Chapter Ten

For weeks Tony replayed the conversation between himself, Abby and Kate – the one where they discussed men and women being friends. Kate had been adamant that they could be just friends without sleeping together. Abby had laughed and said oh no, they'll most certainly sleep together. She still hadn't given any indication of having slept with Tony. But he just couldn't move past it. He felt like a horny animal every time she wore a short skirt to work.

But at least now he would had a week in Panama with his frat brothers as headed on vacation for spring break.

"Hey, she's a hottie," Steve nodded to a blonde a few chairs down the bar. "She's been eyeing you all night."

Tony smiled at the woman and then sent a glare to his friend. "She looks dumber than a brick. Her tank top is inside out."

"So," Steve shrugged. "Never stopped you before."

"Well, it's been a few years." Tony cringed when he felt a delicate hand on his shoulder. "Uh, can I help you..?" He turned to face the blonde.

"I've got my own room at the hotel across the street," she slurred. "If you're interested."

"I've actually got a girlfriend, but my friend Steve is a good guy," Tony slid off the chair and patted Steve's shoulder. He left them to talk, and moved over to his friend John. "Dare I say, I'm getting too old for random hook-ups?"

"Nah, it's all good. Come sit with us, we all promised our wives to behave. Ignore Steve, well… he looks like he's leaving with the blonde chick, so…"

"Hey man, I didn't know you got hitched," Kevin clapped his shoulder. "Why didn't I get an invite?"

"I'm not married to anyone but my job," Tony laughed. "No time for that stuff."

"But you're in love, I can see it in your eyes."

Tony shrugged. "It's complicated."

"It's not that Kate chick, is it?" John asked.

"No… no no no." Tony had told them about her the first night in Panama City when he spotted her wet t-shirt contest photo. "Not Kate, she… she's nice, a pretty girl, but she's like the sister I never wanted. It's… you don't know her, she's sweet, different than anyone I've ever dated, but it's complicated, so…"

"Aw man, he's got it bad," Kevin commented. "Anytime you wanna talk about it, you let me know."

"Abby!" Tony stormed into the bar and threw his bag on the floor. "Why would you help Kate like that?"

"Like what?" She asked innocently.

"The gay cowboy? She accidentally sent it to Gibbs!"

Abby's hand flew up to her mouth as she gasped. "I did not see that one coming. But don't worry, he'll know it's fake and coming from Kate… don't worry about it. Plus, if anything, you look hot as a cowboy. Kinda that whole YMCA thing, you know?"

"I'm mortified, how will I walk into the squad room tomorrow?"

"As long as you aren't wearing ass-less chaps, I think you'll be fine." Gibbs' voice interrupted.

"Oh my God, I can't even…" Tony grabbed his bag and rushed out, his cheeks the color of tomatoes.

"Giiiibbs, that wasn't nice!"

Gibbs chuckled and ordered a beer. "He'll be fine."

"Just… don't make any cowboy references, okay?"

"Yee-haw."

"Oh my God," Abby stopped in her tracks when the elevator doors opened and Gibbs stepped out followed by Kate and Tony leading Gunnery Sgt. Leeka. Gibbs was bloodied and bruised nearly just as much as Leeka. She knew he would accept no comfort or care with Leeka around, so she kept quiet and watched as they headed for an interrogation room. As soon as they were gone, she rushed down to autopsy. Ducky had long since gone home, but she knew exactly where he kept the big first aid kit. She found a plastic bag and picked out everything she thought she might need and then headed to watch the interrogation. Despite the blood dripping from his lip and nose, Gibbs ran the interrogation as if nothing was wrong. Leeka didn't last long and soon Tony was hauling him out and signing him over to a transport team to get him the medical attention he needed and then to jail.

When she finally stepped into the hallway, Gibbs was standing with his back to the wall. His eyes were shut and it was obvious he was in pain. "I'm taking you home, Gibbs."

He turned his head to look at her, but didn't give any indication of putting up a fight. She took a hesitant step forward and took his hand in hers and then slowly led him to the elevators. "We'll take my car and then I'll bring you to work in the morning unless I can convince you to take tomorrow off."

He said nothing, but the look he shot her said that he would accept the ride home, but taking a day off was out of the question. They were quiet on the ride back to his place, giving them both time to think. Abby led him upstairs and gently worked his shirt off. She then used a wash cloth to clean the blood from his lip and nose before starting a hot shower. "I'll put some antiseptic ointment on once you're out." She noticed that he seemed a bit unsteady as he leaned forward to take his shoes off, so she pushed his hands away to do it herself.

He put up a bit of a fight, but she stood again with her hands on her hips. "Gibbs, let me help you. It's nothing that I haven't already seen." She held his gaze for another long minute before he gave in and let her help him undress.

She watched as he slowly stepped into the shower, using the wall to steady himself. She debated stripping and joining him, but Gibbs showing any sign of weakness and the fact that he was even allowing her in the bathroom with him was a huge step, so she decided not to push it. Once she was sure he wasn't going to fall over, she went to his bedroom and gathered underwear, sweatpants and a white tee for him to change into and carried it all back to the bathroom. He didn't take long and soon she was helping him to dress and then cleaning up the worst of the cuts. "I'll heat up some soup and grab an icepack, why don't you go lay down. I'll carry it all up in a minute."

"I'm not sick, Abbs."

"I know, but you're hurt and you need to rest so your body can heal." She didn't give him much of a choice, turning and leaving before he could argue. She dug an icepack from the freezer and pulled out a can of soup. She poured it into a bowl and started it in the microwave as she hurried back upstairs with the ice for his nose and lip. "Here, use this while I finish up your dinner."

He took the icepack and held it to his face. It wasn't the most comfortable, but the cold helped sooth the steady ache.

Abby returned a short while later with a tray carrying his soup, some crackers, a glass of water and something to take the edge off the pain. She set the tray over his lap and then climbed onto the bed and stretched out next to him, watching as he started on the soup. "Take the pills."

Gibbs did as he was told and then glanced over at Abby. "You've gotta eat too."

"Had some crackers downstairs."

"Not enough."

"I'm fine, Gibbs, really." She sat up and leaned over to rest her head on his shoulder. "Hate seeing you like this."

"You don't have to stay."

"Gibbs!" Abby sat up and looked at him, her eyes wide and a look of hurt on her face.

His expression softened. "Sorry, I know you're just trying to help."

Abby looked down at her lap and twisted her fingers together. They sat quietly while Gibbs finished. They each took one last turn in the bathroom and then pulled back the covers. "C'mere, Abbs…" he reached out for her. Abby was grateful he wanted to hold her.

"Just… stay safe, okay?"

The second Gibbs saw the white cloud blow from the envelope he knew something was wrong. He equally wanted to shake and hug Tony at the same time, but his level head kept him calm and he got them all to the showers and then to quarantine.

He also knew the minute that the blood samples were done that it was Tony that had caught the worse of it. He felt marginally better that Kate was headed to the hospital as well – he didn't want Tony to completely freak out if he was alone.

But what he hadn't expected was to see Tony so close to death when he finally made it to the hospital. He was past being infectious, but at this point it was a waiting game. He strolled up to Tony's bedside and wasn't sure what to say. He wanted to reassure Tony that he would be fine, but if he came across worried, it would no doubt panic Tony even more. So he settled for a gentle head-slap, almost a pet, and demanded that he didn't die.

He surprised himself by wanting to kiss the younger man's forehead. Wanting to hold him. Tell him he was there for him. But he held back, settling for holding Tony's hand briefly before handing him his cell phone. "You'd better take care of this, some woman keeps calling for spanky."

"On it boss," Tony took in a ragged breath. "But why give me the phone now…"

Gibbs was half way to the door when he turned back to his agent. "Call Abby. Tell her its safe for her to come see you." He felt a pang of jealousy go through his gut. Abby wasn't his – he couldn't give her what she needed, but with the way Tony was looking at her, he suspected Tony could. And he knew that this could very well be the catalyst to push them together.

He was just reaching for the door when Abby rushed in. "Is he…?"

"Relax, he'll be alright." He hated to see the worry on her face and he hated that he couldn't promise Tony would be okay. "Stay with him, okay?"

"I will." Abby nodded and hugged Gibbs before hurrying to Tony's bedside.

"Wow, that was quick, haven't even called you yet," Gibbs heard Tony say. And for the first time since the envelope was opened, Tony sounded okay.

"You don't have to stay, Kate. I'll be here."

"You're sure?"

Abby nodded. "You could use some rest too. Call McGee, he'll pick you up and take you come." Abby took Kate's bed and wheeled it up beside Tony's bed.

Tony waited until Kate was gone. "She was never infected, was she?"

"No," Abby shook her head. "She just didn't want you to go through it alone."

"You don't have to stay, you know." He could only imagine she'd rather be with Gibbs.

"Tony, you almost died." She reached out and laced her fingers with his. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Okay." He wasn't sure how to respond to that. No one had ever wanted stay with him when he was sick or hurt, but it was nice and her hand was warm -something to draw comfort from. He didn't want to fall asleep – he had been struggling so hard, he still wasn't sure that he wouldn't die in his sleep. Abby seemed to pick up on his nerves because suddenly he felt her nudging him over. "Abby?"

"My bed is too far away, move over."

Tony did as he was told, and suddenly Abby was curled up next to him, her arms wrapped around him. "Let me know if it's hard to breathe with my arms around you, okay?"

Tony nodded and relaxed into her arms. He'd gladly struggle to breathe if it meant he could spend the night with her again, even if they had clothes on.

TBC…

Super looking forward to post the next chapter – yes it deals with Kate's death, but I'm having lots of fun writing it. As bad as that sounds. *ahem* Gosgirl…?