Chapter 5

Tony woke in the ambulance just long enough to see Gibbs hovering over him protectively. Knowing that he was safe, he drifted back into unconsciousness

When he next awoke, Tony was laying in bed in a well lit hospital room. In the corner Gibbs was sitting, watching him. Seeing that he was awake, Gibbs stood and came over to talk. Tony sat up, eager to know what had happened before he passed out, but before he could even open his mouth, Gibbs smacked him on the back of the head.

"What was that for?" Tony asked indignantly.

"What was that for?" repeated Gibbs exasperatedly, "What was that for, DiNozzo? That was for managing to loose a $400 piece of equipment and jeopardizing our entire mission!"

"We got the serial killer, didn't we?" protested Tony.

"Yes, we got her," Gibbs ranted, "but in the process you managed to nearly get your leg sliced off. You're lucky the doctors could save it! I came this close," he held his thumb and finger an inch apart, "to losing my best field agent." Just then Gibbs realized what he had said, "Oh no," he muttered angrily at himself. Tony on the other hand was delighted.

"Aww, Boss. Your best field agent? I never knew you cared," said Tony happily.

"Don't go and get a big head, Tony," said Gibbs almost pleadingly.

"I-" Tony started to gloat, but Gibbs decided to take a more direct approach to fix his mistake.

"If you tell a soul that I said that, I will deny it and shoot you myself, DiNozzo."

"Right, Boss," Tony decided to agree.

"McGee and Abby are waiting to come visit you. Oh, and DiNozzo?"

"Yeah Boss?"

"You owe Abby $400 bucks for that thingamabob you lost," Gibbs informed him grinning.

"What?" yelled Tony, but Gibbs had already left the room.