Part 6

AN: For this part I am borrowing a little from the first few chapters of this series where I ladi out how Tony and Neal came to meet one another. I got the name of the academy from an NCIS episode as it was the place Tony went.

Sara was not sure what to make of the goth standing beside her.

Abby unlinked arms with Sara and took a seat. She patted the seat beside her.

"What did Agent Gibbs mean about the 9 lives?" Sara asked.

"Tony has had many 'scrapes,' near misses. We jokingly say he is like a cat with 9 lives."

Sara was astounded, but, she didn't say anything.

"Tony opened a letter in the office that contained a white powder. It was The Plague."

Sara was stunned. "You mean like…Middle Ages! That Plague?"

Abby nodded. "That very one…almost. This one had a genetic mutation. …made it resistant."

The Goth sighed shook her head at the memory. "Tony was put in a room with blue lights, under strict isolation. He was sick for a very long time. Even all these years later he goes and sees a pulmonary doctor every 6 months. And then, a few years after the powder he walked away from a bomb. He was supposed to be in the car, it was his car. But, at the last minute plans changed. Somebody else drove it, and they were the ones who died when it exploded.

Sara didn't know what to say.

"And there have been other things. In his job it's…there are always other things. But…with the bomb, we all thought that Tony was dead. Gibbs processed the scene. They brought the body back. It was burned…beyond recognition. Thinking that that was Tony, it was just…." Abby shook her head. "It was horrible. But, then Ducky found that the lungs were not scared."

Sara just looked at her, completely confused.

Abby continued. "Tony's lungs would have been scared from having had The Plague. There was no way this guy was Tony. But, that then begged the question of where he was. Well, he walked in the doors about an hour later. He was pissed off about his car. But, he was fine."

"Tony seems like a really good guy." Sara stated. "He thinks a lot of Neal."

"Tony considers Neal to be his little brother." Abby told her. "And since both were only children, it fits. Besides, they've known each other so long. They practically grew up together."

Sara had no idea.

"They went to the Rhode Island Military Academy together. Tony is a year older than Neal, but…."

"Neal…in military school?" Sara was shocked.

"Tony's day was too busy being an international playboy after his mom died." Abby explained. "Actually, I think Senior's wife, at the time, suggested it. She didn't like Tony. At least, that is what Tony thought." She paused. "And Neal, from what Tony told me, he was just going down a bad road."

"So, did they share a room, or what?" Sara asked.

Abby shook her head. "They had music class together."

More surprises for the Insurance Investigator. She didn't know her boyfriend as well as she thought she did.

Tony and Neal played piano and guitar and sang. They called themselves 'Wayward Son.' Tony said that they did pretty well for themselves, playing school dances and stuff like that."

Sara could not help but chuckle at the picture she got in her head. "Have you heard them sing?"

Abby nodded. "Tony sings all the time, everywhere. I have never heard Neal. But, Tony says he has an amazing voice."

"I have never heard Tony sing."

"He sings when he's down in the lab with me. But, my volume usually drowns him out. And, we like to go to karaoke bars." Abby paused. "He just needs to get a little more comfortable with you."

Sara shook her head. She could not picture Tony singing karaoke.

Abby knew that look. She smiled. "He does own other clothes. He dresses down on occasion."

Sara laughed.

Gibbs and Ellie soon returned. Abby and Sara then stood to take their turns. But, they could tell by the look on Gibbs' face that things were not good.

"Gibbs, how…?" Abby started.

The lead agent shook his head. "Tony's nurse said that he was in a medically-induced coma. He can't respond. His lungs are damaged and…."

Abby looked as if she was about to cry again.

"What…what's wrong?" Sara asked.

Abby turned to Sara. "That plague I told you that scarred Tony's lungs. Well, it leaves him prone to pneumonia. It'll take him longer to heal and it will probably leave even more scars."

Sara felt conflicted. She wanted to call Neal and let him know about Tony. She felt he needed to know. But, she also knew he would want to come to D.C. And his leash didn't extend this far. And she doubted Peter could get permission since it was not a work-related trip. She sighed. She would have to call Neal. She couldn't not let Neal know.

Tim arrived just as Gibbs was giving everybody the bad news. "Boss, the bodies are in autopsy, and my report is on your desk. Ms. Ellis, your painting is waiting for you in our evidence garage. And," He paused. "What…?"

"The bullet damaged Tony's right lung." Gibbs told him.

Tim sighed and shook his head. His mind flashed back to those horrible days of Tony in isolation.

"He won't survive that again, Gibbs." Abby said, tearing up.

"It's not the same, Abby." Gibbs stated. "Tony doesn't have The Plague anymore."

"I know. But…."

"No Buts, Abby!" Gibbs said, turning to face her. "Tony is going to be okay. Does everybody hear me? Tony is gong to be fine!"

TBC