Charity headed home and cleaned herself up. She changed into a fresh shirt and pants. She fixed her hair and washed her face. Luckily, Ari hadn't done much to her. Her nose bled a little, but it wasn't broken. There was no bruising, although she was sure there would be some on her rib cage later.

Once she was satisfied with her appearance, Charity hopped in her car and headed back to the hospital. Dan was still in the waiting room. "Where did you go?" Dan asked.

"I'm not at liberty to say." Charity answered. "I'm going back to check on Tony. I don't care what the doctor says either, you should come, too."

"I was hoping you would say that."

"Hey, you lied to make sure that I could get in. The least I can do is get you in."

Charity and Dan headed back and walked into Tony's room. Tony was still unconscious. Charity looked over at Dan. "I'll step out for a couple of minutes." She told him.

"You don't have to do that." Dan replied.

"He's your partner." Charity said. "If anyone understands the importance of that, it's me."

"Tony is one lucky man to have you." Dan replied.

"Besides, maybe I can find the doctor and drill him for more information." Charity added.

"Yeah, they usually have a hard time keeping things from distraught wives." Dan said with a wink.

Charity smiled at Dan and then walked out, giving them some privacy. She knew what it was like when your partner landed in the hospital. It was a scarry thing. Your partner became one of your closest friends and the thought of not seeing them again...well it was terrifying.

Charity found the nurses' station and walked over. "I would like to speak to Anthony DiNozzo's doctor, please." Charity stated.

"You're Mr. DiNozzo's wife, correct?" The nurse asked.

Charity nodded. "Yes."

"I'll get him right out here." The nurse answered.

It was getting easier and easier to tell the lie that she was Tony's wife. A few moments later, the doctor was walking over to her. "You wanted to see me, Mrs. DiNozzo?" He asked.

"Yes, is there some place we can talk in private?"

"Yes, right this way." The doctor answered.

Charity followed him to a consultation room. He offered her a seat and she took it. He sat down at the table across from her. "Now, what is it you would like to discuss, Mrs. DiNozzo?"

"Tony really is going to be okay?" She asked. "I need to know everything."

The doctor sighed. "I don't like to worry anyone, unless I see reason to." He began. "But there are chances that some things could go wrong. He could get a blood clot or an infection. There are a number of different things that could happen, but I think that he will be fine."

Charity nodded. "I just need to know everything."

"Mrs. DiNozzo, we are going to take good care of your husband. I promise you that we will do everything we can to take care of him and make sure that he recovers."

Charity nodded. "Thank you doctor."

"Is there anything else I can do for you, Mrs. DiNozzo?"

"That will be all, thank you." She stood up, but as she did she felt a pain in her ribs. She put her hand on her stomach, trying to help the pain.

A look of understanding came to the doctor's face. "I see." He said.

Charity looked up at him, a look of confusion on her face.

"You're pregnant and you haven't told him yet." The doctor stated. "No wonder you are extra worried."

"Yes." Charity lied once again. If she was going to go on pretending to be Tony's wife she may as well be pregnant, too. After a few more moments, Charity was standing back outside the door to Tony's room.

Charity gripped the door handle and paused for a moment. Then she turned it and walked inside. Dan looked up at her from the chair beside Tony's bed. "So what did you find out?"

"That there's a number of things that could go wrong, but they are going to keep a close eye on him and make sure that they don't." Charity answered. "Also, the doctor thinks I'm extra worried because he thinks I'm pregnant."

Dan smiled. "And you just went along with it?"

"Hey as long as I'm his wife I might as well be carrying his child."

Dan chuckled slightly and then stood up. "Here you stay here with him. I need to go back to work. Keep me updated."

Charity nodded. "Don't worry, I will."

Dan gave Charity's shoulder a gentle squeeze and then left. Charity walked over to the chair and sat down. She looked at Tony, lying there. He looked so weak and helpless. She reached her hand up and held onto his.

"Tony, I...I need you to know that I love you...more than anything. More than I've ever thought I could love someone." She said to him. "I wasn't really living my life. Until I met you I was just going through the motions. If you don't...well you just have to get better. I don't know what I would do without you. Tony I love you...and...I need you." She then leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

After a while, Charity rested her head on the side of the bed She closed her eyes and imagined that things were different. She thought back to the first night she and Tony spent together. There had been so much passion and yet so much tenderness that night. No man had ever made Charity feel the way Tony had that night and every night they spent together.

Hours later, Charity sat up not realizing that she had fallen asleep. She looked at the time and saw that it was five in the morning. She turned her attention back to Tony, who was still out of it. She decided she needed coffee. She rose slowly. She bent down and kissed Tony's cheek. "I love you." She told him. Then she walked out and found some coffee.

Charity soon returned back to Tony's room. She sat back down in the chair and held his hand again. She sipped at her coffee and then put it on the table. She looked up at Tony and watched as his eyes slowly opened.

He let out a groan. "What's going on?" He asked. "Why does my shoulder hurt?"

"You're awake!" Charity squealed, jumping up from her seat and kissing Tony on the lips. Then she pulled back and looked at him.

"I was shot." Tony said, his memory coming back to him.

Charity nodded. "I'd better go let the doctor know you're awake." She said. Then she remembered that the doctor thought she was Tony's wife. "Oh and when he and the nurses call me Mrs. DiNozzo, just go with it. I'll explain later."

Tony looked at Charity confused. "That will be interesting to hear." He said, a slight grin on his face.

Charity kissed him again and then headed to the nurse's station. "Tony is awake." Charity told the nurse.

She nodded. "I'll get the doctor."

Charity returned to Tony's room. The doctor shortly arrived. "I'll need you to step out, Mrs. DiNozzo." He told Charity.

Charity nodded and then headed back to the waiting room. She decided to pull out her cell phone and turn it on. She had a missed call from Burley, but she decided that it could wait. She dialed Dan's number.

"Hello Charity. How's our boy?" He greeted.

"He's awake." Charity answered. "The doctor's checking him out now."

"You told him you're his wife yet?" Dan asked, a playful sound in his voice.

"Yes, but I didn't tell him why yet." She answered. "I'll have him call you as soon as he can."

"Thanks for keeping me updated." Dan replied.

"No problem." Charity answered. Then tey both hung up. Charity decided that she should call Burley back.

"Boss, where the hell have you been? Why haven't I been able to get a hold of you?" He answered his phone, sounding grumpy.

"I'm at the hospital." Charity answered. "Tony was shot." She made sure her tone was authoritative.

"Oh, boss. I'm sorry...I didn't mean..."

"Burley, what did you call about?"

"We just got word from the director that Ari turned out to be a rogue agent. Officer David took him out."

"Thanks for letting me know." Charity replied. "I have to go. You're still in charge until I get back." Then she hung up and turned her phone back off. So, it's done. Charity hought. No one knows.

The doctor came out and walked over to Charity. "Mrs. DiNozzo, your husband seems to be fine." He said. "We're going to keep him here for a few days, but he should be just fine."

"Thank you." Charity said. Then she headed back to the room.

Tony looked at her and smiled. He patted a spot on the edge of the bed. Charity walked over and sat down by him and took his hand. "So, explain why you're my wife?" Tony asked.

Charity grinned at him. "It was Dan's idea." Charity replied. "The doctor said that only family could come back and see you, so Dan told him I was your wife and we'd just gotten married the night before you were shot."

"I see." Tony replied.

"Oh, and because I was holding my bruised ribs, the doctor thinks I'm pregnant and haven't told you." Charity added.

"Just went along with it, huh?" Tony asked.

Charity shrugged. "I figured why not."

"Well, I'm glad you did." Tony said. "There's no better way to wake up than a beautiful woman kissing you."

Charity smiled at him and then she decided that while officially no one knew the truth, she needed for Tony to know. "There's something I have to tell you."

"What? You really are pregnant?" Tony asked.

"I wish." Charity muttered. Then she spoke up. "No...it's that Dan told me about the man who shot you. The man that shot you was Ari."

"The Mossad guy?" Tony asked.

Charity nodded. "He shot you because of me." She replied, hanging her head slightly.

"But I'm guessing he's dead now." Tony said.

Charity looked at him. "Yeah, but I didn't kill him. Ziva did."

"His handler?"

Charity nodded. "He was a rogue agent and it was her job to deal with him. One of the things about all this covert bs."

Silence filled the room. Charity couldn't take it. She looked up at Tony. "Are you going to say anything?"

Tony looked up at her. "I'm glad he's gone." He said. "I don't have to worry too much about him coming after you anymore."

Charity looked at him, surprise on her countanence. "You get shot and you're worried about me?"

"Crazy, I know." Tony replied. "Now, why don't you come back over here and kiss me again...Mrs. DiNozzo." He said the last part with a grin.

Charity grinned at him. She took his face between her hands. "I love you, so much."

"I love you, too." He replied.

Charity then pressed her lips to his, relishing every moment of their kiss.