AN: Some of you may see the following as slightly out of character for Gibbs, but I believe that despair causes breaking points for people. Even Gibbs. Thanks for reading!
Gibbs was found beside her, hours later. Unconscious but somehow still cradling her in his arms. His clothes were soaked through with her blood when they arrived.
Tim passed out at the sight.
Tony gently removed her body from his arms and carried her outside.
Ziva tended to Gibbs.
Dr. Mallard demanded on accompanying her body, despite the agony he felt.
Tony would be there when Gibbs woke up.
His eyelids slid open. "Abby?"
He cringed as he came into his field of vision. "Boss, it's me Tony."
"Abby?" He sat up violently and began to remove anything that attempted to keep him there.
Tony tried to stand in his way but was shoved back a fair distance. "Gibbs, she's…"
"I know," he shouted towards him. "I know…" his voice softened a bit before he slowly collapsed to his knees.
Hesitantly, Tony knelt down in front of him.
"It's okay," was all he could think of to say.
It was then Gibbs did something, Tony had never seen him do.
His shoulders began to shake.
He was weeping.
Tony reached out a hand towards his shoulder when Gibbs fell forward into an all-encompassing embrace. He froze there. Stricken with grief. A sob erupting every few moments. Hospital staff were waved away as the minutes turned into hours and Gibbs eventually succumbed from exhaustion.
Tony didn't attempt to place him back in his bed. He simply rested his back against its frame and let Gibbs rest on his shoulder, an arm cradled around him for support.
He awoke only an hour later, disoriented but physically strong enough to stand on his own.
"Boss…"
Gibbs only put his hand up to quiet him. "Take me to her."
This was uncharted territory for Tony. He had never seen Gibbs so vulnerable.
Without another word spoken between them, Tony drove him to NCIS. The ride down to autopsy was brief even if it seemed like an eternity to Gibbs. He stepped off and immediately approached the familiar black bag that donned the table.
Ducky and Tony remained at a distance.
The agony of despair was thick. Almost tangible.
Gibbs placed a hand on his chest as he unzipped the bag to reveal her face.
Tony took a step towards him in preparation of another scene similar to the hospital.
But Gibbs remained composed long enough to kiss her forehead and step away.
"Boss…" Tony questioned, hoping for some direction.
He looked at the two of them with a familiar anguish in his eyes. It was then he walked out of autopsy, into the elevator and out of NCIS.
For the last time.