Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS.

I think my sub-conscious is making up for a week without any updates. Two chapters in almost 24 hours … that's almost a record, even for my "good weeks". I felt very compelled to write this because I had one of those afternoons where I was bored out of my tree, just like Gibbs and Tony, as you will soon see. So without further adieu, please enjoy!

By mid-afternoon, everyone was beginning to get on edge. The weather was not improving much; Tim had heard on the radio that Tropical Storm Leroy was moving its way up the coast, producing high winds and heavy rainfalls. Residents were advised to stay put and be prepared for several inches of rain and long stretches of power outages. The four still-healthy adults held a conference in the kitchen after serving lunch, hoping that the privacy they were giving their patients would encourage them to eat more than they had that morning.

"Do you think we will be alright here?" Ziva asked in a hushed tone.

"We can't leave Gibbs and Tony!" Abby exclaimed, not bothering to lower her voice.

"I agree with Abby." Ducky said. "They are in no shape to be on their own, Tony especially. I spoke with Dr. Pitt this morning but he was unable to see Anthony today. Given the weather reports, I doubt that we will get an appointment any time in the next few days."

"We're running out of food." McGee said. "And I only had one change of clothes with me."

"If we are staying here much longer," Ducky replied. "I will need to get some medicine more suited to their needs. I have plenty in autopsy."

"How are you, Abby? Do you need anything?"

Abby shook her head.

"I think," Ziva said slowly, a plan forming in her head milliseconds before she spoke the words. "That we should make a trip to NCIS. McGee and I can get the clothes we have there and Ducky can get whatever he needs from autopsy. On our way back, we will stop and pick up groceries."

"Good thinking, Ziva." Ducky said. "But we should leave as soon as possible. Stores will quickly be running out of supplies."

"Are you okay staying here, Abby?"

Abby nodded as coats were being pulled on. Just before they left, she pulled Tim aside and whispered something in his ear. McGee looked puzzled but agreed to her request.

Abby watched from the front window as the two agents and medical examiner got into the car and backed slowly down the driveway, a wake following their tires.

Once they were gone from view, Abby turned around, wondering what to do. She remembered Tony and Gibbs, who were most likely done their lunches. She bounced up the stairs and decided to see Tony first.

"Hey," she said, entering the room. She stayed a safe distance from the bed, just in case Tony's lunch was not well-received.

"Hi."

"How was lunch?"

Lunch had been pretty basic for Tony. Some chicken broth, a few crackers, and some ginger ale.

"It was alright. Stayed down so far."

"Good!" Abby took a step closer and laid a hand on his forehead.

"You've still got a fever." Abby retracted her hand. "Why don't you take a nap? You'll feel better."

"I seriously doubt that." Tony said, trying to get comfortable. "But I am tired so I will try to run off to dream land. At least there I'm not sick."

Abby smiled.

"The others have gone out for supplies but I'll be downstairs if you need anything."

Tony opened his eyes.

"Supplies?"

"Yeah. Tropical Storm Leroy is coming up the coast. The radio said that by the time it reaches us, it'll be nothing more than strong winds and heavy rains but it's best to stay put if possible."

"Tropical Storm Leroy, huh?" Tony smiled before closing his eyes. Abby smiled back, picked up the tray (leaving the ginger ale), and turned off the light and closed the door. She ventured into Gibbs' room. His lunch had a little more substance than Tony's had – he was allowed grilled cheese with his soup. Gibbs was snoring softly when Abby entered so she quietly collected the dishes and went downstairs. She washed them and cleaned up from lunch before sitting at the table, wondering what to do next and then it hit her. They were going to be staying for several more days and they were going to need a little more organization if they didn't want to annoy each other to death.

Abby set about making Gibbs' place homier for the four of them, starting with the sleeping arrangements. She and Ziva had been perfectly content the night before, as had Ducky, but McGee would need a bed, she decided. Abby cleared off the sofa in the dining room and made the hide-a-bed into a comfortable looking resting place. She sorted the various bags sitting on the counters and table – her and Ziva's stuff in a corner by the bookshelf, Ducky's by his cot (which she pushed into a corner after moving an armchair), and McGee's by his bed. With a satisfied nod, Abby moved into the kitchen, sorting out the various medicines they had found and arranging them all on the counter. She gathered what candles, matches, and flashlights she could find and went on a hunt for spare blankets and pillows. Abby was surveying her work, wondering what was missing and then she realized that all their firewood was getting wet outside. She found an old sheet and laid it out in the corner nearest the fireplace before she began making trips from the backdoor, carrying arm loads of logs.

While she was pre-occupied with that, she failed to notice Tony sneaking down the stairs. He made it down the first flight and flattened himself against a wall when Abby came in through the backdoor. He heard her dump her load and leave again. Taking his chance, Tony bolted for the basement stairs, closing the door behind him. Tony looked down the staircase and was surprised to see Gibbs sitting at his workbench.

"When did you come down here?" Tony said in a hushed voice, descending the stairs. Gibbs turned around.

"About five minutes after Abby came and took my lunch dishes."

"She didn't hear you?"

Gibbs chuckled.

"Nope. So what brings you down here, DiNozzo?"

Tony sighed and sat on the stool opposite the older agent.

"I'm bored out of my tree. I had to get out of that room."

"I know the feeling."

"Did Abby try and feed you, Boss?"

Gibbs raised an eyebrow.

"Never mind." Tony said quickly. A mental image of Abby spoon-feeding him was the last thing Tony wanted Gibbs to have.

"How're you feeling?" Gibbs asked, letting his eyes return to the paper he was reading.

"I've been better." Tony said. "Still can't keep anything down."

Without lifting his eyes, Gibbs reached to the floor, picked up a bucket, and set it on the table in front of Tony.

"Very funny, Boss."

"I'm not joking."

"So how about you? How're you doing?"

"I'll be fine once this itch goes away."

"Calamine lotion helps."

Gibbs raised his eyebrow and met Tony's eye.

"Do you want a paper? There's a whole stack under the stairs."

Tony got up and retrieved one.

"Boss, this is the Stars and Stripes from 1993."

"I know."

Tony sat again.

"Why do you keep all these?"

"Because I like to read them. Is there a problem with that, DiNozzo?"

"No, no problem at all, Boss."

Tony opened up the paper and he and Gibbs sat in the cool basement. The only sounds that could be heard were the turning of pages and Tropical Storm Leroy thrashing rain against the window.

If anyone is curious, I think Tropical Storm Leroy might have actually hit as a hurricane in Clearwater, FL sometime in the early 2000's but I'm having a hard time finding official record of it so I'm a bit skeptical. Also, Stars and Strips was, and still is, the paper of the U.S. Military. Just some historical insight =)

Oh! I can't believe I almost forgot … I'm wondering if I should bring Palmer into this … thoughts? Please review!