Chapter 92—Part 6
Tony's E.R. shift was light. Rare for a large metropolitan city. But, it did happen. However, then 8 p.m. came. And all Hell, literally, broke loose.
Tony, Jr. used to love Halloween. He loved everything about it. The dressing up. The candy. The pranks. The pranks he loved most of all. But, then as a police officer, later federal agent, and a doctor, he dreaded it. It was weird. Weird, spooky things happened. He preferred to spend the day doing paperwork in the office. Or being off, at home, ordering pizza and watching old movies.
Weekday Halloween was a little better than Weekend Halloween. On weekdays people worked, most mischief didn't start until after about 4 p.m. On the weekends, the mischief got started early and got worse as the day passed.
There were mild cases of kids with tummy trouble from too much candy. There were the more severe cases of diabetics over-indulging on the holiday. And somebody always seemed to be slipping, falling, hurting themselves in some form or another because they all think that they are Superman, especially after a few beers.
Inebriated partyers were always difficult to deal with. Inebriated, injured, partyers were a special breed. They were too numb to feel the pain, and too drunk to care. As far as they are concerned, the party is still going strong.
"Yeah, Dude….: Tony said, shaking his head as he tried to examine the arm of a 20 something who had managed to fall out of a plate glass window. The drop had only been to the porch outside. But, he had still managed to get a few good lacerations that had cut into the muscle.
"The keg, Dude!" The guy looked at Tony. "You never told me…."
"Party's over for you." Tony informed him. "You're getting stiches, antibiotics and pain pills. No partying for you for about a week."
The guy shook his head vigorously, causing Tony to had to stop what he was doing. "No, Dude…fraternity is…." He looked at his arm. " All that blood, that's a lot of…."
Tony felt the man began to sway. He held tight to the man's arm and kept him from doing a faceplant on the ER's cement floor. Tony and one of the nurses helped him lie back on the stretcher.
Tony sighed. "At least he can't pull out my stitches until AFTER he wakes up. Send him up to the OR. Carson can take care of those deep wounds."
Tony left the nurse to carry out his orders. He went to check on his team mates.
Gibbs was ready to go. Not because he was in any shape to leave. But because he was giving the nurses hell. He wouldn't stay in bed. He wouldn't' cooperate with the physical therapist. And, he would not stick to the diet the hospital dietician had put him on. He had tried to sneak food in, several times.
Gibbs groaned when he saw Tony in his doorway. He went back to his bed, climbed in and pulled the covers up over himself.
"Not cooperating with PT. Getting out of bed without assistance. Not following the doctor's orders for recommended diet." Tony said as he stood in the doorway.
"You're not my doctor, DiNozzo." Gibbs snapped.
"No, I'm not. But, I can make recommendations to your doctor." Tony replied. "And, I would recommend the Annapolis Veteran's…."
Gibbs knew what Tony was going to say and where he was talking about. "You wouldn't!" He challenged.
"Defying doctor's orders!" Tony shot back. "You're in my world now, Gibbs. Don't fight me. You won't win!"
Gibbs started to speak. But, he decided against it. He respected Tony as a doctor. He was proud of Tony. He had seen the man at work in his world, as he called it.' And he was excellent at this job.
Gibbs sighed. "How's Ducky? I heard Kate left a couple of days ago. And Tim is leaving today."
Tony nodded. "All true. Ducky just woke up yesterday evening. No deficiencies detected, so far."
"Balboa find…?" Gibbs started.
Tony shook his head. "This is not NCIS. No shop talk."
"What do you know?" Gibbs asked.
"I've read the report." Tony replied. "I've talked to the director."
"I need to know…!" Gibbs started again.
"…not if it jeopardies your health, you don't!" Tony replied.
"I'll be out of here soon, in a few days."
"Then when 'soon' gets here, the director will let you know." Tony stated. "My concern is for Patient Gibbs. I could care less about Agent Gibbs, right now."
Gibbs practically growled with anger.
"I'm making a note for Annapolis in your chart." Tony said as he left the room.
"So, I hear you're outta here!" Tony said as he walked into Tim's room.
Tim nodded. He was out of bed dressed and packing up his things. He had just finished his breakfast. But, he was still sipping his coffee.
"Morning could not get here soon enough." Tim said as he zipped up his packed bag and left it sitting on the bed. He took a seat in the chair near his breakfast tray.
Tony watched him as he moved around, doing things. He was looking to see how well he was moving. He was looking for signs of pain.
"What?" Tim could not help but see Tony was studying his movement.
"Just seeing how the grafts are holding." Tony replied. Newly grafted skin was not very flexible, sometimes. And the skin could be easily pulled away or ripped. "Take it easy for a few days. Do as little as humanly possible."
Tim nodded. "Sara and my mom will be helping me out for a few days."
Tony nodded. "Good."
"How are Gibbs and Ducky?" Tim asked.
"Gibbs is being Gibbs. And, I hear Ducky is improving by the hour." Tony said, he had not been to see Ducky yet. That was his next stop.
"Things will be very…interesting until Gibbs gets back to work." Tim stated.
Tony nodded. "I threatened him with Annapolis."
Tim looked at him, shocked. "You didn't!" He knew about Annapolis.
Tony nodded.
Tim chuckled.
"They meeting you here or at your apartment?" Tony asked.
"My place." Tim said. "…probably already there. Sara's stocking my fridge. And, Mom's cleaning the place to within an inch of its life."
Tony nodded and grinned. "I'll tell the nurse to call you a cab."
TBC
