I would like to wish Gibbs Fan a VERY Happy Birthday. I wrote this story as a special request. I really hope she likes it. More fluff LOL :)

Chapter 1

Abby danced around her lab to the thumping rock music as she flitted from one machine to the other, checking on all the evidence as it processed. The ding of the elevator signalled the arrival of a none to happy Gibbs. Abby unfortunately didn't hear the ding over the din of her music. Usually Abby's taste in music didn't faze him at all, but today for some reason he found that it grated on him like fingernails down a chalk board. He slammed the off button and spun Abby around.

"I don't know HOW you can concentrate with that din!" he grumbled.

"Gib-bs!" Abby whined. She was particularly affronted that he would insult what he KNEW was one of her favourite bands. And in her very own lab! "You know I work better when I have my music!" He didn't move a muscle or say a word, but the stony stare told her that today was NOT going to be the day to argue with Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

"Evidence...Abby." he said slowly. Abby pouted.

"It's not ready yet..." she said sticking out her chin and turning back to Mr Mass spec. He understood, he even seemed to sigh in sympathy for her plight.

"How...much...longer?" Gibbs asked.

"Gibbs we go through this every time." Abby said trying hard to keep her tone measured. "It will take as long as it takes. You can't hurry science."

"Hmm." Gibbs grumbled. "Well call me when you have something." He stalked off towards the elevator and thumped the button.

"Wow Gibbs!" Abby said. "Cranky much?" Gibbs heard her but didn't bite...She had a point.

When Gibbs arrived in the bullpen it was to the raucous laughter of Tony as he carried on like a ten year old on April fools day giggling at McGee as he found his hands yet again glued to his keyboard. With a face like thunder, he reached into his desk and grabbed the nail varnish remover and threw it to a sheepish looking Tim with one hand as he head slapped Tony hard with the other.

"When are you clowns gonna learn!" he said...loudly."Tony...this...is...not...a...damn kindergarten!" he said as he gave him another head slap for good measure. "Keep it up and it'll be my belt! McGee...you're one of the smartest people I've ever met...can't you smell the damn glue before you stick your hands in it?" Tony quickly stuck his feet back under the desk and did his best to look busy. He wasn't even game to reach back and rub the sting out of his head. Tim opened and closed his mouth as he tried to form words but his brain and voice were unwilling to cooperate, so he did the only thing left to him and did as Tony did, only he WAS really working.

"Where the hell is Ziva?" he barked.

"Um...with the Director." Tim said nodding as he spoke.

"WHY?" Gibbs said slowly and deliberately.

"Ah...I don't know Boss." Tim answered carefully. Looking into his empty coffee cup with disgust Gibbs threw it into the bin and stalked towards the elevator. "Goin for coffee." He said as he punched the elevator button. When it didn't arrive within seconds, he muttered under his breath about faulty government equipment as he disappeared into the stairwell and slammed the door.

"Wow!" Tony said when he was sure his boss was out of earshot. "Wonder what's eating him this morning. Must of fallen out of the wrong side of that boat."

"I guess everyone's entitled to a bad mood every now and then." Tim said as he rubbed at his now free hands with a cloth and the remover.

"That... isn't just a bad mood." Tony said. "It's more than that." He was actually quite worried. His boss was never what you'd call...cheery, but that was over the top, over what essentially was just a normal day in the bullpen when things were slow.

Before he could say anything else, the elevator dinged and Abby bounced into view.

"Hey guys." She said as she looked around discretely for their cranky leader. "Is it safe?" Tim smirked.

"For now." He said. "But I wouldn't be up here when he gets back unless you have a reason. He isn't in the best of moods today."

"You noticed huh?" she answered. "I think there's something really wrong."

"With what Abby?" Jen asked as she came from behind with Ziva along side of her.

"Gibbs." Abby said. "He's sooo grumpy." Jen smiled. Sounded like the Jethro she knew and loved.

"More than usual?" she asked, still smiling.

"ALOT more than usual. You don't think he'd be sick or anything do you?" Abby said. Jen shook her head but then Tony jumped in.

"She has a point Director. Something's off." He said. Jen thought for a moment.

"When was the last time that Gibbs took a vacation?" she asked. Tony and Abby both shook their heads.

"He went to Mexico..." Ziva started.

"Yeah but he was recovering from a major head trauma...not really the same." Abby said.

"You're right." Jen said. "I think what Gibbs needs is a break. Even if it has to be a short one. Any break is better than nothing."

"Yeah well good luck with that." Tony said with a chuckle. Then he realised that that may have come out a little smart assy. The fact that Jen's blue eyes were boring into him made him feel like a chastised six year old. "Sorry Director." He babbled. "I meant to say that it won't be easy to get him to take a break."

"Better." She said as she finally softened the glare. "I think I have an idea that might just make it impossible for him to object." She said with a beaming smile. All their faces looked up at her expectantly. "An NCIS directive that he can't ignore...A long weekend camping trip, where he has to teach all of you how to survive in the wilderness."

"You mean like in a cabin...with a bathroom and electricity right?" Abby said.

"Yes Abby." Ziva said sarcastically. "He is going to teach you how to survive if the light bulb blows out." Abby poked out her tongue.

"We can still visit the wilderness in the day Ziva." She said. "We can just go back and charge our Ipods and have a shower at night." Tim controlled his smile as well as he could. It was bad enough Gibbs being crabby, he didn't need for Abby to be pissed as well. Tony didn't think it was that funny. He was with Abby. If he had to go camping it'd be better if he could clean up and watch a relaxing movie at night and sleep in a soft bed instead of sleeping on a pile of rocks and sticks in a sleeping bag. No sir that didn't sound like any fun. He said as much.

"You Americans are so soft. Afraid of a few days without luxuries." Ziva said incredulously.

"Well Ziva I'm a boy scout leader, I'm not afraid of being outdoors." Tim said. Ziva smiled at him. Abby glared at her. Jen clapped her hands loudly like she was trying to control a first grade class.

"Children!" she said sarcastically. "This is not up to any of you. And it isn't for your benefit. It's to help Gibbs relax, and to do that it has to be in an environment that he can relax in. No cabin." She said as she turned first to Abby and then to Tony. Ziva smiled. Abby pouted at first but then quickly relented. Anything for Gibbs.

"When do we leave?" Tim asked.

" No time like the present...This weekend." She said. Abby giggled.

"How you gonna make him go?" she asked. They all looked at Jen and waited for the answer. If only she had one.

"You leave Gibbs to me." She said. Famous last words.

TBC