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Lorenzo added in a clipped tone, "The impact threw her over the car and then onto the street."
"It looks like she has massive internal injuries," Ducky clarified, taking off his glasses and polishing them on his shirt sleeve.
Tony threw himself against the back of the chair, fear evident on his face. He licked his lips and addressed his aunt, still unable to absorb the cold facts. Hadn't today dawned a regular, ordinary day just like every other day?
"Tia, I thought that you and Abuela planned to eat out lunch and shop today. Abuela said that she wanted to find a new shirt and slacks for me to wear to Mass, and a suit for my upcoming job interviews."
Between sniffs, Tia replied. "Si, we needed to buy some spices, though, and the seller had his stand across from where we were. Maria lagged behind because she decided to buy some candles. El coche se salió de la nada. I had already made it when she started on the pavement, then the car just flew from nowhere!" She began to sob again, burying her face in her hands.
Gibbs intervened and spoke gently, but clearly. "Son, things are really serious for Maria. The doctors have spoken very candidly to us- in fact, they have invited Ducky to join them as their colleague. I'll let him tell you the details, what is going on medically, but for right now I want you to take a minute and just let this settle."
Tony bit the side of his lip and tried to do as his father requested. He rubbed his palms up and down the legs of his pants, trying to have something physical as a focus. Sheer terror washed over him in awful waves. His grandmother had been hurt, obviously badly, and it was serious enough that the entire family looked terrified, and bestowed compassionate, sympathetic, heartbroken looks upon him.
He rested his chin in his hands finally and focused upon Doctor Mallard. "Tell me, Ducky, please. I will stay calm now."
The older man nodded and met Tony's gaze. "The damage appears extensive, with internal bleeding and internal injuries. They have her in surgery as we speak."
Tony sucked in a breath and bit the side of his lip again. He met Ducky's empathetic look.
"Anthony, lad, a major concern exists that she might not wake up- her body was comatose when they got to the hospital, or that if she does, she will have brain damage. That risk is all too probable."
He had said it out loud, at last, and when he actually did, wails emerged from Tia and Veronica.
Tony's body just crumbled as he absorbed the news, and fighting a wave of utter panic that threatened to consume him, he turned and looked appealing at his father, "Daddy…."
The absolute worst moment for a parent comes about when he watches his child's heart break, and Jethro Gibbs reeled emotionally when Tony whispered for his daddy, in that way, and with that expression on his face. His little boy- grown man, now- wanted his father to intervene and to make it right for him, and Gibbs could not rise to the challenge and fix it for his son.
He reached over and rubbed Tony's cheek. "Son, we need to give the doctors a chance to tell us what we face here. Right now we just need to wait for an update."
"I want to go to her," Tony whispered. "I need to see her and tell her that I love her."
Tia patted his leg. "She's knows that, Si, Antonio. She knows how you feel about her. You are her baby, her bambino, and she loves her boy so mucho."
She began to cry softly again, and reached for a handful of tissues from the box on the side table.
A noise in the hall made them all turn to see the source. The Campeche police captain strode into the area and greeted the family, telling them that he wanted to bring them up to date on the investigation.
He stood respectfully, waiting a moment for the family to give him their attention. He recognized Tony, and Jethro, having dealt with both over a little foray Tony and his amigo Miguel had carried out as teenagers.
The family appeared devastated already. He cleared his throat and added more horrible details.
The man who had hit Maria had been driving after drinking, had been speeding, and didn't possess a valid license. The police had him behind bars, facing a long list of charges.
His audience shook their heads miserably. None of that could help Maria now.
They had no energy to focus on justice, or vengeance, at the present time. All of their thoughts, prayers, and concerns had to encompass Maria only.
The captain asked about Maria's condition and promised to keep them updated, after assuring them that he would be praying for Maria's recovery.
When he left, Ducky cleared his throat. "Well, we must wait patiently until the surgeon comes to speak to us. Right now only our prayers to guide the doctors can aid Maria, as she is in the skillful hands of the specialists here."
Silence descended upon the group, tense quiet that did little to calm their nerves. Tony leaned his head against the wall, and slouched in his chair with his jaw clenched. Never had it made a difference that Tony and Maria possessed no blood ties, because they were family, they were grandmother and grandson.
Everyone in the room hurt for him- ached for him. As much as they all loved Maria, Tony absolutely adored her, and she responded in kind. He was Maria's baby, her bambino, the joy of her life, her nieto, and he loved her as deeply as she loved him.
Lorenzo made a run to the cafeteria half an hour later and came back loaded with beverages for the waiting loved ones.
Gibbs sipped his coffee and watched his son, who remained frozen in place, lost in his own thoughts.
Finally, a nurse approached and told them she was there to summon Dr. Mallard. Tony sat upright then, watching intently as Ducky followed her down the tiled surgical corridor. He seemed calmer, probably because he knew the good doctor would share what he had learned upon his return.