This is being written in collaboration with my talented friend nightchild78. We are having fun bouncing ideas off each other, and sharing in the excitement of watching this story unfold!

Special thanks to Rose Malmaison for making the image to go along with this fic!

Categories: NCIS/Torchwood

Rating: M

Characters: Tony DiNozzo, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Abby Sciuto, Tim McGee, Ziva David, Dr Donald Mallard, Jimmy Palmer / Jack Harkness, Ianto Jones, Toshiko Sato, Owen Harper.

Pairings: Tony/Gibbs, Jack/Ianto, Tosh/Owen.

Warnings: Swearing, slash, Mpreg, explicit sexual situations.

Spoilers: Set during the 6th season of NCIS and after Children of Earth for Torchwood. Mentions of the episodes SWAK, Boxed In, Hiatus Part 2, Escaped, Singled Out, Bury Your Dead, Chimera and Requiem for NCIS and for the episodes Cyberwoman, To the Last Man, Dead Man Walking, A Day In the Death, Exit Wounds as well as the whole of season 3 of Torchwood. Miracle Day never happened.

Disclaimer: We don't own these characters. We just like to play with them.

RENASCENCE RENASCENCE RENASCENCE

Vance quickly decided it was McGee he would be tailing. Abby was still working in the lab, and he wasn't about to consider following Ziva's car. He wasn't suicidal, after all.

He'd managed to keep a safe distance, going unnoticed, while still keeping sight of McGee's car.

Watching McGee pull into the winding driveway of an old mansion, Vance's eyebrows shot up in curiosity. He knew Ducky's family home wasn't situated in this part of the town, so who the hell could McGee be visiting here? Did it have anything to do with the "secret mission" Gibbs and Tony were supposedly on?

Circling around the block, Vance parked at a safe distance from the house. Once he had walked back to the house, he checked thoroughly for any possible cameras or security systems. A house that nice must have security precautions in place! Surprisingly, after carefully looking for several minutes, he found none. So he made his way to the outer gate and climbed over it, the exercise reminding him of his time as a field agent.

As the shadows of evening crept over the sky, Vance was able to clearly make out McGee and Ziva playing basketball. That in itself was all well and good, except for the fact that they were playing with the man that had called himself "Sean Craig" and claimed to be with MI5, though Vance was now convinced that all of this was nothing more than an elaborate setup.

Also playing were an Asian woman and a lanky dark haired man. But it was when Vance looked off to the side that his suspicions were truly confirmed. Sitting in a wheelchair and acting as referee was Tony. He had clearly gained a considerable amount of weight and was sporting a prominent belly which made him look pregnant. Gibbs sat in a lawn chair next to Tony, holding his hand. Their body language unmistakably indicated an intimate relationship. Vance blinked in disbelief. Gibbs and Tony were a couple? He knew the two men were close, but he would never have imagined they would be that close.

Vance watched for awhile out of curiosity, wondering what exactly had happened to Tony and why his agents were taken here under the guise of an "undercover mission". It was the Director's guess that the two were connected somehow.

After watching in a sort of distracted trance, Vance was pulled back to attention when the lanky man circled one of his opponents and suddenly vanished into thin air. A startled squeak barely escaped his throat when he heard a familiar click and felt the barrel of a gun at his head. Apparently, they had a security system after all. One much less obvious than most.

"Anyone ever tell you that you're too curious for your own good, Director Vance?"

Though he'd only met the man once before, Vance recognized the voice easily.

"'Colonel Christopher Tennant'. If that's even your real name."

"It's not," the man confirmed curtly.

Just then, the supposed MI5 agent approached them.

"Jack! What's going on?"

"Seems the Director of NCIS has trouble minding his own business." The man finally put his gun down as Gibbs came storming over.

"Leon? What the hell are you doing here?" Gibbs asked furiously.

"I could ask you the same thing," Vance pointed out, not for a second appearing to lose his cool in this new and admittedly hostile environment. "Something felt off. I was beginning to question the 'top secret mission' you and DiNozzo were supposedly on. And apparently, my instincts were right."

Vance looked around, not sure what to make of where he was, or what he had seen.

"Who are you people?" he finally asked.

"We're Torchwood."

Vance looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Torchwood doesn't exist. Not anymore."

"You're well informed," Gibbs noted with a suspicious frown.

"You don't come to my position without hearing about certain things. But I have from a very reliable source that Torchwood was dismantled months ago," Vance insisted, glaring.

"Well, seems that ill weeds grow apace," the so-called Colonel Tennant quipped.

A knowing smirk crossed Vance's features. "In that case, I guess that makes you the famous Jack Harkness. I thought you were just a myth."

"Please don't call him that." The man Vance had met along with Jack months ago rolled his eyes." His ego is already big enough."

Vance eyed the young man. "I'm guessing you're not 'Sean Craig'."

The man shook his head, extending his hand to Vance. "Jones. Ianto Jones."

At that point, the Asian woman and the vanishing man approached them as well, and Jack made his introductions.

"Meet the rest of the team. Ms. Toshiko Sato, and our resident ghost, Dr. Owen Harper."

"So you're really a ghost? That wasn't some kind of trick?" Vance asked skeptically, in spite of what he'd seen.

"Get used the unusual, Director. It's what Torchwood is all about," Owen said with a playful grin.

"And what does Torchwood need with my agents?" Vance asked, looking over at Tony, who had stayed behind, and was being watched over by McGee.

"I'm just looking out for my family...and I will do anything to protect them!" Jack said resolutely. "So don't you even think about getting in our way! Because if you do, the kindest thing we would do to you is make you forget...If we're feeling merciful!"

Vance couldn't help but to blink in surprise. 'Family'? Who's your family?" he asked, trying to contain his nerves.

"You're familiar with my story, Director. And you should know that most of what you've heard about me is true. With that in mind..." Jack looked over at Tony, his features softening in loving warmth. "Tony is my grandson."

Vance couldn't have contained his surprise even if he wanted to, his jaw dropping so far, you'd swear he was trying to catch flies. He just stood there for a minute, searching for the right words. There was nothing in DiNozzo's file to suggest that he was somehow related to Torchwood's leader. But at a closer look, Vance couldn't deny a certain physical resemblance between the two men.

"What happened to DiNozzo?" he finally asked.

"Exactly what it looks like," Jack replied, casting a worried glance in Tony's direction.

"But that's..." he stopped himself before saying the word "Impossible".

"May I speak with him?"

Jack hesitated for a moment, then, after a quick glance at Gibbs, finally nodded his agreement. "All right. But go easy on him. If I sense that you're upsetting Tony even in the slightest, you will be dealt with! Considering his condition, you need to tread carefully," he warned.

Vance nodded. "Understood."

The truth was, Vance was too shocked and confused to say anything that could possibly upset Tony. He was just trying to understand what the hell was going on.

※

Back in the house, Jack had allowed Tony and Vance some time to talk alone in the kitchen. Alone, but not privately, as Jack made sure to keep secret video surveillance on them. He wasn't taking any chances.

Once they were settled with cups of herbal tea for both of them, and cheesecake for Tony, Vance looked his agent up and down.

"Is that what I think it is?" he asked, pointing to Tony's belly.

"Well, it's certainly not aerophagia, that's for sure," Tony replied, setting the plate of cheesecake on his stomach and breaking off a piece with his fork.

"But... But, how is it possible?" Vance stammered in disbelief.

"As far as we know, a bit of witchcraft, a touch of 51st century DNA...and a whole lotta Gibbs!" Tony grinned widely. It was clear that he wanted to make the Director uncomfortable.

"This is... impossible," Vance said, once again pointing at Tony's belly. He almost expected the other man to jump out of his wheelchair, pull a cushion out of his shirt and shout "gotcha" to his face.

"I know it looks unbelievable, but it's just one of the many incredible things I've seen since I've met these guys," Tony remarked, as he took a bite of cheesecake, closing his eyes and taking great pleasure in the treat.

"How are you feeling?" Vance asked, once he'd had a moment to collect his thoughts.

"Well, I've never been run over by a bus before, but I imagine it feels a lot like this," Tony answered honestly. "I'm tired, I'm sore, I forgot what my feet look like. But..." Tony's voice trailed off, and he smiled, rubbing his belly. "When I feel this little girl kick, or see the way Jethro looks at me, I remember why I'm putting myself through this."

"I'm a little surprised to hear you talking like this," Vance admitted. He had never known Tony to be this openly sentimental.

"What can I say? Motherhood has changed me." Tony's smile then faded. "I hope you can understand why we had to lie to you."

"I doubt I'd have believed the truth anyway," Vance said with a small chuckle.

"I hope you understand that it's a lot to ask of me to keep your jobs open for you after such a long absence. But I'll see if I can find places for you and Special Agent Gibbs, should you choose to return. And don't worry. I won't let word of your condition get out." With that, Vance stood up, nodding cordially to Tony and walking away.

"Director!" Tony called after him.

"Yeah?"

"Our replacements...how are they doing?" Tony inquired.

"I hate them," Vance smirked. "Everybody does."

"I'm hard to replace, aren't I?" Tony said with his winning grin.

Vance looked Tony up and down. "You're certainly one of a kind."

※

Jackie Vance worriedly observed her husband as he walked through the door. He seemed distracted, concerned, and more than a little shaken up. In short, he just didn't seem himself. As her husband sat down on the couch, holding his head in his hands, Jackie sat beside him, offering her support.

"Leon? What's the matter, baby? What's got you all shaken up?" she asked, putting an arm around him and giving him a squeeze as she kissed him on the cheek. "Did something happen at work?"

Vance didn't say anything for awhile. His eyes were wide and dancing about, as if his mind was trying to process something. He wanted to tell his wife what he had just learned. But how the hell was he going to do that? She would never believe it. Eventually, he decided that a partial truth would have to suffice.

"One of my agents is pregnant," he finally said, sighing heavily.

Jackie's face brightened into a smile. "Well, this is good news! Isn't it?"

"I'm not so sure," Vance said, staring into his lap.

"What's the problem?" Jackie asked. "Am I to assume that the pregnancy is unplanned?"

Vance laughed joylessly. "You could say that. And the mother has some...special conditions."

At that, he had Jackie's full attention.

"What kind of conditions? Is she in any danger?"

Vance knew that the truth was not an option. He had stayed out, away from home, late at night. If he told her that the pregnant agent in question was a man, not only would she never believe him. Her mind would likely draw the worst kinds of conclusions about his whereabouts.

"There's no need to concern yourself with it," he finally said, smiling at Jackie and trying to look calm and unconcerned. "The situation is under control," he added, standing up.

"What do you mean, 'under control'?" Jackie grabbed his arm, gently pulling him back down onto the couch with her. "Leon, something about this is bothering you. I can tell!"

Vance shook his head. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Try me!"

Clenching his fists, Vance steeled himself. This wasn't going to end well. He knew it!

"The mother...is Special Agent DiNozzo."

Jackie jolted back. "Special Agent DiNozzo? As in Tony DiNozzo?" she asked, wanting to make sure she hadn't heard incorrectly.

"Yeah," Vance confirmed, preparing himself for the oncoming fight. "You see why I didn't want you tell you? I knew you would never believe it. I'm still trying to process this news myself."

Jackie crossed her arms, studying her husband's face for a moment.

"Yeah, it's pretty unbelievable, and certainly the worst cock-and-bull story I have ever heard," she agreed. "But I don't see why you would serve me such a so pitiful fib. I've never seen you this rattled before. That can't be faked! I don't know how it could happen, but I believe you when you tell me that Tony is pregnant." She pulled her husband in for a hug. "You're an honest man, Leon. It's what I love most about you."

Vance let out a big breath, relief washing over him. Count on women to surprise you when you least expect it.

"How is he doing?" Jackie asked, now that her husband felt he had the freedom to openly discuss the situation with her.

"From what I could see, he's very weak, and he confirmed as much. He's on bed rest, and confined to a wheelchair when he's out of bed. He's not the lively agent I remember. You would think I'd be happy about that. DiNozzo could be a real pain in my ass. But I almost felt bad for him."

Jackie nodded. "Bed rest is hard. I remember." She paused, her mind forming a plan.

"I want to see him!"

"That's a bad idea," Vance warned, shaking his head. "The entire situation is complex, to put it nicely."

But Jackie was insistent. "I know all about difficult pregnancies. I know what it's like to be on bed rest. You know this! I think that right now, Tony needs someone who understands what he's going through. I want to help him out!"

Vance couldn't hold back the smirk that crossed his lips. "You've made up your mind on this, haven't you?"

Jackie nodded, her lips pursed in determination. "If Tony decides he doesn't want my help, I'll leave him alone. But I want him to know that he has my support if he wants it."

"All right," Vance reluctantly gave in. "If you can make arrangements for the kids, I'll clear some time in my schedule."

Gazing into Jackie's kind eyes, Vance was reminded why he loved her so much. Her kindness, selflessness and empathy were part of her beauty. And in this case, could very well get them in trouble.

Things were about to get even more interesting.

RENASCENCE RENASCENCE RENASCENCE

Gibbs took in the vision of the naked man beneath him.

Tony's skin, soft and glowing, with only a smidge of hormone induced acne on his face. Not enough to spoil his beautiful features.

Brilliant green eyes, staring up at Gibbs, wide and vulnerable.

Plump, pouty lips, practically begging to be kissed.

Tony's chest hair had been growing in thinner and lighter, and was now more of a soft down. The change allowed for a better view of Tony's nipples; red, hard and slightly swollen.

And then there was Tony's stomach; large and filled with life. A life Gibbs himself had filled him with.

Gibbs had no idea why he was so turned on by Tony's pregnant form. But the very sight of Tony's rounded abdomen - his belly button already popped from an "innie" to an "outie" - made Gibbs' cock hard and erect.

Massaging the huge sphere, Gibbs kissed and caressed every last inch of it, his hands travelling down to Tony's thighs, kneading the tender flesh. Readying Tony for what was to come.

Both men were thankful that the sex ban had been lifted. They ached for each other's bodies. An ache that simply sharing the same bed couldn't satisfy.

Gibbs gently rolled Tony onto his side, then went to place himself behind him, raining soft kisses over his shoulder. He slowly slipped a hand between Tony's legs, running his fingers between his cheeks while his other arm wrapped itself around his waist.

Sneaking a lubed finger into Tony's hole, which had been neglected for far too long, Gibbs stretched the puckered opening. Adding a second finger, the digits scissored within Tony, before plunging in deeper, putting gentle pressure on his prostate and eliciting a strangled moan from the younger man.

Tony attempted to arch his back, but Gibbs' arm tightened around his waist, preventing the desired movement. So he simply wriggled; gasps, moans and wordless screams escaping him, intensifying as the third finger joined the dance; stretching him further; pleasuring him deeper.

Cries of loss as the fingers were withdrawn turned to squeals of anticipation as Gibbs nudged the tip of his member into Tony's hole.

Slowly easing in, Gibbs, felt the tight muscle close around him, sensually hugging and tugging at his cock.

Tony's own member stood at attention, going ignored as Gibbs plundered his hole faster and faster, deeper and deeper, pleasuring his prostate until he was reduced to a quivering puddle in Gibbs' arms..

Digging his nails into Tony's hips, Gibbs thrust them backward with each gyration, while his other hand was lovingly caressing Tony's round belly. Gibbs' grunts and Tony's moans, gasps and whimpers created sweet music, sending both men over the edge in unison; Gibbs spilling his seed into Tony; Tony losing control of his own erection, cum spurting into the air, splashing the sheets and his stomach.

Giving a few extra thrusts, Gibbs stayed inside Tony for a minute, his hand going down to stroke his thighs. Thighs that had grown plumper from pregnancy and cheesecake, but so beautifully soft. Tony wore pregnancy well, Gibbs thought, sliding himself out of the submissive form in front of him.

Rolling Tony onto his back once again, Gibbs hungrily eyed the cum on his stomach. Leaning in, he lapped it up; swirling circles and patterns with his tongue; paying special attention to Tony's protruding belly button. The action seemed to please Tony, who fisted the sheets, letting out guttural moans.

Once Tony was clean, Gibbs rolled him back onto his side, lying down beside the younger man, who was positioning the pregnancy pillow between his arms and knees.

"I love you, beautiful," Gibbs whispered, sucking at Tony's ear lobe.

"Oh Jethro..." Tony moaned.

Circling his arm around Tony's stomach, Gibbs thrust himself into the his backside.

"Jethro..."

"Mmm...yeah?" Gibbs was still coming down from his high.

"Jethro. Wake up."

Gibbs' eyes snapped open to see Tony lying on his side, his back to Gibbs, clutching at the pregnancy pillow.

"What?" Gibbs asked sleepily.

"Sorry to wake you. Sounded like a pretty good dream." The knowing smirk was audible in Tony's voice.

"What do you need?"

"I have to go to the bathroom. Gonna wet myself if I don't go soon," Tony said apologetically.

"All right. I'll help you." Gibbs knew the urgency of the situation. Just the day before, a sneeze caused Tony to pee his pants.

Sitting up, Gibbs got ready to help Tony out with one of the least sexy aspects of pregnancy. And after such a sexy dream, too.

It seemed the ban was still in place.

RENASCENCE RENASCENCE RENASCENCE

"You're a dirty little liar, Ianto Jones," Tony told the Welshman, closing his eyes and breathing in the aroma from his cup of coffee before taking a pleasurable sip. "There's no way this heavenly brew is decaf!"

"Thank you for the compliment, but I can assure you, it is," Ianto promised with a gracious bow.

"Ianto is a wizard with a cup of coffee," Jack praised his lover. Coffee in one hand, he wrapped his free arm around Ianto's waist. "And he looks great in a suit," he added with a wink, before whispering something to Ianto that made the younger man blush.

"You really do, Ianto," Tony agreed. "Always so stylish and dapper in your suits. I admire that. I miss being able to wear suits..."

Tony sighed, resting his hands and arms on his belly. It wasn't just suits. He missed wearing anything nice at all. Ever since he'd started gaining baby weight, Gibbs had him in t-shirts and sweatpants. Tony understood it was a simple solution. They didn't exactly make maternity wear for men. But, with his changing, ever growing body, Tony already felt unattractive. Not being able to even dress nicely only served to make those feelings worse. He even started to wonder if he'd ever be able to wear his favorite pair of jeans again.

Feeling everyone's gaze on him, Tony quickly changed the subject.

"So...Vance knows now. This changes things."

"It might be for the best", Tosh posited. "It will certainly make things easier for your friends. I think that the secrecy was driving Abby mad."

Gibbs put a steadying hand on Tony's arm, as the pregnant man grimaced at the name.

"You didn't tell the director about my...other condition, did you?" Tony asked, referring to his mental health issues. He knew that Vance learning of his problems could cost him his job.

"Of course not," Jack said gently, sitting down across from Tony. "It's not my place to tell him."

"Hey guys!" Abby called loudly, interrupting the quiet conversation as she entered the kitchen with a box of donuts and set it on the table.

Tony rolled his eyes before closing them, trying to keep his temper in check. His throat had been bothering him, and he wouldn't want to make it worse by hollering at Abby.

"Breakfast for my friends," Abby continued. "And for our little baby girl, too," she cooed, touching her hands all around Tony's belly.

On reflex, Tony swatted the hands away. What right did she have touching him like that? And the baby was nobody's but his and Jethro's. He couldn't help the glare he shot her way, and he didn't care that she looked hurt by it.

Sensing the tension, Jack stepped it.

"It's a beautiful morning, Tony. What do you say we go out to the garden?" he asked, grabbing the back of Tony's wheelchair and pulling him away from the table without waiting for him to answer.

"Sure," Tony said agreeably, still glaring at Abby. "I could use the fresh air."

Watching Jack wheel Tony away, Abby turned her sad eyes to Gibbs.

"Is Tony mad at me?" she asked him. "He's been...weird with me lately. But I didn't do anything!"

"I can't speak for him," Gibbs said simply.

"Well...has he said anything to you?"

Gibbs shook his head.

"Maybe I should talk to him," Abby decided, standing up.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Gibbs warned, effectively causing Abby to sit back down. "He's going through a lot right now. Don't push him. You need to give him space."

Abby crossed her arms and pursed her lips. Of course she wasn't just going to let this go. She had done something to make her friend angry, and she needed to figure out what. She couldn't stand it when people were mad at her, and there was no way she could sit on her butt and wait for things to settle down.

※

Sighing, Tony tried to find a comfortable position to rest in. This was getting harder the bigger he got.

Only noon, and he was already wiped out. It was just as well, he thought. By the time he woke up, maybe Abby would be gone.

Attempting to take a deep breath, Tony struggled with the heaviness in his chest. He had heard that shortness of breath was common in pregnancy. Just something he would need to learn to live with for awhile, he figured. Maybe he could do some of the respiratory exercices he had learned from Brad after he'd had the plague. It would certainly help.

Lifting his shirt, Tony scratched at his stomach. It had been itching like mad, and he nearly scratched the skin raw. Another annoying aspect of pregnancy.

"Tony?"

Tony scowled, pulling down his shirt. Facing the door, there was no way for him to feign sleep as Abby entered uninvited.

"What do you want?" Tony grumbled.

"I want to know what I did wrong," Abby told him. "I want to know why you're so mad at me. Lately, it feels like you don't want me around."

"Yeah? Well, I...don't right now, Abby. I'm trying to...get some sleep," Tony said irritably. "You knew...this, and yet...you snuck in here...hoping to..." Tony paused, struggling through a few breathes. Talking made breathing more difficult.

"Hoping to catch me...alone," he finished. "Can't...you take a hint? I don't want you near...me."

"But Tony, I just - ", Abby reached out, her hand once again making contact with his belly.

"Hey," Tony swatted her hand away weakly. "My body is not...not public property. You do not...touch without my permission. Got it?"

Abby froze, her expression turning to a mix of hurt and cold anger. "I don't know what your problem is, but you need to stop taking it out on me! You're 'situation'? Not my fault! I had nothing to do with you becoming... THAT!" she exploded, gesturing emphatically at Tony's body and almost spitting her last word.

Tony winced, hurt and sadness stinging his heart. He clearly remembered Abby insisting he wasn't a freak back when he first learned he was pregnant. But anger makes people honest and her tone didn't leave anything to interpretation. This was how she really saw him. A confirmation of his own insecurities. This was what he was now. A freak.

"Get out," Tony ordered through gritted teeth.

"No, Tony! I -"

"You heard him, Abs," Gibbs cut her off from where he stood in the doorway. "Go."

Abby turned to look at Gibbs. His eyes were cold, filled with disappointment and barely contained anger. She had gone against his wishes, confronting Tony, despite being warned not to. It was a mistake and she knew it too well.

She had no defense, so she just turned around and brushed passed him.

"He's such a drama queen, " she muttered on her way out.

Ignoring Abby's disparaging comment, Gibbs laid down behind Tony without a word, circling his arm around Tony's stomach and massaging it gently.

Unsure of what you say, he just stayed with Tony, allowing the man he loved to cry in his arms.

RENASCENCE RENASCENCE RENASCENCE

Tony rubbed his eyes sleepily, the need to use the bathroom overpowering the need to sleep.

"Jethro?" he grunted, reaching back to feel for his lover, only to find himself alone in the bed. He then remembered that Gibbs had offered his services to the Torchwood team to track down some alien in Rock Creek Park and left with Jack, Owen and Tosh a couple of hours before. He grabbed his cell phone on the nightstand and dialed Ianto's number, but after half a dozen rings, it went straight to voice mail. Tony sighed. He couldn't wait any longer, so it looked like he would need to do this on his own.

Tony struggled to sit up. Usually, he had Gibbs to help him out with that. The belly was already a hindrance to free movement.

Once Tony was finally upright, he stood up slowly and carefully, then waddled over to his wheelchair. Then he wheeled out of the bedroom, making his way to the bathroom.

Using his arms to operate the wheelchair proved to be too much for Tony. In recent weeks, he always had somebody to push it for him. But he couldn't wait around for someone to help him. The situation was urgent.

After going forward a few more feet, Tony had to stop again. The tightness in his throat and heaviness in his chest had become worse with the exertion, causing a fit of coughs.

Feeling dizzy and in complete agony as he coughed, Tony suddenly found himself wet. Not only that, he was sitting in something. Tony felt his body heat up with shame as the realization hit him; he had soiled himself.

"Help..." Tony croaked out softly. "Somebody help me..."

Tony was once again overcome by a new fit of coughing. Without realizing it, his body shifted uneasily, slowly inching itself forward, his giant belly leading the way. Before he knew it, he found himself on the floor, flat on his back.

Looking and feeling a bit like a a turtle on it's back, Tony found himself in a state of panic. Feeling scared, alone, helpless and ashamed, he couldn't help but to weep loudly.

It only took a minute for Ianto to come running from the laundry at the other end of house. Looking down at the pregnant man on the floor, eyes red rimmed and filled with tears, Ianto's heart went out to him. How could a man who was so very big look so scared and small?

As Ianto placed a hand under Tony's head to help him up, he felt a substance in the older man's hair; feces. Noting the brown streak on the wheelchair, the Welshman guessed that the shit had gotten into Tony's hair as he slid from the chair.

"I didn't...make it...in time," Tony stated, shaking and intermittently sobbing and coughing.

"I can see that. No worries. I'll help you,", Ianto said, trying to keep his tone comforting.

"I'm sorry... It's so...disgusting..." Tony lamented.

Ianto gently smiled at him.

"Don't worry. Cleaning the nest of a pterodactyl tends to help you to put things in perspective. Trust me."

※

Tony felt absolutely overwhelmed with shame. Not only because he was naked as the day he was born, feeling as weak as the child in his womb and being cleaned in intimate places by his grandfather's lover. But also because he couldn't make himself stop crying about his predicament.

"Hey. It's all right, Tony," Ianto soothed, as he finished washing Tony's backside and eased him down into his shower chair, before placing a towel over his crotch in an attempt to protect his manhandled modesty. Ianto himself was wearing swim trunks, to avoid making the situation even more awkward.

"You know, you're not the first man I've had to bathe," Ianto said, once Tony's sobs had quieted.

"I...don't want to know...about...what you do...with Jack," Tony sniffled.

"No," Ianto chuckled loudly. "It wasn't Jack. About two years back, Owen was temporarily paralyzed by some alien venom. He stayed that way for about a day, and it was my job to clean up after him. With Jack and myself being the only other men on the team...let's just say Owen didn't want to deal with Jack's commentary."

The story managed to get a small laugh out of Tony. He already knew Jack could often be wildly inappropriate. Fortunately for him, as Jack's grandson, he was spared, for the most part.

"The difference? I'm a...lot heavier. I'm...a little...worried you might... throw out your...back hauling my fat...ass around." Tony phrased it as a joke. But Ianto could tell the poor man had almost no self confidence left.

"Oh, believe me, I've hauled heavier," Ianto said, grabbing the shower head and rinsing off Tony.

"All right. All clean," Ianto turned off the shower, grabbing another towel to dry off Tony. "Don't worry about your wheelchair. I'll clean it up once I get you settled.

"I...don't think I'm...strong...enough to walk," Tony said, his voice tinged with worry.

"Relax. I'll help you," Ianto assured him.

※

Ianto took a breath, cracking his back. He would never admit it to Tony, but it really was hard supporting his weight. While Tony could walk - or waddle - with assistance, he needed a lot of assistance! The wheelchair really had become a necessity! The man felt as heavy as he looked!

Smiling through the aches in his muscles, Ianto walked into Tony's room, setting a large bag down on the bed.

Tony was sitting up, his upper body supported by the headboard, still only covered by a towel wisely wrapped around his hips, glistening from the shower.

"All right. Let's get you dressed." Ianto held up a pair of boxers, sliding them up Tony's legs and over his bottom. Tony was too big to bend over, and couldn't do it himself.

Ianto then surprised Tony by reaching into the bag and taking out a light green two piece silk pajama set.

"Those are some pretty decadent threads," Tony observed appreciatively. "Where did they come from?"

"I bought them for you," Ianto said casually, helping Tony into the pants. "I felt you deserved some nice things to wear.

"Wait a...minute...did you...say 'things'? As in plural?"

"I did." Ianto grinned. I got you a couple more pajama sets, and also several jumpers and slacks, in varying sizes to accommodate your growing body.

Tony sighed as Ianto helped him into the shirt. At six months pregnant, he looked more like he was nine months. The scary thing was, he knew he was going to get bigger.

"Thanks, Ianto," Tony said appreciatively. "But why would you do that for me?"

"Because you're Jack's family," Ianto explained. "More importantly, I like to think that you're my friend. It pains me to see a handsome fellow such as yourself feeling so poorly about your appearance."

"You noticed, huh?" Tony asked, feeling a little badly that he'd drawn that kind of attention to himself.

"It's my job to notice everything," Ianto joked, winking as he helped Tony to lie back down. "Get some sleep. I'll clean up your wheelchair, and have Jethro come to see you when he gets back."

Tony didn't know what to say. He didn't want to get all sappy and sentimental, but he was feeling very touched. Ianto had become a good friend, and the two men had grown to share a very special bond. The Welshman was so kind and thoughtful, anticipating Tony's needs, and being sensitive to the feelings Tony didn't even know he was expressing. It was the first time Tony had ever had a friendship like this, and he wished he could properly express his gratitude to the younger man.

"Ianto, I don't know...how to thank..." Tony began.

"Please don't mention it," Ianto said easily, striding over to the doorway and clicking off the light. "Goodnight, Tony."

"Good night."

Standing outside the door, Ianto tried to keep his composure. As he said to Tony, he noticed a lot of things other people usually failed to see, and that also included Tony's increased breathlessness. It might be nothing, but it made him uneasy. He would have to see to it that Tony was examined by Owen and Ducky first thing in the morning.

RENASCENCE RENASCENCE RENASCENCE

Gibbs awoke to the sound of the man beside him coughing. It was a familiar cough. One he hadn't heard in a few years, and it made his gut churn in the worst kind of way. This was a cough reminiscent of when Tony had the plague.

"Tony." Gibbs ran his hand soothingly up and down his lover's arm. "You all right?"

Gibbs was sure Tony couldn't hear the softly spoken question over his loud coughing, but he didn't want to raise his voice and potentially upset the younger man.

"Sorry," Tony said between ragged breaths after the coughing had finally stopped. "You...were sleeping...I -"

"Shh...It's okay, Tony," Gibbs soothed, clicking on the bedside lamp before he helped Tony to sit up. "You're more important than sleep."

Tony smiled weakly at Gibbs' words. His breathing was starting to become more even; the deep red fading from his face. "My hero," he joked in a raspy voice.

Gibbs gave a short chuckle. Now that things appeared to have calmed down, he was really able to look Tony over, and noticed the new green silk pajamas he was wearing. He looked good in them, Gibbs thought. They brought out the sparkle in his green eyes well. Though at the moment, that sparkle seemed somewhat faded.

"Nice pajamas!" Gibbs commented, and he couldn't resist rubbing Tony's belly. The soft silk over the large, life filled ball was just too tempting.

"Thanks," Tony said, running a bit of the silk between his index finger and thumb. "They... were a gift...from Ianto. He gave them...to me when..." Tony's voice trailed off, too embarrassed to recount what had happened earlier that night."

"Yeah. Ianto told me," Gibbs said, sparing Tony the need to say any more.

"Could you get..."Tony took a few labored breaths, clutching at his chest as he did so. "...me some...water?"

"Sure thing." Gibbs gave Tony a kiss on the cheek as he stood, not taking his eyes off of him as he made his way from the bed to the door.

Pouring a glass of water for Tony, Gibbs debated whether or not to get Owen and wake Ducky. Tony had improved a little since his coughing spell, but Gibbs still found it worrisome. Tony couldn't even speak a complete sentence without stopping to take a breath, and as much as he brushed it off as if it was nothing, Gibbs didn't want to take any chances. It was best, Gibbs decided, that he summon the doctors once Tony finished his drink.

Walking back into the bedroom, Gibbs found Tony with his eyes closed, breathing heavily through his nose. As Gibbs sat down beside him, green eyes opened half lidded.

"Thanks." Tony reached out for the glass with trembling hands. There was no way he'd be able to hold it.

"I got it," Gibbs said, giving Tony a small sip of water.

Tony coughed when the liquid hit his throat, dribbling it all over himself.

"S-sorry...about..." Tony paused to take a few more labored breaths. "Not feeling r-right...for days...Thought it..." More coughing. "w-would...pass..."

Tony's eyes had become glassy. His body slumped down in the bed, and it appeared he was starting to slip out of awareness.

Inwardly, Gibbs was panicking. If Tony hadn't been feeling well for days, why didn't he say anything? Why did he hide it from him? It had only been in the last day that his shortness of breath had become noticeable. And until that very night, he just seemed more tired than anything else.

Grabbing Tony's head between his hands, Gibbs tried to get the his partner to focus on his face. "Tony,Tony, stay with me. Don't go back to sleep. I'm gonna get Owen to check on you. Tony, speak to me. If you weren't feeling well, why didn't you say something?"

With a faint, delirious smile, Tony answered. "Just...f-ollowing y-your...orders...boss."

Tony's head rolled back, and Gibbs had to gently tap his cheek to bring him back to a semi-conscious state.

"Following my orders? What do you mean?" Gibbs asked. Tony wasn't making any sense. "Tony!"

"If I...I'm g-going to...die...do it...silently."

Gibbs felt his stomach turn at Tony's words. Words he could only vaguely remember saying. Too wrapped up in panic, all he could do was wonder how he could have ever said something so cruel to Tony.

"No, Tony. You're not gonna die. I won't let you."

Tony's eyes rolled into the back of his head as his airway became more and more constricted. Gibbs kept gently tapping his face, hoping to keep him awake.

"Tony! Tony, don't do this to me!" Gibbs urged. But it was no use. Tony was unresponsive. He gave one last strangled breath, then stopped breathing completely.