Disclaimer: not mine

Thanks to nikki for beta-ing ;)

Thanks for the kind reviews.

This chapter is a bit longer hope you enjoy ;)

chapter 7

Half an hour later they heard a soft knock. As the door slightly opened the grip around his torso became tighter. Just like she was trying to say, don't go.

"I'm sorry to disturb you."

The young nurse who had checked on her an hour earlier entered the room.

"There is a group of people on the floor, who don't want to leave until they have talked to you, Agent Gibbs. I've been trying to tell them that they should go for two hours now, but they simply won't listen to me."

After taking a breath she continued.

"Could you please meet them for a word?"

He slipped one leg out of the bed. Instantaneously the hold on his chest tightened even more.

"No, don't leave me, let them come in but don't leave me alone."

"Abs, are you sure you're up for visitors?"

She shook her head.

She didn't move and showed no signs of letting him move either. Finally she spoke.

"Is Ducky there?"

Gibbs nodded.

"Then get him in here until you're done outside."

"Would you please send Doctor Mallard inside?"

The nurse smiled.

"Yes"

She closed the door and left.

"I won't go far; I'll stay right in front of the door."

She nodded.

The door opened again and Ducky stepped inside. He silently crossed the room until he stood at the side of the bed, where Gibbs was still laying.

"Hello, my sweet girl, how are you feeling?"

She attempted her best smile, and answered honestly.

"Like shit."

Finally she let go of her husband to let him get up from the bed.

Before he could go she held him by his hand and pulled him down, kissing him upon his lips, aware that he would never let any thoughts of intimacy cross his mind tonight. He clearly didn't want to push her, or scare her in any way. However, she knew if she couldn't do something that night, she would never be able to do anything again.

The last thing she wanted was to be scared by her husband's lips, hands or other parts of his anatomy.

She knew he would stop as soon as she told him to; it was one of the things she loved most about him. She smiled at him - not one of her usual, earth turning smiles, but it was a smile. One that promised him that she believed everything would be fine again.

He left with a whispered promise that he would be right in front of the door.

She took a deep breath.

"Ducky, please be honest with me. What are the chances of the baby surviving?"

He took her chart from the end of her bed, and began to read.

"I would say that there is a fifty-fifty chance, Abby."

He sat down on the chair next to her bed.

"What can I do to give the baby a better chance?"

"Try to relax, try to stay calm, talk to someone about what has happened. Make sure you do what the doctors tell you, and try to eat. And drink some liquid, and by that, I don't mean caffeine," he instructed her, smiling slightly. "The next few days will be essential."

"Thank you Ducky." She smiled weakly. "Ducky?"

"Yes, my dear?"

"Would you ask Tony if he would come in for a moment?"

"Of course?"

He crossed the room, and cracked open the door. Without leaving the room, he conversed with the group huddled outside, waiting expectantly. Moments later, the door opened completely and Tony stepped in.

"Ducky, would you make sure Jethro gets a coffee and comes back in ten minutes?"

"Yes, my sweet dear."

TBC...