Sorry, Sorry, Sorry...will never abandon a story, but it may take some time.

Still not a doctor, so please don't take offence...

'Damn it Tony, I'm no good at this.' Gibbs said frustrated, slumping back inthe uncomfortable hospital chair.

He'd been uncharacteristically talking non-stop to his unresponsive SFA since he'd arrived. Everything from the weather to football had come up, but nothing of any importance said.

Every time Gibbs tried to talk about the case, or about why he had been such a…a second 'B'…for the past few weeks, the words would get stuck in his throat and he would change the subject.

Gibbs tried to tell himself he was waiting for Tony to be conscious, but he knew he was just being a coward. He didn't want to tell Tony about the case, about how the Police Officer who saved his life was still critical. He didn't want to tell him that his friend George had betrayed their trust and they still didn't know why.

As for the rest…he'd been thinking through his motivation for pulling away from his team, from Tony, but it just didn't seem valid now. He didn't know if it was because, as a result, he was sat here looking at the bruised and battered body of his friend, or if he had been wrong from the start and he was only just seeing it now.

Gibbs guessed it was both. Emotional responses weren't always logical and thoroughly thought through. Even Gibbs could be guilty of acting on impulse, of letting his emotions drive him. Normally Tony would have call him on it…hell he had called him on it, several times in fact, but he hadn't listened and now he was facing the consequences.

There was little Gibbs could do about the past, including the situation with Susan, but there was still something he could do for Tony. He could be there for him, and push the anger and guilt away for another day.

Gibbs was dozing when Tony decided to make an appearance. He was confused and in pain and so although it wasn't the first time he had awoken to find a breathing tube down his throat and an IV in his hand, at the moment he was too 'out of it' to do anything other than panic.

The machines circling Tony alerted Gibbs to the change in his SFA's condition before Tony had chance to reach for the tube. Standing directly in his line of sight, Gibbs caught hold of Tony's hands.

'Tony, it's ok, you're fine, leave the tube alone, you're safe.'

He didn't have chance to say more, as Tony's nurse arrived with his doctor in tow.

'Nice of you to join us Mr DiNozzo.'

'Tony.' Gibbs said seeing the look Tony gave the nurse.

'OK, Tony,' His doctor said taking over, 'let's see how you're doing shall we?'

Gibbs was pushed to the back of the room, but luckily no-one asked him to leave. Tony was poked and prodded, and asked questions he had no hope of verbally responding to. After five minutes Tony swiped the offending hands away, so the doctor addressed Tony's clear plea.

'I know you want the tube out Tony, but the swelling may increase now you're awake. I will check again in a couple of hours, and if there's no increase in the swelling we'll remove it. As for the rest of your injuries, they're doing as well as can be expected given the circumstances. Your lungs don't sound any worse, How's the pain?'

Tony held up one hand slowly, barely off the bed, showing five figures.

'DiNozzo.' Gibbs growled knowing he was lying.

In a very DiNozzo-like move that brought unexpected warmth Gibbs heart, Tony rolled his eyes and held up just one figure on the other hand, although this was much harder for him.

'Ok,' the doctor said amused 'I'll get you something. You need to rest, your visitor can stay if you behave.' He said taking his leave.

'That would be a first.' Gibbs mumbled retaking his seat.

The room was silent, or as silent as a room with that much medical equipment could be. If Gibbs thought this was hard before, it was impossible now. He knew they needed to talk, but he wanted Tony to be able to communicate before unloading, it was only fair.

'Just sleep, we can talk later.' Gibbs said delaying the inevitable.

True to his word, the doctor arrived back just short of the two hour mark, waking Tony to make his decision.

'Tony, I'm going to remove the tube, but don't try to talk.' Tony obviously didn't look very compliant, as the doctor reiterated 'I mean it, your throat is badly swollen and trying to speak will make it worse and we may not be able to get the tube back in if you need it.'

Tony nodded slowly,more than ready for it to be out.

'Have you had a breathing tube removed before?' Again Tony nodded.

'Ok, this time you are going to let us do all work, between your ribs, shoulder and the open wound across your abdomen it would be advisable for you to move as little as possible, ok?' Tony's brow furrowed as he seemed confused by his list of injuries. 'Let's just get this out and make you more comfortable, then we can discuss the rest ok? Take a deep breath and breathe out as we remove the tube.'

He tried not to move, he tried not to cough, really he did, but as the tube came out the urge was just too great. As the cough built Tony lent forward sending waves of pure agony up through his body, and before the first cough was fully formed his eyes rolled back and he collapsed onto the bed.

Gibbs breath caught as Tony fell unconscious, but the surrounding medical staff seemed unconcerned as they finished taking the tube out.

'Don't worry, I thought that might happen.'

'Could have told me.' Gibbs growled lightly under his breath.

'We'll give him some painkillers, so he'll be out for a few hours, why don't you take a break?'

Turns out Gibbs can manage a lot in a few hours when he has to…he drove home, showered, slept (briefly), changed his cloths, spoke to the Director, well, answered to the Director in his own unique way for taking part in an interview while not on active duty ('what did you expect me to do?'), updated the team (updated Abby, knowing everyone else would know by the time he hung up) and even took care of his own throbbing wound.

When he arrived back at the hospital, Tony was just starting to stir.

It was another ten minutes before they were left alone but Gibbs waited, wanting to speak to Tony before he fell asleep again.

'You ok?' Gibbs said weakly, not knowing how to start.

Tony's eyes answered that one for him. 'Seriously, that's the best you could come up with'

'Right, this wasn't meant to happen Tony.'

'I know that, I'm not stupid you know. The others…anyone else hurt?'

'I do know.' He said placing a hand on Tony's arm and feeling elated when it wasn't shrugged off. 'Abby is fine thanks to you. It's all I can do to stop her running down here and climbing into that bed with you, and don't start, rule 12 still applies.' Gibbs said watching the mischief look briefly appear in his SFA eyes. Gibbs took a deep breath, knowing what Tony was really asking. 'Office Watson is still critical, they don't know if he'll make it.'

Gibbs watched as Tony turned away, his tears visible, knowing he was feeling guilty for putting the young officer in harm's way.

'From what I've seen he's a determined kid, he'll make it. Palmer's been staying with him when he can and he's family is arriving later today.'

Tony turned back a few moments later a slightly calmer, and definitely more sleepy.

'Rest, we can talk more later.'

Tony looked down at his body and back at Gibbs, he didn't think he had ever been more pleased he didn't need words to communicate with the older man. He knew they needed a serious talk, but he was so tired, he just wanted to know how long he was going to be stuck in the hospital this time.

'Dislocated shoulder, before you were shot in it. Couple of broken ribs, an open knife wound to your abdomen, they should be able to close that soon, severe bruising to your throat and the possible onset of Pneumonia.' Gibbs watched as Tony grew pale at the last one, knowing the horror Tony had been through with the plague he move to reassure him.

'Only possible, you follow the doctors' orders we may dodge that one.'

'We?' Tony crocked out, before Gibbs tapped his head. It was so reminiscent of Gibbs first visit post plague it brought a smile to both their faces.

'Don't talk, and of course WE. No matter what.'

Gibbs tried to mask how much Tony's sceptical look hurt. He knew he brought it upon himself, but he never wanted Tony to doubt he place with Gibbs, Tony had lived most of his life like that already, and as he watched Tony slip into healing sleep he realised how much he had really screwed up.

Will Tony forgive Gibbs...maybe, but be assured there will be words.

Will Watson make it...not sure yet.

Susan's coming soon, promise.

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I know its been a while but please stay with me for the full story.