AN: Hope these will tide you over till the new episode next week. Enjoy! More to come soon!
Abby: I was wrong…about you.
Gibbs waited patiently between the elevators doors for Abby to return. He noticed the book she retrieved but chose not to address it.
"Thanks for uh, forgiving me…"
"You know I can't stay mad at you."
"You were mad at me?" She shrugged.
"Not mad. Concerned."
"Yeah. You easily confuse those sometimes."
The elevator ride continued in silence for a full five seconds before Abby switched off the power. "So I know you want to ask me about what I said, so go ahead and ask…because I completely understand how you might think it was out of line, but I don't think it was. Because honestly, it's not like there isn't this huge elephant in the room that we've never really moved or told to get out of the way and it's in heated situations like today that it's gonna come out…heated-ly."
Gibbs only stared back at her in response.
"Don't give me that look."
"What look?"
"The 'you have no idea what I'm talking about' look."
"What look would you prefer?"
"How about the 'I completely understand and I love you anyway' look."
Gibbs shifted his expression. "Better?"
She squinted. "Sort of."
He had known her long enough to know what she needed to do. "If it will make you feel better to explain, I'm all ears."
"Understatement of the century." She paced in the confined space. "Okay, listen…when I said I was wrong about you. I was upset and I know we've both said things that we don't mean when we're upset, but this time. I meant it." She took in a breath. "I always saw you on this perfect pedestal and sure you scowl at me sometimes, and cut off my rambling and leave for other countries without warning after almost dying…but more than that, you were always crazy honest with me…and I know you hated me finding out about Hernandez, but I hated it too. Cuz whether I like it or not…it changed the way I see you."
He took advantage of the pause. "I haven't changed Abs."
"But I have. Or at least I think I have. All I know is I really hate being mad at you…like really really hate it."
"I'm not a fan either."
"So we're good?"
Gibbs only nodded and awaited her next response which would inevitably involve some sort of physical contact. He braced himself for the hug and savored every second before easing away slowly.
"You know it's okay to be wrong sometimes Abs."
Her expression softened even more at his words and she responded simply. "Not about you."