Abby awoke to light streaming through her bedroom window. It had been two months since she'd fallen out of the barn. It was the end of the school year, and Abby was ready for summer.

Abby hopped out of bed and got dressed for her last day of school. Quietly she put on a red and white striped tee shirt, and a pair of blue jean shorts. She went downstairs quietly and poured herself a bowl of honeycomb cereal being careful not to make a mess of the immaculately clean kitchen table. Her mom had taken to keeping the house clean, and Abby had no problem with that, the cleaner it was, the harder she had to think about keeping it that way.

In truth, Abby hated the house being as clean as it was, but it was a distraction. Charlie had been gone for two months and Abby couldn't reach him. She had tried everything she could think of, excluding going to the bar and checking. She knew that was much too dangerous, since it could be open, and who knows what kind of crazies were hanging out there.

As Abby finished off her cereal her mom waddled into the kitchen, now seven months pregnant, and very irritable. Good morning mommy. Abby signed.

Morning Sweetheart. Did you enjoy your breakfast? Her mom replied looking tired.

Yes mommy. When do I get to go to school? Abby asked anxious for her last day.

Well it's late start today, so not for another couple of hours. Why don't you go clean the playroom while you wait? Her mom replied looking hopeful that Abby would actually be willing to clean today.

Okay. She signed back as she took her dishes to the sink and rinsed them off. She made her way slowly to the playroom.

Opening the door she was confronted with masses of toys all over the floor. Abby groaned. Her cousins had been over last week and had left their room, the playroom, a disaster area. She headed over to the easy part of the room, the toy chest. There were toys scattered across the room who's home is the mahogany toy chest in the corner of the playroom. She picked up the toys and deposited them to the toy chest finally replacing the lid after placing the last toy safely in. She was headed to the laundry room to get a vacuum when she heard a scream.

She ran through the house to find her mom sitting on the floor bent over in pain. Abby… Get… Help… Her mom signed in pain, causing Abby to run. She ran until she got to the barn where her bike that she hadn't yet gotten out this year. She kicked the kickstand out of place and rode.

She finally made her way to Anna's house a good ten minutes later. She knocked on the door forcefully and was greeted by Anna's mother, Kim.

"Abby!" She said greeting her. "I'll go get Anna." She said as she turned into the house.

"No!" She cried awkwardly. "I mean, I'm not here for her, I need help. Well actually my mom needs it." She finished confused by what she had said.

"Abby? You do realize you have school in about an hour right?" She questioned thinking Abby wasn't sure what she meant.

"Yes! Now my mother is bent over in pain in the kitchen and I don't know what's wrong! WOULD YOU JUST GET TO MY HOUSE AND HELP ME!" She was screaming.

"Dear! Abigail go find Anna and calm down I'll call an ambulance then we'll drive over." Kim said quickly taking control. Immediately Abby headed to Anna's bedroom and Kim headed to the phone.

"Yes, a neighbor seems to be in a great amount of pain, oh right, she's pregnant… Okay… yes…thank you." She hung up the phone. "ANNA, AIDEN, AND ABBY!" She called up the stairs, as the three of them came clambering down. "We're going to Abby's then you're most likely going to school." She said ushering the children to the car.

Abby and Anna sat in the back of the mini-van and Aiden, Anna's eight year old brother, sat in the middle of the van. Abby was staring out the window during the entire short ride to her house and she was alarmed when she saw an ambulance outside. She jumped out the door as soon as the van was slowed enough for her to, and she ran to the kitchen.

Her mom was being lifted onto a stretcher as there had been a complete failure in communication. "Hey!" Abby cried, "Where're you taking my mommy?" She asked eyes narrowing.

"To the Hospital, she seems to be unable to give us any information, probably in shock." The ambulance attendant said.

"DOY!" She cried after them. "SHE'S DEAF YOU IDIOTS!" She cried causing both of the attendants to turn and look at her.

"Oh." They said in unison.

"Yeah, Oh." She said sarcastically.

"Do you know sign language?" One of the attendants asked her.

She rolled her eyes as she replied, "Well…yeah…"

"Then we need you to come with us in the ambulance." He said and then turned back to the ambulance where they took her mom. Abby stopped and quickly thanked Anna and her mother for their help and said she was going in the ambulance before she made her way into the vehicle.

For several minutes the two attendants ran several tests and concluded that she wasn't in labor, but they weren't sure what was wrong. Suddenly one of them turned to Abby. "Are there any family members that your mother would want at the hospital?"

"Well, my dad, but he's on business in Nashville, and I have no clue how to get a hold of him. My Grandma is already on her way to stay with us, and…" She stopped dead as she thought of Charlie, her heart racing she said, "But I could call her brother."

"Okay good, there's a phone behind you." The attendant said returning his attention to her mother.

Abby reached for the phone, hand shaking. It had been two months and Charlie had refused to talk to her, but now, now she needed him, and he probably wouldn't care. She slowly dialed the numbers into the phone and listened to the ring. It rang eight times before someone answered.

"Hello?" A voice said, that had obviously just been woken.

"Charlie?" Abby asked quietly, for some reason she felt it was right to be quiet in an ambulance.

"Yeah…Who is this?" He asked obviously clueless.

"Before I tell you, you need to know this is an emergency." She said quickly before continuing. "This is Abby." She could sense he was about to slam the phone to the receiver so she screamed. "CHARLIE!" And he paused, putting the receiver back to his ear.

"Abby get your mom to help you, I can't." He said obviously not open for discussion.

"I CANT!" She screamed into the phone obviously angry. "SHES ON HER WAY TO THE FREAKING HOSPITAL AND YOU… You…" She broke into sobs.

"Abby?" He cried into the phone. "Abby which hospital?" He asked panicked.

:"Medical Center of New Orleans." She said sniffling.

"Abby, I'm on my way." He said in a soft tone as he hung up the phone.

Gloria? In the hospital? This can't be good. Why did I leave? I shouldn't have left! This is all my fault. Charlie's mind was racing as he climbed into his truck. He started up the engine and headed to the hospital. Abby… I left her… and I left… I just… How could I be such an idiot… I never… I can't…I have to… He was arguing with himself the entire way to the hospital, but he hopped out immediately upon arrival.

He ran into the lobby and went to the desk. "Sciuto." He said to the receptionist.

"Down the Hallway to your left. Room 101." She said pointing in it's general direction.

"Thanks." He muttered under his breath as he ran down the hall. He reached room 101 and took in a deep breath, and with that he rapped on the door, three times. The door cracked open. "Abby?" He asked quietly as not to wake his sister he could see sleeping on the bed in the room.

Abby peered out from behind the door green eyes wide. "Abby…" Charlie said pulling her into a hug. "Abby, I'm so sorry." He whispered into her ear as he held her whimpering figure. "Abby, I promise, I'll never do it again." He said lifting her face so he could see it.

Her blonde hair had grown quite a bit since he had last seen him, but her green eyes were still the same sparkly set. Abby was peering into his eyes, looking for some reason to not believe him. When she couldn't find one she spoke.

"You promise?" She asked quietly.

"Yes Abby I promise." He said with a hug.

"You gotta pinky swear." Abby replied sticking out her tiny finger.

Charlie couldn't help but laugh. The last time he had pinky swore about something he was about ten, but he without hesitation wrapped his finger around her small one. "Pinky Swear" He said seriously.

"Good." Abby said with a smile. "Mommy's okay by the way." Abby said quickly changing the subject. "It turns out that the baby just got into a weird position that was in her spine. She's on…On…" Abby was trying to explain when the doctor came in.

The doctor was around fifty and he had a very kind face. He had light brown hair and blue eyes. Abby had learned from him in her time there that he was here from Scotland, "On Holiday." He had said. Dr. Mallard filled Charlie in. "She'll be on bed rest for a few weeks, but that's just as a precaution. She should be just fine." He said with a smile. "Abby do you want to help me with the IV?" He asked her.

"Yeah!" Abby said excitedly as she went over to her mom.

"Okay, hold on, I'll tell you when I'm ready." He said as he prepared a bag of liquid to hook up. "Okay Abby, take it out." He instructed. Charlie gasped as Abby without flinching pulled the nearly empty bag off from the IV and Dr. Mallard expertly replaced it.

"Are you sure that's safe?" He asked wide eyed, and the doctor laughed.

"Of course. In fact, her doing it is probably better than me trying to deal with both of them." He said giving a wink in Abby's direction.

"Dr. Mallard?" Abby asked curiously.

"Yes Abby?" He asked turning to face her.

"Can you teach me how to do other doctor stuff?" She asked almost shyly.

"I would love to." He started, "However, as I'm only here for the next few days on holiday to get some sun, it's beautiful here in comparison to Scotland, it's rather dreary there…" He started to get side tracked. "However, my son Donald's birthday is this weekend so I have several patients I need to finish helping before I leave. I simply do not have time, but…" He started as he made his way to a cabinet in the hall. "I can give you this." He said handing her a black parcel.

Abby opened it to find a "Doctor's Training For Kids" Set. Including several real instruments and some fake ones. "Wow…" She said sifting through the bag.

"We give these to the brave children here to help them understand what they, or their family member's are going through. I think you definitely deserve one of these." Dr. Mallard said with a smile.

"Thanks." Abby said with a smile. "You're really nice." She said before going off to read all the information in her new kit.

"She's a bright one isn't she?" The doctor asked Charlie.

"Oh yeah… Real bright…" Charlie said then he continued. "Dr. Mallard?"

"Yes?" He said as he turned around.

"I was wondering if you would mind answering a question relating to a rather sensitive situation." Charlie said looking ashamed.

"Of course, of course!" He said noting the look on his face.

"Well, a couple of months ago… I sort of just… I left Abby and her parents, and I felt bad about it then, but I felt worse when I realized I could never go back. And I'm wondering if… you think…I… I should try and go back…" He mumbled off.

"Charlie, if you make a mistake once, it's okay. But if you make the same one again… You're just making a fool of yourself. If you want to go back, Go back." He said and with a smile he left him to his thoughts.

Charlie was just coming to the conclusion that, yes he would go back to the Sciuto's house when he heard a noise coming from behind him. He turned to see his sister waking up. "Abby!" He called as he went over to her. Good Afternoon Gloria. Charlie signed slowly.

Abby's mom prepared to respond, but before she could Abby came running in and gave her a huge hug. Mommy! You're okay, so is the baby, but you have to stay in bed for a while. You have a nice doctor, he gave me this! She said pointing to the stethoscope.

Well that was very nice of him. She signed back as she shifted looking for a more comfortable position. Once she was settled she turned to Charlie and just stared.

Hi. He signed awkwardly. Then he went on, Gloria, I'm so sorry. I never should have left. I've felt awful ever since that day and at first I thought you'd be happy I was gone, but by the time I realize you probably didn't, I felt… I thought you wouldn't want me back anyway.

Now Charlie. Gloria signed with a very motherly face. If I didn't want you to come back, I would have told you so. In fact, I would be delighted to have you back. Abby needs you.

Charlie was on the verge of tears at that last sentence. It was true, Abby did need him, and he had given up on her. He couldn't change what he had done, but he could choose what to do. He looked at Abby who had a worried look in her eyes. Remembering to sign at the same time so Gloria knew what he'd said he spoke. "I guess you're gonna have to learn to live with me!" He scooped Abby up into a hug.

Just then Steve came crashing through the door. He rushed over to Gloria and placed a kiss on her lips, then on her stomach. You Okay? He asked.

I am now. She replied settling into his arms. Just then Dr. Mallard came in.

"Aahhh Mr. Sciuto, good to see you." He said and Abby giggled and pulled on his lab coat. "Hmmm?" He asked as he bent down so Abby could whisper into his ear.

"He's deaf too." She said with a giggle. Dr. Mallard looked at her curiously.

"Interesting…" he started. "Normally one whose parents are both deaf would be deaf, particularly if they're profoundly deaf. Guess you're just lucky!" He said giving Abby a pat on the head. He went over to her parents and started signing, which surprised everyone else in the room.

Mr. and Mrs. Sciuto, both Gloria and the baby are fine. The baby just settled in a place that was very uncomfortable for Gloria, but it has moved, meaning there's nothing to worry about. However I'm not sure how well her spine will handle the recovery so I want her on bed rest for the next couple of weeks. He smiled at the couple. You can leave tomorrow morning, however I won't be here, I have surgery to perform. It was lovely to meet you. Are there any questions before I take my leave.

Both of them shook their heads. After Dr. Mallard had left, the family spent the afternoon talking away. It was around ten when both Abby and Charlie fell asleep.

Honey, are you okay? Steve asked his wife, taking advantage of the privacy that they were being presented with.

Yes… but… I'm… nervous. She signed back.

Why?

Because, I feel like Abby didn't get the childhood she should have, because she never got to hear us say we loved her, and this baby will be the same.

That may be true, but this one will have Charlie.

And for that I am eternally grateful. Charlie may just be exactly what we need in order for both of our children to enjoy life.

I know honey, I know.

We put too much responsibility on Abby.

Why do you say that.

Well she's five and she can fluently speak two languages and knows how to order things on the phone, pay the cashier, she knows things most people don't learn until their thirties!

Did you ever think that, that may be a good thing?

How can it be a good thing?

She now doesn't have to spend the next 25 years learning them! He said with a grin, and with that no more needed to be said. They knew Abby and the new baby would be just fine.

Authors Note: I'm horrid at filler chapters, but sometimes they're just necessary! I had to figure out how to get Charlie back, because everybody loves him, and plus he's just too much fun to write about! A Couple Of Notes: Yes! Dr. Mallard is Ducky's dad, I had a friend suggest a while back to have Abby run into people that were related to people on the NCIS team so I decided to try it out! (IT WAS UBER FUN!) Another note, I know this took forever to update, but that's because I started another fanfic! It's called "What Have You Done?" and I would love it if you guys read and reviewed it! But even better is if you REVIEW! Thanks!