Spoilers: None

Rating: T

Written for prompt "Hurt"

Disclaimer: Not mine, sadly

Gibbs had settled himself on his couch with a book. It had been a hell of a week and he didn't even have the energy to go work on his boat. The case had been tough on everyone: two children of Marine families had been kidnapped. Abby had worked her magic in the end, matching some obscure pieces of evidence and finding the guy, who in fact turned out to be a woman. In a twist, she had been responsible for several child kidnappings over the last five years, whose bones were buried under the floorboards. The FBI took over identifying these remains. Gibbs was grateful, as his team had been working non-stop over the last three days.

Gibbs couldn't remember when he had been more proud of McGee. McGee had chased the fast-moving woman for nearly a mile before tackling her. Tony's "probie" wasn't such a probie anymore, but had blossomed into a fine agent. Even Tony had given McGee a handshake and congratulated him. Tony, McGee, and Ziva went out tonight for drinks. Abby had declined.

It was Abby Gibbs was worried about. He didn't think she even went home over the last three days, opting for her futon in the lab office instead. Gibbs mentally cursed himself for making sure she was taken care of. She had broken his rule more often than even himself: never get involved personally with a case. She'd been working zealously, even more so than usual, to find the bad guy this time.

Gibbs was kicking himself now. Abby really hadn't been herself. She declined his Caf-Pows yesterday and walked away before he could kiss her cheek. She hadn't joked with his team or went to eat lunch with Ducky. Gibbs grabbed his cell off the coffee table and dialed her number. Voicemail. She always answered his calls, but whether that was because of his rule or because she always wanted to talk to him, he didn't know. He liked to think it was because she liked talking to him.

"Hey Abbs, it's Gibbs. No case, but I wanted to see how you were and wanted to know if you wanted to come over for pizza and boat. Call me." He hung up, but kept the phone near so he had it handy. If he admitted the truth to himself, the biggest reason he left his door unlocked was because he hoped she'd turn up. He hated leaving NCIS at night because he wouldn't see her anymore that day.

God, he loved her. He'd known this for years and couldn't pinpoint an exact time he'd fallen for her. He was physically smitten the first time he had seen her and looked into her beautiful eyes. His forensic scientist had resigned, a man Gibbs respected. He'd been increasingly cranky with all the temps that came in and out of the lab. However, on a fateful Tuesday, he had stormed into the lab with fire on his heels because he wanted the results now, and wasn't going to wait. He was knocked off his ass by the raven hair beauty feeding vials into one of the many machines there. He faltered and cursed himself for getting distracted by a woman who would be leaving soon anyway.

"Where the hell are..."

"The results from earlier? You must be Agent Gibbs! Heard a lot about you, all of it scary. You don't look quite so scary. I expected you to be wearing a gladiator outfit, looking like Alexander the Great, carrying a pike with a head on it. You can't rush science, my friend, trust me, I have tried! I'm Abby Scuito, I am the new forensic scientist." She shook his hand vigorously. "I bet this baby will spit out your results in fifteen minutes. Why don't you sit down and eat something? Man cannot survive on coffee alone! Here's some Chinese food."

The two of them had hit it off right away, sitting at her desk eating Chinese food. Her face had lit up when she opened her fortune cookie. She declared it a sign and stuffed the fortune into his hand. Maybe that was the time he had fallen in love with her. Maybe it was the time she had thrown her arms around him when he had woken from his coma. Maybe it was the time she had handcuffed him to herself. Maybe it was the time she had nearly died. But which time?

A soft knock woke him from his sleep. When had he drifted off? He looked at his watch. 9 PM? He's only been out for an hour. Who was knocking at the door? He swiftly walked to it to see Abby there. He worried. She only knocked in times of stress or sadness. He opened the door to her, and felt like somebody had slapped him, hard.

She was scratched, bruised, and bleeding. And wet. It had started to rain. She was shivering. She looked at Gibbs for a few seconds before throwing herself into his arms. "Gibbs!" was all the said.

"Abbs, what the hell happened? Who did this to you?" He held her gently.

"Nobody did it, it was an accident?"

"Accident? Abby..."

"It was a car wreck. I went to a movie with some of my friends from church. I was in the back. Somebody in another car had a stroke and hit us, and we rolled into a ditch. Nobody was really hurt in our car, except for me, but it isn't bad. I was so scared, Gibbs! The police and ambulance came, the other driver is in bad shape, so they took him to the hospital. I hope he makes it, Gibbs, can you call and check later? Anyway, there were so many other wrecks because of the rain, so the emergency guys have their hands full. My friend Mona said we were all fine and we'd get a ride to the er from another friend, and they said it was fine but to follow up later."

"They shouldn't have done that!"

"I know, Gibbs. When Steve showed up in his car, they said there wasn't enough room for me and that I should call a cab, since I was the only one who needed the doctor and they wanted to go see this Christian speaker. We weren't too far from here so I just walked here. I hope it's ok I came to you for help, Gibbs. I just need to clean these cuts out and I'll be fine. I can go in you want?"

Gibbs had not been this angry in years. "They just left you there?! And the police didn't make sure you were all fine? I need to make some calls..."

"No, don't!" She started to sob. "I wasn't the favorite in my group of friends anyway, who needs them? They care about themselves. I wanted to spend a night away from work and talking about work, but that was a bad idea because I really didn't want to be away from you. When I got out of the car and saw that you had called all I wanted was to see you."

"You're my favorite, Abbs."

"I know."

"I'm still gonna have a word with those friends of yours. You don't do this. Come on, Abbs, let's get you to the hospital."

"No, Gibbs, I'm fine, I just need some Advil and a few bandages. I know you have them; you cut yourself on the boat all the time!"

"Abbs, you need to be checked out." He knew she hated hospitals. "I won't leave your side."

"Promise?"

"I promise," He led her to his truck and helped her in. Once he was in the driver's side he turned the heat up. "Don't sleep yet, Abby." She nodded.

Gibbs kept up a steam of mindless conversation as he drove. He led her into the hospital quicky when they arrived, and flashed his badge at the admissions desk. He didn't have a problem abusing the power this time. Abby was led to an er bed right away, and the doctor showed up within five minutes.

"Hello, Abby, I am Doctor Casey. You have been in a car accident?"

She nodded. Doctor Casey checked her thoroughly, and said she wouldn't need to stay overnight if she had someone to help her. Gibbs nodded. Abby had some deep cuts and a bruised rib, plus several other bruises. She hadn't hurt her neck or her head, which was what Gibbs was concerned about. She was given painkillers and told to ice a few of the places where swelling was showing up. Doctor Casey told her to get a few days' of rest.

Gibbs insisted on wheeling her to the truck, and Abby didn't argue. He lifted her inside.

"Thanks," she mumbled. "For taking me and for using your badge. You normally wouldn't do that."

"I'd do anything for you."

"Me too, for you, anything." Gibbs smiled. She had told him that once before, in a sign language conversation. He drove slower and more carefully that he normally would. Abby dozed in the seat next to him. She had not taken a painkiller yet; she wanted to only take it before bed. They didn't make her feel well.

Gibbs carried her into his house, locked the door, just for her, and placed her on the sofa. She hugged his pillow while he got her some water.

"You can sleep upstairs in my room."

"Only if you stay there with me, Gibbs."

"I will, Abby. Anything you need."

"You."

"I hate to see you hurt, Abby."

Instead of brushing the pain away like she'd do with anyone else, she started to cry. "It's been such a hard week! The case was brutal and so many kids died! My friends were jackasses when I needed friends the most. The car wreck! It hurts, Gibbs!"

"Time for a pill, honey."

"Not yet. I wanted to talk to you first, but if I am on those pills I'll say everything."

"What everything?"

"That I think about you every minute. That I fell for you right away and kept falling since. That when I am upset your eyes are the one thing that calm me. That I love you. Then you'll know my secret but you'll be weird since I am not your type and our friendship will have been torpedoed.

"You sure about that, Abby?"

"Hmm?"

"That I don't love you? That I don't spend every minute of every day thinking about you? That I can't live without you?"

"Gibbs?" Her voice cracked.

"God, Abby, I love you more than anything!"

She looked at him then. All he saw in her beautiful green eyes was love for him. He leaned down slowly. She didn't back away. He kept that first kiss gentle and sweet.

"I love you so much, Jethro!" Hearing her say her name felt better than he ever thought it would. He captured her lips again. This kiss was heated: both were pouring the feelings they had held back for years into it. Abby caressed his back with one hand and snaked her other arm around his neck. Gibbs wrapped both his arms around her waist.

Gibbs carried her upstairs and finally persuaded her to take a painkiller. He grabbed another blanket for her. He knew that she often got really cold after an emotionally charged day. They stayed up talking to each other, telling each other what they loved about the other. Abby wasn't kidding; pain pills made her loopy. When she began to talk nonsense to him and started to giggle, Gibbs soothed her to sleep by caressing her back. She snuggled into him like she belonged there. Her body fit into his like they were created for each other.

"I won't let you get hurt, Abby. I've got you now."