DISCLAIMER: I don't own NCIS or it's characters. I'd be snuggled with Tim right now if I did, which would actually be difficult considering he's fictional! Hmmm.
A/N: Thanks again for the alerts / reviews. I'm amazed that people actually like what I write! I can't believe that EMS in the US don't have gas and air as 1 reviewer commented, is that really the case all over the US? The stuff is great! If not I apologise for the fact I've used an English pain relief method. Anyway on with the story.
Chapter Ten
The paramedics, Ducky and Tim entered a debate on what should happen next while Gibbs stood in the doorway silently watching.
"Well your vitals are stable, you can move with assistance, but you're clearly still in a lot of pain," stated Jesse.
"Do you think you could eat something Timothy? Then you could take another anti-inflammatory and another dose of your painkillers at least."
"Still feeling sick Ducky," Tim replied quietly, looking thoroughly miserable.
"How about if I heat some of that soup up from earlier, could you manage that?" Gibbs asked from the doorway.
"I'll try it."
"OK then." Gibbs left the room to get the soup and left the others to decide what would happen with Tim's care. He felt like he had no right to a say when he had allowed himself to become so consumed with the case that he'd forgotten to check on his agent. If he had been in a position to give his opinion he would have told them that he wanted his son where he could keep an eye on him. There was no way he was leaving Tim alone again.
"What'll they do if I go back to the hospital?"
"Probably give you painkillers, an anti-inflammatory, maybe a muscle relaxant and leave you till the morning when one of the orthopaedic consultants is available," Mike informed him.
"More or less what I can get staying here then," replied Tim. "With the exception of the muscle relaxant," he thought that sounded kind of nice if it worked. Maybe even worth going to the hospital.
"Timothy, if you want to stay here I am sure I can get a prescription for a muscle relaxant."
"I don't want to be a burden Ducky. I should probably go to the hospital."
Gibbs chose that moment to return with a mug of soup, knowing it would be easier for Tim, as well as a glass of water to enable him to take the medications. "Hey! You're not a burden!"
If Tim hadn't been in pain he might have thought through what he replied, but since he was in pain he just responded with the first words that popped into his head, "Sure feels like I am! After all you had to come back here from the Navy Yard in the middle of an investigation. You told me you wanted to take care of me! That was clearly a lie since you completely forgot about me!" he accused his boss.
The EMTs shifted uncomfortably. Not that they hadn't seen family dramas before but the older man with the silver hair was armed, they didn't want to find themselves in the middle of something!
Gibbs hurried forward, placed the soup and water on the bedside table and knelt down in front of his youngest boy, resting a hand on his knee, "Tim, you have no idea how guilty I feel about that. I know I say never to apologise but in this case, between family, given the mistake I made, I feel that it's necessary. I am sorry son. We got caught up canvassing the neighbourhood around the Gonzales' house. There was a lead from that and we were back in Abby's lab following it up when Ducky came and told me he couldn't reach you. We headed straight here to check on you. I know this is bad, but I'm glad it wasn't worse."
"I must also apologise Timothy. I was completely caught up in autopsy and didn't notice the time," Ducky was as contrite as Gibbs.
"Tim, look at me," once the young man's eyes were locked on his own he continued, "If you want to stay here then you can but I understand if you think you'd be better off in the hospital. I let you down and damaged your trust."
The green eyes looked from Gibbs, to Ducky, to the paramedics. He assessed how he was feeling. His back was setting up for another round, he was tired and in pain. The idea of a journey to the hospital in the back of an ambulance was wholly unappealing. He could drink his soup, take his pain medication and go straight to sleep here, but could he trust the others not to forget about him again? There was no doubt in his mind that he was even less mobile than when he first left the hospital and he would need help getting to the bathroom.
Watching the expressive eyes before him Gibbs could see the thoughts flitting through his son's mind. He wanted so much to reassure him. Quickly the older agent got to his feet and moved to the door.
Tim watched his surrogate father get up and move away. His shoulders slumped slightly. It seemed Gibbs wasn't going to stick around just as he was daring to hope, so he was somewhat surprised when Gibbs called down the stairs.
"Tony!"
"Yeah Boss?" DiNozzo's voice floated back up the stairs.
"I want you to take Ducky where ever he needs to go to get a prescription for Tim."
"On it Boss!"
Ducky simply took it in his stride and said his farewell's to the EMTs before going downstairs to meet Tony.
Gibbs crossed the room again and looked at Tim, "I'm not going anywhere this time. I promise one of the team will be with you until you're better. I won't let you down again. Stay?"
Too tired to fight and desperately wanting for someone he knew to take care of him at this point, he agreed, "Alright Boss."
"Thank you. Now drink that soup before it goes cold," ordered Gibbs.
The EMTs smiled at each other and started pulling out the paperwork they'd need to complete for their patient to sign stating that he agreed not to be taken to hospital to be treated following assessment.
McGee finished the soup and placed the mug carefully back on the side. He went to reach for the water and medication but another spasm ripped through his body taking his breath away. Gibbs cringed in sympathy and took his youngest agent's hand in his, allowing Tim to squeeze it until the spasm passed.
"Thanks Boss," he gave a watery smile.
"Take some more of the gas and air Tim," suggested Mike as he handed the mouthpiece over.
Gratefully taking it from the EMT he took several deep breaths. Glad to feel the light headed feeling it gave him kick in. Gibbs handed him the medication and the glass of water to take it with and once that was done he took a few more deep breaths of the gas and air.
"Need the bathroom again," Tim sheepishly told Gibbs.
"No problem," he gently placed his hands under Tim's elbows and helped him to his feet, then he walked backwards supporting Tim the entire way to the bathroom. He made sure that his son was alright to take care of business and then left the room, pulling the door almost closed to allow him some privacy. He hurried back to the bedroom to straighten the sheet and then returned to wait outside the bathroom door.
When Tim had been to the toilet, washed his hands and taken the opportunity to clean his teeth Gibbs then repeated the backwards walking leading him back to the bedroom. He sat him on the edge and waited while he took a few final healthy breaths from the gas and air then helped him to lie down on his right side again.
The sigh of relief that came from Tim was a clear indication of how he was feeling and how grateful he was to be back on the bed instead of beside it. Jesse quickly talked him through the forms and got him to sign in the relevant places.
"If you have any further problems then call again. I know you have Doctor Mallard but don't take any chances if something doesn't feel right, OK?"
"Yeah, thanks," a sleepy McGee smiled. The effects of the gas and air may have worn off not long after he settled on his side, but the tramadol was now starting to take effect.
"I'll be right back Tim," Gibbs said before leaving the room to show the paramedics out. They shook hands and he watched them walk down his driveway to the ambulance. Once they were gone he closed the door and took a deep breath. The ex-marine didn't show his fear very often but he didn't mind admitting that when Tim didn't answer his cell he'd been terrified that something bad had happened. Though something had happened, it wasn't the worst thing and Tim was upstairs, safe and resting.
Once he had his emotions back under control he turned to head back upstairs. Both Ziva and Abby were standing in the doorway watching him.
"Gibbs, are you alright?" asked Ziva.
"Yeah, I am now."
Abby didn't say anything she just walked up to him and wrapped him in one of her rib crushing hugs. He sometimes thought she'd missed her calling. She'd probably have made an excellent chiropractor. Untangling himself from her arms he kissed her forehead and started back up the stairs, "I'm gonna change the covers and settle him down for the night."
It was rather unsettling to see Abby being so quiet and reserved. He had expected her to demand to see Tim the moment the paramedics had left, instead she seemed almost scared. "He's alright Abs, he just needs to get some rest."
"I know it's just…"
"You are not used to seeing him in so much pain, yes?" asked Ziva softly.
"Yeah."
"It is hard Abby, but he is strong and we will help him through this."
"I know. I'm alright Gibbs, go take care of Timmy," Abby smiled at him, not quite her full on 1000 watt smile, but he'd take it for now.
Returning to the bedroom he watched with concern and sadness as another spasm obviously went through McGee's back. He hurried to the bedside and slipped his hand under Tim's, once again allowing him an anchor through the pain. When it had passed he picked the bedding up off the floor and left the room, when he returned he had fresh bedding which he laid over his injured agent / son.
Pulling a chair over to the bed he took up a vigil placing his hand under Tim's again and leaving it there for him to grip whenever he needed to. He didn't know how long he sat there before he heard the front door close and the sound of footsteps approaching the room.
"Hey Boss, how's he doing?" Tony asked quietly. Seeing his little brother in so much pain broke his heart. If the women could see him now, see this softer side of Anthony DiNozzo, they'd all swoon at his feet, even those that were seemingly immune to the DiNozzo charms.
"Painkillers are helping some but he's still getting a wave of pain if he shifts even slightly," Gibbs responded equally as quietly, "Where's Ducky?"
"Getting a fresh glass of water," Tony watched as his boss soothed his baby brother through another spasm. "Why don't you go see what's keeping him, I've got him," he tried to be nonchalant but Gibbs could read him like a book. Tony wanted a few minutes with Tim.
"Yeah, alright, I'll be back in a few minutes Tim."
"'K."
Tony quickly sat in the chair that Gibbs had just vacated and placed his own hand under Tim's. He was surprised by the strength of the grip when yet another spasm hit when Tim tried to shift position.
Leaning forward he smoothed the hair back from Tim's forehead, "It's alright, we're here. We'll get you through this little brother."
"Thanks Tony," Tim gave his older brother what he hoped was a reassuring smile.
"I'd say anytime, but I'd really rather you didn't go through this again!"
"That makes two of us!"
"More like three of us," stated Ducky as he joined them. "How are you feeling lad?"
"Tired."
"I'm betting that's an understatement. I've got something that might help," seeing the question in his 'grandson's' eyes he filled him in, "I picked up a prescription for diazepam."
"Isn't that like a tranquilliser?" Tony's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"It has many uses Anthony, one of which is a muscle relaxant. It is also used as a sedative so will help Timothy sleep," he addressed the man in the bed, "I'm going to start you off with two 5mg tablets lad. It's a high dose but given the circumstances I think this warrants it. Tomorrow we'll give you one tablet three times a day for a few days. That combined with the painkillers and the anti-inflammatories will get you back on your feet in no time. Anthony, help me sit him up so he can take these without choking."
Between the two men they managed to get Tim to sit on the edge of the bed without causing him too much pain though it was a lengthy process and was hampered by many pauses while a spasm passed. They supported him while he sat there taking the medication and then went to help him lie down again.
"Wait," he stopped them.
"What is it lad?"
"Need the bathroom," he stated simply.
A chuckle came from Gibbs who had been standing just inside the door, "Let me get this straight, you're stuck on the floor all day and hadn't been to the head for over twelve hours and now this'll be the third time in the last hour!"
"Well yeah Boss, couldn't go before, been saving it up all day!" retorted Tim.
Shaking his head Gibbs came forward and helped his youngest son to his feet and repeated the trip to the bathroom again, when he'd done that he and Ducky settled him back into bed, Gibbs once again sitting in the chair. There was no way he was leaving his boy's side that night.
Ducky and Tony wished them a goodnight before retreating downstairs. Tony smiled at the makeshift bed his sisters had made for Ducky on the sofa and him on the floor. The two men settled themselves down, hoping for a peaceful night for Tim.
Ziva and Abby had been sent to Gibbs' room to get some sleep, as they had gone passed they had poked their head round the door but didn't want to disturb him, they knew he'd still be there in the morning and right now he needed Gibbs. There'd be plenty of time for the 'girls' to fuss over him.
- NCIS -
A/N: You may know diazepam as valium as well. It works very well as a muscle relaxant. The first time I was prescribed it many years ago it knocked me out within 30 minutes!
The comment made by Gibbs about the number of trips to the bathroom was one my own father actually made! Bless him.