TRADITIONS
By Peppe1951
Summary: Gibbs and his team celebrate Christmas in Stillwater, PA this year.
Warning: Disciplining of an adult. Don't like? Don't read! Disclaimer: NCIS belongs to CBS and Paramount; I only write about them.
Chapter 3
Tony had an audience while Ducky checked him out with the two Gibbses watching Ducky's every move. Jackson watched interestedly but Jethro was there to make sure that Tony behaved during the examination. The worse part of the examination to Tony's mind was sitting at the table while Ducky checked him out; his backside was still sore from the paddling Gibbs had given him earlier.
"Ducky can't you hurry this along," he whined soon after sitting down and then hastily added, "I'm missing out on the decorating the tree with the others," he lied to cover up the true reason of his backside being sore.
"Hold still, my lad while I listen to your lungs," Ducky replied kindly, "it shouldn't take but a few minutes. Now take a couple of deep breaths," he added as he put the listening part of the Stethoscope to his chest.
Tony did as he was asked and Ducky listened for any signs of what might be the start of a cold. When he was finished he took Tony's blood pressure and pulse, looked into his eyes and ears. Tony set through this all impatiently but made no outcry until Ducky was about to stick a thermometer in his mouth.
"Ducky, that isn't necessary…I feel fine," Tony said but before he could voice his complain further Gibbs quiet voice said,
"Ducky could always take your temperature where the sun don't shine, DiNozzo; so open your mouth for the good doctor."
After giving Gibbs a look of horror Tony opened his mouth as Ducky stuck the thermometer in and awaited Ducky's verdict.
Ducky waited only until he had a chance to see what the thermometer said before stating what Tony feared. "I fear that Anthony has caught a cold; although it is only seems to be in its early stage. I should be able to treat him and get him well so he can enjoy Christmas with the rest of us. Fortunately his temperature isn't up so that is one thing in his favor."
"DiNozzo! How long have you known that something was up?" asked Gibbs dangerously? When Tony had initially refused the thermometer he knew that his agent knew more than he was willing to let on?
"A day or so, maybe?" admitted Tony as he refused to look Gibbs in the eye. "I thought that if you knew I couldn't come and I didn't want to spend Christmas alone again."
"Oh, Anthony, you should have let me known right away; we could have started treatment of some sort that could have knocked it out before it actually got started," Ducky chided.
"But a cold is a virus and antibiotics don't work on a cold; even I know that much Ducky."
"Yes, but there are some folk remedies that help immensely and I would have used those. Well, now we have no choice, so I recommend rest, plenty of liquids and zinc lozenges…and no strenuous exercise," ordered Ducky.
"Is he contagious, Ducky?" asked Gibbs as he eyed his senior agent.
"No; he has no fever; however if he does get one he will become contagious and must be separated from the others," replied Ducky.
"Tony, you heard the doctor go and rest for now and don't do anything to tire yourself out," ordered Gibbs as he watched his agent redress and headed out of the kitchen.