Tony sickfic

Chapter 7

Gibbs moved a little closer, supporting his front so Tony would not fall out of bed and again rubbing his back in small circular motions.

"Shh, it's okay, Tony, you're doing fine," Gibbs said, keeping his voice calm and even.

Tony stopped throwing up but didn't move back just yet. He just hung there, feeling Gibbs' hands on his chest and back, reeling from the touch of his boss.

"Tony let's get you lying down again."

Gibbs pulled Tony up and laid him down, letting the pillows support him so he wasn't lying flat. Tony started to cough again. Gibbs could feel the young man's chest tense up during the violent coughing fit. The coughing triggered another round of retching, sending Tony's head over the side of the bed once more.

Gibbs was getting worried. If Ducky didn't come back soon, he was taking Tony to the ER, no matter how much he protested. He knew Tony didn't like going to the hospital, but he wasn't taking any chances with his senior agent's life.

Tony once again stopped heaving and needed help to sit back up. Gibbs made him sit up even more this time, hoping the upright position would, if not stop, then slow down the coughing.

"Boss."

"I thought we just agreed."

"Sorry, Jethro."

"Yes, Tony?

"What are you doing?" Tony couldn't see below the sheets but knew Gibbs was at least shirtless.

"What does it look like, DiNozzo?"

"Lying in my-" Tony started coughing again.

Gibbs climbed out of bed and went to change the water in the basin and get a fresh cloth. Tony's eyes widened as Gibbs returned. The man's boxers had some serious tenting going on in front. His gaze swung up to Gibbs' face as the older man sat down next to him on the edge of the bed.

"Why are you in my bed half-naked?"

'Trying to take care of someone I love," Gibbs said a bit nervously.

Tony's eyes widened even further. "You love me?"

"Yes, Tony, I do. I'm just sorry it took so long to tell you."

Tony started coughing again. Gibbs wrung out the cloth and wiped Tony's forehead with the cool water. He had to stop when Tony once again leaned over the bed, retching.

"Okay, that's it, I'm taking you to the ER."

"No. No hospitals. No, Jethro."

"Tony, you're sick."

"NO. No hospital, please."

"If Ducky doesn't call within the hour, you're going. I-" Gibbs stopped what he was saying and sighed, instead asking, "Do you think you can drink something?"

"No."

"Tony, you have to stay hydrated. You've lost a lot of fluids between the throwing up and the sweating. You need to drink something."

"I don't think so."

"How about you humor me and try."

"What?"

"Well, let's try water for now. I'm going to go get a glass of fresh water, okay?" Gibbs said gently, taking full note of the fear in Tony's dilated eyes.

"Boss. Jethro."

"Relax, Tony, I'm just going to the kitchen. I'll be right back, okay?"

Tony nodded, his eyes following the nearly naked form of his boss as he left the room. He'd wanted to get Gibbs in his bed since they'd met in Baltimore, but this wasn't the way he'd envisioned it.

Gibbs could feel Tony's gaze on him as he walked out of the master bedroom, and he wondered why he'd never before realized just how Tony looked at him. Shaking his head at his own blindness, he took a clean glass out of the cabinet and filled it with tap water, since that was all Tony had at the moment. When was Abby going to bring those groceries? Tony needed the Gatorade he'd put on the list.

When he walked back into the bedroom, the bed was empty, and there was no sign of Tony.

"Tony."

Gibbs looked around, noticing that the bathroom door was closed. Okay, so Tony had just had to answer the call of nature. He heard water running, followed by a crash. He ran to the door, spilling some of the water but not caring. All that mattered was Tony and making sure he was okay.

Gibbs opened the door and saw the naked Tony sprawled out on the floor, unconscious. Putting the glass on the vanity, Gibbs bent down and placed his fingers over Tony's carotid artery, please when he felt a strong pulse.

"Tony, can you hear me?" He patted Tony's face. "Come on, Tony, wake up," Gibbs said, continuing to pat Tony's face.

Tony began to stir, moving his head against the cool tile of the bathroom floor.

"Good, there you are. Come on, where are those beautiful hazel eyes of yours?" Gibbs teased gently, brushing the hair off Tony's forehead.

Tony opened his eyes.

"There they are. Okay, we're going to have to sit you up. Can you do that?"

"My head hurts."

"Let's get you sitting, then we can see about that thick skull of yours."

Gibbs moved Tony's legs a little, helping him sit up to lean against the large whirlpool tub.

"You okay?"

"The room is spinning," Tony admitted.

Gibbs gently moved Tony's head around, sifting through his hair till he found a good-sized bump on the back of the young man's head.

Gibbs sighed. "What were you thinking, Tony?"

"I had to go."

"Then you should have waited till I got back and I would have helped you."