Slow Burn

A/N: Spoilers for Extreme Prejudice. This chapter is set later in the evening, the same day as the bombing.

Chapter 7 – Spark to a Flame

Fresh from the shower and continuing to towel dry his hair, Tony walked into Abby's kitchen to see the woman herself seemingly lost in thought standing at the counter, arms folded around herself. Tony paused on the threshold, taking in her body language; her shoulders were slumped and Abby managed to look a lot smaller than her usual tall frame.

It was a neat trick but a dead giveaway as to her mood.

Tony draped the towel around his neck and moved over to Abby, who jumped slightly as he appeared at her side.

She threw him a wan smile. "Hey, you feeling better? You look… squeaky clean."

"Yup, nothing like a hot shower. Best invention known to man or woman in a crisis." After today, his suit would need the dry cleaners at the very least or maybe even trashing.

"You mean other than Ben and Jerry?"

"Okay, I'll give you that one although Gibbs would probably vote for coffee as being the fuel of life." Tony grinned. He looked her over carefully, reaching up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "You look better too."

Which was true, in a way.

Abby had taken first go at showering off the dirt and dust of the day and was now in comfy sweatpants and a T-shirt, her hair still damp and loose around her shoulders and face scrubbed clean. She just looked drawn and tired now, and was probably about as exhausted as he felt.

Now the initial rush of adrenaline that had fuelled them all day was subsiding, it had left him feeling physically drained but with his mind still whirling with terrible images from the day… as well as beginning to dwell on what might have happened today and what they so nearly lost.

At least he was in clothes that didn't release a cloud of dust every time he moved, having now changed into the spare sweatpants and sweatshirt he usually kept at Abby's apartment for their movie nights.

Abby rolled her eyes. "I look a mess."

Tony tilted his head as if considering. "Well, I gotta say it's not your best look, if I gotta choose. Now that little black skirt with the white shirt and the tie in the pocket, now that's hot. Your very best schoolgirl gone very bad look and one of my personal favourites… especially with the big boots with those buckles and the belt with the chains."

Abby swatted his shoulder but he was rewarded with a soft laugh. Tony grinned back before turning Abby gently towards him and tilting her head so he could see her neck, but she forestalled any comment he was about to make.

"It's okay, Tony. I put a fresh bandage on, it's perfectly clean now."

"Good, coz that other one was covered in crap by the end of the day." Tony sniffed the air. "Something smells good."

"It's nearly ready." Abby turned back to the oven. "I was just gonna take it out… you want coffee or a beer?"

"Beer would be good." He peered into the oven, seeing the lasagne bubbling away inside before glancing back up at Abby. "You know we coulda done takeout? I mean not that I'm complaining coz I love your cooking and I know it relaxes you, Abbs, but you're tired enough tonight without doing this."

Abby shrugged and opened the fridge to take out two bottles. "Easy enough. Straight from the freezer to heat up and…" she paused, gnawing her lip, "well, it gave me something to do while you were in the shower. I can't just… sit and relax right now. I can't seem to sit and just… I can't."

Tony straightened up and took the bottles from her, popping the caps. "I know, Abbs. I'm feeling a little jittery myself."

Even on a good day, he'd never known Abby sit still for long and just do nothing. They were alike in that respect.

And after the hell they'd all been through today, it was a wonder she wasn't vibrating out of her skin by now. He suspected the lower than usual intake of caffeine and the exhaustion Abby was obviously feeling were partly toning down her usual warp speed nervous system.

He knew the feeling.

All he wanted to do was eat, curl up on Abby's couch and sleep the week away… if only he could stop worrying about Gibbs.

"D'ya think Ducky will be okay?" Abby asked quietly as she opened the oven door and took out the lasagne, her hands protected by her skeleton oven gloves that on any other day always made Tony smile. "I'm so worried about him."

Tony waited until she'd let go of the hot dish before stepping up and slinging an arm around her shoulders. He brushed her damp hair back from her face and pressed a kiss to her temple. "So am I... we just gotta stay positive, if we can."

"I know... it's just... it's hard, Tony."

"As I told the Bossman, he's a tough old bird." Tony reached for plates and silverware, as familiar with Abby's kitchen as he was with his own. "And I'm sure Jimmy'll update us tomorrow."

Abby nodded as she dished up their food. "I know… it's just he's so far away. I mean I now it wouldn't make any difference. I couldn't help much even if I did see him but just seeing Ducky for myself, it makes it easier somehow than what my imagination is conjuring up… and I just hate waiting, you know that. Is there nothing and nowhere Dearing can't reach? And poor Jimmy… and poor Breena."

"Yeah, helluva way to start married life…. Not that I would know what's a good way to start married life. For that you'd need Gibbs. Well… for all of a couple of weeks anyway."

That got him a smile and Tony went on as he took a seat at her kitchen table. "Although obviously I'm not counting Shannon in that… the one and only."

Abby placed a heaped plate in front of him, ruffling his hair fondly. "Sit… behave yourself."

He batted her hand away and tried to smooth his hair down. "Hey… why should I start now?"

"Yeah, I guess that's asking a bit too much."

Tony grinned at her as Abby rolled her eyes and joined him at the table. He fell silent as he tucked into his food, keeping an eye on Abby, who'd gone worryingly quiet again. She only picked at her food and Tony had the feeling she wouldn't have bothered much if he hadn't been here to make sure she did at least eat something.

When she finally pushed her plate away with only half of it eaten, Tony asked, "You gonna eat that?"

Abby shook her head. "You go ahead, Tony. You're a growing boy… just don't grow too much, okay, coz I love you just as you are."

"Of course you do, I'm very lovable." He watched as she pushed herself to her feet. "You heading for Ben and Jerry?"

Abby pulled a face. "Maybe not tonight… don't think it'd be a good mixture and I'm not really hungry anyway. You want some?"

"Nah, I'll stick with this… and things must be serious if you're refusing ice cream." He pushed away his empty plate and started on Abby's leftovers. "This is really good."

Abby hugged Tony from behind as she passed. "Thanks for coming with me tonight, Tony, but you didn't need to, really."

Tony reached up to pat her arm. "You shouldn't be alone, Abbs. Besides Gibbs asked me to."

He smothered a smile as he played his ace in the usual 'how to get Abby to accept being fussed over' argument, knowing what her reaction would be.

"Did he? Aw, that's so sweet." She squeezed again before releasing him and heading over to the coffee pot. "Coffee?"

"Please."

While Abby made them coffee, Tony finished up the rest of the food and then followed her through to the living room, where he found her curled up on a corner of the couch, holding her mug.

He wished he could cheer her up… take that sad, defeated look off her face.

Earlier in the bullpen, Abby had taken the news about Ducky very badly. Her face had crumpled on being told of Ducky's heart attack and Tony's heart ached for her. Gibbs had pulled Abby into a hug and she'd clung to the Marine, her shoulders heaving as she tried to stifle her sobs.

Tony had stepped close to the pair, rubbing a hand on Abby's back as he caught and held Gibbs' gaze. They'd stared at one another over the top of Abby's head and Tony found himself mesmerised by the blue eyes, trying to read the swirling emotions that for once Gibbs wasn't bothering to hide.

Tony shook himself out of his memories and settled on the couch next to Abby, picking up his mug from the table and sipping the hot liquid before sitting back with a sigh.

Abby leaned forward to dump her mug on the coffee table before sliding nearer and leaning against his side, resting her head on his shoulder.

"You should try and get some sleep, Abbs."

"Yeah, well, that's easier said than done, you know that. I've a feeling that every time I close my eyes tonight, I'm just gonna keep seeing and hearing… and feeling the… kaboom." She waved her hands.

"I know."

Tony wasn't sure he'd be able to take one of Gibbs' emergency stops in the elevator for a while without reliving the fear that had gripped him when the bomb went off and the cart juddered to a halt, trapping himself and Ziva inside, debris raining down on them both.

After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Abby gestured at his cellphone on the coffee table. "You gonna phone him, Tony?"

Tony sighed. "Abbs..."

He didn't need to guess who Abby meant by 'him.'

At the Navy Yard and in the car on the way here, she'd nagged him about calling his dad. He suspected it was partly trying to distract herself from worrying over Ducky.

Trouble was, he knew Abby was right.

Since the bombing, his dad hadn't called and the more time passed, the more his hurt and annoyance increased, and the more he tried to push that feeling away and not think about it.

"What, Tony? Your dad needs to know you're okay, you know that." Abby twisted round to face him.

"Yeah, well... I'm on the end of the phone too, y'know. He hasn't exactly been busting a gut to call me, has he?" Tony averted his gaze, gazing down at his coffee mug.

"And that, Tony, is a really good point but… how do you know he's heard the news today, huh?"

"Oh c'mon, Abbs, if he hasn't, he's gotta be the only person in the whole country who hasn't heard about it." He sat forward, placing his mug on the table, before glancing over his shoulder, unable to hide his hurt. "Why are you defending him anyway?"

"I'm not!" Abby protested, her voice rising, her hands waving. "Look, I know how pissed you can be at him and with good reason, and I'm not gonna take his side over yours but just… this time, there could be any number of reasons why he hasn't been near a TV or a radio or the internet today."

Tony opened his mouth to argue but no sound came out and he shook his head, not entirely convinced but he conceded Abby had a point. He had no real idea where his dad was right now. For all he knew, Senior could be on the other side of the world in another timezone and had slept their day away.

Abby's voice softened and she rested a hand on his arm, shaking it gently. "Think about it, Tony. It's a possibility isn't it?" She waited until he nodded before going on. "And when he does find out what's happened and if you haven't called him by then, he's gonna freak out and think the worst. So you need to make that phone call, Tony. If things were the other way around, you'd want him to call you, wouldn't you?"

Tony ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I would... okay, I give in, Abbs. I'll call him."

She slid her hand down his arm to grasp his fingers. "Good. I'm sure he'll want to know, Tony… you're his son, after all." She leaned forward and rested her forehead on his shoulder, her voice muffled. "I'm sorry, Tony. I don't mean to nag but I'm just... today's just thrown me for a loop."

He squeezed her hand. "I know, Abbs. And hey, you can nag me all you like if it'll make you feel better."

She chuckled softly, pulling back. "It doesn't. I'll leave you to it." She slid off the couch and headed for the kitchen.

"You sure you don't want me to clear up out there?"

Abby turned at the doorway and merely narrowed her eyes, pointing at his cellphone.

Tony sighed. "Yeah, I know, do it now, get it over with… nag, nag, nag." He turned back as Abby turned towards the kitchen. "Okay… let's do this, Anthony. I mean, how hard can it be, right? He's either there or he isn't… and he'll either have heard about it or he won't."

Tony picked up his phone and dialled his dad's number, listening as it connected and started ringing. "Hell, I don't even know if it's the same number. We haven't spoken in weeks. If he's changed it, I guess I'd be the last person to know the new number anyway… oh, hey, dad."

From the kitchen, Abby looked up from stacking dishes as Tony greeted his father, relieved that at least he'd managed to get through. She didn't try to eavesdrop, she told herself, really she didn't, but Tony didn't have a quiet voice and the more she listened to the one sided conversation, the more her heart went out to her friend.

"Yeah, I realize you're busy, dad… oh, right, yeah, lucky you on a big yacht all day. Yeah, good… glad the deal went off… No, I'm not ringing for any particular reason, dad, why should I be?…. Just, erm, wanted to talk, I guess… about the day. No, nothing special about the day…"

Tony resisted the urge to laugh at his dad's question, not able to stop the sarcasm seeping into his voice. "It was just a fairly quiet morning at the office, only managed a quick lunch as we were so busy… oh, and then partway through the afternoon, the building blew up, so it was a pretty average day as things go…. No… no, I'm not joking, dad. Trust me, for once I'm not joking."

Tony listened to the silence on the end of the phone for a moment, not deriving much satisfaction from having rendered his dad almost speechless for once.

"Haven't you seen the news? Well, yeah, I know you were on that yacht all day… but don't they have TV on there? Yeah, okay… you weren't watching TV, you were talking, making deals, I get it… yeah, okay, turn it on now. I'll wait. I'm sure they're still covering it… they've been showing nothing else all day."

Tony waited while his dad turned on the TV wherever he was now and listened as he flipped channels, hearing the cursing as Senior finally got to the news coverage. When his dad came back on the phone, Tony could hear the shock in his voice and felt a momentary pang for his old man.

"Yeah… yeah, I'm okay, dad. Yeah, Ziva's okay too…" Tony turned to meet Abby's gaze in the kitchen, rolling his eyes. "And Abby too… yeah, and everyone else… even Gibbs, yeah. No, no… we're all fine, Tim got injured by flying glass but he's gonna be okay… but there's too many others dead and badly injured, but then you'll get that from the news… I just… just wanted to let you know, I guess, that's all. No, we're still working… gotta catch this bastard, he's still out there… Yeah, okay, I'll tell them… you too. Bye, dad."

Tony threw the phone on the table again, rubbing his hands over his face. Abby came into the room from the kitchen, perching next to Tony on the couch and he leaned into her as she put an arm round his shoulders.

"Well, you were right, Abbs. He hadn't heard… or so he says."

She nudged him. "Hey, he's not gonna lie about something like that, is he? You should trust him this time."

Tony shrugged but didn't answer.

"Why didn't you ask him to come here, Tony?"

"Well, he didn't exactly offer to rush over here either from… wherever the hell he is now… shit, I forgot to ask him."

"Oh, Tony." Abby reached up to run her fingers through his hair, unable to think of anything that would make Tony feel better.

"And what's the point anyway, huh? I'd rather lean on you and Gibbs. But dad did ask after you… after everyone. Well, I guess you heard that." He sighed, relaxing into her touch for a moment before sitting up.

Abby eyed him for a few moments. "Talking of Gibbs, I'm worried about him. I mean, I know he's tougher than all of us but he's not… invincible, as magic as he is. I hope he's okay tonight."

"Well, he's got Uncle Tobias looking out for him tonight."

Abby chuckled softly. "I repeat, I hope Gibbs is okay."

Tony laughed. "You said it… but hey, as much as I rag on Fornell, he'll look after the bear. They're close, in a spooky Odd Couple kinda way. And if we can't be there to look out for Gibbs and if Ducky…" Tony paused, reaching out to take Abby's hand, feeling her grip his fingers tightly. "If Ducky's not around, then I'd rather Fornell was there with Gibbs than nobody."

"You should be there, Tony. Gibbs needs you… even if he thinks he's okay alone."

Tony stared at her for a moment. "And I promised Gibbs. He asked me to look after you… and I already told you, you shouldn't be alone tonight, Abbs. I wanted to be here anyway but I'm not gonna ignore a direct order like that, am I? He'd have me keel hauled."

When Abby continued to stare at him, Tony sighed. "Okay, I get it… I could always call him later, I guess, maybe see how he is."

The ringing of Tony's cellphone startled them both and Tony glanced down, seeing Gibbs' name on the display.

TBC…