A/N: For some reason, poor Tony is a favorite target in many fanfics, mine included. To paraphrase ZivaFan, somewhere out in fanfictionland Tony is cringing every time I get a new idea for a story.
Why break tradition?
Huge thanks go to Rinne for her stellar beta work and encouragement.
Chapter Four
Gibbs and Ziva sped toward the crash site. Gibbs had gotten a frantic call from McGee, telling him that he and Tony had been in a car accident and Tony was trapped in the car. He didn't know how badly Tony was hurt, or if he was even alive. McGee had gotten on his cell phone and called 911, then called his boss to inform him of the situation.
"There," said Ziva, indicating the flashing lights of the emergency crews and the state troopers. Gibbs pulled up to the scene and burst from the car.
"Special Agent Gibbs," he announced to one of the troopers. "That car held two of my agents, I need to get down there."
"I wish you would," drawled the office., "Your agent should be in that ambulance, getting checked out, but he won't leave the crash site until they get his partner out of the car."
Grimly, Gibbs and Ziva made their way down the hill until they reached the overturned car. McGee was crouched outside the driver's side, peering anxiously inside. Gibbs went up and crouched beside him, afraid of what he'd see inside the car.
There was Tony, trapped in the seat by his seatbelt, hanging upside down.
"Hi, Boss." Tony's voice was shaky, but cheerful. "You didn't have to come all the way out here."
"Are you hurt, DiNozzo?"
Looking thoughtful for a second, Tony replied, "I don't think so. Nothing hurts, I can move my legs, I don't seem to be bleeding anywhere, at least I don't feel blood dripping. I'm getting a little headache from being upside down, though."
Gibbs sat down with a thump and ran his hands through his hair. "Jesus, DiNozzo, did one of your ex-girlfriends take up voodoo or something?"
"It's possible, Boss. Genevieve was a little spooky. Great kisser, but a little odd. She wasn't too happy when I broke up with her."
Ziva sat down next to Gibbs. "Why'd you break up with her, Tony?"
"She had a habit of threatening me with a knife when I didn't agree with her."
McGee nodded. "That would do it for me."
"It kind of throws a wet towel on romance," agreed Ziva.
"Wet blanket," Tony and McGee corrected automatically.
"Right."
Gibbs shook his head and stood up. "I need coffee."
They later found out that Mrs. Wilson had slipped a sleep powder into Tony's iced tea. He and McGee were very lucky that Tony had a strong constitution and the close call with the tree limb had sent a surge of adrenaline through his system that jumpstarted his senses. It did relax him enough so that he didn't stiffen up during the fall down the hill, resulting in no serious injuries, just some deep bruising and a killer headache. She was arrested for the murder of her husband, attempted murder of two Federal Agents and selling government secrets to hostile forces. Her good looks would be gone long before she ever saw the outside of a prison.
Three weeks later"DiNozzo!"
"Yes, Boss?"
"Go to the Berkenstein warehouse and see if the general manager knows anything about that shipment from Armenia that's due to arrive in two days."
"Couldn't I just call him, Boss?"
"No, DiNozzo," replied Gibbs with false patience, "you need to see his reactions. I think he's dirty."
"Oh, right. Going now."
"McGee, go with him."
"Do I have to, Boss?"
Gibbs stared at McGee. "What?"
"Tony's like a walking bad luck charm."
"Hey!" Tony stood up, his tone a mixture of hurt and indignation.
"It's true, Tony," insisted McGee. "I nearly got killed in a car accident with you; Abby nearly got blown up…"
"I almost got shot in a robbery," added Ziva.
"You're dangerous to be around," McGee agreed.
"I am not dangerous to be around," Tony hissed.
Fed up with the arguing, Gibbs pulled his weapon from his drawer and stood up. "Tony, you're with me." He sighed, heading toward the elevator, a pouting DiNozzo trailing behind him, muttering, 'I'm not bad luck,' under his breath.
They managed to make it to the warehouse in one piece. Once they questioned the manager of the warehouse, Hector Tabelobo, Gibbs determined that the guy was dirty. Tabelobo realized he had said all the wrong things, and took measures to protect himself. All hell broke loose as Gibbs and Tony were leaving the warehouse.
And that was the reason why Gibbs was sitting beside a hospital bed, watching over his subordinate. The rest of the team were also waiting, but had gone down to the cafeteria to eat something, promising to bring some good, strong coffee for Gibbs when they returned.
Gibbs heard a sound coming from the bed, as Tony stirred. Standing quickly, he moved to Tony's side.
"DiNozzo," he said softly, "you with me?"
"On your six, Boss," mumbled the younger man.
Chuckling wryly, Gibbs replied, "Yeah, right. Wake up, DiNozzo."
"Don't wanna," Tony complained, trying to turn over with his back facing Gibbs.
"Ow!" Tony sat up, rubbing the back of his head where Gibbs had whacked him.
"Come on, Sleeping Beauty," Gibbs growled. "You tripped and fell over a box and broke your leg. They had to put a pin in there, but the doctor said you're going to be fine."
"Were you worried about me, Boss?" Tony grinned at the older man.
"Yeah, Tony, I was." Tony's grin grew wider.
"I was worried you'd fall out of that hospital bed and break your neck."
The End
Thanks for all the wonderful comments. For those of you disappointed that I didn't actually seriously injure Tony in this story (my, you're a bloodthirsty lot!), I apologize, but I did label the story as "humor." Never fear, I'm sure I'll eventually whomp the poor boy again, but I thought he deserved a break.