Thanks for the reviews and messages! I get ridiculously excited whenever i get a new one. Like, ridiculously. They are so motivating! Reeeeaaadd!

Tony flopped back down onto the leather couch as Abby perched herself on the coffee table in front of him, still tightly wrapped in the doona. Gibbs had ventured into the kitchen in search of some much needed caffeine. Abby grinned at Tony mischievously.

"What?"

The next thing he knew he was hauled to his feet and toured around the apartment as Abby pointed out the things she had installed earlier in the week, all of which he had missed. The first he saw was the alarm clock which he managed to get a little excited over. He even lay in the bed and felt the harsh vibrations when Abby set it off, jumping up as soon as he noticed Gibbs watching bemused in the doorway. By the time he had politely viewed the other objects and had reached the doorbell, he was running short of the energy required to mould his face into a convincible look of excitement. Not that he wasn't grateful, he was thankful to his friends. Abby grabbed his hand and guided his outstretched finger to press the doorbell before pushing and pulling him back into the house to watch the lights plink off, on, off, on, off, on. He felt guilty about it but could not help finding it all slightly depressing.

Abby noticed his mood swing. How cool is the doorbell! It didn't take long to install with McGee and his mad skills.

Tony smiled the classic DiNozzo smile and pulled Abby into a tight hug. "My skills are way madder" he said into her shoulder.

She pulled back and looked at him quizzically.

"You know, like nunchuck skills, bowhunting skills, computer hacking skills.."

Napoleon Dynamite - easy.

"McFuzzylogic should learn from me- 'girls only want boyfriends who have great skills'"

Gibbs entered the room holding a cup of the steaming brand of crap DiNozzo drank and called 'coffee'. He said something aloud to Abby about the last comment and she laughed and replied. Gibbs tried to hide his smile as he settled down on a chair with the newspaper.

"Huh?" Tony asked, knowing the joke was about him.

Abby turned to face him and began to speak, it was a full blown Abby rant. Tony tried in vain to catch the first few words before giving up completely and watching the blur that had replaced her mouth dumbly. What was she doing? Of course she knew he couldn't understand her?

"Tony, It's about time you learnt to lip read and speak sign language- I mean seriously. It's been two weeks now, I know it sucks like, heaps and heaps, but your going to have to live like this for the rest of your life. Plus, I have like, monster blisters on my hands from writing all the stupid notes, bigger than the ones I got from that rock climbing gym you took me to last year. Anyway- Gibbs feels the same way, right Gibbs? Yeah, we could teach you it if you want but I know this total spunk that works as a lip reading coach, as well as owning this sick-"

"Abbs, remember how he can't hear you?" Gibbs's voice was quiet as he looked over the top of his paper, taking in Abby's vacant expression as she spoke and the confused frown DiNozzo wore as he watched her.

"That's exactly the point Gibbs! I'm glad someone around here understands!" She said turning to face Tony's lost expression.

"Well, you don't really have a choice in it, I've booked you in for four weeks of intense monster lessons-"

"Abbs, remember how I can't hear you?" Tony said slowly.

Abby smiled and looked back at Gibbs who shook his head.

"Yes Tony, haven't you been paying any attention, Mister?"

She gave in to his pleading look and took out the slightly battered notebook, scribbling down her message happily.

I rest my case. Tomorrow- 4pm ( after your doctor's appointment ) Lip reading classes! Your sign language lessons start the day after. In the mean time you'll be having some lessons from Gibbs and I. Suck it up Mister, time to learn!

Tony read the note and looked up, suddenly looking enlightened. He over exaggerated a head nod and breathed out.

"Ohhh!"

Abby had touched the subject he had been meaning to bring up. Obviously he needed to learn sign language and how to lip read, and fast. How else would he function? Abby and Gibbs could already sign and that was going to be a big help. Unless everybody in the world suddenly bothered to learn it too he was going to have to learn.

Tony looked wiped out, Abby glanced over at Gibbs and then back at Tony who was just staring off into space. He had only napped for twenty minutes or so and his medication was supposed to make him tired. He looked dead on his feet.

Tony was distracted from his musing by Abby tapping him on the shoulder and mouthing something accompanied by an action. She placed her hands under her head and tilted to the side - sleep. Yes, sleep. When had he gotten so exhausted? When had standing got this tough and when had his eyelid begun to sport weights? He nodded his yes.

"You staying?"

Abby nodded.

"Boss, you staying?"

Gibbs didn't reply but kept reading his paper. Abby turned to him and repeated Tony's question. He realized he had been speaking to softly, when would he ever get used to this?

"I'll head off if in a minute, mind if I have a word with him in private, Abbs?" Gibbs said to Abby checking his watch. It was only four o'clock.

"Sir Yes, sir" Abby saluted and got out her notebook.

"I'll set my alarm for a couple of hours, I've got some take away menus in the kitchen if I'm not up and your hungry, plus Ziva packed the fridge. Knock yourself out with movies, I personally recommend the second shelf, for you my lady friend." Tony said

Gibbs wants a word before he skedaddles- I'm gonna set up camp in the living room. Go get your beauty sleep

"Boss?"

Gibbs rose and dropped the newspaper back on the chair before strolling past Tony and into the bedroom. Abby raised her eyebrows and giggled as Tony called after Gibbs before entering the bedroom after him.

"I usually buy dinner before we get to the bedroom, Boss. But in your case I'll happily save my money!"

Gibbs gestured for Tony to take a seat on the bed while he leant casually against the wall, scribbling on his own notebook. Tony hoped the little meeting would be quick, he was having trouble focusing when all he could think of was the comfortable mattress underneath him. The scribbling continued longer than Tony expected, Gibbs seemed to be writing an essay on the paper. He had a feeling he knew what it was about.

I spoke to the Director and the beginning of the week -said he hoped you felt better and would organize insurance and bills later. Main thing is I spoke to him about your job. You should be kissing my feet at the moment because when I first went in you were unemployed. Vance agreed to let you keep your position in the team but you will have to undergo some special training and workplace communication instruction. He can't let you in the field DiNozzo, even I know that and there is so far I can go without having my ass kicked. Believe me, I got close. It's gonna be desk work, We've got Agent Zach Brigs working with us at the moment. Vance wants us to take him on for the field when you get back, still fighting that one: he's a real pain in the ass. Get on with the sign language and lip reading, McGee is getting too comfortable at your desk.

Tony read and re-read the message and rubbed his hand over his eyes, he was so tired it was hard to process. It was something that he hadn't stopped thinking about since the explosion, but hated to think about it at the same time. He hadn't been sure if we would get his job back and had been preparing himself for a fist fight with Vance to get back in. It all seemed to simple. Gibbs had fought this battle for him, it was almost a gift.

"I don't know Boss; I'm going to have to think about it"

There's nothing to think about DiNozzo, you've got extended sick leave and Vance is paying for your training and lessons. Abby's got you booked into every available slot at this lip reading coach and is dragging you to every sign language lesson. McGee and Palmer are thinking about learning it too. I need your ass back in the office ASAP.

"Yes Boss, It's just-"

He stopped as Gibbs sat down next to him on the bed with a sigh and put a hand on Tony's shoulder. Tony looked down at the hand in horror and then held the same expression as he looked into his boss's face.

"Physical contact. Your being nice. Are you feeling alright Boss? Maybe I did die.."

A ghost of a smile passed across Gibbs's face and he patted Tony's shoulder before letting his hand drop. Tony watched Gibbs, Gibbs watched the floor. He had no idea how long he stared at the patterns in the carpet, he was lost in thought and feeling. He had taken Tony's injury hard. He had decided in the waiting room on that first fateful day that he would not blame himself, and he didn't. He had thought logically about the situation and he knew it was not his fault and he could not have done much about the small bomb. It shook him how close he had come to loosing his agent, his friend. Gibbs wasn't a man with many friends, it was easier to not have so many; that way there was less chance of loosing them. He had had enough loosing of important people, friends and family in his life to risk more suffering. He couldn't think what he would have done if McGee hadn't been there to pluck Tony out alive, defiantly something drastic. Tony was too close a friend for Gibbs to loose. Why hadn't he told Tony that before? Why hadn't he told Tony that when he could still hear it?

"I'm glad you didn't DiNozzo. I really thought you had for a minute there, I won't leave you behind like that again." Gibbs said aloud, looking at Tony who seemed to understand what Gibbs was getting at and sat solemn on the bed.

"I should have had your six. Tony, your a good agent and I have worked with you longer than I have done with any one else, and your not gonna screw up my record now."

Tony watched Gibbs's mouth and body language as he spoke to him, he knew it didn't really matter what Gibbs had said, he knew what he had meant. He nodded slightly and continued to watch his boss, unsure of how to handle this rare occasion. Gibbs didn't seem to be saying anymore so Tony thought it best to tie it off before it got really emotional.

"Boss?"

Gibbs looked up from under his brow.

"Thanks."

If you ever need anything Tony, just call. The small scrappy note tied off all Gibbs was trying to say.

Tony read the message twice, making sure he hadn't imagined it. Yes, he was sure of it now, he had died.

"Well now you mention it Boss, I have a heap of dirty laundry from two weeks back, and there's this itch on my lower back thats driving me crazy.."

The head-slap was not unexpected.

"Right, well I'll pencil you in to feed me some grapes on Thursday, I'll be sure to let you know if anything else crops up."

I mean it Tony.

"So do I Gibbs. Really, thanks..."

It was final. Gibbs patted DiNozzo's shoulder again and rose from the bed to leave. Tony grinned childishly after him-

"I don't really like the skins so you'll have to peel them off, and make sure to buy green ones, with no pips."

Gibbs ignored him. He opened the bedroom door wearily and stopped dead at the sight of Abby leaning on the wall beside the door, eavesdropping. She looked up at him like a deer caught in the headlights, her mouth gaped like a fish out of water. Excuses raced through her mind.

"Gibbs, my favourite almighty, forgiving, hunk of boss. I can explain!"

Tony leaned over on the bed to see what had caused his boss to stop motionless, only two things could stop Gibbs; either it was a homicidal maniac with a gun or it was Abby Scuito. It was Abby Scuito.

"I'm the favourite child now?" Tony smiled smuggly, happy to not be the only child ever caught eavesdropping on their boss's conversations. It seemed to have a more drastic air when Abby was caught. The novelty had long run out seven years ago when he was first busted.

Gibbs flicked out the lightswitch in reply and shut the door. Abby stood up and smiled.

"You leaving now?" She asked cheerfully, side-stepping around the awkward moment and moving on.

"Next time, I'm not buying you a caff-pow"

"Next time I won't solve all your cases for you." Abby said looking wounded.

Gibbs smirked and kissed Abby on the top of her head.

"He pretty much agreed to the job situation, better then nothing anyway." Gibbs said.

"I know" Abby giggled, "I heard! We did pretty well this afternoon Bossman, team-work!"

Abby held out her hand for a high five, Gibbs just looked at the hand.

"High-five, my super silver haired fox!"

Nothing, Gibbs wore an expressionless mask.

"Hey, hey! Don't leave me hanging! Arn't you going to slip me some skin? No? High-five? Scuba dive?"

Abby let her hand drop in a diving motion but the smile never left her face.

"You know you really are turning into a grumpy old man. You should get out more- socialize! Hit some clubs, new people, flashing lights, dance floors! Maybe come bowling with me and the nuns. Yes, that really bring everyone out of their shell, and comfort zone for that matter."

Gibbs looked up at the ceiling, half rolling his eyes before exiting briskly through the front door. Mission accomplished. Abby wasn't offended in the least.

Something TERRIBLE happened my friendly Fanfiction shut-ins! One of my friends discovered my secret, after a short fight over the mouse the horrifying truth was revielled to my peer. Never go on fanfiction in class time, it's a sure way to get caught and have your social life shattered infront of your very eyes. Don't worry, I taped it back together with some blunt, fat lies.

Alriiigghhttt. Well I'm not to sure how fast I can get the next chapter up, not too long. I've got exams these few weeks, I should probably be studying but I find procrastination with my study is fueling my fanfiction writing at the moment. Yes, even my procrastination has no life.

Help, tips and criticism appreciated. (PS you know I'm kidding right? Love you all)