Reassurances
Considering that Kate and Tim had been with him in the field when he'd been shot, the others decided to let them go first. Cmdr. Webster had told them how Gibbs' first question had been, "Where the hell is my team?" The doctor had considered it in Gibbs' best interest to know for himself that Todd and McGee were indeed alive and well.
"Who's there?" was Gibbs' first question, when he heard them enter. Before either of them could speak, however, he realised who it probably was.
"Kate? Tim?" he asked. The two agents exchanged a look. "Yeah, Gibbs?" Kate asked, concerned.
"Did you get the bastard?" was the next question. Tim spoke this time. "Sure did, Boss. He's in worse shape than you are, but he'll recover. Just in time to be sent to Leavenworth."
Gibbs seemed to calm down somewhat. "Good job," he said, simply. "Now maybe one of you can tell me why the hell I can't see anything?"
Kate and McGee exchanged a look - their worst fears were materialising.
Gibbs could hear a throat clearing, and judging by the masculine undertones, guessed it to be Tim. "The bullet… well… uh… it did some damage." Tim cleared his throat again, suddenly feeling squirmy. Kate sensed his unease and continued, "Cmdr. Webster said that you were lucky. He said, um…" she trailed off.
"Today, Agent Todd!" Gibbs snapped, losing patience. Tim glanced out the observation window at the others, feeling like he'd rather be anywhere else right now. "He said that you may have a temporary impairment, of some kind. I guess it's your sight." Tim said. When Gibbs scowled, Tim hastened to repeat, with a deliberate tone in his voice, "Temporary, Boss, he stressed temporary."
"What the hell do they mean by "temporary," McGee?" For the first time that either of them could remember, they could hear distinct fear in their boss's voice.
Kate cleared her throat. "Gibbs, I think Abby and Tony want to see you, we're only allowed in two at a time. We should go and let them have a turn." She grasped Tim's arm and steered him easily towards the door. "We'll be back later to check on you, Boss," Tim said, as they left.
……………………………………………………………………………
Tim sighed heavily with relief when he saw Abby approach him. Silently, she embraced him and held on tight. They both watched as Tony wrapped an arm around Kate's shoulders, squeezing her arm reassuringly.
"Well?" Tony asked, finally.
"Well," Kate said, "we told him about the injury, the temporary impairment. He isn't happy with what we had to say."
"We also told him that you and Abby wanted to see him next," Tim said, as Abby released him from her tight embrace, keeping an arm draped around his waist.
"Where did you leave him at?" Abby asked, worried. Kate sighed. "Somewhere at what the hell do you mean by temporary," she answered. "I really hope his recovery doesn't take long. Gibbs is cranky enough on a good day. Like this, he'll be absolutely insufferable. Even if it is partially justified."
In the end, Abby and Tony decided to wait, and allow Ducky to go in to see him ahead of them.