Ducky POV

In Jethro comes holding her closely. She's even more beautiful than in the photo. Despite the cuts and bruises on her face and arms. And the glorious black eye forming. Her mugger certainly did a Number on her.

"Kat, honey. This is work friend Ducky."she struggles to open her eyes. Her left eye is swollen shut. " Kat, baby. Ducky is a doctor. I want him to check your ribs." She nods compliantly. I take the endearments he gives to her and file them away for a later date.

"What did the emergency room doctor say? " I ask struggling to comprehend how messed up she is for a simple mugging.

"Nothing. She refused the examination. The police have the man in custody. He's a druggo. Turns out they think he slipped her something in her water bottle that she left on the seat while she got her luggage from baggage claim. GHB they think. Lab results won't be in til next week."

"Backlog?" Jethro nods the affirmative. "you know what you need to do? Call Abigail."

"Kat honey, I'm going to take your shirt off so Ducky can check you out."

"No." She whimpers. "I'll do it." She struggles slowly and my first thought is over independent.

Abby POV

3.37 am and it must be a big case, they never wake me before 5. They wouldn't dare.

"Someone better be dead!"

"Abs?" It sounds like Gibbs. Now I'm bamboozled. Gibbs generally, gets Tony or Ducky to wake me for a case. "I need your help. Off the record."

This gets my attention. "Where are you?"

"My house." And with this he disconnects the call.

Pulling up in Gibbs street, I breath a sigh of relief seeing Duck's Morgan parked out the front calms me.

I peek my head inside and Ducky greets me.

"Abby, my dear. Please forgive the intrusion at this ungodly hour."

"Everything ok?"

"Gibbs demands that anything you see here stays here." I nod, definitely intrigued now. "Good girl."

"Thanks Abs, I know I owe you big time." Gibbs smiles briefly. There's a woman resting in Gibbs arms. They seem familiar only, she's all battered.

Underneath all the bruises and cuts you can just tell she's gorgeous. Honey blond hair. Beautiful complexion.

"Abs, this is Kat. Kat, baby this is Abby Scuito. She works with me at NCIS. She's going to test the blood Ducky took." I look over at Ducky and he shrugs at me and gives me an I'll-fill-you-in-later look.

The battered woman looks up at me and soft green eyes catch mine. She smiles a whispers a soft thanks.

"I'll get right on this boss man." I wave the vials in the air and head straight to the lab.

Jethro POV

I think I'm over reacting. Kat has said she's ok, bit sore but ok. Ducky has said she's fine.

"Kat sweetheart, do you need to sleep?"

"No L-J, just resting my eyes."

"Hon, you can't open them." I joke teasing her a little.

"Hmmm, lovely to have met you Ducky. L-J could you please get me my pj bottoms from my case?"

Handing them to her. She kisses my cheek gently and says "good night Jet, night Ducky." My hand lingers on my cheek.

"Well Jethro, it's been a pleasure but I'm headed back to bed. See you at sun up." Ducky says as he heads off to bed and I wait up for Abs to call.

I am awoken to the pitter patter of 2 seven year olds, in the kitchen.

"Again uncle Ducky, again." Lucy says excitedly and Ducky flips the pancake.

"Daddy!" Zoe comes running to me. "Whys mommy in your bed?"

"She isn't feeling too good baby."

"Well we have to make chick n stars. It'll make her all better."Lucy adds.

"I don't know how." I admit in defeat.

"Fear not," Ducky says imitating superman "for uncle Ducky knows how."

And my two little angels are rolling around with laughter with Ducky as I head off to answer my cell. Abs is calling.