Chapter 1

Letting the warm water flow over his body, Tony could feel the heat returning to him. It hadn't been warm in the container he'd been locked up in all day. It had been a rough six months. Between the plague, Kate being killed, being framed for murder, a undercover op gone wrong, Tony had had enough and felt lost. Sighing, Tony turned the shower off and reached for a towel. And it was when he saw the big orange towel lying ready for him he realised he wasn't actually in his own apartment but Matt's.

Grabbing the towel, he dried himself off and wandered into the bedroom, hoping he had some clean clothes here. Looking on the bed he saw a pair of sweatpants and one of Matt's old plain black sweater. Disposing of the towel Tony got dressed before walking to the kitchen. "Come here my baby boy" Matt said gently and opened his arms. Tony wasted no time in collapsing into them and hiding his face in the crock of Matt's neck. "Shhh" Matt whispered as Tony sniffled and let a few tears run down his face. "M'tired Daddy" Tony whispered back. Running his fingers through Tony's hair. "In the morning, you are calling in sick, I'll talk to my friend Brian, who's a doctor, and get him to sign up some papers for you then you will take some sick leave. You need it baby" Matt said and when Tony didn't even try to protest he knew it was long overdue. "Kay Daddy" Tony replied quietly. "Let's sit down and eat some, then we'll go upstairs and lie down for a bit" Tony didn't say anything as Matt guided him to one of the kitchen chairs before sitting down on the one next to him. Tony threw a grateful look which Matt replied to with a smile before dropping a kiss on Tony's forehead. "Eat" Matt said and shoved a plate with ham and broccoli quiche in front of him. Frowning at the plate Tony turned his eyes at Matt, who looked pointly back. "Yes Daddy" Tony grumbled back and stabbed into the quiche with his fork. Matt only smirked before digging in into his own meal.

"You aren't going to eat anymore?" Matt asked as he saw Tony push away his plate after eating about half of his portion. Shaking his head, Tony turned his head and looked at matt tiredly. Handing Tony his phone matt stroked the side of Tony's face. "call Gibbs and let him you are sick and the appropriate papers will be sent to him and the director tomorrow" without a word Tony flipped his phone up and pressed the speed dial for Gibbs's number. Not too long after he heard the familiar bark. "Gibbs" "Boss, its Tony" resting his head against Matt's shoulder he continued. "Listen, I'm sick so I can't come in tomorrow for. I'll have the paperwork sent over in the morning" Tony said, getting it all out as soon as possible.

Gibbs was silent for a moment. "Tony after you had the plague we could hardly keep you away for a week. What's going on?" Tony took a breath and thanked Matt silently for choosing that moment to put an arm around his shoulders. "It's different this time. I. I've hit a wall here boss. It's just different" Tony said quietly. "I see. It's about time you found someone. I'm glad DiNozzo. You get better and I'll see you soon" Gibbs hung up leaving Tony somewhat speechless. Looking up at Matt he opened and closed his mouth a few times. "He knows. How does he know? He was kind of nice too. I should call someone to check on him or something" Tony started looking for Ducky's number when Matt took the phone from him. "Tony, I'm sure he is fine. Now I don't want to see you doing anything work related for at least a week, possibly more. We will not go to the gym more then once a week, we will not get up at 4:30am to go running, we will spend most of our time resting, and taking it easy" Matt told Tony and stood up. "and now we will turn on a DVD, we will get comfortable under a blanket and stay there until the movie is done, then we will go upstairs and into bed" Matt didn't let Tony argue and ushered him over to the couch. Dimming the lights, Matt sat down and waited until Tony was cuddled up close before sure they were both covered by the blanket. "love you Daddy" Tony murmured and focused on the movie.

It wasn't until 3am it started. Matt opened his eyes and his heat shot up, looking around he ignored the pain in his neck from falling asleep sitting up on the couch and tried to remember what had woken him up. He got his answer as Tony let out another scream and lashed out a hand against an invisible foe. Jumping into action, Matt shook Tony trying to wake him up. "Baby boy, its Daddy. You need to wake up, you're having a nightmare" He said gently as he got up from the couch and got the blanket Tony had managed to stuck in, off. "Tony" Matt said a bit louder and shook him harder.

Finally Tony opened his eyes and shied away from Matt's touch. "Hey, its okay. It's Daddy" Matt cupped Tony's face in his hands and saw the younger man look around frantically before his eyes landed on Matt. "Let's go up to bed" He suggested and helped Tony sit up. "Loddie" Tony whimpered tiredly and followed Matt slowly. "Loddie" "Shhh, Loddie is upstairs in bed waiting for you baby boy"

Tony dropped onto the bed, his hands finding Loddie right away and brushed his face against the soft material. He was asleep again in no time. Matt couldn't help but smile at Tony lying sprawled out over the bed. Gently taking off the sweatpants and socks, he left the sweater on as it most likely would wake Tony up again if he tried to remove it. Stripping off his own clothes, he switched off the bedside light and got under the duvet. Dropping a kiss on Tony's head he followed his boy into dreamland.