MONSTERS IN THE SHADOWS

CHAPTER 27

The months following The Big Rescue were hectic for all involved. Abby spent a good week in the hospital, and this time around, Tony never left her side. Well, maybe once or twice, but those were the times that Gibbs physically removed him from the room and told him to go grab a shower and some sleep. Abby had had to spend several hours in the hyperbaric chamber receiving pure oxygen - those were the longest hours of Tony's life!

Once Abby was out of the hospital, there were the therapy appointments. She had 3 sessions a week privately, plus she attended a group session once a week - but that was more to support Casey than anything else. She and Tony were "together" finally. They'd talked about what had happened before….well, before what happened had happened. He'd all but gotten down on his knees (only because she made him get back up) and begged her forgiveness. Once he'd explained that he'd been….anxious ('anxious' cuz DiNozzos aren't afraid of anything, of course) about loving her, because he did love her, but he was 'anxious' that he'd screw it up. She was his best friend, and he was 'anxious' he'd lose that if something went wrong between them as lovers. She'd told him that she was afraid too (because Sciutos do get afraid!), but their being friends first could only make their relationship that much stronger. Now if she could only get him to make love to her again. Oh, they hugged, snuggled, kissed….but Tony always stopped before it got too hot and heavy. Abby would be the first to admit that yes, in the beginning, she had a little problem with intimacy. But she was ready now. Why was Tony ignoring her signals? That she needed that physical closeness with him?

Casey had also spent a few hours in the hyperbaric chamber in the hospital. Her physical injuries were less severe than Abby's, but mentally she was still fragile. That wouldn't last long, if Team DiNozzo had their way - they had all adopted the teen as a little sister, and they all helped in her recovery any way they could. Including Fornell, who'd become like a father figure for her. She had even talked Ziva into giving her hand-to-hand training to protect herself.

Gibbs stayed for a few weeks, until he was sure Abby was going to be ok, and after that, he called her at least once a week to check on her. At first, he'd been a little put out that Abby looked to Tony for comfort now, but he realized it was a good thing. She was in good hands with DiNozzo, and Gibbs told Tony so. Along with the warning that if he ever hurt Abby, Gibbs would kill him. Tony agreed wholeheartedly, offering up his own weapon if that time ever came.

Tony was Tony. He had gained the respect of his team, and they now functioned as the MCRT with the highest closure rate should - as a team. Oh, the team still hated the dreaded "Campfire," but at least now they didn't complain about them…to his face, anyway. Without anyone knowing, Tony himself went to therapy. Loving Abby as much as he did, he wanted to talk over his fears, his hopes. He wanted to make sure he didn't push her too hard or too soon. He and Abby spent most nights together, when work didn't interfere, and he held her through her nightmares, which became less frequent as time went on. They had yet to make love again. Not because Tony didn't want to - he most certainly DID. He was just worried about Abby, thinking she would be afraid. But in being honest with himself, he realized that sex - making love - was no longer his number one priority. He had Abby in his arms every night, and that was all he needed. If they never made love again, he would survive. Well, he'd miss it, yeah, but Abby was more important. But as his therapist would tell him, "get real!"

Which was why he was now holding her hand as they followed the bellman to their suite in The :Plaza Hotel in New York City. He'd been planning this very trip since before she'd been kidnapped the second time, when he'd been trying to think of a way to get her to forgive him for the things he'd said that fateful day in the bullpen. He'd called in some favors back then, and he'd had to call in more to make it happen now. He knew that she was apprehensive about being here, that she thought he'd be expecting something to happen in bed. If it happened, GREAT! If it didn't - well, that was ok. But he had something totally different in mind for this trip.

Their first evening in New York City, they'd gone to dinner at the Four Seasons. Tony wanted to pamper his girl, wine her and dine her, and just have fun. They'd taken a walk afterward, looking at all the lights in Times Square. Being a warm, early summer night, they came back to their suite and had drinks on the balcony overlooking the city. And they talked. About everything, about nothing. It was relaxing, comfortable, and felt so right. That night they slept in the ridiculously huge bed with the luxurious sheets, all snuggled up together. Tony never noticed Abby's sad frustration as they drifted off.

The next day, Tony announced that this would be the only time on their trip that he'd "order" her to do something. He wanted her to go to the Plaza Spa and indulge in anything she wanted. If it was exotic, pampering, primping, shi-shi, fancy-smancy, frou-frou, expensive, and womanly, he wanted her to do it. That's what this trip was about - indulging. He had something particularly special planned for that evening, and he would be spending most of the day making final arrangements. It had to go off perfectly. For Abby.

While she'd enjoyed her Day at the Spa, she'd missed Tony more. As she'd had a deep tissue, hot rose oil, total body massage, a dark chocolate bath and facial, and mani-pedi, she couldn't help but be curious as to what Tony was up to. She was surprised he'd kept it to himself so long - he was such a little kid, he almost always ended up spilling the beans because he just couldn't hold it in anymore. The spa manager stopped Abby as she made her way back to her dressing lounge, and led her to another changing area. Abby's mouth dropped open - there had to be twenty dresses scattered around the room, each one different from the next. Apparently 'Mr. DiNozzo' had ordered a variety be brought in for Abby to choose from for tonight's secret destination. Each dress was available in any color Abby desired in the hotel boutique, all she had to do was request it. There were fancy, glittery gowns, plain sheaths, and fun, funky, flirty shorter dresses. There was at least one of each style that Abby could see herself in, Tony knew her tastes as well as she did. But the management insisted that each one be tried on. And Abby was glad they had insisted, otherwise she never would have found this dress. A plain, unadorned sheath in a spring green. Certainly not a color she would have chosen on her own. But from the first look in the mirror, Abby had known this was the one. Soft, silky, flowy, accenting her curves. And the color….maybe it was all the scrubbing she'd had done to her today, but the tone of the green seemed to make her skin glow, not to mention bringing out the green in her eyes. This was the dress, but just for the fun of it (Abby couldn't believe she was having fun trying on dresses!), she tried on the ones that were more her style. They were cool, and she knew which one Tony was thinking she'd pick - the studded belt was a dead give-away. But it was always going to be that green one. (It had been a chore, but she managed to convince the manager to charge that little black dress to Abby - apparently they'd been given strict orders to put anything she picked out on Tony's tab. It was only when she told them she wanted to surprise him with it at a later date for some…fun….that they agreed to let Abby purchase it herself.)

From there it was to the shoe department, where the staff probably worked harder than they ever have, trying to talk Abby out of any kind of platform boot. They all finally reached an agreement on gold, chunky, high-heeled sandals. As soon as the door shut behind Abby, poor Eduardo sank onto an overstuffed divan. "This commission is all mine, girls," he groaned. "I'm taking a break. I don't care who this young man knows, we're closed the next time they visit. I simply can not go through another fitting like that again!"

Back in the spa, Abby received a delivery of deep, deep purple roses, with a note from Tony, telling her to be ready and upstairs at 8:00 pm for their special date. So with help from all the spa workers, Abby was primped and dressed (no matter how long she lived, she would never get used to someone else putting her clothes on for her!) and ready just before eight o'clock. All activity stopped as Abby came out in her green dress and chunky gold sandals, and everyone in the spa let out an envious sigh. "Ooooooohhhhhhhhhhh!" With hugs and kisses and many thank yous, Abby left the spa and went to her room. "Isn't that just so romantic?" "Wish I had a man to do all that for me," "Now that's true love, ladies," spoke the manager. "Mark my words, girls. The next time we see Miss Sciuto, there will be a diamond on her finger!" All the spa agreed with a sigh.

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At eight o'clock on the dot, Tony stood outside their suite, inexplicably nervous. He tugged on his impeccably tailored black tuxedo jacket sleeves and straightened his already straight royal blue tie. If it wouldn't ruin the whole effect, he'd loosen the knot and undo the top button of the crisp, white shirt. With a deep breath, he opened the door to the room and entered, closing it behind him. No Abby. He worried. "Abbs?"

"Out here," she called from the balcony.

Tony walked to the open balcony doors, expecting to see that little black dress with the studded belt. His heart just about stopped as he saw Abby, back to him, silhouetted against the sun setting behind the New York City skyline. In a gorgeous green slip of a dress, hair curled in a simple ponytail held by gold and matching green silk ribbon, gold sandals on her feet. He tried, but couldn't speak. If he hadn't had one hand on the doorjamb, he would have fallen to his knees when she turned around to face him. She was exquisite. She chuckled at his speechlessness.

"You've got a fish-face," she teased, leaning back against the railing in a centerfold pose.

He straightened up and cleared his throat. Tried to breathe. "W-w-wow," was all he could come up with.

"Wow, yourself." Abby shifted her hips, finding herself incredibly turned on at the sight of Tony in that black tuxedo. If the railing weren't holding her up, she would have melted as he stalked slowly over to her, like a jaguar stalking its' prey.

He could hear the hitch in her breath as he slowly made his way over to her. If the look in her eye was anything to go by, she was as turned on as he was. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him, dropping his head for a hot, wet, delicious kiss. His pulse sped up when he heard her moan softly, and her arms made their way up around his neck, her fingers playing in his hair.

Snuggling her lower body closer to his, Abby broke the kiss and kissed her way down his neck. "Do we have to go out tonight?" she murmured, hoping he'd say 'no.'

Remembering the reason for the tux, Tony dragged himself away from Abby's traveling mouth and sighed. "Yep." Seeing her pout, he ran his thumb along her lower lip, marveling at the softness. 'Focus, DiNozzo!' "But the sooner we go, the sooner we get back."

Abby turned and quickly scooped up her gossamer gold shawl and draped it around her shoulders. "Well c'mon then, big guy!" she said over her shoulder, grabbing his hand as she all but ran past him. "Our reservation is waiting!" Tony followed with a smile and a laugh.

Leaving the elevator in the lobby, Abby tucked under Tony's arm, neither lovebird was aware of the looks they were receiving from all over. The staff of the spa had all come to the door and were watching the pair saunter to the door, happy to see the young couple so in love. Eduardo, from the shoe department, also watched and had to admit that the young lady had been right to choose those shoes - they really did complement the dress and her style. And looking at her man, he decided that for a delish man like that, they could come back to his shop any time! All the women in the lobby were both envious and jealous of Abby - what they would give to have their husbands, boyfriends, lovers look at them the way Tony was looking at her - like she was the only woman in the world. And every guy wished he was Tony - not only for having such a beautiful girl on his arm, but for the way every woman in the room was looking at him.

Oblivious to it all, the duo walked to the door, where the doorman let them out. "Are you ready, Mr. DiNozzo?" he asked.

With a secret smile at Abby, he answered the doorman, "bring it on, Jonathan." And with that, the doorman stepped to the curb and held out his hand and blew a whistle. Seconds later, a white horse pulling an open carriage pulled up, the driver decked out in tux with tails and top hat. Stepping down from his perch, he gave a slight bow to Abby and helped her into the carriage. Meanwhile, Tony slipped the doorman a generous tip and shook hands with the driver. Climbing up next to Abby, Tony sat and pulled her up next to him. "Ready, baby girl?"

Abby lay her head on Tony's shoulder and snuggled up comfortably. "Bring it on, Anthony" she joked with a smirk.

With a click of his tongue, the driver set the horse in motion, and they were off on Tony's great adventure.

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Abby didn't start to wonder where they were going until they'd passed through the heart of the city, passed Broadway, and headed for a small, out of the way alley. She wasn't afraid of the neighborhood - she had her own federal agent for protection - but she was concerned that maybe their driver didn't know where he was going. When she'd whispered as much to Tony, he just smiled and said, "You'll see." As Tony made a quick phone call, a marquee up ahead flickered to life.

The carriage pulled to a stop just in front of the lighted marquee, which was as run down as the theater it announced. Abby was confused when Tony jumped off the carriage happily and said "we're here!"

Gingerly stepping down from the carriage, Abby looked around, looking for something she may have missed. Seeing she hadn't seen the marquee, Tony took her by the shoulders and turned her to face it. "Look up." He knew without having to see her face when she read it.

"APPEARING TONIGHT-ONE NIGHT ONLY

TONY AND ABBY in ANDROID LUST"

Abby sucked in a breath. What had Tony done? She looked at him, questions in her eyes, but he just smiled, took her hand, and led her to the door, where they were greeted by an older gentleman in an old-fashioned usher's uniform. "Right this way sir, madam." He led them to a concert hall that had been opulent in its' heyday. Leading them down to the main floor, the lights began to dim, as if a show were about to begin.

In the middle of the floor, bathed in soft, amber light was a small table, set elegantly for two. Real china dishware, sterling silver utensils, cut crystal glasses, lit candle in a crystal holder, all sitting on a pristine, white linen tablecloth. Abby looked up at Tony with a mix of confusion and amazement, but he just gave her a tender smile and led her to the table. His fingers brushed her shoulders as he seated her. As he sat in his own seat, a tuxedoed waiter appeared from the shadows next to Tony and introduced himself, asking if either of them would like a drink. Deferring to Tony, Abby let him choose their wine. She gazed around the theater in wonder, she couldn't believe that Tony did all this for her. When the waiter left, Tony reached across the table and gently took her hand. She blushed.

"Tony, this is….."

"Too much? Too kooky?" He reached to rub his shin when Abby kicked him under the table. "Ow!"

"That's for not letting a lady finish her sentence. I was going to say, 'amazing,' 'incredible,' 'unbelievable.'" She shyly dropped her gaze to where their hands where joined. "Did you really have all this planned before? Ya' know… before, before?"

His thumb caressed the back of her hand softly. "Yep. Was even giving up my frat weekend in Miami to do it, too," he teased.

"Awww, for me?" she teased back.

Placing a finger under her chin, Tony tilted her head up so she could look in his eyes. "I would give up everything for you, Abbs. I love you." A solitary tear ran down her cheek and he brushed it away with a finger.

"I love you, too, Tony," she said in a wobbly voice, trying not to cry. "So much." Abby reached out her free hand and put her palm to his cheek.

Abby was sure the dinner was delicious - Tony had all her favorites served - but she was so amazed that he would do this for her and so in love, that she didn't think she actually tasted anything! The mood was lighthearted, lots of laughing, as only Tony could get her to do. It was as they finished up dessert - her favorite Italian confection, chocolate chip cheese-filled cannoli - that she decided it was time to really talk. Before she could speak, Tony leaned across the table and gave her a small kiss on the corner of her mouth, more a lick, really. She raised her eyebrow at him as he sat back.

"Had a little….cream, there, on the corner…." The look he gave her was smoldering.

Ohhhh boy. "Tony….we….um, that is, I….well, we've ….um…"

Tony took her hand. He could see whatever it was she had to say was important to her. "Just say it, Abbs. It's me. Tony. You can say anything to me."

She sighed. "I know, it's just….ever since I…got out of the hospital, you've been there for me. Supported me in everything, did anything I wanted or needed. Held me through the nightmares, didn't let me hide from what happened. And that was all great, just all the more reasons I love you. But…..we don't…..I…..you don't…." She was beginning to get nervous, and her hands were going a mile a minute.

Bringing his chair around the table so he was sitting directly next to her, Tony reached out and gently grabbed her hands to stop their flailing about. "It's just you and me here, Abby. After everything we've been through together, you know you can say anything, tell me anything. There's nothing you could ever say or do that would make me stop loving you."

"Then why don't you? " she blurted out. At his confused look, she continued, "why don't you make love to me anymore, Tony?" Before he could deny anything, she rushed on, "we share the same bed, we cuddle, we snuggle, we kiss, but you….you never….you always stop before it gets serious. Don't you want…..I mean, is it because of…..the rape? Do you not….because I'm…dirty?" She couldn't help the tears that tracked silently down her cheek.

"Abigail Sciuto, I don't ever want to hear you say that about yourself ever again, you hear me?" He took her chin and turned her to face him. "You are not dirty. Never have been, never will be. Got it?" Tony waited for her to answer. He gave her a little shake when she didn't. "Got it?" She nodded pathetically. He sighed. He didn't want to screw this up. "Remember I told you that I'd had this planned before the whole TFT thing?" He signaled the waiter, who went behind the stage. Abby nodded. "Well, I'd had this idea….remember how you wanted to come to New York to see Android Lust and Brain Matter, but I didn't want you going alone?" Abby nodded. "I got this brilliant idea, to do something special for you, something that you'd never get anywhere else, something that would show you….that I listened to you, that I cared about the things that were important to you. That I loved you. And then you were kidnapped, and it all got put on hold. Lately….well, lately, I felt like something was….not missing, but…that we were…..I can't describe it…."

She squeezed his hands. "I know what you mean. Like, we loved each other, but not….the way we did before."

He looked up at the stage, saw the curtains fluttering, and they heard a band begin tuning up. "Kind of….I just felt like….we needed a reminder. So I set this plan back into action." He caressed her cheek, tears in his eyes. "I never meant to make you feel like I didn't want you….or that I thought you were dirty….you're not. You're still the most beautiful, special woman on the planet, and I'm sorry I ever made you feel otherwise. I love you, Sciuto. I didn't….not that I didn't want to make love to you, I did. I do! I just didn't want to hurt you or….scare you, or…"

Abby stopped his talking with a hot, wet kiss. She never even saw the curtain open. Didn't stop kissing him even as the band on stage began to play. It was only after she heard the lead singer's voice that she abruptly stopped and turned to the stage. "Android Lust? You got Android Lust? What the hell is that they're singing? That's not their music….."

Tony covered her mouth with his hand. "I know it's not one of their 'regular' tunes, but… I wanted a song to tell you what…how… I feel, since we both know I'm not that great in actually saying the words….."

"Ohhhhh, Tony…..you got my absolute favorite band to not only give a concert just for me….but you also got them to do a sappy love song?" She hugged him tightly, squeezing the breath right out of him. "You're amazing, Tony DiNozzo!"

Abby stood from her seat and planted herself in Tony's lap to listen to the mushy song he'd chosen to express himself. 'Everything I Do (I Do It For You)' by Bryan Adams. It was Tony DiNozzo to a 'T,' and she never felt more loved than she did at that moment. Until Tony sang along with the last few lines,

"I'd fight for you, I'd lie for you,

Walk the wire for you, yeah, I'd die for you….

You know it's true, that everything I do…

I do it for you."

She was crying. Not sobbing, but crying. And like any guy, Tony wasn't sure what kind of crying it was. "Is this happy tears?" He lost his breath when she plastered her mouth to his.

"Very happy tears!" she said, after the kiss. She didn't even flinch when the band launched into one of their signature songs. "Does this mean, if I asked for something…you'd give it to me?"

Tony squinted. "Within reason." He had to ask Abby to repeat what she'd whispered in his ear again - the band was too loud. At least one part of his body - the very male part of his body - heard her the second time. "Ho-ly….." At that second, Abby's phone rang.

Glancing at the number, Abby grabbed it and answered. "Hey Casey! You would not believe where I am right now…..what? Yes, that's Android Lust! My own private concert! What? …. I can't hear you….. Hang on, let me go outside!" She ran outside the theater, followed by Tony. "Now, what's up, little sister? Huh? What do you mean, 'look up'? Me? What am I…" she looked up, dropped the phone, and her mouth dropped open.

There on the marquee, in big, bright red, lighted letters were the words, "ABBY, WILL YOU MARRY ME?"

She was quiet for so long that Tony started to worry. He was just about to speak when he was knocked to the ground by a flying Abby, who plastered kisses anywhere she could reach. "I'm guessing….these are…h-happy…kiss-kisses?" he struggled for breath.

"Very happy kisses!" She kissed him some more, oblivious to the crowd that was growing around them.

"Well?" yelled a voice from the crowd. "What's the answer, lady?" (This is New York City, after all - what would a proposal be without an interruption?)

Tony's smile beamed up at her from the ground underneath her. "Yeah, lady. What's the answer?"

Abby smiled back down at him. "Yes! Yes, yes, a million times, yes!" The crowd broke into applause as Tony pulled her head back down for a hot kiss full of promise.

When they came back up for air, Tony asked quietly, "did you mean it? I mean, what you told me inside….did you mean it?"

With a wicked gleam in her eye, Abby nodded. "Mm-hmm."

Tony raised an eyebrow, looking hopeful. "Which one, the plaid, or the white granny one?"

She laughed. "Only you would find a white flannel, granny nightgown sexy, DiNozzo!"

He squeezed her butt, pulling her against his hardness. "Well, it's more what's in the flannel, Future Mrs. DiNozzo….." Tony pinched her butt, catching her sexy yip in a kiss. "Let's go try out that nightgown on the silk sheets on the bed in our room…."

With a loving look in her eyes, Abby softly said, "I thought you'd never ask."

THE END!

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EVERYTHING I DO (I DO IT FOR YOU) by Bryan Adams

Look into my eyes, you will see

What you mean to me

Search your heart, search your soul,

When you find me there, you'll search no more.

Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for.

You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for.

You know it's true, that everything I do

I do it for you.

Look into your heart, you will find

There's nothing there to hide.

Take me as I am. Take my life.

I would give it all, I would sacrifice.

Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for.

I can't help it, there's nothing I want more.

Everything I do, I do it for you.

There's no love like your love,

And no other could give more love.

There's nowhere, unless you're there,

All the time, all the way.

Yeah.

You can't tell me it's not worth tryin' for.

I can't help it, there's nothing I want more.

Yeah, I'd fight for you, I'd lie for you,

Walk the wire for you, yeah, I'd die for you….

You know it's true.

Everything I do…..oh…I do it for you.