Gibbs left the room as soon as he was sure DiNozzo was sleeping peacefully. The day had dawned and he had some important phone calls to make. If they went the way he predicted Gibbs didn't want DiNozzo hearing the raised voices and veiled threats.

"Gibbs." A voice called from down the hall the minute he stepped out in the corridor.

Dr Cranston handed him a full to the brim coffee cup.

Gibbs did a double take. A long night with bad coffee, and little of it, was impairing his senses. The night had been hell and although they had what they needed the hard parts were far from over.

"Why are you still here?"

"Thanks so much." She made to take the cup back with a smile.

"Didn't say I wasn't grateful." He covered, withholding the container.

"I couldn't leave." Cranston admitted ruefully as Gibbs raised a quizzical eyebrow. "How is he?"

Gibbs mulled the question over. "He's been better."

It was the truth, though Cranston's reaction made him feel like he'd admitted to knowing the Earth was round.

"Gibbs-"

"I know." He cut her off. "I'm going to take care of him."

"I have no doubt you will."

The way she said that had Gibbs flashing back to a time with Kate. DiNozzo was missing, seems to be a trend, and Kate was trying to get him to admit he was worried about him.

Before Gibbs knew it he was laughing. Cranston was looking at him with some concern and he thought he should probably set her mind at ease that he wasn't having a breakdown.

"Seven years ago I'd have handled this very differently." He said cryptically.

Cranston flashed him a quick knowing smile. "If you need anything…"

Gibbs nodded his thanks and watched her walk away. Seven years ago DiNozzo had contracted the plague and they had nearly lost him. Gibbs had been frantic, running around Washington chasing down the crazy SWAK bitch, pointing guns and shouting at anyone who dared get in the way of him saving his agent. Before that when DiNozzo had got himself in trouble Gibbs had usually helped get him out of it and they'd continued as normal. But the plague changed that. It was the first time Gibbs came to truly thinking he could lose him and Gibbs had been surprised at just how much that had hurt. He wanted to kill and probably would have had the outcome been different. After that when DiNozzo got in trouble, getting accused of murder, held hostage, kidnapped, and you name it DiNozzo did it, Gibbs felt that familiar fear of loss creep over him. This was another plague, only he couldn't go waving a gun in SecNav's face to get the answers, no matter how satisfying that would have been.

"Boss!"

The shout coming from the direction of the elevators had him turning around just in time to catch Abby running at him. Before she even contemplated jumping on him like she did DiNozzo Gibbs held his arms out at length and grabbed her shoulders, holding her in place.

"What are you doing here?" He looked From Abby to McGee to Ziva who appeared on his right.

"We thought Tony could use these." Ziva said handing him a paper shopping bag.

Looking inside Gibbs saw his own NIS sweater on top of the pile of clothes.

"We got them out of his desk. They looked cleaned." McGee explained.

Gibbs smiled, that explained why he hadn't see it in a while. He dropped the bag and gave Abby a proper hug.

"He's okay isn't he Gibbs?" She asked, pulling away.

Gibbs negated to answer. In truth he really didn't know. The way he'd seen Tony last, worn out, emotionally drained and vulnerable. It was anyone's guess when they'd get the fun loving DiNozzo back.

"I have to call Vance." Gibbs announced, knowing they'd understand that there was more left to be done before anyone was in the clear here. "Why don't you go in and see him."

Gibbs wasn't sure if it was the right thing. Tony had fallen asleep, pretty much in his arms. He had helped him lay down and cleaned his face of the tear tracks left from his emotional burst. It wasn't a surprise, after being put through the wringer the way DiNozzo had Gibbs would have been concerned if he hadn't had an emotional release. Even the toughest of marines cried, and DiNozzo, though scrappy, was definitely no marine.

Ziva and Abby jumped at the chance to see him, nearly bowling over the agent posted outside DiNozzo's door. McGee hovered back.

"It'll be fine McGee." Gibbs pushed.

He decided it would be good for DiNozzo to see he still had his family after all this. And if his emotions were a little close to the surface still, well, he'd have to deal. No one here was going to think any less of him. He didn't have to hide himself from any of them.

McGee acted like he heard exactly what Gibbs had been thinking and ran off in the direction of the girls. Gibbs spared them a brief smile before pulling out his cell. It was time to bring this to a close.

"Gibbs. For Director."