YOU COULD BE THE REST OF MY LIFE
Author: Gosgirl
Rating: M for last chapter
Pairing: Abby/Gibbs. Other characters Tony, Jackson and... Jethro
Category: Romance/friendship/family... just pure fluff really
Spoilers: to partway through Season 8.
Disclaimer: No copyright infringement is intended. NCIS and its characters are the property of DPB and CBS.
Summary: Gibbs and Jackson are joined by unexpected guests as a storm prevents Tony, Abby and her nephew leaving DC at Christmas. First time Gabby. Written as a NFA SeSa for Black Swan.
A/N: Thank you to Black Swan for being so generous with a wide range of prompts. I've taken liberties and given Abby a nephew, and had already named him Luke before Enemy on the Hill revealed her brother's name was Luca, so I kept it. And thanks to With the Grain for all her help with this one, and to Bamacrush and Zivacentric for holding my hand as usual and keeping me supplied with alcohol and cookies.
Chapter 1 – Change of Plans
"I expect they think I did it on purpose."
Abby stared morosely out of the bullpen window into the swirling snow outside. The storm had moved up the eastern seaboard more rapidly than forecast and the worst of it was due to pass over DC this evening and overnight.
"Did what, Abbs?"
She turned to face Gibbs as he approached, coffee in hand, "Well, Gibbs, that I made it snow and ice and... just generally, y'know, blizzard and storm so I couldn't get Luke back to New Orleans in time for Christmas."
Her eight year old nephew, Luke, had been staying with her for the last week.
His dad, Abby's brother, Luca, had been away on business and his mom, Julia, had agreed that Luke could visit his aunt in DC, as long as he was back in time for Christmas Day... which was tomorrow.
So they'd both been booked onto an afternoon flight out of DC and Abby was due to spend a week back in New Orleans.
"Flight definitely cancelled then?" asked Gibbs.
"Oh yeah," sighed Abby. "I've got us booked on another flight on the 26th... if the storm has cleared through by then. But I will not be popular in the household of the dreaded in-laws."
Abby had organised to see friends when she was back, but also had to do the 'duty' visit to Julia's family.
"They can't be that bad."
"Oh yeah, they can, Gibbs. Julia has never liked me and her family definitely don't approve. They took one look at this..." Abby gestured down at herself. "And you could see by their faces that I was instantly the devil incarnate."
Gibbs involuntarily allowed his eyes to roam down the line of her trim figure.
Her outfit was a fairly understated affair for her... typical chunky black pants with a wide belt that drew attention to her slim hips and curvy ass, a figure hugging black and red jumper with reindeer galloping across her chest, and one of her sparklier collars in honour of Christmas.
It was a typically Abby outfit that only she could have pulled off with style. But then in his eyes, she always looked as sexy as hell.
Her voice pulled his thoughts and eyes back to her face. "If they weren't so puritanical, I'd have bet they've got a voodoo doll of me somewhere... which is kinda ironic, considering how much they look like the Addams family."
Gibbs bit back a smile at the image she evoked. Even he understood that reference.
He remembered that right from the beginning of her brother's marriage, Abby had never gotten on well with her sister-in-law's family and even now he could hear the underlying hurt in her voice, however much she tried to make a joke of it.
"Surely they'll understand?"
Abby shook her head, "Hmm, I'm not convinced. Not getting their beloved grandson back in time for Christmas is just gonna put me right down there in the popularity stakes again. They already think I'm a witch."
"Nah... be-witching, maybe." He reached an arm round her shoulders and pulled her into a one-armed hug, planting a kiss on her temple.
Leaning into the embrace, Abby stole a glance at him, "You're feisty today, Gibbs."
In an echo of words Abby used years ago, Gibbs replied as they shared a grin, "Glad you noticed."
A thought struck Abby and she playfully punched his arm, "Hey, what d'ya mean, maybe?"
"Always." The low gravelly whisper in her ear caused goosebumps to rise across her neck.
Abby looked at him curiously, wondering what had gotten into him lately.
Gibbs had been a lot more relaxed after the Reynosa cartel case and since that lawyer was no longer underfoot all the time. He'd smiled more and they'd reverted to a level of flirty banter Abby hadn't enjoyed with him for a while.
It was as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders since Mexico.
Maybe it had.
But Abby couldn't let herself hope that this would signify a change in their relationship, however much she might want that to happen... however much she wanted him.
She'd given up trying to understand all the mixed signals he'd sent her over the years. Did Gibbs feel anything for her beyond this close friendship and the attraction that had bubbled under the surface between them ever since they'd met?
Her attempt earlier in the year to force him to reveal his feelings hadn't ended well.
"So what ya gonna do now?" he asked, keeping his arm looped casually round her shoulders.
"Well, I s'pose we'll go back to my apartment and I'll try to make Luke's Christmas Day as fun as possible until we can fly out, get him back home. Although I might have to beg a lift in your truck to get there as I don't think my hearse will make it home in this," Abby gestured out of the window at the weather.
Gibbs hesitated before asking, "Come to the house? It's only dad and Jethro."
Jackson had arrived from Stillwater a couple of days ago for the second year running to spend Christmas with his son. Gibbs was also looking after McGee's dog, Jethro, while his junior agent spent Christmas with his family.
"Are you sure, Gibbs? Wouldn't that be too much of a good thing... too much company?"
Abby knew Christmas was still a difficult time for him and a houseful was perhaps not what he'd choose.
Gibbs shrugged, "Plenty of room. Jack'll love the company and Jethro too... " He nudged her. "Come and keep an old Marine company?"
His instinct to invite her was rewarded by a dazzling smile and those vivid green eyes lighting up.
"Oh, crap, crap and double crap."
They both turned at the cursing behind them and the sound of a phone being slammed down.
"What's up, Tony? Your flight cancelled too?"
"Yeah, Abbs, and I just got off the phone with dad to tell him that I couldn't get out of DC today and of course it's all my fault. I mean never mind that he's cancelled any Christmas arrangements for the past couple of years, and without having the weather as an excuse, but oh no, now he sounds all wounded coz I'm the one not going..."
The bitterness in Tony's voice was obvious and Gibbs felt his usual anger and frustration at Tony's father bubbling up.
Tony had been due to fly to New York to spend Christmas with his father for what would have been the first time in decades, but his evening flight was also a victim of the storm.
"Surely he can't blame you, Tony?" Abby pointed out. She was always annoyed at how much power Tony's father still had to hurt her friend.
"Oh, yeah, he can... " Tony drew a deep breath, attempting to calm down. "Still, at least it saved him the bother of coming up with another last minute excuse to cancel like he did last year. And when I said I could still get out there after the storm cleared, he said he'd had a meeting come up for next week and might have to leave early himself anyway."
Abby walked over and hugged him tightly, "What will you do now?"
Gibbs could see Tony forcing a grin, as he settled his hands on Abby's shoulders when she drew back to look at him.
"Oh, don't you worry about me, Abbs. I'll just get out my little black book and wrangle an invite somewhere. I'll be fine. Some lucky lady will be the beneficiary of the DiNozzo charm and company this Christmas."
Tony sat and started rummaging in his desk drawer. Gibbs and Abby exchanged a glance, both knowing these tales were just that... tales, and that Tony was more likely to spend Christmas alone in front of his TV eating take-out.
"Come on, DiNozzo. Grab your gear."
"What?... " Tony looked up, automatically half standing as he heard the familiar gruff command.
"Christmas. My house. Now."
"You sure, boss?" Tony hesitated before continuing, "I mean I don't wanna intrude on you and Jackson."
Gibbs could see the hope Tony couldn't quite hide.
"Wouldn't say it if I wasn't. Abby and Luke are coming."
"Abbs...?" Tony turned to her.
"Our flight was cancelled too. Come on, Tony, it'll be fun," she cajoled, sliding her arm through his as she smiled broadly up at him. "Luke will totally love it if you're there too."
Luke adored Tony... always had.
She'd had a movie night at her apartment in the week and she wasn't sure who'd enjoyed it more, Tony or Luke.
For a guy that insisted he wasn't good with kids, Tony had gotten on really well with her nephew over the years, mostly because he relaxed and was himself instead of putting on a performance.
"Then thanks, boss. I'd love to." The familiar infectious and genuine DiNozzo grin broke out this time.
"Then let's get outta here before even my truck can't make it through."
"Great," exclaimed Abby, bouncing on her toes. "I'll just go and get our cases from the lab."
"Where's Luke?" called Tony, as Abby scurried off towards the elevators.
"He's with Ducky," she threw back over her shoulder.
"I'll go fetch him," volunteered Tony eagerly.
Gibbs smothered a grin as the two of them dashed off.
Once they'd gathered everything and everyone, Tony helped Gibbs pack the flatbed of the truck with the extra cases, covering them with a tarpaulin to try and keep them dry from falling snow on the journey.
The pile included wrapped presents which Tony and Abby were going to leave with Gibbs at the Navy Yard for him and Jackson before they flew out, but now they could deliver in person.
"Of course, I could always ride in the back, boss, to give more room in the front. Like riding shotgun. Tonto to your Lone Ranger."
"Yeah, and when you freeze and catch pneumonia and end up in the hospital, Abby'll never forgive me."
"Abby will never forgive you for what, boss-man?"
They both turned at the familiar husky voice to see Abby and Luke approaching. Abby's nephew was small for his age, with bright blue eyes in an intelligent, cheeky face which was topped off by blonde hair.
Tony jumped down from the back of the truck, "Just discussing the seating arrangements, Abby. Hey there, buddy." Tony high-fived a grinning Luke.
"You can all squeeze in. Plenty of room," Gibbs pointed out.
"You could always sit on my lap, Abbs... or not," Tony amended when he caught Gibbs' eye.
They all scrambled into the truck, with Abby in the middle and Luke sitting on her lap, much to his disgust, protesting to Tony that he was too old to sit on anyone's lap. Tony helped buckle the seatbelt awkwardly round the two of them.
Gibbs listened indulgently as the three of them chattered away as he drove home. The snowfall wasn't increasing yet, it was just a steady fall but the wind was picking up and it would soon make driving more difficult.
He usually spent Christmas alone and drunk in his basement, trying to treat it like a normal day and not a reminder of his world being ripped apart.
Last Christmas with Jackson had been more enjoyable than he'd thought it would be, though the fallout from Jackson's experience in Stillwater when he was forced to shoot the guy robbing his store had had a profound impact on his father. That, plus the two men being in close proximity for a week had created some tension at times.
He and his father were too similar to share the same house peaceably for any length of time. There were still so many things left unsaid for the relationship to have been repaired yet... though Gibbs hoped this Christmas might be easier.
"You sure you've got enough food, Gibbs?" asked Abby, looking at him as he drove. "I mean, you must have been only planning Christmas dinner for you and Jackson and now there's three extra mouths to feed... and two fairly voracious ones at that."
Tony nudged her nephew. "Hey, I think they're talkin' about us Luke."
"We got the extra food you made us last week if we have to." Gibbs glanced over at her, smiling and ignoring Tony's protest.
She'd had a cook-athon the week before and had insisted on stocking Gibbs' freezer in readiness for Jackson's visit, convinced that the pair of them would live on take-outs if left alone. As Jackson loved Abby's cooking as much as he did, Gibbs hadn't protested.
So there was enough food there to feed an army.
"Sure we can rustle up somethin', Abbs. At least for you and Luke... not sure there'll be enough for DiNozzo's appetite."
"Hey, boss. I'm still growing."
"That's what I'm afraid of, Tony... and it'll be all sideways if you're not careful." Abby giggled, poking him in the side.
As they arrived at Gibbs' house, Jackson came out into the hallway, looking taken aback but delighted at the place suddenly filling up with people. He was soon followed by Jethro bounding out of the kitchen when he heard Abby's voice, claws scrabbling for purchase on the hallway floor.
As Tony and Gibbs carried everything inside, dumping the various packages and cases in the hallway and living room, they heard Abby's laughter as she greeted the German Shepherd.
"Does Jethro want his tummy rubbed?"
Jackson chuckled as the dog rolled over on his back immediately so Abby could do just that.
In the living room, Gibbs saw Tony glance his way, mouth open as if to make a comment... just stopping himself in time to avoid concussion. "I am so not going to make the obvious remark there, boss."
"Very wise, Tony."
"I thought so."
"Now, Jethro," continued Abby's voice from the hallway, "say hello to Luke."
Jethro rolled to his feet, sat on his haunches and raised his paw obediently, much to Luke's delight as he shook paws with the dog.
"Who's a good boy, Jethro." Abby crouched down and threw her arms round the dog's neck, pressing her face into his fur.
"O-kay, well, I'm not gonna touch that one either," Tony commented, causing Jackson to snort with amusement and Gibbs to quirk a half smile, dealing out a light head slap as he passed by.
While Luke continued to make a fuss over Jethro, Abby leapt to her feet and threw her arms around Jackson, who hugged her back enthusiastically.
"It's wonderful to see you, my beautiful firecracker." He held her at arm's length, smiling, "You're lookin' your usual lovely self."
"Now I've told you about that awkwardness with girls before, haven't I, Jack?" Abby giggled and looped her arm through his. "Come and meet Luke."
Luke got up and brushed off his pants before moving over to Jackson, looking up at the taller man. "Pleased to meet you, sir."
"Jack will do just fine, son." He shook hands with the boy. "Luca's your dad, isn't he?"
"Yes, he is... Jack," Luke gave a shy smile. "Mom named me after my dad but most people call me Luke and I like it. It's not confusing."
"Then Luke it is."
As Abby moved past Tony into the kitchen, she put her hand on his shoulder, eyes twinkling with mischief, "In my experience, Tony, most men roll over to have their tummies rubbed... eventually."
Jackson set about making coffee while Gibbs explained why the house was suddenly more crowded than they'd planned. Far from looking put out, Jackson was thrilled at the prospect of having extra company.
Tony looked over at the two men as he brought in the last of the packages and took the coffee Jackson handed him. "Sure you don't mind, Jackson?"
"Hell, no, Tony. You know how much I enjoy your company and Abby's, and any nephew of Abby's has gotta be a livewire. Besides, I'm sure Jethro would enjoy being taken for a walk by you and Abby far more than by a rickety old man like me."
While Gibbs set off to the basement to collect enough candles and flashlights should the power go out, Tony sipped his coffee. He looked round appreciatively at the understated decorations in this house that was as familiar to him as his own apartment.
Last year during Jackson's visit was the first time he'd seen his boss' home looking festive at Christmas and while he could understand why Gibbs hadn't felt moved to decorate in the past, Tony was nevertheless pleased to see it.
It made this house, where he'd always felt comfortable, even more homely.
The tree with its simple string of lights and bunch of presents underneath, plus the roaring fire, made the place look far more Christmas-y than his own apartment... which wouldn't be difficult given that he didn't have any decorations up at all.
He never did.
His memories of Christmas weren't pleasant and he got enough festive cheer from the way Abby went through the building like NCIS's very own Christmas whirlwind.
Shaking himself out of his reverie, Tony grabbed Luke's case when Gibbs returned and they set off upstairs carrying Abby's bags. As they dumped the cases in the master bedroom, he looked over at Gibbs.
"Thanks, boss, y'know, for the invite."
Gibbs shrugged, "Not your boss here, Tony."
"Gibbs," acknowledged Tony with a smile. "Still, I know you don't usually do Christmas so... I'm really grateful."
The thought of giving Tony a more pleasant experience at Christmas than sitting in his empty apartment had spurred Gibbs on to issue the invitation.
"Nah, you can help keep Luke busy."
"Yeah, he's got more energy than even Abby after breaking her own Caf!Pow record."
Gibbs could see Tony had something else he wanted to say and waited him out, leaning in the doorway.
Tony paused before continuing, "Is it wrong to be a bit relieved that I had to cancel going to New York coz of the storm?"
Gibbs shook his head, "Nope. You've still got a ways to go before it's gonna be easy with your dad."
Tony huffed a laugh, "Don't I know it. Part of me was looking forward to it and yet I was nervous... which is just silly. I shouldn't be nervous of my own dad, right?"
Gibbs shrugged, "It's understandable."
Gibbs remembered how off-kilter DiNozzo Sr always made his son after his infrequent visits.
"I envy the way you and Jack have started to make it work again... although I know it's still not easy."
"Nope, but what my dad did to piss me off is nothin' to what yours has done."
Or didn't do throughout Tony's entire life.
"Yeah, I know but I really thought he was listening to me this time, y'know. I told him I just wanted a quiet Christmas, just the two of us... the kind we never had when I was growing up," Tony sounded frustrated. "But last week when I called, he seemed to have organised one party after another."
"Thought he was still broke."
"He is," confirmed Tony, running a hand over his hair, "but I guess he's managed to wrangle invites all over town, as he usually does. But I didn't want that, Gibbs. It's too much of a reminder of sitting as a small kid at the top of the stairs listening to the grown-ups having fun downstairs and not being allowed to join in. So if that's what he was planning, then maybe it's for the best I didn't go..."
Gibbs hated the way DiNozzo Sr had treated his son over the years and was still treating him... a son any man would be proud of. But whatever his private thoughts about Tony's father, he felt the urge to try to ease the hurt and sadness he could see on Tony's face.
"Maybe he's never experienced a normal family Christmas either, Tony. That's why he finds it so difficult to do normal coz he doesn't know what it is."
"Yeah, maybe. I hadn't thought of it like that," acknowledged Tony with a grateful smile. Trust his boss to see a different angle. "Anyway... the thought of spending it with you and Jack, and Abby and Luke is... well, it's special, y'know... just like a proper family Christmas."
TBC...