Chapter 4: Writer's Block and Abby

Tim McGee had been sitting at his typewriter for two whole records now. He just couldn't get over his most recent writer's block. No, that wasn't it exactly. The real problem was that anything he wrote about Special Agent Tommy right now completely went against the plot of the book. Tommy could go around chasing girls cavalierly or possibly actually get serious with one special girl, but unlike Tony, Tommy simply could not use a girl to get to her father while lying to his friends and boss. Unlike Tony, Tommy was too good to do something like that. Therein lay the problem, all McGee seemed to be able to write about at the moment somehow always worked back around to Tony's betrayal. Sighing in frustration, McGee glanced at the clock and figured that since it was already midnight and he clearly wouldn't get any serious writing done at the moment, he should just go to bed. Before he made it that far though, the phone rang.

"Timmy, its Abby. I didn't wake you did I? Oh god, I woke you up. I'm sorry. Of course you were sleeping, I mean why wouldn't you be its midnight? I can find someone else to come and get me. Never mind Timmy. I'll just let you get back to sleep and talk to you latter." She rambled on in typical Abby fashion.

"Abby … Abby! … ABS!! I wasn't asleep; you didn't wake me up so stop apologizing." McGee interrupted.

"I know it's a sign of weakness. Don't tell Gibbs ok? Wait, you weren't asleep? Why didn't you just say that then? " Abby went off again.

"Abby, what did you mean you would just get someone else to come and get you? What happened? Where are you?" McGee asked as he finally finished processing what she had said in her first spiel.

"Oh it's no big deal Timmy. I was at this club with some friends of mine, I don't think you know them or the club for that matter, but that's not really important is it? Anyway, I was driving home from the club and my hearse started making a thumping sound so I pulled over and you'll never guess what the problem was. My hearse just got another flat tire and apparently I forgot to get a new spare after the last time so I don't have one. And I would just call for a tow or triple A but it's late and I don't really trust those guys that work this late on jobs like that, besides, I might freak them out when they see me and then I would still be stuck …"

"Abby? Take a breath and then tell me where you are exactly." McGee instructed fighting off the headache that accompanied trying to process his Abby this late at night.

"Sorry Timmy. I'm in the parking lot of a strip mall at the corner of Washington Blvd. and N. Quincy St."

"OK just sit tight and I will be there in about ten minutes." McGee replied grabbing his coat and keys as he left his apartment to rescue Abby.

Ten minutes later, McGee pulled into the parking lot and saw Abby dancing around her car to the song on the radio. Shaking his head he wondered just how much of this was caffeine, how much was alcohol, and how much was just plain Abby. When she saw him she ran up to him and enwrapped him in a hug that almost sent them both toppling to the ground.

"I'm glad to see you too Abby. Why don't you turn off your car and lock it up and I'll take you home. You can call for a tow in the morning."

Abby happily obliged and was soon settled in the passenger seat of McGee's car. "You don't have to take me all the way back to my place Timmy. It's more practical for me to stay at your place because it's late and you look tired and besides, I'm gonna need a ride tomorrow." At the slightly uncertain look that crossed McGee's face she added "Besides, we're both grownups and we can share a bed without it being weird. I mean it's not like it will be the first time or anything." She rambled on until he seemed more at ease, then lapsed into silence.

When McGee pulled back into his parking space he looked over to find that Abby had fallen asleep. Laughing quietly to himself about how quickly she could go from one extreme to the other, he made his way around the car to pick her up. Experience had taught him that it was usually easier and safer not to attempt to wake her, so instead he carried her up to his apartment and settled her in his bed. He then carefully removed her heavy platform combat boots and most of her jewelry before tucking her in with a kiss to the forehead. Setting her shoes by the door and jewelry on the dresser, he then went about his own nightly routine before quietly slipping into bed next to the beautiful Goth.

As McGee lie there waiting for sleep to come, he couldn't help but notice how different and peaceful Abby looked when she was asleep. He had always loved to watch her sleep. Unbidden, memories flooded him from a time when he and Abby were more than just best friends. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret and longing for the short lived relationship they had shared. Checking once again that she was really asleep, McGee gently brushed some dark hair out of Abby's face and indulged in a whispered "I love you Abby" before settling down to really get some sleep. Just before he drifted off her soft reply of "Love you too Timmy" and her warm lithe body snuggling into his lit his face with a gentle smile and promised pleasant dreams.