Sorry this chapter took a while, my muse wasn't up to writing for a few days after RL kicked its butt, hope you all like the next chapter and are still interested in the story. It's another filler chapter but the action will start up again soon.

Chapter 13- Acting

"Damn it!" Gibbs cursed as he disconnected the call. They were no closer to finding the guy that had hurt Tony and killed the other than a couple of hours ago. The coordinates had only been partial, meaning that it only narrowed it down a little. Also, they didn't even have any idea where it was connected to the current case.

Trying to get his emotions under control be before he made his way back to Tony's room, he knew that if Tony saw his mood then he would be back as square one and Tony wouldn't be able to look him in the eyes, not that he had been able to for a while now anyway. Realising he was almost there he schooled his features and stepped inside.

The sight he was greeted with caused a sense of sadness within him, Tony was looking so painfully lost for a moment but it was shoved back once the younger man knew he had company. He knew he should ask but couldn't find himself willing to, if he did, he may not be able to help and Abby was still trying to narrow down the search to find the Petty Officer, so she wouldn't be able to. Studying DiNozzo for a couple of seconds he inwardly sighed, Tony looked like his normal self on the outside but Gibbs knew it was all an act, a clever one, but still an act all the same.

Ziva and McGee had been to visit briefly while updating him on the case, they knew their friend was a little off but hadn't said anything about it. Gibbs had noticed that maybe that wasn't the best course of action as Tony had only withdrawn into him self more. Did he think they didn't care? After everything they had been through together, he still doubted their affections for him. He really wanted a few minutes alone with DiNozzo Senior. He was startled a little out of his thoughts as Tony spoke up.

"Something wrong, Boss?" the look in the younger agent's eyes was one of guilt. Why guilt Gibbs wondered it wasn't Tony's fault the coordinates weren't complete. However, knowing that Tony had to rest he wasn't going to give him anything that might aggravate the injury further, they might need Tony later on in the case to identify the assailant. Glaring a little at Tony he answered.

"Nothing you need to be worried about, DiNozzo." The tone a little rougher than he wanted; it caused a spark of hurt in Tony's eyes, but he couldn't take it back now.

"But-" Tony's tone was almost like a child answering back. Gibbs sighed again and softened his features, he knew that Tony wanted to be involved but couldn't chance it, maybe, if he openly showed that it was more concern for his wellbeing, Tony would accept it. Though, that was doubtful as Tony didn't seem to be able to take affection at the moment. Gibbs was a loss of what to do but tried anyway.

"DiNozzo, you need to rest, and then you can get back on the case."

"But I'm fine." He stated while wincing a little trying to get into a more comfortable position. Gibbs moved closer and looked in to his eyes while resting a hand on his shoulder, sending a look of concern and a little pride.

"No, you're not Tony." the use of his first name caused him to stop fidgeting. "When the doctors clear you then you can come back to help but you will do what I say when I say it, you got that."

" Yes boss." Tony smiled a little at the open expression of concern on the ex-marines face.

With that Gibbs told…no ordered Tony to get some rest while he went in search of Ducky to see when the younger man could get out of the hospital. Gibbs would feel more comfortable when he could speak to Tony away from the prying eyes of the medical staff. Hopefully, when Tony could talk more freely then he would, though Gibbs wasn't holding out that much hope of that happening anytime soon. Tony was just as stubborn at he was at talking about feelings and, just as bad.

***

Now that Gibbs had left the room, Tony had time to think about what he had been ignoring. He needed to help them with the case but thinking he was only going to mess it up wasn't helping all that much, he questioned why Gibbs even hired him. I mean he was either always finding trouble or messing around when there was work to be done.

The flimsy mask he had put on in front of the team and even Gibbs when he knew that he had re-entered the room was falling, he really needed to stop putting them up but as long as everyone thought he was fine then, maybe, he would believe it as well….But, he knew he wasn't which meant he was weak, too weak to do anything. Even if he tried to help he would only make it worse, he was sure of it. He had sensed it in Gibbs' tone that he didn't really need him. why was he even still trying if he'd fail anyway.

Because you have succeeded sometimes.

A faint voice told him, could he believe it though? That was the question. When… when had he succeeded. Yes he had been hired by Gibbs and had managed to solve a few cases, but he had had the help of other people, he hadn't done that much, not really. It had all been the other people. Hadn't it?

But, you've save people before. Haven't you?

While he was getting quite disturbed by the fact he had voices in his head, this one sounded familiar, calm, collected, almost…dare he think it, encouraging and compassionate. He wasn't able to place it but it gave him hope, at least, that is what he thought he was feeling anyway. He wasn't sure of anything at the moment.

All he did know was that he was currently stuck listening to the beep, beep, beep of the monitor and the squeaks of the staff's shoes on the sterile floor. Looking out of the window he saw the light drizzle of the rain running down the window, he tried to make out the familiar buildings that he knew but found the vision blurry, almost like his sate of mind. The voice cut through the haze again.

You have to save him. Like I Know you can.

Again the voice was familiar but nothing he could place, all he knew was that he had to get out of this bed somehow and save the person that he had forgotten about. Crap, how could he have forgotten, he was wallowing when he could have been convincing the nurses and doctors to sign him out so he could help. He needed to help before it was too late. Though, he had no idea what he was going to do to help because he no longer had the coordinates, he knew the first step was to get out of this hospital bed, wincing a little as he turned the machines off and made his way off his bed, his mind was made up, even if Gibbs didn't like it...

TBC

I know it wasn't that long but I hoped ya'll like it. Thanks for reading and sorry for the long wait. Please review; let me know what you may want to happen next hehe…