Not so much Tim, here. We still have our team leader who didn't really come off completely unscathed. ;)

Tony's hasty run from the ICU begged for some explanation and who better than Gibbs to lend him an understanding ear?

I'd also wish to thank my most loyal reviewers starjem88, VFSNAKE, and in particular Gunner'sDream who's been here since the start of my first ever multi-chaptered fanfic.

However, I'm not done yet. More chapters to come. :D

Chapter 13

Gibbs being Gibbs, was never one to obey doctors' orders if he was capable of movement. So, as soon as he felt he was up to it, he swung his legs out of his hospital bed, waited till the dizziness had passed before disconnecting the IV.

He held his breath as he tested his legs; yup, they would hold. Then he shuffled to the bathroom to splash some water on his face, towelled himself dry and went looking for his clothes.

As he got dressed – a slow process – he felt still a bit shaky and occasionally shivers ran down his spine.

Gibbs checked the corridor and, finding it empty, he sneaked out of the ward unobserved.

Before stepping inside the elevator, he quickly surveyed the plan of the building on the wall next to it.

During the ride, he leaned against the wall to recover from the exertion. Man, but he was tired!

When the doors slid open, he got out and started down the corridor. Rounding the corner, DiNozzo fairly brushed past him and boarded the elevator he'd just vacated. He turned about and stalked after Tony, not at his usual speed, and missed his agent by a whisker as the doors closed behind Tony, but Gibbs had an idea where he'd find him. He waited for the elevator and followed his man at a more leisurely pace than his usual. Then again, he wasn't exactly feeling his usual, was he?

Yes. He spotted Tony sitting on a bench outside. He stopped in his tracks, for once unsure what to do or say, but then he let his feet carry him to the lonely figure.

He would just wait and see where the conversation would lead.

Tony was a picture of deep dejection. Leaning forward, elbows planted on his knees and his hanging head supported upon his hands.

He didn't even react when he felt a presence plop heavily down beside him on the bench, although he had a pretty good idea who it was.

"Talk to me, Tony."

Tony chuckled bitterly and sat up to stare ahead. "Got a quote for you – a very accurate description of what I feel right now, boss: "I feel like I've been sucking on a lot of raw eggs".Seeing him like that...it...it just makes me sick."

Gibbs opened his mouth to say something but was stalled by Tony turning at a slight angle to face the team leader. He held up his hand as he continued. "I know I should've gotten used to this. The risks we run. We all know that. We are required to remain professional, calm, controlled when one of our team...one as close as Tim, or Ziva, or you...get hurt that bad. We're supposed to keep our emotions in check."

"I didn't..."

Tony sprang to his feet.

"You don't understand! We're like family. Probie is...Tim...is... is... Arrgghhh!" He turned around, angrily running a hand through his hair.

"He's like my brother. Okay, I never had a brother. But Probie is the closest I can have for a brother. How can one cope with...physical harm inflicted to...a brother?"

"Tony..."

"No, hear me out. We've been in enforcement and surveillance activities before. It's our job. We've run numerous unpredictable risks of getting shot at, clubbed, whacked...whatever...bitten by vicious, doped dogs... But this case? We weren't even dealing with 'criminals' here! No. We were in pursuit of some eloping kids! How could this whole situation take such a wrong turn?"

"No use beating yourself up over this, Tony. McGee knew the risks just like the rest of us. And... since when d'you think of him as your...brother?"

"Does it matter? Okay, okay! I tease him, rag him. I play out my favorite pranks on him. But he takes it all in good stride, well, most of the time. He knows I don't really want to hurt him...or his feelings. And when I do, he in return gives me as good as he got."

"Oh..." Gibbs raised a quizzical eyebrow.

"Really, boss! Okay, it was different in the beginning. But now... No, we're good."

He sat down again.

"I care for him."

"Like a brother?"

"Yeah! But how would you understand?" His voice held an accusatory note that didn't go completely unnoticed to Gibbs.

"Tony..."

"No. You would even cook up another of your famous rules. 'Never get too chummy with a teammate'."

"I know how much it hurts to lose a partner."

"We have each other's sixes, boss. We have to trust one another...with our lives. We're more than just co-workers."

Gibbs nodded.

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he today that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother"

Tony stared at Gibbs in surprise.

"You quoted a movie, boss?

"Nope. Shakespeare."

Tony shook his head.

"Shoulda known. Didn't recognize that line."

"Got this one from Ducky, Tony." Gibbs explained.

"Yeah. Who else."

Tony resumed his blank stare.

"He wasn't at his fittest before we went on that boat, Gibbs. The long hours and overload, the migraine attack, the heat...his seasickness..."

"I know."

"And yet we allowed him to come with us."

"We did."

"He shouldn't have come with us."

"No."

"It's our fault, you know?"

"No."

"What?"

"It wasn't our fault, Tony. It wasn't anybody's fault. There was no way we could predict the outcome."

"Still. He shoulda stayed at NCIS or home. I bet he never even wanted to come with us, knowing we'd be out on a boat."

There was little Gibbs could say to that. McGee had appeared recovered when he came back into work. And, well, it was never left open for debate whether his agent would join them out for field work; boat or no boat. As a team member he just did as he was told. Seasick or not.

"He's in a bad way." Tony sighed.

"He'll pull through."

"How can you be so sure?"

"It's McGee. He's stronger than you give him credit for, DiNozzo."

"Wished I could be so sure he can beat this."

"Have a some faith." Gibbs gave Tony's shoulder a little pat.

"Yeah, right..."

"Besides." Gibbs shrugged as he pushed himself up with some difficulty. "I didn't give him permission to go."

"Do you really think it's within his power to act upon it? C'mon!"

"No need to be pessimistic, Tony. This won't help Tim."

"It's called 'realistic', Gibbs. I'm realistic."

Tony heaved a big sigh and got up, too.

"C'mon, boss. You shouldn't have left your room. What were you thinking?"

"Yeah, what was I thinking." Gibbs gave a weary chuckle.

"Let's get you back settled in your bed. Maybe the nurses haven't noticed yet."

Gibbs coughed. "I doubt it. They'll sure strap cuff me to my bed."

"Probably. And I'll give them a hand." Tony said with a thin smile.

They both walked back in, Tony lending a supportive arm to Gibbs who leaned more on him with every step.