Chapter 1
This is Choices! I do not own any of the characters, only the plot and the weird workings of my mind! Hope you enjoy and I promise to handle with care! DISCLAIMER #2 I have totally reworked this story as I recently found out we are expecting our first child and I totally took a back seat with this story! But here I am.
Musical notes filled the air, couples, friends and colleagues sharing words and drinking merrily as the clock struck 2000hrs. In the little bar, seven friends were unwinding after a tough week.
"So there was the bomb, sat right outside NCIS and McGee and I are evacuating everyone and then he runs straight past us, running straight down to the lab, I didn't even have time to call out to him because Ziva was dragging me towards the exit, and then BOOM!" Tony Dinozzo paused dramatically, watching as the newest members to their little group hung onto every word.
"Well? Come on Tony don't keep us in suspense! Did he make it?!" asked Jake as he looked between Dinozzo and McGee.
"Of course he did! He always makes it!"
"Especially when it comes to our resident princess of darkness." Piped in McGee.
"Wow, I can't believe he ran into a building knowing it was about to blow up!" Jake said in wonder.
"The bomb was right outside the lab." All heads turned to Gibbs as he approached the table with a round of drinks.
But still" piped up Bert, "Heading back into building, especially when you knew most of the impact was gonna hit that exact spot, is pretty foolish unless you got a plan right? To risk your own life? Why not wait for the bomb disposal squad?"
Gibbs' eyes strayed to Abby's energetic form dancing with Ellie Bishop on the dance floor before muttering.
"There was no timeā¦The risk was worth it." Gibbs murmured.
Before anyone could say anything else, the two women of the group approached giggling at something previously shared between them.
"Right, who's next for a dance?" Announced Ellie and Abby.
Jake nodded in acceptance and swept Ellie off onto the dance floor, leaving Abby bouncing on the tips of her toes.
The shrill of a phone interrupted McGee's poorly spoken excuses of why he doesn't dance, Bert excused himself saying he needed to take it, placing a quick kiss on Abby's cheek as he stepped out to answer the call.
"So? Oh come on guys don't leave a girl hanging here!" Abby's pout began to appear and a sigh escaped her lips before she noticed Gibbs standing up, offering her his hand, Gibbs couldn't but let a small smile form as he saw Abby's eyes light up at his small offer.
Gibbs took hold of her hand and led her to a quiet part of the dance floor as the music once again filled the air, sweeping them into a gentle sway.
"What is so funny Abs?"
"This was Jake's choice; Ellie said he practically begged her to let them have it as their wedding song." Laughed Abby.
"Mhhmm."
"Gibbs?"
"Yeah Abs?"
Abby lifted her head from where it had comfortably been resting, to look at him, the previous happiness removed from her features.
"Thank you Gibbs. For saving me that day with the bomb. I'm grateful, of course I am." At Gibbs's questioning gaze Abby went on to elaborate further.
" We overheard you talking about it before. You shouldn't have risked yourself like that, running into the building, knowing the bomb was about to-"
"Abby-"
"No Gibbs, Bert's right, it was foolish coming back in when you were safe, you didn't have a plan! If you had died-" Abby began pulling away from Gibbs.
Gibbs took a step towards her and stopped.
"You were in danger, Abby, what did you want me to do?"
"To stay safe Gibbs! You didn't have a plan, You could have died! Because of me! Abby was becoming more emotional as the conversation turned to hide her tears but a tight grip on her wrist and a quick tug had her back facing Gibbs, who had a sudden intense look set upon his face.
"And if it was worth the risk?"
Abby suddenly felt like she was drowning, she couldn't look away from his magnetic blues, and her chest seized.
"Gibbs..." Take a step closer to him, their bodies were now a breath away from touching, they could feel the heat radiating from each other.
Just as quickly the moment was broken as Burt's voice broke through to the two of them.
"Mind if I steal my girl for a dance Agent Gibbs?"
Gibbs looked at Abby once more and stepped out of their embrace, noticing Abby's sad look before she turned and flashed Bert a brilliant smile.
"She's all yours."
"Come on then mister; show me some of those moves!"
Gibbs moved back to their table, passing Jake and Ellie before joining his two senior agents who were once again discussing movies.
"No McGoo, Top Gun has the best soundtrack! I mean that end track? That's a classic right there, I am definitely having that at my funeral!"
"Seriously Tony? Next you will want us in shades and Bomber jackets carrying your coffin!"
"That does have a certain appeal to it, oh hey boss!"
Minutes passed and the mood was light, although Gibbs had trouble relieving the heavy weight from his chest.
'Get a grip gunny, for both your sakes.'
A commotion from the dance floor gained the attention of the three special Agents.
"What's going on?" Asked McGee
"Dunno McNugget, wait is that Abby?!"
Gibbs was half way across the dance floor with his two senior agents gaining pace behind him, as he approached closer towards the commotion he could pick out bits of what was being said.
"I bet you put out real easy, why don't you get your stuff and we will go out to the alley, I wouldn't want you sullying my bed, but I wouldn't turn down a quick fumble!"
"You wanna watch your mouth, or I will-"
"You will what buddy? Come on, cheap piece of meat like that, you can't mind sharing, I promise she won't be too bruised for you!"
Bert took a step forward towards the sleazebag but someone beat him to it, in a flash the bastard was thrown against the wall, a male arm crushing his oesophagus. Struggling to breathe, the man stared into to the icy eyes of his attacker.
"I catch you anywhere near this bar again, you don't want to know what will happen, understand me bud?" Gibbs voice was cutting, a dark smirk crossing his face as the scumbag's eyes widened involuntarily as he laid eyes on not one but three nicely positioned glocks attached the federal agents that now surrounded him.
Abby approached Gibb's rigid form cautiously, placing her small hand over his tightly wound fist.
"Gibbs, its ok..."
Gibbs gave the guy one last look before shoving him towards Tony and McGee.
"Make sure he leaves."
"On it boss." Dinozzo roughly dragged the scumbag through the ever growing crowd and escorted him towards the exit, with Tim helping him.
Gibbs turned to face Abby asking if she was alright.
"I'm fine Gibbs really, thank you though." Gibbs heart glowed warm as Abby gave him one of those smiles, the smiles she shares with few. The smile he loves because she blesses him with it.
"Err, thanks Agent Gibbs, it wasn't necessary I had it under control...Abby, what I was saying before. I love you Abigail Scuito and this isn't the way I planned to say this, but..."
Abby gasped as Bert got down on one knee.
Gibbs heart froze as he took in the sight.
'Please, no.'
"Abby Scuito, will you marry me?"
Abby couldn't breathe, her vision was swimming.
'Bert is proposing, oh god, what do I do, why isn't Gibbs saying anything!'
Abby looked at Gibbs helplessly, looking for any sign for her not to go through with this, to say no, but Abby's heart sank as all she received was a stony facade.
"Abby...?" Berta voice drew her back to his hopeful gaze.
"Yes." She whispered
"Did you just say, what I think you said?!" Abby could only nod as Bert leapt up, sweeping her up into his arms and swinging her round laughing for joy. Abby managed to catch Gibbs' gaze for a split second, seeing his mask fall, replaced by utter heartbreak.
"Congratulations...see you at work tomorrow Abby."
"Gibbs, wait!" But Gibbs had already turned quickly towards the exit.
