AN: Thanks, as always, for your really nice reviews and comments - can't tell you how much they mean to me :) You're all terrific.

xxxxx

Neither man slept very well that night. Tony tossed and turned and sighed periodically. He couldn't get comfortable and was unable to keep his thoughts from racing. Anxious and exhausted, he just couldn't seem to settle down.

Gibbs stared up at the ceiling listening to Tony changing positions on the creaky bed for the umpteenth time that night. It was 3:30 a.m. and he hadn't even been able to doze off for a few minutes yet. He was more than a little bit happy to be taking Tony out of the hospital in the morning and couldn't wait to spend the following night in his own bed. "DiNozzo!" he finally said sharply, getting no response from the younger man. "Tony...I know you're awake," he softened his tone. "What's going on with you?"

"Just can't sleep, boss...sorry."

"You want to talk about it?"

"No...just excited about getting out of here, finally."

Gibbs knew there was a lot more to it than that, but at 3:30 in the morning, he wasn't about to push it. "Why don't you buzz for a nurse? They can give you something to help you sleep."

"No...I can sleep on my own. I don't need any pills."

"You just said you couldn't sleep." Gibbs couldn't quite hide the hint of annoyance that crept into his voice.

"Sorry...I'll try harder..."

"Nothing to be sorry about. Let's both try a little harder. Goodnight, Tony."

G'night boss."

Tony still found that sleep was eluding him, but he did manage to stop himself from moving around quite so much and could tell from Gibbs' breathing that the older man had finally drifted off. By the time dawn arrived and sunlight was streaming into the room, he was battling a headache and filled with dread at the thought of having to talk with Jim again. He could only hope that something would detain the other man from coming, but he knew that was only wishful thinking on his part.

"Did you get any sleep at all, DiNozzo?" Gibbs had been studying Tony for the last few minutes, noting the dark circles under his eyes and almost pained expression on his face.

Tony shrugged as he glanced over at Gibbs. "No. Not really."

"What's troubling you?" Gibbs slowly sat up, and gingerly began to stretch out his stiffened muscles. He definitely would not miss sleeping on this cot.

Tony considered saying nothing, but he knew Gibbs would see through that. "Just wish I didn't have to talk to Jim..."

Gibbs sighed. Not being too fond of psychologists himself, he couldn't really blame Tony. "I know you don't want to talk to him. But, unfortunately, you're going to have to if you want to get back to work. I know you got off on the wrong foot, but he seems to be an alright guy. If its not him, it'll be someone else."

"That actually might not be a bad idea...Maybe I'd be be better off with a woman."

Gibbs couldn't help but smirk. "Why's that? You think you can just charm one into letting you go back on duty?"

"You gotta admit, there's a chance it could work, boss," Tony retorted with a faint smile. "I am very charming."

"Matter of opinion, DiNozzo," Gibbs said with a chuckle. He was glad to see that Tony appeared to be a little bit more at ease. "But seriously, I would like to see you give Jim another chance before you write him off completely. A real chance, not just lip service. Can you do that for me?"

Tony hesitated for a few moments before nodding his head slowly. It was Gibbs' 'for me' that really got to him. Hell, the man had been by his side for he didn't even know how long now. This was the least that he could do for him. "Yeah, boss. I can do that for you..."

xxxxx

Tony played with the watery egg on his plate, breaking it up with his fork and making little patterns with the egg pieces, Giving up on the egg, he tried the toast, but it was cold and overdone. After one mouthful, he put it aside and drank some orange juice which was one thing they couldn't ruin. He looked at Gibbs who was eating his own breakfast without a problem. "You actually like this stuff, boss?" he asked in disbelief.

Gibbs shrugged. "Its not the best, but I've had far worse than this too. Hell, one of my ex-wives couldn't boil water. She used to come up with some of the weirdest recipes, I'd ever tasted...turnip tacos...beet and chicken liver stew," Gibbs made a face at the recollection. "Not much could be worse than what she used to cook."

"God, boss...how'd you survive that?" Tony looked at the egg with a new appreciation and began to eat it, deciding that maybe it wasn't so bad after all. "I would definitely want to marry someone who could cook."

Gibbs chuckled. DiNozzo could be so easy to manipulate sometimes. "She had other talents...definitely more important than cooking..That and I ate out, A LOT."

Tony grinned back at Gibbs and continued to eat. He was starting to feel better about things and was definitely excited about leaving the hospital. He felt like he had been a patient forever.

"I'm going to take a shower," Tony stated after he had finished the rest of his breakfast. He hadn't had one in ages and the daily sponge baths really didn't cut it.

"Maybe you should ask someone if its okay?" Gibbs asked, looking at Tony doubtfully.

"Come on, boss. I'm going home today. I'm sure I can take a shower," Tony replied as he got out of bed. He gathered up his clothes and razor which Gibbs had brought him previously. "Don't worry. I'll take it slow."

"Do you need any help?" Gibbs asked.

Tony shook his head with a smile. "Nope, I've definitely got it." Gibbs had helped him out with a lot of things lately, but helping him take a shower was where Tony drew the line.

"Okay. Be careful. Call me if you need me."

"Thanks, boss. I'm pretty sure I won't."

Gibbs waited a little bit apprehensively as Tony went into the bathroom and closed the door behind him. He managed to refrain from calling out to ask if his agent was doing okay. A short while later, Tony emerged from the bathroom, freshly scrubbed, clean shaven and wearing jeans and a sweatshirt.

"You clean up nicely, DiNozzo," Gibbs commented, giving the younger man an approving look. It had been a long time since he'd seen Tony looking so well. He wasn't exactly the picture of health, but he certainly looked a helluva lot better than he had in quite a while.

"Yeah, what a difference a shower and a shave make. I feel much better. Now I just want to get out of this place." Tony was antsy and more than ready to go. "What time do you think I'll get sprung?"

"You sound like you're getting out of prison," Gibbs laughed. "It's only 8:30, Tony. I'm guessing its going to be a good couple of hours, at least, before you're released."

"I don't suppose you'd consider a jail break?" Tony asked hopefully.

Gibbs shook his head. "Sorry, but that won't fly too well with your plan to get back to work. You're going to have to prove to Vance you're fine before he's going to let you back on duty.

"Vance...yeah, he'd love to see me gone permanently," Tony said as he sat down on the bed, bouncing up and down slightly. "Guess you're right, I'm going to have to stick to the rules."

"Why don't you watch a movie or something?" Gibbs suggested as he watched Tony fidget. It was going to be a long couple of hours at this rate.

"No...can't concentrate," Tony replied. "Wonder what time Jimbo is going to show up..."

"Don't let him stress you out, DiNozzo. Just be yourself and answer his questions. It'll work out fine."

"That's easy for you to say, boss...you're not the one getting your head shrunk."

Gibbs didn't reply. That was true and honestly he wouldn't particularly want to be standing in Tony's shoes at the moment. "I'll stay here with you, when he comes, if it'll make you feel better. Or would you be more comfortable if I didn't?" he asked after a long silence.

Tony considered the question thoughtfully. "I'd like you to stay...if you really don't mind, that is." He no longer had any secrets from Gibbs. The older man pretty much knew it all at this point.

"I don't mind," Gibbs replied truthfully. "Whatever you need."

"Thanks, boss," Tony said with a smile, realizing just how lucky he was to have Gibbs in his corner.

xxxxx

At a little after 10, Jim entered the room. Tony cast an apprehensive look at him and then looked at Gibbs who gave him an encouraging nod. "Good morning, gentlemen," Jim said with a bright smile. "How are you doing this morning?"

"Fine," Gibbs answered and Tony echoed his answer.

"So Tony, are you happy to be leaving here today?" Jim asked as he took a seat.

"Yeah...feels like I've been here ages."

"I can imagine...It can't have been easy for you."

"No...it hasn't been, but I imagine things will be a lot better once I'm out of here."

Jim nodded. "So, are you going to be joining us, Jethro?

Tony answered quickly, before Gibbs even had a chance to respond. "Yes, I asked him to stay. That's okay, isn't it?"

"Of course, Tony," Jim replied. "Whatever you're comfortable with."

"Good, I want him here."

"So, I spoke with Adam this morning," Jim began. "You made it clear how much you want to return to work and I was curious what his time table for you was on a physical basis."

"And?" Tony's eyes widened considerably as he anxiously waited for Jim's answer, unconsciously holding his breath.

"And he said about a month if all goes well with your recovery. You would start out with two weeks of desk duty before a reevaluation for full duty."

Tony looked discouraged at the answer. "A month is a long time..."

"Come on, Tony," Gibbs interjected. "After everything you've gone through, I don't think that's at all unfair." He didn't want Tony rushing back to work before he was ready. He remembered all too clearly how he had come back to work too soon after his bout with the plague. He easily could have been killed along with Kate. Gibbs wanted Tony strong and healthy before he reported back to work this time.

"That's only what Adam said," Tony replied. "We still don't know what Jim here is thinking."

Jim chuckled. "I'm not the villain you're making me out to be, Tony. At least I hope I'm not. I tend to be in agreement with what Adam thinks. You'll have to meet with me three times a week to begin with and if I believe you're progressing satisfactorily, I'll go along with that."

"Three times a week? That's an awful lot, isn't it? How about twice a week?" Even once a week was too much, as far as he was concerned.

"This isn't a negotiation, Tony," Jim stated, his eyes serious. "You've gone through a number of traumatic events, any one of which would be hard to get through on its own. I understand that you're a tough guy and you don't think you need my help, but I really think it will be to your benefit to work through some of these issues."

Tony sighed as he realized there really wasn't any way he was going to be able to squirm out of this. "Okay...three times a week it is."

"Good. Lets get started."

xxxxx

The session went a lot better than Gibbs and Tony had anticipated. Tony had opened up about some things and Jim had steered clear of bringing up Tony's father, having decided to ease into that eventually.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" Gibbs asked after Jim left the room.

"No, but three times a week? Man that's going to be torture," Tony said, shaking his head.

"It won't be that bad."

"You want to trade places?" Tony grumbled. He privately thought Gibbs could use some therapy as well. After all, he'd been through a lot of the same stuff. He didn't dare say it out loud though.

"I just want you to get better, Tony," Gibbs said quietly. "If you don't fight the doctors, it will make it a whole lot easier."

"I won't fight them, but I'm not going to act all happy about it either." He still thought a month seemed like an eternity, but it was totally out of his hands and if he didn't cooperate, it could be even longer.

"Good morning, Jethro, Tony," Adam greeted the two men with a smile as he walked into the room. "Well, actually, I guess its almost afternoon now. Sorry about the delay. I had an emergency earlier."

"No problem, Doc," Tony responded. "So, what's the word? When can I get out of here?"

"Is now soon enough for you?" Adam asked with a grin. "I've got your discharge papers right here."

"Seriously?" Tony asked, looking positively thrilled. "Now sounds pretty good to me."

"I'd like you to follow up with me in a week. You can call my office to make an appointment. The number is on the front here with the discharge instructions," Adam explained as he handed Tony a packet of papers.

"Thanks for everything. I really appreciate it," Tony said as the two men shook hands.

"I can't thank you enough, Adam," Gibbs said as he shook Adam's hand firmly. "You should give me a call sometime. We can have lunch and I'll give you a tour of my stomping grounds."

"That sounds great. I'm just glad things finally seem to be looking up," Adam replied. "You take care of yourself, Tony, and don't try to do too much too soon."

"I won't."

"Alright I'll let you two get out of here. Wheelchair is right out in the hallway."

Tony opened his mouth to protest, but one look at Gibbs' and Adam's faces told him it would be in vain and he decided not to waste his breath. "Thanks again."

A few minutes later, Tony was settled into the wheelchair, with his belongings, and Gibbs began pushing him down the corridor.

Finally, they were on their way home.