Sorry about the immense wait for this chapter, i moved house and was sorting uni out lol. Now this is the last chapter of this story but like i said in the last chapter i do have an idea that is linked to this story set in around season 1 I just need to work the details out. Enjoy this last chapter !

Chapter 11

Looking over to his unusually silent agent, Gibbs wondered why this responsibility was his to bear and not Elise's family. The choice was a hard one to make for anyone and he decided to ask so that maybe he could save his Agent from that particular pain.

"How come her parents aren't here to make the decision?" For a moment he thought Tony wasn't going to answer and was surprised when the younger man smiled an odd smile.

"I was wondering when you'd figure that out," Tony responded calmly, "she changed her next of Kin information once we had a date set for the wedding, said she it made the whole thing even more real." The fond look that crossed Tony's face remembering the memory made Gibbs' chest tighten in sorrow.

Images of decorations and places for the reception and honeymoon littered Tony's mind and how she would smile with that extra sparkle when she absolutely loved something they saw. Tony sighed. "We had everything sorted out except the invitations, my job, but didn't know who invite." Tony's look turned cheerless again, he moved his injured arm and hissed. This prompted Gibbs to walk over to his agent, pull him up by his uninjured arm and drag him out of the room.

"Come on, let's get that arm looked at. You don't have to decide anything right now." When Tony stopped, Gibbs could feel the pull his Agent had to this room.

"It was my fault; I shouldn't have left her." Tony whispered and looked to the ground, ashamed.

It had never crossed Gibbs' mind that Tony could possibly blame himself for something that seemed so rare and as out of anyone's control as possible. "Tony, you didn't do this." Gibbs' view on the matter was firm and unwavering.

"But.." Tony started.

"No, Tony, listen to me, you didn't do this." Tony nodded but looked like he still wanted to argue.

Sitting him back down, Gibbs asked him why he thought it had been his fault.

"I'd promised that we'd go away for a weekend last month, we went but half way through I'd had to leave because we caught that double murder case, we were just going to spend the weekend in the hotel or hiking, after I had left she decided to stay the rest of the weekend and go swimming like we had planned in one of the lake near the hotel. A CDC scientist that was called after they figured out what it was said the amoeba likes warm water and that must have been where she picked it up. If I would have stayed I might have..."

"Might have what?" Gibbs cut in feeling a little angry at what he'd thought Tony was about to say.

Tony sensed the anger and fell silent, looking at the floor again and stood up needing some space between him and what he was thinking about. As he reached the door he swayed a little and hoped that Gibbs hadn't noticed. To his dismay it had been noticed.

"When was the last time you ate anything, DiNozzo?" Gibbs wondered as he held on to Tony waiting for him to become steady again.

"Erm, I don't remember." Tony shrugged.

An hour or so later, Tony's arm was re-stitched and re-bandaged and they were sitting quietly in thought in the hospital canteen, the late night had turned into morning now and the hospital was getting busier. The sun sparkled through the blinds creating a strange glow about the room. Pots and pans clattered in the background as breakfast was continuing to be served. Tony was thoughtful and kept looking up at Gibbs as if wanting to ask him something but just couldn't bring himself to do it.

"There something on your mind, Tony?" Gibbs asked after Tony looked up again nervously.

The three words next spoken by the younger man held a multitude of questions he so desperately wanted to hear the answers to but didn't expect them. "Will you stay?"

Gibbs stopped drinking his coffee for a moment to search Tony's expression. It held a weariness deep enough to scar anyone that looked too long and a myriad of other emotions fighting for control over the others. He knew exactly what Tony was asking of him but he needed to be sure that Tony wanted this as well.

"Are you sure?" He watched the struggle but Gibbs saw the moment that told him how very serious Tony was about this.

"It's been long enough." And the silent 'I know I need to let go' was heard as well. The knowing and the wanting to let go was a different issue completely though.

"I'll stay." Gibbs' answer was firm and strong.

All seemed silent again for a few moments while the two men mulled over what was going to be done today and what had occurred previously over the past few days.

Tony rose out of his seat more cautiously then necessary but Gibbs didn't comment knowing the younger man would be aching as he was after being forced to the ground by Tony. "I just need to make a phone call." He stated though he seemed lost in thought as if thinking of too much all at once.

Gibbs nodded in silent support and allowed the younger man to walk away to make the phone call he knew he was dreading. But her parents had the right to be there more so than even he did.

Knowing that Tony had yet to replace his cell he knew that he'd probably gone to find a hospital one while he also tried to gather himself for what needed to be done. Gibbs himself took out his cell and decided to call Ducky.

"Ah, Jethro, I hope you are keeping that young man out of trouble." Gibbs' lips turned up into what may be construed as a smile for him at the friendly tone.

"I need ya to do me a favour, Duck." Gibbs explained what he needed him to do without revealing why. He didn't think it would be a good idea to be spilling the kid's secrets if it wasn't necessary, he could do it when and if he wanted. After finishing his phone call Gibbs went in search of Tony to see if he'd done what he'd needed to.

x-X-x

He found Tony hovering somewhat nervously outside of Elise's room. Gibbs found it strange that he'd be nervous but when Tony noticed his approach his expression was one of a tired neutrality and he knew he wouldn't get the answer he wanted and didn't have the heart to try pushing for it.

As Gibbs got closer he realised that there was a small group of people in the room his Agent was waiting outside of.

"Her family." Tony answered Gibbs' questioning expression.

"You have every right to be there too." Gibbs stated without censure, it wasn't his agent's fault even if Tony did still believe that he didn't deserve to be there now because he thought it was. "Come on, Tony" Gibbs said as he pushed the door open.

For a moment, Tony thought about turning back and running away, but in that same moment he knew that Gibbs would be there and that he had the only support he wanted right now.

Gibbs could feel the tension as soon as he entered with Tony in toe and wondering just what had happened between Tony and Elise's family.

"The Doctor is on his way." Tony spoke out into the relative silence of the room, but it was a tone that Gibbs knew had been put into practice for far too long. Polite to anyone but Gibbs who knew that it was forced. Had Elise's family already had words with his Agent? For some reason he didn't think those words had been consoling or even marginally nice ones either. This was further confirmed by Tony trying to look everywhere but meet their eyes.

"Finally made the decision then did you?" The younger of the two men of Elise's family sneered. Gibbs assumed by the looks that he was her brother and the other two people in the room were her mother and father. Gibbs saw the internal flinch in Tony's expression, but before he could say anything about it a Doctor entered the room.

"Does everyone agree to stop the life support?" The Doctor asked sympathetically to both parties.

A part of Tony wanted never to let go, but the stronger part of him didn't want her to suffer any longer, life support was no quality of life and not something she would of wanted to stay on indefinitely.

Both parties nodded their heads in the affirmative.

The Doctor then reached over to stop the machines keeping Elise alive, the cardiac monitor was still attached and beeped steadily slower and slower.

The light outside seemed to dim as if in union with the machines, even though it had been light out, clouds covered the sky and the gloomy sadness seeped into the room. Encasing the hearts of those present in the unbearably pure white room, it wasn't meant to be the colour of death but of a life together.

Elise's mother had tears stumbling down her face; both men with her looked sad but refused to cry and stood strong by her side.

Gibbs placed his hand lightly onto Tony's slightly shaking shoulder, knowing that the younger man was trying not to show his sorrow, as the beeps slowed down and agonisingly stopped.

And Tony knew that Gibbs would be there now and in the future.

The End

Hope you all liked the end, please let me know, I worked hard to try and get this right and i'm sure i succeeded that well.