Abby sat impatiently on the plane, tapping her foot. They'd gone over the logistics at least a half-dozen times, but she still had moments of doubt. She'd been insistent that she be included. For all she knew, she was the reason that Gibbs wasn't back yet – that they'd figured out that he was undercover because she'd tracked him down and he'd saved her – as usual. So now it was her turn to save him.

The team had sprung for their own airline tickets, eager to head on over without awaiting the necessary paperwork that would get them on a military flight. Vance had ensured them that if Gibbs was found (when, Abby thought) he would try to pull some strings to get them on a military flight home, as Gibbs would probably be in poor condition. Abby had tried to shove that part of the conversation out of her head. Though she knew it was unlikely, she was secretly hoping that he had been detained – that he had broken his promise. Because as badly as it would hurt, it would be better than any alternative.

Ziva sat next to her listening to her iPod. Tony and McGee were behind them, forced to sit together after Ziva had insisted she didn't want to listen to Tony drone on about movies throughout the whole flight. Abby had quietly asked Ziva to sit next to her, knowing that Tim would be overwhelming in how concerned and worried he would be about Gibbs and about Abby's worry for Gibbs. She could only take so much worrying just then, and she had that covered by herself.

The plan seemed simple enough, really. Gibbs' original contact that had gotten him in had known enough about what went on in Afghanistan to refer them to a town where much of the main smuggling took place, and where the leader was rumored to live. The group would travel separately into the town, Tony and Abby together, and Tim and Ziva together. Tim and Ziva would ask around as if interested in purchasing some of the goods, pretending to want to get into the operation themselves. Once they had more information, the two of them would try to stall those in charge as long as possible while Abby and Tony searched for Gibbs, trying to quietly take out any guards if possible. They hoped that they would not only meet the literal ring leader, but also save Gibbs. Two birds, one gun. So Ziva had put it, anyway. They all knew there were some potential, major flaws to the plan, but it had been agreed that they were each going into this willingly. Gibbs had saved each of them at some time or another – if not literally, than figuratively, and they each felt they owed him this much.

Abby fidgeted in her seat. As exhausted as she was from the lack of sleep, she was unable to settle, anxious to get on the ground and begin the tedious search for the man who had been so close to finally being hers. Every time Abby closed her eyes she saw Gibbs being tortured or killed, or she saw Hendricks hovering over her, leering at her fear and pain. By now it was obvious that the others had noticed the growing circles under her eyes, but none had said anything, most likely thinking it was because of Gibbs' disappearance, and nothing more.

Once Gibbs was back, once he was home and safe and healed, then she would deal with it. Then she would allow herself to feel the raw pain and mental anguish. But for now, she had a Marine to save.

~*~*~NCIS~*~*~NCIS~*~*~

Gibbs jerked awake from his nightmare, relieved despite where he found himself. Though he'd figured that he'd been held in the same room for at least 4 days, if not longer, with one pathetic meal per day and minimal water, he'd consistently dreamed of Abby. Some dreams were ones in which he could happily live forever… dreams of dinners or dates with Abby, or simply of holding her asleep next to him in his bed. Others took him back to the times he'd feared for her the most: her stalker ex-boyfriend Mawher, when she'd become so obsessed with the equations on Navy Lieutenant Thorson's body, and mostly, Hendricks' recent abuse. This one was another nightmare about Hendricks. It was still fresh in his mind – the scared and horrified expression on Abby's face, the screams and whimpers she let out, and the crazed expression on Hendricks' face. Of course, having been unconscious during the real act, Gibbs' mind had created the entire scene, and his subconscious had even made him part of the horrific event – forced to watch from across the room, unable to help in any way.

Gibbs shifted, still in the chair where he'd been moved one or two days before. He knew he was running out of time, and it would only be a matter of one or two days before they decided that he was the only one who knew anything, and that would be the end of his hopes to return to Abby.

A plan was still working its way through his mind – one that had formed ever so slightly over a day before, but still needed some revision. He only hoped he would have enough time to revise it before they killed him – or until the team came for him. Gibbs knew Abby would have talked them into coming for him by now. Though he would threaten to fire them for risking their lives, he knew they would find him eventually – that Abby would be back in her lab, harassing Tony and McGee on the phone about their every move – wanting constant updates about their mission. Gibbs chuckled at the image, wincing in pain from his split lip.

It had taken him over ten years, but he finally had a family he trusted. And now it was just a matter of him staying alive long enough for them to find him. He would force himself to hold on, if only for Abby. It was all for Abby.

Sorry this was such a short chapter. The hubby and I are totally unpacked and moved in to our new place (yay!) but it's inventory time at work so I'm working longer hours than usual, thus I probably won't have another chapter up til Sunday. :( But ya know, reviews do motivate me to work on the upcoming chapters on my break times...