Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS.
Wow … I was amazed by the response the first chapter got. I woke up and I had 14 e-mails waiting to tell me how much people enjoyed it … it totally made my day! I hope you enjoy this one just as much =)
"And here we are." Tony announced, pulling up to the modern-looking apartment building.
"Kate, wake up. We're here." Tony said a little louder and Kate came to.
"Come on, let's get you to bed."
Kate was too tired to even raise her eyebrow at Tony's words. Tony helped her out of the car and she squinted as the early morning rays broke the horizon. She swayed a little on the spot. Tony grabbed her arm and steadied her.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Let's go." Kate ignored the nausea and followed Tony into the apartment building. She climbed the three sets of stairs and was relieved when she saw her apartment door to come into view.
"Do you have your key?" Tony asked and Kate handed it to him. He opened the door and allowed Kate to lead the way through the hallway and into the living room.
"An open concept person." Tony commented as Kate fell gratefully onto the couch. She started to lie down but Tony stopped her.
"No way. You'll be more comfortable in bed, trust me."
Kate groaned as Tony pulled her off the couch. Not having been in Kate's apartment before, he tried both the bathroom and the closet door before finding her bedroom. The bed was neatly made and the room was decorated with pictures of family and friends, most of them in exotic-looking places. Tony was looking around as Kate pulled some pyjamas from a drawer.
"I'll be right back." she mumbled as she left for the bathroom. Taking initiative, Tony removed the decorative pillows and pulled down the quilt on the bed before lowering the blinds. Kate came back into the room and without saying a word, slid in between the covers. Tony pulled them up around her, noticing her eyes were already closed.
"I'll call Gibbs and tell him what happened. I'll be in the living room if you need me." Tony whispered and Kate mumbled something in response.
Tony pulled the door closed behind him and went into the living room. After calling Gibbs (no worries about Gibbs being up – the sun was up and that meant their boss was already busy) and explaining the situation, Tony went into the kitchen and peered into the refrigerator, looking for something to eat.
Tony had just sat down with a plate of scrambled eggs when he heard Kate's feet hit the floor. He glanced down the hallway as she streaked out of her bedroom and to the bathroom, not managing to close the door behind her. Tony checked his watch.
"Right on time."
Knowing he couldn't leave his co-worker, Tony got up and walked to the bathroom. He found Kate leaning against the side of the tub, panting.
"What did I tell you?" Tony asked, wetting the face cloth hanging by the sink. He knelt down next to Kate and pushing her hair behind her ear, wiped her face. Mid-wipe, Kate lunged for the toilet again and Tony reached out and gathered her hair in his hand. He was grateful that Kate was too pre-occupied to notice him look away.
"Done?" Tony asked a moment later and Kate nodded.
"Yeah."
Kate stood up unsteadily.
"Thanks, Tony."
"Don't mention it. Do you want something to drink?"
"Some juice would be great."
"Okay. I'll be right back."
Tony left the bathroom, allowing Kate to brush her teeth before heading back to the bedroom. Tony was waiting for her with a cup of orange juice and a couple of pills.
"These are what the doctor prescribed. You have to take two every four hours for the first day and then two every six hours for the second day, and then two every eight hours for two days after that."
"When did you get these?" Kate asked, taking the pills from his outstretched hand.
"On our way home. You were out cold so I stopped at the pharmacy."
Kate swallowed the pills.
"Thanks."
"Just call me your all-inclusive emergency contact."
Tony smiled charmingly at Kate as she laid down again, wincing has her head hit the pillow.
"Headache?"
"Yeah."
"Try to get some sleep. It'll go away soon."
Kate's breathing was already slowing down and Tony left the room again. He went to the living room and sat on the couch. His breakfast was sitting on the coffee table but Tony had lost his appetite.
So here's the thing: I know most of what I've got happening isn't medically valid and normally that would annoy me but I like what I've got going on now so I'm just going with it. Also … I have some ideas about what's going to happen next but I don't want to take it too far. Any ideas you have would be much appreciated as I try to figure out the next chapters … but they may be awhile in coming … it's exam week =( … review?