Goodbye, Abby: Broken Principles

Author: AnonymousNCISFan
Rating: T (PG-13)

Summary: NEW SERIES! The first in a series of one-shots about how Abby might possibly leave. I don't necessarily want to see any of these scenarios play out on-screen but think each one would have significant emotional impact.

Main Pairing: Gibbs/Abby friendship

Spoilers: Up to & including Season 15

Warnings: Angst, Possible character deaths

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters and am making no money off this – I appreciate the creative minds at NCIS and the brilliant actors who bring these beloved characters to life.

Goodbye, Abby: Broken Principles

Chapter 1: An Alarming Situation

NCIS Headquarters

Autopsy

Dr. Jimmy Palmer hummed to himself as he finished sewing up the body of Lieutenant Thomas Blake. The bags under Palmer's eyes revealed the lack of sleep that was taking its toll on both him and his wife Breena this week.

"What do ya got, doc?" Gibbs asked as he strode into the room, giving Palmer a side-ways glance when he didn't respond. Gibbs recognized the tune he was humming and noticed his drawn features. "Palmer!" he said loudly, making the young medical examiner jump.

"Agent Gibbs!" Palmer replied, startled. "I, uh, I was just finishing up on Lieutenant Blake here."

Gibbs nodded, studying Palmer's face carefully, giving him a look of concern. "Everything OK?"

"Um, yea, uh, well, it's just…Victoria. She's been sick the past few nights," he began to explain. "Took her to the doctor to make sure it wasn't anything serious – just the flu. And I know, I know she's gotta ride it out, and we're doing everything we can, I mean everything, to try and ease this but…but seeing her like that…I just feel so, so-"

"Helpless?" Gibbs offered, and Palmer knew he was speaking from experience. No doubt Gibbs had his own share of late nights up sick with his daughter Kelly.

"Exactly," Palmer replied, relieved someone else understood. "Last night she woke up crying because her nose and throat hurt so bad. All I could think was to take her in my arms and sing that song I was humming before when you walked in. Seems to be the only thing that helps."

"Good choice," Gibbs smiled. "Be grateful somethin' so simple works right now. Won't be so easy when she gets older." Palmer looked up at Gibbs. "Enjoy these moments, Jim. May seem impossible now, but they're the moments you're gonna treasure later on … problems get bigger, harder to solve."

Nodding, Palmer wondered if Gibbs was thinking of Kelly or someone else. "Thanks, Gibbs," he offered, before turning back to the body. "As for Lieutenant Blake, it seems his problems died with him."

"What kind of problems?"

"Well," Jimmy began "his liver was riddled with scar tissue – probably cirrohosis from excessive alcohol consumption."

Gibbs nodded grimly, wondering how his own liver was doing these days. Between his drinking over the years and the recent hand tremors, Gibbs worried his own time might up sooner rather than later. It was a big part of the reason he had stopped going down to Abby's lab. She was too attached, and his return from Paraguay proved it, when she'd clung to him and cried herself to sleep in his arms the first night she saw him. He had to prepare Abby, get her used to him not being around. These were the bigger problems, the ones he didn't have answers for, the ones a song couldn't make go away.

"Agent Gibbs?" Jimmy called, noticing his distant eyes. Shaken from his thoughts, Gibbs looked up quickly.

"Yea, go ahead."

"I was just saying that I was able to retrieve the bullet and get it to Abby. And there was something else," Palmer added, moving back to the body. "See this?" he continued, turning the victim's head to the side.

"Looks like some kinda imprint," Gibbs remarked.

"I took photo and sent it to Abby. She thinks it might be from a ring."

"Possible. Let me know when she gets something."

"Wouldn't it be easier if you just went-" Palmer stopped speaking as Gibbs gave him a look. He'd been caught in the middle of this strange development between the pair since Gibbs returned from Paraguay. Both Gibbs and Abby had been using Palmer as a "middle man" of sorts in communicating evidence. The first few times he didn't think much of it, but when Abby asked him to put Gibbs on via video conference when he finished in autopsy, Palmer knew something wasn't right.

There was a part of him – a big part – that feared Gibbs, leading the young doctor to keep his thoughts to himself. But lately Abby had seemed more sullen, easily agitated, especially a few weeks ago when he'd helped her remove a splinter. His friend was obviously hurting and he had a strong hunch it might have something to do with Gibbs. With Dr. Mallard gone for the time being, Palmer was beginning to realize he might have to be the one to call Gibbs out if no one else would.

"Is there a problem?" Gibbs snapped, walking toward him.

"You tell me," Palmer replied in a strong voice, not sure if it was bravery or the simple fact that he was just so tired he didn't care anymore about the consequences. Being stared down by Gibbs was scary but seeing his little girl sick was much more terrifying.

Just as Gibbs opened his mouth to reply, a loud sound pierced the silence. Both men looked up to see the flashing lights – the fire alarm had gone off.

"Maybe a drill?" Palmer offered. But Gibbs seemed more curious, less satisfied to simply follow protocol. Palmer knew Gibbs would rather find the problem and try to help than exit the building.

"Can you tell where the alarm was pulled?" Gibbs asked, his gut suddenly churning.

"Yea, yea I think so," Palmer replied, heading to his computer. "According to this…" he swallowed, his brows furrowing as he turned to face Gibbs. "It's coming from Abby's lab."

Gibbs eyes widened and he leaned into the computer screen. "Patch in a-"

"Already on it," Palmer replied quickly, pressing the button to video conference. What they saw caused Gibbs to bolt out of autopsy as Palmer quickly dialed McGee's number.

TO BE CONTINUED…