I have a legitimate excuse... I have FCAT (Florida Comprehension Assessment Test) Monday and Tuesday which I've been studying for and a HUGE research project due March 7th which I've barely started. I have chapter 11 written, just not typed itup. I promise I will as soon as I get done with FCAT and my research project. I am so sorry you guys.

Keep reviewing... I love it!

"As soon as you fill out these forms, you will be good to go," a nurse told Abby as she left the room.

"Thank the lord," Abby sighed. "I thought that I was going to be in here forever."

The four men smiled and looked at her. Tony had just been released a few minutes ago and his left arm was in a cast. His first instict after getting out was to go visit Kate, but Abby threw a fit. She didn't want to be the last one to go visit her best friend. So of course, Tony was forced to wait.

"Here you are," the nurse said, returning with on more form for Abby. "Just sign here and here and you will be free to go."

"Okay, thank you so much," Abby said, signing the form in the neccessary places.

The nurse took the forms. "No problem. I hope that leg doesn't give you too much trouble," she said as she left the room for the second time.

"God, this is really going to suck," Abby whined, getting up off the hospital bed and grabbing her crutches.

"I can't believe that you got a red cast. I really thought that you would want the black," McGee stated.

"No. This one will match my red socks."

The four men couldn't help but laugh at Abby as they walked out of the door.

"How is Kate, Gibbs?" Tony asked as they all made their way down the hall.

"I don't know. I only saw her through the door before a doctor came yelling at me that Abby was awake and wanted to see me," Gibbs replied.

"McGee, Ducky?" Somebody had to have seen her.

"We weren't allowed in yet when we went by," McGee told him. "They were still examing her."

"So no one has went and visited her?" Abby asked, shocked. "If I had known that then I would've made you guys go to see her instead of waiting around for me to be released. She has to lonely."

"Oh Abbs." Tony put his 'non-broken' arm around her shoulder for a second. "We couldn't go see her without you. It just wouldn't be right," he said in a mock-seriousness.

"You are such a goofball Tony," Abby said after he moved his arm. "But we love you for it. Now let's see Kate."

The five of them stood outside of Kate's hospital room for a moment before McGee took the plunge and opened the door.

As they stepped into the room, they could see Kate lying asleep in the bed. She looked so fragile, like a child. An I.V. was being run into her arm and Tony could see that there was a bruise on her right cheek. He couldn't stand to see her this way. It wasn't Kate. They were all so used to seeing her strong and standing, yelling at Tony or elbowing him in the ribs, laughing with Abby or even occasionally arguing with Gibbs.

"She is not nearly as hurt as she looks or as hurtas we had expected."

"Holy hell!" Abby yelled, practically jumping off the ground and almost dropping her crutches in the process. "Warning would ya? Geeze. Who are you anyway?" she asked the man who snuck up behind her.

"I am Dr. Brad Pitt," he said, extending his hand. "I am assuming the you are Abigail. I mean,Abby."

"You're kidding right?" McGee asked as Abby shook his hand.

"About the name? No. I wish I was."

"Yeah man. I bet in the beginning that goes well with the ladies, huh?" Tony questioned, raising his eyebrows. Gibbs smacked him -lightly- in the back of the head. "Thanks boss. I needed that."

Brad took the hint. "Okay. So which news would you like first. The good? Or the bad?"

"Bad," Abby piped up. Everyone looked at her. "What? I'd like to leave this hospital on a happy note."

"I like the way you think," Brad said. "So, the bad news is that Caitlin has extensive bruising, mostly on her right side. Which of course, was the point of impact. She also had to have sixteen stitches above her eye. She had quite a large gash there. Not to mention, a hairline fracture in her ribs and a fracture in her wrist."

"Wow. Glad I wanted the good news last," Abby said. "All that is really, reallydepressing."

"Is she going to be okay?" Ducky asked, speaking up finally.

"Yes... that's part of the good news," Brad said excitedly. "Want the rest?" Abby nodded enthusiastically. "The baby will be fine."

"Oh hell," Abby said worriedly, as everyone else stood there... speechless.

Chapter Title- I titled this chapter "Family Secret"...that episode airs next week... because obviously the baby will be a new addition to the NCIS 'family.' Plus, the baby has also been kept a 'secret.' So FAMILY + SECRET Family Secret! Yeah.