The Unspoken Rule

Pairing: Gibbs/Abby

Rated: Eventually M

Spoilers: Season 10, Prime Suspect, and slight one for Detour.

A/N: This is an early birthday present for Gosgirl and Bamacrush, though since it went from being a one-shot into something slightly longer I'll still most likely be posting it on their birthdays anyway. Basically it's near impossible for me to keep this a secret from Gosgirl any longer so I'm posting it LOL.

Chapter 1 – Playing It Safe

Bending down to pick up his collection of tools from the floor Gibbs threw the ones that wouldn't fit in his tool belt into his bag and straightened up. He looked over his shoulder at Abby as she carefully watched him open then close her front door, checking the strength of the deadbolt he'd just installed.

"Feel better?" he asked as he turned to face her.

"A little," she sighed. "Thanks Gibbs…I really appreciate it."

"Sure, Abbs."

She'd told him earlier that day she was still worried about the Dead Rose Slasher, despite having two heavy duty bolts already on her door. With her history of stalkers and people making attempts on her life though, Gibbs couldn't blame Abby for being nervous. If he was honest with himself he was anxious about her safety too, but his concerns were always a constant.

Even though she wasn't a field agent, Abby had found herself in the middle of numerous dangerous situations…a couple of which she'd narrowly escaped with her life.

Gibbs also had another reason for worrying about her safety; his feelings for Abby had some time ago moved beyond that of simple friendship. The thought of losing her, or her getting hurt, because he hadn't been there to protect her was something that often kept him awake at night…along with the thoughts that had definitely strayed beyond the parameters of friendship.

It wasn't something that had crept up on him quickly. His feelings for her had grown over time, from a fondness and admiration of her ability as a scientist to a deep desire and appreciation of what an amazing woman she was. Gibbs valued Abby's presence in his life more every day, and after what had happened with Harper Dearing, he found himself longing for a more serious relationship with her.

Besides dropping by at her apartment to add another deadbolt to her door, Gibbs had come over with the intention of trying to find out if Abby felt like there was more than friendship between them too. He hadn't been immune to the glances she'd given him lately that had seemed to linger, nor had he failed to notice how when he was in the room she sought constant physical contact.

Abby had never been one to shy away from touching people, but this was different, his gut was telling him so…and that was the only reason he needed to try and take the next step. He just hoped his feelings for her weren't throwing off his sense of awareness where she was concerned.

Gibbs saw her shoulders relax slightly when he tugged on the door to show her how strong it was, a faint smile curving at the corners of her lips. Abby hadn't asked him to attach another deadbolt, that had been his idea, but the fear in her eyes that he'd noticed earlier that day when she was going through the ways someone could possibly break into her apartment was the only push he needed to turn up on her doorstep, tools and deadbolt in hand.

He needed her to feel safe, and although he could say it was purely his concern for her as a friend, as well as wanting her to be able to sleep so she could function at work, it was also because he couldn't do anything other than try and protect her.

"You know you can come and stay with me if you're scared Abbs," Gibbs offered.

"But we don't know how long it'll be until they find him...it could be months."

Refraining from saying he wouldn't mind if she stayed with him that long Gibbs merely shrugged his shoulders. At least if she was with him Gibbs knew she'd be alright, he wouldn't be worrying about her.

"You want me to stay here tonight?" Gibbs asked, watching her nervously fidget in front of him.

Her movements stopped and she starred at him. "You'd do that?"

"If you need me, I'll stay."

Abby did need him, but in more than just the way he was referring. She knew it would only be for a night, but she suspected even that would help ease her fears a bit.

"Thank you!" Abby flung her arms around his neck, making Gibbs grunt in the process. "I'll be okay...it's just with my past this serial killer makes me a little nervous."

"It's okay Abbs, no need to explain."

When she moved back from the embrace she reached down for his hand, entwining their fingers and dragging him towards the kitchen. "I'll make you some coffee, and I'm sure there's some bourbon here somewhere."

Gibbs chuckled at her enthusiasm. "Coffee's good."

"Did you eat yet?" She asked, getting two cups out from the cupboard. "We can order something."

"Haven't eaten, could probably use something though."

Gibbs got the coffee going while Abby rummaged around looking for a menu in among a stack of papers at the end of the kitchen counter.

By the time Gibbs had finished making both their coffees Abby had called for some food, ordering more than enough for the two of them. She placed her phone down on the counter and walked over to Gibbs, blowing gently into the cup he offered her before taking a sip.

Gibbs watched on as her lips curved, a light puff of air escaping in an attempt to cool the hot liquid in the cup, hoping Abby didn't hear him swallow when she finally drank a mouthful of coffee. He hastily gulped his own coffee, feeling it burn down his throat. He was used to drinking it hot but this was more a way to stop himself saying something he might regret rather than his usual thirst for caffeine.

"They said it would be about a twenty minute wait."

Abby's voice broke into his thoughts and Gibbs nodded.

"Anything else you need me to fix while I'm here?"

"You know I am perfectly capable of being my own handy man…or handy woman I guess…I can fix stuff. I don't always have a Marine who's good with his hands around."

Images of his hands working with wood flashed into her mind, her thoughts drifting to how his long fingers would feel caressing over her skin. She'd watched him down in his basement plenty of times and had burnt into her memory how he held things, his hands smoothing along lengths of wood, the strength in his movements, and the fine details of his knuckles and calluses that told the story of years of hard work.

Abby had always thought a person's hands told her a lot about them and in Gibbs' case they demonstrated so clearly his masculinity, power, security and an overwhelming sex appeal that set her hormones on fire.

Gibbs noticed the slight blush that rose up in her cheeks seconds before she averted her eyes and looked at the floor. "Yeah I know you're capable Abbs, but I'm here now, might as well do some other repairs for you if you need 'em."

"Okay…well…umm…the door in my bedroom has come off the hinge a bit, it's kinda difficult to hold it in the right place and fix it at the same time cos the door is a bit heavy."

As soon as the words came out of her mouth Abby regretted them, she knew having him in her bedroom would open her up to all kinds of temptation. It was of course nothing new for her to have to fight back the need to touch him or kiss him, but the mere psychological challenge of having Gibbs just feet away from her bed and stopping herself from doing anything about it was going to be near impossible to overcome.

In the past she'd been able to rein herself in, control any urges she'd had before they'd completely consumed her but now that was getting even more difficult. Her fear of losing him while he was out in the field had only gotten worse since Ducky and Palmer's abduction, and that anxiety was being fed by a longing that was becoming too painful to endure any longer.

Abby wanted him as more than just her friend, and she knew the situation she was about to find herself in would give her heart and hormones an invitation to take over from her mind in making her choices.

She had to make a decision now whether she was going to continue fighting against what seemed natural, because once she set things in motion there would be no turning back no matter what the outcome was.

Abby wasn't sure how she'd get the words out, or how Gibbs would take it, but one way or another she had to get it out…her feelings couldn't be contained anymore.

Gibbs raised an eyebrow at her obvious nervousness, misreading the cause of it. "Do I wanna know what happened to the door?"

"It's just usual wear and tear," she waved him off, "c'mon I'll show you."

Abby led him down the hall to her bedroom and took a few steps back as Gibbs inspected the door hinge.

"Won't take much, think you can hold the door up a bit while I fix it?"

The second Gibbs squatted down all coherent thought left Abby. Her eyes zeroed in as his jeans tightened over his backside, his red hoodie sliding up his back slightly to reveal the white t-shirt underneath. He still had his tool belt fastened around his waist and Abby followed it as he stood up, temporarily rendered speechless when he turned to face her.

Not for the first time Abby was amazed at how he could stop the world around her simply by the clothes he wore, and just by being him. She knew it was a sign of how deeply she cared for him, and it was the only proof she needed that she didn't want anyone else but him. She trusted Gibbs with her life, and now she was ready to give him her heart.

"Abby?"

"Sorry, what?" she stammered, lifting her eyes from the low slung tool belt over his groin to his eyes.

"Think you can hold the door up for a minute?"

"Oh, sure."

Taking hold of the handle Abby lifted the door, watching Gibbs as he scratched around in his tool belt and turned away from her. She took no notice of what he was actually doing, instead she focused on the curve of his back, and the way the short silver hair on the back of his head seemed to shine in the light.

As Gibbs busied himself with fixing the door Abby took a deep unsteady breath, trying to work up the courage to say something to him. She knew she couldn't wait all night, not only would nerves get the better of her and possibly lead to disastrous results, she could see Gibbs was starting to realize something was hinky with her.

"Gibbs?" She said softly, a slight shakiness evident in her voice.

He glanced over his shoulder at her quickly, acknowledging that he'd heard her before returning to the door hinge.

Abby could feel her heart pounding, threatening to come bursting through her chest at any moment, but she went on, knowing that if she gave into her nerves now she might never get the answers she needed so badly from Gibbs.

"I don't say thank you enough, for everything you do for me, both at work and home. I hope you know how much it means to me…how much you mean to me…"

Gibbs dropped the screwdriver he was using into his tool belt and turned to face her. He took hold of her forearms and pulled her hands back from the door, which now hung normally.

Leaning in towards her he brushed his lips across her cheek, softly whispering. "I know, and I do it cos I want to…you mean a lot to me too."

Gibbs heard her rapid intake of breath, a surprised expression still evident on her face when he pulled back from her. He watched as her eyes softened, staring back at him. He'd seen Abby through all kinds of situations, just as she'd been with him through good and bad, but the longing and pleading in her eyes now was unmistakable.

He knew if he didn't take the chance now he'd regret it, he was angry with himself for not telling her months ago…for playing things safe and trying to protect his heart, when in reality if there was anyone he could trust with that part of himself it was Abby.

Silence filled the room, an undeniable tension hanging over them. Gibbs could hear Abby's soft breathing despite the hum of adrenaline surging through his body and making his heart beat echo in his ears. He could smell her faint perfume, the closeness of her body making him suddenly feel inferior and yet decidedly male at the same time.

He hoped her odd behavior since his arrival at her apartment was another sign that he hadn't been misreading what was happening between them. If he was wrong he was aware there was every chance he could be ruining their friendship, but Gibbs had to know.

"Abbs…"

"What?" she asked hesitantly.

Gibbs opened his mouth to speak, before closing it again. Abby waited patiently, watching his internal struggle play out on his face, his eyes pleading with her, his chest rapidly rising and falling, and his jaw clenching.

Bridging the small distance between them Gibbs lost all train of thought and all sense of reasoning. He wanted Abby…wanted to be more than her protector and friend, but the words were lost to him. Letting out an unsteady sigh he hoped his actions would say everything for him when he leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers.

Abby slowly reached out and placed her hands on his waist, her body beginning to tremble in anticipation. She wanted to believe this was the moment she'd waited so long for but she wasn't yet ready to face the rejection if Gibbs was about to tell her something else.

She felt his hands gently cover her cheeks, her eyes drifting shut at the tenderness of his touch. All that registered was the nearness of his body, the softness of his hoodie under her hands, his scent and his slow deep breathing.

Abby remained silent…waiting…for what she didn't really know.

And then his lips were against hers, barely touching, nothing separating them and neither of them moving...until Gibbs' rough voice broke into the silence.

"It's time, Abbs."

"For what?" She whispered, wanting to hear him say the words, to put her out of her misery.

"To stop playing it safe."

TBC…