Guys - I'm really grateful for all of the reviews and support this story has gotten :) It's good to know it wasn't just me who liked the idea :) Hope you like this chapter ;) Oh, and with regards to anything medical, I'm going to invoke the best friend of any author; poetic licence :D

Edit: Sorry about mixing up Ziva's language XD I must have been tired when writing - thanks to those of you who picked up on it :)

Gibbs rubbed an incredibly tired hand over his face. It had only been two days since he'd had an inkling that Tony was ill, and he felt at least 10 years older. He had just come back from the hospital - yes, hospital - and he'd never felt so tired or; dare he say it? Scared.

The day after he had thought Tony was coming down with something, he awaited anxiously by the door. It wasn't that he loved the kid - really. Parents were soon flocking in. Kate was off with a cold but should be in really soon, Gibbs was told. He soothed the nervous parent and said to take all the time they needed and that he hoped the girl felt better soon.

Half an hour after the day started and it appeared that Tony wasn't coming in. Gibbs told himself it was with the same cold Kate had; after all, they'd been sat next to each other. However, he felt that the DiNozzo's could have at least came in and told him. Not that he needed to put his mind at rest or anything.

"Bossman?" He glanced down to find Abby looking up at him with large eyes. "Where're Tony and Kate?"

Gibbs felt awful for the poor girl, who looked genuinely confused as to where her friends had gone. Although she was very close to Tony, she was nearly as close with Kate. Whilst Tony and Kate got along, it would be odd to find all 3 together (Although now he thought back, he remembered it happening more frequently).

"Kate's not very well, Abby," Gibbs informed her. "And I think Tony might be a bit sick as well."

"Oh," was all she said at that, and drifted away from him. He was puzzled that she took it as well as she did - for a 4 year old she had remarkable stores of empathy - but then he saw later she was nervously talking Tim's ear off. The boy seemed to take it in his stride, however.

By lunch time, the phone rang. Gibbs answered, and found himself talking to Mrs DiNozzo.

"Jethro, I'm afraid Tony's not very well," she said gently. "I'm not sure when he'll be back in."

"It's fine," he replied warmly. "We've already got another one off with a cold. They're probably all coming down with something."

There was a slight pause at the other end. "He hasn't got a cold," Gibbs felt a cold prickle of something on his neck as she said it. "He has pneumonia. Double. The doctor's aren't... they aren't sure how he got it. Or how it happened so quickly. But he's in hospital. I hope your other student has just got a cold."

Gibbs' stomach seemed to be sinking quickly, and he wasn't sure how long he could stand up for. "I think Kate just has a cold," he replied vaguely. "Is - will Tony be okay?"

His stomach then seemed to flip from it's sinking as he heard what sounded like a sob from the other end. "They don't know."

Gibbs nodded and wished he could give comfort to her - to both of them. "I'll... I'm not much of a praying man, but he'll be in my prayers."

She made an odd sound that could have been a chuckle and replied: "Thank you. I'm going to go see him now - I'll keep you posted?"

Gibbs hastily nodded. "I'm going to tell his friends - I'm sure they'd love to make a card for him. I could bring it up, if you like?"

"Oh, thank you, Jethro! He's been asking for you, you know," Gibbs bit his lip to stop himself from starting to sob. "He hasn't been able to stop coughing much, but when he talks, he sometimes asks if Gibbs is coming up."

"Tell him yes, definitely." He said confidently, making sure not to betray the anguish he felt. They quickly said their goodbyes and he went to the staff room, gently pushing the children out of his way as they approached. Jenny saw his odd behaviour and followed.

"Jethro?" She asked. "Jethro, what's wrong?"

"I just got a call from Tony's mother." His tone alone made her listen closely.

"Has he got the same cold as Kate?" She asked warily.

"Nope - and I just called to get a sit rep on her," he told Jenny. "She's just got a cold, should be back tomorrow."

"And Tony?"

"Double pneumonia," Gibbs said quietly. "Doctor's aren't really sure if..." He left the sentence hanging, both adults knowing how it would end.

Jenny seemed to recover quickly and said: "Well then, I'll get the children organised - they can make a card for him. I'm sure you're going to visit, so you can take it up," with this fierce determination she walked out, and her confidence made Gibbs fall slightly in love with her. "And, Jethro?" She added, looking back. "He's a stubborn boy," she smiled. "If anyone can beat the odds; it'll be him."

Gibbs nodded mutely and waited until she left before he booted up the computer. What she'd said had given him an idea. He quickly went on Google and searched.

Survival rate of double pneumonia in small children...

15%


"Alright, everyone come here!" Jenny quickly organised the children, and in those few moments Gibbs had managed to get himself together again after reading those numbers.

"Okay, guys," he started. "You know that Tony and Kate are both ill, don't you? Well, Tony is a bit sicker than Kate and might not be in for a while; so how about we all make a big card and sign it for him?"

The children seemed to love this idea. Abby declared herself as lead card designer. With both Tony and Kate off there was no jostling for dominance, and even Leon waited patiently to be given a job by Abby.

"Gibbs?" He looked down to find Jeanne and Ziva stood there, looking unhappy.

"What is it, girls?"

"Can we make a card for Kate as well?" Jeanne asked.

"Of course!" Gibbs assured them, feeling bad he'd neglected to ask if they wanted to make one for the other child. He felt awful that he was just focused on Tony right now.

However, after copious amounts of glitter and paint later, he'd managed to forget just long enough so as not to impact the children's fun. They'd nearly forgotten what it was for, so happy they were in making the card. Gibbs smiled sadly at them all when he took it from them, and promised he'd say hi from every single one of them when he took Tony the card.

They left the card for Kate on a table, as they'd been told she would be back the following day. Some of the younger ones couldn't quite grasp why Tony wasn't coming back then as well. Gibbs explained patiently that Tony was sicker, but was happy to let Ducky take over and tell a story of some sick person he'd known back in Scotland.


The second day of Tony's absence was met with a bit more joy than the first, as Kate returned, no longer infectious and happy to see they had all thought about her and made a card. She sounded angry when she couldn't find Tony's name in there, but Abby quickly filled her in, and Kate looked at Gibbs and Jenny in shock.

"Did I make him ill?"

"Of course not," Jenny was quick to stifle her fears. "We think he got you sick, but you just didn't get as sick as him."

"I'm stronger than him." She sounded very proud at this and wandered off.

Jenny looked at Gibbs sadly. "When are you going to visit him?"

"Tonight - visiting hours are at 6."

Jenny nodded. "Say hi from me as well."

Gibbs nodded back, trying to keep a small smile on his face.

It wasn't working.


"I know he'll be thrilled to see you," Annabelle gushed to Gibbs. "His father's just gone home - I insisted; he hasn't left since we brought Tony in. Just take it easy," she warned gently, "he'll be coughing a lot."

Gibbs promised her he'd take it easy and stepped inside the room. It had blue lights, and everyone going in who wasn't medical staff had to wear masks in case they passed anything on to the small boy; who just wouldn't be able to handle it in his weakened state.

Mr DiNozzo had obviously spared no expense and had gotten the best doctors and room he could find in the hospital. The chairs by the bed looked comfier than those at Gibbs' own home. He winced as he saw Tony. He looked smaller than he had done only 2 days prior, and very pale. His lips and fingertips were tinged with a pale blue and there were small spatters of blood by his mouth.

"Don't worry," Annabelle said softly from behind him. "All the coughing tore his oesophagus; his sputum is sometimes bloody."

God, how can she stay so calm? Gibbs thought, but took it back as she started to cry gently.

"He's dying!" She sobbed, and Gibbs was thankful that someone who looked to be an aunt or grandmother gently took her away.

Ah the hell he is.

Gibbs was not going to let one of his own die.

He went to the side of the bed and sat in the chair. "Tony, listen to me. Are you listening?"

The small boy gazed at him with fevered eyes and ragged breaths. He coughed before stuttering out: "Uh-hm, I'm list- I'm listening, B-Boss..." The boy seemed happy to see him despite this though, and even tried to beam.

"Listen to me," he said slowly, knowing the boy had heard his Mother's outburst. "You will not die. You got that?"

Tony was only 4, and could be excused from panicking at hearing the words 'you' and 'die' in the same sentence. He coughed again and basically concentrated on breathing rather than listening to his teacher.

Gibbs then employed a policy he had started doing earlier in the week (he had even checked with Annabelle to see if she minded. She didn't and had even chuckled). It was only very soft, and a way of getting the hyperactive boy back on track. He gently tapped the boy on the head and repeated: "I said, you - will - not - die. Got it?"

The small boy seemed to pay attention at this, and if he was standing, would have almost snapped to attention. "I gotcha, Boss."

Gibbs smiled. "Good," he took the kid's hand and kept it in his a moment, before seeming to remember something and took a card from his bag. "The other kids made you this," he said, holding it where Tony could see. "Everyone signed it - me and Jenny did too. See?" Tony perked up at this and listened intently as Gibbs talked him through what it said in the card, how everyone missed him, and generally whatever came to mind.

Before Gibbs knew it, Mrs DiNozzo was back (And possibly slightly sedated) and Tony had fallen asleep.

"That's the first time he's been fully asleep," Annabelle marvelled. "He's always coughed himself to sleep before!" Suddenly she, like her son, seemed to get straighter. "He'll get out of this." She told Gibbs, taking his place at the bedside.

"I know," Gibbs replied, turning to leave. "He's stubborn."


It had been two weeks since this day. Gibbs felt an odd flutter in his stomach as he got out of bed that today - Tony was coming back.

Apparently he had taken his boss' orders to heart and had stubbornly fought the disease - even when another infection set in. Mrs DiNozzo had called with the happy news a week previous.

"They're letting him out of hospital!" She trilled. "He's improving constantly, and he isn't coughing nearly as much. They said he just needs another week and he should be able to come back to daycare!"

"That's fantastic news, Annabelle," Gibbs said warmly, resisting the urge to do a small jig. " How is - " he paused, hearing a small struggle break out on the other side of the phone. "I want to talk to him!"

Gibbs chuckled as he heard Tony trying his hardest to grab the phone with his small hands. "Hi, Tony."

"Hi, Gibbs!" The small voice replied excitedly. "I'm coming back tomorrow!"

"That's not what your mom said." Gibbs responded, grinning.

"I want to come back now." Tony cried unhappily, and started coughing. Gibbs was concerned, but the phone was taken up by Mrs DiNozzo who assured him it was normal, and that Tony would be back next week.

So it was today that he was coming. Gibbs was glad. Abby had been spending all her time with Kate, and apparently those two smart children together (not that Tony wasn't smart, but he showed more... enthusiasm than smarts) were giving even Jenn grey hairs.

He gave a big beam as Tony was the first to come in that morning. Jenny was in the kitchen making a pot of coffee and would no doubt soon run in when she heard Tony's happy chirps.

"GIBBS!" Tony launched himself at his teacher and hugged his legs tightly. Gibbs chuckled and prised the 4 year old off him, giving him a gentle pat on the head.

"It's good to see you too, Tony," he said. "How about you go over to the bullpen and get the comfiest cushion first?" Tony beamed ecstatically and went over, hugging a large green cushion.

"Mr Gibbs, I just want to thank you for your concern over Tony," Mr DiNozzo gave what Gibbs thought could be a smile. The man looked worn out, however, so Gibbs could forgive him for the lack of facial expressions. "And apparently I missed you visiting him in hospital; but I saw the card. Thank you," he said this more sincerely than Gibbs thought possible. "Every day he looked at that. And do you know what?" He asked. "He said he would get better because his friends would miss him if he got too sick and couldn't go back."

Gibbs felt momentary tears rise up, but he managed to keep them at bay and smiled at the man in his expensive suit. "I'm glad," Gibbs replied, equally sincere. "We were all very worried. He's better now though, that's the main thing."

Mr DiNozzo nodded. "I have to leave," he told Gibbs. "But if you could make sure he doesn't over exert himself, it would be much appreciated."

"Don't worry, we'll keep him inside at playtime as well, if you want?" Gibbs offered, but the man declined. Apparently he didn't like the idea of his son coming home after not getting rid of all of his excess energy.

Gibbs chuckled at this thought and bid Mr DiNozzo farewell.


Everyone who came in after that squealed happily at seeing Tony was back. Jenny reminded them all gently that whilst he was well enough to be back, they had to be gentle for a while. They nodded somberly but Abby kept giving him reasurring hugs throughout the day.

"Tony," Gibbs called him over whilst everyone else was outside. "Go take a nap, alright?"

The child stamped his foot. "Boss, I don't need a nap!"

"Go lie down before you pass out." Gibbs ordered firmly.

"I'm not gonna pass out!" Tony argued, offended. "DiNozzo's do not pass out!"

Gibbs snorted and opened his arms to let the 4 year old onto his lap, which he did quickly. "Tony, if you want to be out with everyone else, you need to get back to how you were before. And to do that you need rest. Now - will you take a nap for me?"

He didn't get an answer, and looked down.

Tony had fallen asleep quite happily on his knee.

Gibbs beamed and his heart melted as it had when Abby had wrapped him round her little finger for the first time.

He'd hate it when the time came to let this year's 'team' depart.


The day had gone on like a normal day from then. Gibbs and Jenny both kept an eye each on Tony, who looked tired and pale; but no less happy and energetic. He had another nap, but Gibbs felt more touched by that one than he had the previous.

He had gone over to the playhouse as he saw that every single child - even Leon and Ducky - was clustered around it.

"Everything alright?" Gibbs asked warily.

"Tony's asleep," Kate replied in a whisper. "We don't want him to wake up - 'cause he needs to get better, right?"

"Right." Gibbs confirmed quietly.

"So we're making sure no one disturbs him!" Jeanne said brightly, as Ziva and Tim nodded their heads in agreement.

Gibbs chuckled as he glanced in and saw him sleeping curled up around the green cushion, sucking his thumb.


The day after this; Ari arrived.

Tony seemed a lot better than the previous day and only had two naps. However, there seemed to be some friction between him and Ziva's older brother.

He had been dropped off with her that morning, and had immediately joined the older boys (although he left lingering glances on Kate). They seemed overjoyed, and even Ducky didn't mind playing, as Jimmy was pulled into Abby, Tim and Tony's game. Ziva too, didn't mind that her brother wasn't playing with her and was happy enough to spend time with Kate and Jeanne.

Gibbs smiled happily at all groups, glad everything was calm and that he was being paid extra. However, he felt a tugging on his knee, and looked down to find Tim and Tony stood in front of him, serious expressions on their faces.

"Yes, boys?"

"I don't like Ari." Tony stated plainly, pouting moodily.

"We just think he's a bit..." Tim tried to explain, blushing at Tony's direct statement. "We just... he keeps looking at Kate a lot." Both boys were obviously upset about this and Gibbs tried not to smirk. Whilst Tony was younger, they had both been vying for a sort of alpha male slot in the younger group. And as much as it pained Gibbs to even think about it, Tony was getting a lot closer to that spot that Tim.

"Maybe he just wants to join in with her, Jeanne and Ziva." Gibbs suggested fairly.

Tony pouted some more, and coughed slightly into his hand. "I still don't like him." he muttered darkly, and seemed surprised when Jenny came over and asked if he wanted to bring all the snacks out to everyone else. However, he responded happily and with his usual gusto and enthusiasm at however menial a task.


"Boss!" Gibbs sighed and looked up on hearing Tony's yell. The kid was persistent in telling Gibbs that he had a 'bad feeling' about Ari. For the life of him, Gibbs couldn't figure out what was concerning the 4 year old. Ari was a polite boy, quiet and much less annoying than Leon (although Gibbs wouldn't admit it). Plus, Ziva seemed to really love her big brother, and Tony really liked Ziva.

"Boss," Tony repeated, "Boss, Ari's collecting some rocks and twigs outside!" Tony was still confined to indoor play whilst the other's were out and so resorted to gazing at the other children through the window, every so often giving a half-hearted wave and looking at Gibbs with a pathetic puppy-dog look.

"Tony, Jenny's out there, so even if he was going to do something with them, he wouldn't..."

"But he's still looking at Kate!"

"Tony - "

Gibbs could say no more, as the boy suddenly got up and darted outside.

"Tony!" Gibbs got up and went after him. He'd be glad when a) Ari was gone, and b) Tony would be allowed outside again. He was becoming much too annoying inside.

It had just started to rain heavily, so Jenny was quickly shepherding the children back inside.

"Have you seen Tony come out?" Gibbs asked her, looking around for any sign of the small boy.

She looked concerned and shook her head.

"OW!" Both teachers whirled around at Kate's shriek. She had been standing just behind Gibbs, and had been struck by something in her back. She burst into tears as Gibbs confusedly tried to calm her down.

"It was Ari, Gibbs!" Tony yelled from where he ran to them out from the bushes. Gibbs groaned and had no idea who to deal with first.

His problems were solved, however, when a rock came flying from the bushes and struck Kate right on the forehead; the force of it so strong that it knocked her to the floor.

"Kate!" Tony screamed, and went to check if his friend was alright.

"Tony," Gibbs said in as much a calm voice as he could, "go inside. Tell Jenny to come out here, but everyone else has to stay inside. Got it? That's an order."

Tony seemed to swell with the responsibility of an order and replied: "On it, Boss."


Kate hadn't been knocked out. She was shocked though, and had cried for a long time after Jenny had wiped her forehead with anti-septic wipes and put a band-aid on the cut that had sprung from the rock thrown. Gibbs hauled Ari out from the bushes and felt like shaking him, but Jenny's warning shout of 'Jethro!' made him come to his senses.

Instead, he took Ari's hand and pulled him inside, sitting him in the bullpen as the other children watched, dampened by the rain and terrified by what just happened.

Ziva began to question her brother in Hebrew, and it sounded like she was berating him for what he had done. He had the good sense to keep his head down and looked cowed by the telling off, but Gibbs was sure (and it was Tony's paranoia getting to him) that there were glints in his eyes.

Whilst Kate was being looked after by Jenny, Gibbs checked the others. They were all fine, but Tony and Tim were shaking from the rain and cold. Tim had been the last to go inside with the other children and was apparently easily suceptible to colds. Plus, Tony was starting to cough again.

Gibbs tried to sound calm as he took them both into the back and started to dry them both down with towels. He found some spare clothes that nearly fit them both (Tim's drooped ridiculously on him, whilst Tony's were in danger of falling down) and gave everyone hot drinks. Even Ari.

Kate re-entered the room, no longer sobbing, and Jenny assured Gibbs it had been just a scratch. Abby, Tony and Tim looked extremely pleased that Kate was back in one piece, and Gibbs had to hastily send them off to play elsewhere or risk Ari being attacked by them all (not that he really thought it was a bad thing).


Gibbs thanked the lord for little sisters who were pleased when their brothers got into trouble. He had tried to tell Ambassador David what had transpired, but he appeared uninterested. Until Ziva tugged at his hand and insisted it was all true. She hissed in Hebrew for a while and Mr David soon looked back at Gibbs.

"I apologise," he said. "My son will not be returning here. Is my daughter still welcome?"

Gibbs blinked. "Of course." he replied.

The man simply nodded and walked out. Gibbs blinked one more time and turned to his other problem. Jenny was just greeting Mr Todd, who looked less than happy to see that his daughter was sporting a band-aid on her head. Gibbs diplomatically tried to reason with him; the boy's father would punish him and he was no long welcome back. However, Mr Todd still seemed angry.

"I'm just not sure if I want my daughter to stay here any longer."

Gibbs opened his mouth to protest, before Jenny swooped in: "That's your decision; but I assure you that nothing like this will happen again."

Mr Todd was about to respond, but felt tugging on his trousers. He looked down and smiled at the three children stood in front of him. "Don't take Kate away!" Abby pleaded desperately.

"Please?" Tony begged, and Tim nodded vehemently in agreement.

The man smiled at them and looked back at the teachers. "I'll think about it."

Wow, long chapter XD um, yeah the stuff with Ari is based on what my fuzzy memory can dredge up from Ari episodes :') as you can see; I haven't watched some in a long time ;) Ah well - review? It honestly does brighten my day :P