Chapter 11
"So, what do you say if you come back with us to DC and we'll figure this out together?" Gibbs looked at Tony waiting for his answer. Tony smiled slowly before nodding his head in agreement. Maybe this is the right decision all along. Maybe if he only has six months, it's the right call to spend his remaining life with his little makeshift family. Maybe it wasn't so bad to be surrounded by the positive vibes from Abby, the tales from Ducky and Palmer, the occasional smirk from Gibbs (no more headslaps from that old man) and the delightful smile from Tim whenever Delilah's around. He can do this. Spending his last few months with them.
Tony turned around to head to the bedroom when he saw two people who really help a lot in setting his life straight again. He walked towards Beth before embracing her in an Abby-hug and thanked her for everything she had done in the past three days.
He then hugged Ian after his shirt was drenched in Beth's tears. "May everything be well for you, boy. Remember, share your pain and you'll feel a lot at ease." Ian reminded Tony before saying their goodbyes.
After packing up his stuffs and saying goodbye and thank you for the umpteenth time, Tony made his way towards his car before he was abruptly stopped by both Gibbs and McGee.
"Just where do you think you're going, Tony?" McGee asked him snatching the car keys from Tony's hand. Tony stared at him dumbfounded.
"I thought you guys wanted me back in DC?" Tony said trying to get the keys back from McGee.
"Do you really think we're gonna let you drive for two hours by yourself?" Gibbs questioned Tony and dragged him to his car. "You'll be riding with me. McGee's gonna drive your car back."
Tony was going to protest when he was met with a shut-up-and-listen-to-me glare from Gibbs and decided to just agree with the old man. He resigned and took his seat next to Gibbs.
"Be careful Boss. We don't want him throwing up all over the place."
"Ha ha. Not funny, Probie! Be careful with my precious baby!" Tony automatically fell into his routine of friendly banter with McGee. Gibbs just smiled at the exchanged and hopes that everything will stay the same.
It was halfway to DC when the pain suddenly erupted. Tony tried to hide the pain but knowing Gibbs, there's nothing can be hidden from the bossman. Gibbs glanced at Tony when he saw the younger agent pinched the bridge of his nose.
"You good?" he asked slowing down the car a little bit. Maybe it was his driving that's making Tony nauseous or sick.
Tony nodded slowly. "Yeah I'm good. Just a little pain in the head." He said resting his head on the headrest.
"Wanted to take your pain meds before it become worse?" Tony shook his head. Unfortunately it was a huge mistake in doing so as the pain was multiplying right after he shook his head. Gibbs flicked the indicator before stopping the car at the road side.
"Okay. Maybe I do need to take the pain meds." He whispered to Gibbs, the pain already making him sweat and breathing heavily. "In the bag at the back seat." He continued when Gibbs started to search for the meds.
Turning his body to the back, Gibbs grabbed Tony's bag before searching for the orange vial. He found the bottle, took out two tablets and handed them to Tony. Tony took the tablets with shaky hands and popped them in his mouth. He grasped the water bottle passed by Gibbs and washed the tablets down his system.
McGee knocked on Gibbs' window when the senior agent stopped abruptly by the road side. "What's wrong, Boss? Is Tony okay?" he asked anxiously when he saw the pain etched on Tony's face.
"Everything's peachy McWorry. Just the occasional headaches. Nothing to worry about." Tony told him while smiling with his eyes closed. He has no intention to worry his friends more than they already are.
"Just sleep, DiNozzo. I'll wake you up when we reach my place." Gibbs ordered him before telling McGee to continue the journey and head straight to his place. McGee concurred to Gibbs' command and resumed tailing Gibbs car from behind.
It was another 45 minutes before they reached Gibbs' house. Tony was sleeping soundly despite the crease on his face. It was probably the painkillers that knocked him out.
"DiNozzo. Hey, Tony… We're here already." He nudged Tony lightly waking him up from his slumber. Tony opened his eyes slowly careful not to startle his nerves that might aggravate his headache. He looked around to see that they've already arrived at Gibbs'. McGee was already standing next to the opened door to help him up.
"Think you can get up?" McGee asked him extending his arm to help support Tony.
"Yeah, I'm good." Tony told him as he stood slowly. He was thankful for McGee's support as he swayed slightly upon standing up.
"Yeah, you're good." McGee said sarcastically as he tightened his grasp on Tony's waist. He was having trouble trying to understand Tony's definition of 'good' or 'fine'. Apparently Tony tends to exaggerate when he's having a paper cut but considered himself 'fine' when he's having a terminal illness. Tony smiled slightly at McGee's comment. He can't seem to stop his bad habit of putting up a robust appearance even when he's feeling like shit.
Resting on the couch, he closed his eyes trying to stabilize his breathing. It seems that the long drive and the walk were too much for his body to handle at the moment. He opened his eyes slightly when he felt a glass on water on his hand handed by Gibbs.
"Drink up. Ducky's on his way."
"Thanks, Boss. But why would Ducky be on his way?" he asked sipping the water given by his boss. The soothing liquid felt like heaven to his throat.
"He called me to check up on you, dear Anthony." As if right on cue, Ducky showed up by the door answering Tony's question.
"Hey Duck. He's all yours." Gibbs gestured to Tony. Tony started to pull a face seeing Ducky with his medical bag.
"Hey Ducky. Nice to see you. But not the bag." He said looking distastefully at the bag. Ducky chuckled at Tony's remark.
"Always with the humor, my boy. It's good to see you too, Anthony." He hugged Tony briefly before looking at the pale face that used to be filled with sparks and mischiefs.
"Don't be fooled by the looks, Ducky. I'm not that sick, yet." He smiled faintly upon seeing the look Ducky gave him.
"Well, let me be the judge of that. Come here; let me check up on you." Ducky started to listen to Tony's breathing with his stethoscope. Everything seems fine except for the slightly heavy breathing probably from the exhaustion. He then put the cuffed on Tony's hand, checking for both his blood pressure and pulse.
"Everything looks pretty normal at the moment apart from the slightly elevated blood pressure and pulse. Possibly due to the fatigue from travelling far." Ducky told the three of them as Gibbs and McGee were standing at the back observing everything.
"Told you, I'm feeling good, Duckman." Tony smiled after he heard Ducky's words.
"I'm going to give you some vitamins and supplements to enhance your immune system to make sure that you're not vulnerable to any infections that can deteriorate your condition." Said Ducky while writing the names of the vitamins and supplements.
Tony just nodded obediently. There's no point for him to disagree as Gibbs will definitely ensure that he will follow every single instruction from Ducky. Ducky handed the script to McGee and asked him to fill the prescription at the pharmacy. Gibbs then spread the blanket on Tony's lap while Ducky adjusted the pillow on his head. Yup, he's definitely making the right decision coming back to DC.