Part 16

Gibbs barely slowed as he turned into the Sutton Town's General Hospital parking lot. It was a small building with few parking areas. He hit the brakes and felt the rear end of the car slide a little as he came to an abrupt stop near the Emergency Room entrance. Switching to park, taking the keys and rushing out of the vehicle, he hurried through the double glass doors. Heading for the nurse he saw behind a counter, he detoured instead and bee-lined to a small grouping of chairs tucked away in a back corner of the room. Tony sat slumped down in his chair, legs stretched out in front of him, his arm braced and his hand pressed against his eyes.

Gibbs grabbed his shoulder. "Tony."

Startled, DiNozzo sat up. He glanced up, recognized Gibbs, and stood. "Boss."

"Where's McGee?"

"They took him, airlifted to Bethesda." He crossed his arms tight across his chest. "They wouldn't let me go - Dr. Stanley and Dr. Mansfield went with him, and there wasn't room."

Gibbs studied him, noting the fine lines around his eyes that weren't normally there. "You all right?"

Tony nodded, his lips tight. "I'm finished here; let's go."

Gibbs tapped him on the shoulder, leaving his hand there briefly as they moved toward the door. They got into the car and drove away. Gibbs waited, figuring Tony would start from the beginning and regale him with the continuing adventures of Tony DiNozzo and Timothy McGee. But instead, Tony buckled his seat belt, settled back, and turned his head away. Surprised, Gibbs kept quiet, deciding to give Tony time to process. He'd said very little on the phone when he'd called. Gibbs had gotten a little more information from the local and state police, who'd been called to pick up the two men Tony had left at the house where he and McGee had taken shelter. But the unanswered questions still far outweighed the answered ones. They had a little over four hours to drive; he could wait.

Deep breathing signaled Tony was asleep. When he could look away from the road, Gibbs studied the younger man's profile. Even unconscious, creases of worry and stress showed on Tony's face. For the second time that day, apprehension twisted his gut. Getting Tony's phone call had sent his heart racing until he'd learned both of his agents were alive, even though Tony hinted that McGee had been seriously injured. On the drive to Sutton Town, he'd had time to make several calls, garnering more details about McGee and what had happened. But second hand accounts really didn't interest him; he wanted to hear what Tony had to say. For now, it seemed, that would have to wait. Gibbs kept his eyes on the road, anxious to get to Bethesda and find out exactly what these two had been through. Beside him, Tony sank deeper into his dreams.

He opened his eyes to darkness and couldn't tell where he was. The blackness changed into gray, and he could see a hallway in front of him. He walked barefoot through the passage. Where were his shoes? Wet footprints traced a dark path across the wooden floor into the back bedroom. He stopped when he accidentally slid through the liquid and red painted his toes. Blood. McGee's blood.

"I'm in here with your partner, Mr. Navy Policeman."

His breath left him in a rush. Tony squeezed his eyes shut. He couldn't do this again. For an instant, panic choked him. Breath coming in shuddering gasps through his chest, he walked steadily to the door. Stuart Michaels stood beside the bed, his fingers twisted in the back of McGee's hair. McGee sat partway up, leaning on one hip. Sweat glistened where the light touched his skin. A gash down the length of the front of his belly leaked blood, dark and thick down his body. He gripped Michaels' wrist with one hand and reached for Tony with the other. Heavy breathing lifted his ribcage.

"Watch me put a bullet through him." Michaels' thumb pulled the hammer back; the end of his rifle barrel rested in the hollow of McGee's throat. Tony shut his eyes and flinched violently when the gunshot reverberated through the room. He couldn't remember opening his eyes, but then Michaels was in front of him, the bloody end of his rifle pressed against his throat. "Now it's your turn." He yelled just as Michaels pulled the trigger.

A loud gasp was his only warning. Tony sat up abruptly with a yell. Alarmed, Gibbs threw an arm out and caught him, palm pressed to his chest. Tony slumped back, breathing heavy, but obviously awake.

"You okay?"

Propping his elbow on the door, Tony nodded and rested his head in his hand. He rubbed gingerly at his eyes. Gibbs gave him a few minutes to recover.

"When's the last time you ate?"

Sighing heavily, sitting back and resting his head back, Tony closed his eyes. "I don't remember."

"Hungry?"

"No."

The tone bothered Gibbs more than the short answer. He sounded defeated. He watched Tony lift one hand and rub at his temple.

"Headache?"

"Yeah."

There was nothing he could do about that, so Gibbs kept quiet. Unusual silence filled the car. Uncomfortable with this new side to Tony, Gibbs searched for something to say. Mouth open, he turned to speak, but discovered his senior agent had fallen back to sleep. Pressing his lips together, Gibbs turned his attention to his driving. Silence stretched long into the drive.

A few hours later, he drove into Bethesda's parking area and turned the car off. Probably sensing the change in movement, Tony woke and sat up. "Where are we?"

"Bethesda."

Without another word, Tony opened his door and got out. Gibbs followed. He had to scramble to catch up. "Tony! Slow down!"

Tony didn't seem to be aware of his presence.

"Tony!"

He stopped and turned, waiting for Gibbs to catch up, then quickly started back for the hospital. Gibbs reached for his arm and pulled him to a stop. Tony jerked from his grasp, then seemed to realize what he'd done. He propped his hands on his hips and bowed his head, chest pumping as if he'd just run a mile. "I'm sorry -"

"Don't -" Holding one hand up, Gibbs waited until Tony looked at him - "apologize."

Tony dropped his arms to his sides and looked away.

"Talk to me. What's going on with you?"

His shoulders lifted in a brief shrug, then Tony threw his hands up with a raw sound of frustration. His voice rose dangerously close to hysteria. "My partner – my friend may be dying. I'm just a little upset here, Gibbs. What the hell do you expect from me?" His rant ended with him facing Gibbs. Breath gasping, eyes filling, lips trembling, he closed his eyes and shook his head. "I should have been able to save him," he whispered.

Gibbs moved close. He reached and grasped Tony's shoulder. Tense muscles rolled beneath his grip. "You did."

Tony sucked in a harsh, shuddering breath. He blinked rapidly and pulled away. Gibbs let him go, giving him time to pull his emotions back into control. After a moment, he walked slowly by Tony, thumping him gently on the back.

"Let's go check on Tim." He kept going, smiling softly to himself when he heard Tony's steps catch up with him. Their pace quickened and they hurried into the hospital.