An hour or so later: Gibbs cabin

Tony felt himself being laid down on a really soft big couch and covered with a soft blanket. His head was lifted for a pillow to be put under it slowly. Then a fire began to crackle in the background as Tony curled up on the couch. "Thought I was staying at your house boss." Tony sniffled a little into a tissue for a moment.

Gibbs said "Seemed like you would rest better here. The whole team would be at my house and wouldn't let you do that."

Tony replied "Not great company right now anyway. Feel pretty much like hammered dog crap at the moment." He was quiet again.

Gibbs said "Get some rest and maybe someone will be here later that will help you feel better."

Tony yawned. "Why does Ducky have to give pills that will knock an elephant on his ass?"

Gibbs smiled a little. "Because he can. I'll be in the kitchen making you some soup. See if you can shut down a while and start to heal yourself."

He mumbled. "On your six boss." Then his eyes closed as he pulled the blanket up to just under his neck and relaxed.

Gibbs went into the kitchen and got out some chicken breasts from the fridge. He pulled out a soup pan and added water to it. Then he took the skin off the chicken and put it in the pan to boil with some salt, pepper and a little sugar. He pulled out some noodles from his kitchen cabinet and opened the package. Chicken soup would help Tony feel better, it was the universal cure for a cold. Ducky had told him he needed fluids and rest plus a nebulizer which was in the corner of the room for his asthma along with his inhaler.

Gibbs sighed. If only he would just let himself need someone. Sometimes he wanted to smack Tony's father for letting his son believe that men didn't ask for help. The only thing he could do was be here and get him back on his feet. Though when Keates got here he knew she would help in a different bigger way. Maybe Tony would finally heal from a lot of things and not just this cold.

A few hours later, same day and same place:

Zoe Keates clicked into Gibbs, cabin wearing cowboy boots and some jeans with an olive green turtleneck . She said "How is he?" Then she placed a small duffel bag on the floor and moved further inside the room. She heard the fire crackling in the background as Gibbs put another log on it.

" He's been sleeping mostly since we got here earlier. I have some soup for him when he wakes up. Maybe you can get some food into him with me."

Then Tony mumbled "Zoe." She went over to him then and said "Hey Spider , not feeling so hot?"

Tony coughed a little. "No I'm not ms firearms but you might make it better for me."

She leaned in closer to him and kissed his forehead. "That's what I hope to do while I'm here, do you feel hungry at all?"

His stomach growled a little. " I can eat something I think haven't been hungry before now."

Gibbs said "Well I have chicken soup for you Dinozzo and for us, let me get you a mug of it."

Tony sat up a little. "You cooked for me boss, thanks."

Zoe said "I'll help and be right back Tony."

Tony reached for his glasses and put them on. "Can't see without my glasses or contacts too well."

She smiled. "I like you with glasses, reminds me of Philly when we first met ."

A few minutes later: Gibbs and Zoe came back with some dark purple mugs of soup and some spoons.

They handed Tony his soup and spoon first and he took a spoonful. He swallowed slowly. "Wow that's good boss. You used homemade noodles in it?"

Gibbs replied "Had some of your pasta you made for me leftover."

Zoe took a taste of hers. "This is good Gibbs, very comforting."

He smiled a little. "Wanted it that way, my mom taught me how to make it when I was younger. Though I still can't get her blueberry pie right."

Tony nodded. "Nice boss." He ate more soup slowly. "Haven't felt like eating for a few days. This has my appetite starting to come back."

Gibbs nodded " Good, you can have some hot chocolate or apple cider after."

Tony said " Ok sounds good." He sniffed and reached for a tissue. " My nose is running now from the soup." He had managed half a bowl. "I'm full can't do anymore right now." Then he laid back down slowly again on his pillow from home.

Zoe lifted his feet into her lap gently. "Rest sweet spider I will be here when you wake up again."

Gibbs said " You need your meds Dinozzo ." He handed Tony an antibiotic and decongestant pill and then gave him some water.

Tony nodded. " Ok do I need a session on that thing?" He pointed to the nebulizer in the corner.

Gibbs shrugged. "Before you go to bed for the night yes."

Tony sighed. "My own fault I deserve it. Oh well Dinozzo man up and take the consequences."

Tony curled up in his blanket again facing the wall.

Zoe rubbed his back gently . "You're in knots spider, no wonder you got sick."

He exhaled. " Keep doing that please it feels amazing."

Gibbs said " Need a few more logs for the fire, I'll be back." He went out the back door with his axe in hand to split some wood to bring in.

"Surprised you came, this place's location is classified or something only Fornell knows,"Tony said softly.

Zoe smiled. "I must be on the safe list because here I am. Gibbs said you needed me close so you have me."