I can't begin to tell you how much all your encouraging comments and nice words have meant. I really appreciate it. Also, thanks to the anonymous readers who I couldn't reply to: Janet Brown, luzma, Paige, mstictac, and AnonymousNCISFan. Here's the next chapter. Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoy it :)

xxxxx

"I don't understand," Gibbs said, looking puzzled. "He remembers his first name, but not his last name? That doesn't make sense, does it?"

Dr. O'Brien hesitated then slowly shook his head. "I don't believe he remembers his first or last name."

"Yes he does," Gibbs insisted. "You heard him. He said his name was Tony when you asked him."

"He was unsure though and you called him by his name earlier. I believe that's the only reason he was able to come up with it," the doctor explained gently.

Gibbs mulled over what the doctor said then met his eyes. "Okay...maybe that's true, but you really don't know for sure. You're just speculating. He just regained consciousness after 36 hours and he was exhausted. Isn't it possible he was just tired and confused?"

"Yes. Yes, its possible," Dr. O'Brien admitted with a nod, though he wasn't optimistic. "We'll talk to him more when he wakes up again. Speaking of which...now that he's regained consciousness, would you consider going home to get some rest?"

"Sorry, Doc...I need to stay here," Gibbs replied. Having dealt with memory loss himself in the past, he had a good idea of the vulnerability and sense of loss his agent could be dealing with. He didn't want him to face that on his own.

"Fine." Dr. O'Brien knew a stubborn man when he saw one and Gibbs definitely fell into that category. "If he continues to do well, we'll see about getting him transferred into a regular room later on today." At least then, Gibbs could be made more comfortable and maybe a cot could be moved in. The ICU cubicles were small and designed to maximize the efficiency of dealing with critically ill patients, not for the comfort of prolonged visitations. "Its still early...Try to get some sleep if you can."

"Thanks...I'll try." Gibbs said. Dr. O'Brien then left and Gibbs settled himself back into the chair as best as he could.

xxxxx

The first thing he became aware of was a pounding in his head as he slowly opened his eyes. Tony gazed at the unfamiliar man dozing in the chair by his bed and struggled to remember who he was. His earlier concern made it obvious he cared about him, but he had no memory of him whatsoever. What was wrong with him? Why was everything such a blur? He was startled by the sudden appearance of a woman approaching his bedside. She had dark ponytails and a black collar around her neck, along with a spiderweb tattoo which he stared at in fascination.

"Oh my God, Tony, you're awake!" she squealed as she rushed to his bed and hurled herself at him, remembering at the last moment that he had unseen cuts and bruises and she needed to be careful. She hugged him gently, but Tony felt himself tensing under the sudden embrace from this odd-appearing stranger.

"What's the matter?" she asked as she pulled away from him. "Did I hurt you?"

He shook his head and just stared back at her silently.

"I don't think he remembers you, Abs." Gibbs had awoken in time to witness their interaction and it was obvious how uncomfortable Tony was.

"What?" Her eyes widened as she considered this newest development. "Really? Tony, you don't know who I am?"

He shook his head again.

"Does he know you?" she asked, turning towards Gibbs.

"Why don't we ask him that?" Gibbs suggested quietly, leaning in a little closer to his senior field agent. "Hey, Tony...do you remember who I am?"

Tony focused on the man, trying hard to recall him, but it just seemed to make his head hurt more and he finally shook his head, frustration evident on his face.

"Its okay," Gibbs said, patting his shoulder. "Don't worry about it."

"Can't he talk?" Abby whispered to Gibbs.

"Yes, he can talk and he can hear too," Tony snapped as he glared at her.

"I'm sorry," Abby said, looking subdued. "I didn't mean to upset you."

"You...you're not my girlfriend, are you?" he blurted out. He didn't think he was married because he didn't have a ring, and he couldn't imagine that they were romantically involved.

"No, I'm not your girlfriend," Abby said, a hurt look in her eyes. "But you don't have to say it like it would be such a horrible thing."

"Abby," Gibbs said sharply. He stood up and put his arm around her as he began to guide her out of the cubicle. "I'll be right back, Tony." Gibbs didn't miss the lost look on Tony's face as he ushered Abby out to the waiting room. McGee was sitting there and watching them with open curiosity on his face.

"This isn't about you," Gibbs told Abby, gazing at her intently.

"I know it isn't, Gibbs, but he just..." she shook her head. "He acted like he hates me."

"Tony's awake?" McGee asked, smiling widely. "That's great news. How is he?"

"He doesn't remember anything," Abby said, looking at McGee with obvious dismay in her eyes. "He doesn't even know who we are."

"Amnesia?" McGee asked, looking towards Gibbs who nodded.

"There's no place for hurt feelings here, Abby," Gibbs stated. "If you can't keep your emotions under control, you need to stay away from him right now. We're all just strangers to Tony. He's just woken up in a hospital, hurt, with no memories of us. Do you have any idea how overwhelming that has to be?"

"You're right, Gibbs," Abby said, "I...I'll do better. I promise. Its just, I was so worried and then so happy to see him awake, I just let my emotions get the best of me..." She shook her head contritely. "I didn't handle it well. It won't happen again."

Gibbs nodded as he kissed her cheek. "Okay. Give me a few minutes alone and then I want you to come in, McGee."

"Me? Are you sure about that?" McGee asked, looking a bit surprised.

"Yes, I'm sure," Gibbs replied. "We have no idea what could trigger Tony's memory so I'd like to see how he reacts to you, okay?"

"Sure, boss," McGee said with a nod. "I'll be in soon."

"Thanks," Gibbs said before he headed back in to the ICU.

xxxxx

Tony laid still as he stared up at the ceiling. He felt kind of bad that he had upset that woman, but he also was relieved that she and the guy who'd been watching over him had left. At least if he was alone, he didn't have to feel like some zoo animal on display. His relief was short-lived though as the man came back into his room.

"You know...you don't really have to stay here with me," Tony stated as his eyes followed Gibbs.

"Trying to get rid of me?" Gibbs asked, a faint smile on his lips.

"No..." Tony replied unconvincingly. "Is that woman..." What was it he had called her? "Abby? Is she okay?"

"Yes, she's fine," Gibbs said reassuringly. "She didn't mean to upset you."

"She didn't...I'm not upset..."

Gibbs just nodded, thinking it would be good to just go along with Tony for the time being to try to get a sense of how he was doing and what his mental state was.

"So...who are you anyway?" Tony finally voiced the question he'd been keeping inside. "Are you my father?"

Gibbs couldn't help feeling somewhat startled by Tony's assumption, though it actually made sense that he would think that was the case. "No...no, I'm not your father, Tony. My name is Leroy Jethro Gibbs. I'm actually your boss...and your friend."

Tony nodded as he considered that and was about to ask what their actual jobs were when a new man walked into the cubicle. He was young and appeared extremely nervous. "Hi...hi, Tony," he said offering his hand which Tony shook tentatively. "I'm Tim...Tim McGee. Its nice to meet you...I mean I've already met you, its just that you haven't met me...I mean you have met me, but I guess you don't remember that, do you?"

Tony couldn't help but smile. There certainly wasn't anything intimidating about this guy. "Its nice to meet you, Tim."

"You don't have to call me Tim...you can just call me McGee."

"Why would I do that?" Tony asked. "Isn't it kind of rude to call you by your last name?"

"Uh..." Tim wasn't sure what to say and looked to Gibbs for help.

"Its just kind of a habit we've gotten into with our jobs," Gibbs explained. "No one takes it personally."

"Speaking of jobs," Tony began slowly. You still haven't told me exactly what our job is..."

"We're agents," Gibbs said. "We work for an agency called NCIS."

Tony closed his eyes then. His head was throbbing and he felt totally overwhelmed. He had too many questions at this point and didn't even know where to begin. "NCIS? What's that?" he asked, opening his eyes again.

"You're in pain, aren't you?" Gibbs asked, ignoring Tony's question. He could plainly see his agent was hurting and looked utterly exhausted as well. He pressed the call button and Peggy came in almost immediately.

"Hi there," Peggy said, giving Tony a friendly smile. "Its good to see you with your eyes open. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," Tony replied and Gibbs rolled his eyes at Tony's response.

"He's not fine. He's hurting."

"Are you in pain, Mr. DiNozzo?" Peggy asked, looking at him kindly.

Tony looked back at her, momentarily startled. It was the first time he had heard his last name. DiNozzo...He turned it over in his mind, trying to find some kind of meaning in it, but it was just a name to him. Finally, he remembered that the nurse had asked him a question. "Maybe a little," he admitted softly.

"Hmm...I'm guessing more than just a little?" she looked back at him knowingly and he could feel his cheeks grow hot under her gaze. She relented then and decided to give him a break. "I'll get you something. You really need to let me know if you're in pain though. There's no need for you to be suffering."

He nodded and gave her a small smile as she left him.

"She's right you know," Gibbs stated.

"Fine, she's right," Tony stated, a bit sullenly. He really wished all these people would just leave him alone, but it didn't seem like they had any intentions of doing so. He shifted in the bed and grimaced as his body rebelled against the movement. He was sore all over and his leg was aching badly as well. He lifted his head up so he could see it and then he saw the cast. Damn. "Is my leg broken?" he asked.

Gibbs nodded. "Your ankle."

"That's just great," Tony muttered. This day just kept getting worse. "What happened to me anyhow?"

"You...you were in a car accident," Gibbs answered, his guilt over the accident coming to the surface once again. "You were hit by a drunk driver on New Year's Eve."

"Oh..." Tony nodded as he took in that latest bit of information and then he was struck with an unnerving thought. "I...I wasn't drinking, was I?" he asked apprehensively.

Gibbs hastily shook his head. "No. You definitely weren't drinking. It wasn't your fault."

"That's good..." He sighed heavily.

Peggy came back in, at that point, and injected some medicine into his IV. "That should make you feel a lot better," she said. "Are you hungry? Lunch will be here a little bit later, but I can get you something to tide you over, if you'd like."

He shook his head. "No...I'm good. Thank you."

"Okay...you can let me know if you change your mind."

"Does he have any restrictions with his diet?" Gibbs asked her.

"No." She shook her head. "You'll be able to bring him in something if that's what you're asking," she said with a smile as she turned to leave, "but you didn't hear that from me."

"How about it, Tony?" Gibbs asked, forcing a smile. "How does pepperoni and sausage pizza with extra cheese sound?"

"No thank you," Tony said stiffly. Gibbs and McGee exchanged a look.

"Is there something else you'd like?" McGee asked. "I can run out and get you something, whatever you want."

"Honestly?" Tony asked, giving McGee a long look and then shifting his eyes towards Gibbs. "I'd really like to be alone right now."

"We're only trying to help, Tony," Gibbs said softly. "I'm sure you have a lot of things you want to know. We can help you with that."

Tony took a deep breath and winced slightly as it caused a stabbing pain to cut through his chest. "I understand that you mean well," he began, "but I'm really tired right now. I'd just like to rest."

"You can rest," Gibbs said. "I won't disturb you."

"You're not getting it," Tony's voice rose and he didn't bother to try to hide the frustration he was feeling. "I can't rest with you here watching me. I know the two of you know me, but I don't know you. You're both just strangers to me. I'm not comfortable with you being here. I really need some time alone...Please." There was a hitch in his voice as he ended his little rant and looked at them pleadingly.

"Okay," Gibbs could see how upset the younger man was getting and didn't want to add to the turmoil he was going through. He beckoned to McGee who quickly went to his side. "We'll go...for a while, but I'll be back later on today." He knew Tony was going to need them at some point, even if he wasn't able to accept that yet.

"Thank you." Tony closed his eyes then and mentally willed the two men to leave. When he opened them again, a few minutes later, he found himself alone. His emotions began to bubble over and he could feel his eyes welling up with unwanted tears. He tried to hold them back, but without success. He hated this. He didn't know anything about his life, what he did, who any of these people were, where he lived...He had no idea who he was. Finally, overcome with the enormity of his situation and utterly exhausted, Tony fell into a troubled sleep.