Chapter Text
Abby loved her job at NCIS as the resident forensic/weapons expert. Truly. The best part? Besides having the greatest friends in the world? She could take science and help put the bad guys away. Being her own kind of crime fighter was completely fulfilling.
However... Sometimes there were night that she just wanted to forget. Nights were arrests had been made but innocent people had still died. Just like tonight.
The sadness got to everyone. While Vance left to be with his family, the rest of the team went to hang out at the local bar. A place by the name of The Pope And Anchor.
Gibbs left first. After an hour. Palmer was next. Then Ducky. Soon McGee politely begged off. Tony held out for a little bit longer, but then he, too, left for his own homestead. No doubt to drown the sorrows he felt in Chinese takeout and old movies. The bar was quickly empty of NCIS people. Except for two.
Abby and Ziva. They greatly enjoyed each other's company. Perhaps this was why Abby challenged Ziva to a drinking contest. After they were both a tad buzzed. As a means to be fair, Ziva warned her that she'd always been able to hold her liquor. But Abby came right back in a declaration that she also could because she was from New Orleans. From there, she laid two dollars down, saying that whomever was the most stable after six shooters got to keep the money. And was the winner.
Before long, Abby was out twelve dollars, and Ziva was putting her in a taxicab.
"Where to?" the driver asked.
Abby gave him the first address that popped into her head, even though it wasn't hers. "Please take me to Collingwood Row. Number 2278."
Pleased with herself that she could say it, Abby leaned back in her seat and watched the city go by as the taxi began to move.
Abigail Borin had just had a very nice day off.
Her team at the Coast Guard Investigative Service building had also just experienced case ending badly. So Abigail gave them all a day off. To recharge. It also gave the woman herself some to reflect. On the universe, life. Abigail was grateful.
She knew that people found her to be standoffish, an enigma. But such was a byproduct of getting lost in the shuffle of a few other siblings. Yet... What she found amusing was that it was the NCIS team that knew her best. Not her own people.
Besides... Her agency was generally treated as a stepping stone to greater things. It was no wonder that at this point, she had a completely different team from the last time she'd visited her Navy-affiliated counterparts. None of her original teammates remained. All had... moved on. The current gaggle of rookies and transfers? New.
But what Abigail truly appreciated about the NCIS team? For as odd as they were, they were a constant in her life. Despite the fact that Tony and Ziva would occasionally hit on her. Or... Dare each other to. Each of them definitely more than made up for the crappy family she'd been born into. Abigail would treasure each and every person on that team. For life.
That being said... She had a major soft spot for Abby. Perhaps it was being they had the same name. Or because the scientist's intellect, humor, and kindness appealed to her. Abigail didn't know. She'd never been able to figure it out. But she knew for certain that she'd always found Abby Scuito very cute, and sometimes—but only when talking to her pets—she considered asking the other woman out. Formally.
Tonight was one such night where she was entertaining the thought. And... she didn't even have any liquor in her system. Yet.
DING DONG!
Abigail was jolted out of her thoughts at the sound of her doorbell ringing. She shushed her pets as they began reacting to the sound. No one liked the doorbell. And they always got overdramatic about it. Did Abigail expect the person on the other side? Literally not at all. But... Her night had certainly gotten interesting.
She stuttered, "Abby?! What are you doing here?!"
The other woman hiccuped, "C—*hic* Can I come in?"
"Of course you can. Please do. I am happy that you are here."
Still perplexed, Abigail moved aside. Held her door open wider. But then she had rather a pause. The other woman remained stationary after crossing the threshold. It was plain taht she was looking at nothing in particular.
"Hey." Abigail patted her cheek. "You good?"
Abby heaved a theatrical sigh as she made eye contact with the redhead. "Ever have *hic* one of those days at work *hic* where things end badly?"
"I do." Abigail told her.
"Well... It *hic* happened to us today. The world *hic* isn't fair."
Abigail nodded in agreement. "What happened when you all closed the case? Did you go to The Pope And Anchor?
"Correct." Abby said emphatically. "I challenged Ziva *hic* to a drinking contest."
"Been there, done that." Abigail turned sympathetic towards her. "What did you drink?"
"Tequila shooters." Abby responded after a pause. "I think."
Abigail fought back a laugh as she helped Abby out of her coat and hung it up. "Dare I ask how you figured out where I live?"
"Two words: hacking."
Abigail kept a straight face. "But that is one word, sweetie. And a teensy bit illegal."
Abby made a pouty face so adorable that Abigail went weak in the knees. Very nearly. This woman was extremely cute.
"Am I arrested?" Abby asked in a small voice. "Tonight *hic* I found out to never challenge a ninja to a drinking contest because th-they *hic* will make you not win. I don't want that. Talk about a bummer..."
Abigail helped Abby to the couch now. "I won't arrest you, but I will take care of you tonight. You are always welcome here. And I'm glad you caught a cab. Smart move. I will make you breakfast in the morning."
Abby's heart bloomed at the kind things Abby was telling her, so she chirped, "Understood."
"You just stay there. I'll go get you some water." Abby headed to her kitchen. "Don't mind the animals."
Abby only half-heard Abigail, for she was too busy watching her backside. Did she imagine the sight she would see next? No. But Abby was very smitten. Promptly. Why? She was face-to-face with a very large Maine Coon cat and a trio of Great Danes.
"Wow. Hi, babies. Am I *hic* dreaming?" Abby mused. "Where did you all come from?"
The cat jumped lightly up onto Abby's lap. Curled up. Once Abby started to stroke its fur, the creature began arching its back. Purring loudly. Content at once.
Then there were the dogs. Magnificent, wonderful, Great Dane types. All quite handsome. The first one had a white body and black splotches all over, including its nose, tail, and paws. The middle canine was golden. Like wheat, on a late summer day. The remaining dog? A charming steely grey color. Each dog looked at Abby. To encounter a new person was fun. Every time.
The splotched dog approached first, jumping up onto the couch and bumping Abby with his nose.
"Do *hic* you want a hug, b-baby *hic* boy?" Abby giggled. "Okay. I can do that."
Abby hugged the massive animal around its neck and shoulders. A soft rhythmic thumping sound soon told her that he was wagging his tail in enjoyment. Deciding that the stranger was alright, the other dogs began jockeying for Abby's attention and affection. The cat? Asleep very fast. Quite used to the silliness of the dogs. But... Loud purring filled the room.
Abby began doting on her new furry friends. Talking to them. Giving them hugs. And kisses. Many of those.
When Abigail at last returned with a glass of water, she felt her heart melt. Having people over was not something she often did. And she wasn't big into bringing dates home. So it brought her unexpected joy to see Abby loving on her pets the way she was. In fact... The kindness made her like Abby even more.
"I see you've met part of the gang." Abigail sat beside her friend and held out a glass of ice water. "Drink this first. We can work on introducing you to everyone else later."
Abby downed her water a little quickly, frowning as she handed the glass back to Abigail. "Ugh. That's a brain freeze. I hate them. Brain freeze, brain freeze, brain freeze..."
The splotched canine quickly nudged the cat out of Abby's lap with its nose before laying its head against her stomach. But then he looked up at Abby. Imploring. So Abby stroked his fur, speaking to him. She was re-collecting herself. But Abigail waited. Patiently.
Now free of her hiccups and her stutters, Abby said, "What were we talking about?"
"You are clearly not with it. But that's okay. Time for introductions now." Abigail pointed to her splotched dog, now completely stretched out. "This lovebug is Darwin. He adores hugs."
"How old is he?" Abby inquired.
"Two-and-a-half. But... All of my dogs are. They're brothers." Abigail played with a button on Abby's dress. "Nobody wanted them at the adoption fair. I just knew they were all meant to be mine. So... I left with a gaggle of dogs that day."
"Wow." Abby pointed to the grey dog. "Who's this?"
"Bowser. He loves to play the most. And... Bowser is the only one who doesn't bark at the mailman."
"Hm. What a silly boy." laughed Abby before frowning as she felt a sudden weight against her left calf. "What was that?"
"Bowser's found you comfortable and curled up." Abigail enlightened her. "That means he likes you. Oh. Look..."
Abby followed Abigail's indication. The last dog. He had also climbed up onto the couch and was laying with his head and paws in Abigail's lap.
"Who's baby boy number three?" asked Abby.
"Say hello to my precious little Scooby." said Abigail. "He also loves to play. But woe-betide if he or Bowser hear a sneeze. They turn into sissies. And scatter. They're kind of clumsy about it."
Abby snickered. "They're weird."
"True. But not as weird as this one." she meant her cat, presently slinking back towards them. "Her name is Ruby. I've had her since she was eight weeks old. Now she is four."
"Abigail, Ruby is gorgeous. But... 'Humongous'? That is the word."
Ruby was well above the size of an average house cat. She also carried herself like she owned the place. But when she stationed herself on Abby's knees again, she basked in her attention once more.
"I was warned when I adopted her that she'd get this huge. Still... I wouldn't change a single thing about her." Abigail moved off the couch. "Now please be still."
Abby nodded. But only because Abigail was now couched before her. On her knees.
"I am undoing your boots and taking them off your feet for you." Abigail explained. "The last thing we need for you on a house tour is to end up at the ER because you tripped and sprained your ankled. Gibbs would not like that."
"Yes." Abby moved the animal weight away. "Gibbs would quote rule number eleventyseven at you: never leave a cutie pie behind."
Abigail did everything in her power not to laugh. "Eleventyseven is not a word. Or a number. But I'm positive that 'never leave a cutie pie behind' is not one of The Rules."
Abby pouted. "So is it one of yours?"
"Okay," Abigail decided. "Sure. Keep still. Almost ready..."
One short bit later, Abigail had Abby out of her platform boots and was helping her stand up straight.
"You're pretty." Abby told her companion with zero preamble.
But Abigail felt a blush creeping in almost immediately. With reason. She been wearing her favorite pair of blue silken pajamas for the last few hours now. She was also sans makeup, and her long red hair was done up in a messy bun. Abigail knew full well that Abby wasn't with it. Still... the compliment still made her heart jump.
She found herself saying kind words in return. "You're not so bad yourself, Starshine."
Abby beamed. "I want to kiss you whenever I see you."
Now Abigail felt her heart turn over: she felt the same way about Abby. "What are the chance that you'll remember this tomorrow?"
"Pretty damn high. It may be holey in some place, though."
Abigail took hold of her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I want to kiss you. But I will not have our first kiss be when you're drunk."
"Good call." Abby said seriously.
"Call me tomorrow if you can remember this part of the night. Then I'll take on a date, during which we definitely kiss. How does that sound?"
Abby made the sign for perfect, then said, "Can we see your zoo now?"
"They are not the 'z' word. But yes. And look who wants to join."
Darwin was standing loyally beside Abby. As though he was at attention. He loved her.
Abby patted her thigh. "Come along, doggo."
And he did. Even spotting her when she she wobbled on the journey upstairs.
Abigail pointed to the first shut door just off the landing. "I have a bearded dragon called Spyro. He sleeps in my study, But he's kind of a grump at night, so you'll meet him next time."
"Then who are we seeing now?"
"My birds. All of them."
Now they had arrived in front of a door at the end of the hallway. Abby didn't know what to expect. But she was curious when Darwin curled up next to the door and began to doze.
"Come on." Abigail opened to the door and ushered Abby in. "They're in here."
Abby found herself in a beautifully decorated room. Against one wall there could be seen a large beautiful aviary. It was made of polished oak, and all of the doors were set with glass, allowing you to see inside. There were also overhead lights on the ceiling of the aviary, and Abby found herself looking upon quite a variety of perches and landings, feed and water areas, toys, and mirrors.
However... This was nothing compared to the aviary's inhabitants: inside, and in several different shades, were a vast amount of Budgerdair birds.
Abby turned to Abigail. "Why do you have eleventyseven budgies?"
"For the third time," Abigail said. "Eleventyseven isn't a number or a word. There are actually ten birds in there. But none have names."
"Then the budgies will be more fun when I'm sober." Abby next noticed the aviary on the other side of room and examined it. "What lives here. And... Is there a squad?"
"Neptune lives there." Abigail said fondly as she put a hand on the aviary's door handle. "That handsome love of mine is an African Grey Parrot. And 'friendly' best describes him. Now he's hopping around, watching us. Do you want to meet hm?"
"Uh-huh. Please?"
Abigail opened the aviary and after a moment of coaxing, she emerged from the aviary. Neptune was perched on her finger.
"Abby," the redhead told her as she drew level with her. "He can talk. Say hello to Neptune."
Abby bobbed her head now. "Hello to Neptune."
Abigail chuckled. "Hold your finger out like a perch."
"Why?" Abby asked as she obliged.
Abigail gave Neptune a stroke on the head and cooed to him, "Hop!"
Neptune happily hopped the short distance from his mistress' finger to Abby's.
"That's Abby." Abigail told her bird. "Her name is Abby."
Neptune whistled at Abby and moved closer. "Abby, Abby! Pretty Abby!"
"Ugh." Abigail groaned at Neptune's charm. "How is my bird a better flirt than me?"
Abby arched an eyebrow at her. "What was that?"
"Nothing!"
Abby turned her attention back to Neptune. "Your mommy's pretty funny."
Neptune just kept whistling and chattering away. Even he loved the attention from the newcomer.
Abigail watched Abby play with her pet for a minute. If she was this gentle with the animals when she wasn't fully with it, then she was probably the same or even more gentle across the board when sober. And she was please. For... She'd always known that she couldn't or wouldn't be with anyone who was less than gentle towards her pets.
Abigail quickly scolded herself. Cut it out: she is extremely beautiful, but you don't even know how she swings!
"Hey. Are you okay?"
Now Abigail was shaken from her thoughts when she saw Abby watching her as she entertained Neptune.
"It's nothing that can't wait until you're totally sober." she assured her.
"But I'm sotally tober now!" Abby protested.
"Untrue." Abigail put Neptune back. "Are you hungry?"
"I don't know. What time is it?"
"Just after eight, according to my watch." Abigail reported after checking. "Do you think you can handle food?"
Abby decided she was. They ordered pizza. And had water to drink. The rest of their night was pleasantly quiet.
It didn't take Abby very long to fall asleep on a full stomach, and when she woke up the next morning, it was with a start and only a one-alarm hangover.
"Where am I?" she asked herself as she studied her surroundings and pajamas. "What the hell happened last night?"
Comically, Darwin came bounding in from the hallway. He'd heard the sound of Abby's voice. But when he got closer to the bed, he poked his head over. Abby made him curious.
The dog's appearance prompted a memory flood for Abby. She felt like she'd been run over by a train. Some things were definitely holey. For sure. But she remembered now that she was at Abigail Borin's house... and that she had not arrived in tip-top shape. Did she remember calling Abigail pretty? And that neither of them had acted on their expressed mutual desire to kiss each other? Yes.
"Oh, boy, Darwin." Abby sighed. "I better go find your mommy."
Darwin bumped her hand with his paw. He wanted her attention for something specific. On further inspection, Abby noticed a note pinned to her furry friend's collar. She unclipped it. And began to read.
'Good morning, Abby!
It's Abigail Borin, just in case you're confused. You showed up on my doorstep drunk last night, saying you lost a drinking contest with Ziva. I took care of you. You bonded with all of my pets that I introduced you to. But Darwin has imprinted on you. Feel free to use my shower. You showed up with a bag of clothes that look like they belong to you. Everything is in the bathroom.
Hurry along. I'm cooking breakfast!'
Abby got ready fast. She felt famished. Any sort of breakfast food sounded amazing. Upon showering and dressing, Abby also made the bed. For good measure. Darwin waited patiently by the door, wagging his tail whenever Abby zoomed past him. Another human in the house was already pleasant. Darwin also accompanied Abby downstairs. To the kitchen.
Abigail greeted Abby warmly as she sat down. "Hello, my Starshine. Did you sleep well?"
Abby nodded, slightly apprehensive. "Uh-huh. Where did you sleep?"
"On the couch." Abigail moved out of Darwin's way as he crossed the room to curl up at their house guest's feet. "That particular furniture piece pulls out."
"I didn't mean to put you out of your bed, Abigail." the goth turned sheepish. "I'm sorry."
"Think nothing of it." Abigail said sincerely. "You almost fell asleep standing up after I got you to wear after I got you to wear pajamas from my closet. Do you remember anything?"
"All of it. Just like I said I would. But I especially remember Neptune hitting on me, and also that I called you pretty."
Abigail set a plate of scrambled eggs and buttered toast in front of her. "That definitely happened. And... I definitely didn't mind you calling me pretty."
"Okay, good. Because you are very pretty." Abby's words came tumbling out. "I don't know that I would have the courage to say that to you while sober. And... now you're staring at me like I'm an idiot."
But Abigail had laid out the utensils, glasses and a pitcher of orange juice, before sitting opposite Abby with her own food. The feeling she felt? Properly amused.
"I was just thinking about how I've always had a soft spot for you," Abigail said honestly. "And that I've always found you adorable."
Abby blushed. "Really?"
"Really. I've always been a little too shy to say it." Abigail said truthfully. "But I've also seen you make eyes at McGee. So... I just don't say anything."
Abby shook her head in amusement. "My friend, you really need to come around to NCIS more than once a year. McGee is more like my brother. Now he and I are both perfectly fine with it."
"Copy that." Abigail felt tremendous relief. "Now I just need to figure out what the deal is with Tony and Ziva. Are into each other? I can't tell. They act like it. But then they trip over themselves to hit on me whenever I show up."
"Oh, that." Abby laughed. "They're both kinky people. But... they probably wouldn't mind a three-way."
"Abby!" protested the redhead. "The sun isn't even up yet!"
Abby let her off the hook. "Our friends enjoy making each other jealous, and they so often make bets on who can get the most dates. But they never truly act on it because they're madly in love with each other."
Abigail felt a new round of relief. "Oh. Okay. Good."
"You just happen to be their favorite bet subject, Abigail Irene," the goth went on. "Because you intrigue all of us."
"Then do you remember the bargain we made?" Abigail prodded.
"You mean the one had to do with me confessing that I wanted to kiss you? And you saying that you wanted to kiss me back but wouldn't because I was intoxicated?"
"Mhm. That. Do you remember anything else about the bargain?"
"To call you if I remembered having the conversation. Which I. And you said if I remembered," Abby didn't miss a beat. "That you'd take me on a date."
Abigail smiled lovingly at her. "Which I will."
Abby felt her stomach flip. "O-okay."
"Two more things before we eat: how bad was the case that you decided it was a good idea to challenge Ziva in a drinking contest?" Abigail was genuinely curious. "And how did you know where I live?"
"It was bad." Abby gently tapped the tabletop. "But I knew your address because Gibbs made me check you out the first time you showed up."
"What?!" this had thrown Abigail for a loop.
"I'm just kidding." Abby gave Abigail's hand a gentle squeeze. "Tony and Ziva did snooping. Told me later on. But only because I was curious what they were talking about."
"Wow. That is completely believable." Abigail went back to her food. "But that's probably when you learned that my middle name is Irene? And also when my birthday happens to be?"
"Just to be even... I am older than you, but we have the same birthday." Abby informed her. "My middle name is Ramona."
"Wow. That's really pretty."
"Thanks." Abby grinned and then sighed. "I really hope NCIS and CGIS work together again."
"So do I, Abby. So do I."
Abigail dropped Abby off at the NCIS building. It was on her way. Plus... Abby had left her car there overnight, carpooling with Ziva to the bar. But Abby also didn't want Gibbs to send out a search party for her. It was just too early.
But before they parted ways, Abigail even presented Abby with a thermos filled with a fresh Bloody Mary drink. So as to perk Abby's body up. The goth even gave Abigail a peck on the cheek before departing her vehicle.
Unfortunately, the thermos was her undoing.
"How was the rest of the evening after you left the bar?" Ziva asked as Abby congregated at her desk. "Where did you go?"
Abby chose her words carefully. "I... went to a friend's house."
"Hm." Ziva lifted an eyebrow. "Then would this be the same friend was gave you a thermos with a Bloody Mary in it?"
"Y—" Abby was cut off as Tony sidled up to them, looking sly.
"What, no Caff-Pow?" the man asked.
"She has a Bloody Mary, Tony." Ziva informed him.
"Oh," an evil grin crept its way on to Tony's features now. "So this means that our favorite forensics/weapons expert had sex last night."
"BUT I DID NOT!" protested Abby.
"The question is, then," Ziva turned coy. "Whose company did our friend keep in the night?"
Tony feigned shock. "You mean she hasn't told you yet?"
Now Abby was beginning to feel hot under her collar: she was head-over-heels in love with Abigail Irene Borin. The other woman's feelings? Absolutely mutual.
Now Abby just wanted to be in her lab. Booting up her machines, listening to music, sorting through her feelings. Alone.
McGee choose this moment to come join his friends, having spotted their powwow when he stepped off the elevator. He greeted Tony and Ziva. But he had a different question for Abby when he saw her thermos.
"Hey." he indicated the thermos. "Abby, is your Caff-Pow in there?"
"TAKE A NUMBER, TIMMY!" cried Abby before dashing to the elevator and boarding it as quickly as she could.
Ziva, Tony, and McGee stared after her at the closed elevator doors, each of them wondering what kind of bee she had in her bonnet.
"What are you all staring at?" came a new voice.
The trio jumped and turned to see Gibbs before them, a cup of coffee in one hand, and a full Caff-Pow cup in the other. The others immediately began arguing over who was going to bring the Caff-Pow to the lab.
Ziva won. She found Abby in her at her office desk. Just staring into space. Her music was even playing, but quietly. The woman seemed on another planet.
"I will not ask you again where you went last night because I do not wish to pry," Ziva said as she put the Caff-Pow down on the desk. "But I will ask you this: are you okay?"
Abby leaned back in her seat. "Have you ever been with a woman? Romantically?"
"I have. But not since before I first came here, in search of my brother. Why? Do you 'swing that way,' as the saying goes?"
"Yes, I do." Abby looked up at her friend. "Ziva, have you ever met a woman who just dazzles you and adores you? But they also make it feel as if you just have to think about your life?"
"Mhm. She was called Kefira Kahn. I loved her greatly and she loved me." said Ziva. "But she passed away from leukemia."
"Oh." Abby felt a sympathetic lurch. "I am so sorry. How dreadful."
Ziva patted her friend's cheek affectionately. "It was a long time ago. You did not know."
"What would have happened if she hadn't died?"
"I am sure I would have married her. Even if it meant leaving both my homeland and the Mossad. Kefira was worth it. But illness won out." Ziva looked at Abby with the soft gaze. "Have you found a person who dazzles you and adores you? Is this what happened last night?"
"Uh-huh. And whenever I think about her, I feel butterflies in my stomach."
Ziva patted Abby on the cheek again. "I am confident you will sort it out. But I am a phone call away, should you need anything."
"Thank y—"
BEEP! Now Abby was interrupted by Ziva's phone. Ziva sighed when she read the text she had been sent.
"We have a case." she told Abby. "It is a child abduction from a mall, so I suggest you brace yourself."
Abby picked up Bert the farting hippo from where she'd placed him on her desk. "I'll do my best."
After Ziva left, Abby spoke to her toy. "Looks like we're in for a long day. We need to be on the top of our game, Bert."
Abby Abby gave him a hug. He farted.
The goth also switched from the Bloody Mary (though it was excellent) to the Caff-Pow. She soon began to feel back to herself.
Meanwhile, over at the Millennium Crossings Shopping Center, Abigail and her team had arrived on the scene first. It happened that their services of CGIS were needed. But... They had only been there a short while when she heard a familiar voice.
"Can someone show me where Special Agent Borin is?" it said.
Abigail turned at the sound of her name and promptly winced. Crossing under the caution tape was Gibbs. And... Like always, Tony, McGee, and Ziva followed. Loyal to a fault.
One thought ran through her head as she waved them over. Crap. So much for a date with Abby any time soon. This is going to be a long case.