Chapter Four
A week had passed since they left Tony with Ducky in Portsmouth. Ducky called daily to fill Gibbs and Vance in on Tony's progress. Finally, they got a call with good news. According to Ducky his nausea and headaches were finally letting up, so he would be transported to Walter Reed today.
Gibbs' team was on cold cases until the IAD finished their review. With her hair pulled back in a ponytail Ziva sat in the bullpen reviewing cold cases and occasionally looking up and staring at Tony's empty desk. Once she had released her emotions about Tony, she felt freer. But it came with a price, too. She also felt sadness because he was keeping her at a distance. Blind or not blind, she wanted to begin a life with Tony DiNozzo. She wanted something permanent with him.
McGee was working nonstop on his computers, while Gibbs was out for coffee. Ziva sighed out loud.
"McGee, I miss him," Ziva said as she stared at his desk.
"I know, Ziva," he said then he started printing out some material.
"What are you doing?" she asked then looked over at McGee now standing by the printer.
"Research on therapies and the latest equipment for Tony to use. I found an electric cane which I think he'd like. I mean I help to take away his sight, so I might as well find ways to help him," he said quietly.
"Tim, it wasn't your fault. It was an accident and IAD will agree with its finding," she said.
He looked over at her and she saw the weight of guilt in his eyes.
"It feels like it was my fault, Ziva. He would never been hit with that pipe if I didn't…," he stopped.
Abby walked into the bullpen. She was dressed in all in black, jeans, tee shirt, makeup and mood.
"Hi, guys," she said then stopped in front of Tony's desk and stared at it.
Ziva looked over at McGee and motioned him to go comfort her, as she noticed that Abby was starting to cry. McGee got up and brought her into a hug.
"I miss Tony, McGee," she cried.
"I know Abby," he sighed.
With fedora on his head, red bow tie, and rain coat on, Ducky marched into the bullpen. Everyone turned and stared at him, as he stopped and looked at Gibbs empty desk.
"Where's Jethro?" he asked.
"Getting coffee, Ducky," answered McGee.
"Where is Tony?" Ziva asked excitedly.
"At the moment he is getting settled at Walter Reed," he said.
"Ducky, how is he?" Ziva asked.
"Stubborn, self-deprecating, and becoming addicted to books on tape due to Mr. Palmer. He bought him the unabridged version of all the Harry Potter Books and several others and downloaded them on an i-Pod. Anthony sits and listens for hours," said Ducky.
"Is he still nauseous, Duck?" asked Gibbs as he appeared out of nowhere with a cup of coffee in hand.
"He is doing much better, Jethro. Dr. Hernandez okayed his transportation to Walter Reed because he believes the headaches and nausea will subside completely in a few more days," Ducky said turning to face him. "Did you get in touch with Anthony's father?"
Suddenly, a look of disgust came over Gibbs' face.
"He won't be coming to town anytime soon to see his son," he said.
"You told him what happened to his son, didn't you, Jethro?" said Ducky.
Ziva had a take a deep breath as she felt rage cruise through her body. No wonder Tony first instinct was to turn his back on them. He was afraid they were just going to turn their backs on him.
"Yup. He's getting married again in England to a duchess or something. He said he'd be able send money to help but he won't be returning to American anytime soon," growled Gibbs.
His dislike for the man ebbed and flowed with how he treated his son. Right now he merely intensely disliked the man.
"That won't be necessary. Anthony is actually well off. I've had to help him with his fiancés and as it turns out that his mother left him a trust fund that he hardly ever touches, just for suits and movies. His damned father probably doesn't even know it exists," sighed Ducky. "He doesn't need money, but he needs a father to talk to him about accepting help."
Ducky stared at Gibbs.
"I'll talk to him. He's at Walter Reed now?" Gibbs said.
"Yes, Jethro. He is getting settled in with a roommate. It seems his insurance no longer covers a private room," Ducky said.
"Will he listen to me?" asked Gibbs.
"You are the man who ordered him not to die and he listened," said Ducky.
Gibbs nodded.
"My next problem is where he is going to live. He wants to return to his apartment and I keep telling him that until he is fully trained in taking care of himself, he needs assisted living or someone living with him," said Ducky.
"I will live with him, Ducky," Ziva Volunteered. This was her chance to try and get past his walls.
"He probably will refuse your offer," said Ducky.
"Then I will force him to accept my help," she smiled.
"Excellent," said Ducky.
"I'll go now," said Gibbs, who took a look at Ziva and nodded his approval of her volunteering.
"Can I come?" Abby asked.
"Not this time but soon," said Gibbs, then he turned around since he was still wearing his overcoat and left.
"What else can we do?" asked Abby.
"Keep thinking the good thoughts. Now I have to go to autopsy and visit Mr. Palmer and Dr. Kimble. If all goes well I'll be able to return to work soon," said Ducky.
NCIS
Tony's roommate at Walter Reed was a marine who lost a leg in Afghanistan on the last day of his tour of duty. He had reason to be filled with anger and sour moods, but Lance Corporal Billy Simms turned out to be jovial and good company. They hit it off immediately.
"Hey, Tony, how many fingers do I have up?" Billy teased him.
"Very funny. Pick on the blind man," said Tony. "At least, I still have a leg to stand on."
"I'll be able to stand on two perfect leg, one being synthetic, when they fit me for a prosthetic leg," Billy said.
"Good point," said Tony. "At least, I'm better looking than you."
"How do you know that?" asked Billy.
"You can hear it in the voices of the nurses," smiled Tony.
"Okay, you got me there," Billy returned the smile.
A male nurse with a wheelchair pushes it for Billy.
"Gentlemen," says the male nurse. "Time for a leg fitting, William."
"I told you, call me Billy."
As the male nurse assists Billy into the wheelchair, Gibbs entered the hospital room. He nods at Billy and the nurse. Tony for his part sat in bed with his head cocked to the right side as if he was thinking. Suddenly, he straightens it and sniffs the air.
"Sawdust, bourbon and coffee, it must be Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs," Tony said.
"You always had a nose for things, DiNozzo," said Gibbs.
Billy was all set in the chair.
"I'm going to get my fitting. Anything I can bring you back, Tony?" asked Billy.
"Eyes," he answered.
"I can do that but they'll be made out of wood and won't work," he said.
"How about a slice then?" smiled Tony.
"Deal. See you in a couple of hours."
The nurse pushed Billy out of the room leaving Gibbs with Tony.
"What brings you by, Agent Gibbs? You need to follow up on my statement, huh?" he asked.
"I heard from your father. He's getting married to a duchess in England," Gibbs said.
"Guess I can count out a visit from him. Seems like old times," Tony smiled an insincere one then he turned his face towards the window as if he was looking out of it. What he was doing, though was allowing the sun through the window to warm his face.
"You don't need him, Tony, you have me," said Gibbs.
Tony turned his face in the direction of the voice.
"I'm not your senior field agent anymore, Gibbs. Soon I won't even be part of the NCIS. I'll be a former agent who is collecting disability," he said.
"But you are still the man who for the last twelve years has been part of my family. Now if of this hiding from your real family, you need help and you are going to get it," Gibbs said in a tone of voice that made gruff sound sweet.
"I don't need help," he said.
"Stop bullshitting me and yourself. You need help. We have to deal with your benefits and getting you trained up to take care of yourself," Gibbs stated. "Ziva has volunteered to live with you once you are out of here and until you can take care of yourself, and Abby needs to see you before she runs out of tears."
"I don't need help from you," he said.
"You're getting it, son," Gibbs said.
The word son stunned Tony into silence. He turned his head away this time to hide tears, but Gibbs won't have that. Walking to him, he grabbed his chin and straightened it so he could look into Tony's green eyes.
"I am not going to lose you. I've lost enough family in my life. Not losing you," Gibbs said.
"Boss, I'm afraid. I don't want to admit it but I am. It's so damn dark and I'm starting to forget people's faces," he said, as the tears flowed.
"Then listen to our voices, son. We are here for you," he said. "Now can I call Abby and have her come over here with Ziva and McGee."
"Yes, boss," he said, "They can come for a visit."
"Good," said Gibbs. "Now, if I can find a wheelchair, I'm getting you out of this room and get you some fresh air. It's depressing in here."
"Yeah, I know. I especially hate the color of the walls," Tony said.
"You're lucky you have a head injury otherwise I'd slap the back of your head," Gibbs said. "I'll be right back."
Tony listened as Gibbs footfall exited the room. Through the tears Tony smiled.
NCIS
Gibbs told them to meet him where the benches were near the front of the Medical Center. After putting a NCIS sweatshirt he had his car on DiNozzo and a blanket over his legs, he pushed him to the elevator.
"How's the headaches and nausea?" Gibbs asked.
"Headache is almost gone and I get bouts of nausea only now and again," he said.
"Good," said Gibbs as he pushed him onto the elevator.
He pushes him out to the outside. On instinct like a flower in need of sun Tony lifted his face towards the sun. It was warm on his face, even as a cool breeze sent a refreshing chill through him. He smelled nature all around him, some flowers trees, grass, and even dog excrement. It didn't matter, though, because he liked having the variety of scents to smell.
"Tony!" Abby cried out.
He turned his face towards the sound of her voice. Suddenly, he felt to hands, slightly cold, on the sides of his face.
"Tony, I've missed you so," she said.
"I've missed you, too, Abs," he said.
The hands moved away from his face. He immediately missed them. Next he felt a strong hand on his right shoulder.
"Tony," McGee said.
Tony heard apprehension in his old Probie's voice. But why? Did it bother him to see me blind? Tony couldn't blame him. He wasn't the old Tony anymore. I can't blame, McGee, by being a little freaked out by me.
"Hey, Tim. I'd say it's good to see you, but," he paused and let the joke fall flat. "Come on, McGee, you're supposed to laugh even if it's just to make me feel better."
"Sorry, Tony," said McGee.
"It's okay, Prob…," he stopped himself. "Tim."
Next, he felt one gentle hand on his face. It was warm and stroked his right cheek softly then he felt warm lips on his. They tasted sweet, a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg. The kiss deepened and a second hand touched his face.
"Hum hmm," Gibbs cleared his throat and he heard Abby giggling in the background.
The kiss ended. And it ended too soon.
"I've missed you, Ahuvi," Ziva said softly.
"Zi," he said. He felt his cheeks burning which meant he was blushing.
"Do you feel missed, DiNozzo?" asked Gibbs.
"Yeah, Gibbs, I feel missed," he said.
He felt Ziva take his left hand in her right hand. They were holding hands and in front of Gibbs. It felt odd, yet it also felt good.
"Ducky told me you will be here a couple of weeks. They will start your re-orientation here but you're going to need more training. I've already contacted a marine buddy of mine who runs a martial arts academy for the blind. I told him about you and he is looking forward to becoming your sensei," Gibbs told him.
"Is he blind?" asked Tony.
"Lost his sight in Desert Storm," Gibbs said.
"And I've found an electronic cane for you that I've ordered. It's really cool," said McGee. "Once the sensor is set, five feet, ten feet or more, it will vibrate a certain way to tell you if it is on your right center or left."
"Sounds Sci-Fi, Tim," said Tony.
"I'm going to research careers for you at NCIS or in law enforcement," said Abby. "With your experience there is no reason for you to not be a valued member of the law enforcement community."
"Not too sure about that, Abs, but I'm willing to listen," he said.
"And I am going to be living with you while you readjust," Ziva squeezed his hand then he felt her hot breath by his ear and she whispered almost in a purr: "And I'm staying until you no longer want me."
"Guys, I don't know what to say. I mean it. It's just, you know, I'm…," he started to tell them he was worth it or that he didn't know if he could handle it.
"DiNozzo, zip it. Accept what is offered and appreciate it," said Gibbs.
"Yes, boss," he mumbled.
He felt warm lips on his cheek and the hot breath on his neck. Ziva whispered in his ear: "We need to have a long talk, Ahuvi."