Gibbs tapped his pencil against his desk. Today had started out just like any other day for the sheriff of Stillwater boring and uneventful. Sometimes he really did miss the near constant activity he had during his years at NCIS and his time in the Marines. After spending his entire adult life working in chaos. It was hard to adjust to being bored ninety percent of the time. The phone on his desk rang, he put the pencil back in the cup, and picked up the phone.
"Sheriff Gibbs"
"Sheriff it's Dan the crossing guard."
"Kids giving you trouble, Dan?"
"No sir school hasn't let out yet and they will probably be keeping at least the little ones for a bit."
"What's going on?"
"A man got hit by a car right in front of me."
"Is he OK?"
"He is unconscious."'
"Put the driver on."
"The driver made off it was a hit and run."
"Did you call 911?"
"Yes the ambulance is on the way but I can't help him in the mean time."
"Did you call the school?"
"No, please help me."
"I will be right there. Call the school and tell them to hold buses and any kids that haven't been released. We'll be there right away."
Gibbs dropped the phone back onto the cradle. He could not believe what he had just heard. When he first head Dan on the other end of the phone. He was expecting it to just be Dan needing him to put a scare in kids who were violating the safety rules. Instead he heard that somebody had been hit by a car. To make things even worse with the man being right in front of the crossing guard. He was more than likely a father going to get his kid(s) from school. He immediately sprung into action. He announced that a man had been injured in a hit and run outside of the school and they needed to go right away. He and one of the deputies hopped in the sheriff's car and sped towards the school. He jumped out of the car and ran towards Dan who was standing over the injured person. When he saw who the man was he felt his heart drop to his feet. It was, Tony. His Tony. Two of the younger deputies bent down and started to try and pick Tony up to move him.
"Don't move him!" Gibbs called.
"But Sheriff he's in the middle of the road!" The younger of the two deputies protested.
"I know but if you move him and he has a spinal injury he could end up paralyzed." Gibbs explained.
"But what if somebody else hits him?" The deputy asked.
"Nobody is getting down this road." Gibbs assured.
Gibbs knelt down and began checking Tony. To his relief his son was breathing and had a fairly strong pulse. He didn't want to touch Tony anymore than he absolutely had to and he would only move him if he had to choose between a paralyzed son and a dead one. Tony had a lot of injuries but only one was bleeding seriously enough to require immediate attention. A nasty gash on his torso. Gibbs removed his jacket and used it to put pressure on the wound. Twenty minutes later the ambulance arrived and the paramedics took over for a now shaking Gibbs.
"Dan get to your post once the ambulance is gone they are releasing the schools! Frank go get Carly from school and make sure Jack is at the store! Craig go with Frank and man the store for the rest of the afternoon!" Gibbs called.
"What should I tell Carly, Boss?" Frank asked.
"Just tell her that her dad isn't feeling well and take her to my apartment." Gibbs explained.
"What about me?" Tucker asked.
"Just stay at the station for the rest of your shift. Jay and Eddy will be in soon." Gibbs explained.
"OK" Tucker replied.
Frank stood outside of Stillwater Elementary until Carly came running out with her teacher and the rest of her second grade class.
"Hello, Deputy Monroe" Mrs. Mason greeted.
"Oh hi Mrs. Mason." Frank asked.
"How is the person who was injured?" Mrs. Mason asked.
"He should be OK." Frank replied.
"What brings you here? Shouldn't you be heading back to the office?" Mrs. Mason asked.
"I am actually here to pick up one of your student and take her home." Frank explained.
"Who?" Mrs. Mason asked.
"Carly DiNozzo" Frank replied.
"Is her dad OK? He dropped her off earlier." Mrs. Mason asked.
"He isn't feeling well." Frank lied.
"Oh well OK but I am going to call Gibbs and make sure she got home safe." Mrs. Mason replied.
"I understand" Frank assured.
Gibbs climbed into the ambulance with Tony, the doors slammed behind him. The driver and third paramedic jumped in the front seat and sped away. Gibbs sat on the bench and stared at Tony's limp form on the stretcher. His son was strapped down to a board and his head was fastened into a head board. He still hadn't woken up but his chest had stopped bleeding. As the ambulance sped towards the hospital he reached over and gripped Tony's hand which was covered in road rash. He wondered what he would learn when they arrived. He prayed that he would receive good news but mentally prepared himself for bad. The ambulance took a sharp turn and then another before progressively slowing down and finally stopping outside the ER. Gibbs waited until the medics had unloaded Tony before jumping out and following them inside. He watched with unshed tears in his eyes as Tony was whisked through the big double doors.
"I love you son!" Gibbs called even though he knew there was no way Tony could hear him.
A/N: Just how bad off is Tony? New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.
