Tony watched as she trudged into work the next morning. She looked so lost, like she didn't know what to do. Instead of stopping to tell him hi, she made her way straight to the lab. Well, she wasn't wasting any time, that's for sure.

He worried what everyones reactions would be. He imagined the anger that would flash across Gibbs' face. Then Tony thought of Rule 12. Would Gibbs be mad at her? Mad enough to fire her?

Tony shook his head, Nah, of course not. There had been co-worker relationships before.


Kate stepped into Abby's lab. She looked awful perky today. Boy, would this put a damper on her mood.

Abby turned around and saw Kate standing there in the door-way. She ran over to turn down the music, then trotted over to her friend. "Hey Kate! What's up?" Abby asked cheerfully. "No wait, before you answer, I want to ask you something. Are you doing anything tonight? I thought that maybe we could go see The Ring 2. Nobody else will go with me. McGee is too chicken."

Kate flinched at the sound of his name. Abby didn't seem to notice, but she did notice how quiet Kate was being compared to her normally talkative self. "Are you free?" Abby asked again.

"Before I answer that, you might want to hear what I have to say. It's really important," Kate sighed.

The look of happiness had completely disappeared from Abby's face as she heard how serious Kate was. "Sure Kate. What's wrong?" Abby questioned, leading Kate to an empty stool.

"Abbs, you know that you are my best friend in the entire world and I would never... intentionally do anything to hurt you. Right?"

Abby nodded her head. "Kate you're my best friend too. Please tell me what is going on. What is this all about?" she was extremely wooried now. Kate had never gone this serious on her... ever! She saw a tearrun down Kate's cheek. "Kate, why are you crying? Please don't cry," Abby begged, tears now blurring her vision. For some reason, Kate was crying. Although Abby didn't know why, it made her cry too.

All of a sudden, Kate broke into a fit of uncontrollable sobs. "Oh my God, Kate," Abby squealed as she pulled her into a tight embrace.

Kate jerked herself out of Abby's arms. "I don't deserve you as a friend. I have done something so wrong. I am so sorry. You will never forgive me," Kate yelled.

A shocked look appeared on Abby's face. Something was definitely wrong with her. "What did you do that was so horrible?" Abby asked, pushing Kate's hair to the side. Kate just sat silently, staring into her friends eyes. She didn't want to lose her best friend, the closest person she had to a sister. "Kate..." Abby paused, giving Kate another chance to say something. Still nothing. Growing impatient, Abby raised her voice. "Tell me!"

"I SLEPT WITH MCGEE!" Kate blurted out. Immediately, pain shot through Abby's eyes, followed by a look of disbelief. "I am so sorry Abby. It was an accident. I swear..."

Abby held her hand up, cutting Kate off. "Go," she whispered.

"What? Abby no. Please let me explain."

"No, just go. I don't want to see you right now." Kate just sat there. "I said get out. Get out!" Abby screamed.

Slowly Kate stood up and walked toward the door. Before she exited the lab she turned around and said to Abby, " I love you Abbs." A single tear trickled down her cheek as she stepped into the elevator.