Goodbye, Abby: Broken Principles

Author: AnonymousNCISFan
Rating: T (PG-13)

Summary: 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 4: Feeling Stuck

Georgetown University Hospital

Gibbs awoke to the sharp pinging of medical equipment and the feel of sticky patches across his chest. Opening his eyes, he recognized the pitted ceiling and smell of antiseptic. He was in the hospital. Again. His last memory caused him to bolt upright in an attempt to free himself of the medical devices.

"Easy, easy, Gibbs," Agent Jacqueline "Jack" Sloane said gently, placing a hand on his arm. "They're just monitoring you to make sure your vitals are good."

"Where is she," Gibbs asked, breathing hard, the machines picking up his accelerated heartbeat. "Where's Abby?" His eyes were wide, swimming with fear and anger. Anger at what had happened, anger that he couldn't prevent it, anger that he was stuck in a hospital bed instead of where he really wanted – no, needed – to be – at Abby's side.

"She's in surgery," Sloane said slowly, gauging his reaction. Gibbs looked down, closing his eyes. With a shake of his head, he tried to gather his thoughts.

"How long have I been out?" he asked.

"I'd say about two hours," Sloane replied. "Are you OK? Do you want to talk about it?"

Gibbs sighed heavily, looking out the window next to his bed. He and Sloane had become somewhat close over the past few months, and he'd confided in her a number of times. But he felt too vulnerable now, on the verge of something he didn't want to face.

Sloane waited out his silence, finally breaking it. "Doctor said Abby's a fighter," she commented, trying to reassure him.

"Yea," Gibbs rasped, furrowing his brow and turning toward her. "So what the hell happened?"

"Well, you were there…"

"No, I mean before. How the hell did this guy get access to the building, get a gun inside and … and do this?"

Sloane pursed her lips, nodding. "McGee pulled the security and lab recordings. He was disguised as a delivery guy, had the whole get-up. Went straight for the lab. Our best guess is that he was trying to destroy evidence that would incriminate him in the murder of his father."

"What about the gun?" Gibbs asked, his voice hoarse.

"He didn't bring it with him. Abby was examining the weapon from the crime scene. She test-fired the gun, then left ballistics to compare the striations on the bullet to the one found in the victim."

Sloane hesitated, not sure if Gibbs was in the right frame of mind to hear the rest. But she could tell Gibbs was already piecing the events together in his mind.

"You're telling me Abby left a loaded gun in ballistics? Wouldn't happen," Gibbs said strongly.

"No, I'm not saying that," Sloane replied gently. "From what we could see, Blake came in the back way, saw the ballistics lab and ducked in."

Gibbs looked off into the distance, remembering the many times he'd done that, once to surprise Abby with a birthday present, another just to mess with her. But that was years ago …

"Bishop found the evidence box where the gun was secured," Sloane continued, interrupting his thoughts. "It was ripped open and tossed aside. He must've noticed it, seen his name…"

"Seemed way to wound up to put all that together," Gibbs commented.

"Oh, he was definitely on something," Sloane remarked. "We sent his blood work to metro's lab to see what they could find."

"Metro's involved?"

"Well, we couldn't get a replacement on such short notice, especially with the lab being a crime scene…"

Gibbs swallowed hard, biting his lip. Sloane noticed his sullen expression.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"

"It's fine," Gibbs said in a quiet tone, clearing his throat. "Where'd he get the bullets?"

"Broke into the drawers in the lab to find them. That's when Abby heard him."

Sloane was hesitant to continue, unsure if this was what Gibbs should be hearing at the moment. He was exhibiting signs of shock, possible PTSD. Sloane heard that Gibbs had a soft spot for Abby, that they were close, though during her time at NCIS headquarters she hadn't seen any signs of that. Not until she watched the video playback from the lab, which caught their interaction. She had to zoom in tight, and the video was grainy, but she could make out Gibbs' obvious distress – more than it should have been given his profession and experience. She could also make out Abby's sign language – something Sloane picked up after she'd been rescued from her imprisonment overseas. It was a beautiful language, she thought, and learning it had helped keep her mind occupied at a time when she wasn't ready to face her experience.

"I want to see the tape," Gibbs said, looking Sloane in the eye.

"Why don't we just take this one step at a time, get you OK'd by a doctor first?"

"You almost get blown to bits and refuse to go to the hospital; I get a few bumps and bruises and I'm stuck here in this god-forsaken bed?"

"Gibbs, you have a broken rib, your knee is swollen like a grapefruit, the history of your prior injuries is a mile long and, well…you look like hell."

Rolling his eyes, Gibbs crossed his arms, frowning. "Well, don't you say the sweetest things?"

"Gibbs I-"

"Just get me a damn doctor so I can get outta here!" he barked, immediately regretting his harsh tone.

"OK, OK," Sloane responded, holding up her hands.

"Jack," Gibbs called as she was about to exit the room. She turned back. "Thanks," he said simply, staring up at her apologetically.

Sloane nodded, giving him a small smile before leaving the room, and leaving Gibbs alone with his thoughts.

TO BE CONTINUED…