I don't think this will be much longer. But, here is chapter 8 anyway!

Disclaimer still applies

Abby hung up the phone and let out a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding. Ziva was fine... and had forgiven her. Abby relieved the night.

Ziva was laughing at something Tony had said. McGee was smiling, but didn't want to give Tony too much satisfaction. Gibbs and Abby were talking about Abby's fabulous forensic work... as always.

"Well, we better be on our way," Tony announced.

"Have a hot date tomorrow?" Ziva asked playfully.

"Only if you're offering," Tony said as he wiggled his eyebrows.

Ziva rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue at him.

"Tony's right. It's almost midnight and I have a meeting with my publisher tomorrow," McGee said.

Ziva grabbed her keys and led the team out to her car. Gibbs sat in the front as the other squished into the back.

"Good thing Ducky's not here... he wouldn't have anywhere to sit!" Tony proclaimed.

"You know Ducky, he would've driven his car anyway," Ziva joked. Ducky had a sentimental thing for his beautiful old Morgan. Tony was first, then McGee, third was Gibbs and last... was Abby. Ziva had walked everyone up to their doors, just to make sure they made it safely. Abby knew she would offer, but was still surprised she had said yes. She pulled out her keys and unlocked the door. "Goodnight Abby," Ziva said as she leaned in for a hug.

The first touch that brushed across Abby's skin had done it. Ziva's hug turned into a kiss.

Abby held her face in her hands. Why had she done that? Why couldn't she control herself?

Ziva stared at the wall. She had to stay for a couple of days: two to get her hydrated properly and one for observation. "There goes my weekend," Ziva thought to herself. Ziva then started to wonder about Abby. Had she understood the message? Ziva hoped that Abby had quit blaming herself. Abby had a weakness when it came time to place blame. In her mind, it was always her fault. Ziva felt bad for scaring Abby. She really did love Abby, but it was... complicated. One, Gibbs wouldn't approve romance in the office and two... her father would never approve. Tali had always been the one interested in the guys. Ziva wished that her sister was here now so they could talk. But if she were to talk with her sister, Ziva would have to go to a séance or something... Tali had been killed in a suicide bombing.

Ziva had been lying there when someone entered her room. For a second she had hopes that it was Abby. The door opened to reveal a very worried looking McGee.

"Hey Ziva. Heard you were at Bethesda and rushed right over," he told her.

"Thank you McGee, but it was not necessary. I am fine. I- I just had an accident," she told him. She then added quickly when she saw the horror on his face, "but it was not a bad accident! Just dehydration. I really should watch that. I just passed out McGee. Nothing to worry about." She smiled at him to show him that she was sincere.

He then looked a little relieved. "Thank goodness! I was worried that you'd been shot at or something," he confessed.

"Why would you think that?" she asked him, thoroughly confused.

"The petty officer that we arrested got out on a technicality," McGee said glumly.

"Damn, I thought for sure we had him," Ziva grumbled. Just then there was a soft knock on the door. The door opened slightly to reveal a clearly distressed Abby.

"Hey Abby," McGee greeted.

"Hey Timmy," Abby said softly. Abby looked over at Ziva.

Ziva saw the guilt welling up. "Hello Abby. Would you like to sit down?" Ziva asked trying to be as gentle as she could manage.

Abby looked over at the unoccupied chair next to McGee. She shrugged and said, "I'll come back later."

"I'm allowed more than one visitor at a time, Abby," Ziva told her.

"I- I didn't eat this morning. I'm gonna get something from the cafeteria real quick," Abby lied. She really did walk down to the cafeteria, but she didn't buy anything. Abby sat there in silence wondering what to do when someone took the seat next to her.

"Abs, what is going on?" the gentle male voice asked. It was Gibbs.

"How'd you know I was even down here? I just left Ziva's room," she said, still puzzled by his superhuman abilities.

"I've been here all day remember? A person has to eat sometime, right? That reminds me, did you eat anything before you came?" he asked her.

"No, I was... distracted," she managed.

"Well then, we better get you something. Then... you can tell me what's going on," Gibbs added softly.

Abby's stomach twisted it a knot. Well, he'll find out sooner or later... let's make it later.

Are they EVER going to tell Gibbs? How will he take it?

Reviews are ALWAYS great! Also! I'm soliciting for myself by saying I have a third story called 'Time Warp.' I hope some of you will check it out! :D