Two Ships in the Night

He is a widower with an empty nest; she is afraid of commitment and never stays in a relationship past two months. What happens when his late night wandering through his agency leads him to her? The story of Abby and Leon becoming a couple 2026 – 2028.

Chapter 1: It's Just Dinner with a Friend

3 December 2026

Leon Vance walked the hallways of his agency. It was almost 2200 hours and he did not expect anyone to be present except the skeleton team on overnight duty this week. His grown children had been long gone from home. Since Jared had left for boot camp and Kayla had been on her own, he was in the habit of avoiding the house. Too many memories; too much quiet; he was proud of the adults his kids had become, but he missed them as well. Twenty six year old Kayla lived in Jacksonville, Florida and worked at NAS Jax as a weather analyst. Twenty three year old Jared was in his fourth year in the Air Force and was overseas. He was currently stationed at Ramstein AFB in Germany.

Leon walked through the bullpen; the usual hum of activity distinctly missing. He paused at Ellie's desk, smiling at the latest picture of her and Clay's four month old daughter. Little Savannah reminded Leon so much of baby Kayla. He glanced over at the picture of the McGee twins on Tim's desk. They had just turned nine; hard to believe! Even Gibbs had a family picture on his desk; he was surrounded by the DiNozzo and McGee families. Tony and Ziva, a love story for the plot of a movie, had five kids, all of them with the DiNozzo grin and four of the five with Ziva's brown eyes and wild, curly hair. He wondered how Eli would have reacted to having grandchildren.

Leon walked over to the elevator and rode down to autopsy. The lowest working floor of the agency was most often also the quietest; its temporary occupants telling tales to the pair who meticulously extracted as much of their story as possible.

Dr. Jimmy Palmer had certainly put his mark on autopsy in the eight plus years he had been chief medical examiner, although Leon could see traces of his M.E.'s mentor everywhere he looked. Had it really been five years since Ducky passed and over eight years since he retired? The picture of the Palmer family on Jimmy's desk held Leon's gaze for a minute. Time has a way of sneaking past when you aren't paying much attention.

All was well in Autopsy, so Leon re-entered the elevator and went one level up. He stepped out to the blare of heavy metal music and lights glaring from the Forensics Lab. With a frown on his face, he entered the sliding doors.

"Miss Sciuto?" Leon tapped Abby's shoulder, causing her to startle. As Abby turned towards him, Leon apologized to the woman. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to startle you."

"Apology accepted, Director." Abby looked at him with a question in her eyes. "Is there a case? Are the teams okay? Is the family okay? What do you need, Director?"

Leon chuckled, "No case, everyone is fine as far as I know. Nothing needed; just checking over my agency. Why are you here so late?"

"Checking for DNA results from a search in Interpol. Mossad is also running a search on the latest victim in Tim's team's case."

"Miss Sciuto, go home. It's 2200 and we all need to sleep some time, despite what Gibbs may think." Leon smiled at his Senior Forensic Scientist.

"I will; just as soon as this part of the search is completed." Abby smiled back.

Leon turned to leave and got to the sliding doors. He turned back towards Abby, "Have dinner with me, as a friend?"

"Now?"

"Yes; I know a late night diner that has great food. Besides, I know you; you won't leave unless you have a reason to go home."

"Well, okay. Let me grab my coat and we'll go." Abby took off her lab coat and put her cape over her shoulders. She grabbed her purse and keys and shut the lights in her office and in the lab, leaving the search doing its thing.

Leon and Abby rode to the parking garage level; Abby took out her keys. Leon noted the keys, "I'll drive since I know where we are going. I'll bring you back for your car later." Abby nodded her agreement and got in the passenger side of Leon's SUV as he held the door for her.

"So where are we going? Gibbs' favorite diner?" Abby was curious and trying to make conversation.

"No, it's over in Franconia, off the Interstate. I found it one weekend quite by accident. They are open twenty four seven, three hundred sixty days a year. Only closed on Easter Sunday, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas."

Abby listened and nodded, wondering how the Director knew so much about this diner. "Do you go there a lot?"

Leon smiled, "They know me by name and order!"

Abby thought about the comment, "That could be good and it could be sad. I mean, it's good that they know you and your favorite order, but it's sad that you go there that much that they know…" Abby realized she was digging herself a hole and bit her lip. She glanced at Director Vance, hoping she didn't offend him.

"I agree, Miss Sciuto!" He smiled at her to ease her tension and let her know he wasn't offended. "Here we are." Leon steered the car into the parking lot. He held the diner door for Abby and followed her inside.

"Leon!" The cook greeted one of the diner's best customers. "The usual tonight?"

"Yes, Clyde, but bring a menu as well for my friend, please." Leon motioned towards Abby.

"Hi, I'm Clyde, the main cook. Any friend of Leon's is a friend of mine," he reached out to shake hands with Abby.

"Abby Sciuto. Do I smell cheese grits and shrimp?"

"Yep, just made a batch for the group over by the windows."

"I know what I want then; I don't need a menu!" Abby smiled at Clyde as he handed her a menu. "Shrimp and cheese grits with cole slaw on the side."

Leon motioned to a table, making eye contact with Abby. She nodded in response to the unspoken question that the table was okay with her.

"And to drink?"

"Caf-POW?" Abby asked. Clyde grinned at her.

"I think you are my new favorite customer; Leon you can bring her back any time!" Clyde left to get their beverages and start the meals. He quickly brought the drinks and went to finish cooking.

"I think I like this place already, Director!" Abby picked up her Caf-POW! and sipped. Leon took a sip of his sweet tea.

"Abby – may I call you by first name – it's Leon off the job if you will."

"Okay, Dir, um, Leon. So how did you find this place?"

"Long story, but the short version is that I was driving around one night and got hungry and this place popped up. I eat here several times each week. The food is good and inexpensive."

"And he's been coming round for the past four plus years," Clyde put their food plates at their places.

Abby looked at Leon, "Why were you out driving around?"

"Missing the kids and Jackie; feeling sorry for myself on a long weekend." Leon wasn't sure why he told that to Abby, but it had been the first time he'd told anyone about the loneliness.

"I'm sorry, Di… um Leon. What're the kids doing these days? Seems like forever since we've seen them at the family gatherings."

As the two ate their meal, Leon updated Abby on Jared and Kayla's latest accomplishments and news. They shared laughs, memories, and the good company. Both enjoyed the meal with a friend more than they realized they would.

"Thank you, Leon. We should do this again some time," Abby stepped out of Leon's SUV to get into her own car. "See you in the morning!"