Gibbs' House. Early hours of the morning.
Her eyes fly open in the dark. She's been awakened by a nightmare that leaves her with a vague sense of unease. Turning on her side she rests her head on her hand and watches the man sleeping beside her. Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Her Boss, her friend and these past few months finally her lover. In some ways she still finds it incredible that their past has brought them to this point but when she wakes in the middle of the night (far more often than he knows) and watches him as he sleeps it just feels so right. As if it was meant to be.
She knows that being able to watch him like this is a privilege only granted a very few. Those women he has allowed into his life usually redheads. She grins in the dark. Even in repose he radiates a strength that is the very core of him. Occasionally when observing her Jethro like this she has flashbacks to the time he was blown up and she feared she would lose him forever. At such times she snuggles closer comforted by the soft cadence of his breath and the arm he reaches out for her though still half asleep to pull her closer. It is enough to chase away her silly and not-so-silly fears that they are there together.
He has often said she is one of the smartest people he knows and because she really is she does realise there will be challenges ahead for them in remaing a couple but for now just watching him sleep is enough.
Gibbs' House. Early hours of the next morning.
If asked he could not say what had caused him to wake. A noise, a dream, a nightmare? Or was it just the sheer electric presence of the woman beside him seeming to give off an unstoppable energy even in sleep? Abby Sciuto. Long time colleague, forensic specialist, Goth, friend and now somewhat amazingly his...what? Girlfriend? He smiles in the dark as he turns to gaze at her. No, he was far too old to be using that term and anyway Abby was definitely not the girlfriend type! Partner? No, that sounded too formal and much more committed than he suspects either of them would feel comfortable with at this moment. Also it sounded too much like 'work'. Maybe he'd ask her about it when she woke up.
He still finds it somewhat of a surprise not just that when his nightmares wake him there she is and there she has shown every intention of wanting to stay. No, what has surprised him more has been finding her in his basement, in his kitchen, in his living room when he's finally come home from work. Always pleased to see him whatever the hour. Sometimes bringing wanting to talk. Sometimes just wanting to listen. Sometimes helping him with the boat and sometimes....he grins in the dark. But for someone who usually has all the subtly of DiNozzo chasing a woman she has been sensitive about it too never pushing him for more than he has felt comfortable giving. Some nights they've not seen each other at all and she's not even called knowing how he needs what she might call his 'space'. She has remained professional at work and he is confident none of their colleagues are aware of the change in their relationship.
She sighs in her sleep then turns towards him.
"Abs" he whisper gently.
She opens her eyes, blinks them drowsily and smiles. "Jethro."
"Good morning."
"Good morning." He just stares at her until a little smile crosses her face a minute later.
"What are you thinking Abs?"
"Can you guess?"
"Oh, I think I can." He leans in and their lips join in a deep kiss full of their past, this moment and promise for the future.