Hey, just want to say, as always, thank you for the kind words from the last chapter. Sorry it's been a while since I updated! Been a very busy bee of late! Hope that you enjoy this chapter and hope that ya'll will review! )

Gibbs mind reeled as he processed the information Jen had just told him. He let his cell drop from his ear and he placed it back in his trousers pocket. It couldn't be true. Abby couldn't be missing. Gibbs confusion quickly turned to anger and his fist slammed into the wall of Tony's hospital room.

"Dammit! What the hell is going on here?"

"Boss?" DiNozzo looked worried, his eyes wide with fear. Gibbs was very rarely this angry.

"Abby's missing." Gibbs knew he couldn't lie to Tony no matter how much he didn't want to worry him.

"That settles it then Boss." Tony started to lever himself up in his bed and, although wincing with every movement, managed to manoeuvre his legs over the side of the bed. Using his good arm, he pushed himself up off the bed and stood up.

"Get back in that bed now DiNozzo, and that's an order."

"Gibbs you know as well as I do I'm the only one who can help you figure out where my father is. Now either get me my clothes and take me to HQ or be stubborn and we run the risk of not figuring out where Abby is or who has her. What's it gonna be Gibbs?" Tony had never spoken to Gibbs like this but Tony sensed Gibbs needed some tough love right now. Tony had to pretend to be strong. He couldn't let anything happen to Abby like it had happened to Kate.

Gibbs took precisely six seconds to make his decision. "I'll get Ziva to bring you in some new clothes on one condition."

Tony moved closer towards Gibbs and stared at him, searching for the reason behind the questioning look in his eyes.

"What's the condition Boss? Whatever it is I'm on your six."

"I need you to be honest with me Tony if you know anything about your father and where Abby is you have to tell me."

"Gibbs I've told you everything I know…" Tony's words trailed off. "Gibbs we need to get back to HQ."

"What is it?" Gibbs looked hard at Tony trying to figure out what he was thinking.

"I wanna check it out first Boss. My guts telling me to check something out." Just then Gibbs cell rang again.

"Gibbs," he smiled inside knowing full well he shouldn't even be using his cell in the hospital. He always like the fact he knew the rules but always broke them.

"Gibbs, where the hell are you! Abby's missing and you hang up on me…" Gibbs listened to Jen rant and put his hand over the speaker on his cell. "Ring Ziva and tell her to bring you in some clothes when they've finished with your apartment. Tell McGee to get back to HQ and start searching through your past for information on your father."

"But Boss…?" Tony's eyes suddenly filled with fear. He didn't want someone else searching through all of his sordid past. He didn't want someone else to pity him.

"You thinking what I'm thinking I know you are," Gibbs paused and then continued more gently, "We have to save her Tony." With that, Gibbs turned on his heels and made his way towards the hospital waiting room where Jen would be leaving Tony to swallow his pride and finally face up to the fact that his past, after all these years of hiding it, was about to be aired between all the people closest to him. Making the important decision to confront his fears he shuffled over towards the telephone in the room. Dialling Ziva's number he took a deep breath to compose himself.

"Hello?"

"Ziva, its Tony…"

McGee had never told anyone how he felt about Abby. He thought people would laugh at him. Not because he loved everything about her, not because he would lay down his life for her, but because she was so totally out of his league. And now she was missing, he didn't now whether to cry or to vent his anger. "If anyone hurts her…"

"McGee, do you honestly believe that Gibbs would let anyone hurt Abby?" McGee jumped not realising he'd said his thoughts out loud. Ziva knew exactly why McGee was so upset. They all knew. It was obvious how much he cared for Abby and if only McGee had had some self confidence and asked Abby out, he would have found out how much Abby liked him too. But now was not a time to get emotional. Ziva had been in this situation before and she knew she had to get a grip of herself and help McGee to get a grip on himself too. "McGee, you take the SUV back to HQ start looking into Tony's father and when you find anything call Gibbs ok? I've gotta take some clothes to the hospital, pick up Tony and then we'll meet you. McGee you've got to get your gay face on."

"I think you mean my game face Ziva."

"That too. Now, lets find out who hurt Tony and find out who's got Abby ok?"

McGee physically shook himself. "Let's do it."

Jen had previously encountered injured agents and dead acquaintances but never had she had to deal with one severely beaten friend and one missing friend all in the same day. When Kate had been murdered, the whole team had taken it hard, Jen especially knowing Kate as a friend, knowing that she didn't deserve to die. Jen knew that one day this day would come. The day she doubted that she could do this job. She needed Gibbs right now before she had a meltdown. Feeling the tears pricking her eyes, she picked her cell up off the hospital chair where she'd thrown it after Gibbs hung up on her and shaking, pressed the green call button again. Just as she raised the cell to her ear, she felt a hand on her shoulder and knew instinctively the person that touch belonged to. Turning, she fell into Gibbs arms, feeling for the first time tonight as though she were safe. Gibbs knew her so well she felt no shame in letting the tears fall freely from her eyes. She knew that Gibbs would let her cry and then he'd build her back up again before you could say 'coffee'.

Gibbs raised a hand and cradled the back of Jen's head with it. He kissed the top of her head and soothed her. He was the only one who could make her feel safe; he knew that from when she'd confessed before. But he also knew how good a field agent she was and he needed her to help him find Tony's father, and more importantly, to find Abby.

"You know who did this don't you?" Jen's voice was slightly muffled but the words were unmistakable. She raised her head from Gibbs shoulder and looked directly into his eyes. Gibbs heart melted slightly at the sight of Jen so upset. He always would have a soft spot for her and if he could sort everything out right now for her, he would. But he had to be honest with her.

"So do you."

"How did you…?"

"You know DiNozzo as well as I do, you know when something's eating him up. I know that you were getting more and more suspicious. I know that you would have done what I did and checked out his past for ideas. I know that you know what I do. Now do you think the same as me?"

"I think he's got Abby if that's what you mean, but where can we find him Gibbs? He could be anywhere!"

"Tony's coming into HQ-"

"But he needs to be in bed Gibbs!"

"Jen, he's got my stubborn streak and he knows as well as we both do that he's the only one who can lead us to his father."

"Do you think she's still alive Gibbs?"

"I'd know it if she wasn't Jen. Now let's get back to HQ and find her."

Abby's head hurt more than the time when she's had a few too many absinthes and fallen down the stairs in her apartment building. She couldn't focus and her head felt seriously fuzzy. It was the cold and the wet that got to her most though. She was extremely cold and noticed immediately that her boots and Gibbs jacket were missing. All she had left on was her tiny white skull vest top and her bed shorts. Trying to sit herself up straight, she tried to remember exactly what had happened and how she'd got here and then the task would be to figure out where she was. Putting her weight on her left arm, she winced as a sharp pain shot through her entire body. Feeling slightly nauseous she knew she had a broken wrist. She also knew she wasn't alone. Abby could feel a presence in this cold, wet, close to pitch black room. She felt like she wanted to cry but she couldn't show weakness. See, Gibbs had taught her something.

"Who are you?" Abby ventured. The presence moved closer and smacked her across the face. Yelping in pain, she fell backwards once more onto the cold cement floor of the room. Raising a hand to her mouth, and then to her nose she didn't have to see the blood to know it was there, tasting it was all the evidence she needed.

"Who I am is none of your concern."

"What do you want with me?" Abby countered, she knew she had to try and get information. If she lived through this she needed to be able to tell Gibbs everything she knew. She now knew it was a man, the voice and the smack across the face had told her that. Before she could defend herself, the man had knelt down over her and pinned her to the floor. Abby could feel herself shaking. She tried to fight him off her but with the broken wrist and general weakness of her body, she couldn't.

"Don't panic little missy, I'll keep you alive until you get me what I want."

"Get off me!" Abby spat.

"Temper, Temper Abigail." Abby's blood froze at the mention of her name. He knew her. Something began to haunt her about him. God that voice sounded familiar, or at least the accent did – where had she heard it before? "Now, I'll get off you on one condition. You stay still and don't try any funny business, ok?"

Abby nodded and her attacker slowly lifted his weight from over her. Her mind began to race. She knew that accent, she recognised it so well but for the life of her she couldn't place it. And now, maybe it was her life that she'd be losing.

"What do you want with me?" She repeated her question from earlier and hoped that her attacker had calmed. She couldn't stand another smack to the face. Her head was throbbing from, where she assumed, she's been smacked over the back of the head when she was kidnapped.

"It's not necessarily what I want with you Abby, it's what you can give to me."

"What do you want?" Abby couldn't help herself. She was trying to stay calm but she wanted answers. Answers could help her stay alive and right now that was the option she preferred.

"Well, I think you can stew for a while whilst I go make myself some dinner." He swiftly made his way from the room and Abby could hear bolts being put across the door. Emotionally drained and fearing for her life, she sat up and threw her hands against the floor, frustrated. She couldn't hold her tears back any longer. Knowing she was now alone she cried aloud, "Gibbs help me please…" Allowing her tears to wave over her, she curled up back onto the floor and tried to keep warm.

"You look like crap."

"Thanks Ziva, you always know how to make me feel better." Ziva had reached the hospital soon after Gibbs, Jen and Ducky had left for HQ. Tony was quite visibly in pain and Ziva tried to lighten the mood slightly but knew Tony was in no mood for jokes. She instead decided to help him into his clothes, wishing that she could ignore the bruises, cuts and scars covering his body. Fully clothed, Tony slowly made his way to the car park followed by Ziva.

"Any news on Abby yet?"

"Not yet," Ziva kept her eyes firmly focused on the SUV they were walking slowly towards.

"How's McGee taking it?" Tony broached the question gently.

"Not so good, he's angry he wasn't there for her."

"Poor McGee, we all know how he feels about Abby. Gibbs isn't much better we all know she's like a daughter to him. He left a dent on the wall of my room in the hospital. I feel like this is all my fault."

"Tony, it is not your fault," Ziva paused as her cell rang. "David…. Ok McGee we're on our way."

"What's he found?"

"Well he may have found out why Abby was kidnapped."

Tony swallowed hard. He couldn't tell whether it was tears or guilt he was trying to gulp down but either way he had to be strong. He watched as Ziva strolled ahead to the SUV and opened the door for him. He'd never really realised quite how beautiful she was until now. She helped him into the SUV and leaned over to strap him in. He couldn't help but reach out for her. She resisted at first but then she cushioned her head against his shoulder.

"What's happening Tony? I don't understand…" Ziva let Tony hold her for a while before she gently pushed against his chest and shut the door. She walked round to the drivers side and got in. "You tell anyone I let you hug me and I shoot you." She smiled before starting the ignition and driving at quick speed towards the HQ.

McGee hadn't quite understood what Gibbs had expected him to find in Tony's past that they hadn't found before when Tony was framed for murder but all the same, McGee trusted Gibbs and did as he said. McGee was astonished when he'd found all the police records about the domestic disturbances and the assaults. He was even more shocked when he found out about how Tony's father had been in jail until 3 weeks ago. He'd been even more shocked when reading the case files of the trial to find a suspicious looking man also arrested in connection to Tony's fathers case. Something about the features of the man had haunted McGee and without a moment's hesitation he'd delved deeper and deeper. He had to help Abby and there was nothing he wouldn't do to help her. He would never forgive himself if there was something he over looked, something that could find her. McGee had found this mans records and suddenly everything had made sense.

"Martin Sciuto was arrested in connection with drugs charges…" McGee skimmed the newspaper report he had found and read how Abby's father had co-operated with police to get immunity. However, the people he had snitched on included Tony's father. It had all happened as a drop Tony's father was supposed to have made with 3 others was busted when the cops raided an abandoned warehouse. Abby's father had turned up late for the drop and when he tried to escape without the police seeing him he'd been arrested. He'd promised to co-operate and give up all of his fellow dealers if he had immunity. To McGee it sounded as though someone was out for revenge. Picking up his cell, he found himself shaking. Was Abby still alive? 'Shut up McGee of course she's still alive,' he took a deep breath and called Gibbs.

"Gibbs, it's McGee. When do you think you'll be here?"

"About now," As Gibbs said this he stepped round the corner of the bullpen followed closely by the director and Ducky. Closing his cell phone, McGee said, "There's something you need to see here Boss."

"Are you ok Tony? You're looking rather lame?"

"I hope you mean pale rather than lame David and I'll be fine," Tony winced as he propped himself up against the wall of the elevator.

"Well I think you should have stayed in the hospital…"

"Well you'll soon find out why I couldn't do that Ziva," The elevator pinged and Tony stepped out leaving Ziva dumbstruck behind him. He'd never used that angry tone with him before. She knew that this had something to do with his father and she reasoned that he was just really sensitive right now. She made a mental note to apologise later. Following Tony across to the bull pen she took her seat by her desk and listened as McGee recounted all of the details of his findings. The director was stood extremely close to Gibbs but Ziva could see why. Jen looked scared and Gibbs had a way of making you feel at ease even when you thought you couldn't.

"Where's Ducky?" Tony looked around the room for the English gentleman. "You didn't leave him at the hospital did you?"

"He's gone down to autopsy to tell Palmer everything that's going on. In the meantime I think…"

Gibbs reached into his pocket for his cell, "Ducky why are you…?"

Without warning, Gibbs dropped his cell on to his desk and sprinted to the elevator. All suddenly anxious over the phone call, Ziva, Tony, McGee and the Director followed him into the lift. In the elevator, Gibbs shifted awkwardly from foot to foot, he was anxious about something and the team decided, wisely, to stay quiet. Once they'd reached their destination they saw Ducky waiting outside Abby's lab. Ducky gestured for Gibbs to go in and followed him into the lab.

Gibbs strode into the room, his back giving away how tense he felt through the thin fabric of his t-shirt. He walked over to Abby's desk and saw what Ducky had been so upset by.

"He's been here, Jethro."

Ziva made her way round to where Gibbs was standing and drew in a quick gasp of breath. It was Gibbs jacket and Abby's boots that she'd been wearing earlier. It wasn't the fact that her attacker had been here or the fact that the items of clothing were there that caused so much distress. It was because, as Tony aptly summed up, "Gibbs, why are they covered in blood?"

Well, I hope that that was long enough to make up for me not updating sooner and I hope that you are all still reading and will review to let me know if you are enjoying it. Until next time )

p.s. for P.I.P thanks for letting me know about the cell phones – that little bit in the hospital with Gibbs was just for you – hope you liked it! )