Choice of Family-8

AN: This is part 8 of the series. I have really enjoyed writing the series, and even though we are getting the truth of Neal's and James' relationship, I won't be changing any of the history I made up, it suits my story too well. So, at any rate, I hope you enjoy. Also, thanks, in advance, to ccluveshorses101 for her beta skills and to all of you for your reviews and alerts. Jackie

Seeing Tony ill scared Neal. Neal had never really ever seen Tony any way but strong and self-sufficient, to see him like this. He didn't know what to think. He could tell Tony had not felt that good when he arrived in New York Thursday evening. And now, here it was Saturday night and Tony was lying on Neal's couch sounding as if he were trying to expel a lung. Neal got up again from his bed. He padded over to Tony and gently rested the back of his hand on Tony's forehead. Tony was sweaty and shaking. Tony's fever had not broken.

"I'm okay, Neal." Tony coughed, opening his eyes at Neal's touch.

"You're sweating, Tony." Neal replied. "And you have a fever. Your lungs…."

"My lungs are okay."

"Oh, so that's why you sound like you're trying to cough one of them up?" Neal asked.

Tony glared at Neal before pulling up the blanket a little closer around his neck and settling down into the couch. "I just need to sleep. I'll be fine."

Neal opened his mouth to protest, but Tony shot him another glare. Tony fell asleep a few moments later.

Neal silently left his apartment and headed to the second floor. He knocked on June's bedroom door. He apologized for waking her, and implored her to come upstairs and check on Tony.

After June's quick assessment, she agreed with Neal. But both were reluctant to call 9-1-1. They decided to wait and see what the morning brought. It turned into a sleepless night for both Neal and June. And Tony only slept in fists and starts, his coughing and fever keeping him awake.

At some point Neal and June decided to move Tony to Neal's bed. They changed the bed. They then got Tony up off the couch and into bed. Tony was exhausted by the time it was over. June took up the job of bathing Tony's chest and back in cold water, trying to bring his fever down. It kept her busy, washing his face back and chest nearly every hour throughout the night.

"June...you…thank you." Tony said. He really appreciated June's efforts, and even in his feverish state, it did bring some relief.

"You are very welcome, Tony." June smiled.

"You don't have to do this." Tony replied.

June shook her head. "It brings back some good memories for me." June paused. "I know that sounds strange, but I loved taking care of my children. I loved how they depended on me when they were sick. They were really good bonding times." She sighed. "No one's depended on me, like that, for a very long time."

"So, I'm your kid, huh?" Tony asked, smiling. "…another clandestine meeting with the postman?"

June grinned, starring at Tony in surprise.

"Neal told me." Tony replied, confirming what June had guessed. He coughed, making him pause. "He loves that you think that much of him."

"He has certainly made my life…interesting." June admitted.

Tony began to cough, again, in earnest. It took him a moment or two to get his breathing back to normal. "He does that."

"I wish you two would stop talking about me like I'm not in the room." Neal replied, pretending to be annoyed. He had a glass of water and a pill in his hand.

Tony looked up at Neal and made a face.

"You're taking it." Neal said, firmly. He didn't know exactly how he would make Tony take it in all honesty. But he would find a way.

"Is that right, Dr. Johnson…Dr. Thomas Johnson?" Tony replied.

"How did you…?" Neal look of surprise turned to one of amusement. Of course Tony knew. Of course he would have found out.

June looked at both men, completely confused.

"I may have been a very under-qualified member of Tony's medical team for a few days when he was in Bethesda with the plague." Neal explained.

June nodded. The news Tony had had the plague was phenomenal. The fact that he has survived it was equally amazing. And, by now, she had learned never to underestimate Neal. She understood and appreciated their bond much better now. She knew that hearing Tony was facing death; Neal would have moved Heaven and Earth to see him. June smiled and nodded.

"One of Tony's actual doctors almost caught me." Neal then realized something. Something he needed and answer to. "How did you find out?"

"I thought I saw you, once." Tony admitted. "But then…when I heard…" Tony paused briefly to cough again. "…when Brad was describing this strange doctor who had assigned himself to my case. I realized that he was describing you."

June nodded. She understood why Neal couldn't just waltz right in and see Tony. Tony and his many visitors, co-workers, were federal agents.

Neal made himself comfortable, pulling one of his living room chairs up to the side of the bed and using an ottoman to elevate his feet and legs. He got comfortable and drifted off, knowing he would wake up if he heard Tony moving.

A few hours later Neal's eyes popped open. He turned his head to see Tony coughing and struggling to sit up.

Neal threw his blanket off and stood up. He heard Tony struggle to breath and it scared him. Neal grabbed Tony under the arm and pulled him into a sitting position. He then thumped Tony on the back. He knew the technique needed to get the crud out of Tony's lungs and to get it to a point where Tony could cough it up.

Tony winced as soon as Neal began the work on his back. He tried to hide his pain; he knew he was going to the hospital, for sure, if he didn't. A moment later Tony leaned against Neal, breathing hard, exhausted from his effort.

June entered Neal's apartment moments later, a breakfast tray in her hands. She and Neal exchanged looks. She then called 9-1-1. Neal called Gibbs to inform him of Tony's condition.

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When Tony opened his eyes he knew instantly where he was. He looked around the room and saw June and Neal. He wanted to be angry with them both, but then he saw the looks on the faces.

"Tony, I…." Neal started as he approached the bed. He took Tony's hand, squeezed it and let go. …I'm…."

Tony shook his head. He needed to say as little as he possibly could or he would start coughing again. "…'s okay."

Neal looked at him in disbelief.

"…tried…you…and June…." Tony broke off and launched into a coughing fit.

Neal quickly grabbed Tony's hand and pulled him into a more upright position. June, who had been standing on the other side of the bed holding Tony's hand, followed suit. A few seconds later, Tony was sitting upright and coughing; they helped him lie back down after the crises had passed.

Peter and El had heard Tony was sick. They came to the hospital to visit. They had never seen Tony so ill. The vibrant, lively young man they knew was not the same person as the one they were looking at in the hospital bed. Peter would have gone back out to the nurses' station and asked if they had been given the right room if Neal had not already been in there when they arrived.

El could not tear her eyes away from the man in the bed. The pale skin, the chapped lips and the sweaty, spiked hair…this was not the Tony she knew. She felt herself tear up and she unconsciously wiped her eyes.

Tony's eyes popped open. He was gasping for air.

Neal was at his side immediately. "Come on, Tony. It's okay. We've just got to get you sitting up. It's gonna be okay."

Neal took Tony's hand in his and started to pull him up. He then slipped his hand behind Tony's back to help bring him up more. Peter moved to Tony's other side and mimicked Neal's actions. Soon Tony was sitting upright in bed.

Neal cupped his hand and thumped Tony's back, just as he had been instructed to do. The action was to help get rid of the gunk in Tony's lungs, to help him cough all that stuff up.

Tony collapsed against Neal. He was exhausted and struggling to breathe. Neal waiting until Tony's breathing had even out before he and Peter lowered him back onto the bed.

Neal pulled the covers back up over Tony's sleeping form. He then quickly left the room without a word. The action surprised both Peter and El. Peter moved to follow him, but El stopped him. She then ventured out into the hallway. She found Neal standing against the wall in the waiting room, staring out the window.

"Neal." El said softly approaching Neal. Neal didn't move.

"Neal?" El asked, concerned he didn't respond to her.

Neal then turned his head and looked at her. It surprised and pained her to see tears in his eyes.

Neal shook his head. "I can't lose him." Tony's latest bout had scared him badly. He didn't know how Tony would have the strength to fight this.

El slipped her arms around Neal's waist and hugged him. She looked him in the eyes. "Tony is a remarkable man." El replied. "He's strong, he's…."

Neal shook his head and sighed, but didn't say anything.

El smiled at Neal, and cupped her hand around Neal's chin. "He's a lot like his little brother in that respect." She paused. "He'll make it because he has you. You'll make it through this because you have us."

Neal nodded and smiled drawing El into another hug. "Thank you. You have no idea how much that means."

Peter was reluctant to leave the room. He knew if Tony started to cough again he would need help sitting up. Peter went to the door to see if he could see El and Neal in the hall. Peter saw them and was satisfied. He went to Tony's bedside and took the empty chair.

Peter had been impressed by Neal's action in Tony's time of crises. Neal had acted quickly and efficiently. He knew exactly was Tony needed him to do and he did it. Peter had not really pictured Neal as a nurturer. He had never seen that side of Neal before. It was kind of a nice thing to see.

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Gibbs was in New York City just a few hours after Neal's phone call. He made his way to the hospital. He paused outside Tony's room wanting to talk to Tony's nurse or doctor about what was happening with him.

Neal came out of the room when he saw Gibbs in the hall.

"How is he, Neal?" Gibbs asked.

Neal nodded. He looked back at Tony. "Okay…for now."

Gibbs studied the man before him. "You need to go home and rest, Neal. I'll stay with him. I'll call you or June and keep you updated."

Exhaustion hit Neal like a wave when Gibbs spoke. He had not realized how tired he really was. Neal swayed a little before he righted himself again.

"Thanks, Agent Gibbs. I'll be back in a few hours." Neal said as he grabbed his jacket. He paused at Tony's bedside. He whispered that he would be back later. Neal told Tony that he had somebody with him and then he left. He didn't want to spoil the surprise, in case Tony could hear him.

Gibbs nodded. He then followed Neal out into the hall. "He'll make it through this, Neal." Gibbs paused. "He has to."

Neal nodded, understanding the gravity of Gibbs' last statement. Neal called June's driver to get a ride home. He then called Peter and El, telling them that Gibbs was in town and was staying at the hospital.

Neal then went home, stripped down to his boxers and fell into bed. He woke up several hours later. He grabbed his cellphone off the night stand and looked at the time. He had not meant to sleep so long. He quickly got out of the bed. He showered and got dressed. An hour later, almost 7 hours after he first left, he was back at the hospital.

The time, or perhaps the mere fact that Gibbs was in town, had made a world of difference. Tony seemed to be much better. The antibiotics and the 24-hour nursing care had, of course, helped. But all that hadn't seemed to kick in until Gibbs got there.

Tony was not ready to go home, or anything. But he didn't sound as congested, and he seemed to be breathing much easier. He was not sweating nearly as much, and he seemed more alert.

"Hey, Bro." Neal said, walking into the room.

"Hey." Tony said his voice still weak.

"The hospital helped." Neal stated.

Tony shook his head. "Nah…it was the…bad-ass Marine…from D.C…that did the trick."

Gibbs, who had been sitting in the chair by Tony's bed, looked up from his crossword puzzle and grinned.

THE END