Tony sickfic

Chapter 12

"Hold it right there!"

The figure standing in front of the open refrigerator door was a young girl. She was putting something inside the refrigerator, other dishes on the cabinet next to her. When she saw the man with the gun pointed at her she screamed and dropped the plate, the plastic-wrapped glass shattering with a dull sound.

Abby came running and saw the little girl and Tim pointing a gun at her.

"Christ, McGee, scare the poor girl to death, why don't you."

Flushing, Tim put his gun back in the holster.

"Hey there, kid," Abby said with a smile, "what are you doing in this apartment?"

The girl looked at the goth chick and the man who had just held a gun on her, her eyes wide. She couldn't have been more than ten years old.

Licking her lips nervously she said, "Mom sent me up here to bring Tony some food. She always complains he never eats right."

"How'd you get in?"

The girl's eyes darted about. "I have a key. Tony gave it to me."

Tim exchanged a look with Abby before asking calmly, "Where do you live?"

"Right down the hall. Who are you, people?"

"We work with Tony."

"Oh. You're...NCIS I think he said?"

"Yeah, I work in the lab, and this geek works in the field with Tony."

"Tony is a nice guy," the little girl said. "Sometimes he does stuff to help out my mom and me. He even has me come over and watch old movies with him when Mom has to work late."

"How nice. My name is Abby, and this guy is McGee."

"McGee?"

Tim shot Abby an irritated look. "It's my last name. My first name is Tim."

The girl smiled. "Hi, Tim, hi, Abby. My name is Jennifer, but people call me Jenny. Where's Tony? Is he okay?"
"He's in the hospital."

"Again?" Jenny questioned, sounding distressed. "Mom said he was really sick a few weeks back. Is he that sick again?"

"I don't think he's that bad, but it is serious," McGee said.

"Mom is going to be mad at him. She's always on him about taking better care of himself. After he got sick Mom started to send food over when she could afford to."

"That's sweet of your mom. Tell her Tony is in Mercy General in room 432. I'm sure he would like to see you guys. The doctor said he can have visitors as long as he doesn't get stressed out."

"Thanks, Abby." Jenny looked down. "Guess I better get this mess cleaned up."

"Don't bother. It was McGee's fault. He can clean it up and put away the rest of the food while I pack Tony an overnight bag."

"Okay, thanks."

"Sorry for pointing a gun at you."

Jenny just smiled as she left the apartment, going to her own.

"Nice one, McGee," Abby said, hitting him.
"What? I didn't know Tony was a babysitter."

"Shut up, McGee and clean up the kitchen and put the rest of the stuff away while I get Tony's stuff."

Abby had been there a few times. She grabbed his backpack from where he kept it next to the door and emptied the few items that were in it out on the sofa. Then she went to Tony's room.

She opened up Tony's underwear drawer and started grabbing a few pairs of boxer briefs when something fell out and hit the floor. She stopped, looked down and started laughing aloud. Bending down, she picked up the item as McGee was walking into the room

What?"

"Look," Abby said, holding up a pair of fuzzy handcuffs. "This is too cool.

"Abby put those away."

"Why? You didn't bitch when I used some on you."

"Yes, but these are Tony's," Tim said, feeling a bit uncomfortable, especially if he let himself think they might be used on Gibbs.

He went back to the kitchen to finish up there as Abby found Tony some socks and a few old T-shirts that were folded rather than hung up. She also found two pairs of flannel house paints and a pair of sweats. She grabbed Gibbs' shoes and was bounding out of the bedroom as Tim was walking out of the kitchen.

"All done. Tony's all packed."

"Here's Gibbs bag, still next to the front door."

Taking the bags and Gibbs' shoes, they left the apartment, locking the door behind them, then went back to their car and drove to the hospital.

Gibbs rode in the same elevator with Tony and the transporter as they made their way up to the fourth floor. He hadn't let go of Tony's hand since they'd brought him back to the room in the ER after his CT scan and X-rays.

"Boss."

"Yes, Tony?"

"I feel like shit."

"Well, you look pretty bad."

"Oh, thanks, make a man feel good."

The transporter smiled at the byplay between the two men. The door slid open with a "ding" and Ducky was already there, waiting for them. He followed as the transporter took Tony to his room.

After Tony was transferred to the bed in his room, she said, "Nice to have met you, Mr. DiNozzo."
"Sure I can't get your number?" Tony asked, eyebrows raised.

Shaking her head, she smiled and walked out of the room.

"You know you might have to stop that."

Tony looked at Gibbs. "Stop what?"

'Tony, if you haven't gotten the clue yet, I'm hoping to be part of your life."

"Jethro," Ducky said, "I will be outside. I feel rather like a third wheel."

"No, Ducky, don't go. Tony and I will have this conversation when he's feeling more up to it and might remember the whole conversation."

"Boss, I-"

Tony stopped when a woman in her mid-40s walked in, her white nurse's shoes squeaking a bit on the floor. Posture military straight, she looked like the kind of nurse you didn't mess with, no matter who you were. And he was right. She ran the floor with an iron fist, but she had the sweetest Southern accent and personality to match as long as you didn't piss her off.