Author's Note:
Thank you for all the great reviews. I loved them.
Here is the next chapter… Enjoy and review soon…
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Gibbs settled into the passenger seat of Ducky's car with a deep sigh. His back and shoulder ached and walking took a lot out of him. But he didn't mind. Not when he was trying to bury a niggling terror at the back of his mind.
He remembered the smell of blood, the excruciating pain, the disbelief as Tony attacked him and he feared that the terror would paralyse him on his doorstep.
"Jethro, are you okay?" Ducky asked as he pulled out of the hospital parking lot.
"Fine, Duck." Gibbs masked his fear and took in the sunlight, the blue sky, the green tree tops and the hum of traffic.
He knew that Ducky was worried about him especially since he'd insisted that Tony move in with him. He also knew that the rest of the team was nervous about what going home would mean to him and Tony.
It means ... healing...
It can't mean anything else...
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Tony was equally worried. Physically he was healing well and his shoulder didn't even ache anymore. Emotionally he was starting to accept the love and forgiveness of the team and most especially Gibbs.
But now he would be going back to the place where it had all come apart, where he had hurt the man he loved most in the world. What if something in the house triggered him to react like a monster again?
No, I can't let that happen...
"McGee," Tony said turning to face McGee who was driving.
"Yeah, Tony."
"You need to stay with Gibbs and me." Tony said.
McGee frowned.
"Please. I don't want to be alone with Gibbs. I don't want to hurt him again. And it we're alone that may just happen." Tony stated.
"Tony, Dr Ashman and Ducky both told you that you're no longer under the influence of Matthews programming..."
"I know... I just don't want Gibbs to suffer if they're wrong."
"Tony..."
"Please McGee. Stay with us." Tony insisted.
"Okay. Calm down Tony."
"Good. Thanks McGee. Now I just need you to promise me one more thing."
"What's that?"
"You'll shoot me if I try to hurt Gibbs or anyone else." Tony said his eyes dead serious.
"Come on Tony. You won't..."
"McGee just promise." Tony demanded.
"No." McGee turned away from Tony and focused on the road.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Ducky pulled into Gibbs' drive way behind McGee. Gibbs watched as McGee got out and walked around the car to help Tony. Tony got out of the car, looked back at him and smiled shakily. McGee closed the car door as Tony made his way to the front of the house.
The door was open and Abby stood just outside its frame. She hugged and kissed Tony before leading him and McGee into the house.
"Jethro?" Ducky's voice broke through to Gibbs.
He was surprised to find his door open and Ducky leaning in, a hand on his uninjured shoulder.
"Let's go inside." Gibbs said, preparing to get out of the car.
"Take it slow. You don't have to tire yourself." Ducky said as they walked slowly to the front door.
Gibbs breathing hitched a notch as they neared the door.
He thought he smelled blood and bourbon. He felt nauseous and every instinct in his body told him to turn and run.
His steps faltered, his palms became wet, his legs shook and the world tilted.
"Easy, Jethro. Take deep breaths my boy. Deep breaths" Ducky said, his arm around Gibbs' back, steadying him.
"I can't move." Gibbs whispered.
"It's okay Gibbs. We'll help you." Jenny was suddenly next to him, her arms shadowing Ducky's.
"Let's take it one step at a time." Ducky said, easing Gibbs forward.
"That's it, Jethro." Jenny encouraged.
Jethro snap out of it!!
Damn it, it's not the house that you fear ... It's what happened inside it...
Nothing like that's going to happen now...
Damn it...
Gibbs allowed his anger at his feelings of terror to propel him out of his dizzy state. Taking a deep breath, he moved forward. At the thrash hold of his house he paused for a second. Then his eyes collided with Tony's. The uncertainty in them somehow grounded him and he was able to make it all the way to the couch in the living room.
"Gibbs." Abby smiled, rushing to Gibbs' side. She hugged him gently and kissed his cheek reverently. "Welcome home, my silver fox."
"Hey Abs. Aaammm, what's going on?" Gibbs asked.
The living room floor was covered with single mattresses, 4 in total. Blankets and pillows lay on each mattress.
"Well. I knew you wouldn't mind... so I arranged for the extra mattresses and I stocked your fridge to the brim and I got every takeout menu I could find within a 5 mile radius of your house. I even arranged for cable TV for Tony and Boat Building DVDs for you and English Tea for Ducky and Ziva's agreed to cook for us tonight and the Director's going to help her and ..."
"Abby, what exactly is it you think I wouldn't mind?" Gibbs asked.
To be honest, he was delighted that Abby and the rest of the team were here. It eased the tension and terror out of his body. And it helped him look around the house and accept that he was home and he was okay and the pain of the past wasn't going to get to him again. Tony also seemed to relax as he sat in the couch opposite Gibbs.
"Mmm, we're all staying with you and Tony for the next few days." Abby replied. "It is okay, right?"
Gibbs looked around the room. He saw the relief and exhaustion on everyone's face. He saw the concern and love on their faces too. He needed them and Tony needed them.
"Yes, Abs. It's alright..." Gibbs smiled, more relieved than words could express.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Gibbs' relief was short lived though.
As night fell and sleep beckoned, so did the terror...
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Author's Note:
That is it for this chapter.
Let me know your thoughts asap.
The next chapter sees Tony comfort Gibbs.
We're almost at the end guys... maybe one or two more chapters to go...