Abby is staring at her computer screen, with her back turned to the door, when Ziva enters the lab. She stops, with Amelia standing in front of her. She looks at the girl for a moment, and then clears her throat.

Abby spins around. She looks at Amelia, and then to Ziva. Her eyes remain fixed, on Ziva. Ziva takes a deep breath, and swallows hard. Abby breaks eye contact, with Ziva. Her eyes fall on Amelia, and her lips widen into a smile.

"Are you giving tours now?" Abby's eyes flit back to Ziva.

"No," Ziva shakes her head, solemnly.

"You've started recruiting new NCIS agents?" Abby guesses.

"No," Ziva shakes her head.

Amelia stares at Abby. She holds out her hand, and smiles.

"Hi, I'm Amelia."

Abby shakes her hand, and stares at the little girl, in confusion. She studies her face, carefully.

"I'm Abby."

"I know."

"You look familiar, do I know you?"

"No," Amelia answers.

"Ziva?" Amelia turns around, and looks at Ziva, "Give her the letter."

Ziva hands Abby the letter. Abby shakes her head, and pushes Ziva's hand away.

"I don't want that."

"Abby, please."

"No. I..." she swallows hard, "She looks like Kate."

"I know," Ziva admits, "Just read it."

Abby takes the letter, and turns away, so they can't see her. She does her best not to cry, as she begins to read.

Abby,

I know that you will have a hard time believing any of this. First of all, I want to ask for forgiveness. I know the hell that I put you through. I know the hell that I put all of you through. I am truly sorry for that. If I had not left, you would never have gotten Ziva on your team. I know that you have already mourned my loss. By the time you read this, I will probably be dead, again. I know that it's hard to understand. I will try to explain, the best that I can. I accepted an offer, from the CIA. They took extraordinary measures, to assure that my death seem as real as possible. No one knew the truth, but a few members of the CIA.

Now I am on the run. I know that Amelia is no longer safe with me. I cannot protect her. Believe me, I wish I could go back, and change everything. I wish that I would have known, because I never would have left. I didn't know that I was pregnant. She's six, and she's never met any of her family. Not even her father.

Which by the way, I am certain that you will figure out who he is, but I am not going to tell you. You will have to find out, on your own. I have entrusted Ziva, with Amelia. I know that my sister would love to take Amelia, but I chose Ziva, for a reason. My lawyer has all of the papers drawn up. Abby please help Ziva, she will need it. Amelia can be like her father, which is not always a good thing. Please, help Ziva give her the family that I wanted to. My NCIS family.

Please, keep my little girl safe,

Kate.

P.S. Please forgive me.

Abby folds the letter back up, and stuffs it back into its envelope. She wipes the tears from her cheeks, and turns around. Her eyes meet Ziva's. As her nostrils flare, and her jaw clenches, to fight of the rest of her tears. Ziva takes a step away from Amelia. She stops in front of Abby. She embraces Abby, in an uncharacteristic move. After a few moments Abby lets go.

"Will you watch her?" Ziva begs.

"Of course," Abby swallows hard.

"Miss Abby, I promise I will stay out of your way."

Abby smiles, widely. She reaches down, and lifts the little girl off the ground. She places her in front of the computer. Amelia's legs dangle over the edge. Abby smiles at her.

"You can just call me Abby."

"Yes, ma'am."

"I'm not ma'am, or miss, I'm just Abby," Abby clarifies.

"What about sir, or mister?" Amelia giggles.

"No, ma'am."

"Ok."

Abby turns to Ziva, "I can take it from here."

"Are you sure?"

"I won't forget to feed and water her," Abby promises.

"Ok," Ziva turns, and heads for the door. Abby follows behind her. Ziva heads for the elevator. Abby locks the lab door, behind her. She returns to her station, where Amelia waits, with a sleepy smile.

"You look sleepy," Abby comments.

"I am."

"Would you like to take a nap?"

"I'll be ok."

"You can take a nap in my office. It's quiet in there."

"Ok," Amelia hops off the table.

"Come on, I'll show you."

Abby leads her into her office. She unrolls the futon pad onto the floor. She grabs a blanket out of a cabinet, and nestles the little girl into a corner.

"Sweet dreams," Abby tells her.

"I'll try."

"And if you need me, I'll be right out there."

"Abby?"

"Yes?"

"My mom is never coming back," she states.

Abby kneels down, beside her, "No, she's not."

"It's ok."

"No," Abby argues, "It's not."

"She said that you would never let me forget her."

"No, never," Abby promises.

"I hope all of your work is done," Amelia adds.

"Why is that?"

"What happens, when they find her? You will have to sort out the mess."

"She's not an NCIS agent anymore."

"But he'll insist on taking the case."