Unbelievable. No it couldn't be, not Gibbs! Special Agent Anthony Dinozzo and Timothy McGee looked at each other first in astonishment that was kindly numbing. Wretched disbelief came next and finally fear. Cold fear, a cold block of ice in their gut. Gibbs can't be down. He can't really have been taken down by a child no less. No, not a child, but a terrorist entity. Cowards that use children to do their dirty work. Cowards that kidnap little girls only to impregnate them. Cowards that toss acid on a woman's face for not properly covering her hair. Cowards that would like nothing less than behead any "disbeliever". Cowards that hide behind political asylum only to strike at the country that is shielding them.

Tony knew their jobs came at a cost. Freedom comes at a cost everyday. While most people live life without thinking twice about their ability to go about their daily routine without persecution, others don't have that luxury. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, that's what they protected.

Tony knew their lives were on the line everyday they came to work, but somehow he never truly believed anything would happen to Gibbs. He was like Superman, right? His only kryptonite was a lack of coffee or Tony's immature antics, which were easily remedied by a cup of joe and a headslap.

He'd do anything, even take a head slap, to see those ice blue eyes open once more. It was unnerving to see him lying there lifeless. A generic clear tube taped to his mouth with that wispy hospital paper tape. He should be breathing on his own damn it! Tony could almost see him shoot up and haphazardly rip out that tube and IV line, growling "Where the hell am I? Have you got any leads on that bastard? You don't! Then get going!"

But he didn't.

He just laid there motionless. Tony couldn't bring himself to touch him. To do that would only solidify the fact that this was not a bad dream. Gibbs really was on the brink of death and he couldn't change that reality. So for now he just sat there hands folded his eyes on him, his mentor, his father, his friend.

Tim came in to find Tony sitting near Gibbs elbows on his knees.

"Hey Tony, any change at all?" It had been a week so far since the shooting.

"No", his voice a whisper. Tony let out a tired sigh cradling his head with his fingers. Tom's brow knit with worry at his friend, he was more of a brother really.

Tim loved Gibbs too, but he had had a father much like Gibbs, which is why he could accept his gruffness and stoic demeanor. He could see Tony was near breaking point. Between working the case and following leads to coming to see Gibbs, Tony wasn't getting nearly enough rest or sleep.

Tony was usually the one they depended on to take the lead when Gibbs wasn't around, but Tim didn't know how much longer Tony was going to hold out.

Losing Ziva had been difficult for all of them, but more so for Tony. He tried to downplay his feelings, but Tim knew better, so did Gibbs.

Now they might be losing Gibbs, it was just too much to take.

"You doing ok Tony?"

"Ya, just don't be going somewhere anytime soon, ok?", Tony said softly chuckling with a slightly upturned mouth.

"I won't", replied Tim gently patting and squeezing his shoulder.

"Got anything new?", Tony asked, brotherly moment gone.

"No, not yet", replied Tim, wishing he could tell him otherwise.

"FBI hasn't gotten back to us with the info on their undercover agent yet. The director has to cut through some more red tape, it's more of a waste of time if you ask me".

Tony opened his lips ready to tell him exactly what is was like, but someone else beat him to it.

"It's more like bull shift if you ask me", said Ziva leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, one corner of her mouth upturned and her eyes shining with a promise of retribution.

Tony almost felt sorry for those bastards, almost.

He stood up a true blue Dinozzo smile on his face. He felt a renewed strength. He chuckled shaking his head side to side. Tim felt hope again smiling widely and he was ready to get to work as were they.

They had messed with the wrong family.