Jimmy takes a deep breath, trying to gather himself. He knows he needs to call Ziva and tell her what's going on, but how do you deliver news like this over the phone?
"Tony, my friend...I need to do right by you." Jimmy whispers as he calls Ziva.
Jimmy called Ziva. Within a few rings she picked up.
"How is he doing Jimmy?" Ziva asked.
"Ziva...Tony's condition is deteriorating rapidly. Despite the hospitals best efforts, his fever continues to spike and his lungs are bleeding. They are doing everything they can, but..." Jimmy stopped himself, not sure if he should go on.
"But what Jimmy?" Ziva asked softly.
"He had a massive stroke overnight." Jimmy said wiping the tears from his eyes.
"Is there anything else they can do for him? Any treatment, any options that might save him?" Jimmy could hear the emotion in Ziva's voice.
"They are still trying various treatments including plasma therapy and blood transfusions. But I have to be honest with you Ziva, if Tony pulls through this, he will have major brain damage. He may be in a persistent vegetative state for the rest of his life and unable to care for himself independently." Jimmy explained.
He was met with sobs from Ziva. He had to make Tony's wishes known to her.
"Ziva, Tony had told me if it came down to him just being a body in a bed that he wanted us to let him go." Jimmy explained.
"How can you even say that Jimmy? How can you just give up on him like that?" Ziva cried.
"I'm not giving up on him Zee, but he is not the Tony we know and love. His body is shutting down and it is a matter of time. We either go ahead and pull him off of life support and let him go or let him lay and be a shell of a the man we knew him as. Just a body in a bed. Machines would keep him alive but he isn't Tony." Jimmy said. "He doesn't want to live like this."
Ziva felt so much guilt and yet anger. How could Tony make his wishes known to Jimmy and not to her? How could he just give up on living, give up on being there for her and their daughter?
"So what happens if we decide to take him off life support?" Ziva sobs.
Jimmy takes a moment to collect himself before responding.
"The doctors will ensure that Tony is kept comfortable and pain-free. They will remove the ventilator, allowing him to pass peacefully." Jimmy explains.
"I never thought it would come to this. Tony deserves so much more than this, but we can't let him suffer." Ziva whispered.
"I know this is incredibly difficult, but sometimes the most compassionate choice we an make is to let go. Tony is a fighter, but his body is exhausted, and his chances of recovery are slim. We have to consider what he would want and what would be best for him." Jimmy says, he too having a hard time with the decision.
ZIva took a deep breath "I don't want to, but it is what Tony would want. Can I call and tell him goodbye first?"
"Of course, I will call ahead to the hospital and let them know our decision and that you will be calling. Don't worry about the funeral. Breena and I will take care of things on that end." Jimmy said.
"Thank you Jimmy." Ziva said as she ended the call.
Shortly after they hung up, Jimmy informed the hospital of the decision to turn the machines off, but only after Ziva and Tali were able to say goodbye. He texted Ziva to let her know that a nurse would be in their with Tony to put the phone up to his ear.
Ziva sat on the couch, holding her phone tightly. She wiped her eyes before she called Tali into the living room.
"Ima, what's wrong? Why do you look sad?" Tali asked, concern in her eyes.
Ziva took a deep breath, trying to compose herself before speaking to her daughter.
"Tali, I need to talk to you about something very difficult. It's about your Abba." Ziva said.
Tali looked at her confused.
"When is Abba coming home?" Tali whispered.
"Abba is very sick, Tali." Ziva's voice quivered. "The doctors have tried everything they can, but his body is not getting better. They say that he might not be able to wake up again."
Tali's eyes well up with tears.
"But Abba always comes home! He can't leave us!" Tali whispered.
Ziva wrapped her arms around Tali.
"Your Abba is the strongest person I know, but sometimes even the strongest can't keep fighting forever. THe doctors say that Abba's body is tired, and it's time for us to say goodbye." Ziva softly said.
Tears began to stream down the little girls face as she clung to her Ima, Ziva gently stroked Tali's hair as her own tear fell freely.
"You're Abba won't be able to speak, but we can still say goodbye to him." Ziva whispered.
"Okay, Ima. I want to tell him how much I love him." Tali sobbed.
Ziva took her phone and dialed the hospital, putting it on speaker.
"I have the phone near him. He will be able to hear you." The nurse that was with Tony said after answering the phone.
Ziva handed the phone to Tali, tears streaming down her face.
"Talk to Abba, Tali. Tell him everything you want to say." Ziva whispered.
Tali took the phone, her voice filled with emotion.
"Abba, I love you so much!" Please don't leave us. I'm sorry for getting you sick. We need you!" Tali wiped at her eyes.
Ziva takes a deep breath, wiping away her tears as she takes the phone from Tali's trembling hands. She holds it close to her ear.
"Tony, my love, I need you to know how much I love you. You have been my partner and my best friend. I can't imagine a world without you." Ziva's voice began to crack "I promise I will try and be there for Tali, just as you were. She will know how much you loved her and how incredible of a father you were."
Ziva started to sob uncontrollably. "Goodbye, Tony. Thank you for everything. Thank you for our beautiful daughter that will carry on your legacy. We will arry your love in our hearts forever."
With a heavy heart, Ziva hung up the phone. She held on tightly to Tali as they grieved.
The hospital called Jimmy back and asked if he wanted to say his final goodbyes.
"Tony, you've been like a brother to me. I can't believe this is happening." Jimmy choked up. "I'll miss you, my friend. Don't worry about anything, everything is taken care of. I promise I will take care of Ziva and Tali. Goodbye, Tony."
The doctor takes the phone and speaks to Jimmy.
"Doctor Palmer, we are going to gradually start disconnecting the machines that are keeping Mr. DiNozzo alive. His body will no longer receive artificial support and he will pass away naturally. It could be a matter of a few minutes, hours or could be days."
"Will you please call and let me know when he passes?"Jimmy cried.
"Of course." the doctor responded.
With that Jimmy, hung up the phone, grieving over his friend.
The medical team began the process of removing the various tubes and wires connected to Tony. Each disconnection was deliberate and carefully executed. Tony's vital signs were closely monitored throughout the process. A few hours after the life support was disconnected the room that once beeped and hummed with life fell silent.
Jimmy's world shattered in an instant when he saw the hospital call.
"By the grace of God, Tony passed away peacefully at 11 a.m. He didn't suffer and we were with him the entire time." the doctor softly said.
"Thank you doctor, for everything you did." Jimmy whispered.
Jimmy hung up the phone, and placed his head in his hands, letting his tears flow freely. After a moment he was able to compose himself enough to text Breena and Ziva.
'Tony's gone.'