DISCLAIMER: I do not own NCIS

SORRY THIS IS SO LATE! My brother's in the hospital and I had no wifi at the place I was at, so you know. The line's I use to separate Abby's parts from Gibbs' stopped showing up! That's weird. I'm improvising instead.

Chapter Ten: Knife Scratches

The door flew open and banged against the wall. Abby's head looked up and she tried to not seem suspicious as she slipped a hand into her pocket to grip the knife. It was still very dull, but it was better than nothing. Mikel closed the door behind him and walked across the room to where Abby was on the floor.

"Because of your stunt we could be found! I can't believe you tried to do this Abby, I was up all night thinking of what to do. I don't want to kill you, I really don't, but I will if I you keep misbehaving. Okay, stand up. Stand up!"

Mikel pulled Abby to her feet. She swayed a little and leaned against the wall. Her ankle was worse from the position she'd fallen asleep in and she had definitely gotten a concussion from the fight they had after she escaped. Mikel also hadn't given her food or water since she'd escaped, but she was too nervous to ask him. He took out a gun and pushed her in front of him.

"Walk outside to the car."

Abby did as she was told, staying silent. Limping as little as possible, she noticed the concern in Mikel's eyes. He's the one that gave me this! How can he be worried about me now? Abby snorted and stood in front of the car, waiting for directions.

"Since you broke my tail light I can't drive this anymore. My buddy's going to be here with a replacement car and we're all going to drive down to California."

"The whole way?"

Driving from DC to California would take days. A white van pulled up with a young driver in his twenties.

"I-I…umm… I have to go to the bathroom! You didn't let me go last night!"

"I don't know…"

"Driving to California with tons of pit stops for me in crowded restaurants wouldn't seem too smart, would it?"

"Fine."

Mikel led Abby to the bathroom back inside. He closed the door and she whipped out her knife.

I'm Ok. White van, no windows. California.

Another guy here too. Twenty's, brown hair, lip ring. Love you.

A.S.

Abby carved as fast as she could on the backside of the door.

"Hurry up!"

Abby finished and opened up the door. God I hope Gibbs sees that. Of course he will, he's Gibbs. Gibbs will find me. Mikel opened the van's doors and put her in the back, tied up. The car started up and they began the drive. Abby found herself lost in her thoughts.

I love Gibbs and the team so much. I know they'll find me, they always do. But why am I so nervous? I wasn't as nervous last time! Ugh. Maybe it's because last time I hadn't realized I'd fallen in love with our fearless leader. Abby straightened up. Oh my god, that's it, isn't it? I'm in love with him. I just never admitted it. I never thought about it. But it's the truth. I wonder if he loves me like that too. I hope he does. The van stopped short and she flew back into the back doors of the van. She saw stars for a moment, but soon after she fell unconscious again. When I get out of here, I'm telling that man I love him.

N-C-I-S

Gibbs woke up at his desk. He hadn't gone home at all during this case. The rest of the team had been sent home numerous times, but he refused to go. Looking back down at his leads, Gibbs straightened up from the uncomfortable desk chair.

"I'm going for coffee."

He said gruffly, waking up most of the team. Last night they'd finally gotten some progress, but now they were stuck again. Gibbs walked out to his car, starting to drive in his usual reckless way. He let his mind drift to the forensic scientist he loved so much. After being lost in his thoughts he looked up to see he'd driven back to the place Abby had called him from. All the evidence had been collected so he didn't really need to go there. Gibbs was about to leave when he saw the road Mikel had taken her out on after he'd caught her again. I wonder if he let her ride in a seat or put her in the trunk. Damn Gunny, stop thinking about that. The leader of Team Gibbs turned onto the road and followed it. He let his gut guide him through the multiple turns and after a while he found himself in front of an old motel. He got out and walked around the perimeter. The place was empty, but he didn't want to admit he'd hoped Abby had been inside. My gut's not that good. He thought. Opening the door he explored the inside of the building. Most rooms were empty except for one with an old bed frame inside it. Stooping down, he noticed some knife marks in the framework. He walked inside the one place he hadn't been in, but it was only a bathroom. He noticed another knife mark on the backside of the door and opened it more.

I'm Ok. White van, no windows. California.

Another guy here too. Twenty's, brown hair, lip ring. Love you.

A.S.

A.S? Abby Scuito. It was Abby. Gibbs carefully reread the message. Taking his phone out, he dialed DiNozzo.

"Hey Boss, everything okay?"

"Have McGee find my location and meet me there with the team. I found something."

Gibbs continued a careful inspection of the rest of the motel, but there weren't any more messages. He heard the door creak open and he pulled out his gun.

"Boss?"

"I'm here."

Gibbs walked to the front room and they all put their guns away.

"What's going on Boss?"

Tony asked.

"Found a message from Abby here. She carved the description of someone, where she is being taken to, and the vehicle she's in inside the bathroom door."

Ziva smiled.

"Smart. But why didn't she just attack him with the knife while she was still here?"

"He could've had a gun."

McGee piped in, looking through the rooms.

"Take the info and update the BOLO."

Gibbs walked out of the building and started up his car, now noticing the car parked in front of the motel. It looked like it was still in good condition, but the trunk was open and the tail light was missing. That must've been the car he used before. Gibbs opened his car door and took out a UV light from his mobile equipment and scanned the trunk. Only one or two drops lit up. At least there's no major damage.

"Check this car when you're done in there!"

He called, once again getting in his car and driving back to NCIS. Abby had given him the lead he needed and he wasn't going to mess it up.

N-C-I-S

I wanted to thank RHMichaud for being the 50th reviewer! Yay! Sorry for the delay!

~whynotlive