A/N: Wrote this for the current Drabble challenge – Virus, but as much as I chopped it, it wouldn't fit into the required 500 maximum, so I've left it alone and am posting it here. It's short, but to the point.

~~~~~~~~~~NCIS~~~~~~~~~~

"Where's DiNozzo?" Gibbs barked as he rounded the corner walking into the middle of the bullpen.

McGee responded offhandedly as he continued his computer search, "Uh, I dunno, Boss. But Ducky said he wanted to see you the minute you got back." He never looked up so the raised eyebrow Gibbs threw at him went unnoticed.

~~~~~~~~~~NCIS~~~~~~~~~~

"What's up, Duck?" Gibbs breezed into autopsy.

"Ah, Jethro. Thank you for coming to see me on such short notice." Turning to his assistant, "Mr. Palmer, would you be so kind as to…"

"Of course, Doctor." Jimmy was used to being dismissed so vague orders to clean pipettes or the like were no longer needed and he left the room.

"There is no easy way to say this so I'll just come to the point." Ducky braced himself on one of the tables and sucked in a breath. "Tony will not be joining us today. He has been admitted to the ICU ward at Bethesda."

Gibbs froze in his spot and his face paled. "What happened?"

"Last night he began to experience symptoms of a virus, similar to the one that we encountered on the Chimera."

"You told me that was false; that there was no virus."

"Apparently I was mistaken."

"Then why don't we all have it? We were exposed to the same things he was." Gibbs' voice was strained and Ducky knew he was barely keeping his emotions in check.

"The rat you asked him to bring to me. It had had fleas – one must have still been alive and attached itself to Tony, biting him, thus giving him the virus."

Gibbs scrubbed his hand down his face. "So, what now?"

"We don't know what it is, therefore cannot cure it, though a broad spectrum of antibiotics has been started in hopes it will do something."

Gibbs nodded curtly and began to walk out of the room. He stopped at the door, "How long does he have?"

"We speculate that others lived for up to 36 hours, but with Tony's history, we just don't know."

Gibbs stiffened and then started to walk through the door.

"Jethro! You have to go to him. He needs you."

Gibbs' anger bubbled to the surface and he turned to face Ducky, "And do what? Order him to live again? It worked once; I don't think it will work a second time."

~~~~~~~~~~NCIS~~~~~~~~~~

"Sir, he is contagious. We can't just let you walk in there."

Gibbs squinted to read her name tag, "Well, then Brenda, tell me what I need to wear because I will be entering that room in the next 3 minutes with or without protective gear."

The determination in his eyes told her there was no reasoning with the man and she got up, "Just a minute, Sir".

Two minutes later, she handed him a stack of garments. "Put these on and make sure the mask covers your mouth and nose. The virus isn't likely airborne; we suspect it is passed on by exposure to bodily fluids but just in case."

Gibbs snatched the protective gear and donned them in record time.

"Just so you know, he does have moments of lucidity but they are coming less frequently."

Gibbs turned to face the door, waiting for it to open and once it did, he strode purposefully across the floor to Tony's bedside.

He called to him once – "Tony".

No response. He spoke again but more forcefully – "Tony!"

Still nothing. The third time he barked – "DiNozzo!"

Tony's eyes fluttered open and tried to focus but fell closed again.

"I know you can hear me, DiNozzo. It's ok if you can't open your eyes right now, but you can hear me, can't you?"

A huffed out breath was his answer.

"Good. I knew you could. Now listen to me. Are you listening?"

Another huffed breath was his only response.

"OK. Good. I'm giving you a direct order. Do. Not. Die. Do you understand me?"

Tony's breathing hitched.

"OK. Taking that as a yes. But if you are playing me…" Gibbs removed his face mask and leaned in placing a soft kiss on his mouth using his tongue to part his lips and sucked his bottom lip into his own mouth enjoying the feel and taste of it with his tongue. Pulling away, he spoke softly, "They said the virus is transmitted by body fluids. Gonna go with you but it might be a couple of days if they are right. Wait for me."