Jimmy's doctors said that he was well enough to come home for the weekend before his second round of chemo began. Tony wanted to have a movie and videogame marathon but Breena had to put her foot down on that one telling a disappointed Tony that Jimmy was just too weak and tired for that much activity. They did manage to get her to bring him by NCIS on Friday afternoon. That's when Tony noticed how frail Jimmy was. He had been pretty covered up in the hospital so it wasn't so obvious but when Breena wheeled him in it became clear the terrible condition he was in. He had no color and looked almost skeletal his NCIS sweatshirt hanging off of him. Breena didn't want him to catch any germs so she made everyone wear masks and that the get together stuck to the bullpen which Vance had sprayed down with Lysol he also made everyone wash and put sanitizer on their hands. Unfortunately despite beating the infection Jimmy couldn't stay awake so she had to take him home after only a very short visit.
The NCIS bone marrow drive was the Wednesday of Jimmy's second week of chemo. Unless a case was caught then it would be bumped up to a later date. There was no real rush since they had to wait until after Jimmy's chemo cycle ended. About two-thirds of the people at HQ had signed up to get tested. Along with all of Team Gibbs except Tony and Ducky (who was too old) everybody from cooperate to janitorial staff had signed up. Vance had decided to dismiss everybody by team. Tony was hoping they wouldn't catch a case since they had just had two back to back that were semi-overlapping and he really wanted to be able to see Jimmy in the hospital. He hadn't been able to due to the long hours associated with the case. When it was Team Gibbs and Abby's turn to go out and get tested Tony stood up to go and show support for his team. Not expecting that he would be corned by a furious McGee in the elevator. Though when it happened Tony really wished he hadn't been too embarrassed to tell the team.
"So you can take advantage of a piece free time where we don't have to do paperwork but you can't bother to sign up?" McGee asked.
"It's not like that McGee." Tony argued.
"Honestly DiNozzo you claim Palmer is your best friend but you can't care to even get tested." McGee argued.
"I want to I really do!" Tony shot back.
"Then why don't you because you are afraid of needles pretty selfish Tony!" McGee yelled.
"Dammit Probie I am not getting tested because I can't!" Tony shouted.
"Why not?" McGee asked in a softer tone with a hint of concern.
"I asked Dr. Pitt at my last appointment a few weeks ago and he said that it was too much of a risk because of me having the plague and yes McFruaid because of my fear of needles he said it is actually a risk to my health." Tony explained.
"I'm sorry Tony." McGee replied.
"It's cool just from now on don't jump to conclusions." Tony replied.
"I will try to remember to get the story before I get angry at someone from now on." McGee replied.
The two walked out together they arrived outside just in time to see Abby running back towards the building crying. McGee's eyes widened in concern while Tony gave him a you're her fiancée and baby daddy so you ask her what's up look.
"Abby what's wrong?" McGee asked.
"I can't donate and it sucks because I know I am at least a blood match I know everyone at NCIS's blood types." Abby tearfully explained.
"Why won't they test you Abby?" Tony asked.
"Because I am pregnant and I can't donate while pregnant and by the time I'm not anymore it will be too late for Jimmy!" Abby cried.
"I'm sorry Abby but I am sure they will find somebody to donate to Jimmy though." McGee replied.
"Hey what about your brother Kyle he is the same blood type as you so he could be a match?" Tony asked.
"He donated that kidney last year and doesn't want to donate marrow anymore because he doesn't want to stress his body that much anymore. I know because I asked him about it at lunch the other day." Abby explained.
"Oh well that makes sense now again they will find a donor for Jimmy even if they have to go to the national registry." McGee assured.
"I know McGee I just really wanted to help him." Abby replied.
"Me too Abby but I can't either since I had the plague I just came out for moral support." Tony explained.
Abby walked back towards the building now much calmer and Tony followed. While McGee headed towards the bus. On his way he past Gibbs.
"Hey Boss I see you got tested how bad was it?" McGee asked.
"Not bad for me anyway." Gibbs replied.
"That's good." McGee replied.
"Hey what was wrong with Abby?" Gibbs asked.
"Oh she was just upset cause they won't let her get tested to be a donor for Jimmy because she is pregnant and by the time our baby is born it will be too late for Jimmy." McGee explained.
"Poor Abby that must be hard for her." Gibbs replied.
"Yeah she is really upset but Tony calmed her down." McGee explained.
"Hey why isn't DiNozzo donating you'd think his name would have been the first on the list." Gibbs explained.
"I'll let him catch you up on that." McGee replied.
"Okay" Gibbs replied.
"Alright Mr. McGee we are done here we call for further testing if you are a match or if there are any problems you need to know about. So you can return to work." The nurse told McGee.
"When can I expect a call back?" McGee asked.
"In the next couple days." The nurse replied.
McGee nodded and headed back to NCIS.
That night Team Gibbs had gone to visit Jimmy after work. Jimmy was having a really bad day so Breena and the doctors requested that they adhere to the ICU visiting rules even though Jimmy was in the regular oncology floor. Though they did not have to wait an hour between visits though a couple minutes between visits was strongly encouraged.
"Hey Gremlin" Tony said
"Hey Tony" Jimmy groaned.
"How are you doing buddy?" Tony asked.
"OOOOOOOOWWW" Jimmy moaned.
"Oh shit Palmer what's wrong?" Tony asked.
"I hurt so bad Tony!" Jimmy cried.
"You don't have to do this." Tony replied.
"I can't leave her Tony I just can't!" Jimmy cried.
"Can I do anything for you?" Tony asked.
"C…can you go I hurt so bad I just." Jimmy sobbed.
"Please feel better." Tony whispered leaving.
After the incident at the hospital Tony was emotionally drained so he stayed with Gibbs as he had been he just had a hard time staying alone since Jimmy got sick. The only difference was that tonight he was missing going out for drinks with the others. Gibbs had begged him to go with them but in the end the two men wound up in the basement sipping bourbon.
"So DiNozzo why didn't you sign up to be tested to be a donor for Palmer?" Gibbs asked.
"Dr. Pitt said I couldn't cause I had the plague too much of a risk for both of us." Tony replied.
"Why is it too much of a risk for you?" Gibbs asked.
"He is worried that the size of the needle coupled with the stress would just be too much for my body basically." Tony explained.
"Understandable." Gibbs replied.
"I guess still feel bad I can't help though." Tony replied.
"You were the one who inspired us to have the drive so you did help DiNozzo." Gibbs replied.
"Thanks Boss." Tony replied.
The next night Gibbs had the house to himself Tony had gone somewhere with Ziva and was thinking about crashing at her place that night. Gibbs loved Tony and enjoyed the company and life he brought to the house but he enjoyed the time alone. He was also relieved that Tony was going out Gibbs was kind of worried about him after skipping out on the team the previous night. He was just going back to working on his boat when he heard his cellphone ring.
"Gibbs"
"Oh you are from the bone marrow drive."
"Excuse me"
"So you are saying I need to report to Georgetown Hospital first thing tomorrow?"
A/N: OK another cliffhanger. Will post a new chapter next Friday. I actually wrote this on Sunday but wanted to wait to post it. I also wound up rewriting a good chunk of it last night so I am glad that I waited. I hope it is good please review.