A/N: Hey! :D So very nearly Christmas... next week in fact... should I post on Christmas? I wouldn't want to post if it bothered your Christmases :/
Oh- When McGee says 'Zivs', I'd just like to say, it's not a typo, he's actually calling her Zivs :) And I thought I'd throw a flashback in there XD
Also, some Ziva/Abby comfort here :D Hope you all like it :)
Chapter Ten
Abby paced her lab back and forth, she was waiting for someone. A certain someone who could tell her what was happening. She was fed up of this coming and going as soon as something may have happened. One minute the team were there, the next minute they weren't. She hated not being in the loop.
'' You wanted to see me, Abby?''
Abby spun on the spot and rushed to hug the person who walked into her lab. Of course, everyone who had ever had a hug off of the Goth would probably turn around and compare her to a python of some description.
'' Abby-''
'' Sorry, I forgot about your ribs.'' winced Abby.
'' I am fine.'' said Ziva, a smile on her face. '' You wanted to see me?''
'' Yeah.''
Abby reached forward and pulled the Israeli, as gently as she could, by her hand and towards her office, right at the back of her lab. Ziva watched as Abby closed the door remotely and sat her down in her chair. Abby leant against the glass door, one foot tucked behind the other.
Ziva bit back a grin at the Forensic's posture. '' Are about to interrogate me, Abby?''
Abby's jade green eyes widened and she shook her head. '' No!'' her plaits swinging side to side as she shook her head, she stopped. '' Well, sorta, but not like that maniac- '' Abby clapped her hands to her mouth at the mention of the Team's latest tormentor. '' I didn't mean to mention him, I'm sorry-''
'' Abby.'' prompted Ziva gently, rolling her eyes at her friend's behaviour.
Once Abby saw the eyeroll, she calmed a little. '' Sorry for freaking out. I just can't help it, you know? One minute, you and the guys are there, the next minute, you're not. My brain automatically goes to the bad place-''
'' You are doing it again, Abby.'' said Ziva softly.
'' I know!'' cried Abby, sliding down the door until she was sat on the floor, in front of Ziva.
Ziva got up and moved to sit down next to her best female friend. '' You do not need to panic, Abby.''
'' I just get worried.'' mumbled Abby. Ziva wrapped an arm around Abby's shoulders and smiled as Abby rest her head on her own shoulder.
'' I hate what he did.'' whispered Abby, afraid she might set off Ziva, but she didn't need to worry.
'' I hate him too, but as I said to Gibbs, Tony and McGee, we are stronger for it, and we should thank him for that.'' said Ziva, voicing her mantra for the second time that week.
'' But we were strong before.'' protested Abby.
'' What is a little more? Strength is good, Abby, in any shape or form.''
'' As long as you have some, everyone is taking some from you.'' said Abby.
Ziva looked at Abby out of the corner of her eye. '' Really?''
'' Totally, I am. I know the boys are too, they just don't admit it.'' grinned Abby. The two shared a smile, noticing how Ziva's mantra rung true. Bonds had tightened, and Abby noticed it, just sitting there with her Israeli sister, she felt strength and love. Those things had been there before, but now they were more noticeable.
They were sitting in a comfortable silence when Abby spoke up. '' So, what is going on? Why do you and the rest of the team keep disappearing?''
'' I am pregnant, Abby.'' said Ziva simply. '' And no, it is not Samael's.''
Abby pulled away from Ziva to look at her head on. '' What? He made Gibbs and Tony... and McGee-''
'' They have no memory of it, nor do I. I have nothing to be angry at them for.'' said Ziva, hoping Abby would feel the same way. The last thing she wanted was an over-emotional Goth tearing chunks out of the boys.
Ziva watched as Abby fought to keep her emotions and outbursts bottled up.
'' Let it out, Abby.''
'' HOW COULD HE? That bastard! I swear if he wasnt already dead I'd-'' Abby looked at Ziva. '' Are you okay? I mean, are you keeping it?''
Ziva gave the barest of nods and watched as Abby stood to pace, like she did when she was thinking things over in that eccentric brain of hers. She stopped and sat where she was stood, which conveniently, was right in front of Ziva.
'' I'm glad it's not his.'' said Abby, a little embarrassed at her rather loud and badly worded outburst. She looked back up and reached out to hold Ziva's hands. '' What are you going to do?''
'' I have decided that I will keep the child, though, whose name I will put on the certificate... I do not know.'' said Ziva, the last part of her sentence just above a whisper.
'' But you're happy about it?'' asked Abby, her head tilted, making Ziva smile.
'' I guess. A little more time and I will be even more so.'' said Ziva.
Abby gave Ziva a toothy smile. '' That's great! I can organise a baby shower, and I can help you decorate and help you pick out names and-''
Ziva pulled her hands away from Abby's and put them up like a barrier. '' I do not want a fuss. It is bad enough I receive looks of sympathy and pity from my fellow co-workers, but the last thing I need is-''
'' Okay.'' said Abby.
Ziva closed her eyes and exhaled before looking back up. '' I am sorry, it is not your fault.''
Abby shrugged. '' That's okay. Would you like some of your strength back?'' smiled Abby, holding out her arms for a hug.
Ziva laughed and let the Goth envelope her with a safe embrace.
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
McGee stared at his typewriter, willing words to come out of his fingers. A few moments later, he sighed as his muse left him. McGee pushed himself away from his writing desk and ambled over to his bed. He sat down in the middle of it, his feet over the edge, touching the floor and his head in his hands. He knew why he was unable to write, he was petrified something a little too close to home would appear on the piece of paper in the typewriter.
He felt his eyes grow heavy. He was tired after a case at work. A sailor had been killed and to be honest, he thought they had all welcomed the distraction, though this time, Ziva interviewed the witnesses rather than take photos. Smart move, Boss.
McGee laid in the middle of his bed with his hands behind his head. He closed his eyes, listening to the rhythmic drip drop of the tap in his bathroom...
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
McGee was on the floor. Samael had taken Ziva a while ago. Both Tony and Gibbs were by his side, but his eyes were focusing on the pipe near the ceiling, there was a leak. His eyes followed the single droplets that fell and landed in the small puddle that had grown over the past week. His vision became cloudy as the gas from whatever Samael had thrown was affecting him. The cloudiness was still there but he felt the pain in his body disappearing. McGee decided he liked this gas, but perhaps a little too much, as a certain part of his anatomy hardened.
However, he wasn't the only one.
The three men looked up as the door swung open again, a sickening thud sounded as a body was thrown in.
'' Enjoy.''
The door closed, leaving the team mates alone.
They heard a little movement and a groan. '' Gibbs?''
McGee turned his head around to see a pair of pained mocha eyes looking at him.
'' McGee?''
There was a rustling of clothes as those that could stand, did. McGee pulled himself up as a fierce primal urge took over him.
'' Tony?'' whispered a pain filled voice.
There was more rustling as clothes were pulled off of bodies, unconscious protests being vocalised. McGee fell back as there was a fight between the men as to who would go first.
There was the sound of struggling. Skin hitting skin in defence.
'' No!'' was the last thing to be said before a harsh cry pierced the air.
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
McGee woke up shaking, his nightmare just too horrible to think about. McGee rubbed his eyes.
But was it just a nightmare?
McGee had had dreams like this before, like just after he killed that cop. His dreams, replaying scenes that he could not remember, in such graphic detail that he was sure that they weren't just dreams. He reached over for his phone and as he flipped it open, and incoming call flashing up on his screen.
Tony.
'' Yeah Tony?''
'' How d'you know it was me, Probie?''
'' Lucky guess, what's wrong?''
'' Can I come over? I can't sleep.''
'' Tell me about it. Sure, did you want me to order anything or-''
'' No worries, I got it covered.''
McGee frowned as Tony hung up and there was a knock at his door. McGee got up and opened the door to see Tony standing there with a pizza box and a bag of doughnuts.
'' You were outside the whole time? Why didn't you just knock?''
'' And disturb my probie-san from his beauty sleep? Nah, calling you was much safer.'' said Tony, walking into the apartment.
McGee turned around and watched as Tony made himself comfortable.
'' You okay, man, you look like Gibbs without coffee.'' said the Italian.
'' Had a nightmare.'' said McGee, instantly regretting opening his mouth.
'' Wanna tell Uncle Tony 'bout it?'' said Tony, patting a space next to him before opening up the pizza box.
'' It was about Ziva.'' said McGee, sitting down and taking the slice Tony offered him.
'' You too, huh?'' said Tony, pulling his head away from his slice and watching the melted cheese stretch.
'' Gibbs said Vance knows.'' said McGee. '' You don't think he'll split us up?''
Tony shook his head. '' Nah. I think he'll keep himself out of it.''
'' You think?''
'' Well, yeah, Tim. He sticks his nose in, he'll have to deal with Gibbs, you, me, Ducky, probably Abs and a hormonal ninja. As far as I know, Vance has two brain cells to rub together.''
McGee nodded. '' Hope it stays that way.''