The team had decided the fun didn't have to end just because the guests of honour had gone home. So they went out for drinks once they'd figured out financial logistics at the restaurant. After an hour at the bar, Ziva had picked Tony's pocket and stolen his keys. She'd only had one drink, he'd lost count of his. They left much later with Tony's arm slung around Ziva's shoulders.

"Can I drive?"

"No, you cannot."

"But you drive like a maniac! And what about my car? It's vintage you know."

"You can find it tomorrow Tony. Come on. Time to get you home and into bed."

Tony looked at her with the glazed over eyes of one who has consumed too much alcohol. "Ziva, I thought you'd never ask."

She fought the urge to let go and watch him collapse into a little puddle on the floor. He was her partner, she wasn't supposed to leave him behind. "Not my bed Tony, yours."

"I'm okay with that."

"Tony, do not make me hurt you when you are not able to fight back."

"You wouldn't really hurt me, would you Ziva?" Even his sloshed mind could interpret her expression. "Oh, you would." He looked back over his shoulder at Abby and McGee, still sitting at the bar. "Okay, g'night everyone. You two kids have fun now. Be good. Don't do anything I wouldn't do. Tell me about it tomorrow."

"I think it'd be more dangerous if we did something he would do," Tim said under his breath.

"Come on Tony," Ziva steered him towards the door again. "Good night McGee, Abby."

"See you Ziva," they echoed.

Abby and McGee sat and looked at each other for a moment after their teammates left.

"Come on Abbs," Tim tugged on one of her braids gently. "Time to go home."

He'd only been sipping at his drink all night. He was just a little better than his sister, drinking was not a good idea. He'd figured that out the hard way one night at MIT when he went out with some friends. Some memories he was glad he didn't have. McGee thought he must've perfected the 'Gibbs' sip', pretending to drink without actually swallowing anything. It seemed to work because no one had questioned him.

McGee drove Abby home, she'd come with Gibbs and Jenny to the restaurant so her car was still at NCIS. Not that she could drive it anyways. He noticed Abby weaving a bit as she walked in front of him down the hallway. He unlocked her apartment door when she couldn't seem to make the key go where she wanted. Abby walked in and turned around to lean against the door frame.

"You wanna come in?" she said softly.

Even if she hadn't been slurring her words, Tim still would've said no. "Of course I want to Abby, but you're worth waiting for." He leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. "Lock your door. Get some sleep. I'll pick you up tomorrow at 0700."

Abby's expression implied that not everything was making sense. "'Kay. Night Timmy."

McGee waited until he heard the deadbolt and chain lock slide across the door. "Night," he whispered to her closed door. Love you, he thought.

NCIS

At 0600 the next morning, the alarm clock went off. Jenny groaned and rolled over, reaching for it with her eyes closed, trying to silence the noise. Gibbs reached over at the same time, his arm brushing hers. One of them managed to hit the right button to shut the alarm off.

"Morning," Gibbs mumbled, his eyes not open yet.

Jenny curled up and nestled her head back on her pillow. "Does it have to be?"

"Yeah." He stretched and yawned. "Up and at 'em sleepyhead, I guess." Gibbs turned back to his wife, her position indicating she didn't plan on moving. "You want the shower?"

Frowning, Jenny opened her eyes. "No, go ahead. I need coffee first."

"Okay." He watched her a minute longer, unsure if she was going to get up or fall back to sleep.

She looked up and rolled her eyes. "Go. I'm up."

Very slowly Jenny sat up in bed and slid her legs over the side. She stayed there a moment before finally dropping to the floor and looking for her slippers. Tying on a dressing gown and running her fingers through her tangled mass of wavy red hair, Jenny made her way downstairs. She flipped the on switch for the coffee pot and got out supplies to make it perfect on autopilot.

When the brown liquid started to drizzle into the pot, Jenny's senses slowly began to wake up. With the first sip she could feel her mind flickering to life, like all of Abby's machines when she turned them on. For once Jenny allowed herself the luxury of sitting at the kitchen table and slowly enjoying her coffee. The paper on the table was old, but she flipped through it anyway, reading anything that looked interesting. Finally her husband's voice broke through her peace.

"Jenny!" he yelled from the top of the stairs. "It's 6:25! Are you gonna get ready?"

Her eyes darted to the clock. Drat! "Coming!" she called, dropping her empty coffee mug in the sink and grabbing one for Jethro. She met him with the hot beverage at their bedroom door.

"For you."

"Mmm..." he sniffed it and took a swallow. "Now I'm awake." He looked her over. "You get lost down there?"

Jenny shrugged. "Thought I'd pretend it was Saturday for awhile."

"Okay Jen. But now it's Wednesday again and if you don't hurry you'll have to go to work with Agent McGregor."

"I'll be quick," she promised, disappearing into the bathroom.

As she was undressing, Jenny caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and noticed that all the marks on her body had begun to fade away. If only the memories were so quick to heal, she thought, looking at the red rings still around her wrists. Just like what happened, she wondered if maybe she would carry those scars with her forever.

NCIS

It was 0725 and Special Agent Gibbs marched into the squadroom from the back elevator like a man on a mission.

"McGee!" he snapped. "Conference room, now!"

McGee paled and stood, stuttering again like the days when he was fresh from Norfolk. "B-Boss?" he questioned.

Gibbs gave him the stare. "Now," he commanded, leaving no room for questions or hesitation, his tone dangerous.

McGee followed the man to the front elevator, scrambling in his mind to figure out what he might have done to earn Gibbs wrath. The door slid shut and McGee stood there, quaking inside. He was afraid to ask. Gibbs flipped the emergency stop switch and slammed his hand against the wall. Tim jumped.

"What did I tell you McGee?" he demanded.

"About..about what Boss?"

Gibbs got within inches of McGee's face. "Rule 12."

McGee paled even more. "R-Rule 12? I don't...I don't know what..."

Gibbs smacked him in the back of the head. "Rule number seven McGee. Always be specific when you lie."

Tim rubbed a hand down his face. "It's not like I planned to...I mean, well, I hoped for it...but..."

"Keep digging McGee," Gibbs said calmly, his eyes never leaving the younger man's.

"Shutting up now Boss," Tim replied, using Tony's line.

"You better have a darn good reason," McGee winced, "why you didn't ask my permission."

His mouth fell open. "Ask your permission...to break Rule 12?" If he was confused before, now he was totally lost.

"No," Gibbs crossed his arms. "To date the girl who thinks she's my daughter."

"Oh. Ohhh..." McGee dragged the word out as the light went on. His face twisted into a comical look. "I'm sorry Boss?" he offered, not sure what the right answer was.

Gibbs shook his head. "Never apologize McGee. "It's a..."

"...sign of weakness. I know Boss." He locked eyes with Gibbs and finally shrugged. "I don't know what to say."

"Are you serious this time McGee?"

He nodded, standing up straighter. "Yes sir."

"Because this is not a game."

McGee shook his head. "No sir."

"I will not have you messing with her and then leaving her for the next girl that catches your eye." The statement was a test. With very few exceptions, Gibbs knew McGee had only ever had eyes for Abby.

McGee looked like someone had hit him. "I would never!"

Gibbs stared him down for a minute. At last he nodded. "Okay then. You're in this for the long run. Don't blow your second chance McGee. It might be the last one you get."

McGee nodded vigorously, surprised almost into shock when Gibbs laid a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "Be good to her Tim."

Then he turned around and faced the doors as the elevator began to more. McGee followed Gibbs back into the squadroom, hoping for an excuse to get down to the lab to see Abby soon. She was going to love this.

NCIS

Five minutes later than 0730, Tony and Ziva walked in. He'd needed a ride this morning because no DiNozzo stooped to using the bus and he wasn't a hundred percent sure where he'd left his car. Last night was a bit of a blur. Tony had been sure he was hallucinating this morning when he walked into his living room and saw Ziva sleeping on his couch. Or maybe it was a bit of wishful thinking. But whatever it was, he'd fully expected it to be gone after he showered. When she met him in the kitchen with coffee so strong the spoon almost stood up, he'd kept his mouth shut, only nodding when she'd offered a 'Good Morning'. Some things required time to think about.

"You're late," Gibbs growled as they took their seats. He noted Tony's look of I-have-a-hangover-but-I'm-going-to-pretend-I-wasn't-drinking-last-night. "DiNozzo! You alright?" he asked in a loud voice.

Tony winced and Ziva smirked. She'd warned him half a dozen times last night but he had ignored her. It was his own fault.

"Yeah, fine Boss," he said slowly, trying to keep his eyes open. It was too bright today.

The phone rang. "Yeah, Gibbs," he answered. He started to write something down, then hung up the phone. "Let's go!" he said. "The Director wants us all in MTAC."