Death Of A Conspiracy

AN: Thankyou for the reviews

as promised...the next chapter of the fic :-)

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"If you didn't trust your senses, how would you know what is real and what is imagined?" Tony asked as Abby sat in the seat across from him in the cafeteria

"It'd be difficult. You'd have to be told something you don't know I guess, but even then you'd think you were just making it up. Like when Gibbs was hallucinating, he may not have known why Kate was made to look like she'd died, but have no idea why. You could tell him why. But if he thought he was still hallucinating, he'd think he was making those reasons up," Abby replied

"Yeah, but there's gotta be a way we can prove to him that this is real," Tony said, exasperated, "How would you be able to tell?"

"I don't know. Maybe tell me something that's inconsistent with my beliefs. I mean, but something that would almost definitely make me believe something is real is to have a night full of hot sex," Abby responded

Tony smirked, "Abs, Gibbs would probably think he's just having a wet dream,"

"Do you think the man would allow himself ... you know, I'm not even going to go down that path," Abby replied, "He has to decide for himself that this is real, we can't do that for him,"

"Yeah, I guess," Tony responded, taking a bite from his cheeseburger

"Hey guys," Kate said as she sat down with her lunch, "What'd I miss?"

"Abby thinks you need to fuck Gibbs through the mattress to make him believe this is real," Tony replied

"I did not say that!" Abby exclaimed, punching Tony, then turning to Kate, "Would I say that?"

Kate grinned, "Well...maybe not like that, but yes,"

Abby grinned in return, "Yeah well, he does,"

"So, Katie, who was the guy who answered your phone when Ziva rang?" Tony asked

"John was there purely to help me keep my cover. He was supposed to be my 'husband'" Kate responded

"Your husband, Kate?" Tony asked, "You guys share a bed?"

"Tony!" Kate exclaimed, "No, we didn't,"

"What about when friends came around?" Tony asked

"Or stayed over?" Abby added

"I would sleep in the bed, and John slept on the floor - same room," Kate replied

"So, there was nothing going on between you guys?" Abby asked

"Nope. Strictly professional," Kate responded

Tony winced, "Still, what was it? Sixteen months? That's a long time to be 'married'. I mean, come on Kate, you're not a saint,"

Kate sighed, "Okay, so a few times we fell into bed with each other. But we both knew it was nothing more than....itching a scratch,"

"A few times?" Abby asked

"Four," Kate replied, "We didn't know how long I was going to be in protective custody, how long we were going to have to maintain cover, before I could come home again,"

"He know it's over now?" Tony asked

"Probably," Kate answered

"Is he going to expect more from you?" Tony asked

"Tony," Kate said exasperated

"Kate," Tony deadpanned

"I don't know, I don't think so," Kate replied

"If he does, and he gives you trouble, I'll teach him a few lessons about messing with mine," Tony responded

Kate smiled, "Tony...thanks,"

"Semper fi, Kate," Tony answered with a smile

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Gibbs sighed and stared at the ceiling. His body was calling him back to sleep, but he didn't want to give in to it. He knew that if he fell asleep now, when he woke up again he'd still be in the warehouse.

There was something strange about this particular dream though. Usually when he was in a hospital, he'd be on so many pain killers and other drugs that he wouldn't feel anything. And given also that this was a dream, he found it strange that he was in fact, in a lot of pain. Nothing that would compare with how much pain he would be in when he woke in the warehouse, but enough to make him confused.

Gibbs closed his eyes for a moment, then suddenly opened them again when he felt himself start to drift off. He sat up, trying to ignore the pain in his ribs. But sitting up had its own set of problems, his head began spinning and he felt bile rise in his throat.

"Ahhh," he whimpered, trying to breathe evenly and make the feeling go away, unsuccessfully.

He turned to his side as he gave in to the urge to throw up. He coughed a few times once he'd finished and wiped his arm across his mouth. Laying back against the bed, he began sobbing. He hated being sick, he always had. But what he hated more was the fact that he knew the wasn't even the half of it. Hell, if he was dreaming that he was throwing up because of nausea and the pain, then he was probably far worse of back in the warehouse.

Weakly, he grappled for the call button, crying out when he realized that the hand he was trying to use, was injured. Sobbing uncontrollably now, he pulled his arm back and cradled it, trying to dull the pain shooting through his hand.

Sniffling, he brought his knees up to his chest and curled himself into a ball. He felt himself start to fade, the darkness pulling at him. He tried to fight it, but he was worn out from throwing up and trying to stay awake. With a sigh, he let himself be carried off into the warm fuzziness.

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Okay, so I know I haven't updated in like, forever, but I got really busy. I'm gonna try to finish this fic, then go on with the others that are incomplete - I don't like leaving things half finished. So hang in there, and eventually these stories will come to a satisfying end. Not sure how many more chapters there is left of this fic, but I think it's near the end...

So, that's it for this chapter! Hope you liked it! Please review!