Gibbs hurried along the corridor to Tim's room; he'd have to make it a flying visit this morning, Vance had called a meeting of all Team Leaders for 08.00. Almost by instinct Gibbs turned toward the ICU, then turned on his heels and smiled to himself. Tim wasn't in the ICU any longer, he'd been moved to the High Dependency Unit; even though he was still pretty sick Gibbs and the others were relieved to see their team mate surrounded by fewer machines, and looking a little more like the Tim McGee they all wanted to see again.

"Hey Boss."

"Hey yourself, how are you doing this morning Tim?"

"Good I think, hard to tell with the meds…everything's kind of…disconnected I guess."

"I know how that feels, almost like your body belongs to someone else."

"Exactly…" Tim gasped slightly as a sharp spasm of pain caught him unawares.

"Tim, you okay? Should I call someone?"

"No…it's…I'm okay."

"You're a terrible liar McGee; don't you have one of those doodads for the pain?"

Tim raised his hand slightly and Gibbs could see he was clutching the device that controlled his pain medication.

"I'm trying not to use it too much…don't want to rely on it…you read about people…they get addicted to pain meds."

"For the love of…Tim, do you have to over think everything? It's only been five days since you were stabbed and had major surgery; the last thing you have to think about is being addicted to pain meds. If you're in too much pain, you can't heal…give yourself some time, heck you're not even on a regular ward!"

"One step closer...they may even let me use the bathroom some day."

"Yeah...dignity goes right out the window when you're hurting so bad Tim, just give yourself more time, and listen to your doctor, he's a good man."

"On it Boss."

"See that you are, hey – where's your shadow?"

Tim gave a slightly crooked smile. "Tony's gone for breakfast..."

"And now he's back, hey Boss, I'd offer you some coffee but I guess you already have one."

Gibbs raised his cup. "Always Tony; you coming in today?"

"If you need me." Gibbs could read the unspoken desire in Tony's voice.

"I'll call after the meeting Tony."

Gibbs stood at the door. "You remember what I said Tim; and don't let Tony choose all the movies."

"Hey, not fair Boss! He's only had the TV one day; we haven't had time to watch anything."

Gibbs headed for the door with a smile and Tony took his place beside the bed.

"Gibbs has a point Tim, now you have a TV we should think about the movies you want to see."

"Honestly Tony, I'm not awake long enough to watch a movie right through…you choose; but I'll have a list ready when I'm out of here." His eyelids drooped again as the meds kicked in.

Tony put down his coffee cup, got up from his chair and rested the back of his hand against Tim's forehead for a few seconds. He gave a brief smile of satisfaction; much better…There had been a few worrying hours yesterday when Tim's temperature had started to rise. There were fears that he was succumbing to an infection, and for a while it looked as if his move to the HDU would be delayed; but the IV antibiotics had done their job and Doctor Solanki had approved Tim's transfer.

Tony leaned back in the chair and took a long swig of his coffee. "Much more of this and I'll be out-drinking Gibbs."

He'd needed the caffeine to help him awake; there had been a few more fraught returns to consciousness for Tim; when he called out for Tony, reached blindly for his friend. And Tony had been there for him, each time whispering soothing words, encouraging Tim to open his eyes, to see for himself that Tony was doing fine. The last two days had been different; when Tim woke up, he was calm, aware of his surroundings; ready with a smile for whoever was sitting next to Tony, because Tony was always there, as he'd promised he would be…He knew that couldn't go on.

Doctor Solanki let him stay with Tim only because of the potential set back to his recovery that could be caused by Tim's extreme anxiety over the well being of his partner. Now…Tony sighed deeply, now they'd be kicking him out and only letting him come during visiting hours.

He knew he should see that as a positive step, as a sign that Tim was making good progress, Tony also knew that he should get back to work, the team was already a man light… "Question is Tim; can I trust you to keep out of trouble when I'm not around?"

The next time Tim's eyes fluttered open, there was just one person sitting beside his bed.

"Hi Timmy, hope you don't mind me stealing Tony's place? He had to go into NCIS, every available agent required for security detail…some big urgent conference…not important…well, it is important or they wouldn't want all the security but…what's so funny?"

Tim's gentle laughter ended on a sharp intake of breath as his injuries protested against the extra movement.. "Not funny…just you being you; it is good to see you Abs."

She reached out for his hand and gave it a tight squeeze. "That's just a filler-in, until I can give you a proper hug." Abby looked him over critically, and delivered her verdict. "You are looking much better Tim."

"Yeah, right." Tim looked down at the many livid bruises, the partially healed cuts and grazes.

Abby was quick to reassure him. "Really you do…I mean you're pretty colourful right now, but you're awake and talking and…oh Tim, when we saw you that first day…"

"No Abs, no more tears, we agreed, remember?"

She did remember; the very first time she had seen him awake and aware, she had broken down…he'd tried to wipe away her tears, and she'd cried even harder when she saw he didn't even have the strength to raise his hand. But he could do it now, and she smiled as his hand brushed her cheek.

"I'm doing okay Abs, still a long way to go, but it's time to stop looking back, thinking about what could have been; time to look ahead."