Over the next couple of weeks, Gibbs' team pulled several cases which involved a lot of overtime for everyone, including their forensic scientist. There wasn't any time for real talking, but there were occasional looks and brief touches that told Ziva Abby was definitely thinking.

Finally, toward the end of the second week, Abby sent Ziva a text asking if she was free for lunch on Friday, barring any unforeseen cases crashing in on their day. Ziva responded that she was indeed available and looked forward to it. When the time came, Abby bounced up to Ziva's desk, asking if she was ready to go. It was a few minutes early, but they looked over at Gibbs, who nodded his head toward the elevator with the ghost of a half-smile on his lips.

The two women headed out. In the elevator, Abby suggested they grab sandwiches from their favorite café down the street and eat outside, as the day looked beautiful. Ziva was agreeable and before long Abby had guided them to a fairly secluded bench at a nearby park. They ate in silence for a bit, Abby uncharacteristically silent. Finishing off her sandwich and taking a sip of her mango iced tea, Ziva finally asked quietly, "Is something on your mind, Abigail?"

Abby turned bright green eyes in Ziva's direction, avoiding the question for a moment with an observation. "You know, when most people call me by my full name, it irritates me. But when you say it, it feels…different." She paused, looking for words. "Warm…intimate."

At that last word, Ziva's heart rate kicked up a notch, but she firmly held herself in check. She has probably brought you here to say she wants only to be friends she told herself.

"I like it," Abby continued, almost whispering. Then, taking a deep breath, she added, "And I like you. Like, really, REALLY like you. You know."

Ziva's heart raced unchecked now. Was Abby really saying what she seemed to be saying?

"Abby?" Ziva whispered, afraid to believe.

Abby's nerves steadied at the hope burgeoning on Ziva's face. Gazing deeply into her friend's beautiful brown eyes, Abby continued. "I guess I'm not making myself clear enough. I like you, Ziva David, both as a friend…and as more than a friend. Will you go out with me tonight?"

Ziva's eyes widened, then shone with pure happiness. Unable to contain herself, she leapt up, pulling Abby to her feet, as well. Wrapping her arms around the taller woman, Ziva swung her in a circle with a joyful laugh. Setting Abby back on her feet, but retaining her grip on her waist, Ziva answered, "Yes, Abigail, I would love to go out with you." Reaching a finger up to gently trace Abby's lower lip, she whispered, "I thought you would never ask."

Abby brought both hands up to gently cup Ziva's face. "Thanks for giving me some space to catch up. I'm sorry if it was hard on you."

Ziva shook her head. "There is no need to apologize."

Just as Abby started to lower her mouth to Ziva's, the Israeli's phone rang. She knew from the ringtone it was Tony. Pulling back in disappointment, she grabbed her phone and answered, "David."

"Play time's over, Zee-vah. We've got a case. Where are you? Probie and I will just pick you up on the way."

She told him where to meet her, and ended the call. She looked up at Abby, frustration evident in her voice and on her face. "Duty calls. Abby, I have no idea how long –"

Abby stopped her with a brief brush of her lips across Ziva's. "I know. Don't worry. Whenever you're free, I'll be waiting."

Ziva gave her a relieved smile, not missing the fact that Abby was giving her own words back to her. She pulled Abby down for an all-too-brief kiss. "I am very glad to hear that."

It turned out to be the next evening before the case was closed and the team could leave. Ziva hurried to the lab to find Abby and was disappointed not to find the Goth there. Trying not to think negatively, Ziva pulled out her phone to call the other woman as she made her way to the parking garage. Abby picked up right away.

"Well, hello there. Free at last?" she drawled warmly.

Ziva's tension eased. "At last," she confirmed.

"Good. I'll see you soon." She then hung up abruptly, leaving a somewhat-confused Ziva staring at her phone as she continued walking to her car. She finally put her phone in her pocket, wondering if she was supposed to go to Abby's or what.

As she neared her car, she slowed to a stop. Leaning against her Mini Cooper with arms folded, legs crossed and a smug smile on her lips was the very woman dominating her thoughts. A slow grin bloomed on Ziva's face as she continued her way over.

"Wow, this is soon," Ziva chuckled, butterflies dancing with excitement in her lower belly.

Abby just grinned back. "I won't keep you long. I hear you've got a hot date tonight."

"You heard correctly," Ziva replied coyly.

"So do I," Abby confided.

"Oh? Do tell," Ziva played along.

"Well, it turns out there's this amazing woman who's had her eye on me for a while, but I was too caught up in the past to notice." She caught the side of her lower lip in her teeth, which Ziva thought was just adorable. "But sixteen days ago something changed."

"You counted…" Ziva whispered, her voice breaking a little. She cleared her throat softly. "What changed?"

"Well, I was having this really, really bad day – one of those emotional rollercoaster days where you have all these ups and downs – well, mostly downs in this case - bumping into one another…and at the end of it, I was alone…REALLY alone…and then she was there."

"This woman with her eye on you?" Ziva asked softly.

"Yeah, but I didn't know about that part yet. Anyway, at first I wasn't that nice, but she still listened to me and helped me understand some things and even shared some things about herself…" Abby paused. "But mostly, she held me. Just held me. All night long, without one complaint about her neck getting stiff and her arm going numb from me leaning against it."

"Those things were not important," Ziva whispered.

"But holding me was," Abby stated. Ziva nodded.

"See?" Abby commented as though that explained everything, but Ziva clearly wasn't sure what she meant. "A woman like that doesn't come along every day." Straightening, she stepped tantalizingly close to Ziva. Her voice dropped an octave. "So when she does, you've got to grab her and keep her. I was going to tell her all this at lunch yesterday, but she got called back to work."

Ziva blinked back tears of emotion that threaten to spill over. "That is one lucky woman," she husked.

With a wink and a cocky grin, Abby responded, "Actually, I'd say we're both pretty damn lucky."

Ziva laughed and stepped into Abby so their bodies were touching. Uncaring of whose eyes might be on them, she pulled Abby down for a kiss that had both their hearts pounding.

After they pulled back, Abby suddenly bounced. "Oh! I almost forgot. I brought you something for your date tonight. Well, more like for after the date," she clarified suggestively. "If you're not busy, that is."

She reached behind her and plucked up a gift bag sitting on the Mini Cooper's hood that had been hidden by Abby's body. The bag was black with white grinning skulls all over it. Ziva shook her head internally. Only Abby could find a gift bag with happy-looking skulls. On top of the red tissue paper was a hand-made card that read "An Invitation For You." On the inside was written "You, Ziva David, are invited to be the sole guest at a sleepover at the home of Abigail Sciuto this very evening." Added in parentheses was "p.s. ~ sleeping optional."

Ziva was captivated, and reached under the tissue paper to find a pair of black cotton jammie pants with red female ninjas in various fighting poses all over them, and a coordinating red cotton camisole. There was a note pinned to the pants that read "p.p.s. ~ jammies optional, too ;D." Ziva threw back her head with a delighted laugh.

"So…" Abby leaned down and drawled near Ziva's ear. "Are you available?"

"Oh, most definitely," Ziva confirmed, nuzzling Abby's neck.

"Mmmm…good. That's very good," she murmured, though it was unclear whether she was referring to the acceptance of the invitation or the snuggling against her throat.

With obvious effort, Abby took a step back. "I'd better get going. Don't want to keep my amazing woman waiting." Then dropping the game, she took Ziva's hand and gave it a squeeze. "Pick you up at seven? Let's dress up; I've got someplace nice in mind."

"I will be ready," Ziva promised, squeezing Abby's hand in return.

Halfway to her car, Abby tossed over her shoulder, "Oh, and bring the jammies – or not." And with a saucy wink she sashayed her way to her hearse, enjoying the fact that Ziva was staring at her ass the whole time.

Only after Abby drove off with a wave, did Ziva shake out of her stupor. She hurried into her car and out of the parking garage, oblivious to the man sitting a few rows back in his silver truck. Gibbs spared a thought to hope that these two knew what the hell they were doing, then he smiled. They both deserved someone to look after them, and it looked like they just might be that for each other.

Later, Abby arrived at Ziva's apartment wearing a halter-style black dress that showed off her cleavage to advantage and had a skirt that swirled around her thighs. Ziva opened the door wearing her green satin wrap-around dress that clung in all the right places.

Ziva's eyes darkened with desire as she looked over her date. "Beautiful," she murmured, unable to form a complete sentence.

"And so are you," Abby returned, brushing her lips across Ziva's. "Ready?"

"I am," Ziva replied. "Just let me get my bag."

Before turning away, however, she stepped into Abby so their bodies were flush and murmured near Abby's ear, "While I am thinking I will not need my new jammies tonight, I might want them for sitting at the breakfast table in the morning…unless that is clothing-optional, too," she added wickedly, catching Abby's earlobe between her teeth.

Abby's breath caught in her chest. "Whatever you want," she gasped.

"Oh, that is easy," Ziva all but growled in her ear. "I want you."

"Oh my God," Abby moaned. "I may not make it through dinner. I'm already so hot for you."

Ziva's eyes were almost black with need and it was her turn to be breathless. "I look forward to discovering that for myself later." Then, reining in her desire, she took a step back.

Lacing her fingers through Abby's, she continued. "But I have also been looking forward to our date…and I want tonight to feel special. You are more than someone I am simply attracted to." And with those words, Abby's heart stumbled and fell head over heels.

"Besides," Ziva pointed out with a provocative wink, "we need to keep our strength up for later, so we should eat."

Abby laughed, enjoying herself immensely already. "True. And I really want to take you to this place I know."

They grabbed Ziva's bag and headed out. As they stepped through the front door of Ziva's apartment building, Ziva stopped in her tracks, floored. A stretch black limo stood waiting at the curb. The driver was a dapper gentleman in a black suit, who's shining bald head was covered by his black driver's cap. As soon as he saw them, he opened the door with a flourish.

Abby was thrilled at the look on Ziva's face. "I wanted tonight to feel special, too," she confided softly.

Taking Abby's hand, Ziva whispered, "It already does."

They thanked their driver, Dale, as they got in and he closed the door behind them. They shared a glass of red wine and nuzzled each other on the short ride to the restaurant. While there was barely-restrained need just under the surface, the feather-light touches of lips and fingers served to deliciously heighten the anticipation of what was to come later. Because they had seen each other nearly every day for months and knew each other well, they already felt a level of intimacy with each other that was missing on most first dates. And now that they had acknowledged their mutual attraction, it was as though the floodgates of desire had opened - and they were both ready to be swept away.

The restaurant was upscale and catered to a gay and gay-friendly crowd. Abby knew the maitre d' – of course – and he seated them right away. Dinner was superb, though both would be hard-pressed later to recall what they'd eaten, as they only had eyes for each other.

Abby suggested they take dessert to go, her eyes telegraphing that she was hungry for more than food and she couldn't wait much longer. Ziva agreed and ordered the chocolate mousse, leaning over to whisper in her date's ear that she thought Abby would make a beautiful bowl. Images of Ziva licking the sweet concoction off her body nearly sent Abby over the edge. She pressed her thighs together and clenched her hands. God, she was turned on. She sent Dale a text to pick them up, while the waiter processed her credit card.

As soon as they were in the limo, they lunged for each other, lips meeting in an open-mouthed kiss, tongues tangling. Soon, Ziva's hand slid along Abby's thigh under her skirt, while Abby pressed her hand against Ziva's breast. Soft moans and heavy breathing were the only sounds as they sped home to Abby's apartment. Slowly, they realized the car had come to a stop and Dale had given a soft tap on the window to signal they could exit the car when they were ready. They pulled back from each other with a laugh, practically giddy with a mix of heat and pure enjoyment of each other's company.

"Upstairs," Abby murmured against Ziva's lips, unable to resist one more kiss.

"Definitely," Ziva breathed.

Composing themselves enough to grab Ziva's bag and the chocolate mousse, they stepped out of the car, thanking Dale again as they hurried into the building. He couldn't help but smile as he watched them go, so happy and eager to be together.

They barely made it into Abby's apartment before attacking each other again. Bodies pressed together they lurched and stumbled toward Abby's bedroom, laughing as they bumped into a wall. Hard.

"Maybe we'd better watch where we're going," Abby suggested wryly, rubbing the back of her head.

"Good idea. Besides, we should slow down. I do not want to miss anything," Ziva all but hummed across Abby's skin, the tip of her tongue darting out to trace the spider web tattoo on Abby's neck.

Replacing her tongue with a fingertip, Ziva pulled back to ask, "How many of these things do you have, anyway?"

"I guess you're about to find out," Abby answered coquettishly, pulling Ziva the rest of the way to her bedroom. She turned on the bedside lamp, wanting to see Ziva as they made love for the first time.

Despite the rumors that Abby slept in a coffin, Ziva was pleasantly surprised to find a queen sized bed in the room. It would be much more comfortable for the anticipated evening's activities. She couldn't help but ask, though.

"No coffin?" Ziva questioned, even as she pulled Abby against her and pressed kisses along her jaw.

"I have one – but I don't sleep in it. I just let people think that because the look on their faces is always priceless," Abby admitted, craning her neck to give Ziva better access.

Slowly they undressed each other, lips and hands lingering, enticing, driving them both close to the edge. Pressing Abby gently back onto the black satin sheets that covered the bed, Ziva rose over her, admiring the view.

"You are so beautiful, Abigail," Ziva husked. "I could look at you forever."

"I hope you do more than look," Abby teased, drawing an answering grin from Ziva.

"Like what?" Ziva asked pressing her body down against the other woman's. "Like this?"

"That's a good start…" Abby breathed, "…more…"

"Tell me," Ziva commanded in a voice husky with craving, tracing Abby's ear with the very tip of her tongue.

"I want you to touch me…kiss me…" Abby's hips rubbed up against Ziva's. "…taste me…"

In a surprise move, she flipped Ziva onto her back, looking deeply into her eyes. "And I want to do all of that to you…and more."

With a siren's smile, Ziva pulled Abby's mouth to hers, murmuring, "I do love the way you think."

At first, the two women discovered each other slowly, delighting in finding those spots that drew a particular gasp or moan. Then suddenly the heat flared to a desperate need, leaving them unable to get enough of each other, driving them both over the abyss…where they caught and held each other tight.

Righting themselves, their lips came together in a series of soft kisses as they lay back against the pillows, their bodies pressed so closely together that not even a whisper could have passed between. Pure pleasure practically seeped from their pores as they tasted themselves on each other's lips and conveyed their mutual satisfaction and affection without saying a word.

At last they fell asleep, Abby's head cushioned on Ziva's breasts, their arms and legs tangled together. No one knew better than these two that the future can be uncertain, but tonight they rested fully content in the knowledge that change can be beautiful indeed.

Nearly seven months later…

It was December 24th and Abby and Ziva were in their apartment, putting the finishing touches on their holiday celebration. It was technically Ziva's apartment as she had more room, better security and felt better with all her weapons in their customary places, but for all intents and purposes, Abby lived there, too. She was letting the lease on her apartment expire and they had begun talking about looking for something together when Ziva's lease was up.

These last few months had been very happy ones for both of them. They had not revealed their relationship at work, though it had not escaped anyone's notice that the two women were practically inseparable. If anyone had figured out they were more than friends, no one was saying and the couple was content to keep things on the down low for now. They weren't sure if Gibbs would think Rule 12 also applied to Abby, and he meant too much to both of them – and they meant too much to each other - to press that issue with him.

For their first holiday season together, Abby had done extensive research on Hanukkah, putting together an elaborate plan that celebrated both their traditions. This year there was some overlap in the dates of the actual holidays, but there wouldn't always be. Ducky had invited the whole team over for dinner on Christmas Day, so Abby and Ziva were having their private celebration tonight.

As they were nearly finished putting the food on the table for a special dinner, there was a surprising knock at the door. Ziva looked at Abby with raised brows, silently asking if she was expecting anyone. Abby shook her head and shrugged, having no idea who it could be. Ziva checked through the peephole (she had finally adopted the correct term) and was amazed to see Gibbs standing there.

"It is Gibbs," she practically hissed to Abby in a whisper.

Abby's eyes widened, then she shrugged resignedly. "Well, let him in."

Ziva opened the door. "Hello, Gibbs. This is a surprise. Come in."

She stepped back for him to enter, and he did. She offered to take his coat, but he said he wouldn't be long.

"Just stopped by to drop off a present for you and Abby," he said, smirking at Ziva's deer-in-the-headlights look.

Just then, Abby came out of the kitchen with the last of the food. "Gibbs! Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah!" She placed the dish in her hands on the table, then ran over to give him a hug. He hugged her back with a smile.

"Gibbs came over to give us a present, Abigail," Ziva said meaningfully.

Abby practically jumped back out of Gibbs' hug. "Oh!" For once, she didn't seem to know what else to say.

Gibbs gave them his half-smile and pulled a small wrapped box out of his coat pocket and handed it to Abby. "Merry Christmas." He looked at Ziva and added, "And Happy Hanukkah."

Both women just sort of stood there until he said, "Go ahead – open it." A look passed between Ziva and Abby, then Abby shrugged again and pulled off the silver bow and plopped it on her head, before pulling off the red paper. Inside was a small lovely wooden box that looked handmade. She handed it gingerly to Ziva to take it from here. The Israeli looked at it uncertainly.

"Open the box, Ziva; I promise it won't explode," he joked.

Their chuckles broke the tension and Ziva lifted the lid off the box, only to stare confusingly inside.

"What is it?"Abby asked, leaning over for a better look. All that was inside was a folded slip of paper. Abby reached for it and opened it up.

On the paper was written "Rule 12 - Never date a co-worker." But the most noticeable part was a recent addition in red ink: the words were enclosed with a circle that had a diagonal line drawn though it.

The women looked at each other, then raised their eyes to the man in front of them. "Gibbs?" Abby asked uncertainly, hope that his gift meant what she thought it did shimmering in her eyes.

He gave them both a small smile. "Just wanted you to know the rule doesn't seem to apply to you, and I'm happy for you both."

With a squeal, Abby grabbed him in one of her attack hugs, nearly squeezing the breath out of him.

"Abby, I think you should let him get some air," Ziva pointed out with an indulgent smile.

Stepping back, Abby said, "Right; besides, it's your turn," gesturing between the two of them.

Ziva and Gibbs had their own special bond, but it didn't normally involve hugging. When she started to reassure him that he did not have to comply, he simply opened his arms. With emotion suddenly choking her throat, she stepped into his embrace. Resting her chin against his shoulder, she whispered, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he responded, letting her go. "Now I'll get out of your way before your dinner gets cold."

With unspoken communication, Ziva and Abby turned toward him as a unit and asked him to stay. He brushed them off at first, as he hadn't intended to ruin their plans. But they insisted, and when Ziva laid a hand on his arm and warmly said, "Please – stay," he gave in.

They shared a meal that managed to be both wonderful and eclectic. The dishes included turkey and dressing, potato latkes and Hanukkah jelly donuts, as well as a variety of other tasty foods. They laughed and talked easily, and genuinely enjoyed themselves. Abby declared this should be a new tradition for the three of them, and the other two people at the table loved her too much to disagree.

As Gibbs made to leave, he said, "Oh, almost forgot. Thought you might be interested in this." He pulled another folded paper out of his inside coat pocket and handed it to them. This one was larger than the first and Ziva opened it to find a flyer for a house that was for rent with an option to buy. The address said it was on Gibbs' street.

"One of my neighbors is moving to Arizona and is looking for good tenants for his house. He's not really planning to move back, so he's also thinking about selling. Figured it might be a good spot for you two. If you're interested, I could go through it with you."

Neither woman knew what to say, but Abby knew what to do: another attack hug. He laughed as he hugged her back tightly.

Releasing her, he turned to Ziva and bent down to place a kiss on her cheek. "Take care of her," he said, tilting his head toward Abby. "She's important to me."

"She is important to me, too," Ziva assured him.

Turning to Abby, he kissed her cheek, as well. And, in a gesture that moved Ziva as much as it surprised her, he repeated himself. "Take care of her," he ordered Abby, nodding toward Ziva. "She's important to me."

"Already on it, Bossman," Abby saluted cheekily, wrapping an arm around Ziva's waist.

With goodbyes and good wishes all around, Gibbs left. Ziva closed the door behind him, leaning against it with a dazed look on her face. Then raising her eyes to Abby's shining green ones, Ziva pushed off the wood and launched herself confidently at Abby, trusting that the other woman would catch her. Spinning around, they laughed happily, unable to believe that this night had become even more meaningful than they had planned it to be. Gibbs' visit had given them something they hadn't even known they'd needed.

Abby stopped twirling, and looked at Ziva, still holding her suspended off the ground. Eyes twinkling, she observed, "I think I'm rubbing off on you," referring to Ziva's own attack hug.

"In more ways than one," Ziva whispered, resting her forehead against her girlfriend's.

Sliding down Abby until her feet touched the floor, Ziva murmured suggestively, "How about we get the leftovers put away and we see how you rub against me?"

Abby's eyes lit up in agreement and she practically pulled Ziva off her feet in the rush to the table. In record time, the leftovers were in the fridge, the dishes were waiting for morning, and Ziva and Abby were lost in their own world, loving each other.

The End

A/N: Thanks so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this trip into a Zabby universe as much as I did. =)