Abby and Mcgee were just getting into the elevator when Vance headed down the stairs to head home.
"You mind holding the door?" He called to them. Mcgee the gentleman he was stood and held the door open for him. "Thank you, the sooner I get home the better, my wife's already mad I missed dinner." *Ding* Abby and Mcgee stepped out of the elevator as it reached Abby's lab.
"Talk to you tomorrow Leon." Abby said as she waltzed into her lab. She reached her office and took in a sharp breath.
"Abs? What's wrong!" Mcgee asked worriedly as he came up behind her.''
Abby turned to face him. "Tim, this is all I have…" She said gesturing to the things around her office. "I have nothing!" She said as tears started to roll again.
"Abby! You have plenty! You have what really matters to you don't you, Bert, your music…" Mcgee started to comfort her.
"You're forgetting something." She said quietly.
"And what might that be?" He asked.
"I have you." She said with a grin he couldn't resist.
"You're not half as lucky as I, for I have you." He said planting a kiss on her forehead. Abby began surveying the room looking for something more comfortable to change into. Still unsuccessful ten minutes later, Gibbs entered the lab.
"Anything you need Abs?" he asked as he hugged her.
"Honestly, I'm having issues finding clothes. What I'm wearing isn't particularly comfortable, and It smells like smoke…"Abby said quietly, she was feeling very self conscious. She wasn't used to being unable to provide for herself. The last time she had asked for something she honestly couldn't get for herself she was about twenty.
"Go see Ducky, he's still downstairs, he'll find you something. Anything else?" Abby shook her head, and he made his leave.
"Abby, you want me to go get you something to wear so you can set up your futon?" He said motioning to the bed she kept in a corner of her lab.
"Uh, would you mind switching me? My wrist is quite sore and I'd rather not…"
"Enough said. Go on scram, when you're back your bed will be waiting."
"Thank you Tim." She said peering into his eyes for a moment before pivoting on her toes to the elevator.
The one floor ride to Autopsy was completely uneventful. "Hey duckman!" She called into his office forcing herself to sound cheerful.
"Abigail, you don't have to cover your feelings from me, I can tell." He said smiling at the girl he thought of as a granddaughter. Abby smiled at him then got to the point.
"I'm here for something to wear." She said awkwardly.
"Dear me! I should have thought to bring you up something, after all you wouldn't want to wear that all day. One moment, I'll get you something." He said heading into the room where they kept their scrubs. He came back holding a set of bright red scrubs. "Back from when we reused them, hid blood stains better. Oh but these weren't used…" He smiled and handed them to her.
"Thanks" She said with a nod and headed out the door and back to her lab. She made a quick stop in the restroom to change. She threw her clothing onto her desk as she entered her lab. She smiled as she read the note she found sitting next to Bert on her bed. Abby, I'm going to get you some basic things from the grocery store around the corner. (i.e. toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.) I should be back in the next hour. Love, Tim.
She placed the note carefully on her desk and climbed into bed. The warmth the automatically felt from being somewhere she knew was safe was enough to cause her to drift off into dreamland before Mcgee made it back.
"Abby I couldn't find…" He started as he entered the office, but he stopped short seeing her asleep. She looked like an angel, he black hair laying next to her, her face clear from make-up. It was odd how she looked very, different, but still like her. He placed the shopping bag on her desk and made his way to the door, he turned back one more to admire the ebony black locks laying next to her. "Sleep well love." He said quietly as he left.
The next morning when Abby woke she checked the time on her phone, 4 AM. She moaned her back was sore, as was her head. She went over to her desk and opened up the bag silently praying Mcgee had gotten aspirin at the store. She smiled as she pulled out the red bottle, he really did know her, at least he knew her enough to know she got stressed a lot and wouldn't handle the morning too well without some sort of pain killer. After taking her medicine, she sifted through the bag to find a hair brush and some ponytail holders. She grabbed the brush and gently let it run through her hair once she was satisfied that all the knots were out of her hair she picked up a black elastic and slid half her hair through it, she repeated this action to the other side. She reached into the bag once more and found herself disappointed, no makeup. She wasn't used to being without makeup, in fact the last time she hadn't worn makeup to work was when Kate died. However, the last time she wore her pajamas to work was when she had swine flu, so today was already a bit odd.
After becoming satisfied and deciding she was presentable she made her way up to the bullpen where she found Tony and Ziva already at work. She checked the clock, it was only four thirty. "Might I ask why you're here this early?" Abby asked with a smile as she entered into the bullpen.
"Well I'm here to do my paperwork that I didn't do last night." Ziva said simply.
"And I'm here waiting for you…" Tony said blushing.
"Oh really?" Abby said with a smirk on her face. "Did you not know I was taken?"
"Abby! I just wanted to apologize, I truly feel awful and I know I shouldn't have ever gotten in between you and Mcgee. I see now he really does care about you." Tony explained.
"I know Tony… I know." She said as he enveloped her into a hug.
"I was so afraid you would never forgive me." He said as a tear rolled down his cheek.
"Tony! You couldn't get rid of me if you tried!" Abby said as she stifled a laugh. It's hard to watch Tony cry, and not laugh. He was always so in check of his emotions, that when they betrayed them it was usually for the worse.
It was just then that Mcgee came running into the bullpen clutching a plastic bag. "Abby! I woke up this morning and realized I didn't get you any makeup… so I picked you up this." He said handing her the bag.
"Aw Tim you're so sweet." She said and pecked him on the cheek as she headed off for the restroom to apply the newly acquired makeup. Ziva followed close on her tail.
"So…" She started not as eloquently as usual.
"Ziva, what is it?" Abby asked through her teeth, she wasn't really in the mood to have a girl talk right now, particularly not with Ziva.
"I was just wondering, how…. How serious you and Mcgee were before…" Ziva said feeling like an outsider in her own home.
"Well, I can tell you I knew I would always love him the first time I met him. However, I wasn't as sure if he loved me back. So when I got that email, I just assumed he didn't, cried for a few days, then semi got over it. But in truth I'll tell you I never really got over him." She said flashing Ziva a wicked grin as she opened her eyeliner and started to apply it.
"So, you and Mcgee… It seems weird, but perfect." Ziva said with a giggle.
Abby surprisingly more into the talk they were having then she expected to be replied as she finished her eye makeup. "It does seem sort of weird and I've always thought that. The only thing we really have in common is technology. But you're right it's perfect. Every time he gets near me I just know, that… I'm safe." She said stopping to look at herself in the mirror all that was left were her lips.
"How do you do that?" Ziva asked suddenly becoming off topic.
"Do what?" Abby said confused.
"Wear all that makeup… I can barely stand the mascara and lip gloss I put on every morning…" Ziva said admiring Abby.
"I dunno… it's just… normal for me I guess." She said as the finished painting her lips bright red.
"And I see why Mcgee finds you attractive…" She commented noting Abby's oddly different appearance with makeup.
"Speaking of him… He's probably waiting for me. Let's go." It was now seven and people would start to arrive at work soon.
Abby and Ziva made their way to the bullpen making small talk the entire way, as not to attract attention. When they reached the bullpen they discovered the entire team had made it in, including Jimmy, who was sitting on Tony's desk they were obviously discussing either girls, or video games. It was hard to tell which. Ziva sat down at her desk and submitted her paperwork. As Abby went over to Mcgee who was sitting in his desk chair observing his surroundings. She sat down on his lap.
"There you are." He said with a grin. "You know I like you just as much when you have no makeup on as I do when you're wearing it." He whispered into her ear. Making her giggle, she was starting to notice more and more the little things he noticed about her, things she didn't even think about.
"Thanks Mcgee." She said with a grin. It was just then that Gibbs spoke for the first time since she'd entered the room.
"Abs, can we talk for a minute?" Gibbs asked eying her sitting in Mcgee's arms.
"Sure." She said getting up quickly. She followed him to the elevator, the place for all private conversations.
Gibbs clicked the emergency stop. "Abby, what exactly are you planning to do now?"
"What do you mean Gibbs?" She asked wanting a bit more specific of a question.
"Abby, you don't have a home, a bed, food, you're pretty much homeless." Gibbs said matter of factly. It was as the tears pricked Abby's eyes he realized he had gone to far.
"Thank you Gibbs. I really needed someone to explain to me how much of a failure I am right now." She said angrily as she started up the elevator. Gibbs got out and waited for Abby to follow, but she didn't. She closed the elevator doors and went down to her lab.
When Mcgee noticed Abby not returning, he jogged to the elevator himself and went down to her lab. It was the third time he'd entered the lab to hear no music, but crying.
This time instead of calling for her, he just made his way towards the sobs and eventually found her hugging Bert under her desk. Mcgee squatted down next to her, being unable to hold her he just sat there and waited for her to talk.
"Gibbs… He… He…He said…" She started softly.
"Abby if you don't want to talk about it you don't have to." He said softly.
"But… I don't have… I don't have anywhere to live…" Abby said her lips quivering.
"Abby! You honestly don't think I'd expect you to stay here do you Abs?" Mcgee asked shocked. She nodded. "Abby! I know how bad that futon hurts your back, I honestly felt bad about leaving you here just last night! I was going to ask you later today if you wanted to stay in my guest bedroom. My sister's been staying there so it's a lot cleaner then it used to be. I even have the closet available for clothing…" He stopped as he noticed Abby's unwavering gaze.
"Thank you Timmy." She said quietly.
"No problem Abs." He said and paused as she stifled a yawn. "Come on Abs, you didn't get enough sleep last night." He said as he helped her up. The two of them made a brief stop in the bullpen to pick up Mcgee's keys and to tell Gibbs they we're leaving. Well at least Mcgee did, Abby avoided him the entire time.
After arriving at Mcgee's apartment and saying goodnight she made her way to the second bedroom in his apartment. After opening the door she could tell he had changed it a bit since Sarah had been there. For one thing, the blankets, were put on sideways so she could stick her feet out the end. For another everything in the room, was completely irrelevant to Abby's home. He had obviously taken out things that he knew she wouldn't want to see, as they would be much too painful to think about.
She sighed and took in a deep breath. The room seemed perfect, but something was really starting to bother her, the temperature. She noted the window was open letting cool air in, but it wasn't doing much of anything as far as she could tell. "Mcgee." She called quietly, and he was there in an instant.
"Abs, what's wrong?" He asked sensing tension in her voice. "Geez Abby! Why's the window open? It's freezing in here!" He said as he walked over to pull it shut.
"It's cold in here?" She asked shaking.
"Yeah…" He said and he turned around to face her. "Abs! What's wrong?" He cried.
"I dunno, but I'm burning up…" She replied softly.
"I'm calling Ducky." Mcgee said simply.
"No!" Abby cried.
"And why not?"
"Because… He's busy enough." She said sharply.
"Well like it or not, I'm having you checked out, and he's the only one I'd trust with you." He argued.
"Fine."
"Fine."
It was twenty minutes later when Ducky arrived at Mcgee's apartment. "What's her temperature?" He asked immediately as he entered her bedroom.
"101.9" Mcgee replied as Abby moaned.
"Abigail… Come on… Don't make this any harder than it is. I need to check you for the flu, chicken pox, measles, mumps…"
"I had the chicken pox when I was six." She said grumpily into her pillow.
"Well then I can cross that off the list." He said trying to lighten the mood of the young girl.
"Ducky! Just… Go away!" She nearly screamed at him.
"Oh dear." He said making a sudden realization. "Timothy would you join me in the hall for a moment?" he asked and the younger agent followed.
"What's wrong with Abby?" He asked as soon as the door was closed.
"Well often after life changing events, particularly unpleasant ones, the human mind gets anxiety, it starts reliving the moment. Which explains Abby's fever. Another common thing to happen with females is that they get just plain moody, no real reason behind it, but they just are." Ducky explained.
"Ahhh. So it's nothing serious?" Mcgee asked.
"I don't believe so, nothing else seemed to be wrong with her. I suggest doing what she wishes. If she wants you near stay near, if not, stay far away. Try a cold compress to help the fever go down, and call me if she isn't better in the morning." Just then a sob came through the door. "Oh, and expect mood swings… lots of them…" He said as he left the agent to care for Abby.
Mcgee approached Abby's door and knocked.
"WHAT?" She screamed through her tears.
"Do you want me in there, or out here?" He asked calmly.
"Timmy!" She exclaimed through the door. At this he was confused, until she continued. "Come back Timmy!" She was crying. He opened the door to find Abby sitting on top of her bed the blankets in a heap on the floor.
"What's wrong with me Tim?" She asked quietly, her temper had obviously calmed down quite a bit.
"Ducky says you're having anxiety about the fire. The best we can do is try to lower your fever." He said simplifying what Ducky had said. "I'll go get you a cold compress and one of my shirts." He said quickly before leaving.
One of his shirts? Abby thought in confusion. Why on earth do I need one of his shirts? Just then Mcgee returned with a cold compress and a short sleeve button up top of his.
"Change into this, I'll be back to get you situated." He said before turning to leave.
"Tim?" She asked and he turned to face her again. "Why am I wearing your shirt?"
"Because Abs, you're wearing excessive amounts of fabric, making it more difficult to lower your body temperature, and you have nothing else to wear that would apply now do you?" He finished. She shook her head and changed into the shirt as he left. She was much more comfortable. The window had been re-opened and the cold compress was helping her think so much better. It wasn't until Mcgee returned with a thermometer that Abby thought about her temperature.
She immediately opened her mouth and let Mcgee put the thermometer under her tongue. "100 even." Mcgee reported and Abby replied with a groan. "Come on Abs, at least it's going down." He said half with compassion and half with annoyance. She muttered something into her pillow. "What was that Abby?"
"Nothing!" She replied as cheerfully as she could muster.
Mcgee glanced at the clock. 10 PM. "Hey Abs, I'm going to go to bed, if you need me just call." He said as he walked out the door. Abby watched as the door closed behind him. She started to think, Why on earth am I doing this to myself. I've been in worse situations before, and I was perfectly fine! But all of a sudden I'm breaking down after one stupid little thing! WHY? I shouldn't be doing this I should be perfectly fine…
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH" She screamed before bursting into tears. She buried her face into her pillows as Mcgee came in.
"Abby?" He exclaimed, obviously half asleep. He looked over and saw her crying into her pillow, he sat down next to her. "Shhh… Abs, come on, you'll only make yourself worse…" He said as he rubbed her back.
"Timmy what did I do?" She asked him softly. When he didn't respond she elaborated. "I'm not this weak, why am I acting like this?"
"Abby! You think you're weak? Abby you're anything but that! You, lost everything, you had possibly everything that could go wrong happen to you in less than twenty-four hours and you think you're weak because you can't handle it all?" He asked obviously shocked. Abby looked at him, obviously deep in thought. "Abby you're the smartest, bravest woman I've ever met." Abby finally removed her face from the pillow and looked directly at him.
"You really mean that?" She asked her eyes still damp from tears.
"Of course I do Abby." He whispered into her ear immediately placing a chaste kiss on her lips. She sighed, only this time it was a sigh of content, rather than one of frustration.
"I love you Tim." She said softly.
"I love you Abby." He replied equally as soft. It took several hours for Abby to feel well enough to fall asleep, but when she did It was in Tim's warm arms.
Author's Note: Awwww. Ain't it adorable! This chapter is sort of a filler chapter, not one I was super excited about, but it was necessary to make the transition for the next chapter. Review!