Ducky sat alone in the police station. Agent Carson had taken Timothy, Abigail, and Ziva home with her. Jimmy Palmer had been missing for two hours now and a storm had started. First Anthony and now Jimmy. What if Jimmy suffered the same fate as Anthony?

"Dr. Mallard?" One of the officers asked.

"What is it Officer Garcia?" Ducky asked.

"We found Jimmy." Officer Garcia replied.

"You did?" Ducky asked.

"Yes two teenagers called and said that he was in the boy's tree house. They said they tried calling your number but your phone was off." Officer Garcia replied.

"When can I see him?" Ducky asked.

"Officer Rogers is picking him up as we speak." Officer Garcia explained.


Gibbs ran down the halls of the hospital. He didn't care what people thought. He just wanted to be with his boy. The six hours he spent away from him. Were six hours too many. He swung the door to Tony's room open.

"Leroy is that you?" Jack asked.

"Yeah" Gibbs replied.

"What happened? Are you alright?" Jack asked.

"Leon cleared my name. I am fine just pissed that somebody think that I hurt Tony." Gibbs replied.

"It makes me mad too. You love that boy." Jack replied.

"How is he?" Gibbs asked.

"He isn't doing well Leroy." Jack replied.

"What's wrong?" Gibbs asked.

"He is running a fever. His body is not fighting anymore." Jack replied.

"So. Are you saying that? Tony is dying?" Gibbs asked.

"I am sorry Leroy but that's what it looks like." Jack replied.

"No. I can't lose him. This is all my fault. If I had." Gibbs rambled.

"I'm right here." Jack assured.

"Dad can you do me a favor?" Gibbs asked.

"Of course anything." Jack replied.

"Would you mind leaving. I want to spend time with my boy." Gibbs requested.

"I will be right outside. If you need me." Jack assured.


Jimmy stared out the window of the police car. He wanted nothing more than to get back to Ducky. At least that's what he thought he wanted. Now that he was going back to him. He was getting worried. What if Ducky was mad? What if he was so angry that he didn't want him anymore? What if he really was dying? He remembered a kid in one of the group homes he lived in got a reputation as a runner. He was in the nurses office getting his medicine one day and he overheard the director talking about how Jeremy would probably never get adopted. Because he was bad. Jimmy had enough bad luck because of his diabetes and other health problems. He didn't want to live in another group home for the rest of his life. The car stopped outside the police station, Officer Rogers let him out of the car., and led him inside.

"Jimmy!" Ducky cried.

"Ducky?"Jimmy asked nervously.

"What's wrong? Aren't you happy to see me?" Ducky asked.

"I am. I guess. It's just." Jimmy stammered.

"What's wrong?" Ducky asked.

"Are you sick?" Jimmy asked.

"I am just fine. Why would you ever think that I was sick?" Ducky asked.

"Because you called in sick from work and I heard you talking to Mr. Vance and you sounded upset." Jimmy explained.

"Oh you heard that?" Ducky asked.

"Yes" Jimmy replied.

"Jimmy I am not sick but there is bad news." Ducky replied.

"What's wrong?" Jimmy asked.

"Anthony was in a very bad accident and he's in a coma." Ducky explained.

"Tony's hurt?" Jimmy asked.

"I'm afraid so." Ducky replied.

"NO! Tony has to be okay! He just has too!" Jimmy cried.

"I am so sorry Jimmy. I know how close you two are." Ducky replied.


Fresh tears formed in Gibbs's eyes. It killed him how close he had come to losing his boy. If Tony had died while he was still in jail. Whoever turned him in for child abuse would have hell to pay. His other kids came into his mind as well. He hated to be away from him for so long but Tony needed him. At least if Tony didn't wake up soon. He would be moved to DC as soon as he stabilized.

"You're a good boy Tony and I need you here with me." Gibbs told his boy.


Now that Jimmy was home safe. Ducky was faced with the task he dreaded. Telling Jethro's other kids about Anthony. He had already told Jimmy and that was bad enough but telling the boy's siblings. Would be ten times worse at least. Even though they fought with him and sometimes got mad at him. They loved Tony and would be lost if anything happened to him. Taking a deep breath he realized that he couldn't hold off any longer.

"Timothy! Abigail! Ziva! I need to speak with you!" Ducky called.

"What is it?" Abby asked.

"Yeah what's going on?" Tim asked.

"What's up?" Ziva asked.

"I have bad news about Anthony." Ducky replied.

"Is Tony dead?" Ziva asked.

"He isn't dead but he was hurt very bad and is now in a coma." Ducky explained.

"NO! TONY CAN'T BE IN A COMA!" Abby yelled.

"That's terrible." Ziva added.

"Poor Tony." Tim commented.

"Do you have any questions?" Ducky asked.

"No" Abby replied.

"No sir" Tim added.

"I do not." Ziva added.

"Well if anybody needs to talk. Just come and get me." Ducky explained.

"Alright" Tim replied.

"Yes sir." Ziva added.

"Okay" Abby replied.


Gibbs waited outside of his son's room. While Tony was checked out by the doctors. Gibbs closed his eyes and prayed for good news. He had fought the nurses and begged to stay by his boy's side. Unfortunately hospital regulations forbade that. The door opened and one of Tony's nurses walked out.

"You know you could have gone to the waiting room Mr. Gibbs." The nurse replied.

"I know" Gibbs replied.

"Well either way. We finished Anthony's exam." The nurse replied.

"How is he?" Gibbs asked.

"It's unbelievable." The nurse replied.

"What?" Gibbs asked.

"His fever has gone down and he is responding to his medication again." The nurse explained.


A/N: Tony's getting better. He must have just really needed Gibbs. New chapter should be up next week please review and thanks for reading.