Note: So I've probably said this before but this time I mean it, we are nearing the end. a couple more chapters and we're done. One confrontation with Tony, one with Abby and the story is all but over. Unless I put in an epilogue or something. So what to say...oh yeah, can't wait for the new season, cliffhanger was awesome. Oh yeah, I'm hoping to get a few more one shots from last season, I had a few ideas but all the free time i did have to write I put into this fic. Regardless, I'll try to put some new stuff up soon. In the meantime, Read and review. I love reviews. They are awesome.
McGee studied his fallen partner through the observation room glass. Tony's chest was swathed in bandages but besides that, he looked alright. He was pale, then again they all were. Even Abby seemed unusually drained, goth makeup aside. The last few days had been hell and no one was even close to being in top form. Talking with Gibbs earlier, though it may have been the lighting, the silver fox's hair had seemed almost white.
McGee leaned forward to rest his forehead on the cool glass. As he did he caught the ghost of his reflection in it. The bags under his eyes had gotten worse in the ten minutes since he'd last checked, if that were possible.
He chuckled to himself. Now that he though about it, Tony probably had it better than the rest of the them. While they fretted and worried, trying to keep the team from splintering, he lay there in his drug induced nap, doubtless dreaming of his countless conquests, perhaps even reliving them. He'd enjoy that.
Of course he had been stabbed. He deserved the break.
A few incomprehensible mumbled words drew McGee's gaze down to the sleeping forensic scientist beside him. Despite the fact there were a few chairs in the room with them, she had elected to sit on the ground, back to the wall and knees drawn up to her chin, head lolling occasionally from side to side.
He'd been tempted to join her, but if they both slept through Tony waking up, he'd probably end up in the hospital himself. Or the morgue.
His reverie was interrupted by the faint sound of combat boots on tile.
Ziva.
He knew the mossad assassin could come and go silently when she wanted. She wanted them to know she was coming. She wanted them prepared.
He turned to face the open doorway.
A shadow lingered outside it for a moment, as if hesitating, before Ziva finally appeared.
He hadn't seen her since she had left with Gibbs. She looked...honestly she looked better.
The harshness evident in her since Rivkin had come into town was gone. She looked softer, more like the Ziva that he had come to know in the past few years.
"Hello McGee." She spoke slowly, as if she hadn't used her voice in too long.
"Hi" He replied. Tony would have had some snappy line, something to make her laugh and break the tension at the same time. Unfortunately, he was only McGee. Not exactly a master of conversation.
Ziva glanced towards the sleeping Abby.
"I'm sorry." She said finally. "I know it is not enough to satisfy Abby, but it is all I have. I hope you could understand, maybe explain to her..." She broke off letting her eyes fall to the ground.
McGee crossed his arms and studied the woman before him. This was not what he had expected. He knew there were only two options for her, NCIS and Mossad, but he'd be damned if he could tell which she had chosen. Was she really going to leave like this, leaving him to pick up the pieces and explain to the others why there was now a hole in their team?
He shook his head, attempting to displace the cobwebs that had taken residence there. So this was what it was like to be a team leader. At least now he knew why Gibbs' hair was gray.
"Are you...?" He trailed off, not wiling to ask the question mainly because he didn't think he would be able to handle the answer.
"Am I leaving?" She almost laughed until she saw the fear on her friends face. "No McGee. I am not leaving. I have no where to go."
She paused before hastily continuing, "Not that I would want to go anywhere else of course."
McGee grinned for the first time in far too long.
"Oh thank God. Because I thought that...you know."
"Yes McGee, I know." She smiled back.
Beside him Abby began to stir. McGee glanced down at her then back at Ziva.
"I'll try to calm Abby down, she can be a little.."
"Emotional." Ziva supplied.
"Yes. No promises, but hopefully in a few minutes she won't try to kill you on sight."
"I appreciate it." The former assassin turned to leave.
"Ziva,"
She paused without turning.
"I can talk to Abby, but you owe Tony a personal explanation."
Although the room was silent, he could barely make out her response.
"I know."