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Lean on Me 3: The Journey Begins Summary: Tony begins to make his way back into the land of the living. Greater Moncton Hospital After hearing the surgeon’s words, Ziva’s knees started to wobble. She spoke sternly to herself to hold it together. Two hours later, a nurse came to the waiting room and asked who wanted to sit with Tony. Gibbs volunteered to go first and she led him to the room where Tony lay, surrounded by tubes and machines. “You look a helluva lot better than you did when they brought you here, DiNozzo.” He pulled up a chair and sat next to the bed. “And the next time you pull a stunt like this, I’ll make McGee senior agent over you.” All he heard was the sound of the heart monitor and IV drips. He bent down close to Tony’s ear. “You better damn well pull through this, or else I’ll hunt you down in the great beyond and make you regret dying. You hear me?” Gibbs couldn’t be sure, but it looked like the faintest smile crossed Tony’s face. Meanwhile, Ziva was pacing around the waiting room. “I’m no good at this sort of thing.” Mac smiled. “Waiting? None of us are.” She looked over at Harm and knew he was remembering when they were waiting for news of Bud after his leg had been blown off. “Every minute feels like thirty, until you’re ready to …” “Kill someone?” Ziva interrupted. “I was going to say ‘scream’, but yours fits too. There’s no good advice, no trick I can pass on to you. It doesn’t get any easier, either.” She paused for a moment. “Sitting with him will help. Even if he’s not awake.” Just then Gibbs came walking back with the nurse. “Your turn.” Ziva followed the nurse almost in a trance. “Here’s the room, ma’am. Don’t be worried by all the tubes and beeping. We’re just keeping a close eye on him.” “Considering Tony, that’s a good idea,” Ziva responded absently as she walked forward and looked down at Tony’s pale face. He somehow looked smaller surrounded by the white bed. The nurse discreetly backed out of the room. She sat down in the chair and took Tony’s hand. “You know, Tony, I shouldn’t have let you take this assignment by yourself. If we’d gone together, I could have stopped Hassan. You’re just lucky that there was a pilot on the flight, and that you hadn’t put him away for murder.” She shook her head at the amazing coincidence. Time passed as she just held his hand, not talking, but thinking about the Tony she knew, not the silent, unresponsive figure in front of her. “I’m just glad you’re still alive. That you didn’t give up. I’m just sorry that this happened to you.” “Never … apologize.” She heard Tony speak faintly. “What?” “Sign … of … weakness.” He was hoarse and hesitant, but it was him. She made a move to get up and tell the nurses he was awake, but he held her there beside him with surprising strength. “You’re … here.” His eyelids flickered open and shut a few times, but finally focused on her face. “Where else would I be?” “Killing … someone.” He grinned at her, and she had to smile back. The nurses and doctor came in then and he reluctantly released her hand. “Don’t … go.” “Don’t worry, Tony. They’re just getting ready to move you to a room. You can’t get rid of me that easily.” “Have … to … tell you …” and he faded back into unconsciousness. Tell me what? Ziva wondered. To Be Continued … |