Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS or any of these characters.
This story is set in an AU where Ari did shoot Kate, but the bullet only grazed her head and she is in a coma throughout season three. And, since this is my story and I can do whatever I want, I've made it Kibbs.
After 'Bloodbath'
"Ka-ate," Abby whined immediately upon entering the room. "You need to wake up now, I mean it." Kate didn't answer. "I'm being stalked, Kate! And Gibbs thinks someone is trying to kill me!" Still, there was no answer, and tears welled up in Abby's eyes. "I'm scared, Kate! Please, I need you to wake up." There was only silence, but Abby could imagine Kate gazing at her sadly, almost apologetically. Abby continued, wiping her eyes. "I'm staying at Gibbs' house tonight. He'll keep me safe, right?" She imagined Kate's emphatic nod and her reassuring smile. "But you were in the Secret Service, Kate. It was your job to protect people. You could protect me, too." The picture in her mind faded, and she was left with only Kate's body, unchanged and still. She started to cry again, and this time she didn't bother wiping them away. She rested her forehead on the side of Kate's bed, closing her eyes. "I'll just stay here for a while, ok?" she asked, sniffling. Before long, she had drifted into an uneasy sleep. About twenty minutes later, she jerked awake, feeling a hand on the back of her head, stroking her hair soothingly. "Kate?" she slurred, but the hand was too big to be Kate's.
"It's me, Abbs." Oh. Gibbs. Abby sat up, and Gibbs helped her stand on shaky legs. After a moment, Abby fell into his chest, clutching his coat for dear life. Gibbs wrapped his arms around her, offering protection she couldn't refuse.
"I want her to wake up Gibbs," she said quietly, her voice muffled.
"I know, Abbs," Gibbs answered in a low voice. "I do, too."
Tears, once again, came unbidden to Abby's eyes. "But what if she doesn't, Gibbs? What if she stays here forever and never wakes up?" Gibbs arms tightened around her, and it was a moment before he responded in a slightly strangled voice.
"She will, Abbs." Abby didn't answer, but after a minute she turned her head and buried it in his chest, breathing deeply, absorbing as much of the moment as she could. Because what if Gibbs ended up in here, too? What if this was one of the last moments she had with him? Abby shuddered and held Gibbs tighter.
A/N: Please review!