A/N: This is a little longer then my other chapters so I hope no one minds! Please beware I did almost cry when writing this chapter!
Gibbs sat by his son's bedside, holding his hand. He said nothing as Ducky checked the younger man over. The ME had been kind enough to wait to check on Tony till the agent had gotten back from the office.
Gibbs hadn't wanted to go back to the office at all that day or any other day, to be honest, but as lead agent he'd had no other choice. Ducky had sent Palmer over to the hospital to sit with Tony knowing that the boy's father wasn't going to leave other wise…he was right.
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Gibbs had stormed into the office that morning, hell bent on letting his feelings be known. Director Sheppard had been slightly more than worried about having to tell the older agent the news she had.
"Jethro, can I talk to you?" she'd asked softly.
Gibbs gave her a curt nod and followed her back to her office. His only thought was that of hoping that she didn't ask why Gibbs was so worried about Tony. The two men had kept their relationship a secret for the past number of years; he didn't want to ruin it all in one day. Thankfully that wasn't what she wanted to talk about.
"The director of the FBI called me this morning Jethro." Jen said.
"What did he want?" Gibbs demanded to know, knowing already he wasn't going to like what he was told.
"It seems the man you're after is a man that's part of an ongoing FBI investigation. The director wants the case seeing as his men have been working on it longer." She answered.
Gibbs nodded but said nothing. His mind was reeling. Under normal circumstances he'd fight for the case but now…if he gave the FBI the investigation then he wouldn't have to worry about leaving Tony or the rest of his team. The idea didn't make him happy because more then anything he wanted to take down the bastard that hurt his son.
"Three conditions," Gibbs finally stated. "I want to be kept in the loop, I want my team to be part of the take down, and I want to question the bastard that shot Tony."
Jen stared at her agent in shock. 'Did not see that coming,' she thought to herself. She wondered about it briefly but then nodded; there was no sense in causing trouble. She knew that Tony and Gibbs had a special relationship; one that couldn't be explained by anyone.
"I'll make it happen," she promised.
Gibbs nodded his head and left the director's office. He wanted to be the one to tell his team about the changes. The team took the news as well as could be expected. Ziva looked liked she wanted to kill someone, McGee looked confused, Abby had shrugged her shoulders and said nothing, her attention solely focused on the agent in the hospital. Only Ducky had understood. He smiled at his friend and gave a nod of his head showing his approval.
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Gibbs shook his head and brought himself back to the present.
"How is he Duck?" Gibbs asked, nervous about the response.
"We've stopped giving him the medication that put him in an induced coma. It's up to him to wake up now." Ducky answered gently.
Gibbs nodded his thanks and said nothing. Ducky excused himself from the room looking back once to give his friend a sad smile. 'Please wake up Anthony. I don't think he'll survive without you,' Ducky pleaded silently as he left the hospital.
Gibbs said nothing to the nurses that came and went into the room. They said nothing back, knowing that there was nothing they could say to make the man feel better.
It was two o' clock when Gibbs phone rang for the second time that day.
"Gibbs," he answered briskly.
"It's me," the person greeted.
"Where are you?" Gibbs demanded. "I though you'd be here by now."
"We had a little delay. I'll be back at your place in the hour. Should I just meet you at the hospital?" the person asked.
"Yeah, I already had to leave him this morning. I'm not gonna leave him again." Gibbs responded.
"I'll be there soon then. Don't go scaring the nursing staff." The person advised with a smile.
Gibbs didn't respond, hanging up on the person before he could be hung up on. Gibbs turned to his son, still asleep and hooked up on machines.
"He's coming Tony," Gibbs said, clutching his son's hand tightly. "You have to wake up or else he'll never leave."
There was no response and Gibbs had to once again fight back the tears that were again threatening to fall.
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An hour later Tony's heart monitor started beeping wildly; nurses were soon rushing in. Someone must have called Ducky for Gibbs saw him enter the room minutes later.
"What the hell is going on now Ducky?" Gibbs demanded to know.
"Wait outside," Ducky ordered.
"NO! Damn it Duck, just tell me what's…" Gibbs started.
"OUTSIDE JETHRO!" Ducky ordered more fiercely.
Gibbs glared at his friend for a moment before allowing nurse Tammi to lead him out of the room. She gave him a sympathetic smile before going back into the room.
Gibbs stood there unblinking, watching everything that was happening. It seemed like forever before Ducky came out to talk to him.
"What happened Ducky?" Gibbs asked his voice raw with emotion; emotion he could only show his oldest and dearest friend.
"Anthony's heart is weakening. Jethro if he…" Ducky stopped, unable to keep the emotion out of his voice.
Gibbs held his breath. His heart was pounding in his ears. He knew that what ever the ME was going to say he wasn't going to like. He couldn't relax; his every muscle felling like it was going to snap.
"Jethro, if Anthony doesn't wake up soon...I fear he won't ever wake up." Ducky finally got out.
"He's but hurt worse then this before," Gibbs responded, desperate for a piece of hope.
"I know he has my friend. This time he's gotten an infection but we can't treat it the way we like due to his having an allergic reaction." Ducky explained.
Gibbs kept silent, not trusting himself to not say anything he'd regret later; his breathing became harsher. Ducky patted him on the arm and then went back into the room. He knew that Gibbs needed some time to get his emotions under check.
Hearing the door shut behind the doctor Gibbs turned and punched a wall violently. His emotions were running wild and he was no longer sure how much longer he could hold on. He could only watch helplessly as his son was seen to by others. He was on the verge of a collapse when he heard feet approaching.
"Gibbs," the person called out cautiously. "What's wrong? What happened to Tony?"
Gibbs turned and looked at the person. "He's dying William. My little boy's dying."
Gibbs suddenly stormed down the hall. As much as he wanted to William didn't follow, knowing that Gibbs needed some time alone. He stared back and forth between the man who finished raising him and the boy he considered his brother.
Ducky came back out a minute later upon seeing a man he didn't recognize standing outside the door. I sad smile came to his face when he finally realized who it was.
"William," Ducky greeted, "you came."
"I came as soon as Gibbs called me. What's going on Ducky?" William asked urgently.
Ducky explained what had happened, starting with what he knew of the raid that had caused Tony's injuries. "He needs to wake up soon William or I'm afraid he won't wake up at all."
"Is there anything I can do?" William asked, needing to do something; needing to full useful.
"Just sit with my dear boy. Talk with him; let him know you're here." Ducky answered. "Where's Jethro?"
William pointed down the hall unable to verbally answer. Ducky gave him a hug and made his way down to check on Gibbs.
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Ducky found Gibbs sitting in the spare room he'd taken a nap in just the day before. He knew without seeing or with being told that Gibbs was at his breaking point. He shut the door and locked it before going to stand in front of the younger man.
"William is with Anthony." Ducky spoke in a calm, low voice. "It's to let go now Jethro."
"Tony needs me to be strong. I just need a minute,' Gibbs voice was thick with emotion.
"My friend, everyone needs to let go sometime." Ducky responded.
Gibbs said nothing, slightly scared that if he let go, he would never get himself back together. Ducky walked closer and laid a hand on either shoulder of the younger man.
"Jethro," Ducky said softly.
Gibbs looked up at the older man and shook his head. Ducky said nothing more, simply staring into the agent's eyes. He watched as the eyes before him filled with tears.
"I can't lose him Ducky," Gibbs said gruffly.
"I know my dear boy." Ducky responded, "I know."
That was all Gibbs needed. For the fifth time in his life, Gibbs broke down and cried.
As much as he wanted to Ducky said nothing nor did he give in to the temptation to hug the younger man. He simply waited while Gibbs cried and then got himself back under control.
"Ducky…if I lose him…" Gibbs didn't need to finish his sentence.
Ducky didn't say anything knowing there was nothing he could say. He stood there looking at the eyes that showed a soul slowly retreating into itself.
"Jethro, William is alone," Ducky's voice was gentle.
Gibbs nodded and stood up. He wouldn't leave William alone right now…not when there was still a little chance.
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When Gibbs was ready Ducky led the way back to Tony's room where William was pleading with him.
"Come on kid, you have to wake. Gibbs called me and is so super pissed that I cam out. You can't leave me alone with him Tony. I mean it man, if you do I will so tell him who really took his car and dented it."
"Who took the car?" Gibbs asked in a mock stern voice as he entered.
"Err…hey Gibbs," William smiled.
He moved to the head of Tony's bed and in an exaggerated whisper told Tony, "You better hurry up cuz if it's my butt that's toast you will so get yours later."
Gibbs shook his head and went to give William a hug. "How was your flight?"
William shrugged and turned his attention back to Tony. He had to swallow back the tears that were threatening to fall. He couldn't and wouldn't fall apart in front of the older man.
Gibbs could see the struggle and quickly hugged the younger man to him. "It's gonna be ok Will."
William allowed his tears to fall. "How can you be so sure?"
"I gave him an order to wake up for one," Gibbs stated. "For two we've been through a lot already Will. We have to have faith that we'll make it through this."
William sat down beside Tony and could feel the bed dip more when Gibbs sat behind him. Ducky quietly left the family alone as William leaned against Gibbs and Gibbs wrapped him in a hug.
"Dad," William wondered out loud, "is he gonna wake up?"
"He has to," Gibbs answered.
Both men thought back to a time…another time when their worlds had flipped upside down and they were left holding on…hoping not to fall…
TBC…
Well? I hope you liked it! I know, I know: what about Tony? I will answer that question in 2 chapters! The next is (obviously) a flashback chapter but after that you will find out if Tony will live or die…
