Gibbs had sent his team home after they had served the warrant and arrested their suspect. It had been a grueling past couple of weeks, and they all needed a good weekend to sleep it off. There was only one member left to send home. Abby. She had it the hardest during this case. A marine comes home to find his deaf parents being murdered in their kitchen. She processed every solitary piece of evidence like it was precious china. It was she who had discovered that it was the marine himself that killed his parents out of years of spite. Spite over having to grow up similarly to his Abs. A life not spent with other children. A life parading around with your parents, interpreting everything. Making the normal everyday life work for them. She had been silent ever since she matched his DNA to epithelial evidence under his mother's fingernails.

Walking into the lab broke his heart. The room was silent. The pig tailed, bubbly scientist had been turned into this solemn girl with her hair pulled back in a single ponytail, a navy blue tee, and dark wash jeans. He wouldn't recognize her if he didn't know those eyes. The big doe eyes that seeped with every emotion she ever expressed. He put his hand on her shoulder as she sat still in her chair, looking at the media player on her computer.

"Abby."

"Gibbs." She shook her head, a lonely tear fighting its way down her cheek.

"Let's get you home. You need to rest. Here is the last place you need to be."

"I don't want to go home. It reminds me of this monstrosity. I'll just pull out my..."

"You'll do no such thing. How about I call Tim?" Using his first name instead of McGee made everything feel a little more personal. And if the last few days were anything, it was sure personal.

She nodded, and he let her be while he called his Probie. McGee sounded a little groggy, but still answered within two rings.

"Yeah Boss."

"Tim, I need you to do something for me." The tone in Gibb's voice made Tim want to panic.

"Sure, what's up?"

"Do you think Abby can stay with you? At least for tonight? She seems kinda rough right now..."

McGee knew all too well. He hadn't told anyone how he caught her crying in the elevator when they broke the news about the marine being the murderer. He wanted nothing more than to take care of her.

"Yeah. Let me talk to her please."

Abby and McGee talked for a few minutes before it was decided that he would pick her up and take her to his house. They didn't need to pick up anything, she had enough at his house.

The car ride home was silent. He couldn't get over how she looked. She was still stunning. Her dark hair pulled back like that was so simple. Her makeup not being done, no extravagant outfits. She was beautiful, but she wasn't his Abby. They pulled into his driveway and he opened the car door for her. They walked hand in hand up to his apartment, and she put up her coat as he went to get them something to snack on. Abby was always easier to talk to when there was food. She took a coke from him and they sat on the couch. She opened it, took a small sip, and then set it back on the table. He looked at her with his concerned eyes, and just came out and asked.

"You okay, Abby?"

He expected her to get angry, defensive, or be silent on the matter. She always took a little coaxing.

He didn't expect her to do what she did. As the tears slid down her face, she whimpered and leaned into him. McGee held her in his arms and rubbed her back as she let the tears flow.

"How could he, Timmy? Could I be like him?"

This was something totally out of left field, even though in hindsight, he could see where she was coming from. He shook his head and kissed her hand.

"Never. You are the sweetest,most caring,loving person I know. That man was a monster, a heartless guy. He was selfish. You are amazing."

Tim felt Abby smile against him as she snuggled against him. This would do for now. There'd be a lot more talking, but for now, she was satisfied.