"Because I knew what would happen. I know that when I am emotional, I sometimes have very poor impulse control."
"You wanted to hit me?"
"No," she shakes her head.
"What, then?"
"I didn't want to be alone."
He looks at her, in confusion. She says nothing more, allowing a moment for her words to sink in.
"Oh."
"I was certain going to Gibbs was a better option, because I am not attracted to him. He's like my..." she trails off, cringing at the thought.
"You're father. So you were sure that nothing could happen?"
"I knew if I saw you... something would happen. I know that I can count on you, for anything. I knew if that's what I needed, you would agree. And, I couldn't ask that of you. I didn't want to complicate things. I didn't want you to wonder. I couldn't handle losing you, as a partner, or a friend."
"You definitely complicated things."
"Maybe I shouldn't do this. Maybe it's wrong to do this. I mean Gibbs is like a father to me. No one in their right mind would have a child with their father."
"He's not your father. There is no genetic relationship there. It's not incest."
"No, it just feels like it."
"If you aren't going to go through with it, you need to talk to Gibbs."
"Why does it matter?"
"Because if you he finds out, he'll kill you."
"It's not his choice."
"It doesn't matter."
"Tell me you're opinion. Not what you think I am going to do, what you think I should do."
"You should do whatever you want."
"That isn't the answer I'm looking for."
"I don't know. I know I don't want you to have a baby with Gibbs."
"You don't think I should have it?"
"I think that you would regret it, if you didn't. I know you would regret it."
"But..."
He presses his finger to her lips, "No, but."
She exhales. His hand falls into his lap. She looks at him. He recognizes the look in her eyes. He leans forwards, and wraps his arms around her.
"It's ok," he tells her. He feels her shake her head.
"Yes, it is," he argues.
She relaxes, resting her chin against his shoulder. The tears begin to fall. After several moments she lets go, and wipes the tears from her face. She looks at him, with a red, tear-stained face.
"How on earth am I supposed to do this? I don't even know where to start."
He smiles, "At the beginning."
"I don't know where that is."
"That's ok. I'll help you find it."
"Abby!"
"Abby? What about her?"
"How am I going to keep her from finding out? If she finds out she'll ask me a million questions. There is no way I can lie to her. I mean, I could, but I wouldn't feel right about it. If she finds out, she'll tell Gibbs. It won't be intentional, but she can't help herself. If Gibbs finds out from her, he'll kill me, and..." she rambles.
He cuts her off, "Why don't you wait until you see your doctor, before you worry about that? Make sure that everything is ok, first."
"Vance is going to put me on desk duty. I can't do desk duty, I'll go crazy."
"I'm sure something can be worked out."
"What am I supposed to say?"
"To who? About what?"
"To anyone, about this?"
"I can't tell you that."
"What if, one day, in the future this child asks if it was a mistake? What am I supposed to say then? A child shouldn't be considered a mistake."
"Sometimes the biggest mistakes that we make give us the greatest gifts that we could ever have."
She looks at him, in silence. He smiles at her.
"You say that sleeping with Gibbs was a mistake, but they are not a mistake. Lie, if you have to."
"It wouldn't be a lie."
"It wouldn't? I mean you're having a baby. You're going to have a child, and you are completely unprepared. You were totally blind-sided by this. You didn't ask for this."
"No, I didn't."
"Why are you going through with this?"
"Honestly?" she asks. He nods. "I don't know," she admits.
"There has to be a reason."
"I know that someday I want this. I want a child. I didn't expect it to be now. I didn't expect it to happen this way. It's the wrong time, with the wrong person. The circumstances are horrible, but for some, unknown reason, I still want to do it."
"I'm not the only dreamer, am I?"
"What do you mean?"
"You're doing this, because you see a face, aren't you? A tiny innocent face, that you have been waiting a lifetime to meet. The face of someone who is yours, who belongs to you, forever. The face of someone that can never be taken away from you."
"Yes."
"It's ok to be scared, you know?"
"I..."
"You're not alone. You know that right? No matter what, you're never alone. I've always got your back."
"This is different."
"Yeah, I know."
"I am...scared out of my mind," she says on the verge of tears.
"That's ok."
"No, it's not. No matter how this works out, the bottom line is that I am going to be a single mom. I am going to be doing this on my own, in some way, shape, or form."
He stops her, "Yeah, but you don't have to."