Part 8

They all were surprised at Neal's tale. Not that he did it, but that he got away with it. They figured that a prestigious place like that would have excellent security. But, they all knew how well Neal could pull off a con. And dressed as a medical professional, eh could have gone pretty much anywhere he wanted in the hospital.

"Were any of us there during your visit?" Gibbs asked. He was not sure if he remembered the young man at the time. But there had been so many medical students who had come and looked at DiNozzo from a distance. Several people had come by just to gawk. Gibbs knew that it was a learning experience for the students. And he knew that they had to come and observe cases like Tony's while the opportunity presented itself. But, after the third or fourth group of students, Gibbs had wanted to tell Brad not to let anymore in. He felt like his agent was becoming the opening act of a sideshow. And he resented the intrusion.

Neal shook his head slowly. "I honestly don't remember seeing you." He admitted. "I was being very cautious. I didn't need anybody to see me. But, I definitely didn't need the wrong people to see me." He paused. "I stood back in the shadows and watched him from a distance for a little while. There was a nurse, in there, who had her back to me. Pretty girl, brown hair, slight frame, and if I read Tony's lips correctly, her name was Emma. She would set with him for hours. She pulled a chair up to the bed aor she would sit on the bed next to him and just watch him sleep." He shook his head. "I was unfortunate enough to be present for one of his coughing fits. I…it was scary. He coughed for like 10 minutes and then just collapsed on the bed." He shook his head. "I remember Cate was…she was in there, too. Tony told me how much he appreciated her staying with him…when…when she didn't have to.

They all sat still for a little bit. Then Neal went over and sat down beside Ellie who was still sitting in her corner. She had stopped crying, but she still looked miserable. Neal smiled at her as he sat down. "Tony is not going to blame you."

That got Ellie's attention. She jumped. She had not even realized that she had company. She shook her head.

Neal put his hand on hers. She looked down at his hand. But, she didn't speak.

"Tony is gong to be okay." The conman said trying to encourage her. "And, he is NOT going to blame you."

Ellie shook her head. "I didn't protect my partner."

Neal squeezed her hand. "I've known Tony for a really, really long time. We practically grew up together. Trust me on this, he will forgive you."

Neal sighed. He thought, for a second and then drug Ellie to her feet. "Come with me."

"Where are we going?" Bishop asked as she let Neal lead her by the hand.

"We're going to talk to Tony." Neal said as he guided her out into the hall and towards Tony's room.

"Ellie and I are going to talk to Tony. We'll be right back." Neal said as they headed out the door.

Ellie paused in the doorway to Tony's room. The nurse leaving the room asked her if she was okay. Ellie just nodded.

"He needs his rest. Limit your visit to 15 minutes. Keep your voices low. But, make sure you talk to him. He's been responsive to our voices, every time we speak to him." The nurse told Neal and Ellie as they went around to the far side of the bed.

Neither said anything for a moment. They were just staring at all the monitors, cords and tubes hooked to the senior agent. When they had come in earlier, neither had paid a great deal of attention to the amount and size of the equipment in the room. But now, the room seemed filled with it. There was enough to monitor every function of his body.

Neal took Ellie's hand and put it on top of Tony's. "Talk to him." He whispered.

Elie didn't' move her hand, but she shook her head. "I can't."

Neal went to the other side of the bed and took Tony's hand. "Hey, Tony."

Neal looked at his adopted brother to see if there was any change in his condition. There was nothing, just the steady beep of the heart monitor and the regular rise and fall of his chest to mark his breathing.

"Ellie wants…needs to talk to you." Neal said as he patted Tony's hand.

A look of fear came over Ellie's face when she realized that Neal was going to leave.

"Talk to him. Tell him…tell him whatever you need to tell him. I'm going to give you two a little privacy." Neal said as he headed towards the door. He went out and closed it, softly, behind him.

Ellie shook her head. She didn't know what to say. And she was very scared that she was going to say the wrong thing. But Neal had already left. The young agent jus stood there for a second, fighting the urge to leave the room.

"Tony, I just…." The female agent stopped talking and started t pace the room. "This is all my fault. You wouldn't be lying there, in that bed, if it had not been fore me." She wiped her eyes as the tears began to flow again. "I just…I screwed up. I didn't have your six." She paused. "And, you had to pay for it. I can't say 'I'm sorry' enough for that. I just hope that you can forgive me…someday."

Ellie then snaked her hand in between the tubes and wires and took his hand. She stood for just a moment, then gasped when she thought she felt movement.

Bishop looked up to see a pair of beautiful green eyes staring back at her. Tony was moving his lips but, she could not make out what he was trying to say. She bent down closer to him.

"…'s okay." Tony said, barely above a whisper.

Ellie shook her had as more tears cascaded down her face.

Tony squeezed her hand and shook his head, slightly. He was weak. "Not mad."

"I screwed up, Tony.: Ellie stated.

"…'m okay." The agent replied.

"You were shot! How is that okay?"

"…didn't die."

Ellie shook her head, but she couldn't help but grin. "Smartass!"

Tony nodded and grinned back.

Ellie squeezed his hand. "Everybody is going to want to know that you're awake. Can you handle that?" She paused. "Oh crap! I've got to let your nurses know first." She said as she pushed the button. She told the nurse that answered that Tony was wake. Moments later there were 3 nurses and two doctors in the room, ready to check him out. They ushered Ellie out quickly so that they could begin their examination.

When Ellie got back to the waiting room something had happened by the look on her face.

"Tony's awake." The female agent said, shedding happy tears this time.

A collective cheer went up in the room.

Ellie went over to Neal and gave him a huge hug. "Thank you."

TBC