Author's Note:

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

Here's the final chapter… Enjoy!

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Tony made his way back into the hospital carrying a tray of Starbucks coffees, one for himself and one for Gibbs, exactly as he knew Gibbs liked his coffee. As soon as he was sure that Gibbs had made it through surgery, he had departed to get the coffees.

He didn't know what to expect and he was glad to have these few minutes away from the rest of the team. Seeing the worry in their eyes and having to reassure them, especially Abby had been exhausting . What was worse was that her fears exactly mirrored his own.

Nearing Gibbs' room, Tony's steps faltered. Would Gibbs be awake or asleep? Would he be okay? Would his hearing be back?

And if it isn't, how the hell am I going to deal with it?

"I will have to deal with it. I will find a way." Tony admonished himself.

Taking a deep breath, he opened the door to Gibbs' room and stopped.

"Ah Anthony." Ducky grinned, pulling out of his embrace with Gibbs.

"Ducky?" Tony looked from Ducky to Gibbs and back again. "Am I interrupting something?"

"Oh Anthony…" Ducky started saying.

"That my coffee, DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked, pushing himself up against the pillows, so that he was sitting rather than reclining.

"Yes Boss," Tony said stepping forward.

Ducky and Gibbs … hugging?

Why?

Is Boss okay?

Shit, can he hear me?

"Well," Gibbs hand gestured for Tony to hand the coffee over.

Shit! He can't hear me…

A myriad of emotions flirted across Tony's face, anger, shock, helplessness, fear and bitter sadness. He tried to mask it but wasn't quick enough. Gibbs saw it. Well there was nothing he could do about that now. So he walked up to the bed and handed Gibbs the cup of coffee, then turned away.

Gibbs watched him, his heart swelling with emotion.

Ducky looked from Tony to Gibbs and back again. Then he left the room silently.

Gibbs waited for Tony to turn back to him. He didn't rush him and Tony didn't keep him waiting too long.

Tony walked back to the bed, placed his own cup of coffee on the pedestal next to the bed, lifted his hands and gestured, "You Okay?"

Gibbs realized that Tony didn't know he could hear again.

But he was intrigued to see where this would go so he nodded his head gently. Then he gestured, "You?"

Tony blinked in surprise, quickly shrugged his shoulders and said, "I'm fine."

Then he indicated this by means of a thumbs-up gesture.

But Gibbs could see that he wasn't and he wanted to tell Tony that he was really okay.

He started by saying, "Thank you, Tony."

"Ah hell Boss, you don't have to thank me." Tony insisted.

"No, I do." Gibbs replied lifting his hand towards Tony and indicating that he should take it.

"Boss, there is nothing you need to thank me for. You know I would do anything for you." Tony said taking Gibbs' hand, expecting a hand shake.

But Gibbs pulled him forward, their hands clasped together and Gibbs' other arm moved around Tony's shoulder in an unexpected embrace. Tony was too shocked to do anything but return the embrace.

"I know, Son. I know." Gibbs replied, holding Tony close. Tony squeezed his eyes closed, a fierce sense of belonging rising in him. Gibbs showing emotions, sharing emotions… Was so foreign, but felt so right, right now… Maybe having lost his hearing would force him to communicate in a new way, in a more affectionate way.

But… hang on… Tony thought.

"Hey," Tony pulled away and stared at Gibbs, his face lighting up like the 4th of July. "Can you hear me?!"

Gibbs grinned, "Loud and clear, and it's like music to my ears."

"Thank God, Gibbs! You had me terrified for a moment there." Tony embraced Gibbs more firmly this time, as tears of relief and joy stung his eyes.

A second later the door burst open and the rest of the team rushed in and surrounded the bed. Abby leaned on Gibbs' other side, embracing Gibbs and Tony simultaneously, "Your hearing's back. Ducky said you're going to be okay. Oh Gibbs, I'm so happy." Abby gushed.

Gibbs returned her hug and then reached out his hands, one to Ziva and the other to McGee. Both accepted it and squeezed his hand in silent, comforting relief and joy.

"Now this is a moment I will cherish for the rest of my days." Ducky grinned.

"Me too, Duck." Gibbs replied, still hugging his team, his family and thanking whoever was out there watching over him at this rare and special moment in his life.

The End