Chapter 9
Gibbs walked back to the bullpen, his eyes searching for Tony and Kate, seeing them there talking to McGee animatedly, he cursed to himself, guessing they know knew about him and Abby, he paused on the stairs for a moment,
"Abby's lab now" he called out to the three agents, before heading to the elevator, the three agents exchanged a glance and headed after him.
"What's up boss?" Tony said smirking as they all waited for the elevator to arrive; Gibbs ignored him, stepping into the elevator as it arrived
"Come on Boss, what's come up?" Tony said deliberately choosing innuendos that were subtle, but unable to stop himself when he knew it was playing with death. Gibbs turned and looked at the younger man, his eyes cold and assessing,
"You have something to say DiNozzo?" Gibbs said his voice holding a cold warning in it, Kate looked at McGee who shared a worried look with her, she and Tony had wasted no time in telling McGee about Abby and Gibbs.
"Nope Boss, just wondered what was going on" Tony said, wiping the smirk of his face quickly, recognising Gibbs was not going to give an inch on this at all, "just wondered what the problem was, that's all" he added quickly
"Hope it is DiNozzo" was all Gibbs said carefully, stepping out of the lift as soon as the doors opened, he walked into thelab to hear Abby's music blaring away and Abby walking around the lab, obviously putting things back where she wanted them after the temp had moved things.
Gibbs walked over and handed her the large Caf Pow, he held in one hand, the other carrying his own coffee.
"Oh I love you Gibbs" Abby said gratefully accepting the large drink "But did you have to let that woman move all my things" she demanded moving a CD back to its rightful place, neither Gibbs nor Abby seemed to notice the look that Tony, Kate and McGee exchanged at Abby's innocent declaration.
"So what's up Boss man?" Abby asked, perching on her chair, and sipping at her drink
Gibbs watched Abby carefully as he spoke
"It would appear that Flynn's attack on Abby was not random, he was paid to do it"
Abby sat silently, her eyes on Gibbs, the fear slowly creeping back into them, the fear he had hoped had gone for good, but Abby was right to be afraid, he was for her.
"How do we know he was paid by someone else Gibbs?" Kate asked, her eyes darting to look at Abby, worried at her silence
"Because Kate, he admitted it to his lawyer, who is using it as a bargaining chip" Gibbs said with disgust for the lawyer
"Couldn't he be making it up then Boss? Trying to get a lesser charge?" Tony asked hopefully, not wanting to think about Abby in danger again, it was bad enough before Gibbs had a thing with her, it would be 10 times worse now
"Because he had evidence, he had $10,000 deposited in his account, and he had information on Abby that someone of his limited intelligence would not be able to obtain" Gibbs said "We need to find out who it is, and fast" Gibbs demanded, his eyes turning cold as he looked at the three agents before him
"And until we do, Abby goes into protective custody; Director Morrow has arranged a safe house, one outside normal channels" he said calmly. "Some of the information Flynn had was NCIS, and confidential." He finished moving towards Abby
"No" Abby said quietly looking up at Gibbs, her face composed and determined
"No?" Gibbs asked carefully, standing in front of Abby, his eyes the only thing that gave away his feelings, and only Abby wasable to see them because Gibbs had his back to the other three agents.
"No, I'm not going into a safe house" she clarified, her eyes defiant, having said that she spun her chair round and turned on her screen.
Gibbs spun her back
"You will Abby" Gibbs said his voice very quiet and deadly.
"No, I, wont, I will stay here and help find the bastard that thinks I am only worth $10,000" she said, "I'm not running away and hiding Gibbs, I can't" she said, the last almost a plea.
Gibbs watched her silently, weighing up and analysing things rapidly, his eyes searched hers and then he nodded,
"Ok but you stay here in this lab, McGee will stay with you" he said turning and glaring at the young agent, before turning back to Abby "you go nowhere without him, and you don't leave this building unless I am with you, is that clear?" he demanded angrily, not happy at having his plans changed, angry at the fear that coursed through him, angry that once again he felt useless.
Abby nodded "Yes Sir" she smart mouthed back tying to hide behind humour, Gibbs lent forward
"We will find whoever it is Abby" he told her gently, his hand briefly touching her cheek
"I know you will Gibbs, then beat them to a pulp for me, for only paying $10,000 cos I am worth so much more" she said, "that wouldn't even cover my college debts" she moaned with a grin, before jumping down from her stool and crossing to her CD player
"By the way Gibbs" she called "They know" she said nodding to Tony and Kate a big grin on her face "They are like super cool investigators" she grinned at him
"Yeah, or you were wearing one of my shirts" Gibbs countered turning and heading to the door, grinning at Abby's shocked expression, at how he knew
"McGee stay, Tony, Kate with me" he called as he left the room.