I got into the driver's seat of my car and drove the two of us home. When we walked in Hanna met us in the living room, "What's going on?" she asked as she handed Ryder off to Caleb.
We shrugged, "We had a bioterrorism attack. We've caught the person who did it, but Tony is in Bethesda with the plague. The antidote has been made, I just need to go change so Caleb and I can go back up there. We need to brief him on everything that's happened. Can you help me find something that looks professional, but is comfortable? All of my pants are too small now." I informed Hanna as I made my way up the stairs.
She followed me with a annoyed look on her face, "What? Is he going to be okay? Why didn't you tell me about this when it happened? What if it had been you? I'm pretty sure the plague isn't good for the baby." she scolded me as she followed me to my closet to help me find something to wear.
It isn't like I didn't know that she was going to go all over protective on me, but for some reason I am annoyed by what she just said, "I know, Hanna. I didn't tell you because it was an open case and the information was confidential. I'm sorry. Tony is going to be fine, the antidote has been made, but it will take a little while for him to get better. It will probably be a rough few weeks, but it'll be okay. It's all a part of the job. I know that it can be dangerous working for NCIS, but I'm not going to quit. I love my job so much, I hated being away from work for so long. What do you think about this?" I held up a dark purple sundress with a plunging neckline. I like this because it flows away from my sore waist. It wasn't too bad until I had to put on the pants that were now too small for me.
She shook her head, "No, not if you want to look professional, what kind of professional are you looking for?" she asked taking the dress from me and putting it back on it's rack. "I just don't want you to go through what I had to. You're my best friend, and I worry about you. That's all." she added as she looked through my extensive collection of clothes.
"Professional as in I'm going to be talking with the team, doctors, and writing my case report. I want something comfortable, and none of my pants fit anymore, so I want to wear a dress." I informed her of what I am looking for in my outfit for the rest of the day.
She nodded her head and pulled out my Free People long sleeve plaid mini dress. Perfect for what I am going to be doing for the rest of the day, and much more seasonably appropriate than the dress that I first suggested. I am usually really good about finding the perfect outfit for the day, but right now I am so tired that I really don't care. "That's perfect. Thank's, Han." I told her as I set it down on the white leather bench we have in the middle of the room. I have to admit, I love my closet. It is hands down my favorite room in the house.
I stripped my clothes and pulled the dress on, letting Hanna zip it for me, "When Tony starts feeling better we have got to go shopping and get you some pants that actually fit. It's going to be getting pretty cold soon, you aren't going to want to be wearing dresses every day." she pointed out as she looked me up and down.
This is something that I have mixed feelings about. I'm not sure that I like maternity clothes. I was looking at some online last night and they did not look like me at all. "I'm sure that I'll be fine wearing dresses, I've got some leggings that have some stretch to them as well that will hold me over for a while." I delayed the inevitable. I just really do not want to look like the typical mom. I want to look like the kick ass young looking mom.
Hanna rolled her eyes at me, "You're going to have to get some bigger clothes at some point. You won't even have to get maternity clothes for a while, just get some bigger clothes that you actually like." she tried to comfort me as she picked up a pair of boots that would look good with my dress and handed them to me.
"I just don't like the thought of not being able to look like myself. I don't want to look like a typical mom, I want to look like me." I confessed as I pulled my boots on and looked myself in the mirror to make sure that I look okay. My outfit is on point, but my face looks like a hot mess. "And now I need to put on some makeup." I stated as a walked back into the bedroom and sat down at my vanity so I could put on some concealer and mascara really fast.
She pulled my hair out of the messy bun that I was sporting and braided it back while I did the very little makeup that I was planning to do. "When was the last time you ate? I have some left overs from dinner last night that you can eat on your way to see Tony." she asked as we interlocked our arms and walked down the stairs together.
Well, the last time I ate had to be breakfast yesterday morning… and I threw that up. What the hell, how have I not wanted to eat since then. "It's been a while, yeah I should probably get something to go." I agreed as we got down stairs where Caleb is laying on the couch holding Ryder up above him and is making faces at his son, making the baby laugh.
Hanna heated up the food for me and put it in a bowl with a lid so that I could eat on the way to Bethesda. "How are you feeling now that you've changed and have some food in you?" he asked once I nearly inhaled the grilled chicken with lemon pepper and asparagus. It turns out that Hanna is a really good cook. One of these days she is really going to have to teach me, because I can't cook at all. I'm going to be a mom soon, I should be able to cook for my family.
I shrugged my shoulders, "Better, but I think that for dinner I'm gonna want some steak. There is no telling how late we're going to have to stay, but if we can leave at a reasonable time I'll take you and Hanna out." I stated, my mouth watering at the thought of a nice juicy steak.
He laughed at me, "I'm sure that you can leave whenever you want to, but there is no telling when I am going to be able to leave." he corrected my statement about when we would eventually get to leave this evening. Neither of us really know what the rest of the day will hold, I just hope that it involves my husband getting better.
When we got to the hospital I was met at the front desk by a nurse named Jeanne Benoit. I know that name. Where do I know that name? Wait. That is the woman that Tony thought he fell in love with during his undercover assignment for the director. "Hello, Mrs. DiNozzo. I'm Dr. Benoit, I'm working as a consultant on your husband's case. I worked with several similar situations to his while I was working in Africa." she introduced herself as she led me to an elevator so we could go to Tony's room.
I decided that I wouldn't say anything for the time being. I could be wrong about who this woman is, although I highly doubt it, but I don't have the energy to start anything right now. "How is he doing?" I asked, I haven't seen him in a few hours. I know that he probably isn't doing as well as he was when I left him, but hopefully he isn't doing too badly.
She sighed, "He is doing as well as we would hope he would at this point. He has been on antibiotics for three hours, and the antidote for an hour and a half. We have seen improvement, but it is going to take him a little while for him to get back to where he was before this happened." she explained as we exited the elevator and walked down what seemed like a never ending hallway.
When we got to Tony's room Ducky and Abby were standing outside of Tony's glass room and talking with him. Abby saw me first and came running to give me a hug, "Aria! Everything is going to be okay, I promise! He is taking the antidote really well." she reassured me as she led me to what looked like a sound boot so that I could communicate with Tony.
I smiled at Ducky as he put an arm around me, "I would be willing to bet that he will be back to himself again in time for you to enter you third trimester. His progress in the last hour has been magnificent. I would be will to bet that he will be able to go home within a week, but he is going to have to have someone take care of him. This reminds me of a time…" he started in on a story, but stopped listening, I locked eyes with my husband for the first time since we walked in.
His face is pale, his lips his a bluish tint, and his eyes look bruised. I've never seen him like this, it made the blood drain from my face and my stomach tie into a knot. "Hey, babe." I greeted him through a microphone. I wish that I could be in there with him giving him a hug, but I know that at this point, I probably wouldn't be able to get away with that.
He smiled at me, "Hey yourself sexy. I love that dress on you." he replied. That's my Tony. At least he is still sounds like himself even though he sounds very fatigued, but that is to be expected. I could see his eyes look my up and down checking me out.
"Why thank you. I think our baby likes it more than what I was wearing earlier. All of my pants are officially too small. How are you feeling though?" I asked him. I know that hearing about the baby will make him feel better, it always does.
The look on his face that he always has when we talk about the baby is always priceless, and today is no different. A smile spread across his face, "That just means our little guy is growing. I bet he'll be a ten pounder. All of the DiNozzo men are always born at nine pounds or heavier." he joked with me, completely ignoring my question as to how he is doing. This isn't the first time since he's informed me of this, but every time I groan. I do not want to push a ten pound baby out of me. I'm not even sure if I actually could for that matter, if the baby actually ends up being that big I think I'm going to beg for a C-section.
"Well both me and my brother were premature at five pounds. It could also be a girl, you have to remember that babe. In my family both me and my mom were first born. But really, how are you feeling?" I asked him as I rested my hand on my stomach. It's not that my stomach has really gotten bigger, but my hips are widening to make room for the baby. It also makes me nervous that the baby could be a preemie. According to mom both Mike and I had to spend a whole week in the NICU. I'm not sure if I want to go through with that.
As always, he rolled his eyes at me, "We'll see." he relented, "I'll be doing better when I can actually sit next to you." he added. This isn't exactly what I mean by asking him how he is doing, but at least he gave me an answer.
Dr. Benoui chose now to step in, "Hi, Tony. I'm taking over for right now so Dr. Pitt can take his lunch break. Now I don't see why your wife couldn't go be there with you for a couple of minutes as long as you don't make any physical contact." she told him as she handed me a mack to put over my face.
Tony looked happy but concerned, "Will it be okay with the baby?" he asked already being an amazing daddy and making sure that no harm will come to the baby if I go into see him.
She nodded her head, "Yes, it will be fine." she reassured Tony as she led me into the room with my husband.
I hated being so close to Tony, yet not be allowed to touch him. I want to hug him so badly it hurts. "So does Hanna know about all of this yet?" he asked with a goofy smile on his face. His voice is raspy, and honestly, if I weren't so accustomed to his voice, I might not be able to understand him. He couldn't help but let out a nasty cough from deep in his chest, but he covered it with his arm. I didn't say anything because that is something that everyone already knows, but there is blood in the place he coughed into.
I took a seat in the bed next to his so I could make myself comfortable to talk with him for a few minutes, "Yes, she was not very happy with me. She didn't care about Caleb, or the person who did this, but at me." I informed him in a joking tone. I love Hanna, and she raised a good point, but I still found that a little hilarious.
He nodded his head, "What about the little bro?" he asked in reference to Mike. Before dad died, sure Mike and I would talk to each other every so often to catch up, but now Mike and I have definitely bonded again. We are closer than I think we have ever been.
I shook my head, I probably should call him in the next day or so though if he doesn't call me first. "Not yet, I really haven't had a chance to. Maybe if I've got some time after dinner." I replied with a sigh. I'm not sure if Abby or Ducky has told him who did this to him, but I'm not sure that I want to tell him.
Tony coughed again. More blood. I could feel my heart breaking inside. He is still so bad, I can't imagine him being any worse. I'm glad I wasn't there for that. "Have you guys found out who did this to me yet?" he asked quietly, almost so quiet that I couldn't hear him. I did though, and he knows I did, so I guess I'm going to have to give him a straight answer about this.
My heart rate picked up. How am I supposed to tell him that it was Ziva that did this to him? "Yes, the letter was signed 'Ziva David.' We took her into custody and she confessed to doing this to you. She's had a significant amount of brain damage in the last couple of years so Gibbs and McGee are looking into getting her some help." I informed him. I gripped the sheets of the bed to help keep me calm as I told him this, but it did little good.
His face was already pale, but it got even paler as he processed what I told him. "Why? Why did she want to do that?" he asked in total confusion. He hadn't said anything to Ziva since she left, not that he didn't try though, but she wouldn't answer his calls so he gave up.
I looked at Ducky to answer Tony's question, he nodded his head at me and looked to Tony, "She was very sick, and she started blaming things on you, things that you had no control over. That is why we are getting her some help." he explained to Tony.
He didn't look happy about it, but Tony let the topic go for the time being. "Well I think getting over this will be easier than last time, I've got you to take care of me." Tony smiled at me. I wanted to kiss him, kiss away his sickness, his pain. I know that it doesn't work like that, but I really wish that it did.
"That's right. I'll be with you every step of the way. I love you, babe." I told him with a small tear forming in the corner of my eye.
Dr. Benoui walked back in, "Okay, Agent DiNozzo, it's time for you to come back out. Your husband needs to get some rest now." she told me as she checked all of the monitors surrounding Tony to make sure that everything is looking okay.
I got up and walked back out. Sometime in the few minutes that I had been talking with Tony, Caleb had excused himself to take a phone call from Gibbs. So I went and sat down next to where Abby is standing looking at Tony's numbers with Ducky. I don't know what most of that stuff means, but I'm okay with that. I trust Ducky and Abby to tell me the truth as to what is going on.
After a moment Abby sat down next to me, "Okay, I know that you've got your hands full right now, but I was wanting to talk about the baby shower for Hanna next week. Now you've talked with her mother, Spencer, and Emily, and they are all going to be here on Saturday afternoon and are leaving again on Sunday afternoon?" she asked for verification. Abby has planned the majority of this believe it or not, I mean I have led her in the right direction and given ideas, but Abby has executed most of it. It's easier for Abby to put this together as a surprise because she isn't living with Hanna.
I nodded my head, "Yeah, Ashley is actually coming in on early Friday afternoon and going back home on Tuesday. She wants to spend some extra time with the grandbaby. Emily shouldn't be here until literally an hour before the shower starts. Spencer will be here that morning. McGee is going to pick her up from the airport and take her up to NCIS so she can help you finish getting everything set up and so that she can get ready before the party. We were going to send Tony on an 'errand' to pick Emily up, but we're going to have to think of something else for Emily to be picked up." I updated her on everyone who is flying in to attend the shower.
She nodded her head, "Okay, we can figure that out fairly easily. Don't worry about that. So I've ordered the cake it's black with 'Ryder' in blue letters. I have the balloons and decorations ordered, made sure that everyone knows that my lab is off limits all day. I think everything is ready. I'm so excited!" she went down a checklist in her mind to go over everything that needed to be done for next week.
Caleb walked back in and kneeled down next to us, "I just got off the phone with Gibbs and McGee. After we left Ziva tried to attack McGee and had a seizure. McGee is fine, he just has a few bruises, but Ziva is in ICU here. Because Ziva is here we think that it would be best if there is someone here with Tony at all times and someone with Ziva at all times so nothing else happens. So If you'll stay here until dinner time, I'll go home and get a couple of hours sleep and eat dinner, then I'll come up here and take the night shift. Then we can work out who will stay with him in the morning." he updated us on what was going on.
By the time he said everything he wanted to, quickly and under his breath so Tony couldn't hear him, Caleb was a little winded. I laughed and gave him a hug, "That sounds good. I'll talk with his doctor so you can get on home. Tell your wife I'm taking her to steak when I get home though." I ordered him as both of us stood up.
Caleb left and I walked over to Dr. Benoui and pulled her to the side. "Do you know the conditions of how Tony got to this place?" I started just seeing on how much I need to update her on.
She took a deep breath and glanced back at Tony before she looked at me, "Bioterrorism. When Tony and I broke up Ziva was still his partner. I don't know much about her, but I know enough to realize that she is dangerous." she informed me of everything she knew about the situation.
So my suspicions were right, this is the woman that Tony fell for while he was undercover. I'm not sure if I like this, but I really don't have much of any choice. "Well she is here, in ICU. We wouldn't put it past her to try to escape to come and hurt Tony when she becomes a little bit more aware of what's going on. There is always going to be an agent with her, but because we know her history, we're always going to have an agent here with Tony." I told her, giving her as little information as possible.
She nodded her head, "Okay, I'll make sure and pass this information along to Dr. Pitt when he returns. Are you the agent that will be staying with him for the time being?" she asked.
"Yeah. This evening Agent Rivers, the man who just left, will come back and spend the night with Tony." I replied.
I went and sat back down. Abby and Ducky soon had to leave, so that left me with Tony who is sleeping, and Dr. Benoui. I didn't much care for her being here, so I decided that I was going to ignore her and give Mike a call.
"Hey mother of my niece or nephew." he greeted me. Okay, I don't like that he is already starting that. It would be one thing if the baby had already been born, but we don't even know if it's going to be a boy or a girl yet.
"Let's not start that yet. I'm your sister still. How are things going up there? I hate that I can't be there to help you with everything." I asked him knowing that the two of them hate a full plate between school, work, wedding planning, and taking care of mom.
Mike laughed, "Hilary and I are learning to go off of very little sleep at the moment, but we know that it will all be worth it once we are married, graduated, and living closer to you. Did you know that I can go two days before crashing? I learned that last week." he told me, sounding happy, yet totally exhausted.
A combination of maternal instincts and big sister protection kicked in, "Mike, do you have any idea how dangerous that is? You have got to get some rest or you are seriously going to crash. Do you know the most common cause of sickness in college students? It's not getting enough sleep. Unless you want me getting on the phone with Hilary and make her put you to bed every night you will make more time to sleep." I scolded him for not getting enough rest.
Even though I can't see him through the phone, I know he is rolling his eyes at me, "I sleep when I find the time, Ar. It's just that doesn't happen as often as I would like it to. Besides, you used to do the same thing in high school. I remember hearing you sneak out in the middle of the night and not coming home for hours." he retorted.
"That was a completely different situation and you know it. I had to meet with the girls and figure out who -A was and dealing with the collateral damage he caused. I was afraid to sleep because I didn't want -A to do something to me in the middle of the night. And you know what? It made me sick. Exhaustion is not a good thing." I went on about the dangers of what he is doing.
"Okay, okay. I'll make more of an effort to get some more sleep." he relented to get me off of his back.
"How's mom?" I then ask, letting the topic go for the time being so that I could get on to the things that I really want to talk to my brother about.
He sighed, "She's really losing it. When Hilary and I went to visit her yesterday she thought that I was dad and Hil was Merideth. She freaked out and started screaming at us." he informed me.
It made me feel sick to hear that our mother is doing so badly, "I am so sorry that you're having to deal with her on your own. I can't wait for all of you to move out here so we can share responsibility of mom." I replied with frustration that we are so far away from each other.
"It's okay. We'll be out there soon enough. What about you sis? How's life going?"
I looked at my husband sleeping in the hospital bed, "Well it's been a really hard last couple of days. We were the target of a bioterrorism attack. Tony got the plague and is in the hospital right now recovering." I informed him letting the stress I'm feeling come into my voice.
"What? Are you okay? What about the baby? - And Tony?" he asked starting to freak out, "Babe, come here and hear what Aria is saying." I heard him call away from the phone.
"Yes, I'm okay. I'm stressed and tired, but I'm okay, so is the baby. Tony is still in intensive care, but he is getting better. If things continue to go well then he should be able to come home by the end of the week." I reassured him.
"What do you need? Do you need us to come down there?" Mike asked, obviously still panicked.
As much as I would enjoy his offer, I know it wouldn't be the best idea. "Mike. You have already missed a good amount of school this semester, and you've got a lot on your plate already. We'll be fine down here. I've got the team and Hanna. We're going to be okay. You can come down for Thanksgiving." I reassured him that I've got all of the help that I need right now. I mean I would like for my brother to help me through this, but I know that he is better off where he is.
"...Okay, but you'll have to keep us updated!" he ordered.
"I will. Now go take a nap or something, you sound exhausted." I replied and hung up the phone.
McGee walked in shortly after I got off the phone with Mike. "Gibbs is with Ziva right now. They are doing a CAT scan of her brain to see the extent of the damage. How's Tony doing?" he asked as he sat down next to me. He looks tired. I'm sure we all do after the day we've had.
I leaned against him and held his arm, "He's doing better, but it's still really hard to see him like this. Sure I've seen him sick before, but ever this sick." I confessed as I looked at his sleeping figure. He is so pale he looks like a ghost. I look away from him and back to McGee.
He sighed and nodded his head, "Yeah, it was like this last time. I feel like he is actually doing better than last time taking into consideration how everything was worse this time. He'll be okay. Do you need anything? Rivers told me to you've got protection detail until dinner time." he asked as he rubbed my knee.
"No, that's okay. Thank you though. I just talked with my brother. I'll probably called Spencer and Emily after a little bit. They are both still working right now though." I told him with an involuntary yawn. Everything from the last day is really starting to catch up with me.
He nodded his head, "Okay, well I'm going to go back to the office to get some more work done. Call me if you need anything." he told me as he got up and left.
After about an hour I decided that Spencer would be available to talk for a little bit.
"Hey Aria, how are you doing?" she answered.
"Well, I can definitely say that I've had better days. Tony is in the hospital right now." I informed her.
"Oh my goodness, what happened?"
"Bioterrorism attack. He is now recovering from the plague." I informed her.
"Is he going to be okay?" she asked with obvious panic in her voice.
"Yeah, he's going to be fine, but it's going to be a long next couple of months." I reassured her.
"Well, what are you going to do? You don't need to be getting sick either. Right now more than ever you should be resting, and getting ready for Mike's wedding, and your baby coming." she stressed. I can just see the gears working in Spencer's mind making her freak out.
"Okay Aria, what did you tell our high strung Spencer? We've got dinner reservations that we've got to get to in fifteen minutes and she isn't moving." Toby stole the phone from his wife to ask me.
"I was just letting her know that Tony is in the hospital. We had a bioterrorism attack and Tony got sick. He's got an antidote and so he'll be okay." I informed him with a smile.
"What's he sick with?" he asked with his curiosity peaked and concern in his voice.
"Plague. Give him a couple of months and he'll be as good as new." I replied.
"Toby, give me back my phone! I need to talk to Aria!" I heard Spencer yell over the line. "Aria, I'm sure if I told my boss what's going on that he'd give me a couple of weeks off to come help. Don't you have a doctor's appointment tomorrow? Is Hanna going to be able to go with you?" she asked with Spencer-freakout-mode going into full effect.
Crap. I forgot about that appointment! How does Spencer remember that and I don't? "I forgot about that! Let me call you back I need to talk Han and see if she can!" I told her and quickly hung up the phone. I quickly dialed Hanna's number.
"Hey, is everything okay?" she answered.
"I completely forget that I have a doctor appointment tomorrow. Can you come with me? I don't want to go by myself." I begged. I haven't gone to one appointment by myself yet, and I don't want to start that now.
"Of course. You don't need to worry about anything." she said like it was obvious. "I've got everything taken care of. All you need to worry about is taking care of yourself and watching over Tony." she stated with a firm voice.
"Thank you. Now will you please call Spencer and tell her that there is no need for her to fly down here and that we've got everything under control? I made the mistake of calling her and letting her know what's going on." I requested.
"I'll do that, but you better call Emily before Spence gets the chance. You know she'll freak out, but she won't tell you that she is coming, she'll just book a flight and come." Hanna advised.
"Doing that now. Thank you, Han! I'll talk to you in a few hours." I replied and hung up the phone with Hanna, then dialed Emily's number. I feel as if these phone calls are never ending.
I called Emily and told her what was going on, and before too long Caleb was back to take the night shift of watching Tony. So I went down to the car, texting Hanna on the way. telling her that I was on my way to get her so we could go to dinner together.
A/N Please Review!
XOXO ~ TotalCowGirl