AN= Bad news is still not finished. Good news is at least another chapter to go!

McGee felt no remorse for the fact that his first reaction to Vance's offer of a team of his own for Tony was one of unmitigated un-mitigated glee. In his heart of hearts he knew it was nothing less than DiNozzo deserved. And after all these years it would finally free up the spot Tony had been filling after mere months on Gibbs' team. For once, everyone would be happy. Having done his duty in escorting Dowling's remains to the Navy Yard and signing off on his report it was now with a light and optimistic step that Tim exited the Hospital elevator and made his way down the hallway to visit his Boss, eager to discuss his new role as Gibbs' senior field Agent.

Having already spoken to Ducky, he knew that Gibbs had been admitted for observation overnight. Part of him had half-expected the ex-marine to sign himself out AMA regardless of the bullet wound in his shoulder. Until Ducky had pointed out that the fact that DiNozzo had done the right thing, the only possible thing, would not stop the senior field Agent feeling bad for having to shoot his Boss. According to the ME sticking around long enough to regain his fluids and take his meds was apparently Gibbs' way of providing much needed reassurance.

"Special Agent Timothy McGee, I'm here to see Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs." McGee announced himself at the nurses' station.

"He's in room 237," The nurse advised, after checking the computer. "He already has a visitor with him, a Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo?"

"Of course he does," McGee said almost to himself. He should have realised. As soon as all the i's were dotted and t's crossed on their reports DiNozzo had disappeared. It made sense that he had come straight here, he probably wanted to apologise to Gibbs for having had to shoot him, McGee knew that was what he would be doing if he had been in Tony's position. "That's okay, we work together."

Making his way down the hallway McGee slowed as he approached Gibbs' room and heard the ex-marine's raised voice, showing little signs of the pain and fatigue he must be have been feeling as he roundly berated his senior field Agent. Knowing DiNozzo would not appreciate his subordinate hearing his dressing down, McGee hovered out of sight. But exactly what he overheard surprised him, especially as Tony did not appear to be remotely repentant of his earlier actions.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Gibbs was protesting. "Going into a situation like that without wearing a vest?"

"You would have done the same thing." Tony pointed out without a hint of remorse. "Or have you forgotten that time you set yourself up as a sitting duck as a Marine recruiter to attract a target?"

"I had bullet proof glass." Gibbs pointed out.

"And I had Ziva and McGee as back up," Tony countered. "The other hostages were never in danger."

"You DiNozzo,," Gibbs' tone was frustrated and for the first time McGee realised that his Boss' temper stemmed not from anger at sloppy proceedures but from his genuine concern from having had to watch his second, his protégé, his almost son drop to his knees, apparently defenceless, willing to do whatever it took to save his life. "You could have been killed."

"Maybe," Tony wasn't giving any ground. "If I hadn't had a Boss who trained me to anticipate and who cared enough to buy me a second back up. You had my six Boss, just like always."

There was a small silence which McGee fully expected to be broken by the sound of a head slap or at the very least an acerbic remark. Gibbs' tone of quiet sincerity was enough to make his eyes widen. Added to which he couldn't recall the ex-marine ever using his senior field Agent's full given name like that, certainly not in his hearing.

"You did a hellva job today, Anthony," Gibbs praised softly. "Made me proud."

"I'm sorry about your shirt." Tony sounded truely sorry.

"Don't be. It was a clean shot, didn't touch the bone, muscle damage was minimal. Doctor's don't expect any lasting effects," Gibbs addressed his second's real concerns, before he deliberately made his tone gruff. "But in the meantime, they won't let me drive or take off this dammed sling until the stitches come out, so if you had any plans for the weekend you better cancel them."

"Already done, Boss." Tony responded cheerfully.

McGee winced that that. He couldn't imagine what it would be like to be at Gibbs' beck and call at any time. When the man was injured and obviously in pain the prospect was even less appealing. But Tony actually seemed to welcome the idea. Thinking about that Tim realised that Gibbs had probably done it deliberately. Being on hand to help take care of his Boss would go a long way to ease Tony's guilt of causing the injury in the first place.

Although.

Gibbs might be a stubborn bastard, but he wasn't superhuman and knitting a bullet hole in his shoulder for a second time would be no picnic. With a sudden start McGee realised that the ex-marine actually would require some help with his personal care, at least in the short term. Although, Ducky seemed like the obvious choice, it was a lot to ask of the elderly ME. McGee knew that Gibbs had taken care of Tony a number of times in recent years when he had been sick or injured. Tim just hadn't quite expected that the stoic ex-marine would allow the younger man close enough to see him weak and vulnerable enough to need to have the favour returned. Clearly that had been a miscalculation.

And it had obviously happened before.

"Vance offered me my own team," Tony spoke up. "In San Diego."

"Uh huh," Gibbs didn't seem at all surprised. "Are you going to take it this time?"

This time? McGee swallowed hard as he realised that Tony had obviously been offered his own team before. Coloured flooded his cheeks as he realised that the most likely scenario was that Director Shepherd had offered Tony a promotion right after Gibbs had returned from Mexico. And Tony hadn't said a word about it to McGee even after he had mocked him about not being ready to lead. Tim din't think Ziva had known either. But clealry Gibbs had known even as he had reprimanded McGee over objecting to being called 'Probie'

"Do you think I should?" Tony asked his tone devoid of all emotion.

"Didn't we already talk about this?" Gibbs asked mildly. "It has to be your choice, your decision."

McGee froze in place. Tony had been offered his own team obviously more than once. And Gibbs had known and had done nothing to push his protégé out of the nest. On the contrary, the way he had pressed for DiNozzo's return from assignment as Agent Afloat suggested that he preferred to keep him close at hand. Based on recent events, it clearly wasn't because Gibbs' didn't think he was ready to lead his own team. Which begged the question, why didn't Tony want the promotion and why wasn't Gibbs pushing him to take it?

"Yeah, I know," Tony sighed. "Vance has given me 48 hours to decide."

"Make him wait," There was no disguising the amusement in Gibbs' response. "It won't do any harm to keep him hanging till Monday."

"You never think you would have been happier if you had played the game and taken the post as Director, Boss?" Tony asked curiously.

"Hell no," Gibbs was resolute. "I would have been no good all that ass kissing on the hill. I'm a field Agent, always will be. There are ways to get around people like Vance if you use your head."

"I hear you, Boss," Tony said fervently. Then he seemed to address himself to the matter in hand. Perhaps, he had noticed the lines of pain or fatigue around Gibbs' eyes. "I should be getting back. I'll drop by on my way home with something edible. I know how much you hate that green jello. How do they ever expect sick people to get well when they feel them that stuff?

"Chinese," Gibbs ordered. "And coffee."

"On it Boss," Tony assured him. "You need anything else?"

"Thought I taught you to anticipate?" Gibbs said dryly, and McGee recognised that he wasn't taunting or testing the younger man, but affectionately teasing. A view consolidated when Tony retorted in kind.

"I'll be sure and swing by and pick up your spectacles, wouldn't want you to strain your eyes, Boss," McGee could almost hear Tony's grin. "And I'll pick up the latest issue of Boatbuilder Mazagine, unless, you'd prefer Leatherneck or maybe Divorce monthly?"

"DiNozzo." Gibbs growled, but there was no heat behind it.

McGee slipped back into the shadows as he heard Tony's footsteps head towards the door. As the still grinning senior field Agent swept past him, McGee considered his options. He had already told Ducky and Abby that he was on his way to the Hospital to visit with Gibbs. The nurse at the nurse's station had probably already recorded his arrival. Any of them might well mention his previously voiced intention to visit to Gibbs.

Realising that there was nothing for it but to face the music, McGee squared his shoulders and stepped into the Hospital room.

"Hey Boss," He pasted on a bright smile. "How are you feeling?"