A/N ok I am incredibly sorry. I got stitches on the top of one of my fingers and couldn't type until the cut healed. To make up for it this chapter is longer than all the others. Unfortunately it's also the end. I want to thank everyone still with me and everyone who reviewed and favorited. I hope the end lives up to your expectations. Reviews are appreciated.

Tearing coughs alerted her and she took the hallway at a run. Tony was struggling in vain to get into a sitting position and support himself through painful sounds coughs, without hesitation she slid her body in behind his and supported him as he coughed trying to catch his breath.

Gently she patted his back as his coughs slowly subsided. Finally he sagged against her completely spent.

"Better?" she asked quietly. She felt his weak nod and carefully, still supporting him slid out from behind him. She gently lowered his slight body back onto the pillows and adjusted them so that he was comfortably reclining.

She stood back and eyed her partner as his eyes drooped closed.

"Sleep well Tony." She whispered slipping back out into the hall. She sat on the couch quietly listening occasionally checking on his for the rest of the night.

Tony was just walking out of his bed room trailing his oxygen cord when Ziva's replacement arrived. McGee was carrying donuts and smiling as he entered. The smile faded when he spotted his sleepy partner with dark circles slowly sinking onto the couch as if the walk from his bed had exhausted him. Tony, however straightened when he caught sight of the donut box.

"Share the love McGeek." He ordered with a grin.

"Sorry Tony. You get a healthy breakfast of eggs and toast."

"But.."

"No buts." McGee said with a stern voice handing the box to Ziva and moving into the kitchen.

"Thank you McGee." Ziva said hiding her smile as she lifted the box and found three donuts waiting inside.

McGee walked back out after frying eggs and carrying a tray with orange juice and eggs with toast sitting beside a couple bottle of meds.

"Yum." Tony said eyeing the food without much interest.

"You need to eat to take your prescriptions. And Brad said healthy." McGee defended setting the tray on Tony's lap.

"Thanks McChef. Didn't even know you could cook."

"I'm full of surprises Tony. Now eat."

Tony obediently took a few bites. After that he began pushing the food around with a fork. Ziva and Tim took turns bullying Tony into another bite until the two slices of bread and two eggs where gone.

Tim picked up the box and handed it to Tony. With a smile Tony opened the box to reveal the last donut in all its glory. With a happy sigh Tony bit into the soft still warm donut and relaxed back into the couch.

"It's just a donut." Ziva said with an amused grin. "I guess it's a cop thing."

"What?" Ziva asked.

"Cops have always had a thing for donuts. Zee-Vah…" Tony drawled out her name. "I've never met a cop that didn't."

Despite his words and appreciation of the donut Tony couldn't finish it.

Of course the knock on the door came as Tony sat the donut in hand.

"I distinctly remember healthy being a stipulation." Brad said with a grin as he stood next to Tony to begin his exam.

"I had healthy." Tony defended. "I had eggs and toast. You just come at the worst time. Besides donuts are good for cops."

"Fine. Eggs and toast are healthy I'll give you that." Brad grinned and listened to Tony's lungs as he obediently breathed in and out.

"You lungs sound better." Brad said with a pleased look.

"Told you being home would do me good." Tony said with an infinitely smug look.

"Or the meds are kicking in." Brad countered making notes in his notebook.

"I am making an appointment next week for lung X-Rays." Brad said "Tuesday at 3 pm."

"Got it doc. How long do I need supervision?"

"Until then at least." Brad said.

"I'm fine. Really." Tony tried.

"No. Tony you needed the help last night. We will remain until you are cleared." Ziva said her voice steely.

"What happened last night?" Brad asked his writing stopped his attention on Ziva.

"I couldn't catch my breath. Ziva rescued me." Tony shrugged.

"I want whoever is here at night to keep a close eye on him." Brad said eyeing the group who nodded.

"All right Tony remember you are resting. No leaving the apartment either. It's almost below freezing and I shudder to think of the havoc that would play on your lungs."

"Aye yie." Tony said saluting the doctor.

"Your temperature is rising a bit. I want you to rest. No moving around other than the necessary. It's not a temperature yet. Who's on Tony duty now."

"It's shift change. I'm coming on." McGee raised his hand.

"I want you to check the temp every two hours and call me if it gets to a low grade temp at 99."

"Alright." McGee nodded.

"What happens if it does?" Tony asked hesitantly.

"I'll prescribe another colorful pill to bring it down. If it gets to 100 we'll bring you back in and you'll get an IV. I don't want to take any chances to add more stress to those lungs."

Tony looked unhappy at the prospect but he nodded understanding the necessity.

"I'll see you tomorrow with a hopefully healthy meal." Brad grinned he made his way to the door.

"Well Tony. I'll see you later." Ziva said standing and nodding.

McGee bullied Tony into resting and eating. To McGee's surprise Tony slept a large part of the day. When he was awake they watched a move. At nine o'clock Gibbs arrived to take his spot as night sitter.

He sat in the chair McGee had vacated and watched Tony sleep. He woke a few minutes later.

"Hey boss." He said sitting up and rubbing sleep from his eyes.

"Did McDork leave?" Gibbs nodded.

Tony checked his watch and pushed himself into a standing position.

"Where are you going?' Gibbs questioned.

"Time for nighttime meds and a snack." Tony replied. Gibbs stood and motioned for Tony to sit down.

"I can get this boss." Tony defended. But Gibbs merely stared him down and Tony sank into the cushions.

"Your making this a big deal." Tony mumbled.

"What was that DiNozzo?" Gibbs demanded from the kitchen.

"Nothing Boss." Tony called.

"That's what I thought." Gibbs shouted back and Tony listened to him rummaging around.

Tony was amused when he came back carrying a handful of brightly colored pills and a bowl of ice-cream.

"Ice-cream boss?"

"It'll help bring the temperature down." Gibbs handed him the bowl and the pills. Tony took the pills first with a water bottle on the end table then ate a bit of the ice cream. Gibbs watched with silent disapproval of his agent.

"Why aren't you eating DiNozzo?" Gibbs demanded as he watched Tony pick at his food.

"Not hungry Boss."

"Who's gonna have my six if you can't because you starving."

With satisfaction he watched the young man finish the bowl.

Once he finished he grinned at Gibbs and leaned back against the couch.

"Well?" DiNozzo asked.

"Well what?" Gibbs asked leaning forward."The lecture Boss. I know you to well to not see that you have something important to say."

"You also know what I'm going to say." Gibbs said his voice stern. "I need to trust my team DiNozzo. If you're not feeling good, you can't do your job to the best of your ability. And that sure as hell affect my team and their safety, including you. The next time you hide something like this from me your done DiNozzo."

"I would expect nothing less Boss." Tony said his face for once completely serious.

"Glad we're understood." Gibbs leaned back into the chair.

Tony's eyes fluttered closed. Gibbs decided he would let his agent sleep on the couch and covered him with the warm blanket. He carefully lifted his head to sneak a pillow underneath.

"Boss." His agents drowsy voice startled him in the darkness.

"Yes DiNozzo?"

"I don't trust anyone else to have your six."

Gibbs smiled in the darkness at his agents firm declaration.

"I know." He allowed a proud smile to drift over his face in the darkness of his sleeping agents living room.

(-)

Tony's return was triumphant. He walked into the bullpen a proud smile on his face followed by McGee who had been his ride.

Gibbs held his hand out for the paper.

Tony proudly handed him the paper.

"Strictly desk work and half days but still cleared."

"Ducky wants you down in the morgue." Gibbs said handing the paper back and sitting behind his desk. McGee sat at his own desk but kept an eye on his partner as he made his way to the elevator.

(-)

Abby squealed in delight as Tony stepped into the morgue.

"Tony." She ran to him carelessly throwing her arms around his neck.

"It's so good to see you."

"Abbs." Tony said hugging her tightly back. "You were at my house yesterday." Tony reminded her.

She stepped back and smiled at him.

"But you're here. With us. Where you belong Tony."

"Aw Anthony."

"You don't sound surprised to see me." Tony said suspiciously.

"Bradley called half an hour ago to let me know you'd be in." Ducky said with a knowing smile.

"Are you forming an alliance against me."

"Brad was concerned about how you would react to work. I'm just going to keep an eye on you, my boy." Ducky said while he took Tony's vitals and listened to his lungs.

"I'll walk with you upstairs Tony." Abby offered linking her arm with his. "I needed to get the evidence from Gibbs."

Halfway to the top of the building Tony pulled the handle to stop the elevator. With a serious face he turned to Abby.

"Abbs. I'm sorry. For scaring you and not letting you help me." Abby looked into his eyes and read absolute sincerity. "I just hate not being able to do things on my own."

Abby smiled.

"That's what family is for silly. To smother and annoy and help. You were scared yourself."

Tony snorted.

"I'm never scared Abbs." Tony declared.

Abby answered with a knowing smile and pushed the handle back up to release the elevator.

"Don't make any plans for Friday." Abby said as they stepped off the elevator.

"Oh?"

"We have a date." Abby said with another dazzling smile .

"We do?"

"The classic movie festival."

"I wouldn't dream of missing it." Tony said as he settled behind his desk.

After giving Abby what she wanted Gibbs settled back into his chair and watched his team. DiNozzo, though pale, was concentrating on the computer immersing himself in the work he loved. He still needed to replace some weight but he was whole and healthy.

He watched Ziva say something to Tony and Tony snap back. McGee grinned and said something with a teasing note to DiNozzo and Ziva laughed as Tony looked wounded.

Gibbs looked over the team that was tighter knit than a than any other he had ever worked with. He was glad his agent had pulled through. Without Tony there would be a large gaping hole in the team. Without any member there would be a hole.

The collapse, the fear and pain,, had tightened the bond that grew with every danger his team faced. Once more they had gathered together and helped a member through like they would if anyone of them where to fall. Gibbs allowed a rare smile to fin it's way onto his features at the feeling of belonging to a team, a group, a family, one that had no holes.

No matter what they would always stand together to face Another Day.