Gibbs was getting really sick of being taken aback by other people's words. He thought that after it happening three times in just as many days. That he would be used to it by now but he could never get used to it. He figured that at least having known and worked with McGee for nearly a decade. That he would at least be able to respond to him. Naturally that wasn't the case. He just stood there and stared at his agent. Trying to find at least semi appropriate words to ease the younger mans pain and confusion.

"What now?" Gibbs asked.

"The day of Tony's accident... something don't... know... you." McGee stammered.

"What don't I know about the day of Tony's accident?" Gibbs asked.

"It's all my fault! He's like he is because of me!" McGee cried.

"What do you mean? It was your fault?" Gibbs asked.

"He pushed me out-of-the-way." McGee replied.

"Explain" Gibbs replied.

FLASHBACK

McGee sat with his legs propped up on his desk. Just enjoying the day break in the case. Brought on by Gibbs going on a coffee run. It had been nearly a week and because there were kids involved. There had been next to know down time. He looked over at Tony who was diligently working on the case. It wasn't that McGee didn't care. He was just so tired. Delilah was having a hard time coping and it was killing him to see her like that. He really just wanted to go home and get to sleep early.

"Legs down and back to work McGee!" Gibbs barked.

"Right Boss sorry." McGee replied.

"Gibbs! I found something!" Bishop called.

"What?" Gibbs asked.

"Dwayne Lucas, age 54 he knows the family of all the kids involved. He has been arrested three times for loitering near an elementary school." Bishop explained.

"Let's check him up. What's his address?" Gibbs asked.

"3217 Taconoma Drive." Bishop replied.

"You heard her! DiNozzo! McGee bring Lucas back here!" Gibbs called.

"On it Boss!" Tony cried.

"Right" McGee replied.

McGee was really beginning to regret not driving. Tony was the best driver out of the group besides him but today. It felt like he was going down the road at over a hundred miles an hour. In reality he was going just over the speed limit. He really wished that he had requested that Bishop or Gibbs go in his place. Except in the mood Gibbs was in if he asked for anything. He would get screamed at for wanting special treatment. Time like this even Tony didn't get preferential treatment.

"Tony can you please slow down?" McGee asked.

"If I go any slower the person behind me will kill me." Tony replied.

"Fine" McGee replied.

"Probie are you OK?" Tony asked.

"NO!" McGee yelled.

"What's wrong?" Tony asked.

"Can you ever mind your own business?!" McGee demanded.

"Sorry" Tony replied.

"Just stop!" McGee demanded.

"Federal Agents!" McGee called knocking on the door.

"NCIS Open up!" Tony called.

"What you feds want?" Lucas asked.

"Do you know anything about the sexual assaults of Rosie Jones, Carla Pascal, and Deena Brinks?" Tony asked.

"Why you wanna know?" Lucas asked.

"Sir if you just come with us." McGee replied.

"Of course. Hold on just a minute." Lucas replied.

The following moments would stick with McGee for the rest of his life. Lucas closed the door behind him. Leaving the two agents on the porch. Lucas returned several seconds later swinging a baseball bat. McGee remembered the bat coming towards his head. He didn't even have time to react. The next thing he knew he was sprawled out on the porch in a daze. He pulled himself up and what was besides the bodies of his fallen co-workers. Was the most haunting thing he had ever seen. Tony was lying on the porch unmoving, blood pouring from his head. McGee called the ambulance and waited protectively by his injured partners side until help arrived. Every horrible word he had ever said to the man repeating over and over in his head.

END FLASHBACK

By the time McGee finished his story about the day of Tony's attack. He and Gibbs had made their way down to the basement. Gibbs bowed his head and stared at the ground for a few minutes. Trying to process what he had just heard. McGee had been really upset when he got to the hospital and he had been acting strangely since the whole thing had begun. Nobody really thought much of it though. They just chalked it up to him witnessing his partner get his head smashed with a baseball bat and consequently be reduced to a child. Just days after he had returned to work after his girlfriend was paralyzed in a terrorist attack. That he witnessed from the outside. Vance had arranged for him to meet with Dr. Cranston and Gibbs had given him a copy key to his house and both had told him to take as long as he needed. The others had been helpful as well. Abby had embraced him in a hug every time she saw him and Bishop made it to where he barely had to lift a finger at work and at home. Ducky brought him herbal teas and self-help and relaxation CD's and Jimmy had rushed over a several occasions to play video games at four in the morning until McGee was asleep. When he had finally processed the new. Gibbs raised his head and poured McGee a glass of his best bourbon.

"Breaking out the good stuff. So I guess you aren't mad." McGee observed.

"Actually I am kind of relieved." Gibbs replied.

"Relieved? Did you hit your head Boss?" McGee asked.

"No McGee I am fine. It's just after Tony was injured. I was shocked that he didn't have the sense to get out of the way in time. I mean Tony used his football skills and could dodge anyone. Thinking that he let somebody hit him with a bat and do that to him. It just didn't seem right." Gibbs explained.

"I couldn't get out of the way." McGee replied.

"You probably could have at least enough to protect yourself from severe injury or death but Tony would never forgiven himself. If anything had happened to you." Gibbs explained.

"So you don't hate me?" McGee asked.

"I will never hate you." Gibbs assured.

"What about the fact that Tony and I were fighting. Before his attack?" McGee asked.

"Just remember that every time you get mad at someone." Gibbs replied.

"I will Boss." McGee replied.

"Look Tony loves you and even if by some Miracle he had beaten the odds and come out of the attack just fine. He would have forgiven you." Gibbs explained.

"I just wish he could understand my apology." McGee sighed.

"Rule six never apologize. Just keep giving Tony your love and support and it will be even." Gibbs assured.

"Of course Boss." McGee replied gratefully.

A/N: Well the truth about Tony's attack is out. At least Gibbs if forgiving of McGee and supportive. New chapter should be up Wednesday. Please review and thanks for reading