There was nothing more that Bella loved like sitting at the park during the summer right at twilight. The colors of the setting sun were always so beautiful and were never the same as the day before. Spreading the blanket out on the ground, she looked around for Abby. She was supposed to be here by now. Shrugging to herself, she pulled a book from her shoulder bag. She was just getting to the good part, the children, along with the three witches had left the planet Uriel in search for the children's father.

"Bella, there you are. Sorry, I had problems with the Hurst."

Putting her book down, "It's ok Abby. I was reading to pass the time."

The Goth picked up her book, "A Wrinkle in Time. Do you like it?"

Smiling up at her, "Let's just say this is my third copy of the book."

A male voice grabbed Bella's attention, "Abby, where do you want the food?"

"Over here is fine." Smiling, Abby pointed to the man, "Bella this is Mark. Mark, this is my good friend Bella."

Mark stuck out his hand before he noticed the sling on Bella's arm, "Um, sorry. I didn't see the sling at first."

"Don't worry about it. It comes with the territory of the job." Seeing the confusion on his face, "I work with Abby. I'm one of the agents."

Noticing the bruises on her neck, he tried to keep eye contact. "Right, Abby said that one of her co-workers got injured. Abby was an absolute mess that day. Getting any better?"

"Well, the shoulder is better, but I'll have the bruises for a while."

Pulling apart a container, Abby pulled out a black cookie. "Abby what is that? Wait, is that a bat?"

"Yep. I found a store that sells bat cookies all year round! Well, I call in an order and they make them for me, aren't they cute?"

Shaking her head, Bella shoved her book back in her bag and made room for Mark and Abby. After a few minutes of talking to Abby, she saw Abby smile and wave at someone behind her. "I hope you don't mind but I told a few other friends of mine about tonight."

"It's ok Abby, why would I mind?"

An all too familiar voice surprised Bella, "Abby there you are. Sorry, about being late."

Bella turned to see McGee standing behind her. "Bella? Abby recruit you too? Abby didn't tell me you were going to be here tonight."

Bella cast a look at Abby, knowing full well she did it on purpose. Abby just smiled sweetly at her in return. "Gee, it must have slipped her mind. She didn't tell me either."

Setting his bag down, McGee sat behind Bella, but next to Mark. "Nice seeing you again. Did you figure out what movie was being played tonight?"

"I think it's going to be some sort of Mel Brooks film. I don't know if it's Space Balls or Robin Hood: Men in Tights though."

Seeing the boys in conversation, Bella glared at her goth friend whispering, "You purposely didn't tell me."

Shrugging, She gave her a mischievous smirk, "I may have, I may not have. It'll be fun Bella. Trust me. Besides, I couldn't let you be here alone while I have Mark."

"Abby, you could have-" Seeing the boys conversation end, she stopped, but continued to sign the rest of her sentence:

B: You could have called anyone, but you chose Tim. Don't play with my head Abs.

A: I just wanted you to have a good time. I'm not trying to hurt you.

B: You know what happens when I get close to him, but you did it anyway. Abby please.

Bella turned away from her, seeing the pained look in Abby's eyes. Sighing inwardly, she looked back over at Abby. "I'm not mad. Just next time let me know ok?" Leaning over, she gave Abby a one-armed hug.

Both boys turned at the sudden statement by Bella, having missed the signing between the girls. Leaning forward, Tim placed his hand on her back, "Is everything ok Bella?"

She turned back to look at McGee, his face not very far from hers. Resisting the urge to lean forward, she held his gaze, "Yea. Everything is fine."

Abby watched Bella and McGee, silently laughing to herself. "So Bella, back to our previous conversation, are you still sticking to your opinion?"

Bella turned back to her, a slight red color in her cheeks. "Yes, Abby. I am."

McGee completely clueless looks at Abby, "What conversation?"

Turning a darker shade of red, Bella glances at Abby for help. "Bella was telling me about this book she's read like a hundred times."

Before Bella could say anything, a man walked in front of the screen. "Thank you all for coming. We will be starting the movie momentarily. It is Space Balls for those of you who haven't guessed. Also, keep an eye out after the movie. The first clue for next week will appear."

(Midway through the movie)

Bella fidgeted again, hoping she wasn't distracting Abby, Mark or Tim. It wasn't that she couldn't sit straight for long periods of time, but when you have no other way to sit it could get very uncomfortable.

Feeling a shift behind her, she felt a hand on her back, "Bella is everything ok?"

"Yea, I just can't sit like this for long periods, but because of my shoulder I have to sit like this. I'm sorry for distracting you Tim."

After a few minutes of silence, she turned her gaze back to the movie screen to feel warm breath on the base of her neck by her ear. "Bella, lean back."

Fighting the urge to shiver she kept her voice calm, "What?"

"Lean back"

Knowing she could trust McGee, she leaned back to come into contact with a warm, solid object. Smelling the faint remainder of his cologne, she realized she was leaning against McGee's chest. Feeling him move around, she glanced up at him. "How's that Bella?"

Smiling, a blush faintly visible on her face, "It's great. You didn't have to, you know that right?"

"I know."

Fidgeting for the last time, Bella made herself comfortable against his chest. Feeling his hand twitch, she looked down to see him place his hands on his legs. He was sitting awkward because he didn't want to freak her out. Warmth spread throughout her stomach; that was so Tim. Reaching for his hand with her good arm, she wrapped it around her.

Feeling the movement, McGee glanced down at her. He had been surprised to see her there that night, but after he spilled his guts to Abby, he should have known better. Maybe Bella had told Abby the same thing. That would explain why she was trying so hard. Grinning to himself, he wrapped his other arm around Bella, holding her close to him, the smell of raspberries filling his nose. Either way, he would have to thank Abby after she saw this.

Abby leans further into Mark as the movie comes to a close. The credits begin to roll and her stomach growls. She looks up at Mark, hoping he didn't hear, but no such luck, he's smiling down at her. Abby turns her attention to Bella and McGee, noticing that Bella is leaning into Tim's chest, and his arms are wrapped around her. Way to go, Bella! "Anyone else hungry? The chocolate bats weren't enough for me," Abby says, startling Bella and Tim.

Blushing as she looks over at Abby and Mark, she bites her lip. "Yea, a little bit. Depends on where we go though. Got to remember, I'm one handed for the next week or so."

Tim sees the look in Abby's eyes and mentally shakes his head, knowing what they look like to her. "Dinner sounds great. Where were you thinking of going Abs?"

Abby looks over at Tim, and gives him a knowing look. He was a bit too comfortable holding Bella, which was what she was aiming for tonight. They just have to get over themselves, and she's going to make them do just that, even if it kills her "Well, since Bella is one handed, how about we go to that new pizza place that just opened? How's that sound?" Abby asks, looking to everyone for their answers.

Completely missing the look Tim and Abby shared, Bella smiled, "I heard that place was really good. Let's go there. I'm going to need to bum a ride though."

Abby smiles in triumph, "Great! McGee, you don't mind giving Bella a ride, do you? It's dark, and she walked here."

Giving her an "I should have known" look, he nods. "Of course." Not wanting to move, he placed his hands under her arms and helped her stand up before getting himself up. "You lead, we'll follow."

Mark stands and helps Abby up. He folds up the blanket that the group was sitting on, and asks, "Tim would you mind helping me load all this up in the Hurst?" Mark looks down at Abby and winks, knowing that she would like to talk to Bella without an audience; he receives a smile in return.

"Yea, not a problem Mark." Casting a glance at Bella and Abby, he grabs the box that Abby had brought with her and fell in behind Mark, heading off towards the Hurst

Once the boys were out of sight, and momentarily forgetting that Bella is injured, Abby throws herself at the Agent. "You and Timmy!"

Cringing under the sudden pressure of her arm, she tried to gently pull Abby away without hurting her feelings. "Abby, I love you and all, but my shoulder. It's not what you think Abby. I was hurting and he let me use him for a pillow." A great smelling, warm pillow…Trying to avoid Abby's gaze, Bella links their arms and slowly starts walking the same way the boys did.

Abby shakes her head, "Bella, why do you have to keep fighting this? If there is any exception to Rule 12, it's you and Tim as well as Tony and Ziva. I swear, I'm going to lock all of you up. Stop fighting the inevitable, and just follow your heart. Sorry about your shoulder. I was just excited."

Giving her a warm smile, "I know you did. Trust me, the first day I was so loaded on the painkillers from Duck that I didn't realize I had run into the doorframe until they wore off." Thinking about what Abby said, "Things never seem to work out for me, not since...the only thing that has stayed constant was my military career and Gibbs."

-Flashback-

Bella walks through the door of her home on the Navy Base. She looks around the empty house and smiles when her eyes land on a picture of her and her fiancé, Connor Abshire. He'd been shipped out for a little over seven months.

Barely changing from her uniform and into her lounging clothes, there is a knock on the door. She takes note of the time, 1800 hours. She wasn't expecting any company tonight. She walks through the quiet house, and opens the door.

The Navel Base Chaplin and the senior officer stood in her doorway. The smile she wore while opening the door disappeared once she sees the envelope in the Chaplin's hand.

"Petty Officer 3rd Class, Bella Woods?" the senior officer asks.

Bella blinks once, tears already forming in her eyes, "Yes."

"I'm sorry to inform you, but Sergeant Connor Abshire was killed in the line of duty. He and his team were under fire, and a bomber flying overhead dropped a bomb on their tank. There were no survivors. I'm very sorry, Woods. If you need to talk about anything, please come to the church, our doors are always open."

Bella takes the letter, and doesn't even acknowledge the two men as she closes the door. She slides down the back of the door. Reaching for her cell phone on the table by the door, she dials a number.

"Gibbs?" he answers.

Sniffling, she says into the receiver, "Uncle Jay, I need you. It's Connor."

-End flashback-

Sensing that Bella wasn't telling her everything, not wanting to push her, Abby just smiles, "Well, you just have to give Tim a chance. You can't avoid him, you work with him for crying out loud."

Laughing lightly, unable to hide her smile. "Trust me Abby I know. Why do you think I enjoy coming to work in the morning?"

Abby bumps her hip lightly against Bella's, "To see me."

Her eyes shining with mischief, "I choose to come see you Abs. When I walk off the elevator, trust me, you are not the first thing in my line of sight off the elevator." She said teasing her.

"I'm hurt, Bella. But since you are wounded, I will wait to inflict the wrath of Abby Scuito," she says, with her free hand raised in claw form in front of Bella.

Throwing her hand to shield her face, "Oh please Abby, spare me. I'll do anything to not face your evil wrath." Bella giggles trying to keep a straight face. "You know you'd miss me."

Abby shrugs, "Eh, I guess. Ok, no wrath for you. Just a good Gibbs slap." Then thinking of what Bella just said, she smiles evilly, "Anything?"

Bella pales realizing what she just said. She stops, looking as Abby. "I'm not going to be able to weasel my way out of that am I?"

Abby smiles, "Nope."

Groaning, she hangs her head. Gesturing with her hand, "All right Abby let's hear it. Just please, I would like some dignity left at the end of the night ok?"

"We'll see," Abby says, then looks over taking note that they reached the boys, "Looks like we'll have to 'powder our noses' at the pizza shop." Abby releases Bella's arm, and walks into Mark's, she smiles at Bella, and looks at Tim, the wheels already turning in her scientific brain.

Oh, what have I done? You never mess with the master. Noticing the look on Tim's face she gave him a small smile as she approached him. Missing the warmth she had earlier, she stood as close as she could without spooking him. "You ready to go?"

Taking a quick glance at Mark and Abby, he looked back down at her. "Yea. I parked a little further down." Placing a light hand on her back, he guided her towards the car. Giving Mark a nod, "We'll see you guys there."

Abby smiles, "See you there."

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Grabbing a table at the new pizza place, Bella kept her eyes on Abby. She was up to something, and she knew it was not going to be good.

Abby returns to the table placing their glasses in the middle. Abby turns to Bella, grabbing her hand and says, "Bella, your make-up is smudged, lets go to the bathroom and fix it."

"Thanks Abby." Getting up from her chair, she gave Tim a smile, "We'll be right back. Sorry, you know how Abby is." Following Abby to the bathroom, Bella took a deep breath. "All right Abby, let's see what you got."

"Well, since you will do anything to get out of the wrath of me, you have," Abby pauses to think for a moment, "you have 2 weeks to tell McGee how you feel, or I will lock you both in the evidence lock up."

Bella eyes her carefully, "That's it. No other conditions or terms? No hidden, "i can hint when I see you or anything?"

Abby taps her finger on her cheek."Well now that you mention it; if you don't tell McGee within the two weeks, every time you guys are together, I will be sure not to be subtle whenever I see you."

Bella shakes her head and then stops. "Abby I can't. I'm sorry I just remembered..." She closes her eyes. "My birthday is next week, and my parents..."

"That's perfect! What better birthday present than getting the man you want?!"

I usually take my birthday and the following few days off-" She lets out a sigh. "My parents died three days after my birthday."

Abby's mood changes, "Oh, Bella, I'm sorry I didn't know."

"It's ok Abby." She gave her a smile and a hug, "I know you have great intentions, although I may not agree." Raising her eyebrows at her, "Wait...those subtle hints don't apply to tonight right?"

"Only if you promise you will tell him within two weeks. Cause if you don't, then after that it will apply."

"Good. I don't think I could survive the night if you started." Bella suddenly smiled at Abby. "You never specified how I was to tell him. Thanks Abs."

"No, I guess I didn't. But I better be one of the first to know!" Abby shouts at Bella's retreating back.

Casting a smirk over her shoulder, "Trust me Abby, you will be." Sitting back down at the table, Bella gave Tim a smile and then turned to Mark, giving him an "I know you're involved" look. "So, did I miss anything?"

Mark just smiles and looks back down to the pizza that had arrived while the girls were in the bathroom. "Oh, good, the food's here," Abby says, sitting down next to Mark, and picking off a piece of pineapple from his slice.

Bella just shakes her head as she grabs some pizza with her working arm. Realizing what time it was, she searched for her bag to find it by Tim. "Tim would you mind getting me on of the painkillers from my bag?"

"Yea sure Bella." Fishing through her bag, he found the pill bottle. Grabbing one of the pills he set it in front of her, before putting her bag back down.

Smiling back up at him, she leaned forward giving him a kiss on his cheek. "Thanks Tim." Turning back around giving Abby a smirk. Two can play your game Abby.

Abby just smiles at the exchange. Aw, they are so cute. Now all Tim has to do is sweep her off her feet, and kiss her. Men...so clueless sometimes.

Shocked, Tim just looks over at Bella unsure if he had just imagined what she did. Looking over at Abby, he caught part of the look Bella gave her. Wait, did Abby part her up to that?

Abby catches Tim's eyes, and only shrugs, playing innocent. She really had no idea that Bella would go and kiss the man on the cheek.

"So, Bella, what happened to your arm?" Mark asks, he's only heard the edited version from Abby. Mark doesn't notice how McGee's body language changes; he's focused on Bella.

"I got careless responding to a scene. I was sent out to look for evidence and instead of staying with my partner I went off looking by myself. I got nailed with a tire iron to the shoulder but I managed to get it away from him before I got banged up too badly." Subconsciously running her hand on her throat, where the bruises still were, "The guy had a strong grip. Thankfully, my partner was able to come save me in time, and I got fixed up down in Autopsy." With the last remark her gaze flickered to Tim with a soft look in her eyes.

Abby watches as the two agents share a smile, and she inwardly dances for joy. No way Bella can last for two weeks with out telling Tim how she feels. This is going to be a piece of cake. Wait until I tell Ziva!