"When you say lie you better not mean that you're lying to Abby…" Gibbs said angrily.
Tim shook his head furiously. "This picture's not real. I swear Gibbs…"
"Then prove it." Gibbs said simply.
"I can't do anything with the picture myself." Tim replied reluctantly. "It's actually pretty simple… The pixel patterns just need to get checked for any discrepancies…"
"But since you're the one in question it would be too suspicious to have you prove it yourself." Gibbs finished for him. "Abby could do that I assume…"
Tim sighed before nodding. "There's no way she'd do it though. Not right now anyway."
Gibbs looked at him sternly. "I don't need whatever's going on with this in the middle of an investigation of my team Mcgee." He headed for the door. "Fix it." He demanded.
"On it boss." Tim replied by reflex. "If you'll excuse me Agent Slacks… I must go find my wife."
"IT'S SACKS!" He called after Tim as he headed down the hallway.
Tim was surprised to see Abby as soon as he turned the corner. "Abs…" Tim said gently.
"SHUT UP MCGEE!" Abby replied sharply.
"Abby look at me." Tim requested. Abby simply stared at her hands. "Abby look at me."
Abby's head snapped up. "Are you really trying to get me to listen to you?"
"The photo's a lie." Tim said quietly.
"Kind of like how you're a lie? Everything has been a lie!" Abby retorted.
Tim shook his head and grabbed Abby's hand. "I swear to you that that photo's not real. I don't know what Sacks is up to but he's playing with us."
"You really are going to blame someone else for this?" Abby asked in disbelief.
"Abby!" Tim snapped. "If you can't trust me anymore then trust the forensics."
Abby refused to make eye contact. "What do you want me to do?"
"Check the pixel structure of the photo for discrepancies." Tim said softly as he handed her the picture.
She pushed the photo away before taking in a deep breath. "You promise?" She asked quietly in return.
Tim nodded as he silently pressed the photo into her hands.
"Emma can we go to the elevator?" Abby asked quietly as Tim quietly walked back down the hallway, staring at his shoes.
"Of course." Emma said quietly before taking Abby to the elevator.
A little over an hour later Abby was examining pixel structures and looking extremely tired. "This is really well done." She muttered under her breath.
"Find anything Abs?" Gibbs asked quietly.
Abby jumped slightly causing her stomach to jolt in protest. "Gibbs!" She said through a clenched jaw as she felt her stomach slowly settle. "What have we said about sneaking up on people?"
"Sorry." Gibbs said with a smirk.
"Never apologize it's a…"
"Sign of weakness. I know Abs. Did you find out if the picture is fake?" He asked as he leaned over her shoulder.
Abby sighed. "I really don't like going to court Gibbs."
Gibbs smirked. "Hey at least this time it's for someone you care about." He said gently.
"I also really don't like admitting I was wrong." Abby muttered before she felt two arms wrap around her shoulders. She quickly snapped her head back and saw Tim behind her. "Really Tim? I'm the only person that can prove your innocence right now and you're messing with me?"
"I'm sorry." Tim said with a smirk. "But does that mean that you can prove my innocence?"
Abby smiled and nodded before pressing her lips to his. "I'm sorry Tim." She said quietly looking ashamed. "I wanted to believe you but my hormones are everywhere and something in my brain just couldn't come to understand it. I hate this so much Timmy…"
"Hey, hey!" Tim cut her off. "It's okay sweetie. If I had been in your situation I would have probably reacted much worse."
"Ah. The team thinks that they can get out of this just by being together." Agent Sacks laughed from the doorway. "It's going to take a whole lot more than that to prove your innocence."
Tim turned around and crossed his arms. "You didn't check your evidence." He said simply.
"What are you talking about?" Agent Sacks asked suddenly looking suspicious.
Abby handed him the picture she had just printed. "That picture of Tim… was fake. And I can prove it. Also if I were given some more time I could figure out who did the editing and in what program, but since I assume you want to take me in for questioning I don't exactly have time for that now."
"That we do Mrs. Mcgee." Agent Sacks said before he positioned himself behind her wheelchair before the nurse could. "As this doesn't involve you," He directed to Emma. "I'll just have you stay here."
That's when Gibbs stood up. "No, she won't. Abby's health will not be compromised for your selfish purposes. And I want one of our agents in the interrogation room at all times."
"No one else from your team…" Sacks began to argue.
"They don't have to be from our team, but I want someone I can trust in that room." Gibbs said stubbornly.
Sacks sighed realizing Gibbs wasn't going to give up. "How about Fornell?"
Gibbs looked at Abby who nodded, giving him the reassurance he needed. "Fine, but my team can be in the observation room."
Sacks' eyes narrowed. "Fine." He agreed narrowly before pulling out his cell phone. "Fornell… I need you in interrogation." He said before stopping for a moment. "Agent Gibbs insisted." He said before hanging up. "Mrs. Mcgee?" Sacks asked expectantly.
Abby closed her eyes feeling nauseated. "Can I have a minute?" She asked quietly.
"Fornell is on his way to accompany us to interrogation…" Sacks began before Gibbs pulled him away from her.
"I know this is hard for you to understand Agent Sacks, but I need you to be really patient with her right now." Gibbs said as if he were talking to a small child in a candy store.
Before Sacks could reply Fornell came bursting into the lab. "GIBBS!" He shouted angrily. "You do realize that in addition to this case I'm working for Agent Sacks I'm running my own case."
Gibbs gave him a look that shut him up immediately. Fornell had only seen that look once before and it had been when he was talking about Shannon and Kelly. "Conference room Gibbs." Fornell snapped.
Fornell and Gibbs quickly stormed into the elevator. Fornell waited until Gibbs flipped the emergency stop switch before speaking up. "What do you need Gibbs?"
"I need you to protect my team." Gibbs replied simply.
"From?" Fornell pressed.
"Agent Sacks." Gibbs admitted. "He's got something up his sleeve against my team and Abby's feeling too sick to handle this alone. I know Abby trusts you…" He sighed before continuing. "Will you please do this for me?" He knew he was begging but for Abby it was worth it.
Fornell gave him a glare that clearly meant, 'Fine I'll do this but that doesn't mean I have to be happy about it'. Gibbs took that to mean yes and started the elevator again. As soon as the door slid open they were confronted with a very impatient Agent Sacks.
"Can I get on with my investigation yet Agent Gibbs?" He asked impatiently.
Gibbs nodded. "Go ahead… but just know we'll find out if there's anything wrong with your accusations so you might want to know what you're talking about before you go around accusing my team of anything."
Agent Sacks glared at Gibbs before climbing into the elevator. "Your team is guilty and Abby's going to be just the one to prove it."
"I've been telling you for the last hour I don't know what you're talking about." Abby said with her head on the interrogation room table. "Can I please go?"
Agent Sacks slammed a copy of Caitlin's birth certificate to the table and made Abby jump up. "You and your husband faked his death and shortly after you found out you were pregnant with Caitlin."
"Yes!" Abby replied sounding exasperated. "I've told you that at least three times! What does it have to with anything?"
Fornell interjected. "Agent Sacks… if you don't have anything pertaining to this case to ask Mrs. Mcgee I believe you should let her rest. She's been up for awhile and it's not good for her or the baby."
Before Sacks could reply his cell phone vibrated. He picked it up and smiled. "Actually… I do have something on the lab rat."
"Would you stop trying to insult me and just tell me what I did?" Abby practically begged.
"Your fingerprints have been indentified on the murder weapon." Agent Sacks replied.
Abby looked at him in silence for a moment. "I don't… I'm sorry Agent Sacks… I don't feel well…" she said weakly.
Tim immediately came through the interrogation room door and nurse Emma moved toward her and placed her palm to Abby's forehead. "Abby what's wrong?" Tim asked nervously.
"I don't know… I feel really… off." Abby replied shakily. "Like… more off than usual."
"Alright Agent Sacks, you can continue this later by all means but you have to let us take her back to get checked out. She can't lose this baby." Tim was begging.
Gibbs came through the door. "Agent Sacks my team's health comes before your investigation." He said immediately before turning to Abby. "Are you in pain?"
Abby shook her head. "No I just feel really uncomfortable." She said as she tried to shift her weight. Tim could see the discomfort in her eyes and gently put her hand in his.
"Can we get Ducky in here?" Gibbs pressed immediately. "Do you remember any of this kind of discomfort with Caitlin or Anastasia?"
Abby nodded. "I'm not worried about it. It's just taking up my brain space for right now." Abby explained as she tried to rub her own back.
"Abigail." Ducky said as he came into the room. "Where are you feeling uncomfortable?" He asked quietly as he kneeled down next to her.
Abby pulled her hand out of Tim's. "Can we… talk about it somewhere else?" She asked awkwardly realizing that all of her co-workers had somehow made their way into the room and were waiting for an answer.
Ducky could see her embarrassment and nodded. "Who do you want to come with us?" He asked gently.
Abby took in a deep breath. "Just Tim… and Nurse Emma." She said quietly.
"Alright." Ducky replied as he stood up. "Agent Sacks with all respect I'm going to take Abigail and Timothy down to autopsy with me for a little while to give her a chance to try and alleviate some of her discomfort."
Sacks sighed in defeat. "I'm never going to finish my investigation am I?"
Ducky looked at him lividly. "I'm sorry… but this team is going through a lot right now without you accusing them of murder. If you want to investigate them, you're going to have to exercise a great amount of patience." Then he turned to Abby. "Come on Abigail." He said gently before opening up the door.
"Thank you Ducky." Abby replied quietly as they headed into the elevator.
When they arrived in Autopsy Abby let out an almighty sigh she didn't know she had been holding in.
"Alright Abigail." Ducky pressed gently. "What's bothering you and what can we do to help?"
Abby shifted once again. "My back is super sore from sitting in that wheelchair for so long…" She said quietly.
"Abigail… that's definitely not the only thing bothering you." Ducky chastised.
Tim took Abby's hand. "What's bothering you Abs?" He asked quietly.
Tears began to prick at Abby's eyes. "I'm just hot and uncomfortable and my bra is way too small and I just want to go home!" She burst out.
Tim bit his lip to keep from laughing. "Hey don't cry Abs." He tried gently. "Ducky would you mind turning down the temperature in here?"
"Of course Timothy." Ducky replied before moving to the air controls.
Tim gently pulled her up. "Alright let's see what we can do about that backache." He whispered as he helped her to sit on the end of an Autopsy table. He carefully sat behind her and began to rub her back.
"Doctor Mallard?" Nurse Emma spoke up.
"What can I do for you Emma?" Ducky asked.
Emma looked a bit uncomfortable. "Abby should have a blood test ran sometime soon to determine blood sugar levels and blood cell counts."
"I can run that right now if that would be helpful." Ducky offered. Emma simply nodded and Ducky went to find the equipment.
"Ouch." Abby muttered under her breath.
"You okay Abs?" Tim asked quietly. She shook her head and Tim sighed. "What can I do for you?"
"My bra… is way too small…" She muttered. Tim immediately moved his hands up her back. "Hey!" Abby snapped. "In case you hadn't figured it out yet I don't want you messing with my chest right now…"
"Calm down Abs." Tim replied without hesitation. "I'm just unclasping your bra."
Abby sighed and relaxed. "Can I please just go home?"
"Abby you know you're going to have to go back to the hospital tonight…" Tim replied as he worked his fingers into her back.
"Tim…" She began to whine before Ducky interrupted.
"Abigail, Emma has asked me to run a blood test for her." He said sympathetically. "As soon as I'm done with this you can go up to your lab and lie down if you'd like."
Abby cursed inwardly before holding her arm out. "Here." She mumbled.
"You may feel a small amount of pressure…" Ducky said gently as he eased in the needle.
"Ow." Abby flinched.
"Hold still!" All three voices from the room chastised her.
"Sorry…" Abby said looking upset.
"Shhh." Tim comforted. "You're doing fine… you're almost done…"
Abby looked up at him. "Shut up."
"Alright Abigail." Ducky said as he gently eased the needle out. "You should go up to your lab and rest."
Tim quickly got off the table and moved around to help Abby down. "Tim can I just… stay?"
"Abby lying on a hard metal slab isn't going to help your back…" Tim protested.
Abby sighed knowing there was no use in arguing. "Fine." She muttered before carefully moving to her wheelchair.
"Abigail somebody…" Ducky began to warn before several people came storming through the Autopsy doors.
Agent Sacks was the first to speak. "Abby this charade has been going on long enough I have an investigation to run."
Tony spoke up. "Why can't you question one of us right now instead?" He pressed.
"I need to finish my interrogation of Mrs. Mcgee!" Sacks protested.
"Ask me anything you want just… talk softly… please." Abby interjected.
"Thank you Mrs. Mcgee." Agent Sacks replied. "Can we meet in interrogation in ten minutes?"
"Sure." Abby agreed unable to look up from her hands.
Sacks sighed in relief. "At least one person here respects my attempts to try and solve this case." He said before going upstairs in the elevator.
"Abby what are you doing?" Tony asked exasperatedly.
Abby looked up for the first time since the team had entered autopsy. Tony audibly gasped when he saw her face. If the rings around her eyes weren't enough to indicate how horrible she was feeling, then the pale almost green tint of her skin definitely did. "I just want to get this over with…"
"Abby I had no idea you felt so sick…" Tony began to apologize.
"Tony you're not going to help… I just want to get this done with so I can leave and see my girls again." Abby sighed.
Tim gave her a sympathetic glance. "You ready to face interrogation again?"
Abby shook her head. "I don't really have a choice though do I?"
Tim pressed his lips into her hair. "Everything's going to work out…"
"Tim… I don't need your sympathy… I don't need anything! Just take me to interrogation so I can get out of this place." Abby snapped.
Tim moved back slightly before resolving to just do what she wanted and take her up to interrogation.
"For the hundredth time Agent Sacks… I don't know how my fingerprints got on the gun you're showing me." Abby said angrily. "I've told you that you should check NCIS evidence databases to see if it's a gun from one of our cases but you just won't work with it."
"You're trying to cause a diversion!" Agent Sacks claimed.
Abby looked at him in disbelief. "In case my vomiting into that bin in the corner isn't an indication… I want to get out of here… immediately. You're the only thing in my way right now. Why would I try and make this take longer?"
"I don't know. Why would you and your team kill Ms. Edwards?" Agent Sacks retorted.
"Dude." Abby said officially having lost her temper. "I seriously will vomit on you if you don't end this soon…"
Agent Sacks pulled his chair back slightly. "Well… I guess we can temporarily release you." Sacks said sounding frustrated.
"Okay… you release me… and have someone run the gun through our database… then when you know if I actually did something wrong… call me." Abby said anxiously.
"Agent Sacks?" Fornell questioned. "Are we releasing Mrs. Mcgee until further notice?"
Agent Sacks nodded as he typed something into his phone.
Abby let out a breath she didn't know she was holding in. Fornell smirked as Emma stood up to take Abby out of the room. "Would you like me to call Tim up here for you?" Fornell asked as they made their way into the hallway.
"No need." Tim replied as he rounded the corner followed by his daughters.
"Mom!" Anastasia said out loud without signing, a rare occurrence for their daughter.
Stace don't… Abby warned her daughter who came to a screeching halt. Stacey I'm sorry… I need to go back to the hospital.
"Abby, are you feeling alright?" Tim asked a question he wasn't really asking.
Abby shook her head. "I just need something to eat." She said answering the question discreetly.
"Alright girls let's get going." Tim said taking his daughters hands. "Abby we'll meet you back at the hospital alright?"
Abby nodded before putting her face in her hands. I am so not ready for this.
Author's Note: Sorry it took so long to update, my best friend I hardly ever see was in town all week. But… I should be back to regular updates! Thanks so much for the reviews keep 'em comin'!
