Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with NCIS in any way, shape or form. That all belongs to DPB, CBS, and Paramount.

Chapter 11: Cupid's bow in the hands of a certain tattooed forensic technician of the Goth persuasion

After the rest of the crew had retreated to the bullpen in order to give Gibbs and Tony some privacy, Kate and Abby separated themselves from Jimmy and Ducky so they could talk in private.

"Abby," Kate questioned, half curiously, half upset from the ordeal she had just endured, "what's going on?"

"Life," Abby replied, grinning. "You know, the circle of life. Birds chirping, bees buzzing." She gave Kate a roguish wink. "All I'm doing is...decreasing the circumference of that circle, speeding up the process. It's purely a mathematical algorithm correlating with a...science experiment. Because, as you know Kate, I am a scientist. And science is fun!"

"Come on Abs. I'm serious. Since you have your little 'mathematical equation' all figured out, why don't you tell me what's going to happen?"

"I'm serious too Kate! You guys are like, perfect for each other. And don't tell me you don't have the hots for him. I can tell Kate. As for what's gonna happen, we'll just have to wait and see."

"Abs, I think you've had a few too many Caf-Pows..."

"Not any more than the usual. And come on Kate, no matter how much you deny it, I know the truth. And I also know..." Abby dropped her voice to a whisper, "that redheads are a thing of the past for Gibbs, if you get my drift." Abby gave Kate another hearty wink and knowing smile.

"Okay Abby, let's pretend you're right. It would never work out. Think fo the age difference. And the fact that our personalities are completely different and–"

"Kate, I have dated guys waaay older than Gibbs, and not even as good-looking as our very own silver-haired fox. Age doesn't matter between two people, as long as they love each other. Plus, it is a proven scientific fact that opposites attract. Yin and yang, the north and south poles on a magnet, Sandra Bullock and Jesse James..."

"Abs," Kate said, exasperated.

"I'm dead serious Kate! I mean, come on. There's Sandra Bullock–been in countless chick flicks, very amiable, clean-cut. And then there's Jesse James–biker tough guy look, star of Monster Garage, been married a bunch of times before, not unlike someone else we know...and yet they're very happy together, at least according to tabloids and Dr. Phil."

"Abby..." Kate said again.

"But the point is, Kate, that despite the differences, you guys are still perfect for each other. Like Romeo and Juliet, Nancy and Ronald Reagan, Henry the VIII and his wife...wives. Okay, so that one was a bad example." Abby the grew serious. "Kate, you're my friend. I would never steer you wrong. I've been the driver of this certain vehicle for the past few hours. Now it's time for you to take the wheel. Plus," she added, becoming her regular Abby self, "being the driver on a road trip is a major turn off for me, and I've got a hot date tonight. So I can't afford to hold on to the wheel anymore."

"Hold on Abs," Kate intervened. "I though you had a date with McGee tonight?"

"I do, Kate! McGee can be quite the hot tamale!"

The two friends laughed. "You know Abs, I don't know what I'd do without you. Thanks," Kate said, hugging her tattooed, Gothic friend.

"Anytime Kate. You're my numero uno amigo. But enough of all this lovey-dovey stuff with me, save it for Gibbs!"