Chapter 5: Dancing in the Dark
Tony didn't know exactly where he was. All that he knew was he could hear someone sobbing. He wanted desperately to reach and touch her. He knew the female needed comfort. He just couldn't see her nor could he find her because it was dark. So very dark.
He heard something being whispered in his ear. Strange how he could feel the warmth of her breath in his ear and hear her whisper but couldn't reach to touch her. She felt so far away. Or was it him that felt far away?
Another whisper as Tony made out her voice between the sobs. Was the female speaking Hebrew? Ziva? Was his Ziva crying? Strange but he always felt she was his Ziva. He'd never tell anyone that. But he'd shown his possessiveness over her quiet a few times without meaning to.
Why was his Ziva crying?
Shhhhhhhhhhh. My Ziva.
The words wouldn't come out. Although Tony desperately wanted them to.
Shhhhhhhh. My love.
Tony felt a lot braver when he knew she couldn't hear him. He could think what he always longed to say. And truth be told, he'd probably say the words if he could only stop her crying. He'd never heard her cry before. He'd seen her angry. He's even seen that anger geared towards him. He even saw her upset and hurt. The truth be told, Tony knew when Ziva was hiding the emotions. He always knew.
But never did he see nor hear the tears.
Dance with me, Ziva.
Strange words if he could actually say them. However, those were the words that Tony wanted to tell her. He would be Fred Astaire. She would be Audrey Hepburn. He knew there were other leading ladies that Fred Astaire danced with on the big screen. But Audrey Hepburn had the beauty that he felt Ziva had. Therefore, Ziva would have to be Audrey if she chose to dance with him.
The sobbing stopped. Ziva took his hand and they danced.
"He seems to be calming down now." The nurse, who they came to know as Nurse Stinette, touched Ziva's shoulder. "I believe you taking his hand is the reason."
Ziva blushed as she glanced down at their now entwined fingers. For some reason, she had quit crying. She felt peaceful at the moment.
Gibbs stood at the corner of the hospital room watching his agent pour out emotions. Emotions that he was surprised to see. Why so much emotions from his strong willed agent? He thought perhaps because it was Tony who took her bullet. The whole team felt that was the reason. Ziva felt guilty. However, Gibbs wondered if it was more. He shook those thoughts from his head as he stared down at the papers before him.
Tony, how could you do this? Gibbs shook his head then closed his eyes. He had already informed the rest of the team that Tony's father had a decision to be made. That was until Director Vance showed up for the work that morning.
0o0
"Legal sent me up these documents yesterday. You were still at the hospital. I figured it could wait one more day. You and your team needed some sleep. " Vance handed Gibbs the papers. "Seems Tony was thinking ahead. Years ago."
Vance walked away leaving Gibbs with the paperwork. Gibbs glanced down at the papers scanning through them. He swallowed before tossing the papers on McGee's desk.
"What do you make of these, Tim?" He knew but wanted someone to deny the facts for him.
McGee scanned the papers then looked up. "Tony made you…." McGee blew out the held in air from his lungs. He saw Gibbs face then stopped his words and continued with the facts instead. "I guess you can sign for the operation or decide not to. This has been in standing for a long time, Boss. Since Kate was still here."
"Yeah. That's what I thought." Gibbs rubbed his neck. "When he gets out of this, I'm going to kill him."
McGee chuckled a little before going back to his task on the computer.
0o0
"Have you made up your mind, Agent Gibbs?" Dr. Pitt pulled him aside so the others didn't hear. "We have to have it now. His window of opportunity is closing."
"I don't want him to die, Doc." Gibbs glanced through the glass at Ziva and Tony. "I can't believe he left this decision up to me."
Ducky walked up just as Gibbs spoke the words. "I came as soon as I could, Jethro."
"I'll let you two talk." Dr. Pitt motioned to the nurses' station. "I'll be right over here waiting the decision."
"Why? Ducky, I don't want to make this decision." Gibbs rolled his neck to try to ease the tension.
"He knew you'd make the decision best for him." Ducky assured him. "Tony trusts you, Jethro. Apparently with his life."
Gibbs quirked up his mouth in a half smile. "Sometimes, I think the he wants me to pay for all those head slaps."
"Knowing our dear boy. I wouldn't put it past him." Ducky chuckled. "What is your gut telling you, Gibbs?"
Gibbs blinked. "I don't want him to die, Ducky."
"None of us do." Ducky touched his shoulder. "However, that is not the question I proposed to you."
"My gut says that Tony would want the surgery and that I'm being selfish not wanting him to get it. My gut tells me that Tony can survive it because he's strong." Gibbs glanced back at his agents.
"Have you made your decision?" The doctor held the papers to be signed for the surgery.
"Yeah." Gibbs pushed the paper away. "He needs to wait until he is stronger before you cut into him again."
Dr. Pitt shook his head. "I think that is the best decision as well." He walked away.
"What happened to that famous Leroy Jethro Gibbs and his gut?" Ducky watched as Gibbs turned back to look at Tony.
"My gut also told me that if anything happened to Tony during that surgery…" Jethro then nodded his head towards Ziva. "I'd not only lose one agent. I'd lose two."
Sorry that I went a few days without updating. I had church on Sunday and Saturday is for family. Thanks for all those that are reading this. Thanks as well for the reviews.