Ok, updates between now and the weekend might be a little tricky. I'm not sure how it'll work. Then the following week they'll be in the afternoon, as I'm working 6:30-2:30 rather than 8:30-4:30 like I am now. So yeah, I hope to get another chapter up tomorrow, but no promises…

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Tony's knee bounced nervously as he waited in front of Gibbs house. He had seen the curtains flutter when he pulled up, so he knew Gibbs knew he was there. He decided to wait in the car rather than go up and knock. It gave him extra time to think of what he needed to say to Gibbs – and boy, did he have a lot.

He was so lost in thought that he didn't notice Gibbs, with a bag slung over his shoulder, until the car door swung open, making him jump in his seat. Gibbs tossed his bag into the back seat and got in without a word. It wasn't until they were approaching the highway that Gibbs finally asked, "You remember how to get there?"

"Haven't forgotten, boss."

Gibbs' reply came as a slight nod as he settled back in his seat.

Tony took a few deep, slow breaths before speaking. "Look, so… I know I might get fired for this, but I figure you're stuck in my car for the next four hours so you have to listen."

Gibbs growled but said nothing.

"I don't blame Abby for leaving, I really don't. I mean, after all she's been through, and then you let Hollis prance around in her face. I'm surprised Abby lasted this long."

"DiNozzo," Gibbs voice was firm but not condescending. "I didn't let Hollis prance around in her face. I didn't see Hollis trying to get my attention; I was focused on the case. I want to get this guy to keep Abby safe."

"I get that, I honestly do. Hell, I'd like to kill the bastard myself, but after all she's been through the past few weeks, she needs you. Not the 'you' that's so lost in your work you don't see that she's hurting."

Gibbs brow creased. "She's hurting? She said she was just a little stiff in the morning still, but that otherwise she was fine."

"You really are a dumb bastard, aren't you?" Tony snapped.

"DiNozzo," Gibbs warned.

"Not physically, you asshole, emotionally." Tony pinched the bridge of his nose. He had to take a few deep breaths to keep from pulling off at the next exit and pummeling Gibbs with his fists – though he thought he deserved it. He glanced over at Gibbs and took a long, deep breath to calm himself. "While you were busy deciding to live or die in the ER, you didn't see her, boss. She was convinced that this was your chance to be with Shannon and Kelly, and that you were going to take it. She thought you were going to pick them over her."

Gibbs winced at the mention of Shannon and Kelly, but he stayed silent to let Tony continue.

"She went in to the ER exam room to say goodbye. She told you that we would take care of her, and that she didn't blame you for wanting to be with them. She fucking said goodbye to you." Tony was fighting his own tears as he remembered the sight of Abby, leaning over Gibbs, both covered in their own blood.

"Pull off at the next exit, Tony." Gibbs voice softened.

"No. You didn't see her. She was sure she had lost you, she was sure of it. You didn't see her! She watched as the doctors fought to save you. She kissed you goodbye."

"She didn't. She didn't lose me."

"She did! She lost you twice on the table during surgery."

"Enough, Tony."

"She doesn't know that, but she did. You died twice. If… if something had happened. I would've had to been the one to break it to her. You know how that made me feel? She's my best friend and if I had had to tell her that you died, she would've forever thought of me as the guy who told her that you were dead."

"Enough."

"And then she got you back only to lose you because you got too caught up in a case! She isn't one of your ex-wives."

"Enough, DiNozzo!" Gibbs had heard enough.

"She deserves better than that!" Tony wasn't finished yet, and this was his chance. "She deserves someone who will put her first, and I know you think getting this guy is putting her and her safety first, but the rest of us are working on the case, you need to focus on her otherwise she's going to walk away for good!"

Gibbs finally snapped. "Don't you think I know that? Why do you think I called you to drive me four hours north? For a friendly chat? I know I could lose her and I'm going after her. I know!"

They sat quietly for a few minutes.

"So what made you pull your head out of your ass?" Tony prepared for the slap he figured would be coming, but when it didn't arrive he glanced over at Gibbs who sat staring out the side window.

"Hollis."

"Hollis? Sent you after Abby? Yeah, and I'm the new director of NCIS."

"No, she came on to me."

"Which time? She's been all over you since she got here."

Gibbs shot him a glare. "She came over, said some things about Abby. I kicked her out."

Tony couldn't help but grin. "Ooh, this should make working the case much more interesting."

Gibbs ignored his comment and pulled out his phone. "Guess I should let Jack know we're coming."

"Guess so."

Gibbs dialed his father's number and then put the phone to his ear. Jack answered on the second ring, and Tony heard the TV playing softly in the back ground. "Dad."

"Leroy."

"Look. I'd rather not talk all this out over the phone. Can you leave a key under the mat? I'll be up in a few hours."

"You cleared to drive?"

"I've got DiNozzo with me."

"I'll get the guest bed set up."

"Can I talk to Abby?"

"She just headed up. Not sure she's still awake, that girl has had a busy day. Want me to check?"

"Nah, don't wake her. We'll be quiet when we come in."

"Alright."

"And dad?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for looking out for her."

They both hung up without any added comments. Both Gibbs and Tony were feeling more than talked out, so they continued on silently. Twenty minutes before arriving in Stillwater, Gibbs kept his stare out the front window, but spoke. "Thank you. For looking after her."

"Welcome." Tony sighed. Maybe they would all come out of this in one piece after all.

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TBC…