A/N: Very short chapter - by design.

Abby, Ziva and Tim enjoyed a leisurely stroll toward the closest hot dog vendor which happened to be situation close by a small café just around the corner. This would satisfy all of their tastes for lunch and give them the chance to relax and enjoy the wonderful weather too. While the temperature outside was warm, the atmosphere that seemed to settle around them like a thin summer blanket, seemed to quickly become almost paper thin if not brittle, as if each were afraid to even attempt to break the silence,, for fear they'd say something wrong and make things worse. It wasn't long before Abby had reached the point where she could take no more of it.

"Somebody say something! Ziva! Tell us about your vacation!" The lab rat pleaded with a note of desperation in her voice.

"My vacation?" Ziva asked in surprise since this turn of conversation had come from out of the blue.

Tim smiled wryly. "Please, Ziva. Tell us all about it." He flashed a glance of gratitude in Abby's direction before returning his eyes to Ziva and then the walk before them.

"Well, alright.

***NCIS****

By the time they'd reached the hot dog stand, unanimously voted for a meal from the diner, found a booth to sit in and placed their orders, the first half hour of their lunch hour had gone, lost amidst the wonderful stories Ziva was relaying about her vacation; one she'd been able to take without fear of being in danger. It was something she was still trying to get used to.

Sipping their water while waiting for their orders, the ladies excused themselves in favor of a quick trip to the ladies room, leaving Tim alone for the first time since he'd come back from his after meeting coffee run earlier this morning. Taking a deep sigh, he slowly let it out. This was proving to be one hell of a difficult day. It had taken an awful lot for him to stand up to Gibbs: not because he wanted to, but because for his own peace of mind and the ability to keep moving forward without getting dragged down in that mud from Friday night, he had to.

Tim and Gibbs had never talked about anything before and that's what made it far from normal for them to try now. It was too different and different meant there was something wrong somewhere. That was what needed to be left alone; cast aside just like all the genuine problems they'd done that to over the years. Nothing needed to change now. Nothing should change now; nothing that was, except what few changes that would most likely pop up before the next fresh case was put to bed. Tim smiled wryly. Here they were still working cold cases and he was worried about what would happen the next time the team was needed out in the field. Dummy! Worry about that when the time comes! He scolded himself with a soft chuckle.

Over in the ladies room, Ziva was gearing up to ask Abby the question that had been on her mind for the past hour, while they both adjusted their hair while looking in the mirror. "Abby, why would you not tell me what is going on with McGee when I asked you earlier this morning? Surely it has something to do with this strange 'mood' he seems to be in. I am almost certain whatever this is, is the reason that Tony has been snarky and unsettled all day, as well."

"I can't tell you, Ziva." Abby replied softly. "I promised Timmy I wouldn't ask about it again and with what little I know, I don't think I've put all the pieces together enough to give us an idea."

"Ah, But did you promise not to share what pieces of this puzzle that you do have?" The Israeli asked with a soft smile of understanding on her face.

"Well, no, but if he doesn't want to talk about it – which he says he doesn't, and I already know that Tony and Gibbs don't want to talk about it. Heck, they couldn't shut me down or get rid of me fast enough Friday night, I mean, they didn't even want me looking for Timmy when I asked them why he was so upset when he was leaving after work and Oh, My God!" Abby ended her spiel quietly in a tone filled with sorrow as her eyes grew wide and her hand flew up to cover her mouth.

"Abby! What is it?" Ziva asked in concern.

"I can't tell you." The Lab Rat mournfully replied as she fought to hold back the tears.

"Alright. I understand. Shall we return to our friend so we finish our lunch?" Ziva wouldn't push at this point because she understood Abby's position. Obviously Abby had put more pieces together and was quite miserable with what she'd come up with. Remembering Tim's refusal to talk about it on Sunday night and hearing that he'd made Abby promise not to do so either or to dig for more on it, Ziva knew it was time to let it go. If and when Tim wanted to let her in, she'd be there to listen. That's what friends did.

Walking back to their booth, Ziva noticed Tim from across the room. Her friend finally looked to be at peace as he sat their waiting for them to come back since their orders had been delivered. She hoped he would be able to hold onto that feeling of being content because he deserved at least that much.

"Hey, Timmy, did you miss us?" Abby asked with a botched attempt at flippancy.

Instantly, Tim's eyes snapped up off his water glass and flew to the Lab Rat's as he appraised what he could see of the situation. He knew Abby well enough to know something big was bothering her and it was serious. In fact, if he didn't know any better, he'd bet that she'd been crying or was very close to doing so. " Hey? Abby? What is it? What's wrong?" he asked immediately. "What happened?"

"I honestly do not know." Ziva reported quietly as her eyes remained fixed on Abby.

"Abby?" Tim pushed a little more firmly.

"Timmy, I'm so sorry." Abby replied tearfully.

"About what, Abby?" He asked in genuine confusion. "Talk to me."

"I put all the pieces together." She murmured as she looked at him from beneath her lashes as her head stayed lowered in sorrow.

Almost instantly, Tim's posture stiffened even as his eyes grew wide with anger and surprise. Too upset for words, he got to his feet, threw some money on the table for the meal and glared at her angrily.

"I asked you to leave it alone! Begged you! His voice trembled with both anger and hurt.

"I know, Timmy and I had every intention of leaving it alone, honest!" Abby cried in protest.

"You promised!" Tim reminded her with quiet anger that seemed to weigh him down so completely, he didn't seem to be able to move for a minute.

"I won't say anything, I promise! It'll stay just between us." Abby vowed with conviction. " But at least now you'll be able to talk to someone about it – me! You won't need to keep it all bottled up anymore. I know you're still upset about it. I would be too!"

"No offense, Abby, but you have NO clue how I feel about this." Tim replied seriously. "And in case you didn't hear me this morning? I will NOT talk about it!"

Suddenly in need of some fresh air and some space to breathe, he walked away.

.