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Disclaimer: The characters from the show aren’t mine,
they belong to others. No copyright infringement intended. Any characters you
don’t recognise are mine. Feedback would be nice, positive feedback would be
nicer. Enjoy! Category: NCIS gen, angst, hurt/comfort fic Rating: PG/13/R for comment in extract Characters: Gibbs/Tony/Kate Series: No Spoilers: Assume all of Season One – especially Bete
Noire and the season finale Summary: Archive: Just tell me where it’s going Additional ‘stuff’: Written in response to a plea of a
Yahoo Group member. I got the shingles information from a medical website. It
might not be accurate. Title: Rash decision – Two The following day… 7am… Ducky walked into the room, smiling as he crossed the
floor, Gibbs sleeping on his belly, bedclothes down to his waist. His smile
faded as he saw the rash which covered almost all of Gibbs’ back and shoulders,
extending below the edge of the sheet. Frowning, he left the coffee on the
table beside the bed and snatched at the sheet, exposing Gibbs butt and thighs.
‘Oh no…’ Gibbs woke suddenly as the cool air rush over his bare
buttocks. ‘What the…ahhh…what happened?’ Ducky put a restraining hand on Gibbs’ shoulder as he
began to turn over. ‘Lay still Jethro…how are you feeling?’ ‘Like crap! I need coffee!’ Gibbs snapped. ‘I don’t think the antivirals are working. I’ll speak to
your doctor.’ ‘Coffee.’ Jethro looked over his shoulder, scowling as he
pulled the sheet back up. Ducky chuckled softly, lifting the cup into Gibbs’
vision, swinging the cup back and forth in a pendulum motion until Gibbs
groaned. ‘I’m gonna…throw…’ Ducky snatched for a bowl, holding it under Gibbs’ chin
just in time. ‘Sorry.’ Gibbs rasped, coughing, grimacing. Ducky filled a paper cup from a stack beside the sink,
carrying it back to Gibbs. ‘Here…’ Gibbs sipped the cold water, grimacing. ‘Damnit Duck…what
the Hell is wrong with me?’ Sighing, Ducky shrugged. ‘I’m not an expert Jethro. Let
me go and find your doctor.’ ‘Don’t be long.’ Gibbs groaned, hating the edge of
pathetic neediness he could hear in his voice. **************************** 9am… Tony and Kate arrived together, Tony carrying Gibbs
requested Boatbuilder Monthly magazine and Kate holding the coffee beaker. They walked automatically into Gibbs’ room and Kate
almost lost her grip on the paper cup in her hand. ‘Where the Hell is he?!’ Tony looked around. ‘I’d say he’s not here.’ Kate gave Tony a withering look and sighed with relief when
Ducky appeared in the doorway. ‘Hello my dears…Jethro’s being…examined.’ Kate put the coffee on the bedside table. ‘Examined for
what?’ ‘Well, his rash is worse than yesterday.’ ‘Is he gonna be okay?’ Tony asked nervously. ‘He is in the best place Tony.’ Ducky reassured. A bang on the doorframe startled all three of them.
‘Which one of you is Dr Mallard?’ Ducky smiled politely at the young doctor. ‘I am. Do you
have news of their boss?’ The doctor nodded tiredly. ‘Yeah. He’s serious. Heading
for critical. He went downhill at a rush all of a sudden a few minutes ago. He
have family? You should call them. Soon.’ Kate felt tears pricking her eyes and Tony just stared at
Ducky. Ducky sighed. ‘May we see him?’ The doctor considered for a moment. ‘He was a
little…agitated. We’ve sedated him.’ Tony put his arm around Kate’s shoulders, felt the
tension and almost removed his hand until he felt her move slightly closer.
Ducky lead the way as they followed the doctor. ‘He’s gonna be fine Kate…Gibbs
is strong as an ox. You know that.’ Tony’s whispered reassurances were as much
for his own benefit as Kate’s. ******************************* Gibbs lay under the sheet, face relaxed and pale, IV
lines and other monitors snaking wires from his still silent form. Kate moved
closer to the bed, sliding her fingers into the hand without any equipment
attached to it. Tony took up a position on the other side, just watching, not
touching, his heartbeat seeming to synchronize with the beeping of the cardiac
monitor. Ducky conferred in a whisper with the ICU doctor who stood a few feet
away. ********************************* The following morning… Tony sat beside Gibbs, reading an article from the
magazine he had brought with him the previous day. The words began to merge and
he sighed. ‘You know you can buy boats already made up, right boss?’ Kate walked in, coffee in hand. ‘Tony?’ Tony smiled tiredly. ‘Hey.’ ‘Have you been here all night?’ She frowned. Tony yawned. ‘Um…yeah.’ Tony looked at his watch. ‘Go home. Sleep. Gibbs isn’t going anywhere.’ Tony chuckled. ‘Yes Mom.’ Cuffing him gently around the head Kate scowled. ‘Go.
Home. Now. Tony.’ Tony pulled himself to his feet and ruffled his hair.
‘Why does he do that?’ ‘What?’ Kate shrugged. ‘Hit me.’ Kate laughed. ‘He doesn’t *hit* you Tony. It’s a sign of
affection.’ ‘It is?’ Tony was unconvinced, pulling himself tiredly to
his feet. ‘Yes. Want me to call you a cab?’ Tony stumbled slightly. ‘Uh…yeah…thanks.’ Kate pulled out her cell phone and pressed the speed-dial
for a local cab firm. ******************************* Kate sketched quietly, pleased to have Gibbs still for a
change. No scratching his nose, shifting on his seat or moving his head. The
pencil moved swiftly over the page, filling in detail, light and shade, tone
and texture. Standing over her, Ducky’s figure cast a dark shadow. She
turned, smiling, closing her sketchbook. ‘He’s still sleeping Ducky. What did the doctor say?’ ‘The next twenty-four or forty-eight hours are critical.
His body is in no condition to fight this without help, but the doses of
antivirals are extremely high. I’m afraid we shall have to wait and see my
dear.’ Ducky squeezed Kate’s shoulder gently. ‘You have a wonderful talent
Kate. Does Jethro know?’ Kate smiled. ‘Yeah.’ Continued in Part Three… Send me feedback on these fics
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