So sorry for the delay hope you all enjoy this one.
She looked up from her laptop when she hears a small groan. Seeing him open his eyes she stands and goes to him.
"I'd asks how you feel, but after talking to Ducky I know you'd just smile and say you're fine. You look like shit just so you know. So would you like so water?"
"Yes please." He takes a few sips of the water then raises the bed so he can be a bit more comfortable.
"Where is everyone?"
"Ducky is taking a much needed tea break and the rest of them are filling out paperwork just like good little agent do. They wanted to get a head start on the case and fill out the reports for helping arrest Joe Costa."
He shifts, then blows out some air. "You need pain meds or a nurse?" Penelope asks him.
"Not yet. So what's the damage?"
"The bullet nicked your liver, they had to dig to find the bleeder. You landed on your knees they are both in braces and being ice, fifteen on, fifteen off. Last time they were in here Ducky told them just to leave them off, for now at least."
"So why are you here, not that I mind?"
"I finished my paperwork and they wanted someone here that you knew when you woke up. Also because."
"Ellie saw us talking and they think you might. ."
She finishes his sentence "Be able to persuade you into moving back home."
"Yeah. I was thinking about it while they were getting me for surgery.
I've made a life for myself here. I have friends and I'm part of the community. But by staying here I could put them all in danger, my staff, those great ladies and Bill. I can't do that do them."
She just looked at him letting him talk, after spending so much of her life with agents an other law enforcement people she knew that he was one of the good guys. She also knew that she wouldn't have to much convincing at all, she had hacked into this sealed files after reading them she knew just what kind of a man he was. One that would never put anyone in danger, not if he could help it.
"So what do I do now any suggestions?"
After giving him more water, she pulled up a chair. "You have two options sell the diner to the ladies and Ben, or sell it to Rossi's brother and his wife they are looking to start the next chapter of their lives."
"Are they willing to run a small diner?"
"Yes and from Dave was telling us they used to cater when they weren't teaching. So they know how to cook and being retired teachers you know that Bill will be getting the extra attention that he needs in learning new skills."
"That's something at least." he says softly.
"You know there is a small diner not far from Quantico that's for sale, about twenty-five seats and booth service too. Just a little bit smaller than what you have now. I bet we could bargain them down in price if you're interested. Or you could work as a consultant for the alphabet agencies."
"It's a lot to think about. Could you ask the nurse to come in please Penelope."
"Sure." she leans over and kisses his cheek. "I'm glad you're going to be okay I'd like to keep you around as a friend."
"Penelope." he calls out to her just as she reaches for the door. Seeing her turn he asks. "How much was I worth for the hit?"
"Three hundred thousand. That was just for the information, I don't know how much they paid the hit-man. Sounds like a badly made mob film calling him a hit-man. So what do they call those kind of men these days?"
"Stupid, for going after me."
"Right, I'll send the nurse right in." She puts her large bag over her shoulder glancing at Tony one last time before she closes the door.
Going straight to the central desk she tells them that Tony is awake and asking for a nurse, more than likely for some pain meds too.
Sighing slightly she goes to the waiting room to find it full of agents. "He's awake and the nurse is with him right now. And before you ask we talked. He knew why I was there before I had a chance to tell him. He's thinking about his options."
"Did he give you any indication which way he was leaning?" Gibbs asks
"You know agent Gibbs, I'm not sure, but if I was going to bet on it I'd say he's coming home once he gets everything settled. Just so you know he's going to hate it. He's happy here for the first time in a very long time he is happy. I for one am sorry he has to leave and come back when he doesn't want to."
"Just what did you talk about last night?" Gibbs asks with just enough fire in his tone.
She smiled sweetly. " Tell me Gibbs, just what is your credit score?"
Morgan stands goes to Penelope turning her swiftly "On that note, baby-girl and I are going for coffee." The agents watch as Morgan puts an arm around her guiding her away from Gibbs and his temper.
Gibbs glares at the two people leaving then at the agents waiting for an answer." What the hell just happened?"
"Flowers?" Reid suggest.
"Chocolate maybe?" JJ says.
Hotch tells them. "Pens, fluffy sparkly, ones six should do."
"And chocolate not the cheap kind either. A two pound box." Rossi adds.
Tim swallows dryly. "I'd do as they say Boss. I've heard of some scary things she can do with a computer and leave not trace that it was her."
The nurse comes over to let them know they can go see him if they want. They know not to stay long but they need to see him just to make sure for themselves that he is on the mend.
"How are you feeling Tony." Rossi asks.
"Fine. A little sore but I've had worse. Thank you for asking."
"Did you accept the pain medication Anthony?" Ducky asks him.
"No the heavy duty stuff Ducky, you know what that does to me."
Hotch doesn't stall just gets right to the point. "You talked to Garcia, she said you knew why we left her here."
"I can see why she is in your team. She is a great listener and doesn't offer empty platitudes. She is the perfect sounding board but you all knew that didn't you?"
"Not always sometimes she rambles and gets off track, like when.. "
JJ smiles then touches Reid's arm. "She's not he only one who gets off track is she Spenc."
"Call your brother Dave, I have two condition before I sell, Ben and the ladies stay."
"What's the other?" Ducky asks.
"They keep the same deal with Miss Sally for the Christmas baking for her church and Ben's savings account."
"I'm sure any arraignment you have with your staff my brother will gladly keep."
"Good now don't you all have things to do? If I'm getting out of here tomorrow I need to sleep."
Once in the hallway, Emily looks at Gibbs then at Ducky. "He really doesn't think that he will be let out of her tomorrow does he?"
"If they don't let him out, he'll go AMA." Ducky answers the shakes his head.
"Why?"
"Because he hates hospitals and doctors in general only two doctors he likes and respects, Ducky and Brad Pitt."
"Just how badly was he abused as a child?" Hotch asks Ducky.
"Enough. If I was a younger man his father would be laying on my table alive while I started my autopsy. I will admit to it being a favorite dream of mine every time that man comes into town to steal, beg and borrow money from Anthony. Then leave without so much as a thank you, for once again leaving Tony with a feeling of being a . . . "
"No need to finish Ducky we understand all to well. Tony survived he is a better man for it."