They had done every test known to medicine, and had come up with swelling. A lot of it. Tony was in obvious pain, which made nothing better. Gibbs was AWOL and Tony was profoundly confused with everything. He was still recovering from his coma, but everyone was very interessted in getting him home, when usually, they'd yell at him for not staying in the hospital. Tony leant his head on the cool window pane and sighed.

"You okay?" McGee asked. Tony blinked.

"Yeah, fine" Tony replied. McGee swallowed. What a stupid question. Of course Tony wasn't fine, how could he be? As Ducky had told them, Tony didn't remember a lot about things that his friends now knew. He would remember, in time, Ducky had said, but for now, all they could do was try to remind him, and hope. As for Tony's back, there was no way of telling. Tony, once he had calmd down enough, had said he felt something, that he could feel his legs, but he just couldn't stand up straight. And when everything seemed to go the right way between Tony and Gibbs, finally, Gibbs had disappeared. No phone, since it lay shattered on the asphalt in front of the hospital, could be reached, nothing. Noone had a clue to where he was. McGee slowed down and parked in Tony's driveway, he opened the door and walked up to the house.

"Yo! McGeek!" came a husky voice from behind him. McGee turned around and saw Tony sitting sideways in his seat, glaring at him with fiery eyes, "think you could lend a hand.. or wheelchair?" Tony asked. McGee slapped himself as he walked back, past Tony, and opened the back door of the sedan. He pulled out the wheelchair, and walked up to Tony. They strauggled a little with placing Tony in it, but finally they were going up into the house.

Then they hit a snag in their plan. Stairs.

"Crap" McGee said.

"Wash your mouth with soap Probester" Tony said, "It's fine, look and learn Probie" Tony said and turned his wheelchair so his back faced the stairs.

"Tony, what're you doing?" McGee asked. Tony grabbed the wheels and managed to lever himself up the steps. When he was on the top of the stairs he flapped out his arms and grinned, but hsi body betrayed him and he was panted harshly, wheezing some. McGee walked up, "I don't know how you learned that, but you're not doing it again" McGee said.

"Why, afraid I'll hurt myself?" Tony asked.

"No, Gibbs'll kill me" McGee muttered as he wheeled Tony into his house, "Do you know where he is?" McGee asked.

"No" Tony said. He fell silent, "you got my meds?" Tony asked. McGee blinked. If Tony was asking for his medication, it had to be bad. Very bad. Tony never asked for his meds. Even when he got shot, he just tossed everything that wasn't vital for his continued living. They all gave him hell for that. "Hellooooo. Earth to Probie" Tony said.

"Right" McGee said and pulled out the pharmacy bag. He gave it to Tony who dug around in it, fishing out morphine tablets.

"Niiiice, the good stuff.. take with food.. well duuh" Tony said and rolled his eyes, "Probie! Kitchen!" Tony said.

"It's McGee" McGee said, "or Tim"

"Timmy"

"Probie it is then" McGee sighed and pushed Tony into the kitchen. Only to find Gibbs sitting there, food ready.

"Gibbs!" Tony exclaimed. McGee stepped back.

"I'll. go now" McGee said and walked away akwardly. This was one of those times he didn't want to be nearby when sparks flew. McGee stepped outside and sighed. His car was still parked where he'd parked it, the wind was still ruffling the big oak tree, so the world hadn't ended yet. Good. He walked over to his car and drove away, failing to notice the flag outside Tony's house was completely still.

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AN: To all those who guessed I'm gonna spank Tony no matter what you do, you guessed right ;D If you thought Tony was going to get use of his legs again this chapter, press one.. if you think there's something hinky about the tree, press two. HEY! Chapter 20! Leave a review :D

Disclaimer: All hail DPB