Title: Pie

Author: ami (boymommytotwo)

Pairing: pre-Gibbs/Abby, Humor/Friendship/pre-Romance

Spoiler: 1.03 Seadog, minus the redhead in the convertible at the end

Prompt: Dedication

Word Count: 900

Rating: K

Disclosure: Own nothing except my original ideas. We have Don Bellisario et al to thank most everything.
A/N: Unbetaed so all mistakes are my own. Constructive feedback is always welcome. If you don't know the definition of constructive, please pass. This story (and hope more forthcoming) are born out of a desire of discipline to write a Gabby moment out of every episode. My hope is the exercise will get the muse going and produce a universe of sorts. I can only hope to aspire to my favoritest of favorite fanfic authors who have gone before.

The dedication of the plaque for Commander Brian Ferrell at the Urban Lights community basketball court downtown was a simple ceremony. A tent at the back end of the parking lot, a small platform and the community leaders in their Sunday suits on a Friday night. Gibbs was glad it worked out to stop by, see the community's appreciation for what the Commander had done with them and for them, see how a member of the Navy affected those here at home.

Gibbs wasn't expecting Abby to be there, across the parking lot, black leather jacket in hand. He smiled to himself. Of course if he asked himself he wasn't actually all that surprised. Abby was quiet sometimes about her support of those who served, but was just as patriotic as the rest of them. She believed in justice and service and believed in doing everything they could as a team to make things right.

He listened as the balance of the speeches were completed and during what he thought would be one of the last rounds of applause he made his way over to Abby.

"You really climb that fence, Gibbs?"

Ducking his head, Gibbs scoffed. How did she know about that? And how did she know he was here?

Abby play-whispered to Gibbs. "I heard those boys over there talking about you. Not many 'grey feds' probably hanging around, I'm guessing. And while I would love to take credit for hearing you sneak up on me, after they recognized you I looked up to find my favorite NCIS agent."

"Glad that was me," Gibbs grinned under his breath. And Abby gave him a look that said, 'No change of subject, mister.' Ok, fine. "It really wasn't that hard... used to have to climb stuff all the time in the Corps."

"Still pretty cool I bet."

"They were surprised," and they shared a laugh. "So..."

"Didn't think I'd come today?"

"Not necessarily, just nice to see you. You know, on a Friday night."

"Yeah... really great wasn't it? Really festive and celebrated the Commander like he deserved."

"Absolutely," Gibbs concured and paused, watching Abby watch everything else. "You aren't... going 'out' tonight, Abbs?"

"I am out, Gibbs!"

Gibbs quirked a brow at Abby.

"You know what I meant. I'm not out-out, because, well, I don't have reason to be out, because, well, I like boys. Men. Not too young... guys. Anyway," Abby huffed. "I'm out for the evening where I want to be. I didn't have any other plans for the evening."

He smiled and she mirrored. He was searching for what he was going to say next when she saved him.
"Sure was fun signing with you this week. We should do that more often."

"Might give DiNozzo a headache," he chuckled.

Abby laughed out loud. "Uhuh... Tony definately didn't understand."

"That's okay. Could come in handy."

"Could."

Abby's smile relaxed into smallest of remnants and she held Gibbs' stare. He had a hard time moving past just returning her gaze. Here with her, beautiful fall evening. DJ music provided an underlying beat that he didn't recognize, but could feel it coursing through limbs all the same. He wanted to be closer to her and turn to go. He didn't understand how he was winding up in these situations with Abby perse, but he wasn't about to start complaining now. He reached out to briefly run his hand down the arm that held her leather jacket hanging over it. Maybe coffee? Maybe dessert? He was debating which to suggest.

"Why Jethro... so nice to see you here tonight." Diane Fontaine drawled as she approached Gibbs from his blindspot. Her arrival cut through Gibbs and Abby's moment. They both looked up at her, startled... for a few seconds, speechless.

Diane took liberties and placed a kiss on Gibbs' cheek. That was enough to course both of them into action.

Abby stepped back wide-eyed, and Gibbs looked crossways at the reporter.

"Diane, doing another story?"

"The Community Center invited me to host the event tonight," she sighed. "You must not have been paying attention Jethro. I opened the ceremony." She placed her hand on Gibbs' chest, almost inside his suit jacket.

"I must've been, distracted," Gibbs tried to catch Abby's eyes again. She wasn't giving him anything to work with, avoiding him completely. Diane continued talking. Gibbs tuned her out. Abby's fidgeting increased, like her palms were itching. She finally looked up at Gibbs and looked him squarely in the eye and signed.

Totally fine, Gibbs. I'll go.

No, you. I want to spend more time with you.

Not what she wants.

Don't care what she wants.

Gibbs looked at Diane to find her watching him and Abby. "Diane, this is my friend Abby. We were just leaving."

"I can see that." She patted him on the shoulder and started to turn around. "Have fun, kids." She was gone.

The watched her leave and in all seriousness Abby looked up at Gibbs, "She's a piece of work."

"Yep."

They let the absence settle over them and each took a deep breath. Gibbs found himself needing a change of scenery. "Abbs, wanna get coffee somewhere? Maybe dessert?"

"Sure that'd be. Really great."

"Comeon." Gibbs comfortably put his arm around Abby and walked them back across the court, around a pickup game that had started after the ceremony. It just felt nice to have her close. He pushed all other thought aside... otherwise he wouldn't be going to have pie with his forensic scientist. The forensic scientist. No, his forensic scientist.