Title: Not Counting In Sequence
Pairing: Tony/Abby
Rating: PG-13, probably
Summary: fun stuff involving everyone, but mainly about Tony and Abby...

Tony whistled to himself as he stepped into Abby's lab, tossing an evidence bag from hand to hand. He started to say, "Hey, Abs," but closed his mouth when he heard her mumbling to herself. More specifically, when he heard her say his name.

He hoped she hadn't heard him come in - his curiousity was definitely piqued now. He used his superb secret agent skills to sneak up behind her, but kept far enough away so she wouldn't notice an intrusion.

She was running a DNA test on a fingerprint Gibbs had brought in to her earlier that day, and as she waited for the results, she was venting, or more accurately, using the lab as her own personal diary.

"I don't know what to do. I don't want to crush Timmy, but I just don't feel anything for him anymore. Even since Kate died, I haven't felt close to anyone except for Tony. And I don't even know what that's supposed to mean. It's Tony. He's always been like a big brother, but a lot nicer, and better looking." Tony grinned to himself. "Besides, he doesn't like girls like me. He's scared to death of vampires..." Tony narrowed his eyebrows. "...and even if he was into goth, he only sees me as a friend. I suppose it's for the best. Gibbs would kill us both if we got involved, Tony for dating me and me for dating someone like Tony."

Tony backed away from his hiding spot, nearly knocking over a tray of test tubes in doing so. He quickly left the lab, careful that Abby didn't notice him. As he stepped into the elevator, thoughts ran through his mind.

"Wow. Abby. Having a thing for me. That is so hot," Tony said to himself. "And this'll be just one more thing I can rub in Probie's face." He chuckled evilly as the elevator stopped at the main floor.

Ziva's face greeted him as he stepped off the elevator. "What are you so happy about? Bat got your tongue?"

"The word is 'cat,' and that saying doesn't apply here," Tony said, pushing past her to his desk.

"Well, then, what is it?" Ziva asked again, taking a seat on the edge of Tony's desk.

"You are incredibly nosy, has anyone ever told you that?" Tony glared at her.

Ziva leaned closer to him. "It's my job."

"DiNozzo, David," a voice interrupted them. Ziva jumped off Tony's desk and sat down at her own as Gibbs walked in.

"Yeah, boss," Tony said, waiting for an order.

"Quit screwing around and get back to work." Gibbs walked past Tony's desk, slapping him on the head as he did so.

"Ow! Sure thing, boss." Tony glared at the giggling Ziva, then turned his attention to his computer.

A few minutes elapsed, then McGee wandered into the office, a smug look on his face. "You'll never guess what I found."

"Aw, Timmy, it took you all this time? Your mommy would be so proud to know you can go potty all by yourself now," Tony jibed.

McGee narrowed his eyes at Tony and Ziva, who was giggling despite her attempts to hide it. He chose to ignore the comments and said, "I just got two front row tickets to see Monster Sledge."

Tony wrinkled his lip. "Wow. That sounds enthralling."

McGee rolled his eyes, frustrated. "They're Abby's favorite band! I knew she wanted to go see them, so I got us tickets."

Abby's words filled Tony's mind again. "Uh, you might want to go talk to her before you make any plans."

"Why?" McGee raised an eyebrow at Tony. "Is there something I should know about?"

"What? No," Tony said, waving away McGee's comment. "It's just that...chicks hate it when you make plans for them."

"Riiight. I'm gonna go talk to Abby. She'll probably make more sense than you." McGee headed for the basement and Tony leaned back in his chair, acting nonchalant.

"Okay. I want to know what's going on with you and Abby," Ziva said. "Spill your butts."

"It's 'guts,' not 'butts,' and there's nothing to spill," Tony said.

"Oh, really? Then why were you acting so strangely around McGee, and why were you so happy after coming from Abby's lab?" He remained quiet, so she continued. "Or I could just go ask Abby..."

"Okay, okay! I'll let you know." Ziva quickly got up and made her way to Tony's desk. "When I was down in the lab earlier, I heard Abby talking to herself about ever since Kate died, she's had it bad for me. That's it."

Now it was Ziva's turn to raise an eyebrow. "That makes absolutely no sense."

Tony threw up his arms, exasperated. "It's what she said!"

"What part of 'work' do you two not understand?" Gibbs asked as he walked through, slapping Tony on the head again.

"Right on it, boss," Tony yelled after his retreating figure.

Ziva looked at Tony from her desk. "You realize you have to talk to her."

"Yeah, yeah. It's just...it's Abby. What am I supposed to say?"

"You could start with the truth. That always seems to work."

Tony threw a wad of paper at Ziva's head as he headed for the elevator. "Looks like you and I are having a talk, Miss Sciuto."