Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS.

Hey everyone! Wow, I'm amazed at the number of reads/reviews/faves! Thank you so much for blessing me with the joys of reading your comments. They cheered me up so much, in fact, that you get a new chapter in the same week … something quite rare these days. Anyways, thanks again and enjoy this chapter =)

An hour later, and after he had thrown up Ziva's herbal concoction (not failing to give her a look that plainly said "I told you so"), Gibbs was back in bed and wishing he was dead. He was tired but he couldn't sleep anymore; it went against his nature to do so much nothing. He kept tossing and turning, which constantly reminded him he needed to fix the squeaky spring. Finally, he just looked at Shannon's picture and began talking to her. It wasn't something he'd ever done before but heck, here he was sick (which also never happened) and what else did he have to do? Besides, thinking about Shannon made him feel nice inside.

"I wish you were here. Somehow, you could always make me and Kelly better … you had that special touch … something my team doesn't have. You'd like them, I think. They're not you but they take care of me when I need it.

"Last night, Abby and Tony showed up. Abby is a bit on the eccentric side but Shan, she's so much like a daughter that I can't help but love her. And Tony, he's like the son we always wanted but never had. We have a love-hate relationship sometimes, though. His wise cracks often earn him a well deserved slap on the head."

Gibbs smiled at Shannon, who statically smiled back.

"Ziva and Tim are here now. Ziva tried to make me drink this herbal crap that made me puke … but I know she cares. She hasn't had an easy life but she's worked hard and she's as strong as a rock. I think you two would be good friends. McGee, sometimes, I think is more in love with his technology than with any other human being on the planet. Most of the time, I don't even know what he's rambling about.

"Ducky is still around, of course. He hasn't changed much, although his stories are getting longer. He also has a new trainee, Jimmy Palmer. Jimmy, it seems, is the only one who can tolerated Duck's stories."

The soft breeze that had been blowing on their wedding day had been making Shannon's dress billow around her.

"He's getting married soon." Jethro told her. "I remember when we were planning our wedding. I couldn't wait to take you as my bride."

Gibbs fell into silence, still staring at Shannon. A few moments later, there was a knock on the door.

"Boss?"

"Yeah, come in, McGee."

McGee entered the bedroom, his backpack tossed over his shoulder.

"I thought you might be bored so I brought you something."

Gibbs raised an eyebrow as McGee dropped his backpack and knelt on the ground, digging through it.

"Here we go." McGee held up a small hand-held video game.

"What is it?"

"Crossword puzzles. Over 1000 of them."

"McGee, I can't use one of those things."

There was a hint of annoyance in Gibbs' voice and McGee couldn't help but smile a bit.

"Is something funny?"

"No, Boss. I know you can't stand hand-held games which is why I brought you this."

McGee reached back into his bag and pulled out a book of crossword puzzles, a pencil clipped to the cover.

"Here."

McGee handed the book to Gibbs, who took it.

"Thanks, McGee."

"No problem."

Gibbs put on his glasses, opened the book, and began filling in spaces while Tim moved from the floor to an armchair in the corner and turned on the hand-held game. It made a little tune, prompting Gibbs to look over the tip of his glasses.

"Sorry, Boss. I'll turn the sound off."

"Do you think we can call yet?" Abby had wandered up from the lab and sat sitting on the edge of McGee's desk.

"Abby. It's only been five minutes since you last asked."

"I know, Tony, but I'm worried. I don't like not being there. What if something bad happens?"

"And what if nothing happens at all? You'd have spent all this time worrying instead of getting something done."

Abby rolled her eyes at Tony.

"It's not the same and you know it."

Tony stood up and put his hands on Abby's shoulders.

"Look, Gibbs is probably at more danger at work than he is at home. Everyday he puts himself between good people and bad people. At home, he's sleeping and relaxing."

"I guess, but I still want to check on him. Ziva said she'd call every two hours and it's been two hours and twelve minutes."

Tony sighed and fell back into his chair, rubbing his eyes. He was still tired from their mid-night awakening. Abby had begun to pace and had gotten no further than one lap of the bullpen when Tony's phone rang.

Abby jumped at the noise and spun around to face Tony's desk. Tony raised his eyebrow at her and picked up the receiver.

"DiNozzo … good, Abby's up here … yeah, she's been waiting … really? Go figure … okay, we'll see you tonight … well, I'd be okay coming tomorrow but I think Abby might die if we didn't come tonight again, at least for a visit … sure, we can do that …"

"Don't forget to call!" Abby called out.

"…yeah, Abby's saying don't forget to call again … alright. Bye Ziva."

Tony hung up the phone and looked at Abby, who looked ready to burst.

"What'd she say?" Abby exclaimed.

"Gibbs is fine. He's doing crossword puzzles with McGee." Tony thought about what he just said and shuddered.

"Creepy."

"Is that all she said?" Abby asked.

"Gibbs threw up her herbal tea about an hour after we left. Guess he really is a coffee guy. We have to pick up some plain Earl Grey on our way tonight."

Abby nodded.

"No problemo, amigo."

She set the alarm on her thick wristwatch and pointed at it.

"If she's late calling again, I will know. And I'll have to speak to her about it."

Abby left the bullpen and Tony leaned back in his chair, running his hands through his hair. Upon realizing Gibbs was not around to slap him, he leaned forward and put his head in his arms and closed his eyes.

It was the perfect time for a nap.

So what'd you think? A lot happened here … some "Gibbs reflection moments" as well as worried Abby and friendly McGee. To be honest, when I first started, I didn't think that Abby would be this clingy but as the story progresses, I can see it working. The other thing is that in the show, Gibbs never even mentions Shannon or Kelly but for some reason, I like the idea of him thinking about his family so much right now … it just kinda fits the scenario, if you know what I mean!

Reviews are much appreciated!