Pawprints
A/N: So, this is a little McAbby dog piece… Whatever happened to Jethro? Mild s7 spoilers, mild Tiva.
Disclaimer: Don't own Caesar, Coca-Cola, or any other copyrighted objects or people mentioned. Sadness.
Tim's fingers tangled in Jethro's soft fur, and blue lights flickered across two sets of avid eyes. It was Friday night, and time to watch Dog Whisperer. Some Friday, whispered that little part of Tony in his head, but Tim pushed the thought away. This was his weekly ritual, and both he and Jethro enjoyed it. The only way these nights could be better would be if Abby were here… But, tonight was her girls' night out.
After the first commercial break, Tim stood up and walked to the fridge. Pulling out a Coke, he glanced surreptitiously at the phone, willing it to ring. No such look. Resigned to another evening alone with his-slash-Abby's dog, Tim grabbed a Milk Bone and carried his drink and Jethro's treat back to the couch. The German Shepherd took the bone delicately between his teeth, avoiding Tim's digits before scarfing the treat. Tim laughed as usual, Jethro settled into Tim's lap as usual, and the hour wore on as usual.
Nine o'clock came and went as usual. Tim turned off the TV as usual, turned on his jazz music as usual, and set to work on his typewriter with Jethro curled at his feet, as usual. At about nine thirty, the phone rang.
Not as usual.
Tim jumped, startled out of his reverie, and grabbed the phone. "Tim McGee," he answered automatically.
"Timmy! Come keep me company." McGee grinned when he heard Abby's cheerful voice.
"What happened to your girls' night out with Ziva?" Tim asked, thinking he already knew the answer.
"My partner in crime was requisitioned by yours," Abby replied, the smile on her face big enough to be "heard" over the phone.
"Tony is not my partner in crime," Tim protested mildly. He and Tony were fairly close friends now, but still, that was only because of what had happened… over the summer.
Abby giggled. "You two got arrested together."
"Because of Gibbs!"
"Oh, whatever. Just come keep me company."
"Where are you?"
"Outside your building."
Tim laughed at her matter-of-fact voice, plus her chosen location. "Jethro, or no Jethro?"
"To be or not to be?" Abby laughed. "Jethro, please."
"Coming." Tim set down the phone and turned to the door, where an expectant Jethro was sitting, tail thumping on the ground and leash tangling from his mouth. "Are you expecting something?" Tim asked as he bent down to take the leash and clip it to Jethro's black leather, studded dog collar, courtesy of Abby.
Jethro tugged Tim out the door, and Tim barely managed to lock it before he was tugged by the hyper German Shepherd to where his "real" owner was waiting. There was a huge smile on Abby's face as Jethro yanked the leash away from Tim and ran to Abby. She hugged the Shepherd, burying her face into his thick fur as he twisted his head to sloppily kiss her neck.
Abby looked up from the Shepherd's attentions, her smile reduced to the double curve she reserved for moments of true happiness. Standing, she took Jethro's leash in one hand and Tim's hand in the other.
"Let's go for a walk."