Title: Family Doesn't Misdirect Anger
Summary: Set after 'Frame up'. Abby and Tony brother/sister relationship. In the same vein of 'She'll be Okay' and 'Heroes'. Big Brother Tony, little sister Abby.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A/N: Written on suggestion from SoapOperaCrimeGirl. Includes a scene from 'Bounce'.
Tony had had a long day. A very long day, but hearing that Abby hadn't slept since he'd been arrested, well that made him angry. Angry that it had happened. Angry at Chip because he had framed him. Angry that Fornell and Sacks had to arrest him in the first place. Ducky's words bounced around in his head: The poor girl hasn't slept since this entire affair began.
Sighing, he looked down at the photo in his hands. He'd gone back to his apartment, but he didn't feel like sleeping, drinking or eating. He simply sat on his couch and looked at this one photograph. It was of Tony and Abby, wide grins on their faces. Abby was wrapped up in his arms. He had – after the photo was taken – pressed a kiss to Abby's temple, much like Gibbs did. They had been friends ever since Tony started at NCIS – though it had taken him about a week to get used to her infectious enthusiasm. He wouldn't have her any other way though. Abby was one-of-a-kind and would never be replaced.
Tony jumped when his cell rang, he flipped it open realizing it was Abby.
"Hey, Abs," He said in way of greeting.
"Tony…" The reply was soft and just a little scared.
"On my way Abs." He said and he was up and out the door before he'd even hung up his phone. His little sister needed him and he was going to give her all the support she needed.
Tony arrived at Abby's 10 minutes later and he rushed inside – knowing she would have the door unlocked for him. He found her sitting in her room – ready for bed but silently crying.
"Talk to me Abs." Tony sat down next to her and put an arm around her shoulders.
"I was so scared today, Tony." She whispered.
"I know, I was too. I really thought I was done for." Tony said.
"I never want to lose you," Abby said.
"You won't lose me, Gibbs would bring me back just to head-slap me." Tony said.
"To think my evidence could've sent you to jail!" Abby cried.
"Abby…I'm right here…I'll always be here. Always just a phone call away. Even if I move away at any time, I'm always a phone call away." Tony promised.
"But you won't be here. You can't go. I'll miss you." Abby sobbed.
"I'd miss you too Abs. But like I said I'm not going anywhere just yet. You don't have to worry. Chin up." He said.
"Today had me so scared…forensics the one thing that never lies, the one thing I trust to tell me the truth and it told me something I didn't want it to!" Abby wailed.
"Abby, look at me. The Forensics weren't wrong – all the evidence pointed to me. But it's wasn't your fault, alright? It was all Chip. He planted it all to get at me because I got him fired." Tony whispered.
"Sometimes…sometimes I think of-" Abby began.
"Don't you dare say give it up! Abby, NCIS needs you." Tony said.
"No they don't." She sighed.
"Ok, Gibbs needs you. Tim and Ziva need you. I need you. You're my little sister. My best friend." Tony said.
"Oh, Tony!" She flung her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.
"Abby, you can't just give NCIS up, and your evidence was not wrong." Tony said, "it was just…mistaken on who was responsible."
"Can you forgive me?" She asked.
"Nothing to forgive Abs. You're my sister and family doesn't get mad at family. We don't misdirect our anger." He said.
"I love you, Tony." She whispered.
"I love you too, Abs." He replied.
Bounce 06x16
"Hey. Talk to me Abs. Here you go." Tony said entering the lab and handing Aby her Caf-POW!
"Thank-you Gibbs." She said.
"Abby…" Tony said.
"I was just examining the evidence from the murder scene, Gibbs." Abby said, stilted as her words were.
"Abby…" He tried again.
"The room was luckily really clean, because, you know Hotel rooms, they can be a forensics scientist's biggest nightmare, Gibbs." Abby said.
"Abby! I'm not Gibbs!" Tony said, sharply.
She set her Caf-POW down, "Yes, you are. Because if you're not there's a problem. And after Sister Rosita spraining her ankle in the sixth frame and Mr. Giggles escaping…" Tony frowned.
"Mr Giggles?" He asked.
"Stay on topic, Gibbs." Abby said.
"Not Gibbs." He said again.
"Okay, tell me. I can take it." She said closing her eyes.
"Well, he's just upstairs…" He began before she cut him off.
"Wait. I can't." She said.
"Rule 38." He said.
"Oh." Tony nodded smiling, "So, um, I processed the evidence from the crime scene – Tony – and nothing contradicts your initial assessment." Abby said giving him a smile.
"Lieutenant Grady entered Renny's room, there was a short struggle…" He began.
"Broken lamp."
"During the scuffle they fell onto the bed…" He continued.
"Bloody pillow."
"Where Lieutenant Grady was strangled and stabbed to death." He concluded.
"I found Grady's blood on the comforter. I don't want to tell you what else I found." Abby said.
"Yeah you do." Tony said as it were obvious.
"Oh, you know me so well." Abby said, "but that's gonna have to wait for later. Because I am cooking up some awesomeness."
"Awesome me." Tony said turning to stand behind her at the computer. They shared a smile.