A/N: This chapter takes place two weeks after "the fight", and mostly deals with Tony's recovery. Does he get good news or bad news? Read on...

Thanks to everyone for your continued support! I can't begin to tell you how much it means to me. Once again, I am working without a beta so any mistakes are solely mine.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters and I do not make any money. No copyright infringement intended.

Ch 21

It was 9:30 Monday morning and Tony was feeling anxious. After changing into a paper-thin hospital gown he was wheeled into Radiology for a second follow up MRI since his release from the hospital six weeks ago. If the results of the scans showed significant improvement to his leg, there was a good chance he would be out of the unwieldy cast by the end of the day. He tried not to get his hopes up too much, but the thought of spending one more day with his leg encased in thick, heavy plaster was depressing. Instead of dwelling on the negative, Tony once again found himself thinking back over the events of the past couple of weeks as he laid there.

With Gibbs back at work full-time, Assistant Director Myers was sent back to the Miami office. After his brief stint in charge and a taste of power, he started dropping hints about wanting to transfer to the Navy Yard to be more help to Gibbs. Gibbs liked Myers well enough, but the last thing he needed was some hotshot on a power trip hanging around, so he ordered Myers back to Miami. Cynthia was not the least bit sorry to see him go. As nervous as Gibbs made her most of the time, Cynthia nearly threw herself at him when he announced that he was back for good and Myers was leaving. When Gibbs asked her why she was so relieved to see him gone, Cynthia stated emphatically, "That idiot wouldn't take no for an answer."

They were well into spring now and the weather was perfect; blue skies and warm temperatures during the day. Tony had Jackson wheel him out onto the back patio on the west side of the house every day after lunch so he could play Ryan's guitar while enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun. His first day out, Tony tuned the guitar and began strumming and finger picking a few melodies to warm up as he tried to think of a song to play.

Tony's mother had been an accomplished musician and passed her passion for music onto her only child. She taught him how to play the piano when he was little, and cheered loudly at each recital he performed in. He could still tickle the ivories but for the most part he quit playing after she passed away. For years the memories of sitting on the bench playing duets with her were too painful, so he instead turned to the guitar. His roommate in boarding school played the guitar and showed him some basic chords. On a trip into New York City with Senior over winter break, Tony found an acoustic guitar that he liked and bought it. Senior chastised Tony for wasting his money, which only served to make Tony more determined to master the instrument. He spent countless hours up in his room in the palatial family house, which Tony refused to call home, and practiced until his fingers bled.

A smile crossed his face when he remembered Gibbs once telling him that a song playing on the car radio was one of his favorites. Fortunately, it was also one of the first songs Tony has mastered when he was fourteen. He was a bit rusty and would sit out back to practice for a couple of hours every day, or until his fingertips got too sore, wanting to perfect the song so he could play it for Gibbs. Jackson and Kate would occasionally join Tony out on the patio with glasses of iced tea while DJ was down for his afternoon nap to relax and enjoy the music. Tony would talk with them while he played as the rich, melodic tunes surrounded them. When he was alone, Tony would let himself get lost in the music as a sense of peace settled over him.

Tony's physical therapy sessions with James were going exceedingly well and were, in fact, proceeding ahead of schedule. He was champing at the bit with a renewed determination, so James agreed to extend his sessions to a full hour three days a week. Tony's spirits soared, especially when James stated that he would likely be out of the cast sooner than expected. Tony was able to stand unassisted for several minutes and James helped him take a few tentative steps. It was no easy feat with his leg encased in thick, heavy plaster, but even taking just a few steps was proof that he had regained considerable strength in his leg.

Aside from Jackson, who had already been sworn to secrecy, Kate was the only other witness to Tony's continued progress over the last two weeks. Seeing him finally stand and walk unassisted brought tears of joy to her eyes. DJ, of course, couldn't talk yet and rat him out and Kate understood how badly he wanted to surprise Gibbs.

"I will just keep praying for you, Tony," Kate said with a smile as she gathered her things on her way to the door Friday afternoon. "I am so happy for you and I know Jethro will be thrilled to see you walking again. Good luck tonight with your surprises and have a good weekend. I will see you Monday."

Friday had been his last session PT before today's MRI. Tony felt great after James left and was determined to surprise Gibbs when he got home. Even though he had pushed himself harder than ever, Tony was relieved that he didn't need to take any pain medication stronger than an Advil. Jackson was almost as excited as Tony and together they waited patiently for Gibbs to get home from work.

Ducky arrived at 6:00 to pick Jackson up for what had turned into their regular Friday "old guys' night out". They decided to skip the movie so that they could spend more time at their favorite pub. They were quite a pair with their charming, gentlemanly ways and there was never a shortage of adoring young ladies stopping by their table. They had also unwittingly become favorite drinking buddies with several of the regular barflies who never seemed to tire of their endless stories.

When Gibbs walked in the front door at 6:30, he found Tony, Jackson and Ducky all grinning at him from over by the fireplace. Gibbs narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the grinning trio before hanging up his jacket and setting his brief case down next to the coat rack. He started to walk over to where Tony sat in his wheelchair to give him a kiss but Tony held up his hands.

"No, stay there," Tony demanded excitedly. Gibbs' eyebrows shot up when Jackson helped him stand and Ducky rolled the wheelchair out of the way. They both stood close by in case Tony lost his balance, but stepped back when Tony stood straight and tall and smiled brightly at Gibbs.

"Tony, that's great," Gibbs exclaimed with pride and a big smile. He wanted to rush over to him to offer a congratulatory hug but Tony slowly shook his head. Gibbs gasped a second later when Tony took his first deliberate step toward him. Even though he was afraid that Tony would fall, he stayed where he was silently cheering him on as Tony took another slow and steady step.

Slowly but surely Tony crossed the living room and walked straight into Gibbs' open and welcoming arms. Ducky and Jackson both clapped enthusiastically at Tony's performance. Jackson let out a two-fingered whistle and Ducky declared proudly, "Well done, Anthony!"

Tony pulled back from Gibbs and grinned at him. "So … how was your day dear?"

Gibbs threw his head back and laughed before pulling Tony into a lingering, loving kiss. When he finally released a breathless and reeling Tony, he looked him in the eye making sure he was steady on his feet and said, "I knew you could do it, babe." He smiled as he looked Tony up and down a couple of times and said, "Jesus, I forgot how damn tall you are!" They both laughed before their lips met for another passionate kiss.

"Ducky my friend, I think that's our cue to leave," Jackson stage whispered with a chuckle. "Hey you two," Jackson then barked, effectively breaking the spell as Tony broke the kiss. When he saw that he finally had their undivided attention he said, "Your dinner is in the oven. Don't wait up."

As they crossed the room to leave, Ducky stopped and put a hand on Tony's shoulder. "Anthony, my dear boy," he said fondly, "I do believe your hard work is paying off."

After dinner Gibbs got Tony situated in the recliner and was about to hand DJ and his bottle off to him so he could clean up the kitchen when Tony said, "Can you feed him? I have another surprise for you."

Gibbs raised an eyebrow but replied, "Uh, sure." He sat on the couch and had just gotten DJ nestled in the bend of his knee and working on his bottle when he saw Tony reach behind the chair for the guitar Ryan had loaned him. Gibbs watched mesmerized as Tony sat on the edge of the seat and began finger picking "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas.

The unfamiliar sound of the guitar immediately got DJ's attention and he arched his back trying to see; his bottle completely forgotten. Gibbs smiled and picked DJ up and turned him to sit on his lap so they could both watch as Tony played and hummed along. When he finished the song, Tony looked over to see Gibbs smiling at him proudly as he clapped a squealing DJ's hands together.

"I'd take a bow, but I'd probably end up face-planting," Tony said with a laugh. "Did you like it?"

"That's one of my favorite songs, Tony. I loved it," Gibbs said. "You learn some more songs I may not let Ryan have his guitar back."

Tony chuckled as he returned the guitar to where it leaned against the wall behind the chair, "I've got one around here somewhere. It's probably up in the attic or shoved in the back of a closet. I haven't played in years. I was really surprised I remembered all the chords. That was one of the first songs I ever learned. I know it's one of your favorite songs, and that's why I've been practicing every day."

Later, while Gibbs was getting DJ tucked in for the night, Tony moved over to the couch and picked up his phone to call Abby. She admonished Tony for his "lousy timing", but she was nonetheless thrilled to hear that he had played the song for Gibbs.

"That's great Tony! But, um, I really can't talk right now. Me and Ry, well, you know, we're kind of, um …."

Tony laughed into the phone. "Say no more my Mistress of the Dark. I get it. Sorry for interrupting. You two have fun."

Gibbs looked at Tony questioningly when he came down the stairs and saw him sitting there smiling at his phone. "Tony, why are you smiling at your phone," he asked.

Tony looked up and turned his smile onto Gibbs. "I just called Abby to tell her about the song. I, uh, think I interrupted her and Ryan. Oops! Uh, speaking of which … can we make love tonight? I think I deserve a reward, don't you?" Tony leered at Gibbs and waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Gibbs rolled his eyes but retrieved the pillows and blankets that now had a semi-permanent home in a pile next to the couch for just such an occasion. They had turned Jackson's Friday nights out with Ducky into their own personal date nights. Gone was the awkwardness of the first time they made love like this; they had it down to a well-practiced routine. Tony had taken to stashing the lube under the sofa cushion so that it was in easy reach.

Gibbs got them stripped in record time and it was only a matter of minutes before he was seated balls deep into Tony's welcoming heat. Tonight was one of those nights when few words were spoken as they conveyed everything through kisses and by searching each other's eyes. They were so in tune with each other that they settled for gently rocking together. They had hours before Jackson would be home and they wanted to make the most of it as they took their time letting their mutual need for release build slowly.

Gibbs was starting to get a cramp in his leg, but when he moved ever so slightly Tony's hips shot up off of the couch and he cried out, "Oh Jesus Jethro!"

Gibbs smirked down at Tony and said teasingly, "You like that baby? Let's see if I can do that again." He tagged Tony's prostate repeatedly getting the same reaction. Suddenly the idea of slow and sweet flew out the window as the dam of desire broke. Gibbs continued to target Tony's prostate and before long he felt Tony's muscles contract and tighten around his cock as his release spilled out between them. A few stuttered thrusts later, Gibbs came hard shooting his release deep inside of Tony.

"God damn Jethro," Tony exclaimed as he continued to shake from his orgasm. "That was phenomenal!"

Gibbs kissed Tony deeply before nibbling his way down to Tony's ear. A few nips to his earlobe and Tony was writing beneath him. Gibbs nuzzled Tony's neck then whispered in his ear, "I can't wait until I can have your cock in my ass again. I've missed you fucking me."

"Oh God, you're gonna kill me Jethro," Tony panted as his cock began to harden again. He went to stroke himself only to have Gibbs slap his hand away. Gibbs slid off of Tony and onto the floor as gracefully as he could and immediately swallowed Tony whole.

Tony groaned loudly and arched his back as Gibbs sucked hard and swirled his tongue around his already over-sensitized cock. It didn't take long for Gibbs' extremely skilled mouth to bring Tony off. Gibbs loved the way Tony tasted and drank down every drop of cum, letting it sit on his tongue for a moment before swallowing.

Gibbs took care of cleaning them up and getting a completely boneless Tony into sweats and a t-shirt to sleep in. It was only a minute or so after Gibbs got settled in behind him that he heard Tony begin to snore. Gibbs chuckled and kissed Tony's hair. "Night Tony. I love you," he murmured into the baby soft hair before he was pulled into a restful sleep.

Tony was startled out of his thoughts when the technicians finished the scan and he slowly emerged from the confines of the MRI machine. He blushed but grinned when the techs looked at him with raised eyebrows before covering his lower extremities with a blanket. His memories of the previous night making love with Gibbs had resulted in a hard on that a paper thin hospital gown had no chance of hiding. He mumbled an apology, "Sorry 'bout that fellas."

Gibbs sat next to a nervous and fidgeting Tony as they waited for the doctors to come in with hopefully some good news. Tony was about to send Gibbs out to hunt down his doctor when Dr. Brennan came into the exam room.

"It's about time, doc," Tony barked. "What's the verdict?"

"Tony," Gibbs warned, "calm down."

Dr. Brennan chuckled. "It's okay, Gibbs. I understand Tony's frustration. Brad is here and I was gonna have him come in and tell you the results, but I decided to give you the news myself. Tony, you ready to get out of that cast?"

Gibbs was pretty sure the "Hell yes!" Tony yelled out could be heard all the way through the hospital. He was positive it could be heard down the hall because Brad came running in mere seconds later.

"I guess you got the good news, eh DiNozzo," Brad asked with a knowing smirk.

Dr. Brennan chuckled again and said, "Okay. Here's what we're gonna do. We can take that thing off today and get you in a flex cast and brace. You'll need crutches for a while yet, but you can lose the wheelchair. Now Tony, I know how hard you've been working in PT; James keeps us updated with your progress, but I can't stress enough that you can't push your recovery too fast. James will be working with you on the same schedule for two more weeks at home. You will want to put some weight on your leg daily, but don't think this means you can try walking around without the crutches. Taking a few steps in that hard cast was one thing, but the flex cast isn't going to offer as much support. James will go over all of this with you, so for now let's get you out of that thing. Gibbs, Brad is going to go over some things with you while we take Tony upstairs to Orthopedics for about an hour."

Gibbs nodded and smiled at Tony. "I'll be right here waiting."

Gibbs and Brad went to the cafeteria and grabbed a bite to eat and some fairly decent coffee. Brad explained that if they carefully wrapped Tony's leg in plastic he should be able to shower on his own without too much difficulty. Brad couldn't resist teasing Gibbs by saying, "Of course, I know you'll be right there with him so I won't have to worry."

Gibbs glared at him then shook his head. "Okay Brad. What else you wanna say?"

Brad went on to explain that if they were careful sex wouldn't be a problem, but warned that it was best not to put too much stress on Tony's leg. "Just take it easy on him. But knowing you two, and having heard Tony's stories while on his pain meds, I'm pretty sure you've already solved that little problem." Brad saw Gibbs' right hand twitch ever so slightly and wondered if he was about to receive one of the famous head slaps he had heard so much about.

A little over an hour later the elevator dinged and Tony, free from the "monster cast from Hell" stepped off using the crutches like a pro. Of course, with Tony's past history of sports injuries and work-related injuries, he was a master at walking with crutches. He beamed as he cruised over to where Brad and Gibbs were waiting for him. Gibbs smiled back and asked, "You ready to get out of here?"

"Yes, and I am sitting in the goddam front seat this time!"