"Jeez, Kate! Moving in?" Abby said lightheartedly, trying to tone down the seriousness of the current situation.

Kate had taken all of her clothes, jewelry, make up and other items and put them, rather haphazardly, into several duffel bags.

Kate simply nodded at Abby's comment and set her things in the entryway to Abby's apartment.

"Thanks for letting me stay here. I'm gonna start looking for a new apartmen-" Abby cut her off.

"No, just give you and Tony some time. Things will work out. He's just a little upset that you didn't tell him about Ryan. Why didn't you tell us?"

Kate shrugged. "No reason to."

Abby stared at her, trying to get Kate to answer the question. Feeling uncomfortable, Kate moved farther into Abby's apartment. She had been there several times before and knew her way around the place. She plopped herself down on to the black sofa. Abby sat down next to her. The silence was too overbearing. Kate broke down, began crying and told Abby everything.

"I didn't tell you because I wanted a new start. Sometimes I blame myself for Ryan's death. Well, supposed death. I just saw him in the parking lot!"

"What?" Abby was trying to console her but she was getting irritated by the lack of information her best friend was sharing.

Kate told Abby about how Ryan approached her in the NCIS parking lot.

"So, he is alive."

"Yeah," Kate said though her tears, "And I think Tony and I are done. But I don't love Ryan anymore. I love Tony. But he's so upset, he won't listen to me. Maybe you could talk to him..."

"Kate, calm down. You should talk to him. He needs you to explain things. Tony doesn't need to hear it from me. Go. Go talk to him."

Kate looked up at Abby. "Yeah, yeah. Not now, though. He's too upset. I'm tired. Where can I sleep?"

"The guest bedroom," Abby said as she helped Kate to her feet. Together, they picked up Kate's bags and headed down the hall. As soon as Kate was settled in and ready for bed, she curled up into the bed.

"Remember, Kate, tomorrow you go talk to Tony and try to fix things," Abby said as she walked out of the bedroom.

"Uh-huh," Kate murmured sleepily.

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"Tony, I'm leaving. I don't know when I'll be home. Or even if I will," Gabe said, smiling to his brother. For the past few hours, he had been trying to cheer his big brother up. Losing one of the best things that ever happened to you is not something you rebound from quickly.

"Yeah, okay. I'll see you later," Tony said from his spot on the couch next to Kit. Gabe smiled sadly as he walked out the door.

"Daddy, can we watch a movie?" Kit asked not long after Gabe left.

"Sure, Peanut. Which one?"

"You pick."

Tony smiled slightly as he went to the shelves containing the many movies the DiNozzo family owned. He selected Grease, a favorite of Kit's. She knew all the dance moves and would sing along to most songs. He went to the player and put it in.

"Daddy?" he heard from behind him.

"Whatcha need, Peanut?"

"When will mom be home?"

Tony sighed. What was he supposed to say? Kit loved Kate and telling her the truth; that she moved out, would be a big mistake.

"Not sure."

Kit was getting frustrated. "Well, where is she?"

"Kitty, she's at Abby's house," Tony told her quietly.

Kit's eyes widened at the news. "Can we go see Aunt Abby?"

"No, Peanut, not tonight," Tony then added, thinking quick on his feet, "they're having a sleepover."

"Oh!" Kit exclaimed. Tony settled back on the couch. Now all he had to do was figure out how to tell his daughter that her 'mom' wasn't coming home.

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Sorry for the long wait. Life for my beta (Cold Ember) and I has been a little hectic.

Could you also give me some ideas on how to continue? I think I know which direction I am going with this but I'd like to hear some ideas from the readers on what they think.