Recovery: The silent enemy

Chapter 22nd

Leroy Jethro Gibbs was beginning to wake in ICU after being brought from the operating room. He was trying to opened his eyes feeling like lead at times. He was able to hear voices as if he was having visions like before for when he was shot by Luke Harris.

Tim and Nick were sitting next to his bed trying to bring him out of his reverie from the medication he was given. Finally opening his eyes, he was able to see his team sitting and waiting. "Hey! Did I die or something Tim?" He asked with his dry humor searching for an answer.

"You came close to Boss, however Doctor Taft and Wilson were able to pull you through with removing the glass chard in your stomach. You're in ICU on the fourth floor, and Loreile is fine since she is resting in her room until later. She will be coming to see you for a visit."

"What exactly happen?" He asked with his mouth feeling like cotton balls.

"Would you like some water Gibbs?" Nick Torres needed to asked with searching for the water pitcher and found it in a corner of the ICU.

"I am feeling thirsty and feeling some what out of it from the medication." Gibbs said with closing his eyes for a moment.

"Actually boss, someone shot out your tires and brake line to cause the accident to have you crash into a parked car with you only getting hurt, Loreile was very lucky." Tim relayed the information to have his boss feel slightly better with the news of his wife. "Doctor Taft had her checked out with the tests to make sure the unborn child was fine."

"I have a god damn feeling it was Rivera's cartel having placed another contract on me since I killed Rivera in Mexico. What is Director Vance going to do about it Tim?" He responded with shifting in his hospital bed with very little pain since he was medicated.

Tim looked over at Nick Torres not knowing how to answer the question. "I haven't talked with Vance since the accident happened. No doubt he using all of NCIS resources, SECNAV and other organizations to try and catch who did this to you. Listen Boss we need to go now to have Bishop and Palmer to come see you."

"Thanks for coming. What about Jack Sloane? What does she think of all this?" Gibbs needed to asked since Sloane was always worried about him until he had gotten involved with Lt. Loreile Baskins.

"She thinks that the Cartel will continue to try and kill you no matter how much money it's going to cost them." Tim turned with Nick to leave his room to head on home. Nick was going to meet Bishop later at her apartment to talk about their relationship.

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It was later when Loreile in the wheel chair being pushed by an aide and with orders from the doctors not to stay all that long visiting her husband.

When she was wheeled in with the aide leaving her alone. She moved in closer to noticed that her husband had his eyes closed as if he was sleeping. In a soft tone voice he says the following. "I am not asleep Loreile, I am just glad your here and alright from the crash."

"Tell me about it baby." As she called him at times when they are alone. She moves up from the wheel chair to kiss him on his chapped lips. He returned it with some passion to it before breaking the kiss. "Would you like some water Jethro?"

"Yes, I would very much. By the way have you seen Leon at all?" He asked with a serious tone needing answers.

"I have. He stayed only a few minutes before going on home to meet up with Kayla at home. And no Jethro, he didn't anything in regard to the crash or what he has plans with SECNAV and NCIS." She lied to her husband even though she had a feeling that he didn't believe it. Even though he didn't say anything to her in his room.

"He will no doubt say something soon once he knows the entire picture. By the way can you raise the bed so I don't to be laying down like this. And besides the pain killers seem to be working really well."

Loreile picked up the remote control pressing the correct buttons to raise her husband's head and legs slightly. "Is this any better Jethro?" She replied with seeing his slight smile on his face.

"Much better thank you. I wonder how long Doctor Taft is going to keep me here after the last few times? He knows how I hate to stay in hospitals over the years." He takes in a deep breath with all of a sudden feeling a muscle spasm happen with his right leg.

Loreile asked on whether she can help with messaging his upper thigh of his right leg. He nodded in agreement as she pulled down the blanket to help rubbing his thigh with her hand to help a little with the discomfort.

It was when Doctor Taft decided to check in after a brief trip to home needing to make sure that his wife Catherine was alright alone.

"Gibbs how's the pain level with your stomach?" He looked up at the computer screen with his vitals going well so far.

"Manageable Doc! When can I get out of here? If you don't mine me asking." Gibbs says with his wife shaking her head knowing him really well.

"Yes, I do mine. There is a possible chance depending on how well you're doing with the healing process. Maybe four days depending on whether you behave as well." He stated with taking off his glasses for a moment.

"Oh! Come on Cyril, you know damn well how I hate hospitals." Gibbs let his temper get the better of him.

Doctor Cyril Taft came closer to his friend. "Look friend, you were damn lucky that you didn't die in that crash. You should hope to god it never happens again." He stated strongly along with Loreile needing to say something. However she was going to wait until Taft had left his room.

"Fine! I will follow your orders this time around. Now get out of here so that I can talk to my wife." Gibbs responded...

"I am leaving, however you're going to have nurses in here all night long to check your stomach wound." He walked out feeling somewhat angry at his friend.