First I would like to say, I'm back!!! I received some reviews while away as well as some followers *does happy dance * You will also be thrilled to now that while I was away, I suffered some writers block but thanks to TivaxBrulianxKibbs, it's all fixed.
I would like to make a side-note and say that I did not write the previous chapter Tiva did…so all complaints can be sent to her lol. Love ya Krystle! *snickers *
(A few days later…)
It wasn't uncommon for DC to receive rain in the beginning parts of August. Odd, but not uncommon. Heading for work, McGee grumbled to himself, hoping that they wouldn't have a case today in the rain. Pulling into the main intersection, he heard the screech of tires sliding on water. The next thing he knew, the sound of glass shattering and metal crunching was the only thing he heard.
~*~
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
What the heck is that? Slowly opening his eyes, he saw a young woman looking at a machine…he was connected too? "Oh, good afternoon. I'm so glad to see you awake. You've been out cold for the past few hours. I'll go get the doctor."
Watching the woman exit the room, car accident. Looking himself over, he couldn't find any severe injuries. Hearing footsteps, he looked up as a young doctor greeted him. "Nice to see you awake Agent McGee. You feeling ok; Headache or anything?"
"I'm fine. What happened?"
"You were in a three-car accident. You suffered the least amount of injuries, just a concussion and slight abrasions. All in all, you're fine. I can have your discharge papers ready when you'd like."
"I'll go ahead and go now if it's ok with you. Hospitals really aren't my favorite place to be." Watching the doctor walk out, he changed into his normal clothes. After the doctor came back and he signed the papers, curiosity got the best of him. "What about the other drivers?"
"The one responsible for the accident was brought in over the legal limit. The second one, she is still down in ICU. Pretty brunette too. We don't know if she's going to make it yet or not."
Bella travels the same way to work that I do. "Doctor, do you mind if I go look at her? I have a coworker who travels the same way I do."
Sensing the man's worry the doctor nodded, "I'll take you down there myself. Do you think you can make it alright?"
Nodding, McGee followed the doctor towards ICU. Stopping at a room, the doctor pointed to a brunette woman on a bed. "Is that your co-worker?"
Seeing the woman's face, relief washed over him, "No, no it's not."
The doctor nodded, leading Tim away. "You'll have to call for a ride. Is there a close friend of family member who could come get you?"
Nodding, following the doctor to a phone, he called the first number that he could think of. A female's voice is heard, "Hello?"
"Abby?"
"Tim! Are you all right? The metro police called Gibbs and told them about the accident. Of course, Tony and a few others saw your car. How bad are you hurt? Is there anything I can do?"
Smiling as he listened to her rant, "I'm fine, just a concussion. Do you think you could come pick me up? The doctor's are discharging me."
"Of course. I'll call Gibbs and be right there." Hearing her whisper something in the background, he could have sworn she was talking to somebody else before hanging up the phone.
~*~
Waiting for the nurses to come back from their rounds, he heard Abby before he could actually see her. "Timmy! There you are." Grabbing his face in her hands, she pulled left then right, glancing over him. Satisfied, she threw her arms around him. "I'm so glad you're ok."
"Thanks for the exam Abs. I should be ready to go soon. Just waiting for a nurse to come back."
"I'll be outside waiting." Giving him a smile, she bounced back towards the parking lot.
After waiting a few more minutes, he headed towards the front to see Abby talking on her phone. Giving a few nods, she hung up the phone sticking it in her pocket as if trying to hide the fact she had been on it. Getting in the Hurst headed for NCIS, Tim looked over at her. "Abby, who did you call while I was waiting to be checked out?"
Giving him a side-glance, "What do you mean Timmy?"
"I know that you called someone Abs. I saw you make the call. Who were you calling?"
Sighing to herself, You promised her, Oh well. "Bella if you must know. She's been a complete wreck at work when she heard about the accident. Well, with me anyway. She has to man-up for Gibbs and the others. You know, with the way you've been treating her, I'm surprised that she wanted to know so bad. But she made me promise her to call when I told her I was off to go get you. I left her running the lab just so she could have time to herself, and you know that means a lot for me to let her play with my babies."
"I know Abby."
"I-" Stopping, giving him a look, "What do you mean you know?"
"That I've been acting like a complete ass." Looking at the look on Abby's face, "and that letting her play with your toys is a big deal. When I was in there today, the doctor told me there were two other drivers injured, one of them a brunette female. When I thought it could have been her-" He paused, the thoughts of Bella lying in the hospital bed dying clenched his chest, "I'm sick of this!"
"As thrilled as I am to hear you finally saying this Timmy, I'm not the person that you need to talk to."
Tim looks out the window of the Hurst, "I know, Abby."
~*~
On a mission, Tim headed directly for Abby's lab. Stepping off the elevator, he lucked out to find no one coming or going to the Goths lab. Standing in the doorway, watching her, what do I say? Hey, sorry for being a jerk. Yea, talk about sounding lame. Waiting a few more minutes, he cleared his throat to see her jump at the sudden sound.
Seeing him standing there she froze. What do I do? "I-um, Abby's not here, but if you need the lab, I'll go."
"I don't need the lab. I actually wanted to talk to you."
A small spark of hope flared in her chest before she pushed it away. "Really? What on Earth would you have to say that you didn't say to me when we were in lock-up?"
His eyes watching her, "I'm sorry."
What did he just say? Giving him a quick glance over, "Are you sure all you had was a concussion? You didn't slam your head around? Get amnesia?"
"I'm sure. What you said the other day, that this was between you and I and not Gibbs, you were right. I just- I was hurt that you didn't tell me, but I understand why. Abby was right, I was scared of Gibbs." Taking a breath, "Can you forgive me?"
She stood there silent for several minutes before finally meeting his gaze, "I don't know."
"Will you promise me one thing at least?"
Eyeing him suspiciously, "What?"
"Don't transfer teams. Even if we can't get past this, it wouldn't be the same if you left." Giving a small smile, turning towards the door to leave Abby's lab.
"Tim."
Never before had he seen her eyes mixed with such pain, fear, and uncertainty. "What's wrong?" Closing her eyes and shaking her head, looking away from him to go back to what Abby instructed her to do. Oh no you don't, not this time. Walking up behind her, he grabbed her arm and pulled her into a hug. He feels her wrap her arms around his middle, and she suddenly starts shaking. It takes him a moment to realize that she's started to cry. He starts rubbing circles on her back, and whispers, "It's ok, Bella. I'm fine."