I don't own anything, but special thanks to the muse for inspiration for this ;)

Abby loved her job at the NCIS as the resident forensic/weapons expert. She really did. She loved the science of it all, and she loved that she could use science, and she loved that she could use the science to put wrongdoers away.

But then there were nights like tonight that she just wanted to forget. Nights when arrests had been made, but innocent people had still died.

The sadness had gotten to everybody, and while Vance left to be with his family, everyone else decided to go to their favorite bar together. When Ziva invited Abby to come along, Abby was upstairs that she was ready before everyone else was.

Gibbs left The Pope And Anchor first, after an hour, presumably to go be alone and work on his latest boat. Palmer left not long after him. Ducky was next, and then McGee politely begged off. Tony held out longer, but he, too, left in due course, going home to drown his sorrows in more alcohol, but this time with Chinese takeout, and old movies.

Eventually, Abby and Ziva were the last ones left, and they were enjoying each other's company a great deal. After they forgot their woes about the case and were both a tad buzzed, Abby challenged Ziva to a drinking contest. Ignoring Ziva's warning that she had always been able to hold her liquor with a "pish-posh!" comment and and a speech about how she also could because she was from New Orleans, Abby ordered the first round of shooters and commenced to lay two dollars down, saying that whomever was the most stable after six shooters was the winner and got to keep the money.

Before long, Abby was out twelve dollars, and Ziva was putting her in a taxicab.

"Where to?" the driver asked.

Abby gave him the first address that popped into her head, even though it wasn't hers. "Please take me to Collingwood Row—Number 2278."

Pleased with herself that she could remember, Abby leaned back in her seat and watched the city go by as the taxi began to move.

Abigail Borin had just had a very nice day off. Over at the CGIS building, they had recently suffered from a case ending badly, too, so she'd given her team a day off. Abigail really loved her own job with the Coast Guard Investigative Service, and she loved having a team of her own, but she also knew when everybody needed a recharge after things going wrong. Things had been so bad that she didn't think twice about telling her team to stay home for a day.

Abigail knew that most people thought of her as a little standoffish and as a bit of an enigma, and she wouldn't lie—she was that way because she'd spent most of her life getting lost in the shuffle of having four other siblings, forcing her to stake her claim in the world as early as she could, and however she could. What she found amusing was that even though she had her own team at CGIS, the NCIS team still knew her best. In general, CGIS was treated as a stepping stone to better job positions at other agencies, and after being a team leader for ten years, none of the original people who had started out with her remained, having all moved on. Abigail quite liked the NCIS team because for as odd as they were, they were still a constant in her life, and they always treated like family… even if Tony, Tim, and Ziva had all been known to hit on her before, or else dare each other to do it. They were weird, but when she was around them, they still gave her more attention than her actual family did, and for that, she would always be thankful.

Truthfully, she adored the whole NCIS team, but she had always had a soft spot for Abby. Maybe it was because they both had the same name, or maybe because the scientist's vast intellect had always appealed to her… she had never been able to figure it out. One thing Abigail definitely knew for sure was that for sure was that she had always found Abby Scuito very cute, and sometimes—but only when she was home alone, talking to her pets—she considered asking her out on a date.

This was one of those nights, and she didn't even have any liquor in her system yet.

DING DONG!

Abigail was startled out of her thoughts by her doorbell ringing. Quickly shushing her pets as they all reacted to the sound, Abigail crossed the living room to her front door.

She was very surprised to see who was on the other side.

"Abby?! What are you doing here?"

"C—*hic* Can I come in?" she hiccuped.

"Of course you can."

Still perplexed, Abigail moved aside and let her friend in, but then she noticed that even after Abby crossed the threshold and she had closed the door behind her, the goth was remaining stationary and staring at nothing in particular.

"Hey, in there." Abigail patted her cheek. "You okay?"

Abby heaved a theatrical sigh as she made eye contact with the redhead. "Ever have *hic* one of those days at work *hic* where things end badly?"

"Yes."

"Well, it *hic* happened to us today. The world *hic* isn't fair."

Abigail nodded in agreement. "What happened when you all closed the case? Did you go to The Pope And Anchor?

"Yes, and I challenged Ziva *hic* to a drinking contest."

"Been there, done that. What did you drink?"

"Tequila shooters. I think."

Abigail fought back a laugh. "Dare I ask how you figured out where I live?"

"Two words: hacking."

"Sweetie, that's one word, and a teensy bit illegal."

Abby made a pouty face so adorable that Abigail nearly went weak in the knees.

"Are you going to arrest me?" Abby asked in a small voice. "Tonight *hic* I found out to never challenge a ninja to a drinking contest because th-they *hic* will make you not win. Getting arrested would just be a *hic* bummer because my ninja just got me drunk."

Abigail helped Abby out of her coat and led her to the couch. "I won't arrest you, but I will take care of you tonight and make you breakfast in the morning, alright?"

"Okay."

"You just stay there, and I'll go get you some water. Don't mind the animals."

Abby only half-heard what Abigail had said because she was too busy watching her backside. She had a start when she turned around and saw she was face-to-face with a very large Maine Coon cat and a trio of Great Danes.

"Hi, babies." Abby said in surprise. "Where did you all come from?"

The cat jumped lightly up onto Abby's lap and and curled up, purring and arching its back when Abby started stroking its fur.

As for the first Great Dane, it had a white body and black splotches all over, including its nose, tail, and paws. The second one was a beautiful steely grey color, and the third one was a beautiful golden color that reminded Abby of wheat, late on a summer day.

The splotched dog approached first, jumping up onto the couch and bumping Abby with his nose.

"Do *hic* you want a hug, b-baby *hic* boy?" Abby asked with a giggle. "I can do that."

Abby hugged the massive animal around the neck and shoulders, and the soft thumping told her that he was wagging his tail in enjoyment. Deciding that the stranger was alright, the other dogs began jockeying for Abby's attention and affection while the cat actually fell asleep, very used to the silliness of the dogs.

Abby began doting on her new furry friends, talking to them and giving them hugs, rubs, and kisses.

When Abigail returned with a glass of water for Abby, she felt her heart melt a little. She didn't have people over often and she wasn't big into bringing dates home, so it brought her a lot of joy to see Abby loving on her pets the way she was.

"So I see you've met part of the gang." Abigail sat beside her friend and held out a glass of ice water. "I'll introduce you to everyone else, but drink this first."

Abby took the glass and she drank, but she downed it a little too quickly and handed the glass back. "Oh, that's a brain freeze! Brain freeze, brain freeze, brain freeze!"

Immediately, the splotched dog nudged the cat out of Abby's lap with its nose, laying his head against her stomach and looking up at his new friend. Abby strolled him him and talked to him until she could focus again.

Free of her hiccups and her stutters, Abby said, "What were we talking about?"

"You are clearly not with it, but that's okay." Abigail answered patiently. "I'm going to show you my pets, here, and tell you their names."

"Okay, go."

Abigail pointed to the splotched dog, who was now completely stretched out. "This love bug is Darwin. He loves hugs."

"How old is he?"

"Two-and-a-half, but so are the others: all three of my dogs are brothers, and nobody wanted them at the adoption fair. I just knew they were all meant to mine, so I left with three dogs that day."

"Awwww." Abby pointed to the grey dog. "Who's this?"

"Bowser. He loves to play the most, and he's the only one who doesn't bark at the mailman."

"Silly boy." Abby giggled and then frowned as she felt a sudden weight against her left calf. "What was that?"

"Bowser's found you comfortable and curled up—that means he likes you."

"Well, I like him." Abby noticed the last dog, who had also climbed up onto the couch and was laying with his head and paws in Abigail's lap. "Who's baby boy number three?"

"Scooby. He loves to play, too, but woebetide if he or Bowser hear a sneeze."

"How come?"

"They turn into sissies and scatter."

Abby snickered. "Your puppies are weird."

Abigail nodded in agreement. "Yes, but not as weird as this one."

By 'this one,' Abigail meant her cat, who was now slinking back towards them.

"This diva is called Ruby, like the Supernatural villain. I've had her since she was eight weeks old, and she's four now."

"Abigail, she's beautiful, but humongous is the word."

Ruby was the biggest house cat Abby had ever seen in her life, way above the average size of a regular house cat. She also carried herself like she owned the place, and the fact that Darwin was unperturbed when Ruby walked across his back to reach his destination just proved it even more. She sat on Abby's knees again, basking in attention when Abby gave it to her.

"I was warned when I adopted her that she'd get this big," Abigail said, recalling an old memory. "But she was my first fur baby, and I wouldn't change a single thing about her."

"Awww—hey, what are you doing?"

Abigail had moved Scooby out of her lap and was now crouching in front of Abby, undoing the buckles on her boots for her.

"I'm undoing your boots and taking them off your feet for you because we're going to see the rest of my animals, and the last thing we need is for you to take you to the emergency room because you tripped over one of your boots and twisted an ankle."

"Then Gibbs would quote rule number eleventyseven at you—never leave a cutie pie behind."

"Okay, eleventyseven is not a word or a number, and I'm positive that never leave a cutie pie behind is not one of The Rules."

Abby pouted. "So is it one of yours?"

"Okay," Abigail decided. "Sure."

Abby paused and looked around as she struggled to fight through her alcohol-clouded brain. "What were we doing?"

"Just stay still, sweetie. I'm almost done."

Abby saluted, and a short while later, Abigail had her out of her platform boots and was helping her stand up straight.

"You're pretty." Abby told her companion.

Abigail felt a blush creeping in almost immediately: as she hadn't been expecting any company on the closing hours of her day off, she been wearing her favorite pair of blue silken pajamas for the last few hours, since returning from the last of her errands. She was also sans makeup, and her long red hair was done up in a messy bun. She knew full well that Abby wasn't with the program, but the compliment still made her heart jump.

"You're not so bad yourself, Starshine."

Abby beamed. "Can I tell you a secret?"

"Of course."

"Whenever I see you, I want to kiss you."

Now Abigail felt her heart turn over—she felt the same way about Abby, and always had, ever since their first meeting.

"What are the chance that you'll remember this tomorrow?"

"Pretty damn high. It may be holey in some place, though."

Abigail took hold of her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I want to kiss you, too, Abby, but I will not have our first kiss be when you're drunk."

"Good call." Abby said seriously.

"So if you can remember this part of the night tomorrow, call me and I'll take on a date, during which we definitely kiss. How does that sound?"

Abby made the sign for perfect, then said, "Can we see your zoo now?"

"They are not a zoo, but yes, we can, and look who wants to join."

While Ruby, Bowser, and Scooby had taken the couch, Darwin was standing loyally beside Abby, as though he was at attention.

Abby patted her thigh. "Come along, doggo."

And he did, following right beside her, spotting her when she wobbled, all the way upstairs.

"I have a bearded dragon called Spyro, and he sleeps in my study," Abigail said, pointing at a closed door they passed by in the hallway. "But he's kind of a grump at night, so you'll meet him next time."

"Then who are we seeing now?"

"The birds."

They had arrived in front of a door at the end of the hallway. Abby didn't know what to expect, but she was curious when Darwin curled up next to the door and began to doze.

"Come on." Abigail opened to the door and ushered Abby in. "They're in here."

Abby found herself in a beautifully decorated room, where against one wall, she immediately noticed a large, beautiful aviary against one wall. It was made of polished oak, and all of the doors were set with glass, allowing you to see inside. There were also overhead lights on the ceiling of the aviary, and Abby found herself looking upon quite a number of perches and landings, feeding areas, toys, and mirrors. This was nothing compared to the aviary's inhabitants, though: inside, and in several different shades, were a vast amount of Budgerdair birds.

Abby turned to Abigail, gaping. "Why do you have eleventyseven budgies?"

"Again, sweetie," Abigail said as she closed the door behind them. "Eleventyseven isn't a number or a word, and there are actually ten birds in there."

"Do they all have names?"

"No."

"Then the budgies will be more fun when I'm sober."

Abby turned and looked around the room, taking in her surroundings. What grabbed her attention immediately was a different aviary on the opposite wall.

"What lives here," she asked, crossing over to examine it. "And is there a squad?"

"Neptune lives there, and he's an African Grey Parrot."

"Those are the chattery kind, right?"

"Uh-huh, and he's hopping around, watching us." Abigail crossed the room and put her hand on the aviary's door handle. "He's really friendly. Do you want to meet hm?"

"Alright."

Abigail opened the aviary and after a moment of coaxing, she emerged from the aviary, approaching Abby with Neptune perched on her finger.

"Abby, say hello to Neptune."

Abby bobbed her head as she moved closer. "Hello to Neptune."

Abigail chuckled. "Hold your finger out like a perch."

"Why?" Abby asked as she obliged.

Abigail gave Neptune a stroke on the head and chirped, "Hop!"

Immediately, Neptune hopped the short distance from his mistress' finger to Abby's.

"That's Abby." Abigail told her bird.

Neptune whistled at Abby and moved closer. "Abby, Abby! Pretty Abby!"

"Ugh." Abigail groaned. "How is my bird a better flirt than me?"

Abby arched an eyebrow at her. "What was that?"

"Nothing!"

Abby turned her attention back to Neptune. "Your mommy's pretty funny."

Neptune just kept whistling and chattering away, Abby giggling all the while.

Abigail watched the goth for a minute, playing with Neptune. If she was this gentle with the animals when she wasn't fully with it, then she was probable the same or even more gentle when she was sober. That made Abigail happy because she'd always known that she couldn't or wouldn't be with anyone who was less than gentle towards her pets.

Cut it out, Abigail! she scolded herself. She is extremely beautiful, but you don't even know what way she swings!

"Hey, are you okay?"

She was shaken from her thoughts when she saw Abby watching her as she entertained Neptune.

"It's nothing that can't wait until you're totally sober."

"But I'm sotally tober now!" Abby protested.

"No, you're not, and we both know it. Are you hungry?"

"I don't know. What time is it?"

"Just after eight, according to my watch. Think you can handle food?"

Abby decided that she could, and it was with reluctance that she watched Abigail put Neptune back in his aviary. She did, however, perk up considerably when Abigail suggested they order pizza.

"Wait, how come there's no wine? This is lemonade."

It was fifteen minutes later. The pizza had been ordered, and Abigail had poured them both glasses of lemonade when they returned to the living room. At this point in the night, Abigail would usually be curled up with the animals on the couch, watching something on the television. Watching Abby, especially now that she was flanked by Ruby, Darwin, Bowser, and Scooby again was far more entertaining.

"Because," Abigail replied. "We don't need you getting any more drunk and showing up to work with a four-alarm hangover."

"Rule eleventyseven, part two: pick your cutie pie and protect them."

"Then how come you don't have wine?"

"Because I don't want to encourage you."

"Awww. You're a good friend!" Abby looked to Darwin, who was beside her again. "Your mommy is a good person, doggo."

Darwin gave a soft bark, as though agreeing, and then laid his head back down in Abby's lap, wagging his tail enthusiastically as she massaged him in between the ears, rolling over onto his back when she hit a sweet spot. Abigail watched them.

Come what will, or come what may, Abigail found herself thinking, I'll do whatever it takes to stop being shy around Abby. She's worth it.

Abigail's thoughts continued to run away with her until the food arrived.

It didn't take Abby very long to fall asleep on a full stomach, and when she woke up the next morning, it was with a start and only a one-alarm hangover.

"Where am I?" she asked herself as she studied her surroundings and pajamas. "What the hell happened last night?"

At the sound of her voice, Darwin came running in from the hallway and propped his front paws up on the bed, poking his head over. His arrival prompted a flood of memories, and though things were holey, as she'd predicted, she definitely remembered that she was at Abigail Borin's house, and that she'd shown up drunk. She also remembered calling Abigail pretty, and that they had both expressed a mutual desire to kiss the other person but hadn't acted on it.

"Oh, boy, Darwin." Abby sighed. "I better go find your mommy."

Darwin bumped her hand with his paw, wanting her attention for something specific. On further inspection, Abby noticed a note pinned to her furry friend's collar. She un lipped it and began to read.

'Good morning, Abby!

It's Abigail Borin, just in case you're confused. You showed up on my doorstep drunk last night, saying you lost a drinking contest with Ziva, so I took care of you. You bonded with all of my pets that I introduced you to, especially Darwin, here.

Feel free to use my shower—you showed up with a bag of clothes that look like they belong to you, so I left everything in the bathroom for you.

Hurry along—I'm cooking breakfast!'

Moving at top speed, Abby showered and dressed, did her hair and makeup, and made her bed before hurrying downstairs, her spiked accessories in her hands, and Darwin, trotting beside her.

"Good morning, Starshine." Abigail greeted her. "Sleep well?"

Abby nodded, slightly apprehensive as she sat down and Darwin stretched out on the floor beside her. "Uh-huh. Where did you sleep?"

"On the couch—it pulls out."

"I didn't mean to put you out of your bed, Abigail. I'm sorry."

"Thank nothing of it." Abigail said sincerely. "You almost fell asleep standing up after I got you to wear after I got you to wear pajamas from my closet. Do you remember anything?"

"All of it, just like I said I would. I especially remember Neptune hitting on me, and also that I called you pretty."

Abigail set a plate of scrambled eggs and buttered toast in front of her. "That definitely happened, and I definitely didn't mind you calling me pretty."

"Okay, because you are very pretty, and I don't know that I would have the courage to say that to you while sober, and—now you're staring at me like I'm an idiot."

Abigail had laid out the utensils, glasses and a pitcher of orange juice, before sitting opposite Abby with her own food. She was watching her guest, amused.

"Actually, I was just thinking about how I've always had a soft spot for you, and that I've always found you adorable."

Abby blushed. "Really?"

"Really. I've always been a little too shy to say it, and then I see you make eyes at McGee, so I just don't day anything."

"You really need to come around to NCIS more than once a year. McGee is more like my brother now, and we're both perfectly fine with it."

"Copy that. Now I just need to figure out what the deal is with Tony and Ziva."

"What do you mean?"

"Are into each other, or what? They act like it, but when I show up, they trip over themselves to hit on me."

"Oh, that." Abby laughed. "Well, they're both kinky people, and they probably wouldn't mind a threeway."

"Abby!" protested the redhead. "The sun isn't even up yet!"

"Okay, okay. Here's the 411: they enjoy making each other jealous, and they often make bets on who can get the most dates, but they never truly act on it because they're madly in love with each other. You just happen to be their favorite bet subject, Abigail Irene, because you intrigue all of us."

"Then do you remember the bargain we made?"

"You mean the one had to do with me confessing that I wanted to kiss you, and then you said you wanted to kiss me back, but you wouldn't because I was intoxicated?"

"Yes, that. Do you remember anything else about the bargain?"

"To call you if I remembered having the conversation—you said you'd take me on a date."

Abigail smiled lovingly at her. "Which I will."

Abby felt her stomach flip. "O-okay."

"Two more things before we eat: how bad was the case that you decided it was a good idea to challenge Ziva in a drinking contest, and how did you know where I live?"

"It was bad, and I knew your address because Gibbs made me check you out the first time you showed up."

"What?!"

"I'm just kidding—Tony and Ziva made me."

"Of course they did." Abigail sighed. "That's probably when you learned that my middle name is Irene, and also when my birthday is, huh?"

"Yup, and just to be even, I am older than you, but we have the same birthday, and my middle name is Ramona."

"That's really pretty."

"Thanks." Abby grinned and then sighed. "I really hope NCIS and CGIS work together again."

"So do I, Abby. So do I."

Abby didn't want to leave Number 2278 Collingwood Row for a variety of reasons, but she had no choice because she had to go to work, and she didn't want Gibbs to send out a search party. As she'd left her car at NCIS the previous day and carpooled with Ziva to the bar, Abigail dropped her off at NCIS before driving to the CGIS building, which was well on the other side of The Navy Yard. Before parting ways, Abigail presented Abby with a thermos that was filled with a Bloody Mary, so as to perk Abby up and help her battle her way through her hangover.

Unfortunately, the thermos was her undoing.

"How was the rest of the evening after you left the bar?" Ziva asked as they congregated at her desk. "Where did you go?"

Abby chose her words carefully. "I went to a friend's house."

"Would this be the same friend was gave you a thermos with a Bloody Mary in it?"

"Y—"

Abby was cut off as Tony sidled up to them, looking sly.

"What, no Caff-Pow?" he asked.

"She has a Bloody Mary, Tony." Ziva informed him.

"Oh, so this means that our favorite forensics/weapons expert had sex last night."

"I DID NOT!" protested Abby.

Ziva adopted a playful tone. "The question is, whose company did she keep in the night?"

Tony feigned shock. "You mean she hasn't told you yet?"

This whole time, Abby was beginning to feel hot under her collar: she was head-over-heels in love with Abigail Irene Borin, and the feeling was pretty mutual on the other end. All she wanted to was to be in her lab, listening to music while she talked to her machines to sort out her feelings. Right now, she was getting dangerously close to saying Abigail's name, and she didn't want to, just yet.

McGee choose this moment to come join his friends, having spotted their powwow when he stepped off the elevator.

He greeted Tony and Ziva, but when he saw Abby holding her thermos, "Is your Caff-Pow in the thermos?"

"TAKE A NUMBER, TIMMY!" Abby cried before dashing to the elevator and boarding it as quickly as she could.

Ziva, Tony, and McGee stared after her at the closed elevator doors, each of them wondering what kind of bee she had in her bonnet.

"What are you all staring at?" came a new voice.

The trio jumped and turned to see Gibbs before them, a cup of coffee in one hand, and a full Caff-Pow cup in the other. They immediately began arguing over who was going to bring the Caff-Pow to the lab.

Ziva won, and she found Abby in her office, at her desk, just staring into space. Her music was even playing, but it was quiet and only on for background noise.

"I will not ask you again where you went last night because I do not wish to pry," Ziva said as she put the Caff-Pow down on the desk. "But I will ask you this—are you okay?"

Abby sighed and leaned back in her chair, looking up at Ziva. "Have you ever been with a woman romantically?"

"Yes, but not since before I left Tel Aviv to come here, looking for Ari. Why do you ask? Do you 'swing that way,' as the saying goes?"

"Yes, I do." Abby smiled vaguely. "Ziva, have you ever met a woman who just dazzles you and adores you, but also makes you feel like you need to sit down and think about your life?"

"Yes, actually."

"What was her name?"

"Kefira Kahn."

"What happened to Kefira Kahn?"

"She had leukemia and passed away."

Abby's heart lurched. "Oh, Ziva, I'm so sorry."

Ziva patted her friend's cheek affectionately. "It was a long time ago. You did not know."

"What would have happened if she hadn't died?"

"I am sure I would have married her, even if it meant leaving Israel and resigning from the Mossad." Ziva looked at Abby with the soft gaze of an adoring baby sister. "Have you found a person who dazzles you and adores you? Is this what happened last night?"

"Yes, and whenever I think about her, I feel butterflies in my stomach."

Ziva patted Abby on the cheek again. "You will sort it out, but I am a phone call away, should you need anything."

"Thank y—"

BEEP!

This time, Abby was interrupted by Ziva's phone. Ziva sighed when she read the text she had been sent.

"We have a case—it is a child abduction from a mall, so I suggest you brace yourself."

Abby picked up Bert the farting hippo from where she'd placed him on her desk. "I'll do my best."

Ziva nodded her approval and when she left, Abby spoke to her toy.

"This is going to be a long day, Bert. We need to be on the top of our game."

She gave him a hug. He farted.

Abby also switched from the Bloody Mary (though it was excellent) to the Caff-Pow, and soon began to feel back to herself.

Meanwhile, over at the Millennium Crossings Shopping Center, Abigail and her team had arrived on the scene first because the services of CGIS were needed.

They had only been there a short while when she heard a familiar voice.

"Can someone show me where Special Agent Borin is?"

Abigail turned at the sound of her name and promptly winced: crossing under the caution tape was Gibbs, and as always, Tony, McGee, and Ziva followed, as loyal to him as Darwin was to Abby.

Crap, Abigail thought as she waved them over. So much for a date with Abby any time soon—this is going to be a long case.