I had planned to get this up last night, but it just simply wasn't done. For the new year I wanted to post one of my favorite quotes which is perfect for new beginnings, any time of the year you choose to make them.

"It's never too late to be what you might have been." — George Elliot

Enjoy Chapter 10!

At 6am Gibbs was exhausted, suffering caffeine withdrawals, angry, annoyed, and extremely worried. Additionally, he had just spent the better part of the last hour recounting their every move for the director, then moved on to reassuring Abby that her boys were very much alive when he last saw them and would most likely stay that way.

Now he was listening to a doctor, who looked hardly old enough to be out of medical school, explain, in medical jargon, things Gibbs didn't want or need to understand. All he wanted to hear was if his two agents would be ok and when he could see them.

Ducky, always perceptive to Jethro's moods, quickly stepped in just as the older agent was getting ready to snap at the young doctor and reassured him that while their condition could have become very serious, they would recover and suffer no long term consequences. Both young men were suffering from smoke inhalation, concussions, hypothermia and shock. McGee's collar bone was broken, his knee twisted, and a gash in his leg had to be stitched up. Tony's condition was a little more serious with several broken ribs, a punctured lung, some other internal bleeding and a twisted ankle.

"You can see them now." The doctor finally finished saying. "Agent McGee is in Room#342 and Agent DiNozzo is in room #237." Gibbs frowned. "Is there a problem?" The doctor asked.

"I want them moved in a room together."

Now it was the doctors turn to frown. "Agent Gibbs your agents will be fine. Agent McGee will probably be released in a couple of days and Agent DiNozzo won't be long after him."

"Ah," Ducky interrupted wanting to catch the conversation before it got out of hand. "There isn't any way they could be moved in together?" He inquired.

"All our double rooms are taken. Neither room is big enough for a double bed." Gibbs opened his mouth but was stopped again. "Agent Gibbs, I have people in this hospital dying and I won't waste the staff's time on something like this, something that isn't medically necessary. Now I'm very sorry but I just can't say this is a priority for me." With that he turned around and walked back though the doors leaving Gibbs staring daggers at his back.

"Hey Tony, come on, open your eyes." A soft voice coaxed him. Tony didn't really want to open his eyes, but that was the voice behind the headslap and he certainly didn't want that. So, although it felt like lead weights were attached to his eyelids he tried to pry them open. No luck. He attempted to shift his body, rally his strength and try again, but as soon as he moved pain exploding throughout his body caused him to screw his eyes shut even tighter and he gasped. Breathing was apparently a mistake as well because that sent a new flair of agony through his chest.

"It's ok." The voice soothed again and he felt a hand rest on his forehead. "Just breathe through it. Even breaths, that's it."

Gritting his teeth he heard a faint click that, though the fog, he recognized as a morphine drip. The throbbing subsided almost as quickly as it had come and his eyes fluttered open flickering over to Gibbs on his right and Ziva on his left.

"Nice of you to join us DiNozzo." Gibbs said with a smirk. Ziva reached for a cup of water and removed the oxygen mask before offering him the straw. He gratefully took a small sip. Although his breathing was fine now, he was having some trouble when they first arrived and the doctor felt the mask would be a wise precaution.

"How do you feel?" Ziva asked as she set the cup back down.

"Not…great." He groaned before his eyes started to shut again when suddenly they snapped open.

"Where's Tim?" He asked.

"He is in a room on another floor." Ziva said. Tony frowned.

"The doctor would not put you in the same room." Ziva explained. "He is going to be fine. He is actually in much better condition than you."

"Why aren't you with him? Why isn't anyone with him?" He demanded hoarsely looking at Gibbs. Gibbs didn't quite understand the look but the only expression he let slip through his impassive expression was the slight raising of his eyebrows.

"Ducky and Abby are with him." He said calmly. "We're going to trade after a few hours. I couldn't get you both in the same room."

Tony didn't say anything.

"Is there a problem?"

"No." Tony said quietly.

Gibbs sighed but didn't push.

"McGee's going to be fine. The doctor said neither of you will suffer any long term damage." He waited for Tony to finally nod before he continued. "What happened, Tony? Last night."

Tony shook his head and moaned as the action increased the throbbing in his skull.

"Concussion." Ziva said placing a hand on his shoulder. "Do not move your head too much."

"Yeah no kidding." He groaned waiting for the pain to subside.

"Old lady drugged us." He finally said and smirked at the surprised looks on his co-workers faces. "Just like in Arsenic and Old Lace, Boss." That earned an eye roll from Ziva. "Then someone apparently dumped us down a hole. I don't actually know how that…happened but… Hey, incidentally, we found Victoria Reed down there. Great big party." He finished tiredly.

"Yeah, we saw Reed after we found you two." Gibbs said. "Vance is going to call her CO and her family. I'll have agents go pick up Mrs. Baird." Tony nodded. "You need to get some rest Tony. Doc said you have a concussion, broken ribs and some internal bleeding."

"How long will I be here?"

"A few days to monitor the concussion and make sure you don't start bleeding again or get an infection."

"What's wrong with Tim? His arm was hurt."

"Collar bone is broken. He also has a concussion and they had to stitch up his leg. You were both suffering from mild hypothermia and smoke inhalation."

"How long will he be here?"

"He'll get out sooner than you."

"Good." Tony said as his body relaxed back into sleep.

"Ah Timothy welcome back to us."

A cheery accented voice greeted McGee's first conscious thoughts. He moaned as he instinctively turned his head toward the voice.

"Ducky." He rasped.

"And Abby!" The perky voice made him smile involuntarily as he opened his eyes.

"Hey Abs." He grinned weakly.

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh." He cringed as she propelled herself towards him but the embrace he found himself in was surprisingly gentle. He frowned as he realized his right arm was immobilized and strapped to his body.

"Your collar bone was broken Timothy," Ducky explained, knowing how confusing it was for people to wake up unable to move their limbs, "not severely but you'll need to keep your arm in a sling for several weeks."

"I was so afraid you and Tony were dead and-."

"Is Tony ok? McGee interrupted.

"He will be fine Timothy." Ducky smiled. "You will both be just fine with some rest."

"He's in another room." Abby pouted. "That mean doctor wouldn't put the two of you together."

"Abigail. He was only doing his job." Ducky interjected patiently.

"Whatever. It was still mean. Gibbs and Ziva are with Tony and then we're going to switch." Abby finished.

McGee nodded.

"Its fine, Tony probably needs him more than I do."

Ducky frowned but Abby didn't seem to notice as she continued.

"Well he tried to get you both in the same room but the doc wouldn't go for it."

McGee nodded again. Abby began talking and he let himself get lost in his own thoughts as she rambled on.

He couldn't believe he had told Tony his deepest feelings down in the mine. Not that he didn't trust Tony, it just seemed…childish to want attention from his boss. It was nice to get things in the open but just the same he wished he had had the self-control to keep it to himself. He frowned as he admitted to himself that he was just a little bit jealous of Tony because of his relationship with Gibbs. Then he instantly felt ashamed. Tony was hurt, more so than Tim, of course Gibbs would be with him.

Tim wasn't sure why he wanted Gibbs to notice him. Gibbs reminded him of his father in so many ways. Most of his life he had wanted his father's approval but when he realized he couldn't get it then the next best option was to be ignored. Why did he then hope for Gibbs approval? He would never get it. The occasional good job when the team had literally worked non-stop, for days, didn't count. Anyway from what he knew of psychology this was normal. If you grew up with a disapproving parent you would likely spend your life trying to please someone just like them.

It would be best he decided to just be ignored by the man. So far, so good. Seeing the others turn to him though only increased his loneliness. It wasn't like they had a typical 40 hour a week job. They were lucky if they only worked 70 hours a week. They spent more time together than they did with their own families. They might as well be a family. They were certainly more than co-workers.

"McGee!"

"What?" He jerked startled out of his thoughts.

"I was just wondering how you guys got down that hole anyway." Abby asked.

"You will never believe it." He laughed slightly shaking himself from his thoughts. "Mrs. Baird, the lady we went to interview, she drugged us."

"Oh wow." Abby's eyes widened as she leaned forward in her chair.

"Good heavens." Ducky exclaimed.

"Yeah, then somebody loaded us in the car, picked the car up with a tractor and pitched us down the mine shaft." He summed up.

Abby shivered. "You're lucky to be alive."

"Tell me about it." Tim said somberly.

"How did she drug you?" Ducky inquired.

"Tea. I don't…know the actual drug if that's what you're looking for." He smiled apologetically. Ducky chuckled.

"Tea is a fine answer." He assured.

Abby grinned.

"I told Gibbs you guys were probably drinking tea and having cookies." Suddenly her eyes widened. "Wait! Drugged tea for gentlemen callers. Like the Brewster sisters in Arsenic and Old Lace!"

Tim groaned. Abby laughed.

"Oh, I bet Tony had a field day with that."

"It took him a while to realize it but once he did…yeah he enjoyed it." Tim said smiling weakly.

"Now Abigail, we should let Timothy rest." Ducky said gently touching her arm.

"Ok. Bye Timmy." She said kissing his cheek.

"Bye Abby, Bye Ducky." McGee lifting his arms slightly in a wave as his eyes started to close before he remembered something. "Wait Ducky."

"Yes lad."

"Could I go down to see Tony later?"

"Of course. When you wake up, I'll see about getting you down there." Ducky patted his leg.

The next time Tony woke up the only other occupant in the room

"Ah Anthony, Abigail will be so disappointed you awoke without her being here." Ducky said cheerfully. Tony smiled.

"Where is she?"

"She was a bit short of caffeine. It is surprising how much energy it takes to watch someone sleep." He chuckled.

"Yeah I bet the way Abby watches people, it does take energy." He tried to sit up but fell back with a groan as his ribs protested.

"Easy lad, no need to try that."

"No I don't guess so." Tony panted slightly trying to ease the pain as Ducky got him some water. After he had taken a drink he glanced at the door.

"Hey Ducky." He started cautiously.

"Yes?"

"Can I ask you a question before Abby gets back?

Ducky nodded and leaned forward in his chair.

"Of course."

"It might seem dumb but…why was Gibbs with me instead of McGee earlier?"

"I'm afraid I don't understand Anthony." Ducky said his brow knit together slightly.

"Why-how did you decide who would stay with who?"

"Well…Jethro suggested Abby and I sit with Timothy and he and Ziva would stay with you." Ducky recounted a little confused.

"Oh." Tony said quietly. Ducky waited for him to expound. When he didn't Ducky opened his mouth to speak when he was interrupted by a shriek.

"Tony! I'm so glad you're ok!" Abby cried rushing towards him.

"Easy with the ribs." He said holding his hands up as if to defend himself.

"Oh don't be silly I would never hurt you." She said gently hugging him.

Ducky smiled. "I'm going to step out and get some tea. You and I can talk later Tony."

Tony nodded.

Ducky shut the door knowing Tony was in good hands with Abby. He stood out in the hallway staring into space for a few seconds. He thought back to the strange behavior of Tim. He'd seemed distracted, almost since the moment he woke up and then the mysterious conversation with Tony… He wondered what had happened in the hours in which they were missing gone.

Something very strange is going on. He thought.

Thank you all for reading and thank you for all the reviews and alerts. They truly brighten my day. I've talked with some of the sweetest people on this site. :)

Just to give you a heads up the story is far from over.

God bless you all in the New Year.