Chapter 15

Tony was sitting up in the hospital bed, waiting for Gibbs. He was still connected to the nasal canula, supplying him with oxygen and the feeding tube was visible, taped to his cheek. His face was no longer sweaty from the fever and his skin wasn't as pale. He smiled lightly when Gibbs entered the room. The older man was grateful to see that Tony's eyes were no longer glossy with fever and closed. He was actually awake.

"Boss…" Tony whispered; his voice hoarse from lack of use.

"Hey Tony."

"How's… the family?"

Gibbs sat down in the chair beside Tony, noticing that the nurse had opened the shades and sun was pouring in from the window.

"They're good, waiting to see you. How are you feeling?"

"Strangely enough… I'm still tired. How long… have I been asleep?"

"Almost three days. You had us worried for a while there."

"Sorry Boss."

Gibbs leaned forward in the chair. "I'm glad that you're doing better," he murmured.

A nurse stepped into the room, interrupting their conversation. She gave Tony a smile as he winked at her. She connected the bag of nutrients to Tony's feeding tube, asking him if he felt okay. Tony just nodded, hating the sight of his "breakfast". Gibbs tried to distract him by turning on the television and picking a classic movie, The Maltese Falcon, while he was being fed. He could tell that Tony was extremely uncomfortable with the whole procedure and he made a mental note to ask when Tony could be removed from the feeding tube. It was clear that Tony was too weak to eat at this time. He could barely stay awake, but was trying.

"If you kill me… how are you gonna get the bird? And… if I know you can't afford to kill me… how are you gonna scare me into giving it to you?" Tony quoted Sam Spade, private detective. Speaking that much left him breathless and he went into a coughing fit.

Gibbs observed him as he stared at the IV in his hand, seeing the bandage where he had removed it. Tony fingered the tape holding it in place. Gibbs noticed that his face was a little paler since they had started the feeding.

"How long… do I have to have the… IV? I don't like needles," Tony asked.

"It's giving you medication that's keeping you alive."

Tony turned his head, trying to adjust his position on the bed.

"I don't like it Boss. Please… I don't want to stay here."

"Tony, for right now it's best if you stay in the hospital. When you're a little better, I can take care of you home."

Tony's behavior was changing and he couldn't stay still on the bed. Sweat drops had formed on his forehead and he licked his lips once. Gibbs was concerned and he tried to get Tony's attention to distract him from wanting out of the hospital. Tony reached his hand up to his face and placed his fingers on the feeding tube, making as if he was going to pull it out. Gibbs quickly reached up and took his hand to prevent him from doing just that. He looked Gibbs and suddenly, the older man understood what was about to happen. He reached for the bucket in time as Tony bent over and retched, emptying his stomach of what was just put into it. Gibbs rubbed his back, comforting him as he threw up again. Ducky stepped into the room and came upon the scene. He came up to Tony's side, checking the monitors and making it so the nutrients stopped flowing into his stomach. Tony took a shaky breath as he leaned back in the bed.

"Boss…"

"Shh, it's okay," Gibbs comforted, holding his hand.

"I'll go get Doctor Pitt," Ducky stated.

He disappeared from the room for a moment and returned with Brad behind him. Nurse Emma followed, taking the puke bowl from the bed and going to clean it out. Brad checked up on Tony as he focused on breathing and not throwing up again. Gibbs sat close, keeping his eyes on Tony incase he needed him.

"Tony, it looks like you're experiencing some nausea due to being fed too quickly through the feeding tube. Next time, we'll just make sure to do it a bit slower," Brad reported, putting a hand on Tony's shoulder to get him to open his eyes. "Are you feeling any better?"

"Not really… still feel sick… like I could throw up again," Tony whispered. "I want the feeding tube out."

"We can't take it out just yet. You've lost some weight and don't have the strength to eat yet. Give it another day or two before we consider taking it out. Nurse Emma will bring you something to help the nausea."

Tony wanted to argue, but didn't have the strength. He waited as Emma put the drug into his IV and gave him a smile. He tried to return the gesture, but couldn't. She left them and he was alone with Gibbs again. Tony started to say something, but was stopped by a light knock on the door. Abby, Ziva, and McGee were standing in the doorway, waiting patiently to see him. Gibbs motioned that it was okay to come in. Tony took one look at McGee and broke into a wide grin.

"How you feeling McPuke?" he teased.

McGee blushed slightly. "How did you know I was sick a little while ago?"

"Probie Wan Kenobi… I used the force… you look like crap."

"Thanks Tony. Are you feeling better?"

"I've had better days," Tony said, gesturing to the IV and the wires attached to him. "How's… the shoulder?"

McGee grimaced as he moved it a little. "It hurts."

Tony's eyes closed as his energy faded, but he quickly opened them again and hoped that the team didn't notice he was falling asleep. Abby stepped a little closer to the bed and Tony was surprised that she hadn't said anything yet. Lifting up her hands, she signed 'I love you' and waited until Tony smiled at her.

"Permission to hug?" she asked timidly.

"You don't… need to ask Abby."

Abby rushed up to the bed and hesitated, not sure if she could hug him.

"You won't hurt me," he whispered.

The young woman gently wrapped her arms around him as he put one hand on the back of her head, stroking her hair to comfort her. She smiled, returning the gesture. His strength waned and he went limp in Abby's arms. She released Tony, easing him back onto the pillow. Gibbs ushered everyone from the room, promising that they could see him when he woke up. Tony coughed harshly into his hand, trying to catch his breath. It felt nice to have the oxygen going into his lungs and helping him. Gibbs closed the curtains and took his place beside Tony.

"Are you… gonna leave me Boss?"

"Not if you don't want me to leave."

"Stay… please."

Gibbs leaned over and whispered softly to his agent. "I'm not going anywhere."

Gibbs held the bowl as Tony threw up again, unable to keep down the nutrients that they put in his stomach. Tony leaned back, wiping his mouth on the towel that Emma offered him. He coughed into his hand, gasping before he got control of himself again. He wanted out of the hospital, but he was too weak to leave. Ziva stood in the back of the room, staring blankly out of the window.

"We'll have to try smaller and more frequent feedings," Brad determined. "I've also increased the anti-nausea medication that he's on."

"When can… it come out?" Tony asked.

"Tony, you're not receiving the nutrients that your body needs. Until you can eat on your own, we have to leave it in. You've thrown up everything we've put into you."

Gibbs squeezed his hand, signaling that he just needed to have patience. Brad left them alone and Ziva walked over to the bed, sitting down on the edge and smiling at Tony as he tried to look away from her, ashamed that he'd gotten sick in front of her and Gibbs. She gently put a hand on his chin, guiding him to look at her.

"I want… to leave. I hate hospitals," he stated.

"Soon Tony, as soon as you are feeling better," she whispered.

Just a little note, if you are going to review anonymously and leave a stupid comment, please keep it to yourself, especially if it doesn't have anything to do with the story, but is a personal attack against me. I don't appreciate it. Thank you.

Anyway, I enjoyed my other reviews and I hope that you liked this chapter!

Emma