First off, I realize I promised some action, but as usual my chapters end up being longer than I intend (many many words longer). So I hope you enjoy. Thanks to all those who have let me know through reviews and story alerts and favorites. :)

The next morning McGee was set to be discharged. Sarah was coming to take him home and then stay with him. Gibbs felt guilty that they hadn't called her right away but it had honestly slipped his mind at the time and when McGee woke up he had insisted it was the end of exam week and she shouldn't be bothered.

"Why didn't you call me?" She immediately demanded when Gibbs met her in the lobby that morning.

"I honestly didn't think about it when everything was going on and then later Tim didn't want to bother you." Gibbs said. Sarah rolled her eyes.

"Well somebody, who didn't have a concussion, should have overruled the patient, who did have a concussion, and called his sister." She said tightly, heading to her brother's room.

"You're right." Gibbs conceded following her. "I'm sorry."

"Wow, I got an apology from Agent Gibbs." She said, her surprise showing the in pause of her step. "Well I'll take that."

The corners of Gibbs' mouth turned up a little slightly please that his rules making their way out into the world.

"Daddy doesn't believe in apologies ether." She continued, trying to make small talk. "He says only weak people apologize."

Gibbs frowned slightly. "It's not exactly the same thing."

"Yeah, that's what Tim says. Something about you can have a weakness and not be weak. I don't know, they seem the same to me." She said.

Gibbs was about to say something else but they reached Tim's room and Sarah rushed in.

It took McGee several minutes to reassure his sister he was fine. The papers were signed and Sarah wheeled her brother out to the car. Gibbs helped him in her tiny car careful to keep his knee from getting bumped and watched them pull away making a mental note to drop by and make sure everything was alright before the day was over.

He walked back into the hospital feeling a little uneasy about what Sarah had said.

He didn't have weak people on his team and he in no way implied that anyone on his team lacked inner strength, but he was surprised to find himself wondering if that was how it was taken.

He shook the feeling off and entered Tony's room, where things only got stranger. Tony seemed thoughtful, guarded. He wasn't talking or chatting and he seemed to only be half watching the movie that was on TV. Gibbs sat with him, not really knowing to deal with this quiet DiNozzo, until Ziva came.

Gibbs headed home to shower and change clothes before going back into the office. The Baird's hadn't been found yet but Gibbs knew it was only a matter of time before they slipped up and made a mistake.

It was quiet and he wrapped up his paper work quickly. He headed out to get a Caf-Pow for Abby and coffee for himself before taking the elevator down to her lab. Agents who had canvassed the Baird house found the shed the tractor was stored in. It was just off the property and looked abandoned. They had taken paint samples from the front of the tractor. Procedure dictated they had to be tested, but Gibbs had no doubt where the paint had come from.

What they hadn't found was what was used to drug Tony and McGee, but the testimonies of two federal agents was more than enough.

"Got anything for me Abby." He asked coming up behind her and setting down the Caf-Pow.

"Hey Gibbs! How's McGee, did he go home with Sarah? When does Tony get to leave?" She asked her questions in rapid succession.

"Sarah picked up McGee this morning and Tony will probably be released tomorrow. What have you got?" Gibbs asked trying to lead her back to the task at hand.

"I bet Tony's going crazy." Abby continued. "He hates hospitals and waiting and doctors, well except for Ducky. And one day Palme. McGee doesn't like hospitals either but at least he got to go home today. That is so bad though he only has one arm to defend himself in case something happens. I mean his left arm is fine which I guess is really the most important thing. Tony probably couldn't defend himself either though right now. I-."

"Abby." Gibbs warned reaching for the Caf-Pow.

"No! I have something." She said quickly moving the drink away from him. She reached to pick up the samples behind her. "You do realize I've been alone all day with no one to talk to?" She pouted.

"Someone's here now, waiting, not so patiently, to find out what you have." Gibbs said pointedly.

"Right, so the paint from the front of the tractor definitely belonged to the car Tony and McGee were driving that night." She set the sample back down and turned back to her computer. Gibbs waited.

"That's it?"

"Well, yeah, that's all anyone brought me. I mean Ducky's working on Reed's body. He has a body from Agent Rainer's case which was there first so it takes priority but…" She lifted her shoulders in a shrug.

"Are you tracing Kyle's cell phone?" Gibbs asked.

"Trying. It's not on. I've got a program watching it for when he does switch it on, but until then not much I can do but wait"

She started working on her computer again. When Gibbs didn't leave immediately, she turned back to face him.

"What's wrong, Gibbs?" Abby asked. Gibbs wasn't in the habit of hanging around when she had given him what he needed.

"Abby." He started hesitantly. "Aww hell, now I'm catching…whatever this is, making everyone crazy. "Have you talked to DiNozzo since he woke up?"

"Of course." Abby gave him an odd look.

"What did he say?"

"Lots of stuff, Tony talks a lot." She said still confused.

"I mean about-." What do I mean?

"Never mind, Abbs."

"What's wrong with Tony, Gibbs?" Abby asked slightly panicked.

"Nothing, Abby. I don't know." Gibbs said honestly. "He's just acting strange."

"Tony always acts strange." She laughed.

"Yeah." Gibbs smirked. "I mean strange for him, out of character."

Abby thought for a minute. "He was acting a little weird. Kind of standoff-ish. I mean usually he loves the attention, especially the attention you give him, but this time he was acting like he didn't need anybody."

"Yeah." Gibbs thought for a few more moments before shaking his head. He kissed Abby's temple before turning to leave.

"Gibbs, I'm going to see him after work, after I stop by McGee's. Do you want me to ask anything?" Abby asked as he was right outside the door. He stuck his head back in.

"No, Abby. It's ok."

Gibbs stood in his empty squad room and looked around. He would never admit this but it was lonely without them here. His kids bantering. They annoyed the living daylights out of him a lot of times but he enjoyed their presence.

He finished some paper work and grabbed his keys to leave. Thirty minutes later he knocked on McGee's door. Sarah answered.

"Hey Agent Gibbs." She greeted, ushering him in. "Tim just went to bed. I can wake him up if-."

Gibbs held up his hand. "Its fine, Sarah. Needs his sleep."

She smiled. "Would you like some coffee?" When he nodded she went to the kitchen.

Gibbs stood looking around. Tim's apartment was like an extension of himself. Technology filled half the living space and the other half seemed to be devoted to books and writing. He smiled. Tim seemed trapped between centuries. He was an old soul who also thrived in the technical world, the latest advances. It was a fascinating mix.

Sarah brought two cups over and they both sat at the table. Gibbs took a sip.

"Good coffee." He said. Sarah blushed at the compliments.

"How McGee been doing?" Gibbs asked.

"Good, he was pretty tired. He tried to stay up so he would sleep tonight but he was sitting at him computer about to go to sleep so I finally made him go to bed early."

Gibbs chuckled at the thought of McGee being bossed around by his younger sister.

"How is Tony?" Sarah asked.

"He'll be fine. He's pretty tough and he has a hard head." Gibbs said and Sarah laughed.

"Does he have anyone to stay with him?" She asked stirring her coffee. "If he doesn't, he could come here."

"I have a guest room, planning on letting him crash with me for a while." Gibbs said taking another drink.

Sarah nodded. "That's cool, my boss would never let me stay with her. She makes it pretty clear she has no desire to see us outside of work. Which is fine because she is a trip. Wow"

Gibbs chucked.

He was surprised to find Sarah McGee fairly easy to talk to. He assumed not being suspected for murder had something to do with the difference in the last time he'd seen her and now. He smiled to himself as she talked. He could see why Tim was so proud of her. She was so different from her brother but it was apparent how devoted they were to each other despite his earlier opinion of her during the case when they'd first met.

"Well Sarah," Gibbs said standing up after he'd finished his second cup of coffee, "I'd better get going."

"Ok, thanks for stopping by Agent Gibbs. I'll tell Tim you were here."

Gibbs lifted his hand in a wave as he left. He smiled when he passed Abby hearse on her way to McGee's.

The next morning Gibbs was getting the papers to sign Tony out and reflected on the night before. It had unnerved Gibbs more than he thought it would to see his senior field agent so uncharacteristically quiet. Gibbs wished he was better with words and could just ask what was going on, but Tony always seemed to do better if he could come on his own terms so Gibbs was determined to wait him out.

Gibbs helped Tony in the house and settled into his room before going to get his stuff from the car.

Tony was irritated. Beyond irritated, he was furious. He had practically been vibrating with anger on the way home, but Gibbs hadn't seemed to notice.

Once they were in the house and he was sitting on the bed, exhaustion swept over him and he could hardly keep his eyes open. His body was telling him to sleep, but first he wanted to check on Tim. He didn't like it that McGee had been left to himself, ok Sarah was with him, but still.

Need to call Tim. He though sleepily. See what's going on.

He pulled out his phone and opened it as the downiness hit him again.

I'll just lay down while I talk to him. I won't go to sleep. He thought pressing #2 on speed dial and hit the button to connect before closing his eyes. Just going to rest my eyes.

Tony was asleep before it rang twice.

Tim was sitting at his computer when his phone range. He flipped open his phone with one hand and held it to his ear. He didn't hear anything and frowned, pulling the phone away from his ear to see who was calling. Seeing the name, he put the phone to his ear again.

"Tony, what are you doing?" Worry grew in his stomach when he received no answer.

"Tony, Tony answer me!" He yelled. Still nothing.

"Come on Tony." He mumbled, listening for a few more seconds. Quickly he hung up and called Gibbs, letting his mind run through all the terrible things that could have happened. Tony could have fallen, he could be in a coma from his concussion or they could have wrecked on the way home, he could be…

"Please pick up." He quietly begged as he listened to it ring. He closed his eyes in relief when a gruff voice answered.

"Gibbs."

"It's McGee, is Tony ok?"

"McGee, wha-. He should be. I just left him a few minutes ago." McGee could tell Gibbs was moving though the house, could hear him going up the steps. A few moments later he heard a quiet chuckle.

"What's going on?" Tim demanded still feeling his heard pounding..

"He's asleep. Phone's open, I guess he tried to call you."

"Oh." McGee suddenly felt foolish. It could have been serious. He reminded himself.

"Hey." Gibbs's voice broke through his thoughts, surprisingly gentle. "You ok McGee?"

Tim swallowed. "I'm fine Boss, just…um, worried when I didn't get a response."

"Hmm. You need anything."

"No, I don't think so."

"Call me if you do."

"Ok."

"I mean it, Tim."

"I will." He promised.

Gibbs shut his phone and looked down at his sleeping agent, pulling he cover up to his shoulders. He shut the phone and set it on the night stand before leaving the room.

Gibbs woke Tony several hours later. He groaned as Gibbs helped him sit up. The aching in his ribs was worse than before. At least the pain in his head had dulled.

"I'll go get your pain pills." Gibbs said making sure he wasn't going to collapse when he let him go. Satisfied he could sit up on his own, Gibbs headed downstairs to get the water and pills. Tony looked around and when he saw his phone on the nightstand he realized he hadn't actually talked to McGee.

Call McGee, take two.

McGee picked up on the first ring.

"Tony?" A worried voice answered.

"Hey McGeek." He said lightly. "What's happening?"

"Not much. Are you ok?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

"You called me earlier, but fell asleep before you could talk. I had to call Gibbs to make sure you were ok." Tim said succinctly.

"Ohhh. Yeah I'm fine. How are you feeling?" He grimaced as he shifted slightly.

"Good. I'm going to go in tomorrow and see if Ducky will clear me for desk duty."

"Fun. Take some Earl Grey tea, you know, to bribe him."

Tim chuckled. "I'll do that."

"How's Sarah?"

"Fine. She went home this morning."

"What!"

"I don't need anyone to stay with me Tony."

"You have a concussion." Tony said a little angrily.

"Yes and I was treated for it at a hospital and then released." Tim said matter of factly.

"You only have one arm." Tony tried again.

"When Werth dislocated my arm, and it was in a sling, I was fine by myself then." McGee reminded.

"Yeah, but-."

"Tony," McGee interrupted, "you're not my mother nor do I need you to be. If you doing this because of what I said the in the mine, please don't just drop it. I didn't mean it. Ok its freaking me out you being nice like this."

"Fine." Tony muttered.

"What?" Tim asked.

"I said fine." Tony yelled loudly, causing his rib to ache. He brought his hand up to rest on his chest and groaned a little.

"Don't hurt yourself Tony." Tim sighed.

"Don't worry your pretty little head about me Probie." Tony winced but McGee couldn't see that. "I'll talk to you later. Let me know how tomorrow goes."

"I will. Bye Tony."

Gibbs noticed Tony was even edgier now than he had been on the ride home. He felt like he was sharing the dinner table with an angry ten year old.

Finally Gibbs had enough.

"You got something you want to say to me DiNozzo?" He asked bluntly

"No Boss." Tony answered quietly.

"Then what are you sulking about?" Yup, definitely a ten year old.

Tony looked him dead in the eye.

"Why did you let McGee go home?"

Gibbs raised his eyebrow. "As opposed to what?"

"Letting him stay with you or Ducky."

"Sarah took him home." Gibbs reminded.

"She's not there now." Tony countered. "She went home this morning."

Gibbs brow furrowed slightly but he didn't say anything.

"He shouldn't be walking up stairs either, not with his knee." Tony continued.

This time Gibbs really did frown. "His building doesn't have an elevator?" Come to think of it he hadn't notice one when he went. He just took the stairs.

"It's been broken for months."

Gibbs grunted. He didn't know that. He quickly refocused though.

"What is this really about? You've been angry all day and I know it's not about a broken elevator."

Tony paused. He couldn't exactly tell Gibbs the problem and he was becoming increasingly pessimistic that the man would pick up on it himself. He hadn't in eight years after all. There were a few strategies he could take. He started thinking that he would have to have a little more planning and preparation. Diversion it seemed was his best tactic for now.

"If Tim can go home, then I can too, at least I have two arms." Tony said stubbornly.

Gibbs studied him. "Alright." He said slowly. "I'll take you home tomorrow."

"But-."

"Someone stayed with McGee his first night out of the hospital and since you want to go by precedent that's how it's going to be." Gibbs said with finality. "I'll go check on McGee tonight."

"I suppose you'll make me stay here." Tony said warily.

"Now you're catching on." Gibbs stood up to take his plate to the kitchen grabbing Tony's as he went.

Gibbs cleaned up the kitchen and, after making sure Tony was comfortable, he left him on the couch watching a movie while he headed to Tim's place.

He was ten minutes away when he got the call. State troopers had picked up Kyle and Josie Baird and were escorting them back to NCIS. Making a quick decision he wheeled the car around and headed toward the office.

He wanted to put this matter to bed. The sooner he could do that the better it would be for Tony and McGee. They could wrap up the paper work on Victoria Reed's murder and start the week out fresh. It would be best for everyone. He hadn't actually told McGee he was coming so that wouldn't be a problem and after he signed for the prisoners he would call Tony to let him know it might be a while.

So apparently I'm wordy, because a scene I thought would come up this chapter probably won't appear until Chapter 14. So hang with me. I hope you are still enjoying the story.

Thanks for reading! :)

Faithfully yours