A/N: Sorry for the wait!

Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS or its characters. I did make up Charlie though.

Chapter 4

Abby wasn't quite sure what to say. Charlie thought that Tony would be awake and that she was seeing him? Had Gibbs told her that? Her mind was in overdrive trying to process what she was going to say.

As always Gibbs walked in at the perfect moment.

"Charlie why don't you go get your things." Abby said.

"Okay!" Charlie smiled running to get her things.

"Gibbs." Abby said, "Did you tell Charlie that Tony was awake?"

"No…" Gibbs said raising an eyebrow.

"Did you tell her she was seeing him tonight?"

Gibbs thought back to his previous talk with Charlie. "She asked and I told her maybe. Why? What's going on Abs?"

"Charlie thinks that he's awake." Abby said "And that she's visiting with him." She paused. "Gibbs Tony's still intubated, it will scar her for life seeing her father like that.

"I know Abs." Gibbs said rubbing his forehead.

"Gibbsy!" Charlie yelled running up to Gibbs with all her stuff. "We're going to see Daddy now right?"

"Not tonight Charlie." Gibbs said watching the little girl's reaction. His heart dropped to his feet when he saw the little girl's face fall. Her lip started trembling and her eyes welled up with tears.

"Why not?" she asked.

"Daddy's tired. He's still sleeping." Gibbs said.

"But I miss him Gibbsy." Charlie said the tears spilling over. "I want Daddy." Charlie said running into Gibbs' arms.

"I know." Gibbs whispered, picking her up. "I know."

"Abs," Gibbs whispered, rocking Charlie back and forth while she cried. "Go to the hospital and get an update on DiNozzo's condition. Ducky is heading over as well. Have him talk to the doctor.

"Of course Gibbs." Abby whispered. Silent tears were making their way down her cheeks.

"It'll be okay Abs, Tony is strong he will pull through." Gibbs said pulling Abby into his side and placing a kiss on the top of her head.

"I know he doesn't have a choice Gibbs." Abby said pulling away and looking at Charlie. "Alright off I go." Abby said wiping her eyes placing a kiss on Gibbs' cheek and one on Charlie's head. "I'll call you when I know anything." She said and then she was gone.

Gibbs made his way home repeating the events of the previous night. This time as he worked on his boat he allowed himself a shot of bourbon.

It was just after ten when his cell phone finally rang.

"Yea, Gibbs" he answered.

"Hey Gibbs!" Abby said excitedly.

"Hey Abby" Gibbs said putting down his sander and taking a seat on his steps. "How's Tony?"

Excellent!" Abby yelled. That got Gibbs' attention. "Well not excellent because he isn't awake yet but excellent like he's getting better."

Abs?" Gibbs said sounding skeptical.

"Honest Gibbs his doctors say his vitals are looking better. Not amazing like normal Tony but they are better than what they were last night."

"That's good" Gibbs said.

"You don't sound happy Gibbs." Abby's said her tone dropping.

"I am Abby but I can't get too excited in case he gets worse. I have to think of Charlie."

"He's getting better Gibbs!" Abby said sternly.

"I believe that Abby I do."

"Okay." Abby said believing him.

"How does he look?" Gibbs asked.

"A lot better!" she said

"How much?" he asked.

"Some of the cuts are fading and some color is coming back into his face. Not a lot but a little."

Gibbs sighed.

"What? That's better."

"Yea of course it is but a four year old still couldn't see him."

"No, that's right." Abby replied sadly.

"Thanks Abs." Gibbs said before hanging up.

The next morning he gave Abby a call knowing she'd be up.

"Hello" Abby answered.

"Hey Abs would you mind coming and watching Charlie for a bit I want to go to the hospital."

"Be there in ten minutes" was Abby's quick reply.

Ten minutes later Abby walked into Gibbs' house not bother to knock.

"Hey Abs, Thanks." Gibbs said pulling on his coat. "She's still asleep; hopefully I'll be back before she wakes up."

"Take your time Gibbs." Abby said plopping down on the couch and turning the TV on.

Gibbs arrived at the hospital five minutes later with his driving. He walked straight up to ICU and past the nurses' station. As he rounded the corner to Tony's room he heard a voice coming from Tony's room and recognized it immediately. Not wanting to interrupt he waited outside.

"I am so sorry Tony. This is all my fault. I knew I should have extracted Rivkin sooner I just did not want to believe it." Ziva said. "Listen to me, America has made me soft." She chuckled.

The room was silent now. Thinking that that wasn't meant for his ears Gibbs took a walk in desperate need of caffeine. After grabbing a coffee he made his way back to Tony's room.

"Gibbs." Ziva said when she saw him walk in. "You do know that coffee is not allowed in ICU." Ziva said seeing his cup.

Gibbs gave a quick smirk and a quiet chuckle.

"But you do not care."

Smiling Gibbs asked, "How is he?"

"Better."Ziva said smiling back at Tony.

Gibbs took a look at his Senior Field Agent. He looked the same as two days ago only Abby was right. The scratches were beginning to fade and some color was back in his cheeks.

"How is Charlie?" Ziva asked

"She wants to see Tony. I don't know how much longer I can keep saying no to her." Gibbs said not taking his eyes off of his agent.

They stood there for a couple of minutes both looking at Tony wishing he would wake up. Ziva finally stood saying, "Bye Gibbs, I have paperwork to finish."

"Okay" Gibbs said. "I better get back to Charlie." Gibbs drove home to find Abby sitting on the couch still watching TV.

"Hey Gibbs" Abby said. Turning off the television. "She's still asleep."

"Thanks Abby" he said walking with her to the door. "You going to the hospital?"

"Yea" she replied as Gibbs helped her with her coat.

"Good." Gibbs smiled.

Gibbs said goodbye before walking into the kitchen to begin cooking breakfast.

A half hour later Charlie walked into the kitchen rubbing her eyes.

"Morning sleepyhead." Gibbs said putting pancakes on the table.

"Mornin'" she mumbled climbing into a chair at the table.

Gibbs set a glass of juice on the table for her before grabbing a plate of bacon off the counter and placing it on the table.

"Eat up" he said sitting down with his coffee.

"Charlie grabbed a pancake and some bacon and pushed her plate towards Gibbs.

Picking up the fork and butter knife Gibbs began cutting the pancakes when his phone rang.

"Gibbs." He said putting the phone between his ear and shoulder while he continued to cut the pancakes.

"GIBBS!" came Abby's reply from the other end of the line.

A/N: So this chapter was slow but more in the next one!! R&R for the next chapter!