Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS.

Hey everyone! Thank you so much for all the reads/reviews/favourites! I love hearing what you have to say. I've gotten a few suggestions but we'll see how they fit in … they'll at least have some spin-off effects, if nothing else. I do feel it's my duty to apologize for the length between postings … somehow, I started this the night after I posted the last chapter but I'm only finishing it now. Life somehow gets in the way. Anyways, I am done rambling. I hope you enjoy this next chapter =)

Tony was on the outer limits of sleep. He vaguely heard the key in the lock but tried to shrink up into an even tighter ball and pull the blanket over his face.

"Tony, it is time to wake up."

Ziva stood over the sleeping agent while McGee shook Abby awake.

"Rough night?" he asked as Abby sat up looking bleary eyed.

"Gibbs was up at three." Tony said, pulling the blanket away from his face and rubbing his eyes.

"Doing what?" Ziva asked.

"Throwing up orange Jello." Abby mumbled.

"So I guess he's not going to want this." McGee held up a Starbucks extra-large coffee, which Tony made a grab at. He took a sip and sighed deeply.

"Coffee." he said with a sleepy smile on his face.

"That was supposed to be for me, DiNozzo."

All four agents had not heard Gibbs come down the stairs and they jumped at his voice.

"Sorry, Boss, I didn't think you'd want it after last night." McGee stammered.

"Why would I not want it?"

"Gibbs, you should not be drinking something so strong while you are ill." Ziva said. "I will make you some herbal tea that is sure to make you feel better."

Ziva left the living room and sounds of her making tea could be heard from the kitchen.

"Shouldn't you go back to bed, Boss?" McGee asked.

"If someone says that to me one more time," Gibbs threatened.

"Here, Gibbs. Take the couch." Abby knew better than to argue with Gibbs. Like Tony, she knew there would be more important times when it was crucial to win. Abby stood up and Gibbs, hating himself for his weakness, fell onto it. He opened his eyes and found Abby, Tim, and Tony all watching him with concerned looks on their faces.

"Don't you have something to do?" he barked at them, spurring all three of them into action. Abby left to talk to Ziva, McGee began making himself look busy by digging through his overnight bag, and Tony grabbed his bag and headed up the stairs. His voice drifted down,

"Boss, where do you keep - "

"Hall closet, DiNozzo." Gibbs yelled back, closing his eyes again. He absentmindedly scratched his cheek, lost in thought.

"Gibbs!" Abby exclaimed, coming back in to get her coat.

"What?" Abby's outburst had made the (usually) stealthy Gibbs jump.

"You're scratching!" Abby said accusingly. "You can't do that, you'll leave scars. If you don't stop scratching, I'll have to tie oven mitts to your hand with duct-tape like they do to newborn babies or - "

"Abbs, I'll stop."

"How can I be sure?" Abby's face was completely straight and was that a shine in her eyes? Gibbs wasn't sure and he didn't complete trust what he was seeing.

"What's going on?" Tony came down the stairs, his hair fresh and shiny. Tim wandered in from down the hall.

"Gibbs is scratching." Abby flaunted her finger at Gibbs. Her finger was still extended when Ziva came in, carrying a steaming mug of tea.

"What is happening?"

"Gibbs is scratching, Ziva." Abby said, turning to complain to her female companion. "And they," Abby turned to give a death stare to McGee and Tony. "Don't seem to care."

"Hey, that's not true!" Tony exclaimed.

"Okay, okay. Everyone be quiet." Ziva stepped into the middle of the room.

"Here you go, Gibbs." she handed Gibbs the mug and then turned to her three co-workers, her hands on her hips. Gibbs watched with an amused smile on his face.

"This," Ziva moved her hand to indicate their arguing. "Is not going to help Gibbs get better. What he needs is some peace and quiet to rest, which he will not get if you keep yelling."

The three agents were starring at Ziva, slightly dumbfounded. They had never seen her so animated. Ziva turned to Abby.

"Abby, I understand you are worried and you have good reason to be. This is nothing to mess around with however, we all care about Gibbs and his well being. Also, we need to remember just how horrible chicken pox is and cut him a little slack, okay?"

Abby nodded glumly.

"And you," Ziva said, turning to Tony. "Do not be so hard on her. She is just worried."

"I know but - "

"Zip!" Ziva snapped her fingers in Tony's face and he didn't say another word.

"Now, you and Abby are going to go home or to work, I do not really care which - "

"I do." Gibbs interrupted. Ziva ignored his opinion.

"And we will call you every two hours unless something has happened. We will see you tonight, if you wish, or tomorrow morning. Now go."

Abby and Tony didn't dare say anything so they filed out the door silently. Once they were outside, they exchanged a glance.

"You'd think she was the one with the chicken pox." Tony muttered and a small smile appeared on Abby's face.

"Sorry for yelling at you, Tony."

"It's okay, Abbs. I'm sorry for … what was I sorry for again?"

Abby punched him on the arm but she was smiling. Tony threw his arm around her and she wrapped her arms around his torso.

Back inside, Tim had been instructed to make a grocery list and Ziva was still standing in the middle of the living room.

"That was nicely done, Ziva." Gibbs said, giving a rare compliment.

"I learn from the best." Ziva smiled at Gibbs, who chuckled. "How is your tea?"

Gibbs looked down at the fragrant liquid and swirled it around in his cup.

"I'm not much of a tea person, Ziva."

"Gibbs." Ziva raised an eyebrow and Gibbs took a small sip and sputtered.

"What's in this, Ziva?"

"There is lemon, cardamom, cinnamon, rose water, some cloves, a little garlic - "

"Garlic?" Gibbs exclaimed, still coughing.

"It is good for the heart." Ziva said. "Drink it. I guarantee you will feel better."

"We'll see about that." Gibbs said, forcing another sip. Ziva smiled when he didn't cough.

"Do you need anything else?"

"No, thanks."

Gibbs really hoped that Ziva would leave him be so he wouldn't have to finish the drink but the young agent settled herself in the armchair with a thick book, looking up every few seconds to ensure that Gibbs finished every last drop.

I can't say I blame Gibbs for not liking the tea … I love simple teas but that concoction has some herbs I've never even heard of (cardamom?) … review?