Here's Chapter 2! Thanks so much for your reviews, alerts, and favorites! They totally make my day! I love hearing about what you liked (and didn't like) about the story. So, please let me know how you feel! -KM-
Hoping the weekend had calmed things down a bit, he entered her lab on Monday morning with a Caf-Pow peace offering and saw her seated at her desk, back to him. "Abs-"
She didn't turn to look at him, just held up her hand and pointed to the door. Though she didn't say a word, he got that message loud and clear. He was not welcome. Respecting her wishes, he set the Caf-Pow down inside the door and left.
For the rest of the week, he sent the team down to get information from her, always with a Caf-Pow, and always on his dime, of course. He got in early and stayed late, hoping to catch her on her way in or out, that she'd talk to him, or send him some signal that it was okay for him to talk to her, but she walked by his desk as though he wasn't there. Every night was spent in his basement with a bottle, mindlessly turning more of his boat into sawdust. He'd messed things up with women before, but never like this, never when it mattered this much, and he had no clue what to do about it.
He felt like he was walking on daggers, snapping at everyone and sending in Tony and Ziva when something was needed from Abby. He knew his team knew something was wrong. They were good investigators, and he wasn't exactly being subtle. He imagined Abby wasn't either. The floor of his basement was covered in far more sawdust than usual.
On Thursday, they had evidence but no suspect. "McGee! Go see if Abby has those fingerprint results yet." He held out the Caf-Pow for the agent to bring to Abby.
"No, boss."
Gibbs froze. "What did you just say, McGee?"
"I said no, boss." McGee looked at him evenly. "If you need something from Abby, go ask her."
Seeing red, Gibbs took a deep breath. He would deal with McGee in a moment. "DiNozzo!"
"No, boss." Tony stood at his desk and folded his arms. "We're done being your runners. Ask her yourself."
Ziva leaned against the rail of the staircase, looking at him, "Do not look at me. This has gone on long enough. You will have to speak with her eventually. It may as well be today."
Looking around the room, Gibbs growled "Is this some kind of conspiracy?" The team nodded. Figured. If anything would get them to stop bickering and present a united front, it would be Abby. Glaring at the mutiny, eyes going from one team member to the next with no effect, he finally looked down and muttered "She doesn't want to see me. Kicked me out of the lab."
McGee broke first. "Sorry, Boss. We didn't know."
Ziva picked up the Caf-Pow. "I will go."
Seeing McGee and DiNozzo staring, he snapped "Don't you two have work to do?"
"Yes, Boss." They chorused, immediately looking busy. He stared at his computer, suddenly wondering if sending Ziva, a trained Mossad interrogator, down to see Abby had been a good idea.
Sorry these are shorter than usual. Just the logical place to put a chapter break. The next one is longer, I promise! -KM-
