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CHAPTER 14

Ziva had been waiting on tenterhooks along with McGee but when the call from Gibbs finally came, it was Tim who grabbed for his phone first.

Gibbs was not a man who engaged in prolonged conversation, but from Tim's responses it quickly became clear he would not be returning anytime soon. What was not apparent from his monosyllabic replies was the condition of their team mate.

It had been a long time since anything shocked her but when she and Abby visited him in the hospital, Ziva had not expected Tony to look as bad. In hindsight, the crime scene at the warehouse should have prepared her…

Abby, who normally chatted away, had just sat there her eyes filled with unshed tears. She on the other hand knew her wise-cracking partner was in there somewhere, but the eyes that could mock and smile with equal measure were swollen shut. His rugged, handsome face barely recognizable under all the bruises. Ziva wanted revenge. Wanted to kill the men responsible in the slowest most painful manner possible, but both were denied her. All she was left with was rage and the fervent hope Tony would soon recover and return to the desk opposite. She would even tolerate his practical jokes – at least for a while.

"On it, Boss. And, Boss, when Tony wakes up again…tell him we're asking for him." McGee looked thoughtful as he replaced the phone on its cradle. "Tony identified Williams and Brownlee as the men who attacked him. Gibbs asked him about the shooter and he said something about it being a cop, but passed out before he could get any details. He's going to hang around till Tony wakes up again." He paused for a moment then gave her a meaningful look. "Gibbs said one of the guys Williams placed, a Seaman Wallace, was found dead. It was reported as an accident..."

"But Gibbs does not believe in coincidences." She finished with a wry smile. "I interviewed him." Ziva vividly remembered the tall young sailor with the auburn hair, "I recall he was bordering on the arrogant. He answered my questions, but his responses had clearly been prepared in advance. I could tell he was involved in some way but unfortunately I could not break his story…at least not in a monitored interview room."

"Yeah…that was strange huh? Funny how they all had air tight alibis," Tim huffed sarcastically, "but if Gibbs is right, then this might be the break we've been looking for."

"Gibbs is rarely wrong and if he was murdered, there must have been a reason," Ziva surmised, "I know his financials were clean the last time you checked…but it may be worth having another look."

Wallace's bank account appeared on the screen. On cursory examination nothing stood out, then both of them noticed the anomaly at the same time. Last month he'd paid ACME insurance nearly half his month's salary. McGee immediately placed a call to the insurance company. While he was talking, his eyes lit up.

"And he made the purchase when? Yes that is a nice car…and yes I agree it sounds like a very good deal. Me? No, I don't need any insurance at this time but thanks for the information." He let out a low whistle. "Either Wallace won the lottery or we've finally managed to tie him to the robberies. He paid a cool $55,000 for a new Corvette before he was deployed."

"It would appear so…unless a seaman's salary has greatly increased in the last few years." Ducky quipped as he appeared at McGee's desk. "Where is your illustrious leader?"

"He is still at the hospital, Ducky." Ziva explained. As the ME's face wrinkled in concern, she answered the question before it was asked. "Tony was able to give Gibbs some information, but lost consciousness before he could finish. Gibbs decided to stay with him. He hopes Tony will be able to tell him more when he wakes up."

"I have no doubt Gibbs pushed him a little too much, but I'm glad to hear that his memory is returning. I also hope the results of the autopsy I have just carried out on Seaman Wallace will help bring this unsavoury matter to a close. Our young sailor was murdered. I am quite sure his attacker hoped the fall would hide his handiwork, however there was no mistaking the indentation on the back of his head. Even with the resultant trauma caused by the fall, it was clear the fatal blow was made by a tool of some description."

"It was a monkey wrench, Ducky." Abby supplied the answer as she turned up to join them. She took the controller off McGee and brought up a 3D image of Wallace's skull. "A hammer would have caused a round dent, but see the two impressions here?" She pointed to the screen. "Big give away – Huge! You get me the wrench, and I'll be able to confirm it as the murder weapon." Abby grinned as she put her arm round the coroner's shoulders and give him a squeeze. "The killer thought he was smart but we're smarter – right, Ducky?"

It was good news but Tim grimaced. "Looks like I'm going to need some of your sea sickness tablets, Ducky."

"Do not worry, McGee, I will take plenty of bart bags."

"It's barf bags…and thanks." Tim narrowed his eyes and gave her a tight smile.

As McGee went with Ducky to get his supplies, Ziva felt her dark mood start to lift. With the new lead came hope. She could not punish the two dead men who were responsible for Tony's injuries, but finding the person behind the operation would need to suffice. With luck she might even get him alone before the formalities were concluded…

ooooOoooo

As the cobwebs fell from his eyes and the room once again came into view, Tony wondered how long he'd been out this time.

He didn't remember dozing off. There was a dim recollection of Gibbs asking him something but his mind was a blank. Tony hoped it wasn't anything important. Come to think of it, where was Gibbs? The chair by his bed was empty, but he could have sworn the boss had been there while he'd slept. He dismissed the idea as crazy. Gibbs was way too busy to waste time babysitting him.

His chest was still tight and sore but as his breathing was easier and he no longer felt like he was locked in a sauna, Tony felt a little more human. A yawn escaped and without thinking he stretched. "Ow!"

"I'd try to avoid that if I were you." Stella appeared by his side, wincing in sympathy. "Your stitches are healing, but any kind of movement is going to be painful."

Tony wanted to add that his face hurt too, but decided to pass. Stella was cute and he didn't want to come off as a wimp. Besides, the fact he was more aware of the dull pain thrumming through his body told him they were cutting down on the meds. Part of him was pleased, he hated the way strong narcotics messed with his brain. On the flip side he wasn't looking forward to the next few days, weeks, or however long it took for the heavy bruising to fade and his ribs to mend.

"How'd you like to sit up for a bit?" Stella smiled but didn't wait for an answer as she palmed the controller and raised the head of the bed past the slight incline he'd lain in since he'd first woken up. The room swayed slightly and his stomach lurched at the movement. For a split second he wanted to change his mind, but once in his new position the dizziness settled and being able to look around without turning his head made him feel a little more human.

The nurse handed him a cup with a straw. His hand shook slightly as he took it. Stella stood back, merely watching as he helped himself, only stepping in to take it back once he was finished.

"Thanks," The small act of independence made him feel better, plus he was relieved his voice was less raspy. It still didn't have his normal volume but at least he no longer sounded like an invalid. "When did Gibbs leave?"

"He didn't…You gave him a scare passing out on him like that, but it was hardly surprising. He shouldn't have pushed you, Tony."

"I passed out?" He raised his eyes, questioning.

"You suffered a small seizure." She frowned as her face grew serious. "I know you don't want to disappoint him, and I'm guessing you want answers as much as he does, but you've suffered a massive trauma. You need to give yourself time to heal."

"Yeah…" He said sadly, already starting to get worn down by the constant throbbing behind his eyes.

Stella gave him a small smile as she straightened his sheets. "He's a good man and there's no question he cares for you, Tony, but I know men like Gibbs. Sometimes they get so focused they forget others aren't as strong as they are."

"Where is he anyway?"

"He went for a coffee break…Oh, he's coming back now." Stella turned and nodded towards the doorway.

Gibbs wasn't alone. He was chatting to a man with straight, brown hair. Tony couldn't hear what was being said, but it was clear there was some serious hero worship going on. The guy was hanging on Gibbs every word. In fact, he looked familiar. As an image flashed of the guy talking geek, then drawing him a look because of something he'd said in reply, Tony realized he knew him. His name was another matter….When he saw Gibbs nodding in his direction and watched the guy coming towards him, his headache notched up as he struggled to remember what it the hell it was.

"Hi, Tony. Sorry I've not been to visit before now. How are you feeling?"

Trying to get his brain and his mouth in gear to work together was proving to be a problem. "Fine…better…Err, where did Gibbs go?"

"He's gone to speak to Vance…not gone, gone…but you aren't allowed to use cell phones in here."

Vance…In his minds eye he saw a black guy wearing a designer suit who liked chewing toothpicks. He didn't intimidate him, but he wasn't someone you wanted to get on the wrong side of either - the director. Tony was pleased that he managed to put the pieces together, but was no closer to finding Mystery Guy's name. Suddenly realizing he'd missed a lot of what the guy had been saying, he used a diversionary tactic. "How is everyone?"

The guy stopped midsentence, leaned back in the chair and went quiet for a moment. "Abby's missing you…" Dark hair gathered up in pony tails or braids. Sweetest punk with the widest smile he'd ever meet. "She came with Ziva while you were still intubated. She's coming in to see you later."

Ziva…He racked his brains as two women came into his mind. Both had killer figures and dark hair, and both could cut a man to size with a sharp retort. He felt a connection to each of them but by process of elimination he placed the name he'd just been given to the woman with the foreign accent. Ziva was an Israeli, and worked at the desk opposite. She was his partner, but who was the other woman?

Then out of the blue, it came to him. The guy's name rhymed with a cartoon character he used to watch as a kid. Tony grinned with relief. "Thanks for coming, McGoo."

He could see the guy bristle and wondered why. The name sounded right. In fact he was sure he'd used it before.

"McGee…Go home and get some rest. If Ziva's still working call and tell her to do the same. I'll interview Solomon in the morning." Gibbs instructed, arriving as silently as he'd left.

McGee. First name - Tim. As it fell into place Tony wondered why he'd thought it was McGoo.

"Nite, Tony. I'll see you later." McGee stopped and turned round as he reached the end of the bed. "Anything you want? I could bring you a tablet loaded with some movies?"

The thought cheered him, even if he didn't think he could stand watching anything for long at the moment. He sent him a small smile. "I'd like that. Thanks, Tim."

"No problem…get well, Tony."

Gibbs didn't sit down. He kept standing, watching him as he drank his coffee, saying nothing. He remembered Gibbs wasn't big on small talk, but the staring was creeping him out. "What is it? Have I done something wrong?"

"You…no. Me - you scared the crap out of me, DiNozzo. I want answers but not at the expense of your recovery. Don't let me push you beyond your limits, Tony. I thought I'd damn well killed you."

Gibbs' face was filled with remorse. Rule number six came to mind and Tony knew that in his own way Gibbs had just apologized. "I won't, Boss…I want answers too."

In response Gibbs merely nodded, finally taking the seat vacated by McGee. "So…can you remember anything else about the shooter?"

Tony went quiet for a moment allowing the memory access. "He was wearing cop's clothes…but his shoes were Gucci. I have a pair like them at home. He was about my height with light, brown hair, but it was dark in there and by the time I'd looked up he was too far away for me to be certain."

"Good job, Tony." Gibbs drained the last of his coffee before getting to his feet. "Get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow."

"You too, Boss…you look beat."

Gibbs chuffed a laugh. "Yeah…might just do that."

"Boss…who's Solomon? He is a suspect in the case?"

"I'll tell you tomorrow, now get some sleep." Gibbs drew him a look that brooked no argument, and Tony knew he wasn't going to get any more answers today.

"That's all I do,"

He knew he was whining but he was getting fed up being treated like an invalid, even though he was exhausted already. He was having trouble keeping his eyes open when he remembered something and called the retreating figure back. "Gibbs…"

"What is it, Tony?"

"When's Kate coming to see me?"

ooooOoooo

TBC.

I hoped you enjoyed the chapter, and please review!

As it's my birthday this week and I'm going away for a few days, I'm afraid that after today I won't be able to either reply to reviews, or update until the end of the week. In the meantime enjoy the rest of your week, and take care! Joanie.