It was two days before Gibbs made it back to the Hospital. A new case had seen to that. Forty-eight hours later and Gibbs still had nothing more than Ducky's time of death. Dawn Roberts was a solid investigator but Gibbs had found himself missing DiNozzo's way of putting seemingly unrelated factors together. He knew it was irrational to blame DiNozzo for getting attacked, especially as he had saved an innocent civilian and almost lost his life in the process, but Gibbs was proud of the fact that his team had the lowest rate of injury or hospitalisation in the Agency. He sure as hell hoped DiNozzo wasn't about to start bucking that trend.
The Hospital wasn't on his way home. Not by a long shot. And DiNozzo hadn't been exactly starved of attention. He knew that Abby and Ducky had worked out some kind of schedule where Abby had taken an early lunch to spend time with him in the mornings and Ducky had called by in the late afternoons. As a good CO he had done his duty by calling the Hospital morning and evening for an update. He knew that DiNozzo's injuries were healing well and that his Agent was doing everything that his Doctors asked of him, which in itself had been something of a worry, even before Abs and Duck had come to him, their faces grave as they voiced their concerns.
"I'm worried about him, Jethro," For once Mallard got straight to the point. "He hasn't been his normal self at all."
"He just got stabbed, Duck," Gibbs pointed out. "There is no 'normal' for that."
"I rather fear there is more to it than that. Metro's fortuitous incident report has prevented our esteemed Director from having to take more formal, perhaps permanent disciplinary action," Mallard observed. "But the boy knows he still has a dressing down coming from you, if not a more serious punishment, for his rash and impetuous behaviour. Given how he values your good opinion, making him wait for that is perhaps doing more harm than good."
"And he still has more holes on him than one of your mother's lace doilies," Gibbs reminded the MD. "Don't you think I should at least wait until he's back on his feet before I kick his ass?"
"In the normal course of events I would probably agree with you," Mallard retorted. "But as we are already learning young Anthony is rather a special case."
"You haven't been to see him for days and days. He probably thinks you're really mad at him, Bossman," Abby cut in, unable to keep quiet any longer. "Like can't stand the sight of him mad."
"It's only been two days Abs," Gibbs corrected. "And I've been busy."
"Tony knows that. And he feels really really bad that he's left you an Agent down. If you can't solve this case he's all worried it will be his fault that the family are left hanging. And he probably thinks that you'll blame him and not want him to be on your team any more. I'll bet he thinks you're in with Morrow right now, arranging his transfer."
"What?"
Gibbs couldn't believe that. DiNozzo had his issues, but even he wouldn't think the man who had just signed up to be his next of kin, would also be looking to fire his ass. Except, that didn't meant that there wasn't something else bothering the kid. Gibbs had to admit he would never had cast the younger man as a model patient. He had been braced for repeated requests for real food and more than one attempt to sign himself out AMA. But by all accounts, DiNozzo hadn't even tried to flirt with the nurses.
"Jethro, we are well aware of why you are so frustrated with DiNozzo. You never like to see any of your people in danger," Mallard assured him. "But then we know you of old. You must bear in mind that young Antony doesn't have that particular advantage. Indeed, given his past history, that young man would be somewhat justified in his fears that you will abandon him."
"Ducky." Gibbs glared.
"See, we know that look is just because you're all scared and worried inside," Abby assured him. "But other people just see 'mean' and 'really really pissed' Gibbs. Which is fine if they are a dangerous criminal, because that's all we want them to see, but Tony is really good person, and now he probably thinks you hate him because something is definatley wrong with him, he's gone all quiet and un-Tony like. He even ate his green jello and no-one ever likes the green jello."
"Tony can take care of himself, Abs." Gibbs shook his head. "He doesn't need me to hold his hand."
"No-one ever really needs people to hold their hand, Gibbs," Abby pointed out. "But everyone likes it when people care enough to do it."
Later as he slipped unseen through the almost deserted hallways, Gibbs mocked himself for making the unscheduled detour. At this hour, DiNozzo would most likely be sleeping and would never even know he had stopped by. Even so, when he paused on the threshold of DiNozzo's room to see the younger man was still wide awake. Gibbs was suddenly glad that he had taken the trouble to drop by. In the subdued light Tony sat utterly still, lacking all his usual animation, the TV screen was blank, his Ipod discarded, his eyes dark and hooded as he stared out of the window. Something was definately going on with him.
"Hey," Gibbs spoke up from the doorway. "Shouldn't you be asleep?"
"Boss," Tony looked surprised to see him. "I heard you caught a tough case. Kinda late for you to be out on a school night, isn't it?"
"Ducky and Abby were worried about you," Gibbs cut to the chase. "Thought I should come and see for myself."
"You didn't need to. I'm doing great," Tony smiled, a little too brightly, for Gibbs' taste. "I've been taking my meds, doing my physical therapy and eating my jello like a good little Agent. You can check with the nurses. They'll tell you."
"I don't need to," Gibbs shook his head. "I've been calling your doctors twice a day for an update."
"You have?" Tony blinked, obviously not expecting to hear that. "That's actually nice of you, Boss."
"Uh huh," Gibbs moved forward into the room, fixing his newest Agent with a steady glaze as he asked in a deceptively calm voice. "You think I was just blowing smoke when I signed up as your next of kin, DiNozzo?"
"No, Boss." Tony assured him. "Not at all. You would never do anything unless you meant it."
"Good, because the way I see it, you belong to me now and that piece of paper just gives me another reason to ride your ass," Gibbs nodded sharply. "So, you want to tell me what's really going on with you?"
"I don't like Hospitals much," Tony admitted. "The food sucks, the sheets are starchy and they frown on you having sex with the nurses."
"Uh huh," Gibbs pulled out a chair and sat down, making it plain that he wasn't going anywhere until he got the answer he wanted. "Try again."
"You know," Tony scowled at him lightly. "It's not nice to badger sick people. And for your information, all those things I just said are completely and utterly true."
"I'm sure they are," Gibbs agreed easily. "Because you know what I would do to you if you actually lied to me. But they still aren't the reasons you've been acting like some kind of 'pod person.'"
"I knew you watched more TV than you want people to believe," Tony gave him a dark look, making a face when Gibbs simply stared impassively back. "Is it so hard to believe that I am a dedicated Federal Agent who feels bad about leaving his team short handed and therefore is doing everything his docotrs tell him so he can to recover his fitness to work in the field ASAP?"
"Not hard at all," Gibbs inclined his head in acknowledgement. "Knowing you, you've been going stir crazy in here, without something to challenge your mind and keep your thoughts occupied. Maybe, that's part of the problem."
"Ducky said your current case is a body found in a dumpster, but there was no physical evidence and no clues," Tony considered. "Were there any surveillance cameras around?"
"DiNozzo," Gibbs half- rose out of his seat, placing his palms flat on the table over the bed as he leaned forward to ensure that he had Tony's complete attention. "This kind of run around might have worked with your previous COs, but if you think for one second that I'm going to let this drop they must have you on stronger meds that I thought. Now, what the hell is wrong with you?"
Gibbs hadn't met a man or woman, Agent or Marine, who could stand up to him when he used that particularly tone, so he was more than a little surprised when Tony turned his face away, his expression tight and closed, as he simply shook his head.
"It's personal." He insisted stubbornly.
Gibbs raised a brow at that, grateful that DiNozzo couldn't see the look of pride that flashed across his features, at the kid's backbone, even though it was directed at him. Rapidly reassessing his game plan he realised his mistake in going toe-to-toe with DiNozzo. The younger man might be one of the few people he had ever met who could actually out stubborn him. But there was one tactic against which the younger man was utterly defenceless. Placing two fingers gently under his chin, Gibbs steered his face back to meet his gaze.
"Anthony."
The gentle tone and the single word spoke volumes. Gibbs watched as Tony's eyes widened and his pale features coloured slightly at the depth of caring in his Boss' voice and expression, before his eyes narrowed to accusing slits, even as his voice sounded a little choked up.
"Kinda below the belt there, Jethro."
"Whatever it takes." Gibbs was totally unrepentant.
"Yeah, I'm getting that," Tony shook his head. "Look in the closet."
His face creasing in a light frown, Gibbs released his newest Agent and looked in the small closet more than a little surprised to see nothing more than a plain, pretty ordinary looking, cardboard carton, still firmly sealed with parcel tape and string.
"You got a secret admirer, DiNozzo?"
Gibbs had to admit he was curious as to why the younger man had left the box un-opened. It wasn't like the room was overflowing with gifts. DiNozzo hadn't been at NCIS long enough to garner more than the usual sprinkling of cards. Abby had bought flowers, balloons, and a selection of video games. Gibbs recognised Ducky's hand in the small selection of classic British films and mix of National Geographic and Criminalist magazines on the side table. But that was all.
"Hardly," Tony snorted. "It's from my father."
"Really?" Gibbs didn't try to hide his surprise. No wonder DiNozzo had been acting out of sorts. That was a hell of a thing to have to deal with after all this time. "You going to open it?"
"Maybe," Tony looked decidedly lukewarm at the idea. "He hasn't sent me a gift since before I left for College. Not even when I broke my leg and kissed my football career goodbye or the first time I got shot in the line of duty. I have no idea why he would start now."
Gibbs was silent. Which he quickly realised was a mistake.
"Boss?" Tony regarded him warily. "What did you say to him?"
"The truth." Gibbs shrugged.
Tony gave him a questioning look. Gibbs simply stared implacably back at him. He wasn't about to twist the knife by letting the younger man exactly how cold and calculating his father had been as his only son bled to death. The man had at least taken the trouble to confirm Gibbs' story. Perhaps the gift was an attempt to salve his conscience that he hadn't come running when Gibbs had taken the trouble to call.
"You want me to get Abby to take a look at it for you?"
That brought Tony's head up sharply. He was beginning to appreciate that being the butt of Gibbs' dry wit was a welcome sign that the man was comfortable enough around him to to let his barriers down a little. But sometimes, he still wasn't sure if he was joking or not. This was definitely one of those times. The man looked deadly serious.
"Er .. no that's okay. Its not ticking or anything. Its probably safe, or at least not actually lethal," Even so, Tony gave the carton a dubious look. "I think."
In response, Gibbs simply picked it up and placed it on the tray table over DiNozzo's bed, pushing it within reach, before pulling out his own knife and offering it expectantly to his Agent.
"So, open it."
Tony gave him an old-fashioned look, as if not quite sure if he had just been played or not. Gibbs gave an unrepentant shrug and simply continued to hold out the knife. With a sigh, Tony accepted it, wincing only slightly as he stretched up to slice through the tape, passing the knife back, before peering into the depths of the box.
"Oh." He managed hollowly.
His curiosity piqued Gibbs leaned over to look in his turn. What he saw made his jaw clench. It was bad enough that David DiNozzo had ignored his son for so long. Was this his idea of an olive branch? It was obvious that some hapless PA had completely mis-understood David DiNozzo's instructions to send something to his child in the Hospital. The blue, plush, bear was obviously intended for a young child. To add insult to injury it was dreessed in a minature cop's outfit. The man obviously hadn't even seen the gift, he hadn't even bothered to sign his own card.
"You know the funniest part?" Tony's voice suggested he thought it was anything but funny. "When I was a kid, I would have killed for a bear like this. Ever since I could remember all I ever wanted to be was a cop."
"I spent my whole childhood staring at my Dad's hunting rifle," Gibbs admitted. "Never was allowed to touch it."
"Really?" Tony looked at him. "Still, I bet he's proud of you now. What with everything you've accomplished."
"Wouldn't know," Gibbs surprised him. "I haven't spoken to the man in years."