Title: It started with a sneeze 4?
Author: Ceindreadh
Genre (general, hetero or slash): Slash
Pairing/Characters: Gibbs/Tony, team
Rating: T/PG-15
Summary: Post Scene to Model Behavior. What if it wasn't the flowers that made Tony sneeze
Warnings: Set mid way through S3.
Disclaimer. I don't own the NCIS characters, I'm only borrowing them, and I promise to return them in minty fresh condition when I'm finished.
Notes: Started writing this a few years ago, figured I'd better get around to posting it. Apologies for the delay in continuing.
Previously on NCIS - Tony started feeling ill on his way home from work. He passed out on the couch and it wasn't until the next day when his absence was noticed and Gibbs went to see what was wrong. Tony didn't want to have to go to hospital, so Gibbs contacted Ducky for assistance.
Part 04
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"Well Anthony, what have you been doing to yourself?" asked Ducky as he followed Gibbs into the bedroom.
"Hey Ducky," said Tony, hoarsely. He started to say something else but it turned into a series of bruising coughs that had Gibbs rushing to his side and helping him sit upright.
Ducky's stethoscope was out and against Tony's back before the spasms had died away. "Just hold him right there, Jethro, there's a good chap. Tony, I want you to try and relax and breathe normally."
"Eas...easy for you to say," gasped Tony, struggling with the effort. He leaned against Gibbs's chest, grateful for the support.
"Just a few more seconds, Tony," said Ducky, a grim expression on his face as he moved the stethoscope around on Tony's back.
"Okay," he said finally. "Now for the rest of you."
Ducky gave Tony a thorough going over. Temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, all were checked and carefully noted. He even took a blood sample, saying in answer to Tony's worried look, "Don't worry, it's just for my private collection."
This brought a weak smile to Tony's lips as Gibbs tucked the bedclothes back around him.
"Jethro," said Ducky, nodding towards the door as he packed away his things.
Gibbs nodded, "We'll be back in a minute, Tony," he said, patting Tony's shoulder through the covers. -
"Well?" demanded Gibbs as soon as the bedroom door was shut behind them.
"What do you want me to say, Jethro?" asked Ducky, his face serious. "No, Tony is not a well boy. His temperature is elevated, he's aching all over, he has a sore throat, he has a chesty cough, he's exhausted...it looks like a classic case of influenza and I don't anticipate his blood work telling me any different."
"So what are you going to do about it?"
"You know as well as I do...well maybe not, since you've never had a cold or flu in your life, but there's nothing I can give Tony that will shorten the duration of this illness. I can write him a script for anti-virals, maybe some ibuprofen to relieve some of his aches and pains, but really, the best treatment for him now is rest, fluids, and to let his own body fight it off." Ducky hesitated before continuing, "I admit that I have some concerns about his lung function, but there doesn't appear to be any noticeable impairment...yet anyway."
"Does he need to be hospitalized?"
"Do you *want* me to say yes? Normally, a simple case of the flu, there'd be no need for it...but in Tony's case, given his medical history." Ducky broke off. "I can phone Dr. Pitt and have Tony admitted to Bethesda within the hour, but it'd be strictly as a precautionary measure. As of now, he's not sick enough to require it."
"He doesn't *want* that," said Gibbs. "Do you really think he needs to go?"
"I'd feel happier if he was under medical supervision, yes," admitted Ducky. "At the very least, he shouldn't be alone until he's feeling stronger."
"And if he's not alone?" Gibbs saw the way Ducky looked at him. "You didn't see him earlier, Duck. He does *not* want to go back into hospital, not for something like this. And frankly, after hearing what he went through the last time, I can't really blame him. Now if you think that it's the best place for him...physically, then I'll carry him there myself...but otherwise..."
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Tony looked up as he heard the door opening. "My ears have been burning," he announced. "Mind you...so...so was the rest of me." He pushed back the covers and swung himself round until he was sitting on the side of the bed. "Guess...guess I'd better pack a few things then." He pushed himself to his feet.
"Why, you planning on going somewhere, DiNozzo?" Gibbs was at Tony's side, even as he started to sway. "Ducky agrees that there's no need to have you admitted. Personally I think he figures the nurses have enough to do without having to deal with your attempts at flirting." As he spoke, Gibbs lowered Tony back to the bed, lifting his feet to slide them in under the covers before tucking him in.
"Thanks...thanks Ducky," wheezed Tony.
"Well don't thank me just yet," said Ducky. "I told Gibbs that I didn't want you staying here unattended."
Even through his pain, Tony's face brightened. "You hired me a nurse? Is she pretty? What...color's her hair?"
"Silver," said Gibbs. "And if you think I'm putting on a nurse's uniform, forget it."
Tony laughed and then coughed. "Sleep," ordered Gibbs. "I'm going to make some soup and you are going to eat every drop." Gibbs's order didn't need repeating, as Tony was sound asleep before Gibbs and Ducky had even left the room.
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"Check his temperature every few hours," said Ducky as he was leaving. "If it goes up more than another degree or so, call me."
"Okay Ducky."
"And if he starts having trouble breathing, just take him straight to Bethesda."
"I know, Ducky, I know."
Ducky stopped just outside the door, "Jethro, are you sure about this? I know that Tony doesn't like the hospital, but I could ring the agency that supplies Mother's nurses, I'm sure they'd be able to accommodate me even on such short notice."
Gibbs shook his head. "Tony's one of my team," he said. "I always look after my own. I'll call if I need anything."
"Good luck, Gibbs." As the door shut in Ducky's face, he wondered if Gibbs realized that it wasn't just Tony's health he was talking about.
To be continued