Part 11
It didn't take Mansfield and Vernon long to sort through the supplies and arrange them where they wanted them. Tony took up a position near Tim's head, ignoring the two quietly bickering doctors. He watched them both snap on gloves. Vernon took a roll of bandages and some first aid tape over to the counter. Tony couldn't see what he was doing with it. Mansfield soaked some cotton balls with rubbing alcohol and began swabbing McGee's abdomen. That woke Tim up. Tony focused his attention on his partner.
"Now you wake up - didn't you know you were supposed to stay asleep through this part?"
Tim tucked his chin to his chest. His eyes followed Mansfield's movements. "Tony -"
"Right here, Tim."
" - Do we really - have to do this here?" He swallowed with some difficulty and rolled his head to look at Tony.
Tony rested his elbows on the table and leaned closer. "Yeah, we do. But you're going to be out through most of this, and you'll wake up in a nice, sterile, clean hospital room."
"What about - what about the men - following us?"
"Don't worry about them. I'm sure they decided to wait out the storm, anyway. And with the two docs here, our odds are even." He grinned but Tim didn't grin with him. Instead, his eyes closed and he grew quiet. After making sure he wouldn't ask any more questions, Tony shifted down the table to Mansfield and asked quietly, "He will be out for this, right?"
Mansfield wouldn't look at him. "He will, eventually."
Vernon joined them with a gauzy cylinder a little larger than a cigar. It was wrapped with tape.
Worried, Tony glanced at it and looked back at Mansfield. "What's that for? And what the hell do you mean, 'he will, eventually'?" He saw a look pass between the two men before Vernon answered.
"I'm putting this in his mouth so he'll have something to bite down on that won't break his teeth when Mansfield makes the incision."
Tony's lips rolled in against his teeth. Anger ignited in his gut. Mansfield must have seen how he was feeling. He grasped Tony's shoulder and pulled him away. "Listen to me, Tony. We have very limited supplies here. I have only a few ccs of morphine; not enough to knock him out. It will give him some distance, but eventually, he's going to pass out from his pain."
Tony's jaw worked as he digested this news. Hands on his hips, he turned so he could see McGee. "Should I tell him?"
"Yes. You're going to have to help hold him down."
Tony dropped his gaze to the floor. "Dammit! I never wanted to put him through this."
"Tony."
He looked up to find Vernon watching him.
"You're doing the right thing. You're saving your friend's life. Right here, right now, under these circumstances, this is the only choice we have. He needs you strong."
Tony nodded. He drew a deep breath and released it, then squared his shoulders, took the gauze cylinder from Vernon, and walked back to Tim. Tim opened his eyes and looked at him. Tony cleared his throat. "Listen to me, Tim. You know we're working with what we have here. This is going to hurt - a lot. But if we don't do this - we've got no choice, Probie. I'm going to be right here, helping you through it. I need you to be strong for me."
Tim's gaze shifted back and forth, searching Tony's face. Moisture gathered in the corners of his eyes. Tony felt as if he were being measured.
"I trust you."
His jaw locked, Tony drew in a deep breath. He looked up and caught Mansfield's eye and nodded. It was time. The doctor moved to Tim's arm and injected him with the small amount of morphine he had, then shifted back to the surgery site. Tony looked down at Tim. "Open your mouth." When Tim obeyed, Tony worked the gauze tube between his teeth. "I want you to bite down on that, and hold onto me." Moving in close, Tony slid one arm beneath Tim's neck and gripped his shoulder with that hand. Immediately, he felt McGee's arms slide around his back. Tim fisted Tony's shirt, holding on tight. Tony pressed closer, scooping his other arm under McGee.
Mansfield's quiet voice was their only warning. Tim stiffened in his arms and buried his face in Tony's chest. Tony leaned into him, pressing him hard against the table. He knew anything he said wouldn't be understood, so he just held him. Tim shuddered and screamed. Warm breath gushed through Tony's shirt, heating his skin. He trembled, wondering if his strength would last. A long, low groan rumbled against his chest, then Tim suddenly melted against him. His head dropped back, loose on his neck. His arms slid from their embrace and thumped to the table. Breath coming in shuttering gasps, Tony gently lowered him to the table.
"Tim?" Fingers quivering with fear, he cupped Tim's jaw.
Vernon appeared beside him and pressed two bloody fingers to Tim's throat. He let out a huge breath and closed his eyes. "He's alive. Just passed out." He pulled a chair close and pushed Tony into it. "Watch him, make sure he keeps breathing."
Eyes glued to Tim's chest, Tony sat still and watched. He had no idea how much time passed before Mansfield gripped his shoulder. "It's over." Tony's eyes closed. He bowed his head. Darkness rushed over him and he tumbled out of the chair. He didn't even feel it as he hit the floor.