Ducky and Abby decided to keep their burgeoning relationship a secret from their colleagues for the time being. They were not worried about how it looked but did not want to deal with any inter-office conflict that may arise, especially with Gibbs. They kept seeing each other in secret, enjoying each others company. Ducky felt happier then he had in years, while his apprehension about his age would creep in from time to time, Abby would always reassure him that she didn't mind. Ducky's mother however was vocal when she would see Abby at the Mallard house, calling her a trollop among other names. Abby would just laugh and shrug it off while Ducky would apologize for his mother. Things were going well until a revelation would change their relationship forever.

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Chapter One

Abby was working in her forensics lab matching bullets to the most recent crime scene that was under investigation. Her caf-pow was sitting near her but she had barely touched it. For some reason she had been feeling ill off and on during the mornings and the casualty was her caf-pow. Jimmy came into the lab carrying blood samples from autopsy that needed to be tested.

"Here are the blood samples Dr. Mallard said he would be sending up." Jimmy said once again stating the obvious. Looking at Abby he could tell she was not feeling well. "Are you ok Abby?"

"I'm fine Jimmy, just under the weather that's all. Tell Ducky I'll have the results by the end of the day."

Jimmy left the lab not totally certain he believed Abby and made a mental note to tell Dr. Mallard. He knew that Dr. Mallard and Abby were good friends and if anyone could tell if Abby was indeed ok it was him. Abby was irked that Jimmy of all people could tell she was not feeling well, if she couldn't fool him, then there was no way she could fool Ducky. If he suspected she was ill he would be on her like no body's business. Until she was sure of her illness she wasn't about to tell Ducky about it.

Entering Autopsy Jimmy saw Ducky examining x-rays from the victim. He looked deep in thought which either meant he was at a loss for what they showed or he was formulating a hypothesis about them. Slowly Jimmy walked over to Dr. Mallard.

"Um, Dr. Mallard. I delivered the blood to Abby's lab like you asked." Jimmy said rather quietly.

"Good, anything else Mr. Palmer?" Ducky asked

"Well sir, I know its not really my place and there could be nothing wrong and its possible its all…."

"Please get to the point Jimmy." Ducky cut him off

"Abby didn't look well when I gave her the samples. She said she was feeling under the weather but would be fine. I just felt there was something more that's all." Jimmy said hastily.

Hearing Jimmy say Abby didn't look well sparked an alert within himself. Abby not feeling well, that was odd indeed. He had noticed her caffeine intake had gone down some but really didn't pay it much credence. Realizing he should go see Abby he excused himself from Autopsy telling Jimmy to clean up the body and stitch it back together. Jimmy of course was all to eager to do this and asked no questions. Heading to elevator he pushed the button to the forensics lab. Wondering to himself what was wrong with Abby.