Tony stayed in the hospital for another five days. By the second day he was still very sick but also going stir crazy and begging to be released. Gibbs delayed his dad's funeral until after Tony was released. There were moments that all he could do was be relieved that he wasn't arranging two funerals. Him and Emily took turns dealing things in Stillwater and babysitting Tony in the hospital. Emily and Gibbs left the kids with Max. So they could both be there to bring Tony home. When they came in the room. Tony was sitting in the chair beside his bed playing with the tablet the gang back in DC had bought for him. While he was recovering from his transplant.
"They're finally springing me." Tony said.
"I know and I couldn't be happier. It's boring without you around." Emily replied.
"It's gonna be good to have ya back DiNozzo." Gibbs replied.
"Sorry about Jack Boss." Tony replied.
"He had been in failing health for a while." Gibbs replied.
"I know he was poisoned like I was but he wasn't strong enough to survive." Tony argued.
"Don't go blaming yourself. I can't handle that." Gibbs replied.
"You're too good to me Boss. Why haven't you mentioned Jack's funeral? Did he even have one?" Tony asked.
"We're doing it tomorrow." Gibbs replied.
"You waited six days?" Tony questioned.
"My dad wanted you to be there." Gibbs replied.
"If it's what he wants then it's fine but I don't want you to feel obligated." Tony explained.
"Have you signed the discharge papers yet?" Emily asked.
"Yeah just waiting for the wheelchair." Tony replied.
"Did the poison do much damage?" Emily asked.
"I got really lucky my organs are fine. Especially considering the organs it tends to damage are the same ones that the plague could attack if it comes back." Tony explained.
"It could come back?" Emily asked.
"Yeah but it's been dormant for eight years. So I try not to think about it too much." Tony explained.
"How did you beat the plague anyway? So I can get you that if it ever comes back." Emily asked.
"Gibbs ordered me not to die." Tony replied.
"Well if you get sick again I will have him order you not to die again. It has worked all three times that you have been hospitalized since I met you." Emily replied.
"I think he scared the hell out of the plague the first time I had it and it will never come back but if it does. I am pretty sure that Gibbs will shrink himself down, go into my body and personally kick its ass." Tony explained.
"That sounds like Gibbs." Emily giggled.
Tony felt strange standing in Jack's empty store. The Stillwater General store had remained closed since Jack's body was found. People had come into town and left flowers and cards on the porch and every night they would come down and light a candle. In his head Tony knew that Gibbs was right. Jack was old and his health had failed in the past couple years but in his heart he couldn't stop blaming himself. Adam and Ed had wanted to poison him and Jack had gotten sick as well. At least Emily and Gibbs had gotten coffee from upstairs and it was during a slow part of the day. So nobody in town had drunk any of the coffee. If the poisoning had occurred in the morning it could have been ugly. He picked up the mop and started to sweep up. He heard somebody walk inside and looked up to see McGee leaning in the doorway.
"What are you doing here Probie?" Tony asked.
"I came up for Jack's funeral. Ducky, Jimmy, and Delilah drove up with me but they are back at the hotel and everybody else is driving up tonight." McGee explained.
"Oh man Jimmy how is he?" Tony asked.
"He is not doing well at all." McGee explained.
"That's too bad. How is everybody else in DC?" Tony asked.
"Everybody is good we all miss you like crazy." McGee replied.
"You sound upset what's going on?" Tony questioned.
"I'm not upset just nostalgic. There are some changes coming." McGee replied.
"What kind of changes?" Tony asked.
"Please don't tell anybody. I don't want to divert attention away from Gibbs but Delilah got offered a job in Dubai and I have already talked to Director Vance about taking a job there." McGee explained.
"You heading up NCIS Dubai? Is our little Probie getting his own spinoff?" Tony teased.
"Actually I won't be an agent anymore. The job I am taking is a cyber job. I just figured with Delilah being paralyzed. I should take a job that is a little safer. I mean it wouldn't be fair if we both are disabled or if I get killed." McGee explained.
"So you're giving up being an agent and moving for Delilah?" Tony questioned.
"Yes but Tony I love her." McGee sighed.
"I know you also there were changes coming plural. What else is changing?" Tony asked.
"Well Jimmy quit, Ducky has been talking about retirement but it's hard to tell if he will act on it, and Abby well Abby and Vance are the same." McGee explained.
"What's Palmer doing now?" Tony questioned.
"Right now he is living with Ducky and just trying to rebuild his life." McGee explained.
"I wonder what Boss will do." Tony commented.
"What do you mean?" McGee asked.
"Well I wonder if he will leave NCIS and take over this place." Tony replied.
"Doubtful I can't see Gibbs doing anything in retirement past sipping bourbon in teak hot tubs, and building boats." McGee assured.
"True but I would hate to see this place go." Tony sighed.
"It would be sad. So what are you going to do when you get back to DC? I mean Vance offered you three different jobs out of the field. Archives, training Probies, even assistant director." McGee replied.
"Actually I don't think I will go back to NCIS. I don't even know about returning to DC." Tony replied.
"Well what else could you do?" McGee asked.
"I don't know." Tony lied.
"What about Emily and the kids? I mean are you sure you want to keep up a long distance relationship?" McGee questioned.
"Emily is thinking of moving out of DC too." Tony replied.
"Well I know Abby and Ducky would miss you and Gibbs will probably go crazy without you but whatever makes you happy." McGee replied.
"Thanks Probie." Tony replied.
A/N: What will happen to Jack's store now? Where will Tony go now that he has left NCIS? New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.