Chapter 17

Gibbs stepped into Tony's room, slightly breathless from running down from his car and through the hospital. Tony was laying on the hospital bed, dressed in sweat pants and a t-shirt. The only medical help he was receiving was the nasal canula giving him the necessary oxygen. Ducky was waiting by the bed with Ziva. Having seen him enter, Brad stepped in behind Gibbs.

"Boss…" Tony gasped.

"Ah hell, DiNozzo," Gibbs swore under his breath, stepping up to the bed and taking Tony's hand. "What are you doing?"

"Sorry Boss."

"At least Ziva was here to stop you."

Tony smiled, but it quickly fell. "Please… take me home."

"Anthony, you cannot leave yet," Ducky sighed.

"We need to put the IV and feeding tube back in," Brad spoke up. "Your oxygen level is up and your breathing is improving, but your body is exhausted and lacking the nutrients that you need. Tony, I know that you want out of here, but it's not possible at this time."

"No," Tony moaned.

"You're not strong enough to go without medical intervention."

Gibbs took a look at the expression on Tony's face and frowned. He stood up and motioned for Ziva to leave the room, along with Ducky and Brad. The two doctors nodded, understanding that Gibbs needed a few minutes alone with Tony. Ziva was hesitant, but she quickly turned and left. Gibbs sat down in the chair beside his agent, running one hand across his face as Tony went into a coughing fit. Gibbs moved to the side of the bed and helped him sit up. Tony gasped, waiting for the dizziness to stop from sitting up. He didn't know how he managed to make it down the hallway in his weakened state. The young man shivered slightly from the chilly air on his bare arms, but he didn't have the energy to slip underneath the blanket.

"Tony, what are you doing?" Gibbs asked, keeping his voice low and even.

"I thought… it would be obvious… trying to escape."

"You're not ready to leave the hospital yet."

Tony swallowed, blinking at the moisture forming in his eyes and any anger that Gibbs held against Tony for scaring him with his escape attempt melted away. He just wanted to leave the hospital.

"I need you to get better and you can't do that without help."

He shook his head. "No more needles."

Gibbs sighed before squeezing Tony's hand. "Alright, no more needles, but you need to prove to me that you will eat and if you continue to improve, I'll sign you out myself and we'll go home."

"Thank you Boss."

"Don't thank me yet, you have to eat some of that baby food and keep it down."

"I promise."

Tony smiled and looked at his boss with tears gleaming in his eyes. He rested lightly as Brad, Ducky and Ziva came back into the room, listening to Gibbs' plan to get him out of the hospital. Nurse Emma came in and helped cover Tony with the blanket as he shivered. She left and returned with a bowl of pale yellow liquid and a spoon. Ziva stood at the back of the room, worried about Tony. Ducky noticed her expression and ushered the woman from the room, holding her arm and whispering to her. Tony looked at the spoon on the table, unable to lift his hand and dreading his plan. Gibbs picked up the utensil in his hand, tipping it into the baby cereal.

"Please… don't feed me Boss. I can do it," Tony murmured.

Gibbs didn't answer, just lifted the spoon and waited for Tony to open his mouth. He blushed, looking away from the older man. Gibbs slipped it into his mouth, feeding him like a young child. Tony managed a few spoonfuls before he felt full and didn't want to risk anymore.

"Thank you," Tony whispered.

"You're welcome," Gibbs answered. "You better not throw up on me."

"I'll try not to Boss."

Two days of baby cereal and Tony managed to stomach very small amounts of it. He could stay awake longer and even drink a little of the strawberry nutrient shakes that Doctor Pitt recommended to help him get stronger. Ducky entered the hospital room and found Tony sitting up and talking to McGee as they watched Star Wars. He coughed into his hand, still fighting to get his lungs under control. Tony smiled at the sight of Ducky.

"I have good news, Anthony," Ducky declared. "Jethro will be here this afternoon to pick you up. You're going home."

"Are you serious?" Tony exclaimed.

"Yes, I am."

"That's great, Tony," McGee added.

"The worst is not over yet," Ducky spoke, getting Tony's attention. "You are still extremely weak and need assistance. You will be staying at Jethro's house and I insist that you remain on oxygen for the time being."

"Understood Duck."

Tony could barely contain his excitement as the rest of the morning went by and afternoon came. McGee had been called back into work for a case and Ziva, who was supposed to have lunch with him, couldn't come see him. He waited quietly, gazing out the window at the clouds forming. His eyes grew heavy and he fell asleep waiting for Gibbs.

But it wasn't a peaceful dream. Thunder rumbled as the storm grew and Tony felt the pressure growing in his chest. He could hear the rain pelting the window as the sweat dripped down his forehead. The room was suddenly warm. Tony's eyes flew open and it felt like he was choking, unable to breath. He sat up, pushing himself on his hands and gasped. Someone stepped into the room, but he couldn't focus on the face. Everything was spinning and his heart was racing. Gibbs tried to get Tony's attention, but couldn't. He glanced at the window as lightening lit up the room. It had been storming that night when Tony stopped breathing. Immediately Gibbs recognized that he was having a panic attack. He sat down on the edge of the bed, taking Tony's hand and rubbing his back with the other hand to calm him down.

"It's okay," he comforted.

Hearing the commotion, Brad entered the room and placed the full oxygen mask on Tony's face, helping him lie back. He checked Tony's pulse with his fingers, realizing that it was much too quick. After a long minute passed, Tony relaxed and focused on Gibbs.

"You okay?" Gibbs asked.

"I think so… what happened?"

"You had a panic attack."

"Can I still leave the hospital?" Tony inquired, looking at Brad.

The doctor thought for a moment before giving a weak smile. "You can still leave with Agent Gibbs, but he's gonna need to monitor you to make sure that doesn't happen again. I'll get the release papers."

As soon as Brad left, Tony let show his true feelings. He was still shaking and sweating, trying to catch his breath, fogging up the mask with the effort. Gibbs squeezed his hand, reassuring him that it was okay. He picked up a tissue and wiped the moisture from Tony's cheeks. He didn't have to say a word. As soon as the papers were signed, Tony excitedly climbed into the wheelchair and winked at Emma. Abby appeared outside the door, holding a single rose for him and he took it in his hands, smelling it. Gibbs put a hand on Tony's shoulder as they moved through the double doors and out into the rain. The scent was refreshing as it washed away everything from the days of pain.

"Any chance I can have pizza for supper?" Tony teased.

"Call me if you need anything," Brad interrupted. "I mean it Tony. I don't want to see you here again."

"Not a problem."

Gibbs pulled up the car and helped Tony into the backseat with Abby. She let him lean up against her, covering him in a loose blanket. Before he could ask, Gibbs tossed Tony his cell phone. He dialed the number without thinking and waited for Ziva to pick up.

"I'm free," Tony announced. "It's your turn to bring the popcorn for the movie."

The phone was silent for a moment. It was unlike Ziva to be so quiet.

"Ziva?"

"That is… nice Tony. I need to help McGee."

The phone clicked and Ziva hung up. Something was wrong… why was she upset? Tony rubbed his face as they drove away from the hospital and into the storm.

Only a few more chapters remaining! Hope you enjoyed it! Let me know what you thought!

Emma