Ziva was relieved when a few days later Tali, the nanny, and her own Covid tests came back negative. She worried about Tony every day. Tali was constantly asking when her daddy was coming home. She would call the hospital and the nurses would tell her that Tony was holding his own. But something told her they weren't telling her everything.
It was around lunchtime when Jimmy called Ziva.
"Jimmy, didn't think I would be hearing from you." Ziva said answering the phone.
"Ziva, we need to talk." Jimmy tried to keep his composure.
"Ok…" Ziva answered.
"Tony has taken a turn for the worse this morning. His blood pressure bottomed out and he started going into respiratory distress. They were able to stabilize him, but they are talking about putting him on life support if things continue to worsen." Jimmy explained.
Ziva was perplexed.
"I don't understand. I just talked to the hospital this morning and they told me he was holding his own." Ziva questioned
Jimmy took a deep breath.
"The nurses are trained to tell the good. I spoke to his doctor. They believe his body isn't absorbing oxygen or nutrients. They want to put him on a ng-tube as well as a ventilator."
"Please keep me updated on his status." Ziva said. She reached over and hugged one of Tony's couch pillows.
Tony was faced with the difficult decision. He decided he would allow himself to be put on the ventilator, but first he wanted to say his goodbyes.
The nurse brought in the iPad and facetimed Ziva for Tony.
"Here you go Mr. DiNozzo." The nurse said as she placed the ipad on Tony's hospital tray.
He was still wearing his oxygen mask but had taken it off the moment the call connected.
"Daddy!" Tali smiled.
"Hey…baby girl." Tony gasped out.
"You're getting better? You're coming home soon?" Tali asked.
"Sweetheart, Daddy is fighting very hard but is very sick. I just want you to know that I am very proud of you and love you very much." Tony said with tears in his eyes.
"I love you Daddy." Tali blew him a kiss.
Tony, being the dad he was, caught the kiss.
"I will hold on to that sweet girl." Tony smiled.
Tony's face turned somber as he started having difficulty breathing. He knew his time was short.
"Ziva, thank you for being a great friend all these years. I just wish I could have a goodbye kiss."
"Tony, don't talk like that. They are going to put you on the vent for a little while until your lungs get stronger and then you will come through this with flying colors. You will be back home with Tali and I in no time." Ziva said trying to keep her emotions in check.
"I wish I could beat the odds this time. I love you Zee. I always have." Tony said. He started gasping and the nurse put his oxygen back on him. His oxygen level was dropping.
"Ms. David, we need to intubate him now before we lose him." the nurse said.
"I love you Tony." Ziva said with tears streaming down her face.
"Goodbye Tali. Bye Zee." Tony gasped out.
The nurse ended the call.
"Are you ready to do this Mr. DiNozzo?" the nurse asked.
"I'm sorry I am so emotional. My daughter is only six and I won't be able to see her grow up." Tony cried. "Let's do this."
As the medical team sedated Tony and put him on the ventilator, it broke their hearts seeing tears slip from his eyes as he went under.