Ziva and McGee waited silently as the elevator slowly rose up to the third floor where the ICU was located.

McGee was the first to break the silence. "She won't survive this if he doesn't pull through."

"McGee." Ziva reached for the emergency stop, but McGee stopped her.

"The emergency stop here has an alarm. They took out the alarm in the NCIS elevators because of how often Gibbs uses them as an office."

"Oh." Ziva thought for a moment. It made sense that NCIS would give up the fight rather than try and get Gibbs to give up his annoying habit of elevator meetings. "McGee, you cannot think negatively about this situation. Abby needs us to be strong for her."

"I know, I just…"

"I know, McGee. I know." Ziva met his eyes briefly before she exited the elevator. McGee trailed behind Ziva as she walked up to the nurse's station. "I'm looking for Abby Sciuto."

The nurse typed a few things into the computer at the desk and then pointed down the hall. "She's in room 408. Visiting rights are reserved for family only. You are…?"

Ziva calmly held up her badge, making sure that her other hand drew back her jacket enough to make her gun visible. "…going to visit my friend. Come on, McGee."

McGee mouthed 'sorry' to the nurse and then caught up with Ziva who had already made it halfway down the hallway. They paused in the doorway before stepping inside.

Abby had heard Ziva and McGee walking down the hallway. In an effort to try and cut down on Gibbs sneaking up on her in the lab, Abby had spent a great deal of time analyzing and listening to footsteps. She still hadn't managed to pick up on his footsteps, but she was now capable of recognizing her friends based solely on their footsteps. Tony's stride was long and confident. She could practically hear his cocky attitude in his step. Ziva's footsteps were also confident, but more determined. She was quieter than Tony, like she was stalking her prey. Abby figured it came from all her years as an assassin.

McGee's stride wasn't as long as Tony's; he usually had a few extra steps compared to DiNozzo. McGee's walk reflected his hesitant demeanor. He questioned things before responding, always wanting to double check before he agreed to something. Both Tony and Ziva followed the 'act now, ask later' mentality, McGee liked to ask first.

Hearing her friends approach, Abby turned her head and closed her eyes. She figured that if she lay still enough, for long enough, they would assume she was asleep and leave her alone. Her wrist ached, her body hurt and her head throbbed. She just wanted to disappear. She wanted to wake up from this horrible dream she was sure she was trapped in.

It's okay, Abby. You'll wake up soon. Gibbs will be beside you, you'll curl up against him, and he'll hold you tight, Abby told herself.

She had been given a bit of pain medication, but the doctors were hesitant to give her a full dose with the slight swelling she had in her brain. She had an IV in her arm delivering antibiotics to help clear the swelling, as well as fluids to help with the shock of the accident.

Ziva could tell that Abby was awake, but didn't want to force her into talking, so they entered quietly and pulled up chairs to sit by her bed. Both McGee and Ziva were uncomfortable in situations like this, and Ziva wished she had waited with Ducky for new on Gibbs, and that Tony had gone to sit with Abby. He always knew the right things to say to her.

Ziva was hesitant to pick up Abby's hand, but she did, holding it as gently as possible. "Tony and Ducky are waiting to hear more about Gibbs. They will call, or come up when they know more. McGee and I will be here if you need anything."

The fat tear that rolled down her cheek gave it away that she wasn't asleep, so she opened her eyes and turned to look at Ziva. "He's… he's not gone?"

"No. The doctors are not giving up on him, and neither should you."

Abby gave a tiny nod and closed her eyes again. The nurse from the front desk shuffled in, glaring at Ziva, but quickly looked away when Ziva glared back, ready to flash her gun once more. She checked the levels of the IV and Abby's oxygen saturation before scribbling a few quick notes on Abby's chart and then leaving again.

"I don't think she likes you, Ziva." McGee commented.

Ziva shrugged. "I do not like her either. We are even."

Abby opened her eyes again. "What'd you do?"

"Ziva flashed her gun to get us in here when the nurse said visitation was for family only." McGee answered.

A brief hint of a smile crossed Abby's face before a look of pain slipped back across her features.

"Abby, do you remember what happened? We're trying to piece together the accident, if there is anything you remember…"

"Ziva, we aren't here to interrogate her!"

"It's ok." Abby looked to Ziva. "I was looking out the window, and all of a sudden, Gibbs threw his arm across my chest and the car swerved. I don't remember anything after that. Did someone hit us? I saw nothing."

"Yeah, it seems as if you guys were hit head on."

"The other driver?"

"Dead."

Abby closed her eyes again and listened to the steady beep of the machine monitoring her heart rate. It was a constant reminder that she was, in fact, still living. In her mind she could still hear the flat-line of Gibbs' monitor.

"I don't know what I'll do without him."

"Abby… he's not-"

"You didn't see him, Ziva."

"No, but I know him. Maybe not the way you do, but as a fighter. We understand each other. We do not give up. He will not give up."

"Ziva…"

"Rest Abby, you will know as soon as we know something. You need your rest. He'll need you to be strong for him. We will not go anywhere."

"Ok." Abby closed her eyes. "Wait. Can you get the bag of my things? I think the nurse put them in a safe somewhere."

"I will find out." Ziva left the room, only to return five minutes later. Under one arm she had a zip-lock bag with the various personal items they had taken from Abby when she had arrived. In her hand she carried Gibbs' dog-tags which Abby had been wearing. "I assume these are what you were after?"

Abby lifted her head slightly and Ziva slipped the chain around her neck. "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

----------

TBC…