As I walk through the halls of NCIS I can't help but shudder. Everyone is so sober I can't help but wonder who died. I would be scared to walk the halls alone if I hadn't known the truth.

Tony DiNozzo is sick. I personally vote for going home and hiding under my bed until Hurricane Gibbs has passed. I shudder again. Gibbs is going to be a monster pain the neck until Tony's better.

The thought makes me smile. As bad as Gibbs is going to be, I'm glad he's going to be there for Tony. How many times has the younger agent woken up while in the hospital with plague and asked for his dad?

His dad…two words I never thought would be synonymous with Tony. Yet there he was.

Gibbs sat by his son's side the entire time, holding him through bouts of coughing. He rocked him when nightmares tore through his sleep. He fed him when Tony's limbs were too weak to even hold a plastic spoon.

When a nurse had to insert a new IV it was Gibbs who held his hand. Loosing himself in the moment by uttering gentle words of comfort to his son.

OoOoOoOo

His son…who would have thought those two words would be uttered in the same sentence as the name Gibbs.

Sure, it wasn't legal when Tony had the plague but none of us were dumb. We could see it. Heck, none of are blind!

I remember once, after they were legally father and son, I went to the docks with them and there were games set up. I don't remember the game but Tony wanted to try and he did but he lost. So then he dares me and Gibbs to give it a go. I fail and it took his dad two tries to win some ugly stuffed animal…at least, I think that's what it was.

We went to second game…a shooting game. You know the one? There's a card with a star in the middle and you have to shoot it completely out with a pellet gun. Anyways, there were all these kids pouting because their dads weren't winning.

I loved it! Gibbs went up, put the gun on his shoulder and just killed the card! It was so amazing. I knew he'd been a sniper in the Marine Corp but seeing it in action was something else.

This one boy was just staring at Gibbs with his mouth wide open. Tony was grinning something fierce. I don't know what the boy said but Tony just smiled and replied, "That's my dad."

Looking back it does seem like a child reply but…I can only imagine how long Tony's wanted to say that. The look of pride in his eyes…hmm….

OoOoOoOo

I stop my walk to autopsy to let my head bang against the wall. I don't want to go! I mean I really, really, really don't want to go!

As nice as the memories are it's not going to matter now. All Gibbs is going to see is his son, sick. Oh…why did I get up this morning?

I was perfectly comfortable in bed. It was nice and comfy. Not to mention, it was warm. It was soft…and I think I hear it calling my name.

Yup, it's definitely calling my name. I wonder what Gibbs would do if I just went home? I doubt he'd notice since his mind's going to be focused entirely on his son.

Before I can turn and high tail it out, I'm accosted by Jimmy Palmer who tells me that Ducky has sent father and son downstairs to rest. The lab has a futon in it. Tony's spent many nights in it…it won't hurt him to do so for another couple of hours.

I know I should head down but I need to see Ducky first. I need to know how bad it's going to be for everyone involved. Do helmets need to be dispensed? Does the National Guard need to be called? Do I need to leave the country? Does everyone in the DC need to go under witness protection?

I need answers and I know of only one person who can give them to me.

OoOoOoOo

Ducky is waiting as impatiently as he can for the x-rays to be done so I wait with him. Between the two of us we're a mess.

Ducky's nice enough to make conversation but neither of us has a lot to say. We're too nervous.

By the time the x-rays come back we're both tempted to get drunk! Ok, so maybe I was tempted to go and get drunk. I'm willing to do anything, to get rid of the nerves that are playing their own tune in my head.

It's the moment of truth…Ducky holds up the x-rays and we look…and now we go to talk to Gibbs. If I wasn't a person of faith before I am now. I allow Ducky to lead…hell, as of now I'm not above shoving the older man in front of me for protection.

The elevator comes to fast for my liking and with its arrival I have no choice but to get in.

OoOoOoOo

Tony greets me with a cocky grin. Gibbs greets me with a look that would have killed me had it been possible.

Before I can even comprehend what's going on, the M.E. shoves me forward! That damn man is using me as a human shield!

Okay, okay…I'm calm. I smile my most disarming smile and greet the duo with a firm, "Good Afternoon."

My smile falters when Gibbs glares at me harder. Oh hell, best get it over with.

"There's nothing wrong with your son Agent Gibbs," I smile again.

The relief in audible from everyone in the room and I force back a chuckle. Gibbs is demanding to know about the cough and cold and I calmly explain that, that is all it is…a simple cough and cold.

I advise Tony to take a few days off and I can tell by the look in his dad's eyes it's a done deal. I smirk this time; not bothering to hide it.

To get back at me, Tony smirks himself, "You do realize dad wouldn't kill you right? Maim you; sure, kill you; no."

I wasn't so sure about that. I know Gibbs is going to kill me for this but I want the smirk to leave Tony's face.

"Yes, well, it was the word please that got me."

With that statement I run out of the lab. I can hear laughter and feet behind me. I hear Tony yell, "Run Dr. Pitt, run!"

And I do…and I'll be damned if I'm going to stop anytime soon!