Tony groaned, and slumped again the back wall of the elevator, with his hands on his head as he slid to the floor. This startled Gibbs and promoted him to hit the button for autopsy, "What's wrong Tony?" asked Gibbs as he hunched down in front of him, putting his hand on his shoulder for support, "It's just a headache boss" he said coolly as black spots appeared in front of his eyes, 'great just what I really don't need' he thought, as the elevator doors opened, Gibbs helped Tony up off the floor. "Ya think Dinozzo" retorted Gibbs, his voice laced with concern, as Tony steadied himself "I got it" said Tony, 'sure ya do' thought Gibbs as he watched Tony carefully as they entered autopsy.
"Ducky?"…… no answer, "where could he be" mumbled Gibbs as he called Ducky again. "Ducky" just then the elderly ME appeared from his office, "Ah Jethro, to what do I ow the pleasure, if it's about the victim then….." he was cut off by Gibbs as he asked him to look at Dinozzo. What the ME didn't expect to see was the usually lively and upbeat agent looking so defeated and wincing in pain, every time he moved his head.
"My dear boy, what ever is the matter?" he asked Tony as he guided him to one of the tables. "He claims a headache Duck, but he almost passed put in the elevator".
"Anthony" Tony knew better than to argue with him, "it's just a headache, I felt a little dizzy in the elevator" he told the ME, Gibbs was watching him carefully, "any muscle pain, nausea?" Tony sighed "no, only in Baltimore", curious Gibbs couldn't resist "why there?"
"This case reminds me of one I worked while I was a detective there, kinda went sour for everyone involved, can we drop this now!" Tony was pleading with Gibbs, he really didn't want to get into it incase it was different, but his gut was telling, screaming at him that this was the same as the others, he prayed that for once he was wrong.
Tony was about to storm out of autopsy when the doors slid open revealing a very red eyed Goth lab rat, Gibbs, Ducky and Tony were rooted to the spot. Tony was the first to speak "Abby what's wrong" as she moved across the room to hug him tightly.
Abby stopped sobbing and demanded to know why none of them had told her Tony was hurt, they stood there dumbfounded to the spot. Tony was the first to speak "Abs, I'm not hurt, what are you talking about?". Abby sniffed back the tears that were threating to begin again "Then why are you in autopsy, why was the blood in that jar a match to YOU!" she began sobbing, clinging onto Tony harder than ever.
"WHAT!" came three stunned responses, Abby showed them the DNA match, Tony had turned another shade of white "Abs l..let go" Tony said, Abby looked at him but let go when she saw the greenish tint, before Gibbs or Ducky could respond Tony bolted across the room and retched and vomited the rest of his stomach contents, "knew I shouldn't have had that sandwich" he joked as Abby came running up to him, rubbing soothing circles on his back. "Funny Tony, real funny, I knew you had a headache, but you never told me you were sick!" warned a very frightened Abby.
Ducky appeared a few seconds later with a glass of water "here drink this my boy" Ducky calmly told him, he didn't like the sudden symptoms and kept a mental list, " I think it would be wise to take young Anthony home Jethro" he stated more out of concern than the fact Tony didn't seem to have the strength to stand by himself.
Tony was about to stand when the room started to spin, Gibbs came up behind him in time to catch his stricken agent before he fell flat on his face, Abby grabbed a stool and together got Tony seated. "why not say anything earlier Tony" Abby asked, when you were in the lab, I could have gotten ya something!" demanded Abby. Tony sighed, and was about to say something when Gibbs cut him off "Abs you knew, that he was this sick, when were you going to tell me, after he passed out!" demanded Gibbs Abby looked at him unshed tears threating to spill at any second "i…." Tony cut in "she didn't know the story, fact is she caught me off guard in the lab, she's good at reading people" replied Tony, earning a bright smile form Abby. Gibbs just looked at the two of them and chuckled, "next time your ill Dinozzo, tell me!" "Alright lets get you home Tony" came Abby's upbeat voice, Tony just gapped at her "is that an offer?" Abby playfully punched him in the arm, Ducky came back with some pain killers, "incase the headache gets worse".