Author Note: This is a story I started last December, with start of new season and the some new material to focus on wanted complete my stories. After posting one work in progress I promised myself to only post completed stories. This story will be posted in several parts.
As always I thank my wife for proof reading, but all errors are solely mine.
Disclaimer: I own no part of these characters (except for few OC's I throw in) or NICS, the only reward I get is the joy of putting these characters in situations of my own creation.
This is a TIBBS story, if not your thing, then please move-on.
Silent Night
Snow in the Washington, D.C. area at Christmas was not an annual occurrence but this year they had been blessed with 6 inches of freshly fallen snow.
Tony, Tim and Abby dressed for the cold, walked around the Christmas trees on the hillside, since it was Christmas Eve and most of the lots with precut trees had been picked over, Abby knew of this Christmas tree farm in Clifton, VA, that let you pick and cut down your own tree. The team had been working almost non-stop for the past two weeks, leaving them little time to make plans for the holiday. The case was closed with the last suspect brought in last evening. A group of sailors had decided to make extra money by smuggling drugs and stolen goods into the States. Tony had gone in undercover as a buyer and the sailors had been caught, the final member of the group was the wife of one of the men, her role was to set up the buyers, the team had picked her up at the airport as she was attempting to leave the country with a bag full of money.
Director Vance took the team off rotation and gave them the next four days free. With the short notice and no other plans, Tony talked Gibbs into having the team over to their home for Christmas. Abby, Tim and Ducky were coming, including Ellie Bishop and her husband Jake. Only Jimmy and Brenna, with baby Victoria would be absent as they had plans with Brenna's family.
The team rallied and even though it was already Christmas Eve day, with everyone pitching-in to decorate and cook, they jumped into the holiday spirit. Tony, Abby and Tim had gone to pick up a Christmas tree. Tony wanted Gibbs to go with them, but Gibbs had decided to let the three go alone as he wanted to enjoy some quiet time in his basement and he needed the time to finish the special gift he was making for Tony.
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Clapping his hands and stomping his feet for warmth, Tony said, "Abby, you can't keep vetoing every tree Tim and I pick, we have been out here over an hour already and it's cold."
"Oh, Tony boy, you can't just grab any tree, it has to be the right one."
"Abby, Tony is right, just pick one." Tim added, feeling the cold creep in despite the thermal underwear he had on.
Stopping at a big fir tree, Abby stretched her arms out and closed her eyes, she worked her way around the tree; Tony and Tim just stood watching after years of not only working with, but being friends with the Goth forensic scientist they were used to her eccentric behavior. Making her way all around, she opened her eyes, jumped up and down and said, "OK Guys, this is it!"
Tony and Tim looked at the tree, both men were about 6'2" and the selected tree towered over their heads, glancing at each other and shaking their heads, Tim gave Abby the bad news. "Am, umm Abby, you realize this tree is about 9 feet tall."
"Oh, but Tim this is it, its perfect."
"Abby, it's too big, it won't fit on the roof of the car and it will never fit in the house, this thing is huge." Tony added in support of Tim with exasperation slipping into his voice.
"But, maybe…" Abby started, fixated on her choice.
"No, Abby, pick another one before we all freeze to death out here." Tony, putting his foot-down, took control. This was no longer fun as his toes and fingers started to go numb; he moved the group to a more appropriately sized stand of trees.
While not happy that they did not go along with her first choice, Abby conceded and made her second selection, a beautiful Fraser fir, about 6 ½ feet tall, with a nice tapered shape and full all the way around.
Murmuring, "Finally," under his breath, Tony dropped to his knees and with the saw provided by the farm he cut the tree free.
Dragging the tree back to the car, Tony wrapped it in a blanket so that it would not scratch the roof and the owner of the tree farm assisted in securing it, ensuring it would survive the trip home and as they were his last customers, he was anxious to see them on their way and go home to his family.
With the tree secure, the trio headed out, Tony driving his gently used new car. It had taken a while to replace the Cadillac that had been totaled. The white Hyundai Sonata was not the typical car he had owned in the past but with his bad luck; the Vette stolen and totaled, the Mustang blown up and the Caddy also totaled, this was practical and affordable. His insurance was almost as much as the car payment. The all wheel drive was an added bonus driving in the snow and the previous owner an avid biker had given him a roof rack. Tony was looking forward to using it in the spring. Gibbs had an old ten-speed that for years he moved from room to room. This Christmas Tony bought them both new bikes, he had them hidden in the infrequently used garage, since running was getting too hard on well worn knees, biking would be a great substitute.
Tony maneuvered the car on the small, snow covered country roads. While not far from D.C. this area had remained underdeveloped. Tony checked the time; it was about 2:15pm. They would be back to Alexandria by about 3:00 or 3:15 even with the snow. Taking a curve in the road, a large buck chose this moment to leap out from the side of the road. With no time to react, Tony slammed on the brakes, but the impact could not be avoided, on hitting the deer the front airbags popped, hitting Tony and Abby, who was riding shotgun, in the face with force, no longer in control or able to see, Tony tried to keep the car on the road, but the car skid on the snow covered road and continued under its own momentum, sliding off the shoulder and plunging down the embankment. They came to an abrupt stop when the driver's side slammed into a tree.
The impact knocked the trio senseless. Tim in the back was the first to recover as the cold air and snow from the shattered driver side windows replaced the warm air of the previously heated car. Once he was able to calm his racing heart and breathe again, he did not feel any major injuries, but he knew he would be sore and have some bruising to show for the experience.
Abby in the front seat let out a loud moan, cupping her nose in her hands, she called out, "Tony, Tim, you OK, what the heck happened?"
"Abby," Tim spoke as leaned forward between the front seats, "Abby you OK?"
"I think so Tim," she responded in a nasally voice, pulling her hands away from her face and rubbing her shoulder, "boy that's going to hurt, damn seat belt dug into my shoulder, and that airbag packs a wallop, at least there's no blood, you and Tony Ok?"
"I'm Ok," Tim said as he reached over to check on Tony, his concern growing, as Tony had yet to respond. While it was snowing pretty heavy out, it was light enough outside for Tim to see the blood on the side of Tony's head, he had hit the side window and his nose was bloody from the airbag.
Touching his friends shoulder he shook it slightly, "Tony, can you hear me, are you OK? Tony!" the volume of his voice increasing.
Opening his eyes, "Don't have to yell in my ear, Tim." Tony tried not to move as he spoke, he did not want to admit to Tim and Abby how bad he was feeling, he had a throbbing headache, double vision and lunch was threatening to come up, after a number of concussions he didn't need a doctor to tell him he had one.
From her seat, Abby looked over concerned, "Guys, I can't get a signal on my phone."
"Its ok Abby, we can check the other phones, just want to make sure Tony's ok first." Concern seeping into his voice as he moved to get a better look at the older man, Tony had gone as white, as the snow outside and the way he was swallowing, Tim was sure he was trying not to throw up. He knew Tony well and while he would fuss over a paper cut he would deflect the team when he had a serious injury.
"Tony, I need you to tell me exactly where your injured, I can pretty much guess you have a concussion and your nose may be broken, what else hurts, this isn't the time to be the tough guy, if we are going to help you we need to know."
"Yeah, concussion, nose, maybe some bruised or broken ribs, left shoulder, chest and stomach hurt from the seat belt and I'm not sure what else."
"Tony, do you have anything in the car we can use, a first aide kit, flares." Tim asked.
"I have, I have a first aide kit, some blankets one of those portable chargers with lights, had flares but used them a couple of weeks ago when I got a flat."
"Ok, I'm going to get out and get a look around the car, see if I can get your door open. Abby, give me the keys." Tim reached out his hand.
Abby bend over but did not see a key; the car had a start button. "Tony, we need your keys are they in your pocket."
Not wanting to nod his head, Tony lifted his arm, sliding his hand into his pocket, he tried to pull the keys out but the movement was too much. Abby placed her hand on his shoulder, "It's Ok Tony I'll get them." Reaching into his pocket she felt for the keys, pulling them out she handed them to Tim.
The passenger door opened without difficulty as most of the damage to the car was in the front and drivers side. Looking around Tim could see where the car had slid off the road. They were about 20 feet down the embankment, while not overly steep, the snow cover made it slippery. Working his way to the front of the car he could see were the deer had impacted, pieces of fur and flesh still imbed in what remained of the front grill and hood. The windshield looked like a large spider web with cracks running in all directions but the safety glass held together unlike the shattered side windows. Without having to go all the way around, he could see that the drivers side door was pushed up against a large tree, there was no way to get Tony out that way.
Tim stood contemplating the situation, turning when he heard Abby attempting to get out the car, opening the door, Tim squatted next to her. "Before you get up, Abby, let me make sure you are Ok."
"I'm fine, Timmy, just wondering how we are going to get Tony out?"
"I'm not sure Abby, but we'll figure it out." Taking Abby into his arms he held her gently.
"Hey guys, enough cuddling, I'm still here," Tony called out.
Breaking apart, Tim leaned into the car, "Well, we are stuck, cars wedged against a tree on your side and no cell reception so for now we are on our own. Hopefully someone will see the remains of the deer on the road and stop to investigate."
"You need to get me out of this car, I'm not going to spend hours stuck like this."
"Tony, you could have serious injuries, it might be better for you to stay there until we can get help."
"Tim, I'll freeze to death first, plus I think my leg is bleeding and I could bleed to death before you get help." To illustrate his point he carefully reached down between the door and his leg and pulled up a bloody hand.
"Crap Tony, why didn't you say something earlier."
"Didn't feel it at first, just started to hurt."
"Ok, Ok, we'll figure it out." Tim tried to sound confident, it would be up to him now to keep Abby calm and help Tony.
"First aid kit in the trunk and snack bars in my go-bag." Tony told Tim.
While Tim checked out the trunk, Abby having had experience in pulling cars apart crawled into the backseat and worked her way over to Tony. She was scared but having something to focus on help keep her nerves in check.
"I think I know how we can get you out Tony."
"How Abbs?"
"Well it's going to take a little maneuvering and it may hurt a little but I think we can do it. If we can get the steering wheel up as far as it will go and drop the back of the seat so it is as flat as we can get it, Tim and I can pull you back until we can clear your legs from under the dash. I'm sorry Tony but it may hurt, and I would hate to hurt you, don't want to see you in pain." She started to ramble.
"Abbs, Abbs," Tony said to get her attention. "Abbs, better a little pain then being stuck here all night."
Tim stuck his head back in the car, "Boy, Tony, never expected you to be prepared, that's a nice first aid kit, and you have some blankets plus the portable charger has lights."
"Tim, I know how we can get Tony out, see if you can reach in reach the steering wheel adjuster, pull it as far up as it will go."
Tim following directions got into the front seat, reaching over into the drivers side, he was able to release the adjuster, unfortunately it was under the steering column and he found his hands a little to close to Tony's crotch for comfort.
"No copping a feel, while you are there McLoverboy or you'll have to answer to Gibbs" Tony joked.
"Don't worry Tony, I don't think you're my type," Tim joked back.
Once that steering wheel was up, Tim looked back at Abby, "Ok what's next."
"Tony is the seat all the way back?"
"Abby, what do you think, where do would I place these long legs."
"OK, I'm going to recline your seat all the way down, then Tim and I are going to help you slide back, we should be able to pull back far enough to get you out," patting his shoulder, "Ready."
Nodding, "Yes, lets get the show on the road."
While not as easy at it had sounded, Abby's plan worked and in less then ten minutes they had Tony free and sitting in the backseat with his long legs out the door. The deep gash on the side of his left thigh that was bleeding freely but with bandages from the first aid kit; they had the bleeding under control quickly. Abby also bandaged the wound on the side of his head and wiped the blood off his face.
"That's the best I can do for now," Abby said, "but your going to have some impressive raccoon eyes, your nose and eyes are starting to swell. Are you having any trouble seeing?"
"I can see well enough to see you'll have a matching set."
"Oh Shit! To bad it's not Halloween we could have dressed up as the Walking Dead." She giggled as pictured them out as zombies.
Leaving Tony and Abby covered with blankets in the car, discussing their favorite zombie movies, Tim made his way to the road and took a look around. There was little trace of their accident, the impact had thrown the deer carcass to side of the road. Accidents involving deer were so frequent in this area, no one driving by would think to stop just for a dead deer and the heavy falling snow had already concealed the skid marks where the car had gone off.
Standing in the middle of the road, Tony's white car was completely invisible, even the emergency flashers on the car would not be seen unless someone was right at the edge of the drop off. He could only hope that with nightfall the snow would stop and the flashers would be more visible in the dark as they reflected on the snow covered ground and trees. Taking another careful look around, Tim saw that not far from the car was what appeared to be a shed.
Working his way back to the car, he reported his findings and headed out to investigate.
The shed was only about 25 feet from the car, but hidden by the snow and some brush, making it difficult to see from the car, the higher elevation of the roadway had made it easier to spot.
The 8x 10 shed was not locked and in looking around Tim understood why as there was nothing worth stealing. The shed was stacked with hay but there was plenty of room for the three of them. The shed seemed well built and would keep the wind out. Tim carefully stacked the bales from the center along the walls to provide insulation, leaving some of the bales of hay to make a platform for Tony to lie down on and seating for himself and Abby. Getting settled in the shed did not take long even with Tony's grumbling that they would all end up covered in fleas or lice or something from all the bugs in the hay.
Tim and Abby made sure to leave a clear trail of packed snow for rescuers to follow. Knowing they would have to go out every half hour or so to trample down the new snowfall. To save the car's battery, Tim would go back and turn on the flashes when it got dark, if they had not been rescued yet.
Night arrived early as days were short this time of the year and the darkened skies had quickened the nightfall. With no streetlights or electricity in the shed, they were thankful Tony had several flashlights in the car, and even more thankful that he had a portable power pack, with the light from this they did not have to sit in the dark.
Sitting around the three wondered how long it would take to be rescued.
"Gibbs expected us back by now, I'm sure he'll come looking for us in no time." Tony said.
"I hope so Tony, I really don't want to be here all night."
"Don't worry Abby, we will be home to open gifts in the morning," Tony assured her. Turning to his other friend he asked, "Hey, Tim how was the tree, did it get damaged."
"How can you think of the tree, Tony?"
"Well, we spent a lot of time looking for it and when we get out of here it will still be Christmas, we will need our tree."
"That's pretty optimistic of you, Tony." Tim wondered if Tony had gotten hit harder on the head then they thought, looking his friend over Tim figured that even if they did get rescued, the only place Tony would be spending Christmas was in the hospital. Not wanting to upset Tony and Abby he kept this to himself.
"Timmy, Gibbs will use his special Gibbs power and find us, all we have to do is sit back and wait," Abby jumped in, her Silver Fox would never let her down. He would find them.
"You have a lot of faith in him don't you."
"Timmy," Abby squeaked, "You can't question the power of 'The Gibbs', has he ever let us down?"
"Well, no Abby but its dark out now, there isn't much traffic on this road, Tony's car is white and covered in snow. The flashers are hard to see, I just want to be prepared to survive if it takes awhile to find us."
"Oh Timmy," Abby said grabbing his arm and leaning her head on his shoulder, "don't worry we will be home before Christmas, I can just feel it."
Tony interrupted the moment with a motion for them to be quiet, "Hey, I hear something outside." He said, pointing toward the shed door.
The three listened as a there was a scratching sound outside. Tony sat up and swung his legs to the floor, the movement caused him to moan in pain. Tim signaled for him to stay were he was. Drawing their weapons, Tony stayed leaning against the hay and watched as Tim slowly opened the door. To their surprise they were greeted by a scruffy dog, "What the heck is that?" Tim yelped as he jumped back.
The trio watched as the dog stood in the doorway, glancing at the humans in the room, turning to look at the dark snowy woods behind and then back at the warmer interior of the shed, with a whimper the dog stepped in out of the cold.
Abby was the first to react, breaking off a piece of the snack bar she was eating she knelt down and offered it to the dog. After sniffing Abby's hand, the dog took the offered treat.
"Abby, do you think that's smart, the dog could be sick?" Tony cautioned.
"Tony's right Abby, what if that dog has rabies or something?" Tim added moving as far away from the dog as the small shed allowed.
"Look, it's a she," Abby said pointing to the dog's belly, "I think she's pregnant."
Tony and Tim glanced at each other; Tim shrugged his shoulder but proceeded to shut the door to the shed. Tony struggled to get his leg back up on the bail of hay he was using as a bed, out of reach of the dog's teeth.
Abby sat on the ground with the dog. Carefully feeling the dog's neck, she found a collar. Checking the tags, "Aha, see Guys, she has tags, it says her name is Bella, and this one says her rabies vaccine is up to date. Poor baby, you must be cold." Abby continued talking to the dog.
With nothing to do but wait, Tony closed his eyes and let sleep take him. Tim was concerned about his friend but nothing that they could do now, Abby seemed content taking care of the dog.