So I suck a lot. I apologize for taking so long to write this chapter. So this chapter is kind of dull, just team talking. Anyways enjoy and review if you'd like.
Gibbs settled into the chair next to Tony's prone body. It had taken awhile to convince everyone else to go home but he eventually managed to push them all out the door. Tony was still in a medicated sleep so Gibbs prepared for a long night of waiting.
Every part of Tony's body ached. He lay there carefully trying not to strain his body. From the smell and annoying beeping he could tell he was in a hospital. God damn it! He hated the hospital and from the feel of it he was going to be here for a very long time. He carefully opened his eyes and glanced around the room. As expected Gibbs was slouched down asleep next to his bed. Tony smiled. The one benefit of getting hurt was that Gibbs was always there with him, taking care of him. Yeah after he healed he would get in shit for being reckless but until then he would finally have the type of parent who took care of him.
He shifted carefully trying to adjust his weight. His chest shifted slightly and he groaned at the pain that radiated from his body. Oh god, he hurt. His vision blackened at the intense pain and he desperately panted trying to contain it. It took him awhile for the pain to dim and he realized someone was grasping his hand. "Shh Tony. I'm right here. Come on kid, try to relax." Tony opened his eyes and made eye contact with Gibbs who was reaching for the morphine button. Tony made to protest but Gibbs ignored him and clicked the button a few times. "DiNozzo, you are in pain. Stop being an idiot."
Tony grimaced but it was a relief to feel some of the pain leave. "Boss, I'm sorry. Screwed up. I wasn't fast enough." Tony mumbled woozily.
"Ah Tony. You didn't screw up. You saved McGee and stopped Joey. He was dead when I got there, kid. You did it on your own. Now this doesn't mean I'm not pissed as hell at you and we're going to be having a talk later. But I'm proud of you kid." Tony was starting to drift asleep but he swore that he felt Gibbs hand brush through his hair.
The next day started like every other hospital visit, nurses coming in at random hours, checking his vitals and prodding at him. The monotony was broken by visits from his teammates whose reactions ranged from ecstatic to furious.
First came a bouncing Abby who flung herself onto the bed. Tony grit his teeth at the spikes of pain, determined not to hurt Abby by making a sound. "Hey there Abs. just how many caff-pows have you had this morning?"
"Just four! I couldn't sleep very well last night cause you know you were unconscious. Which by the way I am pissed about. You broke your promise mister! You promised that you wouldn't get injured again!"
"I'm sorry baby girl. I wasn't going to leave Tim with that guy. This time I promise… I won't be hurt again."
Abby pouted up at him. "Pinkie swear?"
Tony looked fondly at the goth. "Pinky promise. No more injuries for me. I think I've gotten more than my fair share anyways."
Immediately Abby's face brightened. "Good. You still owe me for this time though. You mister, are bringing me caff-pows every day for the next month- days off included." Tony nodded relieved it wasn't something worse. "Oh Timmy's good by the way. He's here right now but the doctors said he could be released later today." She then proceeded to tell him about her last bowling game with the nuns and Tony relaxed into the comfortable familiarity.
He must have drifted off to sleep because the next thing he knew Ducky was sitting next to his bed. "Hey duckman. Lay it on me."
Ducky looked up from studying his file. "Lay what on you Anthony? Do you require another blanket?"
"Er no Duck. It's an expression. Means tell me what's on your mind. Now I'm expecting first the prognosis and then the lecture about taking care of myself." Tony said with his usual smirk.
"Sure then Anthony, I will lay it on you. Now from past experience you don't really want to know the actual prognosis. So moving on, you will probably be in the hospital for the next two weeks and then medical leave for the next month. After that I'd say about another month of desk duty. And yes you will have to follow that time frame." Tony pouted up at him but Ducky met his gaze sternly. "Now a lecture was it? Well Anthony, I'm not sure if I can oblige you there. You did what you did to save others, to save your friend. I get that. Now I would advise following Gibbs' lead next time. Firstly because he keeps a clearer head and secondly so he doesn't murder you for not." Tony laughed at Ducky, surprised and relieved that he wouldn't get the same lecture as always. "However dear boy, I expect you to follow the Doctors orders or you will get the lecture."
At this point they heard a knock at the door. Tony glanced up to see Ziva standing at the door. "Ah yes Anthony, I do believe I should be getting back to autopsy, Jimmy will be ready to start on our Marine." With that Ducky stood up and made way for Ziva.
Ziva stayed standing just outside the door and studied her partner. "Ziva? You can come in you know." Tony said after a few minutes.
Ziva slowly inched into the room and sat down in the seat Ducky had vacated. "I would like to apologize to you Tony. I should have been better prepared when we went to meet Joey."
"Hey, I don't need an apology Zee-vah. I knew what I was getting into. I'd met Joey before and I knew that it was unlikely you would be able to help." Tony said firmly.
"But Tony! I am Mossad. I should have found a way to follow you!" Ziva insisted guiltily.
"No you did the right thing. The whole reason I traded myself was to save McGee. You were supposed to help him and I'm fine Ziva. Takes more than a little bit of torture to keep me down. I'll make you a deal though. Next time you can be the victim and I'll track you down." Tony joked.
Ziva smiled but she knew that if that time came, Tony would once again sacrifice himself. It was who he was. "Sorry Tony. I'm a fighter and bad guys like a damsel in pain."
"Distress Ziva. A damsel in distress." Tony corrected with a sigh.
"Oh so you aren't denying the damsel part, glad you are finally admitting it to yourself." Ziva smirked triumphantly.
Tony gaped. He had walked right into that. Just then Ziva's phone rang and she swore as she saw who it was. "Hey Gibbs. I'm at the hospital. Be right there." With that she hung up and grimaced at Tony. "My lunch break was over 10 minutes ago. Gibbs is extra grumpy when you are hurt so hurry up and get better before he kills me." Ziva muttered as she gave his hand a squeeze and made her way out.
The next few hours passed boringly. The nurses insisted he eat the garbage they called food. He had tried to refuse but apparently he had been in the hospital too often because after 5 minutes of arguing the nurse had phoned Gibbs. After she had explained to Gibbs what was happening she had passed the phone over to him. "Hi Boss. Yes but- Gibbs I don't wanna… yes boss." Tony had sighed defeated and glared at the smug nurse. He then proceeded to eat the mush and even allowed her to give him morphine. Man he hated hospitals.
Tony was bored! He knew that Gibbs would be there after work hours but for right now he was stuck in this bed and there was nothing on TV. He grabbed the box of kleenix next to his bed and started aiming at the garbage can. He had just missed his 6th shot when he heard a laugh. He turned his head to check who was there and swore when the pain reminded him of his injuries. The person moved closer to the bed at finally Tony saw McGee standing next to him.
"Shut up McGeek. I can barely move my arm and its not like you could do any better." Tony joked.
"You shouldn't be injured at all Tony. Damn it. What the hell were you thinking giving yourself to Joey!" Tim snarled. The reminder of his friend's injuries bringing back the anger at Tony's actions.
"I was thinking that you needed my help. I was thinking my friend was being tortured because of me. Hell I was thinking that I was saving your sorry ass." Tony said getting angry. He had done everything for McGee and now he was getting shit for doing it.
"Who the hell asked you to? I was doing perfectly fine before you decided to go all heroic on me! What, you think I couldn't take it?" Tim spat back.
"No Tim, I know you could. However I'm the senior agent. It's my job to look out for you. That's just the way it is. I've got your six." Tony sighed, hating the fact that Tim thought he didn't trust in him.
"And I'm supposed to have your six! Tony, didn't you ever think that maybe I didn't want you dying for me. That maybe you dying risking your life for me would destroy me." Tim said collapsing into the chair. "You're always risking your life for me Tony but you never let me return the favour."
"And I never will. That's not how it works. It's my job to look after you."
"So why isn't it my job to look after you?" Tim demanded.
"Because I'm the big brother and that's what we do. Now drop it Tim. I will always do whatever it takes to keep you safe." Tony said firmly.
Tim sighed. Fine he would stop arguing for now but he wouldn't let Tony die for him. Somehow he would find a way to stop him. "Whatever Tony. Here, I brought you some movies. Figured we could keep each other company since we are both stuck on medical leave." With that Tim started up Mission Impossible and settled back in the chair.