Disclaimer: I do not own or profit from NCIS.

Author's Note: Gibb's returns! For those who have requested Gibbs dispose of or maim the Director, just remember if he did either of those things, the story would be over!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the supportive reviews! Last night I worked late and was mentally exhausted, but because so many of you let me know you were enjoying the story, I pulled myself together and got this ready for today. As always, I hope you like it! Remember, I have no medical knowledge so forgive any glaring mistakes and excuse my potty mouth at the end of the chapter, I'm just channeling what I think Tony would say in the situation.

Continue to review—I love to hear from you!

FanFiction readers are the best!

TH

"Abby Scuito and Jimmy Palmer to see Anthony DiNozzo," the Goth announced to the nurse at the ICU desk. The nurse glanced up to take in Abby's black ponytails, dark lipstick, skull and crossbones t-shirt, plaid miniskirt, and platform shoes. Not exactly who she expected to visit the attractive young man in Room 212. She decided to check the list of approved visitors supplied by Director Vance, and quickly found both names. The young lady looked nice, despite the unusual outfit, so the nurse decided to forgo being judgmental especially since Tony needed some friends right now. The young man with the glasses smiled at her pleasantly.

"I see you are both on the approved list, so I'll take you right over," she said, returning Palmer's smile. "Tony's had a bit of a rough night and he hasn't been sleeping very well, so the only thing we ask is not to disturb him if he's resting."

Abby frowned, clearly worried, "How is he doing? Is he going to be out of ICU soon?"

The nurse hesitated, "Tony is having a difficult time speaking and swallowing due to dysphagia in his throat. Both conditions should resolve over time, but it could take several weeks for the traumatized tissues and muscles to recover. He's also still experiencing respiratory issues as a result of the bruising to his lungs, and the burn on his back is continuing to require treatment. So I'm afraid he's going to be with us a little while longer." She supplied a sympathetic look, "But barring any complications he should be fine in a few weeks."

Abby and Palmer exchanged glances. "If there are complications, Tony can usually find them," Abby explained apologetically.

"Oh, just a minute," the nurse walked back to the desk, "this was sent for Tony a few hours ago. We can take it in for him." She picked up a small stuffed Brutus the Buckeye. A Get Well card was attached and signed by one of his fraternity brothers.

"Tony will love it," Abby grinned, following the nurse past the guards and into the agent's room.

NCISNCISNCIS

Tony was lying quietly, listening to Abby and Palmer discuss whether or not the autopsy assistant should get a real tattoo. Abby was all for the idea, but Jimmy was not quite convinced. Since Tony was concentrating on not moving, he didn't have an opinion. A nurse had cleaned and re-bandaged his burn, which was an excruciating process that left him tired and feverish. He had learned that burn victims need to be kept hydrated and were not allowed to get cold, which explained the continual IV bags and warming lights she had brought in today. He was also covered in a thick blanket.

Vance had stayed while they cleaned the wound, watching silently with his arms folded. Tony had wanted him to go, but the Director refused to listen, treating Tony as if he had no free will to choose what he wanted. Even in his pain and drug-induced haze, Vance was really pissing him off. Vance had spent most of his time as Director looking down his nose at Tony, and the field agent resented how the older man expected him to forget it all ever happened. Tony was not in a very forgiving mood right now. The young man had been grateful when Abby and Palmer arrived, since Vance took their visit as an opportunity to go to MTAC for a few hours. "Anything to get rid of him," Tony thought sullenly.

The soft cocoon of warmth the nurses had wrapped Tony in, combined with a small dose of pain medication, made him drowsy, but not enough to sleep. He was always uncomfortable, and the coughing and wheezing were never gone long. The cut on his throat ached with every tiny attempt to swallow. Abby sensed his discomfort and walked to the bed, placing her hand on his clammy brow. "Is there anything I can get for you, Tony?" the pretty Goth asked, concern for her friend in her voice. She knew that Tony, even in his current state, would hesitate to ask for help unless he was forced to do so. She bent down close to him and tried to lighten his disposition, "I'll do whatever you ask me to, within reason." She grinned supportively and a little mischievously. "Anything to get just a little hint of the DiNozzo smile," she thought.

Tony considered for a moment and slightly shook his head no. He didn't feel up to talking right now, not even to Abby. The Goth frowned at her failure to cheer her dejected friend. "He really needs Gibbs right now, whether he admits it or not," she decided sadly. If the Boss didn't get there soon, she was going to have to take matters into her own hands. She sat down on the bed next to Tony and started rubbing his arm distractedly.

Palmer walked to the bedside table and picked up the stuffed mascot. "So, Tony, how do you think your frat brother found out you were in here? After the explosion, names weren't released on the news or anything," he questioned. "You know, this little guy is a lot heavier than he looks. It feels like it has a lead weight in it." Palmer frowned, curious. "You think that's to keep it from falling over?"

Even Tony's addled brain thought that was odd. Abby took the scarlet and grey doll from Palmer and examined it more closely. "It is heavy, and its belly is shaped weird, kind of distorted. Is it supposed to look like this?" Abby held the mascot out for Tony to see.

It took a few moments, but the Senior Field Agent's mind finally made the correct connections. He started to breathe rapidly as he whispered to Abby, "Tear it open." He was trying to sit up. The pain receptors were objecting.

"What?" she asked, puzzled by his reaction. "Tony, do you need a doctor?" His pained expression had her frightened.

"Open it," he repeated, staring at Palmer now. "Bomb."

Palmer grabbed the doll back from Abby and quickly tore the seams in its stomach. His eyes widened at the small but potentially deadly explosive lodged inside.

"Oh my God, Abby, what do we do?" Palmer asked, panicked.

Abby was frozen in place. The counter showed four minutes, twelve seconds, and kept ticking downward. There was no time to diffuse it, no safe place to dispose of it that wouldn't harm people.

Palmer cast a fearful look at Tony, hoping the injured agent could provide an answer. Tony made the only suggestion he could think of; in a hoarse voice he said, "Run."

Palmer hesitated for only a second, then tore out of the room at break-neck speed. They were only on the second floor, and as he hit the door to the stairwell he was already thinking of a deserted area to toss the device. Slamming into another door, he nearly knocked over an elderly man, calling out, "Sorry," over his shoulder as he continued to sprint toward the back of the hospital. People jumped out of his way, some cursed at him, but most just stared at the skinny young man tearing through the hallway holding a stuffed toy in front of him. He overturned a cart of cleaning supplies and jumped over a wet floor sign as he finally collided with the back exit and burst out into sunlight. A quick glance at the bomb showed forty seconds---seeing a dumpster, Palmer ran a few feet closer and heaved, turning around and covering his head as heat and garbage exploded into the air. Standing up, glasses askew, Palmer sighed. They were safe.

NCISNCISNCIS

By the time Gibbs arrived at Bethesda he was enraged. All he could find out from the NCIS dispatcher was there had been an explosion at Vance's house and DiNozzo was in the hospital. None of the team had answered their cell phones and he was damn near ready to rip someone's head off.

Stepping through the hospital doors, he was immediately aware that something was wrong. Police were everywhere. Every person coming through the entrance was being scrutinized. As he walked to the front desk and asked for Anthony DiNozzo's room, he was swarmed by several armed agents. Showing his identification, the Lead Agent was informed that Director Vance was waiting for him.

Walking into the ICU waiting room, Gibbs first saw McGee and Ducky asleep in lounge chairs. Vance was staring out the window. "Bout time you got here," the Director said without turning around.

Gibb's voice was low and dangerous, "What happened, Leon?"

Vance faced him, "DiNozzo was helping protect my family from a terrorist threat. Two guys made it in, held him and my children hostage. There was a bomb, DiNozzo managed to shield Kayla and Jared but took most of the blast himself. He was pretty badly injured."

"How long ago?" Gibbs asked quietly, blue eyes staring through the Director.

"Three days," Vance answered. "Hetty said your operation would be over at the end of the week; I thought we could wait and tell you then. But, DiNozzo…."

"DiNozzo what?" Gibbs demanded. "Almost died? And you waited three days to tell me!" Before he could stop himself, the Lead Agent grabbed the front of the Director's shirt in his fist and backed Vance into the wall. The Director grunted slightly as his head connected with the hard surface he was forcefully thrust against. "What the hell kind of game are you playing, Leon? Did it even occur to you that he might die before you ever decided to let me know what happened?" Gibb's tightly clenched fist was itching to smash into the Director's stunned face.

Vance took a deep breath. "Calm down, Agent Gibbs, before you make a mistake that we'll both regret," the Director said tensely. "Maybe not telling you sooner was an error, but you're here now and DiNozzo needs you with him, not in a jail cell for assault." He forced himself to gaze steadily into the heated blue eyes.

Gibbs blinked a few times, hesitated, then shoved Vance into the wall again before letting go of the Director's shirt. Still feeling the need to lash out at something, he kicked a chair across the room. It landed noisily near McGee, who jerked upright and fell into the floor with a confused expression. Ducky also woke up, taking in the scene before him. He immediately observed Gibbs who was storming around the waiting area in a barely controlled rage. "I can tell there's more to this than you're sharing, Leon. Why all the cops?" the ex-marine finally asked angrily.

"Someone sent a bomb to DiNozzo's room. Abby and Palmer discovered it, and Palmer……disposed of the explosive before anyone was hurt. We think the terrorists are now targeting Agent DiNozzo, as well," Vance stated factually. Dealing with Gibbs in this mood was like handling a baited bear, but the Director drew himself up tall and refused to be cowed by the angry man. McGee got up off the floor and watched the situation unfold nervously. He glanced at Dr. Mallard with a slight look of desperation.

"Jethro," the ME said, stepping forward to try and diffuse the volatile scene, "getting thrown out of the hospital before you see Anthony will not be helpful to the young man. Please, let's all settle down and work this out later." He calmly touched his old friend's arm.

Gibbs ran a hand through his silver hair and faced Vance again, "I know you don't give a shit about Tony, but I do." The agent stepped in close to Vance and lowered his voice. "I intend to get to the bottom of this, Leon, and you better damn well hope I don't find you staring back at me."

The Director rubbed the back of his head, but chose not to reply. This conversation was definitely not over.

NCISNCISNCIS

Gibbs smiled sadly at the sight that greeted him in Tony's room. Abby and Ziva were curled into small chairs, both asleep. Palmer was wrapped in a sheet and stretched out on the floor between them with a small pillow under his head.

"None of them would leave," Vance said softly, brave enough to speak to the irate agent. "Even when I ordered them to go, they just looked at me and politely refused." He shook his head seemingly unable to understand this group of people.

Gibbs was looking at Tony. Someone had used pillows to prop him on his side. Tubes were peaking out from underneath his gown, attached to a variety of bags hanging around the bed. Leads and wires connected the unmoving patient to various monitors that beeped softly, ready to alert the staff of any immediate danger. A large and bulky oxygen mask was strapped to his drawn and shadowed face. When Gibbs had left just a few weeks ago, the Senior Field Agent had been tanned and muscular. Now he was pale, gaunt, and frail. Gibbs gave Vance a murderous stare.

Abby stirred, nearly falling out of the tiny chair she had crammed her long body into. Opening her eyes, she squeaked, "Gibbs! You're back!" In seconds, she had launched herself out of the chair and was wrapped around Gibb's neck. "Tony needs you so bad, Gibbs, he isn't getting any better and I don't know what else to do for him," she was almost in tears.

"Hey, hey," the older man soothed, rubbing her dark hair, "it'll be alright. You know Tony, he just has to do things in his own time."

Abby sniffled and met his crinkled blue eyes, "I'm so glad you're here." She laid her head on his shoulder taking in the soothing scent of soap and Old Spice.

The sounds woke Ziva and Palmer, both of them sitting up and stretching. Palmer wiped the sleep from his eyes before putting his glasses back on. Ziva stood, cast a lingering glance at Tony, and walked over to Gibbs.

"We were afraid to leave after the bomb incident this afternoon," she explained. "Tony was having breathing difficulties, and we just…..stayed." She made it a point to look at Vance, who returned her gaze with practiced indifference.

"Let's go out in the hall," Gibbs said, leading the exhausted agents out of the room.

NCISNCISNCIS

A short time later, the Lead Agent had convinced the rest of his team to go home for some sleep, since he planned to stay at the hospital anyway. He also took time to praise Palmer for his brave act that afternoon, getting a shy smile and a, "Thanks, Gibbs," from the nervous autopsy assistant. Vance once again refused to leave, but agreed to stay in the waiting area while Gibbs went back to sit with Tony.

The ex-marine pulled a chair next to the bed and sat down. In only a few minutes, two cloudy green eyes were staring at him. Tony reached up shakily and pulled the mask loose. "I know you're not here," he said softly.

Tilting his head to the side, Gibbs couldn't help but laugh, "Do you always talk to your hallucinations, DiNozzo?"

"You're not here. Undercover," Tony repeated in barely a whisper, shaking his head again. His eyes were going closed.

"DiNozzo!" Gibbs lightly popped Tony on top of the head. "Was that real?"

Tony's eyes widened. "Boss?" he asked shakily. "Is it you?"

"Yeah, DiNozzo, it's me. What'd get yourself into this time?" the older man questioned.

Tony shook his head a little and coughed. "Had to do it. What you would've done," he replied.

"Is that how you make all your decisions? Based on what I would've done?" the Lead Agent asked with affection.

Tony gave a small grin. "Only the ones that don't involve women," he managed to gasp out.

"Well, you did good this time. Real good," Gibbs praised with a smile and ruffling of Tony's hair. "Now, listen, Tony, I need you to do something for me. You listening?"

"Yeah, I'm listening," came the soft reply.

"I'm going to sit here and read my paper and drink this coffee, and I want you to go to sleep. And none of this half-awake crap the doctor tells me you've been doing. No one's gonna bother you, I got you're six. So just rest, ok?" Gibbs demanded gently.

Tony was really tired. He thought he might be able to finally get some uninterrupted sleep knowing Gibbs was hanging around. "On it, boss," he replied thinly. Then his eyes blinked open fully. "Thanks," he added, a multitide of unsaid feelings conveyed in the one simple word. The older agent smiled and carefully replaced the mask. He and DiNozzo didn't say much, but they understood each other perfectly. In a few minutes, Tony's eyes were closed, his face and body appearing relaxed for the first time in days.

Gibbs took a drink of his coffee and settled back to contemplate the murder of several terrorists and possibly the Director of NCIS.

NCISNCISNCIS

Abby, Ziva, and McGee returned later that morning. Abby had spent most of the night in the lab, despite Gibb's order to go home. She slurped a Caf-Pow and bounced on her toes. "We got a print off of Brutus' remains," she explained. "It was a partial of a known terrorist named Amir Aziz."

McGee and Ziva shot glances at Vance. "Aziz?" Gibbs asked. "The family responsible for half the terrorist training camps in Afghanistan and several cells here in the US? Why are they involved?"

Vance repeated what he had already shared with the other two agents. "Couldn't you have been a little more proactive on this, Director?" Gibbs growled at him, fists clinching again. "If we had known you were being targeted, maybe we could have tracked them down before they started attacking you." He shook his head in frustration. Of all the Director's he had worked for, none ever ceased to amaze him with their ignorance. Turning to McGee and Ziva, he said, "Get back to the office; issue BOLO's on Amir and his father. Run down any leads you can find on their current location."

As the two agents turned to leave, Gibbs called after them, "Watch your backs. And call in every two hours."

"Got it, Boss," McGee replied, wondering if the Director had noticed the gleam of anger in the blue eyes.

Gibbs turned back to face Vance. "You don't have to stay here, Leon. I'll take care of Tony now, your presence isn't necessary," he managed to keep his tone neutral, but dismissive. Looking at Vance every five minutes just reminded him of how much he wanted to kill the man.

Vance met the Lead Agent's gaze dead on. He hadn't become NCIS Director by being a wilting violet. "I know you and your team hold me responsible for what's happening. And maybe to some degree I am. But regardless of my issues with DiNozzo in the past, what he did for my family made him my responsibility, too. And I don't intend to run out at the very moment his life is in danger. I plan to see this through whether you like it or not." Vance explained. "So you better get used to it, Agent Gibbs. This is a team operation, now."

Gibbs smirked, "Most days, Leon, you'd be lucky to play second string for my team. You see, people on my team don't withhold important information until it's too late and we watch out for each other. Things you don't know much about. But since you insist on being part of my team, we'll see if you can keep up." He crushed his coffee cup and threw it in the trash before heading back to Tony's room.

NCISNCISNCIS

Several days later, there were still no signs of Amir and Hazim Aziz. They had taken to ground and left no trail behind. The agents were getting frustrated at the lack of progress.

Tony had finally started to improve. His breathing was somewhat better and he no longer required the bi-pap at night, although they were making him stay on oxygen by nasal cannula to help with the frequent wheezing and coughing attacks. It would be several weeks before the pulmonary contusion completely healed and until then there was an increased risk of pneumonia or lung infections. The wound on his neck was improving, and he had graduated from tube feeding to pureed milkshakes, which he said tasted like pureed crap. The burned area on his back still required the agonizing daily cleaning and antibiotic treatment, but otherwise the pain had dulled to a constantly throbbing ache. So, despite the fact he was weak and tired, Tony decided he might one day feel like his old self again. They were even discussing letting him out of ICU in a day or two. In Tony's mind, that meant he should be going home soon.

However, the sight of the two orderlies waiting to assist him to the bathroom was not the highlight of his day. Tony hated being frail in front of others, and the fact he could barely stand on his own two feet was the height of embarrassment.

"Come on, DiNozzo, if you ever want to get out of here you got to start walking," Gibbs chided. "Doctor's orders."

After so many days in bed, that was easier said than done. He eyed the orderlies suspiciously. "I can do this on my own," he said petulantly, wincing at the continued burning in his throat and hoarse sound of his own voice. "Dammit," he thought. "I am so sick of this."

"Sure you can," Gibbs agreed. "These nice young men are just going to stick around in case you fall on your ass."

Tony's stare told Gibbs to shut up and maybe a few other choice words, but he silently allowed the orderlies to ease him from the bed and hold his arms as he stood. As the fluids in his body re-aligned themselves to the now unusual upright position, Tony swayed and teetered, his head swimming and his muscles turning to jelly. "Oh," he groaned despite his desire to maintain his dignity.

Gibbs pretended to ignore his friend and continue to read the paper, but he was very aware of the slow and painful struggle for Tony to cross the floor and back. Had the orderlies not been there the young man would have never made it more than a few steps. By the time Tony was tucked safely back in bed and the monitors were re-connected, he was sweating profusely and appeared like he might throw up.

"You ok?" Gibbs asked, offering him some water, which Tony drank slowly, concentrating on swallowing and not gagging.

"This sucks," the younger man said, staring at the ceiling.

"Yeah, I know," Gibbs agreed. "Why don't you take a nap? I have a feeling you're going to be making that trip every few hours and you might as well rest up for the next one. I'll call the office to check in with McGee and Ziva, then I'll see if the Director is still lurking around here somewhere. I'm sure he still wants to keep you company."

"Great," Tony replied sarcastically, already falling asleep. The short walk had left him exhausted. Gibbs stayed until he was sure Tony was resting easily, then quietly slipped from the room.

NCISNCISNCIS

The swarthy man dressed in a doctor's coat and scrubs watched the silver-haired agent leave, ready to take advantage of the opportunity to get the younger man alone. DiNozzo's death would teach them the terrible price to be paid for harming his family. Wasting no time, he approached the guards standing outside the federal agent's door.

"Excuse me," he said politely. "I need your help. I noticed someone acting suspiciously near the supply closet. I didn't recognize the man, although he said he was with the janitorial service. I think he might have been trying to sneak something into the closet. After the incident with the bomb I thought it was best to be safe. Could one of you check it out for me?"

The guards glanced at one another, "You go, Mark," said the taller agent, "I'll stay here. We wouldn't want to let another explosive get by us."

"Ok," Mark replied. The guard who was on duty the night of the bombing was still on indefinite suspension.

The 'doctor' followed Mark to the supply room. A few minutes later, the 'doctor' left alone. He walked up to the remaining guard and disarmingly smiled.

"Mark needs…" he began, stepping close to the man, while at the same time slipping a needle into the back of the guard's neck.

The agent's eyes grew wide, then he slid down into the swarthy man's grip. A quick trip down the hall and the guard was lying in the floor of an unused storage area.

Grinning ferally, the dark-skinned man quietly opened the door of DiNozzo's room. "This is going to be easy," he said to himself with anticipation.

The door shut with a soft click, causing Tony to stir.

"Boss?" he asked sleepily. "You back already?"

DiNozzo squinted his eyes when he did not receive an answer. The figure who was propping a chair under the door and closing the curtains was definitely not his boss.

"Fuck," Tony swore under his breath, wondering what he was going to do now.