They had been on the road for hours now when the phone rang.
"Gibbs."
"Boss it's McGee."
"Really now? It isn't like I can't see you at all." He snorted sneering at the video screen. "What is it?"
"Boss we have the reports back on the children."
"And, come on McGee hand it over."
"All of them were already dead sir, none were reported missing and based on Dr. Mallard's autopsy reports each were cadavers."
"Well?"
"Well sir, there was a major bus crush in Baltimore six days ago. All the bodies were lost, they said there was a break in at the morgue."
"And we know which sicko stole them, alright McGee keep the bodies this is still an open investigation. We are on our way to Baltimore now thus we will take care of the hospital as well as the bus depot. Tell me something else? I presume this wasn't just about the bodies."
"The doctors called earlier sir..."
"And?"
"His heart is failing, they say its the stress. Right now they are doing everything they can to buy time, but ultimately he needs a transplant."
"Thanks McGee, keep us posted."
Kate had listened silently, her head turned opposite Gibbs which made him believe she was asleep. It had been a rather quiet car ride until now, as Kate's voice rose Gibbs' eyes fell downcast.
"So that's it then huh?"
"What's it?"
"We are losing him aren't we?"
"No Kate, he has only just begun to fight. We aren't losing him until we believe him to be gone, he is still with us and we have to keep up our work in order to keep our Tony."
"Yes Boss..."
"Don't you start that Kate, do you want me to call you Todd again?"
"No Gibbs."
"Then don't start to shut down on me, you are my second best agent. And I can't afford not to have you since Dinozzo is down and out."
"So he is out?"
"No God Damnit!"
"Alright Gibbs, calm down."
"Don't tell me to calm down after you pull that stunt, reading into my words trying to get me to think what you want me to think."
"..."
"What is it with everyone, you think I honestly don't care about my agents and then when I show an inkling of concern you throw it in my face." He snorted, he wasn't talking about Kate now. He was just talking getting it off his chest. "I am not a heartless bastard, I have every right to act as such. You know how many agents I've lost?" This was of course rhetorical as he continued. "I've last 16 agents and I am not about to lose my 17th, I was attached to each and every single one of them and it crushed me seeing them die. I can't...I don't have that strength any more. I refuse to bury another agent, I will die before I let one of my men leave this world on account of this job." He finished, his voice had started to crack as he kept his eyes on the road.
"Gibbs, don't say that. Things happen.."
"For a damn reason? What reason is it that Tony is laying in that bed with a god damned tube out of his head? There is no reason for that other than the fucking job that he has." He shoke his head before closing his blue eyes slightly, "Forgive me Kate, I am not angry at you..."
"I know Gibbs, its alright."
"No...it really isn't alright. I should have more control as your boss."
"And thats the problem, you have too much control."
"I...you're right..."
"I think that is the first..." She was cut short by a sharp growl from him as they pulled into the old Precinct that Dinozzo had worked for.
