Not Again

Rating: K+
Pairing: Abby/Gibbs
Category: Romance / friendship
Spoilers: Driven, Season 4
Summary: Post-episode tag for Driven and written for the Gabby Shipper Forum Hiatus Drabble for the prompt 'car'.
Disclaimer: No copyright infringement is intended. NCIS and its characters are the property of DPB and CBS, and no profit is being made with this fanfic.

For far too many terrifying seconds, Gibbs thought he'd lost everything to a car... again.

Fifteen years ago, a car crash had destroyed his entire world when it claimed the lives of his beloved first wife and daughter, when the agent driving them was shot and the vehicle they were all travelling in ran off the road.

And just minutes ago, he'd been faced with the nightmare of Abby's life in danger, also from a car... and this time, the horror was happening right in front of him.

The difference between life and death in this case being seconds... a minute at best.

And this time he'd been lucky.

He hadn't lost her.

Now, standing by Abby's side in autopsy, his hand resting protectively on her shoulder, unwilling to lose physical contact with the living breathing woman, Gibbs watched Ducky check her over, both men ignoring her protests.

Gibbs had insisted the M.E. examine Abby and had been fully prepared to carry her down here if necessary.

As he watched Ducky work, Gibbs fought against the urge to close his eyes as he relived the panic that engulfed him when he emerged from the elevator to see Abby trapped inside 'Otto', the interior of the car filling with smoke, with McGee sitting just feet away, seemingly oblivious to Abby's cries for help.

The next seconds were a blur of frantic activity as Gibbs tried and failed to open the car door before what Abby was shouting finally penetrated his brain. Rushing to hit the emergency alarm, he'd grabbed the fire extinguisher to break the driver's side window so he could hit the kill switch which rendered the robotic car harmless.

Gibbs remembered yanking open the passenger door to wrap his arms round Abby to pull her clear. His heart ached at her murmured "Permission to hug," as if she should ever need to ask him that, when her hugs, her smile... her mere presence... were often what helped him through the day.

The thought that seconds later, he'd have been too late to save her made his blood run cold, and would surely become fodder for his nightmares for some time to come.

The thought that he might have lost Abby before she knew how he felt... before he'd had a chance to tell her... made his gut tighten.

They'd gradually been rebuilding their friendship since his return from 'retirement', and he hoped Abby was slowly beginning to trust him again... to believe that he wouldn't be disappearing to Mexico. By now, he'd also plugged most of the holes in his memory, enough to finally remember what this woman meant to him.

So he'd spent the past few weeks trying to pluck up the courage to tell her... to work out if Abby felt the same way.

Sometimes he thought she did.

He would catch a look or a smile and think back over everything she'd said to him since his return, and in the years before he left. Her devastation at his absence had seemed to hint at more than just feelings of friendship on her part, but his memories had been too foggy to work it out at the time.

And today, he nearly lost the chance to do anything about it.

Time to stop wasting time.

His attention came back to the present as he heard Abby protesting that she was okay, but Ducky was thankfully turning a deaf ear, insisting she let him continue his examination.

Even if the doctor hadn't been adamant in that gentle, resolute way Ducky had that was so effective, Gibbs wouldn't have let Abby just carry on as if nothing had happened. As he listened to Ducky detailing all the possible effects of carbon monoxide poisoning, Gibbs was glad he'd virtually dragged Abby down to autopsy.

When they'd first arrived, Ziva helping Gibbs support Abby through the door, despite her protestations that she could walk unaided, Ducky had acted speedily, despite his surprise at the sudden appearance of most of Gibbs' team in his domain.

When Gibbs filled Ducky in quickly but succinctly about what just happened, the M.E. had gestured to the nearest table and Gibbs helped Abby hop up onto the metal surface. She'd looked up at him in surprise as Gibbs didn't back away but stood right next to her, hand resting on her back.

"Mr. Palmer..." Ducky turned to his assistant but the younger man had already anticipated his request, and was already approaching the group, carrying the oxygen canister from the emergency cabinet and the M.E's medical bag.

"Here you go, Dr."

"Thank you, Mr. Palmer." Dr. Mallard took the bag while Palmer began setting up the oxygen.

"Oh, I don't need..." Abby began, subsiding when Gibbs shot her a glare, folding her arms stubbornly. He saw Palmer shoot Abby a sympathetic smile, which at least earned him a wan smile in return.

"You let me worry about what you need, my dear. Remember I'm used to patients that don't argue back… Now, how long were you breathing in the carbon monoxide?" interrupted Ducky, firmly.

"Um..." Abby sighed, thinking for a moment. "It was probably only about thirty seconds, Ducky... not much longer."

Ducky took the mask Palmer handed over and helped Abby strap it over her face, despite the mutinous pout on her lips, which made Gibbs bite back a smile, despite his worry.

He saw Palmer adjust the dial on the tank out of the corner of his eye, and they could all hear the hiss of the oxygen in the quiet of the room, but Gibbs didn't take his eyes from Abby's pale face, her green eyes vivid above the mask.

Ducky reached for his stethoscope and continued questioning Abby as he listened to her heart, and then took her pulse, Abby raising her voice to be heard through the mask or occasionally pulling the mask briefly from her face to talk more easily.

He squeezed her shoulder encouragingly, conscious of Ducky's occasional speculative glances his way as Gibbs continued to stand well into her personal space.

He'd sent Ziva and DiNozzo off to set up Jones in interrogation, intercepting his SFA's worried glance but choosing not to address it. Tony had no doubt guessed correctly that Gibbs intended to tear the mechanic limb from limb if he proved to be behind the sabotaging of 'Otto'... after he'd ripped McGee a new one for failing to keep an eye on Abby.

His hand tightened reflexively on her shoulder as his mind flashed back to his terror, and when Abby jumped slightly at the sudden pressure, he relaxed his hand, cursing his distraction. Gibbs looked down to meet her curious gaze, shaking his head slightly, signing a quick 'sorry' against his chest, which only made her throw him a more startled glance.

Her face had been flushed when she'd arrived in autopsy and her breathing still fairly rapid and shallow, but her eyes now looked brighter, and her complexion was its usual pale creaminess. That, and the fact her usual stubbornness was surfacing and she was starting to argue with Ducky, Gibbs all took to be a good sign.

And once Ducky gave the okay on her health, then the tight knot of fear in his gut might start to uncoil.

"I just felt a bit lightheaded, Ducky. I'm fine now." Her voice was muffled by the mask but both men could hear the obstinate note in it. "I've got way too much to do. You need me, Gibbs," she glanced up at him, eyes pleading and he just raised an eyebrow in reply without responding. "And McGee needs my help and I gotta get back to work."

"And you will do, my dear girl, when I'm satisfied you are alright to continue." Ducky's tone was gentle but firm. "Now, tell me, have you experienced any dizziness or nausea?"

Abby shook her head vigorously, and immediately paled. Gibbs slid his hand to cradle the back of her head as she leaned gratefully into him. After a few seconds of slow breaths, under Ducky's observant gaze, Abby admitted sheepishly, "Well, perhaps a little dizziness… just now, but it's nothing really, and no nausea... so I'm-"

"Fine, yes, I know." Ducky finished for her, softening his admonishment with a kind smile. "You are as bad as Jethro here with your 'I'm fine', Abigail, and I no more believe you than I do him each time. So just sit still and let's get this over with, shall we?"

Gibbs watched Abby roll her eyes at Ducky's back as the M.E. turned away to take the blood pressure cuff from Palmer, the young assistant's eyes shadowed with the same concern they were all feeling.

"Should she go to the ER, Duck?" Gibbs asked, eyes still on Abby's face, hand sliding to the back of her neck.

"No!" Abby broke in, raising the mask off her face for greater volume. "That's not necessary, surely. And she is right here, Gibbs."

Gibbs ignored Abby and turned to Ducky, who smiled reassuringly as he looked up. "I don't think that will be necessary, Jethro... but if it is, then rest assured Abby saying no will not sway me from insisting on it."

When Abby opened her mouth to protest again, Ducky held his hand up and she subsided yet again, muttering almost mutinously as she jammed the mask back on her face.

"And your blood pressure is, indeed, fine, my dear," said Ducky, after a few moments, smiling as he pulled the stethoscope from his ears.

"So, can I go back to work now?" demanded Abby, looking between the two men.

Gibbs glanced at his friend. "Duck?" He did need Abby back at work but wasn't about to jeopardize her health for any case.

Ducky looked up from returning his stethoscope to his bag and nodded his thanks to Palmer as he took it from him. "Soon, Abby. I would rather you rest down here for a while longer... preferably breathing in more of that oxygen, and I want to check you over before you go home later, and I would rather you didn't go home alone."

"She won't, Duck," Gibbs broke in, squeezing her neck and catching her gaze again. Abby looked as if she was about to say something but trailed off, searching his eyes.

Ducky's voice broke in as they continued to stare at one another. "And you may well be prone to headaches later... and if you are, I need to know about them. No working through and ignoring it, is that clear? But, yes, Abby, you can return to work shortly... I know how much you'll be needed."

"Thanks, Ducky." Abby broke his gaze and smiled her thanks at the M.E, pulling the mask down for a second. Palmer came back to stand behind Ducky, looking uncertain but obviously reluctant to leave until he was sure Abby was okay.

"Abby?" Gibbs looked down at her face, his tone a warning as she looked back at him. "Stay here until Ducky says it's okay to go."

She sighed, rolling her eyes again, but held out her little finger towards Ducky, who 'shook' on it with an amused smile on his face. "Okay, Ducky, pinky promise."

Ducky leaned in to kiss her temple affectionately. "I'm very relieved indeed you are alright." He hesitated, cupping her cheek to turn her face towards him. "And it's okay to admit you were scared, my dear."

Abby wrapped an arm around the M.E. in a one-armed hug, resting her head on his shoulder for a moment. "I know, Ducky," she whispered.

When she raised her head, eyes shining with sudden tears, Ducky stepped closer and slid one arm round her back, murmuring, "Oh, my dear girl…"

Ducky let her lean more fully against him as Abby continued in a halting voice. "I was so scared… McGee couldn't hear me and I, er… I could feel my vision going and… I couldn't breathe… I've never been so glad to see Gibbs in my life," she glanced up at Gibbs, huffing a gentle laugh. "Not that I'm… not always pleased to see you, Gibbs, coz I am but…"

Abby trailed off, biting her lip against the tears falling. Gibbs could see her stubbornness taking hold in this too. Abby didn't cry easily, even when it would help.

Gibbs took a deep breath, swallowing round the lump in his own throat. He resisted the urge to wrap both his arms round Abby, conscious of his audience and settled for rubbing her back gently while resting his other hand on Ducky's shoulder, not sure who he was comforting, himself or his friend.

Ducky rubbed her shoulder. "Come and talk to me tomorrow, Abigail. We'll have a nice cup of tea and you can tell me whatever you want to... whatever you feel comfortable with."

Abby nodded, a wan smile curving her lips, and Ducky smiled gently as she murmured her thanks, barely audible behind the mask.

"I'm glad you're okay, Abby…" Palmer put in hesitantly, looking nervously between the two men. "Let me know if you need anything… and I'll be right, erm, out here in the storeroom."

Abby's smile widened and she reached for Palmer's hand, squeezing it, removing the mask briefly. "Thank you, Jimmy."

Gibbs nodded this thanks to Palmer and then cleared his throat. "Can you give us a minute, Duck?"

Ducky looked at him in surprise, but nodded agreement readily enough. "Certainly, Jethro. Mr. Palmer," he called, gathering up his assistant and bag and retreating to his office, closing the door behind him.

Gibbs watched his friend leave and turned back to see Abby's gaze focused on his face. Gibbs let out the breath he hadn't been aware he was holding and stepped closer, picking up her hand and lacing their fingers together, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles.

Abby must have seen something on his face for she squeezed his hand, whispering his name.

For once, he didn't school his face as he brushed her bangs off her forehead and saw her eyes widening at the sudden tender touch.

"You're a very impatient patient, Abbs," he observed, smiling slightly.

"I'm as patient a patient as you are, Gibbs… which I'll grant you isn't very patient," Abby smiled back, its usual brightness diminished by the mask but he could see her amused eyes. "Are you okay?"

"Am now," he whispered.

Abby took the mask off and forestalled his protests with a raised hand. "It's just for a minute, Gibbs. It's just easier to talk." She reached for his other hand, pulling him to stand in front of her. "Thank you, Gibbs... for saving me... When I couldn't make Tim hear me, I thought..." she broke off, averting her gaze.

"Scared the crap outta me, Abbs." He held both her hands in his, wanting to pull her into his arms and not let her go.

"Me too..." she hesitated, searching his eyes. "Don't be too hard on Timmy."

Abby knew him too well.

She knew he'd be heading down to the evidence garage to tear a strip of his junior agent, but he wouldn't be deflected. "He failed to protect you, Abbs... he didn't watch your six."

"He didn't mean for me to get hurt," she pointed out, reasonably. "As he said, his back was only turned for a few seconds."

His eyes locked with hers, shaking his head, marvelling once again at her forgiving, generous nature. "A few seconds more, you'd have been dead."

"But I wasn't, and I don't blame him," she replied, firmly. When Gibbs didn't respond, Abby tugged on his hands, staring at him seriously. "And I don't think you can make him feel any worse than he does already."

"Ya think?" he shot back.

He was damn sure he could make McGee wish he'd never come to work that morning by the time he'd finished with him. His junior agent knew it too, if the pallid apprehensive face staring back at him as the elevator door closed earlier had been any indication.

But Gibbs sighed when he saw the distress in her green eyes and clamped down on his own anger, for now.

Gibbs released her hands to cup her face with both of his. "Thought I was gonna be too late." His voice caught on the last word and he swallowed.

Her hands came up to rest on his wrists, squeezing gently, staring up at him and he saw nothing but trust and... love?... shining in her eyes. "Hey, you weren't... and I'm here, and I'm okay. You saved me... protected me... as you always do."

"Gotta keep you safe." He knew it was an empty promise but said it anyway and was rewarded with a gentle smile that lit up her face.

Abby slipped off the table to wrap him in a tight hug and his arms came around her, burying his nose in her hair, wanting to give in to the desire to enfold her completely. "Hey, Gibbs, you do... you always do make me feel safe. Might have a few nightmares later but... better that than the alternative."

His arms tightened at the thought and pressed a kiss to her temple, resting his chin on her head. "You shouldn't be on our own later… you heard Ducky. Come back to the house."

If he questioned Ducky on what symptoms to look out for with possible side effects, then he could keep an eye on her... all night if necessary.

"You mean if our boss ever lets us go for the night?" Abby teased gently, mumbling into his neck and he shivered slightly as he felt her breath wash over his skin.

He chuckled into her hair "Yeah... him. I hear he's a slavedriver."

"He's... the best," her arms squeezed around him. "And he's my slavedriver."

As Abby pulled back, Gibbs let his fingers ghost down her cheek to her neck, stopping her from moving too far. He flicked a glance between her eyes and mouth, hearing the slight hitch in her breathing as she must have read something in his eyes.

Gibbs leaned in slowly and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. When he drew back, hand still cupping her neck, Abby lifted her fingers to her mouth, her lips curving in a smile as her eyes widened.

"Gotta go, Abbs," he told her, reluctantly, brushing a thumb along her jawline. "Stay here till you're okay, and I'll take you home later."

He leaned in to kiss her quickly again before turning on his heel for the elevator. His last view as the doors closed was a wide smile on her beautiful face, and her hand signing I love you.

The end.