A Secret of Her Own.

Part 1

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

Author's note: after much thought I decided to write a small sequel to "Secret Admirer". However if you haven't read the first one this one can be a stand alone.

Tim glanced across the room at Abby, marveling again at just how lucky he was. Two and a half years ago he never would have guessed that he would be just about 24 hours away from marrying her. Standing in a room surrounded by their family and friends he couldn't imagine his life getting any better. With persuasion from Abby ,Gibbs had allowed them to have their rehearsal dinner at his house.

A pat on his shoulder jolted him out of his thoughts. He looked over where Tony stood beside him, smiling.

"Well Probie, you ready for this? Twenty Four hours from now. One woman for the rest of your life."

Tim smiled at his friend, then glancing again at Abby. She was beautiful. Her ebony hair up in a twist, showing off her neck. The black dress she wore was simple but on her it was stunning. She laughed at something Ziva said. The throaty sound reaching his ears from across the room. His heart beat sped up. Turning his attention back to Tony he answered,

"I've never been more ready in my entire life." Tony chuckled.

Nothing compared to this moment, Tim thought. Not his graduation from MIT, or John Hopkins. Not him being hired at NCIS Norfolk. Not even joining Gibbs team. This by far beat them all. He glanced over at Tony, who's eyes where locked with Ziva's. The love Tony felt for her was written all over his face.

"What about you? Don't you think it's time?" When they had begun to date a year ago, no one had been surprised. Everyone knew about their bond. Tony looked at him, the signature DiNozzo smile slipped into place.

"What Me? Oh no." He said, shaking his head. "I'm not the kind to get married." Despite his words, McGee saw the look in the other man's eyes. He doubted it would be too long before Tony was proposing to Ziva.

Sarah walked over to were Ziva and Abby where standing, two champagne flutes in her hand. Standing beside her soon-to-be-sister-in-law, she handed one to Ziva, who took it and drank a sip. She held the other one out to Abby, who shook her head.

"Um...no thanks." Both women looked at her. She shrugged slightly. "I just...don't wanna...ya know...have a hangover on my wedding day." Ziva looked at her suspiciously but said nothing. Sarah, gesturing toward a corner of the room where Gibbs and Ducky stood talking to her parents.

" What do you think they're talking about?" Across the room, McGee's mom laughed at something Gibbs had said. The older man smiled. " Never mind. I don't even want to know." All three laughed.

Just then, Abby felt someone looking at her. She scanned the room, her eyes colliding with Tim's. His green eyes lit up and he smiled. She felt his eyes roam over her entire body like a caress. She blushed.

A few hours later they stood near the door as their guests left. Ziva and Tony were in the kitchen, already cleaning up. Just as Ducky and Palmer were leaving, Abby spotted Gibbs by the kitchen. Needing to talk to him, she patted McGee on the arm and said," Timmy, I'll be right back. I'm gonna go talk to Gibbs."

"Ok."

His parents approached and Abby hugged them both, then headed off toward Gibbs. Tim helped his mom with her coat and shook his dad's hand. "Night mom and dad." His mom leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. His dad smiled. "Son, she's a wonderful woman. Congratulations."

"Thanks,Dad."

After they left, he turned ,looking for her. He spotted her still with Gibbs. She was whispering something in his ear. A huge smile broke out across his face. McGee had never seen Gibbs smile quite like that. He hugged her, planting a kiss on her cheek. She walked back over, a smile plastered on her face.

"What was that about?"

"Oh, nothing." He got the feeling she was hiding something. He raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Yup." Just then Ziva came out of the kitchen, drying her hands. Looking around Abby realized they where the only four left.

"Where did Gibbs disappear to?" Ziva asked.

"Basement." Abby answered.

Ziva nudged Abby, "Well are you ready to leave?" Abby fidgeted slightly. When she had planned this months ago it had sounded like a perfect plan. Tony and Tim would spend the night before the wedding here, while she,Ziva, Sarah and Carol would spend the night at her and Tim's apartment. But now faced with actually leaving and spending the night alone in their bed with only Jethro to comfort her, well she really hated the idea.

She wrapped her arms around McGee, shaking her head no.

"Uh...Abs." He said, struggling for air.

"Yeah." Her voice slightly muffled.

"Too tight. Can't breath." She eased her grip a little bit. Leaning back, she looked into his eyes.

"Better?" He smiled, brushing a stray strand of hair off her face. " Timmy, I don't wanna leave." She knew she was kinda pouting but she really didn't care. His thumb traced her jawline.

"I know, Abs. But you have to. This was your idea and we're sticking to it. Plus it's only one night. Then you're got me all to yourself for the rest of out lives."

"But..." He leaned in and kissed her then. Her protest died on her lips.

"Alright. Break it up, you two." Tony said as he playfully pulled them apart.

"Guess you better leave." Tim said. He held out her cloak for her. Ziva leaned in close to Tony, tracing a fingernail along his jaw.

"Are you going to miss me tonight, Tony?"

"Oh yeah." he said, smiling. He reached out, pulling her against his body. The smile fell from his face as he leaned closer,preparing to show her just how much in one kiss. But at the last second, with their lips millimeters apart Abby tugged Ziva away.

"Nope. Not gonna happen. Sorry." She said, laughing. Tony groaned. Walking out onto the porch, Tim and Tony watched as Ziva and Abby got into her hearse and drove away. Walking back into the house, they where both a little deflated. Heading to the guest room, McGee called out,

"Night Tony."

"Night Probie." From the basement came a muffled, "Night McGee." Both Tony and Tim shared a quizzical look. Tim shrugged his shoulders, calling out, "Night Boss."

Entering the dark guest room, he crossed to the table and flipped the lamp on. Sitting on the bed, he felt something behind him. Turning slightly he spotted a grey lump and a white piece of paper next to it. Picking up Bert, he reached for the note. Recognizing Abby's handwriting immediately.

Timmy,

I left Bert just in case you needed something to hold tonight. If you start to miss me too much, give Bert a squeeze. He always helps me.

Love,

Abby.

He smiled. Setting the note down on the table, he glanced at his watch,11:30. Today had been a long day and he was tired. Setting Bert back on the bed, he got up. Once dressed for bed, he climbed in. Reaching up he flipped off the lamp. Just before he dozed off, he pulled Bert close to him. As the farting sound echoed through the quiet room, he smiled.

At two am, the house was dark, the only light still on was the basement. Abby crept up to the front door. Trying the knob she found it unlocked. She rolled her eyes. Typical Gibbs, she thought. Once inside she headed toward the guest room where McGee slept. Quietly she opened the door. She could just make out the silhouette of Tim's face as he slept. Snoring ever so softly, she smiled. She crept in, closing the door softly behind her. She had to suppress a giggle as in his sleep he squeezed Bert. She placed her hand over her mouth. She crept closer. Once next to the bed, she removed a long white box from her cloak pocket. She sat it down next to the lamp. She had scribbled a note on the box top.

Turning toward the bed, she looked at him. Reaching out she lightly brushed some hair off his forehead. She smiled as even asleep he turned toward her touch. I'm really lucky,she thought. With one last glance at him, she crept back to the door and out into the hallway, where she stood a minute. Then she headed to the front door. Just as she passed the kitchen,

"Night Abs." At the sudden sound of Gibbs' voice she jumped slightly. Turning around, she found him leaning against the door jam leading to the basement.

"Gibbs! You scared me." He smiled.

"You tell him?" Thinking of the box she left for him, she nodded.

"Kinda." He smirked.

"Go home, Abs."

"I am, but you better get some sleep." He smiled at her bossy tone. He reached around and flipped the light in the basement off. They met at the door. He opened it for her walking her all the way to her hearse. As she got in he said,

"Be safe." The moonlight illuminating his stern expression. She smiled up at him.

"No worries. See ya tomorrow." He watched as she drove off. Heading back inside, he went to bed..