Chapter 8
McGee had been ordered back to NCIS where Tony was acting as the temporary new team leader. Gibbs remained by Abby's side, characteristically.
Gibbs folded and packed her things neatly into her suitcase with military precision. There was just a square gauze bandage remaining on her head, a few pieces of surgical tape on the cuts of her cheeks, her leg cast was still on for the next few weeks. The internal bleeding was under control, but she still had needles and drips all over the place.
She was propped up on several recently fluffed pillows, Gibbs had taken it upon himself to do every menial task he could think of. He'd ordered the staff about, ensured that everything she could possibly want or need on a daily basis was brought to her from her house, and he hadn't left for two whole weeks.
He was suspicious that Dr. Carmen was purposefully keeping Abby here as long as possible to be near her. He glared at the black t-shirt as he thought about it.
Abby's green eyes were even more glittering and spectacular now that she had no hair, they were the most obvious things on her face and every time that he stared at her he seemed drawn into them by some invisible force. She watched him curiously as he packed her things, her eyes following his still bandaged hand as it meticulously folded.
He felt her eyes on him and looked up to meet their gaze. He stopped what he was doing and tilted his head slightly, waiting for her to say something.
"What's going on?" She tried to sit up slightly and winced in pain.
He flew to her side and supported her back and held her arm, repositioning the pillows.
She sighed tiredly at being taken care of.
"We're leaving."
"I'm going home?" She perked up immediately, "Finally!" She tore the sheets from the bed and feebly attempted to get up.
"No!" Gibbs said sternly, holding her firmly down, she pouted.
"Yes, you're going home."
"Why did you say it like that?" She glared at him playfully.
He allowed himself a small smile.
"Stay." He put his index finger up to amplify his point. She rolled her eyes and settled in.
Gibbs clipped the lid of the suit case shut just as Dr. Carmen entered.
"I see you're all set to leave us Miss Sciuto." He smiled winningly at her.
"Mark! Not that I don't enjoy your company, but I hate hospitals. You see, I had this uncle who went in with an itch and never came out." She stopped speaking for a moment.
Dr. Carmen laughed lightly and nodded, "Well I've signed all of the documentation. Special Agent Gibbs has your medications and the instructions, I've written it all out. You'll have a nurse visiting you at home intermittently for the next few weeks."He glanced in Gibbs' direction. "Everything is in order I take it?"
"Yes, I'll be taking her immediately." He tried not to sound too abrupt, but failed. Abby looked at him curiously. "Thank you Dr. Carmen." He shook the Doctors hand.
Gibbs took the wheelchair from the corner, and wheeled it beside the bed.
Abby protested loudly.
The nurse entered to make the final arrangements, removing the needles, pulling back the bed clothes. She ushered the men out of the room to get Abby dressed to go. Gibbs had laid the clothes neatly on the dresser.
They went out into the hall.
Dr. Carmen handed several papers to Gibbs. "You'll take good care of her no doubt." He didn't doubt it either.
Gibbs tucked the papers inside his jacket and nodded.
"If you need to contact me," He paused and handed Gibbs his business card, "Here's my details." He took the card.
They stood in silence for a short time until the nurse emerged and advised them that Abby was ready to leave. Jethro strode into the room and lifted the suitcase with one hand from the floor, when he turned around he saw the Doctor speaking to Abigail quietly. She laughed in a delighted manner.
Gibbs narrowed his eyes. Mark took the handles of the wheelchair and began to wheel her out to the carpark. He only reached the hallway when Gibbs shoved him out of the way, jamming the suitcase into his arms before taking control of the wheelchair himself.
Dr. Carmen looked shocked momentarily, and Abby tried to twist around to see what was happening behind her. "Gibbs!" She exclaimed in a sort of loud whisper, "You don't have to be so rude!"
He looked straight ahead and continued to guide the chair outside. Dr. Carmen carefully followed them and loaded the case into the boot of the car.
There was a slight kafuffle as they got her into the passengers seat of the car and stowed the wheelchair as Gibbs tried to do it all himself.
Abby became more exasperated at her lack of independence but managed to overcome her feelings in time to say a bittersweet goodbye to the doctor.
"Now don't forget about your promise," she reminded him, "My bowling team will no doubt look forward to you joining us" She giggled at the thought of him in the pink getup that was their uniform.
"Indeed I shalln't. Goodbye Abigail, I look forward to seeing you soon."
Gibbs got in and slammed the door, gripping the steering wheel tightly he grumpily revved the engine and as soon as Dr. Carmen stepped back from the vehicle he took off. Not too fast, he didn't want to exacerbate any of her injuries.
She waved til they were out of sight.
She frowned and sat in pregnant silence.
He knew she was mad, but he couldn't even begin to explain his recent immature behaviour. He didn't even feel like himself. But watching the way that he'd looked at her, them laughing together, him touching her arm. He was overcome with an immense urge to protect her and keep her close to him.
She shook her head, visibly trying to restrain herself. She didn't want to yell at him, but she was upset with the way he'd spoken to Mark. He was being so over protective. She knew he cared about her but this was just too much.
She looked up at the roadsigns as they flew past.
"Gibbs," she said slowly, "Where are we going?"
"Home." He said succinctly.
"This isn't the way to my house."
"I never said we were going to your house," he raised his eyebrow, looking in her direction.
He let her stare at him for a second without being able to gauge her reaction. "The Doctor said that you need to be looked after for a few more weeks. I know how much you hate hospitals, this is the next best thing."
Her lips parted, "You mean I'm staying at your house?"
Gibbs didn't say anything. He felt suddenly nervous, did she not want to go to his house?
He turned his attention away from the road again to meet her eyes. She seemed to be in a state of disbelief.
Her face broke into an enormous smile, and she laughed. He still wasn't sure what she was thinking.
She felt silent, and her face grew somber. "You don't have to do this Gibbs. This wasn't your fault."
He tightened his grip on the steering wheel, staring at the road ahead.
"You've already done so much already," he cut her off by lifting his hand. She drawn closer to him in the car.
"This isn't about obligation Abby," his voice was official, "I can take better care of you than any one else, so that's what I'm going to do. You have no family in the area, Tony can barely take care of himself." He didn't even suggest why McGee was unsuitable.
Her face fell ever so slightly. "Oh, I see." She moved back towards the door.
He looked straight ahead, trying not to let her see any of the emotion that wanted to burst out of him. If this hadn't happened to her he'd never have had to face these feelings that were so wrong to have.