Author's Note:

Thank you for all the reviewers, favorites and followers of this story…

I loved reading them…. Here's the next chapter… Enjoy!

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Tony was again pacing the waiting room. McGee had gone to the cafeteria with Abby to gets coffee.

"He will be okay, Tony." Ziva stated.

"I know that." Tony snapped.

"Then relax."

"I can't. What's taking them so long?"

"I don't know. But you know Gibbs' isn't a model patient." Ziva said.

"Yeah," Tony smiled and sat down next to Ziva, just as the door to the waiting room opened and Ducky entered.

Tony and Ziva were on their feet instantly.

"How is he?" Tony asked.

"A bit worse for wear considering the pain he is in." Ducky replied.

"What's wrong with him?" Ziva asked

"Jethro has a very bad ear infection." Ducky said.

"An ear infection?" Tony was surprised. "Can an ear infection cause so much pain? Boss has been shot, stabbed and run into, but I've never seen him in as much pain as he was this morning."

"Oh yes, Anthony. Ear pain is one of the most intense pains a person can feel. Added to it is the disorientation and vertigo and it becomes positively quiet a nightmare." Ducky stated indicating that they should all sit down.

"But it is treatable?" Ziva asked.

"Yes my dear." Ducky said. "Unfortunately Jethro is running a high fever and his infection is one of the worst the doctor has seen."

"So they will be keeping him overnight?" Tony asked as the door to the waiting room opened.

"Not just overnight. Jethro will remain in the hospital for at the least 3 days. It could take that long to determine a treatment plan."

"Oh boy." McGee stated catching the tail end of the conversation.

"Ducky," Abby rushed forward to hug him.

"There, there Abby. Jethro is going to be alright." Ducky said returning her hug.

"Okay," Tony said. "With Gibbs indisposed, I'm in-charge. McGee and Abby go over to Boss's house and bring back toiletries and clothes for the next few days."

"Okay." McGee replied.

"Ziva, take Ducky back to NCIS and give Vance and update. Be back here by 1pm with lunch."

"What are you going to do?" McGee asked.

"I'm going to watch Gibbs' back and make sure the nurses don't irritate him too much."

"Oh Anthony, I wanted to mention, the ear infection has affected Jethro's hearing." Ducky said.

"What?"

"Oh no, no, no," Abby gasped.

"Is it permanent?" Ziva asked.

"No, not permanent but there could be some incidents of hearing loss over the few hours or days and I don't want you to be scared by it."

"I can sign to him." Abby said quietly.

"That may help" Ducky replied.

"Will we be able to recognise when he can't hear us?" Ziva asked.

"Jethro will tend to become quiet and may close his eyes so as to cut off any communication. Or he could become quite upset, angry and vocal. Just bear with him. This is a very stressful time for him."

"Okay." Tony took a deep breathe. Damnit Boss.

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At last the nurses were leaving him alone. The painkillers were starting to take effect and the shot of Valoid, which had stung like molten fire in his hip, seemed to be easing his nausea away. One nurse had gently cleaned his ear removing the gunk that was oozing out of it. He had been for X-rays and had blood drawn into funny looking bottles, probably for the cultures.

He was settled in a private ward, dressed in a hospital gown, still cold, but the nurses refused to give him a blanket stating that his temperature was still too high. He was still light headed, uncomfortable and craving a nice hot cup of coffee. But the nurses had warned him that he was not allowed to drink of eat anything for a while yet and instead gave him a miniscule sip of water which was cold and made him shiver more.

Gibbs lay still on the hospital bed. He closed his eyes and listened. He has been intensely relieved when his earing had returned while in the ER. Now he wondered what he would do if it happened again and if his hearing did not return.

He swallowed hard. It would be difficult especially since all he had of Kelly and Shannon other than photos was the recording they had made. He would not be able to hear their voices! It would be too painful for him. A silent tear slipped down the side of his face as he tried to get his thoughts under control.

He would not be able to hear his team and they would probably treat him differently. Hell, he may be confined to a desk and no longer be a part of the team. That though hurt like hell too. Hell this wasn't just his team. This was his family. They were his kids.

He heard a quiet knock on the door, followed by, "Boss, can I come in?"

Gibbs took a deep breathe, swiped away the tears from his face and kept quiet.

He heard the door open and Tony slip into the room. He heard Tony move around his bed and stare down at him.

"Aw, Boss." Tony whispered. Tony stood over him for a long moment. He heard Tony move away and stood at the window and felt rather cruel to be pretending sleep when the young man was no doubt worried about him.

As he opened his eyes he saw Tony looking out of the window, head thrown back as if he were looking at the sky. Tony looked, lost. Gibbs watched him for a moment longer before deciding to end the pretense. But Tony started speaking in a deep, emotional tone that stopped him.

"Boss, you know how much you mean to me. I know I've never said it in many words and God knows that neither one of us is the huggy, feely type. But right now, I don't know if you can hear me. And let me tell you, that scares the crap out of me. But I'll find a way to help you. No matter what it takes, I'll be right at your side through this and through whatever else you have to face. I'll take care of you."

Gibbs closed his eyes and swallowed hard. He felt a warm glow of emotion spread through his chest. He felt at ease, calmer now and the fear that had gripped him moments earlier seemed to have dissipated.

Tony's words meant so much to him. He felt sleep gather behind his closed eyes as the meds no doubt took effect. As he drifted off to sleep, he felt Tony's hand in his. It felt warm and comforting. Simultaneously a thought trickled through his mind.

If I feigned hearing loss, might I hear more from of Tony's real feelings and thoughts, of what the rest of the kids want from me, what is important to them?