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The slight itch of the IV line in their arm itched. The skin irritated from countless needles been inserted and extracted. It was a sign of life, of recovering even, but it was the biggest reminder of the pain they had endured.
The aching muscles and broken leg could be blamed on clumsiness. Same goes for the concussion. But the IV showed their malnutrition, they’re dehydrated, the line of life and death they had walked for so long.
Ducky had once explained to them the history of the intravenous line but they had long forgotten that particular ramblings. They wished they had listened now, maybe the doctors would favour them a bit more if they seemed more educated.
They were thankful that their team had found them. They knew the dangers of being an NCIS agent but then the danger had always seemed to graze over them, taking another as it’s victim. But they couldn’t shift the lingering resentment of how long it took them to find where they were being held.
But not Jethro. Never Jethro. He had been the most determined to find them, he always would be. Jethro had once described them as his lifeline, but they never realised that they held that sentiment for him until he wasn’t there for them anymore.
He hadn’t left the hospital since they had arrived. He had taken those many built up holidays from work and taken place in the plastic chair besides the hospital bed. He sat next to the IV drip for nearly a week before they woke up and another week as they got better, and the red itchy patch grew.
He would be there when they went back to their shared home, he would be there as they went back to work; as life continued on as if nothing had happened. He would be there as he always had been.
“Jethro.” They said, breaking the quiet solace in the almost lifeless room. The older man lifted his head, prompting them to continue. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being here.”
“I’ll be here for you. Always.”
Jethro was never one to break his promise. He had always been there for them, and he would continue to do so even as they healed and the little red patch on their arm disappeared.