"HEY! STOP!"
I turned round instinctually at the words, but continued running. There were three of them, they sent three guys this time. Oh God, I just need to keep running.
I sprinted over boxes and stray heaps of rubbish, with every part of my body aching with exhaustion. Suddenly, one of the men stepped out from a hidden right bend at the end of the alley, I saw the glint of the metal firearm catch in the moonlight.
They have guns.
The man yelled something else, but it was all white noise, my brain had stopped, my fight or flight response working in overdrive. How did they find me?
I had made sure to hide most of my features by wearing a black jumper, and by keeping my hair hidden under the hood. How did they know it was me? I propelled myself down the immediate path to my left, only to be cut off by another guy. Not again…
I flew around, intending to run back the way I came, and saw with a pang of fear that I was trapped.
Shit. Okay, how are you going to play this? A voice asked in the back of my head.
You can either run and take your chances, or beg for mercy and take your chances.
I almost rolled my eyes.
Run. Always run.
I noticed that the man effectively trapping me was considerably older than the other, I could see his silver hair from where I stood. I felt myself shaking, the adrenaline doing wonders at allowing me to work through the pain.
The younger man took a step towards me, and I knew I had to act. With as little warning as I could muster, I bolted towards the older guy, intending to knock him off his feet and make my escape. My feet slapped the pavement, and I made amendments in order to protect my left arm which had been previously injured by the last two assholes I ran from.
I barrelled towards the guy as fast as I could, but he must have been ready for what I was about to do, because he suddenly swung out at me, catching me square in the jaw.
I must have fallen down, because the next thing I knew, hands were pulling me up and roughly shoving me into the brick wall. My vision swam at the edges as an intense shooting pain from my shoulder made me cry out.
I suddenly felt the breeze comb through my hair. My hood must have fallen down in the commotion, I realised - not that it had done me much good in the first place.
"Please." My voice came out weaker than I had intended, but for some reason my half-hearted pleading worked. The arms that were pinning me disappeared abruptly, leaving me with no support. I slid down to the floor. Face throbbing, arm throbbing, everything throbbing…
"Boss…" A voice said. A short pause. I realised my eyes were closed. "She's a…"
The second voice answered gruffly "A girl, DiNozzo? Christ, ya think I can't see that?"
Then…The sound of a set of footsteps pelting the ground echoed around the alley. Someone else was coming. The third guy maybe? Hadn't there been three? My eyes flew open, and I somehow managed to pull myself from the ground. I'd hoped to use this as a distraction, to escape, I could still escape, but to my horror the older man was looking straight at me, his expression unreadable.
"DiNozzo." He warned his colleague - is colleague even the right word? –Who's attention had been diverted by the arrival of the third guy. Huh, new guy was even younger than the second.
The world was still blurring every now and again as if everything I was living was nothing but an intensely painful nightmare. The older guy was still staring, his blue eyes looking me up and down with seemingly x-ray vision.
Then all of a sudden, he did something I hadn't expected. He holstered his gun. What the hell?I had been backing away slowly, but I couldn't help but stop at this, and analyse the situation. I was well aware that my brain was not functioning as best as it could right about then, but I don't usually imagine things.
"We're not going to hurt you." The older man said in a softer tone than he'd used before.
He had raised his hands in a gesture of appeasement. "I'm Special Agent Leroy Gibbs."
He then motioned to the man standing to his left, "This is Special Agent Tony DiNozzo and that…" he gestured to his right, "…is Agent Tim McGee."
"We're from NCIS. That stands for –"
I knew what it stood for. "I know what it stands for." I muttered.
My left arm was hanging by my side, I was trying my best not to jostle it, and I was standing motionless now with my right arm wrapped around my stomach. An action I always performed when nervous.
However, I could hardly dare to believe that I was safe for the time being. Can you trust them?The voice questioned. Only one way to find out.
"Show me your badges." I ordered, with a lot more confidence than I felt. "All of them."
There was some rustling as all three guys, now standing opposite me, retrieved their badges and held them out for me to see. I hesitated slightly, thinking it through.
No way hit-men would go to all this trouble…They would have just killed me already.
I was safe. I realised that I was shaking, which was making me sway slightly…and then I collapsed.
Everything was just too painful. I couldn't think clearly, but I had the dim sense of being picked up and carried somewhere. Hospital.The one word appeared in my mind accompanied by a harsh twinge of panic, clearer than anything else had been for a while. I struggled slightly, forcing whoever was carrying me to stop.
"No hospitals. Please. No Hospitals." I tried to say, but my words came out as a garbled string of nonsense. "No hospitals." I tried once more. We were moving again. Please have gotten the message.
I awoke to the ding of an elevator. "Clear the way." A voice commanded from slightly above me, startling me fully out of the land of unconsciousness. I looked sluggishly around at the orange walls of the cubicled office style floor, and my brain processed one thought in horror. Oh God, there are people. He's going to carry me out in front of these people…
I somehow managed to squirm my way out of his arms and into a semi upright position. The man whose grip I had houdinied my way out of; the silver haired man who had introduced himself as Gibbs, gave me an appraising look.
"I can walk." I said with more determination than I felt, and anyway, it was half true, I could walk – it would just cause severe pain. But no way in hell was I going to be carried.
"You'd better let her, boss. She's got that don't mess with me look. It's the same one Ziva gets whenever she's about to punch or slap me like a ninj –"
There was sudden movement as Gibbs suddenly and precisely turned to slap Tony…It was Tony, right around the back of the head.
This had come as a surprise, perhaps my mind hadn't had time yet to fully acknowledge I was safe, or maybe I was in shock - but I found myself flinching violently away which (of course) resulted in me accidentally hitting my injured shoulder on the elevator wall in the process.
My vision swam again. Damn reflexes.
"Whoa, boss." came a different voice, third guy maybe? Tim was it?
"I know McGee, I got it." Strong arms held me up, but didn't proceed to carry me bride-over-the-threshold style. Thank god.
Instead, Gibbs motioned to Tony, "DiNozzo, help me get her over to the bullpen. McGee, go down to Autopsy and call Ducky. Tell him it's an emergency. Go."
"What's your name?" He asked me.
"Emily Fulton." A pause.
"How old are you?"
"Um, 18."
Tony gave Gibbs a heavy glance at this.
"…Wait, did you say Autopsy?" I muttered.
Gibbs made a gruff noise of amusement. "Yep. But don't worry, he caters to living people too."
Getting me over to the 'bullpen', it turns out, was a hassle, and not to mention extremely embarrassing. Too many people, too many eyes. It also appears that I was a little too confident in my own ability to push through pain, as I soon found myself intensely grateful for the extra support.
However, I was soon lowered into one of the black office swizzle chairs I used to love as a kid, and the searing pain in my arm - or was it more my shoulder? – slowly began to subside into a dull, but manageable throbbing.
I looked around once more. Gibbs it seemed, was busy barking at the nosy onlookers to get back to work, something I felt extremely appreciative of, until he moved away to crouch down in front of me. Without warning, my appreciation was overtaken by a sudden strong desire to run, to fight. My face felt like fire. He hurt you. My heart pounded in my chest.
You're not safe here.
I was trying to think too hard, about all the different ways I was in danger. Movies, books, all the plotlines, the accidental deaths, the murders, that could happen to me. I have to get away. It turns out, whilst my brain was whirling in overdrive to formulate a workable plan, I had already begun to put one in action. I'd somehow moved off from the chair, and backed myself into another wall, another corner.
"Emily." Gibbs was talking in a low voice. "It's okay, you're at NCIS now. You're safe."
I didn't feel safe.
DiNozzo who'd been silently watching this exchange suddenly started to move towards me, which only panicked me more, my eyes flying from Tony to Gibbs and back again. Assess the threat… Assess the threat….
"Tony. Stay back." Gibbs ordered, seeming to realising what was happening. Tony expression turned to one of confusion and then understanding. He stayed put.
"Where the hell is Ducky?!" Gibbs growled softly.
"Right here, Jethro." Came a reply from somewhere behind me.
Startled, I stumbled backwards, eager to maintain the same distance away from any possible danger.
"My, what do we have here?" He asked pleasantly, assessing my condition.
I frowned, and took another step back for good measure.
Somewhere within a more rational part of my brain, I registered from his accent and choice of words that he wasn't American. It would have made for a nice surprise if I had the capacity to care in the moment.
Gibbs motioned for Ducky to come over to him, and the two proceeded to talk for about a minute before Ducky turned his attention towards me, Gibbs following suit.
"Hello, my name is Donald, but you may call me Ducky. Now m'dear, am I to understand that you've been though a bit of an ordeal?" He asked kindly.
My natural response to this question was as most peoples are when they don't wish to talk, I shrugged, momentarily forgetting about my damned shoulder.
I tensed and cried out again, my right hand automatically moving to the comforting position around my stomach.
Not again…I refused to let the swirly bits of light carry me away, so I shook my head, trying to get my vision to clear.
I didn't dare move again.
Ducky's expression changed to one of deep concern, and he took a hesitant step towards me, his hand slightly outstretched. "Come now, no one here will harm you. Why don't you let me take a look at your shoulder, hmm?"
I shook my head, but I couldn't help thinking it over. You're in shock.
I can't really trust my judgement right now.
I moved my gaze from Ducky, to Gibbs, and then to Tony. They all had the same look of worry.
I must look like a cornered wild animal.
I self-consciously turned my attention back to Ducky,
"I think I need help." I admitted faintly.
"I know, dear." He smiled warmly at me and proceeded to carefully help me back onto one of the desks.
"Hey, Duck, where's McGeek?" Tony asked a few seconds later once I'd been seated on what, judging from the several cups of empty coffee cups in the bin, I'd assumed to be Gibbs desk – old dudes like their Joe – and anyway, the coffee addiction coupled with tiny pieces of what looked to be an old 90s cell phone meant it was unlikely to be anyone's desk. I almost laughed.
"He's gone to let Abby know that we have a visitor." Replied Ducky, putting extra emphasis on the R at the end of the word 'visitor'.
Ducky then turned his attention to me, and calmly reached out his hands.
"So, we must now get down to business. May I take a look at your shoulder?"
I hesitated. I really didn't want anyone poking and prodding at me right now, but there was no other option.
"Erm, I suppose…"
However, agreeing and getting my body to comply turned out to be two entirely different things, for whenever Ducky made a move to remove my jacket in order to get a better look at my injury, I couldn't help but twist away.
Ducky tutted, "We may have to try this another way." He gestured towards Gibbs' direction.
"Ah, Jethro, would you stand behind her just to keep her in place." Gibbs made to move forwards.
My expression must have voiced fear because Ducky glanced uncertainly at me, before changing his mind. "Ah, perhaps, we should wait until Timothy comes back from Abbigail's lab?"
I knew I was being an idiot, Gibbs wasn't going to do anything to me, but I couldn't help but feel relieved all the same.
"Who's Abby, anyway?" I asked after a short pause, only to find myself blushing at the surprised expressions on the faces of the three men. Well, actually, Gibbs looked more amused than surprised. My insides squirmed uncomfortably from the attention, but I stared back. "What?" I frowned.
"N-nothing..." DiNozzo blurted smoothly.
Ducky chuckled, and made to put a reassuring hand on my uninjured shoulder, his brows furrowing slightly when I unintentionally recoiled.
"Ah, it's just that you haven't shown much curiosity thus far. It's just a surprise is all – I think you'll find that our Tony doesn't react all too appropriately to surprises." Ducky raised his eyebrows at Tony, his eyes twinkling.
DiNozzo cleared his throat, looking more than a little abashed.
I couldn't help but grin. He scratched his neck and continued, "Miss Abby Scuito is one of our best and brightest –" he began, only to be cut off by the arrival of McGee who spouted an indignant "Hey!"
"I said one of our best and brightest, McGoo." Tony said with a smile that would put the Cheshire cat to shame. "Maybe if your ears were as big as that brain of yours, you'd be able to spend less time fussing and more time listen-ing."
McGee frowned, not entirely sure whether he'd been insulted or complimented.
He turned to me and his expression shifted from somewhat irritable to friendly.
"Abby…" He glanced fleetingly at Tony, perhaps sensing an interruption, but Tony just winked, "is our brilliant forensic scientist. She has her own lab which is where she's waiting for us."
He turned to Gibbs.
"So…Boss? Are we going?" McGee asked tentatively.
Gibbs cast at Ducky, who nodded, and then down at me, "Yep. You ready?" He asked.
My stomach turned uncomfortably. I was not. "Why are we going to Abby's lab?"
"Well," Tony began, "you've probably noticed by now that our charming work colleagues haven't quite gasped the meaning of minding their own business –I'm looking at you Sarah –and so, we've opted to take you to our resident forensic scientist for a little… peace and quiet."
McGee made a noise that sounded like a snigger covered up not so convincingly with a hacking cough, prompting Tony to whack him exaggeratedly on the back.
"Come, come! No need to look so worried. Abby doesn't bite." Ducky said cheerfully, as he and Tony (who had finished assaulting McGee), helped me off the desk and into the elevator.
I can't say I bought too much into Ducky's attempt at reassuring me.
He seemed much too entertained.
As we all sidled in, with Tony still supporting most of my weight, I realised that Gibbs wasn't here. Just as the lift doors slid shut, I caught a glimpse of his silver hair headed off in the direction of the stairs.
"Where's he going?" I questioned, feeling an irrational sensation of relief spread through me.
"Probably up to the Director's office to brief her on what's happened." McGee replied, pressing the button for Abby's lab.
"Oh…" I felt the familiar prickles of panic as I mulled over the idea of the Director of NCIS getting involved. This is not going to end well.
About a minute later, we were out of the elevator and being ambushed by NCIS's incredibly enthusiastic forensic specialist, Abby Sciuto. Meeting the bubbly Goth scientist couldn't have been more of a surprise, which I suppose was what Ducky, Tony and McGee had intended.
I think it took about ten minutes for my eyebrows to come down.
Abby, it seemed, was set in gear to animatedly greet everyone present, but was cut short by Ducky.
"Abigail, it's extremely wonderful to see you too, but we have a visitor here who is in need of urgent medical attention." At this, Abby's attention shifted to me, her expression immediately changed from one of excitement to something a little short of horror.
"Oh my God, sorry, of course! Come in, guys!"
"Thank you, Abigail." Responded Ducky, as he helped me into the lab with Tony's continued assistance.
"She's so young!" Abby whispered to McGee, who nodded his agreement, as I sat myself down on the table. I couldn't help but flinch when Ducky went to take off my jacket once more, but I managed to stay still.
"Oh my God…" Abby's mouth dropped open in shock.
"Why? How bad is it?" I asked, almost dreading the answer. I looked down at my shoulder and immediately stiffened at the dark bruising and the unnatural bump protruding from the joint.
"McSqueamish is looking pale. Who thinks he'll McVomit?" Tony joked, his voice a little weaker than before. McGee shot Tony a glare.
"I agree, it does not look too good at all." Ducky admitted grimly, putting on a pair of white latex gloves, seemingly oblivious to the two agent's sparring session. "I'm just checking the surrounding tissue for any unusual signs of damage."
He then proceeded to carefully feel around the inflamed area, patiently giving me a few seconds respite each time he prodded an area that made me cry out. By the time he had finished I was thoroughly exhausted.
Abby's brow crinkled with concern and went to stand next to me, whilst shooting pointed looks at Tony.
"Isn't there anything you can give her for the pain, Ducky?" Tony asked anxiously.
"Emily, look at me." Ducky said kindly, waiting patiently for me to do so.
"This isn't going to be pleasant. I'd advise you to take something for the pain, but it's entirely your decision."
I shook my head wearily. "No thanks, I'd rather everything be as clear as possible for the time being. Even though I can tell that I'm gonna regret saying that in a few minutes."
God I was tired.
Tony let out a short laugh. Everyone stared. I jumped. "Sorry," he looked embarrassed "I just realised that's the most you've said since you've gotten here."
I smiled, "I guess I'm not much of a talker."
"Like someone else we know." Abby grinned.
Ducky sighed. "Indeed. Okay Anthony, I'm going to require your assistance. I need you to stand over here –" He motioned to the spot on the table directly opposite where I sat, "and you're going to need to keep our friend here as still as possible, and you're going to need to do it well because I can tell you now that what I'm about to do is not going to be pleasant."
Tony looked as apprehensive as I feel. This is going to suck.
Ducky turned his attention to Abby, "Abigail, do you by chance have any ice packs?"
"Sure thing Duck-man. I'll go get 'em."
"Now, this won't be very enjoyable, but hopefully if done with haste we can get it over with quickly. And you, m'dear, can tell us what all of this is about." He raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
I nodded, looking away. All I could think about was kissing this day goodbye.
Once Abby had arrive back on the scene along with her special Limited-Edition Halloween icepacks (which are apparently a thing. Who knew?) Tony got into position, guided by Ducky, and ended up sitting cross-legged on the table with me half leaning against his chest for support.
I laughed despite myself, "This feels ridiculous."
Abby giggled, turning her phone around playfully in her hands, "Is it wrong that I really really want to take a photo of you guys?"
"No. Put the camera away, Abby." Tony replied, amused.
"We should really have this X-rayed first, but since we don't have the equipment..." Ducky mused, "…Hmm, although … everything seems in order."
He positioned himself in front of me, gently took my arm and began to slowly rotate my shoulder. Immediately, the pain spiked to a much higher level than it ever had when I'd been fleeing NCIS.
My entire body was screaming at me to get away. If I was being honest, I hadn't expected it to hurt so much. I was faintly aware that I was leaning further backwards in a vain attempt to distance myself from what Ducky was doing.
But every time I would lean away, Tony would counterbalance it by pushing himself forwards with a few apologetic words that at the time I couldn't quite grasp, leaving me in the same position I began in.
After a while –god, it actually couldn't have been more than a couple minutes, it was becoming too much and I began struggling to move off the table and away from the medical examiner, but Tony was too strong, and the struggling only made it hurt worse.
Someone entered the room, but my eyes were watering so much so that I couldn't quite see who it was. A kaleidoscopic array tinted with bits of silver? Gibbs? Another stab of pain shot overtook me, and a scream was ripped from my lips.
Abby stepped forwards. "Ducky, can't you take a break?" She sounded distressed.
He replied, his words coming out irregular and strained. "Not yet, Abigail. It's almost back in. Ha!" He exclaimed as a faint popping noise sounded throughout the lab. Abby and McGee cringed.
There was instant relief. The pain had dulled down again magnificently, and I was overcome with a wave of penetrating fatigue. I fell back against Tony, whose own relief was practically radiating from him in waves.
"That should do the trick." Ducky said triumphantly, as he stepped away, pulling his gloves off as he went and throwing them into the nearest waste bin.
"Emily?" Abby asked hesitantly after briefly conversing with the person I could now see to be Gibbs.
I intended to answer, but instead of words, all I could manage to get out was a choked sob.
She paused, before continuing somewhat reluctantly. "I know you're worn out, but Gibbs wants to talk to you. It's important." She looked really apologetic. Abby's sweet.
McGee raised his eyebrows in surprise. "But she's exhausted boss. Maybe she should get some sleep first?"
"I think McBedtime's right about this, Gibbs." I felt DiNozzo make as if to get up, and I leaned forward to allow him the space.
He let out a yawn of almost comical duration as he moved around the table, keeping one steadying hand on my good shoulder the entire time, before taking a seat next to me and allowing me to lean on him. "It's been a long day."
Ducky frowned. "Really, Jethro. Can't it wait until tomorrow? Look at her, for Christ's sake."
I probably did look a mess, I certainly felt like one. But right then and there, I didn't care. I couldn't even muster up the energy to feel curious about whatever it was Gibb's so clearly wanted to talk to me about. Tony was warm and I was so tired. I could just close my eyes and pretend I was back home, sleeping in my own bed….
There was slight hesitation when Gibbs replied but not enough, I sensed, to prevent me from having to move. "I know Duck, but I wouldn't ask unless it was important."
Ducky nodded, if ever so begrudgingly.
Gibbs looked at me now, his eyes softening slightly, "It really won't take long." He promised.
I nodded. It took all my strength to separate myself from my make-shift DiNozzo pillow, but I somehow managed. If anything, I hopped off the table probably a little too quickly judging from the way my muscles protested, and then proceeded to follow Gibbs out of Abby's lab and into the elevator.
The only good thing about exhaustion, it seems, is that the nerves I would have suffered at the prospect of being an enclosed space with Gibbs appear to have fallen to sleep.
They have more sense than I do.
"Not claustrophobic are ya?" He asked suddenly.
Well, this should be fun.
"No…" I replied, my nerves rousing slightly from their brief slumber.
The elevator doors grinded shut and I expected Gibbs to select a floor, but he didn't. Instead, he pushed a button I hadn't noticed before, causing the lights to gradually flicker into darkness.
He turned to me. Okay now I'm nervous.
"How are you doing?" He asked, his voice and expression betraying nothing.
Small-talk? That wasn't what I was expecting…
I frowned slightly, and looked around the small space as an excuse to avoid making eye contact. The sudden absence of light made the cold metal of the lift look incredibly eerie.
"Well, you know, I've definitely been better."
He sighed and leaned his back against the chilly metal wall. I relaxed a little at this, feeling slightly more at ease now that he'd turned away.
"You should probably get Ducky to check out those bruises."
I felt a small pang of something akin to fear in my chest. "What bruises?" I ask carefully, getting the feeling that he wasn't referring to the bruise on my shoulder.
That's when gave me the look – the look I knew to be the legendary 'Gibbs death stare', the same one that Tony and McGee admitted they were so adamantly afraid of.
"Gee, I don't know the bruises all over your stomach and back, maybe?"
My heart all but skipped a beat. I turned to face him.
"How could you possibly know about those?" I asked him, heatedly.
He shrugged as though it was inconsequential. I stared at him for a moment longer before sliding down to sit on the floor. I leant my head to rest against the cool metal. Maybe I could just sleep here?
I sighed. "What did you want to talk about?" My voice came out sounding about as dejected as I felt.
To my surprise, he joins me down on the floor, still leaving the same amount of space between us.
"I talked to the Director, and she has decided that you will be a priority-case from now on. This means that we will be able to help you for as long as you let us. You'll also stay at my house.
Understand?"
I begin to nod slowly, but then something quite obvious occurs to me.
"Wait? I haven't told you anything about, well, anything yet so how can this suddenly be a priority case? For all you know, I'm just some crazy girl who tried to run from three NCIS officers earlier today."
He turned to me in surprise, or what I could only assume to be surprise. Gibbs is definitely difficult to read. I was all set to just ignore the look, but then suddenly I had a sneaking suspicion I knew what he'd been so shocked by. I was suddenly amused.
"Let me guess, that's the most you've heard me speak?" I asked, rolling my eyes.
He laughed. It changed his features. "Yah, you'll get tired of hearing that. Believe me."
I couldn't help smiling. "But I suppose you're not going to answer my question?"
"Nah" he sighed, "it's too late now. Tomorrow."
He stood up and his eyes locked with mine, for the first time I saw that he looked slightly abashed. "For the record," he started, "I am sorry I hit you. I misjudged the situation. Won't happen again."
I nodded. "It's okay. I shouldn't have continued running."
"It's not okay," he said, looking at me almost wistfully, "and why did you?"
"Keep running, you mean?" I questioned sleepily, staring into space.
He nodded.
"You announced who you were?" I asked, yawning.
Another nod.
I shrugged, once again forgetting about my shoulder.
"I panicked, I s'pose. I didn't hear you. Saw guns and just assumed you're were here to kill me."
A more substantial pause this time. My eyes were closed so I couldn't see his expression.
"I think it's time for you to get some sleep." He said softly. My eyelids felt like concrete, but I opened them in time to see him reaching out a hand to pull me up; I grasped it with my right hand, relying on his strength to pull me up since I had so little of my own.
He reached across for the button to restart the elevator and pressed it. Light flooded the small space, and the doors sifted open to reveal Abby holding in her hand what looked to be her icepacks.
"Don't forget these or Ducky'll freak." She said cheerfully, handing them over to me. "Hey Gibbs. You going home? Where's Emily staying because I have a spare room at my house and I don't mind having a guest over if – "
Gibbs cut her short. "It's okay Abs, she's coming home with me."
"Oh," she looked put-out and then an idea occurred to her, "well, if you need anything at all, just call me." Here –" she said rummaging around her bag and retrieving a small piece of crumpled plain paper and a pen, "this is my number" she scrawled the digits hurriedly, and handed me the paper "don't hesitate to call."
I suddenly felt a massive surge of gratitude towards Abby in that moment, prompting me to do something I usually never would've thought to do. I hugged her. She made a soft noise of surprise, but returned the hug enthusiastically. "Thanks Abby, it means a lot." I felt physically and emotionally drained. I could have fallen asleep right then and there, but at the sound of Tony and McGee's squabbling filtering into the room, I forced myself to pull away.
"I should thank Ducky, and…and Tony." I was finding it difficult to organize my thoughts. I began stumbling slightly towards the lab, my legs not working quite as well as they should. I think I was swaying, and then the floor suddenly seemed a lot closer than before, but Gibbs must have sensed my instability for he was swiftly in front of me.
Momentarily forgetting about my injury, he placed his hands on both of my shoulders in an attempt to steady me; the contact resulting in a severe twinge of pain that made my eyes water.
Without warning, everything seemed much further away. I must have yelled out loudly in shock or something because a moment later McGee and Tony were running out into the corridor, closely followed by Ducky.
"Boss? We heard yelling, what's wrong?" McGee called.
"A little help, DiNozzo." Gibbs huffed, I was having a little trouble staying upright.
Tony's mouth fell open in surprise and he rushed forwards. "Yeah, of course. Where're we going, boss?"
"My house." Gibbs grunted, as Tony took the majority of my weight.
DiNozzo looked at me sympathetically, "I'm gonna have to carry you." He said, but I got the feeling he was still waiting for my permission.
I made a faint noise of assent along with a quick nod of my head. My ego aside, I saw no way around it this time.
"When was the last time you slept, Emily?" Abby asked quietly, her voice came from somewhere behind me.
"Umm, I don't know." My voice came out softer than I had intended "I haven't – probably not for a couple days."
There was a small pause.
"When was the last time you ate…" Someone said, possibly McGee
"About the same – couple days, I think..."
Gibbs sighed, exchanging a concerned glance with Ducky.
"Okay," Tony exhaled, sounding somewhat strained, "up we go."
He hoisted me up, jostling my shoulder and unintentionally igniting the pain in my stomach from the bruises in the process. I groaned, my fists clenching tightly around his arm.
"I know, I'm sorry." He said apologetically, wincing in sympathy.
"Oh my…" Ducky breathed slowly, "what are all these?" He was staring intently at my stomach, and I slowly became aware that my top was no longer covering the part of my skin that was littered with bruises.
Everyone was looking at me. I could feel my face heating up. Not right now, was all I thought. I couldn't do this right now. I had nothing left to give. I shook my head, feeling my eyes close of their own accord.
"Uhh, I think she's done for today, Ducky." Sounded Tony from above me.
I must have drifted away sometime after that because the journey from NCIS to Gibbs' house for me was punctuated by a long sequence of irrelevant noises – the elevator shedding floors, the slam of a car door, the choppy feeling of being carried up the stairs, and then I was dimly aware of being lowered gently into bed.