"Abby, Jethro!" Sister Rosita greeted them warmly. "Fancy seeing the two of you here." Together, she added silently with a little nod and a thankful glance upward.

"Rosita!" Abby dropped Gibbs' hand and rushed to the other woman, embracing her in a tight hug. "It's so good to see you."

"You enjoyed today's service?"

"I did, thank you."

"No Tobias?" Rosita held back a snort of laughter when she noticed Gibbs' hands clench into fists by his side.

"Nah, that case is over. I'm back with Gibbs and NCIS now." Abby gave a sigh of relief. One day she would fill Sister Rosita in on all the details of what had happened with Vincent, but today wasn't the day. "Oh, I'll be right back, I just want to say hello to Sister Shirley."

Rosita waited until Abby was out of earshot. "So all is well in the world of Jethro?"

Gibbs smiled in Abby's direction and then turned to Rosita, his eyes telling a different story. "Not quite."

"Oh? Come, let's step away from the crowd." Rosita motioned him to step off to the side. "What's wrong?"

"I nearly lost her."

"Now Jethro, what did I tell you? It was rather obvious that her feelings for Tobias were of the friendship variety, she-"

"I know. I'm not talking about that. I nearly lost her… the same way I lost Shannon."

"Oh, oh dear. What happened?"

Gibbs shook his head. "It's a long story, one I'm sure Abby will tell you. I just can't get the thought of losing her out of my mind."

"Jethro," Rosita nodded to where Abby was talking animatedly with Sister Shirley. "I'm not going to sugar coat things and say that you'll never lose her, because you never know what might happen. You just need to focus on enjoying every moment you have with her."

Before he could open his mouth to answer, Abby bounced back over. He held out an arm, and tucked her into his side, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Ready to go?"

"Yep." Abby moved from his side to hug Rosita one last time. "See you Tuesday for bowling. I might even bring this one with me." Abby glanced back at Gibbs. "If he'll join me."

"We'll see." Gibbs offered.

"I could always bring Tobias," Abby smirked.

"Maybe you should." Gibbs refused to be baited. "Come on, let's go." He just barely resisted the urge to pat her ass. They were in a church after all.

In the car Abby pulled her seatbelt across her body and then shifted her body to look at Gibbs. "The phone call this morning, it was about Vincent, wasn't it?"

Gibbs hesitated before finally nodding. "It was."

"He's dead?"

"No."

"He'll make it?"

"They aren't sure. He lost a lot of blood and keeps crashing. He doesn't want to make it."

"I want to go see him."

"No. I won't let you near him." His voice was firm.

"Why? He can't hurt me."

"He doesn't need to see you. I don't want him to see you."

"But Gibbs, you don't understand. I need to see him. I need to see that he can't hurt me anymore. I will have nightmares the rest of my life if I don't." Abby's eyes were brimming with tears.

"I'll keep your nightmares away, Abbs." Gibbs leaned across the center console to press a gentle kiss to her lips.

"I know, but please Gibbs. This is something I need to do."

"Fine." Gibbs kissed her once more. "But I'm not leaving you alone with him. I don't care if he's chained to the bed."

Abby eyed him curiously and then smiled. "Deal."

Gibbs started the car and headed in the direction of the hospital. This wasn't how he envisioned their Sunday together. Abby was silent on the drive to the hospital. She didn't know if Vincent would be awake, if he would recognize her or if he would say anything. She wasn't sure what she would say to him, but she wanted to make it clear that she wasn't Tobias' girlfriend. She didn't know why, but she needed him to know.

Slipping her hand into Gibbs', Abby held on tightly as they walked down the long hallway to where the nurse had directed them. There was a cop standing by the door, but moved to let them in when Gibbs flashed his badge.

Vincent looked far from dangerous as he lay hooked up to wires and tubes. His eyes cracked open when they walked in and followed her as she moved closer. Abby was no doctor, but even she knew that his heart was beating far too slowly and his blood pressure was dangerously low.

Abby moved to the side of the bed and looked down at him. After a few moments of silent staring, she spoke. "Why me?"

"I…" Vincent swallowed. "Had to make…" Another ragged breath. "Agent Fornell pay."

"I was never his girlfriend. It was all an act to catch you and make you pay for all the sick things you did to the other women."

Vincent took a couple of ragged breaths and glared at her.

"I'm done." Abby gave him one last look before turning back to Gibbs. She cupped his face in her hands and pulled him down for a reassuring kiss. She needed to remind herself that she was ok. "Take me home."

"Give me a minute. I'll be right there."

Abby knew better than to ask questions and she was fairly certain that he wouldn't kill Vincent with a guard just outside the door.

Gibbs waited until the door shut completely before stepping up to Vincent's bed. He leaned forward to speak next to Vincent's ear. "Fornell might have failed at protecting her, but I won't. If you make it out of here alive, you'd better pray that they send you away for life." Gibbs didn't want a response nor did he wait for one. Abby was waiting for him just outside the door and as he stepped out of the room, she threw her arms around him in a tight hug and pressed her face against his neck.

"Can I take you home – my home – or are there any more places you'd like to go or errands to run first?"

"You want to go talk to Fornell? You guys really need to work things out."

"Not now Abby." He did need to talk to Tobias, but not with Abby around; he was going to set a few things straight with Fornell. "I need a few days for things to settle down first."

"Okay."

---

The ride home was quiet and Abby thought about Vincent. He looked different from the day that he had been in Fornell's house. He had obviously dyed his hair, but those eyes… they were the same – cold and calculating. She wasn't sure why she hadn't noticed them before, but she just hoped that she would be able to force the image out of her mind before bed time.

Back at his place, Gibbs led Abby to the couch and gently removed her boots before propping her feet up. "You relax. I'll see what I can pull together for dinner." With a kiss to the top of her head, he headed to his kitchen and gathered some supplies for sandwiches.

After dinner, Abby asked if she could accompany him in the basement. She missed spending time with him and the boat, and she explained the comfort of the scent of sawdust. Gibbs agreed with a nod and watched with a look of amusement as she ran to his bedroom and came back with his red USMC sweatshirt on. "All ready!"

The set their plates on the counter by the sink and Gibbs led the way down the steps. Abby didn't want to actually work on the boat; she still cringed at the thought of breaking his boat the last time she had wanted to work on it. But she enjoyed being around Gibbs as he worked, so she cleared a spot on his work bench and hopped up and made herself comfortable.

Gibbs lost himself in the hard physical work of sanding the planks of wood he'd selected for his boat. Although he was at ease, knowing that Abby was safe, it was nearly an hour before he remembered that she was there. When he looked at her she was staring past him, her eyes fixed on the boat. Setting the sandpaper aside, Gibbs stepped up in front of her. "You okay?"

"I'm fine, why do you ask?" A smile tugged at her lips.

"You've just been sitting here and you haven't said a word."

"I know." Abby wrapped her arms and legs around him to pull him in closer. "I'm just enjoying being here, with you."

"Come on," Gibbs leaned in to kiss her softly before scooping her up off the work bench and carrying her towards the stairs. "Let's go to bed."

---

TBC…

Only one chapter left!