A/N: Standard disclaimer applies (see profile for full disclaimer.)

Chapter 8

Abby went up to the bullpen, wondering how in the world she was going to let the others know about Tony. She felt terrible – how could she have treated Tony so badly? Gibbs was never going to forgive her, especially if Tony didn't recover completely. The elevator opened and, taking a deep breath, Abby went to share the latest news.

Tim looked up as Abby walked into the bullpen. He frowned as he realized that she had been crying. He hoped she didn't think she could come in with those tear-filled puppy dog eyes and make everything okay. He was stunned, however, when she told them about the call Ducky had received from Gibbs. He immediately called Vance, who told them to head to the hospital. Gibbs was going to need the support.

As they got up to leave, Tim realized that Abby was going with them. He stopped and said gently, "I don't think it's a good idea for you to come with us, Abby. I'm not sure Gibbs will be ready to see you."

"But I need to see him, both of them. I have to tell them I'm sorry," Abby wailed.

"This is not about you," Ziva said sharply. "You need to stay here. We will call you and let you know when and if Gibbs and Tony want to see you." Ziva turned and headed for the elevator, followed by Tim, who looked back at Abby with an apologetic glance. "I'll call you when I know something," he called before joining Ziva in the elevator.

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When Ducky arrived at the hospital, he found Gibbs pacing frantically in the waiting room. "What happened, Jethro?"

"I don't know, Duck," Gibbs answered, running his hands through his hair. "I had dozed off in the chair beside the bed when all of a sudden the machines started going crazy. Before I knew what was going on, the room was full of doctors and nurses and they threw me out. A nurse came out and told me that it was a seizure and that he was going for more tests. That's the last thing I've heard."

"Let me see if I can find out anything," Ducky said, patting Gibbs on the shoulder. After speaking with the nurse on duty, he disappeared behind the double doors leading into the treatment rooms. A little while later he returned with a doctor in tow. "Jethro, this is Dr. Allen. Why don't we sit down?"

Gibbs' heart sank – it was never good news when they asked you to sit down. "Tony's scans showed a significant increase in the bleeding," began Dr. Allen. "His ICP is becoming dangerously high so we are prepping him for a ventriculostomy."

Gibbs looked at Ducky and said, "English, Duck"

"They are going to insert a catheter in the top of Anthony's head to drain off the excess fluid. They will also be able to monitor the pressure while the catheter is in place but he will have to remain quite still until it is removed. Hopefully this procedure combined with the medications will alleviate the problem and Anthony will not require further surgery."

"Can I see him before the procedure? And how long will it take?"

Ducky looked at Dr. Allen who nodded. "You can go see him for a few minutes. The procedure will only take about an hour, then you can go back."

Gibbs quickly went back to Tony's room where he found a nurse getting Tony ready. She had shaved a small part of his head (he was going to be pissed about that) and was preparing to numb the area. Tony's eyes were open but not focused. Gibbs took Tony's hand, careful to stay out of the nurse's way. "Hey, babe. You're going to feel better soon – just hang in there, okay? They tell you what they're doing?" At Tony's slight nod he continued. "I'll be back as soon as they let me, okay?" He leaned over and kissed Tony lightly then cupped his cheek. "I love you, Tony. See you in a little while." Reluctantly, Gibbs left, looking back one more time before he went out the door.

By the time Gibbs got back to the waiting room, Ducky had been joined by Ziva and Tim. "Hey, Boss," Tim said as he handed Gibbs a coffee. "Thought you might need this."

"Thanks, Tim," Gibbs answered before gratefully taking a long drink. He looked at Tim critically, noticing that while the swelling had diminished significantly, the bruising still looked horrible. "You know, maybe you should let the doctors take another look at you, too. They screwed up with DiNozzo – let's make sure they didn't miss something with you too."

Tim started to protest, but Ducky interrupted. "I think that's an excellent idea, Jethro. I'll take Timothy to the ER and explain the situation while you and Ziva wait on news about Anthony." Taking Tim's arm he led the younger man out of the waiting room.

Ziva moved to sit beside Gibbs. Placing her hand over his, she said quietly, "He will be fine, Gibbs. He has to be."

Gibbs nodded, unable to speak. This couldn't be happening – after everything that Tony had been through, how could something so simple cause so many problems?

The two of them sat quietly until Ziva's phone buzzed and she stepped outside to answer it. When she came back in she said, "That was Ducky – the doctor believes that Tim is fine but he is running some tests just to be sure. Ducky is going to stay with him until they are finished."

"Thanks, Ziva," Gibbs answered. His brow wrinkled as if he were just realizing something. "I can't believe Abby didn't come with you."

"She wanted to, but Tim thought it best if she stayed behind. We did not know if you wanted to see her or not, considering her behavior."

Gibbs sighed. "That was probably a good idea. I am angry with her and Tony is more hurt than angry. Of course, he'll probably get over it before I do."

"I must confess, Gibbs, at first Abby's so-called evidence seemed to indicate that Tony was jealous. However, I know Tony, and he would never be so petty. He was genuinely concerned and proud of McGee."

"Did you know that Vance put a commendation in Tony's file, too? He didn't tell Tony, though. He said that when he implied that Tony deserved it, Tony got pissed – said that if they both got commendations, McGee's wouldn't mean as much."

"That is what I am talking about – Tony might act like he wants attention, but when it really matters he is very humble."

The conversation may have continued but at that moment, Dr. Allen came into the waiting room. Gibbs stood and said, "How is he?"

"Agent DiNozzo came through the procedure just fine," the doctor answered. "We used a local rather than a general anesthesia, but he's still a little groggy from the medication. The drain is in place, but I cannot emphasize how important it is that Agent DiNozzo remain still. He is not to move his head unless a doctor or nurse is there to monitor the drain and the pressure."

"How long will it have to stay in place?"

"That's hard to say – we have to leave it in until the ICP stabilizes. We'll gradually adjust his position over the next few days and see how he reacts. When we feel like he's stabilized, we'll clamp off the drain for 24 hours – if his ICP remains constant, we'll remove the drain."

"Can I see him now?" Gibbs asked impatiently. At the doctor's nod, he turned to Ziva and asked, "Do you want to come, too?" She nodded and the two of them went into Tony's room.

The catheter and accompanying equipment did not look nearly as bad as Gibbs thought it would. Just the thought, though, on Tony having a drain in his head was enough to make Gibbs sick to his stomach. He stood back for a moment, allowing Ziva to have a chance to speak with Tony first.

"Hello, my little hairy butt," she whispered. "You have had all of us very worried."

Tony smiled at the 'endearment' and opened his mouth to reply. His smile turned into frown as he realized that he couldn't speak – he knew what he wanted to say, but the words just wouldn't come out. Alarm bells began going off as Tony began to panic. Gibbs immediately ran to his side, fearing that the younger man would dislodge the catheter.

"Calm down, Tony," he said, gently holding him down. "It's okay. The drain is only temporary until they get the pressure under control. Only a few days and it will be out." Tony stopped struggling and Gibbs looked into his eyes and saw the stark terror reflected there. "What is it, Tony? What's wrong?"

"Gibbs," said Ziva fearfully, "I do not believe he can speak."

TBC

A/N: Thanks for all of the review and alerts. I'm not a doctor (but I played one in a play once) so if the medical stuff is way wrong, I blame Wikipedia.