“Wow. I thought I’d die before I ever-” Sasha said but she was cut off by Tony tackling her to the ground as another bullet grazed his shoulder.
“So then what happened?” Maya asked him frowning with concern. “Was Sasha okay? Were you okay?”
“Yeah we were wearing bullet proof vests but they didn’t cover my shoulder and the impact of me tackling her or the bullet had bruised Sasha’s ribs. So we both lay there staring at each other for a moment before we heard Gibbs spin around, pointing his gun in the direction of a roof opposite us, where the bullets came from, but no one was there.
“DiNozzo, Sasha, are you okay?” He asked them without turning around.
“Fine boss.” Tony replied with a groan as he stood up. His head felt like the world was spinning and he was going to be sick, he stumbled trying to get his balance and luckily Sasha put an arm around him for support. He gave her a small smile in return.
“You don’t look fine DiNozzo.” Gibbs told him walking over to the pair and help Sasha share Tony’s weight. The walk off the roof and down the stairs to the bottom was awkward with Tony wanting to check that Sasha was okay and hold her and never let her go but he figured Gibbs would probably kill them both if he knew their secret.
Once they were down the stairs Gibbs helped Tony lean against the wall while he radioed McGee to tell him to call an ambulance.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Tony asked her once Gibbs had gone.
She could only nod and he swore he could see tears in her eyes.
“Sasha seriously what’s wrong?” He asked her leaning towards her.
“Tony if you hadn’t seen that bullet I would be…” She trailed off.
“I know and you can thank me later.” He said making her raise her eyebrows.
“Tony, stop it.” She warned him. “Gibbs is right behind you. Not that it matters anymore.”
“What do you mean, how?” He asked shocked.
“It was kind of obvious when you tackled me to the ground.” She explained.
“I saved your life!” He reminded her.
“I know Tony I remember! But…”
“But what Sasha? Would you rather I let you die?”
“No Tony I’m thankful but just the look Gibbs gave me after like he knew.” She replied.
He sighed she was probably right. Either way they were gonna have to tell him eventually. He wanted so badly to be able to tell people Sasha Alexander had finally tamed Tony DiNozzo, to be able to proudly walk into work holding her and taking her home afterwards.
“McGee says the paramedics are on their way.” Gibbs said joining them.
They could only nod not knowing what to say. Gibbs ignored the silence and continued. “Sasha I want you to go with him and get yourself checked out just in case those ribs aren’t just bruised. McGee and I will meet you there.”
“Okay boss.” She replied as the ambulance pulled up beside the building. Two paramedics got out and after getting a gurney out of the back of the ambulance rushed over to Tony and forced him down onto it.
“Guys I don’t think that’s really necessary.” Tony complained.
“DiNozzo!” Gibbs warned.
Tony sighed and lay down on the gurney muttering complaints under his breath. Sasha carefully climbed into the ambulance after him and watched as the paramedics made sure Tony was secure before one of them hoped into the front and the other one sat on the other side of Tony to check his vitals.
Gibbs stared at them knowingly as they closed the doors and started to drive off once he was out of sight Tony reached over and gently held Sasha’s hand. She looked at him gratefully and squeezed his hand back.
They rode in silence to the hospital and then once they arrived the paramedics rolled Tony out of the ambulance where he was greeted by none other than Doctor Brad Pitt and Nurse Emma.
“Couldn’t stay away could you Mr DiNozzo?” Doctor Pitt asked him with a grin.
“Yeah I missed you, Emma and these uncomfortable beds too much.” Tony replied weakly.
Doctor Pitt laughed as he and a team of other doctors and nurses wheeled Tony inside and Tony took one last glance at Sasha who was being told to sit in a wheelchair by Nurse Emma.
He was taken to the ward and a nurse placed an IV into his arm while doctors rushed around him checking his vitals and his chart. He noticed that many of them just asked Doctor Pitt his medical history and he explained it to him while he glanced worriedly at Tony.
“I need an X-Ray.” Doctor Pitt ordered the nurse once she’d finished with the IV and then Tony was wheeled away again to radiology where they took an X-Ray of his shoulder.
As he was being taken back to his ward through the waiting room he noticed his team-mates and Abby sitting waiting anxiously for him. When Abby saw him she ran up to him and threw her arms around him making him wince in pain.
“Tony we thought you’d died! Sasha said she saved Gibb’s life by taking a bullet for him and then you saved her life by taking a bullet for her! That’s so brave! You’re a hero! Please don’t die a hero!” She exclaimed in one breath.
He smiled at her weakly. “Don’t worry Abs I survived the plague you really think one little bullet is gonna get me?”
She hugged him even tighter before the other ran over and pulled her away. “C’mon Abs the doctors have work to do.” Gibbs told her.
Tony glanced at Sasha and saw her makeup was stained from the fresh tears in her eyes. He wanted nothing more than to be able to pull her close and tell her everything will be okay but he just smiled weakly at her instead as he was wheeled back to the ward.
Doctor Pitt was staring at his X-Ray when Tony entered the room. “Right well you’re lucky the bullet isn’t too deep so we can give you some morphine and extract the bullet now but because of your recent encounter with Bubonic Plague we’ll have to keep you here a few extra days to monitor your vitals.”
“Lucky me.” Tony muttered as a nurse gave him the morphine and Doctor Pitt sat down next to his shoulder.
“Is that what the scar on your shoulder is?” Maya asked him tracing over it with her fingers.
Tony nodded. “They managed to get the bullet out and stitch me up quickly and painlessly. Then I was left alone with my thoughts until I heard a knock at the door and I turned to see Gibbs standing in the doorway his expression unreadable.
“Hey Boss! Where are the others?” Tony asked him eager to see Sasha again.
“It’s late I told McGee to take the others home and for them to all stay together in case that bastard tries to kill us again.” Gibbs said as he walked over and sat on the chair next to the bed.
“Do you think he will?” Tony asked with concern.
Gibbs nodded solemnly.
Tony sighed and turned to look at the ceiling.
“How are you feeling?” Gibbs asked interrupting the silence.
“Like I’ve been shot.” Tony replied sarcastically.
Gibbs glared at him and Tony braced himself for a head slap but it never came. He looked up at his boss confused.
“What?” Gibbs asked.
“Are you feeling okay boss? If I normally say something like that you’d head slap me.” Tony explained.
“You’re in hospital DiNozzo.”
“That didn’t stop you before.”
“You’ve just been shot.”
“I had the plague.”
“Would it make you feel better if I did?”
“Well…”
Before Gibbs could reply a faint buzzing coming from his pocket interrupted him and he nodded to Tony before pulling his cell phone out and flipping it open as he left the room.
Tony lay there staring at the ceiling for about half an hour before he realised Gibbs wasn’t coming back. Then he wondered if Sasha was okay and what could have happened if Tony hadn’t seen the sniper rifle out of the corner of his eye.
“Are you hungry?” A voice asked interrupted his thoughts. He turned to see Nurse Emma enter the room with a tray of food.
“Depends what you’re offering. I could really go for a large pizza right about now.” He replied.
She giggled as she set the tray down in front of him. “I’m sorry but that’s not on the menu.”
He sat up and lifted the lid off the tray but grimaced when he smelt the slightly stale scent of hospital food. “Why don’t they make this stuff more appetising? Prisoners get better food then this.”
“If we did people might come here for the food and we can’t have that now can we?” She replied.
“You might have a point.” He said as he picked up the spoon and shoved some green slop that could resemble mashed potatoes into his mouth.
“So Sasha was okay?” He asked Nurse Emma between mouthfuls.
She nodded. “Her ribs were bruised from where the bullet hit the vest but other than that she was fine.”
He let out a soft sigh in relief.
“You really care about her don’t you?” Nurse Emma asked making him choke on the slop in his mouth.
“What gives you that idea?”
“You took a bullet for her.”
“I would have done that for anyone.” He said defending himself.
“I can see the way you look at each other.” She replied.
“What way is that?”
“You care a lot about each other way.”
Tony grinned and Nurse Emma rolled her eyes before looking at the clock on the wall. “Oh look at the time I better get going but just buzz if you need anything.”
Once she was gone Tony pushed his tray of food away and lay back down, his thoughts drifting back to Sasha before sleep came for him and she filled his dreams.
* * *
The first thing he noticed when he woke up the next day was that last night’s half empty food tray had been replaced with a new breakfast tray. He slowly and carefully sat up noticing the morphine from last night had worn off, pulled the tray towards him and opened it to reveal some form of brown slop that was probably cereal. He held his breath as he took his first mouthful. But then he realised it wasn’t that bad so he managed to eat most of it but a blur of black suddenly ran through the door and threw her arms around her neck.
“Hey Abby.” He greeted her but then noticed that McGee was with her standing hesitantly at the door as if he needed an invitation. “Probie what are you doing here?”
“Uh...well…” McGee stuttered.
“He’s on protection detail.” Abby explained.
“What? Why?” Tony asked in alarm. “Are you okay? Is Sasha okay? Where is she?”
“Calm down Tony. Sasha fine she’s gone to relax with her parents for a while and I’m fine too. Ari tried to shoot me when I was going through some evidence that’s all.” Abby told him.
“Wow he sure is persistent with the whole wanting to kill us thing.” Tony exclaimed. What else is going on while I’ve been stuck here?”
“Well,” Abby paused while she sat down in the chair next to him. “Director Morrow was offered a deputy director’s position at Homeland Security and his replacement is Director Jennifer Sheppard. She seems nice but I think Gibbs and her have a past.”
“What do you mean?”
“They seem to know each other from somewhere and they have all that built up sexual tension like you and Sasha do.”
“What’s sexual tension?” Maya asked innocently.
“Umm… it’s when we have to pretend to go out.” Tony stuttered.
“Whatever…anyway then what happened?” Maya said clearly not believing him but prompting him to continue the story.
“Sexual tension? We are talking about the same Sasha, right?” Tony lied.
She raised her eyebrows and without even looking at McGee she suggested he go and get a cup of coffee.
“But Gibbs ordered me to stay with you for your protection.” McGee argued.
“I’m safe here with Tony and like anyone’s dumb enough to come after me now Gibbs knows.” She replied.
He sighed and walked out the door. “So what’s really going on?” Abby asked him once they were alone.
He stared at her for a moment completely taken aback. “What…what do you mean?”
“C’mon Tony I know they’re something going on. First she’s compromises her health to stay with you when you had the plague and then you save her life.” Abby replied rolling her eyes.
“I would’ve done that for anybody.” Tony snapped at her tired of having to explain himself. “Sasha dived in front of Gibbs does that mean they have sexual tension too?”
“Eww no Gibbs is way too old for her and besides he prefers redheads and Director Sheppard is a redhead. But back to the point Sasha is my best friend and you’re my friend too I just want you guys to be happy screw Gibb’s rule 12.”
Tony sighed he knew deep down Abby knew and even if she didn’t he couldn’t risk it getting back to Gibbs. A soft hesitant knock at the door saved him from answering her. They turned to see McGee standing in the doorway holding two cups of coffee and a Caf-Pow. “I...I swear I didn’t hear anything and I only just got here.” He stuttered trying to explain himself.
“It’s okay Probie you brought back coffee so we’ll forgive you this time.” Tony joked. “Come and tell me what else has been going on at work.”
“Well as Abby was saying we have a new director and while you and Sasha are away a liaison for Mossad is working with us on the case, well more like trying to prove Ari didn’t do it.” McGee said walking over and handing Tony a coffee and Abby her Caf-Pow.
“Her name’s Ziva David and I don’t trust her.” Abby added.
“Why not?” Tony asked her.
“She sits at Sasha’s desk.” Abby replied.
“That’s not a good enough reason to dislike someone Abs.” Tony reminded her.
“I know I just want the old team back the way it was.” She sighed.
“It will be Abs as soon as Sasha’s back and I’m allowed out of here.” He promised her. “How’s the case going anyway?”
Both McGee and Abby glanced at each other as if they were deciding what to say. Finally Abby turned back to him. “Well we found Ari’s sniper nest on the roof of the abandoned office building to the east of where you, Sasha and Gibb’s were. He didn’t police his brass and the casings matched Lapua .308s. But we didn’t find any bullets but we’re still looking. Gibbs is being surprisingly nice and he even called Timmy here, ‘Tim’. And later today I plan to go through the car and see if I can match any of the bullets to the 308s.” She finished with a sigh.
“I hope I’m back in time to witness Gibbs kill the bastard that caused all this.” Tony exclaimed.
“Yeah only if he’s allowed.” Abby said.
“Why wouldn’t he?”
“FBI still insisting Ari needs to be alive.” McGee explained.
Tony sighed “when will they get it through their thick skulls that Ari Haswari is the one who is trying to kill us?”
“I dunno Tony, but why don’t you contemplate that and that other thing we talked about while Tim and I go back to work and help Gibbs solve the case?” Abby suggested before giving him one last hug and walking out the door with McGee close behind her.
“Once Auntie Abby and Uncle Probie left did Sasha come to visit you?” Maya asked him. “Or call to check that you were okay?”
“No actually after they left the only people I saw for two days were the doctors and nurses. But then one day I woke up after having morphine to help me get through the night and Gibbs was sitting in the chair next to the bed staring at me sipping a coffee.
“Boss,” Tony asked sitting up stiffly and rubbing his eyes. “How long have you been here? How long have I been asleep?”
“About an hour,” Gibbs answered glancing at the clock. “And apparently all morning considering its now 1300.”
Tony slumped back. He had slept but his dreamed were plagued with visions of Sasha. He was so worried about her it made him dizzy. “How’s the case going Boss?” He asked trying to take his mind of her.
“It’s over Haswari’s dead.” Gibbs told him simply making Tony sit up abruptly.
“What? How? When?”
“He’s dead. End of story.” Gibbs said in the tone that made it clear that it was final.
“So how is everyone? Is…is that Mossad chick still working with us?” Tony asked trying to find a way to get the answer he really wanting without revealing too much.
“Yes Mossad has let Ziva stay in the team until you and Sasha return.”
“And when will that be?” Tony asked hopefully.
“Well you’re being discharged today.” Gibbs replied.
“Why do I sense a but?” Tony muttered.
“You’re taking that leave and going to see your sister. That’s an order!” Gibbs ordered with a glare.
Tony sighed. He knew it was pointless to argue with him unless he really wanted to get head slapped. “Where do I sign the papers?” He eventually asked, referring to the discharge forms.
“A doctor needs to give you one last check up before you sign.” Gibbs replied and Tony pressed the buzzer to let the nurse know he was ready. Nurse Emma entered instantly.
“Ah, you’re awake. How are you feeling? Do you need more morphine? Or some food?” She asked him as she checked his vitals.
“Like I’ve been sleeping for years. Yes please and can you get Doctor Pitt to some check me over one last time.” He replied with a grin.
She walked over and administered some morphine. “Certainly I’ll see if he can see you ASAP.” She told him as she walked out the door.
Once she was gone Gibbs turned back to Tony. “You’re things are already packed and once you’re dressed I’ll drive you straight to the airport.”
“But boss I haven’t even got a ticket.” Tony pointed out.
“We’ve already sorted that.” Gibbs told him reaching into his pocket and pulling out Tony’s passport and ticket.
“Boss…Boss you didn’t have to I have more than enough…I’ll pay you back...Thank you.” Tony stuttered.
Gibbs chuckled. “You can thank me my taking a break and returning to work in a few weeks good as new.”
“Sure boss.” Tony nodded.
“Tony.” A voice said interrupting them. They both turned to the door to see Doctor Pitt and Nurse Emma enter the room. “I hear you’re ready to be discharged today.” Doctor Pitt said as he checked Tony’s chart.
“Yup,” Tony nodded. “Where do I sign?”
The Doctor chuckled and handed him the forms. “Before you do I need to check that you’re okay and not gonna be back here in a week.” He put his stethoscope to his ears and listened to Tony’s heart and lungs, checked his wound and that he could move and walk without too much pain. “I’m prescribing you some i-proven for the pain but if it gets worse you are to return here immediately.”
Tony nodded and took the prescription before Gibbs handed him a pen and he signed the discharge forms. Once they were all signed he handed them back to the doctor. “I promise to take better care of myself from now on even if it means I won’t be able to hang out with you or see Nurse Emma’s pretty face again.” He said with a grin making Emma blush as she took his IV out of his arm before following Doctor Pitt out the door.
As soon as they left Tony jumped out of the bed with a grunt of pain, reached for his suit case and pulled out a pair of jeans and a shirt. Gibbs watched him with a small smile on his face. “I have something I have to do but I will be back in an hour to drive you to the airport.” He told Tony as he stood up and walked out closing the door behind him.
Tony nodded, quickly got dressed and checked that he was all packed and ready for when Gibbs returned. Once he was satisfied that he had everything he reached for his cell phone which was on the bedside table and instantly dialled Sasha’s number. It rang a few times and then was answered by her answering machine.
He took a deep breath before deciding to leave her a message. “Hey Sasha, it’s me; Tony. Are you okay? I haven’t seen you since- since I got shot. Abby said you’re staying with your parents in Indiana. Look I miss you and I’m worried about you. Call me back when you-”. Someone calling his name interrupted him; he looked up and saw Gibbs walking up towards him. “Oh, I gotta go.” He quickly shut his phone and stood up.
“Hey boss, that was quick.” Tony said as Gibbs walked over and picked up Tony’s bag for him.
Gibbs merely shrugged as he walked out the door with Tony’s bag and Tony had to hurry after him. Gibbs led Tony to his car, unlocked it and placed Tony’s bag in the boot. He opened the driver’s door and got in with even glancing at Tony who also got into the car.
“So boss, when’s my flight?” Tony asked him once he had his seatbelt on.
“In an hour.” Gibbs replied as he started the car. Tony remembered he had his ticket and passport in his pocket; he reached into his pocket and pulled them out to look at them and check Gibbs was right and as usual he was.
The ride to the airport was uneventful. Tony kept checking his phone to see if Sasha had called him back yet and whenever he saw she hadn’t he tried to make polite conversation with his boss but without much success. By the time they reached the airport Tony knew no more about Gibbs then he did before the ride.
They found a park and Gibbs went to get a baggage trolley while Tony got himself and his bag out of the car and walked into the airport to see Gibbs walking towards him with a trolley. Tony gratefully placed his bag on the trolley and walked over to the bag check in.
“Well…Good luck DiNozzo. Look after yourself.” Gibbs said to him as they got out of the line and Tony was checked in.
“Thanks boss.” Tony replied as Gibbs reached out behind him, making Tony wince, expecting a slap on the head, but to his surprise Gibbs just gave him a pat on the back before walking away without another word.
Tony thought about calling Sasha again as he boarded the plane but then decided against it; he would ask his sister’s advice when he saw her.
The fight from Washington to San Francisco took a little over three hours and Tony spent most of that day dreaming about Sasha, before he knew it the pilot was announcing they were landing and to make sure all trays were folded, chairs were in the upright position and seat belts were fastened.
Tony was one of the first one’s off the plane when it landed. He then reached for his cell phone he began dialling Sasha’s all too familiar number but someone yelling his name out stopped him.
“Tony! Tony!” He turned around just in time to see-
Author's Chapter Notes:
Tony saves Sasha’s life which makes her think Gibbs suspects about their relationship and then after taking Tony to the hospital and waiting with the rest of the team to see if he’s okay she goes on leave to see her family. Meanwhile Tony is recovering in hospital. Abby tells him about the progress they are making on the case and the new woman Ziva who is there to help catch Ari. When Tony is discharged Gibbs orders him to visit his sister in San Francisco.