A/N: So, I'd just like to thank all those who have commented or added my story to his/her story alerts. I'm truly glad you're all enjoying my story!
A melodious chime filled the air of Gibbs' home (he'd finally fixed the doorbell) and Roselyn skidded to a stop in front of the door, tossing it open. "Hey Abby!" she beamed, and immediately prepped for her hug. Hugging was Abby's thing, and it hadn't taken Roselyn much time to catch on to that one.
"Hey Roselyn" Abby smiled and stepped in. "Sorry I'm late. My hearse got a flat tire. Again."
"That's okay," Roselyn chuckled. "Gibbs is down in the basement and G.I. Barbie is still struggling with dinner. Where's McGee?"
"Oh… she's cooking?" Abby's face fell slightly; it wasn't that she didn't *like* Hollis. But it wasn't that she *liked* her either. "And he's still trying to fix the tire. Cars aren't really his thing; but he can fix a computer better than anyone I know! Well, except for me of course."
"Of course," Roselyn smiled and then glanced up, spotting a new arrival in the room. Hollis stood against the doorframe of the kitchen, smiling. "Hello Abby, and yes, I'm cooking. I promise, I'm a good cook."
"…Heh…" Abby gave a fake smile and then glanced to Roselyn for help, who shrugged and headed towards the kitchen. A pungent odor filled the room and Roselyn crinkled her nose. Abby followed suit, save the nose crinkle, but tried her best not to inhale.
"I'm trying a new recipe," Hollis informed the two, showing them the dish she'd made for dinner. "It's supposed to be delicious!"
"Uh… no offense, but what is it?" Abby asked, looking up. Her dark eyes met Hollis' light ones, waiting for her response.
"I dunno…but I think it just moved," Roselyn blinked and took a cautious step backwards.
"What?" Hollis glanced down. "It's a seafood medley. That's fresh octopus."
Roselyn slowly leaned in, hovering over the plate to stare at it. Hesitantly, she eased her hand forward and took hold of the head of the octopus, lifting it. Tentacles suctioned to the plate, lifting it into the air as well. "Looks more like live bait, to me."
Hollis' eyes widened and she blushed. "Don't tell your dad, and we'll order pizza. Everyone up for Hawaiian?"
"Definitely. I wonder if they'll make the pineapple chunks look like a smile again," Abby mused.
"Huh?" Hollis turned and stared quizzically.
"They did it before. The pizza boy has a crush on me."
"Dark and twisted seem to be a turn on for men," Roselyn teased lightly. Her smile faded quickly as her stomach churned and her gut twisted. Her face paled and Roselyn bolted for the bathroom.
"Was it the pineapple chunks?" Abby frowned
"No, I don't think so," Hollis furrowed her eyebrows. She walked up to the bathroom door and tapped lightly, leaning into the crack of the door. "Roselyn? Are you alright?"
"I'm… fine…" Roselyn choked out between heaves of vomit.
"I'll get you some water…" Hollis pursed her lips together and retreated for the kitchen. She lightly traced her hand along Gibbs' arm as she passed by him.
"What's wrong?" He asked, glancing in her direction and then leaning forward to kiss Abby on the cheek. "Hey Abbs."
"We don't know, Roselyn just suddenly got sick." Abby's frown deepened and she followed behind Gibbs like a duckling does its mother, heading for the bathroom.
Gibbs rapped gently on the door with his knuckles. "Ros? You okay in there?"
"I'm fine," Roselyn flushed the toilet; the water and vomit swirled ferociously and then disappeared. She turned on the sink; cool water flowed gently into her hands and she used it to rinse her face, sipping it, gurgling it, and spitting it. She turned the faucet off, whirled around, and tossed the door open. "You can stop knocking now," she muttered. She'd been getting irritated much easier this past month. "Abby can we talk?"
"Well sure!" Abby was always happy to talk. She was always happy to listen. She was, the epitome of 'great friend'. She turned on her heel and followed Roselyn to her room. Roselyn opened the door and stepped in first, waiting for Abby to follow suit. The room had one pink two pink walls, two white walls, a pink plush chair, a desk, and a cozy bed with a white feather duvet. Abby glanced around; she'd never really liked the décor, but then again her own taste was unique—to put it nicely. Roselyn shut the door, and locked it. She sat on the bed, crossing her legs 'Indian Style', and averted her gaze away from Abby.
"What's wrong?" Abby could sense something was troubling the young girl. She tilted her head sideways, her face straight but somber.
Roselyn took a deep breath and then slowly locked eyes with Abby. "I think… I think I'm pregnant."
Abby's eyes widen and she jumped back in shock. "Pregnant? How are you going to tell Gibbs! And the Director?"
"I don't know… I don't know. I'm scared. What if they hate me?"
"Roselyn they could never hate you. They love you. You're their kid."
"They did so much for me already though. What if they think I took it all for granted? What if they feel like I betrayed them?"
Abby placed her hands firmly on Roselyn's shoulders now, and looked her square in the eye. "Roselyn, they love you. They will always love you no matter what." She pulled her into a hug and held her tightly, and then pulled apart. "So…who's the father?"
"Craig Newman," Roselyn whispered.
"You mean that kid that died in the motorcycle crash about a month and a half back?" Abby blinked.
"Yeah," Roselyn whispered softly.
"You're just full of surprises today, aren't you?"
"Kind of." Roselyn muttered.
"Well what are you going to do? Have you taken a test yet?"
"I don't know, and no, I haven't."
"You need to. Do you want me to, like, be there?" Abby asked. Her jet black, pin straight hair, fell forward as she leaned in for another hug.
"Would you?" Roselyn asked gratefully. Having Abby there for the test would be comforting, and the thought was a relief of the load off her shoulders.
"Of course!" Abby smiled with a gentle nod. "Whenever you're ready we'll take it. Or, well, you'll take it and I'll sit there and read the results with you. You know what I mean!"
Roselyn laughed and nodded. "Yeah, I know what you mean. Thank you, Abby. This means so much to me."
"Its myyy pleasure!" Abby emphasized. "Come on, lets go see if dinner is here."
"And if G. I. Barbie trashed the bait," Roselyn mused with a roll of her eyes.
"That's so sad! I hope she put them back in the water!" Abby cried, but got up and walked out of the room.
Roselyn laughed and shook her head, following close behind Abby. She slid her hand down to her flat stomach with the silent knowledge that soon everyone's lives were about to change. Most especially her own.