Gibbs sighed as he looked over at his senior field agent again. It had been two days since Kelly had given him his ring back, or more accurately, dropped it on the floor, because he had refused to take it. When Gibbs had entered the rest room, he had been shocked to find his senior field agent curled up in a ball, sobbing into his knees, the engagement ring clutched tightly in his fist. Gibbs had hooked his arms underneath Tony's and pulled him to standing. Tony's legs had buckled almost immediately, and Gibbs had taken most of his agent's weight. One look at Tony's face told Gibbs he was in shock. He ended up half-dragging, half-carrying him down to autopsy, hoping Ducky could give him something for the shock. On his return to the squadroom, Abby, who was in tears, informed him that Kelly had gone straight up to Jenny's office and handed in her maternity leave forms, before fleeing the building. He wasn't aware that she had left her bed for more than ten minutes at a time since. Tony had just about made it into the office both days, but he looked like hell. He was pale, his eyes sunken, and his hair a mess. He clearly hadn't slept. Gibbs needed to find a way to get them back together whilst upholding his reputation as a hard-ass marine and firm believer and creator of rule twelve. A reputation that had wavered in the wake of Tony and Kelly's engagement. The wedding was four days away. Jenny had refused to cancel it, insisting Tony and Kelly would sort it out. Right now he just had to focus on making sure his agent didn't get himself killed in the field.
00000
Kelly groaned as the doorbell rang again. Whoever it was, they clearly weren't gonna go away anytime soon. She finally crawled out from underneath the covers and trudged down the stairs. She yanked open the door and then attempted to slam it again when she saw who it was. The person on the other side jammed a black platform boot in the gap between door and frame.
Abby.
Abby then barged her way into the house, carrying a garment bag.
"Abby, I don't even wanna look at you, let alone talk to you right now,"
"Well tough, Kelly Elizabeth Gibbs, 'cos I need to talk to you! You're six months pregnant, about to get married, and panicking, so you're looking for any excuse to buy yourself more time! So how about you grow a pair and deal with this! You're twenty-eight! You and I both know you want to marry Tony, just like we both know you're not even angry at him, you're just scared, and Tony is falling apart, and he needs you, Kelly!"
Kelly burst into tears and her legs gave out. Abby caught her just in time and wrapped her arms around her, holding her up as she cried.
"I'm so scared, Abs,"
"I know Kelly-baby, I know, but you can do this, I know you can!"
"B-but what if T-Tony doesn't want me back?"
"You are kidding me, Kels? Tony's falling apart without you! He'll take you back in a heartbeat!"
Kelly nodded and hugged her tightly back.
"And for the record, Kels, Tony and I should have told you about us, and I'm sorry for not doing so immediately. I found you something,"
Kelly grinned as Abby stepped back and picked up the garment bag. She unzipped it and dropped it to the floor. Kelly gasped at the beautiful wedding gown. It was perfect! It was halterneck, with a scooping neckline, and an empire-waist, the fabric gathered, perfect to highlight yet minimise her bump. She squealed and ran her hands down the sides of it.
"It's perfect! Abby! Where did you find it?"
"My friend Marina designs dresses. Consider it my gift to you,"
Kelly started crying again and Abby only just managed to drape the dress over a chair, before she had an armful of Kelly. Kelly then grabbed the dress and Abby's hand and pulled her up the stairs to try the gown on.
00000
Gibbs came through the door ten minutes later and his face cracked into a grin at the sound of his daughter's laughter floating down the stairs. He jogged up to the second floor and then froze in the doorway to Kelly's room. Abby was knelt at Kelly's feet, adjusting the hem of a beautiful white gown. He wasn't afraid to admit that he felt tears prick at the back of his eyes. She looked stunning.
"Kels," he muttered, his voice gruff.
She glanced up, startled, and then smiled when she saw him.
"Hey daddy. What do you think?"
He took a breath to try and control the emotion he knew would be heard in his voice.
"You look beautiful, Kels. You sort it out with DiNozzo?"
Immediately, tears welled up in his daughter's eyes, and he coulda kicked himself. He stepped forward and tried to hug her but she held him back and spoke, her voice thick with emotion.
"No, wait, my dress. Don't wanna crush it,"
She took a deep breath, "No, daddy, I haven't spoken to Tony. I don't think he even wants to see me,"
Abby let out an exasperated, "KELLY!"
Gibbs shook his head, "Kelly Gibbs, get changed right now and go over there and fix this! You're both falling apart, and it's simple! Go to him!"
Kelly nodded and furiously wiped her eyes whilst Abby hurriedly unlaced the back of beautiful gown.
00000
Ten minutes later, she jogged down the road to the new house and let herself in. She called his name, and got silence in return. The house was empty, but it was obvious he had been there. The place was a bit of a mess, if she was perfectly honest. She pulled out her cell and called McGee. He answered on the second ring.
"McGee,"
"Tim, it's Kelly. Can you do me a favour?"
His voice took on the soft quality the team had adopted since the break-up, "Sure Kels, what's up?"
"Can you put a trace on Tony's phone, please? He's not at home,"
"Um, yeah, two minutes. How are you?"
"Fine Tim, just wanna find him,"
"Yep, right, ok, he's at the beach. If you want I can redirect the trace to your phone?"
"Nah, it's fine Tim. I know where he is,"
"Oh ok, Kelly. Good luck!"
"Thanks!" she said, and hung up.
00000
Twenty minutes later, her Porsche squealed into the parking lot at the beach. She knew exactly where he was. There was a little cave in the cliff further up, which few people knew about. He had often taken her there throughout their relationship. As she neared the cave, she nearly broke down at the sound of the heart-wrenching sobs emanating from inside. She peered around the entrance of the cave and could have sworn her heart broke at the sight of Tony crying, so dejected and small. She moved into the entrance of the cave and approached him, quietly. When she reached him, she crouched down in front of him, laying her hand on his shoulder. He raised his head from his arms.
"K-Kels? W-what are you d-doing here?"
She sighed and ran her fingers down his cheek.
"I've been an idiot, Tee. I was scared. I was so sure I wanted to marry you, and then suddenly, it was a week away, and I was terrified. I panicked, and then I saw myself a way to buy myself more time. And Abby called me on it. I've been crazy. I love you so much, and there is nothing more I want in the world than to marry you on Saturday,"
Tears spilled out of Tony's eyes, and it felt like her heart breaking all over again as she wiped them away.
"Why are you crying, Tones?"
"U-uh, my father's secretary c-called. R-regretfully, h-he won't be a-able to a-attend. And I w-was so angry, b-but then I-I rea-realised, it do-doesn't m-matter, a-anyway,"
"Oh God, Tony, it matters, it really matters," she replied, and wrapped her arms round him. He buried his face in her neck.
"Take me back, Tee? Please?"
She felt his tears run down her neck, and felt them spill out of her own eyes.
Oh god, he's not going to take me back.
