Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS or its characters.
All mistakes and typo's are my own, currently looking for a new Beta as my previous one has too many other commitments to continue helping... I would however like to thank her for all the chapters she did help out with, it truly was appreciated!
Chapter 16
Abby Sciuto was walking up to the entrance having just arrived at the hospital, having had to fork out for jet another taxi, as her car was still at her apartment, directly from headquarters, as the member of the group who weren't staying where exiting, having all spent a couple a minutes making quiet promises and saying goodnight to a still sleeping Tim. Seeing who was in the group, which included a women she didn't recognise, and who was missing Abby immediate jumped to the wrong conclusion.
"I knew it. I knew it was Gibbs that was hurt! I need to see him, he needs me!" Abby started in on one of her rants.
Upon seeing Abby stepping out of a taxi, as he exited the building, Tony inwardly groaned, he was tired and the last thing he wanted to deal with was Abby, especially whilst he was still worried over Tim, but thinking about the younger man's needs he immediately moved to intercept, thankful when Fornell, Ziva and Ducky did the same. Whilst Jimmy, Jack, Breena and Delilah hug back.
"Abigail….." Ducky tried
"How bad is it? Oh god it's bad isn't it?" Abby babbling.
"Abby, Gibbs is fine." Ziva stated forcefully, though Abby didn't appear to hear her, in her mind it was obvious whose fault Gibbs getting injured was, the one person who didn't appear to have the guts to face her.
"What where you guys thinking taking McGee out to a crime scene? And what's this nonsense about them being brothers?" Abby questioned "Never mind I'll go see for Gibbs for myself and have it cleared up in no time." Abby stated dismissively as she started moving forward again.
"Abigail just stop." Ducky direct more forcefully than he would normally speak to the young woman, taking her by surprise.
"Duck…" Abby started, but Tony stepped in.
"You're jumping to conclusions Abby, and you're not going in there."
"Oh and I suppose you're going to stop me?" Abby challenged sarcastically.
"Abigail, visiting hours are over and Gibbs isn't the one hurt." Ducky informed before things could get any more out of hand.
"Of course he is, else none you would be here." Abby refuted, if it was McGee that was hurt it would have been his own fault and Gibbs would have them all at headquarters working, after all that's what had happen in the case with German Shepherd.
"You know what I've had enough, I'm too tired to deal with this, as he caused the problem he can fix it." Ziva grumbled as she took out her mobile, wondering why the other girl never listened, and putting it on speaker phone so everyone could hear the conversation.
"If you're calling Timmy don't bother the scaredy-cat didn't even show up to collect me from the airport." Abby informed, which had Tony raising an eyebrow and Tobias in near fits as it was almost the perfect Gibbs impression he had ever seen from the man, but he managed to hide his lack of control by turning away from the group albeit briefly.
"Gibbs"
"Sorry Gibbs, Abby needs confirmation that you are undamaged" Ziva informed
"Abby?" came the confused response from the team leader
"Yes Jethro, it appears young Abigail returned sooner than we expected" Ducky supplied
"It was supposed to be surprise" Abby whined, suddenly ensure
"I'm fine Abby, Go home" Gibbs ordered
"But….."
"Go home Abby!" Gibbs barked more forcefully and the call disconnected, leaving the whole group shocked, as none of them had expected that kind of reaction
"You all heard the man, there's no more to be done here tonight." Tobias remarked as he finally recovered.
"Come all long Abigail, I'll take you home, there's a good girl" Ducky said as he took the younger woman by the elbow and stirring he towards his car, before she was able to come up with a counter argument.
NCIS
Gibbs woke early, stretching as he did so and nearly falling of the small bed he a dozed on having momentarily forgotten he was still at the hospital. Recovering quickly he looked over at Tim to ensure he hadn't accidently woken the younger man only to smile as he saw that Tim was still soundly sleeping.
There had been a few moments in the night when his brother had almost stirred, mumbling in his sleep incoherently. The worst being when the phone call from Ziva had taken place. Gibbs had been just been falling asleep himself so hadn't initially heard the first couple of rings, it hadn't help that he had forgotten to ask if anyone of the rest of the group could turn off the volume on the damn thing, something he usually always got Tim to deal with as it was his area of expertise.
The second time had been when Vance had stopped by to both give and receive an update, the door shutting itself before either of them had a chance to prevent it, or shut it quietly, luckily Tim had only shift slightly before settle back down. Besides Gibbs forgave the Director easily as the door really wasn't his fault, the man was juggling way too much stuff, what with bring him the files he'd requested along with the bonus of a much needed coffee.
Keeping their voices low, they had discussed the issues that had arisen both during and since the case had been closed, even if the paperwork had yet to be completed. Vance informed Gibbs of Finley's official complaint and wasn't surprised by the other man reaction, he placated him as much as possible, but as the complaint was sent higher up the ladder there was little he could do to stop an official investigation.
When Gibbs informed Vance about what Tony had informed him of Tim's financial situation the Vance had been stunned, he like Gibbs had had no idea of the circumstances, however he vowed to start looking into it the moment he got back into the office in the morning after which he bid Gibbs a goodnight, before stopping at the edge of the bed and quietly ordering Tim to get better.
The door creaking brought Gibbs out of his revelry and looking up he saw Tony standing with a coffee just inside the door way
"Get in here DiNozzo." Gibbs ordered lightly
"Morning Boss, Tim sleep okay?" Tony questioned keeping his voice soft
"Stirred a few time but never actually fully woke. Think it's time you and I had a proper chat don't you?" Gibbs replied as he held up the file he had read the night before
NCIS
Arriving at headquarter Abby walked into her lab only to find the woman she hadn't recognised the previous evening already there and working one her computer.
"Who are you and what do you think you're doing!" Abby demanded.
Delilah, however hadn't noticed Abby's arrival and jump a little before managing to explain her presence. "Oh, hi, I'm Delilah, I've been covering for you during in your absence."
"Well I'm back so you can go." Abby stated dismissively.
"Actually Miss Fielding is staying." Vance said as he entered the lab, handing over a piece of paper to Delilah, smiling, before continuing "You're official transfer papers, I think you'll find everything in order."
"But this is my Lab." Abby protested.
"As the new head of Forensics…" Vance started.
"New head…" Abby stuttered hopefully, finally thinking she was getting the promotion she saw as rightfully hers.
Only to be cut off as Vance finished, as if the attempted interruption had never occurred. "…I believe Lab designations are down to Miss Fielding to decide."
"Thank you Director." Delilah answered.
"Meeting at ten Miss Fielding, in which I expect an overview of your plans." Vance announced.
"Yes Director, working on that right now." Delilah responded.
"In the mean time I will leave you to get acquainted with Miss Sciuto as I believe she is the only member of the team you have yet to meet. If you need me sooner I'll be with our legal department."
Abby just stare as the man left, the day was going downhill fast and it had barely begun, not only was she unable to access the computer that would show what evidence there was to this stupid rumour, but she had just lost out on a job she had been hankering after for months. It was a huge blow to her ego as the form Director had all but informed her the job was as good as hers.
NCIS
"Morning Jack." Donald greeted as Jack made his way into the kitchen from the guest bedroom in Gibbs house. They were having a slightly later start after having dropped Abigail home the pair had stayed up late discussing everything from the proof the Delilah had explained to the phone call Ducky had had with Sheriff Gantry.
"Morning Ducky." Jack returned the greeting.
"Are you ready for this?" Ducky questioned, at the end of the lengthy discussion Jack had informed Ducky he wanted to be there when the news was broken to Tim as he owed it to both his sons an explanation.
"As ready as I'm going to be, even if I still wrapping my head around it." Jack acknowledge.
They walked to the car in silence and kept to neutral topics on the ride to the hospital, however as Ducky pulled into the hospitals car park he couldn't help but question the other man's intentions.
"Forgive me Jack but I need to know what you're going to say to young Timothy, the lads been hurt enough."
"The truth Ducky, I owe them both that much and then be there if they'll let me." Jackson replied as he got out the car.
"You think they won't." Ducky questioned, as they made their way through the hospital doors.
"I think you noticed that stubbornness runs in the family Ducky and right now Timothy does not have any reason to trust me."
"Yes but he does respect you." Ducky remind as they entered the ICU department.
"As his boss's father, who just so happens to be his brother." Jack reminded, saying it out loud made it more real for him.
Ducky stop Jack just as they got to the door of Tim's room. "Let me tell you something about Timothy."
"What's that?"
"He has the most forgiving nature I have ever seen, he has never held a grudge for the wrong's done to him. Give him time and he may just surprise you." Ducky replied stopping talking the moment he pushed the door open.
NCIS
"… so that's it that's all he told me just the stuff related to work, he never mentioned anything about his family issues and the only reason he told me about the money situation, was because what had happened at work that particular day"
"Which was?"
"Err you don't remember?"
"Remember what?"
"He got all dizzy when you finally let him get up off his knees." Tony reminded
Gibbs winced at the reminder of the punishment that should never of happened, looking back he did remember something but Tim had insisted that he was fine and he'd still been to wound up to take any real notice. "Yeah actually, he said he was fine."
"Yeah he said that to you, as you went up to report to Jenny, once you were out of view he damn near passed out. See he hadn't eaten anything since lunch time the day before, had nothing in the cupboards at home. It was two days before pay day and all he left was enough for a packet of nutter butters from the vending machine, oh and his bus fare for work, so he was gonna split the pack in half to make it last"
Gibbs starred at his senior agent stunned beyond for several moments, before he managed to voice another fact that had been bugging him "His work clothes aren't exactly cheap DiNozzo"
The response he got wasn't from his senior agent, it was sleepy and pain but stronger than the day before "Charity shops."
"Probie! You're awake" Tony exclaimed
Tim smirked slightly, he'd been awake a while listening keeping his eyes closed, as Tony explain everything, he felt somewhat guilty about not speaking out before but thought Gibbs would be more accepting hearing it from the other man than him, but decided to give a sarcastic response in order to avoid the issue. "No you don't say."
"Morning Tim." Gibbs greeted lightly as he turned towards his brother and smiled at the attempt to lighten the mood in the room.
"Morning boss, you stay all night?" Tim questioned, he had noticed the man was still wearing the same clothes the moment he opened his eyes, as he took hold of the bed controls and raised it a slightly to a more comfortable position.
"Yep."
"Why?" Tim enquired.
"Because it's what family's do." Gibbs acknowledge, as he saw Jack and Ducky enter the room
"We're not exactly family boss." Tim countered
"Actually Tim that's exactly what we are." Gibb replied as he hand over the print out.
Cliffy! ;o)