Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. Sadly, they belong to some other people.
AN: Happy holidays, everyone! I'll try to have the whole story up by the 26th. There should be ~4 more chapters. Enjoy!
"What do you have for me, Abs?" Gibbs' impatient tone only makes Abby linger a tad bit longer at the microscope stand as she assembles a slide for analysis.
"You won't believe it, Gibbs, it turns out – " she finally looks up from the microscope, once the silence in the room turns scary and there is no 'thump-slush' of a CafPow cup placed in front of her. "Wow. Hi guys! So good to see you all," Abby's grin spreads at the sight of the other three agents, who have followed Gibbs into the lab.
"You insisted we came, Abby," Tony reminds her, picking up a little glass vial from a shelf to examine. Putting it down once he reads the label, too grossed out to even ask.
"I know! That's why I'm excited. The reason you are all here."
"Abby? You said you got something for me?" There, he is now shielding the beverage from view, hiding it behind his back.
"Of course I do, boss-man! I was able to extract DNA from the hair sample Tony found at the scene. We were so lucky, Gibbs! Extracting DNA from hair is a pain, like no other. Worse than getting your third molars taken out. I'm sorry for the visual, Kate… It's just so – "
"Abby?"
"Gibbs?" Abby plays along, before she realizes what he means by that. Then, she pulls her act together, "Oh, yeah, as I was saying, that hair Tony found – it does not belong to our petty officer."
"Could it be the killer's?"
"I like your thinking, McGee. I ran his DNA in several databases, no luck yet. I'll let you know if anything pops."
"Good work, Abs," Gibbs cracks a half-smile, at last, and Abby slurps her victory.
"What is it you wanted to tell us, Abby?" Kate asks, curiosity taking over. Curiosity that further rises after Abby brandishes a golden fedora for all of them to see.
"You're joining the cast of Chicago?" Tony's expression of confusion is reflected pretty much on everyone's faces. Except for Gibbs, who looks unfazed.
"Nope. Go ahead, take a slip of paper and don't show it to anyone."
With this, Abby goes around the room until all of them have taken out a tiny piece of folded paper.
"Is this what I think it is, Abs? A Secret Santa – thing?"
"You're right, Kate! I'm so excited! So the rules are, you don't reveal yourself before the exchange, but you can leave three clues to your recipient before Christmas and then –"
"Abby?"
"Gibbs! Don't be a Secret Santa pooper! Or you know, that Scrooge guy. Because I'm coming for you, boss-man. I'll be the ghost of Christmas present for you; don't think that I'm kidding. Well, maybe I am, but that's not the point. Please, Gibbs –"
"I was just going to ask, are we exchanging gifts at dinner on Thursday?"
"Oh. Yeah. Wait! Ducky – Gibbs, could you give him this? Let me first check he doesn't get his own name," Abby giggles, like a little kid, unfolding the last piece of paper, much to Tony's dismay.
"Abby, you didn't," he gasps. "You're not supposed to do that."
"I know, Tony," she nods vigorously, but then she gives a small shrug. "It had to be done. But it's all good. Gibbs, go get our lovely ME even more pumped about his dinner extravaganza."
"Sure thing, Abs," Gibbs kisses her cheek, before leaving without waiting for anyone else.
"Why is he okay with this?" Tony asks, full of pure wonder, the question addressed to no one in particular.
"Maybe he got you, Tony," Kate suggests, biting her lip not to laugh. "I'm sure he's eager to give you free entrance to a Marine boot camp."
Tony shudders. "Not funny, Kate."