Dammit, DiNozzo! I'm telling you, I was chasing Ari! I saw the bastard! Gibbs slurred thickly as his gurney was pushed through the entry doors.
Tony watched as EMTs swept his boss and mentor into the small ER of the hospital. Gibbs looked about as frazzled as Tony felt right then. The bloody garments and agitation displayed by the older man were at odds with his well-dressed subordinate. Tony was no less agitated, however, having received the call concerning Gibbs' accident while still in court. He rushed straight to the small, local-area med center as soon as he was able. As he left the courthouse, he gave McGee terse instructions to hightail it back to HQ and find out just what the hell Gibbs was doing before he wrapped himself around a tree.
Seeing his boss, his friend, in this state worried Tony. He knew this vendetta with Ari was going to cause Gibbs harm someday, he just never suspected it would look like this. He felt his phone vibrate and he stepped outside to take the call, part of him relieved to be away from the sight of the battered and bloodied former Marine.
McGee, what have you got? Tony nearly barked into the phone, desperate for some sort of explanation.
I'm on my way to the crash site now; I just finished up at the office. He left a note on his desk about two Marines and a couple of working girls. Says here he was going to see a Sheriff Mercer about it. But I did a fast check and there is no Sheriff Mercer, no Marines in custody anywhere. McGee sounded distracted, the cacophony of beltway traffic filtering through to Tony. The only call that came in to Gibbs' desk this morning came from the same number that called in Gibbs' 911 call for the accident, a pre-paid cellular.
Tony did little more than grunt in response. Finally, when he realized that the other man had no more to give him, he muttered, Thanks, McGee, and snapped the phone shut. He reentered the building and walked slowly to the exam area.
Tony, what's taking so long? Get me the hell out of here! Gibbs' snarl was only marginally clearer than his last utterance.
Boss, just let the doctor examine you, will ya? Then we'll see about where you're going. Tony shook his head at the man's sheer stubbornness.
Gibbs pressed the heels of his hands to his eyes briefly then struggled to get up, only to be held back down by two orderlies, a nurse and a doctor.
Mr. DiNozzo, you're going to have to leave. I need to assess his wounds. He most certainly has a concussion from the accident and the last thing he needs is to be riled up. The doctor's drawl contrasted with the sharp tone as he spoke over his shoulder at Tony.
Gibbs fought the hands on him. I can't just lie here and let that bastard get away! Tony, he was on a motorcycle, yellow, wearing yellow leathers with green trim He trailed off as he watched Tony step away from the cubicle.
Gibbs practically shouted after the retreating form. The panic in the voice that echoed down the hall ran an icy finger of fear down the younger agent's spine. The doctor's soft voice did nothing to take away the chill.
Mr. Gibbs, I'm going to have to insist that you calm down. You have a head injury and possibly other, internal injuries. Please lie quietly so we can examine you.
Tony felt his phone buzz once again. Again he stepped outside to take the call.
Tony, Tim. Look, I just got to the crash site. I spoke briefly to the crash investigators. There are no signs of another vehicle involved. McGee spoke hurriedly.
Not even a motorcycle? Gibbs said he was chasing a yellow motorcycle.No tire tracks at all, no paint chips, nothing. But there is something else you should know. When I got here they were getting ready to tow the car back to HQ. I got a glimpse inside. There were about a dozen empty coffee cups. When was the last time Gibbs actually slept? Do we have any idea?No. But his doctor should know about this, too. Thanks, McGee. That's good work. I'll see you as soon as you can get here. Tony clicked off the phone and headed back inside, this time with purpose.
He slowed his steps as he reached the cubicle, not wanting to interrupt the exam in progress. Gently he cleared his throat, hoping to catch the attention of the nurse.
DiNozzo! Where have you been? Do you have something more on that bastard? Gibbs' voice was a harsh wail that did nothing to ease Tony's fears.
Trying to be gentle, he started with the empty coffee cups. Boss, how much coffee have you had to drink today?How much what's that got to do with anything? Gibbs snapped back.
There were a dozen empty cups in your car, Boss. I'm worried about you. That's a lot even, for you.
Upon hearing this, the doctor snapped out an order for some extra blood tests, then turned to explain quietly that sometimes an overdose of caffeine can cause symptoms of psychosis.
It's unlikely, but with his possible concussion and that much caffeine, he could have been hallucinating. I won't know much of anything if he doesn't, here the doctor raised his voice to include the patient in on his comments, lie still and let us examine him!There is a murderer loose out there! I was chasing him until he lured me into that trap! Now I need to get back out there and find the man that killed one of my team!You could start by not cutting the rest of us out of the loop on this, Boss. McGee told me about the note you left on your desk about Sheriff Mercer. Why didn't you just tell someone you had a lead on Ari? Why lie?
The confusion in Gibbs' face spoke volumes to the other man. I didn't. Trace the callWe did. There is no Sheriff Mercer. No Marines. The call came in from the same one that called 911 after your accident. Quit playing this game alone. Kate was our friend and partner, too. Let us in, Gibbs!I won't let that bastard get away again. Gibbs renewed his struggles and the doctor, having had enough, signaled to the nurse waiting in the hallway.
Mr. DiNozzo, would you come this way, please? Tony glanced down in surprise at the nurse and started to follow her. He glanced back over his shoulder and was horrified to see his leader being lashed down with leather restraints.
He stopped dead. What's going on? he demanded.
The doctor will be out in a moment to talk with you. Please, just stay over here, away from your friend for now.
In his irritation, Tony pulled out his badge. He's not just my friend, he's my boss and this concerns an ongoing investigation. Now why are you tying him up like an animal? He kept his voice low, but a dangerous quality colored the tone.
McGee walked up as Tony watched the doctor supervise the last of the leather restraints being tightened. Where's Gibbs?Tied down, Tony ground out, staring at the approaching doctor. Now explain to me exactly why this is necessary.
The doctor sighed as he faced not one, but two angry federal agents. I can't get him to cooperate and if he's experiencing some type of caffeine-induced psychosis, I can't take the chance that he'll harm himself further in an effort to gain the upper hand. And as you know, we're fairly certain that he's sustained a concussion, which rules out any type of sedative.
Tony! McGee! Don't let them do this to me! The unexpected higher-pitched timbre of the older man's voice sent shivers through Tony. Gibbs still fought the restraints, his eyes both furious at being abandoned by his team and pleading for release from the biting leather at his wrists and ankles.
Tony turned to McGee and he met the younger man's green eyes steadily. He could see that emotion, like his own, was carefully covered, but determination shone bright as they left the hospital. They would do for their boss what the medical professionals could not.