A/N: Warning, Abby bashing ahead, big time. More swearing, too.
Beta: Mike91848 Thanks, again Mike. All mistakes are mine.
Disclaimer: Still don't own, making no money.
CINDERELLA Revisited
Chapter 13
Let me die now or stay unconscious for two days until my hangover has gone to plague someone else, preferably Steve DiNozzo and his high priced fancy rotgut shit.
Tony laid in the bed and moaned, and lamented the day he learned how to hold a bottle in his fat baby hand and tip it in his mouth. The smell of coffee which had just been on the periphery of his olfactory senses was getting stronger.
Tony shoved the blanket off his head and blindly reached out. When nothing was placed in his hand, he opened one eye and grimaced at the happy bright light prancing through the open drapes.
"This stuff is hot and steel strength. Gibbs said make sure you're awake and sitting up before I hand it to you and these two pills."
"Okay, I'm awake. I'm sitting up. Now give it to me." Steve handed the cup over and the pills while sitting on the edge of the bed. Tony dry swallowed the pills before taking a tentative sip of the coffee and gagged at the taste but kept slurping.
"How come you're so bright and fancy free this morning?" Grumbled Tony to a too cheery looking Steve.
"I spent what was left of the night puking up my guts in the toilet. Gibbs came in sometime this morning with a concoction that made me puke some more and then I felt better."
"Oh boy, what'd you wake him back up for? He was pretty pissed at all the noise you were making last night as it was."
"Look, I don't remember okay cause I was passed out, remember?"
"Yeah, well you were snoring too loud. I'm going to get so many head slaps today..."
"You are such a jerk. It's not like I could have vomited any quieter than I already was. It's not that easy to...ah, I don't believe we're having this conversation. Gibbs says get up and get dressed. Director Vance is coming over, you guys need to talk."
"What now? What's this about?" Tony asked while finishing his coffee and trying to push the covers down so he could swing his legs out of the bed.
"Would you move? This is your fault I'm going to have to talk to my boss's boss with a hung over head." Grumbled Tony as he got out of bed and headed to the bathroom still dressed in yesterday's clothes.
"Thanks for talking to me last night and clearing up some things, Tony." Steve had turned to watch him leave. "It's been good getting to know you."
"Yeah, sure." Maybe a hot shower would un-jumble his head to where he coul...?
What?
"Hey!" Tony caught up with Steve at Gibbs front door. No easy feat with two hung over left feet to stumble over.
"Where're you going? What's going on?"
"Nothing. You have work to do. I need to...well nothing right now. But I don't want to take up your time if you're busy."
Tony didn't have time to listen to this crap. He shoved Steve in the chest and got him moving to the living room.
"Ow! What the...what're you shoving me for? Quit it, Tony!"
They were wrestling on the floor. Tony had Steve in a partial headlock but Steve's forearm was blocking Tony's windpipe. "Say cheese and I'll let you go." Wheezed Tony.
"You say loser first and maybe I'll let you breathe." Grunted Steve.
"How bout both of you say, 'Gibbs is gonna kick my cheesy loser ass into the next County if I don't get the hell up off the damn floor!'"
They both looked up to see a gaggle of rooting, smirking humans by the names of McGee, Ziva and Palmer egging them on. Except for Gibbs, who looked damned pissed and Vance who had an 'I told you they're crazy' look on his face. Ducky just looked on fondly at the two juveniles.
"I am really sorry, Boss. You know I wouldn't desecrate your house like this. But seriously? He started it."
"I am so sorry, Agent Gibbs. If anything is damaged I will be more than happen to replace it or have it built to your high standards of..."
"Oh, quit trying to kiss ass." Ordered Tony. "I'm going to get dressed."
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Ducky sat in the overstuffed chair in Gibbs' living room. He sipped on a cup of Earl Grey and observed Steve DiNozzo as he sat on the sofa leaning forward with his arms on his knees and his head in his hands.The man reminded him a lot of Tony but they certainly weren't twin duplicates of each other.
"I must say, if I may, you are as comfortable with your silences as your brother is with filling the air with sound."
"Sorry, Dr Mallard. Just thinking."
"Not at all my dear boy. And please call me Ducky. All my friends do. Are your thoughts such that you would care to share some of them?"
Steve looked over at the Medical Examiner and grinned crookedly before rising and turning to look out the window.
"Only if you want to share in this humongous headache, queasy stomach and foul tasting mouth. I'm swearing off alcoholic beverages of every kind known to man, Ducky because obviously, I do not have the gene that my father and Tony have for speedy recovery from inebriated stupidity and ethanol poisoning self-destruction."
"Ah. You do not subscribe to the, 'drown in a cold vat of whiskey'..."
"...'death, where is thy sting'? Quoting W C Fields again, Ducky?" Gibbs walked in the living room with the others trailing behind and new additions, Tobias Fornell and Ron Sacks of the FBI.
Ziva sat on the sofa and Vance sat in the other chair. Tony trailed in with a dining room chair and sat.
"Just trying to add some humor to ease an aching head, Jethro. And where is Mr Palmer?"
"He volunteered to go get lunch, Ducky." Tim reported as he found a seat on the sofa also.
"Yeah, well, Fornell here has a question." Gibbs stood in front of the fireplace as Fornell and Sacks stood at the other end of the room.
"Before any questions are asked, or there's any misunderstanding, Fornell, if we pursue this, this will be a joint operation and you will share all the intel thus far obtained, understood?"
"Agreed, Vance. You trying to give me a complex? You act like you don't trust me."
"Oh, it's not you I don't trust," replied Vance. "But that's beside the point. Get on with your questions Fornell. Some of us have plans for the weekend."
"Mr DiNozzo? We haven't met. Please excuse my compatriot's rude manners. I'm Tobias Fornell of the FBI and this is Agent Ron Sacks. We've been keeping an eye on some goings on...well. It seems your mother..."
"Go ahead, Director, you won't hurt my feelings." Steve said as he came back to the sofa and sat between the two junior Agents.
"Look, Steve. Your mother's a difficult woman to reason with. Is there any chance that she might divulge to you the name or names of the person or persons who she dealt with in order to get Gregor DiNozzo's name first on the list?"
"No. She won't tell me anything."
"You're sure? You can't communicate with her at all...maybe..."
"I would do serious damage to my mother if I had to be in the same room with her for more than five minutes and vice versa. So if I started acting differently, she would know it was phony pretense. Can I ask what's going on or is this top secret, need to know only stuff?"
"Your clearance is pretty high." At Steve's raised eyebrow, Vance continued. "Oh believe me, I've checked."
"Well, if that's the case." Fornell was now frowning. Sacks didn't look happy either.
"Look, if you can't persuade your mother, what about DiNozzo, Sr? Does the man have any influence over his wife, because as I see it, the FBI is about ready to lock Mrs DiNozzo up for obstruction of justice and bribery, among other things."
"I'll ask him. But if that doesn't work, what then?"
Smart guy, thought Vance. He glanced over at Tony who had been quietly contemplative. Usually, the man was like a thoroughbred at the starting gate for undercover work, but not a peep so far from DiNozzo's mouth.
"DiNozzo?" The man in question seemed to jerk himself back to the present situation as he looked up and started to speak.
"Yeah, my grandfather, my mother's father left me some money. I didn't accept it, use it or bank it in the usual way and so to someone who might be looking it would appear to be graft money and evidence of my corruption."
"Your evidence will be available for us to confirm that it is in fact not graft money, I presume?"
"Sacks! Stand down!" Fornell was not here to alienate Gibbs' team. They needed them.
Sacks raised his hands, "Just wanted to cover all the bases, Fornell."
"So, you intend to let it leak as an undercover assignment for Tony, set him up as the bad guy, ruin his reputation, jeopardize his job, his lifestyle and his future for your sting?" Steve said matter of factly to the other occupant's in the room.
"Basically," piped up McGee which had Fornell frowning at him.
"That is why it is called a sting, is that not so? We will all know that none of it is true. He will not be jeopardizing anything, correct?"
"Well, of course you're right Ziva, I will be jeopardizing nothing and I have already agreed to undertake this mission. I will be fired and lose all credibility and a jail sentence will be pending.
"So, Steve, the reason you're here is to convince your mother and Anton if he is involved, that you are disillusioned with my apparent hypocrisy and degradation and that they have been right all along. You tell them that someone leaked about my ill- gotten gains and now I'm in big trouble and that you are beyond embittered that you believed there could have been anything good in me to know."
"Tony, you don't have to do this." Gibbs seemed to understand why this would not be right. Tony had fought against that very image all his life. The worthless, useless, unimportant, better off dead, that his family had labeled him. And in spite of that, his reputation as an honest man was irrefutable. That would be hard to give up.
"No, this will work. They're ready to believe the worst already, it won't take much convincing and they'll let whoever is in charge of this operation know that..."
"I'm not doing it!"
Everyone turned to look at Steve whose face was set in stone.
"Find some other patsy. Find another way!"
"Now wait a minute..." Sacks objected. Fornell put his hand on Sacks arm to stall him for a second.
"What's the objection, DiNozzo?" Fornell frowned truly not seeing the problem.
"I'm not all that enamored with slandering my brother, undercover or not."
"That's it? Oh, come on. It's not like he hasn't already been accused of murder half a doz..."
"Fuck you, Sacks!" Steve got up and left the room.
Sacks harrumph dismissively. "Pretty hot tempered. What's his problem?"
"Can't understand a word you're saying Sacks with your size 20 boot in your mouth, Jerk!"
Of all people, no one would have expected to hear those words coming out of McGee's mouth. Gibbs hid a smirk by taking a sip out of his empty cup. Tony didn't care, he guffawed loudly. Even Fornell had to bite his tongue and Ducky chuckled delightedly, while Vance tried to keep his face impassive. But with those few words, the air was cleared up and Tony was back on his game.
"Why don't we leave family out, even though estranged, and find something else to use against these clowns because in my book this is way too conflict of interest territory for my liking. Whose idea was it to use family against family anyway?" Tony had gotten his voice back, too.
Fornell ignored the question and tried his hardest not to look at the culprit, Sacks. But Sacks was still being belligerent and feeling defensive and insulted at McGee's put down. Something about these DiNozzo boys just rubbed him the wrong way. "It is a good plan. You got a better idea, McGee? Cause if you do, I sure would like to hear it."
"Yeah, I've got a better idea. I've read the FBI report. You've got a person undercover already, granted she's a bottom feeder, but she is there and works as a deliverer, mostly of body parts; skin, eyes, bone. But she has let it be known that she needs to make more money." McGee paused as though thinking it through.
"Yeah, McGee, go on?" Gibbs set his empty cup on the fireplace.
"Okay, so she also works in the diner on Elhurst not that far from the yard. The diner is also on the route for pickup and delivery of said body parts. She tells this guy, who always has breakfast there before he delivers his next package that she's overhearing something she's going to report to someone higher up so she can get the credit.
She has already sat him at a table where he also overhears snippets, not a lot, just to whet his appetite, of a conversation with Tony telling me he's got some money he's hiding from the IRS and how much trouble he would be in if his job found out about it and he wants me to hide it better for him because I'm the computer genius.
"Of course, I refuse to sully myself, in fact get highly indignant and storm out. No mention of transplanting of organs. So she tells the courier who just happens to like to steal other people's glory for himself and he tells her he'll take care of passing it on and she'll get the credit which of course is not going to happen. But that way, it's not coming from her. Matter of fact, he'll go back bragging how it was all his catch.
"So, now they find out Tony works at NCIS, his name and that he's a family member who's never been tested. They find our plant, say 10 million in off shore banking, real air tight. And then, hopefully they'll approach him and we'll go from there."
McGee stopped talking and waited for some response.
"Hmmm. Well thought out plan, Timothy." Ducky was impressed.
"Not bad McGee. That might work, Fornell."
"I agree, Gibbs. Take it or leave it, Fornell. It's a better plan." Matter settled as far as he was concerned, Vance bid his farewells relieved he could get back to his family barbecue.
"Yeah, needs a little fleshing out but it could work. We'll get back to you. Let's go Ron." And Fornell preceded a sullen Sacks out of the house.
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"Refuse to sully yourself McPrude?" said Tony indignantly. "What does that...yaaak! Boss, dammit, that hurt my already hurting hangovered head."
"Yeah, and the next time you come in here drunk making all that racket you can sleep in the back yard, DiNozzo." Gibbs went to the kitchen to get coffee, with Ducky trailing behind scolding him about whacking the boy on the head so often.
"Boy, what's he so grumpy about? Hey, McGee, look, thanks. You know I'm just kidding, right? I appreciate... well, you know." Tony moved to Ducky's recently vacated chair, put the footrest up and leaned back.
"Yeah, and I should just let you go on stuttering but I want to know something. What made you think about getting those pictures of the SECNAV and Anita Vitelli at that time? I mean, what triggered the memory at the last minute like that?"
"Are you taking notes, McGemcity? Is this going in your next book? Cause, I'm telling you..."
"It's not going in a book. I already told you, I'm not writing about you gu...that is, I'm not writing that series anymore. Now just tell me, what was the clue?"
"Okay, yeah, Steve reminded me about the bitch pushing me down the stairs. Which reminded me why I was not paying too much attention to my surroundings. The bitch was having a tea party and was supposed to be engaged with her friends, not stalking the staircase. But guess who was her guest of honor? Right, Auntie Annie. Ms Fancy, custom made tea party hat, Auntie Annie.
"That reminded me of the pictures I had seen in the club house while waiting for the SECNAV and some of them were of the SECNAV and this women who looked familiar but I never could place her. Then it just clicked in my head, that's Annie, and the rest...as we say, is history."
Ziva, who had been sitting quietly, roused herself when she saw Palmer through the window. "I am going to help Jimmy with the food." And she left abruptly.
"Okay, McGee, what have I done now? What's Ziva mad about this time?" Tony asked after she left the room.
"Read my lips Tony because I'm only saying this once. I DO NOT KNOW. Now leave me alone. I'm going to get my food before the Boss eats it again." And he ran out of there like his pants were on fire.
"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE TODAY?" Tony yelled to the empty room.
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Tony found Steve lying face up on the bed asleep in the guest bedroom. He whacked him on the bottom of his shoe clad feet.
"Hey. Foods here. You might feel better if you ate something."
"Oh, God, no. Just the thought."
Tony started stuffing his things into his gym bag. His home was ready to be occupied again and he was anxious to sleep in his own bed tonight. "Just so you know, Steve, we, well McGee, came up with a better plan that doesn't involve me throwing myself on my sword. I probably would have filled your mother and brother full of lead if I had to look at their smirking, gleeful faces at my downfall one more time."
"Good." Said Steve as he sat up on the side of the bed and rubbed his hand through his hair. "Tim's a good man, good friend. Look, Tony, I've got to go. Business. I might not be available for three weeks or longer but here's a number you can call in case of an emergency only. So when I get back, I'd like you to meet my kids, girl and boy terrors, 10 and 12. You'll like them, and I know they'll like you." He handed Tony a card with a single telephone number.
Tony didn't have a good feeling about this. "You're not going to get yourself killed are you, Steve?" Thinking about the new flare up in the Middle East.
"Naw, don't worry. I've got a lot to come back for. So, my ride is waiting. Just wanted to stay to say so long for now, bro." He got up from the bed with outstretched hand but Tony pulled him in for a hug.
"Please come back alive. I want another go at flying that plane."
"Tony, air traffic control is still gossiping about the mile high club shenanigans they think were going on up there." Steve grinned at Tony's look of chagrin.
"Ah, you heard about that, huh? Well, I was a newbie then. I'm a more experienced pilot now so..."
They continued to chatter as they walked to the front door. Neither wanting long goodbyes, Tony stood at the open door and watched his brother slide into the waiting limousine and the driver pull away. He closed the door and went into the kitchen where Gibbs, Ducky, Ziva and Palmer were sitting around the table finishing their meals.
"What is wrong, Tony?" Said Ziva, as they all looked at him. "Where's Steve?" Gibbs seemed to know.
"Business. He'll be gone for three weeks or longer. He said to say goodbye for now."
"Is he going on a mission? The Gaza Stri..."
"McGee." Warned Gibbs quietly.
"Oh, uh sorry."
Knocking on the door interrupted the awkward moment. Gibbs went to answer the impatient banging as Tony sat down to his meal.
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"Gibbs, I waited as long as I could for your barbecue or party or whatever you're having here to be over but I have other things to do and I needed to talk to you."
"Abby." Gibbs sighed her name gently.
"Now, Gibbs! I need to know what happened, now!"
"Abby, come on in. You know you're always welcome here."
"Am I Gibbs, am I really? First off, I wasn't invited to your festivities today and second all your favorites are here, what do you need me for?"
"Abbs."
"Oh, alright."
Gibbs stepped aside and Abby walked quickly over the threshold into the living room where she sat on the sofa and put her black cloth bag on the floor. She had on striped, red and white pants, black, skull and crossbones tee shirt, heavy boots, and a long black sweater coat with an equally long black scarf thrown around her neck and fingerless black gloves. The usual makeup, tight pigtails, spangly jewelry, chains and bows completed her outfit. In other words typically Abby. At least she wasn't pining away in her chosen isolation from her coworkers. She looked purposeful and determined.
"So, what kind of celebration were you having here, Gibbs? I saw both Vance and Fornell leaving as I drove around the block for the umpteenth time. Toasting to a job well done in getting rid of Matt? Making sure the word goes out so he can't get another job in any government agency? Explain that to me!"
"Abby, enough! I'm not obligated to explain anything to you, but I will tell you that in spite of the importance you place on Matthew Simmons, this meeting had nothing to do with him. Now calm down so we can discuss what your issues are with the rest of us. What have we done, Abby?"
Abby jumped up and frenetically started to pace back and forth, wringing her hands together jerkily. "My issues? My issues? Is it too much to expect my so called friends to support me in my endeavors instead of putting up road blocks, humiliating me and my boyfriend, telling lies...just..."
"What lies have we told, Abby, and to who?"
"I want to know what happened at that meeting with the SECNAV, Gibbs. Matthew was devastated. I need to be able to help him get over this. If you can't tell me, then I'll leave now!"
"Abby, I wasn't there so..."
"I was there, Abby. What do you want to know?" Abby stopped her pacing and turned to confront Tony, who had come into the room along with Ziva and McGee and Dr Mallard. Palmer hovered in the background.
Abby took a deep, cleansing breath and held it for the count of ten then expelled it slowly before speaking to Tony, her tone of voice lacking all respect.
"I would like to know what you said or did to Matthew in front of his best friend, the SECNAV and Director Vance that had him voluntarily admitting himself to the hospital on a 72 hours hold because he thought he might harm himself?"
Tony looked at her, astounded and more than disbelieving. What a load of crock. He wanted to laugh in her face for her continued stupidity and the moral high ground she had adopted, but he reframed from showing his contempt because of their former friendship.
"I don't have any idea, Abby. I barely said two words to him during that whole episode. Actually, on advice of my council, I hardly opened my mouth except to the SECNAV so I don't know what he's talking about."
"That's not what he said, Tony." Abby accused him with hands on her hips. She might as well be tapping her foot.
Suddenly, it was just a little too much. Tony had had enough of people shooting at him, blaming him, mocking and downright tormenting him. Now, she was calling him a liar?He had to get out of there before he lost his slow burning temper and said some things he might later regret.
"Thanks for letting me stay over, Gibbs. My place is ready to be inhabited again so I'm going to head on home. You still going to give me that lift to the Navy yard Palmer? My car has been exposed to the weather too long. It misses me."
"Sure thing, Tony," Said Palmer. "I'll be waiting out front." And he turned and fled.
"Stop by later, McGee if you still want to borrow those CD's. Bye Ziva, Ducky." He addressed the other three people still standing uncomfortably in the doorway from the kitchen and turned to go to the guest room to get his things.
"WHY DON'T YOU STAY HERE AND ANSWER THE QUESTION, TONY? OR ARE YOU TOO MUCH OF A COWARD TO FACE ME?"
Tony was stopped in his tracks just as Ducky said sternly, "Abigail, lower your voice. There's no need for that tone here."
"Well then why won't he tell me the truth? What did you say to him, Tony?"
Tony turned back around and stepped closer to the irate Goth, his expression hard and unfamiliar. "I told you, I didn't say anything to that jackass, Abby. Maybe he just wants to pretend to off himself so he can retain your sympathy and keep sticking it to you.
"Maybe he's just embarrassed that he can't fight worth a damn and got his ass kicked. Or maybe, he's just the worthless piece of crap everyone knows he is and you're too damn stupid to get it. I don't know and I couldn't care less..."
SMACK!
Abby had moved so fast in her clumpy boots that she was on him before anyone knew otherwise. Gibbs had moved just a second too late but caught up to her as she raised her hand for another blow.
"ABBY, DAMNIT! STOP! RIGHT NOW!"
"Let me go, Gibbs." She struggled in self-righteous pigheadedness.
"Abby, this is my home. Stop right now or I will throw you out on your ass and it'll be a long time, if ever, before you're welcomed back."
Abby stopped struggling and burst into loud sloppy sobs. "GIBBS, no!" Tears were copious and flowed freely but she had made sure to apply her waterproof makeup so it stayed in place.
"I'll talk to you later, Boss." Tony said flatly and left quietly.
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"Abby, what the hell has gotten into you?" Gibbs asked a short time later after everyone had seen fit to be elsewhere. They were seated on the sofa with cups of tea Ducky had made prior to making his excuses, although Gibbs had put his down on the coffee table and made a beeline for the coffee pot when they were safely alone.
"The only thing that has gotten into me Gibbs is that you truly don't know who your real friends are, do you? That's what's gotten into me." She patted her eyes and cheeks then blew her nose with her delicate lace hanky before taking a sip of her soothing tea.
Gibbs eyed the woman who he all of a sudden didn't know who she was anymore. Was she bewitched? Too much Caf-Pow addled her brain? Was this his fault? Her bullying and physical violence came naturally to her long before he had met her. She had slapped one of her Professor's for disagreeing with her and ended up charged with assault. And her intelligence put her in the top elite 10% of the population. Was that why she thought she could do anything she wanted no matter who she trampled on?
Gibbs really believed she had truly lost the friendship of DiNozzo on this one. Oh, Tony would and could work with her again. That was his nature. But the close brother and sister relationship would be gone and he didn't think she realized what she had so callously thrown away yet.
The same with McGee. Tim had come to him after his last protection duty of Abby when the lady genius case was over. He had stated that he would not under any circumstances ever accept the duty of protecting Abby again as an NCIS Field Investigator, neither here nor out of the country. If he, Gibbs, could not accept that decree, then he should fire him immediately because he would resign rather than accept the assignment.
At first, Gibbs was prone to taking this as an act of insubordination. But after sleeping on it, or sanding away the night, he had come to the conclusion that McGee must have a damn good reason for taking this stand, even though he wouldn't tell him what it was.
And he realized that McGee would protect Abby like he would any other civilian. But as far as bodyguard duty for her, by himself, no! And that's the way it had stood.
"And what kind of a real friend are you, Abby? Remember, that true friend thing goes both ways. You just called Tony a liar to his face when I heard him tell you three times that he had not spoken to Simmons at all during that meeting. Why would he lie about it, Abby?"
"To make himself look good...to not have to accept any blame for what he did. Matt didn't do anything wrong. He doesn't deserve to be treated like this. And not only that, Gibbs, but there is a little boy who's sick and Tony won't even consider helping him."
"Abby, I'm not going to defend DiNozzo's choices, one way or the other, regarding what he does with his body or his organs..."
"See, you agree with me, Gibbs, Tony's made a bad..."
"Don't put words in my mouth, Abby. That's not what I said. Tony's decision in this matter is not my business or yours, whatever his reasoning may be. Now, I can address your other concern. That Simmons hasn't done anything wrong." He noted the belligerent hunch of her shoulders as she prepared to interrupt.
"Let me finish, Abby, before you say anything. This won't take long." She sat back and crossed her arms over her chest like a spoiled child.
"There is a list, which has reached twelve so far, of women who have filed a class action lawsuit against NCIS and Matt Simmons for allowing a predator like him to roam the building and sexually harass, stalk, or bully and intimidate them for sexual favors.
"The report says that these women had complained to his immediate supervisor and nothing had been done. They went higher up the ladder and for the last four months, four months, Abby, Simmons was being investigated by IA for those charges. The investigation was finished and they were ready to bring charges against him when all of this happened. Now, conveniently, he's gotten himself locked up in a psych ward where he can't be touched while his shyster lawyer stalls the case.
"Now are you telling me that these twelve women are all lying? And enlighten me as to how Tony has had anything to do with this?"
Abby jumped up from the couch and snatched up her coat, outrage plainly on her face and body language, as she put it on.
"They are lying, Gibbs. You give me the names of those women and I'll make them tell the truth."
Gibbs had never seen her like this before. Did she have a medical problem? Was she pregnant? He was getting tired of talking. He'd used up his quota of words for a month with this conversation but he'd try one more time.
"Abby, I don't have the names of these women and even if I did, I wouldn't give them to you. And if you somehow manage to ferret out their names, you go chasing after them accusing them of lying and try slapping one of them in the face and they'll rip your arm off and probably put a bullet in you for good measure. These are tough women he went after not some little flower afraid to speak up. Guess he got more of a thrill that way."
She turned outraged eyes on him as she picked up her bag. "You think you're so smart, Gibbs. Well you don't know everything. I was a fool to come here expecting you to understand or do something and to try to set the matter straight."
"Abby?" He called to her retreating back as she stormed away and slammed the door forcefully as she left.
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The banging on his door was familiar and unwelcome. He loved Abby, he really did, not in spite of, but because of her eccentricities, but...she was carrying things with Simmons just a little bit too far. First Ziva and her issues, now Abby was here to give him what for.
None of this was his fault, damn Tony DiNozzo, even if he did promise to get him a ride in the copilot seat of a cutting edge jet plane.
"McGee, I know you're in there. I can hear you breathing, now open the door!" KNOCK, BANG, BANG, KNOCK. Was she using her foot?
"Abby, I don't appreciate...umph...!"
Abby stormed past him when he opened the door and into his apartment like she was paying the rent and he was the interloper. "Why'd you change the lock on the door, McGee? My key doesn't work anymore." She was agitated and jittery, and accusing, as though he didn't have the right to make a decision without running it by her first. When he did not respond, she took a deep breath and dismissed the minor infraction for now.
"Oh, never mind. You've got to help me McGee. We've got to hack into the...well the lawyer's records, I think, and find out the names of the women who are falsely accusing Matthew of these terrible things. I need to talk to them, set them straight about some things. Especially how bad it is to lie about someone that could get them in serious trouble."
"I'm assuming you're talking about the class action suit against Simmons? And talk about serious trouble. Hacking into a lawyer's records can't get you into serious trouble, Abby? Are you kidding?"
"Don't be silly, McGee. You've hacked into everything without getting into trouble before. This will be a piece of cake for you. Oh, and by the way, another thing we will have to discuss is your decision to leave Jethro by the side of the road figuratively to get rid of him, but no time right now for that.
"Now all we have to do is..."
"Abby, no!"
"What'd you mean no? Of course, you'll do it for me, Timmy. Now where's your laptop?" She was quickly removing her coat, scarf and gloves as she went to his desk and pulled the chair out. She was attempting to run roughshod over him, push and bully him again.
No, not this time.
"They probably used a JAG lawyer. Class action suit my ass. They all know that Matthew is a rich man. Tony probably couldn't wait to spread gossip about his rich family but if we..."
"Abby, do you hear what you're saying? You're accusing Tony of plotting and planning to get eleven women and one male to go along with him to perjure themselves..."
"Eleven women, one...? How do you know about...? Well, it seems like everyone knows about this but me."
"Simmons knows about this Abby, didn't he tell you?"
Abby looked devastated for a moment. Why hadn't Matt told her? To save her feelings, yes, that was it.
"Matt has had a lot on his mind, lately, Tim, like you didn't know that. But never mind that now. What's your password? You've changed that too without telling me! And could you make some coffee? I haven't had any Caf-Pow for over two hours and I'm in major need of some caffeine...hey, what happened?"
Abby looked up and back at McGee, who had pulled the plug on the recharging computer, and was shaking his head emphatically.
"No, Abby! You do what you want but not from here."
"You won't help me, McGee?" She almost looked like she would shed tears again but then the anger returned and her eyes narrowed in fury as she spoke.
"You too, McGee? You'd do this to me after all the years we've been friends, closer than friends, even? How could you?"
"Because, Abby, you're wrong. You are so wrong. For one thing, Tony is my friend. He wouldn't do the things you're accusing him of."
He looked at her unyielding, hostile face and understood he was getting nowhere with her.
"And...I realize there's no sense in trying to talk some sense into you, so please, just go. Go home, Abby."
"How dare you, McGee! You're throwing me out? Our friendship is over!" She looked ready to physically attack him.
"Don't even think about hitting me, Abby." He warned, recognizing the threat. She glared at him spitefully then picked up her garments, pushed past him to the door and left.
Ncisncisncisncis
"Thanks, Manny. You've been a big help."
"Sure, Abby. So we still on for the Friday night wrestling match behind the bar at Thompkins? I'll bring the frogs legs. My brother'll catch em and fry em up that evening. What time should I pick you up?"
I'll meet you there, Manny." Abby slipped out of Manny's roach infested, filthy basement apartment with a shudder and ran to her car. After a full night of hacking, she had managed to get most of what she needed but one vital piece that she just didn't have the skill to break. But Manny did. Manny, who could barely add two and two, was a genius at hacking.
So she told him she needed his help because she was giving a bridal shower and had lost the guest addresses. He seemed to believe her explanation and excuses, and if he didn't, who cared? The promises she lied for a night out together didn't hurt either, as he magically clicked a few times, and there were the names and addresses of the eleven women and one man.
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Now, it was Monday. Abby had come in early and boldly gone to the security office where Connie Martinez had just started her shift as armed security responsible for guarding the Navy yard grounds. She was the first of twelve on Abby's list.
Connie appeared in her mid-twenties. She wore a uniform and hat and her hair was in a bun at the nape of her neck but she was tall and willowy and had a beautifully stunning face.
"Can I help you, Ms Sciuto?
"You know who I am?"
"Of course. What can I do for you?"
"Can we talk in private for a minute?" Abby was aware of the other busy body employee's standing around in the office either reporting for or going off duty. There was no need to have this fraud's coworkers listen in while she set her straight.
"Look, sorry I don't have the time right now. I'm on duty in three minutes. You can walk with me to the guard gate if it can't wait." She said as she bid her coworkers bye. Abby nodded okay and they left the office with a chorus of 'bye Connie's, meet ya for lunch'.
As they walked down the hallway, Connie was greeted by other coworkers rushing to and fro. Obviously, Ms Popular here didn't know what was in store for her. She'd think twice about slandering Matt after she was done with her.
Abby obviously hadn't had the foresight to think this through as she started out by accusing Ms Martinez of lying and gold digging and from there went to conspiracy and fraud. Abby had been yelling at the end of this speech and demanded that Ms Martinez retract her lies or else. After all, Abby was used to getting away with this kind of behavior. She had never been called on it before, at least not at the Navy Yard.
When Ms Martinez stopped to look at her with wide, shocked eyes, Abby thought she had gotten her point across and this shrinking violet had seen the light. Ms Martinez bit her lip but gasping noises escaped her control and Abby thought, good, she had brought the woman to tears.
But then, Ms Martinez, diplomatic soul and really nice person that she was, could not hold it in any longer and she burst out laughing and it didn't look like she was going to stop anytime soon, even as she continued to walk to her assignment. Abby stood shocked and watched as the woman walked casually away bent over a little with her merriment.
"What's so funny, Connie? Come on, share the joke." Said her friends, but Connie just zipped her lips and kept walking as the giggles continued.
Abby saw red. She'd slap this woman upside her head so hard, her brains would rattle. She ran to catch up and grabbed Ms Martinez by the arm to turn her around. The next thing Abby knew, she was lying face down on the ground with her left arm held behind her back by Connie's vice-like grip and Connie's knee in her back. The worst part was, Abby was wearing her mini-est miniskirt this morning with her knee hi's, not pantyhose, for all to see her batgirl red panties.
Connie bent down and whispered in her ear. "Your boyfriend is a no-good bastard. Once you accept that, your life will get much better. I am giving you a chance to get up off this floor and walk away with some dignity and no more will be said because I know what it's like to have your life destroyed by a low down lying man and suffer immensely because of it. Take it from someone who knows. Now let it go. Or I'm warning you, you will lose everything. What's it going to be? Do you want to walk away?"
"...Yes."
Connie got up and helped a defeated Abby to her feet. She turned to the crowd that had gathered and shoed them away, picked up Abby's purse and handed it to her.
"You'd better get back to your lab." And Connie turned around and left.
Ncisncisncisncisncis
Abby had turned and left also. She had been a fool. That's why she fought so hard to clear Matthew because she knew she had been made a fool of, again, by a man. She went to the private sanitarium after work and stopped outside his luxury private room when she heard him talking on the phone. She listened without guilt through the partially open door to his one sided conversation.
"That fat cow, are you kidding? She must be forty plus if she's a day. Yeah, I like them young, in their twenties. I could even do thirties if they're hot enough. She was fun for a quick minute and the dumb broad believed everything I whispered in her stupid cow ear.
"Yeah, you know how hard it was to pretend to enjoy the most boring, tedious four hours of my life bowling with that group of freaky nuns? And her idea of clubbing? Ha, ha. Find the most squalid, smelly, overcrowded, dankest hovel around and there's where you'll find her and her group of subculture Neanderthals in black clothing and white and black makeup, gyrating to some punk rock noise they mistakenly call music. I shudder at the whole demeaning experience.
"So, how long am I gonna have to stay here? Well, you'd better have a plane standing by cause I'm not going to rot in any jail. Anyway, I thought you were going to get their names and buy them off. What's the hold up? Come on, enough with the excuses.
"Who, her? Hell, no! I told you already, she's served her purpose and she's too damn old! What do I need her around for except to chauffeur me around? You talked to my buddy there? What did he tell you? Connie did what? I knew I liked her. What'd ya mean too bad she didn't like me? Oh god, you're kidding. Wish I'd been there to see that. Her ass in the air with her red batgirl bloomers? No way? You better have tipped him plenty for that. They took pictures...it's on the Internet, ha, ha, ha..."
Abby heard loud raucous laughter coming from the room as she ran down the hall, escaped outside and to her car, and sped away.
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A/N: Poor Abby. (Loud raucous laughter from author)
Thank you so much for reading.
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