A/N: This is a really short chapter, bear with me. The next one is longer. This is my first attempt at writing an angsty story, so please be gentle
Chapter 3
McGee awoke with a splitting headache. Groaning, he tried to open his eyes, but it felt like they'd been glued together.
"Ah, you're awake then Probie?"
He tried to answer, but all that came out was a croak
"Here". He put out his hand automatically, and felt Tony put a glass in it "Drink this"
He sat up slowly and sipped at the strange coloured liquid in the glass
"What is this?"
"DiNozzo Defibrillator"
He half smiled
"Thanks, Tony"
He finished the glass, grimacing at the taste
"You got a phone call from Abby last night, Probie. She's pretty worried" At that, McGee closed his eyes again, willing the shaft of memory to disappear
"She said you stormed out of her lab last night. We all know you've been avoiding her. I think you owe her an apology. Want to talk about it, Tim?"
The concern in Tony's voice, as well as the use of his first name, finally made McGee open up
"Ok. Ok" he sighed
"How much do you know about Abby and my relationship, years ago?"
"Not much. You guys broke up around the time you transferred from Norfolk. Assumed it was a mutual thing, because of rule #12; you two always seemed ok afterwards. What does that have to do with avoiding Abby now? That must have been 6 years ago"
"It wasn't a mutual thing, Tony, and it wasn't because of Rule #12. She broke it off; I wanted to get serious, and she didn't feel the same way."
He fell silent
"Tim?" Tony pressed
"I've spent the last 6 years waiting, Tony, hoping that one day she'd change her mind. And yes, I know how pathetic that sounds; you don't need to point it out ok. I can't help it. I love her" he paused again
"Anyway, I realised a while back that I can't keep doing this. I've gotta move on. 6 years too late, I need to get over her. I'm trying my best, but it's not easy. She's my best friend. All I can do is try and avoid her"
He dropped his head into his hands, trying to hide his misery. When he looked up again several minutes later, his eyes were red.
"I know I'm hurting her, Tony, and God knows it's hurting me too. But I don't know what else to do!"
"So what happened last night?"
"She wanted an explanation; wanted to know why I've been avoiding her. How am I supposed to tell her, Tony? How do you explain to someone that you love them when they don't feel the same way? Especially when you don't want to be in love with them anymore?"
He fell silent again. Tony didn't have an answer for that one.