Chapter 4: Blood Stains

Gibbs ordered all to go home and get some rest. There was no use in staying around the hospital as Tony was stabilized as well as allowed no visitors. Doctor's order due to Tony having to be in an induced coma. Tony would need them more once he awoke.

The doctor had wanted to speak to Tony's next of kin before he told any more information concerning Tony's condition. There was a choice to be made about Tony's next step in healing. The doctor only made Gibbs privy to the information.

"I need to speak to his closet family member." Dr. Pitt informed Gibbs with a worried look on his face.

"We've been trying to reach his father but so far we haven't been able to." Gibbs ran his hand under his chin, which had grown stubble from a five o'clock shadow. The team had been there more than twelve hours since the shooting. That wasn't even counting the hours they had put in on the job before the time in the hospital. "Come on, Doc. Tell me what is going on."

Dr. Pitt scratched his own chin contemplating. "Well, we have to keep him in a coma to reduce movement and pain. He will remain in the coma for a couple of days but then…."

"Spill it, Doctor." Gibbs urged the doctor on. "What is Dinozzo facing?"

"A big decision. Tony has a bullet lodged in his middle vertebrae. His lungs are weak but that bullet is paralyzing his lower body. If we take it out now, he has a better chance of walking in the future." Dr. Pitt inhaled deeply then blew out air in frustration.

"And if it doesn't come out now?" Gibbs asked confused why there was even a debate about this.

"If we wait, he has a better chance of living." The doctor informed him. "He's very weak, Agent Gibbs. A very healthy man has less than 30 percent chance of surviving the surgery. Tony has even a less chance."

Gibbs turned away to stare at Tony. " His lungs may not can handle it?"

"I'm afraid not." Dr. Pitt stared at Tony as well. "I suggest not removing the bullet until later when his lungs are healed. Of course, Tony's lungs will always be damaged. However, he'll have a better chance later."

"And if you wait?" Gibbs knew what was coming. However, he needed to hear it for himself.

"Tony will have a less likely chance to be able to walk again." The doctor hated telling Gibbs the dire news. "His father is the one that has to make the decision though. I can't. I can only suggest. If you don't find his father, I will do what I feel best. Ultimately, it is up to his father."

"I understand. I'll try to locate his father." Gibbs walked up and rustled Tony' hair. "I'd hate to make that type of decision. Because honestly, I'd make sure he'd live. Walking or not."

"I agree." Dr. Pitt walked to the door. "You and your team need to go home now. He'll not be awake tonight."

Gibbs shook his head in agreement. He then sat in a chair next to Tony's bed. He slid his chair closer. "Tony, what would you do? I mean…" Gibbs swallowed before continuing. "I know you. You'd probably risk the surgery. I'd probably risk it too if I were in your shoes. But I'm not. And I can't think of my best agent not being here. I'd rather he be alive in a wheelchair. Maybe I'm being selfish here, Tony. But I just don't want to mourn your death. My question is if your dad would be stubborn like you. I'm afraid he'd make a choice out of what you would want. That could kill you. So here I am confiding in you, Dinozzo. I'm going home and getting some sleep. We've tried to find your dad. I bet I'll fall asleep and forget to try to reach him anymore tonight."

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Ziva hated leaving Tony but Gibbs made it plain that no one was to stay at the hospital. Ziva walked into the bathroom of her apartment. She turned on the shower to warm the water. She hoped the aching of her body would ease up when she got in the spray of the water.

Ziva sighed as she glanced at herself in the mirror before her. She rubbed down her blouse noticing the blood stains splattered on it. Tony's blood. How did she not see this before? Even when she was at the hospital in the bathroom, she never noticed.

Suddenly, Ziva's stomach churned. She turned quickly as the contents of her stomach came up into her toilet. She wiped her mouth with her sleeve. She blinked as her body became weaker by the moment. Ziva felt her body shaking at the thought of Tony's blood on her.

Ziva stepped into spray of the shower without removing any of her clothing. She picked up a loofa sponge and began to scrub vigorously at her clothing. Ziva scrubbed so furiously that her blouse tore then her skin beneath the blouse reddened as well..

Ziva looked down at the blood and water mix pooling at her feet. She shivered as her body felt cold even in the hotness of the water.

"Tony" She screamed out as she pounded her fists against the tiled shower walls.

"Tony." She then whispered as she slid down the wall. Ziva curled her arms around her knees as she shook and shuddered. Tears streamed down her face. "I miss you, Tony."

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Tony's eyes opened slowly. He breathed out as he focused in confusion on his surroundings. "Ziva?"

"She's not here, Sweetie." The elderly nurse winked. "And you're not supposed to wake up until tomorrow at the earliest. Sorry but I have to give you something to make you sleep. How in the world are you awake is beyond me." She glanced at his chart. "I see now. That new nurse is going to be wrote up this time. I've been patient enough. She forgot to give you …" The nurse glanced at Tony. "I guess you could care less about that. Your concern is about Ziva? Huh?"

"Yes." Tony's voice was hoarse and in a whisper. "Ziva."

"She's fine. The girl is worried about you. And I have the funny suspicion that if I don't take care of you right, I may not like what she would do to me. So whether you like it or not." The nurse watched Tony as he grimaced in pain. She stuck the needle in the IV that lead to Tony. "Back to sleep, handsome."

Author's Note: Love all the feedback. Moving along to get to my favorite subject: Tony and Ziva