Title: Last Chance

Slash/Mature. Don't like, Don't read.

Summary: Takes place at the end of Neverland. This is Gibbs last chance to make everything right.

I had a lot of request for a story about the finale, so here it is. This has not be proofed, other than by me, all mistakes are mine.

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"Wake up."

He heard the words then felt the soft slap to his cheek.

"I said wake up Probie!"

Another slap to his cheek, this time slightly harder. He opened his eyes to a blurry haze, as they adjusted to the light the face above him suddenly came into view. The scowling face of his mentor and friend.

"We gotta stop meeting like this Probie." Mike glared down at Gibbs. "I'm getting tired of being your spiritual guide during your little near death experiences." He offered a hand to his friend and helped Gibbs to his feet.

Standing there, Gibbs looked down at himself and saw the bullet wound in his chest and leg. Then he looked back up at Mike. "He played me." The image of Luke shooting him flashed through his mind.

Mike shrugged. "He didn't know, it was the music."

Again, Gibbs looked at the gun shot to his chest.

"The guy upstairs is starting to think you really do have a death wish." Mike paused. "And he's none too happy about it."

Gibbs didn't respond.

"I told him you wanted to die, but-" Mike rolled his eyes then glared upwards. "My opinion doesn't seem to be enough to convince him."

"So what you want me to admit I want to die?" Gibbs scoffed. "Fine, I can admit it."

Mike pointed a finger at Gibbs' chest. "Be careful Probie, you're on your last chance here."

"My last chance?"

Mike nodded. "This is it Probie. You convince him you wanna die, it's done, no going back, no changing your mind, just done died and gone."

"Fine." Gibbs squared his shoulders and puffed out his chest. "I'm done, let's go."

Reaching behind Gibbs, Mike head slapped him. "I told you stop talking like that. We have some shit to discuss before make that decision."

Looking skyward, Gibbs shouted. "Come on, let's get this over with. I'm here."

Mike started to laugh. "What makes you think that's where you're going?"

Gibbs pulled his head back and stared at Mike.

"You can't piss off the devil as much as you have and not expected him to be vying for you." Mike chuckled and pointed upward. "They're up there right now each holding their cards, making bets on whose hand is better." Mike's eyes narrowed. "So drop the cocky attitude and think about this all before you go wishing for death."

Gibbs swallowed hard.

"There's so much you don't know Probie." Mike sighed. "Between dwelling in your own damn pain and hiding all the feelings you have, you've made yourself oblivious to so many things that are right in front of you."

Gibbs rolled his eyes.

Mike narrowed his eyes and cocked his head. "Don't make me head slap you again."

Letting his shoulders lower slightly, Gibbs stared back at Mike.

Mike rubbed his forehead, he took a deep breath. "You're becoming a real pain in my afterlife, one I want to get rid of. So this is the deal." He cleared his throat. "I'm going to show you and tell you some things you're not gonna wanna hear."

Gibbs went to open his mouth and he received the glare with a pointed finger.

"And you are going to keep your pie hole shut unless you have something productive to say or I ask you a question." Mike growled. "Because if you don't I'm going to head upstairs and remind those two of everything I know about you, good and bad, then let the chips fall where they may. Understood?"

There was a moment's hesitation but Gibbs finally nodded.

"Good." Mike nodded. "And after we're done if you still wanna die." He smiled. "I'll walk you happily into the light." The smile faded. "But if you decide life is worth living and you go back." He poked Gibbs in the chest. "I don't wanna see you back here until it's actually time for you to be here." He took a step back. "Follow me."

Gibbs followed and they suddenly emerged into a chaotic scene. There was a helicopter landing in some desert just outside a bustling city. An ambulance was speeding towards it stopping at a safe distance as the helicopter touched down. The back doors of the ambulance whooshed open and two men bound out with a body on a stretcher. They started towards the helicopter as a car raced into the picture and slammed on the breaks as it pulled up beside the ambulance.

Gibbs felt his heart stop as he saw the familiar man run towards the helicopter. Tony was covered in blood yet there were no wounds. He didn't need to hear the words to know Tony was arguing with the paramedic about wanting to go with them. It went on for only a moment until Tony pulled out his gun and held it, handle out to the other man. Gibbs knew that move all too well, he'd taught Tony that one. The move that said the only way you can stop me from going is if you shoot me. The paramedic, finally relented and let Tony into the helicopter.

"He's more like you than either one of you wants to admit." Mike glanced at Gibbs out of the corner of his eye waiting to see if the man would speak. He snickered to himself when Gibbs clenched his jaw. Oh we are just getting started. "He's stubborn, cocky, and can't follow orders." He paused then chuckled. "And he's dedicated, loyal, and trustworthy and would do anything for his team."

No one had to tell Gibbs any of that. He knew the kind of man Tony was and it was the reason Gibbs had brought him to NCIS and the reason Tony was the best agent Gibbs had ever worked with. Tony would keep the team together after all this, would be the rock that they all needed, and together they would all deal with his death as a family.

"He won't be the rock you think he'll be." Mike looked at Gibbs and saw the question in his eyes. "But we'll get back to that."

The scene before Gibbs' eyes suddenly faded and they were standing in a hospital room. Gibbs saw himself in the bed, the gauze and dressing wrapped tightly around his chest and his leg hanging from a sling. The heart monitor attached to him beeped steadily. Beside the bed sat Tony still wearing the blood soaked clothing, the younger man was looking at Gibbs with a pained expression on his face.

"He hasn't left your side in almost two days, hell I don't even think he's went to the bathroom." Mike chuckled. "I did say he was dedicated." He watched the same pained expression slowly cover Gibbs' face. "He's been through this a few times with you. Yet he's still here, right by your side."

"He's always there." Gibbs whispered. Tony had always been there, was always the first to his side and the last to leave.

"You've had a longer relationship with DiNozzo, than all your ex-wives put together." Mike smirked. "Kinda says something about the man doesn't it?"

Gibbs only response was a slight nod as he continued to stare at the scene before him.

Tony ran his hands down his face and leaned forward putting his elbows on his knees. "Fight, don't let it end like this."

Mike looked over at Gibbs. "He doesn't take it well when you give up."

Gibbs glared at Mike. When he saw movement before him, Gibbs turned back to the scene and saw Tony lean over and whisper something to the Gibbs in the bed, then squeeze Gibbs' hand. When Tony drew back his eyes were filled with tears. He slumped back down in the chair and dropped his head back. The scene went black then illuminated with light as the morning sunlight filled the room. Tony had pulled the chair closer to the bed and was asleep leaning with his head on the bed. The room suddenly exploded with the sound of monitors going off and Tony jumped up as nurses and doctors ran into the room. The heart monitor had flat lined. The doctor called for a crash cart and he pushed Tony towards the door. Again, Tony argued with the men staying in the room but out of the way.

The team of nurses and doctors worked on the lifeless body in the bed. The paddles were charged and the body in the bed jumped, then settled, the line still flat across the screen. Recharge, a shout of clear and the body in the bed jumped again, the same result. Another recharge, clear, the body jumped, again nothing. The doctor put the paddles back on the cart and looked up at the clock.

The next part of the scene unfolded in silent slow motion.

Tony opened his mouth and screamed, he lunged towards the lifeless body only to have two people step into his path and hold him back. He tried to push past them, another nurse joined the wall of people. Another scream of the lifeless man's name as he tried to lunge again. The words "he's gone" echoed through the room from the doctor. Tony suddenly looked directly at the doctor that was holding him back. The words hit Tony like a fist to the chest. The air rushed from his lungs as all the fight left Tony's body and he collapsed in the arms of the people around him. The tears streamed down Tony's face as he crumbled to the floor taking one of the nurses with him. She cradled him in her arms as he broke down sobbing and babbling unintelligible words.

The tears started to pool in Gibbs' eyes and he took a deep breath to halt them from falling. A question nagged at him and he heard the answer without asking.

"They took you to the Landstuhl hospital in Germany, Vance and McGee were on the way when you died."

Gibbs ran his hands down his face.

"The good news is Joanna, the local CIA and NCIS agents caught Daniel Budd, and with all the evidence they send Abby, she linked everything to him." Mike looked at the scene before them, Tony still being held by the nurse. He waved his hand and the scene disappeared. Another wave of his hand and they were standing in the bullpen. The familiar desks were there, McGee and Bishop were both sitting at their desks, at Tony's desk sat a young blond haired blue eyes man that barely looked old enough to shave.

Gibbs heard the familiar ding of the elevator and looked over as Tony stepped out holding a coffee and walked towards the bullpen.

Tony sat down at Gibbs old desk. Tapping a few keys on the keyboard he pulled up his e-mail and started to read through them.

"Abby was looking for you." McGee said.

"Um hum." Tony mumbled still reading his e-mails.

"She's worried about you." McGee saw Tony look over at him. "We're all worried about you."

"I'm fine." Tony shrugged. "It was bound to happen, I should have known better."

"Boss…Tony." McGee sighed.

"It's been over for months, hell we haven't lived together for over eight months, this was just the legal end to it all." Tony went back to his email.

Gibbs looked at Mike.

"He married Zoe, a month after you died and well, it didn't last long." Mike paused. "She couldn't live with a ghost."

Gibbs gave Mike a puzzled look.

Mike chuckled. "You really are clueless Probie." He waved his hand again and they were standing in Tony's apartment. There were empty carry out containers scattered across the coffee table and across the kitchen counters. There was a pile of dirty clothes just outside the bed door and boxes stacked in one corner of the room.

Gibbs brow furrowed as his eyes scanned the apartment.

"I told you he wasn't the rock you thought he would be." Mike reminded Gibbs.

Gibbs heard the key in the door, it opened and Tony stepped into the apartment.

Tony pushed the door closed, kicked off his shoes, and walked over to the bar. Grabbing a glass and a bottle of Bourbon he made his way to the couch and dropped down onto the middle cushion. He poured himself a glass of Bourbon, downed it in one gulp and poured another leaving it sit on the coffee table. Reaching into his breast pocket he pulled out a folded photograph and just stared at it.

"I hate you, more and more every day." Tony hissed angrily at the photography. Then the anger slowly faded and he sighed. "But I miss you more than anything or anyone." He shook his head. "Why did you leave? Why didn't you fight?" He picked up the glass of Bourbon and emptied it. "It wasn't supposed to end like this." He tossed the picture down on the coffee table and refilled his glass.

Gibbs looked down at the picture and his stomach knotted. It was a picture of the two of them at some NCIS function. They were both smiling happily, a rare occurrence, especially on his part.

"One of the few times I saw you smile was when Tony was around." Mike knew the emotions and thoughts running through Gibbs' mind.

A small smirk curled on the corner of Gibbs' lips. "Tony has this uncanny ability to make people smile…including me."

"He makes you laugh too."

Gibbs nodded. "Yes he does."

Mike grinned. "And he can annoy the hell out of you."

"Yes he can." Gibbs groaned. "The damn lack of focus sometimes, the constant movie references, practical jokes and-"

"And you wouldn't change a thing about him."

Gibbs looked at Mike and shook his head. "No, I wouldn't."

"He drives you crazy, but good crazy." Mike winked and Gibbs nodded. "And all of that good and bad make him who he is…" He paused. "The man you've loved silently for years."

Gibbs jaw clenched as he glared at mike. "Don't!"

Mike glared back. "You don't make the rules here, this is my house, my rules and I told you, you weren't gonna like what I had to say and show you."

"I don't wanna hear this."

"To bad because you need to hear it." Mike snapped. "You've been in love with him since the beginning and it's just gotten stronger through the years."

"Don't mistake lust for love." Gibbs snapped back.

Mike's eyebrows went up and his head went back. "Is that what you tell yourself? That if you just got to screw Tony once, you'd get it out of your system?" He started laughing. "You're deeper in denial than I thought." He pointed at the scene before them directly at Tony. "You could fuck him once and walk away?"

Gibbs blue eyes stared at Tony for a moment then looked back at Mike, but didn't say a word.

"The way your heart stopped when he almost died from the plague, the jealousy that overwhelms you every time he regales you with his latest conquest, that feeling of desire you get when he looks at you just a little too long, the way your body ignites with even the slightest touch of his hand, all those nights you stood there in the living room watching him sleep on the couch, that's not lust. That's love and denying it doesn't make it go away!"

"IT DOESN'T MATTER!" Gibbs screamed. "He doesn't love me." He rubbed his forehead as he tried to reign in his emotions. When he spoke again his voice was calm and controlled, even though it held a hint of sadness. "My feels are irrelevant. Tony doesn't love me, end of story."

Mike took a step towards Gibbs. His eyes narrowed. "You really think that all the pain and heartache Tony's feeling right now is just because he lost a friend and mentor." Mike looked over at Tony then back at Gibbs. "Zoe left him because she was tired of trying to compete with the ghost of a man Tony loved." His eyebrow went up. "Sound familiar?" Mike saw the anger swell, knew what was coming and let it happen. Gibbs fist landed square on his jaw.

Taking a step back, Gibbs looked at Mike.

"Can't hurt a dead man Probie." The scene before them disappeared and they were back in the hospital scene. "You need proof."

Gibbs glared at Mike.

"Take a listen to what Tony whispered to you in that hospital bed." Mike turned and stared back at the hospital scene.

Tony leaned down and whispered in Gibbs' ear.

"Don't leave me. I have so much I need to tell you." Tony paused and squeezed Gibbs' hand. "I love you Leroy Jethro Gibbs and you don't have to love me back, but I want the chance to tell you."

Mike heard the sharp intake of breath from the man next to him as the words left Tony's lips. "You think you're scared of loving him, Tony's even more terrified of loving you."

Gibbs gaze drifted back to Mike.

"You're the only person that has always been there for him, the one constant in his life, the person that accepts him flaws and all. You never judge and that was completely foreign to him before coming to NCIS."

Running his hands through his hair, Gibbs shook his head. "No." He pointed at Mike. "You're doing this to get me to go back."

"No, I'm doing this to show you what you're miss out on every day by denying what you feel." Mike barked.

Turning towards the scene before him, Gibbs stared at the younger man. "I can't believe-"

"Don't make me show you what he does alone at night in his bed while he calls out your name."

Gibbs' eyebrow went up as he turned to Mike.

"I really don't wanna see that, knowing about it is bad enough." A wide grin spread across Mike's face. "Want me to show you while I turn around and put my fingers in my ears?"

"No." Gibbs shook his head. "Don't really want to see that with you here either. I'd rather experience that in person alone with Tony."

Mike cocked his head. "That implies you wanna be around to experience it."

Looking back at the image of Tony, Gibbs sighed. "He deserves better than me."

"He doesn't want better, he wants you." Mike slapped Gibbs on the shoulder.

"What if I screw it up?"

Mike shrugged. "That's always a possibility."

"Show me what happens."

"Can't do that Probie."

"Why not?"

"Because that future doesn't exist." Mike touched the wound on Gibbs' chest. "Dead remember, any future you might have had with Tony was erased when you gave up and took the long sleep."

"He's probably better without me."

They were suddenly back in Tony's apartment. The younger man was passed out on the couch, the Bourbon bottle now empty.

"Do you really think being divorced from a woman he never really loved, being alone the rest of his life and drinking himself into a stupor every night is better than being with the man he loves?"

"I don't know what to say to him, how to tell him." Gibbs sighed. "I suck at all that talking."

"Maybe you won't have to." Mike smirked. "Maybe you'll wake up and he'll kiss you and tell you he loves you. The fear of loss can make even the strongest of men crumble."

Gibbs chuckled. "Somehow I don't see it being that easy for the two of us."

"Yeah, you're both stubborn mules." Mike snickered.

"Yes we are." Gibbs gazed at Tony then took a deep breath and blew it out. "Maybe we deserve a chance."

"There's no maybe." The woman answered

The familiar voice made, Gibbs spin around his entire demeanor softened.

She shook her head. "You look like hell." A smile played across her lips.

"You look beautiful." Gibbs sighed. She looked as beautiful as the day he met her on that train platform.

"You have so much life to live, so much love to give and receive." She touched his cheek. "Don't give that up without a fight."

"Sometimes I just want-"

She pressed a finger to his lips and shook her head. "What you want, what you need is sitting next to your hospital bed praying to every deity that will listen, that you wake up and come back to him."

"I miss you, both of you."

"I know." She smiled. "And you can still miss us and love us, even as you love him. Your heart is big enough for the three of us, even more." She put her palm on his chest over his heart. "He's your future, I'm your past. He loves you so much that when you realize the full extent of that love," She patted his chest. "It will heal all those old wounds and put back all the pieces of your broken heart."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Woman's intuition and I can see the love between you." Her smiled widen. "Those times I visited you, told you to move on, those were all about him."

"What if I go back and I can't admit it or accept it?" His voice cracked as he spoke. "What if I go back and the fear sets in again, like it always does when I think about telling him?"

Leaning in she kissed his cheek. "You can't live in what ifs and you're forgetting about one thing."

His brow furrowed.

She glanced passed Gibbs towards the scene and Tony sitting by the hospital bed.

Gibbs turned around and looked at Tony.

"He's almost lost you too many times…and this time when you come back he's not giving you up without a fight."

Gibbs was about to turn back around and stopped, knowing in his heart she was already gone. He stood there just letting the scene play out before him in silence. Finally, he looked up. "Send me back damn it!"

The scene evaporated and he was jerked through the blackness and suddenly dropped somewhere. Gibbs took a deep breath and the pain in his chest shot through the rest of his body causing him to tremble in agony. His eyes shot open, the bright light causing his eyes to hurt and he slammed them shut again. "Fuck." He coughed out as his dry throat ached as he spoke.

"Gibbs." Tony said the name like a prayer. The hand instantly grabbed his and squeezed hard. Tony looked down at their now joined hands then yelled. "Get a doctor in here."