Something about today's events struck a cord in Abby. The morning had started off great, she was informed that her lab would be invaded by a local youth ranger troop and that she was to show them around. Abby not only loved gushing over her machines; she also loved being around kids. She was showing them what AFIS was for when the boy whose fingerprints they used as an example, showed up as missing. The rest of the day, and subsequent night, went downhill from there.

The kid, Carson, was wonderful. He even beat Tony's record on Box Office Trivia, it was amazing. When the team came back from talking to his step-mom, Abby knew it wasn't good news. Ziva looked pissed, Tony looked bored, and McGee looked sad. Gibbs, well he looked torn. Later, McGee would tell Abby that the mom had asked whether or not he had kids and how upset Gibbs had looked when he had answered "nope".

After pulling the father's fingerprints off of the laptop that was brought back; Abby matched it to a cold case. Apparently the same fingerprints were found on a gun used in a robbery/homicide a few years before-hand. Abby, after informing Gibbs and the Director, tried to make the best out of a bad situation for Carson. She showed him around autopsy, let him play with some of her equipment in the lab, and finally took him down to evidence lock-up.

Whether it was the stress from the child's obvious disappointment, or re-introducing caffeine to her diet; Abby felt tense. Ten minutes of listening to the sirens on the van, and she was ready to scream…or throw up, whichever was first. She had tried to get him to turn it off, but he couldn't hear her over the loud noise; finally she had had enough.

"You need to turn off the damn siren!"

'Ooops', she thought… although it did seem to make Carson laugh at her embarrassment. Abby was trying to decide what to do with him next, when Gibbs appeared. The moment Carson spoke to his mother, Abby felt something tug deep inside of her. She couldn't help but glance over to Gibbs, watching as he once again looked torn. She knew that cases that involved children were hard on them all, but especially Gibbs.

They had spent nights—mostly over bourbon—discussing Shannon and Kelly; something she would never admit to anyone else. She knew more about them than anyone else on the team. However, she also knew he loved her. She was at peace with his past, meaning she wasn't jealous of the obvious love that was still there for his first wife. No, Abby understood and accepted it as part of him. But seeing him now, looking almost longingly to have a child worrying over him…it was hard.

Hours later, Abby was getting tired. She had been staring at the evidence for awhile, hoping she would find something she had previously missed. When she noticed it was nearing 10 P.M., she called upstairs. McGee had answered and told her that Carson had called from Jenny's house, requesting Gibbs come over. Tony and Ziva apparently left to go find the father in the woods. And the Metro officers were gathering their evidence. Restless and aggravated at the lack of new development, Abby left for the night.

She realized too late that she had ended up over at Gibbs' house rather than her apartment. Letting herself in, she decided to take a bath and wait.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Gibbs was tired, and agitated. He hated cases that involved kids. Pulling into his driveway, he wasn't surprised to find Abby's car. Once inside he climbed the stairs, knowing where he'd find her.

"Hey."

"Hey, Gibbs. Wanna join me?"

He didn't need to be asked twice; once he was stripped down, he entered the hot bath.

"A hot bath is good for your muscles. And gives you time to think."

"About what?"

Abby turned (as much as she could in the large tub) towards him and stared into his eyes. He noticed the anguish hidden behind her façade.

"I think…I mean, do you—"

"Abby, are you trying to ask me if I still want kids?"

"Yeah."

To Abby, it seemed that hours passed by as she waited for his response. To others, it would look as if he felt nothing, but she could read him as well as he read her. She watched as every emotion filled his body: first he felt scared, then sad, then briefly excited.

"You don't have to answer tonight. I just thought I'd ask."

"Do you want kids?"

"Sometimes, yeah. I mean, honestly, I hadn't really thought about it until recently. I've always loved kids, but out careers aren't exactly kid-friendly, as you know. But yeah, sometimes, I think I would. Not that I'm confident I'd make a good mom or anything. I just--"

Gibbs cut her off by wrapping an arm around her to pull her close while using the other to cup her face.

"Abby, you would be a wonderful mother."

He watched as her eyes began to tear up. He was shocked to discover that this was an actual fear for her.

"What makes you so sure?"

He smiled, kissed her lips softly and whispered with all honesty, "Because you have the most amazing way about you. Not to mention your capacity to love."

"Gibbs, I—"

"And to answer your question…yeah, I think now, I do."