Gibbs watched Tony's uneven breathing as a familiar face popped into the isolation chamber and came over.

"Hello Jethro" Ducky said and sat down in a chair nurse Jordan had put there only moments before. Gibbs didn't reply, only sighed and continued watching Tony. The pale face of the younger man had pain etched into it.

"He's getting worse" Gibbs said finally.

"I know" Ducky said, "We are all worried about the two of you... Abigail is the worst of them" Ducky said. "How are you feeling?" he asked. Gibbs turned his head and faced his friend for many years.

"Like crap, Duck, I can't do anything about Tony's health" Gibbs said and rubbed a hand across his face, "I can't believe this is happening, if we'd only got out sooner maybe, just MAYBE he would be okay now, it was me, I couldn't get us out and we thought it was just a cold, if I had stayed awake and kept the fire going, then maybe he would.. be better" Gibbs finished and swallowed the tears threatening to spill.

"Jethro, this would have happened either way. What you did and didn't do could not have slowed or stopped this" Ducky said.

"I knew it was a trap Duck" Gibbs said quietly, "I knowingly dragged Tony along into a trap. I told him as much, you know what he said? He said he was happy it wasn't his mistake this time" Gibbs said, "If I'd just done my job properly, none of this would have happened" he finished.

"You knew it was a trap?" Ducky asked. Gibbs nodded, and this time he couldn't hold back the tears.

"I knew it was a fucking trap, and I dragged Tony into it, I knew.. I knew that the Pelican knew who we were and I still went in there. I thought I could handle it Duck, I really did. And then there were more men. Our communication was cut off and.. and I might as well have killed him Duck" Gibbs said.

"Let's not give up on young Anthony just yet Jethro, he is not dead you know" Ducky smiled and patted Gibbs's arm.

"Right.." Gibbs said and wiped away some tears, "the team?"

"Timothy did a very good job while you two were missing. The only thing was that he sort of became Anthony and we all know Anthony becomes you when you are away, so all in all, he became a mix of you and Anthony" Ducky chuckled, "they are awaiting news from me, I told them I would bring good news, and that you are awake is indeed good news" Ducky said.

"I ho-"

Suddenly, there was a shrill ringing noise. Time slowed down as Gibbs looked over to Tony's bed. The shrill noise was coming from Tony's heartmonitor.

Flatline.

"I killed him" Gibbs breathed.

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AN: Now THAT my friends, is one evil cliffy.

Disclaimer: All hail DPB!