Hi folks!
Well the last week has been pretty crazy. Believe it or not, I actually finished most of this chapter before my move on Sunday but couldn't get a chance to look at it again until today. Once the move was over I had issues with my internet, my cable and even my air conditioning (just my luck that we get our first real heat wave the day after I move into my new place – oh hello 104 degree temps, thanks for the lovely welcome). So yeah, it's been interesting. *insert eyeroll here*
Oh! I nearly forgot but I just wanted to let y'all know that I recently got hired by a site called Daemon's TV to write tv reviews for them. I am mentioning this because there is NO WAY that I would have been able to get this job if not for all the confidence that I've gained by writing fanfic and hearing from all you great people. So seriously, big thanks and hugs to everyone for all the support. If you want to check out my work up there, I put a link in my profile page.
Also wanted give a heads-up that there might be another slightly longer delay before the next chapter. I'm going to Comic Con next week and the most exciting part is that I will actually be covering some of the panels for Daemon's TV. So when I get back, be sure to check out the site and read my articles and see what exclusive bits of info I find out at the con.
Okay, sorry for the super long A/N, now back to the story….
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Chapter Ten
"Time for Plan B."
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There was certain sound that all horsemen and women knew. Somewhere between a crunch, a pop and a thump - there was never any mistaking the audible noise that came from a person falling off a horse.
Sometimes the sound was followed by cursing as the faller scrambled back to their feet with a look of embarrassment. Sometimes it was followed by galloping hoofbeats as the horse took off, spooked by an often unknown terror. On those occasions, more often than not, the fall was also preceded by galloping hoofbeats as well.
Gibbs had heard the sound more times than he could count. Raised on a small farm that raised mostly sheep, he'd been on a horse from the time he could crawl. Falling off was part of the learning process, at least in his father's way of teaching. Scrambling back up after losing his balance off of the patient Apaloosa mare his father had put him on, little Leroy had usually been more embarrassed than hurt.
Eventually he had gotten hurt, but still, he'd never experienced anything that had kept him off the back of a horse. When his daughter had come along, teaching her to ride had been second nature. It was only then that he'd experienced fear about horses for the first time. Watching your little girl go galloping off on a creature that outweighed her about ten times could do that to a man.
He'd once heard the unmistakable sound of a fall when Kelly had been riding. He'd thought for sure his heart had stopped for the full half a second it had taken him to turn around. He and Shannon had dismounted near their favorite camping spot, discussing where to put the bonfire. Kelly, not nearly ready to stop riding yet, had been circling them happily. Gibbs had started her on a little pony gelding, but that year she'd graduated to a medium sized Arab mare and couldn't have been happier.
By the time Gibbs and Shannon had turned around, Kelly was already up and brushing the beach sand from her jeans.
"Daddy, can you help me back up?"
He and his wife had shared a look, but after a few seconds they silently agreed that it was fine. Since the child was obviously unhurt, it seemed a shame to scare her for no reason. So Gibbs had popped her back aboard her mount to go trotting around happily once again. No doubt the soft sand of the beach had saved her from any serious injury.
This time there was no soft sand and when Gibbs heard the noise - the noise that all horsemen knew - he couldn't help the leap that his heart made. It wasn't his daughter riding behind him this time, but he still cared quite a bit about the person in that other saddle.
Half expecting to hear pounding hooves and wondering if he would have to go chasing after another runaway, Gibbs was surprised at the sight he found behind him. Tony was lying motionless on the ground and standing above him, his horse looked about as confused as Gibbs felt. If not for the seriousness of the situation (for Tony still hadn't moved, even as Gibbs rode closer), it would've been almost comical. Tony's mount clearly had no idea why his master was suddenly no longer sitting on his back. If the creature could have spoken, he was sure the animal would have said just four words.
"I didn't do it".
Gibbs leapt out of his saddle as quickly as his protesting knee let him and was soon at Tony's side. Still completely in the dark as to why the man was out cold, he methodically started checking for injuries. First things first, he checked the unconscious man carefully for any broken bones. Feeling none immediately apparent in any extremity, he gingerly reached underneath his body and felt Tony's backbone. Not exactly sure what he was looking for and yet feeling the need to do it anyway, he palpated lightly just to reassure himself that there wasn't anything grossly out of whack.
Sighing in relief, Gibbs realized that Tony had apparently been unconscious before he fell. Without any tension, he'd hit the ground like a rag doll, causing a few scrapes but not any broken bones.
Then Gibbs realized the implications of that. The relief of Tony not breaking any bones was pushed aside as he wondered what could have cause the man to lose consciousness in the first place.
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"Ducky? Ducky!" Abby stomped behind the ME, surprised that a man so much shorter than her could walk so much faster.
As the two of them headed into autopsy, Palmer looked up from the desk in the corner. Spotting the way his boss was moving and Abby's obvious distress, he stood up quickly.
"Doctor? Abby? Is there something wrong?"
"I don't know Palmer, he won't tell me." Abby announced, waving her arms animatedly. "We were talking about Tony and suddenly he just ran off down here."
Ducky ignored Abby, too intent on his mission to take a second to fill her in on his suspicions. "Mister Palmer, please get me Agent DiNozzo's medical file, STAT."
When Tony's car had blown up a couple years ago, Ducky and Palmer had been forced to examine the remains while unsure whether they belonged to their friend or not. After that awful day, Ducky now had full and complete copies of each of the team's medical records on hand. Waiting precious minutes to hear back from the main NCIS system on Tony's blood type had been agonizing and the ME was determined to never go through something like that again.
Palmer quickly pulled out a file from the desk drawer and handed it to the doctor. Ducky opened it and began flipping through to the back, where the oldest notations were located. "Yes, here it is. I really should have looked into this sooner, but I had no idea he wasn't feeling well."
"Don't blame yourself, Ducky. He's been hiding it from everyone, even Gibbs." Abby said consolingly.
"Yes, but if we all hadn't been so busy, Tony wouldn't have gotten away with it, would he?" Ducky said sadly, shaking his head.
"What did you find?" Palmer asked, much more interested in getting to the point than placing blame on anyone. When Gibbs had taken off to Mexico, the ME's assistant and the then newly appointed team leader had become buddies. Now Palmer considered the feisty Italian one of his closest friends and he was bothered by Ducky's obvious worry about him.
"Anthony had valley fever many years ago. It looks like it happened on while he was on vacation at some point, but it's still in his medical records from his time on the Peoria PD. He was ill enough to be off duty for some weeks and they took note of it."
"But that was years ago, Ducky. Why would that matter now?" Abby asked, happy that she was finally getting some answers, but not all happy where they were leading.
"Because my dear, valley fever is well known for relapsing, even years after the initial bout. This could have happened any time but I think he may have been exposed again while he was on assignment with Gibbs. We must get a hold of Jethro. He has no idea what he is dealing with and if Anthony was feeling as poorly as you say, he hasn't got much time before it gets dangerously worse."
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"Tony, wake up."
Tony groaned as his boss' voice brought him back to consciousness. Was it morning again already? When did they make another camp? Why couldn't he remember anything except riding along behind his boss and singing all those songs that had popped into his head for some bizarre reason? Why did his whole body hurt?
Tony opened his eyes to find Gibbs leaning over him, staring at him intently. He could see both of their horses standing nearby. Both were still saddled and the angle of the sun showed that it was late afternoon, not morning. He also wasn't in his sleeping bag. None of it made a lick of sense and Tony stared back at Gibbs in confusion.
"Boss? What happened?"
"Kinda hoping you were gonna be the one to tell me, DiNozzo."
"Did I…..did I fall?" Tony looked around again, trying to get his brain to catch up on current events.
"Oh yeah, you fell alright. Trouble is, the horse didn't do anything to cause it."
Just then the satellite phone started ringing in Gibbs' pocket. Fishing it out, he kept one eye on the man still lying on the ground at his feet.
"McGee?"
"No Jethro, it's Ducky."
People marveled at the timing that Gibbs had - the way that he could pop into a room and join in on a conversation as if he'd always been there. But as Gibbs stood there with the phone in his hand and Tony lying below him, he couldn't help but to spare a moment to marvel at Ducky's timing this time.
"Duck? There's something wrong with Tony."
Gibbs ignored Tony's feeble protest ("Nah, I'm good Boss, just help me up.") reaching forward and putting a hand on the other man's shoulder. He wanted keep the agent down until he knew what they were dealing with.
"Oh dear, that's what I was afraid of. What's happened?"
In autopsy, thousands of miles away, Abby's chin immediately went down in a frown. That didn't sound good to her, not at all. Next to her, Palmer frowned as well.
"I'm not sure, one second we were riding and he was singing the most ridiculous…"
"Singing?"
"Yes singing. Next thing I know he's on the ground and has no idea how he got there. I think he passed out, Duck."
Once again Gibbs ignored Tony's protest ("DiNozzo's do not pass out, Boss.") and stilled the younger man's second attempt to get up with a glare.
"What are his symptoms, Jethro?"
"I don't know, he hasn't given me a straight answer since we got here."
"Put him on the phone."
Gibbs finally let Tony sit up and put a steadying grip on his arm when the younger man seemed to get dizzy from the motion. Once he was settled, Gibbs handed him the phone.
"Duck. Talk."
Those were two words that usually didn't go together, but Tony nevertheless got the message loud and clear.
"Ducky?"
"Anthony? How are you feeling?"
"Fine Ducky, how about you? How is everything back in DC?"
Gibbs had to fight really, really hard not to headslap DiNozzo into next week. As it was, Ducky accomplished the same result without getting within a hundred miles of him.
"ANTHONY DAVID DINOZZO! You will NOT try and blow me off like that. I am fully aware of your penchant for telling everyone that you are 'fine' even when you anything but. However I am your doctor and you WILL answer my question or so help me, I will make sure that you spend the next six months on desk duty…..and if you think I won't, I invite you to just try me, young man."
Tony's eyes flew open and Gibbs had to hold back a grin. Ducky's voice had come through the phone as clearly as if he'd been standing out there in the desert with them and Gibbs was glad that the old ME wasn't taking any of Tony's hogwash.
"Now, I will ask you again. How are you feeling?" Ducky's query was kind, but still left no doubt that he expected to be answered.
Tony's shoulders drooped and he knew that he had been defeated. Realizing that it might actually be good to tell someone, anyone, how badly he was feeling, he resigned himself to his fate and answered honestly.
"Like crap."
Ducky chuckled. "Alright, that's better. Now can you be a bit more specific?"
Tony looked up at Gibbs staring down at him and cleared his throat nervously. He wasn't really happy to be admitting all of this sitting in front of his boss, but at this point he really had no choice in the matter.
"Um…chest hurts a little when I cough."
"Any other pain?"
Again Tony looked nervously up at Gibbs.
"Yeah….kinda all over Duck."
"Headache?"
"Yeah."
"Have you coughed up any blood?"
Tony purposely kept his eyes firmly planted on the ground, sure that he didn't want to see Gibbs' reaction when he answered that question.
"Yeah…uh Duck?"
"Yes my boy?"
"It's back, isn't it?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so. Let me speak to Jethro."
Gibbs had heard the entire conversation and he was starting to get a very bad feeling in his gut. Tony handed over phone without looking directly at him and the team leader practically snatched it from the other man's hand.
"Duck? What's back? Are we talking about the friggin' plague again?" Gibbs didn't think that was possible, but he'd long ago learned to give up on the idea of "impossible" when it came to Tony.
"No, no, nothing like that. Though it does appear that he's got valley fever again."
"Again?"
"Yes, Anthony mentioned that he had it right before you left on your first trip to Arizona. Unfortunately it's not uncommon for it to relapse, especially in someone whose immune system has been compromised or already has a predisposition to certain illnesses, as he would with his damaged lung tissue."
"He picked it up again the last time we were here?"
"Perhaps, or perhaps he just had a flu coming on and that was enough for your second trip to allow the spores to get to him again. Either way, we're dealing with the same result."
"So what's the prognosis?"
"Oh, not to worry Jethro, valley fever is quite treatable but you must get Anthony back to civilization immediately. If the disease is allowed to progress I'm afraid the first place it will decide to attack are the lungs and…..well, let's just not let it get there, shall we?"
Ducky's tone was excessively light, but everyone who heard him (the ones in the room with him as well as the ones sitting thousands of miles away), heard the underlying concern there.
"Got it, I'll call McGee now and get a chopper out here. Thanks for letting me know, Duck."
Gibbs hung up and started dialing McGee's number.
"Boss? Why can't I just ride back with you?" asked from his position on the ground.
"Because I said so."
"What about the horses? How are you going to get three back by yourself?"
"DiNozzo, I've been herding animals since before you were born. I think I can handle three perfectly trained horses and get them back home without your help."
Tony sat back, trying not to sulk. He knew that he'd just lost consciousness and now, thanks to a talk with Ducky, he also knew that valley fever was nothing to mess with. Deep down though, he had stubbornly held on to the hope that he would somehow be able to finish his ride with Gibbs.
"McGee?"
This time, the line wasn't as clear and Tony was unable to hear McGee. Still sitting on the ground, he listened to the one side of the conversation that he could hear.
"I need you to call another chopper out here," Gibbs demanded, as usual not wasting any time on pleasantries. "No we're fine, but Tony's sick and Ducky says he needs to get back sooner rather than later. No, it's not serious…"
Tony could almost hear the unspoken "yet" at the end of that sentence and, perversely, it made him a little angry. Why was it always him who had something going wrong? Why did Gibbs always have to end up worrying about him? Why couldn't anything just go right for once?
"…but we need to get him back," Gibbs continued, breaking into Tony's momentary wallow in self pity. "You have the coordinates from the phone? Good, call me when it's on the way."
After Gibbs hung up, he walked over to get the horses and brought them closer so he could keep an eye on them. Part of Gibbs was furious at Tony for holding back on how badly he felt but a bigger part was a hell of a lot more pissed at himself for missing it. Not trusting himself to speak in case he ended up tearing Tony a new one (something he didn't want to do until the other man was back safely in the care of a doctor), Gibbs held his tongue and waited for McGee's call.
Unable to take the silent treatment any longer, Tony spoke up finally.
"Boss, can't we just start riding again?"
"What? And risk you falling off and maybe breaking your neck this time? Stay where you are, DiNozzo."
Tony unconsciously wrapped his arms around his body, a shiver running through him suddenly. Asking Gibbs if they could move hadn't come only out of wanting to break the silence between them. Telling Ducky that he'd felt like crap earlier, seemed like an understatement now. Tony tried to fight back a few coughs that started in his chest but as each moment passed, they became more insistent until finally he let loose with a fit that lasted almost half a minute. When it was over, Tony had to blink back the black dots floating in his vision from the momentary lack of oxygen. Breathing heavily, he felt familiar fingers digging into his bicep as his boss knelt beside him again.
"Tony?"
"Yep, still with ya Boss. Um….do you think you could find out what's keeping the chopper? Suddenly I don't feel so good."
Gibbs popped up like someone had shot at him, dialing the phone as fast as he could. Anytime Tony actually admitted something was wrong it meant only one thing.
Something was VERY wrong.
"McGee! What the hell is taking so long?" he shouted into the phone as soon as the younger man picked up the line. "What? What are you talking about? There's no sign of….."
Gibbs' voice trailed off and even in his less-than-stellar state, Tony heard something in the other man's voice he didn't like. Peering up at his boss, he noticed that Gibbs was holding the phone to his ear but staring off towards the west. Tony slowly followed his gaze and saw what had made the other man pause.
There, billowing in towards them was just about the biggest and baddest bunch of storm clouds that Tony had ever seen. He'd heard that storms could pop up out of the blue in a desert but this was his first time ever seeing one.
Gibbs regarded the dark clouds for a few seconds, before turning his attention back to the phone.
"I don't care what they're saying about the weather. I want a chopper here, NOW."
Gibbs hung up the phone, taking a minute to think. Truthfully he knew that no matter how much he growled and hollered, he couldn't change the weather, and the weather was having no part of letting a helicopter come out to their location safely. Making a decision, he reached down and lifted Tony to his feet.
"What's up boss?" Tony asked after the momentary dizziness had passed, though he still leaned heavily on Gibb's strong arm.
"Time for Plan B."
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A/N - As far as I know, they've never told us Tony's middle name on the show, only given us the initial "D". Where I come from, an adult calling a child by their full name means serious business and I really wanted Ducky to give Tony quite a scolding so I had him do the "full name" thing. When I was little, if I heard one of my aunts or my grandma call me by my full name, I knew I was in BIG trouble. LOL.
So I looked up common Italian boys' names and thought that "David" fit really well and had a nice ring to it. I know, I know, it's also Ziva's last name (pronounced differently) but honestly I wasn't trying to put any hidden message there. I just liked the way it sounded. Oh and it means "beloved" which I thought was nice, and it seemed like maybe something his mother would have decided (since daddy obviously got to pick Tony's first name).