"Gibbs? Go home, get some rest," said Morrow twenty-four hours later. "I'll stay with him."

"I can't leave," Gibbs said, his voice hoarse from all the talking he had been doing since Tony's surgery. "He needs support, family. I'm his family."

"I know that. Tony will appreciate everything you're doing for him, I promise. But you need to go home. You can't live in a hospital."

"What if he wakes up? I don't want him to feel alone and scared."

"He won't be alone. I'll be here, and so are the nurses and doctors. If he wakes, we'll call you."

Gibbs shook his head, his eyes filling with tears. "I can't leave him, Tom. This is my fault. I knew Kate was trying to anger him, but I didn't think she'd actually hurt him. I should have seen it."

"There was no way you could have seen it, Gibbs. No-one saw that coming."

"They had to see it coming…"

"How? Trust me, you need some rest. You aren't thinking clearly."

Finally, Gibbs sighed and nodded. "Don't leave him alone."

"I won't. Remember, I like Tony too." Morrow watched Gibbs leave. He wanted to cry as he watched his best team leader walking down the ICU hallway, shoulders slumped and shaking as he sobbed. "Come on, Tony, you need to wake up. Gibbs needs you," said Morrow as he took a seat in the chair Gibbs had vacated. "Just wake up for us."


Morrow had fallen asleep by the time Gibbs returned the following morning, so Gibbs quietly made his way over to Tony. He couldn't help feeling sad and angry when he looked at his normally strong, funny friend. Gibbs picked up Tony's left hand, being careful not to touch the two broken fingers so he wouldn't cause any pain for Tony, and held it.

"Tony, bud, I know you are in a lot of pain. I really do. But I can't lose you. I need you to wake up, to come back to me. Can you do that?" Gibbs asked softly, not noticing his boss had woken up and was listening. "Please, Tony, wake up. Let's show the doctors that you're a tough person, that they don't need to be worrying so much. Let's show them how strong you are, together. We can do it together. Just open your eyes, pal."

Tony remained silent and still. His hand was limp in Gibbs' one, but the older man still hoped that Tony would hear him and show him that he was coming back to them.

"Gibbs?" Morrow asked, pretending that he had just woken. "When did you get back?"

"A few minutes ago. Did I wake you? I didn't mean to."

"I heard you talking, thought maybe the doctor was here."

"I was talking to Tony. Dr Swan said that talking to him might help him come back to us."

"Talking to an unconscious person is always a big help. I've done it before."

"Did it wake them?"

"A couple of them, yeah. The others didn't wake up, but that was probably because they were already dead when I got to them."

"Tony's still alive," said Gibbs quietly, almost as if he wasn't sure.

"Yes, he is. And he'll come back to you. Tony's a strong person, a fighter. You'll see."

"Why is it taking so long?"

"Because he needs some rest. He needs a chance to heal. Just let him rest, alright?"

"Are you staying with me?"

"If you want me to."

"Stay. Just for a while. Please?"

"Of course." Morrow gave Gibbs a smile. "Do you want to sit?"

Gibbs shook his head. He took a seat on the side of the bed, still holding Tony's hand.


Gibbs had fallen asleep. He wasn't sure when, but he knew he had, especially since Edith was gently shaking his shoulder.

"Dr Swan?" Gibbs asked tiredly. He sat up and realised he was still holding Tony's hand. "Did something happen? Is Tony okay?"

"Tony's doing as well as can be expected. I came in to check on you. A nurse said she had seen you laying awkwardly on Tony's bed, and thought something was wrong."

Gibbs relaxed. "I'm okay. Just tired." He looked at his friend. "Did I hurt him?"

"No. You were resting on his legs, but it's not enough to cause pain. Besides, he's on morphine to help him stay comfortable. He's not feeling any pain."

"Is he showing signs of waking yet?" It was the same question he had asked twice already that day.

"No. Just keep talking to him. He needs to hear a familiar voice if he's going to find his way back."

Gibbs nodded. "What time is it?"

"Almost seven pm. I know you aren't going to leave. Do you want me to get you a bed so you can stay here and get some sleep?"

"No. If I'm tired enough, I'll sleep in the chair. I won't sleep anyway, not if Tony needs me. If there's even the slightest chance that he'll wake up, I need to be awake."

"Putting yourself in the hospital isn't going to help him. You need to look after yourself too."

"I will. I just need him to open his eyes."

Edith smiled kindly. "He will open his eyes, Gibbs. It's probably going to take time, but he will wake up. I saw the relationship between you two, and Tony won't be leaving you. I'm going to check the rest of my patients before I head home, but there are several nurses that are more than happy to help if you need it. I'll see you tomorrow. Try and rest."

Gibbs dropped his head once Edith had left. Tears were falling again as he tried to get Tony to wake up again.