It's almost midnight but I hate to leave you guys hanging. Unfortunately, the next update might be awhile because I have midterms for the next two weeks. I'll try to update but I can't make any promises.

*****

"I am not sick. I never get sick," Ziva stubbornly repeated.

"Are you sure about that?" Tony teased gently.

Last night she'd been too tired to move from the couch and now she was working her way through a second box of Kleenex.

"Absolutely."

"Gibbs won't blame you if you take another sick day. We don't have a case right now anyway."

She gave him a scalding look. "Exactly. I can go to work and sit at my desk. No problem." She coughed again, seemingly unable to stop.

He moved her water glass a little closer. "Sweet Cheeks, do everyone a favor and stay home."

"Tony-"

He made puppy eyes, because he knew that she was slowly becoming less and less immune to it.

She sighed, and coughed again. "Fine."

"Thank you. Now if you'll excuse me for a minute, I have a quick phone call to make." He took his phone a few feet away and dialed Gibbs. "Hey, Boss," he said, forcing his voice to sound croaky.

He winked at Ziva, who scowled from her blanket nest on the couch.

"DiNozzo?"

"Yeah, I think I caught whatever Ziva has. I don't think I can come in today."

"Both of you rest up. Stay hydrated. Have some chicken noodle soup."

"Yes, Boss. Thank you, Boss." He gave a little cough before hanging up. He grinned at Ziva. "And that's how it's done."

She just shook her head at him, unimpressed.

"Sorry it's not as elaborate as Ferris Bueller. It was kind of spur of the moment. Didn't have time to plan."

"Movie?" she guessed with a roll of her eyes.

"Correct, Zee-vah. A movie that we should watch." He pulled the movie from the shelf and quickly put it in the DVD player.

"Tony," she started to complain, but he ignored her and instead proceeded to squish himself onto the couch next to her.

"Shh. The movie's starting."

He didn't have to look to know she was rolling her eyes.

***

"Hungry?" he asked when the credits came up.

She shrugged.

"I'll make soup. My mom used to make a really good chicken noodle soup. I have the recipe somewhere."

"How long will that take?" she asked, simking further into the couch.

"Maybe two hours?"

He watched her blink slowly. "I think I will take a nap, then."

"Sounds like a plan." He kissed her forehead amd then carefully got up. He didn't miss her little shiver and he said, "I'll come back after I've gotten it started."

"Okay."

He went into the kitchen, humming Twist and Shout as he looked for his mom's old cookbook. It had been too long since he last used her recipes.

***

Ziva awoke to the tantalizing smell of soup. She rubbed at her eyes, Tony materializing when she put her hands back down.

"Your food, mademoiselle," he said, bowing slightly.

She laughed and immediately had to blow her nose so she wouldn't choke.

He held the bowl until she was situated, and then sat by her feet, waiting for her to taste the soup.

It was amazing, to say the least. It felt so hood on her throat, so nice and warm in her stomach. "Thank you, Tony," she mumbled.

"Anytime." A grin lit up his face, signaling some kind of crazy idea. "You want a show?" he asked.

She immediately shook her head.

"Aw, come on."

"I am sick."

"Oh, so now you admit it." He laughed. "I'm not talking about a striptease, Ziva."

"Then what are you talking about?"

Instead of answering, he jumped up and stuck a CD in the stereo. The apartment was once again filled with the fun beat of the Beatles.

He sang along, copying the dance moves from the movie. "Well, shake it up, baby, now, shake it up, baby, twist and shout, twist and shout..."

She had to laugh at him, singing both the lead and the echo.

He took her laughter to mean she liked it, and so he put a little more into his dancing.

After a few verses, he offered his hand to her and although she was exhausted, she took it. The song was just too infectious.

She Twisted and Shouted with him until the music finally wound down.

"See? You liked it." He tucked her blanket back in around her.

She merely continued to eat her soup.

He laid down beside her again, keeping her other side warm. "What do you want to do now?"

"Sleep," she said honestly.

"You just took a nap."

"And then did a complete workout. I am tired again."

"That's fair."

She leaned into him, using his shoulder as a pillow. "You know Gibbs is going to find out you lied, right?"

"Nah."

"Yes, he will, when you go back to work tomorrow and are not sick."

"Maybe I am sick."

"You are not."

"But I could be. You've been breathing on me all day."

She elbowed him. "Just for that, I hope you get sick."

He opened his mouth to say something, but instead three sneezes came out in rapid fire.

Ziva couldn't stop laugbing. "That will teach you not to lie."

"Just shut up and pass me the Kleenex."

*****

So tired. Later, y'all.

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