Chapter Twenty One
Gibbs' phone started going off what felt like seconds after he'd fallen asleep. He looked at the bedside clock as he grabbed the phone. 2:30. He'd been asleep for a half an hour. Sam stirred next to him and he rubbed her stomach as he flipped his phone open.
"Gibbs," he said.
"Gibbs!" Abby shrieked. "Are you watching the news?! Did you see? Oh my gosh!"
"Abby," Gibbs grumbled,
"I couldn't sleep again," Abby explained, "so I turned on the TV and I was flipping channels and the news was on and there was this huge fire so I stopped to see what was burning and it's Tony's apartment building, Gibbs! Is he okay? I tried to call him but he didn't answer. I figured if he was okay he'd call you. Did he call you? Is he okay? Have you heard from him?"
"I haven't heard from him," Gibbs said sitting up. Sam reached out and rested her hand on his leg. "I'll head over there and see what's up. I'll call you as soon as I know something."
"Don't call me if it's bad," Abby said tearfully. "I don't wanna know. If it's bad just make it all better, Gibbs, please. It can't be bad. Don't let it be bad."
"It'll be okay, Abs," Gibbs said fighting off the worry creeping into his gut. He hung up the phone and turned to Sam. "That was Abby," he said, "DiNozzo's apartment building is on fire. I need to go check on him."
"Oh no," Sam said. "Do you want me to come with you? Jaycee can stay with the kids."
"I'll be okay," Gibbs said leaning in and kissing her temple. "I love you. I'll call you as soon as I know something."
"Be careful," Sam said as she watched him dress.
"Always," Gibbs said. He threw a few clothes on, gave Sam another kiss then he was gone.
Tony was sitting on the bumper of one of the fire trucks staring at the blaze. People were scurrying by all around him but he was in such a daze he barely noticed. Instead of the noise all around him, he heard the cries of Jason as he pulled him out of that burning building all those years ago and his sister whom he'd had to leave. For some incomprehensible reason his mind was floating back and forth between that fire and this fire.
"Sir? Sir?" The paramedic tapped on Tony's shoulder as she called out to him but got no response. She moved slowly in between him and the fire to try to refocus his attention but Tony still appeared to be staring blankly through her. "Sir, I need to check your vitals." The young woman reached out and touched his arm but Tony pulled it away.
"No," he mumbled. He didn't want to be touched. He didn't need to be checked out.
He wasn't sure how much time passed or what happened but the next thing he knew Gibbs was kneeling in front of him gently smacking his cheek as he called his name.
"Boss," Tony said, his eyes finally focusing on the familiar face.
"Are ya with us?" Gibbs asked.
"I'm here," Tony said turning once again to the blaze and remembering the little one he hadn't been able to save.
"Hey," Gibbs said turning Tony's face back to his, "look at me. Focus on me." He knew what flashbacks were like. He knew how easy it was to get stuck in your head—to relive the past. "Ashley's gonna check you out then we'll get out of here."
"No," Tony grumbled.
"She's just gonna check your vitals," Gibbs coaxed as Tony stared into the fire. He seemed mesmerized.
"Don't wanna be touched," Tony said.
"Then I'm gonna have Ducky take a look at you," Gibbs said reaching for Tony's wrist to check his pulse, "but somebody's gonna check you out." His pulse was strong and a little fast but that was expected.
"No," Tony said.
"Come on," Gibbs said. "You're startin' to sound like the twins."
"I wanna go home," Tony said. "My home. Look at my home, Boss."
"Let's get you out of here," Gibbs said helping Tony stand. "His doctor makes house calls," he explained to the medic. "I'll make sure he gets checked out."
Gibbs led Tony to his car and after Tony signed the forming stating he was leaving against medical advice the two were out of there. Gibbs called Sam to let her know Tony was okay and asked her to call Abby then he dialed Ducky's number. While he was on the phone with Ducky, Tony started striping in the front seat.
"See ya in a minute, Duck," Gibbs said before hanging up the phone. "What're you doing, Tony?"
"I smell smoke," Tony said. "It smells like smoke."
"Yeah," Gibbs said, "I'm sure it's on your clothes."
"I don't like it," Tony said. It was a struggle to get his sweat pants off while in his seatbelt but Tony was determined and managed to do it.
Next thing Gibbs knew the clothes were being tossed out the window. It might've been funny had Tony not been so out of it. "You can't throw your clothes out the window, Tony," he said stopping the car. He kept his voice calm and even. He had no idea how to snap Tony out of it.
"I don't wanna smell it," Tony said.
Gibbs retrieved the clothes and put them in the trunk then continued on. "If we get pulled over, you're gonna have some explaining to do."
Not even the jokes made Tony crack a smile. Gibbs was hoping it wouldn't take Ducky too long to get there but it was a pretty good drive from Georgetown to Alexandria. He pulled the car in his driveway and saw the living room light on. Sam was up waiting for them. He and Tony headed for the house and Sam greeted them at the door.
"Hi Baby," she said pulling Tony into a hug. "We were so worried. Are you okay?"
"I smell smoke," Tony said.
"It's probably in your nose, Sweetheart," Sam said grabbing the box of Kleenex from the coffee table. "Blow your nose and I think a shower'll help you get the smell outta your hair and off your skin. Where are you clothes?"
"Trunk," Gibbs said.
"Ok, I'll get those washed up for you," Sam said. "Go on upstairs. Jethro will bring you a towel."
Tony disappeared up the stairs wearing nothing but his boxers and flip flops. Gibbs pulled Sam into a hug knowing he probably needed to feel her arms around him more than she needed the embrace.
"He'll be okay," Sam assured Gibbs as she held him close and rubbed his back.
"I know," Gibbs said. "I'll go get his clothes outta the trunk then take him a towel if you'll wait for Ducky."
"Okay," Sam said.
Sam started a pot of coffee then threw Tony's clothes in the washer. Gibbs headed upstairs and retrieved a fresh towel for Tony then grabbed the pack of boxers Sam had bought for him that he hadn't opened yet and a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. He and Tony were close enough to the same size it would do for a night.
"You doing okay in here, Tony?" he asked as he stacked the towel and clothes on the counter.
"I'm okay," Tony said.
"Come downstairs when you're done," Gibbs said. "Ducky's coming over to check you out."
"'kay," Tony said around a yawn.
The shower seemed to be helping some. Tony was no longer babbling incomprehensibly. By the time the young man made it downstairs Gibbs, Sam and Ducky were sitting around the living room talking quietly.
"I really am fine," Tony insisted. "I just wanna sleep."
"We're not taking any chances after your little bout with the plague," Ducky said.
"It wasn't a little bout," Tony said. "I almost died."
"Precisely," Ducky said. "Have a seat. Let me have a quick look at you."
Tony grumbled but obeyed. He sat patiently while Ducky checked his vitals and took extra time listening to his lungs. When Ducky was done, Gibbs sent Tony up to bed while he and Sam saw the doctor out.
"If he starts coughing at all, call me," Ducky said. "His lungs sound clear but it's impossible to know how much smoke he inhaled."
"Thanks Duck," Gibbs said.
"Anything for Anthony," Ducky said. "Enjoy what's left of your night."
"You too, Doctor," Sam said.
After Ducky left, they headed back upstairs and peeked into the twins' room. The boys always ended up in the same bed during the night but to Gibbs and Sam's surprise Tony had curled up in the bed with the boys instead of the empty one. Gibbs covered them up then brushed the blonde curls away from Lucas' face and kissed him and his brother. He rested his hand on Tony's head and kissed his temple as well. The scare of nearly losing him was reason enough to show a little affection even though Tony was sound asleep. It was more for his own sake than Tony's anyways. Brady got a kiss as well then Sam took his hand and led him back to bed.
Gibbs laid down and Sam wrapped him in her arms. She pressed a kiss to the top of his head as he rested it on her chest.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah," Gibbs said. "Just gets ya thinking, you know?"
"I know," Sam said, "but he's safe. They're all safe."
Friday morning came just as early as it always did for Gibbs. He was up, showered and had a cup of coffee in his hand before the alarm even went off. He sat down in bed next to Sam and brushed his fingers through her hair to wake her. She'd been drifting in and out ever since he'd gotten up.
"Morning Love," she said softly.
"Mornin'," Gibbs replied with a smile as he leaned in for a kiss.
"I think I'm gonna stay home with Tony today," Sam said. Gibbs had told her the night before that he was going to insist Tony take the day off work after everything that had happened. "I want to make sure he's doing okay. If you want to leave the little ones home that's fine."
"Okay," Gibbs said. "I'll take Kylee and Jaycee to school on my way to work. If nothing comes up I'm gonna send everybody home early. Don't be surprised if we have a houseful tonight." He knew the others would most likely end up over there to check on Tony.
"I wouldn't expect anything less," Sam said with a grin.
"Daddy! Daddy!" Lucas yelled as he flung the bedroom door open.
"What? What?" Gibbs asked matching his excitement.
"Tony is in our bed!" Lucas said. Milo wandered sleepily over to Sam and she pulled him into her lap and covered him in kisses. She loved wild man Milo but she also loved cuddly Milo. She wished she had more mornings to relax with him.
"He is?" Gibbs asked. "I wonder how he got there."
"I don't know," Lucas said shrugging his shoulders. "I try to ask him but he said he's sleepy."
Gibbs picked Lucas up and kissed his cheek. "Tony came over last night. He's gonna be staying with us for a little while because his home got burned."
"His home got burned?" Lucas asked. "How?"
"I don't know," Gibbs said. "Let's let him sleep for a little while and then maybe he'll feel like playing. You guys are gonna stay home with Mommy and Tony today."
"How come not you?" Lucas asked.
"I have to go to work, Buddy," Gibbs said. "I'll be home later though and tomorrow's the weekend."
"I wish you can just quit your job and play with me all day long," Lucas said.
"Me too, Kiddo," Gibbs said, "but we need money to buy food and clothes and toys."
"I will miss you, Daddy," Lucas said, his little green eyes meeting Gibbs' blue ones.
"I'll miss you too," Gibbs said before kissing his cheek.
He put Lucas down in bed with Sam and Milo then headed to the girls' room to start getting them up. Kylee was already up, dressed and working on her hair. He brushed his hand across her cheek and smiled at her.
"Mornin', Sweet Pea," he said softly.
"Good morning, Daddy," Kylee said.
He decided to let Gracie sleep and stepped up onto the edge of Kylee's bed so he could see Jaycee in the top bunk.
"Jaycee, it's time to wake up," he said rubbing her back.
"I wanna sleep," Jaycee mumbled.
"One more week then you can sleep all you want, Baby," Gibbs said.
"Where's Sam?" Jaycee asked.
"She's with the boys," Gibbs answered. "Tony's here too this morning. His apartment building burned last night."
"What?" Jaycee asked now fully awake. "How? Why? What happened? Where is he?"
"Don't know the hows or the whys yet but he's okay," Gibbs said. "He's sleeping. It was a long night."
"You shoulda woke me," Jaycee said stretching her arms. "I could've done something."
"Didn't want you to be tired today," Gibbs said. "Sam's gonna stay home with the little ones. I'm gonna take you and Kylee to school. Okay? Are you up?"
"I'm up," Jaycee said.
Gibbs turned to Kylee, still struggling with her hair. "Can Daddy try to help you with your hair, Baby Girl?" he asked.
Kylee nodded and handed him her brush and the hair tie she'd chosen.
"How do you want it today? Ponytail? Braids?"
"Ponytail," Kylee said.
"Ponytail or pig tails?"
"Uh, only one," Kylee answered.
Gibbs worked his long, slender fingers easily through Kylee's hair. He'd had a lot of practice with Kelly and the motions had come back with ease. One ponytail later and he headed out so Jaycee could get dressed. He went across the hall and got Brady then headed downstairs.
Gibbs looked at the lunch menu hanging on the fridge and was happy to see it was something Kylee liked. He could give her some lunch money and she'd be taken care of. Jaycee always bought lunch at school. Not having to make lunches that morning was one less thing he had to do.
"What do you want for breakfast, Brady?" he asked. "You're doing pretty good with those cheerios."
"Dadadadadada," Brady gurgled before poking his little tongue out of his mouth. It was his favorite word and sometimes it went on forever. Gibbs settled him in his high chair then poured a handful of cheerios on his tray.
Sam came down and took over feeding Brady while Gibbs whipped up a big pan of cheesy scrambled eggs and one of bacon for the other kids to eat. It was an easy warm meal to fill their bellies with and get their day started on the right foot. The twins told the girls all about Tony being in their bed and Kylee disappeared upstairs to see for herself. Once breakfast was ready and the others were eating, Gibbs went upstairs to get her. Tony was awake and talking to her while she played with his fingers.
"Breakfast is ready, Baby," Gibbs said patting her head. "Can you go downstairs and eat for me?"
Kylee nodded and smiled at Tony. She brushed her hand across Gibbs' legs on her way out.
"How ya feeling?" Gibbs asked once he and Tony were alone.
"I dunno," Tony said. "Kinda is shock that my apartment's gone."
"Do you remember what happened?"
"I was sleepin' and the fire alarm woke me up," Tony said. "At first I thought somebody burned their food or something but then I realized that wouldn't set the whole building off. The firemen were there and getting' everybody out but I don't really remember much to be honest."
"You were pretty out of it last night," Gibbs said with a smirk.
"Why? What'd I say?" Tony asked when he saw the look on Gibbs' face.
"It's more of what you did," Gibbs said. "You about stripped yourself naked in my car then tossed you clothes out the window."
"No I didn't," Tony said with a disbelieving laugh. He lifted the blankets up and looked down at his outfit. "Why am I wearing your clothes?"
"Sam's trying to get the smoke smell out of yours," Gibbs answered.
"Whose underwear am I wearing?"
"Mine," Gibbs said. He let Tony panic for a minute before continuing. "Don't worry. They're new. You opened the package yourself."
"Did I really strip in your car?"
"Everything but your boxers and your flip flops," Gibbs answered.
"Oh man, I'm turning into the twins," Tony muttered. He wasn't sure whether to be embarrassed or ashamed or maybe just laugh at himself. Of all the people to witness the craziness it had to be Gibbs.
"Just get yourself dressed before you come down to breakfast," Gibbs teased.
"I'm already dressed," Tony said.
Gibbs told Tony he was leaving him home with Sam and the kids and after some objection, Tony finally agreed. He needed to call his insurance company anyways and it wasn't like he had any work clothes or any other clothes for that matter. He was angry at the situation but happy to be alive and unharmed.
According to the news no one had been seriously injured in the fire so that was a relief. Tony guessed the crazy lady in the ground floor apartment had forgotten to turn off her oxygen tank before lighting up a cigarette but the reports hadn't been released yet.
He found he didn't have much of an appetite but picked at the toast Sam had insisted he eat. She wanted something in his belly and he knew he needed to eat. It was nice to be around people who cared and took an active interest in his wellbeing.
Gibbs took Jaycee and Kylee and headed out for the day, wanting nothing more than to be able to stay home with the rest of his family.