Disclaimer: I own nothing…..sad but true.
DiNozzo and McGee were on an extremely boring stakeout. Tony was considering pulling a prank on his sleeping partner, Really, who would blame him? Even Jethro would understand that falling asleep on an awake Tony was asking for it. The only thing that kept him from pranking his lover was the fact that he never really slept. They had been sleeping together for three months now and Tony didn't even know if Jethro snored. Every night that they had the chance, Jethro would fuck him into unconsciousness and by the time Tony recovered, Jethro was already awake. The man had inhuman stamina and it was starting to make Tony feel inadequate. Seriously, he was older than him, wasn't Tony supposed to be the one with more energy?
With McGee asleep and Tony distracted, neither man noticed that the weapons smugglers they were tracking were aware of their presence until the shots were fired. DiNozzo could have tried to pull his weapon but his only thought was to protect McGee so he pushed the sleeping man to the floor and threw himself on top of him. He felt pain in his back and knew he was hit, more than once. NO NO NO he fucked up and now he could die. He just hoped he managed to save Timmy. How could he do this to Jethro? That was his last thought before everything went black.
Jethro was sitting at his desk waiting for Tony and Tim to check in. He didn't have to be here but he didn't want to go home. Without him noticing, Tony had become a necessary presence in his house. Without him there, Jethro was restless and couldn't concentrate. Working on his boat wasn't even as soothing if he didn't know that Tony was upstairs watching some ridiculous movie. He hadn't felt his way about anyone since Shannon. Tony was home to him now. It scared the hell out of the older man, he never wanted to need anyone like this again. But obviously it was too late, he needed the younger man in his life, in his bed, and he wasn't planning on letting him go. He smiled to himself thinking about how much things had changed for him and how he was planning to change things even more. He knew Tony's lease was up for renewal soon, Tony had left the papers on the dining table a couple of weeks ago. Jethro knew Tony was too insecure to ask, but he wanted Jethro to ask him to stay with him permanently. Of course Jethro wanted that, he was planning to ask Tony during a very romantic evening this weekend. Tony would never know what hit him.
Jethro's cell was ringing, finally, those knuckleheads were checking in. Wait, he didn't know that number. He answered the phone.
"Gibbs"
"Special Agent Gibbs?"
"Yes, who is this?"
"My name is Dr Patel and I'm calling about two gentlemen who were brought into the emergency room a few minutes ago. You are listed as the next of kin for both men."
"McGee and DiNozzo...What happened to them?"
"Special Agents DiNozzo and McGee were fired upon in their vehicle. Special Agent McGee is unconscious but otherwise fine, he appears to have a concussion and some minor cuts and bruises, but Special Agent DiNozzo has been rushed into surgery. He was hit three times shielding his partner. We need you to come down in case certain decisions need to be made regarding his care."
"I'm on my way."
Gibbs was already on his way to the garage when he hung up his phone. The pain in his chest was intense and he wasn't thinking straight. All he could think of was Tony. He protected Tim, he probably saved his life, but may have given his own to do it. DAMN IT! He didn't blame Tony, he would give his life to protect Tim too, but he couldn't lose his lover, he wouldn't survive it, not again.
Gibbs was running on autopilot. He made it to the hospital and was taken to where McGee was. Dr Patel met him there and updated him on Tony's condition. He lost a lot of blood and was being transfused as they worked to find and fix all of the damage. Luckily for McGee the bullets didn't exit Tony's body, which is what saved him, However, that was bad for Tony since more damage was done to him. There was no way to know yet if he would pull through. He told them to do whatever it took to save him.
When he entered Tim's room, his first thought was that he looked so small and young laying in the bed. He had a nasty bruise on the side of his face from Tony slamming him down to cover him and cuts on his arms from the broken glass. They were expecting him to sleep for a while longer so Gibbs sat to wait for more updates on Tony. He called Ducky and told him to call Abby, Jimmy and Ziva. He knew they would rush down here as soon as they heard. He was tempted to order them to stay home, he wasn't sure that he would be able to hold himself together if something were to happen to Tony and he didn't want an audience if he fell apart, but Tim would need them so he didn't.
Ducky arrived first, he looked in Gibbs' eyes and knew not to approach him. He went directly to young Timothy's bed and looked over his chart. Jimmy arrived next followed closely by Abby and Ziva. Abby was the only one to go to Gibbs. She sat in his lap and hugged him fiercely begging him for comfort. He gave it freely, and was comforted by her in return. As they talked and waited for Tim to wake, Dr Patel returned with news. The surgery was not going as well as they would like. Tony was still losing blood and the surgeons were struggling to stop it. They were still hopeful but they needed to be prepared for the worst. Abby and Jimmy were crying and Ziva and Ducky looked grim but were composed. Gibbs was a statue. He would not fall apart, he would stay strong for his lover. He could still feel him in his gut, he wouldn't give up on him.
"It's all my fault."
They all turned toward Tim as his pained whisper was heard.
"I fell asleep, I wasn't paying attention and I didn't protect him. I did this, I'm so sorry."
No one moved. They were frozen by the guilt in the poor man's eyes. The only one to move to the side of his bed was the one man who had any hope of lessening his burden.
Gibbs grabbed McGee's hand and leaned over him until his lips were at his ear.
"I don't blame you Timmy and neither does he. He loves you, you're his Probie. He made a choice, same one I would have made and I know he doesn't regret it because I wouldn't. You're our family and your life is worth it."
As Tim started to sob Jethro moved out of the way and let the rest of the team console him. He left the room and went to the O.R. He had given Tim what he needed, the rest of the team could take care of him now. Now he needed Tony. He needed to be as close to him as possible until the surgery was over. A part of him registered the arrival of Leon and Tobias but he didn't bother to acknowledge either man.
Jethro had no idea how many hours they were waiting there, but finally an older man came through the doors accompanied by Dr Patel.
"Mr Gibbs?"
"Did he make it?" Jethro had no patience on a good day. This was not a good day.
"Mr DiNozzo made it through the surgery. He lost a lot of blood and his body is very weak. The next 48 hours are crucial. But if he manages to make it through that time without any complications, his chances are very good."
"I need to see him."
"Yes of course, he's being taken to the ICU as we speak. Dr Patel will escort you to him. As next of kin, you are the only one who's allowed to be with him while he's there."
Jethro looked at Leon and then Tobias. They both nodded and he left with Dr Patel. He knew they would inform the rest of the team.
Jethro could barely see Tony he was surrounded by so many tubes and machines. An ICU nurse came over.
"Hi, I'm Madeline and Mr DiNozzo is my top priority right now. Will you be staying here with him over night?"
"Yes, I won't leave him alone here."
"Ok, this chair here reclines so you can sleep. I'll get you a pillow and some blankets, it gets cold here. Is there anything else you need?"
"No thank you."
Jethro never looked away from the fragile body of his lover so had no idea when he was finally left alone. The nurse may have continued to talk to him but he had no idea.
He sat on the chair provided for him and managed to find one of Tony's hands in the blankets dwarfing his injured body. He lay his head down on Tony's hand and finally started to cry.