Febrile

Tony had learned from a young age to hide his sickness at school. The less the teachers suspected he was ill the less likely they were to send him to a doctor and bring his father's wrath down in him. So even though he really wasn't feeling well Tony went to work.

He knew he had a fever and that his stomach was iffy. He'd planned to work through lunch instead of trying to eat anything. That plan was foiled when they caught an active case as the whole team had to work through lunch.

It would look weird if he refused to eat the lunch that had been gotten for him along with the rest of the team, so he tried to eat enough to not be suspicious. That was a mistake. He tried to inconspicuously head for the bathroom despite the burning desire to throw up.

Unfortunately before he could stop vomiting, Gibbs entered the restroom and caught him in the act. Gibbs immediately called for Ducky and Tony would have been amused at the congregation in the bathroom if he wasn't so sick.

Ducky pressed the back of his hand to Tony's forehead. “He's definitely got febrile symptoms, Jethro. He needs to go home and rest.”

Fortunately, the case they had picked up could be handled by Tim and Ziva with Abby and Ducky's help. So while Ducky could not be spared as he had too many bodies in autopsy, Gibbs could take Tony home and make sure he rested.

Tony didn't like the plan, but he was too busy vomiting to protest. When he woke up later and Gibbs was still there making sure Tony had everything he needed, Tony couldn't help hoping that Gibbs returned his feelings.