AN: Dear fans, here in Michigan, we have what is called 'black ice' and I had my first "run" in with it on Monday morning, I was traveling on an expressway bridge, hit the ice and subsequently crashed multiples times against the concrete wall partitions. By the Grace of God, I am well. At exiting the car, via a good Samaritan, I also witnessed approx. 20 more crashes as we waited for police to arrive. It was certainly an experience I will never forget. I am grateful that I am still here, and able to finish this story for you all , among many other things I am thankful to be doing. So after that long introduction, here is Ch. 4….

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"Abigail, please try to calm down…" he attempted to keep her quiet as she was getting more worked up by the second.

"I need Gibbs, need Gibbs here Ducky."

"He's on his way my dear…"

Little did they know, that Gibbs was on his way, but not in the way they imagined.

Just as Ducky reached for another handkerchief, he saw the doors of the ER swing open and a familiar frame lying on the stretcher.

"Dear Lord…" He got up and paced towards the stretcher to see in fact, it was his friend. "What happened?" He grabbed a hold of a nurse who was moving along side.

"Car accident…got to go sir…" She raced past him, and entered through the double doors, not allowing Ducky to follow.

Abby appeared at his side, bordering on hysterical. "What is it?"

Ducky sighed and put both his hands on her shoulders, looking up at her but not sure what to say.

"What is it Ducky?!" She demanded with her tone.

"That was Gibbs, Abigail; he's been in an accident."

She stepped past him to the double doors which had just closed, and began to pound on the glass, when two security officers made their way over.

"Get your hands off her, I've got her." He stepped in and took hold of her arm. "Easy Abigail, it didn't seem too bad, please calm down my dear." The two took a seat at the closest chair Ducky could get to.

"This isn't happening Ducky, it isn't…all just a bad dream...right…tell me it's all just a bad dream."

"I wish it was, but I'm afraid I cannot tell you that…what I can tell you is that no matter what happens here today, I will not leave your side my dear."

She began to grip his hand tighter and they embraced for a moment. "I am going to see about Ziva…stay here please."

She nodded and he headed towards the nurses station. "Any news on Ziva David…she had lost a heart rhythm just moments ago…we were waiting to see about her condition."

The nurse hit a few keys and looked up. "She is critical now, and I'm afraid you may need to speak with the doctor for her current condition, I will page him for you."

He took a deep breath. "Thank you, we will be right there." He pointed over in Abby's direction. "Any chance you could tell me anything about the gentlemen who was just brought in…?"

"All I know is what came over the radio, appears there was an accident…you know him as well?"

He looked down. "I do, he was rushing here for Miss David's condition."

"I see, well, I will keep you updated best I can Mister…?"

"Mallard…and its Doctor."

"Really, what's your specialty Doctor?" She asked curious.

"Medical Examiner." He said simply and turned to walk towards Abby, who was now staring straight ahead. A few minutes passed before a Doctor in a white lab coat approached the two of them.

"Doctor Mallard?"

He stood up, and Abby did the same. "I am…what can you tell us?"

"Well, Miss David, as you may know lost a heart rhythm a few moments ago, I'm afraid the lack of oxygen during that time has caused her to slip into a coma…her wounds were repaired in surgery to best of our ability. Right now, we are monitoring her closely, to ward against any further lapses. I'm afraid all we can do now is…"

"Wait…yes I'd imagined you would say something to that affect."

"It is certainly the truth Doctor, I'm sure you can understand how the brain can be damaged when deprived of oxygen."

"I do." He responded softly, and Abby began to grip his hand tighter as the conversation unfolded.

"What are her chances? I mean she's gonna wake up right?" Abby added.

"It is too early to tell, but I will say that with the amount of time she was flat lined, it is likely there will be some adverse affects, should she wake up at all."

Abby punched him in the left shoulder. "Now why would you go and say something like that? She is gonna be fine… you have to think positive okay?!"

He had been slugged before when giving bad news, but never punched in the shoulder, but at this point he wasn't sure which hurt more. "I apologize ma'am, but I am simply trying to be straight with you."

"I don't want you to be straight; I want you to be optimistic."

"Abigail please."

"No Ducky, he's using words like adverse, and if, and unlikely…what kind of positive thoughts are they?"

Ducky shook his head and nodded an apology towards the Doctor. "We understand, when will we be able to see her?"

"I will have a nurse notify you." He stared at Abby for a moment. "Ma'am, I assure you we are doing everything possible to help your friend."

She nodded but said nothing. Just as the doctor walked away, she saw the double doors open and a familiar face coming towards her.

"Tony!!!"

She raced towards him, but stopped mid-hug, as she noticed the grimace of pain on his face. "Hey Abs."

"Tony…how are you my boy?" Ducky approached his side.

"I'm alright, just a flesh wound…I didn't see McGee or Ziva in there…what's going on?"

Abby sighed. "We almost lost Ziva …she's in a coma Tony."

Tony's eyes closed. "Gosh, what the hell happened Ducky? Where is Gibbs, I know he was here when I blacked out…"

Ducky looked over at Abigail. "Tony you may not want to believe this, but Gibbs was just brought in, he was in accident…"

Tony looked back through the doors. "The guy they just brought in…you mean to tell me that was the boss?"

"I'm afraid so."

Tony turned back and limped quickly down the hall way. The two security guards from earlier, making sure that neither Ducky nor Abbey followed.

After about ten minutes, which seemed like an eternity to the both of them, Tony re-emerged from the doors and walked towards where they were sitting. "Looks like he'll be alright…just some bruising and a nice concussion…they said he'll be out for a bit."

"Thank God." Ducky responded, and gave a small smile towards Abby.

"Did you ask about McGee, Tony?" Abby asked, only relieved for a moment.

"Yeah, they said he's still in surgery, but they cant tell me anything…" He started to rub his temples. "Man; I'm beginning to think this is all just a bad dream."

"There's a lot of that going around my boy…will they be releasing you soon?"

"Not yet, I bribed the nurse with my number to let me walk around…"

Abby punched his in the shoulder. "Abs…geez…sorry, look, when Gibbs wakes up we'll have a better idea of what's going on…until then, I should put a call into the Director and give her an update."

Ducky nodded. "I will go ask the nurse about an update on Timothy…Abby why don't you have a seat, I'll be right back.'

She agreed and walked slowly to her chair, as she sat down her mind was spinning. And for the first time since she was a child, she hung her head low, and prayed.

"Yes, I would like to check on Timothy McGee, he was brought in along side Miss David."

The nurse looked at him curious. "You know all of these people?"

"We work together, they are NCIS agents…there was a shooting as you can see and well, yes…I do know them…so please, tell me how he is?"

"I see…" She picked up the phone and stared at him reassuringly. "It appears he is out of surgery…he is in ICU now, he's in serious condition…I can see about letting you and your friend into see him soon…" She could see the tiredness and worry in his eyes, and in all her years as a nurse, she had never seen anything like it.

He reached out to shake her hand and brought it up to kiss it. "You are an angel my dear, thank you."

She smiled in return. "It seems you are something of an angel as well." She motioned over to Abby.

"Yes, well, she is very dear to me, well; to all of us…this has been hard on us all."

"I will do everything I can to keep you informed, and please call me Michelle."

"Thank you Michelle." He released her hand, as he realized he had not yet let go. "We won't be far."

He paced over to Tony and Abigail. "Timothy is in the ICU, appears his injuries are severe but he should be alright…did the Director Sheppard have anything to offer?"

Tony shook his head. "Just that Gibbs wouldn't return her calls…he didn't say anything to you about who was behind this Ducky?"

"I'm afraid not."

"Well I have an idea of someone he may have gone to for answers…I'm going to make another phone call."

Ducky took a seat next to Abby and slowly took hold of her hand. "Everyone is going to make it Abigail, we have to stay strong."

"Dr. Mallard." The nurse approached and he stood up to greet her. "Your friend, Leroy Gibbs, he is coming around, he's asking for a DiNozzo?"

Ducky smiled. "Yes, I will go get him, thank you so much Michelle."

She smiled in return. "He is in bed four, around the corner."

Tony arrived shortly after the nurse walked away. "What's up?"

"Gibbs is awake; he is asking for you, bed four."

He sighed in relief. "Alright, I'll be back soon, I promise." He gripped Abby's other hand before walking away.

Tons of thoughts were running through Tony's head as he made his way to Gibb's side. He couldn't believe that his team, well Gibbs team, was in this state. But his fears were comforted, when he reminded himself of who their leader was, and that he had never let them down before.

As he approached the bed, Gibbs mangled form stared up at him and attemped to speak. "You were hit?"

Tony nodded. "Apparently." He laughed a bit. "But I'm alright…how you doing?"

"Head-ache…Ziva—McGee?"

He closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath before responding. "McGee should be alright, he's in ICU…but Ziva, well, she's…"

"Dead isn't she?" He leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

Tony shook his head. "No, would take more than two bullets to take her out boss…she's in a coma now, the doc said it doesn't look good though…"

"Brain damage?" Gibbs asked.

"You knew she was out boss?"

"Ducky told me just before I came, said she flat lined…I was on my way when I was blindsided damnit."

Tony took a seat near the bed. "Don't get mad at me boss, but I just called Fornell and he 'reluctantly' filled me in, so where do we go from here?"

"We?" Gibbs looked him up and down. "You're hurt Tony."

"Well you're not looking too hot yourself."

"This is my battle…and I'm not taking the risk of losing you again."

Tony looked up at him. "You're not doing this alone…they tried once, they'll try again."

He thought for a moment. "Fine…listen, call the Director, have her put out on the news that I was killed in the accident…then we'll go get the bastard."

He nodded. "Alright, you know where he is?"

"I know where he will be."

Tony shrugged. "Where's that?"

"Mexico."

He smiled slightly. "Vacation boss?"

Gibbs nodded and attempted to sit up, his legs dangling from the bed frame.

"Vacation DiNozzo."

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AN: This was meant to be two chapters, but after the long delay, I wanted to give you a big dose. Please review, it will make my neck and back feel better :)