Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS.

Hey everyone! A long and tiring Monday but I managed a whopping 1500 word chapter for you. Thanks so much for the reviews and enjoy!

Ziva ventured upstairs a few moments after Tony. He was still in the bathroom so Ziva turned down the double bed in the room. It was sparsely decorated, with a bookshelf, dresser, bed, and nightstand. Another hand-made quilt was on the bed and the sheets were fresh. Tony came in just as Ziva was stacking the decorative pillows on the bare dresser. He was wearing his sweats and an NCIS t-shirt.

"Here we go again." he muttered as he sat on the bed, testing the mattress; it was nice and soft, just how he liked it. Tony leaned back on the pillows – they were feather – and Ziva pulled the covers up around him.

"Do you want anything?" Ziva asked and Tony looked up at her.

"Some juice would be lovely."

The tone of Tony's voice told Ziva he would be milking this attention for all it was worth but she told herself he was sick, try to have a little compassion. Wordlessly she left and returned with a cup of orange juice.

"What, no straw?" Tony asked, taking the cup in his hand.

"Do not push it." Ziva said, reaching down to feel Tony's cheek. Like he had done with Abby, he pushed her hand out of the way. Ziva raised an eyebrow at him.

"I can't stand when people do that to me."

"Too bad." Ziva said, pushing his free hand down with her other hand and laying a palm to his forehead. A glass of juice still in his other hand, Tony was helpless.

"You are burning up." Ziva released her grip.

"Hence going to bed." Tony said, taking a sip before putting the glass on the bedside table (on a coaster, of course. Gibbs would have a fit if he left a water ring on the night stand.) "Now, if you would be so kind as to turn off the light when you leave, I'm going to go to sleep."

"Do not hesitate to call if you need anything." Ziva said, switching the light off.

"I won't."

Ziva closed the door and Tony leaned back, studying the stucco on the ceiling, and sighed. He hated the fact that he was so prone to getting sick. If there was something he couldn't stand, it was being confined to a bed or a couch, not having the energy to do anything. Tony knew how this would play out – it would not be a simple cold that was slightly annoying. No, when he got sick, he got sick. Like knocked out flat on his back sick and he hated it. At least there was an upside this time around; because Gibbs was already sick, the team would be there to look after him. And in all honesty, as much as Tony hated the little ministrations, it felt nice to know someone cared enough. And now he had four someone's.

Ziva and Ducky sat quietly in the living room, each lost in a thick book. They were surprised to hear a knock at the door and looked questioningly at each other.

"I will get it." Ziva said, standing after placing a marker in her book. She walked through the archway and opened the door.

"Agent David." Dr. Samantha Ryan said with an air of surprise in her voice.

"Dr. Ryan. What brings you here?"

"May I come in?"

Ziva held the door open and let the woman into the hall. She closed the door and looked at Dr. Ryan expectantly.

"What are you doing here?"

"I believe I asked you that question first." Ziva responded.

"Gibbs didn't answer his phone all day and I was a little worried."

"And you had good reason to be." Ziva answered. "Gibbs is ill. His phone is turned off."

"Ill with what?"

"Chicken pox."

The look of astonishment on the doctor's face made Ziva smile inside. However, Dr. Ryan collected herself quickly.

"And I suppose that's why you're here?"

"Yes." Ziva nodded. "We are all taking shifts staying with him and Tony."

"Agent DiNozzo has them, too?"

"I am afraid so."

"May I see him?"

"Tony?"

"Gibbs."

"He was asleep but I do not see the harm in you going up to see if he is awake."

"And I thought he never slept."

Dr. Ryan put her purse down and unbuttoned her coat. Ziva smiled.

"We had the same reaction but he was running a high fever most of the afternoon and Ducky gave him some medication to, as they say, knock him dead."

Dr. Ryan didn't bother to correct Ziva's mistake and started up the stairs. In the dark hall, Dr. Ryan slowly opened Gibbs' door. His room was dark and she could see his form in bed, breathing lightly. She snuck into the room and closed the door behind her. She knelt next to the bed.

"Oh, Gibbs." she sighed. Sensing someone was there, Gibbs slowly opened his eyes.

"Doc?" he asked, his voice rough. Dr. Ryan smiled.

"It's me. How are you feeling?"

"Sick."

Dr. Ryan chuckled.

"I'm not surprised."

She ran her fingers through Gibbs' hair. Noting the heat radiating from his skin, she got up and returned with a damp towel. Sitting on the edge of the bed, still in the dark, she began wiping the sweat from his face.

"That feels nice." Gibbs did not mind being fussed over by this woman.

"I was worried when you didn't call me back today. I left about ten messages."

Gibbs smiled weakly.

"My phone was confiscated."

"Ziva told me."

"You can turn the light on, if you want." Gibbs said after a moment. Dr. Ryan reached over and switched on the lamp. Pale light flooded the bedroom and Dr. Ryan caught sight of the wedding photo.

"Is that Shannon?" she asked. Gibbs let his gaze fall on the photo and he smiled.

"Yeah, that's her."

He leaned over and pulled open the drawer, where he removed out another picture frame. He handed it to her.

"Kelly?" Dr. Ryan asked, studying the photo. It was of a young girl, maybe 5 years old, with pigtails. She was sitting on a swing, smiling uncontrollably. It was one of those photos where you could almost hear the laughter encased in the glass.

"Yeah."

"She's beautiful, Gibbs. They both are."

Dr. Ryan placed the photo back in the drawer.

"Have you been thinking about them a lot?" Dr. Ryan resumed the monotonous chore of wiping down Gibbs' brow. He sighed.

"I have been."

"That's okay, you know. They were a big part of your life for a long time."

"I know but it seems so weird. I think about them all the time but why is it now that they haunt my dreams? I stopped having nightmares about their deaths years ago."

"Because right now you're in a position where you need your family. It's natural to want them back at a time like this."

"If you say so."

"You know," Dr. Ryan said carefully. "Another part of your family is waiting downstairs."

Gibbs smiled again.
"I know. They're concerned – Abby especially."

"They'll make sure you and Tony are okay."

A look of concern filled Gibbs' eyes.

"Tony?"

Dr. Ryan pulled back her hand.

"You didn't know?"

"Know what, Doc?"

"That Tony has the chicken pox, too?"

"No." Gibbs' voice was full of worry. He knew what it meant for Tony to get sick.

"I want to see him."

Gibbs tried to get up but Dr. Ryan pushed him back gently.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea tonight, Gibbs. I'm sure he's okay but I think he's sleeping. I could hear him snoring when I came up."

Gibbs laid back down and sighed.

"This is all my fault."

"Don't even start, Gibbs." Dr. Ryan said firmly. "You and Tony were probably exposed at the same time and your case just appeared a day sooner."

"I don't know, Doc."

"I want you to promise me you won't worry about him, Gibbs. He's strong and Ziva, Tim, Abby, and Ducky will take good care of him, just like they are you. Okay?"

"Okay."

Dr. Ryan smiled.

"Good. I'm afraid I have to go. I left Parker home by himself."

She leaned down and kissed Gibbs' fevered forehead.

"I'll call tomorrow, okay?"

Gibbs nodded.

"Go back to sleep."

Dr. Ryan switched off the light and left the room. Gibbs, remembering his promise, closed his eyes and tried to think of something other than Tony.

I was a little hesitant to bring in Dr. Ryan but the scene between her and Gibbs was too much to pass up. What do you think … wise choice?

Review?

PS – I try to respond to every review but with my week getting busier, I can't guarantee it'll get done. If I don't respond, know that your reviews mean a lot to me!