It's time to wake Tony up before he turns in Rip van Winkle. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, favorited or followed the story and thank you for the suggestions of people who could visit ... here are the last visitors. Unfortunately, I don't own any of them.

As Nikki left the room, Gibbs ran his hands through his hair apparently not caring that it might not be hygienic. He looked up at the ceiling and then looked across at his Senior Field Agent who, it seemed, he didn't know quite as well as he'd thought. No, that wasn't quite right, Tony's visitors had just reminded him about what he'd always known was at the core of Tony; the simple good heartedness which made him look out for people and the imaginative sensitivity which enabled him to find good ways to help them. He resolved to stop being dazzled by Tony's 'face of a clown' and look for the person behind that mask.

Gibbs took an anxious look into his cup and saw that it was nearly empty. He didn't think he could deal with Tony's entourage without more caffeine and wondered if he could persuade one of the orderlies to do a coffee run for him. As he looked up from the innards of the cup, he saw that Tony's eyes were open. Tony blinked a couple of times and then closed his eyes again for a couple of seconds. Gibbs waited with baited breath. The eyes opened again and there was a puzzled look on Tony's face as he looked around the room,

"Boss, why am I sleeping in a gift shop?"

Gibbs snorted with laughter, and relief. He wasn't surprized at Tony confusion. The room was crowded with get well cards, five baskets of fruit, six balloons and various other gifts which had arrived over the last few hours.

"You've had a few visitors while you were sleeping and you've been keeping the hospital messenger service busy." Gibbs pressed the call button to alert the duty nurse that Tony had woken up. She hurried in and gestured to Gibbs to move out of the way as she did some routine checks on her patient.

"It's good to see you awake at last, Agent DiNozzo, you had a few people worried. You just lie there quietly for a few minutes, The doctor will be in to see you soon."

Tony smiled at her. He reached out to the locker to get a drink of water. Gibbs got there first and handed him the glass.

"Thanks, Boss. Er ... what happened? What am I doing here?"

"What do you remember, Tony?" asked Gibbs.

"I remember looking forward to the barbecue, Abby waving her parasol thingy around. Not sure really, Boss, although I've been having some pretty weird dreams."

Gibbs sighed and told the bee story once more thinking that surely this would be the last time. Tony looked a little worried when told about the bee stings,

"Will they leave scars? I know Ziva thinks my face needs a bit more character but I'd rather it didn't come in the form of red lumps."

"Don't worry, Tony, I'm sure you'll soon be back to your best. And if not, I'm sure Ducky or Abby will have remedies to suggest."

"No offence, Boss, but given a choice I'll go for Ducky's solution over Abby's ... she'd probably rub green mud or something into them."

Gibbs realized that Tony was already putting the brave face on to hide the fact that he was probably feeling a bit uncertain and disorientated. He kept looking at all the cards and balloons. Gibbs decided to tell Tony about all the visitors and what they had said about him. By the time Gibbs had finished telling Tony about Nikki's visit, Tony had blushed a deep red and he had a pleased smile on his face.

"You've got lots of people looking out for you, DiNozzo."

"Including you, Boss. You stayed here all night. You didn't have to do that."

"That was a simple thing to do, Tony. I'm not sure I've been doing the more complicated stuff for you recently. Might have taken my eye off the ball a bit."

Tony looked a bit alarmed at getting a near apology from Gibbs and at seeing his boss look a bit uncertain. "Gibbs, you're fine. I understand. When it comes down to the big stuff, you've got my six."

Gibbs' gut lurched at Tony's tacit admission that Gibbs wasn't always there for him in the smaller things but before he could say anything else, Tony continued.

"Like I told you before, I've always thought the head slaps were a sign of affection. Just hope you're not put off by all those microbes!"

Part of Gibbs wanted to push on with the conversation, perhaps even to apologize, but he didn't. He sensed that he had already said enough to make Tony happy and that also that his senior agent was basking in the thought of all his friends visiting. It might Gibbs feel better to hash it out a bit more but it wouldn't help Tony. He would just try to do better in future. The two sat in companionable silence for a few more minutes and then the moment was broken by a loud rumble from Tony's stomach.

The doctor came in at that moment and Tony's face lit up to see Dr Brad Pitt.

"Is it all right for Tony to have something to eat, Brad?" asked Gibbs.

"Sure. Not pizza yet, something a bit lighter perhaps?"

"I'll get you some eggs and toast, DiNozzo. I'll call the others to let them know you're back in the land of the living." As Gibbs left the room he could hear Brad and Tony in lively conversation.

NCISNCISNCIS

Tony made short work of the eggs and thirstily drank two cups of tea. He was beginning to get restless and ask if he could go home soon. Gibbs was about to reply when they heard the sound of conversation drifting along the corridor. The rest of the team had arrived and they seemed to be bringing another visitor.

"It's sooo good you're in town Mr DiNozzo," came Abby's voice, "you'll be able to look after Tony."

"I'd love to do that, Abby," said Tony's father, "unfortunately, I can only be here for one night. I've got to be in Cannes tomorrow."

"At least you can spend some time with him today," said McGee.

"I expect he'll still be a bit groggy, won't really want to talk a lot. I was wondering, if he's going to be here tonight as well, I could use his apartment for the night. The Adams House was er ... fully booked when I called them."

"You will have to ask Tony that," said Ziva with a hint of disapproval in her voice.

Tony looked frantically at Gibbs and shook his head. Their eyes met and Gibbs nodded in understanding. Tony dived under the covers. The team, plus Senior, poured into the room.

"TOONY," cried Abby running in with arms outstretched, ready to give him a huge hug. She came to a abrupt halt at the sight of a sleeping Tony "Gibbs, you said he was awake. Is anything wrong ... has he had a relapse? Tell me, Gibbs, I can take it."

"Sshhh, Abby," said Gibbs, "the doctor said he might fall asleep again, his body's still got a lot of catching up to do. Mr DiNozzo, glad you could drop by." To do him credit, Mr DiNozzo was looking at his son with some concern and leaned over to give him a kiss on his forehead.

"Will he be all right, Agent Gibbs, those stings aren't going to leave scars are they? "

"Oh, don't worry, Mr D," said Abby, " I've been looking up some wonderful natural remedies for Tony to use. He might smell a bit odd for a few days but he'll soon be back to his handsome self." Gibbs thought it was a tribute to Tony's undercover skills that he maintained his sleeping pose even as he heard this alarming news.

"So, Agent Gibbs ... Jethro, I was thinking I could use Tony's apartment for the night. It doesn't look as if he'll be out of here today."

Gibbs fixed him with an icy stare,

"I'm afraid that won't be possible, Mr DiNozzo. Tony had to have the locks changed recently and he hasn't got around to giving me a spare key yet." This was technically true. Tony hadn't given him a spare key, he'd just helped himself. He looked at Senior once more, silently daring him to ask if he could stay at Gibbs' house instead. It looked as if Tony's dad was going to excuse himself and leave but as he rose to go McGee said,

"What's been going on here, Boss. It looks as if you're setting up a gift shop here."

Gibbs decided this was a golden opportunity. "That's an interesting story, Tim. Mr DiNozzo, you'll enjoy hearing this too." And Gibbs proceeded to give them all a detailed, no holds barred account of all of Tony's visitors and then insisted they read all the get well messages too.

A couple of hours later, the room was once again occupied by just Tony and Gibbs. Senior and the team had left, stunned not only by Gibbs' talkativeness but also by what they had heard and seen.

"It's OK, Tony, you can 'wake up' now," said Gibbs.

"Thanks, Boss. Sorry I bailed on you back there. But when I heard him saying that he wanted to use my apartment ... well,"

"Hey, nothing to be sorry about. Anyway, made them all think a bit."

"Perhaps I should call him, tell him he can have the key after all," he looked at Gibbs's face, "... or not."

"Or not," confirmed Gibbs. He looked at Tony who looked a bit sad and uncertain. "Were you listening to me, DiNozzo, when I told them about everyone who visited? Look around this place. Just remember how many people you've got who really care about you."

He leaned over and gave Tony a gentle head slap. Tony beamed,

"On it, Boss!"