It's a strange feeling, finding out that you were given up for adoption. Given up; that's the key. Giving things up usually indicates a lack of caring or want. Was she not wanted? Had her mother looked at her and just thought her a waste of time and space?

Those were the things Abby thought as she lay beside Gibbs, her head rested atop his chest. He kept one arm around her and, with his other hand, gently stroked her hair. They were quiet. This was usual for him, but more certainly not for her. She was chatty Abby, the woman who sometimes didn't let anyone get a word in edgewise. It took a lot to leave her speechless.

"What do you think went through her mind?"

"Whose?"

"My mom's. My birth mom's. Do you think she hated me? Do you think I disrupted her life?"

"Abbs…"

"Why wouldn't she want to keep me?"

Gibbs closed his eyes and brought her in closer to him, letting his lips brush against the top of her head. "There are plenty of reasons why."

"Because I'm a burden."

"You're never a burden."

"So then why? Why wouldn't she want me?"

"Maybe she did. But maybe she knew that she couldn't give you the love and care that you deserved. Maybe giving you up was the hardest decision she ever had to make in her life, but she did it because she wanted you to have everything she couldn't give you. I think it takes a lot of love to give a child a better life."

Abby hadn't considered that.

"I guess I just felt…unwanted."

"You're never unwanted, Abbs," Gibbs said, planting a firm kiss to her cheek. "Never."

AN: This was just a little idea I got while watching the latest episode. Thanks for reading!