Chapter 2

- - - - -

Monday morning, Abby entered her lab early, but she wasn't the first person there. A neatly-dressed, handsome man with a thin moustache greeted her with a look that was neither a frown nor a smile. "Ms. Sciuto. Do you have the findings on the Crawley case?"

"I, uh…" The Crawley case. She tried to remember, but her usually-sharp mind failed her now. "I'm waiting for results. It can take a while," she hedged. She tried not to stare at her visitor, and so averted her eyes.

He nodded. "I figured. Let Gibbs or me know when they come in."

"I will." She gave him a half-smile as he left.

- - - - -

"Morning," Gibbs nodded as he came in.

"Gibbs, I think something is wrong with Abby," Ziva blurted.

That got his attention. "What?"

"She was up here about 20 minutes ago, sort of…stalking McGee's desk. She saw me, and asked me if I was filling in for Kate, who she thought was on vacation."

Even Tony didn't have a droll comeback for that. Before he could say anything, in fact, Gibbs was already striding for the elevator.

- - - - -

"Abby, do you know where you are?" Ducky asked gently. Gibbs stood back, watching.

"Of course I do, Ducky! I'm here in my lab, at NCIS! What a question." She looked at him fondly.

"And who are your friends here?"

"Well, you and Gibbs, of course. And Tim…" she smiled at that, and stared off dreamily.

He tried a different approach. "Can you tell me today's date?"

Her smile faded as she thought. She turned to the window as if for inspiration. Outside, the leaves of the trees could be seen partly in color. "November…" she started, then stopped. "October?"

"Surely you know the date, my dear. I know you like to count down to the holidays."

She nodded, her smile broad again. She started counting on her fingers, but quickly stopped, looking puzzled. "Isn't that funny?" she remarked. "I…I don't know when the last holiday was."

"Navy Day is coming up," Gibbs interjected, impatiently, over Ducky's frown.

"That's October 13, officially," she said knowingly. "Today is Monday. I know that much." She didn't seem to be too concerned about the details.

Ducky peered at her and examined her head, but could find nothing amiss. "Tell me what you did this weekend, Abigail."

"It was my Habitat for Humanity weekend. We got a lot accomplished."

"And before that? On Friday?"

"Tim came over for dinner. And not just dinner," she said with an unapologetic smile.

"McGee," Gibbs growled. "I'll make him give answers."

Ducky sighed. "You seem to have some mental confusion, Abigail. It could be something entirely benign and transitory, but I'd like you to be checked out at the hospital."

Her smile fell. "But I haven't even seen Tim yet today! I don't want to go without saying good morning to him…"

"You'll see him later," Gibbs said. "Get your purse and jacket. I'll take you to the hospital."

- - - - -

"Abby did what?!!"

"She said she was expecting Kate. Or not expecting Kate," Ziva replied to Tim. "She did not know who I was."

He nearly dropped his coffee cup. "Oh, no," he said, and started for the elevator.

"She's not down there," Tony called after him. "Gibbs has already left with her to go to the hospital. Which you would have known if you'd gotten to work on time, McGuilty."

"I was caught in a traffic jam, as I told you," Tim snapped, his face nonetheless red. "Which hospital?"

"Bethesda—wait, McGee. I wouldn't do that. Your name's already mixed up in this somehow, and Gibbs is an ex-sniper…"

Tim barely heard him. He'd already grabbed his backpack and coffee, and was running for the stairs.

- - - - -

It was a 33 minute drive under normal conditions; Tim made it in 20. He almost strode into the emergency waiting room, but ducked back out on seeing Gibbs sitting there. How could he explain to Gibbs that Abby had reverted in time, and that he…and that stupid wishing well…were responsible?

I can fix this. I think. Abby doesn't need a shrink. She just needs…

Me?

He skirted along the back hallways, and with a little white lie to a nurse was directed to the examination room where Abby was waiting. She was alone, fortunately; sitting patiently. "Timmy!" she exclaimed, and jumped up to hug him.

"What are you doing here, Abby?" he asked, hoping she'd provide him with a clue to a cure.

She shrugged. "They say I'm a little confused, Tim, just because I can't remember the date. How silly! Anyone who's anyone just looks at their computer or cell phone to find out the date. Except…my cell phone must not be working right, because it says October 3, 2005. How can that be?"

"I have some answers, but not all, Abby. Let's get out of here; you don't need a doctor."

"Whatever you say, Timmy. I trust you."

The look of utter confidence on her face almost made him lose his nerve. I don't deserve this. I got her into this mess! But quietly, he led her out, down another hallway, avoiding the waiting room. "I'll take you home," he said. "We can talk there."

"You left work…for me, Tim? That was so sweet of you."

"Like I said, you don't need a doctor. I can help you."

To his surprise, her blind trust seemed to waver just a bit. "There is something wrong with me, Tim. I can't figure it out…why some things don't make sense…why the date doesn't seem right to me…"

"I'm sure it'll work out, given time." He pulled the car out of the parking lot.

"Timmy, let's get married!"

He slammed on the brakes, causing the car behind him to honk angrily. By instinct rather than thought, he put on the flasher lights. "What…what did you say?"

"We could do it in Viriginia. Right now. Virginia doesn't require a blood test or a waiting period or residency; it's perfect! No wonder their slogan is 'Virginia is for Lovers.' " She smiled impishly. "If we're married, see, then I can name you my health care proxy, and you can speak for me in this matter of…whatever's wrong with my head."

"Oh, Abby…"

"Please say yes, Tim! It would mean the world to me! If you want, I'll get out of the car and down on one knee and propose to you that way." She started to open the car door.

"Stop. Stop. Let's get you home first, and…"

"Yes! Good idea. I can pick out what I want to get married in! Glitter or sequins, do you think?"

"Oh, look; I've got to get stop for gas," he said, hurriedly. Think; McGee. Think. Think. Think.

- - - - -

"Any word on how Abby is doing?" the Director asked Gibbs over the phone.

"Nothing yet. This place is a zoo today. She's in an examination room, but if she's been seen yet, I haven't heard."

"Well, keep me appraised. She's too valuable to NCIS to have down for long."

"Will do." Gibbs snapped his phone shut and went back to sitting and waiting.

- - - - -

Just when you thought you knew Abby, Tim considered, she would surprise you. From the closet of the would-be Goth came a lacy retro just-above-the-knee gown: dark silver in color, with a matching shawl. "What do you think?" she asked. "Go or no-go?"

"Go. Definitely," he said; eyes wide as she shed her t-shirt and miniskirt and slipped the dress on. He hadn't meant that a wedding would be a go, but she did look so lovely in the dress, even with black ankle boots. He faltered, "Of course, we can't just barge into any place in Virginia and ask to get married…we'd have to plan…" Long enough to get you to snap out of this spell…

"I have a list of the five city halls that are closest to the District," she said, pulling a paper from a drawer. "What? You know I like to be prepared for any emergency," she grinned.

He grinned back. This was everything he'd ever wanted; his second chance. And she was the woman he'd hoped, since first they met, that he would spend the remainder of his days with. His beautiful Abby. Don't say no, McGee. Nature has given you this opportunity. If you throw this away, there will probably never be another.