Chapter 7

Ziva walked carefully up the sidewalk to Gibbs' house, being careful not to spill her foil covered pan and not to get wet in the down pouring rain. McGee was following behind with the dessert and Abby carried the garlic bread. Gibbs held open the door as the group hurried inside. Ziva was about to ask how Tony was doing, but stopped hearing him hacking up a lung in the living room. Abby passed her bread off to McGee and ran into the living room.

"Tony!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around him.

"Abs," he coughed, trying to catch his breath as she squeezed him. "I'm trying to breathe here."

"Sorry Tony! How are you feeling?"

"I'm alright," he lied. "Do I smell lasagna?" Tony turned and saw Ziva standing in the doorway.

Her hair was dripping water as she stood holding the warm pan. She took a look at Tony and her stomach dropped slightly. He looked worse than before. His skin was pale and there was a layer of sweat on his forehead. Ziva could hear his labored breathing and it pained her. Using her Mossad training, she pushed past the emotions and came into the room. Tony sat up slowly, groaning and moving as if his body was too heavy. Ziva walked into the dining room and placed the lasagna on the table, removing the foil. McGee placed the bread on the table as Abby passed him, heading into the kitchen to get plates and silverware. Ziva turned around in time to see Gibbs lean down to Tony's level and put the younger man's arm over his shoulder, helping him get to his feet. Tony hesitated, but Gibbs pulled him up.

"You're doing okay," he whispered.

"Okay… Boss," Tony murmured.

The sight broke her heart. Tony's body was trembling slightly as they walked to the dining room. Ziva glanced away as Tony looked at her and she forced a smile on her face. Abby pulled out a chair and had him sit down. Ziva sat down across from Tony and began to dish out the lasagna. Tony laughed as Abby detailed what had happened with the fingerprinting on a case she was working for another team. Ziva ate quietly as McGee added his two cents.

"You should have… seen the pancakes… Probie… that Gibbs made for breakfast… in the shape of Mickey Mouse ears!" Tony chuckled, trying to breathe as he spoke. He broke into a fit of coughs before he could continue. "What do I owe… you for this delicious meal Ziva?"

"Nothing, it was my treat."

"You want to watch a movie after dinner?"

Ziva laughed. "I thought you might say that. May I choose what we watch?"

Tony thought about it for a moment before answering. "I guess."

"Good, because I brought The Sound of Music, since I know you love it."

She burst out laughing at the look on Tony's face. He was like a small protesting child, wrinkling his nose and pursing his lips, not wanting to watch the movie, but knowing that he already agreed to let Ziva choose. He couldn't go back on his word.

The group finished dinner and Abby ushered them all into the living room, bringing along the pan of chocolate chip bars that Timothy had made. Ziva fluffed up the pillows on the couch as Gibbs helped Tony sit down and covered him with the blanket. McGee and Abby settled on the floor with some of the spare blankets that Gibbs kept in case of a blizzard and Ziva carefully sat next to Tony on the sofa. He pulled the blanket out of reach, teasing her until Gibbs gently smacked him behind the head and handed him his painkillers. The movie began to play, opening on the beautiful mountain scene with Julie Andrews singing about the hills being alive. Tony rolled his eyes, yawning.

About half way into the movie, Ziva realized that Tony was falling asleep, but it was uncomfortable for him to sit up and fall asleep. He'd be complaining about his back the next day if Ziva let him sleep like that. She motioned for him to rest his head in her lap and he weakly nodded.

"Thanks Ziva," he mumbled, resting his head on her legs and stretching out more.

"You are very welcome."

The movie continued to play as the children sang good-night to the guests at the party and Tony fell asleep. She listened to the sound of his labored breathing, gently running her fingers through his hair to comfort him as he coughed, fighting to fall asleep, but his illness keeping him up.

Gibbs went into the kitchen and took a phone call from Ducky. The older man confirmed that Tony did have viral bronchitis. Gibbs thanked him, promising that Ducky could come over in the morning. He had to stay late at work due to a marine car accident victim, though he sent his apologies to Ziva for missing one of her tasty meals. Gibbs returned to his team, smiling at Ziva taking care of Tony and continued watching the movie.

Ziva noticed the change in Tony before anyone else. He kept moving, trying to adjust his position on the couch and his skin felt warmer to the touch than before. She listened intently as he took short breaths instead of deep breaths. Suddenly his eyes opened and Tony pushed himself up, the tickle in his throat becoming a full blown attack. Unlike his other coughing, it didn't stop after a moment. McGee hurried into the kitchen to fetch a cup of water as Abby watched nervously wringing her hands.

"Just concentrate on breathing," Ziva comforted. "It will be alright."

Tony tried to come up with a clever answer, but couldn't do it. Gibbs was at his side, gently thumping on his back, to loosen the stuff in his lungs. He held a little bowl in front of Tony as he spit out the gunk. Once he finished, Tony tried to take a deep breath and found he couldn't. McGee handed Gibbs the cup of water and he helped him take a sip. Gently coaxing him to take another, Gibbs relaxed as the younger man started to breathe a little better.

"Anyone have some gum?" Tony asked, smiling a little. "My mouth… tastes terrible."

Ziva sighed and went to her purse, pulling out a small container of mints. She gave him one as she took her place beside him. The movie was still going with no one watching the family hiding with the nuns. Gibbs picked up the remote and turned it out.

"You know if you did not want to watch the movie, you could have told me instead of coming up with this plan," Ziva teased.

"Didn't want to… hurt your feelings, I know you wish you were a singing nun."

"Very funny, Tony."

Abby got up and gently hugged Tony. "Don't scare me like that again."

"Sorry Abs."

Tony yawned and Gibbs decided that it was time to get him into bed and have everyone go home to get some sleep. He helped Tony to his feet, putting Tim on the other side as they helped him upstairs to the guest bedroom.

"Hope this doesn't become a habit," Tony commented. "I can't keep being seen going to bed with two guys."

"Sure, Tony," Tim answered. "You just get better and we won't have to take you to bed all the time."

"Alright Probie, I'll try."

Gibbs tucked the blanket around him as Tim went back downstairs. He knew he had to tell his guests good-night and prepared to go back down, but was stopped by Ziva in the doorway. Without speaking, Gibbs touched her shoulder before heading out, giving her permission to talk to Tony alone. She sat down beside him in the empty chair, watching his chest rise and fall. Tony smiled at her as she picked up the book that Gibbs had been reading the night before. He took a shaky breath before coughing again. This time it didn't last long, but the sound made her stomach feel ill. He lay back against the pillow, trying to make a funny face, but failing. Ziva leaned closer as she realized that there was moisture on his lips and trailing from the corner of his mouth. She picked up the cloth in the bowl beside the bed and gently touched it to his lips, pulling it away as his cheeks turned red. Ziva looked down at the rag and saw something that made her wish that she hadn't. There was blood on the cloth. Tony was coughing up blood.

Thanks again for all of the wonderful reviews! They keep me going and make me smile. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! I really like the idea of Tony hating The Sound of Music and Ziva singing as a nun. It's a funny image. :)

Please review!

Emma