Never Alone

By Emiliana Keladry

Summary: Added to "Caught on Tape". McGee falls seriously ill from the poison ivy, forcing Gibbs to do everything to save him. Also… whatever happened with Palmer seeing Ducky's check-up of McGee?

Pairings: slight McAbby

Setting: During the end of season two, added scenes to "Caught on Tape".

Author's note: This is my first NCIS story and after seeing this episode, I fell more in love with McGee/Abby and just had add more of what happened with the poison ivy. I also am very curious about what Palmer did with his 'information' about McGee's allergic reaction. Please read and review! Enjoy!

Timothy McGee sat quietly in Abby's lab, staring forward and not thinking about anything. Abby slowly walked up behind him, noting that he had removed his black jacket. She put a hand on his shoulder to get his attention and see how he was feeling. McGee didn't move at her presence, and she looked down at him to find out why. McGee was too busy scratching the red marks on his hands and arms, having rolled up his sleeves.

"McGee! Ducky said you aren't supposed to scratch," Abby ordered, quickly putting on rubber gloves and grabbing his hands.

"I can't help it Abby," he complained.

"You're going to have to. Gibbs left me in charge of you and if he finds out that I let you scratch, you'll get me in big trouble."

"Abby…"

She slapped his fingers and glared at him. McGee stopping scratching and went back to typing on the computer. Abby sat down beside him and continued her work, glancing over at him before diving back in. He appeared to be okay for the moment. She took a sip of her Caff-Pow with a smile on her face.

An hour passed before Abby glanced over in McGee's direction and noticed a slight change. He was rubbing his forehead and wincing. She listened as he took a shaky breath.

"McGee… are you okay?"

"I'm fine. It's just a headache. I'm gonna head back to my desk to finish up. I'll see you later."

She watched as Timothy stood up slowly as if dizzy before picking up the file he'd been working with and heading to the elevator. Abby had intentions to follow him, but her computer finished running the diagnostic and she quickly called Gibbs.

The truth was… Tim felt like crap. McGee was itchy all over and now he had a pounding headache to go with it. Since it was only getting worse, he'd gone to Ducky for something. The medicine that Ducky had given him didn't make him feel any better. If anything, he felt worse since he'd taken it. Timothy plopped down at his desk, quickly opening up the file and continuing his work on the case at hand. He tugged lightly at his collar and tried to ignore the tightness in his chest. He coughed and went back to work.

Nightfall came and the rest of the team was finishing up for the night. Kate and Tony were arguing about friends with benefits, while Gibbs just smiled and continued his paper work.

"You heard Abby, it's possible," Tony protested.

"It's Abby," Gibbs muttered, almost too low for them to hear.

"But Tony… I'm not sure that all relationships between men and women are that way," Kate snapped.

"You are so naive," Tony laughed. "You probably still think that McGeek and Abby are just casual friends. Right Probie?"

McGee wasn't even listening to the conversation. He felt like he was going to throw up and it was difficult to breath. He coughed, rubbing his forehead and feeling his skin was moist, not remembering why.

"Probie!" Tony snapped. "You dozing over there?"

Tim attempted to take a deep breath so he could answer him, but all that came out was a wheezing sound.

"Are you okay?" Kate inquired.

"You look terrible, Probie." Tony leaned towards McGee, trying to get a better look at him in the dim lights.

Gibbs looked up, unsure of what was occurring. He took one look at Tim's pale face under the red rashes, his bloodshot eyes, and the way that his arm was around his stomach. Something wasn't right at all. He started to say something, but was interrupted by McGee leaning over and throwing up in his waste basket before collapsing to the floor. Gibbs jumped up as Timothy fell, struggling to breath.

"Tony, call Ducky!"

Tony grabbed his phone as Gibbs rushed to McGee's side. The remaining occupants in the building got quiet. All that could be heard was Tony speaking to Ducky and the harsh sound of Tim's breathing.

"Tim… can hear me?" Gibbs asked. "Kate, get his tie off of him."

Long seconds passed and the elevator opened, admitting Ducky. Ducky hurried to McGee's side and began to examine him. Abby walked into the bullpen, excited about something and telling Kate that she was ready to leave. As soon as she saw McGee, she dropped her bag to the floor.

"Oh my god, McGee! What's wrong with him Ducky?" Abby exclaimed.

Kate got to her feet and gave Abby a hug, preventing her from getting any closer to the fallen agent. McGee coughed, not taking in oxygen. Panic crossed his face and Gibbs grabbed his hand, giving it a squeeze.

Ducky rummaged in his medical bag until he found a needle and syringe with something clear in it. "His blood pressure is dangerously low. He's having a severe allergic reaction. Timothy, you're going to feel a prick. I'm going to give you some epinephrine to help you breath." He injected the needle into Tim's arm.

"Ducky, is it the poison ivy causing this?"

"I can't be sure, but it could also be the medication that I gave him to counteract the symptoms. He needs to get to the hospital, Jethro."

Gibbs looked down at McGee and realized that his eyes were closed. "Duck, he's unconscious. He needs to get there now. McGee, stay with me." He tapped him on the shoulder, getting him to open his eyes slightly.

"The traffic is crazy out there," Tony announced. "An ambulance won't make it here in time."

Gibbs thought for a moment. "Get the truck, we'll take him there ourselves. Now Kate! Tony, help me get him to his feet. Abby, call Bethesda and let them know we're coming."

"On it!"

"Boss…" McGee gasped, before going into a coughing fit.

"Try not to speak Timothy; we're going to take you to the hospital. Just focus on breathing."

Ducky backed up and let Tony help McGee to his feet with Gibbs' assistance. Tim almost fell over from his lack of balance, but Tony quickly stabilized him. Gibbs helped him move forward, but McGee almost fell again. He couldn't walk on his own and didn't have the oxygen required for the movement.

"We're gonna have to lift him," Gibbs ordered.

Tony nodded and they both lifted McGee off his feet into the fireman carry. The young man's head drooped on his chest as he fought to stay conscious. Abby attempted to hold his head steady as they moved, but found it wasn't enough as McGee threw up on himself and started choking. Ducky removed his jacket and wiped up the man as he stopped Gibbs from moving to make sure Timothy was breathing again. Tim was taking short breaths and not breathing in deep. The group made it into the elevator and hurried to the truck. Jimmy had laid out blankets on the floor of the truck in preparation for transporting McGee to Bethesda. He helped Tony and Gibbs lay McGee down on the blanket and then quickly jumped out.

"Take the car to Bethesda and we'll meet you there," Ducky ordered.

"Understood Doctor."

McGee groaned as he tried to take in a deep breath and couldn't. Tony climbed into the driver's side after taking one last glance at the pained look on Tim's face and Kate got in beside him.

"Abby, ride with Palmer," Gibbs ordered.

"No Gibbs, I have to be with McGee! Timmy needs me. I can't leave him; that would be like leaving a puppy dog that's starving and pleading with those big brown eyes-"

"Abby."

She paused, wringing her hands anxiously. He motioned with one finger for her to get in the truck, giving her space up by McGee's head. Gibbs handed her a cold compress for his forehead to keep his fever down and keep her calm, feeling like she was assisting them. Ducky got in the truck with his medical kit and Palmer closed the door so they were ready to get to the hospital.

"Let's go DiNozzo!"

Traffic was terrible on the way to Bethesda. It was bumper to bumper, with horns honking and it had started pouring shortly after they left. The only sounds that could be heard were the thump of the wipers, the ping of rain coming down on the truck, and McGee's painful breathing. They moved a few feet every minute, but it wasn't fast enough. Abby was trying to keep McGee awake by telling him about getting her first tattoo and her first Halloween at a speed that only she could muster and Gibbs wasn't even sure that McGee was listening to her. His eyes were heavy and he couldn't fight anymore.

"His blood pressure is falling, along with his pulse, Jethro," Ducky whispered. "The effects of the epinephrine are fading rapidly. In addition to that, his body temperature is rising."

McGee moaned, grabbing his stomach and turning his head. Abby pushed him up a little so he could throw up into the bowl that Gibbs provided. He lay back down after he finished, struggling to draw in oxygen. Abby wiped Tim's mouth, running her fingers across his hair to comfort him and relax him. She continued with her story as his eyes fell shut. Gibbs turned to talk with Ducky about how they could help him. Abby watched as McGee took in a ragged breath and suddenly stopped breathing, his chest was still.

"Gibbs, he's not breathing!" she exclaimed.

Tony heard her call out and slammed his hand down on the truck's horn as Kate put her face in her hands, wiping at the dampness forming on her cheeks.

"We need to get to the hospital now!" Gibbs yelled, beginning rescue breathing.

"I can't, Boss!" Tony shouted, slamming his hands down on the steering wheel.

Gibbs breathed into McGee again, desperately looking for a sign of life with nothing.

"Damn it DiNozzo! Drive like I would! Go!"

Tony slammed his foot on the gas pedal and pulled up onto the shoulder, speeding up. Kate began to pray as the sounds of Gibbs trying to save Tim filled the truck. He wasn't going to make it.

Did you like it? :) Please let me know!

Emma