Title: A Long Way Home (Chapter Eight)

Author: LizzieInk

A/N: My previous chapter allowed me to hit two milestones as a fan-fiction writer. This story now has over 50 reviews and 100 followers. Thank you all so much! This is my first full length fan-fiction, so it means the world to me that you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: Do I really need to say it? ;)

Stepping off of the elevator and entering Abby's lab, McGee sat down on Abby's desk chair, as Abby herself proceeded to spread out the samples she had collected upon the stainless steel table in front of her.

Abby was an old-hand at analysing blood samples and fingerprints. Hell, it was such a routine part of her job that she could probably do it in her sleep.

Abby quickly and capably transferred the blood sample to a slide, while adding the correct gel. Her hands moved with an almost impossible speed and level of dexterity, as McGee watched quietly from a far. Abby placed the slide under her microscope, and using advanced computer software, she pulled up the image from the scope on to her computer screen. Her fingers flew over the keyboard as she instructed the computer to search for a DNA match. She then proceeded to work on the fingerprints.

However, Abby had only been away from the computer for a minute before it started to beep. As Abby headed back towards the screen, a file popped open.

"Bodnar." McGee muttered as he pulled his phone from his pocket.

"Wait, McGee," said Abby, while twitching nervously. "We should wait to call Gibb's until we've run the fingerprints from the car. I got two sets. One from the steering wheel and another from the passenger side door handle. Considering we already assumed that Bodnar was behind this, at this point the only helpful Intel here that could lead us to him is by finding out the identity of the second person."

McGee nodded grudgingly. "You're right Abbs. We should wait until all the evidence is in. Its just that this case… with Tony and Ziva…"

"I know McGee." Replied Abby with a sad smile. "I feel the same, but that's why we have to be extra thorough. We can't assume anything."

Abby's calm logic in the face of their terrible situation, had a soothing effect on McGee. Now that Abby was once again back at her computer running both fingerprint samples through IAFIS, McGee took a deep breath and went to stand beside her.

"Okay, the sample from the passenger door belongs to Bodnar. The prints from the steering wheel are still running. I guess now all we can do is wait…"

Palmer finished working on the file in front of him, and snapped it shut with relish.

Due to Ducky opting to stay with Tony and Ziva at the hospital, that meant that Palmer was in charge of the Morgue until his return. Unfortunately, even though he was not currently needed for the Bodnar case, Palmer had been organizing transportation for a body from another case, and hadn't yet been able to get away from the Morgue.

Palmer stood up to put away the file, and stretched. It was very late and normally he would have left NCIS an hour before, but he just couldn't bring himself to go home tonight. When he had first heard about the car crash, Palmer had been out of his mind with worry for his friends, and had been unable to get much work done until Ducky had eventually called to let him know that everything was okay.

Now after finally having caught up on the days work, Jimmy decided to drop by Abby's lab. Visiting hours at the hospital were long since over, so he would have to wait until tomorrow to see Tony and Ziva. Palmer had barely seen anyone all day and his nerves were beginning to get the better of him. Grabbing his coat and heading for the exit, Palmer stopped for a moment to check that everything was in order before switching off the lights.

As Palmer walked into Abby's lab, McGee and Abby seemed to be in the middle of a complex debate. They were both sat on desk chairs in front of Abby's computer now. Abby was spinning around slowly in her chair, with a caf-pow in one hand. Both herself and McGee seemed to be deep in thought.

"Hey guys," said Palmer awkwardly, "what's going on?"

"Hey Jimmy," Abby replied, "McGee and I are trying to decide what we should do about Tony and Ziva."

"What do you mean?" Palmer asked, seemingly nonplussed.

"It's like this," McGee elaborated "we know that as soon as they are released from the hospital tomorrow, that Ziva will start looking for Bodnar. I mean, it's almost a given at this point. Abby and I were just trying to think of a way to keep an eye on both Tony and Ziva. That way if they come up with any dangerous plans, we would be able to either put a stop to it, or else we could go with them to provide back-up."

Palmer removed his glasses and cleaned them absentmindedly, as he took a moment to think.

"Hmm… well, why not invite them both to stay with you until they're better?" He eventually suggested.

Abby laughed excitedly, "Palmer you're a genius. That's a great idea."

Palmer smiled, feeling rather pleased with himself.

"Uuuuhhh..." grumbled McGee "can you imagine how annoying it would be to take care of Tony?"

Palmer laughed at the thought, while Abby was quick to cut in.

"They could stay with me though, McGee. I just redecorated my spare bedroom, and it looks awesome!" Abby said excitedly. "One of them could sleep in my room and the other could take the spare room. I totally wouldn't mind sleeping on the couch."

"I guess that could work…" McGee replied.

"It'll definitely work. It's a pretty small apartment, so there's no way that they could make secret plans without me knowing. And you and Palmer could drop by sometimes if I get stuck at work too long. It's perfect!" Abby replied, with a huge grin on her face. McGee and Palmer nodded in support.

Just then, Abby's computer began to beep loudly, indicating that it had found a match for Bodnar's accomplice. McGee quickly made note of the name before hugging Abby and heading to the elevator.

Giving Abby an awkward wave, Palmer was quick to join McGee before the elevator doors dinged closed behind them.

Palmer looked over at McGee curiously, "I wonder what Abby's version of decorating looks like?" He asked.

McGee chuckled to himself, as he imagined the dark and eerie room that either Tony or Ziva would be relegated to. Shaking his head with amusement, McGee began to prepare himself to tell Gibbs and Vance what Abby had found out.

A/N: I apologize in regards to any possible mistakes in this chapter. I am not a scientist! However I did do a little research for the Abby's Lab scenes so hopefully this chapter reads okay? Feel free to send me any corrections. :)

Are you guys excited to see what Abby's apartment is going to be like?