"Why the hell would you want to talk to Ziva!?" demanded Abby.

"She's the reason you're in hospital!" exclaimed McGee.

"Both of you, shut-up!" said Gibbs softly, yet firmly. "Firstly, that is just too loud. Tony's in enough pain without the two of you giving him a headache or an earache. Secondly, if Tony wants to talk to Ziva, that's his right. He is capable of making his own decisions, and he has chosen to talk to her. Third, if I hear about either of you trying to change his mind, I'll slap the both of your heads so hard, you'll fly into tomorrow. Do you both understand me?"

McGee quickly nodded, wisely keeping his mouth shut. Abby, however, opened her mouth to argue with Gibbs.

"But she almost killed him, Gibbs. What if she tries again?"

"She can't do anything when she's cuffed and surrounded by a dozen guards, Abby. And I wouldn't ever let Tony near her, anyway. He can talk to her via a video call." Gibbs frowned. "Don't you dare argue the point with me, Abby."

"Uh... do I get a say in this?" Tony asked. "I don't want to go to the prison. I wouldn't be allowed to go anyway while I'm in here. I don't even really want to see her. I just want to know why she hurt me. And since nobody has been able to get the truth out of her, I want to try. I think I at least deserve the truth from her."

"If you want to talk to her, Tony, I'll organise it," said Gibbs gently. He smiled. "You just tell me what you want and when you want to do it so I can set it up."

"Today?"

"Okay. I'll go and find Emma and see if we can get something to have a video conference on."

"Gibbs?"

"Yes, Tony?"

"Ask Emma for an iPad or laptop, okay?"

Gibbs shook his head. "Don't be a smart ass, DiNozzo."

"Couldn't help it, boss."

Gibbs chuckled. "I'll be right back, Tony. Do you want me to kick these two out?"

"No. I want to eat breakfast with my friends before I talk to Ziva." Tony glared at Abby and McGee. "A nice, quiet, calm breakfast without talk about my decision."

Breakfast passed without another incident, but Tony soon found himself tired. He yawned as he let his head rest on Gibbs' shoulder.

"Tony, get some sleep. You won't be able to talk to Ziva for a couple of hours, so you have plenty of time to rest," said Gibbs quietly.

"Okay." Tony lifted his left arm to make it more comfortable, then frowned. "Gibbs?"

"Yes?"

"My arm feels strange."

"Strange, how?"

"It's heavy. Well, heavier than normal."

"Is it sore?"

"Yes."

Gibbs nodded. "Alright. I'll get a nurse to give you some morphine. That should help you get some rest too."

"Thank you, boss." Tony yawned again and cuddled up against Gibbs' side, his eyes shut already.

"Anytime, Tony." Gibbs smiled as he watched Tony while they waited for a nurse. The quiet in the room now that they were alone again was already putting Tony to sleep, and he looked so peaceful.

"Hi, Gibbs. What can I do for you?" asked Emma.

"Tony's arm is hurting him. He said it was feeling heavier than normal."

"Okay. I'll give him some morphine to take away his pain."

"Thanks, Emma," whispered Tony.

"No problem." Emma gave her patient a warm smile as she quickly injected the morphine into his IV. "Get a good sleep, Tony." Emma looked at Gibbs. "I'll bring you the iPad in a couple of hours."

"Okay." Gibbs smiled. "I'm glad you're looking out for Tony."

"Of course I am. He's my friend, you know."

"I know." Gibbs thanked Emma again as she stepped out of the room and shut the door. "You are a very lucky person, bud. Emma will do anything for you."

"Em... she's pretty..." mumbled Tony as he finally fell asleep.

Abby sighed as she and McGee sat in the ICU waiting room. She had wanted to stay by Tony's side after breakfast, but Gibbs had made things very clear- she and McGee were not allowed back into Tony's room until after he spoke to Ziva, and they weren't allowed to speak about his decision with him. They understood, of course, but it was hard anyway. Abby had planned to spend all day with Tony, and that plan had not included sitting in a waiting room for hours.

"We did bring this upon ourselves," said McGee. "We shouldn't have questioned Tony's choice. We should have known that he and Gibbs would have already discussed the situation and come to an agreement."

"Yeah, I know," agreed Abby reluctantly. "But, what if she does or says something that hurts him again? We know that she has no remorse for what she did to him."

"Gibbs won't let anything happen. He's too protective of Tony to let something bad happen."

"That's true. I'm glad that he cares about Tony so much... Tony needs someone in his life."

"Someone, how?"

"What?"

"You said that Tony needs someone in his life. What did you mean by that?"

Abby shook her head. "I just meant that he needs someone he can trust. I know he has us, but it's not the same. We have our families to turn to when things gets tough. Who does Tony have?"

"Isn't his father still alive?"

"Yeah, but I don't think they talk to each other. I think that's why he loves Gibbs so much- Gibbs cares about him just like a father should."

McGee smiled. "I like watching them when they interact sometimes," he admitted. "It's like watching a happy family."

Abby nodded. "I think that they are a happy family. Tony is always staying at Gibbs' house and Gibbs always visits Tony." She smiled. "We need to make sure that they stay that close."