Chapter 9
The dining room table was stripped and cleaned. Gibbs setup extra lighting so that nothing could be missed. While Gibbs turned the dining room into an operating room, Leyla comforted Tony, who was in and out if consciousness.
"Leyla," he gruffly said in a dray voice, "I'm thirsty."
She took the cup with ice chips and put a few chips in his mouth. He sucked on them.
"Thanks," he said.
"It is alright. Everything will be alright. You will be alright," she said.
She sounded as if she needed convincing. Tony smiled weakly.
"Not first time I've been shot," he told her.
"Don't get shot again," she said.
"Sorry," he mumbled.
"For what?"
"Kissing you," he said.
"Kissing me," she smiled, "I didn't mind that."
"Really?"
"Really, Tony," she said.
"Can I have another kiss?" he asked with a weak smile.
Leyla gently kissed his lips. His smile grew stronger.
"I like you Leyla. I like you a lot," he grinned.
"I like you, too, Tony," she said.
"I'm going to pass out now. I just can't keep my eyes open," he said.
"Sleep," she told him then touched his forehead which was burning hot.
He closed his eyes and fell asleep. Leyla heard Gibbs clear his throat from behind her. She turned and looked at him.
"How is he?" he asked.
"His fever is getting worse. The bullet has to come out," she said.
"Ducky will be here soon. He'll take care of him," said Gibbs.
"I hope so," she said.
"You like him," said Gibbs.
"Yes, Gibbs, I do."
"Good, he deserves someone like you in his life. DiNozzo hasn't had the best luck when it comes to women," said Gibbs.
Leyla smiled.
"If he ever gives you grief, you let me know," smiled Gibbs.
"I know you would never hurt him. You are too close to him," she said.
"Hurt, no. I might just give him a head slap," said Gibbs.
Just then there was a knock on the front door. Gibbs checked to see who it was then let Vance and Ducky into the house. Ducky headed right over to Tony and Leyla.
"Update me," said Vance.
"DiNozzo went to talk to a cop in Baltimore about El Gato. He thinks that Cortez is staying with them, or, at the very least using them as a buffer with the other gangs," started Gibbs.
"No back up?" questioned Vance.
"He went off on his own, Leon. I would have stopped him if I had known," said Gibbs.
Vance nodded his head and sighed, "Go on."
"The cop's name is Mike Diederach. He told Tony that there is a million dollar reward out on him then they had a showdown. Diederach is dead and DiNozzo has a bullet in his side. He then ended up running from El Gato. Once he lost them he came back here," Gibbs finished.
"Dead cop. That's going to be difficult clearing up without proof that he was dirty," said Vance.
"I'll get McGee and Bishop working on that. I'll tell them to do it quietly without drawing attention," said Gibbs.
"Leon, Jethro, I need your help to get Tony set up for an operation. That bullet has been in him too long," said Ducky. "I have plasma, sedative, and my tools of the trade in the car. Where is the operating area?"
"Come with me, Ducky," said Gibbs.
Ducky stood up then looked at Leyla.
"Take care of our patient. Until further notice you are his nurse, my dear," said Ducky.
NCISNCIS
Vance and Gibbs waited while Ducky operated on Tony. Amira was still upstairs sound asleep unaware of what was happening downstairs. They sat on the sofa.
"How are the kids, Leon?" asked Gibbs.
"Happy to be spending the night or two with a babysitter," Vance smiled. "They are getting pizza, video games, DVDs, and they can stay up late.."
The two men sat in silence for a few moments. Vance finally looked over at Gibbs.
"What do we do with Diederach?" asked Vance.
"We protect DiNozzo. Diederach was a bad cop," stated Gibbs.
"Yeah, but should we open an official investigation. The gun will be traced back to DiNozzo. It was his," said Vance.
"Balboa's team should handle it. I want McGee and Bishop working in the shadows, Leon. It's only the two of them," said Gibbs.
Vance nodded in the affirmative.
"So Cortez is probably with El Gato," sighed Vance. "We have to prove that."
"I need DiNozzo's mind for that. I know him and he has some ideas," said Gibbs.
"It appears that he is going to be out of commission for awhile," said Vance.
"I want to get Fornell involved. I trust him and he's willing to bend the rules," said Gibbs.
"I'll talk to him in person. Should he come up for a visit?" asked Vance.
"Yeah, he should come up for a visit," said Gibbs then he leaned back on the sofa and closed his eyes.
NCISNCIS
Gibbs opened his eyes to see Ducky entering the living room area. He sat up. Instinctively, Vance opened his eyes and sat up. The two of them noticed that Ducky looked tired and his age. But he also looked satisfied.
"I took the bullet out and repaired some damage. He should be fine. We have to watch out for a post operation infection. That, I believe, is our greatest worry," said Ducky.
"He still on the table?" asked Gibbs.
"Yes," said Ducky, who walked over to the armchair and sat down. "I am exhausted."
"Should we move him?" asked Gibbs.
"Eventually," said Ducky. "He needs rest right now."
"You do, too, Duck," said Gibbs.
"Agreed," smiled Ducky. "Although this does remind me of some medical work I did Korea as a young doctor. The operating tables were nothing but hard tables and post op was just another hard table in a different tent."
Amira came down the stairs. Gibbs got up quickly and met her at the bottom of the stairs and carried her over to the sofa, where he sat her down between him and Vance.
"Jedde, where's mommy?" she asked.
"She's busy. Listen," he looked at his wristwatch, "why don't we go upstairs, wash up, get dress, and go to the dinner for breakfast. We can bring breakfast home for everyone, too."
She smiled and nodded yes. Gibbs looked at Vance and nodded. Without exchanging words they exchanged information then Gibbs headed up the stairs with Amira. Vance looked at Ducky.
"When they leave we'll transfer DiNozzo to the sofa," said Vance.
"Agreed," said Ducky, who then shut his eyes.
Vance got up and walked over to look into the dining room. He saw DiNozzo on the table covered by a clean white sheet. Sitting beside the table with her head resting on it was a sound asleep Leyla. He smiled.
NCISNCIS
Tony woke up slowly. His side ached; his whole body ached. He looked around to see a sleeping Leyla in the armchair. By the sounds of it Amira was out front playing with Gibbs and Vance. He wanted to sit up to take a look but his side and body was too sore to move. Tony let out a quiet moan as he moved.
Leyla woke up immediately and asked, "Are you alright?"
"Sorry. I was just moving to get more comfortable," he said.
"I'll get you a painkiller," she said.
"No, no, I'm fine."
"Dr. Mallard said you needed to take painkillers when you woke up," Leyla stated.
"But, I don't..."
Tony started to explain, but Leyla stopped him.
"Dr. Mallard told me that you don't react to painkillers well. I do not care. You can act as goofy as you need to act. You need the painkillers and you need antibiotics. I do not want to hear an argument. You will take the pills you are given because it is good for you and we want you to get healthy," she scolded him.
Tony sat there and stared at her. At first he was a bit pissed then he broke into a smile. She cared for him. It was kind of nice to have someone care for you.
"I'll take the pills," he said.
Leyla smiled.
"Good. You are not arguing with me. That is smart," she said. "I learned from my mother how to get what I want."
"How is your mother?" Tony asked.
"In Iraq but she is due for a visit soon," she said.
She saw panic in his eyes and smiled even brighter.
"Do not worry," she said, "she will like you."
"She doesn't have to meet me," grinned Tony.
"Yes, she does," said Leyla.
"Why is that?" he asked.
She stood up, walked over, then bent down and kissed him. Tony was both surprised and happy by her actions. Leyla wasn't known for being too bold.
"You are in Amira and my life now. She will need to meet you," Leyla said.
"I am?"
"Of course you are," she said. "Let me get your pills."
She walked away. Tony lay there thinking. He needed to get this damned situation cleared up because he had a life worth pursuing now. He wanted Leyla and Amira in his life. He wanted to be more than a guy going from one failed relationship to the next. Yeah, he wanted to fill up both cups.
NCISNCIS
Ducky checked him out. So far there was no fever or infection. The chances were that he was out of the woods and all he had to do now was heal. Vance and Ducky prepared to leave.
"I'll send Fornell up. Expect him in a couple of days," said Vance.
"Give McGee and Bishop their assignment," said Gibbs.
Vance grinned. Ducky addressed Leyla.
"Take care of our patient, my dear. He can be difficult but he seems to listen to you," said Ducky.
He looked at Tony.
"Behave and please don't get shot again," said Ducky.
"I'll do my best, Ducky," he said.
Amira ran over to the sofa and kissed Tony.
"I'll take care of Baba with mommy," said Amira.
"Okay," grinned Vance as he looked at an embarrassed Tony, "we are off. I'll be in touch."
Ducky and Vance made their way out with Gibbs and Amira seeing them to the door. Leyla looked at Tony. He seemed upset.
"What is wrong?" she asked.
"I'm hungry," he lied.
"Oh," she replied. "I'll make you some soup. Soup will be good for you."
"I'd rather a steak," he grinned.
"First soup. If you hold it down and don't get sick then you can eat steak," said Leyla.
"Okay, soup it is," said Tony.
Leyla headed off to the kitchen leaving Tony alone. He could hear Amira laughing on the front porch with Gibbs. Living in Stillwater was better than he thought it could be, but enough was enough. Cortez needed to be caught before anymore.
The best way to catch Cortez would be with bait. He was the best bait they had, but Gibbs wouldn't let him do that until he was healthy. A week maybe two tops was all he was willing to wait. He'd go it alone again if he had to do so.
The door opened and Gibbs and Amira came into the house. Gibbs looked over at Tony with an inquisitive expression on his face.
"Leyla is in the kitchen making soup," said Tony.
"I'd rather steak," said Gibbs.
"Me, too," sighed Tony.
Gibbs smiled.
"I need to clean up your operating room," said Gibbs.
"I want to watch a movie," said Amira.
Delicately and with effort Tony sat up. He smiled at Amira.
"Okay, honey, get a movie and will put it on," said Tony.
Gibbs left Amira and Tony alone. He went into the dining room then the kitchen. Leyla was cutting up celery and onions.
"Making soup," said Gibbs.
"It will be good for Tony," she replied.
"Oh," smiled Tony.
"He needs to get his strength back," she said.
"I can see that," said Gibbs.
She turned and looked at him.
"Is there a problem?" she asked.
"No, no problem at all," said Gibbs with a big smile.