Hi, everyone! I'm back!
First, thanks for all the support over the last week and a half. All the kind words and wishes and prayers were very much appreciated!
Thanks to all of the reviewers over the last two chapters - Guest, NCISenthusiastic, Grumpy Alchemist, fiftyshadeswritergal, KrisShannon, Ullswater, A, Guest, Troubled-Angel-26, DS2010, xstargirlx123, spacekitten2700. Your words were appreciated.
However, there was one comment that I deleted from a Guest - one that went like "thank god that I had time to waste, because that is what I did reading this" and included such stellar lines as "were you on speed while you wrote this?" and remarks about how most of my stories are like I'm on speed, but this last chapter was the worst. Hmm, well, Guest, let me respond. I did not expect that last chapter to be my best. I was writing it as a cathartic experience after finding out my great uncle suicided. Getting your "wonderful" (sarcasm intended) review - fully bashing, without a word of help - frustrated and hurt me during such a sensitive time. I wish that I had saved it to post here for an example of how NOT to review! Apparently, that was what you wanted to do, wasn't it? There is no other reason that you would write such caustic words, especially after reading many of my stories (as you mentioned in the review). There are many things that I would like to tell you, but as you remained cowardly anonymous, I will measure my words. You are apparently not a writer - no writer that has commented on my writing has ever been cruel with their words, for they know the power and pains of writing. So, as I believe that this will be the only cure for you, please write a story - I dare you. When you're done, let me know about it. I'll read it. If I like it, I'll leave a comment. If I see issues, I'll leave a constructive comment. If I don't like it, I'll walk away without making you feel like trash - because that is how a real reviewer should act! Please, if you want to change and be kind, you are welcome to read my stories. If you want to continue being a basher, just know that you are considered an unwelcome guest.
Sorry for the rant! That was the most hurtful review that I have ever received and it was on one of the most exhausting - physically and emotionally - days that I've had recently.
On a bright note, fiftyshadeswritergal agreed to help me out and be my proofreader for this chapter. Thanks, Quinta! ;) I loved your help!
Now that I've writen an author's note nearly long enough to be a chapter, let's move on to the story! Thanks for your patience. Enjoy!
...
"How about you just sit down on the sofa so that we can talk about this?" Gibbs suggested. Abby complied, still trying to catch her breath after her burst of speech. Gibbs took a seat and pulled it around so that it was in front of her, then sat down and looked her straight in the eye. "So, you're asking me to punish you for your actions today?"
Abby tried to gulp, but her throat was too dry. Instead she nodded. Gibbs looked at her for a moment, seemingly reflecting.
"And for the form of punishment, you are asking me to spank you?"
Abby nodded again, relaxing slightly at the calm tone that Gibbs was using. He was neither dragging her across his knee right this second, nor was he scoffing at her request. He was acting as if he regularly had distressed goth scientists up to their ears in trouble come barging in on him in the evenings. He seemed to be deep in thought. He finally spoke, "You know, Abby, that would be very off-the-grid for me to deal with you in that way. I'm not denying that I've used corporal punishment as a means of discipline on some of my people in the past - only when they agreed to it, of course. But it is not a normal NCIS form of discipline."
"But if it works, why can't you use it on me?" Abby asked.
Gibbs smiled slightly. "I've wondered that myself, about lots of agents" he stated. Then he turned stern again. "But you aren't exactly one of my people, Abby. You're a scientist, not an agent on my team - that means that you answer to the director, not me."
Abby sighed in frustration. "But that's why I'm here!"
"Why?"
"Because!" Abby waved her hands, becoming more distressed as she expounded. "Because the director said the same thing - 'you're a scientist, not an agent, Miss Scuito. If you break protocol in this way again, then you will suspended', then sent me back to my lab! I didn't get in any trouble at all, and I knew that what I was doing was wrong! You had told me 'no', but I disobeyed your order and went anyway, even though I knew better and it was totally stupid to do that. Why in the world am I allowed to disobeyed a direct order, risk my life and those of others, and totally get away with it? Why are you upset at me instead of the director? Why?!" The weight of her guilt was pressing down, driving her crazy as she tried to figure out this strange, consequence-free zone in which she now found herself.
Gibbs' frown grew deeper. "I don't know why, but I can tell you that if you were on my team you would not be getting away with it." He paused and tipped Abby's chin up with his finger so that she was looking him directly in the eyes. "And if you ever act so dangerously again, I will go to the director and I will insist that you be appropriately punished." Abby flushed and tried to pull away, but he held her there. "But, you're right - you do deserve to be disciplined for your actions today."
"Yes, sir," Abby confirmed. "I ... I just am too scared that if I get away with this, then I'll probably try it again in the future. I was always like that growing up, you know. I'd be really good - or at least I'd try really hard to be good! - but then I'd get into trouble and if I just got scolded and not punished than I would almost always end up doing it again, or something even worse! And then I wouldn't be good until I was punished for being bad."
"You need consequences to help you control yourself?"
Abby shrugged. "It sounds kinda childish, but, yeah."
"Not childish, just honest."
Abby chewed her lip anxiously. I might regret this. "So, I know that you're not technically my team leader, but would you ...?"
"Be able to discipline you for disobeying me?" Gibbs asked. Abby slowly nodded. "Abs, that would totally change our relationship. If I discipline you now, it won't do any good unless we both know that if you mess up again you'll be getting the same consequences, just as if you were mine. You would be treated like any other member of my team. Are you sure that you want to adjust our relationship to that?"
Am I? Am I? Uh, NO! But do I need it? Yea...h.
Gibbs seemed to sense Abby's hesitation. "If you don't want that option but need consistency, I can talk to Morrow for you and he can decide on appropriate disciplinary actions. That would probably work."
"Umm..." Abby hesitated.
"Or," Gibbs said gently, "Why not just tell your father? If he's anything like me, he'll take care of any consequences after hearing half of the story." He noticed Abby's eyes overflowing with silent tears and immediately asked, "What's the matter, Abby?"
"You're right!"
"Why's that upsetting? You're afraid to tell him?"
"No! I can't tell him! He's dead!"
...
Da da dah! What do you think will happen next? Please review!
