Title: Safety
Author: Geekery
Rating: PG. 13
Summary: During the holiday season men go missing.
Pairings: Possible Zibbs
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of NCIS
Feedback: Sure, why not? I'm always hungry
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CHAPTER 1
Summer trips out on the water were always a source of entertainment for our family. Mom would pack our lunch meat sandwiches while Dad made sure that his boat was in perfect condition. My brother Peter never seemed to get enough of that tire swing so he always made us leave an hour after we said we would. In that hour we would call his name--scream it actually, but he would never call back. We'd find him just there on the tire swing giggling.
I suppose I was eleven or twelve when I developed a knack for sneaking out of my bedroom window. I had made a friend whose family spent summers in a small cottage near our farm property. His name was Henry and his game was to uncover as many seashells by the shore as he possibly could. Whatever motivated him was enough to keep him going and his determination was enough to make me want to leave home in the middle of the night.
Mom and Dad eventually found out thanks to Peter. He always needed his warm milk before bed and that same tall glass of warm milk made him awake from his slumber and find the nearest bathroom. The bathroom was stationed at the end of the hall, past my room. One glance inside and he instantly realized my empty bed and open window.
Dad was furious, but mom understood as she always had. Soon Henry's parents met my parents and we were allowed to visit one another, but my sneaking out had come to an end quicker than I expected.
Henry and I had a great time out on the water. I would join his family and he would join mine. Sadly, my last water adventure led me to where I am now…
I soon found out why my father was so angry at me for sneaking out. I always figured it was because I was young and being near the water unsupervised was dangerous, but then I saw them one night.
Mom had been asleep; sick with a minor cold so her senses were not what they would have been granted she had seen the flickering lights of the convertible outside.
I watched my father kiss the woman behind the wheel. He then directed her to park near our garage where he spent some of his spare time fixing local cars. A perfect spot to make a drop because my mother would never question the number of automobiles on our property.
I do remember the feeling that overcame my gut as I dropped in on my father. I opened my mouth and shot my rage towards him like rapid fire. His mistress fled--he stayed. The following day I was repulsed and deeply saddened by what I had found my father doing--so much that when he apologized and offered a ride on his boat, I agreed in hopes that everything would turn out to be just a bad dream.
The moon was the last thing I saw that night as I cried alone. The lights from my father's ship disappeared faster than I could catch my breath.
He had left me.
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"SILVER BELLS!" Abby exclaims.
"…It's Christmas Time in the city?" Tony looks doubtful.
"No Tony, Silver bells--see? Look!"
Abby drops a large shopping bag of tiny silver bells all over Tony's desk.
"One-two-three-not it!" He pushes himself out of his chair. "Looks like McGee gets to clean this mess up."
"How do you figure?"
"You're an Elf Lord, McElf--and those that consider themselves elves are those that help Santa."
"There isn't a Santa in sight." McGee finds his desk.
"Liar. There's one at the corner. I know you must have passed him on your way in."
"I took the other way to work, Tony."
"Oh…mixing it up--why?" Tony is intrigued. "A new cyber girl you only seem to be able to interact with online therefore you have resorted to stalking her?"
Abby grins from ear-to-ear as she waits for McGee to answer as well.
"No girl. My car broke down."
"You should have called. I would have given you a ride--for a reasonable price." Tony leaves McGee with a snooty grin.
"So is anyone interested in my silver bells?"
"Do you really want me to answer that?" Tony sighs when he receives Abby's disapproving look. "Alright, ya got me, what about your silver bells?"
"They're for charity."
"Why?" McGee plucks one off of Tony's desk.
"Not just the bells." Abby rolls her eyes. "They are a part of something I am making for the charity."
"Which?"
"Why I am glad you asked, Tony." Abby is pleased; all smiles. "For the children of course."
"I guess Tony will receive one of these then." McGee gives his own snooty smile to Tony.
"Very funny McElf." Tony snaps back.
"So…" Abby waits peacefully.
"…So…" Tony shrugs.
"Are you guys gonna help me? I've got a place for each of you down in my lab. Everything's all set up."
"Yeah…well…" Tony is not really into the idea. "Ziva isn't here…"
"That's okay, we'll just get started without her."
"What if she doesn't come in for the day?" McGee tries to free himself from the activity.
"When has Ziva ever not shown up for work?"
"Well there was that time when--"
"I'm talking about on a usual basis." She gives Tony a disappointed look. "Come on guys, it'll be fun."
"No time for Fun! Gear up!"
"Sorry." Tony stands tall and grabs his weapon. "Where to boss?"
"McGee get the truck."
"Where are we going boss?" McGee grabs his backpack.
"Meeting in the garage." Gibbs tells them.
McGee and Tony shrug at one another as they head towards the elevator.
"Gibbs want to help me when you're finished with the case?" She waits by his desk.
"Don't feel this'll be an easy one, Abby." He places a kiss on her cheek. "…but anything is possible."
He leaves her to herself. Taking a moment to sigh, she gathers her silver bells one by one off of Tony's desk and heads back to her lab.