Love always... Ashes

Kate sat in the work bathroom, wiping the mascara from her cheeks. She didn't know why she was being so emotional. It wasn't as if Gibbs actually believed what Tony had said about them being intimate and if he had, he didn't let on. So everything was okay. Right?

Normally, she would be able to hold herself together. Normally, something as small as this wouldn't have even caused her to flinch, but that was just it. This wasn't normal; something was wrong with her. The only problem was, she wasn't exactly sure what was wrong with her.

She started to think back. It seemed like so much had happened within the past few weeks that she didn't know where to begin and she wasn't sure where it all ended.

What had happened? She kept wondering over and over, until finally... she figured it out. Maybe it was the right answer, maybe it wasn't. All she knew was that it was a reasonable answer and it scared the hell out of her.

The music blared through the speakers and into the confines of her lab. This was when Abby felt at peace. Even with loud rock music and the room as cold as ice, she still felt relaxed. Plus, her computer was working again. Well, it had always been working, it was just that now she knew how to work the program.

Since she had nothing better to do, Abby sat back in her chair and played Spider solitaire, occassionally reaching over and taking a sip of her Caf-Pow.

After she had won about six games and started on another, she looked over and saw Kate standing by the door to her lab. She went over and turned down her stereo, realizing how loud the music must be to the "normal" ear.

"Sorry," Abby apologized. "I get caught up in my own little world down here." She sat for a moment, waiting for Kate to say something, anything. When she didn't, Abby just asked her usual question. "So what can I do for you? Kate? Earth to Caitlin Todd!" Abby waved her hands in front of Kate's face.

"Huh? Oh. Sorry Abbs," Kate said, finally coming back to reality.

"No big deal, but geeze. You were really zoned out there."

"I know. I just have a lot on my mind. A lot," Kate explained.

"Wanna talk about it?" Abby asked, being the comforting friend.

"I would but... I'm not sure. I don't want to say anything and it turn out just to be a worry of mine." Kate sighed and walked over to sit in the nearest chair.

Abby stood up from her rolling chair and walked over to Kate, giving her a hug as she pulled her up from where she had just sat. Kate felt a tear stream down her cheek as Abby squeezed her tighter.

"I'm here for you Kate," Abby whispered in her ear and pulled away to look at her face. Kate quickly wiped away the tear that had fallen, but more soon followed. "I don't know exactly what is going on, but you know where to find me if you need something."

Kate just nodded her head one more time and hugged Abby again before she turned to leave.

"Abby," Kate said, stopping suddenly.

"Yeah?"

"I may be pregnant," she quickly blurted out.

Abby's jaw just dropped and she stared at Kate in disbelief. Could I have heard her right? She had to check. "Pregnant?" Abby questioned.

Kate just nodded her head yes and let a tear roll down her cheek.

"Are you sure?"

"No... I haven't tested yet," Kate told her. "But it is possible."

Abby walked over to where Kate stood and embraced her best friend in a tight hug, yet again. "Aww Kate." Abby rubbed Kate's back very softly. "It's possible that you're going to be a mommy and..." Abby paused, looking Kate in the eye. "Who would be that father? Please tell me that it isn't Darrell or the dude with the bad hygiene because that is just... blugh."

Kate laughed slightly. "No, neither of them."

"Well then who? Don't leave me hanging."

"Tony," Kate deadpanned.

This time Abby's jaw hit the floor. "Tony? Anthony DiNozzo? That Tony?"

Chapter Title- I titled this chapter "Conspiracy Theory" because Kate is not exactly sure whether or not she is pregnant (hence theory) and she told Abby before she told Tony (hence conspiracy.)