Chapter 3:

Ducky was the first to speak "I think I speak for us all when I say about time"

"You're telling me" replied Abby.

Gibbs looked at Abby trying very hard to use his boss face "I could always take my present back"
"Don't you dare you're stuck with me now"
"I know" he smiled back at her.

"Do we want to know what you got" said Tony to Abby.
"Not really" McGee said so quietly that only Ziva standing next to him heard.

He and Abby had always had a connection and he always hoped that someday they would get back together. Yet, you only had to see the smile on Abbys face anytime Gibbs entered the room to know were Abbys heart laid.

"He got me a key"
"A key?" asked Ziva a little confused.
"Yep, I'm officially moving in" Abby beams.

The team gave there congratulations, each shaking Gibbs hand and hugging Abby. Even McGee tried to be happy for them, he had to admit that he had never seen Gibbs look this happy, and if anyone could treat Abby like she deserved to be treated it was Gibbs.

"I think this would be a good time to have dinner, don't you agree?" asked Ducky
"Thought you'd never ask, I'm starving"
"Is food all you think about Tony?"
"Not the only thing" he winked at Ziva.

The team sat at Duckys exquisitely decorated table

"You want a hand Duck?"
"That would be most welcome Jethro"

Gibbs and Ducky headed to the kitchen to dish the starter while the rest sat talking around the table.

Kitchen
"Duck? Can I ask you something"
"Anything"
"Am I doing the right thing?"
"I presume you mean with dear Abigail?"
Gibbs nodded
"Let me ask you something. Are you happy?"
"Yes"
"You clearly love her"
"Yes"
"And it's been clear to everyone that Abby has been in love you for a long time. So why worry about anyone else? We are all happy for the both of you"

Table
"So Abby you and the boss man, huh" Tony said
"Tony, Abby does not have to tell you anything"
"Thank you Ziva" Abby said, "what happens at home stays at home"
"That not fair I want details" Tony pouted
"I'm going to help Ducky" Jackson said, he really didn't need to hear the rest of that part of the conversation
"Well..." Abby began
"Yes" Tony said hanging on her every word
"Gibbs is a very good cook"

Kitchen
"You boys need another pair of hands"
"That would be most welcome"
"Point me were you want me Ducky"

Ducky gave his directions and in no time at all the homemade carrot and coriander soup and freshly baked bread was dished and on its way to his guests.

Table
"Oh come on Abby tell me something" DiNozzo whined
"Nope" Abby said popping the P at the end
"That's my girl" said Gibbs exiting the kitchen.

The soup was a great success, and with empty bowls in hand the same three gentlemen went to collect the main course.
Jackson carried in roast potatoes and assorted vegetables while Gibbs carried a rather fine looking roast Turkey. Ducky was last out the kitchen carrying something that Ziva had never seen before.

"What is that" Ziva asked

In his Scottish accent Ducky replied "awch this my dear, is a haggis"
"Haggis? I do not know what this is"
"Best you try it before you ask what's in it" Gibbs answered.

Ducky gave Gibbs the honour of carving the turkey while the vegetables and potatoes were passed around. Ducky sliced the haggis for anyone brave enough to try it. Tony and Ziva always up for a challenge both took a small piece, Gibbs knowing what was in it left it as did Abby and McGee, Jackson also said he would try after all "you only life once"

Ziva actually said it had an interesting flavour and asked what exactly a haggis was.
"It's a very old Scottish dish. Its Sheep's heart, live and lungs minced with onions, oatmeal, spices and stock then stuffed in an animals stomach, and simmered for 3 hours"~
Ziva just nodded and kept eating; she really did like it. Beside she had certainly eaten worse things in her travels as a Mossad Officer. Tony on the other hand started to turn green and stuck to Turkey for the rest of the meal.

The dessert that followed was either traditional Christmas pudding with brandy cream or the slightly lighter option of cranachan.

"Christmas pudding for me please Ducky" said Abby "I want to try to find that silver sixpence"
"Certainly my dear"

Ducky took the desert orders and yet again Gibbs and Jackson helped clear away the plates, and dish the desserts.

"Hey son, can I have a word before we take these out?"
"Cause, what up?"
"I shall leave you to gentlemen alone" said Ducky making his way to the door.

Jackson took a small box out of his coat pocket and handed it to his son "I bought this down just in case you could use it"
Gibbs open the box to find a familiar ring looking back at him, it was his mothers engagement ring.

"I can't take this, it was Mums"
"That's exactly why you can take it. I don't have use for it, I think perhaps you do. I'm not saying right now, but that girl out there deserve more than just a key"
Gibbs smiled "thanks Dad"

Gibbs hand just put the ring in his pocket when Abby came rushing through the door "you'll never guess what, we're snowed in!"
Gibbs, Jackson and Abby made there way to the dinning room.

"What's this about the snow?" Gibbs asked
"It appears while we weren't looking the snow got heavier."

Gibbs looked out the window and sure enough the little flurry of snow from earlier had turned in to heavy flakes. If Gibbs had been on his own he may have changed the drive home but not with Abby in the car.

"What do we do now?" asked Ziva
"Well I have plenty of rooms, why don't you all stay here?"
"You sure Duck?" Gibbs asked
"Of course, what's the point in having all this space if I can't share it with friends?"
"I love sleep over's" Abby said in her usual hyperactive manner.

"I only have one questioned" DiNozzo said "who's sleeping with Ziva?"