A/N: This chapter is centred on Tony; again, thank you for reviews, and to Meiveva for beta reading so quickly. F.
Unable to sleep, Tony re-entered the darkened bullpen. After leaving the hospital, he and Ziva had been sent to Quantico to try and track down what had happened to the missing C4. It had been logged into inventory one night; on the next, there were two blocks missing. Tony and Ziva had been at the base until early evening, interviewing every person that had access to the munitions lockup, and coming away with a distinct feeling that there was something hinky going on. They'd brought away the lockup entry log and security tapes, intending to review them in the morning.
Now Tony inserted the DVD containing the footage into his computer, sending the feed to the plasma. He had to find out where the missing C4 had been before it ended up in the bomb that injured McGee. Maybe then the burning sensation in his gut would ease.
Intellectually, he knew that being with McGee wouldn't have lessened the younger agent's injuries. If he'd been covering McGee, he might have even been injured himself. That wasn't the point, he told himself. He was the senior field agent; he should have been the one checking the lockers. Instead he'd sent McGee in to do his job. What made it worse was that he hadn't been covering McGee, hadn't had his six. His irritation and impatience had gotten his teammate hurt; it might even cost him his arm. He owed Gibbs and McGee an explanation. Knowing that the Probie would probably try to make him feel better made him feel even worse.
He'd done enough damage; now all he could do to try and repair it was find whomever it was that had hurt his Probie.
...
He was still going through the security footage when the Boss arrived, carrying his usual cup of coffee. Gibbs gave him a knowing look.
"What time did you get in?"
"Around 4.30" he replied. "I wanted to check out the tapes."
"Uh-huh" Gibbs' reply was disbelieving.
"Any news on McGee?"
"Still unconscious. Surgery's set for 0900" Gibbs answered, heading up the stairs to the mezzanine.
The elevator dinged again and Ziva entered the bullpen, depositing her pack, badge and weapon at her desk before joining Tony at the plasma.
"Morning, Tony. Any luck?"
"Not yet."
He used the clicker to zoom in on the door of the lockup, hoping to get a better image of the people entering. The sound of Gibbs' voice broke his concentration.
"Ziva, take over from Tony. DiNozzo, you're with Abby. She needs your help reconstructing the blast."
"Boss-" Tony started to protest, knowing full well he couldn't add any information to Abby's simulation. Gibbs stared at him, making him submit.
"On it, Boss."
He headed for the elevator. Soon Abby would know he hadn't been covering McGee; he'd owe her an explanation too. McGee was her best friend, and it was Tony's fault he was hurt.
...
Abby was seated in front of her computer when he entered, focusing intensely on the screen. The lab was quiet, only the hum of machinery and the clicking of her mouse breaking the silence. It was obvious that she'd been crying recently, and judging from the circles under her eyes he doubted she'd slept.
"Hey Abs" he said softly, touching her on the shoulder. "Gibbs sent me down here to help with the blast reconstruction."
"Good, I need any information you can give me. Where was Tim standing?"
He leant over her shoulder, studying the 3D mock-up she'd produced. He pointed to the small access door.
"There."
"Ok, so the bomb went off when he opened the door?"
"Yeah."
"Did you see any of the mechanism at all? Any wires or pressure plates?"
"I didn't see it" he replied softly. She took it the way he thought she would; that he'd been there, but hadn't caught a glimpse of the bomb.
"Ok, so all his injuries are to his left side..." she faltered for a moment, remembering how grave those injuries were.
"He is going to be ok, right Tony?" she asked.
"He'll be fine, Abs. Probie's strong, and thanks to you he's still in one piece."
She nodded, resolutely turning back to their task.
"If all the injuries are on his left side, then that means he was turning away from the door when the bomb went off. Why was he turning?" she said to herself as she clicked the button that would start the simulator.
It clearly showed the spray of shrapnel through the little animated stick figure and beyond. She spun and looked at him.
"You weren't injured" she said accusingly. He shook his head mutely, knowing what was coming next.
"Tony, where were you?"