A/N - Just finishing up chapter 7 now, so we should have at least three chapters this week but I'm hoping for more. FYI - I'm actually writing the next one in the series at the same time as the details are intertwined very closely, so when we finish with this, we'll go straight to the next one (I've got about 10,000 words done on that already.)
So on to this chapter. Is that a monkey I see? And what is he doing with that wrench?
It felt wrong to see the CID guys securing the computers, but they really didn't have any choice. Either way, they'd be going to the NCIS's cyber-team, but it still felt wrong to let someone other than McGee have the honor. The Army guys seemed to understand that at least and they were quiet as they worked, quiet enough that they all heard Tony's phone when it vibrated.
Heart in his throat, he answered it as Ziva stared at him. "Ducky, is there any word?"
Timothy awakened briefly. With time, he will make a full recovery.
Tony felt his legs sag. "Oh, thank God. He's really going to be all right?"
Yes. He'll be hospitalized for a few days while they monitor his condition, especially the internal injuries, but I'm not expecting any serious complications as long as he doesn't push himself.
"And the Boss won't let that happen."
I believe you are correct in that, Anthony. We will know more after the internal bleeding has completely stopped.
"We're going to be here for a few more hours at least. Tell him that we'll be there as soon as we can, okay?"
I will, and now I must give the Director an update.
"Tia's with Maggie, right?"
I believe so. She was going to keep Tiana with her until she heard from Timothy. If Director Vance has not called her, then either Jethro or myself will make the call.
"What about Abby?" For a moment Ducky sounded distracted, then he answered.
I'm handling that right now. We will see you and Ziva in a few hours.
Tony listened as Ducky disconnected at his end, then he pocketed his phone and looked over at Ziva, who was watching him anxiously.
"Ducky seems to think he'll be all right. Apparently, he's bleeding internally, but everything is supposedly under control."
"Well, Ducky should know, yes?"
"Yeah." Tony scrubbed his fingers through his hair as he tried to not let his frustrations and worry get the best of him. "Come on, let's get this done so we can go see him."
"Agreed."
-NCIS-
Ducky was dividing his attention between the phone call and the figure that was coming through the waiting room at top speed.
What about Abby?
"I'm handling that right now. We will see you and Ziva in a few hours." Ducky quickly closed his phone and braced himself just in time as Abby flew into him.
"Oh, Ducky, is McGee all right? He can't be really hurt, can her? I mean, Tiana just lost her mom and now this. It can't be happening, it can't."
"He's going to be fine." Ducky twisted enough to awkwardly pat her on the back. "Timothy is conscious and stable. It will take a few weeks, but his injuries will heal up."
Blinking back tears, Abby finally pulled back enough to look at him. "Really? He'll totally heal up? You're not just saying that?"
"Yes, he will fully recover. As it stands right now, his internal injuries don't require surgical repair and as long as he is quiet and still over the next few days, they should fully heal on their own. He will probably have some dizziness, possibly for a few weeks, but that should resolve also."
"No surgery?"
She was calming and looked hopeful, but Ducky wanted to make sure she was gentle with her injured friend. "As long as he is careful and doesn't get bumped around, I do not believe that surgery will be necessary for the internal injuries. He has dislocated his right shoulder again, so we will have to wait and see how the rehab goes. It's possible there might need to be a surgical repair done at a later date."
"Can I see him?"
"Not at the moment. Jethro is with him and he hasn't been moved to a room yet. Why don't you wash your face and touch up your make-up while I update the Director. Hopefully by the time I have finished with my calls, Timothy will be settled into a room and we can go see him."
Abby touched her face, mascara staining her fingertips as she wiped them under her eyes. She nodded to Ducky and scurried away, toward the ladies' room. Once she was out of the waiting room, Ducky pulled his phone out once again.
Ducky rarely called Vance's private number, preferring to follow protocol and go through his secretary, but this wasn't a regular call. Finding the number for Vance's cell, he dialed it and it was answered almost immediately.
Dr. Mallard, how is Agent McGee?
"He is very lucky, Director. A concussion, some broken bones, sprains, a dislocation and some internal bleeding."
You call that lucky?
The question of the day. "Considering the circumstances, yes, I do. It will take some time and some possible surgery on his shoulder, but Timothy will recover enough to return to the field."
That's good to hear. I assume Gibbs is now with him?
Ducky paused, that was an odd way for Vance to ask, but he was sure he was reading too much into it. "Yes, Jethro is here at the hospital."
Think this will get him moving?
Or perhaps he wasn't reading too much into it at all. "Well..."
It's all right, Dr. Mallard. I don't expect you to tell me anything on that front. I'll tell the SecNav that McGee will be all right, but he isn't up to visitors yet.
"That would be for the best, Director. Timothy needs to rest and stay quiet to avoid aggravating his injuries, especially for the next forty-eight hours."
Understood. I'll let Maggie know what's going on. Depending on how many other kids she'll have this afternoon, Jackie might bring Tiana to our place so she doesn't hear too much.
"That might be for the best. We don't want her to be frightened." Ducky thought for a moment. "It might be best to wait and not tell Tia anything until Timothy is settled in a room that will allow for visitors."
All right. Vance fell silent for a moment, probably thinking through how best to handle it. Under the circumstances, Ducky was more than willing to defer to the father of two. I'll have Jackie set up a girl's night at the house again. Call my cell as soon as you know any more.
"Of course, Director Vance, and thank you."
-NCIS-
Jackie Vance was just getting ready to go to the store when her phone rang. Smiling, she glanced down at the display. Leon had an incredible knack for knowing when to call to ask for a pie or some other treat. Still smiling, she answered the call. "Yes, Leon, I'm picking up apples for an apple pie tonight."
That's great, but that's not why I'm calling.
There was something in his voice and she remembered there was a big bust going down today – one that Tim had been a large part of planning out. Feeling a chill, she dropped down into a chair as her purse slipped through her fingers. "Leon? How bad?"
McGee was injured. It's bad, but it could have been a lot worse.
"Tiana isn't at the Yard's pre-school, is she? The scuttlebutt..."
No. My understanding is that she is with Maggie, but...
Jackie instantly knew his concern. After an incident, other agents would be working late. Other agents that would need to drop their children off with Maggie after the day care options at the Yard closed for the day. Children who would have heard that mom or dad was working late because someone was injured. "Why don't I bring Tiana over here? She can help us with the baking for the school bake sale."
Thank you, Sweetheart. I'll let Maggie know what's going on and that you'll be there soon.
He'd said so, but she needed confirmation. "Tim's really going to be all right?"
Yes. As I understand, it won't be quick, but he should eventually make a full recovery. After I brief Clayton, I'll be going to the hospital myself so I should know more then.
"Okay, keep me posted. I love you."
Love you, too.
-NCIS-
"Love you, too." Leon held onto the phone, listening until she'd hung up. It was something they'd started back in the beginning of their relationship. Once he heard the dial tone, he found the number for Maggie. It rang twice before she answered.
Hello?
He knew that the caller ID would have told her who was calling and judging from the overly perky tone to her voice, one or more children were in earshot, most likely Tiana.
"Hey, Maggie." He kept his voice low enough that no one other than her could hear him. "He's injured, but he's going to be okay."
How wonderful.
His trained ear picked up the catch to her voice, but no child would have noticed. "It's going to be a long night here so you might be getting some extra kids this afternoon."
Oh dear. They might be quite chatty.
"I know. That's why Jackie will be coming by to pick her up pretty soon." He heard footsteps over the phone and waited, assuming that Maggie was moving somewhere private. Sure enough, a few seconds later, the 'happy' voice was replaced by a more worried one.
That's probably for the best, Leon, but Jethro is here, too.
"I thought he was still at the hosp – oh, you mean the dog."
Yes, Tiana might think its strange that she's leaving but the dog isn't.
Damn it, he'd just had the car detailed. "I'll let Jackie know."
It's probably for the best. No matter the reason she's given, she'd probably object to leaving him behind. They're quite bonded. Umm, what are we telling her? I used the excuse of baking cookies together to keep her home from pre-school today.
"Pretty much the same reason. Jackie's baking for a school fundraiser."
All right, we'll be expecting her.
As soon as that phone call ended he called Jackie back. "Hey, hon, slight change of plans. The dog is with Tia."
You mean I need to pick him up, too?
Jackie sounded more resigned that thrilled. They'd never had a family dog. "Well, Maggie and I couldn't come up with an excuse to leave him behind."
I suppose not. He's trained, right?
"My understanding is that he's very well trained. He's a retired drug detection dog." Vance thought for a moment. "Pick him up, then if it's too much to have him there, I can have Miss Sciuto come get him."
All right. I'm sure we'll be fine, but two of Jared's classmates are coming home with him to work on their school project.
"If there's a problem, lock him in the laundry room and call me. I'll have her or Mr. Palmer come over and pick him up unless I'm there first."
-NCIS-
Maggie took a few deep breaths before walking back into the kitchen. The baking was done and Tiana was sitting at the table enjoying her warm cookies and cold milk. "Did you have fun baking, sweetheart?"
She nodded vigorously. "I love to help bake."
"Well, good." Maggie plastered on a smile. "Aunt Jackie has a whole bunch of baking she has to get done and she wondered if you would come help her?"
Another nod and the last cookie was shoved into Tia's mouth. This time Maggie's smile was a bit more natural. "Slow down, you've got time to finish. I promise."
"Okey-dokey."