Chapter 7. Good and Bad News

As the elevator doors closed behind them, Tony, Ziva, Abby, and Tim saw Ducky and Vance talking to a nurse. Palmer stood nearby, not part of the small group, but near enough to hear all that was being said.

As they approached, Ducky spoke to the new arrivals. "Jethro's coming out of surgery now, and going into the Recovery Unit. We'll be able to visit with him for a short time," Ducky was interrupted by the nurse.

"No more than twenty minutes total," she said, sternly.

"Yes, twenty minutes, and no more than two at a time.

"When will he get to his room," Abby asked, hoping it would be very soon.

"In about ten minutes," said the nurse. "I'll be back to take you there to see him when he's settled."

With that, she simply turned on her heel and walked off down the hall, her white sneakers squeaking as she stepped, almost raping the silence of the room.

At Tony's nod, Tim took Abby's hand and led her to a chair to wait, her sitting in his lap. She had yet to actually try any of the chairs. Palmer followed him, sitting beside them.

DiNozzo, David, Vance and Dr. Mallard moved just outside the room to talk. DiNozzo barely waited until they stepped outside before speaking. "Okay," he said, running a hand through his hair. "As soon as he's seen Gibbs, I'm going to send McGee home to get some sleep. Ziva, you're on first watch, keep Matthews out of the room." David nodded. "When McGee comes back, you go back to the office, and bring Abby with you. I still need her to run the evidence. I'll head back immediately, and, Ducky, I'd like you to go as well. I need to find out if what Palmer said is true."

Ducky nodded. "And I shall leave Mr. Palmer here so there is someone here that can translate the medical jargon." He looked down the hall to see a doctor in scrubs striding toward them. He noticed him from earlier. "Here comes Dr. Patel."

The doctor nodded to all of them and DiNozzo gestured him inside the room so he could give his report to all of them at once. They arrived where the three were sitting, Abby sitting up as they approached.

"I'm Dr. Patel, I'm the surgeon that's been working on Special Agent Gibbs' case. First of all, let me assure you the surgery went very well. We had to place pins and rods in most of the bones in his arms and legs to put them back together. He has three ribs broken, and one nicked his lung. We repaired that damage with no problems, and his chest is immobilized. We're also going to be keeping him in a medically induced coma for the time being to help him heal. We should know for sure in a day or so if we can try to bring him out of it."

Patel took a deep breath. This was going to be the hardest part, and it would probably hit the woman with black hair and raccoon eyes the hardest. "Special Agent Gibbs also came in with moderate swelling inside his cranium, pressing on his brain." He quickly continued, keeping his eyes on Abby the whole time. "This is normal with a head injury, and the swelling should go down in a few days. There's also a small amount of swelling in his neck, and we can't fully see if there is a bone injury there, at the C4 vertebra of the spinal cord." Abby took in a sharp breath and had tears welling in his eyes.

Patel laid a comforting hand on her knee, looking deep in her eyes. "There's no reason to believe that he's suffered any damage to it, aside from muscle and tendon strains. But, there is the possibility of it." As Patel was concentrating almost all his attention on Abby, he missed the looks Ducky was receiving. Ducky simply nodded that he'd explain it all in language they could understand as soon as the doctor left.

Patel continued. "We have no reason to believe he won't make a full recovery, but it will be hard for him. There's plenty of physical therapy he'll need to go through, just to learn to use the left side of his body again. But, six months from now, he'll be doing all that he was before, although the pins in his wrist, ankle, and knee may have to stay there for a long while." He smiled at Abby with his most reassuring face and stood up. "If you have any questions, here's my card," he said, giving one to Abby and the other to Ducky. "I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have."

He nodded to the group and moved off, making Abby feel relieved and worse at the same time. He was going to be fine, but he wasn't fine right now. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts of Gibbs that she almost missed Tim's whispered question.

"Ducky, what's the C4 vertebra do?" Ducky inclined his head toward Abby as to say, "I'll explain later."

Palmer missed the motion. "The C4 controls motor function from the neck down. Basically, if its broken, Gibbs could be paralyzed from the neck down." A gasping wail from Abby greeted that response, with Palmer quickly moving to cover himself. "But, I'm sure its not that bad, Abby. Gibbs is tougher than anyone I've ever seen before. He'll be fine."

Ducky glared at his assistant, who wisely placed his eyes on Tim's shoulder so he wouldn't have to see the glares he was receiving from everyone. Ducky stated, "Mr. Palmer, remind me to loan you my copy of How to Win Friends and Influence People. I believe the sections on tact would be most enlightening."

Ziva walked up to Abby and knelt before her. "Abby, Tony needs to talk to Tim, can you let him up for a moment?" Abby nodded, standing. Tim extracted himself from the chair and followed Tony, who was headed for the hallway.

Ziva sat down before Abby could and lifted her arms. Abby chuckled. "Ziva, I'm bigger than you, I'll crush you." Ziva simply smiled reassuringly and raised her arms slightly, beckoning the goth into the assassin's lap. Abby lightly landed on Ziva, causing her to expel a hard breath, making Abby giggle. As soon as Abby was settled onto the smaller woman's lap, Ziva started to hum to her softly.

"That's pretty, Ziva. What's it called," Abby asked.

"I do not know the name, but my mother used to hum it to me when I was not feeling well. It always calmed me. Is it doing the same for you," she asked.

"Yeah, it is. You must really miss your mom, huh?"

"Yes, there are many times when I do. But, for now, just rest, Abby." Ziva continued to hum softly until Tim returned.

He knelt before Abby and took her hand in his. "Abby, Tony is going to send me home once I see Gibbs. Then, I'm coming back in the morning to relive Ziva. Do you need me to bring you some clothes?"

Abby's mouth smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Please, Timmy. I have a couple of T-Shirts in your drawers, along with some pants. Just one of each, please." Tim's eyes glanced at Ziva in minor horror. Ziva just smirked.

"Uh...I...That is...We..." McGee was spared further embarrassment by the nurses return.

As they made their way toward the Recovery Wing of the ICU, DiNozzo caught up with the nurse. They were in groups going down the hall, DiNozzo and the nurse in the lead, Vance and Ducky behind them, Abby flanked by Ziva and Tim, and Palmer and Matthews bringing up the rear.

"Hey there, Nurse..."

"Kitteridge."

"Nurse Kitteridge. Can I call you Kitt?" At the look she gave him, he wisely said, "Guess not. Listen," he said, flashing her his patented 'DiNozzo Grin'. "I need a huge favor from you. See that woman back there," he said, turning to point to Abby, who was holding hands with Ziva and Tim. The nurse looked back, nodded, and he continued. "She's very important to Special Agent Gibbs. See, Gibbs was involved in some Counter-Intelligence missions years ago. Two of them, not even the Secretary of Defense has the clearance to know about them. The only woman who does, is her," he said pointing back to Abby, who had overheard enough to pull herself together and look like what she thought a Counter-Intelligence Agent should.

The nurse looked back at her, then gave Tony a "do I look that stupid" look.

Undaunted, Tony smiled even bigger, and plowed forward. "Have you ever seen M*A*S*H?" Kitteridge nodded. "Remember Colonel Flagg?" She nodded again. "Remember the time he had to go in for surgery but couldn't be put under because he might say something that would jeopardize Americans?" She nodded a third time. "That's where Gibbs is. There should have been someone in the operating theater with him, but we couldn't get anyone here fast enough. But, we can fake it if we can see the tapes that would confirm that he didn't speak while he was under." Kitteridge didn't look like she was believing a word, but nodded once again.

Behind them, Ducky and Vance were trying to keep straight faces just in case she turned back and saw them. They both knew how important it was to Abby for her to be there, and they didn't want to take the chance that a look could deny her that.

Tony turned up his smile and went in for the kill. "So, basically, to keep my boss happy, and his boss, the Secretary of the Navy, happy, we can fix it if she's let into the room with Gibbs until he wakes. She's a forensic scientist, so she knows all about staying sterile. She won't break any hospital protocols, and she won't get in the way," he said, turning around. "Will you, Abs?" Abby quickly shook her head, while next to her, both Ziva and Tim had on their 'game faces' to not give it away. All five that could hear Tony were very impressed with the amount of bull he was shoveling at her, while at the same time, they admired the thought behind it.

"She'll have to be in scrubs, gloved, and masked at all times. No exceptions," Kitteridge said. "I'll be right across the hall, and there's a camera in the room. If anything happens, I'll kick her out of the hospital and not allow her back." Nurse Kitteridge turned. "Is that clear, Ma'am?" Abby smiled and nodded her head emphatically. Kitteridge took a deep breath. "Fine. I know I'm going to regret this," Kitteridge mumbled. She pointed to a room to their left. "It's that room."

Ducky and Vance had to catch themselves from falling as they were both bumped by a speeding goth. Ziva felt her shoulder may have become separated, but Tim was wise enough, and had known her well enough, to let go of Abby's hand once he saw they had arrived.

Kitteridge gave DiNozzo a look that could freeze fire, and quickly made her way to the central desk, just two doors down. Tony simply smiled bigger at her, trying to finally charm the woman. As he turned away, he knew it hadn't worked, but it was distracting enough to get Abby where she needed to be.

DiNozzo pointed to Matthews. "Your post will be the desk with Nurse Ratchet. Bring a chair for Ziva. You sit out here, Zi."

Inside the room, Abby finally made it to Gibbs' bedside.

Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod, Gibbs. You're really hurt. I feel so bad for you. You have to get better. Tony's doing you again, and I don't think this time Ziva will be able to hold herself back from killing him.

So, you gotta be okay. Besides, you're the only one who really gets me. I mean, Tony does sometimes, and Tim does when we're talking technical computer things, but you get me all the time even when you're not happy with me and you don't bring me Caff-Pows and it makes me sad but I know you need the information as soon as possible and I try so hard to not let you down and then when I do have it you're always right there behind me with a Caff-Pow and kissing me on the cheek and telling me "Good job, Abs."

Wow...even thinking it I need to take a breath.

You gotta get better. You know what, I'm just going to sit in this chair until you wake up and then you'll see someone you know. Please remember us. You know us, you do.

Please, Gibbs.

Vance looked at DiNozzo. "I'll go next. I need to get back to the office. There's a mountain of paperwork on this one, and the sooner it's done, the sooner I can go home to my family." DiNozzo nodded, not that he had a choice.

Vance stepped in.

Well, Jethro. What is it with you and getting put into comas? How many is this now, three?

I really need you back, Jethro. I don't think I can handle DiNozzo alone. He's insubordinate, cocky, and so sure of himself. If he wasn't right, it'd be too much to take.

Look. I know we have rarely seen eye to eye. You're pissed at me for splitting up your team for the mole hunt, most of all for me not telling you. But, I had faith in you. That's why I didn't put them with a new Team Leader from San Diego, who I know much better. I trusted you, because of our history together, more than I trusted them.

But, I can't control DiNozzo. I need you back.

Please, Jethro.

As Vance exited the room, he nodded before moving toward the elevators. Tony nodded his head toward the door while looking at McGee. "Ducky, you're next. Jimmy, tell him what you found."

Palmer started to explain as McGee moved passed them. "You see, Dr. Mallard, it all has to do with his head..."

Hey, Boss. God, I hate hospitals, probably more than you do.

Uh...this is probably the easiest way to tell you this, but you're Rule Twelve has been trampled like a bunch of kids in a bubble wrap factory. You probably already knew it, you seem to know everything.

But, we need some info from you, too. Why were you at Director Shepard's house? I tracked you from there, but the problem with what I do is that I don't know why you were there. And I need to know. Not for me, but because my gut is telling me that it has something to do with this case.

C'mon, Boss. Abby really needs you right now. She especially needs you to remember us. Okay, not just her, we all do. I'd take a million head slaps if you'd just wake up.

Please, Boss.

Ducky ducked inside as Tim came out. He seemed lost in thought as he stepped into the hallway. He shook himself out and looked at DiNozzo. "You okay, McGee?" He nodded, but didn't speak. "Come back here at about 0900, bring your laptop just in case I need something.. Ziva's going to take Abby back with her." He looked at Ziva. "You can get some sleep when you get there, just make sure Abby takes at least a nap."

"America has made me soft, but I can still work a case with no sleep, as long as I have some of my tea," Ziva said, chuckling.

Tim leaned down to her. "Do you need any clothes, Ziva?"

"No, McGee. I haven't had a reason to get these dirty...yet," she said with a seductive grin aimed at Tony. McGee just closed his eyes and sighed. He nodded and walked down the hall.

Well, Jethro. I see your doctor did a great job on you. Vitals look weak, but stable and improving. The medication is the proper for your condition.

You know, I can count on one hand the number of times I've come to visit you when you've been the one surrounded by medical equipment. It reminds me of a time when I was in medical school. My father, a laborer, would come to visit me often, and one day he had the bad luck to come visit on a day when we were doing dissections. You can guess how many times after that he came for a visit.

Then, just after I got my medical degree, he had to go into the hospital after a heart attack. He simply looked at me and pointed to his chart. I read it and told him what it meant and how he was doing. He'd said it before, but I think that's the proudest he's ever been of me.

Abagail will not let anything happen to you while you're in here. You just get better.

Please, Jethro.

Ducky moved away, taking one last look at the monitors before joining the rest in the hallway. "Anthony, I do believe I'll need Mr. Palmer to show me what he found. As I recall, the poor lad's head was in numerous pieces, and I'll need him to help me put it back together." DiNozzo nodded and looked at Palmer, pointing to the room. Palmer looked surprised that he should go in, but didn't hesitate.

Agent Gibbs. Um...I'm not sure what to say.

We're not that close, most times I think you don't even notice I'm there, then you do something to make sure that I get recognized, most often for doing something wrong.

Dr. Mallard has often said that he took a long time to become your friend, but he respected you within five minutes. I feel the same. I hope someday we can become friends. I really do.

Please, Agent Gibbs.

Palmer exited and stood next to Ducky. Ducky doffed an imaginary hat and moved to exit the hospital, leaving only Tony and Ziva.

"You go, I will be here all night, and you have a case to solve."

Tony smiled at her gently and moved off the wall he'd been resting against.

Hey, Boss. How you doin? Dumb question, I know.

This reminds me of a movie. Well, actually, alot of movies. Seems a hospital is a great place for drama. But, you've rarely cared about movies.

Guess there's no easy way to say this. I love Ziva. I know all about Rule Twelve, and how you and Jenny were the reason you made it. But, we're not you and Jenny. Hell, we've been going out six months and haven't even had sex. We almost did last night, but you and McGee called. OW! Hey, I wasn't being judgemental. There's plent of time for us to have sex. OW! Boss, that one really hurt.

Just get better. I feel like I'm holding them together with sheer willpower. I could really use some guidance.

Please, Boss.

Tony walked out of the room, kneeling down next to Ziva. His face was gently caressed by Ziva, who knew the pain he was going through. He gently kissed her cheek and stood. A complete conversation passed between them in a moment before Tony turned away. As he mad his way past the desk, he again smiled broadly at Nurse Kitteridge, who shot daggers at him in response.

Ziva stood at the doorway for a full minute. She saw the tubes hooked up to him, the wires going to the machines, the casts covering his entire left side, leaving only his fingertips and toes visible. She saw Abby, now clad in scrubs, and finally asleep, lightly snoring. She smiled at her friend and stepped away from the door, going to the desk to find out if they had any magazines for her to read while she waited.