After getting coffee, Gibbs allowed Tony to stop for donuts. He thought that Tony just wanted some for himself, but when the younger man returned to him, he was carrying a large bag of powdered donuts for the whole team, as well as coffee for Kate and McGee.
"You hungry, Tony?" Gibbs asked.
"Yes. But I also figured that Kate and McGee were hungry too."
"Donuts aren't breakfast."
"I got the donuts as a snack. I also brought Kate a couple of those croissants she likes, and I got McGee a toasted sub."
"What about you?"
Tony smiled sheepishly. "I sort of forgot to order myself something. I forgot I was at work, so I was planning on cooking when I got home."
Gibbs smiled. He took the donuts and coffee. "Go and get yourself something to eat."
"Sorry, boss."
"Don't apologise. It's a sign of weakness."
"Right. I'm going to get food now. Do you want anything?"
"I'm good, Tony. Go."
Tony grinned as he headed back into the cafe he had gotten the food from. When he returned a couple of minutes later, he was carrying a bagel and a sandwich.
"What did you get?" Gibbs asked curiously as they walked slowly back to the NCIS building.
"Plain bagel and a egg and bacon toastie."
"Plain bagel?"
"Brad and Ducky both have been telling me to try and eat something plain with each meal so that I don't make myself sick."
"Nice to know you're listening to your doctor."
"I wasn't at first, but then I realised that it made sense. So I tried, and now I've gotten into a habit."
"Keep that habit up. It'll be good for you."
"I'm sure that Brad is going to say the same thing this afternoon."
"He probably will. What time is your appointment?"
"Three."
"Make sure you head home afterwards. And don't forget that you have tomorrow off. Abby will be at your apartment around nine-thirty tomorrow morning so you can go bowling."
"Alright." Tony smiled as he ate the last bite of his sandwich. "I hope she enjoys tomorrow night. And her present."
"I saw the present, Tony. Abby will adore it. And she'll love tomorrow night too, because her best friend planned it for her."
"You and Ducky were a big help, you know? I couldn't have done it alone."
"You could have. You were home most of the time. Doing the shopping is a different story, but that is all finished. How are you getting the pizzas?"
"I'll order them and Ducky is going to pick them up. I want to try and have a nap before everyone comes over."
"Okay." Gibbs held open the door to their building to allow Tony access with his full hands. "I'll check with Kate and McGee before I leave tomorrow afternoon to make sure they are still coming and text you with their answers. I know everyone else is going to be there, they've already made it quite clear that they're excited."
"Who's excited about what?" asked a very bouncy Abby as they entered the bullpen. "Hi, Tony."
"Hey, Abbs. I borrowed the couch in your office last night, by the way."
"That's okay. Now, tell me what you were talking about."
"The basketball game with Brad in a couple of weeks time," lied Tony easily.
"Ooh, can I come too?"
"Of course. I need my best friend to support me."
Abby grinned, retraining herself from hugging Tony in case he was still sore. "I'll be the loudest one there, I promise."
Gibbs chuckled as he watched Abby kiss Tony's cheek and head off to her lab.
"Come on, DiNozzo, let's hand out this stuff and get back to work."
Tony sighed as he realised that it was time for him to leave work. He had been looking for leads on their case, just like everyone else, but found nothing. It was getting frustrating, and he wanted to stay and keep working.
"Tony, if you don't leave now, you'll be late," said Gibbs without looking up. "Don't make me drive you there."
"I know, boss, I'm going." Tony shut off his computer and sighed again. "See you tomorrow night."
"Bye, Tony," said McGee from behind his computer. "We'll tell Kate you said goodbye when she wakes up."
"Thanks, Probie."
Tony gathered up his belongings and walked over to the elevator.
"Come in, Tony," said Brad when Tony knocked on his office door.
Tony smiled as he entered the doctor's office, but he couldn't hide how tired he felt. He took a seat across the desk from Brad and dumped his jacket on the empty chair beside him.
"How are you?" Brad asked, trying to engage Tony in conversation.
"Tired."
"You went back to work yesterday?"
"Yes."
"All day?"
"Yes. I left just after five, at Gibbs' request, though I was ready to go home anyway."
"Did you work this morning?"
"Yeah."
"What's made you so tired then?"
"I didn't sleep properly last night."
"Any reason? Or were you just excited to be at work again?"
Tony smiled. "I was exhausted. When I finally fell asleep though, Kate called to tell me I was needed for a protective detail. It was for Gibbs, so I went, but I didn't know she was planning to make me work overnight, and Gibbs had already told her to not call me in until this morning."
"Does Gibbs know about this?"
"Of course. He told her off last night, let me sleep, and gave me this morning's protective detail shift."
"Sounds like Gibbs is still looking after you."
"He is." Tony grinned. "It's nice, but it isn't normal. Gibbs is never nice."
"You almost died, Tony. He was scared."
"I know," sighed Tony. "Anyway, what is this check-up for? Ducky came to my apartment on Sunday to check me. He said I was fine, as long as I took it easy."
"Same deal this afternoon. Also, I got a phone call yesterday afternoon from Dr Mallard. He told me you almost got blown up trying to save your team yesterday morning. What happened there?"
"Exactly that. We were at a scene when I spotted the bomb underneath the car. McGee had already started to open the trunk, so I shouted at him to stop. I'm faster than Kate and McGee, so I sent them back up to the road. I was honestly right behind them when the car exploded, but I think I might have tired myself in the process. Well, that and I was sore from Kate being mean to me. I collapsed at the top of the hill."
"Dr Mallard told me you did. He said he checked you and that your blood pressure was a little high. I'm not worried. Running and being involved in a dangerous situation will raise blood pressure. Combined with it being the first day back after three weeks of sick leave, high blood pressure is expected, to a certain extent."
Tony nodded. "I can still work though?"
"Yes. Maybe try and get an early night tonight, though?"
"I will. I'm taking Abby out tomorrow morning for her birthday, and we're having a party tomorrow night."
"So you aren't working tomorrow?"
"No."
"When you get back from your outing with Abby, get some sleep."
"That's my plan."
Brad laughed. He enjoyed Tony's company, it was always interesting. "Come on, let's get this over with. Hop up onto the bed please."
