chapter 7
Disclaimer: See chapter 1
tag to Requiem and some spoilers for Missing( minor)
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Tony walked slowly over to the bed where one Leroy Jethro Gibbs was sound asleep. He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck and took in the sight before him. A mere few hours earlier, Gibbs had been dead, legally dead along with Maddie Tyler who had been pulled into the dangerous underworld and the antics of his boss. A part of Tony wanted to blame Gibbs thinking he brought this on himself, not trusting any of them to have him six even if it was for personal matters....especially for personal matters. It didn't matter whose fault it was at this point. Tony sighed and pulled up a hospital chair wincing as it squeaked across the tile floor. He kept his eyes steady on his boss watching his chest go up and down in a steady rhythm.
"So, " he began casually as if Gibbs were awake. "Maddie's doing well. The docs want to keep her overnight as well as you, I'm sure you know, for observation."
Nothing.
"Me....I'm fine. Just told to keep an eye on things. You know how it is." DiNozzo continued to nod as if someone else was responding to him.
He scoffed stretching his long legs out until they touched right under the hospital bed.
"Look, I'm not really sure what to say here...not use to talking to people when they're asleep. " Tony paused for a moment before using his hands to speak.
"This is the part where you jump in and say", and he imitated in a gruff voice, 'that's because they usually don't stay that long, DiNozzo' or something like that." Tony pinched the bridge of his nose.
"i know I...I failed at my own joke. not always good when it comes to this type of thing. Used to being the brunt of joke, hey sometimes I welcome it. Being the brunt end of your anger, the brunt of McGoo's wisecracks of late. ..use to being ignored."
The last word came out strained, an echo of the strength he had planned to say it in his head.
"But today....today when you passed right over me. You met my eyes for a second. I thought maybe a nod or something.... anything to acknowledge I was there....."
There was silence except for Gibbs constant breathing. Tony took a moment to relish in it.
"I wasn't looking for a thank you. You know I don't need the attention. "
Gibbs almost frowned in his sleep.
"OK, I need attention, ....but when it comes to you guys.....I would do anything ...no matter what Still......" he could only imagine how brightly his eyes shown in the light. "It hurt, Boss." He had started to pace at this point. " I try to do everything the way you would to make you proud... to make you want to keep me around " he stopped pacing and stared off in the distance and began to mostly mutter to himself.
"Maybe not enough."
He bit his lower lip thanking God above that his Boss couldn't see him now looking so damn vulnerable.
"I just wish...." he found it hard to say. Maybe by saying it , it would never come true.
With his head down and his feet shuffling like a lost child, he muttered,
"i just wished you cared enough to stop by to see me is all."
He was interrupted from his musings when he heard Nurse Melanie call out to him.
"Agent DiNozzo?"
Tony spun around with a warm smile waiting. God, she was hot and he made sure she knew he was interested.
" Lovely Nurse Melanie. What can I do for you?"
The nurse sauntered over making sure Tony noticed her curves in all the right places.
"I wanted to bring you this. "
She held out a cup of lukewarm coffee in her hands.
"You had left it in your room and I thought you might want it."
Tony smiled followed by a soft laugh as he gazed into the dark liquid before him.
"No, I didn't. I don't drink my coffee bla...."
He stopped and felt his face lose all color.
"Agent DiNozzo? Are you alright?"
Tony felt beads of sweat beginning to drip down the side of his face as he loosened his recently dried tie suddenly cutting off his air supply.
"Did I by chance have any visitors I wasn't told about?"
Nurse Melanie paused. "A few. One was a doctor, another a young Goth, two of your agent friends I think and....your boss."
Tony swallowed.
"My boss?" DId that just come out as a high pitched squeak?
"Did he say anything?"
The Nurse smiled at the handsome face before her.
"He seemed to be a man of a few words."
Tony grinned and silently agreed.
Yea...that he is. Thanks."
He took the cup and placed it beside Gibbs. Nurse Melanie smiled and walked out of the room. Tony's heart began to pound as he peered closer at Gibbs. He monitored his breathing for any signs that his Boss was not truly deep asleep.
When Tony felt safe, he stood tall and fixed his tie.
"Good thing you're asleep. " He stole another glance just to be sure.
"Always could tell when you're faking it."
He glanced around the room once more looking to make sure no one else was around, hiding in plain sight.
"Listen, " he laughed nervously rubbing his hands together." Let's forget everything I just said. I mean...of course you care about me....I'm irreplaceable right?" He waited hearing nothing but his own heart and Gibbs's breathing.
"It doesn't matter anyway, you're asleep and won't know single word I've said. "
He smirked having won one over on his mentor, relishing the fact that he was right .
"Thanks, GIbbs. I'll say it if you can't" his mouth twitched a bit, " but I know you want to."
He ran his hands over his Gibb's hair like he did at the dock startling himself into reality.
He whispered, "See you next week, GIbbs."
Tony walked out the door and down the hall never knowing that he was leaving behind a smiling Leroy Jethro Gibbs who took in every word to his steadily beating heart.
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