As he placed the cuff on Tony first he noticed that the grip that Anna had on the man was weakening, she was fading, her eyes were growing dull and her strength was slipping away. "Anna?" he called out to the young woman, "Hang on my dear." he pleaded, but her grip finally loosed and she fell away from the man she had so diligently protected.
Ducky started CPR, leaving Tony 's quiet form lying on the bare floor next to the beautiful body of the woman who had saved his life. "Anna, come on dear, you have to stay with us, you've worked to hard to be saved just to let go now." Ducky continued to plead, unaware that he had been joined by the rest of the team, Gibbs running over to Tony's side.
"What happened to Tony? " Gibbs asked as he watched Ziva join Ducky in performing compressions and breaths on the woman , who evidently had been left to die, along with Tony.
"God only knows, but I do believe that it was horrendous, they both need a hospital now," the words had just been spoken when he saw the emergency medical team enter, they must not have been too far away when he placed the call.
The paramedics took over but Gibbs refused to leave his agent's side, he refused to allow him to be left alone again.
"He's suffered a good deal of blood loss but his pressure is steady." the first paramedic who was delivering care to Tony was informing the group as he started another IV into his forearm. Tony didn't even flinch or bat even an eye. His still form continued to just stare off, no emotion, no sense of comprehension that the others were even in the same room with him.
Ducky looked over at the young man and shook his head, he had witnessed catatonic states before, knowing that it could last hours, days, weeks, months or even a lifetime.
"She's gone. Call the time!" the other paramedic announced, Anna's lifeless body lay limp on the floor, her dark brown skin hiding the lack of color in her once flawless complexion. Ducky looked over at Gibbs, this was more than a father wanting to hurt his son, this was a case of murder. A murder that could and would be connected to their agent's father.
" 0320," the other paramedic responded, now both men focusing all of their attention on Tony.
Gibbs nodded in understanding towards Ducky, the police had arrived, statements would have to be given but they could wait, Tony needed to get to a medical facility.
Gibbs stood and walked over to the lead detective who had just entered the room, he spoke a few words and presented his badge, then he turned and waved the others to follow. Anna's body would be processed and Ducky would make sure it was delivered to his morgue after following protocols, they had done this before, it was nothing new or foreign to them.
Gibbs never left his agent's side, his hand resting on Tony's arm, Ziva and McGee following close behind, Ducky would soon follow after taking care of business.
"I'll take care of the cab and will meet you at the hospital." Tim announced as he left the group, he was nervous for his friend, his partner.
Ziva turned to Gibbs, "I will meet you at the hospital Gibbs." She looked at Tony, tears filled her eyes, her thoughts were on all that he had been through, her heart was breaking for him, so much to deal with for one man. Ziva then reached down and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek before leaving his side, though there was no response from Tony, she knew that he would know that it was her, she was his partner after all.
They loaded Tony into the cab, Gibbs didn't even ask permission, he just got inside and sat beside the too quiet man. He had never seen his agent so quiet as he had for the past few weeks, he had suffered so much and it had all started with him. If he had asked for help that day then maybe one of this would have happened, maybe things would have been very different.
"Tony, if you can hear me, I'm sorry. This was all my fault." his voice low and close to Tony's ear, the emotion of the moment was evident in his voice.
Tony blinked, no longer looking into some dark abyss and looked up at the man who had saved him so many times, "Never say sorry boss." his ragged voice was so low that he could barely hear him but it was definitely Tony, he looked down and his eyes closed, his breathing now slow and even, and he slept.
Gibbs hand that rested on Tony's upper arm gave a firm squeeze, just to allow the man to know that he was there, and that he wasn't going anywhere.
Hospital in Tuscany
8 Hours later
McGee and Ziva now sat in the hospital lobby awaiting word on Tony. They ahdn't seen Gibbs since he entered the ambulance with their friend. Each silently worried that Tony may never recover from all the trauma he had suffered through.
A voice interrupted their somber thoughts,"Have you seen Jethro?" the Englishman's voice could not be more welcomed, the small statured man looked exhausted.
Ziva spoke up, with concern in her voice, "He has been with Tony. Nobody has given us an up to the minute report."
"So we haven't gotten an update from Jethro. That is concerning. Maybe I should go back and see what is taking so long. Make sure young Anthony is doing okay." His brows furrowed with concern as he started back to the emergency room.
"Ducky!" Gibbs voice met him as he started to open the doors to enter.
"Jethro, how is our Anthony?" he asked as he was joined by the other two team members, the concern for one of their own showed on not only their faces but in their ragged, tired appearances.
"They gave him some fluids and replaced the blood loss but he has been through a lot. He doesn't want to stay here though, he wants to go home, and even though he's been told that isn't a good idea, he is insisting." he explained to the man who seemed a little surprised that he was even able to argue given the state he was in earlier.
" Good for him." Ducky smiled, finding it so like his friend to be obstinate, it was a welcome reaction, given his earlier stat of catatonia. "I would suggest we listen to him and go home."
Gibbs gave his friend a surprised look, then a small grin," Okay, I'll tell Tony." he walked away, followed by Ziva.
"I'll make arrangements for the first flight home." Tim spoke up, it would be nice to go home with Tony safe with them.
"No need to my dear Timothy. I have already made arrangements for a flight for the body, we can go home on the same aircraft. She was an American and her family lives just outside of Washington, they will meet us there." he gave a nod towards the taller man and then proceeded back to see his friend, followed by a slightly confused McGee.
Hospital Room
When Ziva entered she expected to see the man who lay on the floor of the abandoned building , the man with pale skin and sunken eyes but what she was greeted with was slightly different. Tony was sitting up, though his skin was still pale, and his eyes looked older, he actually looked more alert and he seemed to be able to carry a conversation without too much of a problem.
"Tony, how are you feeling?" she reached over and gave him a hug, one that lasted longer than even she expected it to.
"I'm fine Ziva." his only response, his own arms returning the grip, but his was much notably weaker but she said nothing about it, she just allowed the comfort of his touch.
She knew better than to accept the I'm fine response but for now she would and then save the rest of her questions for later. She reluctantly let go and stood back so the others could have their chance at visiting their friend.
Tim walked up, Tony expecting a handshake but instead was grabbed full armed around the neck, it was a welcome surprise from a man who was like a little brother to him. He kind of felt bad for tormenting him over t he years but quickly got over it, this was just how it was suppose to be and it felt good.
"You had us worried man." he whispered into his friend's ear.
Tony nodded in agreement, the sadness that showed on his face was more than words could even describe, it was enough for the tall man and he let go and stood back, swiping away at some unshed tears.
Ducky too, wrapped his arms around Tony's neck but said nothing until he released, "We need to get you home Anthony and put some meat on those bones,"
Tony grinned, he knew the last thing he wanted to think about right now was eating, the pass few days had been difficult, watching Anna get shot had been the hardest, she was his friend, at least had been her friend, now she was dead and Ducky would be performing her autopsy.
Gibbs watched from the corner of the room, sipping on a cold cup of coffee he had obtained earlier from one of the kind nurses caring for Tony. He knew Tony was attempting to be himself but failing miserably at it, it would be a long recovery. He would not leave his friend, the son he had always wanted.
(Well. We need to get Tony to Gibbs house and the basement, it is time for a talk!) Oh...did Daddy DiNozzo kill Anna? We will know next chapter! Thanks again for all the reviews...You make me want to write!
