This is my first story I've uploaded, so please let me know what I can do to improve - you guys are all so great, so I'd love the advice.

Hope you enjoy!

"I am not sick. Absolutely, 100 not sick." That was the mantra that Jenny Shepard kept chanting over and over in her head. Never mind the fact that her whole body ached, she had gone through enough Kleenex that morning to supply the whole Navy, and she felt like her head was underwater. In spite of all the evidence, she was completely and totally sure that she could not be brought down by something as mundane as a cold. At least that was what she told herself all morning – and she sort of still believed it – maybe. And she definitely would stick to her story if anyone else asked.

Jenny reached for another Kleenex and sighed with frustration when she realized it was the last one. She tossed the empty box in the direction of the trashcan but didn't have the energy to check and see if she hit her mark. At the same time she hit the button for the speaker to the outer office.

"Cynthia, could you please-"

"Whatcha need Jen? Cynthia's not out there" Jethro spoke over Jen as he came through her door.

"Is there no one who ever even attempted to teach you manners Jethro?"

"Oh, plenty attempted, I just ignored them all." He tilted his head and smiled just a fraction. If she didn't know him so well, she might have even missed it. Jen almost laughed, but even the slight movement made her head pound.

"Jen, you alright? You don't look so good" Jethro's eyes narrowed as he took in her appearance.

"Thanks – you certainly know how to make a girl feel good about her- her-" Jen tried to bite back the sneeze, knowing where it would lead, but she couldn't manage.

"Bless you. No wonder you look so awful – you're sick. You need to be at home, not here."

"I'm not sick! And hey, how do I go from not looking good to looking awful"

"Well, I lied the first time." Jethro had that fraction of a smile again, but this time instead of charming Jen, it just pissed her off.

"Out. Out of my office." When he didn't respond, Jen made to get up from her desk. "Out now." But before she could completely stand up, the room started spinning and she tried to reach for her chair, only to find it not where she expected it. Jethro rushed to her side, but not before Jen ended up on the floor.

"Ok sweetheart, time to get up. We're taking you home" Jethro tried to help her up, even as she pushed him away.

"Don't sweetheart me. And don't "we" me either. There is nothing worse than being condescended to for no reason – I AM NOT SICK. Got it?"

"Fine, at least let me find Cynthia and see if she can get you anything."

"Fine" Jenny unsteadily placed her hand on the back of the desk chair and slowly sank down into it. "And Jethro…"

"Yeah?"

"Before you go find her, could you grab the Kleenex off her desk and toss it this way? I seem to be out"

He slipped out the door and was back in no time. He slowly walked back to her desk, but instead of placing the box in its rightful place, he continued around until he was standing right behind her. He slowly leaned over her and put the box right in front of her face. Jen felt her breath catch. She knew what feelings she could attribute to a cold, and unfortunately these new symptoms could only be caused by one thing, or rather man.

Jethro leaned in even closer, and barely whispered in her ear "Feel better"

With that, he stood up and walked to the door. He was already gone before Jenny replied with a feeble "I'm not sick". When she looked up and realized he was gone, she just continued with "I'm the director – directors don't get sick"

With that, Jenny got up, realizing if she didn't get to MTAC immediately, she was going to be late for a very important teleconference. She must have stood up too fast, because all the sudden the room started spinning and she couldn't stay on her feet. As she sank to the floor, her head hit the corner of the desk and she sank into darkness.