Gibbs reached Tim's room in ICU and hesitated outside the door, he peeked inside through the small window to get a good look at the young man before heading inside.

Tim was paler than usual and a breathing mask cover most of his face. His beautiful, expressive eyes were closed in slumber but his sleep didn't appear to be restful. His brow was furled as it was apparent he was still in pain. Thick white bandages covered his right arm and showed just above the sheet around his waist. An unnaturally large lump was under the sheet where his left leg should have been located. All and all Tim looked like hell, but Gibbs couldn't suppress the relief he felt as he saw the heart monitor registering a steady beat and he saw the rise and fall of the young man's chest. Tim was alive.

He quietly opened the door and went inside. He sat in the plastic chair on the side of the bed and gently ran the back of his hand down the side of his face, "Scaletti is dead, Tim. He will never harm you again.", he whispered to the sleeping man.

Tim eyes started to twitch and Gibbs reached out to hold his left hand firmly in his to comfort the injured man and allow him to know that he wasn't alone. With his other hand he continued to gently caress the side of his face. Tim's eyes blinked opened but there was little recognition in them at first, "Where?", he mumbled through the mask.

"Don't try to talk, your at the hospital, your going to be okay.", Jethro whispered reassuringly.

"Anyone hurt?", the stubborn young man whispered.

"Everyone else is fine."
"K", Tim leaned slightly into Jethro's hand and gave a little smile before returning to the land of dreams.

"I will be right here and I promise to always keep you safe.", Jethro whispered to the sleeping form.

"I never knew you to make promises you can't keep, Gibbs.", the voice of Rachel Cranston floated from behind him.

Gibbs turned to face her and she nodded her head to the door in a sign for him to follow her.

"Vance told me where to find you. He said I need to do your psych evaluation now, because he has an important case he needs you on.", her voice was curious as to what could be important enough to drag Gibbs from Tim's hospital bed, but as she expected no answers to her curiosity was forth coming.

"Shoot, Doc.", Gibbs said with a hint of impatience.

"We need to talk about that promise you just made, your involved with a federal agent and I am positive staying safe isn't really part of the job description."

"I have to keep him safe. I can't lose him, Rachel.", Gibbs' voice was strong but his eyes pleaded with her to understand.

"Even if he completely recovers, there is still the possibility that your need to protect him could drive him away.", Rachel said bluntly.

" I know that, Tim settled for me in this relationship. He could have had someone so much better, but for some unknown reason he choose me. I can't bear to see him in so much pain."

Rachel walked Gibbs over to a nearby sink and turned the water on, "Put your hand under the water and cup as much water as you can,"Rachel waited for Gibbs to do as instructed. Gibbs raised an eyebrow at her and did as he was told shaking his head the entire time.

"Now close your hand.", Rachel said and once again he did what she told him.

Then Rachel moved both her hands under the water and cupped her hands to gather water in them.

"Now open your hand."

Gibbs looked in his hand and saw the few drops of water that remained in his hand.

He then looked at her open hands and saw the large amount of water being held in them.

"The tighter your grip the more water gets away, that is not only true with water but with love as well.", Rachel said giving Gibbs a meaningful look.

Gibbs ran his fingers through his hair and gave her an annoyed smirk, "Point proven.", he admitted.

"I will release you do active duty, but promise me that you'll call if you start to get overwhelmed again."

Once again Gibbs just nodded.

"Now get back in there and take care of him, Jethro.", she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek before leaving.

Gibbs went back into the room and sat once more in the uncomfortable chair, the entire time thinking about what Rachel he told him, finally he turned to the sleeping man in the bed and reached for his hand, "I'll do my best to not run you off, but I will protect you. You mean to much to me to ever see you hurt again."

AN:Thanks to all of you who left reviews they are much appreciated. I am really nervous about the next two or three chapters so please keep the positive reviews coming in they really really help.