Title: "Trapped"

Author: AbbyGibbs [Stephjag] (Stephrabb@hotmail.com or flygirlstephjag@yahoo.com)

Disclaimers: Well, I do not own them and that is pretty unfair - they again belong to DPB! Why does he always have to own the best shows and the best characters? Could someone explain that to me? His characters are always suffering too much. So I have decided to borrow them for a little while, the length of a story, but I promise to give them back though I really wish I could keep them for myself.

Classification: I don't really know, except that it is a Navy NCIS fic. There will be some romantic moments. Love comes when you're expecting it the least. Oh yeah, and there will be angst.

Rating: T or maybe K+ (+13 or maybe +16 as always to be on the safe side, isn't it?)

Spoilers: none, but every moment involving Gibbs and Abby

Summery: Gibbs doesn't show up at work and for some reason it doesn't really bother anyone; maybe Jethro finally got himself a private life, who knows? The only member of the team that gets worried is Abby Sciuto; she has some sort of bad feeling about it.

Big thank you to Beth for helping me out with this. You're the best, hon! Any remaining mistakes are mine, and mine alone.

Feedbacks: well, I'd love them, of course - who wouldn't? But please, only if you respect my work because it takes a lot of time and energy to get a story together. I love writing; I wouldn't allow anyone to discourage me from doing so, never. I don't have any problems at all with readers who choose not to go for this, but I decidedly do with those who write disrespectful mails just because they didn't get the ending they would have wanted. If you want to tell me what I might have done better within the story I made up, you're always very welcome to let me know. But if your only concern is to rant about it, then please, do it in private, okay? Thank you.

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CHAPTER FOUR
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Abby was sitting in a chair staring at nothing in front of her. She looked deadly pale. Ducky stood by her side, holding her hand and squeezing it gently.

"We'll bring him back, my dear," Ducky told her softly.

Donald Mallard had had the impression that Abbs hadn't heard what he'd just said. She seemed lost in her thoughts somewhere far away. Ducky wondered what she could be thinking of, though he suspected he already knew.

*~*~*~*

Abby was jumping up and down and waving her arms in the air, trying to get Gibbs's attention. No reaction; he had his back to her. She decided to knock on the huge window panel then. Finally Gibbs turned to face her. Abby started to sign what she found, and he signed back. Tony stood there, not understanding a thing. Abbs knew that Gibbs was telling him what she was signing, but it was too funny seeing how frustrated he was.

But what Abby had liked the most was that she could talk to Gibbs without anybody else knowing what she was saying. It was something special they shared.

*~*~*~*

"Abby?" Ducky called softly, but she didn't react; it was as if she couldn't hear him.

Ducky tried again, but still nothing. Suddenly she stood up. Ducky didn't say a word, and just stepped aside to let her pass. It was as if she was on autopilot. Abby walked toward the elevator, staring blindly in front of her.

Ducky felt sad and helpless. What could he do to help her? Tell her that they would find Gibbs safe and sound? Definitely not. Because that would be lying to himself, and to her.

According to Tony, what they'd found at Gibbs's house wasn't predicting anything good. He'd also sounded concerned about Abby, and to be honest, Ducky was getting more and more concerned for his dear friend by the minute.

He'd never seen her like that. And she'd paled even more the minute Tony told her that what she'd seen was the truth. Ducky silently followed her. She took the elevator down. Ducky let her go down alone and took the next one. Still on autopilot, Abby entered her lab without switching the lights and sat on the cold floor at the foot of the desk where her computer was - just like earlier when Tony had found her, except now she was rocking herself back and forth.

Ducky's heart sank at the sight. He wanted to go to her, but he sensed that it would be of no use. From what he'd seen earlier he deduced that they might be able to get her a little comfort. Gibbs wasn't there, so there was one person left… Well, Kate and Abby were close, too, but it appeared Abby had chosen Tony to turn to.

Calling Tony seemed to be the best thing to do right now - Ducky knew Tony would be busy collecting evidence with Kate and one or two of their teams, but he refused to wait until they came back to let them know.

He walked a few steps back and took his cell phone out of his trousers and dialed Tony's number.

Tony DiNozzo was bagging a piece of glass that was covered with blood when his cell rang. He carefully packed the evidence before taking one of his gloves off to be able to pick up his phone.

"DiNozzo."

["Tony, if you can I think it would be better if you could come back here…"] Ducky's voice trailed off a little bit.

"Something with Abby?" he immediately asked, concern evident in his voice.

["Yeah, since you called, Abby isn't reacting to anything anymore. She went down to her lab, and now she's sitting on the floor, in the dark, rocking herself back and forth."]

"I'll be right there," Tony said quickly before closing his phone and telling Kate.

Kate protested, telling him she wanted to go back with him, but Tony told her to stay. They needed her to continue the search for anything that could give some indication of who might have done this and why.

"Kate, I know you want to help Abbs - she's your best friend, but this time for some reason she seems to have chosen me. Ducky told me she was back in her lab rocking herself just like she was when I found her and that she's not reacting to anything…" he told her, putting a gentle hand in the small of her back. "I promise to call as soon as I get there, okay?"

Kate offered him a sad small smile and nodded. Tony headed for the door; he knew that she would find a way to get back. Tony got in his car and started up the engine. He drove to NCIS Headquarters, and while he was on the road, his thoughts went to Abbs and Gibbs, trying to find some reasonable explanation about what had happened. Why would someone do such a thing to Gibbs and to all of them?

Okay, Gibbs could be a real ass sometimes, but it didn't change the fact that he was a good person - there was no doubt about that. He was protective with any member of his team, even if you couldn't always see it.

If he was so horrible, why would he be so… tender sometimes with Abbs? She would do anything for him; she worshipped him. The person who had hit Gibbs had hit them all, but he'd stabbed Abby through the heart.

Tony didn't really know why, but he had this impression that if he didn't watch over Abby, she would do something stupid - maybe not something irreparable - but he didn't want to think about it. Abby could be so sweet. She didn't deserve this at all, and neither did Gibbs. Tony just hoped that he could do something for both of them before it was too late.

While he was driving back to NCIS headquarters, Tony was wondering why this had to happen. And his thought went to Abbs again he was scared she might do something stupid before her good sense would kick in again - he knew it eventually would, - but before that things could get hinky. A small smile appeared on Tony's lips at the use of word 'hinky,' one of Abby's favorite words.

Ten minutes later, Tony was talking to Ducky, and after a few minutes he was at Abby's side again. He heart sank once again at the sight of his friend; she suddenly looked like a porcelain doll. Her eyes were read and teary, her face was still deadly pale, and she was still rocking herself. Ducky had told Tony that she'd been like this since he had called. Tony mentally slapped himself. He shouldn't have told her that what she had seen had actually happened. He could have waited a little more - she would have found out eventually, maybe in her own way, but she would have had more time. On the other hand, if Abby found out that he had known the whole time and hadn't told her…

This thinking and mentally slapping himself would not help her, though. He sighed out loud before he told Abby softly that he was coming right back. Tony got up and went to Ducky so that the older man would keep an eye on her while he made a phone call. Ducky simply nodded.

Tony left him, and while walking farther away, he took his cell phone out of his jacket pocket and flipped it open.

"Kate? It's me…"

["Tony, how is she?"] Kate asked hastily.

Tony took a deep breath before he answered: "Not good, Kate, not good. I found her in her lab sitting on the floor, just like this morning. She's even paler if that's possible. I swear, Kate, I think I can say I've already seen a lot in my life, but this… I'd never expected to see her like that and I can assure you that as soon as I find the bastard who kidnapped Gibbs … I'm not even sure he'll make it to jail if you know what I mean…" His voice shook with anger.

["Tony, calm down. It's not going to help anyone to get angry and it won't certainly help Gibbs or Abby. Do you want me to come over there?"]

"No, it'll be fine, but thanks. I'm gonna get her home, and stay the night with her. I don't trust her right now. Abby's pretty emotional; she has always been, but when it comes to Gibbs it's even worse, so…" His voice trailed off.

Kate took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "What? You really think that she could…" She could not bring herself to finish her sentence, but Tony's silence confirmed her fears.

"Kate, be careful, okay? And if you get anything, call. You could still call McGee if you need any other help."

["Oh, please, Tony… I can't ask McGee for help… he's so clumsy, and by the way Abby doesn't see him anymore. She told me he'd been a real jerk with her, so I'm not going to do that to her. The most important thing now is to get our friend back the way she was and find Gibbs… Alive. And before I forget, the same goes for you… if you have anything…"]

"You got it, partner!" he tried to tease her before he hung up his cell phone. The joking tone fell flat.

Tony sighed, feeling a cold emptiness in his heart. He walked toward the lab again and got himself to Abby's side. He knelt down and put a gentle arm around her shoulders.

"Abby?" he called softly.

No reaction. She was staring at the wall. It was as if all life had suddenly been sucked out of her. Tony called her name again a little louder and firmer this time, but still nothing. He decided to move slowly so that he faced her and gently grabbed her by her shoulder.

"Abby, look at me!" demanded Tony firmly.

Abby slowly moved her head then and looked at him. Tony was shocked by the look in her eyes; they were empty of every emotion. It took him a few seconds to compose himself, and then he addressed her again. "I'm gonna get you home, okay, honey?" Tony was startled by his last word, but it came out so naturally…

Abby imperceptibly nodded. He helped her to get up, and then he took one of her arms and put it around his neck and put one of his own arms around her waist. "Come on, girl, let's go home," he said softly.

One last look to Ducky and they were gone. Dr. Mallard watched them heading toward the elevator, a small, sad smile appearing to his lips.

'Who would have thought that NCIS Special Agent Tony DiNozzo would play Abby's protective big brother?' Ducky thought to himself.

Tony parked his car in front of his house twenty minutes later. His first thought had been to bring her back to her own home, but he changed his mind - she knew her home well, but not his. He could more easily keep an eye on her if she was in his apartment.

He helped her out of his car and walked into his building with her. She was leaning on him. A few minutes later, they were in his apartment. Tony threw his car keys on the living room table and helped Abby to settle comfortably on the couch, and then he took off his leather jacket before heading to the kitchen and pulling two bottles of water out off the fridge. Tony headed back to the couch where Abby was now sitting - sort of - it was more like she was sagged in it.

Tony DiNozzo put the bottles on the table, and sat beside her. He rubbed her back a little, and leaned back against the back of the couch, sighting heavily and closing his eyes. A few moments later he was surprised to feel Abby cuddled against him. He could feel that she was crying again. Tony simply put his arms around her shoulders and held her tightly, placing a kiss on top of her jet-black hair.

They stayed like this a few endless moments, before Tony told her that she had to try to sleep. He took her in his arms and carried her to his bedroom, all the while being careful not to hurt her. Abby hadn't said a single word since they arrived at Tony's place. And when he took her his arms all she'd done was to put her arms around his neck and place her head on his shoulder as if it was the most natural thing to do.

When they arrived at the bedroom door Tony pushed it open with his right foot. He took the few steps to his bed and gently, carefully laid her on it, and took her shoes off. Tony pulled the covers over her and sat on the bed next to her.

"Try to sleep, Abbs. Everything's gonna be fine. I promise. Get some sleep, okay?" Tony leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

He was about to stand up when Abby took him by his arm and turned to look at him: "No, stay, please… make me feel safe," she begged, her voice full of tears.

Tony was a little taken aback and at first he didn't know what to do, but after the slightest hint of hesitation he smiled at her softly and took his shoes off as well. Then he made his way to the other side of the bed and climbed in behind her, putting his arms once more around her.

Tony just held her without saying a word. Abby was lying in his arms, eyes wide open, her thoughts floating to Gibbs.

Sometimes I wish you could see me
The way I really am. Not only as the forensic scientist I am.
I know I'm younger than you are and that you
Like redheads better, but still I know I could make you happy,
Make you discover what real happiness is in hope to see that
Wonderful smile lighting up your face that I like so much, and
Miss immensely right now. Gibbs, come back to us, to me, and make this
Emptiness I feel go away, please…
But I know those sweet thoughts are just a dream…

Abby cried again as these particular thoughts went through her mind, and ended up crying herself to sleep.

To be continued…

Want some hints about Gibbs? You'll have to wait a little more… sorry.