Chapter Seven: How Bad?
Gibbs strode into the elevator after a call from Ducky. He didn't say anything, just to get down there. But, if he was with DiNozzo, it couldn't be good. Anthony DiNozzo. It was never easy with Tony. Not that it was Tony's fault. It had to do with how you were raised. Tony was raised to never show weakness. He was taught that crying, being in pain, and feelings were a sign of weakness. They weren't. And Gibbs had a feeling that Senior didn't give a damn if Tony was weak. More like, he didn't wanna deal with a crying kid, an injured kid, an emotional kid. He didn't need that headache. Why he ever became a father, Gibbs had no idea. He didn't deserve Tony. Tony- his senior field agent. Tony was hardworking, courageous, trustworthy, strong. But there came a breaking point for everyone, didn't there? Tony should've been broken long ago, but somehow he kept moving forward. He didn't break, he survived.
The elevator doors opened to Tony sitting on a table and Ducky looking at x-rays. "Boss?" Tony said, looking at the opening doors.
"DiNozzo," Gibbs acknowledged him. "Duck?"
"Ah, Jethro!" Ducky glanced at Tony, then said, "Might I have a word with you in my office?"
Gibbs got the hint, saying, "Sure, Duck," and followed him into his office. Ducky shut the door after Gibbs. "What's up?"
"Anthony is stubborn," Ducky said.
Gibbs smiled, "Yeah, Duck. I think I know that."
Ducky smiled back, "Yes, but, because of this, Anthony won't admit to being injured. It's about pride. It's about fear. It's about trust. He fears trust."
"So, he wouldn't tell me how injured he was because he doesn't trust me?" Gibbs wondered.
"I don't think it's quite that. I think Anthony believes he does trust you, but, subconsciously, he doesn't want to show anyone, especially you, his weaknesses. He looks up to you. He doesn't want you to think less of him," Ducky explained.
"Aw, Duck. You know I'd never think less of him for getting hurt," Gibbs said. "Especially considering the way he did."
"Yes, I know that. But, I'm not so sure Anthony does. I think he still fears that you will be disappointed in him."
Gibbs closed his eyes in shame. He hadn't meant to make Tony feel that way. "So, what is wrong with him, physically?"
"Well, he has several bruises on his arms, consistent with the pressure of fingers pressing onto them. One larger bruise on the inside of his wrist looks to be where he was initially grabbed. And he has about three sets of bruises on each arm, five bruises in each set. A large bruise on his right upper arm shoulder looks like he collided with something, a wall perhaps. Moving to the abdomen, he has bruised ribs all along the right side as well as three fractured. Other than that, no facial wounds and no injuries past the waist. Seems as though the perpetrator was aiming for Anthony's torso area," Ducky had observed.
"Because that part can be covered up," Gibbs said under his breath. "You tell DiNozzo?"
"Not quite yet. I wanted to let you know first," Ducky said.
"Why?" Gibbs wondered.
"Because, because of his fractures, he will be sentenced to desk duty for six to eight weeks. And, I figured it'd probably be a two man job breaking that to him."
Gibbs smiled as he said, "He is gonna be pissed."
They walked out and saw Tony fidgeting where he sat, then wincing at the pain it caused. "You know," Gibbs started, causing Tony to jump and then cry out in pain, "if you would stop moving, you'd be in less pain."
"I'm not in pain, boss!" Tony said quickly.
"Yeah, ya are," Gibbs said matter-of-factly.
Tony rolled his eyes. "So, what's up?"
"Well, Anthony, do you want the short answer or the long answer?" Ducky asked.
"Short," Tony said quickly.
"You have several bruises, which will heal. I'm sure you've realized the whole right side of your abdomen is bruised?" Tony nodded slowly. "The only thing you have to be worried about is, on your right side, you have three fractured ribs. Everything else will heal in a week or two."
"And, what about the ribs?" Tony asked.
"Yes, well, fractured ribs will take around six to eight weeks to heal. Anthony, you won't be able to do field work," Ducky said kindly.
"What? Why not?" Tony asked, as he hated desk duty.
"You're injured, DiNozzo," Gibbs said.
"So? I'll just get some ice and wrap it with one of those bandage things," Tony told them.
"Yes, well, that can be dangerous, Anthony," Ducky advised. "It can increase the risk of lung collapse and lung failure. Besides that, it can constrict your airway."
"Is that all?" Tony asked facetiously. "So, what am I supposed to do? Writhe in pain?"
"Oh, of course not, Anthony. I'll get you an ice pack from the freezer and you'll ice the pained area; twenty on, ten off," Ducky explained. Tony nodded. Ducky took out a bottle of pills, saying, "And, of course, I can give you pain medication-"
"Oh, I am not taking painkillers! I'd rather be in pain!" Tony huffed.
Ducky looked to Gibbs. "Oh, he'll take 'em," Gibbs said, as Ducky passed him the bottle.
"I don't need them, Gibbs!" Tony said.
Gibbs frowned at how much Tony was acting like a child. "You will take them, whether you want to or not."
"But, they make me all...loopy," Tony tried to explain.
Gibbs smiled inwardly at the young man's explanation. Then, said, "I'd rather have you acting 'loopy' than for you to sit in pain. You're on desk duty anyway."
"About that-" Tony tried to argue.
Ducky jumped in, "Yes, Anthony. Desk duty. You need to avoid too much movement for the next six weeks or so. You'll also need plenty of sleep and bedrest."
Tony sat for a minute, thinking about what he'd learned. Then, finally, he sighed. "This sucks," he concluded, which nobody could disagree with.
Tony stood in the elevator, leaning on the back wall, behind Gibbs. Gibbs glanced behind him. Tony had his eyes closed and looked as though the wall was the only thing keeping him upright. As the elevator doors opened to the squad room, Tony didn't move. Gibbs turned and grabbed Tony's shirt, pulling him from the elevator, muttering, "Come on, DiNozzo."
Gibbs practically dragged Tony all the way to his desk and sat him in his chair. "What's going on, DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked, leaning on Tony's desk.
"Nothing. I'm fine," Tony told him.
"Yeah, I'll believe that when I don't have to cart your ass back to your desk. What's up?" Gibbs whispered, so only Tony could hear.
"Nothing. I'm cool, whatever," Tony said back. Gibbs stared at him until he was forced to answer. "I don't wanna be benched from field work. Look, I mean, think about it. I went to Chesapeake and I was fine. And I'm still fine."
"You weren't fine then. You were acting like you were fine. There's a difference, DiNozzo," Gibbs said, walking back to his desk. "You will not be doing anything in the field until you are cleared for field work by Ducky."
Tony rolled his eyes as Gibbs turned and glared at him. "Fine," Tony answered. "But, just so you know, I am not in pain at all."
Gibbs rolled his eyes. Why did Tony make everything so difficult.
An hour later found all four of them reviewing different cold cases in silence. As Gibbs glanced up, he saw Tony, once again, fidgeting in his seat, which clearly caused him pain. "Tony," Gibbs said, causing Tony to look up, "sit still."
"I am...I'm trying," Tony muttered.
"Yeah, I know. Why don't we try some painkillers," Gibbs said, taking out the bottle, and walking to the young man's desk.
"No," Tony said instantly.
"You are going to take them or-"
"Or what? You can't make me do anything! And, I don't care what you say, I'm not taking them!"
Gibbs took his hand to the back of Tony's head. It no longer mattered if he was injured. Tony needed to drop the attitude he was carrying. "With me, DiNozzo," Gibbs said, leaving no room for an argument. As he strode to the elevator, he could hear Tony reluctantly stand up and follow him.
As the doors of the elevator closed, Gibbs pulled the emergency brake and glared at Tony.
"What?!" Tony asked, rather rudely.
"You know damn well what! I'm sick of you and that attitude of yours. Drop it or go home," Gibbs threatened.
"You can't-"
"Oh, the hell I can't! And, if you don't take these painkillers in about five seconds, you'll be going home anyway! If you wanna sit in pain on your own time, whatever. But, I am not about to sit here and watch you writhe and squirm in pain because you're too stubborn and pigheaded to take any help! You're injured, and it's not your fault, but you are injured! You need to take someone's help. And if you won't accept anyone else's help, accept mine. Because it's me you should worry about. You know, when I realized you were injured, I wasn't even thinking about the job, I wasn't thinking about replacing you like you thought. I was worried about you. Not the case, not the job, you. You are more important than the job. Understand?" Gibbs ranted.
Tony was speechless. He finally nodded shakily as Gibbs passed him two pills and a bottle of water. Tony reluctantly took both pills as Gibbs watched him closely, making sure he swallowed them. Then, Gibbs pulled out the emergency brake, returning them to the squad room. As Tony walked back to his desk, Gibbs told the three he would be going on a dinner run and that they should all continue to work on the cold cases until he returned. They all nodded as he turned and left.
As soon as the elevator doors shut, Kate and McGee walked up to Tony's desk. Kate asked, "Okay, DiNozzo, spill. Why are you benched from the field?"
Tony smiled charmingly. "Three fractured ribs, which isn't that big of a deal, but Ducky says I need to rest to heal or something like that. So, now I'm benched from field work."
"How did you fracture three ribs?" McGee asked.
"None of your business, probie," Tony said, good-naturedly.
"Come on," Kate said. "Ducky knows, considering he treated you. And, if Ducky knows, Gibbs knows. And, if Gibbs knows, why can't we know?"
"Because," Tony answered, "you are neither my doctor or my boss."
Kate and McGee both rolled their eyes as McGee asked, "Why is it such a big secret?"
"It isn't. I just don't feel like telling you. McGee, you won't understand, and Kate, you are too judgmental," Tony said.
"Oh, come on, Tony!" Kate said.
"Fine," Tony agreed, "I'll tell you. But, I'm gonna tell you, it's not a pretty story."
"Fine, whatever, spill it," Kate said eagerly.
"Alright. So, about four-ish nights ago, I was at the video store, looking for a flick, when I ran into this girl, Jodie. She was all over me, so we went back to her place with the movie. Cool Hand Luke, with Paul Newman. He refuses to-" As the two listeners rolled their eyes, Tony said, "Alright, moving on. Well, after the movie, we moved it to the bedroom, right? So, you know, we're...you know, doing stuff and I fell onto the floor. Three fractured ribs, and I kept going!"
"Oh my God, Tony!" Kate said, disgusted, as she and McGee moved back to their desks to get back to work on the cold cases.
Tony smiled and called, "What can I say? She liked it rough!"
