---

Gibbs rushed into the kitchen with his gun drawn. The sudden motion made Abby jump and cry out and left McGee reaching for his own gun.

"McGee! Her door was wide open. Anyone could've walked right in!" Gibbs crossed the kitchen in two steps and pulled Abby into a hug. Her eyes were wide and he could hear her heart pounding in her chest.

"God, boss, I'm so sorry. I just went to get something from my car. I can't believe I was so careless."McGee was careful not to spit chunks of crackers out while he spoke.

"Just tell him you love him, McGee. Works for me." Abby grinned, trying to lighten the mood.

"Not all the time." Gibbs tried to remain rigid, but Abby was right. Whenever she was in trouble, Abby would purr that she loved him, and bat her ridiculously long eyelashes. Even though it was just for show, within minutes all would be forgiven.

"Gibbs, relax. It's ok. He just went to grab a book. We were making a snack and then were headed to the living room. We would've seen that the door was open."

Gibbs sighed. "Alright McGee, I drove your car here. Go home, get some rest. They hope to have the generators working by morning, so meet back at work tomorrow at 0800."

"Yes boss." McGee took his keys and left.

"For someone who never locks their door, that was a little harsh Gibbs."

"He's a big boy, he'll survive."

"Here, you can carry the tray of food that we made, I'll carry the coffee. Hope you don't mind French press, obviously the coffee maker doesn't work. I can never seem to get the right amount of coffee grinds and water with this thing. I'm all about the automatic. It does the work for you."

The kitchen was dark, but Abby had a large brass candelabrum lit on the counter.

"Abby, I've got a few extra lanterns at my place. We could go there if you'd rather?"

"So you can ignore me and work on your boat? I think not." Abby thrust the tray of food into his hands, and then picked up the coffee and cups. "Plus, I'm totally prepared for the Zombie Apocalypse...see?" Abby nodded towards her living room. He had burst in so quickly, he hadn't noticed that she had candles lit everywhere. "I'm all set Gibbs, I've got extra blankets since the heat is out and easy food that doesn't need a microwave or oven. I have a gas stove, so I can always boil water. I'm well prepared. I've even got batteries in my CD play-"

"No." Gibbs interrupted her. "If I don't get to work on my boat, you don't get to listen to your music."

"Fair enough." Abby set the coffee and coffee cups down on the coffee table and flopped down on her couch. "So, what are we going to do? McGee and I were going to play…"

"Can we just relax for a bit, Abbs? It's been a long day." Gibbs lifted her legs off the couch to sit down, and then rested her legs back across his lap.

"Sure." Abby handed him a cup of coffee before picking up her own. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?" Gibbs glanced over at her, knowing full-well where she was headed.

"Bringing all my drama to work. Again."

"It's not your fault. I don't want to hear you worrying about it again."

"But…" Abby pouted.

"Abby, shh… we're relaxing, remember?" Gibbs rested his head back and closed his eyes. They sat in companionable silence while they drank their coffee and snacked on the crackers and cheese that she had prepared with McGee.

After a while Abby got up to make another round of coffee. "I'm bored now, Gibbs. Let's chat."

Gibbs chuckled. He knew Abby's silence wouldn't last long. He looked up as she paused in the door way and struck a pose. In one hand she had the French press full of coffee; in the second hand she had a bottle of baileys. "In your coffee or in a glass with ice?"

He thought for a moment. He was technically on protection detail and shouldn't drink, but he knew Abby would be more likely to relax if she did. He also knew she wouldn't drink if he didn't. "Ice." He decided.

"Excellent, I'll be right back." Abby set the coffee and the bottle of baileys on the coffee table, and dashed off to the kitchen. She returned with a bowl of ice and two tumblers. She sat next to Gibbs and poured them both a generous amount while he poured the coffee.

"Tell me something, Gibbs."

"Tell you what?"

"I don't know, something. Anything."

"Anything?"

"Gibbs, quit being difficult. How about telling me something I don't know about you, like what's your favorite ice cream?"

"Strawberry."

"Go figure. I didn't take you to have some complicated favorite. Tasty and simple. Good choice. You're turn to ask."

"What's your favorite ice cream?"

"Chunky monkey, but that doesn't count. You can't just repeat the questions that I ask."

"Chunky monkey?"

Abby sighed. "One of these days, Gibbs… one of these days… Now ask again."

"What's the worst book you've ever read?"

"The NCIS dress code in the handbook that I got on my first day. Horrible and offensive!"

Gibbs tried to suppress a laugh. He moved her legs, and scooted forward to fill his coffee cup. Abby stretched out behind him, shoving him gently off the couch, so that he fell to the floor. "Hey!"

"Oops."

Gibbs rolled his eyes and leaned back against the sofa. He looked up and over his shoulder at Abby who was grinning. "Brat."

"Oh! My turn, I've got a good one. This is a 'would you rather'? Would you rather Director Shepard or… Lauren Holly? You know that red-head actress? I think they look a lot alike."

"Abby!"He dipped his fingers in the bowl of melting ice and flicked the water at her face. She burst into a fit of giggles.

"What they are both attractive, red-headed females, and from what I've heard. Red heads are an, um, fetish of yours."

"You can't compare someone I know to someone I don't."

"Why not?"

"Too different, I've got a history with one, and for the second one I don't even know if I know who you are talking about. That's apples and oranges, Abbs."

Abby was impressed with his honesty and openness. There were two routes she could go with that answer. First, she could ask about his history with the Jenny, or… option number two which was much more fun. "You know, there is a fetish for that, too."

A faint smile crept across his face. "Next question."

"Ok, ok. A real question now, this is another 'would you rather', but the topic is safe, I promise. Would you rather go to an Android Lust concert with me, or one of McGee's elf-lord conference things?"

"Was 'die' an option?"

When he didn't hear a response he smiled. "Ok, I guess I could always bring ear plugs to the concert. I don't think I could live with myself if I went to an elf-lord anything." He looked back over his shoulder at Abby. She looked satisfied with his answer.

"Your turn."

"Why do you carry so much stuff in your purse?" He pointed to the rather large black bag that was on the small table near the door.

"I don't carry a lot, just the stuff I need."

"Need? You need everything in there?"

"Yes. Chap-stick, lip gloss, eye liner, lotion with SPF 30, my I-Pod, sunglasses, my wallet, Tylenol, travel size of my perfume, a note pad, two pens, and numerous hair bands floating around in there. Oh, and I think I've got a book in there as well."

"Why?"

"You were married, Gibbs. Did Stephanie not carry a purse?"

"I've had a few wives, Abby."

"And yet you know so little about women."

"Apparently."

"If you'd like, I could give you a lesson."

"Some other time, Abby. You're turn. Ask a question."

---

They had been playing their game for nearly two hours. The Baileys was gone, and Abby was digging through her liquor cabinet in her living room with the help of a small flashlight, in search of something else to drink.

"Ok, my turn. Tell me something you like." Gibbs said, his voice soft, the alcohol in his system relaxing him.

"Like?" Abby turned to look at him over her shoulder.

"Yeah, what is something that you like? Not love, not hate and not tolerate. Just like."

"I like bananas."

Gibbs' mouth curled into a smile. "For what?"

"For eating Gibbs! Geez, get your mind out of the gutter!" Abby shook with laughter."Ok, my good friend Jim or my good friend Jack?" Abby asked once she was able to compose herself. She held up a bottle of Jim Beam in one hand and Jack Daniels in the other.

"Doesn't matter to me."

"Then, I think we'll go with Jim. Here, you pour, I'm going to run to the ladies room." Abby picked up a candle and made her way to the bathroom.

When she returned, she set the candle down and attempted to step over Gibbs legs which were stretched out, his feet resting on her coffee table. She lost her balance and fell forward. Although he could feel the beginnings of the effects of the Baileys, his reflexes were quick and he grabbed her arm, pulling her towards him.

Abby fell onto his lap. "Whew." She wiped her brow. "Way to save the day, boss man."

"Your turn."

"For what?"

"A question…"

"Right…" Abby thought carefully as she took a sip of the bourbon "Oh God that burns." She coughed as it ripped down her throat.

Gibbs laughed and offered her an ice cube. She opened her mouth and he slipped the ice between her lips, his thumb gently touching her lower lip.

"The question Abby?"

Abby blinked a few times. She wasn't sure if he had meant to touch her lip, but either way it had sent shock waves through her system. "Ok… do you have a lucky number?"

"Five."

Abby tossed her head back and laughed "Oh you leave me no room for error then."

"Meaning?"

"You've been married four times, Gibbs. If I don't win you over quick and you marry someone else, then I'm out of luck. You don't think I want to be wife number six, do you? With five as your lucky number, you might not make it to wife six."

"Abbs…"

"I know, I know. You've got Hollis. I'm just playing around. Anyway, moving on…"

That's right, he had Hollis. Oh God, Hollis! He had forgotten their plans for dinner. He looked at his watch, it was seven thirty, and they had planned to meet at quarter to eight. Abby chattered away while Gibbs thought. Suddenly it became clear to him that it was Abby sitting on his lap. It had been so natural to pull her down to sit with him, he hadn't really even thought about it. One of her arms was around his neck, her fingers drumming lightly on his shoulder while she talked. Both his arms were wrapped comfortably around her as she leaned into him.

"Abby." He patted her leg softly. "I need to get up and make a quick phone call."

"Oh yeah, sure." Abby scooted off his lap and watched him get up. He hadn't been listening to her the last few minutes, and his face was cold as he moved towards the kitchen. Abby lay back on the couch and examined her nails.

---

"Hello?"

"Hol, it's me. I won't make it tonight."

"Jethro, I've been trying to get a hold of you all evening. Where are you?"

"I'm at Abby's."

"You're at Abby's."

He wasn't sure if what she had said was a question, or a statement. "Yes."

"Why?"

"Someone left a threatening letter on her doorstep. We're having a hard time tracking this guy down. She shouldn't be alone."

"What about the others? You don't have to be her knight in shining armor every time."

Gibbs chose to ignore her last comment. It was true, he could've had someone else stay with her, but at this point he wasn't safe to drive, so it didn't make a difference anyway. He wouldn't make it. "We're all taking shifts. I'll call you tomorrow."

Gibbs stepped back into the living room. If Abby had heard him, she didn't show it. She was looking at her nails, a look of concentration on her face, as she pressed at her cuticles. He looked at her for a moment; her delicate bone structure was highlighted by the candle light. He had always thought her to be attractive, he had seen past her dark exterior, the funky outfits, the pig-tails, and he thought that right then and there, her face void of makeup, in her sweats, her hair pulled into a messy ponytail - she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

He knew he should sit in the chair opposite her, or on the floor, but he couldn't help himself. He moved back to the sofa, and motioned for her to make room. When she sat up, he sat down and pulled her back onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her once more.

---

"Ok, I don't remember who asked last, so my turn. I know you have rule 12…" Abby paused. Gibbs felt slight panic rise from his stomach. "…but would you really be mad if Tony and Ziva finally hooked up?"

"Nah, Tony needs someone to keep him in line, and I think Ziva would do a good job. It might make him a little more tolerable at work."

"You should tell him that. Tell them, they won't break your rules, unless you tell them it's ok. They respect you far too much."

"I'll keep that in mind. My turn. And this is my version of a 'would you rather'. Would you rather have a full-time lab assistant, or follow the dress code in the work place guide?"

"I hate you. New question." Abby glared him.

He stifled a laugh. "Ok, ok. I guess that was low. Another 'would you rather'. Would you rather Fornell or Franks?" Gibbs knew he was crossing into unsafe territory, but he couldn't help it. She had started it.

"Oh, that's an easy one. Franks. No question."

Gibbs chuckled, that had been a quick answer. "Why?"

"Fornell was dumb enough to marry a woman that you divorced. That sends a red flag. Plus, Franks lives on the beach in Mexico and spends his days drinking beer. I could handle that. Plus, he makes me laugh. Fornell, grates on my nerves sometimes. I think his ego is bigger than yours."

"That's because he's FBI. He grates on everyone's nerves. But when and why are you chatting with Franks? He makes you laugh? He hasn't been around much."

"I know, but he called me weekly when you were crashing at his place, when you quit. Just to give me updates, so that I wouldn't worry, you know, he was being a friend. Since someone else wasn't."

"Abby."

"Well, let's face it. Friends don't drop off the face of the earth, leaving all their friends behind without explanation."

"Abby."

"I'm serious, Gibbs. If I just handed over my lab to someone else, kissed your cheek and walked out… If I packed up Bert and left for, I dunno, Canada?"

"Abby."

"Are you telling me you'd honestly just let me just walk away without question, without feeling hurt, and without finding some way to check up on me?"

"I would try to fix whatever it was that pushed you to leave, but if you really wanted to, I would let you go."

Abby's eye widened. "Really?"

Gibbs thought for awhile. "No, of course not. I'd be angry and hurt, and try everything in my power to force you to stay. I would hate to cuff you to your desk, but I would if I had to."

Abby giggled, remembering the time she had cuffed Gibbs to herself. "Where ever have I heard of that idea before?"

"You probably got the idea from some psycho."

"Probably…"

---

Abby stifled a yawn.

"It's getting late and I know you didn't get much sleep."

"Yeah. I'll go brush my teeth." Abby pushed herself off Gibbs lap and shuffled to the bathroom. After brushing her teeth she changed into her black silk pajamas and shuffled back out to the living room.

"Come on, time for bed. I'll tuck you in, and do a double check of the windows. Are you sleeping in your coffin or on your bed?"

"Gibbs, my apartment is on the fourth floor, I don't think this creep will be climbing in through the window. And I'm sleeping in my bed; the hinges on my coffin are a little hinky. I've been using it to store extra blankets and stuff."

Gibbs turned Abby around, and with a gentle hand on her lower back guided her back towards her bedroom. Abby pulled back the blankets and settled on the mattress. Gibbs walked to the windows and looked outside. She had been right, no one would be climbing in through the window, there was no way up. The only way in would be through the front door. He would sit against the door all night. No one would get through. He pulled the curtains shut and turned back to Abby. He pulled the covers up around her shoulders and kissed her forehead.

"Gibbs?" Abby looked up at him through heavy lashes.

"Yeah, Abbs?"

"Where are you going?"

"Back to the living room. I won't leave."

"You don't have to sleep on the couch, I can share my bed. I don't bite…" Abby fought a yawn. "Not without warning."

"The bed is too small."

"It's a king."

"Abby, I'm not tired yet. Get some sleep." Gibbs shut the door behind him and leaned back against it. He had been more than temped to crawl into bed beside her. He wanted to hold her in his arms and tell her that she was safe, and would be as long as he was alive. He had failed with the first woman he loved. He vowed that he would die before he let anything happen to Abby.

He pushed away from the door and went back to the living room. He looked around a little bit, looking at photos she had displayed, small trinkets and at the books on the bookshelf. He smiled when he found the drawing of Abby as a bat that Kate had drawn. Although he smiled, his heart broke when he thought about the fact that he had unable to keep Kate safe. He couldn't live with himself if Abby fell to the same fate.

Gibbs circled the room and blew out the last of the candles that were still lit before moving over to the front door. He double checked the locks and then, against the protest of his knees, he slid his back down along the door, to settle in for the night. He hadn't been kidding earlier when he told himself he would sit against the door all night. It would be the only way someone would be able to get in, and he wasn't about to let that happen. With his gun by his side, he rested his head back against the door and closed his eyes.

----------------------------

TBC…