AN: Sorry about the delay everyone. I had a bit of a block but I think I've gotten past it. We left off with the team in Gibbs basement discussing wedding proposal ideas. It was in secret and Gibbs suddenly receieved a phone call from Abby. Now let the fun begin…Enjoy!
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"Camp Fire." Gibbs stated plainly.
"Camp Fire?"
"Camp Fire." He repeated as his mind searched for another explanation.
"It's raining outside."
"A DiNozzo camp fire."
"We got a case?"
"Something like that?"
"Are you being intentionally vague?"
"Aren't I always?"
The rapid fire conversation slowed as Abby bit her lip in curiosity. "Well, the concert was post-poned cuz of the rain I'll be home in ten minutes for dinner."
"Okay sweetheart." He closed the phone and quickly gestured that they clean up and get out of there. The three scurried up the stairs within minutes and piled into each other as McGee came face to face with Abby.
"Okay maybe I exaggerated on the ten minutes."
Gibbs had to smile. "More like seconds Abs."
She shrugged. "Leaving so soon guys?"
The three snapped their heads to Gibbs in hope of rescue, but he had nothing. It was then, Tony decided to save the day. He glanced at his watch and threw his hands in the air. "Magnum P.I. Anniversary Special is on tonight Abs, we were just headed to get some pizza before it closed and catch the first episode…one of my favorites, the one where Rick asks Magnum to hang out with his little sister when she's in town and she ends up dead. Then Rick goes psycho trying to find the guys…so good."
"I got you the final season on DVD for Christmas, why do you need to catch a marathon?"
Tony bit his lip but stayed in full character. "There's nothing like watching with commercials…makes you feel like you're back in the 80's again, watching it for the first time ya know?" He stepped closer to McGee. "Get a move on Probie, you miss the first part of the episode and you're gonna be asking me questions throughout the whole thing…"
Tim shot Abby a smile before side stepping her and exiting through the door with Tony and Ziva close behind. Abby then slowly but surely made her way down the steps and stood toe to toe with Gibbs.
"So this case must not have been that important?"
He wrapped his arms around her waist and shrugged. "Now what makes you say that?"
She smiled and met his gesture with wrapping her arms around him as well. "Oh nothing…just that you have them come here for a meeting then let them leave for a marathon of a show Tony's seen a hundred times over."
He leaned in and kissed her softly. "Trust me, the case…" He kissed her again. "Is very…" And again. "Very…" And Again. "Important."
She had to smile. "How important?"
He gently moved them towards the boat and let her back rest against it before no space remained between them. "This important."
One week and four days later Gibbs strode in with a big grin on his face that was until Tony opened his mouth.
"Today's the day boss." Tony offered witha smile as his boss slipped past his desk.
"Really DiNozzo? I hadn't been keeping track."
"It just seemed like a witty phrase to say instead of Good morning." He met Gibbs stare and shrugged. "Stupid cliché won't hear it again boss."
"Today's the day!" McGee strode in and wasn't sure why the first look he received was the bona-fide death stare. He peered at Tony. "Was it something I said?"
Ziva then paced through and set her bag down. "Today's the…"
Tony immediately threw his hands up in an attempt to stop her; but she mistook it as his good morning wave. "…Day." She continued and listened to Gibbs pound on his key board with more force than usual. She glanced over at Tony who leaned back in his chair and mouthed silently.
"I tried to warn you."
But her reply wasn't in silence. "Warn me about what?"
Gibbs stood up. "That if I hear that cliché again, I'm gonna crochet it on your..."
Just then Ducky entered with a smile. "Morning all. Today is the day!" He watched as the three cowered behind their desks in response; then turned to see Gibbs reaching for his coat.
"I'm going for coffee."
The five stood in a circle around Gibbs desk as McGee went over the plan one final time.
"At exactly 1230 Ducky will call Abby into Autopsy. At exactly 12:32 Tony and Ziva will arrive in her lab to place the black rose petals from the elevator leading into her back office…at 1235, they will rendezvous at point alpha with myself in preparation for drop off and receipt. At 1240 Ducky will release Abby from autopsy with the evidence and insure her immediate arrival. 1241 Boss will be waiting in adjacent stairwell for my text message. At the opening of the elevator doors approx. 1242 the first hidden camera will catch the facial shots. Camera's 2 and 3 should follow the situation as it unfolds. Upon setting down of evidence, boss will enter and wing it."
Gibbs then looked up. "Wing it?"
"Just go with the flow boss. You'll be fine."
Tony jokingly rubbed the back of Gibbs shoulders then decided it was a bad idea. "Don't forget to get down on one knee boss. If you need help getting back up you should be able to use the table for support…" Tony then reached for the back of his head. "Ow…thank you boss."
"You're welcome." He stood up straight and took in a breath. "How do I look?"
"Fifth times a charm Jethro." Ducky added as he straightened his friend's jacket. "Go get 'em tiger!"
Gibbs would've laughed if he could remember how to breathe.
"You are a pro yes?" Ziva reached out and patted his shoulder. "It's like a riding a boat."
"Bike." Tony corrected.
Gibbs quickly shook his head. "I like the boat analogy better." He sighed then with a nod of his head the mission was in effect. The four dispersed and remembered the dress rehearsal from the night before. Palmer had played Abby's part and subsequently ended the scenario in real tears. But this was the real thing.
Ducky used one of his favorite cricket stories to grab her attention while Tony and Ziva resisted throwing the petals at each other instead of on the floor. McGee was rechecking the camera angles while he waited behind the corner of the hall way for their arrival. They got there just as his phone went off. A text message from Ducky.
"Elevator doors have closed…over and out." Tim closed the text and formulated one to Gibbs. "Chicken has flown the coop, ETA one minute."
Gibbs was pacing back and forth in the stair well and really wished he hadn't had the sixth cup of coffee before lunch. His nerves were worse than usual as he replayed his lines over and over again. They were simple. "Abby, will you marry me? Or was it, Abs, will you marry me? Or will you marry me Abs?" After he was done with his internal debate his phone went off and he placed his hand on the door handle in anticipation.
