a/n - Snicker, I didn't plan it this way, but I'm glad this chapter came right after the season opener, which was seriously lacking in the h/c department, even with McGee being hurt. Sigh, it could have been so good if they'd just taken it a little further.
When the nurse came in at 06.00, she found Gibbs sitting up, waiting for her. "If you don't want me walking down to the ICU, then you'd better get me a wheelchair."
She laughed and shook her head. "You just cost me twenty bucks."
"You should know better than betting against a Gunny." Brad arrived with a wheelchair and a grin. "Gibbs, I'm not even going to try to convince you to stay here, but I'll warn you – it could be hours before he shows any sign of waking up."
Gibbs swung his legs over the edge of the bed, reaching back to hold his hospital gown closed as he stood. "Do I have someplace else to be?"
"No, I suppose not."
Since he was on his way down to check on McGee, Dr. Pitt pushed the wheelchair down to Intensive Care. Gibbs took over once they were in McGee's room, finding a spot near the head of the bed that kept him out of the way as Brad and McGee's surgeon examined him. Once they were satisfied and withdrew to review his latest scans and blood tests, he was able to roll closer, resting his hand on Tim's shoulder.
"You're going to be just fine, McGee. I know it."
-NCIS-
Tony had barely gotten out of bed when his father arrived at the house, parking a rental car in the driveway. A suitcase could be seen in the back seat. "You heading out, Dad?"
The older man looked a little unsure of himself as he came into the house. "Ned Dorneget is being transferred to a hospital closer to his family's home. His mother..."
"Wants you to help her sell the family business." Tony finished for him, letting his father know that he wasn't totally in the dark.
"You're doing all right now, Junior, and I think we get along better in smaller doses – but if you need me to stay..."
"No. No, it's okay, Dad. Just remember, this isn't like your normal business deals, this isn't about you."
Anthony studied the expression on his son's face. "You're worried that I'll take advantage of her. I probably deserve that."
Tony didn't know what to say and stared at his feet as Senior continued to talk. "Hell, at one time I would have, but she's not like the women I usually date. She needs – no – she makes me walk the straight and narrow, like your mom did before everything happened. I haven't been a good man in a long time, Junior. You and your friends have shown me that, but I feel like I've got another shot at being an honorable man. This time I won't let you down."
Stepping closer, Anthony pulled his son into a tight hug. "I want to be the kind of dad you'd be proud of again. Even if it's just a fraction of the pride I have in you."
"Aw, Dad." Tony felt himself choking up as he returned the hug. "You take care of yourself, okay? When you're done in Arizona, stop by for a real visit before you go back to New York."
"I'd like that. Stay safe, Tony, and take care of your family here." Anthony tapped Tony's cheek before slipping out the door. Tony watched the car as it pulled out of the driveway and down the street. Once it turned the corner and was out of view, he retreated to the living room, deep in thought.
Abby was there, sitting on the sofa with her feet tucked under her. From her expression, it was apparent that she'd heard most, if not all, of the conversation. "Are you okay?"
He dropped down next to her, pulling her close to kiss the top of her head. "Honestly, I'm not sure."
-NCIS-
Penny left for the hospital early, with a car load of support for Tim. They stopped for coffee, knowing instinctively that Gibbs would already be at Tim's bedside. Arriving at the ICU, they met up with Ziva, who was arriving from the Neurology wing, pushed by a very amused nurse.
"I've got her, thanks." Tony took over the handles of the wheelchair as Ziva joined the procession. Several of the nurses in the ICU looked startled and began to object, but Dr. Morgan shook his head. It was a bit crowded in the room, but they all squeezed in on one side of the bed, leaving the other side for the medical personnel.
Penny stood behind Gibbs' wheelchair, clinging to the handles as she watched Tim's still form. "When will he wake up?"
Morgan didn't sugarcoat it. "There's no way to know. All we can do is to wait and hope for the best."
That wasn't good enough for Gibbs and he looked over at Pitt. "You ready?"
"Yeah, why?"
Dismissing everyone else, Gibbs leaned forward, laying his hand on Tim's head. "McGee, wake up."
The reaction was almost instantaneous as confused green eyes immediately popped open. Before he could panic, Gibbs was calming him down and explaining what was happening. "Easy, Tim, you're safe. We're all safe. You've got a tube in your throat, breathing for you. Don't fight it."
Tim didn't move except for his eyes, which bounced back and forth between Gibbs and Penny. She solved the problem by leaning closer to Gibbs so Tim could see them both at the same time. He was blinking rapidly and squinting, but it was obvious to Gibbs that Tim's vision was back, even if it wasn't one hundred percent yet.
"Damn it, Gibbs, give a guy some warning next time, will ya'?" Brad huffed softly as he moved closer. "Agent McGee, can you hear me?"
Tim frowned, his eyes tracking the sound until he saw Dr. Pitt. He looked at him for a moment, before returning his gaze to his Boss.
The tap to the head was so gentle it barely moved his hair. "Pay attention to the doctor if you want that tube out of your throat, okay?"
After staring at Gibbs for a moment, McGee obediently turned back to Dr. Pitt. Brad smiled as he started checking his new patient. "Okay, Agent McGee, I don't know if you remember me, but I'm Dr. Brad Pitt and I'm a lung specialist. It's not going to be pleasant, but we need to see what condition your lungs are in. They took a lot of damage when you were hurt, but there's a lot we can do to help you get better.
"We're going to try something called a Spontaneous Breathing Trial to see if you're ready to be taken off the vent because the sooner we can get you breathing on your own, the better the chances of a full recovery. That being said, if you're not ready, we're not going to push it. We'll keep giving you medication to help your lungs and try again in a few days. Are you ready for this?"
It was weak, but Tim gave a definite nod. Pitt looked over at the nurse, who pushed a tray closer. Once that was in place, Pitt started to explain. "You have multiple fractured ribs, so we want to make sure that you're not in any pain before we start, since that makes it harder for your chest muscles to move, but most standard pain killers can depress respiration at the levels you'll need, so we're going to give you what's called a thoracic epidural."
There was understanding in the tired green eyes, but they immediately shifted back to Gibbs, who had immediate concerns. "How are you going to do that without damaging his ribs?"
"Very carefully." Brad turned serious. "There's some risks, but it's our least risky option. The longer we wait, the more the muscles in his chest wall will atrophy." He waited until Gibbs and then Penny nodded. "Okay, Tim, we're going to roll you onto your side. You let us do all the work, all right?"
Another nurse appeared and the three of them slowly eased Tim onto his side. To give the two closest members of his family a way to help, Penny was allowed to hold Tim's head once it was in position. With his chin tucked against his chest, Tim's view was limited and his grandmother's hand was a welcome comfort. Next, his knees were drawn up, with Gibbs supporting them.
Once their patient was in the fetal position and well supported, the nurses placed the surgical drapes and washed down his back with iodine. Next, Dr. Pitt carefully place the large bore needle. Closer to the foot of the bed, both Ziva and Jack winced at the sight, while Tony had to look away. Abby was intrigued and watched closely. The actual placement of the medication catheter was relatively quick and then Tim was carefully returned to his previous position.
"How long will that be in his spine?"
"We're hoping to use the epidural for his primary pain relief for at least the next few days, Ms. Langston. Now, we're going to take a quick x-ray to double check his ribs, then we can proceed." It took longer to herd the group out of Tim's room than it took for the x-ray. By the time the machine was wheeled out and the extended team returned, Dr. Pitt was looking at the image. Satisfied, he returned to the room.
"He can't move."
Brad sighed. The epidural was high enough to block the nerves controlling McGee's extremities by design. "Gunny, right now – other than breathing – we don't want him moving. He needs time to heal."
After giving Gibbs a minute to accept it, Brad disconnected the tubing from the pressure machine and attached it to the room oxygen connection on the wall. "Okay, Tim, I want you to take a breath now, start with a shallow breath."
Everyone else held their breath, waiting for McGee to breathe. When he took his first, wheezing breath, Abby and Tony both cheered while Ziva beamed at him.
"Yes, Timmy, I knew you were going to be all right."
"Attaboy, Probie."
Brad was pleased, but they were just at the beginning of the test. "You're doing great, Tim. I want you to keep breathing, taking a little deeper breath each time, until you feel like you're taking normal breaths. You're on almost pure oxygen and we're monitoring your blood oxygen levels so you don't have to worry. We'll know if there's a problem."
Gibbs was almost getting dizzy, watching McGee, the machines and Brad's reactions to the various read-outs. McGee's blood oxygen levels had been lower than anyone he'd ever seen, even Tony's when he'd had the plague, but they dropped only slightly when he began breathing on his own.
After ten minutes Dr. Pitt declared the test a success. "How'd you like to get rid of that tube in your throat?"
Tim gave a brief nod, but there was no mistaking the fear in his eyes, so Brad explained what was going to happen.
"After we remove the tube, we're going to put you on a low-pressure system. There will be a mask over your face, giving you the oxygen you need and if your breathing falters in any way, it will keep pushing air into your lungs and sound an alarm at the nurses' station."
The bed was raised, putting McGee in an upright position and as he blew out, the tube was removed. Tim coughed weakly, his eyes watering and Gibbs reached out, drying his lashes with his thumb. "That part sucks, but it feels great to have it out, doesn't it?"
"Yeah." It was little more than a whisper, but it brought Penny to tears.
"Oh, Timothy, Sweetheart, I've been so worried about you."
"I'm... I'm okay." Tim looked around, seeing the rest of his team and Jack surrounding his bed. He looked directly at Tony. "Okay?"
Tony struggled to keep his voice steady. "Yeah, man, we're all okay, just waiting for you to get better."
Tim nodded, his eyes already starting to close. "Good." Succumbing to the sleep he so desperately needed, Tim's face turned, nestling into the strong hand still cupped against his cheek.
Once he was sleeping peacefully, Penny could no longer hold back the tears and buried her face in Jack's shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her.
Tony's eyes widened at the sight and grinning, glanced over at Gibbs who was paying the couple no attention. Abby and Ziva were both smiling at them, however. Tony backed Ziva's wheelchair out of the room, Abby following them, and the three retreated to the waiting room before saying anything.
"When did that start?"
"I have no idea, Ziva. Abby?"
"I don't know, but isn't it great? Just think, if Penny and Jack get together, that would make Gibbs Tim's stepfather."
Ziva knew that the American culture was a little looser about family ties than her own, but she was convinced that was a stretch. "I don't think it works like that, Abby."
"Besides," Tony grinned at the two of them. "I'm much more interested in watching Probie question Gibbs about his father's intentions."
