Thankyou all so much for your reviews and alerts. I really appreciate them all. I'm glad your still enjoying the story. :)

Chapter 21

By the time Abby got home the house was in darkness except for a flickering light from their bedroom. Tim must be watching television while he waited for her. After pulling the car into the garage and checking the emergency brake was on this time, she took her self upstairs. She'd never been so glad to get out of the car and stretch her legs and her butt, in her life. Well, there had probably been a few times, but it was never comfortable to sit after one of Gibbs' spankings.

When she reached the bedroom Tim held his arms out. She gratefully fell into them. "How'd it go?"Tim said, trying not to smile. Abby gave him a wry look.

"You knew how it would go Timmy. It went like that."

"Oh well Abs. You had to know that would happen. Was it worth it?"

"It soooo was. He's still coming on Sunday." She said. The light of enthusiasm again burning in her eyes.

"Abs, what happened today? Why do you care so much for this woman all of a sudden?" Tim said pulling her close as she shifted to get the weight off her bottom.

"I don't know. I mean one minute she's all bossy with that stupid posh voice trying to make everyone understand what she thinks we should all realise. That Maddie is more special than everyone else's kids. But she showed me a vulnerable side today Timmy, she was sad. Sad because she really wants the best for her child and she can't see what she's doing wrong. And the little brat is totally just doing her head in."

"Is that the only reason?"

"No. There has to be more to it. I think she probably misses her husband. And I think that she's worn out. Maddie is her whole life and she goes out of her way to get her everything, buy her everything do anything that she can think of to make her happy but it never does. It must be like banging your head on a brick wall."

"And where does Gibbs fit into all this?"

"Wellll, I think that he's lonely. That house is sooo he has a gift Timmy. He's really good with people. I think that he needs to be needed again."

"And?"

"Well imagine if they got together and Gibbs made Maddie behave and he fell in love with Kimberly and she had someone to lean on. It could be great for both of them."

Tim chuckled at her reasoning. "And, what did Gibbs think about all this."

Abby scowled. "He wasn't very enthusiastic. But he said he'd come so...."

"Abby McGee, you're playing with fire."

"Oh well! Wouldn't be like it was the first time."

Tim shook his head again. "And you haven't even given your ass a chance to cool off yet. Abby?"

"Yeh Tim?"

"I love you."

"Love you too." She said sleepily.

The next day at breakfast Abby and Tim talked to Jess about her first day back at school. Abby had made Jess while she was at NCIS, make a card for Connor. An I'm sorry card.

"Do you have your card Jess?" Abby said.

"Yes Mommy." She said

"Can I see?" Tim said "That's beautiful sweetie. Now you be very nice to Connor."

"Yes Daddy."

"Now if Maddie is doing the wrong thing today, you make sure that you don't join in ok?" Tim said.

"I won't." she said.

"Jess" Abby said, "you know that Maddie really wants to be your friend as much as you want to be hers don't you?"

"I guess." She said.

"Well, if Maddie is gonna do the wrong thing, you could tell her that you didn't think it was a good idea."

"I couldn't do that Mommy." She said.

"Why not?"

"Because then she wouldn't be my friend."

"She would you know. But anyway, you have to do the right thing, so like Daddy says, whatever she gets up to, don't join in."

"Ok."

"Dylan, do you have your science project?"

"Yep."

"Remember what I told you about mixing these two things together at the last minute."

"I will." He said.

"Sarah what's happening today? Are we picking you up?" Tim asked.
"No, I'm going with Zac to his house for a while and then he'll drop me off here."

"Ok. But you two still can't be here by yourselves you know that right?"Tim said looking at her intently.

"Yes Tim! And you do know that people can get pregnant in a lot of places besides an empty house right?"

Grabbing her by the arm , he pulled her into the other room away from the younger kids. "Ouch" she said as Tim slapped her bottom hard.

"That might have come out of my mouth a little differently than it sounded in my head."

"Damn right it did. Firstly, just because you haven't been in trouble for a while and we treat you a little more grown up now, doesn't mean that your too old to have your backside tanned. Am I clear?"

"Yes Tim. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that in front of Jess and Dylan."

"No! You certainly shouldn't. Your six year old neice is going back to school today for the first time after being suspended. Now I have to worry that her show and tell is going to be about places that you can get pregnant. Sister Mary Clarence would LOVE that." He said scrubbing his face with his hands.

Sarah couldn't help but smile. "It'll be worse if she throws in the magic word that Abby said when she smashed the car yesterday." Tim turned her around and landed another smack as he guided her towards the door.

"Just get in the car Sarah before I make good with my threat." Sarah giggled.

Tim looked in the mirror quickly as he was leaving. Is that grey hair he thought, pulling at tufts.

When they got to work, they found Gibbs at his desk and Ziva at hers, Abby said a quick hello to Ziva and pecked Gibbs on the cheek, Hugged McGee and kissed him before she disappeared down to her lab.

Tim sat at his desk and powered up his computer and started checking his emails. It wasn't long before the elevator dinged again signalling Tony's arrival. He and Ziva had brought separate cars today as Ziva had to do something on her way home. "Hi Tim." Tony said. "You only brought the McFamily van today?"

"Yes Tony I did." Tim said not elaborating. Tony didn't miss Gibbs smirk though.

"Why would that be?" Tony said watching Tim's face.

"Porche's in the shop." Tim said quietly. Again with Gibbs grin. It was quick, too quick for the naked eye, but Tony saw it.

"Something wrong with the Porche?" he asked.

Realising that like a dog with a bone, Tony was not going to give up until he knew what happened, Tim blurted it out. "Abby forgot to put the emergency brake on and left it at the top of the driveway. It rolled back down and crashed into the front fence."

"Ouch!!" Tony said laughing. "And where is our Abby now? Standing up somewhere I presume?'"

"It was an accident Tony." Tim said.

"I'm sure it was. How come she didn't put the car away in the garage? I thought you always kept the Porche undercover?"

"She wanted to get to me first before Jess had a chance to tell me that she had invited Kimberly and Maddie to lunch on Sunday."

"Really!!!" Tony said glancing at Gibbs.

"Cat's already out of the bag Dinozzo, now I'll tell the rest of you what I told Abby last night. If I want a fifth wife, I will choose one for myself. So if anyone else in this room thinks it's a good idea to set me up, they will get the same as Abby got last night. AM I CLEAR!?" he said mostly to Ziva, like the others, he had known the girls were up to something.

"Yes Gibbs." Ziva said.

"Yes Boss." Tim said

"I woudn't dream of it Boss." Tony said trying desperately to hide his smirk.

"Good. Now get back to work."

"

"I'.... just have to take this paper work down to Abby." Ziva said uneasily as she headed for the elevator.

After turning all her babies on she flitted from one machine to another waiting for ding of the elevator brought Ziva. "Hey!" Abby said brightly.

"Hey Abby. What is happening about our plans?"

"Not much. I guess you heard about last night?"

"I would like to hear your version."

"I crashed the Porche."

"Tim was not angry?"

"No. He was really sweet. But when he found out about Sunday he made me go over to Gibb's house and tell him."

"What happened?"

"He spanked me for interfering. But the good news is that he's still coming on Sunday."

"But how are you intending to actually get them together?"

"That's gonna be the tricky part. Any ideas?"

"NO. Not really."

"I know. When I go to get the kids today I'll ask her to come here tomorrow for lunch. We can get her talking and if Gibbs just happens to call in, he might just get to see the softer side of her when she isn't with Maddie." Abby said happily bouncing around now that she'd come up with an idea.

"Abby are you sure? Gibbs seem to be pretty adamant that he did not want any of us to interfere."

"Ah!!! Abby said waving her arms at Ziva. "Leave Gibbs to me. He's a pussy cat really."

"MMMmmm" Ziva said sounding not sure at all. "I do not want to feel the wrath of Gibbs upon my ass Abby."

"Don't worry. If he gets pissed, I'll just say that you knew nothing about it."

"If you're sure it will work."

"Ziva, when have I ever steered you wrong?" Ziva just stared at her. "Well I know that there may have been a few times, but we probably didn't have enough planning in place. This plan is really foolproof." Abby said excitedly.

"I think I am having De javu." She said as she wandered back to the elevator again.

Abby Im'd Tim telling him that she would pick up the kids that afternoon. She hurried through her work, so that she'd be able to get there a little early. Gibbs came down later with her caf-pow as usual and things between them were back to normal. Abby didn't mention anything about Kimberly coming for lunch because technically she might not be. She hadn't actually asked her yet so she could be busy. Besides, it wasn't blind siding someone to have a friend to lunch is it? If Gibbs just happened to come down at the right time, that would just be fate. Wouldn't it? Abby thought so.

That after noon she was standing outside the school gate waiting for the kids when she saw Kimberly coming towards her. "Hi Abby." She said. Oh good Abby thought. Nice Kimberly was joining us today.

"Hey Kimberly. How are you doing?" Abby asked politely.

"Fine. Much as I hate to admit it, it was nice to have a few hours to myself today."

"I know what you mean." Abby said doing her best to make her feel at ease.

"Have you got to go back to work?" Kimberly said.

"Yeh just for a while, I still have some evidence I'm working on for the latest case."

"Sounds interesting."

"It is." Abby said. Here's an opening. "I know, why don't you come down to NCIS tomorrow and we can have lunch in my lab and I can show you how things work."

"Really!? I would love that. Are you sure it would be alright? You wouldn't get into trouble or anything? "

"Na I've had visitors there before lots of times."Abby said.

"Ok Then. time?"

"About twelve o'clock?"

"Great."

"Just call me when you get there and I'll come and get you." Abby said with a smile.

When the kids came out Jess launched herself at Abby who picked her up and hugged her tight. "How come you came to pick us up today?" Jess said. "Usually Daddy comes."

"Well, Daddy is on a case, so you got me. Were you good today?"Abby said planting a big kiss on her cheek.

"Yep! I sure was. So was Maddie and we got a sticker look?" Jess said poking up her shirt collar with a strawberry smelling sticker on it.

"Wow! You must have been good girls." Abby said putting her down and tugging at one of her braids. "Hey Dyl." she said giving him a one armed hug. She was conscious now of not embarrassing him in front of his friends with big displays of affection. "How was your day today?"

"It was fine." He said happily. "Can I go over to Toby's house and you can pick me up after work?"

"I guess so. Is it ok with his Mom?"

"Yep you can ask her if you want." Just then Toby and his Mom came over.

"Is that ok?" Abby said. "It's fine. I'll send him across when I see the car pull in if you like."

"That'd be great. Thank you." Abby said. "I'll owe you one."

"Don't be silly, Toby's always over at your house. Anyway I'll see you later. Bye"

"Bye, bye Dyl, be good."

"I will Mom." He shouted as he left. Kimberly, Jess and Maddie were watching this exchange with great interest.

"If Dylan is going to Toby's house, can Jess come to mine?" Maddie asked. UH OH! Abby thought. Should have seen that one coming.

"Would it be ok?" Kimberly asked. Everyone was being extremely civil this afternoon so Abby couldn't really think of a reason to say no. She could hardly say, my husband doesn't really think your fit to raise......well it doesn't matter cause she couldn't say that. Could she? Oh well what could possibly happen in one afternoon? She thought.

"Ok. But you have to be really good Jess. Ok?"

"I will be. I promise." She said excitedly jumping up and down.

"Mommy or Daddy will come and pick you up around I guess six? Is that ok?" Abby asked.
"That'd be fine. Thankyou for trusting me Abby." Kimberly said sincerely.

Abby smiled but as they walked away she had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. You're being ridiculous, she told herself. Maddie's naughty, but she'd still alive. She'll be fine.

As she walked back into the bullpen a little while later she found that Tim was back. "Where's the kids?" he asked looking around.

"Um.....that's the thing. Dylan has gone over to Toby's and ........ JesshasgoneovertoMaddie'shouse." She said the last bit very fast hoping that it would lessen the impact. It didn't.

Tony cackled. "You let Jess go home with the shrew and the devil child. Ha! That should make for an interesting afternoon."

"Tony. Show some maturity." Ziva said.

"Sorry. Are you sure that's wise Abigail?"Tony said in his best grown up voice.

"No Tony, I think you might have been right the first time." Tim said. Obviously not to pleased.

"You weren't there McGee! It was really hard. They were standing there when I let Dylan go with Toby and his Mom with out any qualms at all. How could I say no to Jess when I said yes to would have been upset and Kimberly would've thought that we don't trust her."

"We don't!"

"What was I supposed to say?"

"Easy Abby. You could have said, 'when you're older you can go Jess' or 'I'm really sorry but I've known Toby's parents for a long time'."

Abby was wringing her hands and pacing now. She hated it when Tim was mad at her, but she hated it even more when he was right. She had had a bad feeling, she shouldn't have let her go.

"Toby's parents are the same as us. They have rules. He's safe there. I'll accept that Kimberly might not be terrible all the time, but the fact remains Abby that when that kid cries she gives in to anything to make her do we know that won't extend to something dangerous."

Tony's eyes were shining with the drama of it all but at the same time, he was fond of the McBrats and he wouldn't want anything to happen to any of felt sorry for Abby too and he didn't like to see her so upset. "What's the worst that can happen, honestly Tim. She could let them eat too much ice cream or drink a can of soda. What kind of dangerous things can two six year olds get up to?"

"That's EXACTLY what's scaring me Tony. I can't imagine."

"I'm sorry Tim, I'm gonna phone her." Getting her cell out of her pocket and pressing the number for the home phone, she waited and waited, no answer. Picking a different number, she rang Kimberley's cell phone. It rang for a while and then went to message bank. "Hi, this is Abby, we've been trying to reach you, could you please call me back when you get this message." She ended the call. "Where could they be?!" she was starting to feel really panicked now. Tim went over to her and pulled her into a hug.

"Shhh.I'm sorry Abs. I shouldn't have yelled at you, it's not your fault. Kimberly has probably left her cell phone in the car or something."

"No. I shouldn't have let her go. Can't we put a BOLO out on the car?"

"'Fraid not Abs. She hasn't even been gone an hour and we gave Kimberly permission to take her."

"I guess."

"Why don't you go back down to your lab and find something to take your mind off things."

"Ok." Abby said. Just as she was about to get in the elevator, her cell phone rang.

"Abby's phone." she said quickly. "Oh...Kimberly. Thank God! Where are you? I was getting worried!"

"Oh. Ok I guess. You shouldn't have done that." She said looking at Tim sheepishly. "Ok well I'll see you at six."

"Where was she?!" three voices all said at once.

"At the toy store. She bought Jess some Bratz dolls so they would play nicely." She said.

Tim shook his head. At least Jess was in one piece.

"Where's she get all her money from anyway?" Tony said.

"First husband. He was rich." Abby said.

"Goodluck Gibbs! A shrew and a possible black widow!" Tony said grimacing.

TBC