Summary: Abby accompanies Gibbs to Stillwater when she learns of his father's passing, and helps him cope.
Notes: Written for the "cold" challenge. This is a very angsty, very sad fic. A tissue warning has been issued. Possibly Gabby in this fic.
Chapter 1
Gibbs tapped his foot impatiently as the elevator ascended to the squad room. As he took a swig of his coffee, his cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He fumbled with it and flipped it open.
"Yeah, Gibbs."
"Leroy... it's Dr. Grady, from Stillwater."
Gibbs hit the elevator stop. The Doctor's tone did not sound pleasant in the least.
"What's wrong, Doc?"
"I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, especially over the phone... but it's your father... he's... he's gone, Leroy."
He remained silent for a moment.
It's not true. No, Doc is lying. He isn't-
"When?"
"Mrs. Nielson went to check on him this morning, as usual, and found him in his bed. I-I don't have all of the details yet, but it appears that he died in his sleep. I'm so sorry, son... this isn't - I didn't want to have to tell you something like this."
"It's not your fault, Doc. I can be in Stillwater before nightfall."
"We'll see you soon. Be careful, you hear me?"
"I will. Thanks, Doc."
He hung up the phone, turned on the elevator, and redirected it to the floor that held Vance's office. He got off without a word, and walked right pas the secretary. She knew enough not to stop him, and didn't move as he passed.
Vance was on the phone when Gibbs came into his office. Gibbs was uncharacteristically quiet while Vance finished his phone conversation. When he finally hung up the phone, Gibbs took a few steps forward.
"I need to take some leave this week, Leon."
Vance took out a blank leave form from his drawer and set it on the desk.
"Is everything all right?"
Gibbs didn't respond. He sat down and filled out the paperwork, and handed it back to Vance.
Leon took the form and skimmed it. He grew concerned when he saw the "bereavement" box checked.
"Jethro-"
His friend nodded silently.
"I'm so sorry for your loss," Vance said quietly. "Take all the time you need."
"Thanks, Leon."
Gibbs turned and left without a word.
Tony strolled into the squad room, reasonably late for his shift. The first thing he noticed was Gibbs' empty desk. He turned to Tim, who was sitting at his desk, chatting with Abby over a case file.
"Where's Gibbs?"
Tim looked up.
"He hasn't come in yet. Come to think of it, he's never late-"
Tim stopped talking as Gibbs suddenly appeared in the bullpen, having just come down the balcony staircase. He quietly went to his desk and started to pack his things.
"We got a case?" Tony asked, starting to pick up his gear.
"No."
Gibbs threw his pack over his shoulder and started for the elevator. He turned for a moment and faced his concerned team.
"DiNozzo, you're team lead until I get back. Don't screw up."
"You got it, Boss," Tony said, shocked.
Abby exchanged looks with Tim, and got up to follow Gibbs. She caught him at the elevator.
"What's wrong?"
"It's okay, Abbs. I'm just taking some leave."
The elevator dinged, and Gibbs stepped on. Abby followed.
"Something's wrong, and you won't tell me."
Gibbs didn't say anything in response.
Why did she have to follow me?
Abby reached out and stopped the elevator.
"You don't take leave unless something's wrong. Tell me what's wrong."
"Abby-"
"Tell me."
He sighed and turned away from her. She put a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay."
He slowly turned around, and signed to her.
"Oh no... oh Gibbs..." She tried to hug him, but he held up his hands.
"I don't want a hug right now. I just need to get out of here."
He pushed the button to start the elevator again.
"At least let me drive you to Stillwater. You shouldn't be driving after-"
"I don't need a chauffeur, Abby-" his voice was beginning to crack, and he tried to gulp it down. "I can do this alone." The elevator opened, and he stepped out. "Please, let me do this alone."
She watched him walk away as the elevator doors closed.
Vance looked up as the door to his office opened for the second time that morning.
"Ms. Sciuto," he said with a smile. "How can I-"
"I need to request leave, Director."
"Effective?"
"Immediately."
He glared at her.
"Why do you-"
"I'm not going to let him go alone."
Vance knew exactly who "he" was. He sat back in his chair.
"Gibbs isn't the type of person to request company for a trip like this," he said gently. "Maybe you should let him do this alone."
"Jackson is the only family he had left, Director. I can't let him go alone. He needs someone to be there for him." she sat down in one of the chairs in front of Vance's desk. "When my father died, I survived because I had my brother there with me. If I didn't have him, I don't know what I would have done. Gibbs doesn't have a support system in Stillwater. He needs someone, Director. He can't go through this alone."
Vance regarded Abby's speech for a few moments. He remembered how he'd felt when he lost Jackie, and how grateful he was to have Gibbs and his other friends there during his time of grief.
"Go, Abby. Sign the paperwork when you get back."
"Thank you, Director!" she jumped up and raced back to the elevator. She had to get to Gibbs' house and catch him before he left for Stillwater.
The black suit hung alone in the back of his closet. He hadn't worn it since Shannon and Kelly's funeral. He reached in and grabbed the suit, wrapped in a garment bag, and threw it on the bed.
He moved around his bedroom, putting menial things in his go bag to bring with him. He came back to the suit, and sat down on the bed.
It had finally hit him; he was packing to go back to Stillwater - to bury his father.
He heard his front door opening downstairs, and got up, wiping a couple of stray tears from his eye. He quickly busied himself with packing as the footsteps ascended the stairs. He looked up as his bedroom door creaked open.
"Why are you here?"
"Did you think I was going to let you go alone?"
Gibbs continued to pack.
"I'll be fine, Abbs."
"Why won't you look at me?"
"I'm trying to pack."
Abby leaned against the door frame, and crossed her arms. She watched him as he continued to fill his go bag. Finally, he zipped his duffel bag, and slung it over his shoulder. He picked up the suit, and turned around. Abby was still in the doorway. They stared each other down for a moment.
"Are you packed, or do we need to stop at your apartment?" Gibbs asked as he brushed by her to leave the room.
"My bag is in the car," she said, following him downstairs.
"Let's go, then."
Abby followed him outside. She snagged her duffel from her car, and they climbed into Gibbs' truck, and started for Stillwater.
TBC