This is my first (published) story of any kind. I've had a few chapters kind of thrown together for a while now, and it was only after trading PMs with fellow excellent writer, MoonlightGypsy (read her stories - she's AWESOME!), that I got up the nerve to put fingers to keyboard and put one of my babies out for public consumption. I'm near "riding the porcelain bus" stage, here, so keep in mind that I'm a newbie when you review. Hope ya'll like it, and if you think it sucks, send the bad reviews to MoonlightGypsy - it's all her fault this story is here!

Takes place during Hiatus Rated T/M for later chapters

MONSTERS IN THE SHADOWS

Very Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo stood in Bethesda Naval Hospital at the bedside of a beautiful young woman. Well, once she had been beautiful, he thought with a wince, as he ran the back of a finger softly down her bruised swollen cheek, upset with himself for not being able to prevent the bruise. Upset with the young woman for not coming to him sooner so he could have stopped it from happening. "Dammit, Abby," he whispered, "why couldn't you have trusted me?"

The door to the hospital room silently swished open, the two newcomers pretending not to notice as their boss wiped a tear from his cheek. "Hey Boss," murmured Tim McGee, the SIC. "Any change?"

Tony took a moment to shut down his emotions before answering his SIC. "Doctors say she's stable, they'll know more when she wakes up." IF she wakes up, he thought to himself.

The quiet voice of Ziva David spoke from behind him. "The scumbag is in interrogation. Shall I … interrogate… him?" She would enjoy showing that bastard all the damage she could do the human body with a mere paperclip.

With a small smile, Tony said, "We want him alive, Officer David." He took a moment to run his hand over Abby's hair. "I'll be doing the interrogation myself." He looked at his agents. "I want one of you here at all times with her. The other, working on the case. I want this so airtight Casper the Ghost couldn't get through it."

Both agents nodded solemnly. "You got it, Boss," "We will, Tony." As Tony left the room, McGee moved next to the bed, wincing as he took in the injuries Abby had received. "Why didn't she tell us, Ziva?"

Standing on the opposite side of the bed, Ziva held Abby's hand. "I do not know, McGee. Perhaps she thought she could handle it on her own." She and Abby may not have been the best of friends, but Ziva liked to think they were making headway recently.

"I would have helped her," McGee grimaced. Ziva looked up at him. "We would have helped her, McGee. We are a team, yes? And no one messes with our team ascot."

McGee raised an eyebrow, thinking for a moment. "I think you mean 'mascot,' Ziva."

*NCIS**NCIS**NCIS**NCIS**NCIS*

As the door closed behind him, Tony leaned against it, wearily shutting his eyes. "How is she?" He scrubbed a hand down his face and looked at NCIS Director, Jenny Shepard. "About as well as anyone who's been tied to a bed and beaten repeatedly for days can be," he answered. Jenny raised an eyebrow. "Sorry Director," he said, "I'm not in the best of moods right now."

The Director gave him a small, sad smile. "You know the rule about apologies. Besides, I understand. I'm not feeling particularly cordial myself."

"The doctor says she's stable," Tony said on a sigh, "but she looks like hell, Jenny."

Jenny put a hand on his shoulder. "Abby's a fighter, Tony. She'll pull through this." She knew it was eating him up inside that someone had hurt the woman who, for all intents and purposes, was his little sister. "Whatever you need, every available resource of NCIS, is yours to use."

Tony straightened up to his full height. "Thanks, Jenny, but Ziva already has the bastard cooling his heels in interrogation, so we're good. I was just about to go teach him what happens when you fuck with Team Gi…. Team DiNozzo."

Jenny was shocked. Oh,not that Tony would want to do the interrogation himself, but that he wouldn't rather stay with Abby. It was no secret how close those two were, especially now, with Gibbs gone. "Are you sure you want to…"

"Want to what," Tony snarled. "My interrogation skills not up to those of the Great Leroy Jethro Gibbs? I know how to question a suspect, Director."

The poor kid, Jenny thought to herself. Even after all this time as Supervisory Agent, he still feels he has to prove himself. "I know you do, Agent DiNozzo," she assured him. " I have every confidence in your abilities. I just thought you would rather be here for Abby when she wakes up. She'll need you."

Tony straightened up from the door and began walking away without looking back. "She's made it pretty clear she doesn't need anyone."