Tim heard the explosions right before he dived under the ticket counter. It looked to be the sturdiest things around and his options were very limited. It was only seconds before the ceiling and walls around him began to crumble and collapse.

Tim cried out in pain as he felt the ticket counter collapse partly still keeping his heard protected but exposing his lower body to first felt smaller, then much larger chunks of the building. He wondered how much time before the wood guarding his head gave way ending it all.

He didn't worry long. The pain and pressure on his lower back and legs became more than he could bear and darkness consumed him.

Tony walked into the waiting room having gone as far with his friend as the hospital staff would let him. He looked years older than when he had stepped on the ambulance. Gibbs and Ziva were there waiting and quickly walked over to him.

"How is he?" Ziva asked quietly.

"Breathing was really bad, probably from being trapped with all that dust for so long. His legs-," Tony faltered. "His legs looked really bad." He took a deep breath. "He asked, wanted to make sure Emily was ok and we were able to stop the terrorist plot. He knew the other man Ben was dead. He feels guilty Boss." Tony stated remembering the look in his friend's eyes.

"Did he say that?"

"Didn't need to, I've seen that look a hundred time. Survivor's guilt is pretty easy to spot."

Gibbs nodded and went to sit down, his head in his hands. He couldn't shake the feeling of reaching for his agent's neck to try and find a pulse. Yes he had found what he was looking for but the skin beneath his hands had been cold, like the skin of a corpse…

A stabbing pain in his back slowly woke Tim. He was slightly surprised to still be alive. He had no idea how long he had been out and had no way to know. He gradually became more aware and heard scraping and muffled yelling. He attempted to call out for help briefly but found the attempt sent him into an uncontrollable coughing fit. The air was heavy and chocked with dust. Shallow breaths inhaled through the material of his shirt were the only way to get relief.

Tim jumped when he suddenly heard a different sound. He soon realized it was a piece of equipment, no doubt brought in to move the slabs that human strength couldn't touch. He listened feeling strangely lulled by the steady sound of work outside the walls.

It suddenly struck him that his legs didn't hurt anymore. Dread welled up in the pit of his stomach when he realized the relief from pain was because he couldn't feel anything beyond his lower back. He pushed down the rising bile in his throat and tried to stall the fear that threatened to overtake him.

Gibbs heard before he saw. The clomp of large platform boots were unmistakable on the hospital's tile floor. He stood ready to catch her when she came charging into the room.

"Gibbs!" She flew into his arms. She was followed by Ducky who was panting slightly at having to keep up with the highly motivated woman, Palmer was behind him.

"Gibbs! Thank God, Timmy's out! I was so worried. He's ok right?" She studied his eyes. "Right? Tell me he's fine Gibbs."

"I don't know yet Abbs." He said quietly.

Abby sighed and sank down fresh tears welling in her eyes. Ziva came to wrap her in a hug.

"What do we know Jethro?" Ducky asked.

"Tony probably knows the best, he was in the ambulance with him on the way in." Gibbs said.

The three newcomers focused on Tony.

"He was trapped in the dust for a long time. The medic was pretty surprised he was breathing on his own." Tony twisted his hands while looking down. "His legs took the brunt of most of the fall of the building. They looked pretty bad." He said softly.

"Was there any damage to his head?" Ducky asked.

"No, his head was protected." Ziva said.

"That's good news." Palmer spoke up.

"It's not going to matter much if he stops breathing." Tony snapped causing Jimmy to step back slightly.

"Of course not Anthony," Ducky said stepping in, "but head injuries are the most tedious to treat and have the highest risk of complications. They are common of earthquake victims so he was fortunate to escape that being added on to his other injuries. I'm sure that was all Mr. Palmer was saying."

Tony opened his mouth to say something else, but Gibbs shook his head.

"We're all tired; it's been a long day. Let's not end it by getting kicked out of the hospital for causing a disturbance."

Tony nodded and looked at Palmer's noting the concern in his eyes.

"Sorry Palmer, I just…"

"It's ok Tony. I know you're worried."

"Indeed, loyalty to one's friend is never cause for shame." Ducky said with a small smile.

Laying there Tim had time to think and he suddenly became overwhelmed with thoughts of Ben and the image of his body laying there still and unmoving. He had scarified himself for Tim and Emily without a second thought.

Tim began to silently ream himself out for leaving the man. Gibbs would never have left him, neither would Tony. They would have found a way for it all to work out. Tim lay in the quiet, shaking, letting a few tears escape from his eyes overwhelmed by the unfairness of it all. Ben hadn't deserved to die. He had been the calming presence in the whole situation and he had faced his final moments alone. Now he was buried beneath the rubble of a building as if he were nothing.

The emotions welling up combined with isolation, pain, and fear began to play on Tim's mind the longer he waited. There were several brief intervals when he could hear no sound. To his exhausted consciousness there were several explanations.

Gibbs surely by this point had put together the pieces and realized that Ben was dead. He was no doubt disappointed that Tim had disobeyed one of his rules and left a man behind. Tony and Ziva probably felt the same way. In his mind any one of his team members would have defused the situation better than he.

He felt a ripple of panic. What if they had left him? What if they had decided it was too late or worse, that he wasn't worth saving? The panicked breathing these thought caused soon resulted in another coughing fit worse than the last until the only thing he could think of was breathing.

Gibbs stepped outside to make a call he dreaded. He wanted to wait until he had some news to give the McGees but the longer they waited the more he felt guilty about not calling. Three hours in he finally bit the bullet and headed for the door.

He called Vance's secretary for the number and then slowly dialed the number, letting it ring. Finally as he was about to hang up the phone was answered.

"McGee residence."

The voice sounded familiar.

"Sarah?"

"Yes?"

He took a deep breath.

"It's Agent Gibbs. I-."

"Agent Gibbs! I've been trying to call Tim all day! Where is he? I saw the explosion, oh my gosh, it was so close to you all. Is he there, can I talk to him?"

"Sarah-."

"He's not hurt is he? Why isn't he calling me?"

"Sarah, Sarah listen to me." Gibbs said sharply to get her attention. "We are at Bethesda now, waiting to hear how he is. He was trapped Union Station when is collapsed, but he was alive when we pulled him out." He waited and listened as soft sobs came over the phone. "Sarah, where are your parents?" He asked softly.

"Visiting family in Ireland." she sniffed. "I'm house sitting for them."

"Do you want me to send an agent to get you?" Gibbs offered.

"Would-would you please? I don't know if I can-can get there."

"Of course."

After he hung up with Sarah, Gibbs made arrangements and headed back to the waiting room. He was not surprised to find Fornell taking quietly to Ducky.

Gibbs nodded to the man as he sat down across from him.

"They let you go, Tobias?"

"I did my part; it's up to the cleaning crew now. Thought I'd stop by here before I start the paperwork hell this has created."

Gibbs nodded and smiled faintly into his coffee cup, waiting a moment to speak.

"Thanks for everything Tobias." Gibbs said sincerely.

"Wasn't me, McGee seems to have done all the hard work. You mind if I stay for an update?" Fornell asked.

"Not at all, make yourself at home."

He was so cold. It hadn't been a cold day and the heat from the building should be keeping him warm but his body was wracked with shivers. He still couldn't feel his legs, a sensation he was almost strangely grateful for only because of the pain it had caused earlier.

He continued to shake not realizing he was going into shock because of the trauma inflicted on his body. The struggle to breathe was becoming too much and he slipped into unconsciousness minutes before Ziva's hand would touch his foot.

Gibbs paced the waiting room. Abby had fallen asleep on Tony shoulder and Ziva was pretending to try to focus long enough to read a magazine. Jimmy sat beside her twiddling his thumbs.

Ducky was the first to notice a man in scrubs push the door open to the waiting room. He quickly got up as the man headed their way. Gibbs, Ziva, and Jimmy weren't far behind. Tony woke Abby and she quickly popped up when she realized who was here. Fornell also started that way, but lingered in the background, not wanting to intrude.

"Are you all here for Timothy McGee?" The doctor asked looking at his chart.

"Yes!" Abby replied bouncing from anxiety. How is he?"

The doctor looked at his chart again.

"Why don't we sit down?"

Hey people.

Thank you so much for reading. The response has overwhelmed me. I appreciate all the reviews and story alerts. :)

I hope the going back and forth between Tim past and team present wasn't too distracting. I kind of like how the chapter turned out myself, formatting wise.

Happy Monday and I hope you all have a great week!