Disclaimer: My best friend is a lawyer and says I need to tell you that Tony, Gibbs, Kate, Abby and McGee (who's not in this one) are not mine, although if McGee comes up for bid, then maybe I can do something about that. I am making no profit on this (see the sad state of my students loans and you'll believe me) and certainly no copyright infringement is intended.
Tony shot from the elevator, followed by Kate who nearly overtook him in the dash back to the bullpen. They had left Abby's lab at a run as the glass canister had shattered against the edge of the doorframe.
Kate's face was twisted between furious and amused. She smoothed back her hair as she reached her desk. She folded her arms and glared across the way at Tony.
"I can't believe you," she lashed. "How the hell could you say something like that? It was low, even for you, Tony."
Tony grinned impishly. "What?" he asked. "I didn't think she'd take it that way. I was just having some fun with Abby."
"Yeah, well, now you've got her angry at both of us," Katie told him. "Really, Tony, you do not call a Goth 'Strawberry Shortcake.'"
"Oh, yeah," he retorted, jabbing his finger in Kate's direction. "I'm sure your sudden bout of giggles did wonders for her self-esteem."
Kate looked horrified. "I said I was sorry!"
Gibbs found that moment to storm into the bullpen, his coffee cup parting the air before him. He glared at his two agents who still hadn't taken seats. Inwardly, he groaned. They were at it again.
"Sorry about what, Kate?" he asked calmly. Gibbs rolled his desk chair out and settled down. A memo from the director, a message to call Ducky, a short note from an ex-wife wanting to "talk." He tossed the last piece of paper in the trash and scanned the memo.
"Uhm." Kate seemed at a lost for words. Gibbs turned and watched her make fish-faces for a moment.
"Sorry about what, Kate?" he repeated. His tone was brusque but a worry line creased his forehead. Now what had these two done?
"Yeah," Tony suddenly filled in. "Boss, I think you should go see Abby."
Gibbs finished his coffee and tossed the paper cup in with the note from his ex. "And what, does Abby have to do with this?"
The daring duo exchanged guilty glances. Gibbs sighed loudly and stood up.
"Just go see her, Boss," Tony said, his voice almost gentle.
"Fine," Gibbs snapped, taken back by Tony's tone. He left them at their desks and headed to the elevator. As the doors closed, he rubbed at his eyes. Gibbs punched the button to Abby's floor.
A moment later the doors swept open and he marched down the short hallway to his lab rat's domain. The lights were out, except for one near the door. He noted the broken glass across the threshold. Gibbs heard Abby moving around in the back of the lab.
He entered and flicked on the overhead light, scanning the lab. He caught sight of the back of Abby's black fishnet sweater as she darted further in.
"Abbs!" he called. Gibbs had just about enough of this game. First Tony and Kate upstairs and now Abby running from him. "Get out here!"
"I don't want to," Abby called from the back corner of the lab. "Go away, Gibbs."
Gibbs rubbed at his eyes again. He walked to the middle of the lab. "Abby," he said, his voice betraying his concern. "What is going on here?"
"Nothing," she said. "I just tried a new hairstyle and – well, I don't want you to see it."
A hairstyle? All this nonsense was about a hairstyle? Gibbs decided he needed more coffee.
"Abby," he said slowly. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it's fine. Now, come out here."
There was shuffling as Abby dragged her feet from the back of the lab. Gibbs saw her step to the edge of the light and noted her mascara had run and her hands were clenched. Abby's chin was down and she didn't look at him.
Whatever Kate and Tony had done to Abby to make her miserable was going to be the last antic they pulled, he silently promised.
Abby's hand reached up and tugged at her hair. That's when he noticed.
"Oh, Abby," Gibbs said, his voice suddenly soft. He quickly closed the space between them, taking the younger woman by both hands and leading her fully into the light.
Abby's hair was dark maroon red. Her customary dog-ears were pulled out and her hair hung in a straight cut, tapered to her chin. She tried to pull away.
"You hate it," she said dully. She sounded almost heartbroken and angry at the same time. "I know, it was stupid. I just thought – I mean, you have this thing for redheads – and I was the hairdresser and – you hate it –"
"No, no," Gibbs said, pulling her to him as she started to cry. "I just never thought you'd think of that. Why should you care what hair color I like?"
"Because – 'cause," Abby gasped, swallowing her tears and forcing herself calm. "I thought, if I was a redhead –"
She went quiet and buried her head against his chest, hardly able to believe he was this close to her. Abby didn't dare say anything more that could make him leave.
"If you were a redhead, that I would be attracted to you?" Gibbs finished. He turned her slightly in his arms so he could see her eyes more clearly. "Abbs, where did you get that idea? You are wonderful the way you are."
Abby sniffed and wiped her nose with the back or her hand. "Thanks, Gibbs," she said. "I'm sorry. I'll get back to work."
Gibbs pressed his lips together. She hadn't understood.
"Abby," he said, his voice slow and deliberate, meeting her eyes with own. "I like the black better." Gibbs traced the side of Abby's face, making the sign for "my girl." Abby's eyes widened; the phrase was possessive against her skin.
"You do?" she asked, nearly trembling.
Gibbs pulled her close again, repeating the sign. "I do," he said softly in her ear.
