The next day Gibbs had little pain ans the morphine was on a medium to low setting. The past week Gibbs had gained about 8lbs. along with the meals Gibbs had a snack before dinner and sometimes in the middle of the night. They wanted him to gain weight so they wanted to shovel food down his throat. It was unnecessary because he was actually eating. He was hungry and they embraced it. He had jokingly said that when they were caseless food tasted more delicious. This became a big joke between them.
"So boss, those pancakes taste unusually delicious?" Tony asked.
"You bet." He joked back.
"Well good to hear, Jethro. You've gained 10lbs the last two and a half weeks, with the way you've been eating." He just got a raised eyebrow in response.
"Yeah it's a good thing Bossman." Abby said.
"Uh-huh?" he questions.
"You have lost a lot of weight since your last injuring just over six months ago."
"Ah, Duck ya know when I get focused I'll forget to eat."
"Yes we will have to watch that won't we?" Ducky stated more than asked. Gibbs looked around only getting stern but concerned faces. Knowing he had to reassure them.
"Ya know I don't do it on purpose." He told them.
"We know boss." Tony patted his shoulder.
"Let's watch a movie." McGee said.
Tony, McGee, Ducky, and Abby went to get coffee; there was a Starbucks in the hospital. Ellie went to the bathroom. Gibbs waited for a few minutes so he wouldn't be seen struggling. He threw of the blankets and moved unto his left side. He put his legs over the edge and slowly sat up using the rail. He sat there catching his breath for a few minutes. He slowly slides of the bed clutching the rails. He grabbed the morphine pump. He straightened and held on tightly to the poll on morphine pump. He got his feet under him. He took a shaky half step away from the bed. It was unstable but not horribly difficult. He took five more slow shaky steps, leaning slightly towards the pump. The other's meet up in the hall and headed to the room. They walked in and stopped, Gibbs was looking at the floor concentrating on his feet. Ellie went to walk forward to help but was stopped by Tony and Ducky, who had smiles. She looked at McGee and Abby who had fond smiles. She realized this was ritual meaning he was getting better. Gibbs was pouring sweat and panting. He stubbornly pressed forward.
"Jethro you are impossible." He didn't even look up,smirking wildly. They sat down at their usual spots.
"Yeah, but you expect it."
"Unfortunately" Tony said.
Gibbs had taken ten more shaky half steps. He was a foot away from the bed. They tensed as his legs buckled but he caught himself. He straightened up and started walking after a few seconds. He made it half way to the wall and slowly turned around. He walked back to the bed. He put the pump back and leaned back on the bed. He put his hands on each rail and pushed himself up. He turned and half leaned, half collapsed into his pillows. He got comfortable and breathed heavily.
"How is your pain, Jethro?"
"Not bad." He replied. He was practically panting, sweating, and looked absolutely exhausted.
"That's bull, boss." McGee said.
"How bad?" Tony pressed.
"eight." He said simply.
"Yeah that's not bad at all…and don't glare at me Gibbs doesn't work when you're in pain." Ellie said. He sighed. Abby handed him the pump and he pressed it three times. He fell asleep in a few minutes and everyone smiled at his smug look. They knew he was actually, truly feeling better.