Chapter 7: A Question to Be Answered

Tony put on a wonderful façade of being okay around his coworkers. However, Ziva could tell the fact his legs weren't working had him very upset. She never said a word to him a day ago when he told her his legs were numb. She merely bent down and kissed his forehead. She stated something in Hebrew that Tony guessed was supposed to be soothing. Strangely, it was.

Tony held no malice to Gibbs for making the decision. "You went with your gut, Boss. I trust your gut."

Gibbs smiled trying to hide the guilt he felt for not going with his gut. He went on emotion alone. "Couldn't lose my best agent."

"Ha!" Tony pointed to McGee then Ziva. "Told you I was his best agent."

The team chuckled at Tony being Tony. Abby perked her lips in a quirky grin. "Yeah. But I'm his favorite on the team."

"Don't rub it in, Abby." Tony feigned jealousy.

Ziva held tightly to Tony's hand as they spoke. The team noticed but never mentioned it. They wondered if it was guilt causing her to cling to the man that took a bullet for her or more? None would question it. They just pretended to ignore it.

"Well, it's been a long day." Gibbs patted Tony's shoulder. "You need some rest so you can get back on the job."

Tony tried to smile but the pained look on his face told them all that he was worried that he could never be the agent he once was. Dr. Pitts entered the room as they readied to leave.

"Good to see you awake, Agent Dinozzo." The doctor greeted Tony as the others excused themselves all but Ziva. Tony still clung to her hand as if that were a norm for them. Even though both knew it wasn't. They wouldn't tread that territory yet. As it brought an unfamiliar comfort to them both.

"Brad Pitt!" Tony laughed. "Go figure."

"Sorry, I wasn't here for you when you awoke. I had some other business that was very demanding. I never expected you to be awake so soon after we stopped the medicine to induce the coma." The doctor held Tony's chart glancing at it as he spoke.

"It's okay, Doc." Tony pushed himself up in the bed to feel more secure.

"I need to speak to Agent Dinozzo by himself if you don't mind." The doctor turned towards Ziva.

"Of course." Ziva smiled before leaning to kiss Tony's forehead as she had done previously.

Tony squeezed her hand tighter. "I'd like her to stay if that's okay."

"No problem. That is entirely up to you." Dr. Pitt smiled genuinely. "This is about your condition."

Tony nodded his head in understanding. "Go ahead."

"As you've been informed by my other colleague, the operation would have had a better chance of success if done earlier. However, I agree with Agent Gibbs decision in waiting. You were weak and it was too dangerous." The doctor waited to see Tony's reaction.

Tony swallowed. "I understand. The boss would take care of me. I just want to know if I can ever walk again."

Yes. It was a scary question. But a question that Tony wanted to face sooner than later.

"That really is up to your body and if you choose an operation in the near future. In order to have a chance to walk again, we need to get that bullet out. It will still be dangerous. However, if we wait until your lungs are better and some swelling is down, you will have a better chance of survival. I suggest we revisit that decision after you're in better shape." The doctor sighed. "I know how strong you can be. I just want this decision not to be taken lightly. The operation still poses a serious threat to your health."

"I understand." Tony didn't even realize he was squeezing Ziva's hand tighter.

"Do you have any further questions?" Dr. Pitt folded his arms over his chest.

"Uhh." Tony's face reddened a little. "Well…."

Ziva could feel the awkwardness in the room. "Perhaps, I should leave."

"No." Tony stated quickly. "I mean…this involves you too."

Ziva glanced down at Tony confused.

"I mean..just forget I said that." Tony rubbed his head. "Just kind of loopy still." Tony made a circle motion around his head to show he was out of it.

"Your question, Tony?" The doctor raised his eyebrows peering at his patient.

"Can I still…" Tony rubbed his chin then his neck nervously. "You…well…can I still be intimate with a woman?"

Author's note: Moving along...moving along. Thanks again for all the readers and reviewers. I think the reviews are becoming addicting. Makes me want to post the next chapter. (=