Gibbs was left alone while Tony was taken back for an MRI. The doctor's theorized that the stroke had occurred sometime within the past three days. Because at his last MRI everything had been as to be expected with this stage of recovery. Hearing that Tony had gripped Gibbs' hand with his good hand and seemed to be responding to his words had provided them with a degree of optimism. However the degree of damage was not yet known nor was the exact cause of Tony's stroke bacterial meningitis could trigger a stroke but the doctors still wanted more tests run. Tony had a history of migraines and had suffered a handful of possible TIA's during recovery from Senior's last injury. Tony had endured repeat concussions and head injuries, which could be another trigger. It didn't seem fair. Tony had fought so hard to get his arms strong enough to operate a wheelchair and cope without the use of his legs. Then he had fought so hard to recover from the meningitis and now just when he was recovering and hopefully headed for home long term. He had suffered a stroke which had left him with only the use of his right arm. Any hopes of heading home any time soon were dashed. Once Tony was stable enough to be released from the hospital, he would once again be shipped off to the rehab hospital. Where he would be for God only knows how long. Gibbs wondered what Tony would be like by the time he was cleared to return home. If he would be back to where he was or if he would be even more infirm. With only the use of his right hand. He wondered if he would ever hear his son's beautiful voice again.

"Jethro? What's going on? Where's Tony?" John asked entering Tony's room.

"He had a stroke." Jethro replied.

"Oh God Jethro!" Donna cried.

"Is he? I mean did he?" John asked.

"He's alive but they had to take him for an MRI." Jethro explained.

"Any idea how bad?" John asked.

"His entire left side is paralyzed but he can hear me and he was responding to my voice. He squeezed my hand with his good hand and seemed aware." Jethro explained.

"That's a good sign." John commented.

"Is he going to be OK? I mean what if he can only use his one hand?" Jethro asked.

"Well then you guys will adapt just like you always have. The good news is that Tony is young and his brain is still developing. It can rewire itself and he has a much better chance of recovery. It also will help if Tony's stroke was caught early." John explained.

Luke waited in his car outside of Jordan's house. Her mom had to take Eddie somewhere. So she had been babysitting Derek. Now he was just waiting for her to change into her uniform so he could drop her off at work on the way to the hospital. Jordan had recently taken a job working at the local Wendy's on weekends during the day and sometimes after school. Today she had been called in last minute and since her car was acting up. Luke had agreed to drop her off real quick. He had wanted to grab a quick snack on the way to the hospital anyway. So he was killing two birds with one stone. Jordan came rushing out adjusting her name tag on her chest as she ran. She opened the door and collapsed into the passenger seat.

"Man I need to start working out." Jordan wheezed.

"If you want I can drive over here and we can run together." Luke offered.

"I don't want to slow you down." Jordan replied.

"I run to stay fit. I am not training for a marathon or anything. Besides once you get used to running you will be catching up fast." Luke assured.

Before Jordan had a chance to reply or even really consider Luke's offer. Luke's cellphone began to ring. He pulled off to the side of the road and withdrew his phone from his pocket. He saw that it was his dad calling and instantly knew that something was terribly wrong. He gave Jordan a nervous look and then answered.

"What's up?"

"Luke are you heading to the hospital?"

"Yeah I just have to drop Jordan off at work and I was going to get something to eat while I'm there."

"OK well uh can you just drop Jordan off and head straight to the hospital? The cafeteria is open."

"Uh I guess so, why?"

"Tony had a stroke. He's getting tested right now but it sounds like it was pretty bad."

"Tony had a stroke?!"

"Yes"

"How is he? How is Jethro?"

"Tony is responsive that's all I know. Jethro is pretty freaked out. That's why I need you here. Depending on the results. Your mom or I may need to go get Stephen and Annie. In that case I will need you to stay with Jethro."

"Yeah I can do that."

"Just get here."

"I will and if Tony gets back before I get there. Give him a hug for me."

"Of course."

Down the hall in neurology Tony was lying in the MRI tube. Dr. Simmons the lead pediatric neurologist stood in front of a computer and studied an image of the child's brain. The stroke had greatly affected the right side of the child's brain. Certain parts were damaged beyond repair. While others were either unaffected or had repairable damage. It was clear that the child had a long road ahead of him and his life had been made even more challenging. He took a closer look at the affected side of the brain, what he saw sent shivers down his spine. On the right temporal lobe was a large black spot that indicated bleeding. He gasped and his nurse looked up at him with pure terror.

"Get the boy's father. We need to get Tony into surgery right away." Dr. Simmons demanded.

A/N: Tony is extremely lucky that Dr. Simmons caught the bleed before it became too serious. New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.