Chapter 1

Abby leaned heavily on the counter. She just had to make it through the next few hours, process these finger prints and she'd be able to go home and sleep for the whole weekend.

"What've you got for me Abbs?" Gibbs barked in his usual manner.

"The blood was a match to Ian Thompson. I'm running the fingerprints through AFIS as we speak and…" her computer beeped alerting her to a match to one Ian Thompson. "They're his too."

Gibbs closed the distance between them and put his hand on her shoulder causing her to wince and pull away. His brow creased in concern and he turned her around gently.

"Abby, what's going on with you?" he asked with a voice filled with concern. She had never once pulled away from his touch before and the fact that her face was contorted in pain now, sent his worry into overdrive.

"I just," she stammered wanting so desperately to tell him the truth, but unsure if she was ready for him to know. Before she could decide what to tell him, the gray dots returned to her vision and the world started to tilt. She knew what was coming, but was too far away from a chair to sit, so she reached for him as the world went black and she passed out.

Gibbs caught her and eased them both to the floor. He lowered her head into his lap and pulled his cell out of his pocket to call Ducky, but her eyes flickered open before he could make the call. Their eyes met. His blue eyes filled with concern, and her beautiful green eyes filled with pain.
"Talk to me Abby."

"Take me home?" she pleaded, tears filling her eyes and spilling down her cheeks, leaving black marks down her face from her mascara.

"Sure, as long as you'll tell me what the hell is going on." Gibbs replied. His voice gentle, yet stern and filled with fear. She knew she had to tell him what was going on, but the very thought of it filled her with dread.

"Okay, I'll tell you, but only if you promise not to tell anyone else and only AFTER you take me home," a smile pulling on the edges of her lips.

"Deal. Can you stand up?" he asked, removing himself from underneath her and helping her to a seated position before giving her and hand to help her stand.

The world once again tilted and she clung to Gibbs' arm for dear life.

"Easy does it Abbs. I got ya. Take it nice and easy," he cooed as she regained her balance and they made their way out of the lab and into his car.