Hello. Ziva signed to Anastasia as she walked into the kitchen where the young girl was gently rocking her daughter in her arms.

Hey Ziva. She signed back, slightly losing her grip on Sienna. "Maybe speaking out loud is a better option for this situation…"

Ziva smirked. "Just be careful." She said before going over to the fridge. She stopped as she got to the door and turned back around. "Your mom asked about you again today."

Anastasia sighed. "How is she?"

"She misses you sweetie. Maybe it's time you go home." She suggested.

Anastasia shook her head. "I've never been as happy as I am here. It's been so nice not having to awkwardly avoid having a conversation with my sister that neither of us want to have."

"Stace you've got to think about how your family has to be feeling." Ziva pressed. "You rarely talk to your mother, it's even less often that you talk to your father. I know for a fact that Caitlin's trying to talk to you and that you're ignoring her. This isn't a healthy way to work through problems."

Anastasia looked at her, wide-eyed unsure whether she was angry or sad about the situation. "I miss mom and dad." She admitted softly.

Ziva sighed before something clicked in her mind and she reached for Sienna. "We're going to work." She announced as she adjusted Sienna in her arms.

"I thought you weren't going in today." Anastasia said obviously confused.

"You need to see your parents. You have today off from school, Caitlin doesn't. There's no way you'll run into her there." Ziva assured her and looked to find her still in pajamas. "Go change and be down in ten minutes." She instructed.

Anastasia ran up the stairs in Tony and Ziva's townhome. She pushed the door to her room open. It was smaller than her room at home and far less personal but it was still nice. She had a few posters on the walls and her bed was covered with her quilts from home, but other than that everything in the room was furniture that Tony had brought from his old apartment when they moved in.

As soon as Anastasia was ready to go she ran back down the stairs and found Ziva playing with Sienna's hands as she sat in her carrier on the counter. "Hi baby!" She cooed to her daughter.

"I'm ready Ziva." Anastasia announced calling her attention.

"Sweetheart I know you're worried." Ziva assured her. "Your mother loves you and she's going to be so happy to see you."

Anastasia nodded with a smile before quietly following Ziva to her car.

Anastasia tapped her foot nervously as she rode the elevator down to her mom's lab, a No-Caff-Pow in hand. She hates me… I never talk to her anymore she's never going to love me anymore. She thought to herself. Eventually the doors slid open and she nervously stepped toward her mom's lab.

"Tim?" Abby called from where she was sitting at her analysis desk, her back turned from the door. Anastasia of course didn't respond and carefully made her way into the room. "Tim if you're trying to surprise me it's not going to work I know you're here." She assured who she thought to be her husband. "Tim you're not going to…" She said as she turned around in her chair, more surprised than ever to see her daughter's face. "Anastasia!" She exclaimed all of the love she felt for her daughter lining her voice.

Anastasia smiled as she stood in the doorway hesitantly. I'm sorry… I shouldn't have come. She began to apologize when Abby made no move to talk to her and she quickly turned around and headed back out of the room.

Abby struggled over her stomach to quickly get up. She eventually caught up with her daughter who was standing in front of the elevator in tears. I love you. She signed gently. And I'm not mad at you. I just miss you.

Anastasia wiped her tears as her mom pulled her into a tight hug. How are you? She asked as soon as the hug was over.

Tired… and very pregnant. Abby said with a smile. How about you sweetie?

I'm fine. She assured her mother. Do you want to sit down? She asked nervously.

Abby shook her head. I've been sitting all day I really needed to get up anyway. I haven't talked to you since Halloween sweetie and that was in passing… Is something wrong? She asked, genuinely concerned for her daughter.

Anastasia shook her head. I've been fine. Living with Tony and Ziva is interesting and it's good to be more immersed in a house where sign language isn't as prominent.

Sweetie I'm sure this is great for you in those respects, but don't you miss being at home? Abby pressed.

Anastasia sighed. It's hard being away… She admitted. But honestly getting away from Caitlin is worth it… That was all it took for Abby to burst into tears. Mom are you okay? She questioned nervously.

She was still carefully attempting to calm her mother down when Tim arrived in the lab. What happened? He signed almost angrily.

I don't know! Anastasia said obviously terrified as Tim pulled Abby into his arms and began to whisper into her ear.

"It's okay Abs. What's the matter?" He asked her softly.

Abby shook her head. "Don't worry about it."

"Honey I'm worried about you. This stress isn't good for you or the baby. He would be almost two months early if he was born now." He reminded her gently.

Abby sighed in defeat as she tried to take deep breaths and took a seat at her desk. Stace? Tim requested his daughter. Could you give me and your mom a minute. Go upstairs and say hello to Gibbs. He's missed you. Anastasia nodded and quickly made her way out of the lab.

"Honey what happened?" Tim pressed again.

"We have to tell her." Abby replied quietly.

Tim shook his head. "Abby we agreed it would be best if we didn't tell her." He reminded her.

"Caitlin's distraught!" Abby argued. "She tried to kill herself because she drove away her little sister! Anastasia doesn't even know!"

"Abby we decided along with Tony, Ziva, Ducky, and Gibbs that telling Anastasia wasn't going to make the situation any better. Anastasia needs to come home on her own terms." Tim reminded her gently.

"What if that's too late?" Abby screamed back. "What if she never comes home!"

Tim sighed as he gently rubbed Abby's back as she tried to calm down. "Anastasia's a good kid. She just needs a little time."

"Four months isn't enough time?" Abby asked obviously frustrated.

"Abby I don't know how much time it's going to take. But she'll come back." Tim assured her.

They sat in silence for a moment before Abby shifted in her chair. "Ouch." She commented.

"Are you alright?" Tim asked worriedly.

"He's just kicking… really hard." She said as tears filled her eyes.

"Abby she's going to be perfect no matter what." Tim assured her, instantly aware of what she was distraught about.

"What if he hurts her?" Abby asked softly imagining her daughter who never even got a chance coming into the world damaged.

Tim shook his head. "You know he can't do that Abs." Tim assured her.

Abby nodded her mind returning to a logical state. "I know I just… I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize." Tim reminded her. "You're allowed to feel however you want to feel right now."

"I feel like Anastasia has to know." Abby replied mischievously.

Tim sighed knowing he wasn't going to win this argument. "Abby if you think she needs to know I think it's worth telling her. But I don't think walking up to our daughter and telling her that her older sister almost committed suicide because of her actions is the best way to go."

"Well…" Abby replied sounding very tired.

Tim looked over at her and smiled as her eyes were obviously slipping in and out of being awake. "Hey let's go home early." Tim suggested.

"I'm fine!" Abby insisted. "I want to spend some more time with Anastasia…"

"How about Anastasia comes home with us tonight?" Tim suggested softly.

Abby shook her head. "She won't come with us Tim…"

"Abby she's our daughter. She'll come with us." Tim assured her.

"No… Tim we're losing her…" Abby said obviously getting stressed by the situation. "I love Tony and Ziva so much and I can't thank them enough for what they're doing for Anastasia, but we're losing her."

"Abby you need to stay calm." Tim encouraged gently. "Anastasia's going to spend tonight at our house whether she wants to or not." He assured her.

"Don't force her…" Abby tried to protest.

Tim shook his head. "Abby you need her back and I'm getting her back for you if that's the last thing I do." He said before heading to the elevator.

"Timmy! Just…" She tried to protest but he was too far away.

Stace. Tim signed with a purpose as soon as he reached the bullpen.

Hey is mom okay? Anastasia replied from her place at her father's desk.

Tim shook his head. You're coming home. Tonight. He informed her harshly.

Anastasia looked at him indignantly. Dad… I live at Tony and Ziva's. She pointed out awkwardly.

Tim shook his head. Not tonight you don't. You need to see your sister again and it's obvious you're not going to make that choice on your own.

I don't want to see her again! Anastasia signed back angrily.

And I don't care. Tim cut her off. Your mom is due next month and I'm not going to deal with having Christmas in two weeks with your very pregnant mother panicking over how the family's still split in half.

Mom doesn't care! Anastasia protested. She would have said something!

She misses you! You're her little girl and that's exactly who she needs right now. I understand that you and Caitlin are having problems but that's no excuse for the side effects your mom is suffering. Tim replied angrily. You're coming home tonight and we'll talk about it later.

I don't want to! Anastasia protested grumpily.

You know what come on we're leaving right now. Tim informed her as he grabbed her hand and pulled her out of his chair. "Gibbs I'm taking Anastasia and Abby home early today." He informed his boss as he angrily pulled his SIG and badge from his desk. Gibbs only raised his eyebrow in response as the two headed toward the elevator, one far less willing than the other.

"Caitlin we're home!" Tim called into the house as he helped Abby up the stairs.

"I'm in the kitchen!" Caitlin replied.

Abby stopped briefly as she struggled to remove her shoes before they continued to the kitchen.

Caitlin looked up and was shocked to see her little sister standing there. Stace? Caitlin asked tentatively.

Look I'm just going to go upstairs and I'll be going home tomorrow. Don't bother to try and talk to me. Anastasia replied before running up the stairs.

"Go after her." Tim instructed.

"She doesn't want to talk to me dad. I'm not going to force her to do anything." Caitlin replied grumpily as she sat down at the counter with a bowl of frosted flakes.

Abby rolled her eyes as she confiscated the bowl from her daughter. "Fix it." She said, obviously at the end of her rope.

Caitlin sighed before going upstairs, fully intent on ignoring her sister and just going to her room but she was surprised to see her sitting outside her door in the hallway. You alright? Caitlin signed, trying to look uninterested.

Doors locked. Anastasia replied with a small smile. Don't worry about it. I'm sure mom or dad will unlock it later.

You can come to my room. Caitlin offered before going into her room herself.

It took a couple of minutes but eventually Anastasia got up and went into her sister's room. She awkwardly sat down on the floor in the corner and pulled out her phone.

Caitlin looked over at her sister and sighed before turning back to her laptop. I can't believe I let this happen… She's my baby sister I'm supposed to protect her, not hurt her. She thought miserably. She stood up and went over to her sister. I'm sorry. She signed after she had her attention.

Me too. Anastasia replied with little interest.

Look… I want you to come back home. Not for me but for mom. Caitlin informed her.

Maybe I don't want to come home. Anastasia replied angrily. Maybe I don't want to have to deal with you again. I'm happy Caitlin. For the first time in a long time I'm happy.

You're not happy. Caitlin replied. You miss us, you just won't admit it to yourself because you're so sure that you're happier now. I can tell you're not.

Yes… I am… Anastasia persisted.

Okay fine. Then you have to come home unhappy because I can't deal with mom on Christmas alone. Caitlin admitted. She's emotional enough as it is but without you here I'm getting everything. On Christmas if you're not home… She already feels like a failure.

That's not why I'm not at home! I'm not at home because everything you do is about you! You can't even take a minute to think about how I might feel about something! Anastasia signed furiously. Every time we talk about anything it's always about how what I did messed up something you wanted!

That's not true! You just won't listen to me! Caitlin replied ironically.

Anastasia heaved a sigh. See there you go doing it again!

Doing what again? Caitlin replied angrily.

"BEING A JERK!" Anastasia screamed, taking Caitlin off guard. "I don't know what makes you think you can control me! Is it because I'm younger than you? Is it because I'm deaf?"

"Of course not!" Caitlin yelled back.

"THEN WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES YOU SO CONTROLLING!" Anastasia asked as she stood up.

"HOW MUCH BETTER YOU ARE THAN I AM!" Caitlin screamed back, almost surprised by herself.

Downstairs Abby eyed Tim. "Should we intervene?" She asked hearing her daughters' yelling match up the stairs.

Tim sighed as he sat down next to his wife and pulled her into his arms. "Let them fight it out for a bit Abs. They'll never learn how to work out their issues if we're always intervening."

Abby looked up at him. "I know…" She sighed. "I just wish it wasn't this hard." She said as she pressed her hand to her abdomen trying to stop the baby from kicking.

"Is he bothering you again?" Tim asked with a smirk. Abby nodded sadly and Tim moved his hand to where hers was and started rubbing small circles with his fingertips.

"Hey buddy leave mommy alone." Tim said softly. "She needs some rest kiddo."

Abby smiled as she leaned into Tim's chest. "I'm so done with being pregnant." She admitted.

"Come on I'm sure there's some benefit." Tim suggested as he rubbed slightly deeper, still feeling his son's kicks.

"Well…" Abby blushed. "You're much more satisfying…" She admitted softly.

Tim laughed and pulled his lips to hers. "Well I do aim to please."

"Ouch." Abby said crankily. "Stop kicking me you little bugger."

"Hey!" Tim said indignantly. "I told you to stop that!"

"It's not working." Abby whined. "He's just feeling super obnoxious. It's no question that he's your kid."

"Hey!" Tim said with a smirk. "I resemble that statement!"

Abby whacked his chest. "Really Timmy? Really?" She asked trying to suppress her smile.

"I just realized how quiet it got…" Tim pointed out.

"Do you think they're working stuff our or do you think they killed each other off?" Abby asked trying not to giggle too much.

"I'm hoping the former." Tim replied nervously, unsure if she was joking or not.

"I'm sure we would have heard something if someone were seriously hurt Tim. It's just going to take a little bit of time for them to work out all of the issues that have been building up." Abby assured him. "Girls are a bit more complicated than guys in case you somehow didn't figure that out."

"Don't worry I caught that one." Tim said as he pulled his hand from her stomach.

"I never said you could stop…" Abby pointed out grumpily as she felt a foot begin to press against her stomach.

Tim looked at her stomach in disbelief. "Is he still bothering you?" Abby nodded as she leaned further onto her husband. "I told you to stop doing that." Tim said sternly.

"Ouch." Abby said as she adjusted herself again.

"Hey are you alright?" Tim asked seeing Abby's face lined with pain.

"Fine." Abby lied through her teeth.

Tim shook his head. "We're going to the hospital."

"Tim I'm fine!" Abby insisted.

"Look I know you're worried about the girls, but they're stressing you out and it's bad for the baby. If you're in this much pain it's time to worry about the baby not the girls." Tim said as he gently stood up.

Abby shook her head tears falling down her face. "I don't want to know…" She admitted softly.

Tim cupped her chin gently in his hand. "I get it Abs. It's going to be hard if something's wrong but it's better for him and you if we catch it early."

"No… Tim I can't go…" Abby said tears still streaming.

Tim saw the pain shining in her eyes and sighed. "Abs lets go upstairs and lie down alright?"

Abby nodded, wincing as Tim helped her stand up. They slowly made their way up the stairs, Abby wincing every few steps. Once Abby was laying down Tim spoke again. "I'm going to call Ducky alright?"

Abby was too tired to care. "Just… make it stop."

"We will Abs… We will." He assured her as he pressed his lips to her forehead. Tim quickly left the room and pulled the door shut before knocking on Caitlin's door.

"Come in!" Caitlin called.

He opened the door and saw both his daughters sitting cross-legged on the bed. He decided it would be best to sign and speak. "Mom's in pain. I'm calling Ducky to come check her out. You two just stay put alright?" Both girls nodded and he quickly left to call Ducky.

"Dr. Mallard." His voice rang through the phone, his voice echoing in a way that signaled that he was in Autopsy.

"Ducky it's Tim."

"Timothy what can I do for you? I'd appreciate it if you could make it fast, Jethro is waiting and he gets rather impatient."

Tim sighed. "Abby's in pain." He said bluntly.

"Is she alright? Is the baby alright?" Ducky asked calling Gibbs' attention to the situation.

"I don't know. The baby was kicking for awhile which was just annoying her but then she said it hurt, and it looks like it hurts a lot." Tim said nervously.

"She may just be overreacting. She does have reason to be nervous." Ducky assured him. "But I can come check on her if you want." He offered knowing the nature of the call.

"She won't go to the hospital because she's too scared. If you could come and let us know if she needs to go to the hospital or if she just needs some rest." Tim replied thankfully.

"I'll be right there, Mr. Palmer can take over for me here, which Jethro is going to have to live with." Ducky said before hanging up.

Tim paced back and forth down the hallway for almost twenty minutes before the doorbell rang. He quickly shuffled to the door and let Ducky in, trying to keep the cold out. "Thank you so much for coming. I don't know what's wrong but it's scaring the crap out of us."

Ducky removed his shoes. "It's not a problem." Ducky assured him as they headed up the stairs.

"Abby?" Tim asked gently as they entered.

"It hurts Timmy." Abby said burying her face into her pillow.

"Alright Abigail." Ducky sighed hating to see her in pain. "What hurts?" He asked gently.

"My back and thighs." Abby said with a groan.

"Alright it doesn't sound too serious." Ducky assured her. "I'd like to check for any dilation if that's alright with you." He requested. Abby nodded as she rolled from her side to her back and sat up. "Alright Timothy I'd be eternally grateful if you could hold her feet up." He said as he lifted Abby's legs up above her.

Abby shifted uncomfortably as Ducky examined her grateful when he finally finished.

"Alright everything looks good Abigail." Ducky assured her. "Aches and pains become more common later in the pregnancy. I would suggest having Timothy massage whatever hurts."

Abby nodded as she sat up to a more comfortable position. "Can you start with my back?" Abby asked, looking ashamed of her weakness.

"Abby it's alright." Tim assured her seeing how she felt. "I'd love to." He said before slipping to sit behind her and let his fingers knead into her lower back.

"If it's alright with you two I'd like to get back to work. Jethro has probably already mentally damaged Mr. Palmer by now and I'd like him to still be functional by the time I get back." Ducky said with a small smile. "If you need anything please just call." Ducky assured them before heading down the stairs.

"Is this helping Abs?" Tim asked a rather tired looking Abby. Abby nodded, trying to keep her body stable. "If you want to sleep then go ahead." He assured her.

"I don't want to fall asleep on you." Abby admitted.

"Alright then lay on your side." Tim suggested as he sat cross-legged next to her back and continued to massage her back as she fell asleep.

Once he was sure she was comfortable and asleep he got up to check on his daughters.

"Is mom alright?" Caitlin asked, obviously concerned, as soon as the door opened to her bedroom.

"Mom's fine." He assured his daughters. "She's just very pregnant." He said with a small smirk.

Anastasia sighed in relief. Dad I want to come home. She admitted after a moment.

I want you to too. He signed back before pulling her into a hug. I missed you.

I missed you too Dad. I just don't want to miss out on getting to know my baby brother because of some stupid fight. We worked it out. It's going to be okay. Anastasia explained before Caitlin chimed in.

"We've figured out how to see each other's points of view. We might not always get along but we're sure going to try." Caitlin explained.

"That's because you're family."

Author's Note: AAAAAH! I'm sorry this took so long to write and get up! This silly thing called snow keeps happening and I keep getting distracted by hot chocolate and stuff (nom nom nom marshmallows) Anyway! I hope you like this next story I have GREAT plans. Please review!