Gibbs watched Tony sleep for a while in the dark hospital room. He did elevate his leg in a reclining chair next to Tony's bed…as per the nurses threats he would be sent back to his room otherwise.

Ducky had never got to report back to him on Tony the day before, because once he closed his eyes, he fell into an exhausted sleep,and didn't wake up until 03:00. He had woken up worried, needing to see Tony was okay, and went sneaking past the nurses station to get to find him. He was grateful to see Tony's name on their board…meaning Tony wasn't in I.C.U.

His venture to find Tony did cause him some pain, his leg throbbing, but the physical pain did nothing compared to knowledge he'd been helpless to stop what had happened to Tony.

And then he entered the room to see his friend looking frantic to get air, in the grips of a panic attack , before he started to pass out…

They had been through so much as partners, and as friends...but he wasn't sure he had the tools to get Tony through this. And how would he get the team through this? They had run themselves into the ground trying to find Tony and himself… They were probably gong to come in the morning to see Tony and he were doing. Only...he didn't feel certain how Tony was going to be around anyone for a while...

The Doctor had come in and apprised Gibbs of Tony's condition. He had been in Hemhorragic shock when brought in...from blood loss, but thankfully hadn't gone Hypovolemic and stabilized quickly enough with several transfusions... the cuts themselves had been relatively superficial, except for the one in his throat, which had slightly nicked the artery, and so needed more careful suturing. His wrists, arms, legs, and neck had scrapes and friction wounds. Gibbs had been devastated when the Doctor pointed to the bruising on Tony's throat, which in some places had the imprint of metal chain links...he knew that was part of what happened when he'd been unconscious, unable to recall what Tony was put through exactly.

When the Doctor talked about how they had to clean and treat the three bite marks, two that broke skin, Gibbs almost became unglued. He pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes. Human bite wounds had to be cleaned thoroughly and watched for signs of infection. They had run very strong antibiotics for that reason through Tony's I.V. They also had Tony on strong painkillers, and he would need them for at least a week. The Doctor continued gently, saying they had also still needed permission for the rape kit to be administered...if Tony gave it. Gibbs felt frozen inside. She advised therapy and STD follow up testing for 6 months. Gibbs wondered if he could keep this out of Tony's records...because every time someone wanted to get to him...they could dig this up, and try to undo him with it...he'd relive it all over again...

Aside that, she said Tony was fine. And if he remained stabie could possibly be released in the evening. He would need someone to help clean and keep an eye on the bite wounds.

Sure, just fine. He was probably going to have PTSD, maybe nightmares the rest of his life, but hey, he's fine.

Gibbs let out a shaky breath, eyes on Tony's sleeping face as he frowned and twitched slightly in his sleep. He leaned back in the reclining chair, and watching the rise and fall of his friends breathing, fell into another exhausted sleep...

When he woke up, his leg was throbbing intensely, indicating his own need for a dose of pain medication. In the daylight coming through the window, golden morning sun, he saw the bruising around Tony's neck, ugly dark red and blackened purples. He was not as pale, though, and that was good to see.

Gibbs grunted at the stiffness of his body as he pushed the chair back up and sat up straight. He stretched his arms a bit, noting the matching wrist bandages he and Tony seemed to have. He sighed and pulled himself up to stand at the bedside.

As he placed a hand on the arm rail of the bed, Tony jolted awake, and was immediately on alert, gasping for breath, eyeing Gibbs,"Boss, you okay?"

Gibbs put a hand on Tony's shoulder to reassure him, and tried to pretend he didn't feel Tony flinch. "Everything's fine."

He looked down for a moment, getting his bearings, and then back to Gibbs. "You stayed the rest of the night?" He asked, a bit too monotone.

"Of course."

Tony nodded and then fell silent, staring at his wrists on his lap.

"Your injuries..." Gibbs began," The Doc said you're gonna be ok, but-"

"Yeah," Tony said, suddenly loud and followed by a bitter laugh. "I'm sure I'll be back to normal in no time. He turned suddenly to Gibbs, remembering,"Tommy-"

"Dead. Ziva put one between his eyes."

"Ah," Tony said softly." Wish I could've seen that." he wanted to sound stronger, but it had come out very small.

Gibbs continued," Tony, the Doctor...they need to-"

"No. They don't." the tone was deadly. Tony's eyes had become laser locked on Gibbs. And they stayed like that for a moment.

"Okay." Gibbs finally said, letting it go. Tommy was dead. No conviction needed. And he knew Ducky would check into Tommy's blood...to see if there was anything to worry about. He couldn't even follow the line of that thinking though, right now.

They were silent again, and Tony was looking down at his wrists again.

"I'm sorry," Gibbs' voice caught for a moment, he tried again, "I'm so sorry, Tony." He gripped the bedrail with both hands, knuckles white.

Tony was trying not to look at him...and Gibbs saw he was trembling just a bit. He suddenly turned his face to look at him, and asked, "Why?" he shook his head wonderingly, " Why the hell would you be sorry Gibbs? You got kidnapped, because some deranged lunatic wanted to get to me. It was because of me!" The anger and pain in his words made them come out like daggers.

"Maybe," Gibbs said quietly," we both need to pin the blame on the psycho."

Tony stared at him for a moment, and then his face softened. "Okay."

He looked at Gibbs another moment, and back down to his wrists, playing with the bandages.

"When they cut you loose, you're with me for a while."

Tony frowned but didn't look up. He wanted to say no. He wanted to say he'd be fine in his own apartment. He wanted to tell Gibbs he was really okay, so Gibbs wouldn't worry, or feel guilty. But he couldn't. Because inside he felt lost in a sea of black, having very little idea how to keep from being pulled under. So he nodded his agreement, swallowing back the emotion he was feeling, the gratitude Gibbs was alive and here for him, and the fear he felt at being alone with his own thoughts.