Section 78

It had been a good plan, for all the good it did. Jethro was beginning to get worried when he was summoned to a treatment room by a nurse. He found Tony laying on a bed waiting for Brad.

"Everything okay?"

"I want to go home." Tony had dark circles under his eyes and Jethro could see he was in a lot of pain. "I've been poked, prodded, stood up, strapped down and not in a fun way."

"Good, there you are, Gibbs." Brad entered the room cheerfully. "So, Tony, I just looked over your test with the staff nephrologist and orthopedist."

"What's wrong?" Jethro asked as his gut twisted. He took Tony's hand and felt his husband squeeze it tight.

"When I looked at the x-ray, I found the L-3 and L-4 vertebrae were chipped by the impact of the bullet hitting the vest. That's why I sent you for an MRI of the spinal column, Tony. I wanted to be sure there was not any additional injuries to your vertebras or the spinal column itself. Thankfully, there doesn't appear to be any compression fractures or other damage which is good. Unfortunately, the chips were in the area of your right kidney, hence the CT of the abdomen. One of the chips caused a laceration of the kidney and is causing internal bleeding. The kidney is also bruised."

"English, please?" Tony pleaded.

"At this time, the three of us are in agreement that surgery is not required." Brad held up his hand to stop Tony from speaking. "However, the situation could change. Now, ideally I would stick you to that bed for a couple days, but I know you. I will release you but…you will follow some instructions."

"One. You are not permitted to do any type of strenuous activity. Grab a stack of DVDs and do a moviethon on the couch. Two. You will monitor the blood in your urine. If it increases, you are back here immediately. Understood? Three. I am giving you a couple of prescriptions and you will take them, on schedule. Four. If you have any increase in pain, stabbing or otherwise, or any numbness in your extremities, you call me immediately."

"How serious is this, Brad?"

"Gibbs, at this time, I'm not overly concerned but we are dealing with bone chips. They are relatively small but it does weaken the individual vertebrae. They also could move. I know how much Tony hates coming to the hospital but I would like to have an x-ray every other day to check for movement. I would be okay if Ducky or Dr. Palmer took them. Otherwise, call me and I'll leave a standing order."

Tony looked even paler. "I'm not going to have to ride a desk, am I?"

"You will until that kidney heals. The chips may settle and not move. If they do move, we could do arthroscopic surgery and remove them. You will have some therapy, down the road. A lot depends on how well you listen to my instructions. This is your med schedule and a review of the instructions, what to look for and your prescriptions."

"Is there anything for pain?"

"Didn't Dr. Palmer prescribe something?"

Jethro handed him the bottle that was in his shirt pocket. "He's had these but they really aren't doing much."

"Forgot you are so immune to pain meds." Brad pulled out a pad and wrote a different script. "These should help. If not, we may need to try shots or intravenous. I'm sure your friends would be willing to help do that for him at home. If you need it, Tony, call me. I've got to run; I've got a meeting in ten minutes."

"Thanks, Brad." The two men chorused.

"Let's get out of here." Tony said, "I just want to go home."

Jethro laid a sleeping Zuma down next to Tony and set about getting his husband ready to go home.

In deference to Tony's back, Gibbs insisted on carrying Zuma. Not even puppy eyes could make him put the carrier on, to Tony's disappointment. The puppy eyes also didn't work on the nurse with the wheelchair who was waiting outside the door. At least once Tony was in the wheelchair, he was permitted to hold Zuma.

The puppy sat up in his carrier to look around. Now that Zuma was awake, he was anxious to get outside and empty his little bladder. Luckily for the pup, the nurse was experienced with puppies and produced a disposable pad to put in his carrier on Tony's lap in case of an accident.

As the nurse wheeled him down the corridor, Tony noticed Hagel in a waiting room. "Isn't that Secretary Hagel?" He asked Jethro.

"He's waiting for the surgery to end."

"I got the impression from Brad that the surgery wouldn't take that long."

Jethro's gut clenched. "I'm sure he'll let us know."

"That's Dr. Olson." Tony motioned for the nurse to stop. 'You are going to die and I will be there.' He heard his own words. Tony paid no attention to Hagel's approach.

"Agent DiNozzo."

Tony swallowed hard. 'You are going to die and I will be there.' "He didn't make it." Tony said flatly.

"We removed the clot and I was in the process of suturing the artery when he suffered a massive heart attack." Olson yanked off the surgical hat. "The cardiac team responded immediately but the damage was just too great. Secretary Mabus couldn't be resuscitated."

"You are going to die and I will be there." Tony murmured.

"What?"

"That's what I told him today. That he was going to die and that I would be there."

"You know this isn't your fault." Hagel said standing next to him. "You made the right call. Jarvis would have risked everything for a chance to live."

"Agent DiNozzo, once we opened the area, we were able to determine that the brain stem stroke was more severe than we realized. It is very likely that Secretary Mabus would have never recovered consciousness. He would have been comatose for the rest of his life."

"I promised him that I would see justice for Sacks."

"He is facing God's judgment now." Hagel replied. "Do you want to make arrangements?"

"I want Mabus' body sent to Ducky." Jethro spoke up. "Tony isn't in any condition right now to make decisions. The doctor found the bullet that impacted the vest chipped two of his vertebrae and bruised his kidney. He also has a laceration on his right kidney from one of the chips. I'm taking him home now; we'll discuss arrangements later."

"Of course." Hagel readily agreed. "I will take care of the paperwork for transferring Mabus to Dr. Mallard. I'm so sorry that you were injured so badly, Agent DiNozzo. Please do listen to the doctors' orders. I'd hate to lose such a fine agent."

Section 79

Palmer knocked softly but wasn't surprised that Jethro answered almost instantly. "Morning."

"Come on in, Jimmy. Wasn't expecting you so early."

"I got the call from Hagel that Mabus was going to be Ducky's guest. He told me what happened. I was worried about Tony."

"He finally drifted off about ten minutes ago. Brad upped his pain meds."

"He saw Dr. Pitt? That's good." Jimmy smiled. "I didn't like the look of the area."

"You've got good instincts." Jethro led Jimmy into the kitchen and offered him coffee. "The bullet impact did cause some internal damage."

"How bad?"

"Two chips from Tony's vertebrae. His right kidney was bruised and has a small laceration from one of the chips."

Jimmy winced. "I knew I should have made him let me give him an x-ray."

"Not your fault." Jethro said. "I know how he downplays his injuries. I could have ordered him to submit. At least we know what we're dealing with."

"What's Dr. Pitt recommending?"

"He gave Tony some anti-inflammatories, new pain meds and wants him to have an x-ray every other day to check for movement of the chip."

"I know where I can borrow a portable x-ray machine."

"Borrow?"

"One of my classmates just upgraded their portable. He let several of us know, in the event we were interested in purchasing it."

"Doesn't NCIS have one?"

"Not a portable." Jimmy slipped in to a professional mode. "We have an excellent system in the morgue. I know Dr. Mallard has budgeted for one in a few years. That one would be used at the sites before moving the victims but it keeps getting crossed out."

"How much does your friend want for the system?"

"Well it's an analog. He had purchased it for seventy-five thousand but is willing to let it go for thirty which is still less than a new digital."

"Call him and tell him you'll take it." Jethro took a long drink of coffee.

"What?"

"Call him and tell him you'll take it unless you would rather have a digital." Jethro said. "Look, Tony and I don't plan to flaunt it, but we can afford to buy it."

"Would it be only for NCIS use?" Jimmy asked tentatively.

Jethro eyed him closely but took another drink before speaking. "You have another use for it?"

"Well, I…uh."

"Spit it out, Palmer."

"I've been doing some pro bono work for a women's shelter. They hide women and children who have been abused. They call me and I usually meet them at a motel when they need medical attention."

"Aren't there required reports that have to filed?"

Jimmy flushed. "These people won't go to a doctor or hospital for x-rays and treatment because of leaving a paper trail that will lead the abuser right to them."

"You're risking your medical license, aren't you?"

"Someone has to help them." Jimmy said earnestly.

"Don't bother calling your friend." Jimmy's face fell. "Call a dealer get one of the new digitize things. I'll transfer the funds into your personal account."

Jimmy was stunned. "A digital? Personal?"

"I know Tony wants to help people. I can foresee him down the road developing grants to buy necessary equipment for situations like yours. Whether you want to use it for NCIS situations is up to you."

"I would definitely. It will make it easier on Ducky in the field and for situations like with Tony. Gibbs, are you certain? Digital start at about forty thousand."

"I don't want you to buy the cheap one. I want you to get what you need to help those women and children."

"What women and children? Good-morning, Jimmy."

"Good-morning, Jackson."

"Any more coffee?" Jackson retrieved his mug and joined the duo at the table when Jethro held up the carafe.

"Tony still sleeping?"

"With Zuma curled up under his chin." Jackson confirmed. He had been awake and waiting when his boys had finally come home. He had fussed over Tony and Zuma and helped Gibbs settle them on the sofa. "What are we talking about?"

"Palmer has been helping a group that shelters abused women and children. He's been providing medical care to them. We were just discussing a portable x-ray machine."

"Portable?" Jackson harrumphed. "Didn't know they made those."

"A lot of veterinarians have started using them so that owners don't have to try to bring animals in, thus injuring them further."

"Come to think of it, I think I heard something about that fella that took over from Doc Milton. He had one of those army vehicles equipped."

"Army vehicle?" Jethro mused. "You mean a hummer?"

"That's it."

"I've seen that done. Some police units were setting up portable labs in their hummers before they were discontinued." Jimmy spoke up. "They can do a lot of tests and that, on site."

Jethro had a gleam in his eye. He had an idea and he knew Tony would be thrilled. Getting up, he crossed to one of the kitchen drawers and came back with a pen and pad of paper which he placed in front of Jimmy. "What would be needed to equip an SUV, say a Yukon XL, as a portable medical office?"

"Equip?"

"Well, yeah. I assume that you use elastic wraps, sutures, hot and cold packs; that kind of thing when you are helping the shelter. How do you haul them now?"

"Breena and I keep a rolling suitcase stocked. It's in the rear of my car."

"You and Breena are buying the supplies?"

"Ducky and Tony have helped."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Gibbs shook his head. "Stop by a dealer look at the SUVs. Measure the hold area. Find one that you can equip with that portable x-ray machine. Make a list of the supplies you need; I'll take care of ordering it all."

"Gibbs, I don't know what to say."

"Don't talk, write."

Section 80

"Hey, son. How you feeling?" Jackson lowered the book he was holding the moment Tony's eyes opened.

Tony gave Jackson a wan smile. "Fine." He noticed a distinct lack of warmth on his chest. "Where's Zuma?"

"Leroy took him out a while ago. Woke up and started dancing almost immediately, poor fella. Leroy just scooped him up and took him out." Jackson laughed. "Then Jethro ran out to get some supplies and took the pup along." Tony groaned and went to sit. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Zuma's not the only one who's ready to dance."

Jackson sat his book aside. "Alright, let me help you." Jackson helped his son-in-law up gently and led him to the laundry room.

"Uh, Jackson. I need to pee not wash clothes."

Jackson pushed the door open. A blanket now hung over the window and there sat something. "Ta-da."

"What is that?"

"That is a deluxe portable potty for campers. Jethro went out to the garage first thing this morning, cleaned it up and brought it in for you to use."

"I can use the toilet."

"No steps for you right now. So this is your very own private bathroom." Jackson watched Tony shaking his head. "It's that or a bottle."

"Love it." Tony shooed Jackson out.

Jethro let himself in quietly. If Tony saw him now, Jethro would never live it down. Zuma had flatly refused to sit in his stroller. The pup had refused to be carried. He had whined and kept struggling to get down. The moment his paws hit the floor he would limp to his Agent Zuma carrier.

Finally, Jethro had placed the pup in the carrier and then in the stroller. The pup simply snarled. He picked up the carrier and cradled it. Zuma fussed. Jethro vowed to strangle Tobias the next time he saw him. With extreme reluctance, he had finally donned the baby carrier. Once placed properly, the pup sat up cheerfully and wiggled until he could see out.

He threatened Tobias again when the pup refused to be removed from Jethro's chest. He had to drive with the pup peering out of the carrier and over the dash. Jethro blamed the warning he got on the pup. A police car pulled him over just outside the development. The little traitor burrowed down in his carrier when the siren went off.

Jethro drummed his hand on the steering wheel while he waited for the officer to walk up to his window. "Good-morning, Officer."

"Good-morning. You were doing fifty-seven in a thirty. Also, sir, are you aware that all children must be in a secured in a car seat?"

"This isn't a baby. May I get my ID?" At the officer's nod, Jethro tried to get to his identification but was hampered by the pack. "May I step out?" The officer stepped back and into a defensive position while Jethro got out and stood next to the car.

He took the ID folder. "Thank you, Agent Gibbs." The officer moved where he could read the carrier. "Agent Zuma?" The officer said with a smile. Hearing his name, Zuma popped his head up out of the carrier. He barked and tilted his head in his cutest manner.

"He refused to get in his seat this morning." Jethro pointed to the backseat. "He and my senior agent were injured yesterday when an op went bad. He's being really clingy right now." As if he understood, Zuma brought one small paw in a frilly sock up and out of the carrier. "His paws were irritated and he wouldn't let them be taped." Jethro explained, "He hasn't fought the socks yet."

The officer fought a grin. "Hey, was the op at the NCIS garage? I remember there was some chatter over the lines about a patient who was bit in the privates."

"The man was holding a gun on my senior agent. Zuma took exception to it when he started firing."

"You're a hero then." The officer held his hand out and let Zuma sniff. When the pup nudged him, he gave Zuma a good ear scratch and then gently shook his paw. "Do you mind?" The cop produced a smart phone. Jethro groaned internally but acquiesced as the officer stood next to him and Agent Zuma to take a selfie. Zuma had even deigned the patrolman a close-up. He had allowed the policeman to lift him out gently and hold him while Jethro took a picture of the two 'shaking hands'. Finally, the officer left him stuff Zuma back in to his carrier and take off. At least he didn't give Jethro a ticket.

It seemed to be the pattern for his shopping. Zuma had demanded his carrier and then had preceded to charm everyone in sight. At the pet store, the clerk had given him a squeaky toy that could hook to his carrier. In the grocery store, Jethro had to stop constantly due to children wanting to meet 'Agent' Zuma. This had entailed more selfies. Jethro's head was throbbing by the time he was done running errands and heading home to his husband. Thankfully, Zuma was exhausted and had curled up in the carrier for a nap. As he let himself in, he was congratulating himself on his stealth, when he heard his husband.

"Jethro, is that you?"

Jethro's shoulders slumped. "I'll be right in." Dropping the pet and grocery store bags off in the kitchen, he carried his other purchases into the living room. "How are you feeling?"

Jackson was dozing in his chair, but Tony looked up from where he was lounging on the couch and snickered. "I wish I had my cell."

"I'm going to strangle Tobias."

Ignoring the threats, Tony took an interest in the one bag. He recognized the baby boutique where Jethro had taken him shopping for Victoria. "You went baby shopping?"

Jethro's face took on a reddish hue. "McGee said Zuma's probably going to have to use the salve for a week."

"You know; you could pick those up at a department or even the grocery store."

"They only had plain white ones and Zuma didn't really like them."

Tony made grabby hands for the bag and Jethro grudgingly handed it over. He pulled out several packages of baby socks in a variety of colors and patterns. "Zuma wanted pink? And white with red hearts?"

"I figured we owed Victoria a thank-you."

Tony hated to admit it but he loved the baby socks that looked like running shoes. Jethro had got those in several colors. There were socks that looked like tuxedoes. There were socks with trains on them. There were even Washington National socks. The cutest in his opinion were blue with the superman emblem. There were eight pair, enough for two days. He held them up.

"He wouldn't let go of them." Jethro admitted. "He grabbed them in his mouth and just refused."

Tony laughed and then moaned at the thought of the great Jethro Gibbs out stubborned by a fifteen-pound puppy in a baby store. "Don't make me laugh."

At the sound of Tony's laughter, Jethro felt the carrier begin to move. A furry head poked out and Zuma yipped in excitement. Answering the unspoken demand, he lifted the pup from the carrier and put him on the sofa where he could get to Tony.

"Did you and daddy go shopping?" Zuma nosed through the socks scattered on Tony's lap before latching on to the superman ones. Picking them up gently he pushed them into Tony's hand.

"See?" Jethro pointed.

"Do you want your superman socks put on? Is that it?" Tony gathered the socks up and put them in their bag. "Tell you what. Uncle McGee is coming to check your paws. We'll tell him to put these on you." Tony tried to take them but Zuma shook his head.

"Told you."

Tony scooped the pup up and cuddled him. "As soon as uncle Tim comes." He let the pup lay them on his lap and Zuma concentrated on giving him kisses. "You'll never guess what I found bedside me when I woke up." Tony held up Rocky. "Did you leave him here to take care of me? You're such a good boy, aren't you?"

Zuma accepted his raccoon and settled down to chew on Rocky's tail while Jethro told Tony all about their morning. Jethro grumbled as he told his husband and Jackson, when he was awakened by Tony's laughter, about the shopping trip, the officer and the selfies. He also informed him the team, including Abby and Palmer, was off for another week pending the inquiry over Mabus' shooting.

Section 81

McGee and Abby arrived at almost the same time. Abby bounced in to the living room and gave Tony a gentle kiss. Remembering Jimmy's words, Auntie Abby coaxed Zuma away from Tony's side triumphantly. "Uncle McGee told me about your paws, sweet angel." Abby carefully rubbed a small paw. "He's going to take good care of you. Just like we are going to take good care of you, Tony. I heard about last night and Mabus."

Tony was carefully propped on the sofa with super soft pillows that had magically appeared when he complained that his left side was aching from lying on it. Tony wasn't used to all the attention. Jackson or Jethro was always in the room ready to cater to his wants and needs. Jackson was currently in the kitchen so it had been Jethro's shift. His husband was currently getting him a cold drink.

"How are you doing?"

"I don't know, Abbs. I keep telling myself that I made the right choice, but did I?"

"You did." Abby said flatly. "I stopped over to see Ducky this afternoon. Mabus wouldn't have made it, Tony. The brainstem blockage would have killed him. The other strokes were severe but you gave him the only chance there was. His heart just couldn't take the strain."

"Abby's right." Jethro came up behind her and handed Tony a glass of iced tea.

"I swear I requested a beer." Tony looked at the glass.

"No alcohol with pain pills." Zuma looked up from Abby's arms and gave a small woof at Jethro. "You don't need more treats." Zuma woofed. Exasperated Jethro dug in his shirt pocket and pulled out a treat. Zuma accepted it graciously.

"Way to hang tough, daddy." Tony teased. "Isn't that why you took the treats away from me?"

"I wanted him to eat some of his food. He needs proper nutrition. This was more of an after dinner dessert." Zuma woofed again. "No more." Zuma held up a paw looking pitiful. "Where is Rocky? Wouldn't you like to play with your raccoon?" Zuma raised his head looking around. He woofed sadly.

With a deep sigh, Jethro turned and left the room. The minute he was through the door, Tony produced a treat from under his pillow and slipped it to Abby. She pocketed quickly as she heard Gibbs' footsteps returning. In his hands, he held not only Rocky, but Zuma's leather bone and squeaky bone. "Not a word," Jethro glared at both of them.

"Hello."

"Living room, McGee."

"Could you give me a hand first?"

Jethro grumbled to himself as he headed for the front door. What on earth did McGee need help for? "What in the devil?" Jethro saw flowers, balloons and present bags littering his front stoop. "McGee, what is all this?"

"A couple of them are for Tony."

"The rest?"

"For Zuma."

"What do you mean for Zuma?" Jethro asked as McGee came forward with another armload and his computer.

"I think I ought to show you." McGee turned to edge past Jethro and move into the living room, leaving Jethro to pick up the rest and follow.

"McGift giver." Tony greeted him cheerfully. "What have you got?"

McGee dutifully walked over and handed him a couple bags. "That one's from Helen and Diana. There's one from HR and one from the security detail."

Tony chortled as he pulled out a box of his favorite candy. "Score. What are the other bags for?"

McGee set down his laptop and quickly pulled up a web page. Jethro caught sight of it as he was carrying the other bags into the room. "Son of a …"

"Leroy Jethro!" drowned out the finish but the intent was clear. Jackson came to the door. "What are you bellowing…" The older man's voice trailed off. "Is that…" He pointed.

McGee turned the screen so that Abby and Tony could see. There in a web post was the selfies the trooper had taken. Jethro in carrier with Zuma and his little stocking feet peeping out was blown up next to the one of the trooper 'shaking hands' with Zuma. The page proudly proclaimed Agent Zuma as a hero; a wounded hero.

"Oh my gosh." Tony was flabbergasted.

"It's gone viral." McGee pointed to the gift bags piled around. "People have been dropping gifts off for the last few hours. Vance finally set up a receiving area. The security detail is going through all the packages to be sure they're safe. This is what they have gone through so far."

"Crap." Tony looked at Jethro. "What do we do?"

"Open presents." Abby bounced up and handed Zuma to Tony. She pushed Jethro with his bags to sit beside them. Zuma cocked his head and drug Rocky over to peep into a bag. Dropping the raccoon, he stuck his head into the bag and began to back up growling. The adults watched as he struggled to pull something out. They laughed as he crawled deeper into the bag and began backing up again. When the object came loose, the pup ended up sitting on his rear on Tony's knee. In his mouth he held a wing of a plush eagle chew toy. The look on his face had them all laughing. With a sniff Zuma, dropped the eagle got to his feet turned and picked up his raccoon. He began chewing on it.

"Definitely Daddy's boy." Tony laughed. Then he sobered, looking at the gift bags. "So what do we do?"

"Local shelter is always looking for extra supplies." Abby spoke up.

"McGee, what's that say?" Jackson asked.

"Basically it recaps the fact that Zuma participated in a criminal arrest. The trooper tells about his injured paws and how he has to wear baby socks. He does identify Zuma as being with an NCIS agent he spoke with this morning."

"Could we add something to the page?" Tony asked thoughtfully.

"Like what, Tony?" McGee asked.

"Maybe a shot of Agent Zuma thanking everyone but asking that any gifts be given in his name to their local shelter."

"Of course."

"What do you think, Jethro?" Tony asked.

Jethro thought it over. "Abby, do you know the local shelter director?"

"Of course."

"Could you call and invite her over?"

"What are you thinking?" Tony asked.

Jimmy arrived a couple hours later just as a woman with tear-reddened eyes was being helped to her car with armfuls of gift bags. She hugged Abby and McGee then helped them place their bags in the car. She dabbed at her eyes and hugged Abby and McGee again. Finally, she climbed in her car and drove off slowly.

Jimmy walked into the living room to find Jethro, Tony and Jackson wearing big smiles. Zuma was laying in his bed with his head on what looked like an eagle. His raccoon was still between his Superman socked paws and he was sleeping soundly. "Is that lady okay?"

"She just met 'Agent Zuma'." Tony laughed at the puzzled look on Palmer's face and pointed him to McGee's open laptop.

Jimmy saw Zuma sitting on the lady's lap. She was holding what looked like a check and shaking the pup's paw. Around her were the gift bags he had seen. Jimmy quickly read the attached text. "Wow. That's fantastic. Director Vance will be glad to hear this, you wouldn't believe the stack that they have at the office."

"Mrs. Lamina is going to coordinate picking them up and distributing them to the area shelters. They'll do a lot of good there. Even the baby socks." Tony laughed. "His daddy saw that Zuma has plenty already." Tony pointed to a stack of socks on the table. "Jethro took Zuma shopping or should I say Zuma took Jethro. By the way, here." He handed Jimmy a bag.

"What's this?"

"A little thank-you from Zuma to Victoria for saving him from the yellow with red tape of doom."

"This wasn't necessary."

"I understand Zuma was quite picky when they were choosing them." Tony told Jimmy about Jethro holding up a picture of Victoria on his phone in the boutique and pointing from the photo to the socks.

Jimmy held up a pair with tulle puffs on the toe. "I can't imagine Gibbs picking these out."

"I didn't. Zuma picked those." Jimmy jumped as Jethro spoke from just behind him. "I liked those." Jethro pointed to several pairs that looked like white socks with colored shoes.

"Where are Abby and McGee? They didn't leave without saying good-bye, did they?" Tony asked, easing the moment, to Jimmy's relief.

"No, they are helping dad with something."

"I looked over the results of Dr. Pitt's tests and talked to him about his recommendations." Jimmy smoothly changed the subject. "We need to treat this carefully, Tony. This could have been very bad just a fraction either way. I should have sent you to the hospital."

"Hey, Jimmy. Give it a rest. I was wearing a vest; it should have been fine. Just my bad luck it hit where it did. They couldn't have aimed better if they were trying." Tony laughed. "Give me a couple days and I will be up and around."

"No, Tony." Jimmy said firmly. "You need to take this seriously. Follow the directions to the letter. You don't want to have to have surgery or risk injuring your vertebrae even more. Now, I've got a checklist and you will answer me truthfully." Jimmy held up a clipboard.

"Don't get rough with me, Black Lung. I'll talk." Tony joked.

Jethro shook his head. "I'm going to go check to see if dad needs help."

"What's Jackson doing that he need so much help? Tell him not to worry about dinner. My freezer has a bunch more casseroles in it."

"I'll tell him. You answer the questions truthfully or I will." Jethro warned his husband.

"So, has the blood in your urine gotten heavier, lighter or about the same?" Jimmy started down his list.

Section 82

Tony knew he and Jethro had plenty of company. He just didn't know where they were. Jackson had disappeared first. Tony had assumed he had gone to the kitchen. He hadn't seen Abby and McGee since they helped Mrs. Lamina to her car. Jimmy had kept him company when Jethro disappeared; only to disappear when Breena had stopped by with Victoria. Even Zuma had disappeared. The pup had followed Jimmy and not returned. Now and then bumps and mutterings came from the kitchen and basement areas, but Tony couldn't make out the conversation.

Jimmy had built him a cushy nest of soft pillows in the recliner and Tony was grateful that he was at least off the couch. Victoria was next to the recliner in a bassinet Jimmy had set up where Tony could reach out and rub her back or play with her. Shortly after that, Breena disappeared. At least he knew where she had gone. He could hear her bustling around the kitchen and smelled the sweet aroma of chocolate chip cookies.

After Breena had taken over 'Tony-sitting', they had discussed dinner for the gang. Tony had given her an overview of what was in the freezer. They had decided on a variety of dishes that he had frozen since he had not had time to replenish his lasagna stockpile.

As he watched Victoria nap, he savored all the different smells. The mini meatloaves with cheese and bacon teased the appetite. There was a spicy fiesta beef casserole with a cornbread top giving a slightly spicy aroma. One of his recent dishes was a hearty ham, potato and green bean casserole. Instead of a simple white sauce; he had added a mild white cheddar.

Being Italian, he loved pasta and had developed a casserole to mimic pierogis. Instead of making individual pockets, he layered the mashed potatoes between cheesy lasagna noodles from his favorite shop. Then topping it with more cheese. There were also a couple of vegetable casseroles to round out the feast.

"Can I get you anything?" Breena had come in to the living room while he was focusing on the food. In her hand was a saucer with a couple hot cookies which she handed him. "Maybe some cold milk?"

"No. I'm good." Tony sniffed the cookies appreciatively. "How goes the kitchen duty?"

"You, my friend, are an amazing cook." Breena perched on the coffee table. "I had to do the cookies first so I could fit everything in the oven. I've been putting together a salad but the smells are driving me wild. I'm dying to try the beef cornbread casserole but I don't think I should while I'm breastfeeding."

"It's a little spicy." Tony admitted. "Tell you what, when I get back on my feet I'll make you one for your freezer."

"Deal. Do I want to know what the squash casserole is?"

"It's pretty similar to the vegetable lasagna but without noodles. I use a variety of different squash and vegetables with a simple cream sauce." Tony ate a cookie happily.

"Different squash and vegetables?"

"I use butternut, zucchini, yellow, eggplant, mushrooms. I layer in spaghetti squash and it gives a pasta feel and slightly nutty taste. So want to tell me what everyone is doing?" Tony started on his last cookie.

"Yes." Breena grinned. "But I'm not going to."

"I'm injured." Tony gave her Zuma eyes. "You're supposed to cater to me."

"The only thing I'm catering is cookies." Breena took the now empty saucer and rose to return to the kitchen. She dropped a kiss on top of his head. "Take a nap."

"Yes, mother." Tony said mockingly. Unfortunately, for all his bravado, he found himself drifting off; his hand on Victoria's bassinet protectively.

"Anthony, dear boy." Ducky put down the magazine he had been thumbing through. "How are you feeling?"

"Just ducky, Ducky." Tony quipped. He automatically checked for Victoria and saw her contentedly chewing on her fist.

"Time for your medication." Ducky gestured to the glass of water and pills on a saucer on the table by his chair.

"Ducky, I…"

"Please do not make me call Jethro, dear boy. I believe his patience is wearing a bit thin."

"Why?"

"Because Abigail… Ah," Ducky stopped. "You almost had me. I promised not to divulge that…" Ducky stopped again. "Medication, if you please."

Tony reluctantly swallowed the meds. "You know they don't do anything."

"I'm aware of your resistance to pain medications; however, we do need to draw as much inflammation as possible out of the area."

"Is this career ending?" Tony asked bluntly.

"No, Anthony. I admit had the impact been directly on the spine, with the force of the blow and damage done; it could have impaired your physical performance. On the other hand, a direct blow to the kidney is a much more uncertain outcome. Worst case scenario would be removal of the kidney. You, my boy, are very lucky."

"Woof!"

"There you are." Tony patted his chair when Zuma raced into the room and slid to a stop, barely missing the coffee table. "Were you with daddy? Come on, you can sit with me." Zuma walked over to Tony's chair, looking adorable in his Superman socks. He placed a paw on the chair but couldn't get a grip with his socks. Zuma barked again.

"Do not try to pick him up." Jethro said from behind his husband's chair as Tony went to move. Instead, Jethro scooped the pup up and held him. He went to sit on the corner of the coffee table facing Tony, while Ducky discretely went to the kitchen. "Two weeks ago today, I followed an order that gave me permission to find happiness… with you. I know it's only been two weeks, but it feels so much longer and deeper. I'm thankful that I was 'forced' to marry you."

Jethro shifted nervously. "When Brad gave you restrictions last night, I was thinking about you and our bed. About sleeping in our bed without you beside me. I decided I didn't want that. So this morning, I called our family and they agreed to help me out."

"With what?"

Jehro held his hand out to his husband to help him up from the chair. Then he handed Zuma to Tony and with a gentle arm around his waist, began to guide him through the kitchen.

"I've seen my portable potty." Tony said. But Jethro confused him by moving, not towards the laundry room, but towards the garage.

"If there's anything you want changed, we can. It's still pretty rough." Jethro said, a bit nervously as he moved a little in front of Tony to reach the doorknob. Tony just looked at him in confusion; until the door was pushed open.

Tony was shocked. The overstuffed garage had been cleared out. Drywall and paint, in a soothing blue, now covered the walls and the floor was covered with thick carpeting. A new king-size bed was placed with the night stand from Tony's apartment. One corner had a sitting nook with two comfy chairs, his flat screen television was mounted on the wall and a bookcase held some of his movie collection. There was a small room framed in with a door in the corner next to the house. There were large wardrobes to function for closets.

"We could only have a small bathroom. It only has a shower, a toilet and sink." Jethro was becoming more nervous; maybe he'd took too much for granted.

"How did you…?" Tony turned to Jethro. "I can't believe you did this, all in a day. You made us a master suite. It's our own space." Carefully, Tony launched himself at Jethro, giving him a passionate kiss and squishing Zuma in the process. "I love it. This is what everyone was working on?"

Jethro rescued Zuma and put him down on the carpet. The pup ran over to his little bed and laid down, watching them. "Dad did a lot of supervising. Abby helped with the water and wiring." Jethro felt a sense of relief. "Luckily the old owners had put a garage sink and electricity out here so it wasn't hard to modify. Breena helped with some of the décor."

"Where is everyone?"

"They went out the kitchen door and came in the front after I came to get you. They wanted to give us a minute alone." Jethro flushed a bit. "Happy second week anniversary." Tony looked into Jethro's eyes again and then put all his happiness and love into another kiss.

"So are you two gonna christen the room or come in so we can eat?"

Jethro put his forehead against Tony's. "Remind me to strangle my dad." He stole a kiss and then called out, "We're coming."

"That's what we're afraid of." Jackson said dryly.

"I'll help you strangle him." Tony flushed. Lacing his fingers through his husband's, Tony turned to walk back to the door.