Tony's terror from being slammed back into his body, was countered by Abby's absolute elation when she saw his finger slightly move. Although what ever was going on outside he still felt cold and alone. And then a warm hand touched his, it caressed it and held it for what felt like ages, he instictivly knew it wasn't Ziva's hand. It was Abby's, but it felt so good to have human contact again. She tried to whisper in his ear that Ziva was on her way, but he couldn't quite hear her. Other unfamiliar hands started to touch him and one pulled the breathing tube from his throat, it was an unpleasant sensation but made bearable by the presence of a loving friend.
More hours dragged on by, Abby had left and Gibbs had come. Ziva was out getting coffee when Tony finally opened his eyes.
"DiNozzo?" Said Gibbs "You awake?"
Tony took one look into Gibbs's blue eyes and sudden memories of Thorn, the pain of the knife penetrating his skin and the last thing he saw when before he closed his eyes was Gibbs. Gibbs was ushered out, he had never seen terror like that on Tony's face, he wondered if he'd have been that scared if it was anyone else. Jeanne was in the room with the other nurses that tried to calm Tony down from his fit of terror.
"It's alright, Honey" She reassured.
She firmly pushed him back to lay down whenever he tried to sit up. He finally started to calm but he was still unsettled by Jeanne Benoit's presence, it was like waking into a nightmare. Bad memories came from all direction but he couldn't figure out if they were fact or fiction fabricated by his mind.
"I've never seen you hesitate before coming into a room before, Boss" Said Tony.
"Feeling more human now?" Asked Gibbs avoiding Tony's observation.
"Yeah, I guess so" He said "My back hurts like hell though"
Gibbs had a flicker of distress cross his face, but he hid it well and Tony didn't notice.
"What happened that night, Gibbs?" He asked
"Thorn stabbed you" Gibbs replied "Knife hit the artery going to the kidney and you almost bled to death"
"Boss, I hope you didn't take it personally when I freaked out at you before"
"I've woken up from two coma's DiNozzo, I know how distressing it can be when the memories come back"
"You were the last thing I remember before passing out, I guess that's what triggered it" He said "Did you get Thorn in the end"
"Not until the following night" Admitted Gibbs "Tony listen...I'm sorry"
"Excuse me?" He replied, shocked "Did you just apologise?"
"I shouldn't have left you alone, it was a bad call and it almost got you killed"
"You weren't holding the knife when it went in, Gibbs, but I appreciate it. I know how you feel about saying that 'sorry' word"
Gibbs was starting to feel awkward and went to stand up.
"Boss there's something else" He said "I thought you should know, even though you'll probably think I'm crazy"
"I know you're crazy, DiNozzo" Replied Gibbs "I just hope your baby doesn't have the same misfortune"
"Thanks a lot, Boss" Said Tony with a smile "When I was out of it, I don't remember it all but...I"
"Spit it out Tony" Said Gibbs
Tony was glad that the old Gibbs was returning without the guilt and self loathing.
"I think I saw Kate" He said "My mind probably made it up but it was nice...she seemed peacful"
Gibbs wasn't sure what to say but remebered the second coma he was in remebered feeling Shannon and Kelly's presence.
"After the way she died, I'm glad she's Ok" Said Gibbs he saw the look on Tony's shocked face.
"Who are you and what have you done with Gibbs?" He asked
"Like I said DiNozzo, you're not the only one who's ever been in a coma"
Six months later
Everyone had gathered in the hospital room where Ziva and the new baby, James, were. The whole team including even Jimmy Palmer, except for Gibbs.
"Unsilence this thing!" Commanded Gibbs when he finally came in through the door.
He tossed his cell phone to McGee, who suddenly realised why Gibbs was arriving late. After he'd sorted the phone out and returned it to his boss he took his leave from the room encouraging Abby, Ducky and Palmer to follow suit.
"You must smell really bad, Gibbs" Said Ziva "Did you come to see this little guy"
"Well no, Ziva, I came to tell you all there's a maniac on the loose and we need to apprehend him"
"Sarcasm, Boss, it's refuge of a shallow mind" Smiled Tony.
Tony handed James to Gibbs who held him expertly. Memories flooded back to him from the day Kelly was born.
"He looks just like you, DiNozzo" He said "God help him"
"Thanks a lot, Boss"
Gibbs sat down in the corner holding the baby. Tony sat down on the end of Ziva's bed and bent down to kiss her. He went to sit up straight again but she pulled him back.
"Six months ago, I didn't think you would be here" She whispered "Don't pull that stunt on me again"
"I'll do my best" He replied.
The team he worked with now as close as it ever was, but he still had pain from his back occasionally and it was a constant remider of that dark period in their lives, it reminded him that the next crisis that would crop up, they would stick as a team and never lose each other again.
"Seriously" Said Gibbs "Your lucky to have such a beautiful kid, and he's lucky to have you both as his parents"
Gibbs handed James back to his mother.
"Thank you, Boss" Tony said "That means a lot to both of us"
Thank you for reading 'My Love'. I really hope you have enjoyed reading this as it has been wonderful writing it. I do have another story working over in my mind but it hasn't been started yet. Once I know where I'm going with it it'll be up. Thanks again, my love Elaine X