A/N: This chapter was wonderfully written by Shelbylou.
Three Cheers for her continued brilliance and another job well done!

Tim woke slowly and cringed at the crick in his neck, moving it slightly, he was relieved when he heard the satisfying crack that signalled the release of the muscles that had seized given the bad position he had slept in. He rubbed his hand over his face and gradually let the room come into focus. This isn't my apartment was the first thought that popped into his head and it took another few seconds for him to realised he was still sitting on Abby's couch with the lovable Goth's head in his lap. He reached down and carded his hands through her hair and smiled gently at the memory of last night.

Saturday night.............

"It really has Abbs, it really has."

He smiled gently when Abby hummed her acknowledgement, he could see her eyes starting to droop and gently kissed her temple.

"Lie down Abb's."

"wha...no, I'm good Timmy."

"I can see that, how about we get you to bed."

"Not on the first date Timmy." Tim saw the smirk on her face and couldn't help but smile.

"Now where's the fun in that. Abbs, you need to sleep, you're exhausted." Right on cue Abby yawned loudly.

"Not yet ok? Can we watch a movie?"

"You sure Abbs?" Tim could see the tiredness in Abby's eyes and frowned slightly.

"Hmm, I don't want tonight to end"

She moved slightly, and watched as Tim picked a movie from her collection, he moved to the kitchen and grabbed two soda's before making his way back to the couch and snuggling back in with Abby.

Present time.................

He smiled at the memory of Abby curling up in his lap and falling asleep before he opening credits had stopped rolling, damn, she's stubborn. He had considered carrying his girl to the bedroom but soon found their positions comforting and drifted off to sleep.

He was lot in his thoughts of the previous night when Abby stirred.

"Mornin'. Hey, what're you smiling about?"The question wasn't said in malice, it was a genuine question and the fact that Tim was practically humming with happiness elated her.

"Just remembering last night." He watched Abby uncurl and stretch like a languid cat "and good morning. You want coffee?"

"I'll get it, you the guest."

Abby sat up and turned to face Tim; smiling broadly she planted a kiss gently on his cheek.

"You want breakfast Timmy?"

"Just coffee please, Abbs, then I need to get going because Jethro will want food and his morning walk"

Tim could almost hear the cogs turning in Abby's mind as she walked towards the kitchen, curious, he followed.

"Or we could........."

She was interrupted by her landline ringing incessantly. She picked up the phone happily.

"Hello, Abby Scuito........Hello.........is there anyone there.....Hello.....er goodbye." She hung up the phone with a tinge of annoyance and stood there holding the wireless, black handset.

"You ok?" Tim's voice broke through her reverie but Abby was saved from answering by the shrill ring again. Sighing heavily she answered again.

"Hello..........hello..........is there anyone there........"

Tim took the phone off her and listened silently, he cold faintly make out the sound of light breathing on the other end, as if the person was trying not to make a sound at all.

"Whoever you are, you really need to grow up!" He hung up the phone and placed it on the table. Seeing Abby's worried face, he moved towards her and wrapped his long arms around her slender frame.

"It's probably a wrong number Abbs, don't worry about it ok." Tim's soothing words were followed sharply by the shrill ringing again. Tim reached across and grabbed her hand before she could answer.

"Leave it. Tell you what, go get washed up and dressed and we'll go out for breakfast and a picnic in the park. We can take Jethro with us so he can have a run."

Abby had all but completely melted into the hug and nodded against Tim's shoulder. She moved away and walked away, leaving Tim standing there looking at the phone morosely. Sighing heavily, he placed the phone back on the base station and grabbed himself a bottle of water out of the fridge.

An hour later saw the two of them driving to Tim's apartment in his Porsche. In the daylight, the dent didn't look too bad which left him feeling more than slightly relieved; the thought of the immense invoice for the repair had left him feeling slightly despondent, though he didn't let Abby see it. He slowed down and pulled over outside a coffee shop before turning to Abby and grasping her hand lovingly.

"I'm gonna get some coffee, do you want anything?"

"Oooh, yes please. Oh, Oh, Timmy can I have one of those little Danish swirly things?" Tim smiled at her enthusiasm and nodded his head.

"For you Abbs, anything. Any preference on flavour?"

"Chocolate of course, or those toffee pecan ones......Hmmm, I can't choose, you pick."

Tim grinned broadly and handed her the keys before giving her hand a squeeze. He reached over and opened the glove compartment to grab a couple of CD's that were a far cry from his normal, chilled out Jazz music.

"I bought these for you last night. Thought you might want to listen to one while I'm gone." The squeal of delight turned a couple of heads and Tim blushed happily. Abby put one of the Brainmatter CD's into the player and danced along merrily, giving Tim the opportunity to get out and make his way into the coffee shop.

Abby glanced out of the window and into the coffee shop, she could see that Tim was already being served and found herself looking forward to the coffee she had missed out on this morning. There was a huge line behind him and Abby smiled when she saw the two large coffees standing alongside a large container of her beloved Cafpow, she let her eyes wander down his back and felt a wave of adoration when she skimmed his lean body. It was short lived though and she watched with horror as a hovering figure seemed to come out of nowhere when Tim turned, holding the drinks in a cardboard carrier. The man seemed to barrel into Tim and knocked the coffees and cafpow right out of Tim's hand towards his body, he didn't have time to react and the scalding liquid was spilt all down the front of his shirt.

"Oh no! Timmy." She stepped out of the car and scowled harshly at the guy as he ran out of the shop, She couldn't help but think that there was something strangely familiar about the guy, but she just couldn't quite put her finger on it. She started to make her towards the door but stopped when she saw Tim walking out carrying fresh drinks.

"Oh my God! Oh my God! Timmy, are you ok? We need ice, lots and lots of ice!" She was bouncing with anxiety as she moved the top of his sodden shirt out of the way and winced slightly at the sight of the red welts that adorned his where the hot coffee had splashed. Tim frowned when he looked down at his exposed chest and tried to smile reassuringly at Abby.

"It's fine Abbs, It's just little hot and red. It looks worse than it feels and I'll take a cold shower when we get to my apartment."

Abby nodded slowly and took the drinks out of his hand, he giggled at the wicked grin that had spread across her face.

"Hmmm, you want company Timmy." Shaking his head, he looked at her and burst into a fit of giggles.

"One day I'll take you up on that offer Abbs, but right now we're taking it slow, remember?."

"Not like we haven't been there before McGee, what's the difference?" Abby teased.

She could see the sadness spread across his face and looked back at her with a serious expression.

"We've already talked about this, Abby. I thought you understood. Thought we agreed. I don't want us to mess this up. I want this to work out." He was almost upset which served to do nothing but amuse Abby.

"Only in my dreams then...Huh. Don't worry, Timmy, I'm just yanking your chain. Come on, didn't you say something about a picnic in the park?"

Tim took a minute to think about her sense of humor, and then managed to smile as he climbed into the driving seat before taking the wheel, it wasn't long before the happy couple were laughing and preparing for their day together.

Tim and Abby sat on a large plaid blanket on the lush green grass in Anacostia park. Tim had found the perfect place which overlooked the river and was watching Jethro carefully as his beloved German Shepard frolicked on the bank of the river. He had never figured out why Jethro didn't seem to like swimming in the water and never got further than dipping his paw in the cool water.

"He's really good isn't he."

Tim turned his head towards Abby and laughed.

"Yeah, you know what, and I hope you are listening carefully because I won't be saying this ever again." The playful note in his voice didn't go un-noticed and made Abby grin broadly. As if anticipating his next sentence, her chest puffed out with pride, Tim could almost hear the 'I told you so' humming out of every pore. Tim inhaled a large dramatic, playful breath.

"Thank you for convincing me to keep him. It almost makes the pain and minor infection from the bites worth it."

She slapped his arm playfully before leaning over for a tender kiss. She had known, back when she begged Tim to save Jethro from the dreaded euthanasia, that the dog would be perfect for him.

"I'm always right McGee, you know that. You'd be lost without Jethro and you know it." Her chest puffed out even further and she gazed over at the adorable pooch.

"Not always, Abby. You and I will always disagree about the rest of what happened on that case. But, in regard to Jethro, yes, you were right, even if you went about in a not nice way. And since you were right about him, I will never ever doubt you again." Tim bowed down low in mock worship of his queen, his good humor restored. This made Abby squeal loudly and she lunged at him, pushing him down heavily on his back before straddling his waist.

"Ooof."

"You are in so much trouble now mister, you forget that I know how ticklish you are."

She tickled him on his stomach and watched as Tim squirmed as much as he could with her sitting on his midsection.

"Abbs, stop.....I can't bre..........NO!" He grabbed her wrists and held them firmly behind her back, he was panting with the effort of getting his giggles and breath under control.

"Oooh Timmy, is this how you apprehend all your suspects. And that better be your gun."

Tim released her hands and pulled her down for a kiss, he was lost in the warm passion when he felt a large, wet tongue run across his cheek.

"Eww, Jethro........."

His words were cut short when a loud crack sounded from the trees and Jethro yelped loudly. Abby all but jumped off Tim who grabbed her and held her down firmly on the blanket.

"Damn it, Abby, stay down!" Tim barked at her in anger mixed with fear.

He reached down to his ankle to grab his secondary weapon but stopped when a kid no older than 12 walked out of the trees holding what looked like a toy rifle. The kid ran towards his mother who was running over to the tress with a face like thunder. He heard her berate the child harshly before grabbing the toy and marching him towards the parking lot.

"Adam, how many times have I told you about that toy. We're going home NOW!"

Tim let out a sigh of relief but blanched when he heard Abby's whimper. Looking over at her, he could see the tears that stained her beautiful face, they were falling freely as she gazed at Jethro. Following her gaze, he looked at his dog and shouted his name when he saw the trickle of blood oozing out of Jethro's flank.

"JETHRO!"