Oooh, sorry for the delay. I had internet problems this morning and then I went to Oregon to visit friends, and now I just got home… but anyway, enjoy!

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"Mr. DiNozzo?" The same nurse Tony had spoken early pushed through. "I've spoken to the ER doctors about Agent Gibbs."

Tony jumped to his feet. "How is he?"

"We're trying to get him stabilized enough to get up stairs to surgery. It's been 'touch and go' since he was brought in."

"I need to see him." Tony stepped towards the nurse, Ziva, McGee and Ducky following in Tony's footsteps.

"I'm afraid that's not a good idea."

"Look, I'm a federal agent. I need to see him. His… the love of his life was taken away for tests and no one has told her anything. I promised her I would find out. If I don't, I'll make sure she comes back once she's healed and creates a living hell for you!" Tony reached for his badge, and just to prove the point that the nurse had no option but to let him back, he added. "And the woman behind me is a trained assassin."

"I… well…" The nurse eyed Ziva suspiciously and then turned to Tony. "Well, I suppose you may come for a quick visit, but I'm afraid he isn't conscious."

"Thank you." Tony followed the young nurse down the hallway, but pushed past her when he saw Abby standing by the window of one of the ER exam rooms. "Abby!"

Abby heard Tony, but she couldn't take her eyes off Gibbs. Tony was at her side in seconds, shooing the nurses away to give them some privacy. Tony watched silently, as the defibrillator paddles were again placed on his chest and his body jumped as the electric current passed through. Tony watched the heart monitor for his heart beat to start back up, but the harsh shrill of the flat line echoed into the hallway.

"He doesn't want to survive this. This is his chance to be with his family again. He's going to take it." Abby wiped a tear from her cheek.

"No, Abby, you know that isn't true. He's a natural fighter. He'll fight this. He'll do it for you."

Abby stepped around Tony and headed towards the door of the exam room.

"Abby, what are you doing?"

"I have to say goodbye." Abby ignored Tony's plea to stay out and let the doctor's work, and pulled herself together as she stepped into the room. The metallic smell of blood overwhelmed her senses and although she had smelled it many times before, this was different. Abby felt like she was drowning in the smell of his blood.

Oddly enough no one questioned her as she approached the table. She stayed clear as they shocked him again, and then resumed CPR so she could touch him.

His arms lay limp by his sides, the hand that she could see was curled into fist, as if he had been ready to throw his fist against the wall before slipping into unconsciousness. Her eyes ran over his body. The pale white of the doctor's knuckles as he performed the chest compressions reminded her that it was these compressions that kept the oxygen circulating through his body. His shirt had been cut open, but the rest of his clothes had been shredded in the wreck.

"Oh Gibbs," Abby traced a finger along his face, avoiding the numerous abrasions that covered his skin before she brushed a silver lock of hair from his forehead and kissed him softly. "You can be with them now. I don't blame you. It's ok. I'll be ok. I've got the team; they'll take care of me. I'll miss you every day of my life. I'll remember you. I'll remember Shannon and Kelly, too. I love you." Abby touched his silver hair one last time, before stepping away and heading back out of the room. "Goodbye."

Tony couldn't control the tear that trailed down his cheek as he watched Abby step up to Gibbs, touching him softly and whispering to him. Tony couldn't even begin to imagine what would happen to Abby if he didn't make it. Don't do this boss, you can't do this to her. You promised me you'd never hurt her. Don't do this. Come on. You can't die, boss. You. Can't. Die.

"There you are!" Dr. Sheen came running down the hallway. "You need to be in bed, we've got a room for you in the ICU. Being up and about in such a fragile state could kill you."

"Fragile?" Tony asked as Abby sat slowly in the wheelchair Dr. Sheen had grabbed. "What did the tests say?"

"She's got a bit of swelling in her brain. She needs rest. I don't think we'll need to do anything about the swelling, it should resolve itself on its own, but she needs to be monitored."

"Well, why the hell is she standing around here? If she needs monitoring, you should be monitoring her!" Tony was angry that Abby had been allowed to get away.

"She snuck out while I was arranging a bed for her upstairs." With that Dr. Sheen began to wheel Abby away. Her last glimpse of Gibbs was of them shocking his heart one last time.

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TBC

I know it's short, and up much later… but chapter 16 will be up as soon as I get up in the morning… so long as I don't have any more internet issues.