An NCIS Christmas

Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS or anything to do with it except a hat. That all belongs to DPB, CBS, and Paramount.

Pairing: KIBBS in later chapters

Rating: PG

Chapter 1: In The Bullpen

Christmas Eve 0930

"I can't believe that we have to work on Christmas Eve!" Kate fumed as she attempted to sort through the monotonous mountains of paperwork that was piled on her desk.

"I know. It's like I always say, we're overworked and underpaid," said Abby, who was precariously perched on a mound of papers that was teetering on the edge of Kate's desk.

"Actually Abby, you always say that you're overworked and underpaid," said McGee, who had just entered the bullpen.

"You know, Timmy, please just shut up. Kate and I are trying to have a private conversation."

McGee shut up and started to boot up his computer.

Tony looked at Abby, admiration shining on his face. "Teach me your ways, O Master!" he cried, then jumped out from behind his desk and bowed deeply to Abby. Of course, at that precise moment, the pile of papers Abby was sitting on decided to move an inch forward, which resulted in Abby falling straight onto Tony, which then resulted in several grunts, groans, and cries of help.

"Tim, get your butt over here and help me get off Tony! His knee is sticking into my back!" McGee ignored Abby and continued to focus on his Dell. Just then, Kate's computer chimed the arrival of a new email. Kate opened it up and said, "It's from McGee. It says: 'Abby, you said to shut up, so I did. Now I'll give to a piece of advice. Get up before Gibbs walks in.'"

"Oh, thanks McGee," Abby said sarcastically. "Now Gibbs os gonna walk in a think that I have a thing for Tony!"

There were cries of "Ewww, gross" and "Come on Abby, I just ate breakfast!" from Kate and McGee. Tony made a face, sticking out his tongue at them and said, "Geez, you know how to make a guy feel special. Why don't you just get a life!"

Right on cue, the elevator bell dinged and in walked Gibbs, who had been visiting with Ducky in Autopsy. Upon seeing Abby and Tony lying on top of each other in the middle of the bullpen, he said with a perfectly straight face, "Come on guys, you know what I say about romance between agents. Lab techs are included in that. If you're gonna do it, at least don't do it in the middle of the bullpen for God's sake!"

That made Abby get off Tony. Fast. Embarrassed, she headed for the elevator, and Tony headed for his desk. Both were very red in the face. Kate and McGee were extremely red in the face too, but that was because they were trying to hold back hysterical laughter. Even a smile was creeping it's way across Gibbs' face, and his icy blue eyes twinkled and danced.

As Abby passed him on her way to the elevator, Gibbs said to her in a very loud stage whisper, "He's really not your type anyway Abbs."

That was the final straw for Kate and McGee. Unable to suppress their laughter anymore, they burst out laughing. Some snorts, squeals, and hiccups were thrown in as well, along with some identifiable sounds that sounded like: " Hearkupeohehahohohorthargsnarfscortleyuple!"

Suddenly, the phone on Gibbs' desk started to ring. McGee and Kate did their very best to hold in their laughter while he answered the phone, nearly making themselves turn purple. Eve Gibbs had to take a deep breath to maintain his calm. He answered the phone tentatively, as if sensing in the core of his gut that something was terribly wrong.

"Yeah, Gibbs...ok, we'll be right there." Gibbs' eyes no longer twinkled. They were clouded and dark as if they knew a grave secret, but couldn't share it and release their pain and grief. Finally, he spoke.

"Fornell's been shot."