8
Debt
Tony took out the key Tim had given him for use in emergencies. "You guys wait out here; if he's sleeping I don't want you waking him up."
Fletcher and Pendrel exchanged meaningful glances, being part of Tony DiNozzo's security detail was not dull that was for sure. They never knew where he was going next, or what he was going to do, but they were happy to wait outside Agent McGee's apartment, after all they knew Tony would be safe inside, the Director had posted a watch on McGee's apartment last night in case the man who'd halted an assassination became a target.
Taking care not to make a noise Tony put the groceries on the kitchen counter, slipped off his shoes and opened the bedroom door. Good, Tim was still sleeping; with luck Tony would have time to make him some breakfast. Tim's protestations that The Chameleon's blade had inflicted nothing more than a scratch had turned out to be something of an understatement.
By the time Ducky had arrived at the crime scene in the Navy Yard Tim was becoming aware of pain, and they could all see the widening stain on his shirt, he started to shiver.
"Oh oh, guess the adrenaline is wearing off..."
It hadn't taken Ducky long to make his assessment. "You need stitches young man, I'll put on a temporary dressing. Jimmy, would you deal with our latest guest? I will take Timothy to the hospital."
Tony had wanted to accompany his friend, but Gibbs was having none of it. "You get back inside Tony, and you stay there or so help me..."
He'd done as instructed, and his security detail had stuck to him like glue, they needn't have worried, he wasn't going anywhere until he got news on Tim. The attack had left Tony more shaken than he wanted to admit even to himself; not so much that he'd come close to death, wasn't the first time that had happened, but Tim...he could have died and all because Tony's didn't like staying inside and following orders.
The wait had seemed interminable, but was in fact just three hours; Ducky had called from the hospital. "Timothy was very lucky, a little more pressure on the blade and things could have turned out very differently. As it is he has eighteen stitches and once the local anaesthesia wears off he will be in a lot of pain. He'll be prescribed some pain medication and once we get away from here I'll take him home so he can sleep."
Ducky had ensured that Tim was as comfortable as possible before leaving him to get the rest his body required. He'd ordered everyone to stay away. "I know you all mean well, but he needs to rest and I think he can do that best if he is alone. I'll check on him first thing in the morning, until then I want you to leave him in peace."
It had taken all of Tony's willpower, and Gibbs' direct order to make him stay away; he'd done as Ducky asked, but he had slept fitfully, more than anything he wanted to speak to Tim, to thank him, over and over again. He'd been up at first light and had persuaded his security detail to let him call in at a grocery store before driving to Tim's apartment.
A fresh pot of coffee was ready, and as soon as Tim was up Tony would put the eggs in the pan. They were having them scrambled, there some things Tony wasn't prepared to do, even for a friend like Tim, and having half-cooked egg yolks staring up at him was one of them.
He heard the sound of running water from the bathroom, sounded like Tim was up and about. Tony resisted the temptation to check whether Tim needed any help and poured the beaten egg mixture into the pan, the eggs were just about ready when his friend walked slowly into the kitchen.
"Tony? What are you doing?"
"There was me thinking you were a trained investigator, I'm cooking eggs, see, breakfast will be served any minute, why don't you take a seat and I'll pour some coffee."
Tony was smiling, but Tim didn't return the smile, instead he went over to the counter and poured two cups of coffee. He handed one to Tony. "I know what you're doing Tony, this stops right here, right now."
"What?" Tony had no idea what Tim was talking about, he'd seen his friend wince as he picked up the coffee jug, so he put it down to the fact he was hurting.
Tim eased his frame onto a chair, the pain meds had worn off and he didn't want to take any more until Ducky looked him over, he knew he was being cranky and he knew Tony was only trying to help, but he had to put a stop to this. "I'm not having you acting like you have to pay me back for something, I did what I'm trained to do...what I'd do any minute of any day for my partner, what you'd do for me if the roles were reversed."
"These eggs are about done, you going to throw them at me, or sit quiet and eat them?" The distraction of getting Tim to eat something would give him some time to process what Tim was saying.
With a slightly sheepish smile Tim put down his cup. "Guess I am hungry, I'd like some eggs Tony, thanks."
"No problema." Tony divided the food and handed Tim a plate and fork, they ate in silence for a while. "Food okay?"
"Better than okay. Tony..."
"Finish your breakfast; I'm guessing you haven't eaten since yesterday morning...my fault..."
Tim shook his head slightly, but he didn't say anything, he really was hungry and these eggs were good. When he'd finished Tony took his plate before he had chance to get up and put it on the counter. "Tony...I...doing this, I do appreciate it, but I've been here remember? I've been the one waiting on someone hand and foot because I owed him..."
"Your life..."
"Sounds dramatic when you say it like that, but Gibbs did push me away from that car, I could have died, my own fault, I should have reacted faster."
"You reacted plenty fast enough yesterday. Without you I'd be lying on a slab in Autopsy."
Tim shook his head again. "No way to know that Tony, maybe you'd have seen the knife, stopped him before he...before he hurt you."
"Maybe...we'll never know because you got to him first. I was so stupid going out alone, but I couldn't stop myself, I felt like the walls were closing in on me. If I'd stopped to think you wouldn't be hurting right now."
"I'm okay Tony, a little sore I'll admit, but Ducky says I can go back to work tomorrow, not in the field, but I'm good to man a desk." Tim had to nip this in the bud; he knew how easy it was to be riddled with guilt when someone stepped into the firing line to save you. "I didn't do anything special; doubt if I even had time to think, I just acted on instinct, I'm glad I was there."
"You're glad? What about me Tim, what I owe you..."
"No! There's nothing owed, I had your back, next time you'll have mine; that's how it goes."
"Tim, please let me help, at least for today; you look like hell."
"Gee thanks!" Tony thought he'd gone too far, but Tim was smiling, "It's okay Tony, I got a look in the mirror; all I need is a day lounging around doing nothing and I'll be good as new."
"Is that right, you got super healing powers the rest of us don't know about?"
Tim couldn't help laughing, and proved he didn't have any super powers by wincing as he felt the pressure on his stitches. "Ow...remind me laughing isn't a good idea."
"See, you need me around to keep you in line."
"Won't Gibbs be expecting you?"
Tony put on his best hangdog expression. "You trying to say you want to get rid of me? A guy could take offence. Anyhow, Gibbs said I could take the day so long as I let my guard dogs do their job."
"Speaking of guard dogs, how's Dorny doing?"
"Gibbs wanted to send him down to the evidence lock-up to do inventory, but I managed to talk him out of it. I mean, the poor kid's in awe of me, when I told him to stay he wasn't about to argue. He's off security detail, but Gibbs is letting him work the case."
There was a knock on the door and Tony's hand went instinctively to his holster, he signalled Tim to stay where he was as he answered the door.
"Ah Anthony, would you be so kind as to tell Agent Fletcher that I am expected?"
"Ducky, come on in, Tim's in the kitchen. Fletch, what's your problem? You know Ducky, why didn't you let him in?"
Fletcher's jaw dropped open, "You serious? We saw Gibbs with Dorneget yesterday, not taking any chances."
"I hear that. Look, I'm staying with McGee today, when Ducky's finished checking him out, how about one of you watch me from inside the apartment and the other watch out here? If you do one hour shifts you get to have some time off your feet, sound good?"
"Sound great!"
Tony winked, went back inside and waited in the living room until Ducky came out of the kitchen. "How's he doing?"
"Very well, the wound is clean, no sign of infection; he's taking the latest dose of painkillers as we speak. If he follows doctor's orders and rests today there's no reason he can't return to work tomorrow."
"Oh, he'll rest, don't you worry."
"So I understand, Timothy tells me you've offered to stay with him today." Ducky smiled and patted Tony on the shoulder. "He's going to be perfectly fine Tony."
"No thanks to me."
"Don't take all the burden on your shoulders, The Chameleon is the one who bears the guilt. Speaking of which, I should be getting back to NCIS; Jimmy's preliminary findings have merely deepened the mystery surrounding our guest. No fingerprints, tinted contact lenses, false beard...this will be a very interesting autopsy."
"You'll call me if..."
"I get anything, of course; and Tony, please make sure Timothy takes his medication, he'll get better much faster if he's not in pain."
"Will do Doc, thanks for watching out for him, for all of us."
"You are most welcome, I should be going, no doubt Jethro is already breathing down Jimmy's neck."
Tony waved him on his way and went back to the kitchen; Tim was at the sink rinsing the breakfast plates.
"Hey, you're supposed to be taking it easy."
"Not exactly running a marathon Tony...look, about earlier, I didn't mean to sound ungrateful, I do appreciate everything you're doing."
Tony picked up the empty cups and handed them to Tim. "It's nothing compared to what you did."
"Tony, enough please."
"No, it's not enough. You saved my life Tim, and not only that...you're my friend, what I'm doing, it's what a good friend would do."
Tim turned to Tony, searching his face and seeing the truth there. "So long as you're doing it for friendship's sake, not out of some misguided sense of obligation."
"But I do have an obligation Tim, to watch your back." Tony had to make his partner know what being a true partner meant. "You do know I'd take a bullet for you?"
Tim was momentarily taken aback, it was rare to see Tony so serious, maybe it was time to lighten the mood. "I'm the one on pain meds, thought it was me who'd be talking loopy."
"I mean every word."
"I know Tony, believe me I know. Come on partner, Ducky says I should rest, how about a movie?"
"Do you have anything that doesn't involve elves or wizards?"
Tim risked a quiet laugh. "Maybe; why don't you take a look and I'll get us some fresh coffee?"
"I can get coffee, you should sit." Tony was already moving toward the kitchen but Tim pointed to the TV.
"Tony, movie; now!"
"On it!"
THE END: The guys will be back for a quick drabble in Early.
