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Chapter III

"How much of this story do you know about Zi-VA?" Tony asked . Gibbs stood stock still waiting for the answer impatiently.

"Pretty much all I think. Except for whatever it is that Sarah has done now." She said in a matter of fact tone.

"And you didn't think you should tell McGee WHY?" Tony said incredulously.

"Because I PROMISED ABBY! She was UPSET! Ziva could not understand how this seemed to be some how turning around to be her fault.

"I think you need to tell us the whole story here Ziva." Tony said confused.

Gibbs spoke up finally "ZIVA! Just tell us what the hell happened. NOW! And don't leave anything out!

In the elevator, Tim hit the emergency stop button. Breathe, Breathe! He told himself. There has to be a reasonable explanation for why all this was happening.

Sarah was in big trouble! That was a given.

But Abby had LIED to him. Not once or twice. Not even lies of omission. Big blatant lies and lots of them. Straight to his face. Why would she do that?

Oh Sarah was in a lot of trouble but Abby was in more trouble than she could ever imagine. He had a good mind to turn her over his knee right then and there when he got to her lab..

In the lab Abby hung up the phone and went into full panic mode. She was pacing up and down talking to herself and wringing her hands. Part of the reason she was so distraught was that she was finally going to have to look Tim in the eyes and admit to what she'd done. The other reason was that she felt bad for Sarah. She was really gonna be in trouble now. Before she could finish collecting her thoughts though the elevator dinged and it was too late.

At Tim and Abby's apartment Sarah had given up. She couldn't do this anymore. Deciding that the only thing she could do was to finally ask for help, she weighed up her options.

She could ring Tim……..ah no. Abby……maybe. Gibbs? ……no he was just plain scary. Ziva ……..another maybe. As she heard something smash in the other room she was forced to make a quick decision. The perfect choice. Tony. If anybody would understand this mess it would be Tony.

Just as Ziva was getting to the end of the story Tony's cell rang. This time it was Gibbs and Ziva listening to a one sided conversation. "Sarah, slow down honey I can't understand a word your saying. Are they your friends? How many? Is there much damage to the apartment?"

As soon as he heard that Gibbs took over "Ziva! Get Tim and Abby!" "Tony tell her we'll be right there! Hang up and get the car!"

As Tim came out of the elevator he came face to face with Abby. For the first time in a while she looked him directly in the eye . With tears welling up in her own eyes she wailed 'I'm sorry Timmy! I'm so sorry! It just got so out of hand and I couldn't stop it and I couldn't fix it."

"What did Abigail?" he said calmly.

"Ummm, I know you know. I mean I know you know about Sarah."

"Abby you lied to me! A LOT!" Tim said, frustrated that she didn't seem to get what SHE had done.

"I KNOW!" she shouted. "I GET IT."

"ARE YOU GETTING ATTITUDE WITH ME?" Tim bellowed astounded.

Abby took a breath and tried to calm down. "No! I didn't mean to shout it's just that of course I know I lied to you. Well obviously. I mean it's not obvious that I would lie to you but obvious that I already did. Not that I think that's ok because I know it's not but…"

"Abby stop!" Tim said in a calmer voice. "You're not making a lot of sense. I need to know WHY you lied to me!"

" I promised Sarah." She said immediately.

"Not good enough Abby!" he shook his head at the feeble excuse.

"Tim?"

"Yes Abby."

"Will you ever forgive me?"

"Yes. But Abby? You are so gonna get it when we get home!" and with that he lifted her skirt and seeing that she was wearing her usual thong gave her one god almighty smack that left an angry red handprint across both cheeks.

Abby screeched "OWWWW McGEE" and then stopped. Ziva was standing there looking embarrassed. They were so caught up that neither of them heard the elevator or noticed her exit from it.

"I am sorry to ..ah …interrupt but there is a problem at your apartment. I think it is something to do with Sarah and some friends. Gibbs says we are all going there now."

"But she's at school! She must be! She promised me she wouldn't ditch anymore." Abby said stunned.

Tim just rolled his eyes at her.

"Apparently, some promises are ok to be broken." Tim replied sarcastically. "Come on." he said taking Abby's hand "Let's go and see what my other naughty girl has done now!"

When they arrived at Tim and Abby's building, the racket could be heard from the street. To make matters worse a police car was just pulling up. Gibbs went over and spoke quietly to them flashing his badge and pointing towards Tim explaining that it was his apartment and that they would handle it.

They decided the quickest way to clear the apartment of junior miscreants would be with a major scare. When they burst through the door with their guns in the air screaming "Freeze NCIS!" you could have heard a pin drop. As they put their guns away Gibbs yelled "Everyone who doesn't want to be arrested give your name to either Special agent David or Special agent Dinozzo then GET OUT!" The panicked kids rushed to do as they were told so they could scramble away to safety.

While their friends were taking care of emptying the apartment Tim and Abby were surveying the damage. This was going to be a BIG cleanup! Sarah trailed behind them crying. "I'm so sorry! I never meant for this to happen." When Abby didn't stop to comfort her she got desperate. "I'm so so so sorry Abby it was only gonna be one more day and…."

Abby cut her off. "You promised!" she hissed so quietly that nobody but Tim and Sarah heard her.

When Abby's eyes lit on her precious cd's she sat on the floor and gathered them all to her while tears streamed down her face. This broke Sarah's heart. She sat on the floor next to Abby and hugged her knees to her chest and cried even harder.

By now the last of Sarah's so called friends had left and Gibbs ,Tony and Ziva stood surveying what was left to be done. They were speechless at the devastation of the room. Tony was the first to speak while he glanced at Abby and Sarah. "What a mess!" seemingly stating the obvious but not really talking about he party mess.

Tim now took a big breath to prepare himself for the daunting task ahead of them. "Guys could I have a minute alone with the girls please." Nodding they all made themselves scarce by going to the kitchen to gather some cleaning supplies.

Tim faced Abby and Sarah. "Right I'm gonna tell you two what's gonna happen. You are both in a heap of trouble but we're gonna have to save that till later. I can't begin to fathom what you were thinking, either of you" he said pointedly glaring at Abby. "But you're not going to sit around here crying over a mess that you both helped make, while our friends clean up." He put up his hand to stop Abby as she started to object. "I know you didn't make THIS mess but you did contribute because if you had TOLD me in the first place none of this would have happened." He clapped his hands together loudly which made them jump. "What are we still sitting on the floor for ladies. START CLEANING!..... NOW!" He set them moving with a sharp smack to the backside each. Abby moved off quickly while Sarah just stared at her brother in shock. "I said MOVE!" he yelled landing a harder smack this time. She moved.

Tony , Gibbs and Ziva tried hard not to laugh at the sudden flurry of cleaning that was happening. Tony looked at Ziva. " You know your not totally blameless either don't you."

"I was only trying to help Abby." She said

"That worked out well I see."he said with a slight smirk.

"Hmmm." was her only reply.

"I think you better get out there and help them. Don't you?" and before she could answer he spun her around and landed three hard smacks to her bottom and gave her a push towards the others.

Ziva turned with a glare towards Tony ready to retaliate, when she caught Gibbs crossed arms and raised eyebrow.

" Alright!" she huffed and stomped out to join the others.

TBC