Abby looked at the two children in front of her unsure how to act. They were undeniably Tony's children and that was causing her internal conflict. She couldn't believe the young man had never told her that he had children, after he had left he hadn't contacted her at all but she had never thought he would hide something like that from her. A part of her couldn't help but wonder who their mother was - Tony had never been all that hot on commitment. The children were looking at her, the little girl hiding behind her big brother, and she couldn't bring herself to be mad. She'd definitely be having a word with Tony about keeping them from her when Gibbs got him back but until then they were just two frightened kids who were worried about their father.

"Hi," she smiled.

"Are you Abby?" the boy questioned.

"Yep," she nodded. "How did you know that?"

"Daddy tells us bedtime stories 'bout 'merca," he answered.

The girl looked at her, "D'you weally 'ave a hippo called Bert?"

"Yeah, do you wanna play with him?" she moved to pick up the toy.

"Pwease," the girl moved from behind her brother.

"Alright," Abby agreed. "But first you have to tell me your names."

"Michael Jethro DiNozzo," his smile was just like Tony's. "An' she's Caitlyn Paula DiNozzo."

"So Michael and Caitlyn," she checked.

"M.J and Katie," he corrected.

"Okay," she handed over the toy. "You take care of him."

"Uh huh," the girl nodded.

The little girl scampered over to the futon, struggling with the toy which was almost as big as her. Smiling her brother moved to help her up, leaving the bag beside her, before returning to watch Abby work. It was slightly unnerving the way the child's eyes followed her around the lab and, sighing in fustration she lifted him onto a seat and told him to watch the monitor for the results of the test she was waiting for. Looking at her in surprise he agreed and kept his eyes fixed on the screen, asking her questions about her job. Never having expected a child of Tony's to be interested in such things it took her a moment to respond but soon they were having a reasonably intelligent conversation about forensics.

Ducky was slightly surprised when Ziva appeared in autopsy. The Mossad operative seemed troubled so offering her a cup of tea he guided her to his office couch and asked her what was bothering her. Sipping at the tea she told him that Tony's children had turned up at NCIS and that the young man was missing. Having been the only member of the team the younger man had kept in contact with Ducky had known about the children and Tony's promotion so wasn't all that shocked by her announcement but was worried for his friend. When Ziva left he immediately headed up to Abby's lab to check on his honourary niece and nephew. He arrived just after McGee and paused outside to listen to what the young man would say.

"Abby," McGee began. "I thought Tony and Agent Cassidy broke up."

"They did Timmy," she answered. "They decided they'd be better off as friends. Why?"

"Because they were married," McGee informed. "And she's the mother of his kids."

The director walked past Ducky into the lab, allowing him to continue eavesdropping, "Agent Cassidy also accepted the Rota assignment."

"But why would she get back together with him?" McGee wondered.

"Perhaps Timothy," Ducky entered. "Because she realised what you were all too wrapped up in yourselves to notice."

"Uncle Ducky," Michael ran towards him.

"Hello Michael," he smiled. "Where's your sister?"

"On the futon," Michael informed. "Playing with Bert."

"And no one's watching her?" he demanded of Abby.

"Sorry Duckman," she still seemed shocked by his entrance. "I'll go get her."

Abby returned with the girl in one arm and the toy hippo in the other. Katie had been reaching for the toy but on seeing Ducky she stopped and held her arms out to him. He gladly lifted her out of Abby's arms and she cuddled into his embrace, drifting off to sleep. McGee and Abby stared in shock at his actions but the director had a knowing glint in her eyes and Michael had wandered back over to the futon to grab his bag. Sitting on the seat Michael had just vacated Ducky looked out at the others in the lab.

"Tony kept in touch with you?" Abby sounded hurt.

"Why wouldn't he?" Ducky knew they hadn't realised how they had hurt the young man.

"He didn't keep in touch with anyone else," McGee commented.

"He had no reason to," Ducky informed. "Not after the way you treated him."

The director nodded in agreement, "After Gibbs left he had to pick up the pieces, the team had just as high, if not a higher, closure rate than under Gibbs and not one of you cared."
"He worked so hard," Ducky continued. "And you threw it back in his face. Abigail you kept pictures of Jethro around your lab and not one of you gave him the respect he deserved."

"He almost stayed," Jenny sighed. "But on the case Gibbs treated him like dirt, and you all seemed so happy the 'boss' was back you never realised all the work he put into the team."

"We didn't mean to," Abby had tears in her eyes.

"We were bad friends," McGee agreed. "But we never wanted him to leave."

"But you still pushed him away," Jenny informed. "Ducky you can leave the little ones in my office if you want."

"You mean that Aunt Jenny?" Michael grinned. "We can see your office?"

"Sure," she offered her hand. "Come on. I might even have some books you can read."

"He's only five," McGee protested.

"It's probably just as well he got his brains from his father then," Jenny led the way from the lab.

McGee snorted, "Tony's not that smart."

"Timothy," Ducky stopped at the door shaking his head. "You never really understood him did you?"

As the medical examiner finally left Abby turned to McGee, whacking his arm hard. Rubbing the spot McGee asked why she'd hit him. Answering that he'd insulted Tony and annoyed Ducky she turned her attention to her computers to see if her test results were in yet. As she did so McGee got a phone call announcing that they'd got a hit on the BOLO they'd put out on the kidnappers' car and rushed to tell Gibbs. Watching him go Abby hugged Bert close to her chest, she really hoped they found Tony soon, she had a lot of grovelling to do. She just wished he'd forgive her.