Title: Pink Elephants
Author: lunarmoth131
Rating: T/ PG-13
Spoilers: none
Pairing: Jenny/Abby, Jenny/Abby/Jethro implied
Disclaimer: NCIS belongs to CBS, DPB, etc. and in real life, to the U.S. Navy -- none of which are me. Alas. No infringement intended, guys.
Abby's responses to Gibbs' words on the phone were purely automatic – her mind was 99% elsewhere. It only barely registered that he asked her again if something was wrong. She was relieved that he hung up after she reassured him that she was fine.
She put down the phone and sat very still, struggling to wrap her mind around the unexpected interaction with the Director (she couldn't quite bring herself to think 'Jenny'). Abby had very definitely felt something when the Director touched her, and it wasn't warmth, friendship, or comfort either. It was a startling spasm of sexual desire that made her lean into the Director's hand, wanting desperately to prolong the contact. Although she had never thought of the redhead that way before, it was no secret that Abby was bi. She was fairly certain that Gibbs knew about her and Kate, although he had never even hinted – he strictly followed the military "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
But Jenny (the name was coming more easily now), she was different. For one thing, she was the Big Boss and most of the time she behaved like a military robot. At first Abby wondered if she were even human, and what in the world did Gibbs ever see in her. She had even asked him once; his only response was a shrug and "She's a redhead." 'Surely Gibbs isn't really that shallow,' she told herself.
With time she learned to tolerate the Director, ignoring her as much as possible. But now there was this – this – whatever it was! It was obvious that Jenny had felt something, too, judging by her discomfort and rapid exit. At that moment Abby remembered the PDA, and picked it up almost reverently so she could upload the case file.
Leaving the PDA behind was a sure sign that Jenny was flustered, as she never would have done so otherwise. PDA's were password protected, of course, but at the moment this one was accessible, leaving Jenny's life completely vulnerable to Abby's curiosity.
When the upload was complete, she hesitated for a very brief time, a flash of temptation almost reeling her in. "Absolutely not, Abigail!" she scolded herself aloud. She quickly shut down the PDA. "Now what? Do I take it upstairs? No, no, bad idea Abby. But what if she comes back down here? That could be worse." She had visions of Jenny kissing her boldly, in full view of the security cameras, or pulling her into a dark corner of her office to let her hands travel inquisitively over the younger woman's half-covered body. Abby could also see herself recklessly taking matters into her own hands, shoving the redhead against a wall and covering her protests with kisses, or perhaps pulling Jenny down to the floor, arms wrapped around so that she couldn't escape.
Abby sighed. The safest option was to give the PDA to Cynthia, Jenny's assistant. Bracing herself for future temptations, she resolutely stepped into the elevator.
Jenny was in MTAC following the team's progress at the Academy.
" – so it appears she was taken only a few hours ago," finished Gibbs. "The kidnapper took a great risk of being discovered."
Jenny nodded. "I agree. Possible motives?"
"Ransom, disgracing someone at the Academy – I don't know, Jen." His voice was troubled and uncertain.
"What is it, Jethro?"
"My gut tells me there's something else going on here besides kidnapping. I just wish I knew what."
"My gut says the same thing," she replied with a smile. "Why would someone want the Academy in lockdown? What would be the benefit of that?" she mused.
She realized he had disconnected – in his characteristic way – and she remained seated for a few moments, just thinking, before she stood up to return to her office. She needed to get her PDA – no, wait, she thought, with a sudden chill up her backbone. She had left it in the lab (with Abby, her mind added, taunting her with images that she refused to even acknowledge). Resolutely, she forced herself to keep walking, leaving MTAC and heading for the elevator.
"I can do this. I just can't look at her, or touch her, or stand too close." Abby paced the elevator as it ascended then slowed to a stop. The doors opened to reveal Jenny just about to push the 'down' button.
For a moment they both froze, then Jenny realized they were far too public. She stepped inside the elevator, effectively barring Abby's exit. "Abby," she acknowledged, her voice even, "I was just going to your lab." She stretched out a hand as the lift began to move and the PDA was placed in her palm without comment. Jenny didn't look at Abby when she pressed the emergency stop. If she had, she would have been immediately taken in by the Goth woman's wide eyes, flushed cheeks and open mouth. Instead, she stared at the elevator doors.
"Abby, have you ever heard of the pink elephant in the room?"
Abby's lower lip trembled a bit as her tongue darted out to wet it. "Yes, ma'm."
"I believe we may have found one of those pink elephants." Jen's voice was still steady, although her gut was doing flip flops.
"Yes, ma'm, I think so too." Abby's voice had grown husky and she didn't know where to put her hands.
Jenny at last turned to face her with a smile. "Ms. Sciuto, do you know where I live?"
Abby couldn't speak at first, until Jen cocked an amused eyebrow at her, then she stammered, "Yes-yes, I do, Director."
"Good. Your assignment is to be there at 2100 – barring unforeseen developments in this case, of course."
"Yes, ma'm." She bowed her head slightly but Jenny could clearly see the grin spreading across her face.
Satisfied, she returned the elevator to the third floor and strode quickly to her office – she had plans to make.
