Tony's brief wake up that morning had been a brief moment of optimism for Gibbs but not long after Tony was once again critical. Tony was strong but his fragile body had taken a major hit. Gibbs wondered what quality of life Tony would have after this was over. He had suffered so many seizures and the fever had not gone below a hundred since the illness had taken over. Gibbs knew that his son was still in there somewhere but what he did not know is if Tony would be apparent to the rest of the world. He wondered if he would ever hear Tony's sweet little voice again. It sounded like Tony had talked to him but maybe it was just his imagination or the way he was breathing.
That afternoon Luke drove to Walmart after school and bought three bags of star stickers. He also picked out a teddy bear and a bright red get well balloon. After calling his dad and confirming that Tony was up for a visitor. He was on his way to the hospital. It felt weird to not have Jordan with him. They had been together almost every afternoon since he finally broke it off with Heather but today her mom had a cancer check-up and Jordan always tagged along to those. When he arrived to the hospital he was told that Tony was being cleaned and it would be a few minutes before he was allowed into the room. So he took a seat in the waiting room and sent Jordan a quick text asking about the appointment. He was still waiting when his dad came and sat down beside him.
"How is he?" Luke asked.
"He was awake for a while this morning but the rest of the day has been bad." John explained.
"How is Jethro?" Luke asked.
"He is doing a hell of a lot better than I thought but he needs a break." John explained.
"How are we going to get him out of here?" Luke asked.
"Your mom and I are going to kidnap him Friday." John replied.
"Will he take that?" Luke asked.
"Believe it or not I can hold my own against your uncle Jethro." John remarked.
"Just don't get hurt." Luke replied.
Gibbs stood outside of Tony's room and waited for them to finish with Tony's sponge bath. He needed some air but he was afraid to leave. As miraculous and amazing as Tony's wake up that morning had been. It had put Gibbs at a state of ill ease and left him afraid to leave his son's side. Partially because he feared that Tony would wake again when he was gone and it would add to Tony's lack of trust; and partially because he feared that the wake up was just the calm before the storm. The rally before Tony's little body finally gave out on him.
"Agent Gibbs?" Nurse Jill called.
"Is he done?" Gibbs asked.
"Yes" Nurse Jill replied.
"Did he do OK?" Gibbs asked.
"He did great. Thank God there were no seizures this time." Nurse Jill replied.
"So I can just go back in?" Gibbs asked.
"Yes and page me or somebody else if you have any questions." Nurse Jill replied.
"Will do" Gibbs replied.
Gibbs walked back into his son's room and once again picked up Tony's hand. He knew that the nurses did the best they could and that being moved to the tub for a real bath would be too much for Tony; but he missed the sweet smell of the kiwi soap and strawberry shampoo. That he would used on Tony when he was home. Even though it had only been two days he missed his home. He missed the sunny rooms and his real bed. He missed being able to climb into Tony's bed in the morning and hold him close. He missed seeing Tony without tubes and wires. He missed the sound of children playing outside and laughing but most of all he missed the homie feeling. The hospital was like a second home to them but not a good second home. It was like the detention hall when he was a kid or those lonely nights he slept at the office. Not because of a case keeping him but because he saw no point to going home. It was cold, sterile, and soul crushing. While he was waiting in the hallway a girl an eight year old girl died as the result of a car accident. He could still hear the parents cries as the doctors called the time of death. That was why he hated this place. That was why he wanted Tony to get well and come home.
"Is it OK if I come in?" Luke asked.
"Sure" Jethro replied.
"I bought Tony a couple of things." Luke replied.
"Oh yeah?" Jethro asked.
"I got a Get Well balloon in his favorite color. I also got him some star stickers for his ceiling when he gets home and for now I got him this teddy bear." Luke replied.
"He will love seeing these when he wakes up." Gibbs replied.
"Do you think it will be soon?" Luke asked.
"He was awake for a time this morning. So I am hoping that he will be for good soon." Gibbs replied.
"Yeah my dad was telling me." Luke replied.
"Are you alright? Where's Jordan?" Gibbs asked.
"I am fine just worried for Tony. Jordan is with her mom. She has a check up at the oncologists today and Jordan likes to go along." Luke explained.
"Oh well I hope that it goes well for her." Gibbs replied.
"Yeah me too." Luke replied.
"You love her don't you?" Gibbs asked.
"So much" Luke sighed.
"Well don't let her slip through your finger tips." Gibbs replied.
Jordan stood beside her mother as she helped her with dish washing. Her mom had, had her annual cancer check and mercifully the scans had come back clear. Next year would be the five year mark and Jordan prayed to God that her mother would reach that. She wanted her mother to be there when she got married. If she ever got married that is.
"Are you alright, Jordie?" Eve asked.
"Yeah just thinking." Jordan replied.
"My scans were fine." Eve assured.
"I am thinking about Luke." Jordan replied.
"Is Tony OK?" Eve asked.
"He's fine, he even woke up for a while today." Jordan replied.
"That's great news." Eve replied.
"It is it really is." Jordan replied.
"So if I am OK and Tony is OK, what's wrong?" Eve asked.
"I am in love with Luke!" Jordan cried.
"I figured as much." Eve replied.
"How long have you known?" Jordan asked.
"Oh since you were six." Eve replied.
"The thing is I don't know if he loves me back." Jordan replied.
"What makes you think that?" Eve asked.
"Because I am so fat and ugly! His last girlfriend was Heather! The hottest girl in our grade!" Jordan snapped.
"And she also treated him like crap." Eve reminded.
"I know but why would he want a girl like me?" Jordan asked.
"Because you are smart and loyal. You have always been there for him. I still remember you trying to trick me into thinking you were in a coma so you could get in to be with Jethro." Eve laughed.
"I just wanted to make him smile." Jordan replied.
"And you had only known him for six hours." Eve recalled.
"Oh who am I kidding. He would have made his move by now!" Jordan cried.
"Take it from someone who has had her share of bad relationships. It can take a long time to trust again and it's only been a few months for Luke." Eve replied.
"Yeah" Jordan sighed.
"The best thing you can do for Luke is what you have been doing. Just be by his side and be a good friend. I know at your age it is the last thing you want to hear. You want that love story where he rides in on a white stallion and sweeps you off your feet but; you will have plenty of time for the knight in shining armor but for now just love having a good friend." Eve explained.
"He is a great friend." Jordan agreed.
"And maybe one day he will be a great husband but for now just love having the best friend that most woman would kill for." Eve explained.
"And if we fall in love?" Jordan asked.
"Never let him go." Eve replied pulling her oldest child and only daughter into a tight hug.
A/N: What will it take to get Luke to confess his feelings actually to Jordan? New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.