"So they notified his parents?"

"No DiNozzo, the Director thought it would be better if we kept his death our own little secret."

Tony's head hung low and Ziva sighed outwardly from the back seat at Gibbs response.

"I was just concerned…wanted to make sure…"

"I called them my self DiNozzo." He lifted his coffee cup and took some down. "Taken care of."

He nodded. "I didn't mean to suggest you wouldn't of taken care of it boss…I just wanted…"

"To make sure…yeah I got that Tony."

The rest of the ride was silent.

--- ---

Abby couldn't remember when she'd run so fast into open arms. When they parted from their embrace, Ducky sat her down near his desk and began to look her over.

"Any pain my dear?" He reached for the bruises on her face.

"Just a little headache…" She tried to look towards the autopsy tables but Ducky managed to block her view for the time being.

"What happened?" Ducky questioned as he took her hand.

She took in a short breath and answered his question with one of her own. "Where's Gibbs?"

"They all left about an hour ago; off to fetch you I'm afraid…"

She looked at him confused. "Well, after they got me from the lab, they took me somewhere, then before I knew it, I was being blindfolded again and dropped off outside NCIS…what is going on Ducky?"

"First, let's get you some ice for that eye…" He reached for her arm and directed her outside the autopsy doors.

"Uh, why do I get the feeling you're hiding something from me?" She gave him a stern look.

"Don't be silly my dear, I simply wanted to get you out of that cold autopsy room and into a more comfortable atmosphere."

"One of those bodies isn't Gibbs is it?" She started to take short breaths. "Oh Ducky, tell me Tony didn't kill him?"

He watched the elevator open and tried to direct her inside. "No, Jethro has gone with Tony and Ziva to get you…"

The elevator doors were about to close when she stuck her hand in between them. "What about McGee?"

--- ---

"We're getting close, keep your eyes open." Gibbs ordered as he started to slow his speed. "We'll park up there…"

The three exited the vehicle determined. The trunk came open and it wasn't long before they were fully vested and armed, awaiting Gibbs directions.

"You two stay together, if I so much as see you ten feet away from each other, I'll shoot you myself."

The two nodded. "No problem." Ziva replied.

Gibbs reached for the PDA in Tony's hand and squinted for a moment. "Rendezvous here in…" he glanced at his watch and squinted again. "Ten minutes."

He watched them turn to leave. "And hey…stay together…"

"Or you'll shoot us…got it boss." He smiled back at him before following behind Ziva. It was only a few seconds before Tony and Ziva were pacing backwards, their hands up in the air.

"You won't have to waste your time Agent Gibbs, I can shoot them myself." A tall man with a slight limp came out from behind the two Agents to show himself. "I'm a better shot than you Tony, don't worry."

Gibbs turned around slowly and attempted to make a grab for him, but only to be put on the ground with the butt of a weapon.

"Confiscate their guns…" He ordered and three men did just that. "Tie 'em up and put 'em in the back of the van." He paced towards Gibbs and lifted him up off the ground. "Too bad your forensic scientist couldn't be here for the show…"

He was a bit disoriented from the blow to the head but still managed to spit up into Steeples face. It wasn't long after, he received a blow that knocked him out cold.

--- ---

Groups of people were forming on each of the floors as they awaited the elevator, but little did they know the reason behind it…

The two were huddled in the corner of the elevator, the emergency switch flipped on, and the lights dimmed.

"Easy my dear…easy…" He patted her back as she clung to him for dear life. "I've got you…"

She shook her head slowly as she held onto him. "Ducky…"

"Shhhhh, I'm here… I've got you…I've got you…"

Moments later, a few people exited the stairwell and stood at the entrance of the elevator, taking in the sight. Ducky motioned that they help him get her up, and so they did; but she still refused to let go of their embrace. He walked her back into autopsy slowly and tried to sit her down, but to no avail. No matter what Ducky tried to do, he couldn't loosen her grip on him. "Abigail…I'm not going anywhere…"

She tried to quiet her sobs and managed only quiet whimpers. "He…he did it for me…"

Ducky nodded but realized she couldn't see him and tried once more to open the distance between them. He was successful but only for a moment as he managed to pull her far enough away to make eye contact. "He did it, because he loved you my dear."

And within seconds she closed the distance between them once more, her quiet whimpers returning to sobs…and echoing through the cold autopsy room…