Thank you for all the reviews and a special Thank you to those who helped me with asthma knowedge. I will keep it all in mind as I work on it.

Brad did an x-ray on Tony's lung while he was sleeping and then put him back under the oxygen tent. A few hour later Tony woke up disoriented.

"Did I fall asleep in a sauna? Well it isn't as hot as a sauna, but definitely as stuffy?" He questioned.

Tony sat straight up and realized that he was under an oxygen tent.

"Boy, I could sure use some fresh air." Tony said as he tried to find his way out of the tent.

"Morning, I brought your nebulizer." Brad said as he entered the room.

Tony groaned. "Brad, you are suffocating me. I just want some fresh air."

"You have to be able to breathe in order to suffocate." Brad teased as he set up the nebulizer.

Tony responded by giving him the evil eye.


Tony barley made it to work on time, but at least he was on time. He sat down at his desk and continued to work the cold cases. He didn't talk to or tease his coworkers. In fact he didn't talk unless he was spoken too; and even then he kept his answers short sweet and straight to the point.

He left for Bethesda on his lunch hour; he had yet another appointment with that stupid nebulizer. No matter how hard he tried; he could not get to Bethesda, do his treatment and make it back to the Navy Yard on his lunch hour. He knew Gibbs was going to kill him, maybe he should just let him; maybe then all of his problems will just go away. But needless to say he called Gibbs anyway to inform him that he was running late.

Tony kept mostly to himself for the rest of his shift before heading back to Bethesda for the night. He didn't know how much more of this he could take. There were moments when he wanted to tell Gibbs everything, so he didn't have to stay in the hospital alone. But he is use to being alone. In fact it is better this way, so he keeps his mouth shut.


Brad took Tony for his x-ray while he was sleeping. Tony is the most corporative when he is sleeping. The x-rays are disappointing. There is no improvement in his lungs. He only has one choice left to save Tony's life but the thing is it could also kill him.

Brad brought Tony his nebulizer and figured he could use that time to talk to Tony. Brad set it up and then sat down next to Tony.

"Tony, I'm afraid we are out of options. Your x-rays are showing no improvement in your lungs, I am going to have to operate, tomorrow."

Tony looked up from the nebulizer. "Is that really necessary?"

"I'm afraid it is. If I could see just one ounce of improvement in your lungs then I wouldn't even consider the surgery. But there hasn't been. Tony it isn't like I could look it up in some medical journal in order to give my an idea as what to do next; we have to play it by ear. The only option we have left is the surgery."

"What are my chances?" Tony asked.

"The surgery is experimental, dangerous and very risky. Unfortunately, survival rate it only 40 percent and that is pushing it; but it is our only option." Brad answered.

Tony didn't like those odds, but hey he survived worse. His odds of surviving pneumonic plague were only 15 percent; and hey he is still here.

"I meant what are my chances that I would be able to go back to work when it is over."

"I don't know Tony, I really don't. You might not be able to return to field duty. We will just have to wait and see." Brad replied.

"What will happen to me if I don't have the surgery?" Tony asked.

"Your lungs will keep getting worse until they shut down completely and your body suffociates from lack of oxygen and there would be no way of stopping it."

"Would you really do a surgery with those odds on an asthmatic patient?" Tony questioned.

" First of all, Tony you do not have asthma. I know we have been using asthma treatment to help you to breathe; but they are not working. Secondly, as a last resort I would. If you didn't have the surgery ASAP; I would say you might live another week to two."

Tony nodded and got ready for work. He might only have 1 day left in this world. Even if he survives the surgery there is no guarantee he can return to the field. If he wasn't a field agent; then wouldn't be a place for him on Gibbs team. Maybe he should just resign now and save everyone all the trouble.

"Tony, one more thing-" Brad began.

"What more could you possibly have to add?" Tony growled.

"You really should tell the others. They should be here tomorrow during your surgery."

"NO! I already told you that I didn't want them to know."

"I know what you said. But you should not go through this alone. Your state of mind will go a long way in helping you to survive it. The biggest thing in your advantage is that and your will to live.

"Alright, I will think about it. But I want you to respect my wishes and not call my coworkers. If I want them to know, I will tell them myself. Now I really have to go. I am already running late." Tony said as he left the hospital.

From his car in the hospital parking lot he called Gibbs to let him know that he was running late, yet again.