Note: Okay, guest reviews are now working as long as I don't fast approve them. Who knows why? Thanks to Amaia for being my test subject.

Chapter Nineteen

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"It's Lola Garcia. I have timestamps of her visiting several hospitals in the immediate vicinity where Tony was found."

Horns blared and drivers swore, using angry hand gestures as Gibbs drove through city traffic with his usual fierce determination. Abby rode shotgun, leaning forward as if she could will the sedan through the throng of cars. McGee was in the back, clutching the handhold with both hands, eyes scrunched, and his skin a mild shade of green.

As soon as Tim uttered those startling words, Gibbs was already racing from the FBI office, Fornell's voice ringing in his ears.

"I'll call hospital security and tell them to be aware."

He shouldn't have left DiNozzo on his own. That was a miscalculation that would be corrected immediately – no matter how much his agent balked that it was unnecessary.

In the car, Gibbs made a particularly sharp turn to get around a slow-mover, causing the vehicle to list alarmingly, and McGee's skin tone to darken another shade.

"If you're gonna puke, McGee, roll down the window," Gibbs said, catching sight of the junior agent in the rear-view mirror.

"Gibbs! There's a little opening on the right if you can get into it," Abby said, pointing frantically.

Gibbs actually drove on the sidewalk for a few feet, but he slid into the slot which allowed them to move again. While he knew in normal circumstances, DiNozzo could take care of himself, this wasn't normal. His SFA was completely defenseless and unaware of the danger. He didn't even have his service weapon, and Gibbs wasn't sure what happened to the clothes he was wearing when they entered the hospital – including the belt with his hidden knife.

Once they finally reached the hospital, Gibbs drove right up to the front entrance, despite the sign with NO PARKING emblazoned on the metal. He jumped out of the driver's seat, tossed the keys to McGee, and bolted inside. Abby didn't wait for an invitation and quickly followed. McGee scrambled into the front seat and went to look for a legal parking place at a more sedate pace.

"Hold that elevator," Gibbs shouted, running towards it.

He managed to stick his hand between the closing doors just in time, causing them to re-open. Abby's clunky boots created loud clomping noises on the shiny hospital floor, her dark coat flying out behind her, pigtails swaying as she hurried to keep up. Hospital visitors and personnel alike watched her with wide, startled eyes, heads turning to stare until the elevator doors closed.

Gibbs pressed repeatedly on the button for the third floor as if that could make it go any faster. There were several other people in the elevator who'd all moved back against the walls, watching the newcomers warily. A nervous mother pulled her teenage daughter closer to her side.

Gibbs ignored them, but Abby's kind heart took pity.

"Don't worry. We're federal agents," she said, smiling reassuringly in her black lipstick.

None of the other passengers looked as if they believed her. When the elevator doors opened again, Gibbs and Abby rushed out, leaving the others staring after them, mouths hanging open.

"I always wanted to say that," Abby said, giggling.

Gibbs reached Tony's door apprehensively, but his concern was for naught. Tony was still there, sleeping peacefully, his bed slightly elevated to relieve the pressure on his lungs. A nurse was checking his vitals. She looked up, startled when they burst into the room, Gibbs eyes searching all the corners for potential threats.

"Can I help you?" she asked, stepping in front of Tony as if shielding him.

Gibbs flashed his badge. "Is there a reason you're on guard?" he asked, because it was clear that's exactly what she was doing.

She relaxed upon sight of the badge, squinting to read the name, "We got a call from security alerting us there could be trouble with this patient. What's going on?"

Gibbs was impressed by her initiative. "Thank you. We'll take it from here," he said.

She looked at them quizzically, her gaze resting on Abby's gothic attire. "Are the other patients on this floor in any danger?" she asked.

"Just him, and I'll be watching," he said.

She nodded, still a little wary, but she stepped out, leaving them alone with the door propped open so she could see inside.

Abby remained by the door, gazing at the unnaturally still form asleep on his bed. She studied the nasal cannula supplying oxygen, and a catheter bag still showing blood in his urine. Her lower lip began to tremble as fat teardrops rolled down her cheeks.

Anticipating what would happen, Gibbs was ready for it.

"Oh, Tony!" Abby cried, launching herself toward the bed, arms outstretched.

Gibbs reached out and grabbed her around the waist, holding her back.

"Broken ribs, Abs. Hugs are going to have to wait," he said firmly.

Her eyes flew open wide, and she looked at him with a tragic expression, nodding in short, erratic spurts. She took a deep breath before reaching up and wiping her face, pulling herself together.

"Right. Right. Thank you for not letting me hurt him more. I'm here to help, and I'll be whatever he needs," she said solemnly.

"Abby?" Tony asked softly, his voice raspy.

Abby pulled away from Gibbs and approached Tony more gently this time. She reached out and gently ran a hand through his spiky hair. His right eye was still swollen, but now a sliver of green was visible through a small crack.

"How are you feeling? I really wish you'd let me put that tracker under your skin, Mister," Abby said seriously.

Still waking up, Tony automatically reached for the cannula with his good hand, but Gibbs barked, "Already told you to leave that alone, DiNozzo."

Tony's hand froze, but his eyes looked around the room focusing and taking in the various tubes and machines hooked up to him. "How'd you… find me?" he asked hoarsely.

"Followed your breadcrumbs," Gibbs said, smirking.

Abby reached over and filled a cup with water from a pitcher that was resting on the side table. She handed it to him and helped keep his hand steady as he weakly lifted it to his lips. He winced, but nodded gratefully before sinking back onto his pillows.

"A laundry chute, eh? Can't say that's one I ever tried," Gibbs said.

Tony stared at him a moment; forehead scrunched as if processing the words. Gibbs didn't like it. Tony was the one who usually made lightning-quick, intuitive leaps of logic, but now, he seemed to be struggling with facts. Needing to get that confused expression off his face, Gibbs' impatience brought him right to the case.

"We found the building where you were held. How'd they get the jump on you?" he asked.

Tony flinched, and Gibbs knew he'd said the wrong thing again. Abby glanced at him reproachfully. She leaned against the bed, taking Tony's uninjured hand in her own and lacing their fingers.

"Stephanie," Tony said, not quite meeting Gibb's eyes. He pulled his hand from Abby's to rub the side of his neck, unable to reach the back. "Not airhead. Sharp puncture. Dizzy."

"She was in on it?" Gibbs asked, eyebrows raised.

He didn't see that coming. Ducky did mention they'd found traces of Barbiturates in DiNozzo's system.

Tony's eyes glazed over, concentrating, then he nodded. "Warren's son and Matt… enforcers. Warren and Stephanie in charge. Barrows squeamish. More worried… about his club," Tony said.

"That's not how they were profiled," Gibbs said, irritated with another FBI misstep.

"A profile is only as good as the information we have at the time," Abby said.

"Better actress than… I thought," Tony said, grimacing as he shifted. He was clearly growing uncomfortable but attempting to ignore the pain.

"You got more intel, and you got away. That's a good job, Tony," Gibbs said, feeling his conscience pulling at him because he wasn't demanding more medication for his wounded agent. He still needed answers.

McGee appeared in the doorway after parking the car. He looked around cautiously to be sure he had the right room.

"McTardy," Tony said, smiling and sounding genuinely pleased to see him.

"Whoa, Tony. You don't look so good," McGee said, eyes round as he cataloged all Tony's injuries, the greenish tinge returning to his skin.

"McGee!" Abby scolded.

She put her hip on the edge of Tony's bed, leaning close and resting her head on his shoulder as if trying to hug him without using her arms.

"Still… better looking… than you," Tony said, grinning as he rested his cheek against Abby's head.

Tim rolled his eyes. "Did you see Sully at all? Tina is eager to know what happened to him."

Tony's smile dimmed. "I didn't see… anyone else. Woke up… in room. Was he… at hotel? Wondered, but… no time," he said, his eyes troubled. "Too dark…silent."

"He wasn't there," Gibbs said firmly. "We searched the building."

McGee caught Gibbs' eye guiltily, but Gibbs didn't acknowledge him, unwilling to tell Tony about the dead bodies until he was stronger. Tony didn't miss it, however.

"What aren't you… telling me?" he asked, voice a little stronger.

"You said there was a snitch. Do you know who?" Gibbs asked.

Tony still stared intently at McGee, and the younger man squirmed but held his tongue. As Gibbs' words finally registered in Tony's medicated brain, he jerked his head back to Gibbs, straining to remember.

"They said… a woman, but… didn't know if reliable source," Tony said, gasping. "Couldn't be… one of their regular… informants."

"You mentioned Lola. Think its her?" Gibbs asked.

Tony shook his head, wincing. A fine sheen of sweat had formed on his brow.

"Don't think so… They know Lola. Can't get... good read, though. She caught me… in back room… after I let sailor go. Covered for me," Tony said, his eyes following a scene playing in his brain. Suddenly, his expression became stricken, "Did he live?"

One of Tony's monitors started bleating again, and Gibbs could see the line for his heart rate rising rapidly. The nurse hurried in, looking around at the crowd with a frown. Abby slipped off the bed and backed away, watching with concerned eyes.

The nurse checked Tony's monitor, then plunged a syringe into his IV. Gibbs knew they wouldn't have much time before Tony would have to give in to the medication's pull.

"Please try and keep him calm. He'll heal quicker if you don't upset him," the nurse said disapprovingly. She checked his other monitors and adjusted the canula before leaving them again.

"Did he freeze?" Tony asked immediately after she'd left.

"He's alive. Told us about the tunnel," Gibbs reminded him.

Tony nodded, relieved but still deep in thought, a frown creasing is forehead.

"You did everything you could for him, for all of them. None of this is your fault," Abby said, seeming to read his thoughts.

"Couldn't do much. Not enough time. Had knife in my belt, but couldn't get… Sonny… and still get… away. Had pipe," Tony said, eyelids drooping.

His breathing had eased, but he was clearly losing focus.

"We will figure out who made you," Gibbs said.

"And Tony – you saved yourself before we could even find you. That was… well, incredible. Remember when you told me and Kate to work smarter, not harder?" McGee asked, grinning. "Drove her up the wall wondering how you did things like that."

Tony's brow furrowed, and his eyes became glassy. "Kate visited me. She's sad," he slurred.

"What?" Abby asked, eyes widening.

McGee frowned. "You mean you dreamed about her?"

"She's not really sad, Tony. I'm sure she was just worried before Gibbs found you. She's happy now," Abby said confidently, as if she spoke with dead people all the time.

Knowing Abby, it was quite possible that she did.

Tony shook his head, agitated. "She doesn't like it. She's up to something."

"What d'you mean she's up to something? She's dead, Tony," McGee said gently.

"She's a mouse," Tony said.

McGee's eyebrows rose, his lips pursed as he considered Tony thoughtfully.

"That mean something to you, McGee?" Gibbs demanded.

"N…no, but it seems to mean something to him," he replied.

Tony shook his head again, probably trying to clear the fog the medication was inducing. His hands were shaking.

"What took you and Ziva so long? Tried to hold Matt off. Couldn't," Tony said, eyelids heavy.

Color suffused McGee's face, beginning on his neck and rising all the way up to his forehead. He slammed his eyes shut, but owned up to his part it in what happened.

"I'm sorry, Tony. I thought you were fooling around with Stephanie. It was stupid, I know. I should've followed you," he said, hanging his head.

Tony blinked slowly. "You didn't follow?" he asked hollowly.

Tony was too injured, and the drugs were too much for him to pull one of his usual masks in place. The raw hurt and betrayal visibly shone in his eyes before he closed them, essentially shutting them out.

Gibbs reached over and squeezed his shoulder, offering what support he could, but Tony was already asleep. Gibbs had seen that look before – back in Baltimore when he first learned Danny Price was dirty. Tony cut and ran back then. Gibbs wasn't about to let that happen again.

"Tim," Abby said, breathing his name out in shock. "You couldn't really think that. I mean, Ziva I get, but you, too?"

Tim nodded miserably. "I wish I could get a do over."

Gibbs fury ignited again, particularly since Abby could so readily accept it from Ziva as if it was no surprise.

"You and Ziva both have a lot of making up to do, so you'd better find something to redeem yourself," he growled, glaring at McGee.

Tim paled, but nodded resolutely, his face so openly earnest.

"I know. I'm going to. I'll find a clue. I'll get you some information to work with," he said frantically. "I'll find Lola before she finds Tony."

"I'm not the one you need to make it up to," Gibbs snarled. "Take Abby back to the office. Find me something to catch these bastards."

Tim and Abby both jumped to their feet, moving toward the door. Abby placed a gentle kiss on DiNozzo's forehead.

"I can help in the lab," she said.

"Do you want me to ask Fornell to set up guard duty on Tony's room?" McGee asked, worrying his lip.

"I got it. Go."

/* /* /* /*

Tim quickly typed on his keyboard, repeatedly attempting new avenues, but his frustration was overwhelming. He'd put feelers out for Lola, but so far, he hadn't found anything. She was an online ghost. She wasn't even listed on the payroll at Vault Tavern. He assumed the owner must be paying her cash under the table. Why though? There were plenty of people on the payroll, including Matt Evans and Cody Redman. Tina gave him a list of known employees since Sully was undercover. Most of the names were on the payroll, but there were a few exceptions. All of them women.

Tim wasn't sure what it meant, but suspected it meant something.

The ride back from the hospital with Abby was cold and stilted. He could feel the anger and disappointment hovering around her like some sort of force field, warning him to stay away. She wouldn't even look at him. Tim hated when anyone was mad at him, but especially Abby. She loved everyone. He knew he'd messed up, and he was determined to do better, but it wasn't as if Tony didn't get distracted by women. Tim wasn't the only one who'd made the mistake.

Of course, when he pointed that out to Abby, she got even angrier and told him to stop with his passive aggressive bullshit. He was wrong, and he should own it. Tim's feelings were hurt because he didn't think he was passive aggressive, and she knew he hated hearing it. He didn't attempt to engage her again for the rest of the ride.

When they'd arrived back at the FBI office, she left without another word and went to the lab to offer her assistance. She stayed there right through lunch. Although his head was down, Tim could see her approaching now, still unsmiling, but she looked as if she was ready to talk. Tim thought he should give her the cold shoulder for a while in payback, but he'd never been able to resist her.

She stopped in front of his desk, and slid an extra chair over. "Any luck finding Lola?" she asked as if they hadn't been ignoring each other all afternoon.

"Not yet. She left her phone in her apartment, but she's not there, just like all the others," he replied, watching her cautiously.

He could never quite figure out how her moods changed so quickly. He hoped she was done shouting.

Her face brightened as if she'd just had an epiphany. "Lola wasn't with them when Tony was kidnapped," she said.

"Right."

"If none of them have their phones, how did she know to look for Tony in hospitals?" she asked.

"Burn phones," they both chorused excitedly.

Tim's euphoria only lasted a moment, however. "How are we supposed to trace a burn phone if we don't know the number, though?" he asked.

"Oh… right," Abby said, also deflating.

"Unless…" Tim said, his fingers flying over the keyboard. "We know for a fact where Tony was held, and he escaped in the middle of the night, so there shouldn't have been that many calls being placed. We could see which numbers pinged off the nearest tower."

"That could work, McGee," Abby said, leaning over his shoulder and watching him work.

"Are you done being mad at me, then?" he asked.

Abby's eyes narrowed. "Oh, no. You're not getting off that easy. Letting Ziva push you around nearly got Tony killed. I'm going to stay mad until you learn to stand up to her," Abby said.

"How do you know it was Ziva's idea?" he asked.

"Because I know you. You like to stay between the lines – unless you're hacking something you shouldn't be. You wouldn't have ignored protocol unless someone pushed you to do it," she said.

"I'm not a pushover," he said, insulted.

"So, you're saying it was your idea then?" Abby asked.

Tim's shoulders slumped. "Well, no. It was Ziva's."

"Of course, it was. She doesn't like Tony," Abby said.

"Why do you think that?" Tim asked sharply, uncomfortably aware that it was the same feeling he'd been getting from Ziva since Tony went undercover.

Abby shrugged. "Little things. She's always giving him digs, belittling him, acting like he's incompetent. She excluded him from that team dinner she had a few weeks ago, and that just wasn't cool," she said.

"Abby, Tony digs at us all the time. It's just how he is, so we follow suit. We all do it," Tim said.

Abby shook her head, pigtails whipping from side-to-side. "Uh, uh. It's different, more personal when it comes from her," she insisted.

Tim thought about it, but he felt like Abby was being kind of unfair. Yeah, some of Ziva's insults were below the belt, but it wasn't some great conspiracy against Tony.

"She felt bad about leaving him out afterwards. She told me she did, and she offered to make him dinner the next night to make up for it," he said.

"Was that before or after she told you his arm wasn't grazed by a bullet but a piece of wood? I get that you like her… and I think she likes you, just not Tony. You both should've known that you needed to follow him. You were his back up. That's like… like Special Agent 101," she said crossly.

Tim deflated, her words like a punch to the gut. She was right. It was protocol, and he'd ignored it.

"I know. I keep kicking myself over it. You remember when I shot that cop? Tony came over to my place and dragged me to a club to get me out of my headspace. I was irritated at the time, but I really needed it," he said.

Abby nodded. "I remember. I also remember that Ziva thought you shot first because you panicked."

Tim's eyes flew open wide. That wasn't right. He shook his head.

"What? No, she didn't. She told me she believed me."

Abby shrugged. "I heard her arguing with Tony about it. Apparently they'd discussed it when they were out in the field, but they were still at it in the garage, and I overheard them. He said your brain was like a computer, and you would've processed a threat, not simply fired on impulse."

Tim felt stunned and betrayed. Ziva insisted they all knew Tim hadn't been the one to shoot first. She'd lied to him, right to his face.

"That betrayal you're feeling is a fraction of what Tony's probably feeling, only it was both of you, and you actually put his life at risk," Abby said solemnly.

"Do you think he believed I was sorry, that I didn't mean for him to get hurt?" Tim asked, desperate.

The idea that Tony thought he'd deliberately risk his life hurt, and he needed to make him realize he wouldn't do that. Tony was his partner, and he wanted to prove it.

"I think he'll figure it out. He's smarter than he lets anyone see," Abby said sadly. "And he's definitely been suspicious of Ziva. I think what surprised him is that you went along with it."

"What do you mean he's been suspicious of Ziva?" Tim asked.

"Tim, I just told you he's smarter than you realize, and he's been onto Ziva from the start. I'm only sorry that I let her fool me, too," Abby said.

"You're suspicious of her?" he asked, feeling sucker punched.

Did the whole team mistrust Ziva? How did he miss that? Why didn't anyone clue him in? He knew Abby initially disliked her, but he thought that was because she didn't want Kate replaced. He thought she'd got over it. If this whole mess went even deeper than he realized, he couldn't help but wonder if it was something IA would need to get involved in once they returned to NCIS. He inwardly cringed at that idea. Surely Gibbs wouldn't let that happen…right? Unless…

"Gibbs, too?" he asked.

Abby shook her head. "I don't think so… although after this, I'm not so sure. It's bothering him."

Before Tim could ask what that meant, Ziva and Sacks entered the office, shrugging off their winter coats. They joined them at McGee's desk, shaking snow from their heads.

"Where is Gibbs?" Ziva asked, looking around at all the FBI desks.

"He's at the hospital, guarding Tony," Abby said.

"Hasn't Lola been brought in, yet?" Sacks asked, frowning.

"She's in the wind, too. I collected data from the local cell towers to try and pinpoint some locations, but it'll take me awhile to sift through it all," Tim said.

"I do not understand. Why is Gibbs doing a simple protection detail? Why not assign a case agent? Gibbs is team leader. He should be investigating," Ziva said, puzzled.

Abby shrugged. "Because it's Tony, and he's part of Gibbs' team. He's not going to allow anything else to happen to him, Ziva."

"Tony needs a guard because Lola is searching for him?" Ziva asked, looking confused.

"Well, also because we don't know who the snitch is, I'd imagine," Sacks said.

Ziva pressed her lips together and waved her hand dismissively. "Tony must have been sloppy and slipped up using his alias. Someone at the bar probably overheard him."

"Tony's better than that. He's done a lot of undercover work and never made that kind of rookie mistake," Abby said, scowling.

"Yeah. There's no way Gibbs is leaving Tony unattended until we find the snitch. He's pissed," Tim said, nodding.

"Besides, Gibbs is Tony's medical proxy, so it makes sense for him to be there," Abby said.

"What?" Ziva asked, shocked. "But Tony's father is alive, is he not?"

"Well, yeah, I think so, but he lives in New York, and NCIS rules state you need a local contact, just because of the kind of work we do," Tim said.

"FBI is the same way," Sacks said.

"My sister Sarah lives close, so she's mine," Tim said.

Abby nodded. "And I have Sister Rosita."

"Tony is always talking about all his many fraternity brothers and how close they are, does he not? Why did he not choose one of them? I use the Israeli Embassy rather than making such a fuss," Ziva said sounding very cross.

"None of them are local," Abby replied.

"Steve Adler used to be, but I haven't heard much about him since he dated Kate," Tim said.

Abby shook her head. "His company transferred him."

"One of Tony's frat brothers dated Agent Todd? I did not know this," Ziva said.

"It wasn't for a long time. Do you remember how much Tony and Kate used to annoy each other about that? Kate was horrified her new boyfriend knew Tony," Abby said, giggling.

"So… Tony did not set them up?" Ziva asked, unusually irritated.

They were interrupted when Tina's door opened and Fornell and Tina came out of her office, looking tense.

"I'll get the interrogation room ready," Fornell said.

"What's going on?" Sacks asked.

"Gibbs has Lola, no idea how yet. He's bringing her in for questioning," Fornell said as Tina grabbed her coat and left the office, nodding at the group as she passed.

"He caught her? Did she show up at the hospital?" Abby asked, looking alarmed.

"We'll find out when he gets here. Tina's going to stay with DiNozzo. Gibbs should be here shortly," Fornell said.

"Of course, Gibbs caught her. It is why he should be working the case and not babysitting," Ziva said, smiling as she followed Fornell and Sacks to arrange the interrogation room.

It was only after they'd all left that Tim realized Ziva hadn't messed up her English once.

Note: Happy 4th of July to those celebrating. Hope this one causes some fireworks 😉