Hello folks, I apologize for the long hiatus this fic has endured. Now that summer is here, I plan to update regularly, my beta is pretty busy right now so I may not get a chapter up again until next week, but fear not, something is coming. Thank you for all your reviews on the last chapter, and thanks to Wren for betaing this one. So here goes, chapter 26...

Chapter 26

"Abby?" Ziva questioned as she walked into the lab. "You called?" She listened, hearing nothing but the whirling of machines. "Abby? Are you in here?"

Ziva heard the clunk of Abby's platform boots approaching from behind her. She turned around to face the noise "There you are." The Israeli smiled.

"Here I am." Abby agreed, grabbing her hand and pulling her into the lab. "Alright Ziva." Her tone was serious. "We have a lot to talk about."

Once Abby let go of her hand, Ziva crossed her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow. "Have I done something?"

"No, that's the problem. You're getting married and you still haven't planned anything!"

"We have a date set…but other than that…" She shrugged a shoulder. "I have not really thought about it."

Abby's eyes went wide and she gasped theatrically, "Ziva! How can you have not thought about it? No dress? No food? No wedding song? No flowers? No cake? You can't have a wedding without cake Ziva! It's like... impossible!"

Furrowing her brow, Ziva looked towards the overly enthusiastic forensic scientist who she could practically feel vibrating with energy. "I… um…Is that tradition for an American wedding?"

Although Abby knew that Ziva wouldn't see it, she allowed her jaw to drop as she stood speechless for about ten seconds before getting her thoughts together. "Okay…you and I have a lot to talk about. We need to pick out a dress, music, food…a location…"

"Do not forget the cake." Ziva teased.

"Oh I haven't! Okay so I'll start contacting people and I'll bring you the information." Abby started typing furiously on the computer.

"Woah Abby, hold on." Ziva placed her hand on top of Abby's flying fingers. "Are you sure Tony would be comfortable with all of this?"

Abby paused and turned to look at the woman beside her. "Ziva, it's the bride's wedding…besides…if we get him involved with the planning, you'll end up with some James Bond themed wedding."

Ziva scrunched her nose and shook her head, not liking what Abby was suggesting. "Okay, no Tony in the planning." She placed her hands on Abby's shoulders. "My wedding is in your capable hands. I need someone to be my eyes on this and there is no one better I could think of than you. So since we are doing this all out, be my maid of honor yes?"

Ziva heard a high pitched squeal and could only guess what the scientist was doing before she was embraced in a tight bear hug. "Yes. Yes. Yes!" Abby shouted happily, squeezing the other woman.

Ziva laughed as all the air was forced from her lungs. She patted Abby on the back good naturedly, waiting to be released. "Thank you Abby." Ziva was freed from her human straight jacket when Abby's Mass Spectrometer and her own cell phone beeped simultaneously. She chuckled as Abby released her. "Back to work."

"Take cover!" Gibbs shouted as shots rang out through the warehouse. The three agents dove behind crates before returning fire.

After felling their attackers, Gibbs stood, holstering his weapon. "Status!" He shouted, getting his agents' attention.

"All good." McGee said, standing and quickly putting the safety back on his service weapon.

"Uh…not good." Came Tony's reply from behind a wooden box. The other agents could hear the pain in his voice and ran over.

"DiNozzo, I did not give you permission to get shot." Gibbs said, dropping to his knees and pressing his hands to the bullet wound in Tony's left thigh as McGee lifted his phone to his ear to request medical assistance.

"I know Boss. This one's on me." He slapped himself on the back of the head.

Completing his call, McGee hung up and leaned over by Tony. "Good to see you haven't lost your sense of humor."

"Well, someone's gotta have one on this team Probie…Sorry Boss." Tony looked at the man who was fashioning a tourniquet around his leg. He clenched his fists in pain, his knuckles turning white as Gibbs tightened the makeshift bandage. "Thanks Boss." Tony said, the pain he was feeling was audible in his voice.

Gibbs nodded. "Your girlfriend isn't going to be too happy that you went and got yourself shot up."

Tony shook his head and looked down at the blood soaked bandage. "No…she won't."

"WAIT. WHAT! IS HE OKAY!.... okay…. Yes, but… So he is okay? Okay Gibbs. I'll let her know." Abby wrapped up the call as she felt someone walk up behind her. "Ziva?" She questioned.

"Let me know what?" Ziva said from behind the scientist. She felt the woman before her turn around and place a gentle hand on her arm. Ziva instinctively sensed her hesitation. "Abby? What is it?"

"Tony was shot in the thigh at the crime scene. He's at Georgetown. Don't worry, he's okay. Okay?" Abby tried to keep her friend calm but soon realized her efforts weren't needed.

Ziva nodded, she felt her heart quicken in fear but she kept her voice and features calm. "So we will go to the hospital yes?"

"Yeah…" Abby was confused by her seeming lack of concern. "Come on." She took Ziva's arm and led her to the car.

As they drove to the hospital, Abby stole glances at her companion. Ziva's posture was straight and her face was passive. Abby felt her blood begin to boil as she observed Ziva's seemingly uncaring demeanor. Having enough, she pulled over to the side of the road and stopped her car, turning to face her passenger. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Ziva jumped, surprised at the sudden outburst. "What?"

"I just told you your fiancé was shot and you're as calm as if I had only told you the weather. It's like you don't care."

"I do care Abby. I care a lot. But what good would it do anyone for me to freak out?" Ziva tried to repress the flood of hurt that was threatening to spread across her face. She faced the window again, Abby's words echoing through her head. She flashed back to a similar conversation from a few years prior when Abby had accused her of not caring that Gibbs had been in an explosion. Shaking her head to dispel the negative memories she could feel Abby's eyes still on her. She turned to face the other woman, waiting for the onslaught to begin anew.

Abby took a deep breath. "What the hell is your problem Ziva?" She asked again, her voice raised an octave. "Tony has done so much for you this past year. Don't you think you owe it to him to show a little concern? Or do you think you are exempt from normal human emotion and behavior now that you are blind…Not that you were very good at it to begin with. Are we all just here to serve you now?"

Ziva felt a chill course through her veins as she registered the Goth's words. This time she couldn't keep the humiliated blush from reddening her cheeks. "I…I am sorry that I have made you feel that way Abby. It will not happen again." She pursed her lips and faced the passenger side window again.

Abby saw the hurt flash through Ziva's sightless eyes before the Israeli had looked the other way. "Ziva…" She said, starting to feel guilty.

Ziva tensed, trying to prepare herself for more harsh words. "Yes?"

Abby sighed, "I'm sorry. I really don't think that way. I just over reacted like I normally do…"

Ziva held up a hand to stop her. "It is fine Abby. Trust me, I know that I am a burden on Tony and the team. You have my word that it will not continue. Now can we please go to the hospital?"

Abby nodded, looking at her friend sadly, knowing that Ziva could not see how truly sorry she was. Starting the car again, she drove the rest of the way to the hospital.

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed it. Please review and I will send you a sneak peak of chapter 27!