Tony was filled with dread and guilt. His little girl may be dying and it was entirely his fault. He had failed her. He should have talked to her later. If he hadn't of been distracted. He would have seen the car and been able to react. If he had been able to react. Then his girl would be OK. He had minor injuries. Nothing that would effect his life but Tali had grave injuries. More likely than not he would be burying his girl. If she were to survive. It was almost impossible that she would escape without some form of permanent damage. His life was turned on it's axis, and it was entirely his fault. What was worse. He was still under observation and could not see Tali in Intensive Care. Gibbs had come but Tony was still waiting on the update. Moments like this Tony really wished that Jimmy was still alive. He was in desperate need for his best friend. He knew that Tali was desperate for her best friend as well. So desperate that it would not surprise Tony if she decided to leave him forever. His heart was breaking but he knew that his daughter had been in pain for a long time now. Tali's death was the last thing he wanted but if it would free her from the mental and physical anguish she had suffered since Tori had left them. He would be more than understanding.
Jethro Gibbs stood over the hospital bed of his granddaughter. The doctors were not offering much hope and he had no idea what to tell Tony. How did you tell somebody their child was dying? How did you cope with such a horrible outcome? He looked down at Tali. She looked identical to Ziva. If she died. It would be like losing Ziver all over again. It would be even worse for Tony. He knew that Tali was hurting but she still needed to fight. She needed to fight and stay with her father. The family could not take another loss like this one. When they lost Tori Palmer they had lost Jimmy as well, and Jethro knew it would be the same. If they lost Tali. First they would lose her and then they would lose Tony. It was an endless cycle of grief and suffering. Jethro had ordered life before and he saw no reason not to do it again now.
"Tali, it's me. Your grandpa Gibbs. I know you are hurting and missing your friend but you need to pull through. Your Abba needs you and I need you as well. Please just fight. You do not have my permission to die. Got that? You do not have my permission to die." Jethro ordered.
Tony was finally released after eight o'clock. Of course he had missed the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit's visiting hours but they promised he could see her in the morning. He was outraged that they had kept him so long but apparently his blood pressure was too high to release him. It was ridiculous in Tony's mind. It's not like he was going to leave the hospital. He was going to be in the Intensive Care Unit of the pediatric ward. Probably one of the better places you could collapse. There were carts of life saving equipment every few feet. Instead they had trapped him in a miserable ER room. Where he was forced to be denied access to his daughter. His heart was broken and he found himself parked in his wheelchair, outside of the PICU. Just watching through the window. Hoping against hope that a nurse would take pity on him and let him go in and visit his baby girl. He was on the brink of giving up. When the door opened and a kind looking nurse stepped out in front of him.
"May I help you?" The nurse asked.
"My daughter is in in there." Tony replied.
"I am sorry." The nurse apologized.
"We were in an accident today. I haven't been able to see her. I know it's late but may I please see her? It may be the last time. Please?" Tony begged.
"I am sorry but I cannot let you in, these children need their rest. I can check on your daughter and give an update but that is the best I can do." The nurse apologized.
"Her name is Tali DiNozzo." Tony sighed.
"I will be right back." The nurse replied.
No luck and Tony was back to waiting. He hated that he could not see his girl but he understood the logic. Not every kid in the PICU was in a coma and they all needed peace and rest. He ached not being able to be with his girl but he had to respect the other children. He did all he could. Which was pace the hall and wait for news on his baby girl. Praying that the news would not leave him with the desire to throw himself off of the building.
"Mr. DiNozzo?" The nurse called.
"How is she?" Tony asked.
"No change, still very critical. Unless there is a drastic downturn. We will not be able to know anymore until morning." The nurse explained.
"When can I see her?" Tony asked.
"Eight o'clock in the morning. Eleven hours from now. Now you get some rest." The nurse ordered.
"I'll try" Tony replied, completely defeated.
Tali was in a beautiful place. For the first time in months she was not miserable and she could even see her best friend. Tori and her had a wonderful time running around, playing, and catching up. Out of the blue, Tali got a strange feeling all over. Tori stood and raced to her side. A jolt shot through Tali's heart and she could hear her father shouting her name. Another jolt, more shouting. That's how it played out for the next five minutes. Jolts and shouting, jolts and shouting, jolts and shouting.
"Tori? What's happening?" Tali asked.
"Tali you have to go back." Tori explained.
"I don't want to go back." Tali sniffed.
"I know but if you don't go back now. You can never go back. Not ever. I had to learn the hard way and you saw what it did to my dad. I am sorry." Tori explained.
"But I miss you." Tali sniffed.
"I never left." Tori replied.
"Tori!" Tali cried, as she was suddenly pulled away.
"Goodbye Tali don't ever forget me but make new friends. You deserve to be happy and you will be happy without me. I promise." Tori explained.
"OK" Tali sniffed.
A/N: Will Tali listen to Tori? New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.