Disclaimer: See chapter 1...none of it's mine

A/N: I am so sorry guys! I know this too FOREVER to update, but I have a very good reason. I was nearly done with this chapter when my laptop took a little spill and was damaged. I had to recover Windows so everything was gone...including this chapter that I was 3 paragraphs away from finishing. But, I finally got it finished...and here it is. I really hope you guys enjoy it...

Another A/N: Thanks to my semi-beta Liz...you have been acknowledged D

Her world was dark. Lying flat on her back, Abby felt more calm and serene than she had felt since before the trail. She wasn't in pain anymore. Abby was comfortable in the black, it was so serene. She began to feel herself being gently pulled upward as the world around her swirled in color.

3:07 am

Abby's eyes slowly fluttered open. Soft light flooded her vision and the familiar odor of dysinfectant filled her nostrils. She recognized it instantly as the unmistakeable smell of a hospital room. There was a gently whirring of machinery around her and she noticed a black cast on her wrist, and an IV tube in both of her arms. She was vaguley aware of a warm pressure at her head, on her stomach, and arm. Abby groggily tilted her head slightly forward then to the side and smiled warmly. She wasn't the only one in her room.

Jimmy Palmer sat in a chair next to the bed, hunched over and sound asleep, his head cradled in a folded arm while the other rested gently on Abby's shoulder. Abby's eyes traveled back down to her side. Tony too was sitting hunched over, sound asleep, and resting his head gently on Abby's stomach and holding her hand in his.

Abby smiled and lightly squeezed her hand around Tony's. He stirred slowly and raised his head sleepily. Tony looked up at Abby and his face split into a happy grin when he saw her looking back him.

"Hey," Abby whispered weakly.

"Hey yourself," Tony whispered back, scooting his chair up closer to her head. "You know where you are?"

Abby nodded slowly. "Yeah...don't know which one though."

"Bethesda."

"Oh." Abby breathed in deeply but the pain of her chest twinged, and in an instant, the events of the past few days came rushing back. Abby stiffened, her eyes wide, and she whimpered, "Where are they?"

"Shh, Abby," Tony whispered, taking hold of her hand once more. "It's all over, they're dead. Gibbs shot them." Tony reached forward and petted Abby's hair comfortingly. He looked up and saw Jimmy still asleep at Abby's head. "Palmer, wake up" he said.

Jimmy snorted awake, his head jerking up suddenly. He saw Abby's smiling face looking up at him and he grinned back. "You're awake."

"That I am. How long was I out?"

"About 12 hours." Tony replied, checking the clock on the wall.

"How are you feeling?" Jimmy asked, standing up, going into doctor mode. He may have been still in medical school, but Jimmy had learned enough for general care.

Abby shifted slightly in her bed, feeling a slight discomfort as she did so. "Okay I guess," she replied. "My chest doesn't hurt has much as it did before."

Jimmy smiled."Yeah, that demerol's great stuff isn't it?"

"Yeah," Abby said, laughing.

"I'm going to go tell the others you're awake," Jimmy said. "I'll be back to see you later."

When Jimmy shut the door, Abby sighed. Her head was fuzzy. She had just woken up from unconsciousness and had pain killers pumping into her by the milliliter. Suddenly, one frightening thought shot through and her eyes filled with tears.

"Oh, my God..."

"Abby? Abby, what is it?" Tony asked, petting her hair again.

"Tim...oh God, Tim. Where is he Tony? Please God, tell me he's okay," Abby cried, hot tears falling.

Tony quickly brought his hand up and wiped away her tears and smiled. "Shh, Abby, Tim is okay. He's still unconscious, but his doctor and Ducky are sure he's going to wake up pretty soon. He's two rooms down."

Abby gasped began laughing happily as more tears started to fall. Tim was alive...she hadn't lost him. Tony grinned broadly and squeezed her good hand.

"You know," Tony said jokingly. "I should be thanking you two."

Abby furrowed her eyebrows. "Why?"

"The team hasn't been this busy in a good, long while," he replied, grinning.

Abby pursed her lips then laughed sarcstically, "You just wait 'til I can move, Tony. I'll get you for that."

Tony laughed. He leaned up and kissed Abby's forehead as a token of truce.

"What's this other tube in me?" Abby asked, now focusing on her left arm. The IV line was put in the crook of her elbow, just above her cast.

"Nutrition. You were so weak, they put this in you until you're strong enough for solid food."

Abby opened her mouth to reply but was stopped by her door opening. A man, obviously Abby's doctor, had walked in, her chart in hand.

"Mornin' Doc," Tony said.

"Hello Agent DiNozzo, I see our friend has come back to us," the doctor replied genially.

"Yeah, I had been away from the party too long," Abby replied. Her voice was still a little weak.

"Agent DiNozzo, I'm going to ask you step out for a minute please, while I examine Abby," the doctor said.

"Right, sure," Tony said, standing up. He bent over and kissed the top of Abby's head again and said, "I'll be back."

4:17 am

After the doctor left, Abby had slipped into a light slumber. She was stirred awake by a gentle knock at her door and the creak of it opening. Abby saw a head poke through the opening, but it was too dark for her to distinguish who it was. When the dark figure spoke with a husky, feminine tone, Abby who exactly who had come to visit.

"Abby?"

"Hey Ziva," Abby said sleepily.

"How are you doing?" Ziva asked, walked slowly over to the bed

"Okay, I guess."

"I-I didn't wake you, did I?" Ziva faltered slightly, sitting down in a chair.

Abby chuckled lightly. "I needed to get up anyway. Who would think I would sleep after being unconscious for 12 hours."

Ziva gave a tiny smile, then sat back in the chair, figeting. She seemed nervous. Abby knew her relationship with Ziva was rocky. It was seeming to get a lot better throughout the past year, but it went downhill fast since Gibbs was blown up. Their slap-fest in Abby's lab had been rock bottom. Abby was the first person to offer the reconciliatory handshake and hug in the squadroom only because Tony asked her to...and Abby wanted to be the bigger person.

Abby looked over at Ziva, her eyes big and worried. "How's Tim?" she asked quietly

Ziva sadly shook her head. "He's still out, Abby."

"Crap," Abby whispered, pressing her head deeper into her pillow.

"You want me to go check on him?" Ziva asked, standing up swiftly from the chair and leaning toward the door.

"No, no. Please stay," Abby cried, showing more emotion that she wanted to. Abby had been alone so much the past three days, she was desperate for any form of company...she didn't even mind that it was Ziva.

The two sat in silence, Ziva still played with her hands but seemed more comfortable. Abby laid on her bed, staring up at her dark ceiling, her mind floating back to the past. Her stomach dipped slightly when she realized that she had no memory whatsoever of what had happened. She remembered going to the window of the house, being shoved down the stairs, looking into Tony's eyes...but from then on, her mind was blank.

"Um, Ziva?" Abby asked hesitantly. She wondered if she really did want to know what had happened the day before.

"Yes Abby, what is it?" Ziva asked, leaning forward toward her.

"What happened...you know, in there? I kind of remember Tony taking me behind the van, but after that I'm real fuzzy."

"Oh, um," Ziva said, scooting to the edge of the seat. "When Tony got you behind the van, you told us where they were keeping McGee, remember that?" When Abby shook her head, Ziva continued, "There was a team stationed behind the house and when we knew you were safe, Gibbs gave the go ahead and we stormed in. They started shooting as soon as we got through the door. The larger brother--"

"Jonathan," Abby corrected quickly, a chill running down her spine.

"Right," Ziva replied softly, reaching out and touching Abby's wrist comfortingly. "He pulled Ben down the hall to the back room, where we assume they were going to kill McGee before we got to them." Abby whimpered, but Ziva held her wrist gently. "We shot them before they even touched the door, Abby. They're dead."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Abby, I'm sure."

"Thank God," Abby whispered, shutting her eyes.

Silence came over to two women for several minutes, each just enjoying the company of the other. Ziva yawned several times, but shook it off and began looking out the window behind Abby's head. It was still pretty dark outside, only the lights of the city lit the room. Abby seemed wide awake, staring back up at the ceiling.

Ziva stood up and said, "I'm going to go see how McGee is doing. Do you want anything while I'm out?"

Abby grinned. "A Caff-Pow?"

Ziva laughed. "I don't know if this hospital has a machine. Besides, I think you'd better work yourself up to solid food first."

"Yeah, good point."

"I'll be back later to see you," Ziva said smiling as she shut the door quietly behind her.

11:47 am

A little while after Ziva left her side, Abby's doctor came by for another visit. He checked her vital and told her that she was now strong enough to come off her nutrition IV, and Abby was ecstatic. He removed the needle from her arm, replaced it with a bandaid, and left the room

Tony came back by to visit around mid-morning, and he was bearing gifts. He had dropped by Abby's apartment earlier that morning and brought her the necessities for an extended hospital stay...her CD player from her lab and, of course, Bert. He also brought along a pair of her pajama pants, for he knew how embarassing those hospital gowns could be.

After putting on her flannel pj's, Abby was now sitting up in her bed, listening to Plastic Death, her usual comforting music group. She, of course, couldn't keep it as loud as she mornally would; but after hearing nothing but silence, the occasional passing car, and Jonathan's furious tirades, Abby would've been happy listening to McGee's Yanni CD.

Abby sat, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the first meal she would have in five days. When she heard a knock at the door, she immediately turned off her CD player...she didn't wany any distractions. When the door opened, Abby pouted slightly that it wasn't her lunch, but she was thrilled by her visitor.

"Duckman!"

"Hello Abigail," Ducky cried, going to her side and gently embracing her. "It's wonderful to see you again!"

Abby sighed sadly. "Didn't think you would, did you?"

"For a little while there, sweetheart, we didn't," Duckly replied solembly, reaching out and taking her hand.

Abby looked straight into Ducky's eyes and asked nervously, "Tim?"

Ducky shook his head sadly. "Not yet sweetheart, but soon."

Abby's eyes dropped and she heaved a shuddering sigh, Ducky squeezing her hand comfortingly. She looked back up at Ducky and asked, "How...how bad is he hurt?"

"About the same as yours Abigail," Ducky replied. "Timothy has a concussion and three of his ribs are broken. There was some internal organ bruising, but it's healing up quite nicely. We did have a little scare with him...we thought one of the broken ribs had punctured his lung, but it was just a blip on the X-ray. Everything's fine."

"Then why hasn't he woken up yet?"

Ducky sighed. She sounded so scared. "Some people take more time to heal Abigail, but I promise that he will be okay."

Abby leaned back into her pillows and sighed. To Ducky's great pleasure, Abby seemed so much calmer. The faintest visible lines of worry still crossed her face, but Ducky knew that as soon as McGee woke up, they would vanish. However, Abby's eyebrows suddenly furrowed in thought and she turned back to face him.

"Ducky," Abby started hesitantly, afraid of both her question and the possible answer. "I know I was hurt pretty bad back there at the house, but was I imagining things?"

"How do you mean?"

"I thought I saw Gibbs," Abby said softly. "I mean, I know I was weak and about to pass out, but...is Gibbs really back?"

Ducky smiled and squeezed her hand once more. "Yes Abigail," he replied. "He's here."

Abby smiled wide, then it fell slightly. "Why hasn't he come to see me yet? I actually half expected to see him asleep on my stomach instead of Tony."

"Oh honey," Ducky replied, sighing sadly. "Gibbs is just...he's...he wanted to be able to give you good news about Timothy when he saw you."

Abby started to reply but was interrupted by a knock at the door. It opened and Abby sat up happily as a small, blonde nurse walked in pushing in a lunch tray. She wheeled it across Abby's bed and Abby's face split in the widest grin.

"Thank you!" Abby cried. "Thank you-thank you-thank you-thank you-thank you so much!"

The nurse laughed then said to Ducky, "I haven't seen anyone this excited about our food before."

Ducky laughingly repied, "Ah yes, well our Abby is one peculiar woman. Marches to the beat of her own drum, you might say."

The nurse turned to exit the room and Abby called, "Thank you, my food-delivering angel!"

The nurse smiled then exited the room. Abby waited all of two seconds after the door shut before she ripped open her plastic silverware, and hastily removed the plastic dome protecting her long-awaited meal. It was hospital food...pressed turkey, overcooked and mushy mixed vegetables, a roll, and a snack size chocolate pudding. But to Abby...it was a Thanksgiving feast.

"Careful sweetheart," Ducky said lightly as she stuffed a full fork in her mouth. "Eat slow now...you don't want to shock your system and make yourself sick."

Abby pouted but obliged, slowly savoring each bite. She knew it all in her head, but Abby could feel herself warm and strengthen with each bite. Ducky smiled happily as he watched her. She was making excellent progress in her recovery. When Abby finished scraping the last reminants of her pudding and placed the empty cup on her clean plate, she leaned back into her pillows and sighed contentedly.

"Good?" Ducky asked, grinning from ear to ear.

"Best meal I've had in days," Abby replied with a playful smirk. "Only meal I've had in days."

"Now that you have some actual food in your system, your body might be able to get itself back on track. You should be feeling a lot better soon." Ducky pulled the tray away from Abby and rolled it against the side wall.

"I could really use a Caff-Pow," Abby said wistfully.

"That's the last thing you need right now Abigail," Ducky replied, chuckling. "Now, you need to rest. I'll go tell the others how you are doing."

Ducky stood up, kissed Abby's hand, then leaned over and kissed her forhead.

Abby smiled. "Love you too, Ducky."

1:25 pm

Abby was feeling so much better. She now sat indian-style on her bed, Bert in her lap, watching her TV. Nothing was on...just those stupid soap operas. The door knocked and a nurse Abby had never seen before walked in. She was about Abby's height, tiny build, red hair, and kind eyes.

She walked up to the foot of Abby's bed and said cheerfully, "Hello Abby, my name is Liz, and I'm your day nurse. Did you get a meal?"

Abby smiled and nodded. "Yes, I did, and it was great."

Liz smiled and replied, "Good!" She noticed Abby's friend in the bed with her. "Cute hippo!"

"Thanks," Abby said laughing. She picked him up and turned him to face her. "Bert...Liz, Liz...Bert." She tossed him to the nurse, and it farted when she caught it.

Liz laughed at the sound and said to the toy, "Nice to meet you Bert." She tossed it back to Abby who put it on the bed next to her. "I've been told by your doctor that you're able to be taken off your demerol drip."

"So I'll be on pills if I need them?"

"Exactly," Liz said, going to her arm. She pulled off the tape, and removed the needle. It twinged and bled slightly, but a simple bandaid cured it. "You think you're up to a little walk down the halls?"

"Definitely, I could use a change of scenery."

Grabbing Bert, Abby scooted over to the side of the bed and stood up slowly, but there was only the slightest pain in her chest. It took only a couple steps for Abby to regain her balance but she soon was standing straight. As Abby was led out of her room, she turned her head down the hall toward McGee's room. The door was shut, and Abby could see Jimmy sitting in the chair at the far end of the hall. She waved but Jimmy's head and hung over asleep.

Abby's heart dropped as she considered walking down to Tim's room. However, all at once, frightening images flashed through her head. Memories of the beatings he took...that he took for her...and how he looked afterward. She didn't think she'd be able to see him, lying unconscious on that bed with tubes in him everywhere. Not yet.

She turned the other way and began walking. Her muscles her tight and sore, but seemed to loosen up with each step. She took a slow and stead lap around the nurse's station, pausing temporarily to stare out of the window at the moving traffic below. She made the final turn toward her room, glancing back to see if Jimmy was still asleep...he was. Abby cocked her head puzzledly when she saw her door slightly ajar...she had completely shut it when she left.

She carefully pushed the door open and peered through. Her heart leapt when she saw the face of the man she never thought she'd see again.

"Gibbs!" Abby cried, half-running toward him.

Gibbs stood up swiftly, smiling, and took two long strides and he wrapped his arms around her the instant she fell into his chest. Abby's eyes filled with tears, soaking into Gibbs' shoulder as they fell.

"Hey Abby," Gibbs whispered, petting her hair.

"I thought I'd never see you again," Abby said, her face pressed into his shoulder.

"Well, I'm here now. Everything's okay," Gibbs replied, pulling back and wiping away the tears from Abby's face. "Come one, let's get you back into bed."

"No," Abby said, stepping toward the chair. "I've been in that bed long enough." She gingerly sat down while Gibbs perched himself on the edge of her bed.

Abby was torn. She wanted to leap from her chair, hold on to Gibbs and never let go...but also, she wanted to leap up and wring his neck for leaving her. Gibbs was the same way. He, for one, had missed Abby terribly, as he did everyone else on the team; but he had come to separate himself from this life. When he got the call from Tony that Abby and McGee had been kidnapped, he dropped everything without a second thought and caught the first flight back to DC. Now that he was here, there was a slight awkward air between the two of them never before felt.

"How are you feeling?" Gibbs asked.

Abby gave a shuddering sigh. She didn't say anything to Ducky, but after Ziva's visit, Abby had been very troubled.

"Physically, I'm fine Gibbs...I mean, I'm not as much pain anymore, but--" Abby shivered slightly and continued, tears brimming in her eyes. "There's just so much in my head. There's so much that I remember...vividly. I remember every hit, every kick, every word screamed, being alone...seeing Tim all beat up. But what scares me most is what I don't remember."

Gibbs immediately fell from the bed and knelt down on the ground, eye level with Abby, and reached for her hands. He could see the fear in her eyes, and he felt his stomach drop slightly. He knew all too well the empty feeling of not being able to remember what happened to you. The fear of the blank in your mind could be worse than the memory that had slipped away.

He wrapped his arms around her in a comforting embrace. "Abby, it's going to come back. I promise it will."

Abby tried to fight back her sobs. "What if I don't want them to? Ziva told me what happened, but what if she was sugar coating it. What if she--"

"Abby!" Gibbs said forcefully, snapping her from her hysteria before she started hyperventalating. He cupped her face and wiped away her tears. "Shh, now shh. Breathe Abby, everything's okay." Gibbs pulled Abby into another embrace and she held on tight until she had calmed down and her tears stopped.

Gibbs helped Abby, still slightly shivering, up from the chair and back into her bed. She sat on the edge, her feet dangling off the side, and Gibbs took a seat in the chair.

"So," Abby said, sniffing thickly, "are you back? Are you staying?"

Gibbs sighed sadly, looked down at his feet, then back up to Abby. "For a while...just until you and Tim are better."

"Then your going to leave again?" Abby asked with disbelief, anger beginning to come through.

"Abby," Gibbs said, hating that he was breaking her heart once more, "my life is in Mexico now."

Abby stood up furiously. "Your life is here Gibbs!" she half-yelled, her hands balled into angry fists.

Gibbs opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted by the door bursting open and Tony rushing in.

"Abby! Tim just woke up. He's okay!"