It did not take long for hospital security to find the guilty party. They caught a clear image of Dr. Donald Mallard on the security camera. He had managed to sneak past security by donning his robe and scrubs. He had hustled out the door in the chaos of the doctors rushing past to tend to Tony's sudden decline. Several staff members were questioned and they all recalled seeing Ducky but being distracted by Tony. The cameras backed up every staff statement and later several visitors recalled seeing a mysterious man. Immediately NCIS and the FBI were contacted and the process of tracking down Dr. Mallard had begun.

"Dead or alive but preferably dead." Fornell declared as he instructed his agents.

The FBI had the necessary information. Ducky had turned his phone off but used his own name to book the flight. Airport security showed him buying the ticket. Agents had immediately contacted the officials and the plane immediately turned around to return to Washington DC. Two agents were waiting at the gate but others were stationed around and outside the airport. There was no way that Ducky was going to escape this one.

Ducky let out a groan of frustration. An announcement had just been made. The flight was diverting back to Washington. Something about a crew member having a family emergency. It infuriated him that they did not just complete the flight and send the crew member home after touching down. Didn't they realize how urgent it was that some people make it to their destination.

"We are now beginning our descent into George Washington airport. Please fasten your seat-belts."

Ducky knew he was screwed as soon as the plane touched down. Even before the man in a black blazer approached him. Long before he saw the air marshal badge. He considered running but knew he would not get far. Accepting defeat he surrendered and was led to the waiting FBI agents. He was booked and taken away. His life was as good as over.

Leon Vance struggled to contain his rage. Dr. Mallard was arrested but that did not end the battle. Tony was still fighting. The future was still uncertain. It was one of his greatest regrets that he did not have those bastards arrested sooner. He should have had them hauled off the day that they harassed Tony during his flashback. They had damn near killed him on that day. Not that they cared even one bit. They had laughed when Tony bolted from the room. They had rooted for him to jump. What they had done was sick and cruel. He should have expected the attacks and made sure that they could not happen. If he had acted properly. Then Tony would be home with Tali. Instead of barely hanging on in Intensive Care.

Fornell was mildly disappointed when he saw that Dr. Mallard was still alive. He had been hoping for a body but Ducky had surrendered easily and extreme prejudice was not justified. Going willingly did not ease the agent's rage. What Ducky had done was inexcusable and no amount of good behavior would ever make up for what had been done.

"Why did you do it?" Fornell demanded.

"Why? Because I was getting justice for my beloved, Mr. Palmer." Ducky explained.

"I am sorry that you are so distraught. I cannot imagine your pain. What I know is that justice is the last thing Jimmy would have wanted. Even if his death had not been the tragic accident that it was. You know as well as I, that revenge was not an act of which James Palmer approved. For that reason I am glad you were brought in alive. I want you to live with the act you preformed. Knowing that you violated Jimmy's wishes and acted on purely selfish intentions." Fornell explained.

"Jimmy deserved justice." Ducky insisted.

Rachel knew that Tony was not safe in DC. Even though they were locked away. The demons would remain. She had made arrangements to bring him home to Indiana. As soon as he woke up. Scratch that if he woke up. Her brother Matthew had a rental property open and gave her the family rate. Now it was just a matter of getting Tony moved.

Valarie was spending every moment she could with Tony. He may be dying but if he lived and was strong enough to travel. He would be moved to Indiana. Deep down Valarie knew that was for the best but that did not make the transition any easier. She would miss her friend and honestly the only reason she remained in Washington. She did not see her children, her job was not great, and she did not exactly have many friends. Joining Tony and Rachel had crossed her mind but she was not sure. Tony and her were just friends. It would be weird for her to move with a just a friend. Her whole life she had heard warnings against that and most of her life had been out of the social media era. The era that made everybody a danger.

"You and me both know that Tony is more than just a friend." A far off voice insisted.

Valarie knew that was the truth. Tony was more than just her friend. He was the first man she had loved in many years. She loved him more than even her ex during the good years. Largely because she knew the good years would not fade away. The struggles would happen but Tony would not change the way her ex had. Tony was a good man and she wanted to be with him forever. She knew that and she knew that Tali would approve. There was just one little thing in the way. It was all up Tony to wake up, get better, and make them a family.

"Come on Tony. Please wake up. You have to wake up. I need you by my side and Tali needs you. Tali needs her Abba and I need the man I love. I love you and I want to make us a family; you, me, and sweet little Tali. I love you. Is that enough to wake you up? Please Tony. Please." Valarie pleaded, as Tony's heart monitor let out a jolting scream.

A/N: What is happening with Tony? New chapter will be up soon. Thanks for reading and please review.