Amid Ziva's revelation, Tony excused himself from work and headed to the hospital. He knew that they were due for a hospitalization. It had been too long without a crisis. He just prayed this crisis would resolve itself quickly. Ever since the explosion, AJ's immune system was virtually non-existent and any hospital stay left him at risk for infection. Any infection could be too much for AJ's fragile body. It was terrifying to think of how quickly and easily his son could die. This was just a stomach bug, likely the same thing that had ravaged the rest of the house the week before but for AJ it could lead to so much more.
"He'll be alright." McGee called as Tony stepped into the elevator.
"I hope so, Probie." Tony called back.
The elevator had never felt so claustrophobic as it did that morning. He could almost literally feel the walls closing in on him. AJ had not always been like this. He had once been a vibrant, healthy young boy. Then it all changed in an instant. The elevator became the warehouse and AJ was lying on the floor bleeding to death. The explosion had sent back and he could hear the sound of bone being crushed under rubble. His leg was on fire but his leg was gone. He could smell AJ's skin being charred and hear his bones being shattered. He felt linoleum on his face, which didn't make sense. The warehouse floor had been rough concrete.
"Tony?! Are you OK?!" Leonard the security guard called.
"What? What happened?" Tony asked.
"You fainted coming out of the elevator." Leonard explained.
"Fine I just got a little dizzy." Tony lied.
"Dizzy? Should I call an ambulance?" Leonard asked.
"Nah I'm good. Probably just a little dehydrated." Tony assured.
"I'll get you a water." Leonard replied.
Leonard went to retrieve a water from the fridge in the security lounge. Two other security guards helped Tony stand and walk over to the chair. One of the guards helped him attach his leg and the other reached over to check his pulse. Leonard returned and Tony greedily sucked down the cool liquid. He could not believe that it had happened again. That first time he had told himself that he was just over tired. Well that may have been the case then but what was happening now? Was it possible that he was losing it? He didn't want to be weak but if he was having flashbacks and he had never seen war. Well what other option was there?
"Feeling better?" Leonard asked.
"Much" Tony replied.
"Do you need anything else?" Leonard asked.
"Nah I have to get to the hospital." Tony replied.
"Hospital?" Leonard questioned.
"AJ is in the hospital with some kind of virus." Tony explained.
"Do you want me to give you a ride?" Leonard asked.
"Nah I am good." Tony replied.
"Are you sure? You just fainted from dehydration." Leonard questioned.
"I am fine." Tony insisted, even though deep down he knew that he was not.
Ziva knew that she was going to be in for a long couple of days. AJ's official diagnosis was a severe case of gastroenteritis and possible beginning stages of pneumonia. It was totally selfish but she was grateful that they had admitted AJ. She could not imagine having to change AJ's clothes and the sheets every time he had an accident. Though she knew that the reason AJ was admitted was not because the doctors were concerned about her laundry but because they were concerned about AJ becoming dehydrated. A reality that made her feel even worse for her selfish thoughts but she was just so tired. She had the nurse but that was only for a few hours in the afternoon and if AJ was sick she was on her own. Tony was a very hands on father but somebody had to bring in money and that meant Tony keeping the long hours. Marley was a huge help but she was just a kid and Lily was too young to do much. In reality was pretty much on her own. It killed her to think about her reality. She felt more alone now than she had when she was a struggling single mom.
"I really am trying AJ. I hope that you realize that." Ziva whispered.
Tony used the drive to the hospital to pretend like nothing was happening and everything was just fine. He just wanted to forget the flashback and the fainting spell. He wanted to forget how weak and pathetic helpless he felt in that moment. He had calmed for the most part by the time he arrived but he was still not quite right. Part of him wondered if he would ever be OK again. He kept his head down as he entered the hospital and put a fake smile on his face when he turned into AJ's room.
"How is he?" Tony asked.
"He's doing a little better but I am expecting a downturn before he recovers." Ziva replied.
"Hopefully not too severe. Do they know what's going on?" Tony asked.
"Severe gastroenteritis and possible beginnings of pneumonia. The doctor noticed a spot but he couldn't tell if it was new pneumonia or a scar from one of the other times." Ziva explained.
"Poor little guy." Tony whispered.
"At least we caught it early this time." Ziva remarked.
"So true" Tony replied.
"I guess we really can't do it." Ziva sighed.
"What?" Tony asked.
"Have another baby. I want to but AJ has so many problems and takes so much of our time. It wouldn't be fair to the girls and what if I have complications and need to go on bed rest?" Ziva explained.
"We'll worry about babies later on. For now let's just worry about AJ." Tony replied.
"You're right." Ziva agreed.
A/N: Will Tony open up to Ziva or Gibbs about his flashbacks? New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.