Gibbs hated to hang-up on Rachel the way he did. Whatever she was saying about the little girl must be important but the way the doctors were signaling him indicated that something must be going on with Tony. He hoped that it was good news but with how fragile and sick Tony had been. It was unlikely that he would be getting good news anytime soon. The best thing he could expect to hear would be that Tony was able to be moved from the isolation chamber to the regular ICU but that wasn't much of an improvement. Considering the fact that the virus had died hours ago. He hung-up his phone, forced it in his jeans pocket, and walked towards the waiting doctors.
"How is he?" Gibbs asked.
"Tony just coughed up half a cup of blood and has been extremely uncomfortable. We are pumping his little body full of steroids and pain killers but there is only so much we can do. He will remain in the blue-light room until his breathing gets a little easier. He may or may not spend time in the ICU afterwards but he is going to be in a regular room for at least a day or two." Dr. Pitt explained.
"Are his chances any better?" Gibbs asked.
"They are still at about fifteen percent." Dr. Pit replied.
"Oh my poor boy." Gibbs whispered.
"Hey it's going to be alright. Tony is a fighter." Dr. Pitt assured.
"I hope he can fight this." Gibbs replied.
Rachel watched Ziva get ready for bed. She was amazed by how strong and independent the small girl was. Of course she knew that the majority of blind people were very independent and capable but after all Ziva had been through in her short life. It was amazing that she hadn't just become a cripple. Having lost her entire family and how evil her brother had become. Her mother and sister, Rivkah and Talia were killed in the suicide bombing that left her blind. Her father was Eli David the head of Mosad and he had been killed in a shootout two years prior. She had a half-brother named Ari was the man who killed Kate but Rachel could look past that. If it meant giving the little girl a better life. She just wished she could get Jethro to listen but anytime she tried to talk to him. He just started talking about Tony. She knew that Tony was top priority right now and she really should come home but more than wanting to be at the ceremony. She wanted to help Ziva. The director of the orphanage exited his office and walked over to her.
"Rachel?" Ezekiel called.
"Yes" Rachel replied.
"Have you thought anymore about adopting Ziva?" Ezekiel asked.
"I want to but my son Tony is really sick back home." Rachel replied.
"What's wrong with him?" Ezekiel asked.
"My husband is a federal agent and while Tony was at his office yesterday. He opened this envelope and it was filled with the plague. Tony has been really sick ever since." Rachel explained.
"That's scary" Ezekiel replied.
"He only has a fifteen percent chance of survival. I am leaving as soon as the ceremony is over tomorrow." Rachel explained.
"Oh well you know it might make Tony's death easier on the other kids if you had another child who was joining the family at the same time." Ezekiel explained.
"Excuse me?" Rachel asked.
"You said you had two other kids besides Tony right?" Ezekiel asked.
"Yes" Rachel replied.
"Well the loss of a sibling is hard and it might be easier on them to have a replacement." Ezekiel explained.
"So you are saying that Ziva will just be a replacement?" Rachel asked.
"I suppose" Ezekiel replied.
"You know what? I am adopting Ziva and then I am leaving. I don't care what my husband thinks. I do not want to know this sweet girl is just a replacement!" Rachel snapped.
"Fine" Ezekiel replied.
Wednesday afternoon Gibbs realized that he would need to come home and pick up some supplies for himself. Since it was clear that Tony would be in the hospital for a long time. Before leaving he picked up Tony's artificial leg to bring home. When he got to his van he looked at the little clock. It was three o'clock and since Ducky had taken the day off of work to care for the kids. Abby and Timmy would be home by the time he got there. He was glad that he would be able to see them even if it was just for a short time. When he got home Ducky's, Morgan was in the driveway. He climbed out of the car and walked inside. Abby and Timmy were watching TV but came running when they heard him enter. They were just about to embrace him but suddenly they just stopped and started crying.
"Abby? Timmy? What's wrong?" Gibbs asked.
"Tony's dead!" Timmy cried.
"I miss him already!" Abby sobbed.
"What makes you think that Tony is dead?" Gibbs asked.
"You have his fake leg! That means he is dead!" Abby cried.
"Yeah why else would you have it?" Timmy asked.
"No it's OK, Tony is still alive. I just brought his leg home with me since he is just going to be lying in bed for a while and won't need it." Gibbs explained.
"Really?" Timmy asked.
"Yes" Gibbs replied.
"Can we see him yet?" Abby asked.
"Not until he is a regular room." Gibbs replied.
"When will that be?" Timmy asked.
"I don't know." Gibbs replied.
"I hope it's soon." Abby sighed.
"Me too." Timmy added.
"I just want my son to be home and not really sick anymore." Gibbs replied.
"Me too" Abby replied.
"Me three" Timmy agreed.
A/N: Sorry for leaving Tony sick for so long. The good news is Rachel is really adopting Ziva. New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.
