Gone
Chapter 21
A/n First of all a big apology for the year delay between chapters. Life has been very busy but I have been working on story this whole time. This will never happen again as the next chapter will be posted in a much more timely matter. So I pray that I still have at least a few readers left
So thanks as always to Crokettsgirl for her co writing and all her support over the last year. And to Scouse for letting me vent and express frustration over the long chapters and frustrating scenes. And lastly to Bunny for betaing the chapter. So here it is
Agent Jensen stormed his way into the room without waiting for backup. He'd screwed up by not dropping what he'd been doing to get to the hospital sooner. When he got inside, he saw Abby standing next to the bed with a steel tray in her hands. He looked at the floor and saw the orderly, Collins, lying unconscious below the injured agent.
Jensen immediately yelled out to security to come in and secure the room. He ordered that someone find hospital employees to take care of Collins—who would now be in custody—and tend to Tony and Abby.
Jensen and an orderly carefully pulled Collins out from under DiNozzo. Jensen then nodded to a corpsman to watch the prisoner while he lay with one hand cuffed to the bed.
They were now waiting for a doctor to come. He watched as a resident came charging in and checked to make sure Tony had a pulse. The young man looked up and nodded at the agent, allowing Jensen a breath of relief that there was indeed a pulse. The resident then went to check on Collins.
Jensen heard Tony's doctor paged over the intercom as he looked around for where the young Goth had gotten to. After a quick scan of the room, he found her huddled in a corner with the metal tray still in her hand. Knowing she was in shock, he walked cautiously over to help the trembling young woman calm down.
"Ms. Scuito," Jensen said calmly. "Are you okay?"
She made no move to get up.
"The floor is cold and we need to get you checked out," Jensen tried to reason with her.
Abby's eyes could not pull away from their focus on Tony, still unconscious. After a few moments, she dragged them away to look at the older agent, still scared and slightly in shock over what had happened. She was sure Tony had been shot, which was wreaking havoc with her anxiety levels. She allowed Jensen to get her off the cold floor and move her to a chair. They both watched as the resident rolled Tony over and shined a penlight into his eyes.
"Agent Jensen," the resident called unnecessarily, since he already had their attention. "He was knocked unconscious. His doctor should be here soon and we'll run some tests on him to make sure his injuries weren't worsened by this, and to see what's going on with his head injury."
"We need to get Agent DiNozzo moved as soon as the doctor can. This is a crime scene," Jensen announced. "Don't touch anything you don't have to, I don't want the crime scene contaminated."
"The doctor was paged and should be here momentarily," an older nurse told the agent. "I can assure you that once the doctor sees fit to move Mr. DiNozzo, your people can secure the room. Then Mr. DiNozzo will be check over and run through tests as the resident said."
An orderly placed a gurney outside the door. Jensen watched as Abby moved to sit by Tony, who lay completely still.
"Ms. Scuito—I mean Abby," Jensen said gently at the terrified young woman. "Tony is going to be okay. They're going to run those tests and I'm sure he'll be fine."
As Jensen tried to help Abby cope with the situation, he noticed Tony blinking his eyes. Within moments, they were fully open.
"In fact, he's awake and looking at you right now." Jensen smiled down at the two.
Tony looked up, stunned, and then moaned as he tried to move. He was grateful to Agent Jensen for showing up when he did; he knew he wouldn't have been able to do anymore. Jensen had saved both him and Abby. He tried to take a deep breath, but that hurt a little bit more than before the fight; as a matter of fact, he could feel what the fight had taken out of him. The fighting was too much and had made his injuries worse.
"Agent Jensen," the orderly said. "I need your help. The doctor just phoned and wants Agent DiNozzo moved to an exam room. I need your help to move him back onto the gurney we have out in the hall." The orderly looked from Jensen to Tony and then to the gurney. "I looked him over more and we can roll him on a stretcher and then transfer him to that gurney."
Jensen gave his acknowledgement to the orderly. Then, they carefully log-rolled Tony on to a portable stretcher and lifted him up gently so not to aggravate his injuries even more. After that, they transferred him onto the gurney in the hallway.
Tony turned his head in order to thank the orderly and Jensen for helping him. The gurney was a lot more comfortable than the floor. One thing was for sure…he wished the doctor would get there and give him something for the pounding in his head and the aching that was throbbing throughout his body.
"Thanks," Tony croaked out as he tried to calm down the pain. He had seen Abby when he first opened his eyes, but couldn't see her now and started to panic. He had to make sure she was alright. "Is Abby alright?" he questioned.
"I'm fine, Tony. It's you I'm worried about. That was some nasty fight for someone in your condition, Mister." Abby moved over to the gurney to comfort him. "You're being moved to an exam room. The doctor phoned up for them to bring you there. He'll check you out and run you through some tests as well." She smiled down at him. "That's what the orderly just told me. Anyway, I'm sorry about your sandwich. It might have been smooshed when everything happened."
Tony painfully pulled himself back into a better position. He thought for a moment and remembered the sandwich he'd hidden in the mini refrigerator beside the bed in the room.
"Crap!" he exclaimed as realization hit him. "Uh, Abs? Tell me you had the steak sandwich delivered to me. 'Cause if you didn't, someone did." He watched for her reaction.
She looked at him with surprise. "No, I never had a sandwich delivered to you."
"Then its evidence. It needs to be bagged and given to the boys investigating the crime scene," Tony explained.
Abby nodded and then ran over to her purse. She pulled out some latex gloves and an evidence bag. Putting the gloves on, she walked over to the refrigerator and carefully put the sandwich into the evidence bag. She then brought it over to an agent so he could dust it for prints and make sure there was nothing in it that would have poisoned Tony.
Abby went back to Tony as the orderly began to push him to the exam room.
"Well, the sandwich I did bring back for you is the one I told you was smooshed. I'm so glad you didn't eat the one that was sent to you. I told Clive, the agent dusting for prints, to dust the sandwich and also test it for drugs or poison. I have a feeling there is something in that sandwich." Abby looked down at him knowingly as she held the railing and followed him down the hallway.
"Me too," Tony answered as he painfully rested his head back on the pillow and closed his eyes.
EXAM ROOM
Tony was settled into the room and started to fall asleep when the doctor and nurses came in. Abby and Agent Jensen stood in the corner of the room, watching.
"What in the hell happened?" the doctor asked.
"Agent DiNozzo was attacked by someone impersonating an orderly," Jensen announced. "The imposter was taken to another exam room."
"Agent DiNozzo," The doctor said, waking the agent up. "I'm going to have a look. This will hurt, but I have to see what's going on. Then we will run a few blood tests so we know what we are looking at here. I know you had to have made these injuries worse. Oh, and no sleeping. We need to run a CAT scan, see about a concussion and internal injuries, just to be on the safe side."
The doctor then asked Abby and Jensen to step out into the hallway and started to examine his patient.
THE LOBBY OF THE HOSPITAL
Agent Jensen pulled out his cell phone to make some calls. First of all, he needed to make sure his agents were on their way to the lab to process the evidence they got from the room.
Two security guards came out of the exam room with Collins in handcuffs. He had a few bandages applied to him and bruises that decorated him as well. The security guards handed over the prisoner to the Federal agents to take into custody.
Jensen turned to Abby. "Ms. Scuito, I'll see you in a little while. I have to take care of this matter. Please tell Agent DiNozzo I'll be back shortly," Jensen finished as he saw four FBI agents come towards him, his agents and the prisoner.
"Agent Marcum," Jensen ordered. "Take this prisoner and go with these FBI agents to headquarters." Jensen nodded to the other agency agents and then watched them all as they waited by the elevator.
He turned to his other agents and spoke as they looked at him for instructions. "We need to locate the two missing agents."
"They're in the closet down the hallway," Collins yelled over his shoulder while he waited for the elevator with the agents that were escorting him.
Jensen nodded at the agents to check the closet while the elevator door closed. He was right behind the two men as they opened the closet door where they found the two missing unconscious agents inside.
"I need a doctor in here," Jensen announced with relief in his voice. "My missing agents are inside. They're both breathing, but unconscious."
A doctor and orderlies picked up the two agents and placed them onto gurneys to take them to examination rooms.
Jensen then pulled his cell back out and called the agents that had processed Agent DiNozzo's room. "Agent Smith," Jensen ordered. "I need you and Rawlings to get the evidence processed and send the reports to Agent Gibbs and myself." He hung up the cell to make another call.
After Agent Jensen made his other call, he stopped the security guard who had come down the elevator. He recognized the guard as the one that had been in DiNozzo's room earlier.
"I'm Agent Jensen," He said. "I needed to go and check on Agent DiNozzo and Ms. Scuito. Can you direct me to where he is having his tests?"
"Yes, of course," the guard answered as he pressed the up button on the elevator to take them to a secure room on the third floor. "I can take you to the secure room where they are going to put Agent DiNozzo after his test. He may be done already, I don't know," he answered honestly.
Jensen was then led to a private room at the end of a long corridor. At first he didn't see there was a room. He had to applaud security for finding such a well hidden area. Before he walked in, he placed a quick call to get two agents to stand guard outside the door for the next few days. After being sure that two would be arriving within the hour, Jensen walked in to the room.
INSIDE TONY'S ROOM
Jensen walked inside to see the doctor and two nurses working over what appeared to be a sleeping agent. A second glance showed Abby sitting in a chair as close as she could get to Tony. Jensen smiled as he noticed Abby wringing her hands to keep them away from Tony. He knew she just wanted to make sure he was alright and—being the type of person she was—climb on the bed and hug him. Though he knew the medical team would never allow it.
Jensen met the doctor's eyes as he took off his gloves and walked to the door where Jensen was standing.
"Agent Jensen," the doctor started. "Agent DiNozzo is very lucky. By some miracle, he managed to only gain some superficial bruises and abrasions from the fight. Thankfully, there is only a very mild concussion and that will clear up by tomorrow or the next day. The broken ribs are still on the mend; I have to say I'm a little surprised by that one, but like I said, he is very lucky.
"Now, I had to re-suture him, seems a few stitches popped from the gunshot wound. I also had to suture a wound above his eye. We're giving him antibiotics to prevent any infection. The only other thing is he'll have some very sore muscles when he wakes up, plus he will be physically drained. We need to monitor him and make sure no infection develops. He'll be healing for a while, but that won't get in the way of him flying back to the states after we are sure that no complications arise." The doctor looked from Jensen to his patient as he finished his explanation.
Both Abby and Jensen let out a sigh of relief that their friend would be okay. Agent Jensen stood, thinking about what the doctor had just said. He was concerned about getting DiNozzo out of Iraq as soon as possible. He guessed Agent Gibbs would feel the same way as he did. Captain Reynolds was hiding, laying low until he was forgotten about and would use that moment to escape back to the United States. He'd do it right under their noses and neither he nor Gibbs wanted that.
Also, Jensen was worried about Reynolds possibly trying to get Tony again; it was imperative to get both Abby and Tony home as quickly as possible.
"Doctor," Jensen asked "How soon will it be till Agent DiNozzo and Ms. Scuito can go home?"
Now it was the doctor's turn to stop and think for a moment before answering the agent's question. "I've explained that we need to watch for complications of infection. I know he can get these antibiotics on the medical plane, but I don't like surprises, Agent Jensen. He can't leave for at least two weeks; one is the minimum if all goes according to plan. As for Ms. Scuito, she was more shaken up than anything, slight shock, she can leave immediately. Funny thing is, once we gave her a Caf-Pow, she settled down." The doctor gave a shake of his head with a smile at the latter part of what he had just said.
Tony had woken up and had been listening to what the doctor was telling Jensen. As an agent, he knew that his and Abby's lives were in danger. Reynolds would try again. He didn't want to stay, but if he had to, he wanted Abby sent home right away. He turned and moaned from the soreness of his muscle; both men looked over at him. Tony, seeing he had their attention started to open his mouth, only to close it when he got a look that was reminiscent of Gibbs, which quieted him down for the moment.
"I need Agent DiNozzo released sooner than that," Jensen demanded. "His life is in grave danger, as you saw today. The sooner we get him home, the better."
"I'm afraid I can't order that, Agent Jensen. As I told you before, even on a medical plane I can't allow him to leave any sooner than what I've just told you. We can only hope for a week and not two. I'm sorry." He opened the door and left, the nurses following him.
Jensen continued to stand there, trying to think of a way to change the doctor's mind. For now, the agents on the door would have to suffice. He would have to be more vigilant with protecting Tony as well as Abby.
Now that the doctor was gone, Tony piped up. "Ah, Agent Jensen?" Tony saw the other man turn to look at him and then continued on. "I think it would the best idea to send Abby home. She doesn't need to be here and-" Tony was stopped in the middle of what he was saying.
"Excuse me, but I think I can make my own decisions here." Abby put her hand gently on her friend's shoulder.
Tony looked over at her and slowly shook his aching head. "Abby, come on…you need to leave and go back to the States. You didn't sign up for this and you aren't an agent. I won't have you die on my watch. I was frantic when I didn't see you after being attacked. You need to go home," he pleaded with concern.
Abby was shaking her head.
"You and I both know Gibbs would agree," Tony told her, using the Gibbs card to try and change her mind.
Jensen stepped forward. "I think he is right, Abby. I'll try what I can to get the doctor to let Tony go earlier but you should leave now and I think he is also right about your Agent Gibbs." Jensen stared at her, concern filling his features.
"No!" Abby stood up and looked at both men. "Ok, maybe I was shook up, but I don't leave my friends when they are in trouble." She looked from Jensen and then over to Tony. "And you mister, shame on you, using the Gibbs card and thinking that would change my mind." She huffed as she plopped into the uncomfortable chair by Tony's bed.
Tony gave her a hard look, green eyes boring into brown. "No? You saying no about this is not acceptable, Abs. I can't allow it," Tony told her with determination.
Abby slowly started to grin, "Get used to it because I am not changing my mind, Tony. And what is this about 'you can't allow this'? Last time I checked, I could still make my own decisions." She cocked her eyebrow at him.
Jensen stayed quiet. He knew there was no talking to this woman once she made up her mind and figured Tony knew this, too. What would he tell Gibbs? That, he didn't even want to think about. Jensen started to pull the door open when Tony stopped him.
"Hey, you're going to let her stay?" Tony asked in shock.
Jensen shrugged. "Not too much I can do, Tony."
Tony let out a sigh. "Glad you're the one that has to tell Gibbs this one. I have to tell you, though, watch out for that thousand yard glare, it can kill." Tony smiled as Abby joined him and nodded.
"He's right, only Gibbs would never do anything of the sort to me," Abby explained and then took a huge gulp of her Caf-Pow. "Tell Gibbs I'm staying. I'll leave when Tony does, if he wants to talk to me you can bring your Sat phone here, but the answer will still be no. He'll understand."
"So you're staying with me, then," Tony stated and then painfully moved over in his bed. "Can't let you sit in that damn hard plastic thing they call a chair. Plus, if I didn't Gibbs, will be even worse when we get home. Come on up." Tony smiled his thousand watt smile at her and got one back in return.
Agent Jensen shook his head and laughed at the two of them. Then, he waved goodbye and told them he'd be back soon. Right now he had to face Gibbs and get Tony and Abby to safety.
Jensen walked down the hall and toward the entrance of the small hospital. He was dreading contacting Agent Fornell who would in turn contact Agent Gibbs and his director. He made his way outside into the small courtyard and found a bench in the shade. He pulled out the phone, not paying attention to the time difference, and dialed Fornell's number.
AN OFFICE IN D.C.
Agent Fornell was ready to leave to finally go and pick up his daughter. He explained to Emily that he was working on a case with Agent Gibbs and he may have to work again later. He'd called the babysitter who was the daughter of one of his agents and she agreed to come and watch her if he had to come back into work.
Just as he started to walk out of his office, his cell phone rang. He glanced down to see the 911 from Agent Jensen flashing from the text message. Thinking he could handle the call while going to get his daughter, he dialed the agent's phone number. The other line rang as he grabbed his bags and locked the door behind him.
OUTSIDE THE IRAQI HOSPITAL
Jensen had hoped that Agent Fornell hadn't gone home yet. He knew that the older man had a tendency to leave the ringer off on his cell phone and therefore might miss the important message about DiNozzo. All of a sudden his phone rang and he picked it up on the second ring.
"Tobias," Jensen replied. "We have a problem!"
"What happened?" Fornell asked.
"The Petty Officer Collins attacked DiNozzo about a half an hour ago," Jensen answered.
"What do you mean attacked?" Fornell questioned over the phone.
"DiNozzo was attacked in his room," Jensen explained. "He was alone at the time. Collins got inside after two of my agents were drugged and unconscious. He got in by carrying in a medicine tray. The man started asking Tony about the flash drive and demanded he hand it over. DiNozzo put up a good fight, though."
"Is he okay?" the Lead agent asked, dreading to have to tell Jethro that his senior agent has injured once again.
"He's doing okay," Jensen answered. "Thankfully, he didn't break any of his already injured ribs. And there was no concussion. He reopened the wound to his arm, but other than that, just some cuts and bruises. The doctor said he will be quite sore in the morning, so he has been given some pain medicine to help."
Jensen continued. "I was thinking that there could be a way to get DiNozzo and Ms. Scuito out of here on a medical transport, so they wouldn't have to take a cargo plane back. That way, Tony would be getting the medical attention he needs."
"That's good," Fornell answered "But I will need to let Agent Gibbs and Director Vance know what is going on. I'm sure that Gibbs will want to bring him and Miss Scuito home as soon as he can. Oh, and I will talk to Agent Gibbs to try and help get Agent DiNozzo released immediately."
"Okay Tobias," Jensen said. "I need to go and make sure DiNozzo is doing okay. I'll try and talk to Agent DiNozzo's doctor. And get the flash drive sent back to D.C. immediately."
"Okay," Fornell replied. He clicked his cell phone shut and then started to make another call.
D.C., AN HOUR LATER
The team had been busy all night trying to find any leads in the search for Reynolds. Gibbs had been waiting for word from Abby about how Tony was doing. It had been almost twenty-four hours and there was still no word. He was starting to get concerned when his cell phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was Fornell calling. He turned to his team.
"It's Fornell," Gibbs announced. "I'll be back soon."
Ziva and McGee were deeply engrossed in their work, but glanced up to give their acknowledgement. They watched as Gibbs stepped into the elevator then turned back to checking on leads.
By the time Gibbs opened the phone, it had stopped ringing. After the elevator closed, he dialed Fornell's number. He let it ring and then when it went to voicemail he left a hurried message.
"Tobias," Gibbs barked. "Call me back."
The summer weather was nice enough, and his stress level high enough, that Gibbs decided to go for a walk. He was going to stop at the deli down the street that Tony and the others loved so much. He was going to grab a couple of cups of coffee while waiting for Fornell to call back. Then he was going to bring back an early lunch for the team. And hopefully some news about DiNozzo and Abby. He glanced at the time to see that it was only about 10:30. More than enough time to take the call. A few minutes later his phone rang again.
"Tobias," Gibbs answered. "What the hell took you so long to call back?"
"Sorry, Jethro," Fornell apologized. "I had to drop Emily off at the babysitter's house first before I was able to call you."
"Well tell Emily I'll come by and see her," Gibbs replied. "So is there any news on DiNozzo?"
Gibbs asked the question even though he knew what the answer had been. Abby had been due to call him with an update and was hours late in calling him back. But he was getting worried and was trying as hard as hell not to assume the worst. He had stayed as focused as he could, but could not keep his mind from wandering. He'd imagined so many different scenarios from Tony being murdered to getting the news that both he and Abby were dead at the hands of Reynolds.
"Jethro," Fornell said. "I do have news. Tony and Abby were attacked."
"What the hell!" Gibbs yelled. "Damn it! I thought the F.B.I. was supposed to be keeping him safe!"
"Collins, the orderly, drugged the two agents posted at the door," Fornell explained as he sat down at his table. "Collins hid them in a closet while he went to get the flash drive away from DiNutso. Thankfully, it was hidden in the watch he was wearing. He held his own very well. It's a good thing Abby showed up when she did; she probably saved DiNozzo from getting killed. Tony reopened the gunshot wound; it needed to be re-sutured, but otherwise came out of it with just scrapes and a few abrasions."
"So is Collins in custody?" Gibbs demanded.
"Yes he is," Fornell answered.
"Get DiNozzo home then," Gibbs demanded.
"There's one way," Fornell answered. "Agent Jensen said there is a medical transport leaving in three days with room for two more people. I just need authorization from Sec-Nav to make it happen. They need the authorization in twenty-four hours to make room."
"Thank you, Tobias," Gibbs answered, relieved he was getting two members of his team back. "Has there been any word yet on Reynolds yet?"
"According to what Agent Jensen told me yesterday, there have been sightings," Fornell answered. "But they figure that he's hiding until he thinks it's safe to come home. Or he is waiting to hear that DiNozzo is on his way home so that he can try another attack there."
"Well regardless we need to get him home before Reynolds can get to him," Gibbs answered. "Besides, he can be protected better here in D.C. It will also free up Agent Jensen so him and his team can focus on the manhunt. Tobias, just make sure that there's a spot for my people on the transport. And I'll talk to Director Vance as soon as I get back to NCIS."
"Okay, Jethro," Fornell answered. "I'll get everything sent with Jensen. I've got to pick up Emily from the babysitter in a bit. I'll talk to you later."
Gibbs hung up the phone as he headed back down the street with the sandwiches and drinks. He was hoping that it would be an easy thing to get Tony and Abby on the transport in a few days. Taking a sip of the coffee, he stepped through the crosswalk and up to the doors leading to the building.
NCIS HOSPITAL ROOM IN IRAQ
After pain medicine and a three hour nap, Tony felt more refreshed than he had in months. He'd woken to Abby, with a new steak sandwich for him and a tuna one for herself. He'd also seen the large bag of barbeque chips and four giant dill pickles sitting on the stand waiting to be eaten. She'd ordered a large sandwich for him and a small one for herself. She thought after the afternoon he that her friend would be starving.
"Hey Abs," Tony said. "Are one of those sandwiches for me. I'm starving."
"I do," Abby said as she climbed up on the bed and pulled the tray over the bed so they could have a place for their food. "I have another steak sandwich for you and tuna for me. I also got a drink for you and a refill for me. Oh, I got you four giant pickles and some chips. Thank goodness Jensen was able to get all this delivered."
Tony took a bite of his sandwich as he grabbed a stack of DVDs. "How would you like to watch a movie while we eat?"
"Sounds good," Abby answered as she took the movie and hopped off the bed. Before she put the movie in, she checked the title and laughed when she noticed that the movie was Sister Act. It was one of her and Tony's favorites. Tony opened the bag of chips and took the pickles out so they could eat and enjoy the movie.
NCIS, VANCE'S OFFICE
"What can I do for you Jethro?" Vance asked. He'd just sat down for dinner when the doorbell rang. He waved his wife away as he suspected who the visitor might be. When he saw who it was, he invited him inside.
"I just spoke to Agent Fornell," Gibbs answered. "DiNozzo was attacked in his room around noon Iraq time. He'll be okay, but we need to get him back to D.C. immediately. There's a medical transport leaving in a few days, and I need them on it before Reynolds himself comes after him."
"Let me call and clear it with the Sec Nav," Vance answered. "I'll have an answer in the morning for you. Meanwhile has there been any news on the whereabouts of Captain Reynolds?"
"Nothing new," Gibbs answered. "As far as Agent Jensen and his team know, he is still hiding out somewhere in Iraq. Fornell seems to think that he may be waiting to hear that Agent DiNozzo is back. Jensen thinks that he'll lay low for another month and then try and get back to the states."
"All the more reason to bring DiNozzo home immediately," Vance answered. "I need to let my wife know to hold dinner while I go to my study to make the calls."
"Thank you, Leon," Gibbs said as he shook his hand and stepped outside into the warm evening moonlight.
NCIS, MORNING IRAQ TIME
Tony and Abby had just finished another smuggled-in breakfast courtesy of the FBI. Tony and Abby both commented that these free meals were because Jensen felt bad about what had happened to Tony. Every time a new meal was brought in, Abby tried to pay the agent, but the money was always refused.
She had to laugh, as it seemed Tony's voracious appetite had begun to return. And another sign of him feeling better was that he had started to flirt with the nurses coming in and out of the room.
Tony was sleeping and Abby was helping review some evidence that Jensen had left her earlier when she heard a knock on the door. She automatically said "Come in" when she recognized the voice.
"Hi, Abby," Jensen said with a smile as she walked into the room. "I have some news for DiNozzo and yourself."
"Tony is asleep," Abby said, looking at her soundly sleeping friend. "But I am sure he'd be happy for some news. Besides, he's been snoring loud."
Abby walked over and grabbed a bottle of water. She took off the lid and sat it down as he stepped back over to the bed. The younger woman smiled brightly as she tipped the bottle and poured water on Tony's face.
"What's going on?" Tony yelled as he woke up with a start. He looked up to see the smiles of the two people standing in front of him. "What'd ya do that for Abby?"
"Jensen has some news for us," Abby answered wiping off the water from his face. "Besides, you were snoring way too loud." She turned to Jensen. "And what is your news, Agent Jensen?"
The two younger people looked at the older agent, wondering what was important enough for him to make a special trip to the hospital.
"I just spoke with your director, Agent DiNozzo," Jensen answered with a smile. "And it looks as though there is a medical transport leaving tomorrow, with room for you two on it. We need to get you out before Reynolds comes out of hiding, so I'd suggest, Abby, that you get Tony and yourself packed. The transport leaves at 0800."
Tony sat up straight at the thought of being home in a few days. He was excited to see his friends and sleep in his apartment again. But he was nervous about seeing the others after his behavior four months ago. There were still unresolved issues with Gibbs. He knew they needed to talk, but felt bad about the hateful things that were said in the hospital room.
"Sounds great," Tony answered, mask in place. "So are there stewardesses serving drinks and everything?"
"No," Jensen answered, sensing something wrong with his friend. "But it is a state of the art medical transport. Basically, it's a hospital inside an airplane. You might appreciate it more than here."
"Cool," Abby said as she turned back toward Tony. "So is there a Caf-Pow machine there, too?"
"Yeah, Jensen," Tony said with a laugh. "You'd better get one for the plane or Abby won't want to come back."
"Hey, DiNozzo." Jensen laughed ignoring the last comment. "I heard that they have some pretty gorgeous nurses on the transport. I can get a couple of their numbers for you if you want to me to."
"Actually," Tony answered with a smile. "I don't think I need any help in that area. Maybe you could get a couple for McGee, though, most of his are level 7 sorceresses that he met online."
"I'll see what I can do," Jensen answered. He was glad that his friend had relaxed a bit. He'd expected Tony to be a little more excited to go home. After all, while he'd been here, all he could do was talk about going home. Then Abby and his friends and how to get a great pizza here.
"Another agent will be here in a few minutes with what I was told was a really good sausage, pepperoni with extra cheese pizza. And for you, Abby, a refill on you Caf-Pow jug. I'll be back to see you before you leave."
"Thanks," Tony answered as his friend started to slip out the door. As he was getting ready to round the corner Abby shouted out suddenly.
"Agent Jensen," Abby yelled as she too stepped out the door.
"Yes, Abby?" he asked has he came back around the corner.
"I looked through all the evidence from the hospital room," she said. "Everything I have is on the flash drive here. But are you any closer to finding Reynolds? I mean, is it safe for Tony to go home?"
"Thanks for the flash drive," he answered as he slipped the drive into his pocket. "As far as Reynolds goes, I think he's waiting it out until he knows Tony is gone. He'll be safer in D.C. then he'll be here. It's safe for DiNozzo to go home. Have him ready by 0800 in the morning. Take care, Abby."
"Hey, Abs," Tony said as he sat up straight in bed. "Is it true? I…I mean…we're actually going home?"
"Yes, we are Tony," Abby answered as she reached over and ruffled his hair. "By this time tomorrow, we'll be on our way home."
"That's great," Tony answered, not as quite convincingly as he would have liked it to have been. "So when do the sandwiches arrive?"
"Actually, today it's pizza," she said as she grabbed for the DVDs. "And it's your turn to choose the movie this time."
"Thanks," Tony said, and they settled down to watch the movie.