Chapter 3 - NCISHQ, Abby's Lab

Kate, Tony, and McGee came running into Abby's lab, only to find Ducky already standing there. McGee instantly noticed that something was off. Then he realized what it was - For once, there was no music blaring from Abby's speakers and Ducky wasn't telling a story.

Tony was the first to speak. "Kate filled us in on the elevator, Abs. Whose blood is it?" Tony asked the gothic forensic scientist, getting right to the point.

Abby looked at Tony with worry. "It's Gibbs' blood… It's a perfect match."

Kate let out her breath, "Abby are you sure? Can't you run the test again? I mean, can't there be some mistake?" For being such a strong woman, Kate looked incredibly frail.

Abby shook her head at her friend. "You know I don't need to, Kate. DNA doesn't lie…"

McGee was the next to speak. "Just how much blood was there, Abby? Are we talking a nose bleed amount of blood?" the younger agent asked, hopefully.

Abby looked at Kate, then the floor. "I…I don't think so McGee. There was pretty much blood," she said, again meeting Kate's eyes. Kate looked as if she were going to break down. Abby quickly realized she shouldn't have said that, so she tried to cover her mistake. "But there definitely wasn't enough to mean that Gibbs was seriously wounded. No, if it were that, there would have been a lot more blood. A lot more. There, there just wasn't enough…"

"Shouldn't we get over to Gibbs' place and start bagging and tagging?" Tony asked. "Come on lets-"

Finally speaking, Ducky cut off Tony. "No, my boy. We already notified the director. She sent over twenty agents, including Fornell and his FBI team. If there's anything there, it will be brought back here for us to analyze. However hard it may be, we are supposed to sit tight." Ducky looked directly at Tony, "The last part was a direct order. We are not to get involved. The director believes that we will not be able to think clearly because we are emotionally attached to Gibbs," Dr. Mallard said with resentment.

McGee, who was normally mild mannered, became enraged. "She said what? How are we not supposed to do anything? Screw direct orders," McGee spat out as he stomped out of the lab.

"Tim, what are you going to do?" Kate asked as she followed him.

"I'm going to find Gibbs. Whoever wants to join me, you're more than welcome. If not, then stay the Hell out of my way!" McGee said forcefully as he smacked the 'up' button for the elevator.

Tony, Abby, and Ducky nodded at each other. They didn't know what they were going to get in to, but they didn't care. All they cared about was the safe return of their friend.