This is being written in collaboration with my talented friend nightchild78. We are having fun bouncing ideas off each other, and sharing in the excitement of watching this story unfold!

Special thanks to Rose Malmaison for making the image to go along with this fic!

Categories: NCIS/Torchwood

Rating: M

Characters: Tony DiNozzo, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Abby Sciuto, Tim McGee, Ziva David, Dr Donald Mallard, Jimmy Palmer / Jack Harkness, Ianto Jones, Toshiko Sato, Owen Harper.

Pairings: Tony/Gibbs, Jack/Ianto, Tosh/Owen.

Warnings: Swearing, slash, Mpreg, explicit sexual situations.

Spoilers: Set during the 6th season of NCIS and after Children of Earth for Torchwood. Mentions of the episodes SWAK, Boxed In, Hiatus Part 2, Escaped, Singled Out, Bury Your Dead, Chimera and Requiem for NCIS and for the episodes Cyberwoman, To the Last Man, Dead Man Walking, A Day In the Death, Exit Wounds as well as the whole of season 3 of Torchwood. Miracle Day never happened.

Disclaimer: We don't own these characters. We just like to play with them.

(Author's note: By the end of the next chapter, the NCIS and Torchwood sides of the story will start to come together. In the meantime, some important things are established in this chapter. I'd say it earned the M rating. ;)

Thank you for all of the faves, follows and reviews! We're looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this chapter!)

RENASCENCE RENASCENCE RENASCENCE

Gibbs and Tony had never been in such a hurry to finish their work. But, true to their natures, they did everything they needed to before leaving. As tempting as the promise of what was sure to be wild, intense, passionate love making was, other people were counting on them. And they wouldn't be very good investigators if they half assed it.

Yet, despite the fact that they weren't finished until around 9:30, it wasn't bad considering. Ziva and McGee had left before them, and they ate pizza together at Tony's desk while taking a break from finishing their paperwork. Not what most would call a "romantic" dinner. But they were alone together, feeling no need to put on an act. More motivated to get the job done than they had ever felt before.

Once they were finally home, Gibbs led Tony into the bedroom with a tenderness not usually associated with the former marine. They stood in the dark for a moment, until Gibbs lit a single candle sitting atop the dresser.

Looking at Tony, his beautiful features softened in the candle light, his eyes filled with hungry anticipation, Gibbs felt his heart swell. The love he felt for the younger man was overwhelming sometimes.

The two men sat down on the edge of the bed together, and Gibbs squeezed Tony's hand before lightly kissing it.

"I have something for you," he said, turning to pick up a small box from the night stand.

Tony scratched the back of his head, looking slightly embarrassed. "Oh. I didn't realize we were doing gifts..."

Gibbs shook his head "Relax." He placed the box in Tony's hand, cupping his own hand over it. "I didn't spend any money on this."

Gibbs slowly removed his hand from the box, allowing Tony to examine it.

It was a beautiful wooden box, with a rose intricately carved on the lid. The box was in very good condition, though likely very old. For a moment, Tony just admired the box, tracing his finger along the carving.

"Go on. Open it!" Gibbs nudged.

Looking up to see Gibbs' amused expression, Tony laughed nervously, opening the box.

Inside was a gold pendant. On one side of the pendant appeared an image of a cat, wearing a nose ring, and other elegant accessories. It reminded Tony of Egyptian artwork he had seen. On the other side of the pendant was a simple sillhouette of a cat against the full moon. This may have been a small piece of jewelry, but it was truly art!

Gibbs had to smile as he watched Tony's eyes and mouth widen, turning over the pendant, and admiring the beautifully detailed engravings.

"That belonged to Shannon," Gibbs told Tony. "Family heirloom. I want you to have it now."

"Jethro..." Tony began, at a loss for words. "I can't...she was..."

"Shh." Gibbs cupped his hand against Tony's cheek. Taking the pendant from Tony's hand, he got up behind the younger man, fastening it around his neck.

"I love you, Tony. In a way I haven't loved anyone since Shannon. If she could see how happy you make me, and how you've changed me...I think she'd want you to have this." Wrapping an arm around Tony, Gibbs kissed him softly on the neck.

"B-but...are y-you sure?" Tony stuttered uncertainly, leaning back and moaning as Gibbs continued to kiss his neck, and down to his shoulders. "You want to c-commit to me like this? You know my history with relationships."

Gibbs stopped what he was doing, and returned to the edge of the bed, sitting beside Tony. Clasping Tony's hands, Gibbs gave him a look of unwavering love.

"I do," he said. "And you know my history. Believe me, the thought had never crossed my mind to give this to one of my ex-wives." Gibbs would have almost laughed at the incongruity of this mere idea, if he hadn't be so focused on finding the right words to let Tony know how he felt about him. "But I see the way you look at me, and I know the way that I feel when I'm with you. History is just that. But right now, I'm sure of what we have. For the first time in years, I love someone, and mean it."

Tony turned away from Gibbs, looking down into his lap.

"Hey." Gibbs paced a hand on Tony's shoulder, worried he might have said something wrong, or come on a little too strong. "You okay?"

"Yeah." Tony's voice cracked. "I just don't want you to see me cry. You must find it ridiculous, but it's so... I don't know... It's..." Tony took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. "It's just that I never thought someone would ever love me so much."

Embracing Tony from behind, Gibbs pulled him close, kissing a wet, tear stained cheek. "Do you like your gift?"

"I love it," Tony answered, clasping the pendant tightly in his hand. "But I love you more."

RENASCENCE RENASCENCE RENASCENCE

2009 – The Hub - Cardiff

The blast had been devastating, and it took Owen a moment to get his bearings. One moment he was lying beside Tosh, drinking in the sight of her peaceful beauty while picturing what could have been their life together and the next one, he was sent flying through the morgue as most of the building collapsed on itself.

Looking around him, he realized that he had crashed on a pile of rubble. By the look of it, the blast had hit hard the wall behind the cryochamber, causing the doors to burst open and the stretchers to be ejected with their occupants through the vaults. Well, in fact, through what was left of them, since half of the ceiling had ended up scattered on the ground, wires hanging everywhere in a festival of electric sparks.

If it hadn't been for a door torn off of its hinges which had landed over him, protecting him from most of the blast, Owen would certainly have ended up buried under a thick layer of rock.

Trying his best to gather his wits, his first thought was for Tosh, and he jerked upright. If he had been thrown out of the cryochamber, it was more than likely that she had been too. Where had she landed? He need to find her. There was no way he would abandon her.

Owen frantically looked around him, trying to make out the scene through the dust and smoke, when a voice calling for help startled him.

"Hello? Is there anybody here?"

Owen turned around to find Tosh lying on the ground some distance from where he stood. Her standard white hospital gown was covered with dust, but Owen couldn't help but to observe that she appeared a bit angelic and otherwordly this way. Having kept her lifeless body company for the past year, he was convinced. He was looking at an angel. The most beautiful of angels!

"Please, help me," Tosh called out. Her voice was trembling with fright and confusion, and all Owen wanted at that moment was to comfort her. He rushed towards Tosh without thinking, reaching out her.

"Tosh?" he said instinctively, without realizing that he was actually speaking. But he had no time to process this new development, because Tosh immediately replied.

"Owen, what happened?"

Owen stared at Tosh and stepped back slightly, surprised that she could see and hear him.

"You can see me?" he asked, his voice a stunned whisper.

"Of course I can. You're just in front of me," Tosh answered, as if Owen had just asked her the most ridiculous of questions . "Owen, what's wrong?"

Owen looked down to see a pair of hands. His hands. The same as before he dissolved in the power plant. His skin was paler than he remembered, and slightly translucent. He could also see that he was clad in the same clothes he was wearing at the time, except that the clothes were translucent too, as if it was a hologram.

"Owen," Tosh repeated as she tried to sit up. "What happened? What are we doing here? Tell me, please!" Her voice grew more and more frightened with each word, and she seemed on the verge to panic.

Owen wasn't sure how to answer. He was still trying to process how he had gotten his voice, and some semblance of his physical form back. He, like Tosh, had countless questions, and no real answers.

"I wish I could, but I haven't a clue," he finally said apologetically.

Tosh stayed silent for a moment, her eyes fixed on the ground, as she was trying to access a part of her memory. Something in her most recent Earthly past, upsetting enough to have been temporarily shut out.

"Oh God, I remember now. I was in Jack's arms and it was so cold… and it... it hurt… I was losing blood..." Tosh's voice was haunted, a quiver in her tone indicating repressed sobs.

Owen crawled closer, wanting desperately to comfort Tosh, but not daring to touch her.

"I'm sorry. I… I didn't know until I came back here. It's gonna be all right, I swear. Please calm down." At that moment, Owen wanted nothing more than to take Tosh into his arms. But he didn't yet know how that would work, or how it might feel to her. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her even more.

"Am I dead?" Tosh asked hesitantly, after a moment of painful silence.

"Well, until a few minutes ago, I'd have said yes." Owen pursed his lips. "But given the circumstances, I'm not so sure anymore."

Tosh looked up, her eyes veiled with unshed tears.

"You mean I'm resurrected? Like you?"

Owen hesitated, then motioned her to put her fingers on her jugular. "Can you… can you place your fingers just there?"

Keeping her gaze fixed on Owen, Tosh copied his example.

"Do you feel a pulse?"

Tosh nodded frantically, her eyes widening slightly.

Owen let out a heavy sigh. "Bloody hell."

Looking down awkwardly, Owen pointed at Tosh's gown. "Can you... just lift the...?"

Nodding uncomfortably, Tosh lifted the hem of her hospital gown to reveal a perfectly healed scar in the spot where Gray had injured her.

"This means I'm alive? For real?" Tosh's voice was filled with hope, and a twinge of excitement.

Owen tried not to wince at the word "real." A word that only served to emphasize his ghostly state.

"Well... I guess so."

He looked away, torn between relief and jealousy. He was happy for Tosh! So happy that she was alive and part of the world again! But there was also a sadness tearing at him. He had no physical form to share with the woman it had taken him far too long to realize he loved.

"What about you? What happened to you?" Tosh asked, pulling Owen out of his thoughts.

"What you told me would happen," he said with resignation. "The containment chamber was flooded with the irradiated coolant and my body decomposed."

"But you didn't die." It wasn't a question, but a statement.

"Nope. How surprising." Owen's tone was ironic and slightly bitter.

Tosh pointed at him, a look of puzzlement in her eyes.

"But I can see you. I mean, you look… normal."

Owen shrugged. "Don't ask me. I don't know any more than you."

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of people shouting above them and the barking of dogs. Looking up, they caught sight of lights dancing through the cracks of the ceiling.

"Come on, we need to get out of here," Owen said anxiously, getting up and hurrying towards a safety exit, trying his best not to look at the corpses lying around them. Tosh followed, but tried to hold him back. She reached for his hand, then immediately pulled away as if it burned.

"Owen, wait! What about the others? We can't leave them behind."

Owen looked her straight in the eyes.

"Tosh, if they were anywhere near the explosion, they're dead. Well, maybe not Jack, but... Trust me, right now, there is nothing we can do. Our only chance is to get out of here and find out what's going on. Okay?"

He looked upward, frowning. "Something tells me those guys out there are not here to help us."

Tosh nodded solemnly in understanding, and Owen nodded in return.

"Come on."

Owen gathered up his energy and kicked the door open. Together, he and Tosh disappeared down a dark corridor.

RENASCENCE RENASCENCE RENASCENCE

Gibbs undid the buttons of Tony's shirt, lavishing kisses upon his bare chest and stomach as he did so.

Sliding the sleeves off of Tony's arms, Gibbs tossed the younger man's shirt onto a nearby chair, taking a moment to feel the gold pendant against Tony's flesh. The gentle pressure against his chest, and the look of loving resolve in Gibbs' eyes, alleviated some of the initial guilt Tony had felt at accepting such a precious heirloom. Tony should have known better. Gibbs would never give him such a gift unless he was absolutely certain of his decision to do so.

Gibbs reached out to take the supplies he needed from the nightstand drawer, Tony's eyes following his every move under his half-closed eyelids. Gibbs' hand hovered above the box of condoms for a second, before grabbing the bottle of lube and closing back the drawer with a thud.

He was about to resume his kissing when Tony suddenly grasped his wrist and stopped him.

"I would understand, you know," Tony whispered, with his eyes glued to some invisible point on the wall behind Gibbs. "With my reputation, you'd have every right to want to use protection... I..."

Pressing his forefinger on Tony's lips, Gibbs gently shut him up.

"Tony, I trust you. With life. Everyday. On and off the field. You are the one who protects me, not the one I need protection from." He was looking Tony straight in the eyes, and the younger man saw the honesty in his gaze.

Tony gave Gibbs a small, tentative nod, feeling relief wash over him at this confirmation of trust from the older man.

Gibbs nodded in return, then slowly pulled down Tony's pants, followed by his boxers, taking time along the way to grab a firm hold of his tight, shapely buttocks.

Tony's eyes closed at the touch, and his knees became weak. Gibbs took the opportunity to push Tony back onto the bed, sealing his lips around his already semi erect cock. Gibbs worked his lips and tongue like a true artist, and Tony found himself grabbing the sheets into tight fists, as his member swelled in the older man's mouth.

Gibbs was now swallowing Tony balls deep, and Tony, unable to speak, let out deep, guttural moans. He absolutely loved having Gibbs in control! It made him feel safe and cared for like never before. God knows he had been a rather adventurous lover until then, but what he felt every time Gibbs was touching him, this was definitely beyond anything he had ever experienced before.

The moans crescendoed into desperate whimpers laced with incoherent pleas as Gibbs kept mercilessly sucking and pumping Tony's shaft. His fingers were skillfully teasing his balls at the same time, creating a myriad of new sensations which were overwhelming Tony's body like a wild fire.

Tony was holding onto the edge with everything he had, but knew it was a lost battle. He felt tension coiled at the base of his spine, just before a strangled scream ripped his throat as he came hard and fast into Gibbs' mouth, his hips jerking upwards uncontrollably as the other man gleefully swallowed everything he offered.

With a smug smirk tugging his lips, Gibbs undertook to lick him clean, his eager tongue chasing away the last drop of cum which might have escaped his hungry mouth.

Once he was done with Tony's over sensitive cock, Gibbs crept up over his lover's body like a predator on the prowl and kissed him hungrily, his eyes shining with undisguised desire as they shared the taste of Tony's cum on their tongues.

"You ready?" Gibbs asked.

Tony just nodded stupidly. If Gibbs could do this to him with a blow job, he couldn't even begin to imagine the state he'd be in after sex!

Gibbs rolled him over onto his stomach, and Tony could hear him pop open the cap to the bottle of lube, squirting some onto his fingers.

Tony whimpered as Gibbs parted his cheeks and gently massaged his hole, then gasped as he inserted a first finger, thrusting it in and out rhythmically and adjusting his angle until he grazed Tony's prostate and forced a tight cry from the younger man's throat.

"Tell me to stop if it becomes to much for you," Gibbs gently requested.

"No. Keep going," Tony managed to squeak out.

Slowly, Gibbs added a second finger, skillfully stretching Tony's hole.

By the time Gibbs inserted the third finger, Tony's anticipation had reached maddening levels. Yes, it hurt. He hadn't had a man inside him in 20 years. But he knew he would be rewarded with the sweetest pleasure!

Just moments after Gibbs had removed his fingers from Tony, he felt the soothing sensation of lube on the quivering flesh of his opening.

Rolling over onto his back, Tony watched with fascination as Gibbs slathered lube upon his own cock, pumping it into a full on erection.

Tony knew what to do next. Though it had been some time, it all came back very naturally to him. As Gibbs hovered just above him, Tony threw his legs over the older man's shoulders.

Gibbs looked down at Tony as if he was about to devour him, then he lined his cock up and nudged gently against Tony's hole.

On a nod from Tony, he slowly pushed forward until he slipped past the tight ring of muscle.

"Deeper," Tony moaned, thrusting his hips up helpfully. Soon, Gibbs was all the way in.

"God!" Tony screamed in reaction to the intense burning. But before long, the pain gave way to pure pleasure.

True to his word, Gibbs took Tony slowly, deeply and thoroughly, bumping against Tony's prostate in just the right way. Tony dug his fingers into Gibbs' back, hips thrusting in time to his gyrations.

After awhile, all Tony could feel was pure pleasure. He entered a state of blissful oblivion as his body became one with Gibbs'. He had never felt anything so amazing in his life. The orgasmic energy coursing through his body was immeasurable, and absolutely indescribable. Somewhere in the haze of his mind, he could feel the weight of the golden pendant around his neck, the precious metal burning hot against his dampened skin, reminding him how much he loved the man in his arms, and how much he was loved in return.

For the second time that night, Tony felt himself barreling towards release. He was so close, right on the verge, but also desperate to make it last as long as possible. He was literally basking in bliss and nothing was existing anymore but Gibbs. Gibbs' mouth on his neck. Gibbs' fingers digging in the tender flesh of his hip, hard enough to leave a mark. Just that mere idea was enough to elicit a cry of pleasure from his parted lips. Oh yes, he wanted Gibbs to mark him, to make him his, forever.

Gibbs' rhythm increased and he pushed harder and harder into Tony. "Take me. Take me, I'm yours." The words were the only coherent thoughts swirling in his mind as Gibbs unrelentingly claimed his body, pounding into him with unbridled carnal need and wantonness, until wave after wave of electrical aftershocks coursed through him and he finally fell spiraling into an abyss of indescribable pleasure, barely conscious of Gibbs screaming his name as he followed Tony over the edge.

Lying in a satisfied heap, and barely aware of his own body, Tony slowly opened his eyes and saw Gibbs look down lovingly at him, obviously pleased with what he'd done to him.

"Was that everything you hoped it would be?" Gibbs asked, bestowing a kiss upon his lips and pressing the pendant tightly to Tony's chest.

"Better," Tony managed to answer in a hoarse voice. "Better...than..."

Tony was unable to finish his thought, and simply smiled up at Gibbs.

Gibbs smiled back, kissing Tony on the cheek as he settled down in bed beside him. Draping an arm around Tony's quivering body, Gibbs whispered.

"Goodnight, Tony. You were amazing! And I love you!"

"Love...you..." Tony started, as he quickly fell into a blissful slumber.

RENASCENCE RENASCENCE RENASCENCE

Tosh and Owen fled through the streets of Cardiff, leaving the destroyed Hub behind them. Tosh's knowledge of the emplacements of the CCTV helped them to avoid the cameras.

Though Owen didn't need to breathe, he was mindful of Tosh's discomfort, and, after a time, they stopped by the corner of a dimly lit street to let her catch her breath.

"You think we lost them?" Tosh panted, leaning against the side of an old brick building.

Owen peered around the corner, checking the street.

"No one in sight." He turned towards Tosh, shrugging. "We're supposed to be dead, so I guess the chances are high that they haven't even realized we were there. But better to be safe than sorry."

Tosh nodded in agreement, her hands resting on her hips as her breath slowly returned to normal.

"Maybe I should change." Tosh gestured to her gown. "These clothes aren't exactly discreet."

Owen didn't reply. He was too busy staring at Tosh with fascination, reveling in the steady rising and falling of her chest. Undeniable testimony of the amazing second chance he had been given.

"Owen?"

Tosh's voice pulled Owen out of his musing, and he cleared his throat awkwardly, hoping she hadn't notice him staring.

"All right. Stay put. I'll be right back," he said, before going away.

"Owen! Where are you going!" Tosh hissed.

Owen turned and lifted his hands in a soothing gesture.

"I won't be long. Trust me."

Tosh sighed, watching Owen disappear into the darkness. As she waited for him to return, she tried her best to ignore the cool of the night, giving her goose bumps under her flimsy hospital gown. Or the feeling of dread she felt every time she thought of her other teammates, who could be lost, or even dead. She felt disoriented and numb, but somehow, being with Owen made her feel safe. As long as she had him by her side, she was sure she could face anything.

Tosh tried to recall what had happened to her while she was dead, but nothing specific came to mind. No distinct images or sounds had left an impression. She remembered her last moments in the Hub, but afterwards, nothing until she woke up in the wreckage of the morgue near Owen.

However, there was a feeling that made her believe there was more after death than Jack had reported so many times. Jack, their leader who had come back from death countless times, was very insistent that after death, there is only darkness. Nothingness. Not a comforting thought, but Tosh was always thankful that he respected the team enough to be honest with them on the matter.

But when Tosh arose from the dead, there was a feeling of peace at first. For a fleeting moment, it felt as though she had awoken from a very pleasant dream. This feeling was fugacious, as she became aware of her circumstances and surroundings. Yet she couldn't shake it. Something in her heart told her that there was a heaven, and it had been her home for a time.

"Tosh!"

Owen finally returned with an armful of clothes, pulling Tosh out of her thoughts.

"Where did you get those?" she asked.

Owen rolled his eyes.

"The same place everyone does. In a clothing shop."

Tosh took the clothes gratefully and undertook to changing behind a dumpster. Owen turned his back, keeping an eye on their surroundings.

"You broke into a shop?" Tosh asked.

Owen tried his best to ignore the rustle of cloth coming off of Tosh's skin. It took every last bit of his willpower not to picture her naked body a few inches from him.

"Not exactly," he answered, staring at his shoes.

"Owen," Tosh scolded him.

"I wouldn't say that I 'broke' into the shop. It's more like I 'seeped' into it."

The rustling stopped behind him.

"Excuse me?" came Tosh's confused response.

Owen shuffled his feet and rubbed the back of his neck with a grimace.

"It's a bit hard to explain, you know."

"I'm a certified genius, remember?" Tosh snorted, resuming her dressing. "There are very few things I can't understand."

Owen let out a resigned sigh.

"Okay. I'll show you, but you have to promise me you won't freak out," he warned.

"Owen, please. I've just resurrected from the dead and I'm running the streets of Cardiff with a ghost, after some paramilitary organization blew up my workplace. Trust me, right now, nothing can make me freak out. So go on." Tosh insisted.

Owen turned around and spread out his arms, before dissolving into thin air.

Raising a hand to her mouth, Tosh stifled a curse in Japanese and stared back at Owen, eyes wide in surprise.

"Told you not to freak out," Owen said, as he rematerialized in front of her.

"I didn't freak out," Tosh stammered. "I was just… taken aback."

Owen looked down at his hand as he made it partially vanish.

"This trick is apparently part of the standard ghost panoply. That could come in handy," he noted.

Owen looked lovingly at Tosh for a moment, before changing the subject.

"You're beautiful," he complimented. Jeans, a black women's T and a leather jacket had never looked so sexy, he thought. They hugged Tosh's womanly curves in all the right places. "It looks good on you."

Tosh shyly looked down.

"How did you know, by the way?"

"Know what?" Owen asked distractedly, still focused how how gorgeous Tosh appeared to him.

"My size," Tosh replied.

"Oh, that." It was now Owen's turn to look away with embarrassment. "Well… I… may have thought of getting you that dress you fancied so much for your birthday." He paused, then literally blurted out the rest of his answer. "Hmm, anyway, I asked Gwen about your size and… voilà. Happy now?"

Tosh couldn't help but smile at the fake grumpiness Owen used to hide his discomfort. It was comfortable and familiar. After being thrust back into the world - a world that at the moment seemed threatening and hostile - this was quite welcome.

"It's kind of you," Tosh smiled at Owen.

Owen grunted noncommittally and they stayed silent for a moment.

"So, what do we do now?" Tosh finally asked.

Owen peered at the brightly lit façade of the Saint David by the other side of the bay.

"What Torchwood does the best. We hide in plain sight."

RENASCENCE RENASCENCE RENASCENCE

"I'm fine," Tony insisted weakly, leaning into the corner of the elevator and closing his eyes as he rode up with Gibbs, Ziva and McGee.

"You barfed at the crime scene," McGee quipped.

"Well, the guy was shot in the face, McGee. With a sawed-off shotgun. It was pretty gross," Tony reasoned, holding on to the walls to steady himself.

"Not your first gross crime scene, Tony," Ziva pointed out.

Gibbs shot them both a look to be quiet, and they quickly, if awkwardly, obeyed.

"Go home," Gibbs urged, trying his best to hide his concern behind his usual gruff demeanor. "You're in no condition to work."

The elevator stopped with a jolt, and Tony had to fight the urge to gag. The doors slid open, and Tony managed to peel himself out of the corner, but quickly lost his balance as he tried to step forward. Fortunately, Gibbs was there to catch him.

"You're in no condition to drive, either," Gibbs observed, carefully easing Tony down to sit on the floor. "You two go on." He waved off McGee and Ziva, who were looking at their friend with concern. "Let me take care of Tony. And McGee?"

"Yeah, boss?"

"Call down to Abby. Tell her Tony needs to lie down on her cot. We'll be down shortly." Gibbs knew that the soft hearted forensic scientist would be more than happy to offer her sick friend a place to rest.

"You got it,boss," McGee nodded, as the doors slid closed.

Gibbs walked over and turned on the emergency stop switch, then returned to Tony's side.

Sitting down next to Tony, he brushed away some hair that was plastered to Tony's sweaty forehead. Tony hadn't been feeling well for a few days now, and Gibbs had urged him not to come into work. But Tony, ever the stubborn one, had down played his symptoms, working through his discomfort. It pained Gibbs to see his lover suffering through work, when he should be resting and healing. But, short of restraining Tony, there wasn't much he could do to stop him.

But now, it seemed, Tony's body was forcing him to slow down. Leave it to him to do things the hard way!

"You're getting worse," Gibbs said, gently taking hold of Tony's hand, now that he had managed to borrow them some privacy. "You should see a doctor."

Tony shook his head. "No need. It's just a stomach bug."

"Stomach bugs don't work like this," Gibbs argued. "You shouldn't be getting sicker."

Tony sighed heavily. He didn't have the strength to debate the issue.

"Will you at least let Ducky look you over?" Gibbs asked in a subdued tone.

"But autopsy -" Tony began, holding his hands over his nose and mouth. He had been very sensitive to smells lately. Odors he had previously been accustomed to now made him ill.

"I'll ask him to make sure no bodies are out when we go down." Gibbs reassured, anticipating Tony's needs.

"If I agree to let Ducky examine me, will you get off my back?" Tony asked, feigning annoyance, though he was actually very touched by Gibbs' concern for him.

"Probably. But no promises." Kissing Tony lightly on the forehead, Gibbs stood up and turned the elevator back on.

Once the elevator had stopped, Gibbs helped Tony to his feet, and together, they walked into the lab.

"Oh! My poor Tony!"

Abby came bounding over, coming very close to knocking Tony down with one of her over exuberant hugs. But Gibbs held up a cautionary hand, and she got the message, instead giving Tony a light, gentle hug.

Taking Tony by the hand, she led him over to the cot she had set up in front of the desk in her office, with a pillow and blanket.

"Let me know if there's anything I can do to make you more comfortable," Abby offered, watching Gibbs help Tony lie down. "Another pillow, aromatherapy candles..."

Tony's eyes widened in horror at the mere idea of aromatherapy candles.

"This is fine, Abby," Tony hurried to tell her , smiling gratefully.

"Okay..." Abby placed a bottle of water near Tony's head. "I'll just leave this here. In case you need it."

"Thanks, Abby," Tony whispered.

"Abs, can I have a few minutes alone with Tony?" Gibbs asked, pulling a blanket up around the younger man's shoulders.

Abby nodded. "Sure." She then looked at Tony. "I hope you feel better." After Tony smiled at her, she turned around, walking out of her office, and back out into the lab.

Only once they were alone, Gibbs allowed himself to rub a hand along the length of one of his lover's arms, giving Tony a look that communicated a tenderness that was reserved only for him.

"You're making a big deal out of nothing, you know," Tony said dismissively, looking away, as if he was embarrassed to be fussed over.

"I don't think I am," Gibbs argued. "Even if this ends up being nothing, I need to be sure. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you."

Yielding to temptation, Gibbs leaned over and planted a kiss on Tony's lips. Tony responded by sitting up and reaching out his arms, and soon the couple was tangled a loving embrace, punctuated by soft kisses.

They were so lost in the moment, that they barely noticed the doors to Abby's office sliding open.

"Yes! I knew it!"

The shriek startled them. Tony looked up and Gibbs turned around to see Abby beaming happily at them. Ziva and McGee were standing with her, the looks of shock and anger in their eyes making Tony feel even sicker than before.

RENASCENCE RENASCENCE RENASCENCE

Owen stood by the large window of one of the bedroom suites at the Saint David, watching the city lights twinkling as far as the eye could see. His former apartment had a similar view, and he had forgotten how beautiful Cardiff could be at night. It was somehow a soothing view, and he guessed it was certainly one of the reasons for Jack's love of rooftops.

Behind him, the sound of running water could be heard coming from the adjacent bathroom, where Tosh was taking a long shower to get rid of the filth of the night. He wished he could do the same, but showers were meant for the living.

It had been a very long and exhausting night. On their way to the hotel, Owen and Tosh had stopped by an electronics shop. Once again, he had seeped into it and discreetly retrieved the supplies Tosh needed to cobble a credit card marker. The device allowed them to withdraw enough cash to cover their needs for a few days, without attracting attention to themselves. They had agreed to wait until the next day to get the guns and computer equipment necessary for their search. The night had been rough, especially for Tosh, and they needed to rest for now.

Once at the hotel, Tosh checked in at reception. Owen, meanwhile, remained in the background. He had no idea what she had told the receptionist for them to end up with the bridal suite, but he was thankful for it. After more than a year confined with Tosh in the cryochamber, Owen really needed space. He needed room to breath, metaphorically speaking.

Owen's eyes fell on the table and the remnants of their diner. One plate remained untouched. Yet another simple pleasure reserved for the living that he missed.

Owen glared at his reflection in the window. This was just an illusion. A poor imitation of who he had once been. Though he was truly happy that Tosh was alive again, he also felt sadness and anger. Owen's desire for Tosh was undimmed, but he had nothing to offer her. No real body. No arms to hold her. No mouth to kiss her.

It was unfair that Tosh had once again ended up with that pitiful ersatz of a man Owen had become. Once they found out what was going on and reunited with their friends, he would have to do the right thing and let her go. He had already tried to push her away after he died for the first time, but Tosh was persistent, and he had finally given in to his desire to be close to her. This time, he would be stronger. She needed to move on and find happiness, away from him.

The sound of the shower stopped, but Owen hadn't noticed until he caught Tosh's reflection just behind him. She was dressed in a comfy bathrobe, her skin glowing. Owen thought she looked radiant! If he had breath, she certainly would have taken it away!

But no! He couldn't let these urges take control! In his ghostly state, there was no way Owen could make Tosh happy. And he had hurt her enough before. He wasn't about to make things worse. So Owen made the painful decision to put his feelings aside and get down to business.

"I'll need to run some tests, but I think there must have been a transfer between your cells and the energy that keeps me alive," Owen immediately began, deliberately avoiding Tosh's gaze as he paced in front of the window.

"That's the only explanation I can think of for your resurrection and my sudden 'reappearance'. The explosion of the Hub may have created a surge of vortex energy which altered my metabolism when we were still in the cryochamber, and induced a transfer between the atoms of your body and the energy of my aura. I supposed it works on the same principle as communicating vessels.

It remains to be seen if this is just an isolated reaction, or if it can be repeated. Imagine that, 'Owen Harper, the living resurrection gauntlet'," he laughed bitterly, pointing to himself.

"As for my physical form, I guess it could be some sort of mental projection of my old self. A copying mechanism generated by my mind to compensate the loss of my body."

Owen was painfully aware that he was rambling, but it was all he could do to hide his discomfort.

Tosh looked at him thoughtfully and he felt himself squirm under her scrutiny.

"Is that really what you're thinking about, Owen?" she asked, though she already suspected the answer.

Owen looked away, his lips pressed tightly together.

"I'm no good for you Tosh. I'm… nothing. Just a pitiful illusion"

"Owen…"

"Please, Tosh, don't make it even harder than it already is," Owen said sadly.

Tosh lifted her hand to stop him, her eyes shining with anger.

"Owen! Can you listen to me for once and shut up?"

Owen stared at her, taken aback by the virulence of her reaction.

"When are you going to understand? I chose you, Owen Harper! Long before you died and long before you became a ghost. I chose you to be the one in my life and there is nothing you could say that would make me change my mind."

Tosh stepped closer, locking Owen in her gaze. She needed to be sure he understood.

"It's high time it sinks into that thick head of yours that I love you. I already loved you when you were an insensitive bastard, and I still love you the same now. So you'd better save your breath for a better use."

"I don't breath," Owen couldn't help pointing out.

"Shut up!" she cut him off. "I don't know how long I'll stay alive. One year, one month or one night. All I know is that I want to spend that time with you. Do you get that? Do you?"

Owen lowered his eyes and merely nodded, overwhelmed with emotion.

"I love you too. I…"

"Shhh…"

Tosh reached out.

"Touch me."

Owen's head shot up.

"What?" He shook his head. "I don't think it's a good idea. We don't even know…"

"Please," Tosh insisted, holding her hand in front of him. "Trust me."

After a few seconds of hesitation, Owen reluctantly took the offered hand and closed his eyes.

"What do you feel?" asked Tosh, looking at him expectantly.

"It…prickles." Owen finally opened his eyes and looked at her with a faint smile. "You?"

Tosh smiled at him. "It's warm."

Tosh took a step forward, her face barely an inch from Owen's. They stared at each other for a moment, their faces lit by the soft glow of the city lights. Slowly, their lips brushed together. Tentatively at first, then with more passion.

Without even thinking, Owen's hands found their way into the hem of Tosh's bathrobe and he started caressing her shoulders and neck, eliciting soft moans of pleasure from her.

Slowly, they made their way towards the bed.

Looking up tentatively, Tosh removed her robe and tossed it to the floor. Flinging her naked form backward onto the bed, she watched, mesmerized, as Owen's clothing vanished from his body without a trace.

Taking in Owen's lithe form, Tosh was surprised by just how much lean muscle had been hiding from her vision for so long.

Owen, in turn, found himself drinking in the curves of Tosh's body. Her soft caramel skin glistening before him. Ready to receive whatever it was he would be able to give her.

Tosh nodded her consent, and Owen lay himself on top of her. It was a sensation unlike any either of them had experienced before. Tosh felt a gentle warmth wrapping around her. Tugging at her nipples. Caressing her inner thighs. She surprised them both when she was able to wrap her legs around Owen's back. A tingle spread throughout her body as she thrust her hips up, allowing him entry. There was no initial pain, and no need for lubricant. It was as if they fit together perfectly.

Owen hadn't been sure what to do with himself, but it all seemed to come to him quite naturally. The flexibility of his new state of being allowed him to move with ease, becoming one with Tosh. And though he was unable to feel physical pleasure, he could feed off of the pleasure he was giving her. The loving, orgasmic energy sustained him. Bringing him to a kind of sexual satisfaction beyond what his physical body would have been able to experience.

As Owen entered Tosh, listening to her moan, watching her writhe in pleasure, the warm tingling and gentle prickling consumed them both, until neither one of them seemed to know where Owen ended and Tosh began. Losing hold of his physical image, Owen melted into Tosh, spreading his aura within her. Content to rest there for the time being, as he sensed her euphoric bliss.

Tomorrow, they would go on the war path and find their friends. Together, they would track down the men responsible for the explosion at the Hub. Once they rendered them harmless, they would endeavor to enjoy the second chances they had been given, exploring the new perspectives which had opened to them.

But tonight, this was all they needed.