I'm Back! Did you all miss me? 'cause I missed you guys! I really enjoyed this story, and I hope you all did too. I'm usually more strict on my publishing schedule, but I've been snowballed with school, and the like. So with out any more of my rambling, here is the next chapter.

Chapter 6: Life goes on

Tony slowly climbed back to consciousness, fighting the drugs trying to keep him out. He groaned, and opened his eyes, assaulted by the bright light filling the room. Blinking away the grogginess, he looked around.

In the chair next to him, was his favorite Goth. He tried to call out her name but couldn't get much more then a strangled rasp. Although Abby was a light sleeper and heard the unfamiliar sound. She jolted awake, and looked over at Tony. She couldn't help the grin that nearly split her face.

"TONY!" she squealed.

He winced at the loud noise. She noticed, "I'm sorry!"

Tony nodded. He tried to sit up, and cried out when pain flashed through his body.

Abby was by his side in an instant, "Tony?! Are you alright? Wait here. I'll go get a doctor!"

She skidded out of the room, looking for Tony's doctor. They appeared a few moments later. Tony was trying to deal with the pain assaulting his body. He was visibly shaking trying to contain himself.

Abby looked worried and the doctor started to speak, "Glad your awake! I am doctor marshal. I just need to ask you some questions, then we'll see what we can do about the pain." Dc. Marshal said, Tony only nodded, "Okay, what is today?"

"Monday… September tenth." Tony gasped out.

"Good. Your full name?" he asked again.

"Anthony DiNozzo." Tony gritted.

"Very good special agent DiNozzo. Alright, on a scale from one to ten how bad is the pain?" Dc. Marshal asked.

"eight!" Tony gritted again. The doctor nodded, and left with a goodbye to get the medication. Abby watched helpless as Tony tried to keep up with the pain.

"Oh Tony. I am so sorry!" Abby said.

To her relief and Tony's a nurse appeared, and injected something into his IV line.

Tony woke the second time, and found that he could manage the pain a lot better. He turned his head and found Gibbs this time sitting in the chair, dozing. Tony coughed and gasped when his abused chest expanded.

Gibbs shot awake. He rubbed his hands over his face and glanced down at Tony. Tony was rubbing his chest wincing.

Gibbs reached down and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Hey DiNozzo. Glad to see you're awake instead of lien around."

Tony glanced at Gibbs, "Hey boss." his voice rough.

Gibbs sighed, "Tony… can't you go a month without getting into trouble?"

Tony shrugged, and winced again. Gibbs looked at him, "Careful, I couldn't understand what the doc was talking about so I left that to Ducky." As if on cue, Ducky walked into the room.

"Anthony! My dear boy! How nice to see you among the living." Ducky exclaimed.

Tony grinned, "Hey Duck."

"How do you feel my boy?" Ducky asked, sitting in the other chair beside Gibbs.

"Honestly… like a freight train ran me over, and then backed up when it wasn't finished." Tony said. Ducky nodded.

"That would make sense. The shot to your leg, was serious. It was also infected, but they were able to get to that in time. You also managed to sprain your ankle and shatter your kneecap. How is beyond me. You pulled multiple muscles in your arms and back, and dislocated the shoulder that was shot… twice. Above everything else, you received three broken ribs. They were caught before they could do any more damage." Ducky said.

Tony nodded, he knew his injuries were severe. But apparently Ducky wasn't finished.

"Not only that Anthony, but you also lost a significant amount of blood, add that to the malnutrition and dehydration. Anthony, you are absolutely lucky to be alive. You deadpanned, three times in surgery. Which took just over five hours. You gave us quite a scare."

Tony nodded again, feeling really tired and the pain returning. He slowly slid his eyes shut and fell asleep before he could open them again.

Six grueling months passed, since Tony was released from the hospital on sick leave. Six grueling months of physical therapy, and psychological evaluations. Tony was at his wits end, and was ready and excited to return to work.

He strode into the bullpen all grins. He couldn't help the impossible bounce in his step.

McGee saw him first, "Tony! How are you feeling?!"

Tony's grin widened, "Aw…! You do care McWorry!"

McGee's face reddened, "I- I just that- You were- and…"

Tony just laughed and clapped him on the back, "I know what you mean Tim."

McGee grinned back, when Ziva entered the room followed by Abby. Tony turned just in time with the only warning a squeal, and the clank of platform boots.

Tony was tackled to the ground by certain forensic scientist. McGee gasped, and saw Tony go down.

Tony laughed, as Abby squeezed him, into her Abby hug, "TONY! YOU"RE BACK!"

"Yeah Abs! It feels good to be back!" Tony said, with an impossible grin.

THE END

How about that! I'm really sorry if the ending didn't fit your idea of perfect, but it was really difficult to write. If I get enough people to tell me a better way to finish it, I would gladly revise it. Also, with the medical scene… I really tried, but I probably failed at it, I apologize for it if you didn't like it. Please let me know what you think. Now that this story is over, I have two new projects coming up. I hope you enjoy them! See you soon!