Abby woke up feeling very hinky. Her head ached; her whole body ached. She couldn't move, couldn't talk. Her head was fuzzy. She texted Tony and asked if he could bring her some juice at lunch. She tried to go and fix a sandwich but only got to the couch.
Tony did one better than juice. After talking to Gibbs, he brought himself and what she needed. She had passed out, literally, on her couch. He put the things on the coffee table and gently carried her to her bedroom. She groaned and slowly regained awareness.
'Thanks. I can't talk' She signed weakly to him. He was really glad that he had learned ASL. He smiled softly. He could manage this. She'd just want to cuddle anyway. And that was fine by him. He loved holding her, kowing he was helping in some way.
"Hush, Abbs. I'm here. What do you need?" She signed 'water and a hug'. He walked into the bathroom and filled a glass with water. He handled to her and she sipped slowly so she wouldn't be sick. he returned the glass and changed into sweats. He came back in and sat on the foot of her bed. She looked at him pitifully and pleading and he remembered that she also wanted a hug.
He scooted closer to her and slipped under to covers so she could curl up against him. She weakly wrapped her body around him, laying her hot head against the cool fabric of his tshirt. He softly hummed a lullaby and she slowly slipped into sleep.
She hadn't realized that she had fallen asleep until she woke up alone. He left her? She started to cry, hot tears falling down on her already hot face. He walked into to see her crying, coming quickly to the conclusion that she thought he had left.
"I'm sorry sweetheart. I never left. I needed to try to get some food for you. Here sit up against the pillows and try to eat." Abby tried to comply, but her head spun and she started feeling very queasy. She signed that she couldn't before jumping up and running into the bathroom. He followed her, grabbing her hair and loosly braiding it while she threw up and dry heaved. He would have to get some sort of food into her. She collapsed against him on the floor and he felt how fevered she was. He was going to have to call Ducky.
"I need to call Ducky ok?" He pulled her up and carried her back to bed.
'Don't leave me!'
"I'll be right back. I promise." He went and dialed the ME. Ducky told Tony that he wold be by as soon as he could. Tony was to keep Abby as cool and comfortable as possible. He turned his attention back to his best friend. She looked so small and pitiful sitting on her bed and it broke his heart. He gathered her up in his arms and grabbed a sleeve of saltines. She slowly nibbled on one, laying against Tony for support.
She finished her crackers and snuggled against his side and pressed her cheek against his chest. He resumed the lullaby and rubbed her back, easing her aches. His heart thumped strong and steady against her head, luring her into a gentle sleep. She slept soundly, not waking when Ducky came by three hours later to check on her. Ducky softly told Tony that she had a flu bug and should start feeling better soon. He just needed to get liquids into here.
Abby awoke about nightfall with a groan. She bumped into something warm and slowly looked up. She was still in Tony's warm embrace; he had stayed after all. She was feeling a little bit better. Sleeping in his arms broke her fever. Her head and stomach felt better. She looked up into her best friend's sparkling green eyes.
"Feel better?"
"Very much. Thanks for making me better." She could finally speak, her voice hoarse. A light blush creeped across his face at her words.
"You put too much faith in me Abbs."
"Uh-uh. You're amazing." She stretched up and kissed his cheek affectionately. She snuggled deeper in his embrace again. Being sick made you tired. Being held by Tony...made you better.