She was, as usual, surprised when he entered the lab. The only change was the tenor of her surprise – her voice, when she said his name, was stressed instead of pleased. Gibbs, in turn, said nothing; he merely watched her watch him, noting the suspicion he'd never experienced from Abby before. He knew that he'd confused Ducky as well, down in autopsy, but that was different. They watched each other, carefully, until McGee interrupted with new findings on the current case. The man started to update him on the case, but Gibbs was still watching Abby watch him, until she commented on the half-hidden evidence jar in his hand.

"Is that another tissue sample?" she asked him, sounding almost hopeful. She knew that he knew – but Gibbs wasn't sure, yet, what she knew. Slowly he reached up and placed the bullet and its container on her microscope.

"No."

She jumped, jerking her gaze away from his penetrating blue eyes and started rapidly continuing where McGee had left off. The boy was confused at their short exchange, but didn't dwell on it very long. He was focused on the case at hand, as he should be. Gibbs listened to McGee talk, looking over because Abby was staring at him, again, eyes accusing. The murders were clearly the work of a drug cartel; it was the connection between the victims, the murder method. It made sense. He walked over to the screen as they spoke, and then stepped back beside Abby.

McGee was caught up in the evidence now, and didn't notice the silent exchange that passed between Abby and his boss at the mention of drug cartels. They were close and it was possible for entire conversations to be had under the very eyes of their team members but this wasn't the case this time. Abby was simply confused and upset, and Gibbs wanted to know what she had. But they couldn't discuss it with McGee there.

Without another word he accepted their results and went back upstairs to check on Tony and Ziva's progress.