Ziva and Abby sat in the two squashy arm chairs beside Tony's bed. It was late at night, Mcgee and Gibbs had returned to the office after briefly visiting Tony to continue on the case. McGee had only managed about the same amount of time as Gibbs had in Tony's small hospital room, the disconcerting slience got to him. He figured he was much more use in the office, working on the case then sitting uncomfortably and awkwardly in the hospital room. Ducky had left soon after with promises to return early in the morning.

Ziva's head was resting back on the chair and enormous snores erupted from her open mouth. Abby lay with her head resting on the hospital bed next to Tony's and one arm gently placed on his bandaged hand, carefully avoiding the IV chord. She'd murmered softly to Tony when Ziva and her had first taken up their positions, comforting herself with the one way conversation. She now rested in silence.

Abby's head snapped up instantly when she felt Tony's cold fingers twitch under her own.

"Tony?" She questioned cautiously as a low moan escaped her friends lips. Ziva had woken too at the sound and with a nod to Abby she slid out of the room quickly to notify a nurse.

Abby gazed at his bandaged face intently and couldn't help breaking into a slight smile as the emerald green eyes cracked open briefly before sliding shut again.

Ziva re entered the room quickly followed by a couple of nurses and Dr Davidson who immediately took up Abby's place by Tony's head and started checking the monitors.

"Tony, we need you to wake up now." One of the nurses said, touching his shoulder gently.

Tony's eyes cracked open again at the touch and he blinked lazily at the scene. He felt numb and heavy except for the harsh pounding and the constant ringing in his ears. He had to blink a few times to pull his eyes into focus and straighten out his incoherent thoughts. Somebody was leaning over his face and speaking directly to him, though he could not make out what the stranger was saying over the ringing in his ears. He opened his mouth to ask what was going on, but stopped short when he realized he could not hear himself speaking.

Abby tried to let Tony know she was there. She could see him becoming more worked up as the doctors continued asking him questions. His eyes glinted with panic and he looked around wildly.

"Where am – "He started in a husky voice and stopped short when he couldn't hear himself. The Doctor spoke to him franticly, gaining his attention as he tapped him on his uninjured shoulder and got directly in his line of vision. Tony's eyes were wide and rolled about the crowded room in panic.

"Somebody get me a pen and paper- NOW" Yelled Dr Davidson over his shoulder while a nurse fumbled a note pad and pencil over his way.

The Doctor scribbled quickly on the note pad before thrusting it in front of Tony's eyes. The patient squinted as he tried to pull the words into focus and concentrated on making out the scrawl.

Anthony, you were in an explosion and are now in hospital. You suffered some burns and a head injury. The explosion has caused some damage to your ears and hearing, this may be temporary or it could be permanent. We are going to put you through some testing. If this is only temporary you should regain your hearing in at least 48 hours. Are you experiencing any tinnitus - buzzing, ringing or roaring in your ears?

Tony relaxed slightly into the bed as he finished the end of the note and looked up to the doctor, he nodded slightly and attempted to say the word 'ringing' though he had no idea whether he had said it aloud or not. The doctor nodded and turned back to the nurses. Panic grew again inside the agent as he watched the scene. It was like the watching television with it muted. What if this was permanent? What would he do with his life if we was never going to hear again? How would he cope?

Abby pushed her way past the nurses as they discussed what they should do next. She noticed Tony beginning to panic again and stepped into his line of vision for the first time, grasping his hand and squeezing it. He looked over and put on a weak smile for her, but he had no energy to keep the mask up and it dropped quickly. Ziva appeared next to Abby and his heart dropped to his stomach as he took in the tears that dampened her cheeks. He had seen Abby cry before, but Ziva was the tough Mossad ninja chick that never showed emotion, let alone tears.

"I am going to call Gibbs and McGee now, I will be back in a minute" Ziva said turning to Abby, and then back to Tony, offering a small smile before escaping out the sliding doors.

Ziva was not one to normally cry, though seeing her normally strong partner reduced to lying terrified in a hospital bed terrified her herself. There was nothing but the weak and un-reassuring smile he had attempted, when normally he was a string of taunts, jokes and pointless banter. She whipped out her mobile and hit her speed dial. Gibbs answered on the second ring.

"Yeah, Gibbs"

"Gibbs, it's Ziva. Tony is awake"

"I'm on my way"

"He can't hear Gibbs"

"I'm getting Ducky and I will be there in ten minutes"

"They said it could be permanent."

"Ziva, we are coming. Just stay with Abby and we will be there"

Ziva stood listening to the dial tone. She was tired, everybody was tired and this had not been an easy day. She turned to reenter the crowded room but was greeted by Dr Davidson carrying a chart.

"We have got him scheduled in for the tests early tomorrow morning. He is exhausted now and we have given him a dose of pain medication, so he is sleeping."

"What about his hearing?"

"If it is going to be temporary he should regain his hearing in the next 48 hours. It's rare that a person that has been exposed to this sort of hearing loss should regain their hearing after more than two days, though it is not unheard of."

Abby slid through the open door and came to stand next to Ziva looking tear stained and tired.

"Tony is strong, he is a fighter he is the strongest guy I know. He'll easily get over this, since he is almost as invincible as Gibbs. This will be just like a mini speed bump for him, like really small. He'll be absolutely fine. He always says that 'I'm fine', always! He was 'fine' when he had the plague. He was back at work like only a couple of weeks later!" Abby rambled on, it seemed as though she was trying to convince herself as much as she was trying convince Ziva.

"Abby" Gibbs cut her off before she could continue and she seemed to sag before Gibbs caught her in a hug. Ducky walked over and Ziva hugged him.

"Abigail and Ziva, why don't you two go home and get some rest, you both look as though you need it. Jethro and I are going to remain here and speak to the doctor, we'll stay with Anthony tonight."

"I have to stay, what if he wakes up again?" Abby moaned.

"Abby, I need you at your best tomorrow so we can find who did this? Okay? You can come in tomorrow Abbs, Duck and I will take it from here" Gibbs said quietly into her ear. "Ziva, same for you, we need to catch this guy"

"I'll be back here really early before work, tell Tony that if he wakes up. " Abby whispered.

Gibbs kissed her on the forehead.

"Tell me he is going to be okay, Gibbs"

"He'll be okay Abbs."

"How do you know?"

Gibbs was silent and hugged her a little tighter then released her. Abby sniffed before turning to take Ziva's arm as they left the hospital building in the early hours of the morning. Ducky and Gibbs watched them leave before turning to enter the hospital room where their friend lay.

Oh my god people! Thank you for reviewing! I didn't realize people would ACTUALLY read it! This is my first fanfiction so this is kinda exciting :)