AN: I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has left a review. They really do mean a lot!
Pryrmtns...I can't believe you don't trust me! ...wouldI do anything to make you worry? ok don't answer that :)
and also Jtbwriter...thanks for being with me on every NCIS story,I have come to wait for your 'Now what:)'
and to everyone else who reads and reviews or just reads...thank you
Chapter 24
Gibbs rushed into the hospital, Liz, Tony and McGee hot on his heels. The ride over had been a death defying ordeal for all of them except Gibbs. Tony had offered to drive, knowing that Gibbs drove to fast when he was ok, let alone when he was worried about Abby. But Gibbs had refused in no uncertain terms, and although they had all made it alive, the three passengers never wanted to repeat the trip.
Gibbs strode up to the reception desk and flashed his badge
"Abby Sciuto" he demanded to the pretty brunette behind the desk.
"You don't look like an Abby to me" she flirted back at Gibbs, either not recognising the danger she was in, or not caring.
"Where. Is. Abby. Sciuto." Gibbs ground out slowly and carefully, his blue eyes flashing ice.
"Oh, why didn't you say so in the first place" the brunette drawled before looking it up on her screen "room 314" she said as she peered at the patient list, looking up to give directions but seeing only empty space.
Gibbs headed towards the elevator, but seeing the crowd of people waiting for it he veered off and headed for the stairwell. He took the stairs two at a time, never pausing in his haste to check on Abby.
When he reached the third floor, he pushed open the stairwell doors with enough force to slam them against the wall. He entered the hallway, his eyes searching the numbers as he passed each room. Gibbs skidded to a halt when he came to room 314, his heart skipped a beat and before he entered he paused and took a deep breath. Just before he entered though, he noticed a woman with bleached white blonde hair approaching him.
"Are you Gibbs, honey?" she asked as she neared him. Gibbs narrowed his eyes, not pleased that someone was holding him up from seeing Abby.
"Yes" he answered shortly his hand still on Abby's door handle.
"I'm Shirleen" the woman said, sticking her hand out to Gibbs "I found that sweet little girl" she drawled, her eyes assessing Gibbs and liking what she saw. Gibbs took her hand and shook it briefly.
"Thank you," Gibbs told her sincerely. He noticed Liz, Tony and McGee approach andnodded his head at them, before he turned his attention back to Shirleen.
"Could you give Special Agent DiNozzo your statement?" he asked her, wanting to get into Abby's room quickly.
"Sure Honey" Shirleen drawled with a grin at Tony "But you come and find me before you leave" she told Gibbs as she turned back to face him, a large and appreciative grin on her face.
Tony and McGee shared a smile with each other, both of them used to the reaction some women had when they met Gibbs. Noticing the look on his boss's face, Tony stepped forward and took Shirleen's arm, and guiding her towards the waiting room.
"If you could come with me Ma'am" Tony said courteously, Shirleen grinned and hooked her armaround Tony.
"Sure Honey, anywhere you want to go is fine with me" she flirted, slapping his butt as she said it.
Liz tried to swallow her laugh, a strangled sound emanating from her throat instead. Tony hearing it, turned around and glared at her, but Liz just smirked and linked arms with McGee
"Let's go find the doctor McGee" she said "and leave Tony with Shirleen." With that Liz turned and smiled at Gibbs "I'll get you an update" she said quietly, nodding her head towards Abby's door "I have a feeling someone is going to want to see you" she said quietly.
Gibbs nodded his thanks and gently opened the door to Abby's room, steeling himself for whatever state he might find her in.
………………………………………
Gibbs stepped silently into the room, his eyes immediately seeking out and finding a sleeping Abby. He paused just inside the doorway, his heart leaping into his throat at the sight of her. Abby's thick dark hair lay spread against the clinical white hospital bed, the contrast stark and shocking. It seeming to make her face even paler than Gibbs would have thought possible. His eyes travelled slowly over her face, noting angrily the cuts and bruises as well as the tiredness and drawn quality to her normally vivacious face. Slowly his eyes travelled over what was visible of her body, noting the splint on her arm, the gashes on the other one, and the way her hands and nails were ripped and torn. His hatred of Ari becoming a living, breathing thing and his anger become a seething, boiling ocean in the pit of his stomach. His hands clenched at his sides and he pictured just what he would do to Ari when he finally caught him.
Slowly and silently Gibbs crossed the room to stand next to her bed. With infinite tenderness her reached out and brushed her hair from her eyes, his hand lingering for a moment.
"If you were Tony, I would think you were copping a feel" Abby croaked, as her eyes slowly opened to grin at Gibbs.
Gibbs smiled back at Abby, his eyes both amused and concerned
"If it was Tony he would have been copping a feel. And I would have had to shoot him" Gibbs joked back, as he pulled the chair by her bed out and sitting in it.
"My knight in tarnished Armour" Abby grinned at Gibbs, "so you gonna spring me from this joint?" she asked seriously "They don't have cable" she muttered glaring at the TV. Gibbs watched her and laughed.
"Nope, I'm not" he told her, holding his hands up in mock defence as she glared at him "not till your better" he warned her.
"Hey, you don't get better than me" she told him, deliberately twisting his words. Gibbs smiled at her, his face growing serious.
"Nope, you don't Abs" he told her softly, as his hand reached out for hers and grasped it gently. "And that's why I'm not springing you" he told her softly.
"No fun Gibbs, you are just so no fun" she muttered, leaving her hand where it was, gathering strength and comfort from him.
Gibbs sat silently watching Abby for a moment, his heart beating loudly in his chest, not sure why he suddenly felt this overwhelming need to gather her close but knowing he couldn't act on it. He slowly gained control of his runaway emotions and turned his mind back to business.
"You feel up to talking?" he asked Abby gently. Hating the way her eyes darkened slightly.
"Yes" she murmured squeezing his hand slightly "I am now, boss man" she told him softly.