I've decided to keep the layout from last time so it's easier to read. This chapter is longer then the last few and I could have kept on going but I'm low on time. R&R if you'd like, but enjoy it nonetheless.


Chapter 7

(Abby's residence)

Abby sighed and dropped down onto her plush sofa in the dank room which she spent most of her time in. Strange pictures hung from the walls, handcuffs and other strange objects littered the table and there seemed to be no method to her madness, at least that was Duckie's impression.

"Well, I'll leave you alone then shall I?" it wasn't really a question, the look on her face had alerted him to her need to be alone. Abby lay sprawled on the couch, her eyes half closed. "Call me if you need anything at all."

Abby suddenly came to life, she stood up and gave him an encouraging smile. "Sure Duck, if I need anything at all I'll call." She put her hand on his arm and kissed him sweetly on the cheek.

And with one last look at his friend, Duckie left.

(Gibbs' car)

Gibbs gripped the steering wheel tightly, willing his car to speed up a little. He desperately hoped she was alright. Somewhere deep in his gut he felt like she was in his care and it was his job to make sure she wasn't alone.

When he finally pulled up outside her house the old Gibbs was back and there was no confusion about what he knew he had to do.

(Inside the lounge)

Abby closed her eyes and rested her head on the dense pillows. She didn't want any of that day to be real. Finally she had time to consider what she had heard in the bullpen. She sat upright,

"Damn I didn't ask him!" she said aloud.

She'd forgotten that Duckie had yelled at McGee, and it also worried her that she hadn't seen Gibbs since that morning. She checked the clock and saw that it was just after midday. Perhaps he didn't know how to handle such a situation, it certainly was one of those things that her invincible Gibbs never had to deal with. Knocking up young Gothic girls wasn't one of his favourite past times. She shut her eyes and felt a head ache coming on.

He seemed to be avoiding her, 'No that's silly, he's not like that.' she scolded herself.

Or was he? Maybe this had something to do with Duckie. Had McGee said something, did the whole team know! She felt the knot of nervous tension arise in her stomach and no amount of rational thinking could make it disappear.

Little did she know that at the precise moment she was thinking about him his hand was poised to knock on her door...

((There was a light knock at the door))

(Back in the bullpen)

Tony checked the time and wondered how long Gibbs would be gone for. Gibbs had seemed unusually worried about Abby going home, then again she was rarely sick. But he must know she was pregnant also. Tony hoped she was alright and so was the baby.

He leaned back in his chair and fiddled with a pencil as he stared at the ceiling and imagined a little girl dressed in a frilly black dress made out of lace and off Abby hand. He smiled at the image.

Ziva gave him a strange look from across the room which he didn't see and she strode over to McGee's desk to lean on it and try to pull information out of the him. She smiled almost sadistically down at him and he pulled a face.

"Ziva for the last time I do not know why Dr. Mallard yelled at me!" His temper was starting to flare. But it was far from intimidating, not only because she was Mossad but more about his entire demeanour which convinced whoever met him that he would never hurt them.

Ziva continued to stare down at him and McGee could stand it no longer. He grabbed his coat and stalked out, giving her one final glare before he left. Tony snapped out of his daydream long enough to see the end of the exchange.

"Maybe he really doesn't know." Tony quipped from the corner. And then he jumped out of his seat as the idea came to him.

A paternity test... But he'd need the baby's blood...

(Back at Abby's)

Abby's eyes opened slowly at the sound of the singular knock and she wondered who it might be in the middle of the day seeing as everyone she knew was at work. She thought immediately that it must be Duckie. So she pushed herself up tiredly from the couch and tripped to the door.

She was surprised to see Gibbs standing there, no coffee, jacket absent. "Gibbs?" she said in slight surprise. But it wasn't really a question because she knew who it was and that he was there.

Gibbs entered at her hand motion and leant in to ask her "Are you alright?" Abby realising that Tony had told her simply nodded her answer and closed the door behind them.

She offered him a drink but he didn't seem to hear her. Instead they both sat down on the couch and Gibbs began to speak. "How did Duckie say you were?"

Abby took a breath and told him what Dr. Mallard had said after she'd passed out and that he'd taken a sample of her blood to do a proper pregnancy test. Gibbs made no movements the entire time she spoke, she wasn't even sure she'd blinked.

"Is it really mine Abby?"

She had to open her mouth as if to speak and then take a few seconds to understand what he'd just asked.

"I already told you that!" she seemed hurt he would doubt her.

Her brow furrowed, and she looked angry.

"You haven't slept with anyone else since me, or even before?"

Now she was angry. She gritted her teeth and then spoke.

"Not that it is any of your business Gibbs, but I didn't sleep with anyone since you and before you it was several weeks. If this baby isn't yours then you can start calling me Mary or assume Aliens attacked me during the night. I cannot believe you would doubt what I already told you! I have never lied to you Gibbs!" she was was really hurt and the tears started to streak down her face. "Don't you think I thought about whether or not it was someone else's? Don't you think I would have thought of that possibility before informing you that you were going to be a Daddy?" She stood up in anger.

Gibbs sat still on the chair. Letting the information sink in.

"You just don't want to believe this is your baby do you!" She countered.

The room was electric, and the resolving of this situation would depend on Gibbs' next few words...