Chapter two: The Date

She had spent the day getting herself ready for tonight. Well if she was being honest with herself she had spent years getting ready for this day. She'd been to the hairdresser, got a manicure, spent far too much money on an evening dress and had a friend come over to help with her makeup. She wouldn't usually go to so much trouble for one date but this was, hopefully, the beginning of something special.

She was checking her reflection one last time when there was a knock on the door, she checked the clock, 1830 on the dot, it could only be one person. Abby was looking forward to seeing the look on Gibbs face when he saw her, what she wasn't counting on was how handsome he looked when she opened the door. To her Gibbs always looked good, whether he was in jeans and a T-shirt sanding his boat or in a suit ready for court, but what she saw next took her breath away.

Abby opened the door to find Gibbs standing there in a well fitted black tuxedo holding a single red rose.

The only words that made it out her mouth were "WOW"
"I was gonna say the same" Gibbs said handing her the rose.
"Thank you, come in" Abby said stepping aside to let Gibbs in.

Gibbs followed her in to the living room, noting that her dress was backless. Her beautifully crafted cross tattoo was on display for everyone to see, him included, he did notice however that there was something different about it. His curiosity got the better of him.

"New tattoo?" he asked already knowing expecting her answer.
"Um, yes sort of." She replied a little embarrassed; of course he would have noticed it he was a trained investigator.
"Care to explain?"
"Can I say not yet?"
"You going to tell me later?"
"If I have a good time I will" she said with a cheeky smile.
"Well in that case, let's get this date started" he said offering her his arm.
"So this is definitely a date?" she questioned with a smile
"If that's alright with you"
"Oh, it's definitely alright with me"


Car ride

Abby couldn't and didn't want to hide the smile that was on her face. She was finally on a date with the man she had been in love with for so many years.

"Not that I'm complaining, and I'm really not, but what about the rules? Won't we get told of?"
"Never said those were NCIS rules"
"Gibbs! You mean you've been lying all these years"
Gibbs chuckled "no-one has ever asked"
"Sneaky Gibbs, I like it."


The Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Gibbs handed his keys over to the valet and escorted Abby in to the hotel. Neither one of them could stop smiling as every single pair of eyes in the lobby turned to look at them.

Abbys hand tightened on Gibbs as they entered the ball room. What would everyone say? Would they think they were there as friends? Would Gibbs correct them? What would the Director say?

Gibbs lead Abby to the table were the rest of the team were. Everyone looked so good in evening wear. Ducky and DiNozzo looked very dashing in there tuxedos, and Ziva looked breathtaking in her burgundy form fitting dress.

Gibbs left Abby at the time while he went to get some drinks.

"Wow guys, you all look amazing" Abby said
"Abigail my dear you look quite amazing yourself"
"Thanks Ducky"
"I do not think I have seen you not in black, you look very nice" Ziva added
"See you had to come with the boss man, couldn't get a date?" DiNozzo asked.

Abby smiled.

"I'm her date" Gibbs said from behind DiNozzo.
"Yes boss"
Gibbs passed Abby her drink "happy?" he asked
"Very" she smiled.


AN: it was pointed out to me i never mentioned the colour of Abbys dress, only that it wasn't black. I envision her in an deep almot emerald green silk dress to bring out the colour in her eyes. Thanks for reading x