A/N: Sorry for the delay, readers. I've been laid low with a very nasty stomach bug, ick. Enough said. Anyway, I spent the day resting and writing (yah!) and here's the chapter you've all been waiting for - well, as far as Mawher's concerned. McAbby lovin' is still coming. Song lyrics are from 'Grenade' - the final shout out to Mawher. Enjoy and fasten your seat belt - it's intense!

"I would go through all this pain

Take a bullet straight through my brain

Yes, I would die for you, baby

But you won't do the same."
-Bruno Mars

Grayed out scene: Gibbs cradling an unconscious Abby

"Good morning, my beautiful Gothic angel."

Abby felt her eyes widen and the trembling start even as she fought against the ropes that bound her hands and feet. In attempt to hide her emotions from Mawher, she narrowed her eyes and swallowed against the throbbing pain that increased in her head.

Mike lifted a hand to cup her cheek only to have Abby recoil at his touch. "Don't do that, Abby. We were getting along so great before-"

Abby had been working her jaw furiously to loosen the gag and now it slipped from her mouth. "Before I woke up?" she interrupted him, her voice raspy from lack of use and having a rag stuffed down her throat all night. "Yeah, funny how that works. Untie me, Mike."

He studied her for a long moment before he shook his head slowly. "I don't think so. You see, you haven't heard my side of things yet."

"Your side? How many different ways are there to explain killing people?" Abby's voice was incredulous and she tried not to give away how much her head was hurting. The throbbing was getting worse not better, and the room was beginning to spin. Perhaps if I closed my eyes, I would be able to focus better. What the hell did he hit me with, anyway? She silently wondered as she let her eyes drift shut again.

"Abby? Are you all right?"

She snorted. "This coming from the psycho who hit me with a two by four in the side of the head."

"I am not a psycho – and it wasn't a two by four."

Abby cracked one eye open to glare at him again. "Really?"

Mike shook his head.

"What was it then?"

His eyes flicked over her shoulder and ever slowly Abby rolled to see a wooden baseball bat leaning against the side of the cabin. She groaned at the sight of the forensic evidence and the increased throbbing her movement had caused. "It might as well have been a two by four."

She gasped as she felt his hands on her waist, rolling her back over to face him on the double bed. Abby fought down the nausea rolling through her and gritted her teeth against the pain as Mike loomed over her. "I – I didn't mean to – I would never – God, Abby – are you hurt?"

Abby looked up at her former boyfriend in disbelief. "How can you ask me that? You hit me in the side of the head with a bat, Mike! Of course I'm hurt!" she yelled, and then instantly regretted her action. "Shit!" she swore as she turned her head to the side and retched.

Mike scrambled off Abby but not fast enough. Some of her vomit landed on him as well as her. He made soothing sounds and smoothed back her hair until Abby was through being sick and then she gathered her remaining strength to push him away with her shoulder.

"Get off me," she growled.

"I just want to take care of you," Mike pleaded.

"Then let me go."

Mike stood up and began to strip the soiled bed sheets. "Not until you hear me out – not until you understand that I did it all for you – for us."

Abby moaned as she curled up on her right side in the fetal position and closed her eyes. Gibbs – find me. McGee – I love you – Help me.

"McGee! Help me!"

I pounded against the door, ignoring the fact that my hands were beginning to feel raw. "Abby!" I screamed.

Mawher laughed. "You're too late this time, secret agent man. Abby's all mine now."

I whirled around my cell, searching the darkness for another way out. "I'll find her – I remembered the cabin."

"I hated that cabin – it stunk like dead, rotted fish. I would never take Abby there."

I smiled as I remembered Cassie also talking about the fishy smell. "I know you're there – it's the only safe place left. We're closing in, Mawher. Give up now and let her go."

"Never! If you won't let us be together, I won't let you take her away, understand?"

Abby screamed loud and long and I turned again to bang on the door. "Abby!"

"McGee, HELP!"

Tim awoke with a gasp, clutching his sheet and listening to his heart monitor alarms going crazy. He was just managing to get his breathing under control when Dr. Hart and Ducky came running into the room.

"All right, Mr. McGee, what's going on in here, hmm?" Dr. Hart frowned as he picked up Tim's chart and looked at the monitors which were already coming back down to normal rhythm.

Ducky's concern melted to understanding. "Another nightmare, Timothy?"

Tim nodded as Dr. Hart cleared his throat in disgust. "Brought on, no doubt, by the stress of that visit with your boss earlier; I really must insist that Agent Gibbs no longer be allowed-"

"No!" The force of behind Tim's voice startled Dr. Hart. "Please. I need to be kept in the loop – otherwise I will suffer more stress, more nightmares." He cleared his throat. "Could I have a few moments with Dr. Mallard alone?"

Dr. Hart looked seriously annoyed but since he could think of no reason to object, he replaced McGee's chart and stalked from the room. Ducky swallowed a chuckle as he drew the chair close to the bedside. "What is it, my boy?"

"Ducky, Mawher's going to kill Abby."

Tim watched as the other man recoiled in surprise from his words. "You say that as if you knew. But Timothy, how-"

Tim ran a hand through his hair. "I know, I know, Ducky, how do I know. What I'm about to say is going to sound nuts-"

Ducky raised his eyebrows.

"Ok, here goes. The whole time I've been unconscious, I've been having dreams, nightmares, about Mawher. I didn't know it was him at first – in the beginning I was just trying to find Abby. You see, I'm in this locked room-" Tim continued until he had told Ducky all of his dreams, finishing with, "I know it sounds like I'm nuts – or that I think I'm psychic, which I'm not. But-"

"But you are a trained federal agent and you've got to start trusting your instincts," Ducky finished. "So, you think your gut has been trying to tell you something?"

Tim nodded. "I'm afraid that when Mawher knows we're closing in and he's trapped, that there's no way out for him and Abby, he'll kill her and then himself."

"How Romeo and Juliet of him."

Tim winced. "Exactly. I mean, we did find that suicide note in his possession last time that he'd faked to make it look like Abby had written it – and now that he's crossed the line to murder, I fear he doesn't have anything to lose."

Ducky sighed. "Yes, he's already so close to insanity – one more little push- I'd better call Gibbs."

Tim's eyes widened. "You think I'm right?"

"Of course, my dear boy. I never doubted you for a moment. Gibbs has no doubt already thought of this worst case scenario-" he paused as he saw Tim visibly deflate. "But I want to let him know that one of his agents is developing his own Gibbs gut."

Tim allowed a brief smile to flash across his face before his eyes fell closed once more in exhaustion. Hold on, Abby. Help is on the way. I love you.

The moment Gibbs stepped off the elevator, he began speaking.

"DiNozzo! What do we know about Babcock State Park?"

Tony hung up the phone and hit a button on the remote pulling up images on the plasma. "It's a state park just outside of Danese, West Virginia, boss, known for its trout fishing. There are several cabins available for rent during the tourist season, which doesn't open for another two months so the park is deserted this time of year-"

"Is there any staff there now?"

Ziva hung up her phone and joined them. "Yes, I just got off the phone with Ranger Mellon. She and her deputy patrol the park in the off season. Apparently, there are six cabins that are occupied at present but this one-" she nodded and Tony clicked over to a satellite view. "This cabin is owned by Windham Power Ltd, the same company that Mawher and Reynolds father worked for."

Gibbs sipped his coffee. "Is it occupied?"

"Yes. Mellon said someone arrived very late last night or early this morning, depending on which view you want to take. The ranger also sent me the license plate of the vehicle – it's registered to Cassie Reynolds."

"Let's roll."

"I'll gas-"

"No, that will take too long. I've got alternate transportation for us."

"Navy transport?"

Gibbs nodded. "Hope you two don't get sick on a Helo."

Ziva was used to flying on helicopters – it was one of the more common transports of desert life, and Gibbs had ridden in quite a few during his Desert Storm tour.

But Tony had only flown in one twice and was not eager to repeat the experience. For all the razzing he gave McGee about being seasick on subs while they were docked, he had needed the airsick bags both times he had flown on a Helo. This is for Abby – I can't let her down. She's like a little sister to me. To leave her in the clutches of that madman is-

Ziva slugged him in the shoulder and he winced. "What the hell is the matter with you?"

He glanced towards the front seat where Vance and Gibbs were talking in low voices. Tony leaned over and whispered in Ziva's ear: "I – uh, I don't do so well on helicopters."

For a moment Ziva's face was puzzled before it gave way to amusement. "You get sick?"

"Shh!" he demanded, clamping a hand over her mouth and darting a glance back to the front seat.

She continued to snicker behind his fingers and Gibbs looked at them suspiciously until his phone rang, distracting him. Ziva licked his fingers and Tony removed them with a slight groan.

"Tell McGee 'good job' from me, Duck. Yeah, we'll bring her back." Gibbs hung up as the car came to a stop. "Thanks for the ride, Leon. Everybody out – oh, DiNozzo, here you go."

Two airsick bags landed in Tony's lap and Ziva giggled. Tony looked up at Gibbs for an explanation. His boss shrugged. "They're McGee's but I don't think he'll mind."

Ziva shook her dark head as she opened her door. "Not when he knows who put them to such good use!"

"ZIVA!" Tony roared.

The next time Abby opened her eyes, her hands were tied in front of her. Her shoulders ached from being forced into one position all night and now another. She slowly stretched her body out, noting the throbbing in her head had decreased to a dull roar but the dizziness was still in effect. When her head tilted down, she noticed that her clothing was different and she went stock still on the bed.

Oh my God. He changed my clothes – he saw me naked – and I'm sure he didn't just – She swallowed, knowing that Mike had probably caressed and kissed her skin while she had been sleeping. She prayed to God that's all he had done. Her lower body didn't feel used and abused so she didn't think he had violated her but then she wouldn't fight him in her sleep, would she? But then, surely, if he had started to have sex with her she would have woken up? Abby lowered her arms, looking for needle marks and finding none, breathed out a sigh of relief. She would have had to have been in a coma not to fight off Mawher's advances. It was bad enough he was touching her like a lover to change her clothes without her consent – if he had actually-

Abby's thoughts were interrupted as the cabin door opened and Mawher stood still for a moment in the frame before he shut it quickly and came to the side of the bed, dropping to his knees. "You're awake."

"You changed my clothes."

"Of course, they were dirty."

Abby fought hard against her emotions and the nausea rising in her stomach. She didn't want to throw up and give him another excuse to help her change clothes.

"And you didn't think that I'd like to do it myself?"

Mike frowned. "But I wanted to help you – to make you feel better – see, I even bought some of your clothes."

Abby's eyes fluttered shut against the spinning room. There's no reasoning with him. I'll just have to wait for Gibbs – not like I could think of an escape plan in my condition.

"Abby?"

She cracked her eyes open to look at him. "What?"

"Are you feeling any better? You slept a long time."

She bit back the reply that first sprang to her lips. "I'm feeling a little better."

"Great! Are you ready to listen to my side of things now?"

Suppressing a groan, Abby let her eyes flutter shut again. "Sure, why not?"

"So, do you understand now?"

For several long moments, Abby didn't say anything. She wasn't sure what to say. If she said what she really wanted to say, she was afraid Mike would snap and kill her – though a part of her was afraid she was slowly dying from the head trauma he had already inflicted. If she lied, would that buy her some more time – enough for Gibbs and the rest of the team time to find her? And McGee – hmm, Tim. Wouldn't it be nice if her Timmy would be the one to find her?

"Timmy," Abby whispered as she felt herself drifting into sleep.

She gasped as she was awakened by a harsh slap across the face. "Wha- What?" she moaned as she tasted the blood in her mouth.

"Please stop saying his name, Abby," Mike pleaded, his hand now caressing her bruised cheek. "You've been saying his name in your sleep. I don't like it."

"Welcome to our little army base, Agent Gibbs. I'm Lt Harris. We have a truck with supplies and a map all ready to go for you at the south entrance."

Gibbs nodded as he climbed out of the Helo and walked off quickly, leaving Ziva to help a very shaky DiNozzo out of the backseat.

Tony resisted the urge to kneel down and kiss the dusty ground under his feet and instead silently enjoyed being back on terra firma. Ziva handed him a water bottle.

"Thanks, Sweet Cheeks." He took a large swig and turning his head, spat into the dirt, rinsing his mouth of the foul taste of bile. Then he took a long drink.

She shook her head. "I do not know if that is wise."

"Why not?"

Just then Gibbs braked their truck to a stop in front to them. "Let's go – we can make it there in twenty if I drive."

Ziva tried not to giggle as Tony went pale. "That is why."

"I can't help what I say in my sleep, Mike."

For a moment, he studied her and then he melted. "I'm so sorry, my angel-"

She stiffened. "Don't call me that."

"But why?"

Because hearing pet names from your lips makes my skin crawl. She shrugged. "I don't really like pet names. My name's Abby."

Mike smiled. "All right, Abby. Can we get back to us?"

There is NO us. "Uh – there's one thing you didn't explain."

"What's that?"

"What happened to Watkins?"

"Who?"

Abby licked her dry lips, trying to focus through the nausea, head throbbing, and room spinning. "Neal Watkins, the agent who was with me in the car."

"Oh, him. I – uh, I let him go."

It was such a bad lie that Abby didn't need a lie detector to see through it. "What did you do?" she whispered as she backed away from him on the bed.

"Abby, I swear I-"

"No, you're lying. What did you do to Agent Watkins?"

"Abby, he wasn't going to let you go – to let us go! It was an accident-"

"No," she whispered, backing away further until she teetered on the edge of the bed. "NO! He had a ten year old daughter, Mike! You left a little girl without a daddy – for what? So we could be together – because you love me?" She shrieked as she fell off the edge of the bed, landing on the wooden floor with a loud thump.

"Abby!" Mike wailed as he ran around the end of the bed but before he could help her, Abby kicked him in the privates, hard. He fell to the floor, curled into the fetal position. "Why?" he wheezed.

She struggled to her knees, trying to make it to her feet but the room was spinning too fast and the throbbing in her head sounded like the ocean. "Because you're a murdering bastard! You've killed one federal agent, wounded a second, and murdered your own sister who you claim to have loved more than anyone in the world except me." Abby panted as she pulled herself back up onto the mattress and began to work on loosening the rope around her hands with her teeth. "I'd never be safe with you."

"I'd never hurt you," Mike wheezed.

"Ranger Mellon? Agent Gibbs, DiNozzo, David."

"Glad to meet you."

"Any activity?"

"The suspect left an hour ago for supplies and when he returned there were a couple of bumps and I've heard some yelling."

"Any sign of Abby?"

Mellon shook her red hair. "No, I've only seen Mawher but I've heard a woman yelling."

"All right, let's surround the cabin. Tony and I'll take the front, Ziva, you go around the back with Ranger Mellon."

"Interesting strategy, Agent Gibbs – here I thought you'd want to protect the women and send a man with each of us."

Ziva laughed. "No, he is covering his plates-"

"Bases," Tony corrected.

"How?" Mellon asked.

"By having a sniper at the front and the back," Gibbs explained as he moved towards the cabin with Mellon.

Tony held Ziva back for a moment. "Tony, what-"

He pressed a finger to her lips and turned to look up the trail before stealing a quick kiss. "I love you, Ziva."

Her mouth dropped open. "Now, you tell me this now?"

He grinned as she moved to hit him and he ducked.

"DiNozzo! David!"

"On your six, Boss!"

Abby laughed dryly as she gestured first at her head wound and then her cheek. "What are these, Mike, beauty marks?"

"I didn't mean-"

She sighed as the rope came free from her hands and she began to work on her feet, though leaning over wasn't a good idea as the room tilted. She swung her feet up onto the bed and was so focused on the knots that she didn't notice Mawher looming over her with the rope in his hands until it was too late. He used his weight to force her back onto the bed as he wrapped the length of rope around her alabaster neck and Abby looked up at him with terrified eyes.

"Tell me you love only me."

"I – I-"

"I'm not proud of the things I've had to do, Abby, but I've done them all for you – for us. But if you can't see that – if you don't love me, then –" he began to tighten the rope and Abby's fingers clawed at it as she made choking sounds. "Say it, say you love me."

With her vision beginning to go black and her air getting cut off, Abby nodded and Mike loosened the rope. She breathed heavily for a moment before he slowly tightened it again.

"Words, Abby. I want the words. I know you've never said them to any other man – not even McGee. Say them to me – so I know you love me and not him."

Abby's fingers clawed at the rope as Tim's face swam behind her closed eyes. He smiled at her and in her mind, they were together in her lab, sipping a Caf-POW and working on a computer puzzle- not here in this room being strangled by a madman.

Mawher's weight pushed her further into the mattress and the rope tightened still further. "Say it."

She shook her head as she felt the darkness claim her. "No."

"NCIS, freeze!"

Gibbs reaction to the scene in front of him was instantaneous: he fired three rounds into Mawher's back, dropping the man onto the bed. Ziva ran to the bed and together with Tony flipped Mikel's body off Abby. The sight of her lying there with a rope around her neck, her feet still tied, battered and bruised was enough to make Gibbs want to empty his clip into Mawher's dead body. Instead he turned his attention to Ziva who was crooning over Abby.

"She is not breathing, Gibbs. I think-"

"Like hell she is," he growled as he knelt on the bed next to Abby. He pinched her nostrils shut, tilted her chin back and gave her two rescue breaths, then waited.

Abby gasped then coughed, her eyes fluttering open. "Gibbs? Is it over?"

He gently pulled Abby into his arms as Tony untied her feet. "It's over, Abs."

"McGee?" she whispered into Gibbs' flak jacket.

"He is awake and worried about you," Ziva said softly, her hand running up and down her friend's back.

"You guys cut it pretty close – I think I'm the one that-"

"Abby?" Gibbs shook her gently but she had passed out cold. "We need to get her to the hospital now. I don't like the look of her head wound."

"The medical center in Danese is very good and it's only five minutes from here," Mellon offered.

"Let's move."

A/N: Whew! Ok, everybody catch their breath. Now the question is: What's wrong with Abby? Stay tuned to find out. Reviews are L-O-V-E!