Abby did not sleep tucked firmly in Gibbs arms like she normally did. She cuddled Bert instead, and Gibbs didn't push her. He worried that a rift was developing between them, and felt heartsick. They'd always talked their problems out before, and Abby had always been understanding when he had to do something. She had been supportive when he had to share their secret cabin with the team last spring, and she had hugged him tight when he returned from Iran with Parsons. He smiled as he remembered her telling him she didn't care if he was dirty or sweaty or smelled like a plane, and he smiled at how even though he had to pull away from that hug, he had made it up to be the second he could, at home.

The week after their last case had been one of the best in their relationship. The entire team, Abby included, had been invited to the White House. Abby had been extremely nervous and almost didn't go, saying she was not elegant enough, but Gibbs persuaded her to go. He wanted her on his arm there, and knew she would regret not going. She had never met a president before, and Gibbs didn't want her to lose out on the experience. She wanted to dress must more conservatively than she ever did, so Gibbs took her shopping to find something elegant and stylish, and she was pleased with the outcome. Leyla did Abby's hair and lent her a beautiful Iraqi scarf.

Abby kept her composure while meeting the President and First Lady, but signed to Gibbs later that she was so nervous she was afraid she'd faint. Gibbs signed to her just to imagine she was hugging Bert, which brought a smile to her face. The President later thanked Abby for all the hard work she did for NCIS, and said it was people like her who made the country great, and Abby couldn't stop smiling all the way home. Gibbs treated her to ice cream later, and they took a long walk, talking and enjoying the crisp fall night. Abby had lamented they were robbed of an entire summer together.

Gibbs now turned over in bed to look at Abby. Things had always been go great between them and he loved her so much. He didn't want it to go bad because of one instance. He couldn't put a finger on it; they had been dating for less than a year, but he made it a point to tell her that he loved her daily. Last night she had asked him if he had left because he didn't love her, and it had shaken him to his core that she had broken up with him, however brief it had been. It occurred to him that Abby was different than his ex-wives or girlfriends. It had always been something like this that had initiated a breakup, and he never fought it. Now he was seized with dread over the though of the same happening with Abby. He realized he had to fight like hell for her. He couldn't stop reassuring her that he would be careful each time he was in danger. He never told her how dangerous this mission could have been.

Abby stirred and opened her eyes. Her green eyes met his blue ones. "You're awake already?"

"Yeah, Abbs."

"Did you sleep at all?"

"Some. Did you sleep well?"

"Well enough. What are you going to do today?"

"Was thinking basement. Want to start something new. I'll make you something, what would you like?"

"Oh, I don't know."

"Want to come have a look? We can decide together."

"I have errands to run, Gibbs. I need to get a haircut and get my car washed, then I have to go to Kyle's shelter. I'm helping. They have to shut it down."

"What?"

"They're out of money. They'd have some rolling in next month from a fundraiser they are always involved with but that's another month. They can't feed the animals this month, and they'd die. They have to send them to other shelters. They could be kill shelters, Gibbs. It just isn't fair!"

"The money from the benefit would keep it running?"

"Yeah, it usually is enough for one year, but this year it wasn't. Nobody has enough."

"How much do then need?"

"About $5000."

"Abby, I..."

"It is what it is, Gibbs. We tried to raise enough, but all my spare cash went to fixing my car last month, and Kyle's in school, it's expensive. It's going to be a hard enough day and I'm still hurting from yesterday. I need some time alone, because if I think too much I won't get through today.

"Abby, we still need to talk."

"And we will. I need time to process. Yesterday, it felt like you cared more about the job than about me, and I need to move on from that feeling."

"You know that's not true."

"I think I know that, deep down, but I just can't see my way around to think that just right now. I need to go take care of stuff today."

Gibbs recognized defeat, and Abby dressed and left. Gibbs was struck by an idea the moment the door closed, and got on the phone immediately. If he couldn't tell Abby she was his first priority, he would show her.

Gibbs heard his door slam just as he was finishing up the chili for the crockpot, which was one of Abby's favorites.

"Gibbs! Where are you?"

"Here, Abbs." He walked out of the kitchen to find Abby, breathless and flushed, with Kyle in tow.

"You did this, didn't you?"

"Did what?"

"Somebody donated $5000 to the shelter! It's saved! You're the only one who could have done it, you're the only one who knew how much they needed!"

He ducked his head. "Guilty, Abbs. I couldn't stand by and let it close." He looked up and watched several emotions chase across her face. Joy, happiness, and sadness, all rolled into one. The joy won out, and she look a running leap into his arms.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," she whispered into his neck, and he held her tightly. Any amount of money would be worth giving her and Kyle joy. The two were so alike; they appreciated people instead of money, and would never ask.

Once Abby had released her choke hold on him, Kyle wasted no time rushing over to Gibbs for a hug. The three of them ended up in huddle, and Kyle thanked Gibbs profusely for his help.

"My mom took me to volunteer in a soup kitchen then an animal shelter each year on her birthday," Gibbs said finally. "She loved animals and so do I. I had to help."

Kyle shook his hand. "Thank you, brother." Gibbs smiled widely at that. Kyle had indeed become like family to him, and Gibbs would do anything to help the younger man.

When Kyle left, Abby stayed. She looked at him with large eyes and took him by the hand and led him to the couch. "I'm ready to talk now."

"Let me start." She nodded and kicked off her shoes and sat cross-legged. "I'm sorry I scared you. It was a situation that I let get out of hand, and it could have ended badly. But I never want you to think that I don't love you more than anything, or that I wouldn't want to be with you."

"It did scare me."

"I know. This wasn't something I planned. I made a decision years ago, and I was trying to right a wrong." He explained to her about the favor Mike Franks had asked him to do years ago, and how he had declined. He told her he felt responsible for the outcome of his decision, and that he wanted Mike to be proud of him.

"Mike was always proud of you. How could he not be?"

Gibbs tugged Abby into his arms. "I love you, you know that, right?"

"I do. And I love you. I'm sorry you had to spend all that money. I will pay you back."

"Not a chance, Abbs. I did that because I wanted to, and it was the right thing. The shelter keeps animals safe and I couldn't let it close."

"I don't want you to think that I am with you for your money or that you have to keep making these grand gestures."

"Trust me, I don't. You are the least materialistic person I know."

"And you're the best person I know." Abby hid her face in his neck and yawned. Gibbs tilted her head up so her eyes met him. She looked pale, and her eyes were tired.

"Did you get enough sleep, Abbs?"

"Yeah, I though so, but I am a little tired. Work has been pretty crazy."

"Why don't you take a warm shower, put on sweats, and relax? I have chili going." Abby nodded gratefully and went upstairs. When Gibbs heard the shower turn off, he fixed a cup of tea for her. She smiled when he gave it to her, and he tenderly brushed her hair and braided in for her. She leaned against him and it wasn't long before she had snuggled into his arms for a nap.

TBC...