Section 75

"How is he?" Jackson asked quietly.

"Still in pain." Jethro complained. "He won't admit it, but I can see it in his eyes."

"Didn't you give him another pill with his Shepherd's pie?"

"They really don't work for him."

"Where's Zuma?"

"Tony's laying down on his side and Zuma's cuddled up to him. They're watching Turner and Hooch, together."

"Thank the lord for that pup." Jackson said somberly.

"You should have seen him, dad. He made a lunge and just nailed Mabus. Paramedics said he whined more about that than the bullet holes." Gibbs smirked, then he too, became serious. "Thanks, dad, for buying him. Without him, I don't know how the day would have turned out." He laughed. "We're going to need more treats. Every time Zuma moves Tony offers him a treat."

"I'll buy him a truckload." Jackson vowed.

"I promised him the biggest New York strip steak I can find, when he gets old enough." Jethro admitted.

From the living room, they could hear Tony laugh and Zuma barked back. "I was sure that second pill would knock Tony out."

"I'm certain Jimmy will bring something with him." Jethro said.

"I can't believe how close I came to losing both of you." Jackson poured a cup of hot black coffee for himself and Gibbs.

"I underestimated Mabus. I knew he felt backed into a corner but I didn't think he would have the guts to try something like this." Jethro shook his head. "I almost lost him, dad. I almost lost Tony. I just got him in my life and almost…"

"Not going anywhere."

Jethro jumped up to help his husband over to sit at the table. "You're supposed to be resting."

"Movie was over." Tony shrugged. "I think something's wrong with Zuma."

"Other than stuffing him full of treats?" Jethro joked.

"I was playing with his paw and he whimpered." Tony ignored the treat comment. "I think they look a bit pink."

Jackson held his arms out. "Let me see. Hey, Zuma. I am so proud of you. Let me see your paws, fella." Jackson cuddled him in one arm and used his other hand to hold his front right paw steady. "They are a bit pink."

Jethro rounded the table and knelt beside his dad. Gently, he checked each paw. They were a bit irritated.

"Is he going to be okay? He didn't get hurt, did he?"

"He's going to be okay, Tony." Jackson comforted him.

"What's wrong then?"

"Zuma isn't used to walking on concrete. I think all that running and climbing on steps made his paws a bit sore."

"What should we do?"

"I have some numbing cream I use on my knee sometimes." Jackson offered.

"I'm afraid that he might be scared or injure himself if it was numb." Jethro paused to think. "Hold on, I think McGee had that issue with Jethro." He pulled out his cell and handed it to Tony.

"McGee."

"Tony, how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, but Zuma isn't."

"What's wrong?"

"His paws are irritated from running and climbing."

"Slightly pink and rough."

"Yeah."

"I'll be right over." McGee hung up.

"Uncle Tim is coming." Tony let Jethro place the pup carefully in his arms and crooned. "He's going to fix you right up."

"Tony, have you been putting the ice on? This swelling hasn't gone down."

Jethro spoke up, "Off twenty, on twenty. I've been using those flat pads Helen bought." Helen had purchased reusable, cold therapy packs that were rectangular and some eight inch elastic wraps to hold them in place. They were for when Tony wanted or needed to sit, like on the trip home.

"Is it a problem?" Tony asked.

"I'm concerned with the proximity to your kidney." Jimmy said touching the area lightly. "I wish you had let me take an x-ray beforehand leaving NCIS."

"If you keep taking x-rays, I'm going to glow in the dark." Tony grumbled.

"Make it easier for Leroy to find you." Jackson smirked.

"Dad!"

"Hello."

"In the kitchen, McGee." Jethro hollered.

"Seems to be the hub of the home." McGee smiled. "Jeez, Tony," he whistled through his teeth. "That looks awful."

"I've had worse." Tony passed it off. "It's Zuma I'm worried about."

"What's wrong with Zuma?" Jimmy asked, concerned.

Tony held up one of Zuma's little paws so that they could see the slight irritation. "He hurt himself coming to save me."

Jethro's hand itched. "Tony, it's not your fault. We didn't know that he was going to sneak away. I'm sure McGee can fix him."

McGee pulled a tube of salve and some adhesive bandage. It was bright yellow with red hearts. "Sorry, Zuma, that and pink were all they had to choose from. They were out of the blue I used on Jethro."

Zuma looked at the bandage and then at Jethro. "Not that Jethro." Tony laughed. "Uncle McGee has a dog named Jethro."

McGee pulled a chair up close and began to work on his paws. "My Jethro is a German Shepherd. One of these days I'll bring him to play with you." After rubbing one paw, McGee opened the bandage. Zuma sneezed and tried to back away. "It's okay, Zuma, it's just so that the salve doesn't come off or get licked off." McGee tried to take Zuma's paw but the pup flailed and whined.

"Hold on, McGee. If he doesn't like it, he'll just chew if off. One of Ducky's corgis did after surgery. I think I have something that might work out in the car."

"Thanks, Jimmy." Tony smiled at him gratefully.

"In the meantime, I'll put salve on his other paws."

When McGee took hold of another paw, Zuma brought the first one up and sniffed it. The pup wrinkled his nose.

"Let's see what's in here." Jimmy returned with a diaper bag. "I always keep a diaper bag in the car so I can pick up Victoria, if I need to. Here we go." He held up some socks.

"Baby socks?" McGee looked confused.

"Well, his paws are about the same size. Also, they smell like Victoria, who Zuma knows."

"Won't he just pull them off?" Tony asked.

"Worth a try." McGee said, taking the two pairs of socks from Jimmy. He held them out for the pup to sniff before taking the first pair and working a sock onto his front right paw. Zuma pulled it back when McGee reached for his other front paw. The puppy smelled the sock and nudged it with his nose.

"Leave it on, Zuma. It will make your paws feel better." Tony took another paw in his hand and Zuma gave a huff, letting Uncle McGee put socks on his back paws.

"At least he's not raising a fuss." Jethro watched the pup, who was watching McGee.

"Is that the only ill affect you've seen?" Jimmy asked.

"He seems okay; just whimpered when I touched his paw."

"May I?" Jimmy held his hands out and Tony carefully handed him the puppy. "Hey, Zuma, will you let me look at you for a minute?" Jimmy held him gently and carefully felt along the muscles in his legs. He listened to his heart. As he checked the puppy, the front door crashed.

"Where's Auntie Abby's angel?" Abby burst into the kitchen. "McGee said he was hurt."

Zuma flinched and whined in Jimmy's arms. "Hey, Abby. Could you say that again, at the same sound level?"

"What? Where's Auntie Abby's angel?"

Jimmy was examining Zuma's ear carefully. "Now, could you say it lower?" He kept up his examination.

"Is something wrong, Palmer?" Jethro asked.

"Not really." He looked apologetically at Abby. "I think the reason that Zuma sometimes reacts negatively is his ears. I think that when you talk at the louder, higher tone that it may be hurting his ear drums."

"I'm hurting him?" Abby's eyes filled with tears.

Jimmy winced. "Not intentionally. Just keep in mind that he's a baby still. Try using the same voice you use with Victoria, until he's a bit older."

"I will. I promise." Abby looked mournfully at the puppy.

Picking up on the look in Tony's eyes, Jimmy carried the puppy around and placed him in Abby's arms. "He loves his Auntie Abby. Here, why don't you hold him while I finish examining Tony?"

Section 76

Tony heard the phone and tried to roll over to answer it. He moaned in pain and Jethro carefully moved him back on his side and said. "I'll get it."

Zuma gave a half-hearted snarl and Tony stroked him gently. He looked at the clock, it was only shortly after two am. "It's okay. Go back to sleep."

"Yes, sir. He's very stiff and in pain. Can it wait until morning? I understand, sir. As soon as we can." Jethro hung the phone up and cursed quietly.

"What's wrong?"

Jethro turned on the bedside light. "Mabus took a turn for the worse. That was Secretary Hagel. You are Mabus' next of kin and he has asked you to come to the hospital to speak with the doctors."

"Why?"

"They need authorization for treatment as Mabus is unable to give it."

"Shit." Tony groaned as he tried to sit up.

"Let me help you." Jethro carefully took ahold of Tony under his arms, helped him ease into a sitting position then turned him to rest on the side of the bed. "How's your back feeling?"

"It's there." Tony went to stand. "Need to hit the head."

Wordlessly, Jethro helped him stand and then let his husband go take care of business. When Tony returned, Jethro had an outfit waiting. "More blood?"

"Yeah."

"Heavier?"

"About the same."

"While we're at the hospital, we'll have an x-ray done." Jethro knelt, helping his husband step into a pair of khakis. "Button or pullover?"

"Polo shirt." Tony knew it would be softer on his bruise.

"Wrap or pack?" Jethro smirked as he helped Tony onto a chair and assisted him into his socks and shoes. Fornell had stopped by earlier to apologize for his agent and to see how Tony was. Somewhere he had found a navy baby carrier and managed to have it embroidered with the words 'Agent Zuma' in white. It matched their caps perfectly. Fornell had joked that he wanted Zuma's mommy to be able to carry him without a strain and the carrier would help hold the ice in place.

"Can we take Zuma with us?" Tony asked, a bit forlorn.

"Of course." Although Jethro had initially been joking when he mentioned it, let some hospital bureaucrat try to stop them.

"What do you think, Zuma? Will you go with us?" As Tony spoke, Zuma opened a sleepy eye and gave a quiet bark.

"It's settled, then." While Tony was speaking, Jethro had pulled on his clothes with the ease of years of nighttime calls. Scooping up the pup, Jethro returned to help Tony up.

"Should we wake Jackson?" Tony asked as they made for the stairs.

"I'm up. Everything, ok?"

"We've been asked to come to the hospital by Secretary Hagel. It appears Mabus has taken a turn for the worst."

"Need me to puppy-sit?"

"We're going to take him along. Go on back to sleep, Dad. We'll be back as soon as we can."

"You call if you need me."

"Thanks, Jackson."

"Take care, son." Jackson hugged Tony gently. "You need me, I'll come."

"Tony."

"Brad, are you one of Mabus' doctors?"

"No, but you are my star patient. Anytime your name comes up, they call me." Brad looked at the coat pulled snugly across Tony's chest. "Few too many donuts?"

"Ha-ha." Tony joked back. "I brought another member of my team." He pulled the zip down a bit so the doctor could read 'Agent Zuma'.

"I'm assuming that is not a baby." Pitt stepped closer to peer down into the carrier. "You brought a puppy into the hospital?"

"Jethro and I brought a third agent who was instrumental in the take down of an armed criminal."

"That's the 'vicious' dog that bit his…"

"Not very vicious." Jethro said joining them. He had run interference when a security officer had attempted to examine Tony's bulge.

"Good to see you again, Agent Gibbs."

"Just Gibbs, Dr. Pitt."

"Brad, please." The doctor smiled. "Congratulations on your marriage. I know you'll be very happy."

Jethro cocked his eyebrow. "You don't look very surprised."

Brad laughed. "When a man orders a patient not to die? And the patient lives? That's more than boss and subordinate."

"What's up with Mabus?" Tony asked.

Brad grew somber. "His doctor is waiting to talk to you."

"We trust you." Jethro spoke up.

Brad led them towards a cluster of chairs. He watched as Jethro helped Tony sit. "What's wrong, Tony?"

"Just copped a round to my vest."

"And a through and through that took stitches." Tony threw Jethro a glare, but his husband continued, "The round hit between his spine and right kidney. Dr. Palmer treated him but he's concerned about the swelling."

"Passing blood?"

"Some."

"Yes."

Given the conflicting answers, Brad interpreted the responses. "Since Tony is admitting to something, I would assume that Jethro's answer is more accurate?" He noticed Jethro's quick nod. "We'll do an x-ray just be sure there isn't something more going on."

"We're here for Mabus." Tony said grumpily. "You know, so urgent it had to be the middle of the night."

"Sorry. Was worried about my most famous patient." Brad joked before becoming serious. "Mabus was hit by three rounds. One here in his upper arm," he pointed the position on his own body. "This was more of a deep graze, easily treated. The one that struck him in the upper chest here," he pointed to just below his collarbone, "Can be removed with little trouble. It's the third bullet that caused the most concern. That bullet ricocheted off a rib. It then traveled downwards, causing damage to his liver and intestines. Once he was stabilized, the team did abdominal surgery to try to repair the damage and remove that round."

"Earlier this evening, Mabus' vitals began to crash. He was rushed back into surgery. There was a chip off a rib that nicked the abdominal aorta up near where the rib deflected the bullet. This suddenly became a severe hemorrhage. The loss of blood caused a stroke on the operating table. It was here in the frontal lobe. The team immediately began treatment. In recovery he had another stroke, a larger one again, in the frontal lobe. Those strokes were contained rather quickly." Brad looked from Jethro to Tony to be sure they were following his explanation.

"What was unexpected was a third stroke. This one was in the brain stem. These are notoriously hard to diagnose, particularly in a comatose patient. Luckily for Secretary Mabus, the neurologist, Adam Olsen, was in town to give a seminar. He diagnosed the condition about two hours ago. The concern is that a brain stem stroke can lead to numerous conditions. These can include: lack of coordination, weakness or loss of mobility on one side of the body, blurred/disturbed vision, inability to speak/understand speech properly, locked-in syndrome and/or a coma."

Tony sucked in a deep breath. He hadn't expected the situation to be that critical. "Why call me?"

"Dr. Olsen wants to perform surgery. He feels that Secretary Mabus' best chance at recovery is to attempt to repair the artery. The resident neurologist, Dr. Asal Pianaran, believes that we should wait and see."

"And you?" Jethro asked.

"Dr. Olsen is concerned that not operating may lead to additional strokes or permanent brain damage. Given the severity of the last stroke, I share that concern. That is not to say the surgery is not without significant risks. Mabus is currently unresponsive and unable to authorize treatment. As his next of kin, Dr. Olsen wants you to sign for surgery."

Section 77

Brad leads Tony and Gibbs past the MPs and into the private room across from the CCU nurses station. "Dr. Olsen and Dr. Pianaran, this is Agent Anthony DiNozzo, Secretary Mabus' son."

"Agent DiNozzo, I'm…"

"Finally. Did you not understand how critical the situation is?"

Tony and Jethro looked from the first to the second speaker. After sharing a look, Jethro turned to the second doctor, pegging the first for the typical suck-up. "I'm not sure that you are aware that Agent DiNozzo was also injured this afternoon."

"The patient's…"

"Mabus." Tony interrupted the doctor again. "The patient's name is Jarvis Mabus."

"As I was saying surgery…"

"Is ill-advised in this situation." The first doctor said definitively.

Noticing the pain lines on Tony's face, Jethro turned to Brad. "He needs to sit."

"Of course."

Stepping in front of Tony, Jethro unzipped his coat. "Want this off?" Jethro tapped a strap on the carrier.

"Please." Tony locked his hands under the carrier while Jethro unfastened it, removing it and ice pack. Jethro laid the sleeping pup next to Mabus on the bed. Brad came in with a chair and helped Jethro get Tony seated.

"If you are comfortable, could we review the patient's condition?"

"As I am his doctor, I will be happy to explain your father's condition." The first doctor interjected.

"Look, I took two rounds today. I'm tired, cranky and in pain. I'm not interested whatever pissing contest going on between you two. Now, although biologically I am his son, I am not close to Mabus so you don't need to refer to him as my father. As to briefing me, Dr. Pitt has already explained the situation."

Having lost his personal bed warmer, Zuma poked his head out of his carrier, yawning. His nose twitched at all the smells. After seeing Tony sitting beside the bed, the pup looked around. Seeing the man in the bed Zuma slowly wiggled closer till he could rest his head on a warm hand and went back to sleep.

"Dr. Pitt is not a neurologist or your father's attending physician. He had no right to discuss this case with you. I will be demanding that you be censured." The first surgeon was incensed. "Get that filthy animal off the bed now." He screamed.

"Yeah, no." Tony said facetiously. "Agent Zuma stays. You however... Jethro."

Jethro stepped around the bed and took the man's arm. "Dr. Pianaran, Agent DiNozzo was targeted in the attack today. Agent Zuma is part of his protection detail." Jethro could feel his husband smirking. "You are no longer needed." Jethro pushed the doctor forcibly from the room, to the amusement of the MPs. "Gentlemen, Dr. Pianaran is no longer authorized to enter this room." He turned around and shut the door in the doctor's face.

The other neurologist clapped. "Nice show. Why him and not me?"

"You're abrupt and rude with tunnel vision." Tony said flippantly. "I'm used to that. I married him." Tony could almost feel Jethro's hand itching. "That being said, Brad says you're one of the best."

"Any questions, Dr. Pitt couldn't answer?"

Tony shook his head. "From my understanding this surgery, in his condition, is extremely dangerous. However," he continued before the doctor could interrupt. "Brad clearly explained the potential for additional complications if we do nothing."

"I have the films if you'd like to see them."

"Not necessary." Jethro placed his hand on his spouse's shoulder and Tony continued, grateful for the support. "If I can be blunt, too… My understanding is if we do nothing, chances are he will probably die or be in a coma, with little hope. If we do surgery, there is a low probability of him coming through it. If he does live through the surgery, his odds improve. Though he may still die, be brain dead or comatose for the rest of his life. How close am I?"

"Right on the button. The quicker we operate, the better his chances."

"How come you didn't object to the pup on the bed?"

The surgeon pointed to the monitors. "When the pup laid his head on the Mabus' hand, there was a change in his vitals. Heart rate evened a bit."

"If he were awake, he wouldn't be that comforted." Tony heard Brad cover a laugh. "Does he know we are here? Can he hear us?"

"Easiest answer. I don't know."

Brad spoke up. "Tony, there are conflicting theories. Mabus is in a coma. Yet, he responded to Zuma's presence. Does he know what we are discussing? It's hard to say. Can he respond to us? He hasn't to this point. He isn't opening his eyes or moving his fingers."

Tony looked at Jethro and then the neurologist. "I need a few minutes."

"I'll go put an OR on standby, just in case."

"Tony, I'll be…"

"Stay, Jethro. You, too, Brad."

"I'll just let myself out." The neurologist said, flippantly, as he exited the room.

Tony held his hand up by his side for Jethro to take. "Mabus, I don't know if you can hear me or if you understand what the doctors have been saying. I'm sure if you were conscious that I'm the last person you would want to make this decision. Part of me just wants to walk out that door and forget I was here, but I can't. So, here we are."

Zuma lifted his head as Tony stoked his back. "It's okay." He soothed the pup. "Just this afternoon he took a bite of you but now, lying here, he's comforting you. Strange how things work out, huh? So what do we do?"

Tony took a deep breath. "What would you want? Crap. If it were me, I'd fight with everything to live. To live for Jethro, for my family. What do you have to live for? A trial? Prison? I have to make the decision because I'm your son. You killed the son who looked up to you today. The son who actually wanted to be your son."

Zuma whined softly as Tony's hand stilled. He gave a sad smile and started scratching the pup's ears. He looked at the small pup wearing the frilly white baby socks on his poor paws. "If this was a movie, about now, you'd squeeze my hand or move a finger; even open an eye. You're not going to, though, are you? This is all my responsibility to decide."

"Brad?"

"Yes, Tony?"

"Get me the form, I'll sign it. If there is a chance than I have to give it to him."

Brad picked up a chart from the end of Mabus' bed and pointed to the marked areas. "I'll let Olsen know." He exited in search of the neurologist.

"It's up to you now, Mabus. May God have mercy on you." Tony started to stand. "I'm done here."

Jethro helped Tony up, who took the empty carrier, then picked up Zuma. Just outside they ran into Brad. "Ready for that x-ray?"

"I don't think…"

"Yes." Jethro declared.

Brad smirked and gestured to the nurse who was approaching with a wheelchair. "Great. Just happen to have transport right here. I think this guy should wait here." Brad held his hand for Zuma to sniff. "I'll bring him right back."

Gibbs pulled out his phone and texted. "Upstairs now." He sat in the small waiting area and put on the carrier on his lap persuading Zuma to crawl in. "Tony will be right back. Till then, we'll wait here."

The ding of the elevator caught his attention. "Here, one of these is for you." Hagel sat down and sighed. "Where's DiNozzo?"

"X-ray."

"Mabus?"

Gibbs took the coffee. "Being prepped for surgery."

"How did you know I was here?"

"On the phone you said get down here. Beyond that, Mabus hasn't had next of kin for years, someone had to be his proxy. I'm DiNozzo's, so it made sense. Why the call, Hagel? You could have signed for him, couldn't you?"

"I could have." Hagel took a long sip of coffee. "I thought I knew him. I've worked with him for years. Then today, I realized I didn't know him at all. He shot his son in cold blood. Schemed to kill another."

"No reason to drag Tony down here." Gibbs shot back.

"Maybe I'm old fashioned. I thought DiNozzo had the right to decide. He is Mabus' son. I know DiNozzo will probably never forgive him, but I thought DiNozzo deserved closure."

"Next time you pull something like this, I will kick your ass."

Hagel ignored the disrespect. "Next time, I may let you."

"You the one who called Pitt in?"

"Knew he had treated DiNozzo for the plague and that Palmer didn't like the looks of the injury. Thought we could kill two birds with one stone."

"Thanks." Gibbs took a long drink. "When Pitt's done with Tony, we're leaving."

"I'll stick around."