Sorry if the chapters are a little short, but it helps me write. I would rather post them than hold on to them.
Gibbs will understand what he has done, and we will get the reason for his attitude soon...please keep reading x
(Also, sorry if Abby seems a little too soft)
'Tony, Tony, Tony' Abby squealed as she ran across the office in her platforms some ten minutes after Gibbs left.
Tony stood just in time to catch the flying scientist as she lunged into his arms.
She had been processing the prints and DNA from the bad men who had attacked Tony, so hadn't been able to tackle the man earlier. She had been frustrated by the lack of 'ding' in relation to the second attacker's ID, and still had to process the evidence Ducky had collected from the bodies, but right now she felt it was more important to be squeezing what little life Tony had left in him, out.
'Abby.' Tony wheezed, prying himself free.
The coughing that followed he blamed solely on the lack of oxygen from Abby's super-hug.
As Abby stepped back to take a good look at her hero (she had even called him that out loud once or twice since he had saved her from Ari – much to Tony's embarrassment) she noticed something
'Tony, why are you wet?'
'It tends to happen when you take a nap in the snow Abby.'
He waited for the barrage that never came; instead she turned her full wrath upon McGee
'McGee, why didn't you make him change his cloths? He could get sick again, is that what you want? Is it?' She punched him in the arm due to the lack of immediate response 'Answer me McGee, is it?'
McGee looked lost as he rubbed his arm, and Tony took pity.
'We've been a little busy Abby, and I have been getting dressed without McGee's help for a while now.'
'I don't care, you're a team and he should be looking out for you. Where's Gibbs.' She asked, once again addressing to McGee, a scowl adorning her usually cheerful features.
Afraid of what she might say to Gibbs, Tony pulled open his file draw and removed his spare set of clothes. Seeing the movement she turned on Tony
'Change. Now Mister. Go' Abby said pointing. 'Unless you want to change here, I don't mind.' She said suggestively causing Tony to laugh and McGee to glare.
'I'm going.' Tony said knowing better than to argue with her. He had only taken one step when Gibbs came storming back.
'McGee, keep working, DiNozzo with me.' Not stopping he went straight for the elevator, but before he was out of range Abby yelled after him.
'Tony has to change his clothes first Gibbs.'
He ignored her
'Gibbs' she yelled again.
They were no longer alone in the office. Some of the other agents had arrived early for the day's work, but the whole place had suddenly become very quiet.
'Not now Abby.' Gibbs yelled back and Tony could almost see the tears forming.
'It's ok Abs.' Tony said kissing her forehead, before stripping his top off and replacing it with a dry one.
Luckily he had a t-shirt underneath, he didn't think she would let him leave so easily if she could see the colours (he could feel) forming on his torso. He did mention the fight last night, right?
Noticing the sift in Gibbs mood, Tony made a decision
'McGee, get Ziva back here.'
'But Tony, I can't she's...'
'Tim, I don't have time to argue. We need a fresh perspective and she's it. Use my name to get her off that course and back here asap. I'll deal with Gibbs.'
Tony gently pulled one of Abby's pigtails as he grabbed his gear. It felt better to leave her smiling, before dashing after Gibbs before the doors slid shut.
Tony couldn't take it any more
'Where are we going Boss?'
'Back to the crime scene DiNozzo, where else?'
'What? Why? We've been through the area twice already'
'Yes you have.'
'What's that supposed to mean?' Tony replied defensively
'You tell me.' Gibbs huffed. 'If you cleared the scene, explain to me why one of those men you put in the morgue last night was carrying a bullet that matched a whole in our Petty Officer?'
'Ducky said she was killed by a blow to the head.'
'She was, they probably didn't realise they had already killed her when they smashed her face in and shot her, but that doesn't answer the question does it? If you didn't miss the evidence the first time around, how did it end up on the guy you shot?'
'I don't know.' Tony said decisively 'but I can tell you one thing, we didn't miss any evidence. Boss'
The subject was dropped, but the car continued silently on to its destination.
The wind whipped around them, luckily it wasn't strong enough to disturb the scene but it was still biting.
Tony pulled his jacket tighter around his body in an effort to stave off the cold, feeling glad he had listened to Abby and was now wearing a dry sweatshirt, plus he still had the gloves probie gave him the previous evening.
His headache seemed to have diminished to a dull roar. It wasn't like he hadn't had a concussion before, and so far there had been no danger of even having the time to fall asleep, so he didn't worry about it.
The scene had grown significantly. It now include the area from where Tony had been attacked right the way back to where the attackers had parked a vehicle. The tyre treads had been sent to Abby, but unfortunately they were too generic to narrow down the suspect vehicle list any further than three very popular models.
They both conducted a thorough search (and Tony pretended not to notice when Gibbs rechecked his area). As Tony predicted, there was nothing left to find, but Gibbs being Gibbs took two hours to also reach that conclusion.
'Get in the car.'
'Yes sir.' Tony replied barely under his breath and defiantly loud enough for Gibbs to hear, who in response slammed the door far harder than necessary.
They were half way back when Tony started to feel unwell. He realised he hadn't eaten since lunch the previous day, and in-between working through the night and trying to keep warm, he had worked up quite an appetite.
He waited as long as possible, hoping they would make it back, but even Gibbs rambunctious driving had been curtailed by the weather and the trip had taken twice as long as usual. They were about half an hour out when Tony could wait no longer.
'Gibbs.'
'What.'
'Can we stop for food?'
'You can eat when we close the case DiNozzo.'
'Please.' Tony added. It grated to ask but he was feeling pretty bad now
Gibbs turned, meeting Tony's eyes. Tony held Gibbs' glare until it softened, just a little. Looking back at the road Gibbs back-peddled in his own unique manor
'I'll send McGee out for something when we get back.'
Knowing that was the best he was going to get, Tony slid down in his seat and rested his head for the remaining journey.
His respite was short...
He was leaning heavily against the elevator wall as it ascended towards the office. He would defiantly be blaming the next absence of foresight on the lack of sleep.
'Ziva.' Gibbs growled as soon as he caught sight of the newest addition to the team. (Shit thought Tony I meant to speak to him about this before he saw her) 'What the hell are you doing here?'
'I was told you needed my help, yes?' she asked puzzled at Gibbs response
'I called her in.' Tony said from behind the pair, in a very matter-of-fact (if slightly weary) voice.
'My office, now.'
Gibbs stalked off ahead of Tony who stopped to flash Ziva, a small 'don't worry about it' grin. Unfortunately he only made it half way back to the elevator before the world tilted and everything became black.
Big argument to come (if Tony is up to it)...and after Ducky has finished with them first. Thanks
