Beta-ed by the lovely finlaure! Thank you ;)

Thank you guys, honestly you are awesome! I had been a bit nervous before I started to post this story, since I haven't been around here as much as I wanted to be reading and writing-wise, but anyway ...THANK YOU!

*innocently smiling* for those who waited for a smutty continuation of the previous chapter ... sorry ;) We honestly need to get to the suspense part ... the other suspense, not the one you need a cold shower after reading... but there is going to be more of that ;)

Enjoy!

9

A few hours later a very relaxed couple left the elevator on the squad room level.

Since her ankle was indeed better, Abby had decided she might as well go to work. The forensic scientist didn't think anyone would really mind, given the budget cuts probably even the director was happy he didn't have to pay the substitute as well.

While Gibbs went up to the director Abby stayed for a quick hello and a little chat with her friends. Only when Gibbs descended the stairs again she made her way to the rear-elevator, to go to her former favorite place to be, her lab. The woman in her had to be honest; her now favorite place to be was in her boyfriend's arms. Abs smiled goofily. Boyfriend was such a sappy word to use and additional not something someone would call Gibbs, besides her of course. Abby couldn't wait to tell Major-Mass-Spec the good news.

Her happy mood however, went out of the window as soon as she had entered her domain. Nothing was at its place. The lab was clean but completely resorted.

About an hour later Abby stood right in front of Jethro's desk, speaking up before he had a chance to look up at her.

"I'm going for a coffee." Gibbs looked up from the file he was working on when Abby's voice and unique perfume reached his senses at the same time.

He hadn't heard Abby approach, normally he heard her as soon as the elevator doors gave her enough room to slip through them. He remembered why, she was wearing sneakers today. Amazing how he used her boots as something to acknowledge her presence.

Sitting back against his chair he scanned her face. She looked tired and annoyed; no trace of pain was visible and sadly none of the satisfied expression she wore on the ride to the yard.

"Are you ok?"

"Yes, I just need some fresh air. That crouton of a substitute messed up badly, again I might add."

"Want me to take along?" As much as she wanted to say yes, Abby knew it wasn't such a good idea to keep him away from work, not when she wanted to convince him to leave earlier for the night.

"Nah, I'll be right back." He nodded and watched her leave, following her with his eyes 'till the elevator doors finally closed behind her.

His eyes landed on Tony who just ended a phone call.

"Tony, is there any news about the fire at Abby's place?"

His right hand shook his head, "No, nothing. All they can say so far is that it was in fact no accident, but set. Old news."

Ziva and Tim focused on Tony as well as the report continued.

"The owner says he had no idea who would want his house gone and the son of Mrs. Rayn told us she didn't have enemies; on the contrary she was a loveable old lady."

Jethro nodded. "Yes she was." He had met her a few times, once helped her by building a new shelf for her cooking books.

Something wasn't right he just couldn't pin it down yet.

Abby walked slowly toward their favorite coffee dealer not far away from the navy yard.

First she needed the fresh air and the chance for a walk.

Second since she came with Gibbs she had no other means of transportation.

From time to time she greeted another walker who crossed her path but that was a rare occasion, almost everybody around here was working.

Surprisingly enough her ankle was doing fine. From time to time a sharp pain reappeared when she wasn't careful enough.

Maybe she could get some tender loving care if the ankle would hurt more again. The image that appeared in her head let her smile.

The smile was still present when Abby heard her name being called shortly before she was knocked to the ground toward the next house wall, only ten meters away from the entrance of the shop.

Everything went black as she hit her head on the concrete.

The last thing she was aware of was squeaking of tires and the swearing of a familiar voice.

A voice she hadn't heard in a while.

Oh my god, what happened here? Who is the owner of the familiar voice? Ideas?

WHAT do you think my lovely readers?