AN: Thanks so much for all your nice reviews for the last chapter. I very much appreciate your support :)

xxxxx

"You can hear me?" Gibbs could hardly believe it was true and he stared at Tony in shocked disbelief. "You can really hear me?"

"Yes...I said I could hear you..." Tony looked back at Gibbs in confusion, wondering what the big deal was. "Why is that so hard to believe? What's going on?"

"Nothing's going on...nothing bad anyway. It's all good." Gibbs gave Tony a reassuring smile and pressed the call button to page a nurse. He would have them page Adam. He wasn't exactly sure what he should or should not be saying to Tony right now. He didn't want to say something that might cause him to regress again.

"Well, something's going on here...why did you buzz for the nurse?" Tony looked at Gibbs suspiciously.

"You...You've kind of been asleep for a while," Gibbs finally said. "I'm just happy to see you awake again."

"Asleep? Do you mean unconscious? In a coma? What exactly are you saying?" Tony could see Gibbs was being evasive, which was only increasing his anxiety over the situation.

Gibbs shook his head. "No, no. Nothing like that. You're fine, Tony. Please believe me."

"Jethro? I was at the nurse's station when you buzzed, I..." Adam began as he walked into the room. He gave Tony a surprised look which he quickly managed to cover up. "Tony. How are you feeling?"

"I don't know. Maybe you should tell me since I've been asleep for so long..." Tony looked at Adam and then back at Gibbs. "What's going on with me, doc?"

Adam glanced at Gibbs who merely shrugged, more than happy to let Adam answer Tony's question. "Well, Tony...a little over a week ago, you had an episode where you became unresponsive to your surroundings."

"Unresponsive? How?"

"It was like you were in your own world, Tony. You weren't responding to anyone or anything. It was as if you didn't even know we were there," Gibbs explained, breaking into the conversation.

Tony couldn't hide his distress upon hearing this information. "So what are you saying? That I'm crazy?"

"No, no...of course not," Adam was quick to try to reassure his patient. "It was basically a stress reaction to everything you've gone through. Its perfectly understandable after all that has happened."

"So...I had a nervous breakdown?" Tony asked, obviously upset. "And I've been like this for over a week?"

Adam shook his head. "You didn't have a nervous breakdown, Tony. Besides, I don't really like to use that term. Basically, you were overloaded and this was just your mind's way of saying enough was enough. It needed a temporary rest."

It sure sounded like a nervous breakdown to him. Tony looked down and realized that he was tightly clinging to Bert. His cheeks flushed with embarrassment, he tossed the stuffed toy aside. God, maybe he really was cracking up. "So now what?" he asked Adam, deliberately keeping his gaze away from Gibbs. He couldn't begin to imagine what the older man thought of him now.

"We brought in another doctor to consult on your case, Dr, Jim McCauley. I'm going to give him a call and let him know how you're doing. Do you have any other questions for me before I go?"

Tony shook his head silently and Adam placed his hand on Tony's shoulder and gave it an encouraging squeeze. "Trust me, Tony. Everything is going to be fine. I'll see you two in a little while." Adam then gave them a smile and left the room leaving Gibbs and Tony alone.

"Can I get you anything?" Gibbs asked after a few minutes, wanting to break the long silence that had sprouted up between the two men after Adam had gone.

"No thanks, I'm good, boss," Tony said with a shake of his head.

"Everyone's going to be really happy to hear you're doing better." Gibbs was trying hard to ease the tension in the room, but Tony wasn't helping the situation any.

"So...they were all here to see me when this was going on?" Tony asked. He found it very disconcerting to think of the team coming in and staring at him while he had been off in his own little world, hanging onto a stuffed animal like some kind of a nutcase. "That's just great..."

"Tony, I don't understand what's bothering you so much," Gibbs said, trying to get into his agent's obviously troubled mind. "Everyone's just been worried about you because they care so much...that's a good thing."

"Is it?" Tony asked in a voice that was only a tiny bit louder than a whisper.

"Of course it is." Frustrated by the fact that Tony was steadfastly avoiding his gaze, Gibbs put his hand on Tony's cheek and turned his head so that he was facing Gibbs. "Come on, Tony...look at me."

"Fine," Tony said as he reluctantly met Gibbs' eyes.

"What has you so upset?" Gibbs asked, his voice quiet and full of concern.

"Nothing." Tony fidgeted with the covers on his bed and brushed his hand nervously back through his hair, averting his gaze once again.

Gibbs sighed heavily. He was getting nowhere fast. He decided to try a different tact other than trying to push Tony into talking about his feelings. Clearly, that wasn't working. "So, I have some news that should make you happy. You're getting out of this place tomorrow."

"I am? Really?" Tony's expression brightened considerably and he looked back at Gibbs with a small smile on his face. "I can go home?"

"Well, you'll be coming to stay with me for a few days first. Then you'll be able to go home."

Tony's face fell when he heard that he wouldn't be going back to his own apartment. "Why does everyone always assume I need a babysitter?" he muttered under his breath. "No one trusts me..."

"You know that's not true," Gibbs retorted. "I would trust you with my life."

"Doesn't feel like that," Tony grumbled. "So, did the doctor say I have to have adult supervision at home or is this just a Gibbs rule? I could understand if I was still out of it or whatever you want to call it, but I'm not now." He didn't ask where he was going before he had come out the state he had been in. They had probably planned to send him to some kind of mental institution, if he had been that bad. He shuddered inwardly at the thought of it and pushed it out of his mind. That wasn't important now. He was getting better.

Gibbs hesitated. He wasn't about to tell Tony that the plan had been for him to be transferred to a skilled nursing facility. He didn't think that bit of information would be very well received with Tony's current mental state. "Do you have any idea at all of just how worried I have been about you?" he asked. "I...I thought you might never come back to us. Do you know how that made me feel?" His voice shook slightly and his eyes were filled with emotion. "I don't know how many times I have to say it. You're like a son to me. I want you with me because I care about you, not because I don't trust you. Is it a crime for a father to love his son and want to take care of him?"

"No..." Tony said softly as he let Gibbs' words sink in. "I'm sorry, boss...it...it was just a lot to take in. I guess I didn't handle it very well..."

"That's understandable, Tony. You're entitled to feel a little mixed up and upset after everything that's happened, but can you just humor me and let me take care of you, just for a few days anyway? Its what families do for each other..."

"Yes, I can do that," Tony said with a bit of a shy smile. He wasn't used to hearing people telling him that they cared about him. Coming from Gibbs, who wasn't really known for talking about his feelings, it meant the world to him. "I...think you know how much you mean to me, boss...especially now that you understand about my father. You're more of a father to me than he ever was. I really am done with him...I meant what I said."

"So...then you do remember what happened with him?" Gibbs questioned tentatively. He'd been afraid to bring it up, worried that if Tony recalled the confrontation with Senior it might somehow cause him to have some kind of a relapse.

"I remember," Tony said, nodding. "That's the last thing I really do remember...Is that what caused what happened to me?"

"I'm not entirely sure," Gibbs began hesitantly. "I guess its what triggered it, but I think it was more the buildup of everything else that occurred. You went through so much. I hated seeing you hurt like that...I really wish I could have prevented it...you have no idea how much I wish that..."

Tony could plainly see the guilt in Gibbs' eyes. "I know you're blaming yourself, boss, but none of this was your fault. I'm glad that I was with you that night." He looked back at Gibbs meaningfully. "I'm not saying I particularly enjoyed what happened to me, but I wouldn't have wanted you to face all that alone. Plus, you took care of me like no one ever has before. I know you did everything in your power to try to protect me and keep me safe."

"I wasn't too successful though..."

"Not for lack of trying."

Gibbs didn't deny that. Circumstances had been very much out of his control. He hoped things were finally going to settle down now and get back to normal.

"So...this doctor that Dr. Kennedy mentioned...I take it he's a shrink?" Tony asked, giving Gibbs an inquisitive look.

Gibbs paused before nodding, hoping that information wasn't going to upset Tony. "Yes, he's a psychologist. He's a pretty laid back guy though, Tony. I think you'll like him."

"Okay." Tony said simply. He trusted Gibbs and strangely, he wasn't really opposed to the idea. Maybe it would be good to talk with someone who would be non-judgmental about everything that had happened. He knew it had really messed with his mind and that he might need help coping. He just wanted to feel like himself again. "What about work?" he questioned, gazing at Gibbs searchingly. "Do you have any idea how long I'm going to be out?"

Gibbs shook his head. "No, I'm sorry. I don't know. That hasn't even been discussed yet."

His self confidence wavering again, Tony stared at Gibbs, his eyes filled with uncertainty. "I guess maybe I asked the wrong question. I should have asked if I'm going back to work at all. Do you even want me on your team after all that has happened?"

Gibbs slapped Tony on the back of his head, not particularly forcefully, but hard enough to make a point. "What the hell is wrong with you, DiNozzo? What kind of a question is that? Of course I want you back on my team. Why wouldn't I?"

"I don't know, boss. No reason, I guess." Tony smiled, relieved as he rubbed the back of his head. He couldn't wait to get back to work. He wanted to try to move forward and put this whole sorry mess behind him.

"That's right. No reason at all."

xxxxx

Tony was alone when Adam returned later that day, accompanied by Jim McCauley. "Hi Tony," Adam greeted, a little bit surprised to see Jethro missing from the room. "This is Dr. Jim McCauley, the doctor I mentioned to you earlier."

"It's very nice to officially meet you, Tony," Jim said as he shook Tony's hand firmly.

"Nice to meet you too, Dr. McCauley," Tony replied as he eyed the doctor warily. He had told himself earlier that he wasn't going to mind this, but now that the doctor was here, he wasn't quite so sure.

"Please, just call me Jim," Jim said easily, sensing the younger man's discomfort.

"Did Jethro go home?" Adam asked as he flipped through Tony's chart, satisfied that everything continued to look good.

"No." Tony shook his head. "He went to get me something decent to eat for dinner."

"Our fine cuisine isn't to your liking?" Adam asked with a chuckle. "Seems to be a pretty common complaint around here. I like to think it keeps people motivated to get better faster."

"So...Gibbs told me I'm getting sprung from here tomorrow?" Tony asked.

"Yes," Adam nodded, unsure as to what exactly Jethro had told Tony. "Are you happy about that?"

"Hell, yeah I'm happy," Tony stated. "I've had enough of this place to last a lifetime. No offense, doc."

"None taken, Tony," Adam said, smiling. "So what are your plans?"

"Well, Gibbs wants me to stay with him for a few days..."

"That sounds like a good idea. You need to take things slow and let him help you."

"How long before I can go back to work?" Tony asked the question that was utmost in his mind.

"Well..." Adam hesitated and glanced at Jim. "How about I get back to you on that tomorrow before you're released? For now, why don't I leave the two of you alone to get better acquainted. Are you okay with that?"

"Yeah...that's fine." Tony now realized that Jim was likely the biggest obstacle standing in his way of getting back to work in a timely fashion. He watched as Adam left the room and turned his attention to Jim. "So...I'm guessing you need to sign off before I'm allowed to return to duty?"

Jim nodded as he took a seat by Tony's bed. "Yes, you are going to need both a medical and psychiatric release to get back to work, Tony."

Tony sighed, noticeably distressed by this development. "How hard is that going to be to get?" he asked, not feeling very positive.

"Why don't we just get to know each other a bit before you're worrying yourself about that," Jim suggested. "You've been through a tremendous ordeal...why the big rush to jump back into what I understand to be a very stressful job?"

"I just want to get my life back, doc. Work is a big part of that..."

"There are other things though, aren't there?"

Tony shrugged. "Yes, of course there are, but...my job is very important to me."

"A vacation wouldn't be a bad idea. You could go someplace peaceful where you'd be able to get some rest and relaxation."

"I don't need a vacation. I want to go back to work," Tony insisted.

"And you feel you'll be able to just jump back in the saddle, so to speak?"

"Sure, why wouldn't I?"

"What about the case against your father? That will be going to trial. Surely that's going to prove a distraction."

"It won't be going to trial right away. It could take months. You don't expect me to stay out until after the trial, do you?" Tony asked, his temper flaring a bit.

"Calm down, Tony. I didn't say that. I'm just trying to get into your head a bit. I'd like to understand what you're thinking. I know what happened with your father has had a big effect on you."

Tony stared down at the bed silently. He was regretting that he had sent Gibbs off to get dinner. He wished the other man was here with him.

"Tony?" Jim persisted.

"I don't know what you want me to say," Tony said sharply, glaring back at Jim in frustration and the older man realized he may have been pushing too hard, too fast.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to push you," Jim said quietly. "Why don't you tell me what you'd like to talk about."

Tony sighed heavily. "I don't know."

"Hey, I'm back," Gibbs announced as he came back into the room, carrying a pizza box and a bag containing soda and chips. "Sorry it took so long. I hit a lot of traffic."

"No problem boss," Tony said, giving Gibbs a look of extreme relief.

"Everything okay?" Gibbs asked Tony, while he narrowed his eyes at Jim. There was palpable tension in the room.

"I'm alright," Tony replied. 'Now that you're here,' he added silently.

"Jim?"

"I'm afraid I pushed him a little harder than I should have," Jim admitted. "I'm sorry, Tony."

"That's okay." Tony's reply was cold and automatic and he made no attempt to meet Jim's gaze.

"I'll leave you to enjoy your dinner." Jim realized that he wouldn't be getting any further with the younger man this evening. "I'll be back to see you in the morning before you're released...if that's alright with you, that is..."

"Sure...I'll see you tomorrow..."

"Goodnight then."

"Night..." Tony gave a relieved sigh after the door closed behind Jim.

"I take it that didn't go particularly well?" Gibbs asked as he put the pizza and bag down on the tray.

"I don't think he wants me to go back to work," Tony said, looking upset. "He thinks I'm nuts..."

"He said that?" Gibbs looked at Tony with concern

"He thinks I'm rushing, said its a high stress job, blah, blah, blah. Maybe I should see someone else. What am I supposed to do if he won't let me go back? I have to go back to work, boss...I just have to."

"Whoa, slow down. Give him a chance to get to know you. You're not ready to go back to work yet, in any case. You still have some recovering to do. Adam thinks highly of this guy. Why don't you just give him a chance?"

"I will, but I'm not going to let him stop me," Tony stated adamantly.

"Come on, Tony. I don't think he wants to stop you," Gibbs placed his hand on his agent's shoulder, wanting to reassure him. "Try not to worry about this right now. You've had a really big day. Why don't you eat something and relax for a bit, okay? I went all the way to Mario's for the pizza. Pepperoni, sausage and extra cheese."

"Yeah okay...thanks for getting this, boss..." Tony opened the box of pizza and took a slice, but he had to force himself to eat it. He just didn't have much of an appetite anymore. All he could think of was that he might not be able to return to the job he loved so much...