Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS.

Hey everyone … running on little sleep so all I'll say is enjoy!

Gibbs managed to fall into a deep sleep and didn't wake again until it was dark outside. He sat up slowly, glancing at the clock, knowing full well the remaining night time hours would be wasted trying to sleep again. His stomach growled, telling him at last he was hungry for something other than coffee. Gibbs pushed back the covers and stood up, surprised at how stable he felt. Maybe there was something to those meds Abby had forced down his throat.

Gibbs rounded the corner at the bottom of the stairs, glancing into the living room before heading to the kitchen. Tony was staked out in the arm chair, a blanket haphazardly draped across his chest. His mouth was hanging open and he was snoring loudly. Abby was curled up on the couch under one of his blankets. He smiled at them before continuing his trek to please his ever growing hunger.

In the kitchen, he switched the light on and opened the fridge. Normally, there was not much in terms of content, but Abby and Tony had stocked it fairly well. A batch of orange Jello was in shining under the light and his curiosity piqued, Gibbs took out the glass dish. He sat with it at the table after retrieving a spoon and began to slurp the jelly dessert. One slurp too many told his stomach it was done and Gibbs pushed the plate away, trying to gain control of his body. He could feel his stomach threatening to force the food up again and he took deep breaths.

"You are a Marine." Gibbs murmured to himself. "Find control. Gain control. Keep control."

Gibbs' mantra was not strong enough for his stomach and Gibbs quickly got up and leaned over the sink. He was still dry heaving when Abby and Tony appeared in the archway.

"Gibbs, what happened?" Abby exclaimed, coming over to him. Tony just stared at him, a wrinkle across his brow. Abby began rubbing Gibbs' back. Trying to catch his breath, Gibbs turned his head to look at Tony.

"You got a problem, DiNozzo?"

"No, Boss, it's just …"

"What?"

Gibbs straightened up and turned on the tap to rinse the sink.

"Your skin … it's all covered in blisters."

"Those are vesicles." Abby supplied. "They're the key sign of chicken pox."

Gibbs looked at his hand and sure enough, he saw several little red blisters. Abby took his other hand in hers and held it up to the light so she could see better.

"Do they hurt, Gibbs?"

Jethro shook his head.

"Not really. My skin does, though."

The feeling of being poked with a thousand needles had returned while he had been vomiting. A concerned Abby led Gibbs by the arm back towards the stairs.

"Come on, let's get you back to bed. Tony, can you get the thermometer?"

By the time Gibbs was lying back down, with Abby pulling the duvet around him, he was grateful for the soft mattress; he was exhausted again and he had to remind himself that fatigue was part of being sick. He looked up at the Goth girl.

"Don't look so scared, Abs."

"I'm worried, Gibbs. I've never seen you so vulnerable."

"That's because I've never been this vulnerable. But you shouldn't worry. I'm not."

"You're not?"

"Nope."

A smile spread across Abby's face as Tony entered the room.

"Here you go."

He handed the thermometer to Gibbs and the three waited for it to take a reading. Abby glanced at the small screen on the device and sighed.

"Now can I be worried?" she asked, thrusting it in Gibbs' face.

"103.2."

"Normal's 98.6." Tony said.

"I know that, DiNozzo." Gibbs snapped.

"Aw, Gibbs, you must feel awful. Is there anything we can do?" Abby asked and Gibbs just closed his eyes.

"Go back to bed, both of you."

"Tony?"

"Hmm?"

"Tony, do you think Gibbs'll be alright?"

Tony opened his eyes and looked through the darkness. He could see Abby's eyes shining in the reflection of the VCR light.

"Of course he'll be alright. He's Gibbs."

Abby smiled at the simple answer.

"Good night, Tony."

"Good night, Abby."

The two laid in silence, fully aware the other wasn't asleep yet. A thought crossed Tony's mind.

"Abbs?"

"What?"

"Did you worry this much when I had the plague?"

"Of course I did. You're like a brother to me. I was scared I'd lose you."

"Are you scared of losing Gibbs?"

"Yes … he's the father in our little family."

"Yeah, he is, isn't he? Don't worry. Gibbs will be fine. He always is."

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