(Spoilers for different episodes and ooc Gibbs but like I said Tony tried to kill himself so they are all a little OOC but for those of us who like sap and fluff it will hopefully be enjoyable. Even in the show Daddy DiNozzo told Gibbs he was more of a Dad to Tony than he was.:)
The next morning Tony kept his promise he greeted Dr. Cranston with a smile that didn't quit reach his eyes.
"How we doing this morning Tony?"
The only answer she received was a shoulder shrug.
The next hour went with much the same success, Tony taking part just enough to actually be classified as participating but not much more.
Dr. Cranston realized they had reached their limit after about 45 minutes and decided to end the morning's session early. She patted him on the leg, "I am proud of the work you are putting in to getting better and I know Kate would be too. I will see you in the morning and maybe we can have Gibbs sit with us during the session, would that be okay?"
With a half smile and a shrug, "S-fine doc, see ya then"
Dr. Cranston left Tony's room and went in search of his doctor when she found the attending physician she asked him if there had been any medical issues that could account for the change in Tony's demeanor. The young attending sat with Dr. Cranston in the physicians lounge, "I am glad you found me to ask about Mr. DiNozzo, this morning we took him for an MRI and an EEG, what we found was some damage due to some localized swelling. The damaged area is in the area that controls coordination and sensation, which is probably why he hadn't noticed any issues yet but we are uncertain what extent the damage will be and how it will affect Mr. DiNozzo in his work as a federal agent, also we started him on a low dose of seizure medications the damage will likely leave him with a seizure disorder. He hasn't experienced a seizure yet but the damage in his brain makes them likely."
"Two questions, how did he take the news and was Agent Gibbs with him when you told him?"
"I haven't seen Agent Gibbs since yesterday and he seemed okay with the news he just seems quieter."
With an audible sigh, "So you haven't told Agent Gibbs about this yet?"
"No, Mr. DiNozzo was awake and able to give us consent for the tests and he was awake and able to understand the results there was no need to contact the next of kin for anything."
"Listen, I am going to tell you something that will make your life a whole lot easier, most of the staff here know this because of Tony's frequent visits but when it comes to Anthony DiNozzo and his care Leroy Jethro Gibbs is ALWAYS to be included. That man may be listed as just the power of attorney/next of kin but he is in every since of the word Tony's Dad and he expects to be treated as such; when Tony is in trouble he becomes like a bear with a thorn in his paw; you do not want to cross the man okay."
"If this Gibbs is such a Papa Bear then why was his surrogate son being treated for an attempted suicide? Sounds like to me the guy just likes to make a fuss but doesn't have any substance."
Dr. Cranston made a show of looking over her shoulder to see if Gibbs was standing behind her. She remembered Kate telling her how he would seem to appear out of thin air behind anyone who was complaining about him. When she made sure he was not there she answered the judgmental attending, "Tony has had a hell of a couple of years, hell more like a hell of a life, from an abusive father to issues with old partners and then once he got to NCIS things like the plague and loosing a partner right in front of him, the partner who happened to be my baby sister, countless injuries and heroics including rescuing a partner from the clutches of a terrorist in Somalia then having that partner who he fell head over heels in love with leave him for no real reason and not just left NCIS but gave up her citizenship and go back to Israel. The man has had a hell of a life and the only constant source of strength he has had has been Gibbs, Gibbs is the reason he is still breathing and will continue to breath and he deserves your respect and if you cant give him that then you need to not handle Tony's care. You got it?"
The stunned doctor shook his head as Dr. Cranston left the lounge. She stormed off down the hall she never saw Dr. Brad Pitt standing around the corner listening to what was being said. He slipped into the lounge and smirked as the young doctor was still sitting trying to comprehend all he was told. "Hey Joe, how ya doing man? I hear you are treating DiNozzo?"
The young man startled at the intrusion but smiled at the familiar colleague, "Morning Brad, I was told that you might be stopping by to check on DiNozzo's lungs. I tell you his lungs are the least of his issues."
"I heard your conversation with Dr. Cranston. She is right you know about Agent Gibbs. When Tony had the plague we were about to loose him. He was in bad shape. Gibbs came busting in the isolation ward informing us the bug had a suicide chain and he was no longer contagious but then he shooed us out of the room and sat next to this dying mans bed, smacked him on the forehead to make sure he was listening and told him four simple words, you – will – not – die, and the damndest thing is he listened and from that point on he steadily improved. Gibbs is more than next of kin and even more than a standard Father. He will be your biggest help in treating Tony or if he thinks you aren't doing right by his boy he will be your worst nightmare and doing right includes keeping him informed every step of the way. Do yourself a favor and remember that. Leroy Jethro Gibbs is not someone to piss off. I am going to go and check on Tony now."
-At Gibbs's house-
Dr. Cranston knew that she needed to head right over to Gibbs house and let him know of the developments with Tony. He had told her that he was off work and would be at home till lunchtime when he would come to the hospital. She knocked on the door.
It took a sweat pant clad Gibbs only a moment to open the door, "Dr. Cranston, what are you doing here? Is Tony okay? If there was a problem you should have called! What's wrong? Is some one with Tony?"
Dr. Cranston smiled, "Easy Gibbs, I just left him and I wanted to come by and talk to you about some stuff concerning Tony and his prognosis."
"Prognosis? What do you mean?"
"Well, I went by the hospital this morning for our session and Tony was not right. Yesterday we talked and had a great session but today I barely got two word responses from him. He participated and did everything he had to do but he wasn't there. I went to his attending and asked if anything happened medically that could account for the malaise. He told me that Tony had given permission to go ahead and do an MRI and EEG this morning and he had received the results right before our session. Those results are what caused the reaction or lack there of during the session."
"DAMN IT! They know that they are supposed to include me on this stuff especially results. Who is the attending I want his head for this."
"Relax Gibbs I already ripped the kid a new one for this and told him that you are not the person to cross especially when it comes to the Tony and his care."
"Thanks Doc, what were the results? What are we looking at?"
"Well there are some issues with swelling and damage from that swelling that will affect his balance and sensation. He was also told that because of that damage he was going to be diagnosed with a seizure disorder and he was put on medication preemptively to stop any seizure from happening. Gibbs this is all stuff he can live with but it is not stuff he can return to being a field agent with."
"Damn idiot doctor, he was told all of this with no one there? I need to go to him. Thank you for telling me this Doc."
"Hold up Gibbs, I agree he needs you more than anyone else right now but how are you dealing with this news. Will you be okay if he cant be a field agent anymore?"
"First off Doc, don't sell Tony short. If anyone can beat the odds it is Tony. Second I almost lost my boy, I told Doctor Mallard in the waiting room, I don't care what shape he is in as long as I get him back with me. His status as an agent will never effect his status as my son."
"I am glad to hear you say that. Just be sure that you tell Tony that okay. I know talking is not your strong point but Tony needs to hear the words and see the actions and he may still not believe it."
"He will believe it because I tell him to believe it. Thanks for coming by Doc. See yourself out I am going to get dressed and go see Tony (mumbling as he walked up stairs) and maybe have a little chat with that attending familiarize the prick with the fact that I am Tony's Dad first and a sniper second and if he forgets the dad part he will meet the second part."
Dr. Cranston heard the mumblings as Gibbs went upstairs to dress and she couldn't help but giggle, "Poor young doctor doesn't have a clue the angry papa bear he just poked."
-Back in Tony's room-
Tony was lying in his bed looking at the ceiling trying to stop the stray tears from falling when he heard a familiar voice, "So Buckeye, how is it going this fine morning, or afternoon I should say."
Tony sat his bed up and quickly wiped his eyes plastering on a halfhearted smile, "I have been better but at least I am not a Wolverine"
"Ooo OUCH! Well the sarcasm part of your brain is in tact… Listen Tony I am going to cut to the chase, I heard about your results and I know what you are thinking. But it isn't true. If anyone can beat this stuff it is you. You are the come back kid. Remember 15%? Second even if you cant be a field agent anymore you won't loose Gibbs."
Tony looked at Brad stunned. Brad answered his shocked look, "Come on, I didn't help you get through the plague not to mention break your leg without getting to know you a little bit. Gibbs is going to be on your six no matter your field status. This is the man who calls me to get a report on you every six months because he knows you wont tell him the whole truth. The only thing he is going to care about is having you alive and with him."
Both men were startled when a loud commanding voice came from the doorway, "Listen to the man DiNozzo, he is a pretty smart guy."
Both men looked to the door. Brad shook Gibbs hand, "I will leave you two to talk. Check ya latter Buckeye."
Brad left and shut the door Gibbs came in and set his coffee on the hospital table and sat on the side of Tony's bed, "Well I heard about the test you had done today, before we talk about the results can we talk about why you didn't want me to be there with you when you went through them?"
"Well they were just standard tests they said no big deal, I didn't think they would tell me what they did. I don't know, I just.."
Reaching out and placing a hand on Tony's cheek, "You are not alone do you hear me? You do not have to do this on your own. As far as what the tests say, I don't care as long as you are still with me. If you can't return to the field maybe I will retire and you and I will go to Hawaii and be like Magnum. When you first got brought in Ducky warned me that you might have some residual issues form the gunshot. I will tell you what I told him; as long as I have my son I don't care what shape he is in. I just can't loose another child, I will never survive it."
Tony couldn't hold the tears back anymore. Gibbs calloused thumb gently wiped the tears away since his hands were still on the younger mans cheeks. Both men sat looking into each other's eyes for a moment then Gibbs turned and sat next to Tony in the bed and pulled the younger man into his chest, wrapping both arms around his boy protectively.
No more words were needed right now the action of being held by Leroy Jethro Gibbs spoke to Tony louder than any word could have.