Disclaimer: The show NCIS and its charcters do not belong to me. They are the property of Donald Bellisario, CBS, Paramount and whomever else I may have omitted.

A/N – Thank you for your all for your reviews much appreciated. Cassie in answer to your question in Australia we have just seen Dead Man Talking so McGee hasn't been there so long for us. However I am aware that he has joined the show on a regular basis and I have written him into later chapters as part of the investigation team. Weing1( ) I'm glad I glad I did okay in the injury dept.

Chapter Four

(1)

NCIS OFFICES

5.05 am

It was just after five am and Gibbs woke up with a start. Lifting his head from his desk where he'd fallen asleep several hours earlier he rubbed a hand over his face, rolled his shoulder to get the kinks out and then stood and stretched. He felt a mess and he was sure he must have looked one as well. Coffee! He needed coffee and with a glance around the empty office he grabbed his coat and headed out of the office in search of a good strong cup of coffee. God knows he needed something.

This case was going nowhere fast, damn it everything seemed to lead to a dead end and putting the pieces together was proving harder then usual. Added to that Gibbs did not like Tony's replacement, Simon Jesmond and he resented the fact that he had not been given the final say in hand picking the agent. He had a good team, they worked well together, they got results and what he didn't need was friction and that was exactly what Jesmond was causing. Maybe he could have a talk with Morrow. The Director appreciated Gibbs opinion and would more then likely accommodate Gibbs request for the new man to be shipped back to the department he came from.

Yes that was one of the many things that was really irking Gibbs but it was nothing that couldn't be fixed but right now he needed coffee and something to eat and needed both badly. With a glance at his watch he saw that it was 0515 and he couldn't help but wonder how Tony was doing. He'd been to see him last night and had been told that his condition had taken an upward turn, only slightly but at least that was something. It was one small step forward and all Gibbs could do was hope that there wouldn't be any steps backward. That any improvement that was made wouldn't be wiped out by a sudden dip in his condition.

Stepping out of the NCIS building, Gibbs ignored the looks from several people whom he passed. He knew he looked like a wreck, he felt like one but while he'd have a shave and freshen up shortly he couldn't do anything without a decent cup of coffee and that just wasn't obtainable from the NCIS office. No there was only one place he could get the coffee he wanted and that was where he was headed before doing anything else.

(2)

HOSPITAL

5.45am

Tony DiNozzo's eyes flickered open slowly but it was almost as if he couldn't keep them open long enough to work out where he was. What had happened? Oh God he'd been shot and... Was he dead, no, dead didn't feel like this did it? Once more he tried to open his eyes this time managed to keep one eye open long enough to see that he was in a hospital room. How on earth had he survived? Well don't complain Tony he told himself as he saw a figure move towards his bedside.

'Hello,' an angel in white leaned over him, but of course it wasn't an angel was it because he wasn't dead. 'You're wake,' the pretty blonde nurse smiled as she checked his vitals. 'I'll just go get the doctor,' she told him.

Tony put his hand on hers to stop her, he had to get a message to Gibbs, had to tell Gibbs the name of the person who had shot him. 'Baaaa' he tried to tell the blonde angel what Gibbs needed to hear, he need to tell her because he could feel the darkness sweeping in on him again and he was scared if he went under once more he'd never wake up again. 'Baaaa.' he tried again but with a tube down his throat it just wasn't going to happen.

'No don't try and talk Mr DiNozzo, just relax it's going to be okay,' the nurse patted his hand.

'Baaa,' he closed his eyes frustrated as the darkness claimed him again and he lapsed once more into unconsciousness.

Nurse Kelly Tanner shook her head and quickly checked his vitals once more before continuing on her rounds wondering what the handsome man in the bed had been trying to tell her. Probably nothing, the guttural sounds he'd been making had not really made any sense at all aside from sounding like someone choking which was probably what it had been when he'd tried to talk with the tube still down his throat.

With one more glance at Tony she finished her duties in his ICU room, smiled at the marine sitting guard as he checked her out before she went to attended to her other patients.

(3)

Hospital – Several Hours Later

'What do you mean he woke up and then lost consciousness again?' Kate asked as she and Gibbs talked to the doctor. 'That can't be good.'

'It's not totally abnormal Special Agent Todd,' she assured her. 'Tony has suffered multiple injuries and we were not expecting him to regain consciousness anywhere near this early but a momentary awakening is not unheard of. 'Nurse Tanner did tell me that he was trying to tell her something. At first she dismissed it as him trying to talk and then choking slightly on the tube but she said he seemed desperate to tell her something but to the best of her knowledge it simply sounded like Baa.

'Baa,' Kate shook her head.

'Baa,' like the noise a sheep makes from what she told me.

'He was trying to tell her who attacked him,' Gibbs said as he cast a glance across at Tony. 'What were you trying to tell us DiNozzo. Is the bastard's first name starting with B or his surname?'

'I'm afraid only he knows that,' Doctor Rich said sadly. 'As I said his body has a lot of healing to do and we can't give you a guarantee as to when he'll fully regain consciousness. Of course he could float in and out until that happens, we can't predict that unfortunately.'

'I understand that.' Gibbs replied. 'Come on Kate we have to go,' he stood. 'You will let us know as soon as there is any change in his condition.'

'Of course we will Special Agent Gibbs, you have been marked down as the next of kin as there appears to be no blood relative to be here for him. Or should I say willing to be here for him.'

'So they do know' Kate asked the Doctor ignoring the look that Gibbs shot her.

'Yes they know and they didn't seem to care very much. Sometimes the depth of family animosity puzzles me especially at times like this.' She walked over and checked Tony's chart. 'They know Special Agent Todd and they made it very clear that I could call back and inform them if he dies.'

'Typical,' Gibbs growled his jaw clenched tightly. 'Come on Kate we have to get out of here.'

'Right Gibbs,' Kate stood up and followed him both stopping as Abby appeared in the door way.

'Gibbs, Kate,' Abby seemed shocked to see the pair here at this hour but quickly regained her composure. 'Any change in Tony's condition.'

'He woke up for a few minutes Abby, the Rich told her with a smile. 'But he faded out on us again.'

'Oh,' Abby walked over and sat down beside Tony. 'What are you doing to us DiNozzo,' she softly chided him 'You think you're some kind of sleeping beauty or what. Well let me tell you... '

That was all Kate heard as she had to leave and literally run to catch up with Gibbs. 'Now boss don't tell me that I'm wrong in thinking.... '

'You're wrong Kate, Abby just cares like the rest of us. She knows the story and... '

'Why won't anyone tell me the story then,' Kate snapped. 'I mean he is my partner and I feel that....'

'Kate he'll tell you I'm sure and as for what you're suggesting it's just not on, its simply because Abby cares. Besides what you are suggesting is way too hinky to be even possible. As I have already told you.'

Yeah right Kate thought as she got onto the elevator behind Gibbs.

'Kate, drop it.' Gibbs shook his head. The look he gave her clearly saying there was to be no further comment on this matter.

'No Gibbs,' Kate shook her head and crossed her arms. 'I'll drop the Abby and Tony bit and accept what you say about that however I realise that I'm treading on dangerous ground but I want to know about Tony's family. What is the big secret?'

'No secret Kate,' he shot her a hard look and then sighed knowing she should probably be told. "All I'll tell you is that Tony's family cut him off the day he entered law enforcement against their wishes. ' he saw Kate's incredulous look. 'Yes I know I agree, it's completely unbelievable but there you have it and yes there is more to the story but you will have to hear the rest from Tony. Okay.'

'Yes of course, thanks for telling me that much Gibbs,' she nodded unable to believe what she'd just been told and wondering what the rest of the story was and how any parent, especially a mother could turn their back on a son because of his chosen career path. Well of course anything was possible and people had been ostracised from families for far less and yet, she realised that Gibbs was talking to her and hurriedly pulled her thoughts away from Tony and his family. 'Sorry Gibbs you were saying.'

'I said we have to keep focused Kate,' he told her gruffly. 'I also said that after we get back to the office I'm sending Jesmond and McGee out to see Anita Johnson's commanding officer and speak with her colleagues.

'What about me Gibbs?'

'I've got something else for you Kate, I need to run over a few things from the previous investigation and as you've already read the files and are familiar with Tony and Vince Jackson's notes you are the best person to find what I need.'

'Right Gibbs,' Kate nodded. She wanted to get those responsible for what had happened to Tony and didn't really want to be stuck at her desk; however, she was still grateful that she wouldn't have to partner up with Special Agent Jesmond, very grateful indeed.

(4)

Abby sat softly talking to Tony, telling him what was going on because she was absolutely sure that somehow someway he could hear her. 'I can't stay long,' she told him. 'I just wanted to drop by and tell you what was going down I have to get back to the lab and run more tests on the evidence found at Johnson's place,' she bent close. 'You have no idea how lucky you are that whoever did this got sloppy with you Tony. This woman had half her head blown off,' she raked her hand through his hair. 'You know I think Kate is starting to get ideas about you and me,' a small smile crossed her lips 'maybe we should string her along a bit there hey I mean you'd get a kick out of that wouldn't you and,' she reared back slightly as she saw his eyes were open and he was watching her.

'You're awake again,' she squealed. ''Oh My God I have to get a doctor or even a nurse,' she jumped up so suddenly that her chair tipped over and fell with a crash to the floor. 'I'll be right back,' she went to leave but despite his condition Tony was able to grab her by the wrist to stop her. 'What? Hey it's okay,' a frown creased her brow. I'll be back in minute,' but something in his eyes made her stop and she frowned. 'What is it?' she asked as he turned her hand over and started to write with his finger on her palm. 'Tony that tickles, you know that I'm ticklish,' she giggled but quickly became serious knowing that he was trying to get a message across to her. 'Okay you want to tell me something,' she watched as his finger moved gently across her palm B - R - A - D. 'Brad his name is Brad,' Abby smiled encouragingly as he continued to trace letters on her palm. C - O - T - T but that was as far as he got before his hand went limp and the darkness claimed him again.

'Well this a fine time to flake on me.' Abby told him. 'Brad Cott, well it's something to start with and a whole hell of a lot better then what we had before which was a big fat nothing,' she gave him a kiss on the forehead this time. 'You done real good DiNozzo, Gibbs will be stoked about this,' she patted his hand. 'I've got to go and tell the team about this and of course get some of my own work done.' With that Abby left the room had the officer at the door sign her out and then went in search of someone, preferably Tony's doctor to tell them that he'd woken up briefly only to lapse into unconsciousness again. Brad Cott, what could the rest of that surname be well he shouldn't be too hard to find once Kate ran the partial name through the data base. She smiled as she literally bounced down corridor, her pigtails jerking merrily, because the man who had almost killed Tony had no idea how close they now were to nailing his sorry sad ass to the nearest wall, and that was good thing because they had the element of surprise and he would never even know what had hit him.