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Gibbs rode in the ambulance, his heart hammering. It was threatening to jump straight out of his mouth, as he looked at Tony. The paramedics had had to give him a mild sedative while they took a look at him, as he had moaned and fussed, only calming when Gibbs took him in his arms and rocked him. Although he had fallen asleep before, he kept waking up, the horror of what happened catching up with him.
Gibbs just sat there with the baby on his knee, staring at him. It felt like it had been months since seeing the kid, when in reality it had been a couple of hours. For a few moments, Gibbs felt pride in his team, before the hatred came running back, as well as the anger, the guilt, the pain. He didn't want to see Tony suffer, god knows he didn't. For the last few days he had been trying as hard as he could to keep Tony safe, but he'd failed him.
Gibbs bit his lip and dug his fingernails into his free palm (The other wrapped tightly around Tony's good hand) as he heard the paramedics tell the doctor what was wrong with the baby,
"Multiple lacerations around the body, hasn't had any liquids or food for about 6 hours and his arm is definitely broken. There is also a strong possibility that there'll be severe psychological trauma." Gibbs wasn't sure whether they were directing this to him or the doctor, but still didn't say anything. The paramedics had allowed Gibbs to keep a tight hold on Tony, and had given warning faces to the nurse who tried to take him out of the older man's arms, and now Gibbs was pushed gently in the direction of the children's ward.
He hadn't been here in a long time, and it was odd going with DiNozzo this way rather than Accident and Emergency or straight to theatre if it was something major.
"Would you like to step in here?" The nurse asked politely as she pulled the curtain of a cubicle open, allowing Gibbs to walk through and gently rest on the bed, not giving any indication that he was going to put Tony down. The Nurse merely smiled and got out a pack of what looked to be standardized changing tools, in packets which had all obviously been sterilized before being stacked up neatly in the corner of the cubicle,
"Do you want to lie him down?" She asked, her voice soft, and Gibbs guessed that she'd been working with children for so long eventually either he voice got worn down from shouting, or she was genuinely scared of disturbing them. He slowly went to lay Tony down on the bed, as she stood ready with various baby paraphernalia including fresh diapers and wipes. However, Tony tried to struggle to get back to him, or at least keep some form of physical contact with him,
"Hey, Tony, I'm right here, look at me, I'm here." He whispered softly to the baby, stroking its' forehead smoothly, but not without affection. The nurse smiled and asked (Again with the quiet voice),
"Would you keep doing that? If he fusses again he might cause further damage to his arm." She didn't say anything past that, and Gibbs was surprised. He'd always encountered some kind of busy body nurse who would ask what had happen, a small, disbelieving smile on her face as it became clear she wouldn't buy it. No doubt the doctor would ask some questions though…
His blood ran cold for a second. What if they involved Social Services? Ok, he hadn't really expected to be the best parent in the world, but he'd done ok, really. Everything considered; he'd done a good job.
A small snuffle from the bed indicated that the nurse had finished her job. As Gibbs slowly sat Tony up, so he was sat on the older man's knee, the nurse murmured,
"He wasn't changed for at least six hours," She explained to Gibbs, "And he used it quite a lot, normal for babies who are scared of under stress. Unfortunately this resulted in quite a bad case of diaper rash. You just need to put this cream on, and in a few days he'll be just fine. Now, I need to go and see the Doctor, he needs to x-ray that arm, and I just need to clean up those wounds, so I won't be a minute." She nodded at Gibbs and walked out. Damn, she even walked quietly. It was like there was no noise in the whole hospital for a minute, before suddenly Tony gave a small snort and dissolved into sobs.
At once Gibbs started to comfort him, cuddling him close, not caring at all whether someone walked in,
"Hey Tony, come on. I know this was a really horrible thing, and I don't expect you to get over it so soon, but you have to remember that you survived the plague. You've been shot, you've fallen out of a plane, you've been drugged and kidnapped…" He tailed off as he realised just how bad his Senior Field Agent had it over the past few years.
Giving Tony an extra hug, he whispered,
"I will never let anything bad happen to you again." Tony simply tried to squirm even closer to him, clinging onto Gibbs' arms as if he could never bear to let go.
"Hey, Tony, I brought something for him you might want," Gibbs said to him in a soft voice, "Do you want to see what it is?" He got a small nod and smiled, reaching into the bag he'd brought in. He pulled out the blue blanket he knew Tony loved and put it near to the kid, feeling his heart almost burst with affection as Tony snuffled and started to nestle into it, still holding onto Gibbs' arm.
The nurse came back in, and smiled,
"The doctor's outside the cubicle Sir," She said, "He said he needs to speak with you." Gibbs looked down at Tony, torn between speaking with the doctor and wanting – no, needing – to stay with Tony.
"He'll be fine with me." The nurse said, so eventually, Gibbs left the cubicle, but not before making sure Tony had a tight hold on his blanket.
Once outside, the doctor turned to him with clipboard in hand. Just as he opened his mouth, Gibbs' phone rang,
"Answer it," The doctor said, smiling, "I just need to go and check something anyway." He walked off towards the nurse's station, as Gibbs flipped his phone up,
"Gibbs."
"Gibbs! Ducky called and told me what happened, is Tony ok? He isn't is he? Are they giving him enough attention? 'Cause he gets moody if he doesn't get attention…"
"Abbs, relax, he's fine. Well, as fine as you can be when some bastard's just broken your arm with his bare hands." Gibbs spat, ignoring the odd looks he got off various hospital staff. Abby gasped in horror and said,
"I don't care what you say Gibbs, I'm abandoning my work and coming in. I should be there, why aren't I there? What if he's scared? Are there clown pictures on the walls of the children's ward?" Gibbs shook his head, forgetting Abby couldn't see him and replied,
"Cowboys."
"Well that's good right? I mean, Tony loves his old Western movies, so he should be in his element. I bet he's got all the nurses looming over him, chucking his chin and telling him how cute he is… Why isn't that me? I should… No, wait, I need to do my work, you're right Gibbs."
"Abbs, I didn't say anything," Gibbs replied softly, "I… you should be here, Tony needs you. I… I need you." This was a hard thing to admit for a man like Gibbs, and Abby knew how much he meant it,
"I'm on my way Bossman. Kate and Ducky should be there right about now."
"Why?" Gibbs asked, looking up and down the corridor for any signs of the two,
"They wanted to check Kate over, but they couldn't because you and Tony were hogging the ambulance, so Ducky took Kate in his car. Ok, I'll be there soon."
Gibbs hung up just as the doctor approached,
"Special Agent Gibbs? I'm Dr King, your son's paediatrician. When the nurse has finished cleaning him up, we should have no trouble getting the x-ray. I just have to say, I can't find any records of an Anthony Gibbs on the system." The doctor looked at him with keen eyes, and Gibbs felt his mind going blank, a very rare thing. Just when he thought the doctor would get suspicious, he heard a voice behind him,
"It's alright Glenn, I'll take over." Gibbs turned round to see none other than Dr Brad Pitt, smiling at him, with his eyes twinkling happily,
"I heard you'd come in, and knew immediately who you would have come in with." Gibbs smiled at him, but panicked. Did this mean Dr Pitt didn't actually know what had happened, and simply thought that he was going to be treating actually Tony? No – Gibbs shook his head to clear that thought – if that were true, he would have been very confused if he was told Agent Gibbs was down in Paediatrics.
"Brad, he doesn't have any medical insurance, and you aren't even specialised in paediatrics! I couldn't allow it!" Dr King argued, but he looked eager at the thought of being able to go home after an 18 hour shift – this would have been his last patient,
"In all fairness Glenn, I know the kid's medical history (Ah, Gibbs thought, He does know) and you owe me. You let me see this patient, we call it even." Gibbs could tell that Dr King was too tempted by this offer, and he eventually just handed over his chart saying,
"Just sign it all in my name then Brad. But if you get caught…"
"Agent Gibbs will cover me." Brad grinned, and waved to his co-worker. He finally turned to Gibbs and said,
"I met Ducky in the A&E, he told me what happened, after I asked about Tony. It's quite extraordinary isn't it?" Gibbs nodded humbly and asked,
"Can I go back in there now?" He was too weary and used to the oddness to respond anymore to Brad's news, and only wanted to be by Tony's side. Brad grinned at him, his eyes still twinkling,
"Yeah, we should be ready for that x-ray now, but I don't think you have to worry about Tony being on his own." Gibbs raised and eyebrow,
"If you're referring to that nurse, I don't think she counts. Even if he did talk to her she wouldn't respond, woman's like a mime." Brad chuckled,
"I was referring to your other agent and ME sneaking through the curtains." Gibbs whirled around and when he strained his ears, he did indeed hear the muffled sounds of Kate and Ducky talking.
Not saying anymore to Brad, Gibbs slipped back into the cubicle, and was pleased to see that Tony looked much more like his old self. His cheeks were pink and he was smiling slightly, and as soon as the nurse turned around the baby quickly stuck his middle finger up at her, causing Kate to tut in amusement and exasperation and Ducky to chuckle to himself.
"Don't let me catch you doing that again kiddo." Gibbs said, causing the brown haired baby to blush and murmur,
"Sorry…" Gibbs merely carefully ruffled the baby's hair and turned to Kate and Ducky, while the nurse finally crept out of the cubicle, after giving Tony a lolly for being a 'good boy',
"You ok?" He asked Kate, who nodded, showing him the single stitch she'd had to endure.
"I think you guessed that we told Dr Pitt," She said to him apologetically, as he raised and eyebrow, "But Ducky said it would be easier, if for some reason they'd need to do something that might aggravate his lungs." Gibbs nodded, guessing that made sense, and felt Tony curl up tiredly beside him, sucking the corner of his blue blanket, whispering hazily,
"They wouldn't let me sleep." Gibbs curled his fists together in rage, but felt Brad's hands on his shoulder, and he relaxed slightly, still keeping a tight hold on the baby who snuggled into him,
"We're ready to take him to x-ray now." Dr Pitt said, just in time for Abby to run into the room, ready to sweep Tony into her arms, only for Gibbs to almost bare his teeth at her and snarl,
"His arm's broken Abby." She hung back, looking guilty, and immediately said,
"Baby, I'm sorry, how are you? You're looking better than I thought you would though. Are you thirsty? I bought some juice, and I don't know whether…" She was silenced by Gibbs' finger resting gently on her lips,
"Thanks Abbs." He said quietly, and took the carton off her. Putting the straw in, he coaxed Tony into opening his mouth, and swallowing slowly, making sure he didn't gulp it all down.
As he was drinking, Tony looked around at the team. His family. Ok, so McGee wasn't there (And he'd damn sure find out where the Probie was instead of here), but all around him were people who cared for him, and worried about him, and loved him. He couldn't believe it took him until now to work it out. Would he have worked it out at all if the whole body change thing hadn't happened to him?
He was taken from his thoughts when Gibbs slowly stood up from where he had been sat on the bed, cradling Tony as he stood.
"We're going to x-ray now, ok?" He asked softly, thinking that Tony was now almost out of it. In fact – he felt great. Ok, he still felt sleepy, and his arm hurt, not to mention the fact he'd just been held hostage so he felt a bit teary, but way better than anyone would have thought he would feel.
--
Having his x-ray taken was almost fun. He had lost count of the times he'd had to have it done before, forever 'walking into something' or 'falling down the stairs', and he'd forgotten that childlike thrill of waiting to see a picture of his bones on a screen.
However, he did have to go through the whole 'bending his arm into awkward positions while they zapped it with radiation' thing first,
"Now sweetie, you can have someone in with you. Would you like Mommy or Daddy? Or will you be a brave boy and come in on your own?" Tony at once tightened his grip on Gibbs (And his blanket) and the nurse who had asked him smiled gently,
"Honey, Daddy can't sit with you, he needs to go behind a screen, but you can keep your blankie with you, ok?" She'd managed to loosen Gibbs' grip on Tony to set him down on the table, and put his wrist on the board,
"Now you need to stay really still, ok? I'll be back out in a sec, and Daddy's right through those windows, see?" She pointed over to Gibbs, who nodded slightly, giving Tony a smile to show everything was ok. He sighed and pulled the blanket closer to his face with his only arm, sucking his thumb while he was at it. The machine overhead made odd thunking noises that made him glance over to Gibbs worriedly, but soon relaxed as the lights in the room came back on and he was swept up by Gibbs.
Getting yet another lolly, they went back out to the waiting room, where the team was waiting. McGee was now there, and waved awkwardly to Tony, before going back to the conversation he was having with Kate. Abby obviously ran up to man and baby and whispered,
"Are you ok?" Tony nodded but kept his grip on the blanket, making Abby smile delightedly, "Do you want to go look at the toys over there?" Tony had no wish to be parted from Gibbs just yet, but the older man slowly passed him over to Abby (Making him feel more like a package than anything).
Soon, Dr Pitt was back, x-rays in hand,
"Well you've definitely broken it Tony," He said, smiling sympathetically to the baby, who gave a small whimper, "We'll get you over to my good colleague, Dr Potter, and she'll put a cast on it. I want to warn you though," He said, a smile of amusement playing over his features, "Baby casts aren't fibre glass, they're proper Plaster of Paris, since babies are prone to chewing on them."
"So I don't even get a colour?" He asked pitifully, making Gibbs chuckle softly and cuddle him,
"Sorry kiddo, no. But I bet Abby'll decorate it for you." Tony grinned, but yawned,
"I'm really tired now Boss…" He whimpered, and was barely aware of being taken to Dr Potter, a short dumpy woman with smiley eyes,
"How are you chickie?" She cooed, before carefully rolling up his sleeves and wrapping his arms in warm plaster, surprised he didn't start to fuss, most babies did. However, she saw the poor little lad's eyes start to droop and when they were going (Poor Tony's arm now the same weight as his whole body) she offered him another lolly,
"You'll be lucky to get any big teeth, the way you're going through sugar." Gibbs murmured, to the amusement of the others. Tony simply sighed and went to sleep, safe in the fact that he was with Gibbs now, and he knew that Gibbs would rather burn his boat than let anything happen to his agent.
"I'm going to take Tony home." He said to the others. They had been at that hospital for about three hours, and were all sick of the hospital smell,
"Don't forget this," Abby whispered, passing Gibbs the blue blanket that Tony had been forced to put down while getting his plaster, "He might be a bit… temperamental without it." Gibbs smiled at her and answered,
"I think I can handle it."
Hope you guys thought it was worth the wait. And loads of ideas fell into my mind tank at once, so there'll be a good few chapters left lol ;) Oh and also, check out my profile for some more artwork, this time by the brilliant JB5391 ^^ Review? xx