Tony was still on a high when he walked into court on Monday morning. He knew that his neurologist was testifying today, and Tony just couldn't wait to thank him in person for giving him the all clear to stop the physical therapy and return to work. He also knew that Bud and Harm were nearly half way through their witnesses, which meant that the trial would be over soon.

"You're in a good mood this morning," said Brad when Tony sat next to him.

"Did Adam or Emma tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"Dennis said I can stop the therapy. Friday was my last session. And I can go back to work after my next checkup with you." Tony's eyes sparkled.

"That's great. Would you like to move up your next appointment?"

"No. I can wait for Thursday. Besides, I'm hoping that this will be over by then."

"I hope so too. I know Dennis is up this morning, and Adam is up this afternoon. Tomorrow morning is another person. This trial is going quickly so far."

"Thank god. I can't wait for it to be over. It's really hard to sit here every day and listen to what they did to me."

"That's normal. You aren't supposed to enjoy hearing it, Tony."

"I know. I have to say though, Friday morning was so funny. You really screwed up the defence."

"Well, they shouldn't have tried to say I was wrong." Brad shrugged, happy to see a grin on Tony's face. "It was their own fault."

Tony laughed. He actually felt good that morning, and he wasn't going to let anyone change that.

Bud stood up and faced Dennis. They had already established who Dennis was and what his connection to Tony was, so Bud immediately jumped into what he wanted the court to know.

"Mr Dale, you have been treating Tony for how long now?"

"Nearly two months."

"How did he come to be your patient?"

"Tony became my patient when he woke up after being in a coma for two days, and his doctor was worried that there was further damage than he could see on the scans of Tony's brain."

"We've already heard that there wasn't any extra damage. Why did Tony stay under your care?"

"Because, although there wasn't any more damage, the injuries sustained were severe and something that needed to be cared for appropriately by a neurologist."

"So, Tony is still in your care?"

"Tony is still a patient of mine, but he is not under my care anymore. He's no longer a patient in the hospital, which means that he only sees me for checkups."

"How often are these checkups?"

"Roughly, once a month."

"Can that change?"

"Of course. It depends on test results and on how Tony is feeling when he comes in."

"What can you tell us about Tony's injuries?"

"His skull was fractured when he came to me. It had been glued together, but the fractures had not healed. They still haven't healed, though they are mending. His brain was slightly swollen and bruised, which are also healing."

"How bad are the injuries now?"

"Not bad enough to worry me. Tony will most likely be my patient for the next few months, at the least, but he will also be able to go back to work within the next few weeks."

Tony smiled to himself. He heard an audible sigh of relief coming from the jury, which boosted his confidence a little, too.

"That's a good thing. Will Tony be able to resume his normal duties?"

"Yes. It may take some time for him to be able to do them at the same pace he was before he was injured, but I believe that he can get back there, definitely."

Bud thanked Dennis for his time, then took a seat. He was surprised when he heard that both defence lawyers were question free, and the judge allowed Dennis to leave.

"Commander Roberts, call up your next witness, please," said the judge.

Bud stood. "We call Adam Wallace to the stand."

Tony looked up as the door opened and Adam walked past him, sitting a moment later in the seat that Dennis had just occupied.

"Mr Wallace, please tell us how you know Tony DiNozzo."

"Tony, until Friday, was a patient of mine."

"And what is it that you do?"

"I'm a physical therapist at Bethesda Naval Hospital."

"So why is Tony no longer a patient of yours?"

"Tony doesn't need physical therapy anymore. He's improved greatly in the last month that he's been coming to sessions."

"That is good, is it not?"

"It's great. Now that he's no longer in therapy, Tony can go back to work. I know how agitated he's been getting lately because he's ready to go back."

"Thank you." Bud asked a few more questions, then sat down to allow the defence team to ask their questions.

It was finally lunch time. Tony knew Deeks was the next person to be up on the stand, but he had his appointment with Rachel to go to, so Emma had offered to stay and fill him in later on what he missed. She had promised they would get lunch first though, and then Brad was going to drop Tony off at home, where Rachel was going to meet him at one.

"What do you want to eat?" Emma asked, looking at Tony. "Keeping in mind, pizza is our dinner tonight," she added.

"You read my mind," pouted Tony playfully. "Okay, how about Chinese?"

"Okay." Emma took Tony's hand and they walked a block to the nearest shop. They were slightly later than the lunch rush, so they were served quickly. As they sat down to eat, Emma asked, "are you going to be okay to talk with Dr Cranston this afternoon?"

"Yes. I actually don't think there's too much to deal with. I just want to tell her all the good news."

"So tell her. It'll make it easier to talk too."

Tony smiled. Emma always knew how to make him feel better, and she always knew just when to stop so she wouldn't hurt him.