Abigail Sciuto quietly waited.

And her patience was rewarded. The familiar ring of the elevator stopping on her floor was followed by the 'swish' of the doors sliding open. Abby, without looking up, greeted the incomer.

"Hi Kate," Abby brushed away a tear. "They're telling me Tony's dead."

"'They'?"

Abby pointed to the computer screen that stood out against its dimly lighted surroundings. The screen flashed a picture of a young Italian who smiled like with all the confidence in the world.

"That's the official confirmation of the death of Special Agent Anthony Dinozzo," Abby pulled an evidence bag out of her labcoat pocket as she continued. "The blood from these Lapua 308 moly-coated rounds was identified to be Tony's blood. And I have his bloody clothes on that table over there. This all.."

Abby waved her arms away from herself as if to indicate the situation as a whole.

"The blood, the bullet, people, and even science! They're all telling me that Tony. Is. Dead." Abby had stood up and was positively yelling. "And you know how !"

The ex-secret service agent met Abby's angry gaze.

"He died saving me from Ari's bullet Abby."

"But that's not true Kate," Abby's anger drained from her as she looked at her friend. Kate was leaning slightly against the table with a longing smile on her lips. Seeing the pain in her friend's eyes, Abby instinctively reached out to give her a hug, but when shook her head, Abby had to bite her quivering lip to stop her tears. "We weren't able to save you Kate. None of us were."

Kate's eyes twinkled with sudden mischief.

"I guessed you'd catch on faster than McGee. Come on Abbs, don't cry. If there ever was a time for black lipstick, it would be now."

With utmost care, Abby carefully received the lipstick Kate had passed to her. It felt like when Abby was dealing with a jumpy horse, or an injured Tony; the wrong move would bring disastrous results.

There were so many things Abby wanted to tell Kate(like how much her last date bummed, or about her new tatoo) and do(like give Kate a hug that could squeeze the life out-oops bad word choice-of her), but instead Abby settled for a simple question.

"Where is this place? Well, obviously, my lab, but I meant in more like the symbolic meaning of the word because well, this place feels real but something about this place is hinky."

"This," Kate said. "Is the wonderful world of Dinozzo."

Out of all the answers Abby was expecting, that was not one of them.

"This… Tony?"

"The world is a lot more complicated then we can imagine, and there are always countless possibilities that never happen," Kate looked thoughtful as she followed Abby and dropped into an extra chair. "This is one of those possibilities."

"Am I in a different dimension 'cause I've always wanted to try that and-"

"No Abbs," Kate interrupted gently. "To be honest this world shouldn't even exist. The possibility of saving me shouldn't exist. Nobody, could have ever saved me from Ari's bullet. Ever."

"But you're here."

"Because Tony wished for it so hard, that it actually came true," Kate grinned. "At least partially."

"Partially?"

"Well, I'm not wearing a bikini am I?" Kate flashed a grin before continuing. "I mean partially, because what Tony wished for isn't going to come true. But the 'possibility' of having been able to save me now exists. Yea Abbs, you're right. It doesn't change anything for you guys. I'm not coming back… But it means everything for me."

To be missed and loved enough to break the rules of Nature itself, was more than Kate had ever asked for. The agent looked at ease as she continued.

"I am really alive here, in this world, and even if this world is full of things that never happened nor will, that doesn't matter. The fact that I'm here, alive, in this world, this moment, and able to talk to you, that's what matters. I don't even think you'll remember this because technically, this conversation, never really happened. It's just a possibility, a 'could have been', even if the Abby Scuito here, is the real Abby Scuito. Do you get what I'm saying Abbs? You may wake up and remember this as a dream. Maybe this is really just a part of a dream. Maybe not. But what this is or will become, doesn't matter."

"What's important is that we're both here," Abby smiled for the first time. "At the same time, believing that this is real, which makes it real."

"Atta girl Abby," Kate laughed. "I knew there was a reason I liked you."

They spent the next few minutes in a comfortable silence. Amazingly, the overwhelming need to talk had vanished, and Abby was perfectly content with just sitting in the lab with her friend.

Abby remembered the helplessness of when Tony had passed her the bullet cases that was left at Ari's sniper nest. The science she loved and depended on did not offer the comfort it usually gave; nothing could bring their Kate back. Nothing could erase the pang of pain whenever something turned up to remind her of the secret service agent. She had thought that if she could have one more day, she'd talk Kate to death, and give her all the love in the world to make sure that Kate knew she was loved in the world she had to leave so abruptly.

"But you already know," Abby finally whispered.

Kate somehow also knew what Abby was talking about.

"Always Abbs," Kate returned the warm gaze. "Always, which is why I want you to let it go now."

There was a gentle command to the words that Abby knew she'd accept.

"You're not mad at us for not saving you Kate?"

Kate looked at the usually cheerful Goth. Abby was gripping the chair so hard that her knuckles had turned white but she didn't seem to notice. Her attention was focused only on Kate, as she waited for the answer, which came with not a single second of hesitation.

"Never was Abby. Never would be."

Silent tears rolled down Abby's cheeks but she smiled the cheerful smile for she knew Kate would want to see.

"I really liked you Kate. A lot."

Kate smiled with warm satisfaction as she answered Abby.

"I know."


Abby opened her eyes to find herself in total darkness. Her peaceful deep sleep was interrupted by the obnoxious ring of her cellphone. Pushing the cover of her coffin, and pulling herself out with ease, Abby found her cellphone in her jacket pocket.

"Hello? You've reached a very cranky Abby who has-"

"Abbs," Gibbs interrupted. "Tony's in trouble. I want you at the lab now-"

Abby was instantly awake.

"What happened to Tony Gibbs? Do we have a crime scene? Tony's not dying is he Gibbs? Oh God I don't know what-"

"Abby! Calm down. I've already called Ducky and he's going to Bethesda. Seahawk is too far from land to launch a chopper so they've changed route and they're coming home. I'll call you when anything changes, but right now I want you at the lab where I know you're safe."

"Safe? Did someone attack Tony Gibbs?" Abby screeched. "Was Tony attacked?"

"…No Abbs. I don't think he was attacked."

Abby's gut twisted horribly as she heard the very slight note of fear in her silver haired fox's voice. Something was wrong, because Gibbs should be happy that Tony wasn't attacked. Unless…

"Oh no…" Abby realized. "Gibbs, you're not saying…"

"You're right. I'm not saying anything until we're absolutely sure. Just be where I can reach you."

"Got it Bossman," Abby saluted although Gibbs wouldn't be able to see her. "And Gibbs…"

"I know Abbs," The determination in Gibbs's voice was fierce. "I'll bring him home."