnected all the monitors and IVs and after giving him his meds, they left him to sleep, telling Gibbs they would be back in the morning. Gibbs too changed out of his suit and sat in the chair next to the bed and fell asleep. He woke a while later when Tony started coughing. He helped Tony sit up and held him while he coughed. The nurse's came in to make sure he was ok and then left him to sleep. Tony lay down and tried to sleep but kept tossing and turning.

"What wrong Tony?" Gibbs asked after a few minutes.

"I can't get comfortable." Tony replied and they lapsed into silence again.

"Boss, are you still there." Tony asked after a few minutes.

"I'm here Tony." Gibbs assured and moved closer so Tony could see him.

"Oh ok." Tony sighed and closed his eyes again.

After a few minutes Gibbs got up from the chair and sat on the bed. Tony shuffled over a bit to give him some room and then leaned on Gibbs shoulder. Gibbs pulled the blankets up around both of them and then pulled Tony closer. Tony fell asleep within a few minutes. Gibbs fell asleep soon after that.


A/n: Thank you so much for all the reviews. There are so many it'll take me a while to get through them but i will.