Tony paced the hospital hall. He couldn't sit if he wanted to. Sure, he razzed McGee. That's what you were supposed to do with the new kid, no matter how long he'd been there. The new kid was still the new kid until you got a new new kid. Besides, McGee was fun to tease. But shot... no, McGee wasn't supposed to get shot. Tony berated himself for not taking the kid out on the practice range more. Maybe Leah could take him out and give McGee some pointers. He was just about to go for coffee when the doors opened and a doctor clad in red-stained greens approached.
Mr. DiNozzo?Yeah. Doctor, how's Agent McGee?He'll be fine. No real damage done. The bullet embedded itself in the thigh muscle and we removed it without complication. It nicked a vein, which caused a good bit of blood loss. If you hadn't kept pressure on it, he would have been in a lot worse shape.Ah... thanks, but don't tell him that, okay? It'd ruin our relationship. Tony gave a faint grin. So when can he have visitors?Well, he's still pretty out of it. I think it would be best if you let him get a few hours of rest first. Why don't you go home and clean up first, maybe get some sleep yourself. If he wakes up in the meantime, I'll be sure to let him know you were here. Okay?
Tony glanced down at his bloodstained clothes, noticing for the first time just how filthy he was. Yeah, maybe you're right. Thanks, Doc. Listen, there'll be somebody else coming in, a Leah Hecht. Will you tell the people with her where I went?If I see them. I don't deal with all the cases that come in. You might want to leave your name and your friends' names at the ER reception desk.Oh, sure. Guess I am more tired than I thought. He nodded and headed for the door, suddenly aware of the exhaustion seeping into his body. By the time he'd left his name for Kate and Gibbs he could barely remember his address for the cabbie he'd called.
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Gibbs sat in the ambulance next to Leah, her unresponsive hand gripped tightly in his. He rested his cheek against the cool flesh and thought of every angry word that had passed between them. Just wake up, Brat! I'll even apologize, but you have to wake up first,' he begged her silently. Watching the slow, even rise and fall of her chest, he consoled himself with the fact that she was still with him.
The EMT watched the man for a moment before he spoke quietly. There's every chance she'll be okay, Sir. We found the syringe. Even if it were full, he couldn't have given her more than 60 ml. He must have been planning on giving her a second dose if he intended to kill her with just that.Are you certain? Gibbs didn't release his hold on her hand as he transferred his gaze to the man across from him.
It's more than the maximum dose, but according to the doctor, not more that what's safely allowed in a day. The next twenty-four hours are the most critical, but her pulse and respiration are good. I'd say she has a very good chance. The man's tone was serious, offering an honest opinion as opposed to cheerful false hope.
Thank you, Gibbs said quietly and turned his eyes back to the too-still woman on the stretcher.
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Kate followed in Tony's car behind the two ambulances that carried the wounded. She thought Gibbs would demand that she take Ketterer in her car when it looked as if their tormentor would have to ride with Leah. Finally they sorted out the transportation issues and got underway, but not before Kate realized just how protective of Leah her boss had become. She couldn't help but wonder how well that would go over when the redhead got her feet back under her. That was one argument Kate didn't want to witness.
She pulled into a parking space near the emergency entrance and trailed the EMTs and their patients into the building. She found Gibbs nearly nose to nose with a nurse at the reception desk. She hurried to break up the incipient free-for-all.
Gibbs. Gibbs! She placed her hand on his arm, adding pressure when it seemed that he hadn't heard her. He swung his head to face her and she could see the exhaustion fighting with the worry in his eyes. Calm down. Yelling is not going to solve anything. She took a deep breath, hoping to encourage him to do the same.
He pulled his arm away from her touch and stalked over to a chair, throwing himself into it angrily. Again he was helpless, sitting in a chair, unable to reach her, unable to even see her... He glared at the brunette as she turned to the tyrant in the nurse's uniform, the women speaking too softly for him to hear. He was uninformed and he despised the helpless feeling it generated. After a few more minutes of conversation, Kate joined him.
She said she's sorry, but she can't give us any information on McGee because we're not next of kin. Tony was here, but he went home about twenty minutes ago. She said she can tell us that he didn't leave until he'd spoken to the surgeon who operated on McGee. I think she was trying to let me know that he's okay without getting in trouble. I told her you were Leah's next of kin, or at least the closest thing she had to it. She said as soon as they're sure Leah's stable, she'll let you go back and sit with her. Kate stood and looked down at her boss. By the way, her name is Amy, she's pulled a double shift because of a fire and you could bring her a cup of coffee to apologize for being a jerk. She takes it black.
Gibbs stared at Kate's retreating back before allowing his gaze to wander over to the nurse behind the desk. She looked as tired as he felt. Struggling to his feet, he wandered down the hall until he found a machine that dispensed something claiming to be coffee. He purchased two cups and walked back to the desk.
I shouldn't have yelled, he said and set a cup in front of her.
She blinked in surprise. Oh, I'm used to it. Most people either cry or yell. They rarely apologize, however. She eyed him speculatively.
He took a sip of his coffee and grimaced. My partner. He lifted a shoulder in a dismissive gesture. Both of them, actually. Agent Todd thought my behavior was inexcusable. And if I want to see Detective Hecht, I figured it couldn't hurt.
Nurse Amy shook her head. At least you're honest. All right, Agent... Gibbs, is it? Let's go see how your partner is doing. She stood and beckoned the tired man to follow her.
She preceded him through the automatic doors labeled "Authorized Personnel Only" and led him to an open ward at the back of the main unit. None of the half-dozen beds he passed were occupied. He was about to ask Amy where they were headed when she pulled aside a curtain, revealing the bed where Leah lay. Gibbs couldn't take his eyes off her. He finished the dark liquid in one swallow and pitched the empty cup in the trash, then moved close to her, dragging a chair to him with his foot. He sank into the chair, his eyes never leaving her pale face framed by her vibrant hair. Slowly to the comforting beat of her heart monitor, he lowered his head to the bed by her hip, his arm unconsciously slipping over her thighs as he dozed off.