Chapter 1
"No, I don't want to be put on hold agai…" Tony had been on the phone all morning. "Can you believe this?" He asked no one in particular, "They put me on hold again. What happened to the good old days of friendly customer service with a smile?"
"I think those 'good old days' only existed in your 'good old movies'." Tim bantered.
"Be quiet over there, McMoodbuster." Tony replied.
"I happen to think that McGee is correct." Ziva interjected.
"Thank you, Ziva." Tim smiled.
"And who asked you…Ms. McMoodbuster." Tony shot back.
"What is so important that you have been on hold all morning for?" Tim asked.
"I got a message on my phone that this place needed to speak with me and…What the?...Great, the line just went dead." Tony slammed the phone down. "Forget it. Who's up for lunch? I think it's your turn to buy, McFlyboy."
Tim didn't stop typing. "I have no intention of indulging in your disgusting eating habits on this beautiful Friday, Tony." McGee said.
"You've been hanging out with Ducky too much." Tony said. "Ziva! You and me."
"I would love to have lunch with you." Ziva replied.
"Thank you, Ziva; it's nice to know who your friends are when the chips are down." Tony said with a smirk in Tim's direction.
"As long as you are buying." Ziva finished.
Tony's smirk vanished. "How cold a woman can be." He told her.
It was a slow Friday, which was always convenient.
It was also "Bring your child to work" day.
Abby and Ducky had met on the elevator and decided to go to lunch together, but Ducky had to drop off some reports to Gibbs first.
While they were talking to him, a young girl walked up and waited until Ducky noticed her.
"Hello, Sarah." He said. "So good to see you again."
"Hi, Ducky…Mr. Gibbs." Sarah replied.
Abby looked up and saw a very pretty girl who looked about twelve with shoulder length, brown hair and the prettiest blue eyes she had ever seen. She also noticed how the girl's torso was bent in an odd shape, evidence of either a birth defect or a back injury.
"Hi, Sarah." Gibbs said.
"Sarah…this is Abby." Ducky introduced them as Abby shook her hand. "Abby, this is Matthew Shuman's daughter, Sarah."
"Nice to meet you." Sarah said. "I love your hair."
"Thank you." Abby said. "And it's nice to meet you, too." Now that Ducky mentioned it, she could see the resemblance.
"And these are Ziva, Tony, and Timothy." Ducky continued, pointing to each desk, in turn.
Sarah waved all around.
"You're cute." She told Tim, who blushed while everyone else suppressed a laugh.
"Why, thank you, Sarah." Tim replied. "You're very pretty, too."
"Thank you." She said, smiling.
"Are you enjoying your visit?" Abby asked.
"Not really." She shook her head. "I'm the only one here. But, my Daddy and I are going to McDonald's for lunch…I love McDonald's."
"Sarah?" Sarah turned at the voice. "You're supposed to be getting ready."
"Sorry, Daddy." She said. "But I wanted to say hi to Ducky."
"OK." Agent Shuman said as he put his arm around her. "Now go get ready so we can go."
He stood just over six feet tall with shoulder length, black hair.
Seeing them together, Abby could definitely see the resemblance.
"He couldn't deny her if he wanted to." She thought. "And I can see where she gets her eyes."
"Yes, sir." She answered and headed to the restroom.
"I'm sorry about that." Shuman said when she was gone.
"No apologies necessary." Ducky said as Abby nodded agreement. "How are her migraines?"
"Getting more severe." He answered. "And more frequent…about every six weeks."
"I'm so sorry." Ducky told him. "If there is anything I can do, you have my number."
"Thank you." He said and went back to his desk.
"Ducky?" Abby asked. "What's going on?"
They both saw Sarah come out of the restroom and wave to them as she walked back to her father's desk.
"That beautiful girl has less than a year to live." Ducky said.
"What?" Ziva replied.
"Noooo." Abby said. "Why?"
"Well," Ducky began. "It's not my place to tell you her medical history. But, six years ago, she and her mother were in an automobile accident. Her mother was killed, and Sarah received numerous injuries, including the back injury which you no doubt noticed."
Abby nodded.
"She also received some brain damage, and that is what's killing her."
Abby looked over and saw Sarah standing next to her father's desk.
"Ducky?" She asked. "Can I take a rain check on our lunch?"
"Why certainly, dear." He said. "I hope I didn't spoil your appetite."
"No." Abby replied. "I just have a sudden craving for McDonald's."
She walked down to Matthew Shuman's desk.
"Hi Abby." Sarah greeted her as Matthew looked up from his computer. "I'm waiting on Daddy to finish up so we can go."
"Did I hear you say you were going to McDonald's?" Abby smiled.
Sarah nodded.
"I've wanted to go there all week." Abby continued. "Would you mind if I tagged along?"
"Can she, Daddy?" Sarah asked.
Matthew looked up from his work and saw Sarah and Abby smiling at him.
"If you want to." He said. "Just give me a second to log off."
Abby and Sarah smiled at each other.
By the time they got there, Abby and Sarah were chatting like old friends.
"So," She asked Sarah after they had gotten their food and found a booth, "What are your plans for the weekend?"
"Every Saturday, Daddy and I go somewhere…tomorrow, we're going to the zoo." Sarah answered. "Then, Daddy makes dinner and we watch a movie."
"Is Daddy a good cook?" She asked.
"Not really." Sarah said, shaking her head.
"Sarah." Matthew interrupted while Abby laughed.
"But, you're not." Sarah insisted, and then turned to Abby. "Most of our dinners come out of a box. But he does make a great meat loaf." She turned to him. "Can we have meat loaf, tomorrow, Daddy?"
"If you remind me to stop at the grocery store after the zoo." He told her.
"OK." Sarah said, smiling, then turned to Abby. "Would you like to come over for meat loaf, Abby?"
Matthew looked at Abby as she looked at him.
"I think you should ask your Daddy, first." Abby said.
"Can she, Daddy?"
"I'm sure she already has plans, sweetheart." He told her while looking at Abby.
Abby shook her head.
"Well, if you can stomach my bad cooking," He playfully leaned towards Sarah, "you're more than welcome." He said as Sarah blushed.
"I would love to be there." Abby said.
"We eat at 5:00." Sarah told her. "Don't be late."
"I'll be there at 4:30." Abby laughed.
After she had buckled herself in, he started the car.
"Daddy? Can I go to St. Mary's?" She asked, which was her school/day care.
"You don't want to stay with me?" He asked, sounding hurt.
"It's boring there." She told him. "I'm the only kid there and you were on your computer all morning."
"OK." He said. "When I pick you up, what do you want to do for dinner?"
"Can we get pizza?" She asked.
"We sure can." He replied
"And can I play video games?"
"I'll give you five dollars…you can use it however you want."
"Yay." She smiled.
"Do you have time?" He asked Abby. "Or do you want me to drop you off first?
"I'm good." Abby smiled.
He smiled back as he put the car in gear.
They were heading back after dropping Sarah off.
"She is so wonderful." Abby told him.
"Her and her mother were in a car accident." He said.
"Ducky told me."
"It affected her brain. Inside, for the most part, she is a normal twelve year old girl, with normal thoughts and emotions. But her communication skills are those of a six year old…she says what's on her mind."
"I noticed." Abby laughed. "She told McGee he was "cute.""
He smiled.
Abby wondered how many times he's had to tell that story to people, and fought back a tear.
When they got to his desk, she turned to him.
"Thank you for lunch." She said. "I enjoyed it."
"Thank you for going." He smiled. "It's not often we have company."
"I guess I need your address." She told him.
He gave her a confused look as Susan, one of his partners, looked up from her work.
"Meat loaf?" Abby laughed. "Don't tell me you forgot."
"Oh…hey," He stumbled, "I know you were just being nice to Sarah…I won't hold you to it."
"Hey." She grabbed his arm. "I said I would be there because I want to be."
He stared at her for several seconds…and she stared right back.
"OK." He said and grabbed a piece of paper on his desk and wrote down his address.
"5:00." He said.
"4:30." She corrected, then smiled and went back to her lab.
"Matthew, you're a smart person." Susan told him when they were alone. "But you have to be one of the dumbest men I know."
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"My point, exactly." She replied and went back to her work.
An hour later, he was coming out of the restroom and noticed McGee doing some paperwork.
"Hey, Tim." He said as he walked up.
"Hi, Matthew." Tim said.
"Listen, Abby told me what Sarah said. I want to apologize."
"Not necessary." Tim smiled.
"She…has a habit of saying what's she's thinking." He continued.
"The world could use more of that." Ziva said.
"Besides…she's the first girl to flirt with him this year." Tony chided.
"Again. I'm sorry." Matthew smiled.
Tim nodded.
Sarah opened the door to find Abby standing there.
"Hi, Abby." She beamed. "Come on in."
"Hi, Sarah." She said as she entered. "This is a nice place you have here."
"Thank you." Sarah said. "Want a tour."
Abby was about to say yes when a voice from the kitchen interrupted.
"Sarah." Matthew said. "How are we supposed to greet guests?"
"I'm sorry." She said. "Would you like something to drink?"
"I'd love some water." Abby laughed.
"This way, please." Sarah led her to the kitchen.
"Hi there." Abby told Matthew as Sarah grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
"Hello." He smiled. "Dinner is cooking, and will be ready in about twenty minutes."
"It smells wonderful." She said.
"Daddy makes the best meat loaf." Sarah told her.
"Thank you." She said when Sarah handed the bottle to her.
"Start setting the table, Sarah." He said.
"Can I help?" Abby offered.
"No thank you." Sarah replied. "You're a guest…and guests aren't expected to help prepare a meal."
Abby looked at Matthew and smiled as Sarah grabbed three plates from the cabinet.
"How was the zoo?" She asked.
"It was awesome." Sarah said. "The two baby tigers were roughhousing and the mommy tiger made them stop."
"Sounds like fun." Abby laughed.
"Maybe you can go with us next time." Sarah said.
Abby and Matthew looked at each other and smiled.
"Maybe." Abby agreed.
"What would you like to drink?" Sarah asked. "We have milk, sweet tea, fruit juice, and water…we also have soda, but that's bad for you."
"Sweet tea will be fine, thank you." Abby laughed. "Where can I wash up?"
"I'll show you where the bathroom is." Sarah said, grabbing her hand.
When dinner was almost over (Abby had to agree, it was the best meat loaf she had ever had), Sarah asked if she was gonna stay for the movie.
"If your Daddy says I can." She said.
"Please, Daddy?" Sarah pleaded.
"We would be honored." He smiled. "But it's a cartoon."
"It's the Incredible's." Sarah said. "About a family of super hero's…it's my favorite movie…have you seen it?"
"I don't believe I have." Abby told her.
"You'll love it." Sarah assured her.
After the movie, Sarah got ready for bed while they talked.
"Thank you for coming." He said.
"I wouldn't have missed it." Abby laughed. "She is adorable…and she's lucky to have a father like you."
"I'm the one who's lucky." He blushed. "She's kept me sane…would you like something to drink?"
"You don't happen to have any beer, do you?" She asked.
"I do." He replied and went to get two bottles.
When he returned, she was looking at the pictures above the fireplace.
"Your wife was beautiful." She said. "You never remarried?"
"No." He answered, handing her a bottle. "We married right out of high school…I was never much into the dating scene…I don't even know if I could carry on a conversation with a girl, anymore." He chuckled.
"What am I?" She laughed. "Chopped liver?"
"I…I didn't mean it like that." He blushed.
"I'm teasing you." She laughed as she touched his arm. "And I think you're doing great."
They sat on the couch and talked.
Sarah came out to say goodnight.
"Did you brush your teeth?" He asked and she nodded. "Did you take all your medicine?"
"Even the yucky one." She answered and Abby had to suppress a smile.
"Give me hugs and kisses." He said.
She hugged him and kissed his cheek, then waved to Abby.
"Goodnight." She said.
"Don't I get a hug?" Abby asked.
She looked at Abby for a second, then hugged her.
"Goodnight, Sweetheart." Abby said. "Pleasant dreams."
"Thank you." Sarah replied, then went to her bedroom and shut the door.
They continued talking, every once in a while he got up to get one of them something more to drink.
Sarah came back out.
"What are you doing up?" He asked.
"Because it's morning." She replied. "And time for breakfast."
They both looked at the clock.
"Oh my God." They both said.
"I am sooo sorry." Abby said. "I didn't mean to keep you up all night."
"I was a willing accomplice." He told her.
They both laughed.
"What's so funny?" Sarah asked.
"Well, while you're here, would you care to stay for breakfast?" He asked.
"I'd love to." She laughed. "But let me make it…I can make a pretty mean omelet."
During breakfast, Abby asked Sarah what she had planned for the day.
"Have to finish packing for our trip." She answered.
"You going somewhere?" Abby asked.
"New York." Matthew replied. "Have to go to a clinic every few months for some tests."
"They can't do it around here?"
"They use a cool new machine." Sarah said. "And I love going to New York because we always go to Donna Bell's."
"Donna Bell's?" Abby asked. "Is that your Aunt."
"No silly." Sarah laughed. "It's a bakery. They have the best cupcakes."
"My mistake." Abby laughed. "Can you bring me back one?"
"We always bring back a dozen." Sarah told her, then looked at her suspiciously. "You know, you kinda look like the owner…she's a famous actress."
"What's her name?" Abby asked.
"Pauley Pe, Pe, it's a French name…I can never pronounce it." Sarah admitted. "But she is on my favorite show."
"You know," Abby laughed, "I think I might know who you're talking about. I've been told that I look like her by other people and, while she is a great actress, I just don't see the resemblance."
When Abby exited the elevator on Wednesday, Matthew was at his desk.
"How was New York?" She asked.
"Crowded." He replied. "You can't turn around without bumping into somebody. Glad to be back in good ole D.C."
"Where you can at least move two inches before you bump into somebody?" Abby laughed.
"You got it." He laughed, then opened a drawer. "I got something for you." He said as he handed her a plastic container. "Sarah wanted to give you two…to thank you for coming to dinner."
"Tell her it was my pleasure." She replied as she took the cupcakes and winked. "And I hope we can do it again sometime."
"She would like that." He smiled. "So would I."
She smiled, then frowned.
"Do these tests mean that there is a cure?" She asked.
"They're working on one." He shook his head. "But…they've already told me that it won't come in time."
"Does she know?" Abby asked.
"Not everything." He said. "She knows there is something wrong…but she refuses to let it slow her down."
"I noticed." Abby laughed. "But what about you?"
"I just take it one day at a time." He said. "I try to give her the freedom that every twelve year old wants, while trying to live every moment with her to the fullest." He looked down at his desk. "I try not to look too far ahead."
Abby leaned over and touched his shoulder.
"From everything I've seen." She told him. "You're the reason they celebrate Father's Day."
He just smiled.
"I tell you what." She continued. "Do you mind if I come over on Saturday and make dinner? I'll do all the shopping…Daddy can take the night off."
"I won't know what to do." He laughed.
"You can talk to me while I cook." She laughed. "Is there anything she can't have?"
"Really spicy foods give her a migraine." He said. "We found that out the hard way."
"Veal Parmesan?" Abby asked.
"She loves it." He replied. "We both do…but it's one of the many things that I can't cook."
"I make it from scratch." Abby laughed. "So I'll have to come over early…three o'clock OK?"
"Sounds good."
She smiled and headed to her lab.