Title: A Long Way Home (Chapter Five)
Author: LizzieInk
A/N: I just want to give a quick shout out to a user called Tiva-McAbby-Densi-Neric-4ever, who has written a cute McAbby 'ficlet' based on the small moments I had McGee/Abby share within my chapter before last. If you are a fan of Abby and McGee you should go an check it out. I am blown away that my writing has inspired someone to go away and write a story of their own! :)
Disclaimer: Still stands.
Tony could hear Abby before he could see her. She was obviously wearing her heavily buckled platform boots today. Each footstep made a cheerful tinkling noise that grew louder as she walked towards Tony's private room.
Tony had just enough time to carefully reposition his heavily encased leg, which was starting to radiate a dull ache throughout his entire body, before Abby all but fell into the hospital room.
He couldn't help but smile warmly at her less than reserved entrance.
Abby was a walking contradiction, and was nothing if not interesting. She had many quirks. But although Abby dressed all in black and wore studded dog collars, she wasn't comfortable labelling herself as any one 'thing.' She liked to think of herself as simply her own person. Abby was friendly, warm and loyal and had a penchant for hugging everyone she met. And right now their was no one that Tony would rather see, excepting Ziva perhaps.
The pain in his leg was starting to drive him crazy, and he welcomed Abby's indomitable spirit as a much needed distraction.
As Abby shuffled towards him in her ridiculous platform shoes, Tony noticed the unshed tears glistening sadly in her eyes. Tony hated knowing that he had caused her so much worry.
Ever since the death of their beloved team-mate Kate years earlier, Abby had always taken any news regarding accidents badly. As close as Tony had been to Kate, it was Abby that had felt her loss the most, as they had been almost inseparable in the end. Tony knew that Abby's thoughts were probably going along the same lines as his own right now, so in an attempt to make her feel happier Tony did his best to mask the discomfort he was in.
Giving Abs the most reassuring smile that he could muster Tony flexed his fingers, and Abby correctly interpreting what Tony wanted, was quick to place her hand within his own.
"Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God." Abby muttered over and over again, while she gazed first at the bandage on the side of Tony's head, then at the bandage around his shoulder, before finally letting her eyes rest on the enormous cast that was now covering his leg.
"Abby," Tony murmured comfortingly.
It only took this one word from Tony for the tears in Abby's eyes to finally spill over. However, not one to dwell on sadness for long, Abby tried to pull herself together for Tony's sake and quickly swiped at the tears running down her cheeks. Shaking her head, as if trying to chase the tears away, she began to speak.
"God Tony, I was so worried about you both," she said clasping his hand tightly, "you were both so lucky. Wait, look who I'm talking to, you have definitely survived worse than this… I guess you both have." Abby trailed off, her thoughts going back to Ziva who was still in the room next door.
Tony carefully asked, "how does she look Abbs?" Knowing that he could depend on her to tell him the truth.
Surprisingly enough Abby laughed, "Tony, seriously? It's not her injuries you should be worrying about. You know how she hates being fussed over. Poor Ziva, if she stays here much longer she'll end up going crazy. That or the staff will." She said smilingly as she shook her head.
"It'll do her good to have someone fuss over her," Tony said with a nod. "Do you think they'll let me see her soon? I know that I'm on bed rest for a while, but maybe they could wheel my bed into her room?" He asked Abby hopefully.
"No need Tony," said a very rough sounding Ziva from the doorway. She was clutching at her side with her good arm, while her other arm was encased in a cast that matched Tony's.
"God Ziva, what are you doing? You have three broken ribs!" Abby gasped in horror, as she rushed forward to steady her friend.
"I did not want to be alone." Ziva answered truthfully, as she gratefully allowed Abby to lead her towards Tony's bed. Tony was all too happy to carefully shuffle himself over, making a space big enough for Ziva to lay down beside him.
Being careful to avoid Tony's gaze, Ziva said; "Even my bruises have bruises. Part of me is indignant that I should be forced to stay in the hospital and rest, but another part of me is so tired Tony."
With this she looked up at him for the first time since the accident. The pain and sadness of the days events were evident in her heavily circled eyes.
Abby sniffling slightly, cut in with; "I guess the two of you should rest for a while. I'll let the nurse know that you're both in here. I have to get back to the lab anyway."
Abby suddenly realised something; "Hey Ziva, wasn't McGee supposed to be with you now?"
"Vance arrived, Abby. I believe he, Gibbs and McGee are discussing what their next move will be."
Abby nodded distractedly at this, before leaning over Tony and Ziva and giving them each a quick kiss on the forehead, and quickly exiting the room.
Tony looked at Ziva with worry. He hadn't missed the fact that Ziva had just said they were discussing what "their" next move would be, and not "hers." She seemed to read his mind.
"Don't worry Tony. I am fine." She said laying her good arm comfortingly against his. "Don't get me wrong, I still wish to avenge my father's death, but today has put everything in perspective." Ziva murmured, looking deeply into Tony's eyes. "Other things are more important… Right?" She asked hesitantly.
"Right," Tony replied, with a surprised but extremely happy look in his eyes.
Ziva smiled back at him peacefully.
It was at that exact moment that Gibbs' entered Tony's room. He stopped for a moment taking in the scene before him, but if he was surprised to find Tony and Ziva lying in the same bed, gazing at each other adoringly, he didn't let it show.
"I just wanted to let you two know that Leon, Tim and I are leaving. We will be continuing the hunt for Bodnar. Abby is accompanying us back to NCIS as well, as she feels that she can be of more use in the lab. We all have a lot of work to do."
Looking at both of his agents steadily, his eyes softened.
"Look after each other," he said before swiftly exiting the room.
A/N: Yay! Tony and Ziva are re-united at last, ha-ha. Let me know what you thought of the chapter! :)