The following story is Part 3 of the story "A Link to the Past" and is the continuation that finalizes the pilot story of the series. This part of the story occurs four weeks after Abby being shot.
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Tuesday
Chapter 1
Tony steps off the elevator. He immediately walks to the bullpen because he's running a little bit late. He drops his bag on the desk. As Tony's planting his butt in the chair in order to sit down, something at Ziva's desk catches his eye. A cup is just sitting there. Tony licks his lips because he's thirsty. McGee walks into the area.
"Good morning, Tony." McGee greeted him.
"What's so good about it?"
"Rough night?"
"Not really." Tony smiled. "I met this girl…"
"Geez…" McGee sighs and rolls eyes slightly. "Another one."
"This one is different."
"How so?"
"She hates me. Either that or she's really playing hard to get."
"What makes you think that?"
"She threatened with me mace and said suicide is always an option."
"And you think that's playing hard to get?"
"You have so much to learn about women, McGee."
"Enlighten me." McGee said, being sarcastic.
"No woman can resist this smile." Tony grins.
Ziva walks passed the area in order to go to the elevator to bring something down to the Forensics Lab. McGee points to Ziva.
"She can resist it."
"Ziva doesn't count."
"Why doesn't Ziva count?"
"That's not a woman."
Tony glances over at the cup on Ziva's desk again. He stands up and walks over to Ziva's desk. Tony grabs the cup.
"Tony, I wouldn't do that if I were you."
"Luckily you're not me McGee. Though, for you, it would be an improvement."
Tony begins drinking from the cup.
"Whoa… That's strong coffee."
Gibbs steps off the elevator.
"Uh, Tony…"
"Not now, McGee. I'm busy."
"DiNozzo, what hell are you doing?!" Gibbs exclaimed.
Tony turns around.
"Uh… Drinking Ziva's coffee."
"That's not hers." Gibbs glares at him.
"I was just checking to make sure it's not poisoned." Tony stated. "Well… I'm still alive. It's safe to drink, Boss." He extends his hand to give Gibbs the coffee.
Gibbs smacks Tony on the back of the head and snatches his coffee from Tony's hand. Gibbs walks to his desk. McGee walks closer to Tony.
"You could've warned me, McGee."
"I tried to tell you."
"If the two of you are done with social hour, you can get to work." Gibbs said. "And it's not a suggestion."
McGee goes to his desk and sits down. Tony walks to his desk, but doesn't sit down. Tony stands behind the desk.
"What do we got today, Boss?" Tony wondered.
"Nothing…" Gibbs replied. "Yet..."
"Than what can I work on?"
"Locating that damn disk DiNozzo!" Gibbs slams his hand on his desk. Tony walks to Gibbs' desk.
"Boss, I think we need to accept the fact we're never going find that thing."
Gibbs tilts his head upward and glares at Tony.
"Or… I can always go to my desk and shut up."
"That'd be a good idea DiNozzo."
Tony walks to his desk and sits down. Gibbs glances to Ziva's desk.
"Where's Ziva?" Gibbs asked.
"She went down to the lab to see Abby." McGee answered.
"Abby's here?"
"Yes."
"She's not supposed to be back for another two weeks."
Gibbs stands up. He walks to the elevator. He steps inside. While in the elevator, Gibbs thinks about how glad he is that Abby didn't die after being shot a couple weeks ago. But at the same time, he's slightly mad that she returned when she still has two week left of sick leave. Gibbs doesn't want Abby to push herself when she mostly likely isn't ready. He steps off the elevator and walks toward the lab. Gibbs enters the lab.
"Abby! What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"I'm out of here." Ziva said. She leaves the lab.
"You're supposed to be at home relaxing."
"Gibbs, I was bored just sitting home."
"You still have another two weeks of sick leave."
"But I feel fine, Gibbs."
"Go home... Now." Gibbs stated. "That's an order."
"But…"
"Now!"
"I'm fine, Gibbs. I feel good."
"You'd feel even better if you got more rest. Now go!"
"Take a chill pill, Gibbs! This is my lab and if I want come back early… Then I will!" Abby exclaimed. She looks at Gibbs who is now giving her a certain look that makes her think she may have gone over the line. "If… If that's ok with you, of course."
Gibbs smiles at Abby.
"You're not going listen to me, are you?"
"Nope…" Abby smiles cheerfully.
"It's good to have you back, Abs." Gibbs kisses her on the cheek.
"Of course it is. What would you do without me?"
"Not have a corrupt daughter."
"Hey! She's just as bad of an influence on me, as I am on her."
"I can tell… You two are a lethal combination."
"I can't argue with that."
"I should get back upstairs." Gibbs begins to walk away.
"Gibbs…"
"Yes Abs?"
"Have you ever known something about a particular situation and you wanted so much for that situation to be resolved, yet, you promised one of the people involved to… Not get involved or say anything about it?"
"Are you sure you're alright to be back?"
"Yes."
"Well, in answer to your question. No I haven't." Gibbs said gives his answer. "I'll see you later, Abs."
Gibbs leaves the lab and steps into the elevator. While in the elevator, he slams the emergency stop switch. Gibbs takes a deep breath. He leans against the elevator wall and closes his eyes. He thinks of Jamie.
With mentioning the word, daughter, referring to Jamie, Gibbs feels an overwhelming sadness in his heart. He loves thinking of Jamie as his daughter, which she is. Yet, at the same time, Jamie is the only one who he can't mention it to. He wishes Jamie would remember him, but there's nothing he can do about it, especially since she doesn't remember him. Gibbs' conflict about what to do confuses him. Too many questions with no real answers invade his mind. He thinks more; should he tell her or not? If he tells her, will it ruin what they have now right now? If he tells hers, will it help her to remember him so they can start being a family again? Will she end up being mad or happy? Will she accept of reject him?
Gibbs finally flips the switch and the elevator moves.