Previously

"How long has he been in there?"

"About half an hour."

The gray-haired agent narrowed his eyes at the Commander. On the one hand he wanted to find out why the man opposite the mirror thought it was necessary to shot at his agents and most likely kill them too, but on the other hand he didn't intended to make it an easy interrogation for Peterson.

"Let him stew till tomorrow morning," growled Gibbs.

(Gibbs' house - evening)

„Ziver," Gibbs called for the third time.

Since he had left her a few hours ago the flu seemed to have fully broken out. Her cheeks were flushed with fever and formed a stark contrast to her otherwise pale face.

Incidentally he noticed that the water and painkillers, which he left on the bedside table, were gone.

„Hm..." mumbled Ziva sleepily.

„Come on, kid. Time to eat something."

„Why?"

At her childlike response Gibbs couldn't help but to chuckle as he sat down on the edge of the bed, tray still in hand.

"Ziver," he repeated, gently nudging her.

Finally she emerged from under the blankets.

"'m not 'ungry,"

"You will be once you took a bite," he promised, offering her a spoon full of food.

As Ziva turned her head away, Gibbs smirked, "Eat up or I'll spoon-feed you, David."

This got the Israeli's attention as her head snapped back to Gibbs, clearly shocked by his words.

"'ou woul' not do t'at" exclaimed Ziva, her words deformed due to her stuffed nose.

"Try me," smirked Gibbs, offering her the bowl of food and spoon again.

"'ot fair," mumbled his agent as she reluctantly took the offered items from him.

"Good girl," praised Gibbs smugly.

(Next Morning - Interrogation)

"Why have you done it?"

His question was met by silence.

"All the evidence found and re-found in your apartment speaks against you. Making a confession might let the judges go easy on you," Gibbs offered calmly, fully knowing that the Commander would be locked away forever anyway.

"She wanted more than I could offer her."

"She wanted you to leave your wife," deadpanned Gibbs.

"Yes. I told her no and she freaked out, wanted to make our affair public. Her death was an accident. I didn't mean to kill her." Peterson sobbed into his hands.

"And yet, she's dead."

Commander Peterson looked momentarily up at the ice blue eyes of Gibbs before he quickly directed his gaze away from the cold stare he received.

"Shooting at my agents and leaving them to die wasn't an accident either," Gibbs growled through gritted teeth.

"They found her notebook! I couldn't let them take it. I was sure that she had saved all the mails and messages, which I sent her, on it. It was the only thing which harbored proof of our affair."

The Commander was desperate to receive some kind of consolation for his actions.

"I love my wife, I couldn't leave her just because of an affair," Peterson tried to explain as Gibbs made a move to leave, having heard enough.

"You're wrong, Commander. If you had loved her you wouldn't have cheated on her." Gibbs told him in a deadly voice before leaving the room.

Outside he was met by Agent Spencer, who leaned casually against the door of Observation.

"What's with you? You aren't getting old, are you? No screaming or throwing files?"

"Too tired, Spencer," the gray-haired agent smirked, "Got no sleep the last days. Peterson will get what he deserves."

"Hard night?"

"Ziva was sick all night."

"Poor girl, but it can only get better now."

"Hope ya right with that."

(Tony's/McGee's sick room)

"Thanks Ducky, those cookies taste like heaven."

"Way better than the crappy hospital food," agreed McGee.

"I'm glad you like it, Sophie made them."

"Ah," smirked Tony.

"It's not what you think it is, my dear boy."

"Whatever you say Ducky," Tony grinned from ear to ear.

Just then Ducky's mobile phone rang.

"Hello?"

'Hey Duck.'

"Jethro! To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?"

'A sick Probie.'

"Oh my," exclaimed Ducky, earning curious glances from the two hospitalized agents.

'Flu has taken over completely. Blankets don't seem to warm her up. Already made her as comfortable as possible in front of the fireplace but she's still shivering. Even though she's sleeping at the moment.'

"I believe you gave her the medicine?"

'Yeah, not sure if they are helping though.' Gibbs tried to sound normal but his friend could hear the underlying worry.

"Maybe we should try a different kind," mused Ducky, looking at his watch, "I can drive by the pharmacy and bring something different over in 4 to 5 hours."

'Would be good," Gibbs gruff reply was heard.

"I will see you th...."

"He hung up – as usual," the M.E. shook his head amused.

"Ducky?" Tony asked worried.

"Don't worry Anthony, your better half will be alright in no time," he assured the agent with a grin.

"Better half?" Tony asked, acting offended while McGee snickered next to him.

TBC...