A/N: This chapter is kinda filler, almost, but some of it is important filler.

Two updates in 12 hours. I'm not going too fast for you guys am I? F.

Gibbs snapped his cell phone shut and looked around. Tony and Ziva were sitting silently at their desks, watching him intently. He knew they must have overheard his conversation with Abby

"McGee's awake" he told them bluntly, watching the simultaneous looks of relief wash over their faces. Tony was the first to speak, as usual

"Boss, can we go see him?"

"Later, DiNozzo" In a softer tone, he explained "Abby said he was only awake for a few minutes, Tony"

Silently he resolved to send Tony and Ziva over to the hospital later, provided they didn't get bogged down with a case anytime soon. Balboa's team could cover for them.

By mid morning, they still hadn't been called out on a case, and Gibbs' patience was wearing thin. Tony and Ziva had gotten nothing accomplished all day, and he could tell their minds were on the youngest member of the team. Finally he caved, calling Vance to let him know that he was dismissing his team for the day. He was glad to be able to report that McGee was improving.

"DiNozzo, David, grab your gear" he called. He inwardly smiled at the look of rebellion that crossed their faces; clearly they thought they'd gotten a case. He'd tell them once they were downstairs.

...

Their unexpected dismissal had sent Tony and Ziva on a beeline back to Bethesda. The events of the day before had brought back painful memories for both of them; they'd lost friends, partners before. But neither of them had ever faced the loss of someone they'd worked with for this long before. The team had been together for a long time now; they weren't colleagues, they were family.

They walked down the hallway towards McGee's room, hoping that they would find him awake. Abby saw them coming

"Hey guys!" she called out, coming up to them

"How is he, Abby?" Tony asked

"So much better, Tony. He's awake at the moment, they kicked me out so they could do whatever it is they've gotta do. They're taking him off the oxygen, but he's still pretty groggy. Keeps falling asleep"

He studied Abby's face while she talked. She looked paler than usual, and drawn

"Abs, have you eaten at all since yesterday?" he broke in

She took a moment to think about it, then shook her head "I don't want to leave him alone, Tony" she explained.

"Fine, how about you go with Ziva and find the cafeteria or something? I'll sit in with him" he offered. He had something to return to McGee, and he didn't want Abby anywhere nearby while he did

Ziva had to practically drag Abby away, but soon the coast was clear. He checked with the nurses' station to make sure first, then entered McGee's room.

McGee was still in the same half sitting, half lying position he'd been in when they'd left last night. Tony figured it had something to do with stopping pressure from being put on his shoulder. His eyes were closed, but they slowly opened as he heard someone enter. Tony walked over and sat down in the uncomfortable seat that passed as the visitors chair

"Welcome back Probie, you gave us quite a scare"

"Thanks Tony"

"Seriously, Tim, I'm glad you're ok. Thought we were going to lose you for a while there"

"Not this time, Tony" McGee brushed it off. "How long was I out for?"

"About 18 hours"

McGee winced at the answer. It could have been worse, he supposed. At least he hadn't missed their anniversary completely, but his plans were definitely ruined. That brought a question to mind

"Hey, who has my stuff?" he asked, half dreading the answer

"I gave it to Abby. Well, most of it. Gibbs has your badge and sidearm. And I held on to this." He pulled the velvet box out of his pocket.

"Figured you wanted to give it to Abby yourself". He held it out to Tim who took it with a sigh of relief and stashed it under his pillow. He knew it wasn't the safest of hiding spots but he didn't have a lot of choice right now.

"You must be planning on asking her soon if you're carrying that with you" Tony observed

"Well it was supposed to be tonight, but... I'm a little worried Tony. What if it's too soon?"

Tony snorted. "This from the guy who asked her to move in after what-2 days?"

McGee gave him a sheepish grin.

"Actually Tony, it was one day"

Tony burst out laughing.

"You guys are crazy, you know that Probie? You dance around each other for seven years, move in together before you even have your first date, and 3 months later get engaged!"

The humorous side of their odd courtship had never really occurred to Tim before. He joined in DiNozzo's laughter for a minute, then told Tony to quit making him laugh. It made his shoulder ache like crazy.

"You really love her, don't you?" Tony asked. He was going to brush him off; he wasn't really comfortable discussing that aspect of his life with Tony, but something in the seriousness of DiNozzo's tone made him reply honestly

"Yeah, Tony, I do"

Movement at the door caught his eye; he glanced over and saw Abby and Ziva in the doorway. He wondered how much of their conversation Abby had overheard; hopefully not too much. He studied her face for a moment. Seeing a tender smile but no surprise, he concluded that she hadn't heard Tony's comment about them being crazy. He greeted Ziva as the women crowded into the small room.

"Slow day, huh?"

"Yeah, Balboa's team is covering for us" Tony answered

One of the bossier nurses put her head around the door then, sternly reminding them of the 2 visitors at a time rule. Abby volunteered to go, to Tim's disgust. It was their anniversary; he wanted to spend it with her even if he was tied to this damn hospital bed. He reminded himself that he would have her to himself later. He hadn't decided yet if he was still going to ask her to marry him tonight, or if he would wait until he could do it properly.

"Probie? You still with us?" Tony's voice recalled his attention

"Sorry, zoned out for a minute there" he was getting tired again. He remembered something from the day before that he wanted to ask Ziva. It was a small thing but it was bugging him slightly

"Hey Ziva?"

"Yes, McGee?"

"Yesterday, when all this happened... I heard two double taps. One was Gibbs; it was too close to be anyone else. Who was the other?"

"It was Tony. I did not have a clear shot" she explained "I may threaten to kill him sometimes, but I truly could not shoot Tony in the back"

That set McGee laughing again. The ache from his shoulder and the laughter soon tired him out completely, and he fell asleep again