"He awake yet, Duck?"

Gibbs stormed up the corridor towards Ducky who was just shutting the door to Tony's room.

"Regained consciousness a few minutes ago. Past the standard tests." Ducky replied stoically.

The tone alone was enough to set Gibbs' gut on high alert. "What?"

Ducky seemed to take a breath before he answered. "McGee has called. They found a body."

Gibbs pulled out his cell and growled at the number of missed calls.

"Go." He said resisting the urge to make a cell phone sized dent in the hospital's wall. "I'm staying here."

Ducky nodded, patting his arm in acknowledgment of the upset Gibbs knew he was failing not to show. Once Ducky was on his way Gibbs focused on the door to DiNozzo's room. He couldn't walk in like this. First McGee was reading him like a book then Ducky was being succinct! Everything was upside down and sideways. They couldn't continue this way. DiNozzo had had the whole team acting out of sorts through worry and now he goes and lands himself in hospital! Gibbs felt the rage build within him and sort to hold onto to it. It had chased away the fear that had been holding residence within him since he'd first suspected anything about Tony's secret assignment. Gibbs swung open the door.

"Hey boss."

His anger fled like a scared animal at Tony's soft call . Gibbs deftly tried to maintain a neutral face, but the relief at hearing that voice brought back the fear that he'd come close to losing something special tonight.

"Good to hear your voice DiNozzo." Gibbs managed eventually.

Tony, eyes closed again, chuckled briefly. "Never thought I'd hear you say that."

The voice was weak and lacked it's usual energy. Gibbs moved quickly over to the bed and looked down at his agent, examining the bruise on Tony's forehead. Tony didn't flinch when Gibbs grasped his chin and moved his head into the dull light of the lamp, but he did open his eyes.

"I'm all good boss."

Gibbs gave him an 'are you kidding me?' glare that would normally slide right off him, but this time Gibbs saw wide eyed fear. Immediately sitting down on the edge of the bed and closing the distance between them Gibbs placed one warm palm on the side of Tony's face, forcing him to look at him.

"What's wrong?" Besides the obvious of course, but Gibbs knew Tony understood him.

"What happened?" Tony said, his voice breaking.

"Was hoping you could tell us." Gibbs said warily.

"I don't remember anything."