Rating: M
Characters: Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Tony DiNozzo, Tim McGee, Abby Sciuto, Ducky Mallard, Jimmy Palmer, Ziva David, Leon Vance, OMC, OFC
Pairings: Gibbs/Tony
Warnings: Rape/non-con, torture, violence, trauma, angst, slash, swearing, mild Ziva bashing (She behaved horribly towards Tony at the end of season 6. I never liked her after that.)
Spoilers: Parts of the end of season 6 and the beginning of season 7
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, I just like to play with them.
NCISNCISNCISNCISNCIS
The sound of Gibbs' phone ringing acted as both as an alarm, and further evidence of Tony's broken mental state. As it jolted Gibbs awake, it also started Tony screaming. Scrubbing his face with his hands, Gibbs stood, silently cursing himself for forgetting to put his phone on "vibrate".
Deciding whoever was calling would have to wait, Gibbs got up to comfort Tony, who stared up at him with wide, frightened eyes. As emerald green gazed into pools of blue, Tony's screams gradually died down into gasps and whimpers. During that time, a nurse quietly popped her head in to make sure Tony was all right. Gibbs quietly nodded, and the nurse set to work checking the medicine in Tony's IV.
"Hey...nothing to be scared of, Tony," Gibbs tried to reassure him, holding his phone up and turning on the ringer so Tony could hear the sound one more time. "This is just a phone, Tony. It lets me talk to people who aren't here."
Tony whimpered at first when he heard the ringer, but seeing the device in Gibbs' hand seemed to ease his fears. He reached out an arm and grabbed the hem of Gibbs' shirt, innocent eyes pleading for safety.
Moved, as he so often was now, by Tony's child-like behavior, Gibbs leaned down to give him a hug. "I won't let anything bad happen to you, Tony. I need you to remember this."
Gibbs pulled away from the hug and once again saw that innocent trust in Tony's expression. "I need to use this now," Gibbs informed Tony, holding up the phone. "I'll be just outside this door. But I'll be back soon. The nurse is going to look you over now. She's here to help you, okay?"
Tony groaned, and Gibbs planted a kiss on his forehead before stepping out into the hall.
Checking the caller ID, Gibbs gave an exasperated grunt. What was Abby doing calling at 3:00 in the morning? Yawning, he dialed her number.
"Gibbs! Why didn't you pick up when I called? Is Tony all right?" Abby barely paused for breath between questions, and her insistent energy was proving overwhelming for Gibbs.
"He's fine," Gibbs said sleepily. "But the phone scared him. I had to calm him down before I could take your call."
"Oh...sorry!" Abby said sheepishly. "I just wanted to know if I could come visit Tony. Not now. Obviously! But maybe this afternoon?"
Gibbs rubbed his forehead with his fingers. It was way too early to think about this kind of thing. Abby meant well, but her intense personality might be too much for Tony to take right now. Tony needed calm and quiet, and Abby was neither of those things.
"I'll have to think about it," Gibbs said tiredly. "I'm not sure what all Tony can handle right now."
"But Gibbs -"
"Goodbye, Abby."
Hanging up, Gibbs leaned against the wall and sighed. Abby and Tony had been close, and Gibbs felt badly keeping her away from him. But, while the old Tony could handle Abby's particular brand of exuberance, the new Tony cried at the sound of the television being turned on. He needed to be eased back into life by friends who were patient and gentle. Not swept up in a hurricane of emotions, locked in a hug that robbed him of his breath; an experience which would likely remind him of his time in captivity.
Gibbs walked back into the room just as the nurse was finishing up. She gave him smile and a nod; silent confirmation that Tony's physical health, at least, was stable.
"Hey there, Tony," Gibbs cooed, bending forward and giving Tony a kiss on the cheek. "Try and get some more sleep."
"Ehh!" Tony leaned into Gibbs' touch, grabbing at the older man's arm. Pleading for him to stay close.
Gibbs smiled down at Tony, fighting back tears. Tony had been alone and neglected for too long. Now, he needed some assurance he would remain safe and cared for.
Gibbs gently extracted himself from Tony's grip, his heart breaking a little when the younger man cried softly in protest.
"Relax, Tony." Gibbs pushed the easy chair he had been sleeping in closer to the bed and sat down. "I'm not going anywhere."
Gibbs gave Tony's bony hand a gentle squeeze, watching his expression as he slowly calmed. Leaning over, Gibbs rested his head on the bed beside Tony, wrapping his arm around his slender torso.
"Sleep tight, baby."
Within minutes, both men were fast asleep.
NCISNCISNCISNCISNCIS
"Hey, Tony,"McGee whispered as he quietly entered the room, looking on as Gibbs fed Tony some soup. "How are you feeling today?"
Tony's face lit up when he saw McGee, and his arms flapped giddily at his sides.
"It's good to see you too, buddy," McGee said affectionately before turning to Gibbs. "Want me to take over?" he offered.
"Sure." Gibbs stuck the spoon in the bowl of soup, then passed it on to McGee, before leaning in to give Tony a comforting kiss on the cheek; surprising even himself with how tender and loving he was being with Tony.
"What's all this?" Gibbs asked, motioning to the large shopping bag McGee had set on the window sill.
"Oh. I picked up some sweats and pajamas for Tony," McGee said casually, carefully spooning some soup into Tony's mouth. "All he has to wear now is hospital gowns," he added, sadly noting Tony's slight frame. "I got a few different sizes. Smaller clothes to start. But I did get some larger ones, too. In case he gains some weight back.
Gibbs sighed, picking up a red pajama set and examining it. "I sure hope he does."
"Me too," McGee said, wiping off some soup that had dribbled down Tony's chin. "Hey. Abby said something about wanting to come over."
"I know," Gibbs nodded, putting the pajamas back in the bag. "I told her I'd think about it."
"You... you talked to her?" McGee stammered. "Boss, I didn't know. She asked if she could ride along with me today, and -"
"Are you saying Abby is here?!" Gibbs asked, glaring angrily.
Gibbs' angry tone and increase in volume caused Tony's lower lip to tremble as he let out a scared cry. Gibbs' features automatically softened, as he reminded himself that he'd have to keep his tone neutral if he didn't want to upset his mentally broken agent.
"I didn't think it would be a problem," McGee said softly, wiping away a tear from Tony's eye with his thumb. "Abby's been working really hard, going through all of that disgusting evidence. She knows what Ellsworth and Taylor did to Tony, and she's worried about him." McGee rubbed the back of Tony's neck, watching him slowly calm down.
Gibbs sighed, looking apologetically at Tony. He really hadn't meant to frighten him. "All right, but if she - "
"Tony!" Abby stood in the doorway, staring, horrified, at her old friend. "Oh my God! Look what they did to you!"
Handing a gift bag off to McGee, Abby ran up to Tony, practically crushing him in a bear hug. "Oh, Tony! I'm so sorry this happened to you!"
Terror was evident in Tony's eyes as he peered over Abby's shoulder. Shaking like a leaf, it was only moments before he erupted into a fit of sobs.
Looking devastated, Abby loosened her hold on Tony, but refused to let go, as if hoping that if she held on long enough, she could bring back "their" Tony.
"That's enough, Abby," Gibbs said, softly, but sternly, motioning with his head for her to get up.
Abby looked up at Gibbs guiltily, Tony still sobbing in her arms.
"I'm sorry, Gibbs! I didn't mean to upset Tony! Please don't make me go! Teach me how I'm supposed to act! I don't want Tony to be afraid of me!" she pleaded, pulling Tony closer possessively.
Gibbs and McGee exchanged a meaningful look. They knew they couldn't shelter Tony from the world forever, and it would be unfair to keep him away from his friends. Abby was willing to modify her behavior for Tony's sake. It was only fair they give her a chance to prove herself.
"First things first, you need to lower your volume," McGee said, motioning her over to stand beside him. "And try to keep your tone soothing and neutral. No matter how worried or upset you are, never let Tony pick up on it."
Abby nodded, the reality of Tony's mental fragility sinking in as she stood, allowing Gibbs to take her place on the bed.
Tony reached for Gibbs, seeking comfort and protection in the older man's arms. And Gibbs gladly gave it to him, holding Tony close and rubbing soothing circles on his back.
Tony's sobs gradually died down into soft hiccups and whimpers, and Gibbs gently laid him back down on the bed, wiping away his tears.
Waving Abby over, Gibbs grabbed hold of her hand, his other hand lightly squeezing Tony's.
"Tony, this is your friend, Abby," Gibbs explained. "She's nice. We like her."
Tony seemed to relax slightly at those words, gifting Abby with the faintest of smiles. It was clear in Tony's eyes that he still wasn't sure about Abby. But Gibbs had taught him that anyone he called a "friend" was safe.
"I'm sorry I scared you, Tony," Abby apologized softly. "I'm glad you're okay." Leaning over, Abby gingerly caressed Tony's cheek.
Tony looked at Abby with uncertainty at first. But he turned his gaze first towards Gibbs, then McGee, studying their features. Their apparent trust in Abby seemed to be the assurance he needed, and his smile widened ever so slightly.
Abby stepped back, slowly and deliberately, so that Tony could see what she was doing. Taking the gift bag from McGee, she held it up in front of Tony.
"I got you a present, Tony," she cooed softly, pulling a large, stuffed monkey out of the bag. "His name is Walter, and he's your friend, too!"
Abby handed the monkey to Tony. Looking reluctant, Tony turned to Gibbs. Gibbs nodded, putting Tony's mind as ease. A silent message that the new gift was harmless.
Reaching out his arms, Tony pawed at the monkey clumsily before hugging it to his body and letting out a happy squeal. Smiling up at Abby, a new fondness lit up his features.
Taking a seat in the chair by Tony's bed, Abby beamed. And as she looked over at Gibbs, giddy that she had made that connection with "little" Tony, it was clear she was doing everything in her power to suppress the excitement bubbling beneath the surface.
Gibbs smiled to himself, thankful for Abby's new found restraint. It might be awhile before she could be left with Tony unsupervised. This kind of behavior didn't come naturally to her after all. Still, it was good to know that Tony had added one more person to his circle of trust.