AN: Here is the next chapter. Sorry it is a little later than usual but I have had a busy morning at work. Hope you like it.

Chapter 21:

Gibbs had been standing near the wall of autopsy, watching the reunions with Tony taking place. The physical distance allowing him more of an emotional distance as well. He remained an observer, watching as each person introduced themselves and, more interestingly, watching as Tony reacted to their presence. He said he had no memory of anyone, but his reactions showed other wise. Names could be learnt, memories retold, but that feeling of love, trust and respect … Tony still had that, still reacted to each member as Gibbs would expect him to with no memory loss. Although, he was surprised at the way Tony initiated a hug with Palmer. He always suspected they had a closer friendship than Tony had let on, seems like he was right.

Just before Abby entered, Gibbs noted Tony shake his head and wipe his brow, his eyes squinting against what Gibbs assumed was another headache. Anyone else who wanted to meet Tony would just have to wait. Dorneget was the only one from the team not here yet, but he and Tony had not really worked with each other that much so hopefully he would understand when Gibbs called a halt to the happy reunion party.

After Abby's emotionally charged reunion with Tony, Gibbs had decided Tony had had enough and pushed off the wall but just as he did so he noted Tony start to sway and his head start to fall backwards.

Abby had noticed too and was calling his name, "Tony, what's wrong. Tony answer me."

He heard Ducky exclaim from beside him "Oh dear!" and he also leapt forward just as Tony started to fall backwards.

"Catch him!" Gibbs yelled, too far away to get to him himself but thankfully Palmer and McGee both managed to grab hold before Tony's head impacted the cold hard concrete floor.

Tony started to convulse, his arms held ridged beside his body, his hands clenched tight, his head thrown back so his shoulders were actually being held off the ground.

"Help me roll him on his side McGee," Palmer directed the other agent. "Can someone get something to put under his head, a pillow, sheet, anything so he doesn't hit his head," he screamed while he held Tony's head up of the concrete floor.

"Oh my god! What's happening?" Abby screamed. Bishop came over and they both clung to each other as they watched Tony on the floor, his body spasming.

Gibbs took of his jacket and rolled it up, placing it under Tony's head and Palmer gently lay Tony's head on it.

Ducky had joined Jimmy on the floor beside their friend, while everyone else stepped back to give the two medico's room.

After what seemed like an eternity, but was in reality only forty seconds or so, Tony's body relaxed and his limbs lost their rigidity. "Please check his breathing Mr Palmer," Ducky asked the younger man.

Palmer leaned in to Tony's mouth listening for breath sounds, "Strong and regular breath sounds Doctor."

"What just happened Duck?" Gibbs asked, now standing over the three men on the ground.

"I'm afraid he had had a mild seizure. Not surprising considering his medicine irregularities. But he should be just fine when he wakes up."

"That was mild?" McGee asked.

"Why yes, it lasted less than a minute, the spasms were minor and his breathing has returned immediately."

"But he had his medicine Duck, we saw him take it." Gibbs said, not understanding how these convulsions came on.

"Unfortunately, this is a slow release medication. It is designed to release small amounts throughout the day to maintain an even continuous dosage in his system. As he has skipped a couple of his doses over the last days this amount has dropped causing his seizure."

"Is he going to be ok?" Abby asked, still clinging to Bishop.

"He should be fine my dear, a little dopey and a little achy but there shouldn't be any major issues."

"Will he still remember us?" Bishop asked.

"He may miss a few minutes or might struggle with our names when he wakes up but I don't imagine it will be anything too serious."

"He's coming around Dr Mallard," Palmer advised, having been keeping a watchful eye on his friend while Ducky filled everyone else in on what was happening.

They looked down to see Tony's eyes fluttering. He seemed to be having trouble keeping them open. "Anthony, are you with us my boy. Can you open your eyes?"

Tony muttered something that could have been words but it was another minute or so before he was fully aware of his surroundings. He managed to mutter something but the only distinguishable syllable was "Wha…"

"You had a seizure I'm afraid. Not to bad though. How are you feeling?"

Tony still was too dopey to respond but shook his head indicating he wasn't feeling very well at all.

Ducky looked up at Gibbs, "We really should move him to a more comfortable place. He is likely to sleep for quite a while after this."

"He can sleep on the futon in my lab," Abby offered.

"Yes, that sounds like a good idea. Mr Palmer, do you think you and Timothy can managed to get him up to Abigail's lab?"

"Shouldn't be a problem Doctor."

Jimmy and McGee both grabbed one of Tony's arms each and lifted him into a standing position. Tony was still quite groggy but managed to put one foot in front of the other while the two men held his weight between them. They along with Abby and Bishop, took Tony up to Abby's lab to sleep off the adverse effects the seizure had on his body.

Gibbs, Vance and Ducky remained, Vance the first to break the silence, "Are these seizures going to be a permanent issue with him Dr Mallard?"

"That is uncertain I am afraid Director. Speaking to Dr Petersen he indicated that it could go either way. I would suggest that we get Anthony under the care of a neurologist as soon as possible. I have a few contacts that can point us to the best doctor. Unfortunately with the type of TBI he received, they could very well be something he has to deal with for the rest of his life, or… it could just as easy be something that heals itself in time."

"If it does heal itself, how long before he would be able to work again?" Gibbs asked.

"Well if you are talking about field work, his medication would need to be controlling his seizures completely and he would need to be seizure free for a year before he would be allowed back into the field. But if he was to return to work … and that is a big if Jethro … then there is no reason why he couldn't perform some sort of desk job in the meantime and work towards his field qualifications in the meantime. Honestly though, I'm not even sure he would want to. His life has had a major upheaval and he will be expending so much of his energy just trying to get back into a normal life."

"Yes, and his normal life includes work. You know as well as I do that if Tony doesn't work he will go insane. Sitting at a desk shuffling papers will have the same effect," Gibbs said, frustrated by the fact he may never have his number two by his side again.

"Well I don't see any alternative I'm afraid," Vance offered. "Considering he received his injury while he was on assignment for NCIS, he will be able to claim a full disability pension for the rest of his life. He may not even remember anything about his job, he might even have to go back for basic training. And that is assuming he even wants to come back. Even after any retraining he would still need to pass psych evals and physical training and there would probably be many restriction placed on him if his condition is an ongoing issue ... I just am not sure if he can do it."

"It will be interesting to see how much he can still do. You see he has no memory but he still knows what he has learnt. They are controlled by two different parts of his mind. It will definitely be interesting to see what, if anything, he had retained of his job. But as for field work … there is a long road ahead of him I'm afraid."

Gibbs knew they were right, but it still pissed him off.