Fifteen minutes and three dry aspirin later, the file folders sat silently censuring his behavior. The computer screen with its bright, blue glow mocked his pounding head and scowling face. Words paraded across the page in front of him, daring him to decipher their meaning as one thought slowly pulsed its way to the forefront of his consciousness.

What the hell are you doing sitting here?'

With a strangled outburst, he threw the pen on the desk and headed for the elevator. Torn between duty and... loyalty -- just admit it, it's love,' his mind whispered -- he found himself headed toward Abby's lab, wondering why his feet had chosen that particular path.

Hey, Bossman! What can the Abbster do for you? She gave him a wide smile, but was disappointed when the best he could muster was a weak imitation of his normal grin.

Hey Abbs. Got the results of the, uh, trace testing from the cold cases? He leaned against the lab table and glanced around.

She looked at him shrewdly. Sure, Gibbs. It showed... and she spouted off half a dozen made-up nonsense words. Then she waited.

He blinked and looked back at her, stumbling over a couple of the techno-babble terms. Right. What's that in human speech?Garbage. Just like your request. Now, you wanna tell me why you're really here? She folded her arms and leaned back on the table opposite his, mirroring his pose.

I don't have time for this, he said, his words showing some heat. He pushed off the table and started to walk away.

Well, good. At least now you're starting to sound like yourself, Abby retorted. How about we go all the way. What's eating you, Gibbs? Come on, talk to me!

He paused, his back to her. Just get me the test results, Abby. He started for the doors one more time.

Nope. Not until you tell me what the hell is wrong with you. She stood her ground as he swung around and advanced on her. Blue eyes glittered with barely suppressed rage.

What did you say?I said, talk to me'. Something's wrong, and I care. We all care. Don't keep shutting everyone out, Gibbs. There's nothing wrong with admitting you need a friend. She gentled her tone and reached out a hand to his arm.

He flung her hand away. Talk to you! What for? Weren't you part of DiNozzo's plan? One of the team? Listening to the three of them while I had to watch her chained to that chair? How long did it take them, Abbs? To creep down that hill, quietly, while that madman waved her gun around? How long did it take them to see us, while I had to watch her take a syringe full of God knows what? Did you listen while DiNozzo and Kate debated on how close they had to get before they dared to take a shot? Did you listen when they shot McGee, when Leah tried to save me... The raw pain in his voice as he trailed off cut Abby deeply.

How could you think that? I'm in the dark here, Gibbs. Shocked by his outburst, she reached out to try and comfort him. Gently she wrapped her arm around his waist as she explained, I was on my way back from dinner when I saw the three of them leaving. I talked to McGee in the hospital earlier and he said he didn't even know everything that happened. I'm your friend, Gibbs. You know you can trust me. As she was speaking, she'd carefully eased him over to a stool and slowly withdrew her arm.

Her heartfelt gesture and honest caring was his undoing. He sank gratefully onto the seat and rested his head in one hand. I don't know what to do, Abbs. He stared at the floor and slowly he began to detail what happened from the moment he left her and Ducky in the lab the previous evening.

Abby listened as Gibbs' descriptions of what he and Leah endured made her shiver in horror. No wonder you're a wreck. Did you actually get any sleep last night?Some. Not much. What I want now is to go see Leah, but the doctor has left orders for her not to be disturbed.

Abby nodded and reached out to touch his wrist lightly. And what's this? You left that out of your story. She fingered the edge of the bandage but held tightly when he would have pulled away.

It's nothing, he muttered, standing and yanking his arm free from her determined grasp.

She spied the matching gauze bracelet on his other wrist and stepped in front of him as he tried to leave. Nothing? I don't think so. She worked it through quickly. It's from the handcuffs, isn't it?

His silence was confirmation. As she stared into his eyes, she played back the scene he described to her. Grabbing at one of his hands, she peeled back the gauze until she could see the ripped and bloodied skin, shocked at the damage he'd done. Realization hit her and she again locked her eyes with his as she whispered, You're in love with her, aren't you?

Startled out of his stillness, he pulled sharply away from her. What I am is none of your business! The words were harsh as he started for the door once again.

Gibbs, look. Be reasonable. Abby paused and was grateful to see him stop, even if he didn't turn around. If the doctor thinks she needs some rest, then maybe she does. God knows you do! No offense, but you look like Hell! And you really should see to those wrists. Do yourself a favor. Go home, change the bandages, get some sleep. Send her flowers or ammo or whatever she'd like. But both of you should get a decent night's rest. He didn't move, clearly thinking about her words. Okay, so it's none of my business, but does she love you? Because if she does, then you have lots of time, right? I mean it's not like going home and getting some sleep is gonna be the end of the world or anything.

He sighed and turned back to face her. I suppose you're right, Abbs. I just feel like I've let her down, and I need to be there for her.How much good are you going to do if you're dead on your feet? Go home already! Trust me, the sun will still rise tomorrow. Abby understood his reluctance, but some days this man needed a kick in the butt!

He stared at her evenly for a moment longer before nodding. Then he turned and left without a word. Abby shook her head and muttered, Thanks, Abbs. Anytime, Gibbs, my pleasure, before turning back to her work.