A/N: We deeply apologise for the delay in updating this story.
We also take this time to warn you - short chapter- by design.

This Chapter wonderfully written by Shelbylou!

Tim woke up feeling as though his head had been stuffed with cotton wool and his mouth was so dry that it acerbated the feeling that his throat was being scrubbed with sandpaper every time he drew in a breath. It was one of the unfortunate side effects of an amalgamation of things; the illness; the meds and the oxygen that had thankfully, been changed over from a mask to a canula a short while go. The one thing he was getting frustrated with, was the fact that no matter what they did to help, his body seemed hell-bent on betraying him and every coughing fit left him feeling wrung out and more exhausted than he had ever felt in his life. What with the pain from the pleurisy and the emotional stress, Tim wondered whether he would ever feel healthy again.

Tim sighed heavily, but stopped when the painful pull in his chest threatened to send him into a coughing fit; something that he had gotten more and more adept at recognising. Turning his head, he saw Tony sitting in the chair dozing with his head hung low on his chest. Tim smiled slightly at the sight of Tony's mask flittering slightly with every breath but he had to admit that it didn't look comfortable. Tim decided to leave him for the time being knowing how tired his friend had been; especially give the fact that he had been up all night trying to support Tim as he attempted to clear the thick fluid from his lungs each time he'd started to cough. He cringed when the all too familiar tickle started at the back of his throat and reached blindly for the bottle of water that had been put on the table to the side of him. He missed and hit the bottle with his hand which sent it crashing to the floor, waking Tony in the process.

"What the..." Tony jumped up and fumbled for his weapon before he realised what had happened "Probie? You alright?"

"Yea..." Trying to speak finally sent his ailing body into a coughing fit. Tony grabbed the Emesis basin and put it in Tim's lap.

"Easy. Come on sit up." Tony pulled Tim upright and let his friends head rest on his shoulder s he thumped him in the middle of his back. It was a routine he was all too familiar with; not from his help during the night; no, he knew it from Tim's side and knew damn well what it was like to have your lungs so full of fluid that you physically felt as though you were drowning. "That's it. Come on Probie, take a breath...That's it."

Tim handed him the basin back with a frown but didn't move away from his friend's support.

"Water..." Tim's voice was rough and haggard and broke slightly. Tony looked around and saw the water bottle on the floor.

"Hang on, McGee. Let me get them to bring you another one." He reached over and pressed the call button to summon one of the nurses on duty. He didn't have to wait long before one bustled in.

"Everything okay in here?" The young nurse frowned when she saw Tim being propped up by Tony "Tim, do you need anything?"

"Can you get him another bottle of water, please?"Tony flashed her his best grin and then realized that she couldn't see it through the mast he wore.

"Sure." The nurse left to get the water, leaving Tim sitting there panting slightly.

"Tony..I might...I need some...pain meds."

"That bad, Probie? I'm sure that cute little nurse will be able to give you something when she gets back." Tony felt Tim nod against his shoulder "Come on, lets get you laying down. You got enough pillows?"

"Yeah."

The door opened just as Tony was helping Tim settle back.

"Oh, do you think you could get him some more pain meds as well?" Tony asked the question without looking up from his ministrations.

"Oh, I can go and get someone if you want but i...Tony." Abby's small voice surprised Tony and made him glance up from where he was helping his friend.

"Abbs? What the hell? You know you're not supposed to be here."

"I know, it's just...I nee...I had to see that Timmy was alright." She stood in the door wringing her hands together nervously. Tim turned his head towards her voice and looked at her with a frown.

"Why?"

"Why what, Tim? I don't know what you mean."

"Why'd you come? Abby...I can't... not right now." Tony placed his hand on Tim's shoulder and could feel the tremors that wracked Tim's weakened body. At that moment the nurse stepped round Abby carrying a fresh bottle of water and a syringe.

"You're about due for your meds, so I'm going to give them to you now." Tim gave the nurse a grateful look "That bad, huh? Well, this'll make you feel better for a while; might even help you sleep."

"Thanks."

"Here." Tony had opened the water and handed it over to Tim. "Small sips; wouldn't want you to choke on top of everything else." He heard Abby whimper slightly and turned to face her.

"Damn it, Abby. You shouldn't have come. Not yet anyway."

"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I just..I wanted to..." Abby broke off to bite back a sob that threatened to escape. She watched as Tim sipped at the water and relaxed as the medication took effect.

"There you go. Tim, Your levels have dropped so I'm going to put you back on the mask for a little while."

Tim seemed to slump further into the pillows at the news but didn't flinch when the nurse switched over to the thing that made him feel slightly constricted.

"There you go. I'll be back to check on you in an hour." She patted his shoulder and left the room.

"Abbs..." Tim held out his hand and waited patiently for her to go to him. When she didn't move, he glanced over at Tony with a look of sheer confusion on his face.

"I think, McGee wants you over here."

"Huh...Oh. Sorry." Abby moved towards the bed and grasped Tim's outstretched hand. She was close enough for Tim to pull her hand towards his chest and sighed when he held it there, ensconced in his own. Tim's eyes started to droop as the new pain meds threatened to drag him into oblivion.

"I'm going to go talk to Ducky." He shook his head at Abby's questioning gaze "I sent him for a break. He's in the cafeteria grabbing something to eat. I'll be back soon, McGee."

Tony didn't wait for a response before leaving, but stopped himself when he got to the door.

"Abbs..."

"I know, Tony. I won't."

Tony walked out of the room feeling more than a little trepidation at leaving Abby alone in the room with Tim. He knew she wouldn't do anything to hurt him further; or at least he hoped she wouldn't. Recent events had shocked him and he couldn't help but wonder whether his trust in her was misguided. He stood outside the room for a minute before making his way down to the cafeteria. It didn't take long before he was walking over to the small table that the M.E. had chosen; seemingly tucked away from the hustle and bustle around him.

"Hey, Ducky." Tony placed a fresh cup of earl grey tea in front of the exhausted looking M.E.

"Anthony, What on earth are you doing down here? You're not supposed to leave young Timothy alone. You know that." Ducky's voice held an edge of frustration that was caused by him getting very little sleep the night before. Whilst Tony had held Tim through the torrid coughing, Ducky had been the one checking on Tim's vitals and making sure that the episodes didn't affect his vitals.

"Abby's with him." Tony sat down and nursed his coffee for a moment before he took a long sip."Besides, they just gave him his meds so he should be out real soon.

"Abigail? What...Never mind. I'm not too sure whether leaving her there alone with Timothy is a good idea Anthony." Ducky admonished.

"I know. But we've gotta give her that chance. I don't think she'll do anything; not tonight anyway."

"This morning."

"What?" Tony glanced at his watch and frowned at the time; 0430. "Jeez. When did that happen?"

"Hmm. Seemingly whilst we were helping our trouble friend through his ordeal. How was he, Anthony?"

"They've got him back on the mask. He had a fit that ended up with his levels dropping so they put him back on that to try to bring them up."

Ducky sighed heavily.

"It's a temporary measure until they rise again. It's not a step backwards; as you well know." Ducky shook his head and, despite his reassurances, still looked saddened at the news.

"Yeah, I know. But it's McGee. Stuff like this doesn't happen to him. He doesn't deserve it." Tony slumped back in the chair feeling more dejected than ever.

"Oh but it can happen to anyone, my boy. When it does, we can only be there for each other and try to be of some comfort."

"Hmph. It's not always enough. Abby didn't trust us when we told her what was going on and that's going to leave deeper scars than this damn illness...for everyone." Tony said with anger.

"We shall see. That young lady should have taken on board what was being said rather than discounting the information that was presented to her." Ducky struggled to keep the anger out of his voice. "I got off the phone to Jethro just before you walked in. He said he had spoken to Abigail and he believes she wants to rectify her grievous error in judgement."

"Yeah well. We'll see. Any word on Alex?"

"Alex is fine. Hopefully, he will be back where he belongs soon enough." Ducky removed his glasses and rubbed at his eyes.

"He's got a psych consult later on. Vance has got two agents on the room so no one but the med staff goes in or out." Tony sighed heavily "I don't get it Ducky. Why?"

"It is anyone's guess, Anthony. What we do know is that he is a highly unstable individual that needs help. At least he is guarded so Timothy will be safe."

"What is it they say about small mercies?" Tony offered Ducky a small smile before getting up to get another cup of coffee.

Tim pushed through the fog and woke up for the second time in an hour. The pain was still hovering at a dull ache; something he could deal with given the agony he had been in before. He looked around the room before letting his eyes linger on the sight of Abby leaning over in the chair so her head rested on the bed. She was deeply asleep and Tim couldn't resist running his fingers through one of her pigtails. The movement roused her and she sat up stiffly before greeting Tim with a rueful smile.

"Hey Tim."

"Hey...You alright?" Tim's breath hitched slightly mid-sentence making Abby frown.

"Me? I should be asking you that."

"I'm alright."

"Tim, I need to talk to you. To Apologise. I can't believe how stupid ..." She broke off and stood up to sit on the edge of the bed. She grabbed Tim's hand carefully and held on for dear life "How stupid and blind i've been. I'm sorry, I know it probably doesn't mean anything, but I..."

"Abbs." Tim moved the mask away from his face. "Not now."

"When? Tim, it's killing me. I'm losing you because I protected Alex. I knew he was unstable and had problems, I just didn't think it would come to this."

"I..don't know...what you want me to...say."

"I want to know that there is a chance. I never meant to push you away but I did. There's no chance of me and Alex getting together; there wasn't a real relationship there in the first place. But with you? I felt as though there was something there; I still do." Abby felt a tear slip down her face and nuzzled into Tim's hand when he cupped her cheek.

"Still is...Just going to ...take time." Tim's breaths were coming in short panting bursts. Abby grabbed the oxygen mask and slipped it back over his face.

"Oh God. Sorry, I shouldn't put this on you now. We'll talk later, just don't take that off again." Tim nodded and settled back into his pillows; he didn't let go of Abby's hand and ran small soothing circles over it with his thumb.

Tim did't know how much time had passed, but they sat there in complete silence; they both seemed content in leaving the conversation there, though they both knew that it would be something that they would have to pick up at a later date. Tim was about to drift off again when he heard footsteps shuffle into the room; he didn't think anything of it and started to melt back to sleep when he heard a voice that was guaranteed to strike fear into his heart.

"Hello, Abby."