Gibbs watched his young lover sleep until his rage at the man that had attacked him faded. It was only then that he reached over to rub the back of his hand against his cheek. He continue the gentle action until the sleepy green eyes opened.
"Hey"
"You need to wake up so we can do your exercises, before the invasion begins."
"K, give me a minute.", he said as he closed his eyes and tried to return to the land of nod.
"No, you don't. Wake up.", Gibbs was being persistent. "How do you plan on returning to work tomorrow if you can't stay up for more than a few hours today."
"Well, if you hadn't worn me out.", Tim responded with a seductive grin.
"Are you complaining?"
"Never."
"I still don't think it is a good idea for you to go to the yard tomorrow. What if we get called out and I can't bring you back home, when you start to feel tired?"
"We will figure something out. Besides I have my appointment with Dr. Cranston tomorrow morning and physical therapy after lunch. So I was figuring I'd just take a taxi and meet you back here after you got off."
Tim was still wiping the sleep out of his eyes and trying to wake up or he would have notice the wake of fear that past through the blue eyes looking down at him, however by the time he was looking back at his partner Gibbs had once again brought his emotions into check.
"Don't you feel like you have a little too much on your plate for only your second day out of the hospital, remember Dr. Plum told you to take it easy."
Gibbs got out of bed while saying this and grabbed a clean pair of jeans out of the closet and put them on, keeping his back to the other man. He just didn't trust himself to not give away just how much Tim doing anything without him scared him.
"Why don't you wait until I can take you to Dr. Cranston's office in a few days all I have to do is clear it with Vance and it wouldn't be a problem. I'll just have him take the team out of rotation that day so we can't get called out."
"Jethro, last time I checked I am perfectly capable of taking a taxi to a doctor's appointment, besides don't you always tell us that criminals don't take days off, so we can't either. Besides I need Dr. Cranston to clear me so I can help on the Scaletti case. There is still so much we don't know. Who is now running the family, where is Jennifer Scaletti and just how many of our safe houses are compromised? Are just a few of the questions I really want to find answers for."
Gibbs could feel the worry building up in him and he responded in anger letting the fear take over his emotions, "Tim, I told Dr. Plum that I wouldn't let you overdo anything and wear yourself out. This case isn't going anywhere and I don't think you need to see Dr. Cranston just yet. Let your body heal a little more." Gibbs realized how he sounded as soon as the words exited his mouth, so he tried to soften the blow by adding, "Please?"
Tim recognized the worry in the older man's face and felt guilty for putting it there, "Compromise?"
Gibbs raised an eyebrow and looked at the other man as if to say 'Continue.'
"I go to the yard tomorrow and only if you or one of the team can take me do I go to Dr. Cranston, and I follow up with Ducky to make sure before I go. If he doesn't think it is a good idea, I'll rest in Abby's lab on the futon until you can take me back home."
Gibbs knew that Tim being reasonable, but it didn't quell the icy cold feeling of fear that had taken up residence in his heart.
"Deal, but Ducky will look over you tonight, and if he doesn't think you are ready you stay home tomorrow except for the physical therapy."
Tim had to fight not to roll his eyes but his desire to enjoy his first day home from the hospital with his lover and their friends, helped him to win the battle and he kept a straight face as he nodded in agreement.
Gibbs leaned down and gave Tim a chaste kiss on the lips, "Thank you."
When he looked over at the clock on the bedside table he knew that he would have to hurry and help Tim get dressed before the team showed up for the visit, "We don't have time for your exercises before the team gets here, so lets get you cleaned up and decent."
Gibbs gently washed the younger man and helped him dress in a clean pair of sweats and a loose t-shirt, before getting him back into the wheelchair. He was just pushing him into the living room when someone tried to enter the front door and ran into it when it didn't open. The dull thud was followed by a hesitant knock.
Tim gave Gibbs a questioning look and the older man just laughed softly to himself, calling out "Coming", as he parked Tim next to the sofa and went to open the door.
DiNozzo was standing at the door, rubbing his forehead which sported a red mark showing exactly what had hit the door.
Looking up all, Tim burst out laughing at the look of confusion on his friend's face.
"Boss?", Tony asked staring at the lock on the door.
Gibbs just smacked him on the back of the head, "Learn to knock or call ahead DiNozzo, I don't live alone anymore."
Tony turned red when he finally understood the meaning behind those words, "Yeah, I don't want to walk in on something embarrassing, not that you and Tim spending a quiet afternoon together is embarrassing..."
"I'll just shut up now.", he finished desperate to get his foot out of his mouth.
Thankfully for him the rest of the team pulled up at that moment and saved him for getting a horrible case of athletes tongue.
The rest of the night was spent on good food and good conversation, and only ended when Ducky motioned for everyone to say good night because Tim was getting tired.
AN: I hope to download another chapter tomorrow as usual, but I can make no promises, I hurt myself at work this week and I can't seem to concentrate on the story through the pain in my ankle. Also I would like to know if you would like me to include the Watson story arc through flashbacks in this story or as a stand alone story. Please give me you opinions and as always reviews are always loved :)