A little of this, a little of that. Still Gabby, but a little bit of my humor thrown in.

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CHAPTER THREE: Rule # 8

Rule 8 Never take anything for granted

Gibbs hardly ever got hurt … well, seriously injured. There was that time that he was nearly blown to bits, lost his memory, then "retired," and fled to Mexico. The team chalked that up to temporary insanity. He was entitled. He did have a nasty head injury. Abby took him for granted. She never considered that he wouldn't be there … stealth like … behind her … in her lab. She had to leave his side. DiNozzo wanted to know how Studebaker knew they were coming for them. He was hurt bad, but Gibbs was in critical condition and he was Senior Agent. He wanted to catch the bastard that caused the ambush … he needed Abby back in her lab. McGee was tracing his steps back using a computer trail, while Tony and Ziva lead the "B" team up to the cabin to bag and tag all evidence. As Tony put it …"No way in hell would Studebaker expect to be shot and killed by McGoofball." Ziva quickly smacked Tony on the back of the head … for Gibbs sake … saying … "That's for Gibbs … he saved his life! Show McGee some respect." Tony apologized, stating … it was just a tension breaker or something stupid like that. The fact of the matter was … Tony felt bad that he wasn't the one to kill the bastard. He hobbled through the cabin on ill fitting crutches. Ziva was tempted to trip him, only because he was so mean to Timothy, but she had her own rule twelve that she was dealing with.

They brought all the evidence back to the lab and Abby's look of disappointment intrigued them. She's usually very excited about DNA and hair samples. Sticky substances, finger prints and fiber analysis. This day was different … quite different. All she wanted to do was go back and sit by Gibbs side.

"Abbs … I'm gonna go see the Boss and tell him what we're up to. Call me if you get any hits off the hair. McGee's working on matching up his IP address with an actual city address … will catch his accomplice Abbs. I promise we'll prosecute somebody for what happened to Gibbs."

"But Tony, don't you want me to come with you? I can be your … interpreter … you know … sign language interpreter."

"No Abbs, I need you here. I need you to help me find the guy that set us up. That will help Gibbs more."

OOooOOooOO

Tony arrived at Bethesda Navel Hospital, shortly after noon. Gibbs was still slightly sedated and still in need of respirator assistance. The news from the hospital staff for Gibbs' prognosis was good. Anyone else would have died. McGee was partly responsible for saving Gibbs' life, but Gibbs also was cat like and had nine lives. Armed with the knowledge of his eventual departure from his friend, the respirator, and soon to be back on his feet head slapping in no time at all, Di Nozzo decided to take advantage of Gibbs lack of speech.

"Hey Boss, I see you're lying down on the job again. Gibbs follows Tony with his eyes, hobbling awkwardly across his room on his crutches. I for one, should be on worker's comp, but, do you see me putting my foot up, which, by the way, is exactly what the Doctor told me to do?"

Gibbs, at this point, uses a universal sign.

"Now Boss, you know I don't know sign language. Please don't strain yourself. You are on worker's comp … after all. I just came to give up an update on the case. You see, I figured, between the bear traps and you being shot … Studebaker was waiting for us. He must have had an accomplice. I have the team working on it. Ziva and I went to the cabin and we bagged everything … Abbs is working on it right now."

Gibbs' alarms start going off … his heart rate monitor shows an increase in heart rate. A nurse came running in and shut the alarm off and calmed Gibbs down. She shot Tony a look.

"If you can't keep him calm, then I'll have to ask you to leave." Tony mocks her behind her back.

"I'm not sure what I did Ma'am."

Gibbs signs again … he wants to know how Abby is. The nurse knows sign language and asks Tony.

"Is Abby his wife or a girlfriend?"

"Abbs? He chuckles … that Tony sarcastic chuckle. No … she's are loveable yet eccentric, goth, lab rat."

Gibbs lifts his hands and makes a choking motion.

"Hey I know that sign!"

"Well, whoever this Abby is … he's concerned about her."

The nurse leaves and Tony looks over at Gibbs.

"Boss, I didn't mean anything by calling Abbs a lab rat … it's just an expression … of endearment. We all love Abbs. It's the only thing we all agree on, you know that."

Gibbs signs again.

"Damn, I really need to take signing lessens. If you want to know about Abbs … I'll call her." He pulls out his cell phone.

Gibbs shakes his head no, he can't talk. He knows that Abby is doing exactly what she's suppose to be doing. Tony is the Senior Agent, in charge when Gibbs is down. He wants to strangle him but must admit, he's on the right track and making him proud. He still wants to see Abby though and she is in her lab wanting to see Gibbs.

OOooOOooOO

Abby, still lamenting over Gibbs' injury, watches her screen, as strands of DNA go through a mass data base, hoping to catch a match. She nearly misses it, as her daydreams take over her conscience state. There, in front of her face, is the woman, that set her man up. The Seaman's … Mother?

"DiNozzo!"

If that were Gibbs … he would have been right behind her. It's as if, they are two people that are psychically connected.

OOooOOooOO

Back at Bethesda, , Gibbs becomes a bit more aware and sets off another alarm. The nurse comes back in and he signs to her.

Get Abby on the phone … there's been a break in the case.

Tony raises his eyebrow, turns on his cell and sees a text message. He looks over at Gibbs and says … "How the hell do you two do that?"

He signs something to the nurse, who walks out of the room with a smile on her face. Tony, also leaving, looks back at him and says … "I'm gonna take a class, Gibbs. Then you won't be able to talk behind my back in front of my face!"

Tony's reward to Abby, besides the Caf Pow … he sent her on an errand to Bethesda Navel Hospital. The "signing" nurse, welcomes her with a hug and tells her how Gibbs signed to her, about her … We have a deep connection … and being in love with her doesn't hurt. Abby blushes, hugs and thanks the nurse.

Gibbs was sleeping when Abby went in. She places a soft kiss on his forehead and sits beside him. She holds onto his hand, sighs in relief and places her head down on his arm. She falls asleep like that until she feels his hand undue her pigtails. She raises her head to look him in his eyes and she starts to cry. He looks so much better. This time he signs ... This thing is coming out tomorrow. Will you be here for me? Even tough Abby could speak, she signs back … I'll always be by your side Gibbs. Then a thought occurs to her. Whatever is happening between us … please don't ask me to call you Jethro.

He smiles. She holds his hand a little tighter. Tomorrow, Abby and Gibbs becomes, Gabby.

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Shout it out. Give it to me, I want to hear it. Good, bad ... please review. Thanks for reading ... Judy:)