Chapter 18

Tony lay on the couch, dozing lightly as the classic movie played across the screen, casting shadows against the wall. Gibbs sat at the kitchen table reading. He looked up as Tony tried to breathe deeply. The young man had removed the nasal canula again. Ducky had said that he was not allowed to remove it, along with Brad. Gibbs stepped into the living room and replaced the tube, causing Tony to stir. He took a shaky breath and put his head back on the pillow once Gibbs finished putting the tube back on. Gibbs placed a hand on his forehead, checking his temperature and finding that it was normal. He lifted Tony's legs and moved them over so he could sit down on the sofa. The older man adjusted the quilted blanket, covering Tony's exposed arm to keep him warm. Thunder rumbled in the distance, but Tony didn't even acknowledge it and kept his eyes closed.

He sat silently, watching the black and white images on the TV and not really focusing on them. Gibbs listened to the sound of Tony's breathing. He had struggled earlier in the day with going up the stairs and not being able to draw in enough oxygen. Tony didn't fully realize how weak he had become. Though getting him to eat was still a struggle. Gibbs coaxed him into eating a snack, but dinner had been a battle, even with McGee and the others there for support.

One of the reasons that Tony wasn't interested was because of Ziva. She hadn't come to dinner with McGee, Ducky, Abby and Palmer. Gibbs knew what was bothering her and she wasn't trying to make the situation difficult. Ziva was afraid, concerned for Tony's health. He knew that Tony and Ziva's friendship was deep and complicated. They relied on each other and loved each other, but they wouldn't admit it. Ziva just needed a little time before she came to see him.

Gibbs glanced at the clock and saw that it was after one in the morning. Tony should have been in bed hours ago, but he wanted to give him the opportunity to stay up late and watch TV, unlike the strict hospital rules. He knew that Tony would be complaining about his back if he left him sleep on the couch all night, but he didn't want to disturb him. Tony looked so peaceful and comfortable. He didn't look like the sick young man he'd seen in the hospital, struggling to breathe and pale. The color was returning to his face. Tony's hair was tousled and his lips were parted slightly as his chest rose and fell in an even rhythm.

"Bedtime Tony," Gibbs ordered softly.

"Five more minutes Dad…" Tony mumbled.

"Come on. Don't make me carry you."

"You'd let McGee stay up longer," he protested weakly, opening his eyes.

"McGee is with Abby. She won't let him get away with anything."

Tony didn't move. Gibbs sighed and pulled the blanket off of him, causing Tony to curl up into a ball. He covered his face with his hands, acting like a small grumpy child. Gibbs waited quietly until Tony uncovered his face and smiled. He helped Tony stand up and moved the oxygen tank to help him upstairs. The young man moved slowly, being careful with each step and making sure that he was stable before taking the next step. Gibbs wrapped his arm around Tony's waist, supporting him. They walked into the bedroom and Tony gratefully fell into the bed, trying to take deep breaths. Gibbs brought him a cup of water and set it on the nightstand.

"What's wrong with Ziva?" Tony asked, trying to cover a yawn.

"She's fine," Gibbs reassured, covering Tony with the blanket.

"It's not like her… to miss dinner with us."

Gibbs sat down on the edge of the bed. "Ziva will come when she's ready. Give her a little time Tony."

"I'm worried about her…" he whispered.

"Well, don't. Ziva can take care of herself. You scared her, not that she'll admit it. None of us like seeing you so sick. She wasn't here when you had the plague and I'm glad that she wasn't. I don't think Ziva could handle it. You get better and she'll be better."

"You're probably right."

Tony rolled onto his side, pulling the blanket up to his cheek, touching the soft material to his skin. He didn't close his eyes, just stared at the wall.

"I wish I could do something… to help Ziva."

"Get some sleep."

Gibbs stood up and walked towards the door, but stopped at the sound of Tony's voice.

"Do you have to leave?" he asked.

The older man watched as Tony took a few quick breaths, trying to stay calm and not succeeding. Gibbs stepped back into the room and sat down in the empty chair beside the bed. He smiled softly at Tony.

"I'll stay until you fall asleep, but you have to fall asleep."

"Shutting up Boss."

Gibbs tucked the blanket around Tony before sitting down again and picking up the book that he left on the nightstand so many nights ago. He couldn't even remember what page he was on. It didn't take long before Tony's breathing evened out and he could tell that he was asleep. Tony coughed once in his sleep and Gibbs made his decision. He turned off the light and climbed onto the other side of the bed, facing away from Tony and falling asleep.

Tony sat up in bed, coughing and trying to breathe at the same time. He fought as tears formed in his eyes from the effort. The young man received a surprise as Gibbs sat up in the bed beside him and turned to him, helping Tony to relax and making sure that he was still getting oxygen. He turned on the lamp, giving them some light. Once the situation was under control, Gibbs handed Tony the cup of water and helped him take a sip.

"You sleeping… in the same bed… as me, Boss?" Tony teased.

"I already told you; you're not my type DiNozzo," Gibbs responded, smiling as he set the cup down. "You okay now?"

"Right, not a redhead. Yeah… sorry I woke you."

"Not a problem."

Tony sat quietly for a moment. "Any chance I could… have some applesauce?"

"At four in the morning?" Gibbs questioned.

"Brad said to let me eat when I'm hungry… if I get hungry."

He nodded, getting out of the bed and slowly walking downstairs. The sound of rain hitting the roof pinged as Gibbs headed towards the kitchen. The light was already on and he could see a shadow on the floor, already knowing who it was. Ziva stood at the sink, staring out into the storm with her back to him. Her hair was wet from the rain and he saw her damp coat on the counter. Gibbs didn't say a word as he took the small applesauce container out of the fridge and a spoon from the drawer. He handed the two items to Ziva and kissed her forehead.

"Gibbs, I am sorry," she began.

"Don't apologize. He's waiting."

Ziva nodded, blinking the moisture from her eyes and slowly walked up the stairs. Tony opened his heavy eyes when she entered the room, not surprised to see her. Ziva didn't say anything as she sat down on the vacated side of the bed and opened the applesauce, carefully handing it to him. Neither spoke as he ate the mashed fruit. Once he finished, Tony passed it back to her and she set it on the nightstand. Tony didn't move for a moment before wrapping his arms around her, holding her tight against his chest. A few tears fell from her eyes, running down her cheeks and falling onto his shirt. Tony kissed her hair, leaning back against the pillows.

"I am sorry Tony," she whispered.

"It's okay Ziva… I won't scare you like that again."

A little while later, Gibbs came upstairs and covered up the two sleeping agents. He flipped off the light and settled himself on the floor with a pillow, letting the sound of the rain lull him to sleep.

Despite the fact that I have to go to the dentist tomorrow and I hate the dentist, I had a really good day! I got my first review on my book "Falling Star", which is on the Nook and the Kindle… sorry, shameless plug. (If you're interested, look up Falling Star and Krista on Amazon.) I was excited to read what someone thought. And last week, I found out that my other novel made it to the second round of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest! :) Very exciting! But that's enough about me.

Thank you for all of the wonderful reviews! I hope that helps you realize that Ziva wasn't trying to cause problems, she's just worried. Hope you enjoyed the new chapter! Let me know what you thought!

Emma