Chapter 4

Gibbs sat silently beside Abby's bed, Ducky had gone to talk to the doctor again, knowing that soon Gibbs would be demanding answers; he had felt it prudent to go and get them now before Gibbs began asking for them. He also wanted to give Gibbs the time he needed to sort out his feelings for the young woman lying silently in the white hospital bed.

Gibbs watched Abby's face, a large bruise was forming on the left side of her forehead, and she had two stitches on the other side, Gibbs smiled bitterly, he thought Abby would get a kick out of the little scar they would leave, he was sure she would deem it a new form of body art. His hand reached out and gently took hers in his large tanned one. He had noticed before how pale her skin was but never before had he had such a stark reminder of it, seeing her hand in his. His thumb gently stoked the inner part of her wrist, the action soothing and unconscious. He looked at the normally immaculately painted nails and noticed how the hospital had removed all traces of the nail polish, but that her nails were jagged and torn in places, where she had obviously fought her attacker. Gibbs swore softly under his breath, her attacker, how cold it sounded, how impersonal, Gibbs wanted a name and a face and then he wanted to put a bullet into that face for what the bastard had done to Abby.

Abby stirred slightly on the bed, her senses slowly returning one by one. She smiled to herself as she felt the large hand gently stroking her wrist

"Gibbs" she said as she opened her eyes, turning her head slightly to see those incredible blue eyes staring down at her in concern

"Hey Abs, Who said you could skip work today?" he teased her gently wanting nothing more than to see a smile on her face

"Not my horrible Boss" she whispered; her mouth suddenly dry, she licked her cut lips slightly, Gibbs immediately reached over for an ice cube and gently ran it over her lips, avoiding the large cut in the top corner. He lifted it away slightly

"That Better?" he asked, putting the cube down at Abby's soft nod.

"Shouldn't you be getting the bad guys?" Abby asked carefully, trying not to move her mouth or body too much in case the pain returned.

"Yeah I should, but I have this pain in the ass lab rat who decided to make herself my next case at 3 in the morning" he scolded her.

Abby closed her eyes, not wanting Gibbs to see the tears shimmering there

"I'm Sorry" she whispered sadly, turning her head away from him

Gibbs moved quickly and gently, his hand carefully turning her head back towards him, her eyes opening wide at the action.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, except for not killing the bastard, I thought I taught you better than that" he rebuked with a smile, trying unsuccessfully to tease a smile back to her face.

"I tried" she whispered as a tear fell silently onto her cheek.

Gibbs watched it fall, not sure how to proceed.

"I know you did Abby, it's marked all over your body, you did nothing wrong, the only thing that matters Abby, is that your going to be ok and were going to kill the bastard" he told her, his thumb stroking the tear away.

Abby nodded slightly her eyes clearly telling him she didn't believe what he had said, he sighed as the door opened and Ducky walked into the room,Teh M.E.'squick eyes taking in the scene before him and wishing he had left it longer before returning. Oh well thought Ducky too late know. And he crossed the short distance to the other side of the bed and placed a soft kiss on Abby's cheek.

"My dear Abigail, it really is not a good look" he teased "I know you like body art and dark colours but purple, blue and black really do not suit your pale complexion" he informed her seriously. Abby smiled at Ducky, the man she loved like another father

"I wanted to try a new look" she teased back, laughing slightly and then wincing at the pain the action caused.

Gibbs watched the byplay silently and became aware of an intense feeling of jealousy that Ducky had managed to make her laugh when he had failed. He stood abruptly

"I'm going to see what DiNozzo and Todd are doing" he growled, leaving the room without a further word.

Abby watched Gibbs leave the room and suddenly felt very alone, even though Ducky was still there. She struggled not to cry, telling herself she was being stupid; Gibbs had a lot to do, he couldn't be expected to baby sit her. She turned to face Ducky when he patted her hands, which pulled fretfully at the blankets covering her.

"Don't worry Abigail, Jethro has been very worried about you, and I think it is taking a toll on him" Ducky told her softly seeing her emotions flash across her face, understanding her far more than any of the others,excpet perhaps Gibbs,possibly could

"It reminds me of …" Ducky started with a smile on his lips as he watched Abby's reaction to his words, the reaction he wanted.

Abby shook her head and closed her eyes suddenly very, very tired and feeling more than a little alone.