"Abby?"

"I'm up! Oh, hey, Ziva."

"Quit caffeine again, yes?"

"Yes. I tried to cheat and have one last night…it made me sick. I'm telling you, Ziva…caffeine is a magical and powerful entity."

"As are many other things. I came down to inform you that we have a new case."

"Oh? What's up?"

"A taxi cab driver and an Admiral were found shot dead this morning in the park."

"And they say taxis can't kill. Got evidence for me?"

"Here are the shell casing that were found at the scene. McGee is bringing up the rest. Are you sure that you are ok, Abby?"

"Yeah, sure, why?"

"Your eyes seemed to have cupped over while I was just talking to you."

"You mean glassed over? Sorry about that, it always takes a few days to kick the habit. I'll be fine."

"Ok, well I will tell Gibbs that you are working on the bullets."

"Thanks, Ziva. See you later!"

Abby watched as Ziva left her lab while she began the process of identifying the shell casing materials. She immediately regretted her quick movements, feeling the familiar twinges of a migraine approaching.

"I picked a great day to stop drinking caffeine!"

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"I thought you were quitting?"

"I did. It's no caffeine. No kick. I could suck down like, half a dozen of these babies and no ill effects. Gibbs, I'm steel…"

"…ok, can I just have one teeny-tiny, baby booster sip?"

"No."

"Thank you sir."

"Welcome."

The moment Gibbs left with his coffee, Abby's headache returned full-force…only this time it came with the gift of nausea. It was hard for Abby to say if the nausea was from the thought of tasting the coffee or from it leaving her range of smell. Whichever it was; it wasn't pleasant…

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This case was beginning to frustrate Gibbs. After talking with Ducky, it was apparent that the intended victim was not the Admiral, but the taxi cab driver. On top of the confusion his lover/girlfriend (?), had once again given up caffeine. Normally, it wouldn't have been a problem; however, this time he had to basically live with her while she attempted it.

He had briefly (and jokingly) mentioned the idea of giving it up shortly following her getting sick recently. In the past when she had tried to give up her beloved drug of choice, he only saw her tired and grumpier side at the office…now it was also at home. Granted, he wasn't complaining…too much; he just wished she could feel better soon.

Which, is also why, when she began bringing up the idea that he stop it as well, he hoped she would not be offended by his refusal. She even went as far as to design a coffee cup and filled it with decaf for him.

"Abs…don't let that hurt your feelings."

He left, wondering if he would later pay for throwing away her cup…and smiling at that thought.