Disclaimer—I don't own

AN: Hey everyone just wanted to say thanks for all the awesome reviews and sorry for the long wait RL has been very overwhelming these last couple of weeks. Also wanted to say thanks to my beta CALLEN37, I really appreciate all your help. So without further ado here is the next chapter and I hope you all like it; just hit that review button and let me know. :)

Of Doctors

And

Friends

Part 3

The leader of the group bypassed Tony's offered hand and engulfed him in a bear hug lifting Tony off the floor. The man was almost larger than life and though Tony wasn't completely shocked that it happened he wasn't completely prepared for it mentally. The tightness of his hug caused him some discomfort due to his still tender ribs making him gasp slightly and stiffen. The mountain of a man instantly backed off and scowling said, "What have yah done to yourself now?"

Tony grimaced slightly and indignantly replied, "Nothing you need to worry about and it WASN'T my fault."

Tony heard a collective round of sighs and tsking coming from behind him. He could well imagine his team and friends all rolling their eyes at him but he chose to ignore them.

The man just rolled his eyes saying, "Yah like I believe that."

To keep this conversation from progressing into a storytelling debacle he quickly said, "Ok Rock what are you doing here?"

Rock raised an eyebrow at his old friend saying, "I'm guessing the old fart didn't fully inform you."

Tony's expression became pinched as he sighed in frustration and glared at the upper mezzanine. He looked between his old team and his new team and decided that it was time to pull out all the big guns. No more half-truths and hidden talents. Sighing again Tony moved to the middle of the bullpen and motioning for all to gather around said, "Ok here's the deal apparently the directors have made some decisions without informing us. So to prevent any further surprises I'm going to make some introductions so we can all be on the same page. The mangy crew that just got here is part of my old team. The big guy is Dr. Brock 'the rock' Hanning; he's from the deep south as you can tell by his accent and serves as the main medic on the team. The identical twin twigs in the back are Casey and Carrie Holden; they are the arms and ammunitions experts. And last but not least the lovely lady in the back is Jenny; she is the lab geek."

Taking a deep breath Tony looked around and grimaced slightly when he saw the very 'death like' stares that the two separate groups were giving each other. Not letting this deter him he forged on saying, "Ok old team meat new team, first and fore most is team leader," He did not miss the raised eyebrows from his old team at that announcement, "Special agent Gibbs, marine extraordinaire and general all around bad ass. Next is special agent McGee, our local computer genius. Then there is the lovely super deadly special agent David, ex Mossad assassin. Then there is Dr. Mallard, forensic pathologist and coroner supreme and his ever handy and trustworthy right hand man Mr. Jimmy Palmer, doctor in training. And again last but not least very super special talented Abigail Scutio, one of the foremost leading experts in forensic science. Seriously people do not piss her off because she can kill you and leave no forensic evidence. Ok so now that, that's all done lets get to work on whatever it is we need to work on."

Tony waited but nothing happened. The two separate teams just stood there still staring—glaring—at each other. Tony sighed again he was hoping that things wouldn't be like this.

He was kinda starting to feel like a kid caught between two warring parents. 'Surprise, surprise,' he thought, 'this is not a knew feeling.'

He quickly shook that train of thought off, reminding himself firmly with a mental head slap that he wasn't going to go there. He was about to take drastic measures and crack a joke when Dr. Pitt stepped forward with hand extended towards Rock saying, "I'm Dr. Pitt; Tony's pulmonologist and friend. It's a pleasure to meet some one from Tony's past. Seeing as you are a doctor as well maybe you and I can get together and discuss what I'm sure is a mutual patient."

"Excellent idea Bradley!" Exclaimed Ducky as he quickly came forward extending his own hand to the new man. "I am quiet sure there is many a tale to be told that our young friend has yet to share. Plus it would be excellent to be able to fill in some gaps in his medical history."

They all three looked to Tony who had an expression of apprehension that was almost fearful, frozen on his face. He was about to say something when the directors suddenly came down from the office. Every one turned to look at them when Director Vance called out, "Excellent! Everyone is here."

Tony stubbornly folded his arms over his chest saying, "Well it would be kinda nice to know exactly why we have all been gathered here."

Both directors had the good grace to look slightly embarrassed. Vance recovered quickly saying, "We have a new information for your team. Franklynns has been found. The CIA has him under surveillance in Bermuda. They have been informed to watch but not detain him. That pleasure is going to be ours. You are going to confer with your teams and decide who is going to be bringing him in and who is going to run things from the office. We'll leave the final decisions up to you."

With that the two directors left. Tony turned around to face his two teams he knew that there was no chance in hell any one of him would let him leave the office. They would happily drug him and truss him up before allowing him out to what could potentially be a trap. Still he had to try. He looked to Gibbs and was about to talk when Gibbs said, "No."

"But boss."

"No DiNozzo!"

"It'll be fine!"

"What part of protective custody don't you get?"

"Come on Gibbs! I need to do this."

"I know Tony. But it's not happening."

Tony knew when he had been beaten. He sighed heavily and after a few minutes he finally said, "Fine. But I get to interrogate him!"

Gibbs nodded in silence then said, "Yah I think you've more than earned it."

Tony gave a small smile and then looking around at the rest of the group loudly said, "I'm thinking that Gibbs and Ziva along with the twigs should go to Bermuda. The rest of us will run back up from here."

Everyone stood; especially his newer team, slightly in shock. They were not used to hearing such an authoritative tone and issuing the orders. He looked at all of them and was mildly surprised by his actions. He jumped slightly when there was a sound head slap delivered to the back of his head, and Gibbs said as he walked by, "Ziva get your gear together we are leaving in an hour.

Tony jumped again when he turned to find the twigs suddenly standing a few good inches away from him with Jenny behind them. He smiled hesitantly; wary of what the trio of women would do to him. He couldn't blame them seeing as he had kinda left them hanging high and dry. He was about to say sorry when one of the twigs held up her hand and angrily signed the word, "No!"

Tony quickly held up his hands in placation, and then quickly signed, "Sorry."

The double punch was not unexpected but the hug that quickly followed was. Tony stiffened at first but then relaxed as he held them. He quietly whispered into their hair, "I missed you guys."

Jenny sighed saying, "You have no idea how much they missed you. I couldn't get them to talk for over a week after you left."

"I really am sorry."

Jenny just rolled her eyes saying, "Geez DiNozzo do not make me add to your list of injuries. It's fine. You really can't be held accountable for the things you do while suffering that level of grief."

He grimaced in discomfort and said, "I really wish you wouldn't analyze it like that."

"I bet," replied Jenny with a snort, " I however refuse to coddle your absurd fear of all things medical and analytical."

Tony just rolled his eyes and thought, 'if you only knew' he quickly went back to the two young women in his arms, which he noticed were not so young any more. He also noticed that they both had nice big rocks on their lefts hands. He quickly grabbed them and examined each one individually before demanding; only just managing to cover the dead seriousness in his tone, "When did this happen? Why wasn't I informed?" Both girls just rolled their eyes at him. He looked between them with deadly seriousness—not even bothering to try and cover it this time—saying, "I need to meet them and give my stamp of approval."

Again the girls only rolled their eyes and delivered more punches before signing hastily, "NO Way!"

Tony grinned wickedly saying adamantly, "Yes Way! It's my right as big brother!"

Again Jenny interrupted saying, "It's fine Tony they've passed inspection."

Tony still looked questioningly at them before disappointedly saying, "Fine but I still want to meet them. Soon. I want to meet them soon."

Tony happened to look around the bullpen noticing for the first time that they had quiet an audience watching them. He smiled sheepishly again when he made eye contact with his boss. He then quickly signed and said allowed, "I know I still have a lot that I need to explain to all of you and . . . and I will . . . just . . . just after all of this is taken care of."

Every one but Abby nodded in understanding. Abby was still standing there looking slightly smug. She quickly rushed over to Tony saying in an almost sing song voice, "I knew it! I knew it! I knew it!"

"Knew what Abigail?" asked Ducky as he made his way back into the bull pen carrying a very large over full folder with him, followed by Brad and Rock who also carried similar files with them and their doctors bags. They had missed the exchange while they were gathering all of their supplies.

Abby smiled triumphantly saying, "That Tony knows sign! I thought I caught him smiling at a joke I had told Gibbs one time but I couldn't be sure at the time since he covered it well."

Ducky and Brad seemed mildly in awe of this development while Brock just went, "Pfft," and said, "Please! Signing is not even the coolest of his language abilities! I think Mr. brainiac knows something like fifteen different languages fluently!"

Tony embarrassedly looked down at his feet. The hits just kept coming. He wondered how much longer it would be before his team became tired of all these random new discoveries and just performed a regular interrogation on him. He looked up and saw that they were all looking at him expectantly. He knew right then and there that the time had come to enlighten them all to some of the finer points of his personality. He felt himself sway slightly; a reminder that he was still in fact still not one hundred percent. He had been so focused on everything that he had for the time been able to forget about his injuries.

"Sit." Came the gruff order as he was manhandled into his chair. As much as he was grateful for the relief he couldn't bring himself to raise his head. Gibbs used his chin to force him into looking in his eyes. Tony hesitantly looked at his mentor before looking off to the side. He could hardly stand to look Gibbs in the eye he felt so guilty about all of the lies and surprises.

"Anthony look at me."

It was an order and Tony could never disobey a direct order. Slowly and hesitantly he lifted his eyes; expecting to see some sort of anger or frustration, but instead he saw understanding. He swallowed hard. Gibbs just sighed and said, "No one here is mad at you. Yes it is a lot to take in and I think we are all big enough people to admit that you fooled us. Rest assured you will be explaining everything to us, but we will wait. We have to work now anyways. Just know that when I get back we will be talking."

Tony nodded in relief and relaxed in his chair. Things were going to be okay. He felt a different hand on his shoulder as the comforting voice said, "Come along Anthony I do believe that it would be a good idea for you to lay down for a time."

Tony looked at Ducky, contemplating whether or not he should comply or argue to stay up and help get things ready for their visitor. He was about to argue for staying up when once again Gibbs came around saying, "DiNozzo do as Ducky says. We really don't need you sicker than you already are."

Tony pouted but remained silent as he allowed himself to be helped up and led to the elevator. He leaned against the side as it descended into the basement to Abby's lab where his home away from home was waiting for him. He had just laid his head down on the pillow when he heard Rock ask, "You wouldn't be the same Dr. Pitt that treated that man for the pneumonic plague are you?"

Tony instantly shot off the bed and stumbled out into the lab area exclaiming, "Do Not answer that Brad!"

All four of the doctors and Palmer stared at Tony. After a few seconds Rocks eyes grew huge and he cried accusingly, "You're the guy! The federal agent that was infected with the plague! Jesus Tony!"

Tony huffed and slid his aching body into the nearest chair. Damn he wished his body would just cool it for a minute and let him get back to normal. He settled himself more comfortably in the chair and waited expectantly for the group of doctors in front of him to go back to their discussion. Ducky walked towards Tony saying, "Anthony you really should be lying down."

Tony stubbornly shook his head saying, "No way Ducky! I'm not going to go in there and sleep while you're all out here gossiping and sharing stories about me!"

Ducky looked sternly at him saying, "Anthony! Either you go back in there and lay down or I'm going to call Gibbs and have him come down here."

Tony narrowed his eyes at his old friend and said, "You wouldn't dare."

"Oh wouldn't I?"

"I am not a child Ducky! I can decided if I want to take a nap or not!"

"Normally I would agree with you, but clearly the stress of everything has gotten to you and your not making the most sound decisions right at this moment."

Tony glared at the older man not at all impressed with is blackmail attempt. He had to admit though that if any one could get him declared temporarily incompetent then Ducky could and would do it. Sighing heavily and still glaring Tony went back into the office and made quite a show of getting back in the bed and situating himself.

Ducky sighed and shook his head amusedly. He turned to his colleagues saying, "Excuse me for a few minutes."

With that he left them there and also went into the office with a chair and sat in it next to the futon. He made himself comfortable and just sat there. He smiled when a sleepy voice said, "Thanks Ducky."

His smile became larger when the words were quickly followed with the sound of light snoring.