Gibbs returned to the room as the doctor was leaving.

"He's all right?"

The doctor nodded. "He's doing fine, neurologically. No memory loss, no confusion. He's still very weak from the blood loss and shock. There's no damage to the underlying tendons in his wrists, even though the wounds are deep. He's in some pain, but that's to be expected with the severity of his injuries, and I just doped him up so don't be worried if he's sleepy when you go in there."

"Thank you," Gibbs said sincerely. "When can he go home?"

The doctor frowned. "A couple of days. His body has been through a massive shock, and I'd like to keep an eye on him." He paused, looking into Gibbs' eyes. "You're close to him, right? I mean, he listens to you?"

Gibbs smiled despite his exhaustion. "I'm his boss. He listens to me."

"I need to splint his wrists so he doesn't accidentally tear the stitches. His wounds are still very fragile right now. But he won't let me. Threatened to sign himself out AMA if I touched him. Could you…?"

Gibbs turned on his heel and marched into the room, where Tony was lying quietly, maybe sleeping. Just the sight of him so still again and with his eyes closed sent a tremor through Gibbs' entire being.

"DiNozzo!" he barked, forcing his expression neutral even as Tony visibly started.

"Yeah Boss?" he asked, his voice still weak and scratchy.

"What's with the splints?"

"I… I don't want them," Tony said, not meeting Gibbs' eyes.

"Why not?"

"Sign of weakness?" Tony ventured tiredly.

"No, it's not. But you will be weak if you rip those stitches out and start bleeding again," Gibbs said, moving closer and lowering his voice. "Tony, listen to me. Let him splint your wrists. I just got you back. I'm not losing you again."

Tony sighed. "You're fighting dirty, Boss."

The corner of Gibbs' mouth quirked up at that. "Yup. You gonna let him do this?"

Tony nodded and the doctor, who had been watching the exchange with interest, turned to leave.

As soon as he was gone, Gibbs looked down into Tony's eyes and asked softly, "Why the fight about it, DiNozzo?"

Tony took a deep breath, wincing at the stab of pain in his ribs. He'd almost forgotten about those injuries. "I… Gibbs, I…" He looked away. "I don't want to see it. I don't wanna see what they did."

"Hell, Tony," Gibbs said, squeezing his shoulder as the doctor returned. "You look at me, then, okay?"

Gibbs held Tony's eyes while the doctor made quick work of the task, sliding the splints on gently and then rewrapping the entire mess. The doctor just seemed to know what Gibbs slowly realized: Even though Tony hadn't inflicted the wounds on himself, he was still deeply upset—perhaps even shamed—by them. The doctor murmured his thanks and left the room. Gibbs watched Tony alternately watch him and blink sleepily.

"You look like hell, Boss," Tony finally said. "Go home. You don't have to stay."

Gibbs shook his head. "No way, DiNozzo. You're stuck with me."

Tony sighed, closing his eyes again, feeling the effects of the drugs. He was immensely grateful for them for once since they had taken the tearing pain from his damaged wrists. He could almost pretend he was lying there with a concussion or something—anything as long as it wasn't the awful truth he couldn't quite block from his mind. Just the thought of that hand, holding his down, sent shivers down his spine. He forced his eyes open, feeling almost giddy at the sight of Gibbs by his side.

"I missed you so much, Boss," he said without thinking, his cheeks burning as he realized he sounded like a whiny little kid.

Gibbs just smiled, waiting for the drug-induced loopiness to ensue. He was surprised to find himself upset when it never came.

"I missed you, too, DiNozzo," Gibbs said quietly. "And I know I said I'd stop apologizing, but I am sorry that I couldn't be there to watch your back. I mean that."

Tony smiled around a yawn. " 'S okay. Vance probably would have noticed if you'd taken an extended vacation out to Club Seahawk."

Gibbs grinned, his relief at seeing a glimpse of the old Tony after all the pain and uncertainty overriding his tiredness. "Get some sleep, Tony. That's an order."

Abby burst into the room the next day around noon, suddenly realizing why Gibbs and Ducky had insisted they all wait to visit. Tony looked exhausted; she could see it in his eyes. But those eyes were open, and it sent her spirits soaring again just to be able to look into those green orbs that had been haunting her dreams. She had been forewarned about the splints on his wrists so she barely noticed them. What she did notice was that the horrible restraints were gone.

"Tony," she breathed into his neck as he lifted up to hug her back. She moved gently out of his embrace, being careful not to jar his wrists.

"Hey, McGoo," Tony said, watching relief wash over the younger man's face at the nickname.

"Welcome back, Tony," McGee said, trying not to look at his partner's wrists. He couldn't imagine how Tony was feeling right now so he decided to do what he thought was right: Treat him as normally as possible.

"Anthony, my boy," Ducky said, his hand on Tony's shoulder. "I must admit, you gave us quite a scare."

"I'm sorry, Ducky," Tony said quietly.

"Nonsense, lad," Ducky said, blinking back sudden tears at Tony's subdued apology. "None of this is your fault. Just know that we are all immensely grateful that you are all right, and we are all glad to have to you back with us. Not that we're happy about the circumstances, but that couldn't be helped. You're here with us now, and that is what's important."

"Thanks, Ducky," Tony said, looking around, dismayed at how tired he was already. Damn blood loss, damn painkillers. But he decided he'd deal with the bone-deep exhaustion if the meds kept the horrific pain at bay. A thought suddenly occurred to his foggy brain as he realized something. "Where's Ziva?"

"Still on the Seahawk," Gibbs said, and Tony could see the questions in his eyes. DiNozzo was actually fairly shocked at how long Gibbs had lasted; he knew the agent was probably crawling out of his skin with impatience to hear the details of the attack—to start trying to find those attackers.

"I talked to her this morning," McGee said. "She really is interviewing everyone on that ship."

Tony looked around at the tired faces of his team and tried not to feel guilty—especially when he thought of Ziva stuck on that ship because of him. He locked eyes with Gibbs. "Can we just do this, Boss? Now?"

Gibbs nodded and threw a meaningful look to Ducky, who took Abby's arm gently. "Come, my dear. Let's go get something to eat. You've probably had nothing today but that overly caffeinated swill you so enjoy."

"But I…" Abby began to protest.

"Abby, please," Tony said softly before Gibbs could even open his mouth. "You don't want to hear this. Hell, I don't want to either, but I don't really have a choice."

"Okay, Tony," Abby said, the faint hurt in her eyes tearing Tony's heart out. "But I can come back later, right?"

"Of course, Abbs. I'd be upset if you didn't."

Abby's eyes widened a bit at her friend's uncharacteristic openness. She murmured a goodbye and let Ducky lead her from the room.

Tony watched McGee pat her arm as she left from his place by the door. "You can come closer, Probie. I won't bite. I might have taken a swim in blood recently, but I'm not a vampire."

McGee tried to smile even as Tony's words unwittingly called up Benny's heartbreaking story. He moved closer to Tony's bed, taking a seat next to Gibbs. "They called you 'Agent DiRacula,' " he blurted, then shot an apologetic glance at Gibbs, expecting a headslap. Gibbs just gave him a warning look.

Tony surprised him by giving him a half-smile. "I know. I never told Abby. She would like that."

Gibbs looked uncomfortable suddenly, and Tony gave him a questioning look.

"Tony, I need to tell you. Abby gave me your letters. It was when we didn't know if you'd…"

Tony just shrugged. "It's okay. I'd have done the same, I guess." He suddenly blushed bright red. "She gave you all of them? Then you know about when I—"

"DiNozzo," Gibbs cut him off, holding up a hand. "I'm still actively forgetting I ever read that."

Tony smiled at the bewildered expression on the probie's face, but it faded as he noticed Gibbs watching him expectantly—and with a touch of concern. He decided to just jump right in. "I wasn't sleeping much out there. I was having nightmares and just generally feeling like crap," Tony admitted, hissing in pain as he wiped a hand over his face. "Ow, shit that hurts."

Gibbs didn't move but he was intently watching Tony's face. McGee looked ready to puke—or run for the door.

Tony ignored them both and continued. "I can imagine what you all must have thought, reading those letters and hearing people call me that. But I didn't do this to myself, and you need to hear about what they… what happened… that night."

Gibbs studied him, his icy blue eyes boring wells into his very soul. Tony feared he'd start hemorrhaging Texas gold if his boss didn't let up soon.

"We don't have to do this right now, Tony. Not if you're not ready."

Tony raised an eyebrow at that. "Really Gibbs? 'Cause you're starting to twitch over there, and I doubt it's the caffeine since you've only had two today."

Gibbs marveled at his agent's perception, even in his fragile state. He couldn't help himself. "I really missed you, DiNozzo." He wasn't sure whose mouth dropped farther open between his two agents. "Start talking," he added gruffly.

Tony nodded slowly, watching McGee's eyes flit to the door. "Got a hot date, Probie?"

McGee's eyes snapped back to his partner. "No, I… I just…"

"Developed a stuttering problem over the summer? I knew cyber crimes would undo everything we've worked on."

"Tony," McGee said softly. "I just don't want to make you uncomfortable. I can go if you want."

Tony gave him a look. "McGee, I'm wearing an assless dishrag. Comfort has left the building."

Gibbs hid a grin behind his hand, but frowned when he saw Tony's face change. "What is it, Tony? Are you okay?"

Tony shook his head slowly and took a deep breath. "This is going to be a bit anti-climactic, Gibbs. There's really nothing to tell. I was dreaming, and I woke up to them holding me down on the floor in my office. I don't how they got in. I remember thinking about that threat and locking the door." His eyes were unnervingly blank when he looked at Gibbs and said, "They cut me. I fought like hell, but there were three of them holding me down and I couldn't move. I'm guessing there were three. I was blindfolded and gagged. There could have been more. I just don't know."

"They blindfolded you," Gibbs said thoughtfully. "But you knew what knife they used."

Tony nodded. "I could see a sliver down my right side. All I saw was the knife, a hand and someone's pants. No shoes, no tattoos. Nothing helpful."

"Why would they blindfold you?" McGee asked, looking ponderous. "Maybe they weren't trying to kill you?"

Tony shook his head. "Nah. Safety first, as they say," he said bitterly, trying not to look down at his bandaged, splinted wrists. They were beginning to burn again. "They were probably just being extra careful. I would have been a goner if not for Benny. Hey, about Benny. I wonder what he's making for dinner tonight. Has anyone told him I'm all right?"

Gibbs nodded, surprising McGee. "I got word to the ship. For the captain and Benny's ears only. I don't want someone coming after you here."

Tony blinked in surprise. "You think this is that far-reaching?"

"Never know, DiNozzo. I'm not taking any chances. You're with one of us until we find out who did this."

Tony groaned and it had nothing to do with the building fire in his wrists. "Protection detail? Seriously, Boss?"

"Yes, DiNozzo," Gibbs said firmly. "No arguments."

Tony thought about protesting, but he was tired and in pain so he finished catching them up on his last days on the ship, ending with, "I was going to start looking into how Palamar was beating the drug tests. You know the rest."

"I'll get Ziva to start investigating that angle," Gibbs said, nodding. "That should buy her a few more days on the ship." He saw Tony watching him intently. "What?"

"Do you think she's okay out there alone?" Tony asked quietly, and Gibbs picked up on the pain in his voice. It was time to wrap this up and let him rest.

"She'll be fine. I know the agent they reassigned to fill your position. He'll watch her back."

Tony looked relieved. McGee took his cue from the pointed look Gibbs gave him and left. Tony watched him go and then said quietly, "Boss, my—"

Gibbs nodded. "I know. I'm going to get your doctor."