"How's he doing Doc?" Gibbs asked entering the ICU a fresh cup of coffee in his hands.

Brad looked Gibbs over and motioned him to the back of the room.

"His lungs aren't strengthening as well as we would like them to." Brad said in a quiet voice. "It's almost like he's not fighting as hard as he should be. Maybe it's because his body is being taxed by the fever that reappeared. We gave him something a little stronger to help fight it and we hoping with that in his system a little but more strength can go to the strengthening of his lungs."

"how bad is the fever?" Gibbs asked looking at his pale agent.

"Not as bad as last night but it's still getting us worried." Brad said shaking his head. Another nurse came in and looked the machines over.

"What's this all mean?"

"Best case scenario he is going to be on the ventilator a while longer, the worst is his body just shuts down. It is to taxed to even keep the heart beating. But we're still a long way to that." Brad said his voice somehow both worried and reassuring.

Gibbs nodded and went to sit in the chair next to his agents bed.

He waited until the room was clear to speak in a quiet voice to his agent.

"DiNozzo the doc said your not fighting like you should be. I want to know why the hell not." Gibbs voice was low and dangerous. "Are you going to disobey a direct order? Because I remember ordering you not to die."

He settled back into his chair and through the night as the doctors and nurses came in and out. Gibbs did not even bother trying to read the paper as he kept up his silent vigil.

Brad brought in a couple other doctors to look things over a couple times. Gibbs listened to every word they said his eyes always on the rise and fall.

Around six A.M. the door opened and Gibbs expecting the quiet of sneakers was surprised by the clunk of combat boots.

He looked over his shoulder at his unusually silent forensic scientist.

"Abbs." he said.

"I figured it was my turn." She said as she brought out a cup of coffee. "How's Tony?"

"No worse." he answered carefully as he took the coffee.

"But no better?"

"He will be Abbs. He just needs time." Gibbs said.

"Go home and get some rest and water the plants Gibbs. I'll stay." Abby said.

"I'll stay."

"Gibbs. Go." Abby said her eyes hard. "I need something to do." Gibbs sensing that Abby needed this stood and gave his agent one last look before squeezing Abby's shoulder and walking out.

"Call me if anything changes." he ordered. Abby mock saluted him and settled in taking hold of DiNozzo's hand.


"Hey Tony." Abby said her voice cheerful with as much cheer as she could muster.

"I chased Gibbs off. To bad you couldn't see it. I was scary." Abby smiled as brightly as she could. "I think he only gave in so he could get some sleep. He's been here since you got here. He gave us all the day off yesterday. I showed up at Ziva's door last night and forced her to go out to dinner. She is worried Tony. McGee is to. So your going to fight this so they don't have to be worried anymore." Abby squeezed the limp hand she held. This quiet DiNozzo on the bed was so unlike the loud obnoxious smiling DiNozzo. It wasn't right to see him like this. Sick in bed without talking and moving.

"Gibbs was more worried so I know he's not telling me something. But I'm sure it's not that bad because your fighting this. You don't disobey orders and Gibbs ordered."

"Abby?" Brad's voice came from behind her.

"I chased Gibbs out." Abby smiled at the doctor. "I told him to go home and sleep."

"Good." Brad walked the rest of the way into the room. He took out a stethoscope and bent over Tony.

"How's he doing?" Abby asked after he had straightened up and was writing in the clipboard he had brought with him.

"Better than last night. It's not quite where we would have hoped but it's moving along faster now."

"What was wrong?" Abby asked her voice quavering just a hint.

"His temperature was a little higher than we would have wanted it. It was taxing his system and his body didn't have the energy to build lung strength."

"But it's better now?"

"Much." Brad smiled.

"It's your turn to sleep too." Abby said.

"Right." Brad said. "I'm going to catch a bit more sleep. Dr. Peterson will be in to check up on Tony." Abby nodded and turned to Tony again.

"If you die because you don't fight I'm gonna kill you myself Anthony DiNozzo." Abby warned.

She spent the next couple hours watching Tony's breath rise and fall while she talked. About everything.

She spent the first hour on the original Dracula before moving on to music and bands she loved. When the door opened and Gibbs walked in in his curiously silent shoes she was describing in detail the steps to clean and sanitize the Mass spectrometer.

"Abbs." Gibbs said handing her the Caf-Pow he had picked up for her.

"Thanks."

"What did the docs say?"

"Brad is resting but he said that it looks hopeful. His lungs are getting better. His body is fighting for the strength now." Abby said standing and putting on her long black trench coat. "now if you'll excuse me I'm…" Abby checked the time on her watch. "A little over six hours late for work." Abby grinned and walked out. "Keep us in the loop Gibbs."

A/N I know it took forever. but it's been crazy. i'm thinking i'm going to update ever other day at least hopefully Thanks for the reviews and favorites. They are appreciated.