Chapter 12

Both Tony and Gibbs were up early the next morning. They had a quick breakfast and then Gibbs drove to the office. Tony had learnt his lesson from when he had returned from sick leave when he had the plague. Kate and Tim hadn't seemed happy to see him, so this time he didn't make a big deal of it and just sat down at his desk.

"Tony, it is good to see you are back." Ziva said as soon as she saw him.

"Oh hey Tony." Tim greeted. "Good to see you back. Are you better?"

"Yup, 100%." Tony replied happily. "Brad cleared me yesterday."

"That's good to hear." Vance said as he entered the bullpen.

"Thanks." Tony replied

"Jackie and the kids said to say hi." Vance continued and handed Tony a tiny slip of paper. "We did the draw for the secret Santa while you were out. That's the name of your secret Santa."

"Oh thanks." Tony replied and after looking at the name he groaned.

"We have to give the presents out on Christmas Eve." McGee said

"Oh, that doesn't give me much time." Tony sighed "I don't have a clue what to get."

"I'm sure you'll think of something." Vance said and started to walk away. "It's good to have you back DiNozzo."

Tony nodded and gave a small smile.

A minute later a squeal was heard and Abby came rushing up to Tony's desk. She threw herself onto his lap and gave him a huge hug.

"Tony, I am so glad you are back. It's been so quiet without you. I really missed you, we all missed you. Didn't we."

"Of course we did." Ziva confirmed with a smile.

"Ah Anthony, welcome back." Ducky greeted as he and Jimmy joined the group.

"Thanks Duck." Tony smiled. "Hey Jimmy."

"Hey Tony. You're looking better. Brad obviously cleared you. Stay out of trouble this time."

"Yeah he did." Tony grinned. "And I'll try."

"It won't be like last time." Gibbs assured. "If we get a call for anything suspicious, Tony will be staying well away from it."

"What happened the last time?" Ziva asked curiously,

"Ari." Gibbs growled.

"Tony nearly got blown up the day he came back from sick leave." Abby elaborated. "He saved Kate and McGee but he was still ill and being blown up made him collapse at the scene."

"I was not aware of that." Ziva said "That means that you were only just back at work when I first met you."

"Yeah"

"We will try not to get into trouble today." McGee smirked "We'll try to make it an easy day."

And it was. The team didn't get any call outs so the day was spent catching up on paperwork and cold cases. They were all very glad of this as they didn't want to have Tony going out in the cold if he didn't have to. Ziva went on the lunch run and they all ate at their desks. Soon it was time to go home.

"Boss could you drop me around to my place?" Tony asked as they walked to the car.

"Sure, do you need to pick something up?"

"Yeah I just want to get my mail and some clothes." Tony replied and hesitantly continued. "And I can collect my car, just in case I need it over the Christmas."

"Alright." Gibbs agreed as they climbed into the car.

They drove to Tony department and after picking up the post they went up the two flights of stairs to Tony's apartment. Tony unlocked the door and they went in. Tony looked through the letters as he made his way to his bedroom and Gibbs sat down to wait. Tony quickly packed a few things and returned to the living room.

"Let's go." Gibbs said and the pair left the apartment.

They took the two separate cars back to Gibbs house and they started on dinner. Again that evening they worked on the toys in silence. Tony was able to help with the varnishing and painting now that he had been cleared so they got a lot of work done. Tony still got tired easily but tried not to let Gibbs know. But Gibbs noticed that Tony was yawning and knew that he still had not fully recovered. At 2130 Gibbs started putting everything away and ordered Tony to go to bed. Tony reluctantly agreed and they both went bed early.

They were called into work early the next morning and of course they had to get a tough case the day before Christmas Eve and it had to be outside. Tony was freezing as they examined the scene, but continued with his work after his colleagues refused to give him their hand warmers and underwear. He had dressed warmly but the cold just seemed to affect him more than the others. Gibbs was threating him normally even though he could tell Tony was tired. He had spent the night thinking about the Secret Santa, he had to find something quickly for Deloris. He was at a loss as what to get her. Ziva kept telling him that Deloris was just a lonely woman and not that bad.

This made Tony think of himself and he thought that maybe Ziva was right. He decided to look into her personnel file to see if maybe there was something in there that would help. There was something mention so he decided to call her mother and the call was very enlightening. So he began his search for the doll. Luckily he found a shop in DC which had one so he used his lunch time to collect it.

Gibbs had told him that Jack had arrived earlier than expected and thought that there was something up. When Jack arrived at NCIS he was his usual self but Tony could see he was a bit distracted. The chocolate he brought was delicious but after Gibbs called him bubble butt Tony decided not to have another. He knew Gibbs was just doing what Tony had asked so he wasn't upset.

Tony had decided to go to Jimmy's that night to give the two a chance to talk. Gibbs had assured him that he wouldn't be in the way, but Tony insisted on giving them some time alone. He collected Jimmy from autopsy and they stopped on the way to his apartment to pick up a pizza. They had worked very late so they were both very tired. As soon as they had finished the pizza they both went to bed. Tony was tired after the long day and his nose was feeling a bit runny, he hoped he wasn't getting another cold.

They were in the office early the next morning trying to solve the murder. Tony had Deloris's present wrapped and he was going to give it to her that evening. They were kept busy all day closing up the case. McGee had told Deloris that Tony was his secret santa and she had called him demanding that he get her something nice. Gibbs was nearby by when he heard Tony talking and telling Deloris he had a cold. He quickly placed a call to Brad.

They were all delighted to get the case resolved and finished but Tony was dreading giving Deloris her present. With a little help from Ziva he got the courage and gave it to her. He quickly explained the present to her before she opened it. Her tears of happiness surprised him and he was unsure what to do, so he just smiled a genuine smile. He was delighted that his present had brought her some happiness.

He went back downstairs to collect Abby so they could go to Gibbs house and start the Christmas festivities. Gibbs had already gone home to get things ready.

"Hey Abbs, are you ready." He asked as he entered the lab.

"Oh um hey Tony." Abby replied unenthusiastically.

"What's wrong Abbs?"

"Oh well um, you remember how I said my parents were going away."

"Yeah." Toy replied.

"Well the cruise was cancelled and they asked me to spend Christmas with them." Abby replied quickly "I told them that I had made other plans but they were very insistent and well I have to catch a flight in an hour."

"Oh." Tony replied sadly "Well that's good, you'll have a good time with your family."

"I'm sorry Tony, I know you were looking forward to us spending time together."

"It's ok Abby." Tony assured with a forced smile "You'll have a great time with your family."

"Yeah and you'll have a great time with Gibbs and Jack." Abby added.

"Yeah hopefully." Tony replied and pulled Abby into a hug "Well have a great time and Happy Christmas."

"You too." Abby replied as Tony headed for the door.

By the time Tony got back upstairs everyone had already left for the night so Tony grabbed his things and headed for Gibbs house.

When Tony pulled up outside the house he saw Jack and Gibbs coming out of the house with bags of toys.

"Tony there you are" Gibbs greeted. "Come on and get in the car so we can give out these present."

"Um ok sure." Tony replied "Hey Jack."

"Hello Tony." Jack replied "You're coming with us then."

"Um yeah if that's ok."

"Of course it is." Jack replied with a smile and they all climbed into the car.

The first stop was the orphanage where they dropped off some of the toys. When they arrived at the hospital, they all grabbed a bag and headed for the children's ward. There were a lot of sick kids stuck in hospital over the Christmas. Gibbs set the bags down and started unpacking all of the toys and then he, Jack and Tony started handing them out. It wasn't long before every child had a toy and they all sat around playing. Tony sat on a chair watching them playing happily; glad that he could help to cheer them up. It was then that he saw Brad walking towards him.

"Hey Brad, what are you doing here." Tony asked as he stood up.

"Gibbs told me you were here and I wanted to give you a check up." Brad replied

"I'm fine Brad." Tony assured

"Humour me. Now take a seat on the bed here."

Tony did as instructed with a sigh and Gibbs moved beside him.

"He was out in the cold for a while yesterday." Gibbs told Brad

Brad carefully listened to Tony's lungs and took his temperature and blood pressure.

"Tony, your temperature is up a little bit, but your lungs seem to be ok so far. I'm going to put you on another course of antibiotics and more steroid treatments. Your lungs are not strong enough to handle another infection so soon."

"Ok." Tony sighed in agreement.

"Great, you wait there and I'll get your meds. I also need to do a blood test just to be safe." Brad said and hurried out the door.

"Are you sick too?" A little boy of about 8 asked as he stood beside the bed Tony was in.

"Um yeah." Tony replied uncertainly.

"How come you are in the kid's room?" he asked. "You're a grown up."

"He won't be staying long." Gibbs replied "He's just getting some medicine and then he'll be going home."

"You're lucky; my dad won't let me go home. You have a nice Dad."

"He just wants you to get better." Tony replied with a smile "My Dad made me stay in the hospital last week and I didn't like it, but I got better."

"Oh," the boy replied. "Did you see the car I got?"

"Yeah it's really cool." Tony replied just as Brad returned.

"Let's get you set up with the nebulizer and then I can take some blood." Brad said.

"You have a neblizer too." The boy said with a scowl. "I don't like 'em."

"Mark there you are." An older man said as he hurried over. "The doctor is looking for you."

"I was talking to my friend Daddy." Mark replied. "He's got a neblizer too."

"Well you need to get back to your bed to take your nebulizer and have some blood taken."

"But I don't want to." Mark cried as tears started to flow down his cheeks.

"But your friend is taking his and he is getting a blood test." The boy's father replied and turned to Tony. "I'm sorry about this. He really hates needles and the nebulizer."

"It's ok." Tony replied with a grin "I know how he feels."

"Can I ask why you are in the children's ward?"

"We came to hand out presents." Gibbs replied "Tony was in hospital last week and his doctor here just wanted to give him a check up."

"Ah I see." The father replied "Well I hope you are better soon."

"Thanks." Tony replied.

"Daddy, I don't want a needle." Mark cried pulling away from his father.

"Please Mark." The father pleaded "Tony is going to have one and he's not crying."

"How about Mark watches Tony and then he can get his blood test." Brad suggested as he prepared the syringe. "He can even sit beside Tony and they can both take their nebulizers together."

"Yeah." Mark agreed and stopped fighting his father.

"I'll just go get his doctor." The father said and hurried off to another room.

He returned a few minutes later, followed by an older man pushing a cart with equipment on it.

He pulled another bed over beside Tonys and Mark climbed onto it.

"Thanks for your help. I'm Dr. Casey." The doctor said as he set up the equipment.

"Hi, I'm Dr. Pitt." Brad replied "And it's no problem."

"Dr. Pitt as in Dr. Brad Pitt." Dr. Casey replied and Brad nodded. "I've read your paper on your patient with pneumonic plague. It was very interesting. I didn't realise you worked in the children's ward."

"Thank you. I don't work in the children's ward. I'm here as a favour. I would like to introduce you to Tony DiNozzo, my plague patient."

"Oh wow. It's good to meet you. Can I ask what's wrong? Is it related to the plague?"

"He had a mild case of pneumonia a week or so ago." Brad replied. "Because of the scarring on his lungs, it affects him more than it would others. I'm being overly cautious."

"Let's get this started then." Dr Casey replied and turned back to Mark. "Are you ready?"

"Um ok." Mark replied hesitantly and looked over at Tony.

Gibbs sat on the bed beside Tony and put his arm around Tony's shoulders.

"Daddy." Mark whined. "Can you sit beside me like Tony's daddy?"

"Sure buddy." The father replied and sat on the bed as Gibbs was doing.

Both doctors prepared their patients arms and then gently slid the needle in. Tony winced and grabbed Gibbs hand.

"Oww." Mark cried and buried his head in his father's shoulder.

The two doctors quickly withdrew the required blood and eased the needles out.

"All done." Dr Casey announced as he applied a band aid. "Now it's time for the nebulizer."

Both doctors started the treatments and took the vitals of their patients.

"How is he doing?" Jack asked as he joined the group.

"He's doing alright." Gibbs replied softly. "He needs to take it easy for a while."

"What's with the mask?" Jack asked.

"It's a steroid treatment." Brad explained. "It's to help strengthen his lungs. He was on a course of steroids and antibiotics up until last week."

"And they didn't work?" Jack asked.

"They did, but he's been out in the cold and his immune system won't be able to fight a virus." Brad sighed. "He already has a temperature so we want to stop anything before it starts."

"Is he contagious?" Marks father asked.

"No." Brad replied quickly. "Don't worry, Mark will be just fine."

"Daddy, can I go home now?" Mark mumbled through the mask.

"I'm sorry buddy." He sighed. "You have to stay here tonight but mommy and Lizzie will come tomorrow and we can have Christmas here."

"But Tony gets to go home tonight." Mark whined "His daddy is nice."

"Tony was in the hospital last week and he's nearly better. You only got here yesterday."

"It's not fair." Mark pouted causing the adults to smile sadly at the child. "What if Santa doesn't find me here."

"He knows where you are." Jackson assured. "He always knows where everyone is."

Mark nodded and lay back against the pillows. They spent the rest of the time in silence.

By the time they had finished the treatments' Tony was fast asleep and Mark was getting hyper.

"He always gets hyper after the steroids." Marks father sighed as he helped the child off the bed.

"Tony always gets tired." Gibbs added.

"Everyone reacts differently." Brad explained. "I'd suggest you get Tony home and let him rest. I'll have his prescription waiting at the desk."

"Thanks Brad," Gibbs replied "Hey Tony, wake up. It's time to go home."

"Huh." Tony mumbled as he slowly opened his eyes.

"Time to go home, Tony." Brad added. "I'll meet you outside."

Oh, yeah ok." Tony replied as he eased himself off the bed "Um bye Mark. Hope you feel better soon."

"You too." Mark replied and ran over and hugged Tony's legs before running away again.

"He's pretty hyper." Tony said with a yawn.

"Yeah, lucky me, my kid gets hyper after the steroids and your dad gets a sleepy kid." Marks father added with a smile. "Thanks for your help with Mark, he can be a handful when he's sick and his mother is better at dealing with him."

"You're welcome." Tony replied with a smile and left the room with Gibbs and Jack.

They met with Brad at the door and collected Tony's medicine before getting into the car and heading home. When they arrived, Tony had to be woken again. Gibbs had stopped to collect pizza on the way so they all sat down in the kitchen to eat.

"Ok Tony, bed time." Gibbs said as they finished the food.

"Ah Gibbs, don't you think Jack should get the bed." Tony protested sleepily.

"The couch is fine." Jack assured. "Besides you're too tall to sleep on the couch."

"Yeah but."

"You need a proper bed to get better." Jack added "Now off you go. You need to be well rested for tomorrow."

"Um ok." Tony sighed and started up the stairs.

"Don't forget your pills." Gibbs called and held out the tablets.

Tony turned around, took the pills and swallowed them dry.

"Night." Tony called and continued up the stairs.

"Are you sure he's Ok Leroy." Jack asked worriedly when Tony was gone. "He didn't even notice the Christmas tree."

"He'll be ok." Gibbs sighed. "He's strong."

"I can tell."

"He's been through a lot in his life, most of which we only found out about." Gibbs continued. "He's thinking of leaving NCIS."

"Why, it seems like he loves it there." Jack asked in surprise.

"I screwed up, hell we all screwed up. We didn't treat him right and he thinks we don't trust him."

"He's still here."

"Yeah, we have sorted some things out but we have a lot more to work through." Gibbs sighed. "He's staying here until he gets better so hopefully we can build some trust again."

"You do whatever you have to, to keep that boy around." Jack said. "I haven't seen you this happy in a long time."

"Yeah." Gibbs smiled. "I love when someone thinks I'm his Dad, like that boy at the hospital."

"He looks like he needs a Dad." Jack added.

"He's father wasn't much of a parent." Gibbs sighed.

"Well you can be the Dad he needs and I can be the Grandfather." Jack added with a smile "We'll make it a Christmas to remember."

"Thanks Dad." Gibbs smiled and stood up. "Get some sleep and I'll see you early in the morning."

"Ok son." Jack replied and they got the couch ready before Gibbs left for bed.

A/N: Thanks again for all of the lovely reviews and for the alerts. The next chapter will be the last and I hope to have it up for you tomorrow.