Just over an hour later, another Seahawk returned from the USS Freedom, carrying the remaining members of the SEAL unit on board as well as DiNozzo and McGee. From the moment they touched down, Tony and McGee were asking how their colleagues were. Not surprisingly no one on the flight deck had a clue. They desperately wanted to go below to sickbay but were told they had to attend a mission debrief before they could do so. They knew they had no choice so did as they were ordered. However, neither agent was able to concentrate during the debriefing. They were too distracted. All Tony could think about was how bad Gibbs looked as they loaded him into the Seahawk. He tried to ignore his fears that maybe his boss didn't make it. He urged himself to stay positive and inwardly scolded himself for such negativity. And although he was worried about Ziva as well, he knew she was tough and had no doubts that she would be fine. He just hoped she could forgive him one day for killing Rivkin. He missed their friendship and hoped that it to would recover.

For the bulk of the debriefing, the Platoon Commander answered most of the questions. It went on for almost another hour. Finally, it ended and both McGee and DiNozzo high tailed it to sickbay. As they tried to enter they were stopped by a Corpsman who explained to them that sickbay was very busy at the moment and they wouldn't be allowed to enter. Tony pleaded with the young medical officer, explaining what they had just gone through and how they desperately needed to see their friends. The Corpsman could see the worry etched on both their faces. He relented and allowed them in.

When they got inside they could see Fornell on one bed surrounded by monitors. He looked peaceful as he slept. Ziva was in another bed in the far corner. She too was resting, unaware of their arrival. Tony became really concerned when he realised that Gibbs was no where to be seen.

"The other man that came in with them, where is he?" Tony asked in a panicked voice.

"He's in surgery at the moment," one of the nurses informed them.

"Is he going to be okay?" McGee wondered.

"I really don't know. I wasn't treating him. I'm pretty sure he was stable when they brought him in though," she replied.

"Can we wait until he's out?" Tony asked.

"I can't see why not," she smiled flirtatiously. Tony responded with a meek smile. Usually he would have been more open to her flirting but he had too much on his mind. He walked slowly over to where Ziva lay. He stared down at her. She looked horrendous. He face was a mass of bruises and contusions. She was far from the raven haired beauty that he admired from his desk each day. He felt sick to his stomach looking at her like this. How could anyone do this to her? As he stood watching she stirred.

"Gibbs?" she asked, sensing that there was someone there but unable to see clearly through her swollen eyes.

"No, Ziva, it's me. Tony," he said touching her hand gently. She turned her head to try and get a clearer look.

"What are you doing here?" she asked a little crossly.

"I was worried about you," he replied. "I wanted to help."

"Really? The last time you wanted to help you killed Michael. Maybe I don't need your help," she snapped allowing a sob escape as she did so.

"I'm sorry. I'll go then," Tony said, his heart breaking as he realised that she still hated him. He turned to leave. As he did, she reached for his hand.

"Tony, don't," Ziva sobbed regretting her harshness.

"What?"

"Don't go. I'm sorry. I should be thanking you and Gibbs. Where is Gibbs?" she wondered doing her best to look around the room.

"The doctors are looking after him," Tony told her, playing down the seriousness of Gibbs injury, not wanting to worry her too much. "He'll be back soon," Tony said, pulling up a stool beside her bed and holding her hand softly. "McGeek is here too," Tony told her.

"Good. Hey McGee," she said drowsily.

"Hey, Ziva. You take it easy and get well. Rest, okay," he said leaning in and kissing her gently on the forehead. "We'll be here when you wake up."

She closed here eyes and allowed the fatigue to pull her into a deep welcoming slumber. As she slept McGee kept watch on Fornell bcause he knew Gibbs would want him to. He was still sleeping following his surgery but the nurses said that he was doing fine. A short time later Gibbs was wheeled back into the room from the operating theatre. Both Tony and McGee stood up when they saw him returning. Tony's first thought was "Thank God". He had made it. The Corpsmen and nursing staff settled him back into his bed and set up drips and drains around him. A nasal canula was placed under his nose and a crisp white sheet pulled up to his chest.

"How is he?" McGee asked when he saw the Corpsman filling out a chart at the bottom of the bed.

"Pretty well, considering. I don't know how he made it back to the ship though. The bullet lodged behind his sternum, nicking the upper lobe of his lung on entry. He lost a lot of blood. It was a tricky operation but the ships surgeon is one of the best. His main concern is for the muscle damage that may result around the spine and neck. It could be a long recovery for him though," he explained.

"But he's going to be okay though," Tony asked looking for reassurances.

"Looks like it. He's one lucky son of a bitch. Had that bullet been another inch to the left, he'd be paraplegic if not dead," the Corpsman remarked in amazement.

Tony absorbed his words and looked down at his boss. He's that and more, he thought. Despite his own exhaustion, he decided to sit with him a while. He didn't want Gibbs to wake up with complete strangers looking down at him. The sickbay wasn't the most comfortable place to wait. He sat on a hard metal chair that he procured from an office while no one was looking. He folded his arms and rested his head on his chest and tried to doze. He must have nodded off because he woke with a start when he heard his name. He looked up and saw no one. Then he glanced at the bed. Gibbs lay there his eyes open, looking straight at him.

"Boss, you're awake," he said a little shocked but delighted to see those blue eyes once more. "McGee, he's awake," he called over to his colleague. Tim got up and walked over to them.

"Welcome back, Boss," McGee said, smiling down at the injured agent.

"Ziva?" Gibbs asked sounding groggy from the medication.

"She's resting. They want to keep an eye on her but say she'll be fine," McGee told him.

"And Fornell?" Gibbs replied.

"Pretty good. They removed the bullet and repaired the damage. He's just over there," Tony said standing back so Gibbs could see. "What about you? How do you feel?"

"Sleepy," Gibbs replied.

"That'll be the anaesthetic. You rest, we can talk later," Tony said, sitting back down beside him. Gibbs nodded and closed his eyes. He was asleep again almost immediately. A short time later a Petty Officer entered the sickbay and told McGee that there was a call for him in the Comm. Room. McGee followed him and took the call. It was Abby.

"Oh McGee thank God! How bad is it? Is he alive? Vance didn't know. All he could tell me was that Gibbs was among the casualties. Casualties doesn't mean dead, does it? I mean, you'd tell me if ….."

"Abby," McGee tried to interrupt.

" ..if he was…. No! No! No! No! Positive thoughts, positive thoughts. He is okay, right? I knew something bad was going to happen when he told me it was classified. It's never good when it's classified. Classified means dangerous. I knew it and now he's hurt and, oh God, he is only hurt, right? I mean. . ," she rambled on.

"Abby!" McGee tried again.

"Okay, tell me. Tell me, McGee. I can take it ...... I think," Abby asked eventually.

"He's going to be fine," McGee told her directly.

"He is? I knew it. Of course he is this is Gibbs we're talking about. He's indestructible. When can I talk to him?" she wondered.

"He's only out of surgery, Abs. In a day or two," McGee replied.

"Okay, I can wait a day. How's Tony and Ziva?" she asked.

"Tony's fine. Ziva was beaten by her captors. She's pretty messed up. It might take a while but she should be okay too," McGee informed her.

"Oh poor Ziva. I wish I could be there with you guys. When will you be home?" she wondered.

"I've no idea. I guess when Gibbs and Fornell are cleared to travel," McGee replied.

"Fornell? What's he doing there?" Abby asked surprised to hear his name brought up.

"Long story. Gibbs was rescuing him when he got shot," McGee explained.

"I should have known. Trust Gibbs to put someone else's safety above his own. I'll be giving him a stern talking to when he gets back," Abby said seriously. McGee couldn't help but smile knowing that Abby meant every word of it. He wouldn't like to be Gibbs on that day..

"See you in a few days, Abs," McGee said before ending the call.

He was exhausted. He returned to the sickbay to tell Tony that he was hitting his bunk. He suggested to Tony that he should do the same. Gibbs would be sleeping for a few hours yet and there was no point in Tony sitting there the whole night. Tony considered what he was saying and eventually agreed. He asked the nurse on duty to send for him if Gibbs woke. She agreed and the two agents retired for a few hours.

It was early morning when DiNozzo woke with a start. He sat up in his bunk and whacked his head off the one above him. Rubbing his head, it took a few seconds to remember where he was. He could hear the thudding and screeching above him every now and again as the Tom Cats took off and landed during exercises. He looked at his watch. He'd slept for seven hours. McGee was still asleep in the bunk above him. Well that won't do, Tony thought as he grabbed at the blanket that covered McGee and pulled it onto the floor.

"Wake up, Probie. You're late," he shouted as loudly as he could. Poor McGee turned quickly over, sat up still half asleep, completely disorientated, swung his legs out of the bunk expecting his feet to find the ground. He found the ground alright, about four foot later than expected and landed unceremoniously in a heap on the floor. DiNozzo almost cracked up as McGee tried to come to terms with his rude awakening.

"Nice landing, Timmy," Tony laughed almost choking.

"Very mature, Tony," McGee said shaking his head and rubbing his hip. "Very mature!"

"C'mon, we've been asleep for ages. I'm gonna check on Gibbs and Ziva," he announced, crawling out of his bunk and pulling on pants.

"I'll follow you down," McGee replied. "I'm going to grab a shower first. You know you could do with one yourself," he shouted at DiNozzo as he disappeared down the corridor wearing the same t-shirt and pants from the previous day.

Not a great chapter ending I know so don't crucify me for it. There's more (hopefully better) to come. Maybe a little twist too so hang in there.