Ziva relaxed slightly into Abby's embrace. It was truly amazing how calming the normally effervescent woman could be when she needed to me. Taking a deep, shuddering breath, Ziva squeezed a few more tears out of her eyes and sat up to look at Abby, needing to gauge her reaction as she spoke.

Abby looked calmly back at Ziva, her concern evident. But, despite her normal tendencies, Abby refrained from speaking, waiting for Ziva to answer her questions.

"I... Abby, I am pre... pre... pregnant," she spluttered.

Abby's eyes flashed with surprise and, was that excitement? But she kept her mouth shut, knowing Ziva had more to say.

"I have thought about it before, of course. I mean, it is not out of the realm of possibility that birth control can fail and pregnancy is an occupational hazard in my line of work. I always assumed that if it happened I would just have an abortion. But... well, the doctor had to do an exam. And she accidently hit the sound button on the sonogram machine. And I heard the heart beat and...."

Here, Ziva broke down again and Abby pulled her sobbing lover back into her lap, stroking her hair and whispering quiet assurances of her love.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ziva and Abby layed curled together in the coffin, enjoying the sensation of skin and skin as Abby slowly stroked Ziva's naked back.

Abby had slipped both her and Ziva's clothes off a few hours ago and led a surprisingly pliant Ziva to bed-- well, coffin-- where they had laid quietly entwined until Ziva's breathing slowed down to a steady pattern, telling Abby that she was asleep. She had slept for only half an hour but was considerably calmer upon waking.

Abby watched Ziva's eyes, trying to gauge her emotions.

"I am still pregnant," Ziva murmured, refusing to look into her eyes.

"I know."

"How..."

Abby cut her off by placing a finger over her lip and smiled when Ziva looked up at her.

"I know."

"Abby, you did not sign up for this. I mean, when we talked, where we're going, that was just me. And I obviously cannot have an abortion. I thought I would be able to but... And I cannot give up anoth-- a child. So I suppose I am having one but you. You do not have to do this."

"But what if I want to, Ziva? I wasn't kidding when I said I loved you no matter what. I mean, if I could totally control the world and make anything I wanted happen I would've waited a little longer on a baby so we could have more time with just us. But if I'm ever going to have a kid, I like the idea of it being with you. And it would've been kinda hard to figure out how... Ziv, I'm totally in if you'll let me."

"Do you really want to do this, Abby, or do you just feel that it is your duty?"

"What is this duty word of which you speak?" Abby grinned.

Ziva rolled her eyes and then smiled gently back at Abby, responding by kissing her on the lips.

"Gibbs will make me stay on desk duty from the time he finds out until the baby is born."

"Yep."

"Would you be alright with me staying in your lab for the next year?"

"I'd be fine with you staying in Labby for the rest of our lives, Z! You're a prodigy. Not to mention the fact that I have someone to talk to other than Burt and Major Mass Spec."

"Yeah, Abby. That's something else we need to talk about...."

Okay, I know it's been forever and I'm so so so so so sorry. I'm totally out of the groove! Oh, and I got the flu, which was super fun. :D

Side note (and totally shameless self-promotion): You should read I'd Rather Die and This is Not Happening for an explanation of "I cannot give up anoth-- a child." Unless otherwise specified, I think all of my stories exist in my own little AU together. Kinda like I exist in my own little world in my head.... Ahem. Never mind.