A/N : I've received mixed reviews from you guys. Some was saying they wanted to stop reading this because it seems like a death fic. Some doesn't mind if it is a death fic. Truth is, I'm still writing it and I still haven't decided whether it is going to be death fic or not. But I assure you people that I'm keeping Tony alive for as long as possible. For now, I want to clarify that this is not a death fic.

Chapter 4

Tony walk slowly along the busy hallway. Despite the shouts and voices talking, everything was tuned out. The word cancer keeps on repeating in his head. Six months. It's March and the doctor just told him that he won't make it to September.

He almost made it to the end of the hallway before a voice repeating his name a few times snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Mr. Dinozzo, there's a prescription for you to fill." Nurse Nancy gave Tony the prescription script for him to fill at the pharmacy. She smiled as she tried not to show him her pity because she knows that that is what cancer patients hate the most, the look of pity from the people around them.

"Oh, alright. Thank you." Tony grabbed the script and changed his direction towards the pharmacy. As much as he hates those pills, he hates the pain even more. So he's just filling up the prescription as a precaution in case the pain came back in full force.

Right after he's done at the pharmacy, Tony got into his car and started the engine. He rested his head on the steering wheel and let out a heavy sigh. He didn't want to go back at the office right now. He didn't think that he's strong enough to put on a show that everything is fine. With that in mind, he started to drive aimlessly.

Meanwhile at the bullpen, both McGee and Gibbs are starting to wonder about Tony's whereabouts. It's almost five o'clock and they haven't received any words from Tony. McGee keep on glancing at Tony's desk and contemplating whether to call him or not.

Gibbs gut was churning like crazy since this afternoon. He just knew that something is not right somewhere but he just couldn't make out what that is. He's just hoping that it's got nothing to do with one Anthony Dinozzo Jr. He noticed that McGee kept looking at Tony's desk and it's starting to drive him crazy.

"McGee!" he shouted. McGee startled at the sound of his voice.

"Yes, Boss."

"Just call him already!" as soon as he said that, McGee was already dialing Tony's number. He looked at McGee's direction intensely and both of them are waiting for Tony to pick up the phone. After several rings, the call was directed to the voicemail.

"He's not picking up, Boss." McGee said worried.

"Try again." Asked Gibbs as he wiped his face. What now, Dinozzo?

"Straight to voicemail." What's going on here, Tony? This is not like you to break rule number 3 and be unreachable. McGee thought to himself. He was sensing that something is definitely wrong with his teammate.

Tony looked up at his phone as it rang and McGee's smiling face fill up the whole screen. He couldn't talk right now. But if he didn't pick up then they'll think that something's wrong. And then McGee and Abby will try to trace him. He cannot let that happen for now. He needed this time alone. He needs to think about what he's going to do without any of them influencing his decision. He pushed the power button and slides the screen to switch off the phone. He's gonna deal with Gibbs' wrath later for breaking rule number 3.

His drive came to a stop when his head started to show signs of a headache. Tony pulled over to the side of the unfamiliar road. He pinched the bridge of his nose trying to relieve the pain. When that didn't help much, he proceeds to massaging both his temples with the heel of his hands. He then grabbed the painkillers and swallowed them to help ease the pain. With his eyes closed, Tony leaned his head at the headrest and waited for the pills to make their way into his system.

A knock to his window woke Tony up from his slumber. He looked at his watch and realized that he had fallen asleep for almost an hour. He rubbed his eyes before looking out the window to see an elderly couple standing right outside his car. Tony rolled down the window to talk to them.

"Hello there, young man. My name is Beth and this is my husband Ian. We were driving by and we saw your car at the roadside. I seriously thought something is wrong when I see you unconscious in the car. Is everything alright, my dear?" the nice old lady explained to Tony while his husband was looking at Tony suspiciously.

"Hello Beth, Ian. My name is Tony. I'm so sorry for worrying you guys. I'm just taking a break from the drive. Everything's peachy, I assure you." Tony smiled at Beth. He felt guilty for making the old lady worry and for lying to them.

"Just where are you heading, Tony? It's already dark and I got to tell you that it's pretty dangerous to drive out here at night. You're lucky it's us who found you and not some kind of thugs who probably would've robbed you and left."

"I still have no destination at the moment. Just driving around trying to clear my thoughts. And thank you, Beth for not robbing me and left me out here alone." Tony joked trying to ease Beth's worries.

"Oh dear. Can we get him to come with us for the night, darling Ian?" Ian just nodded silently. He didn't see Tony as a threat to him and his wife. Just a man with no direction who they happened to stumble upon.

"Come on then, dear Tony. Stay with us for the night. You can leave early in the morning tomorrow." Beth smiled inviting Tony to spend the night with them. She can see beyond the smile on that young man that something is definitely wrong. His green eyes lacked of life and his whole body just shows how exhausted he is.

"I don't want to trouble you and Ian. I can find some motel somewhere in the town." Tony hesitated. He really didn't want to be a burden to anyone at the moment. Let alone someone he just met a few minutes ago.

"No, no. I insist. The town is half an hour from here and you already looked pretty beat, my dear. Our cottage is just a couple of minutes from here." Beth tried to convince Tony to stay with them for the night.

Tony took a couple of minutes before making up his mind. Truth is he was pretty exhausted. Both physically and mentally. Beth and Ian seemed like nice people. And he can't really say no with that pleading face Beth was pulling right now. She seems to know my weakness for nice old lady.

"Alright then. If you insist. I'm more than grateful to spend the night at your cottage." Tony smiled his mega-watt smile to Beth and Ian.

"Good lad. Now you just follow us with your car. It's just a mile from here." With that, Tony started his engine and followed Ian's pick up truck back to their cottage.