A/N: Hey readers! Sorry for the llllllllllloooooooooooooonnn nnnnnnnnngggggggggg delay! This chapter is dedicated to all of you out there who kept reading and reviewing and saying "Please update!" - your cries have been heard ;)

ps I'm not a forensic scientist - but I tried my best w/ this chapter!

"I'm not quite sure if I'm ready to say good-bye to all that we were. Be with me – stay with me."

~Hana Pestle

Grayed out scene: close up of cardiac paddles being used to shock McGee's heart

Early Monday morning, Abby's lab

"NO! Timmy!"

Abby woke with a gasping sob, sitting up on her futon, looking around in confusion as she tried to focus on her surroundings. Jethro, who had been curled up at her feet, stirred at her cry and came to lick her face in comfort. She was reaching for her cell phone when she heard Tony's voice calling her from the outer lab.

He appeared in the doorway, looking down at her in concern. "Abs? Are you all right? I thought I heard you cry out."

Abby looked up at him with haunted eyes. "He's dead, isn't he?" she whispered. "My Timmy's dead."

Tony swiftly crossed to her side, sitting down on the cold tile floor beside the futon. "No, Abby, he's not – you got there in time, remember? He's in CICU in Betheseda, remember?"

Abby drew her knees up to her chin and rocked back and forth. "Did he wake up yet?"

Tony shook his head.

Her eyes fluttered shut. "What if he doesn't wake up, Tony?"

"He will, Abs – McGee's just getting some beauty sleep, that's all."

She smiled faintly before she opened her eyes and stared him down. "You won't leave him alone until we catch whoever did this?"

"Abby," Tony sighed. "Do I tell you how to do your job?"

Abby merely raised her eyebrows and waited.

"Gibbs, Ziva, and I have it covered, ok? We'll be sticking to McGee like glue – Gibbs is with him now. You know the boss man never sleeps."

This time, Abby did smile. "So, what are you doing here?"

Tony grinned. "I was bringing you a Caf-POW and Gibbs wanted me to see if you had anything new to report."

"I'm still waiting on the report on the sand from Major Mass Spec but I can tell you that it's not from a river or ocean. It's the decorative kind artists or teachers use in arts and crafts. I don't know if I'll be able to find out what store it came from or get trace elements of other environmentals, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed."

Tony nodded. "And the bullet?"

Abby took a deep breath. "Well, as we all saw at the hospital, it's a .22 caliber, a fairly small weapon of choice which is probably why McGee survived the shooting." She paused to take another deep breath and Tony allowed her the time to compose herself. "But without a gun to compare it to for firing and striation marks, there's little more I can do." She looked at him. "What about you?"

"As soon as it's light, Ziva and I will canvas the area around McGee's apartment for the gun. Also, Sarah denies sending Tim a package but one of his neighbors did say that a FedEx truck was double parked around 12:30 yesterday afternoon."

"But the mail isn't delivered on Sundays," Abby put in. "Do you think that's how the killer got in?"

"Possibly – so I also need to check for surveillance cameras in the area to see if I can get a visual on the truck."

"What can I do?"

"Get some more sleep."

Abby shuddered. "I don't think I can. Every time I close my eyes, I see Tim lying there, not breathing, and I start thinking about how long he was lying there without breathing. And if I'm lucky enough to fall asleep, I have nightmares that he dies. Just like the ones I had before we lost Kate."

Tony pulled Abby into a hug. "He's alive, Abby. You got there in time. Tim will fight to stay with us – and we'll figure out who did this to him."

"Kate would have fought to stay with us, too," Abby whispered against Tony's shirt.

"Yes, she would have if she could," Tony sighed. "But it's kind of nice to think she's watching over us now, isn't it?"

Abby nodded, her tears beginning to wet his shirt.

For once, Tony thought more about the woman in his arms needing comfort than the fact that his Armani shirt was getting black mascara streaks on it.

Jethro gave a soft bark and Abby lifted her head slightly to see Ziva standing in the doorway, a sad smile on her face. Wordlessly, Tony and Abby each extended an arm towards her and Ziva joined them on the floor for a three way hug.

"Morning, doc."

Dr. Hart jumped slightly at the sound of Agent Gibbs' voice coming from the shadows around McGee's bed. "Oh- uh, good morning. I didn't notice you there."

Gibbs stepped into the faint light streaming into the room from the window. "That's kind of the point."

Dr. Hart looked startled for a moment and then realized that the man must be standing guard over his agent. "Er, yes, I suppose it is." He picked up the chart from the pocket on the end of the bed and after studying the monitors for a few moments, made some notes on the chart.

"How is he?" Gibbs asked as he watched the doctor put the chart back.

Dr. Hart frowned. "It's still too soon to tell – but the fact that he came through the surgery and survived the night is more than I dared hope for. This young man must have an incredible will to live."

Gibbs smiled. "He does – he also knows he doesn't have my permission to die."

Dr. Hart raised his eyebrows in astonishment. This is one strange man. He cleared his throat gruffly. "Yes, well, Mr. McGee's condition is still very critical. I'm not going to take him off the ventilator until he wakes up and shows he can breathe on his own. There's also the risk of him getting an infection or his lungs filling with fluid-" Dr. Hart shrugged. "It's a waiting game at this point."

"I understand – but I need you and your staff to understand that someone from my team will be here round the clock in this room to protect Tim."

"Really, Agent Gibbs, our hospital security is quite-"

"McGee is a federal agent," Gibbs interrupted, his voice cutting across the doctor's words like sandpaper. "An unknown assailant shot him in his own home yesterday and when this person hears McGee is still alive, he or she will no doubt try again. We're going to be here when that happens."

Dr. Hart shrugged. "Just don't get in the way of us doing our job, Agent Gibbs, and we should all be able to find a way to coexist."

"This doesn't make any sense, Jethro," Abby cried as she looked at the computer screen in confusion.

Jethro barked at her feet, looking up at her adoringly.

"Why would the shooter fill a package full of decorative sand? I know it was just to get inside the apartment– but why sand? Why not rocks or dirt or –"

"Sticks?" Ziva said helpfully as she strolled into the lab, a fresh Caf-POW in one hand.

"Exactly!" Abby agreed with her friend as she accepted the drink and took a long sip.

"Did you get any additional clues from it?" Ziva asked as she leaned her head over the sample that was on the metal table.

"No – just its basic chemical composition and that won't even tell me what store it came from-oh! The clever asshole!" Abby screamed as she slapped her drink on the desk by her computer. "Why didn't I think of that sooner? That's why the shooter used this kind of sand instead of river sand or stones or sticks! I'm so stupid!"

Ziva frowned. "I am not following you, Abby-"

"Because all of those things can be traced! Give me a rock or some dirt and I can tell you what park or stream it came from – and if you give me a stick, I can run the plant DNA. But unless you leave this crap in the bag with a receipt or serial number that I can trace, I have absolutely no clue where the mother fucker bought it!"

"Abby!" Ziva exclaimed. "I have never heard you use such language before!"

Abby planted her fists on her hips, tears dangerously close to falling. "Ziva, someone shot McGee! Who would do that? Don't you know that Timmy doesn't have a mean bone in his body? Okay, sure, he shot his dog but that was a reflex action because he thought Jethro was going for his jugular at the time and I think we can all say they've made up quite nicely now. When it comes to people, you really have to push Timmy hard before he'd-"

"Abby! Get a grip! I do not want to have to slap you," Ziva shook her, hard. "Take a breath. We will find out who did this to McGee and they will pay, I promise."

Abby flung her arms around Ziva's neck and held her so tight that Ziva wondered if she was going to need to do one of her Mossad moves to break free of the headlock. But as quick as she had grabbed her, Abby let her go.

"Did you and Tony find the gun?"

Ziva's head was spinning both from the sudden release and the change in topic. "No, the killer must have taken it with them. But the good news is Tony is waiting to talk to the manager of the little coffee shop on the corner across from McGee's apartment. They have security cameras that were installed just last month and hopefully the video will show us something."

The elevator dinged and both women turned to see Tony striding through the doorway. "I come bearing gifts – lunch and a movie. Which one shall we start with?"

Abby dove for the small video disc in his hand. "I'll cue this up – you guys go ahead and start on the pizza. I'm not hungry."

Tony frowned. "Abs, you need to eat."

Abby waved his concern away. "Later – finding Tim's killer is much more important."

"That's the best you can do, Abby?"

Ziva hit Tony in the stomach as she watched the Goth furiously type at her keyboard. "Well, DiNozzo, since this is the only camera angle we have, I'm kind of limited here. We're lucky to have gotten a shot of the killer at all."

Ziva bit her lip as the three of them stared at the grainy image of the back of a FedEx employee getting into the truck. "We do not have any footage of him arriving at the apartment?"

Abby blew out an exasperated breath. "Would you like me to rewind it again – just in case we missed it the first twenty times?" she yelled.

"Abby-" Tony interrupted, his tone apologetic.

"I know, I'm sorry. Look you guys, the camera is on a rotating cycle and it's obvious that the truck and driver arrived when it was at the far end of its rotation. We were very lucky to get anything."

Tony threw his napkin down in disgust. "That's not going to satisfy Gibbs-"

"It doesn't satisfy me either, Tony! Somehow, I've got to ID this guy," Abby whispered as she stared at the screen.

"Any ideas on how to do that?" Ziva came to stand next to her.

"Yeah, a few. But they'll take time."

"So you guys have been working on this for twenty-four hours and this is all you have?" Gibbs demanded, his angry gaze darting between Tony and Ziva.

"Yes, boss," Tony whispered. "Abby has some ideas on how to ID the shooter but she says it'll take time."

"How much time?"

"She did not say," Ziva put in softly.

"If the two of you didn't look like you were ready to collapse, I'd head slap you so hard your future children would feel it."

"Yes, boss." Both of them nodded.

"Ziver – do you need to get some sleep before your shift with McGee?"

She shook her head. "No, Gibbs. I am fine. I got a little sleep last night."

Gibbs studied her silently for a moment before he nodded. "You stay here and watch over McGee until morning then. Tony, you're with me."

Tony threw Ziva a wink over his shoulder before running to catch up with Gibbs. "Where we going, boss?"

"We are going to compile a suspect list – unless you've already done that?"

Tony swallowed. "I, well, I mean, who'd want to shoot McGee? He's so-"

Gibbs stopped and fixed his Senior Field Agent with an icy stare. "So what?"

"Uh, nice?"

"And nice guys don't have enemies?"

"Well, Tim had that crazed fan – and he's had his share of cuckoo girlfriends-"

Gibbs resumed walking. "Sounds like a good place to start."

An hour later, Tony hung up the phone and looked across the bullpen at Gibbs.

"What have you got, DiNozzo?"

Tony flipped open his notebook. "Landon is still in prison – no surprise there. The woman who stole McGee's credit card number a few years ago, Chelsea Pierce, is happily married to some rich schmuck and is living in the Hamptons – can you believe it, boss? Some people have all the luck – I mean, the Hamptons-" he grimaced as Gibbs head slapped him. "Right, sorry, getting back on track. I found out from Sarah that McGee's currently seeing a woman named Cassie – found her business card in his desk – she's stopping by when she gets off work at six."

"What's she do?"

"She's an interior designer – whatever that means. Sarah said Tim told her they've been on four dates – he probably hasn't even slept with her yet."

"Yeah, and how do you figure that, DiNozzo?"

Tony gave a short, nervous laugh. "Well, come on, boss, it's McGeek. He moves at a snail's pace where women are concerned. I doubt he even knows how to satisfy-"

"Don't you dare say a word against my Timmy!" Abby threatened as she stormed into the bullpen and Tony flinched. "I'll have you know that McGee always satisfied me when we were going out."

"Really?" Tony's eyebrows rose.

Gibbs smirked. "That's more than I wanted to know, Abby. Did you have something to tell me?"

Abby glared at Tony for another moment before she turned her attention to Gibbs. "Yes, I wanted to tell you that I've been able to blow up the image of the unknown shooter. There's a tattoo of a gargoyle on the back of his right calf – it's very distinctive."

"Distinctive enough for you to know who the artist is?"

"There's a couple of possibilities – I've already emailed them the photo and I'm just waiting for a reply."

Gibbs leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Good work. Why don't you see if you can catch a couple hours of sleep?"

She shook her head. "I – I can't, Gibbs. The dreams-"

He placed his hands on her shoulders. "You haven't been by to see Tim today."

She swallowed. "I – I know. Finding his killer is the most important thing right now."

"I think you've done all you can do for now – I'll call you if I need you but right now I want you to either go home and get some sleep or go see McGee – that's not a request."

"Is McGee's apartment still a crime scene?"

Gibbs frowned. "We've finished processing it – but I don't want his neighbors poking their noses around in there just yet. Why?"

She shrugged. "I was just thinking that Jethro would be more comfortable in his own home – I could stay there with him after going to the hospital. Is that ok?"

Gibbs shook his head. "I don't think it's safe to stay there – I'll take the dog home with me and you can stay with Ziva at the hospital tonight."

"Oh thank you!" Abby cried as she flung her arms around Gibbs' neck. "But could you call Ziva and let her know I'm coming so she doesn't shoot me when I come in the door?"

Ziva looked at the scene on the other side of the glass window and couldn't keep the smile off her face. Abby was curled into McGee's side, her arm flung around his waist, her head nestled on his shoulder, and a small smile curled her black lips. Tim was still as white as his sheets, unmoving, and hooked up to a heart monitor and respirator. But Ziva didn't think it was her imagination that even his face looked more peaceful since the Goth had joined him in bed last night.

As Ziva took another sip of her vending machine coffee, Nurse Stephanie came to check McGee's vitals and sighed at the scene before her. "This is highly irregular, you know – not to mention it's against hospital policy to let two people sleep in the same bed. Mr. McGee needs his rest-"

Ziva snorted. "I think he is getting plenty of that, Nurse. Look at them – does he not look peaceful? And this is the first time since his shooting that Abby has slept without having a nightmare," Ziva smiled softly. "She is the one that found him, you know."

Stephanie frowned. "No, I didn't know that." She studied the pair for a few moments. "Well, she isn't lying on any of his leads and since McGee appears to be resting comfortably-" the nurse left the sentence unfinished as McGee's heart monitor flat-lined and an alarm sounded.

Ziva and Stephanie raced into the room as Abby sat up with a cry. "What's happening? What's wrong?"

Ziva pulled Abby off the bed, as alarms continued to sound and Stephanie punched the intercom button, saying into it: "Code blue room 309, code blue room 309."

"No, no, McGee!" Abby screamed.

"Get her out of here, NOW!" Stephanie ordered as she stripped back the bedcovers. Ziva dragged a crying, hysterical Abby from the room as a team entered with the crash cart. Dr. Hart came racing down the hall and into the room, yanking the stethoscope from around his neck as he leaned over Tim. Abby was pressed to the glass, her eyes riveted to the drama unfolding inside until Dr. Hart noticed and snapped his fingers.

"Close that curtain! And charge the paddles!"

Stephanie pulled the curtain shut.

"No!" Abby wailed as she pounded on the glass.

"Abby, hush," Ziva soothed, as she ran her hands over her friend's hair and back. "Tim is a fighter-"

"Stand clear!"

There was silence as the women waited for the alarms to stop, for Tim's heart to begin beating again.

"Charge again – 360!"

Abby's trembling increased until Ziva feared her friend would collapse so Ziva wrapped her arm around Abby's shoulders.

"Clear!"

Abby leaned her forehead against the glass. "You can't die, McGee. I can't say good-bye to you too."

"Again!"

Abby moaned as she felt herself falling, taking Ziva with her. "Please, Timmy. I love you," she whispered as the blackness engulfed her.

"Clear!"

Whoa - intense cliffhanger ending! Does Abby realize what she just said? :D Reviews are L-O-V-E