"McGee-ee!" Abby drew out the sound of his name, her exasperation showing through.
"I'm trying, Abby," Tim snapped back. "If you think you can do better, take over."
Tim stepped away from the keyboard, brushing the side of the desk in his hasty retreat. Abby stared at him, her eyes full of unexplainable emotion.
Ziva stepped forward and gently rubbed Tim's shoulders.
"McGee, you are doing fine. I'm sure Abby was only overreacting to the situation, right?"
Tears spilled down Abby's cheeks. Her emotions ran the gamut from desperation to worry to guilt for the way she was treating her coworker and friend.
"I'm sorry, Timmy," Abby said, pulling him into a fierce hug and refusing to release him.
"I'm the one that should be sorry. I shouldn't have bitten your head off just now," Tim rubbed her back, both of them taking comfort from their shared embrace.
"I am sorry to interrupt, but do you think…" Ziva prompted, pulling Tim by the arm and steering him back to the keyboard.
"Oh my gosh!" Abby exclaimed. "Did you think of something else to check?"
Ziva's crestfallen face answered her question more than words ever could. "Surely there is something we have not tried."
"Obviously, dear girl, or we would have found them by now," Ducky interjected, startling the others who hadn't heard him enter Abby's lab.
"Director Vance has authorized the use of MTAC, if we get a lead," Jimmy added.
"It's just so hopeless," Abby said with a sigh. "We've tried everything related to the case, and there is no possible way it's related."
"So it is something unrelated to the case," Ziva said, in a no-nonsense tone.
"Right," Tim continued flatly, returning to the keyboard. "But we've researched everyone we can come up with who might have a grudge against Tony or Gibbs, and come up with nothing. And that's a long list."
"We need to take turns sleeping; conserve our strength," Ziva informed them.
"Who could sleep at a time like this?" Abby lamented.
"We should try," Tim agreed. "None of us has really slept in days."
"You can use my futon," Abby offered softly. "I just don't think I can…" her voice trailed off, her breath catching with another sob.
"Abigail," Ducky pulled her aside, his tone both firm and gentle, "you have nodded off at least six times that I have noticed. You'll be of no use to Jethro or Anthony if you collapse from exhaustion."
"I keep having nightmares, Ducky," Abby admitted. "All these horrible things are happening to Gibbs and Tony and I'm supposed to help, but I can't. It's like I'm not even a part of the situation…like I have no power whatsoever…like they are already lost to me."
"There, there," Ducky said, giving her a soft kiss on her cheek, much as Gibbs might in another situation. "We will find them. You cannot lose hope, dear."
"Come on!" Vance barked, barely entering the room long enough to get the words out.
The others stared at one another, and then hurried to catch the elevator. The Director had obviously gotten a lead and they were ready to follow it up.
"What is it?" Tim asked, once they were all inside the elevator.
"We found DiNozzo," Vance explained.
***NCIS***NCIS***NCIS***NCIS***NCIS***NCIS*** NCIS***
"We need to get him to the hospital," Ducky stated, as they ushered Tony into Autopsy.
"No…Gibbs…don't hospital…need to help Gibbs," Tony muttered almost imperceptibly, in protest.
"Ducky, do what you can to stabilize him so we can get some information, then we'll get him to a hospital as soon as we can after that," Vance ordered.
"But Director, I really must insist…" Ducky continued.
"Later," Vance answered sternly. He was as concerned about DiNozzo as the others, but he was more worried about why the agent had resurfaced without Gibbs. "The rest of you, get out of here for now. Let Dr. Mallard and Mr. Palmer see to Tony's immediate needs first, then we'll get some answers."
"But…" Abby began.
Ziva, Tim and Abby reluctantly make their way back to the squad room and gathered around Tony's desk.
"I thought he was dead," Abby whispered. "He was just lying there…so still, his leg bent so awkwardly behind him."
"Yeah," Tim added. "I did, too. I can't believe he made it so far in his condition."
"He was determined," Ziva replied. "We should be proud of him."
"I am," Abby admitted through her tears, "but how could he just leave Gibbs behind?"
"We do not know that is what happened, Abby," Ziva answered. "All we know for certain is that Tony is here, safely, and that Gibbs is not…yet."
"I wonder how far he walked. I mean, to collapse two-hundred feet from the gates of the Navy Yard is just…" Tim continued.
"Tony," Abby answered. "It's just like Tony to get away and be stubborn enough to get all the way back to us."
The three fell into a less than comfortable silence as their tired minds searched for answers desperately needed. What exactly had happened to Tony? His injuries were so extensive; the thought of what had been inflicted was enough to torture each of them. Where was Gibbs? Who was behind all this?
They sprang to their feet, energy renewed as the elevator dinged and Vance stepped out. Ziva and Tim began gathering their gear and grabbing their coats.
"Where do you think you're going?" Vance asked.
"Gibbs…" Tim began.
"Surely you have gotten enough information from Tony…" Ziva began, speaking at the same time as Tim.
Vance shook his head. "The only place we're going tonight is home to get some sleep."
"But Director, we…" Abby interjected.
"Tony doesn't remember," Vance answered softly. "He is very badly injured and needs a hospital as soon as possible. I'm afraid there is nothing he can tell us right now."
"Nothing at all?" Ziva asked. "What about where he has been or who took him?"
"Or if he was even being held with Gibbs?" Tim queried.
"Nothing," Vance answered. "Ducky said he's been pumped full of drugs. His short term memory is French fried."
"Now you sound like Tony," Abby said with the hint of a smile.
"Go home and sleep. Come back tomorrow morning ready to work," Vance said. "And before you argue, that is a direct order. If you do not comply, your employment will be terminated on the spot."
"You wouldn't," Abby protested.
"Don't test me, Ms. Scuito," Vance's tone ended all debate. "Now let's get you home. I'm having agents from Lewis' team to drive you. None of you should be operating a motor vehicle as exhausted as you are. Go. Now!" Vance practically pushed them toward the elevator, doing his best to remain firm. He certainly understood the impulse to be here until the situation was resolved, but unfortunately working around the clock could be impractical and dangerous.