Abby was sitting quietly in the passenger seat of the car. "Abs we have to go in." Tim reminded her. "Everyone's inside waiting for us." He said gently.

"Tim… I don't want to." Abby admitted quietly. "It's not really freedom if I have to be in a wheelchair."

"Abby I know it's not your favorite option… But it's for your safety." Tim said before a high pitched noise came from the backseat. "Hey Ryan." Tim greeted his son happily. "Did you have a good nap?"

"He's going to need a bottle." Abby said softly.

"Let's go inside Abs." Tim replied. "Ryan needs a bottle made, and everyone is waiting."

"Tell them to go home." Abby demanded. "I don't want to…" She tried again before Caitlin came bursting through the garage door.

"I TOLD YOU THAT THEY WERE HERE!" She called into the house excitedly. Immediately both Ziva and Gibbs appeared in the garage doorway.

"Welcome home." Ziva said gently as she pulled a suitcase from the trunk.

Tim sighed. "Let's do this." He encouraged her softly as he got out of the car. "Gibbs could you get Abby's wheelchair inside?" Tim requested.

"Of course." Gibbs said as he lifted the folded metal object from the trunk.

Tim swung around and opened Abby's door surprised to find tears on her cheeks. "Please Timmy… Don't make me do this."

Ziva came back into the garage just then, this time with Adi clutching her hand. "Is she okay?" She questioned immediately.

"I don't want everyone to see me like this." Abby admitted softly.

"Abby." Ziva said softly as she tried to adjust her hand within Adi's iron grip. "Everyone has missed you so much. You are still Abby and we really want to spend time with you before you go."

Abby considered it for a moment before Ryan let out a high pitched scream in the backseat. "I guess I don't really have a choice…"

Ziva smiled gently as she put her arms around her best friend's shoulders. "That's the spirit." She said mockingly as she helped Abby gently out of the car.

"Ouch." Abby said as her abdomen straightened out.

"Oh I'm sorry Abby… I shouldn't have had you get up that quickly… I wasn't thinking." Ziva apologized profusely.

"It's okay Ziva." Abby said biting back her tears.

"Abby it's not." Ziva protested. "Are you sure you're going to be okay?" Abby nodded before they both looked down to Ziva's legs to find Adi cured around them. "Tim!" Ziva called and Tim reappeared in the garage having deposited Ryan and his car seat inside.

"Hey Abs." Tim said gently as he carefully switched with Ziva in supporting Abby's weight. "Let's get you inside."

Ziva carefully scooped up Adi and followed Tim and Abby into the house.

"Abigail how are you feeling?" Ducky asked Abby gently as he assisted her into her wheelchair.

Abby looked disoriented for a moment before looking back up at him. "I'm… I think I'm okay." She replied honestly.

Mom? Anastasia signed hopefully.

Abby held out her arms for a hug and Anastasia rushed quickly into them. Abby gently brushed her finger through her daughter's curls. As soon as she pulled away she began signing. Sweetheart… I'm so sorry.

For what? Anastasia asked clearly confused.

Everything. I convinced you to come back home only to leave. Abby explained.

Anastasia was about to reply when Leah tapped her on the shoulder, her fingers flying furiously. The two girls giggled before running off together.

"Leah signs?" Abby asked curiously.

Ziva nodded. "She's… she's an amazing girl." Ziva said as she looked over to the group of girls that had formed in the kitchen, slicing vegetables. "I was wondering yesterday if this was really all going to work, but Leah… Leah's so beyond helpful."

"Hey Zi Sienna's starving." Tony said as he came into the living room.

"Then get her a bottle." Ziva replied sharply.

"I tried that she won't drink it." Tony said clearly frustrated.

"Alright come to mommy." Ziva said as she accepted the infant into her arms. "Hello baby." She said softly as she tickled her cheeks. "I thought you were going to drink from a bottle. We've been doing that for a good month now sweetie." She said softly before sighing. "Abby would you mind if I used your bedroom?"

Abby shook her head and Ziva headed up the stairs.

"How're you feeling Abs?" Tony asked awkwardly.

"Can't anyone come up with anything else to ask me!" Abby exclaimed angrily.

"I'm sorry Abs. We're just concerned about you." Tony explained softly.

Abby shook her head in frustration. "There's nothing I want more, than to have people look at me the exact same way they did before all of this, but I know that won't happen. I made too many stupid decisions and too much has changed…"

"Abby… You're still Abby. And you always will be no matter what anyone else has to say about it." Tony said as he gently took her hand in hers. "None of this is your fault." He assured her softly, sensing what she was thinking. Abby's shoulders quivered in a telltale sign that she was about to cry. "Oh Abby."

Just then Ducky made his way back into the room. "Abigail are you alright?" He asked clearly concerned. Abby shook her head as the tears rolled down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry." Ducky said, knowing what she needed to hear as he took the hand Tony wasn't holding in his.

"I don't want this." Abby sobbed.

"Of course you don't." Tony and Ducky assured her gently. "You didn't want this Abby. You don't deserve this."

"Abby!" Tim cried out as soon as he came back into the room. "Abby are you alright?"

Abby pulled her hands from Tony and Ducky's and wrapped her arms around Tim's neck. "I'm so scared." She whispered into his chest.

"Sweetheart." Tim said softly. "We're going to get through this."

Abby nodded softly before he pressed his lips gently to hers. "Are we going to open presents or something?" Abby asked as his thumbs wiped her tears off her cheeks.

Tim chuckled. "We could do that." He said softly. "I'll go get everyone." He said before getting up from his squatting position and heading out of the room to gather everyone else.

Ten minutes later people were situated around the Christmas tree. Tony and Ziva were sitting on the floor in front of the couch, Ziva lying on Tony's lap slightly. Behind them on the couch were Micah Adi and Leah. Leah holding Sienna in her arms while Adi tried to blow on the infants face. Gibbs and Ducky were sitting in armchairs on the other side of the room with Anastasia and Caitlin sitting on the floor in-between the two chairs. Abby and Tim toward the middle of the room, Ryan cradled gently in Abby's arms.

"Alright everybody." Gibbs said as he stood up and moved toward the pile of presents that had been compiled from various houses last night. "Let's find something for the youngest one first." He said as he rummaged around looking for something for Ryan. He pulled out a relatively small package and handed it to Abby with a smile.

Abby grinned a little bit as she carefully tore away at the meticulously wrapped package. She then quickly took off the lid to a white box and giggled. "Thanks Tony." She said as she pulled out several onesies, each adorning a different superhero logo.

Throughout the evening various presents were opened by all. Highlights including periodic table building blocks for the youngest Mcgee, a complete first British edition set of the Harry Potter series for Anastasia, an iPhone for Caitlin, huge amounts of clothes for the new David kids, a new computer for Mcgee, massive numbers of DVDs for Tony, an iPod touch for Ziva (this time with a shockproof case), a new set of golf clubs for Ducky, more than a year's supply of sandpaper for Gibbs, and finally a set of variously geeky cookbooks for Abby.

A chorus of thank you's were being sent around the room and smiles were to be had all around.

"Are you doing alright Abs?" Tim asked as he rubbed her leg softly.

"I'm tired." She admitted quietly. "And Ryan's starting to wake up." She added as she felt the bundle in her arms squirm a bit.

"Do you want me to hold him?" Tim asked gently.

Abby shook her head. "It's fine." She said as she adjusted the blankets in her arms so she could peer in on her son's face. "Hey sweetie." She greeted him with a kiss to the forehead. "How are you doing Ryan?" She asked rhetorically as his eyes opened.

"Should we introduce him to some of his new toys?" Tim asked with a smile as he picked up a small ring shaped rattle.

"Timmy he doesn't understand that yet…" Abby said gently. "Here, hand me the Harry Potter hat for him, his head is cold."

Tim looked over to the pile of clothes for his son and fished through it until he found a small beanie with the Hogwarts crest on it. "Do you want the Gryffindor blanket to go with it?" He asked teasingly.

"Tim you know how I feel about subjecting our kids to specific houses as newborns." Abby chastised. "Not until their eyes can actually see what's going on. That way if they feel like it's not for them they can express themselves."

"You know that's how Stace ended up being a Hufflepuff right?" Tim said teasingly. Abby rolled her eyes in response. It was moments later when Gibbs stood up.

"Alright everyone, Christmas dinner is in an hour, get cleaned up and be in the dining room then." He announced, before he, Tony, and Ducky quickly escaped into the kitchen.

Ziva stood up shortly after. "Alright, Mcgee and DiNozzo kids capable of walking up the stairs, let's go." She said and Caitlin, Anastasia, Leah, Micah and Adi followed her up the stairs, herself carrying Sienna.

"Okay kids, Gibbs wants this to be special for Abby and Tim, so we're going to wear nice clothes. For those of you who need the reminder, this means no running, jumping, or biting each other after you've been changed." Ziva said with a smirk before opening the hall closet to reveal several garment bags. She quickly distributed the bags to those who would be able to change themselves and had them go into various rooms to change. After that she pulled out Micah's suit, and Adi and Sienna's dresses.

She opened the smallest bag first to reveal a white cotton dress with poinsettias across the torso. Sienna squealed with delight as the soft fabric covered her skin when her mom put it on her. Next she pulled out Adi's dress, a red plaid dress with black fringe. Adi looked mildly uncomfortable as Ziva helped her change into the dress, but was soon enthralled when she found out her skirt would spin if she did. After that she helped Micah put on a white dress shirt, a red vest, and black suit pants. "You three look beautiful." She told them with a smile.

"I'm a boy." Micah protested.

Ziva sighed. "You look very handsome Micah." She informed him as she eyed his messy hair. "However we're going to have to brush that mane of yours."

Ziva was still fixing the younger kids' hair when the older girls emerged from the various room they were changing in. Anastasia came out first in a cap sleeved silk red dress with a large gold waist band. The skirt was embellished with flowers in a white-gold thread. Then came out Leah in a knee-length white dress, with a black belt just below the bust. Lastly Caitlin emerged in a black pencil skirt with a white v-neck cashmere sweater, with a red camisole underneath it.

"Looking good ladies." Ziva said with a smile of approval. "If you could manage to run a brush through your hair before dinner it wouldn't hurt though." She hinted and the three of them headed for the bathroom.

It was time for dinner and everyone was in the dining room except for Tim and Abby chattering excitedly amongst themselves about what they knew was coming.

"Alright everyone quiet down." Ducky insisted. "Gibbs is getting Abby and Tim from the front room." Several moments later Gibbs opened the swinging door into the formal dining room and Tim and Abby came in, Tim pushing Abby's wheelchair while Abby held her baby carefully in her arms.

Abby took one look at everyone and broke down in sobs, cradling Ryan to her chest.

Tim quickly knelt down next to her and whispered into her ear, carefully trying to calm her down. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Abby replied quietly. "I'm sorry." She said softly. "I'm just… very overwhelmed."

"It's okay Abs." Tim said gently before moving Abby to the table. "I love you." He whispered before sitting down in the chair next to her.

"Alright everyone dig in." Gibbs said and the serving spoons began to pile food onto various plates around the table. Chatter filled the room as the food was consumed.

"You okay Abs?" Tim asked, noting that she hadn't eaten much.

Abby shook her head to dissuade his curiosity. "I'm fine."

"Abs?" He tried again.

"I feel like I'm going to…" Abby started before she began to fade out.

Tim quickly scooped Ryan from her limping arms and handed him to Caitlin, who was sitting right next to him, before carefully moving Abby out of her wheelchair with the help of Ducky and Gibbs who had quickly made their way to that side of the table.

Ducky's hand immediately moved to her wrist to check for a pulse. "She has a steady pulse." He reported quietly.

Gibbs and Tim were working quickly to move her to a position that wouldn't disorient her when she regained consciousness.

"Come on Abs… Please…" Tim whispered softly as he ran his fingers carefully through Abby's un-plaited hair.

It took several minutes before Abby's eyes fluttered open, and when they did they were filled with tears.

"Oh Abby." Tim said softly as he pulled her gently into a hug. "I'm so sorry."

Abby shook her head. "Can we please go upstairs?" She asked him quietly.

Tim nodded and him and Ducky helped Abby up the stairs.

The table was very quiet for some time before Caitlin spoke up. "Is mom going to be okay?" She asked quietly trying not to let the tears building up out.

Ziva looked at her and felt her pain. "Oh Caitlin…" She said quietly as she moved to give her a hug. "I know it's hard." She comforted her best friend's daughter. "But you're going to be okay. You are amazing, and maybe not perfect… but you're Abby's baby girl. She fought so hard for you, and she's never going to stop."

Gibbs sat quietly across the table before he simply couldn't stand it anymore. "Is there really nothing else we can do here?" He asked furiously. "Suddenly the only thing we have to hope for is that the current medicine does enough for her?"

"Gibbs!" Tony said out of surprise.

"Tony we haven't ever just sat around while one of our own has been in this much danger. We can't just give up on Abby… we can't do that to her." Gibbs said angrily.

"Gibbs being angry about it isn't going to help." Ziva said softly. "I know you're feeling all kinds of things right now, we all are. But Abby doesn't need to know how much this is hurting us too. She has enough to deal with." As if on cue Ryan began to squirm in Caitlin's arms.

"Dad can't do it." Caitlin said softly as she looked down at her little brother. "I love him, but he doesn't do the parenting…"

"He'll be fine Caitlin…" Ziva tried to comfort her.

"He left me in the airport once! He dropped Stace down the stairs… And that was with mom taking care of us most of the time… He can't do it." She said as her little brother grabbed onto her pinky finger.

"He's going to have to be your father Caitlin… I'm sure Gibbs will help, but you and your sister are going to have to do everything you can here." Ziva said gently.

"No." Caitlin said suddenly. She carefully handed her baby brother to Ziva before darting from the room.

"CAITLIN!" Ziva cried after her and Tony took off after her, but he wasn't running at nearly the pace she was.


Several hours later Tony arrived back at the Mcgee's house to an expectant group of people in the living room.

Ziva quickly ran to give him a hug. Her arms wrapped around him and she whispered into his ear "Please tell me you found her…"

Tony simply shook his head, more upset at himself than anything else.

"She's scared Tony… and now she's lost in D.C. she's not safe out there." Ziva began to panic for her best friends' daughter.

"I know Zi." Tony replied gently.

"What can we do to help?" Gibbs and Ducky asked the couple gently.

"Caitlin's missing." Ziva reported.

"Anthony had no luck following her?" Ducky asked and Tony shook his head in response. "Oh dear."

"Abby and Tim don't need to know about this right?" Ziva asked Gibbs softly.

Gibbs looked at her and could see the tears hiding in her eyes, but he knew she'd never let them out. "Ziver… Caitlin is their daughter. They have to know."

It was at that moment Tim had approached the top of the stairs. "We have to know what?"

Author's Note: I'm very sorry this took so long to get up. I spent a lot of time sick and in the hospital and really never had time to write. But my health is under much better control now so I should be able to continue to update more frequently. I have another story I'm looking for someone to Beta so if you're interested let me know. Please review!