NCIS: The Only Fear, is Fear Itself
A/N: Hey! Still sick.. Hasn't changed since last time.. Just a little more energized..
So, I made a new Gibbs/Abby video. Here's the link: (www)(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=FjS_Qj0CpNQ
(Hopefully it comes up. If not, go to my profile! =D)
Anyways, I've become addicted to a song I never thought I'd become addicted to. "Love Story" by Taylor Swift. I never really liked her music before..
Anyways, here's a new chapter! Thanks for all the reviews!
This chapter is dedicated to: Eliza-angel for getting the challenge right first! :)
Onward story!
Always,
Ellie
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The room was met with silence, yet again.
"I want to talk to Director Shepard. Is she busy right now?"
"I'll see." Gibbs said, as he stepped out to make the call.
Abby waited patiently, knowing what she had to tell the Director, couldn't involve Gibbs.
"She's on her way in. She's just getting coffee down the hall." Gibbs said, reentering minutes later.
"Thanks."
Gibbs nodded.
"Gibbs?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm sorry. For earlier.."
Gibbs nods.
"You don't have to watch over me.."
"Abby." His tone was stern, meaning there was no room for discussion.
A knock comes through the door.
"Come in." Abby said.
Jenny opened the door.
"Hey Abby. How are you holding up?"
"Pretty good. Ready to leave this gross place." Abby said, smiling.
"I bet." Jen paused. "Gibbs said you wanted to talk to me?"
"Yep." Abby nodded, as she looked over at Gibbs. "Can we be alone for a minute?"
"Sure. Jen, go easy." Gibbs steps out, deciding to go for coffee.
"So, what's up?"
"Two things. I'm giving up my apartment." Abby said.
"Oh? Do you have somewhere to stay?"
Abby nodded.
"I need to be somewhere that I am safe." Abby sighed. "So either I live in my lab, or I'm giving in my two weeks notice."
"I'm sure we can work something out." Jen said, shrugging.
"No, I need the lab, or I'm leaving."
Director Shepard sighed. "Have you talked to Jethro?"
"No. He told me I'm staying with him when I get out of her." Abby said.
"That should be interesting."
"Yeah, tell me about it. Then, I'll be taking most of my things to charity. I'll just box up what I need, and put it in my office. You won't ever need to hire a replacement, a substitute or whatever.. Or even raise my salary. Its like any work day." Abby explains.
"Who'll move your things?"
"I will."
"You're not supposed to with your injuries." Jen points out.
"I may ask Tony or Ziva... Or I can just play it off with Gibbs."
"You actually think he'll fall for it?"
"Nope. But I can try." Abby said, yawning.
"Good luck with that." Jen paused. "You know Abby, you don't have to live in your lab."
"I know, but I'm safest there now. It always has been like home for me."
"I understand."
"Thanks. Can you tell Gibbs he can come back in now? Tell Tony, Ziva and McGee I said hi, and that I miss them?"
"Of course. Anything else?"
"A Caf-Pow?" Abby smiled.
"Nice try Abby. Maybe later."
"At least I tried. Can't blame me for that." Abby laughed.
"No, can't blame you. I'm going to go now, okay? Take care of yourself. Let Gibbs help, Abby."
Gibbs hears the conversation through the crack in the door.
"He doesn't need to help anymore. He's done enough." Abby complained.
"Abby, just let him help til you move. Ok?"
Gibbs was momentarily shocked. 'Moving?'
"Alright fine. But I'm not an incompetent child." Abby protested.
"Oh, nobody could ever think that of you Abby." Jen said, reassuring Abby.
"Then why does Gibbs feel the need to watch me 24/7? Sure, I appreciate it, but I'm not worth the time."
"Abby, you're more than worth it. Don't ever believe anything otherwise."
Jen's pager went off.
"That's me. I'll send Gibbs in. Take care Abby."
"I will. Thanks Director Shepard."
"You're welcome." Jen smiled and walked out, shutting the door behind her.
She sighed. "After all this, talk her into counseling. Either you get her to talk, or she gets a free ride there, until she comes to terms. She needs to deal with this, and you need to start showing some tough love."
"I did earlier. I cannot do it while she is here. When I did that, everything went downhill. It was too early."
"How so?"
"Machines acted up. I don't want to keep her in here longer than she has to be."
"I see your point. Just don't put it off too long Jethro." Jen said, walking towards the elevator.
Gibbs sighed and walked back into Abby's room.
"Hey." Abby said, softly.
"Hey. How you doing?"
"Tired. Really want a normal bed too."
"I know what that feels like." Gibbs agreed.
"If I'm not mistaken, you didn't have to stay long. Yet, your condition was very more serious."
Gibbs was silent.
'Hell.. He didn't even remember some of us.' "I told you, Ryan wasn't bad at first. After you left and went to Mexico, I was so damn depressed, for the longest time. I mean, come on, Gibbs doesn't just leave. But then, when you left..." Abby paused. "You weren't Gibbs."
The room was silent as Abby tried to think of what to say next.
"We met at a club." She continued. "Real nice, danced pretty good. We became friends. Then it led to a relationship. A few months into it, he changed. He'd come home drunk. He'd pick a fight and pass out."
"Did anyone ever see, or suspect anything at all?" Gibbs asked, curious.
"McGee. Saw the bruises, demanded to know. I told him I got plastered and got in a fight with a friend. I convinced him everything was fine."
"Is that when it got worse?"
"No. When I called you, to make sure you were doing okay. He got jealous about how you and I still talked. Swore up and down that we were sleeping together. He didn't believe me, so I let it go." Abby sighed.
"I started to pick up more hours, just so I wouldn't have to go home. Finally, I went home one night, and that's when it happened. We fought about work, and about us. Told him to get out, and the next thing I know, all I feel, is emptiness and just.. numb."
"Did you go to work the next day?"
"Yeah. Though, I gave the lab to McGee for awhile. Showered for an hour." Abby yawned.
"Abs, go to sleep. I'm not going anywhere." Gibbs said, softly.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"Never leave again?"
"You got it. I'll be here. Sleep."
"Night Gibbs."
"Night Abs."
Gibbs watched over Abby most of the night, then closed his eyes and slowly fell asleep.
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A/N: Yay, another chapter right?
No challenge for this one. For the main fact, I'm tired.. exhausted actually.. Now I feel so.. blah. So I'm gonna go back to bed now.
Love the reviews!
Always,
Ellie
