I would say sorry for the cliffie, but I'm not! I love writing a good cliffie (evil streak in me)
enjoy, if thats the right word for whats coming up!
and thanks for the feedback, i really do love you all for it
Chapter 14
Kate arrived at the hospital running to the surgery waiting room, she skidded to a stop as she opened the door to find her co-workers and friends there already
"How is ..?" she demanded breathlessly, her eyes taking in the dishevelled look of the people already there
Ducky stood and crossed over to her
"In Surgery, we wont know anything until they finish" He said quietly his eyes turning automatically to the double doors that led to the operating theatre, Kate swallowed, trying to stop the tears from flowing, this wasn't happening she thought, it couldn't be, she turned back to Ducky having missed part of what he was saying
"…is strong and I am sure will be fine, I know the surgeon operating and he is one of the best neurosurgeons." Ducky told her, his arm squeezing her shoulder, "Try not to worry too much Caitlin" he said, his eyes showing just how worried he was himself. Kate nodded and turned back to the other people already there.
Tony stood by the window, his eyes haggard, his normally impeccable clothing was rumpled, as though he had pulled on whatever had been lying around. McGee was in sweats and an old MIT t shirt, she wondered if he had been playing one of those internet games he liked so much. Finally she forced herself to look over at the figure sitting hunched in the uncomfortable vinyl covered seat, she wondered absently why they couldn't provide comfier chairs in hospital waiting areas.
He looked awful she realised, finally making herself look at Gibbs, he looked as though he had aged rapidly in just a few short moments, a coffee cup was clutched in his hand but she could tell that none of it had been touched. The clothes he wore were covered in dried blood, she turned her head away for a moment unable to face the reality that it was Abby's blood he was covered in.
She looked up at Ducky who shrugged his shoulders as he shook his head, she nodded slightly an unspoken exchange passing betweenthem,and crossed to crouch in front of Gibbs, her hand reaching for his cold coffee cup, he didn't look at her as she took it
"Gibbs" she said quietly, placing the cup on the small table next to the chair, Gibbs failed to respond in any way
"Gibbs" she said again, having to pause at the tightness in her throat "She's going to be ok, Abby will be fine" she told him gently, not sure what to say or do, but knowing that she had to do something.
Gibbs looked up at her then, and she nearly pulled back physically at the haunted look in his eyes, the shear devastation
"You don't know that" he said, his voice gravely and old as though he had been shouting or screaming
"I know Abby" she said "and I know that there is no way she is going to let you off the hook so easily Gibbs" she said, trying to ease the tension, trying to reassure him in some way, trying to reassure herself. Kate was scared, for the first time since she had met Gibbs she finally realised that he wasn't a super hero, he was a man, one who was hurting badly now.
Gibbs looked back down again, too tired and scared to continue the conversation. Kate sighed and stood up, crossing to where Ducky, Tony and McGee were all standing
"Has he been like this all the time?" she asked them softly, Ducky nodded his head
"I have never seen Jethro like this before" he said sadly looking over at his friend in despair, Kate looked over too
"What about Simpson?" she asked quietly, turning to face the others, unable to watch Gibbs anymore
"Dead" Tony said his eyes hard and cold, causing a shiver to run through Kate, "Gibbs shot her" he added on his voice as hard as his eyes.
"A team is going over her stuff, trying to see why she did it" McGee said quietly, his face looking red and puffy as if he had been crying, Kate nodded, looking back at Gibbs, praying that Abby would make it, scared that if she didn't, then Gibbs might not either.