He needed to exercise more. The chase was taking it out of him. His breathing was so loud that it filled everything, all other noise gone, save for the frantic beat of his heart.
He saw Tony climb the fence and disappear. The Lieutenant reappeared, and headed off in a direction parallel to the fence.
Where was Tony?
"Tony?"
He ran faster, called out the name again. He reached the fence and clambered up. His head swam, white noise threatening to overwhelm him. He grabbed hold of the fence, making sure his grip was firm, before looking down again.
The world spiraled into a point, white surrounded by black.
"Tony!"
&&&
"DiNozzo!"
There was a roar in his ears, his shouted word the only thing above it. His heart thudded loudly, the pressure blocking everything else out. White noise filled his head.
White to match McGee's face.
White to match the clouds overhead.
White to match the bone poking out of the pants leg.
White to match the car parked in the alleyway.
White to match Tony's face.
"Tony!"
&&&
The sounds assured her that her world hadn't collapsed. Steadying. They helped to keep all the noise clambering for attention in her mind at bay. As long as the sounds kept on going, everything would be all right.
There was a pause. Her heart rate climbed, louder than the beeping. The rasping resumed, and the noise in her head dimmed.
His eyes flickered open and shut. It was repeated.
"Tony."
&&&
White. So much white everywhere. White seemed to be the theme of the day. He glanced at Tony.
It was so quiet. Everything was muted, dulled. Tony would make a joke if he was awake, to fill the silence. He couldn't seem to leave a good silence alone. He'd gotten so used to ignoring him, just more white noise in the day.
But now, the silence was unnatural. It deserved to be broken. He looked out the window – more white – and took a sip of his coffee.
"Boss."
His white noise machine was back.
"DiNozzo. How you feeling?"
I think it's finished now…thanks to everyone who reviewed the first chapter and to AndyCake for asking for more.