This is a bit shorter than the others had been recently, but at least I get points for posting two days in a row. I'm in hiatus until my new job starts next week, and though I'm picking up some sub jobs for the local school, I have a lot of free time right now. Plus my muses decided to be kind to me. Now off to bed. :)Thanks for the reviews!

The day finally ended with a long sigh of relief from Abby. The equipment was shut off in a routine manner, with little to no thought. From just beyond the door Tony watched as Abby circled around the lab, shutting her babies off. He cocked his head slightly, slightly aware of how much like Gibbs he would look to any of the others of the team if they walked by at that moment. Something was off with Abby.

Typically she bid her machines goodnight as she danced around the lab to the music that would play until just the last second before she left for the day. Today she, like her lab, was silent. He had noticed the change in her behavior before now, but that was before Gibbs's rescue. With Gibbs still being held captive, it had made sense. But now he was worried. Surely Gibbs had noticed her demeanor. Tony could have sworn a change had taken place in the relationship dynamic between his boss and his favorite scientist, but with Abby's unusual mood it was difficult to tell for certain.

Abby had confided in Tony long ago about how she felt about the Marine, so he'd thought that if (when, he always swore) Gibbs finally confessed his feelings for her, Abby would come running to him to celebrate. Tony had to wonder if her mood change had something to do with the new dynamic. Maybe Gibbs had screwed it up and denied his feelings for Abby. But Gibbs seemed surprised at her behavior earlier that day as well. If he had crushed Abby's hopes and dreams, he would have at least understood her strange forgetfulness.

Determined to discover what had happened, Tony strode into the lab as if he were just now coming down. "Hiya, Abby."

Abby startled at his presence. "Hey, Tony."

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."

She shrugged half-heartedly. "S'okay."

"Sooo… whatcha doin?" Tony leaned against the counter with his chin propped on his elbows as if thoroughly intrigued by her mundane actions.

"Just shuttin' stuff down."

Her voice lacked its typical timbre.

"But you're so quiet. That never happens." Tony raised an eyebrow concernedly.

"It's just been a quiet day in general, I suppose." Abby knew he was going to start prodding. "That's the last of it," she nodded at the computer. "I need to get going. See you tomorrow, okay?"

"Abby." Tony stood up straight and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Did something happen? Like…" he lowered his voice. "With Gibbs?"

She stared up at him. "He admitted his feelings for me."

Tony blinked in surprise. "Really? That's great!" He studied her blank expression. "I mean, isn't that great?"

Abby nodded, "Yeah."

"Shouldn't you be… ya know, more excited then?"

Abby considered this and realized how odd it appeared. She made her lips turn upward into a hesitant smile, "Yeah, I guess I'm just still really tired. But, yeah, it's great."

Tony smiled back at first, but the concern returned to his face. "Are you okay, Abby?"

"I'm fine, Tony. Thanks." Abby tried to look convincing, though a bit unsure as to how such an expression would look.

"Abby, this is me. Seriously, what's wrong?" Tony moved his hand so it gently wrapped around her wrist to keep her from walking away.

An image flashed through her head as she wrested free from Tony. The sudden, abrupt movement caused Tony to step back off balance. Abby breathed deeply to catch herself.

"I'm fine, Tony. I swear." Abby was calm once more, the stoic expression of Tony's boss once more plastered across her face.

"Then why did you suddenly tear away from me like I'm some crazy person?" Tony shook his head at her back as she began to walk out of the lab. "What happened, Abbs?"

She knew he was concerned for her, but the thought of drudging up those images again nearly set her hyperventilating. Instead, she breathed deeply before turning back to him. "Nothing happened, Tony. I just need to catch up on sleep."

"Then take some time off."

She shook her head. "Work to be done, Tony. It'll be okay." If she said it enough times, she could even believe it.

Before Tony could respond, Abby was gone from the lab, climbing the stairs instead of wasting time waiting for the elevator.

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

Tony caught Gibbs in the bullpen where he was preparing to leave to meet Abby at his car.

"Hey, boss. Do you have a minute?"

The elder man looked up at his Senior Field Agent. "Sure, DiNozzo."

"Is everything alright…with Abby?"

Gibbs took in his team member's fidgeting and worried expression. He would've guessed that of all people Tony would have noticed the change in Abby's behavior. "Abby's still healing, Tony. Just give her time."

Tony nodded to himself, but remained standing in front of his boss.

Gibbs raised an eyebrow expectantly, waiting for Tony to continue.

"Her lab was silent, boss. She wasn't even talking to the equipment like usual. And then I touched her wrist and she yanked away from me. Abby's the most physical person I know."

Gibbs considered the worried man in front of him, thinking of how badly he would want to know what had happened, but how Abby would never want him to know. "Just give her some time. It's been a rough couple of weeks." He watched Tony nod once more as he started to walk passed towards the elevator. Gibbs paused and turned around, "I'll work on it."

Tony gave him a slightly relieved look, at least aware that Gibbs was just as concerned for Abby as he was. And of all people, Gibbs would be able to fix whatever was wrong with Abby. If Tony believed nothing else, he believed Gibbs would protect Abby, and bring her back to them.