Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS, or the characters, and probably never will.

AN: I have no medical knowledge, just way too much time to search the internet.

Thank you so much for all your wonderful reviews, I truly value each and every one!

Enjoy!

After yet another ten hours, in which the group barely even moves, let alone considers taking a rest, a nurse cautiously approaches them, she has been forewarned of Gibbs' temper. "Sorry to interrupt." She says quickly, before she tells them. "I just got off the phone, Anthony DiNozzo is out of surgery, his condition is still critical, but he has been stabilized and they're transferring him to the intensive care unit, and if you make your way there you should be able to see him soon."

They all release a breath they hadn't realized was being held, and Ducky looks up at the nurse, and he kindly tells her. "Thank you."

Abby, her voice still rough from crying, still needs to ask. "What about Ziva? It's been forever, there should be news."

The nurse pauses a moment, trying to remember what she's heard on Ziva's condition. "She is still in surgery, but she last I heard she was holding her own. Someone will come find you as soon as there is news."

As Gibbs helps Abby stand up on her still shaky legs, he gratefully says to the nurse. "Thank you, waiting here..."

"Is hell. I know." The nurse finishes knowingly; she then watches the haggard group make their way towards the ICU.

Gibbs leads Abby and Ducky through the doors into the intensive care unit, and it isn't long before a nurse approaches them and enquires. "Who are you here to see?"

"Anthony DiNozzo." Gibbs answers shortly, he is more than a little concerned as the nurses false smile drops as he says his underling's name. "What?! Is he alright?"

The nurse motions to a small sitting area nearby. "Come sit down, and I'll fill you in before you see him." Prepare you for what you'll see, in other words.

"No." Gibbs quickly replies. "We're fine here. How is he?"

The nurse sighs, but complies with Gibbs. "Mr DiNozzo-"

"Tony." Abby correctly him quickly.

The nurse amends. "Tony was brought into the hospital following a car accident. He was trapped for several hours before rescue workers could free him."

"We know all this. How is he?" Gibbs says, fighting to reign in his temper of this young man before him who seems incapable of a straight answer.

"Tony is in a critical, but stable condition; that means that he has been seriously injured, but the treating team has been able to stabilize him. His injuries are extensive, and he's got a tough road ahead, it's touch and go right now, but hopefully he'll pull through."

"What injuries does he have?" Ducky asks, needing to get to the point.

The nurse brings to list off the various injuries. "Most seriously, he has a large amount of swelling around his spinal cord, which could lead to paralysis, but we won't know for certain until the swelling has gone down completely, which could take up to a month, he also has a collapsed lung, caused by broken rib, which was surgically repaired and should heal well, and he has a severely fractured pelvis, which has been stabilized as well as possible and with time should heal. There're also fractures in both his legs and his left arm, they've been surgically repaired and they too should heal. He became unstable during surgery and the surgeon will have to go back in a few days when Tony's strong enough, so that they repairs can be completed. But right now our biggest concern is that because he was trapped for so long, with most of his body being for want of a better word, crushed, he has what is known as rhabdomyolysis, which means that on top of his injuries he is at risk of going into kidney failure, and in his condition, there is a high chance that he may not survive that. I'm sorry there isn't better news, but I can promise you that we are doing everything we can, so don't give up on him."

"Wasn't planning to." Gibbs replies, holding onto whatever composure he has left. One member of his team is already dead, and the other two still aren't safe.

"Can we see him?" Ducky asks cautiously, he's seen a lot in his line of work, but hearing that list of injuries, knowing that a friend is the one they have been inflicted upon is another thing all together.

The nurse nods, answering. "Sure. Follow me." As they walk, the nurse says. "He is still unconscious and dependant on a ventilator, and there are a number of other pieces of equipment in the room, just so you know what to expect."

As they reach Tony's room, which is ominously the closest to the nurses' station and has a crash cart parked just outside, the nurse says. "You can stay as long as you want. If you need anything just press the buzzer, ask for Jay, that's me."

After Jay has left them alone, it is almost a minute before Gibbs finally opens the door and leads the others into the room. He hears Abby gasp behind him as she sees Tony, and he has to admit that he isn't fairing much better, seeing his second in charge, a friend of over ten years, lying in the sterile hospital bed, engulfed by medical equipment, his face unnaturally pale, lacking any of it's usual energy. "Damn it, Tony." Gibbs murmurs as he makes his way over to the bed and takes a seat beside the bed, barely noticing as Abby and Ducky do much the same on the other side of the bed.

Not long after they have settled in, the small group is jolted when the door is swung open, and another nurse walks in. "Mr Gibbs?" She says in an appropriately hushed voice.

"Yes?" Gibbs says, taking his attention away from Tony, to the nurse. Tony would have a field day if he met her. Gibbs notes as soon as he sees her.

"Ziva David is out of surgery, she's asking for you."

Gibbs practically jumps out of his seat. "Where is she?"

"Just down the hall, I'll show you." The nurse offers, and Gibbs quickly follows her from the room after he gives Abby and Ducky a simple message. "I'll be back soon, just stay with Tony."

Gibbs silently follows the nurse down the hallway, and eventually into another room. And as she steps aside, bringing Ziva into Gibbs' full view, he is stopped in his tracks. "Oh god, Ziva."

TBC...

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