A/N: Thanks so much to everyone who has reviewed, and favorite and story alerted, I'm glad to see you guys liked it so much.

Sorry this one's so short; I hope you'll like it.

Three

Tony was still holding Abby in his arms. She slowly disentangles herself from him, and looked him in the eyes.

"Don't hate him Tony. He's been manipulated by Mann."

"Abby you're way too good on him."

"Maybe, but I still love him, Tony. And if he would appear through the front door and tell he wants me back, I don't think I would think twice about it."

"But Abbs... You've been hurt so much the last few weeks." He reminded her.

"I know Tony, but I love him, I love him since the day I met him for my job interview at NCIS, it's a love that can certainly killed, but it can also bring you so much happiness, it was like discovering the meaning of the word all over again for me, and I know he's loved me too the same way, and I'd like to believe he still does. I could easily lose myself in him, Tony, a love like that doesn't knock on your door every day, and I've learned that it's better to be hurt than to feel nothing at all. But promise me you'll never tell him that."

Tony looked at her sadly. "I promise, but I hate to see you hurt." he told her as he placed a kiss on her cheek.

"I know. Thanks for everything you've done for me, Tony."

"Any time, Abby, any time."

She looked at him, smiling and staid: "Thanks, big brother" and winked.

They were playing that 'big brother/little sister' game for a long while now. It had all started stupidly, when Abby had put herself in trouble because she had wanted to help someone who needed help. Without a second thought, Abby had rushed to the young boy, but then three other man had appeared; ready to jump on her to get her money and obviously something else.

Gibbs had been in LA for that week, but before he'd left, he'd asked Tony to keep an eye on her and thank God that's what he had done. Tony had appeared out of nowhere and flashed his badge and told the three guys he was the lady's big brother, and since then they'd called each other that way.

"Do you want something?" He asked her, gently.

"No thanks, I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, yeah, I pinky swear."

"Listen Abbs, I have something I need to take care of right now, but I promise I'll come back tomorrow or even later one." Tony told her as he kissed her cheek one more time.

"Tony it's almost three am, go home, go to bed."

"Yeah, I will, promise." He said, heading for the door to leave her apartment.

Abby looked at suspiciously, not really convinced by his words, there was something in Tony's voice that was telling her he was up to something. Tony had closed the door behind him and she stayed there, staring at it for a moment as she remembered what she had told Tony.

Maybe, but I still love him, Tony. And if he would appear through the front door and tell he wants me back, I don't think I would think twice about it.

If you would cross that threshold right now, I would take you back, tell you how much I love you and make forget that freak ever existed.

Abby jumped as there was a knock on the door.

No that can't be. It can't be him, right?

TBC...