Author's Note:
Thank you for all the great reviews.
Here's the next chapter… enjoy…
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Tony awoke slowly. He felt warm and his throat was dry and a bit sore. He took a deep breath as he opened his eyes. Sunlight streamed into the room. Somehow that made him want to smile.
A new day… hopefully a new beginning.
He looked around the room, being very careful not to move any part of his body. On the bed next to him, he found Gibbs lying on his side, fast asleep.
"Ah Boss…"
"Thank you…"
"I wouldn't have made it back without you…" Tony quietly said.
Tony blinked as moisture gathered in his eyes. His mind flashed back to how Gibbs had practically carried him into the cabin and taken such great care of him. He remembered how Gibbs had reassured him and held him, just like a father would a child.
"You're one in a million, Boss." Tony sighed.
"And man… I don't think I've ever told you this … But I love you…"
Tony took a deep breath.
"Sometimes I wonder what kinda life I would have had if you'd been my dad…"
"I think it would have been … solid … safe … secure …" Tony smiled. "And definitely fun…"
"Maybe… when this is over… we can see what we can make of it."
Tony blinked and let the tears roll down the side of his face.
"Yeah… we should…" He looked pointedly at Gibbs. "Thank you… for being here with me… It means more then you will ever know."
Tony took a deep breath again as he turned away from Gibbs.
He didn't see Gibbs open his eyes. Nor did he see the tears that shone in his eyes.
Yeah Son… we should see what we can make of this … our bond runs even deeper than that of a father and son.
"Okay…" Tony murmured. "Let's see how I'm doing today…"
What are you upto? Gibbs wondered as he watched Tony intently.
"I will not have a meltdown today… no matter how bad it is…"
Tony lay still as he took a few deep breathes and focused on his body and what it was telling him.
"Headache… check." He said.
"Chest ache… only when I breathe… check."
Gibbs had to smile. Tony was sharing exactly how he was feeling without realizing it.
"Feeling hot … Fever's rising… check."
"Now …"
Gibbs held his breath as Tony lifted his good hand and gently touched his injured shoulder.
Tony hisses as pain radiated across his upper chest, shoulder and upper arm.
"Good!" He grimaced. "Pain… is good."
Gibbs wanted to bolt out of bed and get to Tony's side but something held him back.
Okay, you have feeling in your upper arm… Keep going…
As if on cue, Tony took another deep breath and pressed his good hand against his inner elbow.
"Ahh." Tony grimaced.
Ahh…What? Gibbs wanted to know.
"Good…" he smiled, "I can… feel my elbow."
Thank God…
Go on Tony. Gibbs couldn't handle the suspense.
Tony moved his good hand to his wrist. Gibbs saw him press gently.
Nothing?
Tony pressed more firmly.
Nothing?
Tony literally pinched his wrist.
Still nothing…
Gibbs watched Tony sag back into the pillows.
"Damn it…" Tony groaned as his breath became laboured. "It's been 24 hours… surely I should have got some feeling back by now?"
Tony slammed his good hand against his other wrist.
Shit… Gibbs wished he could help in some way.
Tony hit his wrist again as he growled out in frustration.
"Enough." Gibbs simply said. Tony went still and turned to look at Gibbs.
"Hey… Boss. You're awake."
"And so are you?" Gibbs said as got up and walked over to Tony.
"The sun's shining… it's going to be a good day." Tony said pointing at the window.
"Yeah." Gibbs replied. "How are you doing?"
"Me, Boss." Tony blushed with embarrassment. He knew Gibbs had seen him. "I'm good."
"Really?" Gibbs asked as he took Tony's hand into his and squeezed.
"Oh that. Yeah well I still can't feel my hand but other than that I'm good."
"That's my boy. You keep that positive attitude and for peet's sake don't hide yourself again."
"Got it Boss. No more hitting myself." Tony said.
Then he looked quizzically at Gibbs. "Hey, why are you in a hospital gown? And why do you have an IV line? Oh God Gibbs, did you get hurt too? Did that bloody wolf attack you too?"
"Hey, DiNozzo. Calm down will you?" Gibbs said. "I'm fine."
"No, you're not. I'm sorry but I can't remember what happened to you."
"Nothing to be sorry about. You were unconscious at the time."
"Just tell me what's wrong with you, please."
"Broken ribs, nothing serious."
"Thank goodness. I wouldn't be able to handle it if you'd gotten hurt because of me."
"Yeah, I know the feeling." Gibbs replied.
Then Gibbs watched as Tony's expression changed. Suddenly Tony looked up at Gibbs fear and concern filling his eyes.
"What is it, Tony?"
"My father! He's still missing? I need to get out of here and continue to search for… Argh." Tony moaned as he tried to sit up in bed.
"Easy Tony." Gibbs placed his hand on Tony's good shoulder to keep him from moving.
"But Boss… he could be hurt or something."
"Your father's fine. The Rangers found him and Ziva and McGee brought him back to town."
Tony took a deep steadying breathe.
"His okay, right?"
"Yeah. He's okay." Gibbs wasn't about to share any details with Tony just yet.
Tony took another deep breath.
"His in town… but his not here…" Tony processed his thoughts aloud. "Does he know what happened to me?"
"Yeah, he knows." Gibbs watched as a myriad of emotions flashed across Tony's face.
Surprise, confusion, anger, disappointment… sadness.
Ah hell Tony!
"He did come and see you last night but you were knocked out with the meds."
"He did?" Tony looked at Gibbs.
When Gibbs nodded, Tony sighed in relief.
"I guess he does care about me in his own way." Tony murmured.
"Yeah, I guess he does." Gibbs replied.
The hell he does… Gibbs silently swore. That bastard doesn't care about anyone but himself. How the hell am I going to keep you from getting hurt when you find out just what you father's been upto.
Just then the door to the room opened and a nurse and Dr Johnson stepped in.
"I'm glad to see you two are awake." Dr Johnson said. "I will examine you first Agent Gibbs. Please get back onto your bed."
Gibbs looked at Tony for a second before moving to his bed.
Tony frowned as he acknowledged the look and wondered just what his Boss was thinking.