A/N: This chapter is a similar time frame to the first chapter but from Gibbs' POV, so basically what Abby saw from outside.


Chapter 2 – An Unwelcome Visitor

Seated on the couch in his living room, Special Agent Jethro Gibbs felt more than a slight sense of apprehension as he looked at the woman that stood across the other side of the room.

Doctor Ryan had months ago been a genuine challenge for Gibbs, she was a complex woman but while they were together she had also been controlling and deceptive...two things that Gibbs had always known he wouldn't be able to put up with for an extended period of time.

While he'd cared about the welfare of Ryan and her son and had been determined to protect both of them, she'd been nothing more than a distraction for Gibbs and a way for him to try and hide his true feelings for the woman he really loved...Abby.

"He's dead, Gibbs." Ryan's words brought him out of his thoughts instantly, though on the outside he remained unresponsive. "That's why I'm back, my ex was killed in a car accident a week ago, hit by a drunk driver and died at the scene."

Gibbs' eyes widened and he slumped back as Ryan crossed the room and sat on the arm of the couch. She'd all but swallowed the beer he'd given her in a couple of long gulps, the empty bottle now sitting on the table and leaving Gibbs wondering exactly what she was doing here.

"So, you and Parker are safe now? No more running?"

"I went away to protect my son Gibbs, to protect us both," she answered defiantly.

"You did what you thought was best, I get that."

"I thought you'd be happy to see me, after all we went through with Dearing."

"What did we go through?" He raised his voice slightly. "You took off when things got tough."

He'd been hurt at the time that she hadn't trusted him enough to look after them both, it was another endorsement that served to remind Gibbs how little she knew about him. But as it turned out Ryan leaving had been the best thing that could've happened for his relationship with Abby.

When Abby had started having nightmares after the bombing she'd turned to Gibbs for comfort and reassurance...she'd wanted him to help her find answers. He'd managed to control his feelings for her through all the late night phone calls and their talks at work, but all the while Gibbs had known that wouldn't last forever.

The fact that he'd come so close to losing her in the explosion only added to his torment. He'd risked his life to save her and would do the same thing again in a heartbeat...because what it came down to was that he couldn't imagine life without Abby.

Once Abby had been reunited with her brother Kyle the nightmares had become less frequent, but Gibbs still felt the same about her. If anything his feelings had gotten stronger because he knew he wanted to be there to help her through this type of trauma as more than just a friend.

For several weeks he'd been torn about whether to reveal his true feelings or not, his thoughts constantly absorbed with her while at the same time fearful that if he shared his secret with her that Abby would shut him out. To his surprise it had been Kyle who had given Gibbs a hint that perhaps Abby felt the same, the young man's words still clear in his mind now.

Tell her, she won't push you away.

Kyle had come to see him at home and although Gibbs had been pleased to see the young man it was the nature of his visit had take Gibbs somewhat off guard.

Kyle had been adamant that Gibbs needed to talk to Abby about what was happening between them. He hadn't divulged anything that his sister had told him but Gibbs suspected Kyle had taken part in a similar conversation with Abby. Gibbs respected Kyle for keeping the details of that discussion to himself, but in the end it had been the nudge that he'd needed to get him to take the next step with Abby.

After trying to work through his thoughts in the basement and get up enough courage, Gibbs had turned up at Abby's apartment. The awkwardness of their talk about her sleeping better as they stood barely a breath apart in the middle of her living room was still a complete blur even now.

All he remembered was the words that slipped from his mouth seconds before she kissed him, the softness and warmth of her body being pressed into him as she whispered the same three words against his lips.

Since then they hadn't looked back and now Gibbs couldn't imagine his life without her.

Looking up at Ryan, Gibbs knew he'd made the right decision in letting her go and focusing his attention on Abby. They'd waited so long to be together and he had no intention of giving her up...for anyone.

"I had to make a choice between Parker's life and everything else...I put him first," Ryan pleaded, giving Gibbs a glimpse of her vulnerability. "Don't tell me you wouldn't have done the same thing for your own child."

Gibbs felt her remark stab him right through the chest. This was another reason it would never have worked between them, Ryan played too many mind games and Gibbs didn't know where he stood with her.

"Is there a reason you're here?" Gibbs asked, avoiding taking her bait.

She twisted her body so she was facing him and leaned forward. "I just assumed you'd want to know Parker and I were safe. If everything else has gone back to the way it was before perhaps we could pick up things where we left off, we were doing okay together."

Gibbs lightly massaged his forehead with his finger and thumb before running his hand through his hair wearily. "Look, Ryan, I'm glad you and Parker are safe, but you and I...nothing's gonna happen, it was over between us months ago."

"Are you sure about that Gibbs? Seemed to me when I left you didn't want things to be over."

"That was then, this is now. Things change."

Ryan moved back, her eyes narrowing in on him. Gibbs could almost hear her brain working through the possible reasons for not wanting to get involved again.

"Who is she?"

Seconds ticked by before Gibbs even acknowledged her. "Does it matter?"

"I need to know who my competition is," Ryan said confidently.

"There's no competition." There wasn't even the slightest hint of hesitation in his voice because Gibbs was absolutely certain he didn't want Ryan instead of Abby.

"Are you ashamed of her, Gibbs? Is that why you won't tell me who she is?"

Gibbs stared at her, pushing down his anger that she was still using her mind games to try and get at him. "Never been ashamed of her, never will be."

"And yet you still won't tell me who she is...is it serious?"

Gibbs felt awkward about having to share anything about his relationship with Abby with her, but if it meant Ryan would back off then he was prepared to reveal a bit of information.

"It's serious," he answered simply.

"I see," Ryan raised an eyebrow, lost in her own thoughts as she took in what he's said. "I guess I missed my chance then."

Gibbs remained silent, he knew if Ryan hadn't been forced to leave there would be every chance he might still be with her now. Though with what Abby had gone through after the explosion at NCIS he doubted he could've kept his feelings for her hidden much longer. Even if Ryan had still been around, what he felt for Abby wouldn't have gone away.

"One more drink for before I go then, for old time's sake," Ryan suggested, reaching out to take the beer from Gibbs' hand.

He let her take it from his grasp, watching as she stalled before lifting the drink to her lips, an arrogant grin curving at the corners of her mouth. Gibbs' brow furrowed at the satisfied expression on her face and he followed her line of sight, turning to look out the window.

It took a moment to register what Ryan was smiling at, or more to the point who she was smiling at. Gibbs saw the back of Abby as she hurried towards her car and got in, immediately jumping to his feet and running towards the front door.

By the time he'd made it outside and onto the path Abby had sped off down the street, ignoring him as he called out to her.

"Damn it, Ryan!" He yelled. "When are you gonna stop playing games with people's lives!"

She took a step out onto the porch, the smug grin still evident on her face. "C'mon, Gibbs...Abby, really? I mean she's not really your type for starters and she obviously has doubts about the relationship, or is it that she doesn't trust you to be around me...why do you think that might be?"

Gibbs took the front steps up to the house so he was level with her, his teeth clenched together in anger. He was through with being nice and he needed Ryan gone for good.

"She means more to me than you ever could have, whatever it was that you and I had is over. We're done."

He didn't give her time to respond, walking away and slamming the front door behind him.

Going straight for his phone Gibbs called Abby. He wasn't surprised when it went to voicemail and for a moment he debated whether to leave her a message or not.

"Abbs...I need to talk to you...need to see you..." He trailed off, unable to string together the right combination of words, eventually ending the call after a stretch of silence.

He was hurt that she hadn't stuck around to let him explain why Ryan was there, and couldn't help but jump to the conclusion that Abby didn't trust him. She'd always trusted him in the past, with everything, including things she couldn't share with others. Gibbs needed her to trust him with her heart, because the last thing he intended to do was break it.

He realized their relationship was still only new and that some of their insecurities and jealousies were going to take time to fully deal with, but Gibbs needed to know Abby trusted him to be faithful to her. He wasn't immune to wanting to take the head off any man that looked at her, but since they'd been together he had no doubt that Abby would never cheat on him.

Picking up his keys and wallet Gibbs headed towards the front door. When he stepped outside Ryan had gone, her car no longer blocking Gibbs' truck in the driveway.

He left the door to the house unlocked in case Abby decided to come back; Gibbs didn't want her sitting outside in the dark. He'd gotten a set of keys cut for her today and had planned on giving them to her tonight, but the evening he'd planned had been thrown into chaos thanks to Ryan.

Gibbs' hand reached down to feel for the keys that were still in the front pocket of his jeans, the fine metal teeth digging into his fingers as he clenched onto them tightly. The keys were a way of showing Abby that he was asking her into his life in every way, she could come and go as she pleased but he wanted no more barriers between them.

Trying her number once he was seated behind the steering wheel of the truck he hung up when it went to voicemail again. He stayed on the line long enough to hear her cheery voice, hoping he hadn't screwed things up already...even though he hadn't done anything wrong.

When he got to Abby's apartment building Gibbs couldn't see her car on the street. Realizing she mightn't have wanted to be alone he grabbed the phone from the seat beside him and called DiNozzo. After several rings Tony answered.

Gibbs wasted no time with pleasantries, asking Tony straight out. "Is Abby with you?"

The second Tony confirmed she was there Gibbs turned the truck around, the tires screeching as he slammed on the accelerator and headed towards DiNozzo's. He felt relief flood through him and gripped onto the steering wheel with one hand, at the same time trying to breathe out slowly so Tony wouldn't hear him exhale.

"Just keep her there, I'm on my way."

Gibbs didn't wait for Tony's answer, shutting his phone and throwing it back down on the seat as he weaved through traffic, the distinct harmony of honking horns following him.

Luckily DiNozzo didn't live too far from Abby and when he arrived at Tony's place several minutes later he noticed her car and parked behind it. For a moment he sat there, trying to think what he was going to say to her, how he'd make her understand how important she was to him, but also that he'd been upset that her trust in him had wavered.

Looking towards the main door of Tony's apartment building Gibbs watched McGee enter the building and sighed...just when he thought things couldn't get worse.

He had nothing against the young agent, he considered Tim a member of his family just like he did the rest of his team, but he knew things would be uncomfortable for a while until McGee got used to Abby being with him.

At least he hoped she was still with him.

"Man up Marine," Gibbs mumbled to himself, "or she won't be yours for much longer."

Taking a deep breath he got out of the truck and strode confidently towards the door McGee had just gone through. At least if he gave the appearance of not being worried other people might believe him, even if Gibbs didn't believe it himself.

He heard McGee's voice through the open door to Tony's apartment as he got closer, but it was when he heard Abby that his heart started to pound in his chest. Gibbs knew he had to keep it together, he couldn't make things worse because he was concerned about DiNozzo and McGee being there, and he didn't want to cause Abby any more pain than she was obviously already in.

She had to be in pain, because Gibbs hadn't experienced an ache like this in a long time. Even this early on in their relationship he felt as if their souls had weaved together, they'd known each other so long and were so in tune that it was impossible to imagine himself without her.

The sound of Tony warning Abby brought Gibbs out of his thoughts as he reached the door to his apartment. "Abby, Gibbs won't be happy if he gets here and you're gone."

Taking a deep breath he walked up behind McGee and made his presence known.

"No, he won't."

TBC...