Author's note: This popped into my head while I was listening to sad music today; let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters etc.

She moved slowly around the lab, shutting down the equipment she wasn't using in preparation for the weekend while she waited for the last test to finally finish. As she did so, she reflected on the last few weeks. Work-wise, it had been perfectly normal; the odd murder, an embezzlement case- nothing unusual for the MCRT. It was Tim that had been strange. He'd met someone, a woman named Emily. She'd moved into his building a few months before, and he'd finally worked up the courage to ask her out. Since then, he'd been smitten. Being the kind of guy he was, he hadn't said a lot about their relationship- he wasn't the type to kiss and tell- but he'd said enough to drive Tony and Ziva crazy and make Abby concerned. She chewed on her lower lip as she thought about Tim. She'd realised a few months earlier exactly how much she cared for her favourite geek, but she hadn't been able to decide what to do about it. Now she was starting to get the feeling that it might be too late.

"Hey Abs" his voice came from her doorway, making her jump.

"Hey Tim" she replied, trying to keep her voice cheerful. "Heading out for the weekend?"

"Yeah, just thought I'm come down and say hi before I leave. Got any plans this weekend? It's been a while since we had a weekend off."

She knew it had been an idle question

"The usual. There's an Android Lust concert tomorrow night that I'm going to. Other than that, not much. You?"

"Have to go pick up Emily, then we're heading down to my parents' place"

Startled, she spun towards him

"You're taking her to meet your parents? Tim, you've only been dating her for a few weeks; don't you think you're moving a little fast?"

He gave her a look

"Abs" he warned. "This is between Emily and me."

As she saw the look of determination spread across his face, she couldn't help but remember the conversation she'd had with Tony last week. She'd been complaining about McGee's lovesick demeanour of the last fortnight...

"Anyway, he'll be over her soon."

Tony reached out and stopped her pacing.

"Abby, I don't think you get it. This is serious."

"McGee's always serious, Tony."

"Yeah, but this time it's different. I've only ever seen him like this once before- when he was dating you."

"Anyway Abs, I gotta go or I'm going to be late." He went to leave, pausing as she called him back

"Tim, wait. I-I need to talk to you"

He turned back towards her, his expression wary. In his experience, those words were almost never followed by something good.

"What is it, Abby?" he asked

"You're serious about her, aren't you?"

"Yeah, Abby, I am"

"Oh." She took a deep breath, whispering as if to herself "This is hard."

He waited for her to continue, wondering what she was trying to say

"I've known for a while... I just never knew how to tell you or even if I should tell you... we've moved past that, and I didn't know how you'd react but I've gotta tell you..."

He broke in on her rambling.

"Just say it, Abs"

"Tim, I'm- I'm in love with you"

He looked at her in disbelief and rising anger. How dare she do this? For the first time in years, he had someone in his life that was making him happy, someone who wanted him.

"Why now, Abby?" he fought to keep his voice level.

"I don't want to lose you, Tim"

"You could have told me this before, Abby. God, you've had six years! I waited to hear you say that for six years!" he knew he was yelling now, but he couldn't help himself. "You can't do this, not now. It's too late."

She was pale and trembling, tears running down her face. His heart went out to her. As angry as he was, she was his best friend and he didn't want to hurt her.

In a small, broken voice she said "You love her, don't you?"

He nodded. "Yeah, Abs, I do. I'm sorry."

She made an inarticulate sound, gesturing for him to leave. With a final glance her, he turned and walked out of the lab. She waited until she heard the ding of the elevator before she sank down and let herself weep. She was too late. She'd lost him.