Tony was gone. Abby had watched as his plane took off for the U.S. Ronald Regan. Ziva had boarded a plane not long afterwards, promising to write. McGee wasn't even allowed to come, his new boss was making him work, partly to get his 'revenge' on agents who actually did field work. Gibbs hadn't shown up either. In fact, Abby hadn't heard from him in over two days.

Ducky, who was along side of her, had found her curled up in a ball, crying her heart out moments after Gibbs left her standing in her lab. He drove her back to his house, and practically demanded she stay with him and Ms. Mallard.

Everything was beginning to catch up with her now. Though she rarely slept a full nights' sleep when she wasn't heartbroken; now she cannot remember the last time she even closed her eyes. She worried about Tony, who seemed still so guilt-ridden and lonely. She worried about the dangers Ziva may encounter while on her own in Israel. She worried about Tim's self-confidence and esteem since he would no longer be surrounded by "family". Yet despite her feelings for her friends, her heart longed for the man who had led them all.

After speaking with Ducky, Abby agreed to let things lie for now; knowing that Gibbs needed time to himself both to mourn and to realize what he had said to her. Though the words had stung her at the time, Abby knew they were meaningless. She knew they held a love between them that wouldn't end just because of ill-spoken words or actions.

"You're awfully quiet my dear."

"Sorry, Ducky. I was just thinking. I'm going to miss them so much!"

"Me too, Abigail. Me too."

"And poor McGee! He couldn't even come say good-bye to Tony and Ziva."

"Yes, that was rather mean-spirited of his new superior. It seems he has not been sent to a welcoming environment. Or at least one which stands together as we once did."

"I know! And to think it was only a few weeks ago when we all were under investigation for the 'frog's' death."

"On the contrary, my dear, it was nearly two months ago."

"Are you sure?"

"Abigail, I would certainly remember such a fascinating case as was that. It reminded me of a time when I---"

Abby didn't listen to the rest of Ducky's story. She flipped open her phone and feverously searched for her calendar.

'Two months? It couldn't be! Two months since…oh god!'