Disclaimer: Eh. You all know I don't own it.

I have this bug I can't seem to shake, so I'm filling my spare time writing this. Sorry for the wait- I had exams. Bu they are now over. Finally! I am rewarding the wait with a slightly longer chapter than usual. Thanks to all that have reviewed so far! Keep it up.

Also, I got this idea from another story- When you review tell me your favourite line from the chapter (and any other chapters if you wish). I'd love to know what you like. So. Enjoy! And review!

The newly awoken Special Agent Timothy was sitting up in his hospital bed, glancing anxiously at the usual energetic forensic scientist; she had not spoken a word since arriving in his room for the second time. It had been Ducky who'd sat her down on a nearby chair before breaking the news to him.

With some apprehension, he carefully broached the subject.

"So Ziva's been-"

He was cut off almost immediately; it was Abby that spoke. "Yes."

Shaken by her cold reply, he changed tactics. "And we don't know where-"

"No."

With some frustration, he continued, "And her necklace was-"

"Yes."

He took in a breath of air, somewhat assisted by the nasal canula, unaware of his tightening grip on the side of the bed. It was Ducky that gently peeled his whitening knuckles of the railing and clasped his hand in his own. "We only know what we have told you, Timothy."

Shocked by the uncharacteristic gesture, McGee just nodded as Ducky dropped his hand and stood. "I think I will go check on Anthony and Jethro. I trust you will be alright here for a few minutes?"

McGee nodded again, eyeing Abby in his peripheral vision. It was not until Ducky had left the room that he worked up the courage to speak. "Abby?" he said softly.

Her hands were clasped in her lap and she was hunched over, her pigtails hanging limply over her shoulders. She inspected a nail absently, but said nothing.

McGee sucked in another breath and eyed her cautiously. "Abby. She's going to be okay. It's Ziva we're talking about here."

"She's not invincible," she muttered quietly under her breath, still not looking up.

McGee tried to smile, but it came out as more of a grimace. "She's as close as they come."

"No," Abby muttered. "She's not. She's just like us."

McGee stopped trying to smile. "Abs, she's a trained assassin," he said softly. "And anyway, how do we know she's even in that much trouble? It's just a necklace."

"A bloodied necklace," she reminded him distractedly, still fiddling with her nail. When McGee was just about to speak, she shot to her feet. McGee jumped, perplexed by the sudden action.

"Abby?"

She stuttered slightly, racing for the door. "I, uh..." Her hand clasped the door handle. "I have to go."

And she was gone.

McGee leant back in his bed, staring at the door, more confused than ever.

"When are you going to be discharged?" Tony asked from his seat beside the bed.

Gibbs just glared at him.

Tony glared back. "You are not leaving until you're discharged."

Gibbs picked up one of the photos and shoved a finger at it pointedly. "They aren't going to keep her safe until I'm discharged. You want to help her or not?"

Tony swallowed, momentarily transfixed by the photo in his boss' hands. Still, he held his ground. "When are you to be discharged?"

Gibbs growled. "I'm not waiting until Wednesday, DiNozzo."

It was then that a new voice entered the conversation. "Yes you are, Special Agent Gibbs." Vance crossed the room to the side of his bed, ignoring the glares he was receiving. "And that's an order."

Gibbs pushed himself up in the bed. "With all due respect, Director, I don't really give a crap about orders right now."

Vance's expression didn't falter. His eyes swept over the two agents silently, and finally fell upon the photo in Gibbs' hand. He stared at it for a moment. Then, "Where did you get that?"

Gibbs held Vance's gaze, putting the photo face down so it was not visible anymore. "You don't seem surprised."

Vance said nothing.

"You knew." It wasn't a question.

Gibbs took a breath in and clamped his mouth into a thin line. Without shifting his gaze, he spoke to DiNozzo. "Leave the room, Tony."

Tony just stared at Vance, anger clear on his face. "You-"

Gibbs cut him off. "It wasn't a request, DiNozzo. Go. Now."

Tony's gaze lingered on Vance for a moment longer, before he stood up and left the room, slamming the door behind him.

Gibbs broke the silence first. "Were you going to mention this?" He held up the photo.

Vance considered. Then, "No."

"And why not?"

"I figured you were going to go on some sort of heroic mission to save her. I can't afford to lose-"

"Ziva."

Vance looked up, startled. "What?"

"Her name is Ziva," Gibbs said, shaking the photo. "And she's one of us."

Vance sighed. "She's a Mossad officer, an assassin," he said. "And she betrayed both the agency and you."

Gibbs shook the thought of her betrayal from his mind. It didn't matter now. "Doesn't change anything. She's still one of us. She needs help."

"I can't help her," Vance said. "And neither can you. If Director David can't do anything, you can't either."

"David? He's the one that told you?"

Vance stared at Gibbs for a moment before answering. "Yes."

"Why?"

"He felt we should know."

Gibbs scoffed. "David doesn't give a crap about us. He has an ulterior motive."

"You don't know anything about him, Agent Gibbs."

"I know enough!" Gibbs said, his voice rising. He looked at Vance for a moment longer before speaking again; his voice was much quieter, but equally threatening. "What kind of man sends his daughter to kill her only brother?"

"A man that had no other choice," Vance answered.

"Oh please," Gibbs said, shaking his head in disbelief. "The man is insane. He treats her as a commodity, a possession to own and use. Would you ever do that to your daughter?"

"You can't talk to me about my daughter."

Gibbs shook his head, disgusted. "And you can't talk to me about mine." He took a long pause. "I'm going to save her, whether you like it or not."

Vance looked over Gibbs, taking in his steely expression. He stood; dusting off his hands, he spoke in a low voice. "I know nothing of this little mission. Do what you like. Off the books. I want no reason to send agents after you. Are we clear?"

Gibbs nodded. "Crystal."

Vance gave a smile and nodded once. "Nice talking Agent Gibbs. Hope to see you back at work as soon as possible," he said formally in a loud, clear voice.

Gibbs just watched as he left the room.

Ducky and Tony were sitting together stoically when Abby raced up. "I need the necklace," she said, shoving her hand out.

Tony looked up, frowning. "Abby-"

"Give it to me!"

Tony hesitated for a moment, before pulling the chain out of his pocket and placing it into her hand. "I don't think you'll get any-"

But she was already gone.

Tony glanced at Ducky, confused. "What-"

Ducky stared off in the direction the forensic scientist had run. "I have no idea."

A/N: What do you think? Why is Abby acting so strangely? I know alot of you were looking forward to the Vance/Gibbs confrontation. Did I do it justice?

Review with your favourite lines! ;D.

Oh, also: Just so you know, I haven't forgot about the bomb and it will be explained so don't worry about that.

Review! It makes my day. :D.