After three days, Abby was released from the hospital, but she didn't leave. She stayed right by Tim's side. The only times she left was to get something to eat or drink, go to the bathroom, or take a shower… which she did at the hospital.

A full week passed with no change from Tim. Everyday the team came to visit. To sit with him for a while… and all it accomplished was a feeling of depression afterwards.

Tony would usually visit a bar after leaving the hospital. And, when Ziva could, she would follow him and take him home. Gibbs would go to his basement and work on one of his projects. Ducky would go to the hospital chapel and say a prayer. And Jimmy would call his mom or his girlfriend, just to have someone to talk to.

Vance even visited a couple of times. He didn't stay long, and he didn't say much. He just told Abby that she could have as much time off as she needed. They all missed her at NCIS, but he understood that she wanted to stay with Tim.

Abby would read to Tim when they were alone. Ducky had brought her a bunch of books. Some that Tim would like, and some that she would enjoy. Sometimes she read books like The Catcher in the Rye or Moby Dick… but that would only last for a couple of chapters, then she'd turn to Dr. Seuss. His books always made her feel better, and she hoped it made Tim feel better as well.

"They are probably long gone now," Ziva said as she and Tony looked at photos of Brittany and Gina on the plasma.

"Well, we could probably ask Donna where they might be… if she wasn't still so traumatized," Tony replied, eyeing Ziva.

Ziva shrugged, "We needed to find out where Tim and Abby were at. I did that, and I do not regret my methods."

Tony sighed, "I don't regret them either… I just wish these two hadn't gotten away."

"They didn't get away," Gibbs chimed in as he entered the bullpen.

"Boss, it has been a week, I'm pretty sure they're gone."

Gibbs shook his head, "They're not gone, DiNozzo. They want justice for their husbands. They wouldn't leave town until they knew their husbands killer was found."

"So, what do we do, Boss? The bolos aren't bringing in any calls. They're definitely not going back home. No one in their families know their whereabouts-"

"Well, I guess we just say forget it and move on, DiNozzo," Gibbs replied with a glare.

Tony retreated to his desk, "Or, I can print out bunches and bunches of papers with their faces on it, and pass them around."

"Paint the town with them," Gibbs demanded, very seriously, "Do whatever you have to do until you find them!.. Both of you!"

"Yes, Boss."

"Yes, Gibbs."

Abby was sitting in what had become her hospital chair, falling asleep. It was the middle of the day, but she hadn't slept well the night before. Nightmares of being back in the semi had interrupted her sleep multiple times during the night.

She had her hand intertwined with Tim's, and her head resting on his bed.

She was almost asleep when she felt a squeeze on her hand. Her head popped up and she waited. She waited to make sure she didn't imagine the feeling.

She stared at Tim's hand, and a few seconds later his fingers twitched.

Abby's heart began to pound, "Come on, Timmy. Come on, wake up! Wake up!" She said in a whispered squeal.

His fingers twitched once more, then she felt his hand squeeze hers again.

"Come on, come on, come on."

A few seconds later his eyes popped open, and he began to make a wheezing sound. He looked around frantically, confused as to what was going on.

Abby began talking to gain his attention, "It's okay, Tim. It's okay! I'm gonna get the doctor, okay? Just stay calm."

Tim heard her, but he was still panicky. He was trying to swallow, but couldn't. Trying to talk, but couldn't. Wanting to rip the tube out of his throat, but knew that was a bad idea.

The doctor rushed in, along with a nurse, and began talking to Tim to calm him down so they could take out the tube.

Abby got out her cell phone, not caring about the 'no cell phone' policy of the hospital, and called Gibbs immediately.

Tony and Ziva were on their way back from following a lead that, well, led nowhere. Ziva kept looking over at Tony, waiting for him to say something as he drove.

"I do not like it when you are this quiet," She said, breaking the silence.

"I thought you didn't like it when I talked too much."

"I don't."

"Well, then there's just no pleasing you is there?"

She sighed, "I would rather you were talking, then being a bute."

He glanced over at her, "Mute."

"Yes, that. What is on your mind?"

"What do you think?"

"…He will be okay, Tony."

"It's been a week, Ziva, I'm not expecting any miracles."

Ziva laughed humorlessly, "You? Giving up hope in one week? I have heard of people being in a coma for years, then waking up. A week is not that long."

"Well, I don't want to have to go sit by Probie, every day, for years, waiting for him to wake up."

"So, what? You are just going to stop visiting him? Stop being there for him?" Ziva asked, shocked and appalled, "Just pass by the hospital and go straight to the bar after work? Is that what you're going to do?"

"Why not? It's better than sitting around, watching him… do nothing. He's not even breathing, Ziva! That stupid machine is doing it for him!"

"I can not believe I am hearing you talk like this-"

"Well, then you shouldn't have asked me what was on my mind."

Ziva was about to respond when her phone began to ring. She looked at the caller ID and answered, "Yes, Gibbs?"

"Where are you?"

"On our way back to NCIS."

"Not anymore. Go to the hospital. Now!"

"What is-" He hung up before she could finish.

"Tony, Gibbs said to go to the hospital."

"Why?" He asked nervously.

"I do not know, he hung up before I could ask."

Tony pressed down hard on the gas pedal and began swerving around cars to get to the hospital as fast as possible.

"What's going on, Boss?" Tony asked as they met up in the hallway.

"I don't know. Abby called, said to get to the hospital, it was Tim."

"She did not say why?" Ziva asked.

"Nope."

They all broke into a jog as they neared Tim's room.

When they walked inside the room, they froze.

Tim was sitting up in bed, chewing on an ice cube.

Ziva smiled and turned to Tony, "Still not expecting any miracles?"

Nope, I didn't kill Timmy! I couldn't do that! Not when they have professed their love for one another :)

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Thanks for the reviews!