hey, thank you for all of the reviews. I am really happy that you are all enjoying it. xxx

11 years 11 years 11 years 11 years 11 years 11 years

It was all he could think. How much could have happened in 11 years? Was everyone alright? So many questions and no answers, he couldn't even speak from the shock. 11 years? Maybe he heard wrong or maybe it was a prank. Yes, that had to be it; this had DiNozzo written all over it. But a part of Gibbs knew that the Doc was telling the truth and Gibbs couldn't deny that something was wrong. However, he swore that if this was a joke then Tony was going to regret being born.

Dr. Downey had finished his examinations and everything seemed to be in order.

"If you need anything don't hesitate to buzz us. We will be checking up on you every few hours and I'll just call Ducky." Gibbs just nodded and then the doctor strolled out of the room.

Shutting his eyes, Gibbs tried to organise his thoughts and put his many questions in order of importance. This was gunna be one hell of a long day.

He must have fallen asleep because the next thing he knew he was being shook awake.

"Jethro! Jethro can you hear me. Oh please say you haven't fallen back into that damn coma, I can't wait another 11 years you know."

Gibbs opened his eyes to see the friendly old face of Dr. Donald Mallard. Relief flooded them both. But all Gibbs could ask was "11 years?"

Ducky smiled gravely and nodded. Enough conformation for Gibbs and his heart sunk. It was then he saw how much older his friend was. The eyes had lost part of the spark they used to hold and the creases on his face had become deeper and more defined. Hair had become much whiter but at least his figure had stayed the same.

"What's changed Duck?"

A chuckle escaped the aged man's lips, but the laugh was dry and free from humor. He seemed tried and the chuckle turned to a sigh. Blue meet blue and Gibbs repeated slowly.

"What's changed Duck?"

After a deep breath Ducky replied "11 years is a long time, Jethro." Another grave smile appeared and Ducky sank back into the hard, plastic chair next to the bed.

"So where would I begin, and I'm not sure what to say and what not to say."

"Well I don't know Duck, how about you start from the beginning and tell me everything?" Gibbs's mood was quickly turning sour and his patience warring dangerously thin.

Suddenly Ducky's face turned stony, lips pierced in a fine line as he spoke

"Do not take that tone with me Jethro, a lot has happened in 11 years and a lot of it not good. After that blasted mission everything turned sour, we all relied on Anthony, the dear boy, even though he was the one who needed most help. He took care of all of us, without one thought for himself. That boy nearly died and it took him months to start walking again. He had the weight of maybe never returning to the job he loves, let alone never being able to walk or run again, and was still able to be the back bone of the team. He was there when Abby and Ziva needed to vent, when Mr. Palmer, Timothy and I needed a talk but no one was there for him.

He was alone and let no one in. I still don't know how he survived, Jethro - that boy deserves a medal. But the pain and stress got the better of him, he started to lose too much weight, not eating or sleeping. And I began to really resent the words 'I'm fine'. Thank god Ziva was there and got through to him or I swear we would have lost him."

He stopped to take a breath that seemed to calm him considerably after his rant. Gibbs couldn't hide his alarmed expression, Dr. Downey had said that Tony had injuries but he had never thought to ask how bad they had been. He had a rather strong erg to slap himself for the stupidity.

"Ziva got Anthony back on track and he did recover, he eventually came back to work and became the team leader. He also visited you most regularly, not allowing himself to give up on you."

"Where is he? I want to see him."

Sorrow suddenly consumed the man in front of him and Gibbs thought the worst. Voice breaking, he pleaded.

"He's not…um…please, tell me he's not…"

"No he's not." Gibbs was overjoyed and a smile crept on his face, yet Ducky still had grief haunting him.

"Then where is he?"

"He hasn't stepped foot in a hospital for just under two years, Jethro."

Shocked was an understatement, "How the hell did he manage that, he is the worst bloody trouble magnet I know and why does that matter?" Why hasn't he visited me? He silently asked himself and hurt stabbed at his heart.

"Well, whenever he needs patching up he comes to me and he…um…swore to himself to never step inside a hospital ever again."

"Why?"

"Because this is where he lost his wife."

Wife did he just say wife. Oh god, Tony had a wife and he lost her! Gibbs knew how that felt and didn't wish it on anyone, especially Tony. Tony. Tony, the skirt chaser, immature Tony! The one who would speak none stop about movies had a Wife! Gibbs was so shaken he couldn't respond so Ducky continued.

"I gets worst I'm afraid, Jethro." How could it get any worse? But of course it did. "He and the love of his life had had two children." And Gibbs's jaw just fell to the ground. Tears threatened to fall; misery that Tony had went through all this and anger for not being there for him.

He started to understand Ducky's rant and frustration, so much had happened and most of it was devastating. Gibbs couldn't take any more, yet Ducky continued and he had no voice left to stop him with.

"Oh, Jethro." He paused to piece himself together and the next thing was what made the tears flow freely from both men.

"His wife was Ziva!"

Now I'm interested, would you say that's a meaner cliffy or not? I think the next chapter might be a flash back on when Tiva got together but I'm not sure.

Pretty Please Review! xoxo