It was almost cute watching her struggling with the front door, trying valiantly to retain independence and maintain the façade that she was fine and that Gibbs was completely overreacting. But of course he wasn't.

It had been one of those cases where everything else just had to be put on hold and in Gibbs book "everything" included sleep. It was therefore needless to say that after three days Gibbs' team was looking rather the worse for wear. DiNozzo and McGee were beginning to look worn down but it was Ziva that had everyone worried. For the past three days the dark circles which now blossomed beneath her eyes had been growing steadily darker as the remainder of her skin turned increasingly pale. She had also been far too quiet for anyone's liking, failing to pick DiNozzo up on many of his quips.

None of them could pinpoint the exact moment when her voice had taken on its current congested and hoarse tone except for the fact that it had been growing steadily quieter over the preceding days. The boys may have look tired but Ziva look exhausted.

That was why neither Gibbs nor Tony were surprised to see her, with her head curled tightly into her arms which rested gently upon her desk, fast asleep when they returned from interviewing the victim's wife. Gibbs sent a slightly questioning look to McGee who was still working at his own desk.

"She's been out maybe half an hour. She could barely keep her eyes open, she kept trying to read through personnel files on the computer but I could tell it was giving her a headache. I told her to put her head down for a bit. I was actually surprised when she did without fighting me about it. She was asleep within about a minute."

Gibbs moved quietly and knelt down slowly in front of her desk. He expertly reached the back of his hand to part of her forehead which was not hidden beneath her arms. Moments later he withdrew his hand, stood up and walked around to behind her desk. He gently grasped her shoulder and began to coax her awake.

Tony and McGee looked slightly amazed, they rarely saw their boss exhibit such paternal tenderness which then caused them to realise that Ziva really must not be well.

Ziva slowly began to stir amongst a lullaby of incoherent mumblings. It took her a few moments even after she opened her eyes to realise where she was but once she did she immediately began trying to dispel the attention of her co-workers which was making her quite uncomfortable. She was unsuccessful. Before she even managed to get a word in Gibbs had begun his lecture.

"Ziver, before you even try and convince us otherwise you are not fine, you are sick. Don't try and tell me that you are just tired because being tired doesn't give you a fever. I know that you want to see this case through but right now your health is more important. So this is what's going to happen: DiNozzo is going to take you home and stay with you until either Ducky or I say otherwise and there will be no arguments, understood?"

She looked up and met his eyes and it was not until that moment that Gibbs realised just how awful she looked. Her normally bright sparkling eyes were dull and glassy, rimmed with a defined red line which was accentuated by the dark stains blossoming beneath them. Her skin was ghostly white, save for the rose pink flush that emblazoned her cheeks. She looked at him and nodded.

This was why Tony was now standing in front of Ziva's front door watching her struggle somewhat with the simple act of unlocking it. He moved behind her and slowly wrapped his hands around hers, removing the keys in the process.

"Let me."

Once Tony had opened the door Ziva headed straight for the couch and curled herself up amongst the cushions. Tony quietly closed the door behind himself and joined her on the couch. He tenderly lifted her head from the cushions to make room for himself, laying it down gently on his lap. His fingers migrated, as if by magic, to her hair, running them soothingly through the dark curls. She smiled and opened her eyes.

"Thank you" she managed to croak out. Tony's smile told her that she was very welcome but still she felt slightly guilty. They had been working this case non stop for the past four days without any discernable break and then just because she was a little unwell Gibbs had sent her home, leaving himself and McGee to cover the entire team's case load.

Tony caught the look of uncertainty in her eyes and was then unsurprised when she asked "Why do you always drop hats for me?" Tony chuckled. He would never admit how unbelievably cute she looked at that moment curled tightly into his side and slightest hint of confusion in her eyes.

"It is 'at the drop of a hat', sweet cheeks. And because I do it because you are more than worth it."

Her "thank you" was almost in audible. He bent down gently and placed a kiss on her forehead which was growing increasingly warm.

"Come on sweet cheeks, you really should be in bed."

With that he hoisted her gently into his arms and carried her silently towards the bedroom.