A/N: Thanks everyone for all your delightful feedback – I feel like I should clarify though… Abby wasn't cutting herself in the end of chapter two. I wanted to give it the feeling like she was, but when I said she ran her hand over the smooth skin of her leg, I meant that she had been shaving. Bu then she nicked her skin and had thoughts of cutting, but pushed the ugly thoughts away, as in, she decided against it.

So, just to clear that up…. Now you may continue on with reading & reviewing : )

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"Someone give me a dollar!" Abby stood in the middle of the squad room shouting at Ziva, Tony and McGee. They were shocked at the absolute 180 from her usual personality.

"What do you need?"

"What do I need, McGee? I need a dollar."

"I got one for you, Abby." Tony quickly dug a dollar out of his wallet and handed it over.

Abby marched back to the candy machine and finally got what she had been after, skittles. She figured she could use the sugar. She made her way back to the lab. Why didn't he come to me? He knew I would be worried. Abby went over everything in her mind. Even a night's sleep hadn't calmed her down. Why was he going to Hollis? Doesn't he need me anymore? Suddenly Abby felt neglected and rejected. "But he always comes to me…"

The three hours of sleep she had managed had done nothing for her mood. The way she felt, she might as well not have gone to bed at all; her eyes were red from crying.

Tony had meant to follow Abby down after a few minutes, but Gibbs rounded the corner. "Grab your gear. We got an explosion at a marine funeral…"

---

"What do you got, Abbs?" Gibbs strode into the lab, Tony following closely at his heels. He stopped behind Abby, peering over her shoulder in his usual manner, inhaling her home-made perfume of gunpowder and flowers.

"Flesh, organs and human tissue, the DNA confirms…" Abby pushed away from her desk and away from Gibbs. As much as she had been worried about him and the effects of the BZ gas, she was still hurt that he hadn't even called her to reassure her that he was indeed ok, and that he ended up with Hollis instead.

"…five different people." Tony continued for her, hearing that she still hadn't recovered from whatever had been bothering her earlier in the day.

"Well, if you've already talked to Ducky, there's not much I can tell you." Abby missed the look the two men gave each other. "You didn't give me much to work with, Gibbs. There is barely any blood, the bodies were probably drained. There were traces of cellulose, fiber, common paper and string."

"The parts were wrapped."

"Yeah, but they are too degraded to get finger prints off of them…" Abby gave her results with far less of her usual excitement.

Gibbs observed her a moment, noticing her bloodshot eyes. He was concerned, but they had a case to solve, he would question her later. Gibbs looked over at Tony. "DiNozzo…"

"… Contact next of kin and get permission to open those two crypts, on it boss." Tony watched Gibbs walk from the lab, and when he heard the elevator doors close, he turned to Abby. "Abby, are you ok?"

Abby nodded. "I'm fine."

"Now, see… my special DiNozzo 'woman's-emotion radar' says that you aren't, and I checked my calendar, you've still got ten days until you start your, uhm, cycle. Abby, you're my best friend, talk to me."

"It's just a guy thing…"

"Oh, and here I thought it might be a Hollis thing?"

Abby smiled. "It might be a combination of the two."

"Care to explain?"

"Lock the door, Tony."

"Ooh, this sounds devious and dangerous. I like it." Tony did as he was told and then pulled a second chair up to Abby's desk. "Alright, spill."

"I hate her. And I'm starting to hate him when he's with her. Ok, so maybe not hate him, but he's not the same. It bothers me. Then, last night, I waited for him to come over. He always does when he's been injured because he knows I worry. He didn't. He was with her."

"You don't know that. He probably ended up drunk with his boat."

"No, he was with her. I know."

"Are you sure?"

"His phone…" Abby realized she had admitted to tracing him. "Ok, ok… so I have this program on my computer at home so that if it's absolutely necessary I can trace your guys' phones, even if I can't make it back to the office. I've never used it before, just when you were in the office once to test it, so I traced him and he was at her place."

"Really, you can do that?"

"Yes, don't tell anyone, it's for emergencies only, and I thought… I don't know maybe he was in a ditch somewhere."

"Why didn't you call him, I'm sure he would've stopped over."

"Tony, you know he doesn't like people smothering him. Plus, he's always just come over on his own."

"I see." A lazy grin spread across Tony's face as he realized what exactly Abby was saying. "You're in love with him."

"I didn't say that, I was just worried. That and I don't like Hollis."

"You love him, admit it. You have too. It's another thing that my DiNozzo meter is good at detecting, a woman in love. "

Abby glared at Tony, but slowly her look softened. "Ok, maybe I do."

Tony opened his arms and waited until Abby moved to him and sat down on his lap. "Don't worry Abby, she was just here for the case, I'm sure she'll go away. Sharif has been eliminated, thanks to Mann. I know, I know, we don't like her, but she did save his life. But with Sharif gone, we're all good now."

"I hope you're right."

Tony patted her back softly, and Abby stepped back. "Tony?"

"Yeah?"

"Has anyone ever told you how great of a friend you are?"

"Uh, not exactly. I mean… I… I've heard I'm a great wing-man."

"Tony, you are a great friend. You are my best friend, and I love you." Abby meant it. She could remember a time when Tony first started at NCIS where she was utterly annoyed by his cheeky attitude, but now, now she enjoyed his childish behavior. He made her laugh.

"Really?" Hearing that she loved him warmed his heart. He had always had issues with the term love. Even in a non-romantic way. His family hadn't been the poster for family love, and he could count the number of times his parents had declared their love for him on one hand. Having Abby around made up for the sister he never had, and her love filled the hole his family had left.

"Yes, now be a good friend and keep that bitch out of my lab."

"Ah, I see how it is. Sure you love me. I'm just your cuddly guard dog."

"If the shoe fits…"

Tony rolled his eyes and headed for the elevator. "Oh, Abbs?"

"Now what?"

"Same to you. I'd be lost here without you, and I love you."

---

Gibbs was in a hurry. There was some sick-o killing people and chopping up their body into pieces. He wasn't, however, in so much of a hurry that he missed the obvious displeasure in Abby's voice. He thought back to the evening before. He knew he should've stopped by Abby's place; he'd had every intention of doing so, but somehow his innocent 'thank you' to Hollis had turned into an all-night affair. Finding the Caf-Pow still in his drink holder the next morning had struck a nerve with him.

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After finding out that Hollis Mann was also involved with their newest case, Tony felt it was his duty to give Abby fair warning.

Abby startled when Tony flew into the lab, breathlessly clutching his sides.

"Tony! Are you alright?"

"Fine. I… I have… news. You… should… hear… me… first." Tony panted. He waited for his breathing to even out before speaking.

Abby directed him to a chair and went to grab a glass of water. Tony gratefully swallowed the water. He smiled his thanks and then spoke. "I just thought you should hear this from me first, so it doesn't come as a complete shock, but she's back. Hollis is part of the current case. She said it ventured into CID territory, because, well I have no clue. I overheard the director say that Hollis was 'on loan' to NCIS until no longer needed, it might go beyond this case. I'm not sure."

"I think I just threw up a little bit in my mouth." Abby massaged her temples and closed her eyes. "I cannot stand that woman."

"I hear you, I'll do my best to keep her out of the lab, but I can't promise anything."

"I know…" Abby let out a faint laugh. "Speaking of…" She rolled her eyes and nodded at the door. Gibbs and Hollis were on their way in to check on the knives they had discovered at Len's house.

Gibbs gave Tony a hard look.

"Right, I got phone calls to make. I'll talk to you later, Abby." Tony gave her an apologetic look and her hand a squeeze before leaving.

Abby directed them towards the table containing the various knives and blades that had been brought in from Len Grady's place. She took a deep breath and started on the exhale. "None of them match the incisions that you found on the body pieces, and there is no trace of human blood."

"What about the pork chop we found in his freezer?" Hollis asked, pacing behind the table.

Abby didn't make eye contact with either of them. She grabbed the wrapped pork chop from the freezer, tossed it on the table and sighed. "The incisions on the pork chop match those found on the body parts. Tool mark analysis isn't as precise as say, fingerprints or ballistics, but I can conclusively tell you that none of the blades in Grady's possession carved that pig."

"Well why would they? He probably had it carved…" Hollis sounded slightly annoyed at Abby's lackluster behavior, but softened when Gibbs gave her a warning look. "His partner's a butcher." Hollis gave Gibbs a look behind Abby's back before walking out.

Gibbs waited for Hollis to disappear into the elevator before turning to face Abby. He could tell something was bothering her. Her jaw muscles were tense, and she avoided eye contact. Her voice was flat and where she normally danced around her lab, her steps were forceful and she moved with calculated steps. He didn't think it was something dangerous, he knew that if she felt unsafe she would come to him. This was something different, she was despondent and she seemed lethargic.

"Abby, I'm sorry I didn't stop by last night after the hospital. I was… busy, tired. You know how much I hate hospitals. My mind was a mess."

"Whatever. I'm over it."

"I should've at least called."

Abby avoided his gaze. Gibbs never apologized, but when that failed to warrant a response from Abby he realized that whatever her issue was went far beyond the fact that he hadn't contacted her last night. His thoughts were interrupted when she spoke. "Don't you have work to do? Look it's not something you can fix in the classic Gibbs hit and run style."

"I got time, Abbs." Gibbs leaned against the table in an attempt to show her that he was in no rush, that he had time for her problem.

"It's stupid… it's just a guy. I'm not going to start spilling my guts because you keep standing there."

Gibbs wanted to smile, not because he was happy she was sad, but because usually all he had to do was stand near her, invade her personal space and she would break and tell him anything. It had always been that way. He had learned that the more he asked, the less she told, so he let his strong presence do the talking.

Gibbs was speechless when she walked out.

---

Gibbs standing so close to her, asking her what was bothering her had pushed her over the edge. She was still a bit shocked that she had actually walked out on him, but she was afraid that if she didn't she would say something she would regret and ruin the friendship that they had. She might not have been able to have him romantically, but remaining his friend was something she wasn't willing to risk. Abby hoped that he would chalk it up to PMS or a guy at the club and let it go. She just had to act like nothing was wrong, and she was certain that he wouldn't press. As long as Hollis stayed away from her, she would be fine; just fine.

Abby paid for her Caf-Pow and went back to the lab. It was empty, thank god. She pushed play on her CD player, choosing something a little more 'brooding' she put in her Seether CD, starting it on the song 'No Shelter'. With a few deep breaths, Abby slipped back into her lab coat. She had nearly relaxed completely into her usual role of bouncing around the lab, talking to her machines. The sound of the lab doors gliding open snapped Abby back to reality.

"Abby?" Hollis stepped into the lab.

Abby cringed at the sound of her voice. "I don't have anything else yet. Gibbs will know when I do."

"That's not what I'm here about."

Abby turned to look at her. "What?"

"You know why I'm here."

"You've got something for me?" Abby looked at her hands to see if she was carrying something.

"I'm here about Jethro. I don't know what your problem is with me seeing him, I don't know if you like him, or just don't like me… whatever it is, you need to get over it. I'm sick and tired of the little comments, the attitude, the looks, everything. Move on."

Abby was momentarily speechless. "I'm sorry, but did you just come in here and threaten me?"

"There was no threat in what I said."

"But that's what you meant, right? Stay away from Gibbs, or else….?"

"You said it, not me."

"If you think you can march into my lab, and tell me what to do, then you are dumber than your camo-suit makes you look." Abby stepped closer. "No one tells me what to do in my lab."

"I'm just letting you know that it's time for you to relax and move on. Get over it, Jethro and I are together, you'll just have to deal with it."

"Get out, I'm busy."

Hollis turned to leave, but again turned to face Abby. "I don't see a point in Jethro being a part of this conversation, do you? I think this is between us, don't you think?" When Abby didn't grant her a response, Hollis left.

Abby turned to look at the small figurines on her desk. "Time to stake out the battlefield, this isn't about to be a fair fight, soldiers. He might not want me, but I sure as hell can make her feel uncomfortable." Abby chewed on her lower lip and turned to face the doorway where Hollis had passed moments before. "Bring it on, Hollis. Bring it on."

---

Abby needed time to figure out her plan of action. A small part of her wanted to run to Gibbs and tell him everything, but that thought vanished quickly. She wasn't a little girl who needed protecting; she was a woman who would prepare to fight. Hollis' threat wasn't something she would ignore. She didn't think that Gibbs would ever feel the same about her as she did for him, but they did have chemistry. There was something there, there had to be. And with all the other women he had dated, she had never felt that her personal relationship had been threatened. There was just something about Hollis that turned her off.

Abby decided that her first course of action was going to be clearing her head. The rest of the day went by slower than normal. Gibbs had come back around after finding Len Grady's girlfriend slaughtering the latest victim in the back of her van.

"Where are you off too in such a rush?"

"I have a date."

"A date?"

"Yep, a date."

"Who is this guy?" Every time Abby had had a date lined up she would get Gibbs to run a background check. Ever since Mikel had turned out to be a mental case, Abby couldn't be more cautious.

"Oh, some guy. He's a real stud."

"Have you checked him out?" Gibbs voice was full of concern. I thought she was having guy problems. He better be treating her right.

"Nah, he seems like a good guy. I'm sure I'll be fine."

"Abby."

"What Gibbs? Any normal girl doesn't do a background check on every guy that she goes to dinner with." Abby played irritated, but inside her heart swelled. At least he still cares.

"Will you call me at the end of your date, so that I know you're home safe?"

"I'll be fine, Gibbs. Anyway, I've got to go, I'm going to be late."

"Call me, Abby."

Abby waved over her shoulder as she left, opting for the stairs rather than waiting for the elevator. Once inside her car Abby let out a sigh. Ok, so maybe she hadn't run a background check on her date. She didn't need to do a check on someone who couldn't put her in any danger. Her first stop was to pick up her date.

"Hey Abby, whatcha got there?"

Abby held up the three Pirates of the Caribbean DVD's. "I've got a hot date with Johnny Depp tonight."

"Good idea, overnight rental, or three-day?"

"Just overnight. I'll finish these bad boys tonight." Abby paid for the DVD rentals and then walked across the street to the mini-mart. Inside she picked up a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. Both Ben and Jerry were who she turned to when she was stressed and needed to think. Back at her apartment Abby pulled on her favorite sweats and switched off all the lights. She put in the first DVD in and moved back to the sofa. She pulled the soft blanket from the back of the sofa and wrapped it securely around her shoulders and nestled into the soft cushions of the couch. She pressed play and reached for the ice cream. Abby halfway paid attention to the film and half way thought of Hollis. She was utterly shocked that Hollis had threatened her in her lab.

She couldn't be direct and tell Gibbs that Hollis bothered her more than anyone else that she could think of at the moment. She couldn't tell him that she'd rather go round two with Chip, the assistant from hell, then deal with Hollis in her lab. No, she needed to try and win him over. At this point she didn't really feel like wasting her time on dating guys that meant nothing, and that she consistently compared to Gibbs, so why not spend her time trying to win Gibbs over. Even if she didn't have a chance with him, the chances are pretty small, she thought, she had nothing to lose. Plus, if nothing else, her flirtatious behavior would drive Hollis nuts.

Halfway through the second movie Abby stared longingly at her phone. It was ten pm, and she wanted to call Gibbs. She wanted to reassure him that she was safe. She wondered if he would come over and watch the last movie with her. She wasn't sure if he was with Hollis or not, but he had said to call when her date was over. No, she changed her mind, if he wasn't going to stop by after being in the hospital than she didn't have to call him. It was childish, she knew, but she couldn't help it. Abby returned her attention to the TV screen in front of her and the ice cream in hand.

She spooned another mouthful of ice cream into her mouth and childishly decided, what goes around, comes around.

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Gibbs was waiting for her in the lab the next morning. She had seen him the moment she stepped off the elevator; he was pacing in front of her desk, one eye watching the clock, the other eyeing the phone on her desk. He was moments from calling her cell when he saw her. "You didn't call me, Abby. I was up half the night worrying about you. Is this some sort of pay back for not calling or stopping by while I was in the hospital?"

"Sorry Gibbs, I fell asleep." But, yes, it's not like you called or stopped by after your hospital stint, she continued in her mind. "You could've called if you were that worried."

Abby noticed a flick of jealousy in his eyes, but just as quick as she saw it, it disappeared. "Well, I didn't want to interrupt anything."

Abby rolled her eyes.

"So are you going out with him again?"

She didn't let it show, but she felt a tad smug. "Nah that date was all played out. We had a good time and now it's over." As in, I've seen the movies and don't have to see them again for a long, long time. Abby left out the second half of her comment out again.

Did Abby just allude to a one night stand? That was risky and un-Abby behavior. "Be safe, Abby." Gibbs ran his thumb along her cheek before he left. My girl.

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TBC

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