A/N: Disclaimer- If I really owned this, then I'm related to Santa Claus. Whatever.

Okay, so I think there are a great many of you in anticipation of what might happen next, so I'm not going to beat around the bush. Chapter 9…

Chapter 9- Truth

Abby was getting ready to leave for another doctor's appointment, but was unfortunately stopped by Ziva. She was leaning against the wall and looked like she meant business.

Uh oh, she thought. Now what does she want?

"So, what's up with the medicine, Abby?" she asked in a too-casual voice. "You have an upset stomach every morning? You've also been acting really weird with all those mood swings. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were-"

"Don't say it!" she shouted, covering her ears. "Don't you dare say it!"

"-pregnant," she finished triumphantly, stepping away from the wall. Abby slowly brought her arms down, looking fearful. She tried to get past the door, but was blocked by Ziva.

"I'm not leaving until I hear the truth," she said. Abby glared at her. How could she possibly just…open up and tell her? She was terrified of Ziva, though she wouldn't admit it to anyone, not even Gibbs. She decided to try, but that fierce face caused her voice to shake.

"I…well…you see…" she stammered. Abby glanced at her computer for inspiration. Suddenly, a memory came to her that gave her an idea of how to begin. She resisted a smile, knowing that this was a serious situation. Ziva looked at her curiously.

"You want a virtual representation?" she offered, pointing at her computer. "Or do you want the full story, uncut?" She walked over to the computer, stroking the screen. It was her life, her soul, until she met McGee. What she would tell no one was that since she first laid eyes on him, she had a major crush. A/N: I have NO IDEA where that came from! Love at first sight did exist, she knew. But she never believed it, never understood its value until she lost it.

"You…you don't have to tell me the hard parts," Ziva said quietly. "Just tell me what happened the night you broke up with him, that's all I'm asking,"

"That is the hard part. I've loved him ever since I first saw his face, which could be why it's harder on me than it normally would be. I'll try to tell this to you, if you promise not to interrupt,"

"I promise," the ex-Mosaad officer said. A/N: by the way, that's the real spelling. I feel so stupid!

"All right, this is what happened…"

Flashback

"Movie's over already?" McGee exclaimed. "Feels like we just walked in there. Of course, your lips distracted me for the last ten minutes. Not that I mind," Abby laughed, her face all aglow. She pecked him on the cheek. The drive home was peacefully quiet, giving Abby time to think about her future with him. They could get married, and move closer to NCIS. Ziva could be the maid of honor, or maybe Kate. She went into the apartment, closely followed by McGee. Abby drifted toward the bathroom. It was probably that time of the month again. She stopped at the box of tampons. Uh oh. No it wasn't. She pulled out her cell phone. The night she slept with McGee was her day. But that means…her eyes widened. No…it couldn't be! She had to make sure! She counted the days. Once. Twice. Again. McGee knocked on the door.

"I'm making tomato soup!" she shouted. "Do you want grilled cheese?" She opened the door and found herself an inch away from his face.

"Yes, I do," she said, kissing him on the lips. "I have some news, though. Sit at the table," He obeyed. She followed him out into the dining room and sat across from him. His face was eager.

"Tim, my period is late. I think I'm pregnant," she announced. Her statement was greeted with silence. The happy glow on his face melted away, revealing shock and disbelief.

"I…what?" McGee stuttered, trying to get a hold of himself. "Well, we have to get an abortion, right away! Let's go right now!" He pulled her up and started leading her to the front door. Abby yanked her hand back, alarmed.

"No, I want to keep the child," she protested. McGee paused.

"What?"

"You heard me," she replied calmly. "I want to keep the baby, because killing something before it deserves a chance at life is wrong," Something snapped inside McGee just then, and Abby shrank back in fear. He wordlessly started to pack, taking everything he had ever brought into the apartment during the time they had been together as a couple. All Abby could do was stare in horror. This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be happening…they were supposed to be together forever! He said so himself that he'd never leave her. Yet here he was, packing the last of his belongings. He started for the door. Abby followed him.

"You-you can't do this!" she exclaimed, tugging desperately on his arm. "You promised that…that we'd be together forever. I trusted you," Her voice broke. He wrenched his arm out of her grasp. McGee opened the door.

"I can't deal with this anymore," he said, walking out and slamming the door behind him. There was nothing but silence. Abby robotically shuffled to the couch and laid on it. Her ears rand with the sound of the slamming door echoing in her ears over and over. The only thing that woke her up in the morning was remembering she had to go to work.

When Abby finished, she fearfully looked over at Ziva. She was staring thoughtfully into space. After a minute, she looked back over at Abby.

"That…would certainly explain a lot about you," she said softly. "Well, you don't have to be alone in this anymore. I promise that I'll be here for you," Gibbs ran in, panting for breath.

"Ziva, you have to get down there! Palmer got shot!" he shouted. She nodded and ran off for the autopsy lab. She remained where she was.

"I made a promise to Abby, and I'm keeping it," she replied boldly, standing her ground. He glared at her and left the lab. When he was gone, Ziva collapsed into a chair and put her head in her hands. Abby sat next to her. For a minute, she said nothing, letting her mind wander to the future. The child…it was going to grow up in a rough atmosphere. She named it after Gibbs's daughter Kelly. She hoped he didn't mind, since she babysat for her once. Such a sweet child she was, she thought. Hopefully this Kelly didn't end up meeting a similar fate.

"I'm sorry," Ziva said. Abby stared at her in shock.

"What?"

"I'm sorry,"

"I don't think you've ever apologized before," Abby remarked lightly. "But it's fine. I think it's me that should be sorry. You can be pretty frightening after all. Remember when we first met?" Ziva laughed, sitting up.

"How could I forget? Everyone was terrified of me," she said. "But the only one who had the guts to stand up to me on my fist day was you. That makes you braver than I am," Abby shook her head.

"No, you did something none of us could," she said.

"What would that be, Abby?"

"You stood up to Gibbs. That's practically a death sentence," she said seriously. Ziva looked at her. She's changed so much in the past few weeks. If only McGee could see her now.

"What are you naming the kid?" she murmured. There was a slight pause. Abby leaned into her ear.

"Kelly," The word was just a breath on the wind, but it surprised her all the same.