CHAPTER 4
Curtis knew this was a tricky time; Gibbs was by far the most dangerous opponent he had ever faced but Abby was a prize that was worth fighting for and he intended to use every weapon he had in his arsenal.
He was confident the others had been neutralised, Gibbs was the only one she had yet to sever all emotional ties to, he knew a direct attack on the man wouldn't benefit his cause so he was content to wait, he knew Gibbs would do something to try and "save" Abby, all Curtis had to do was wait and pounce when the time was right.
"Don't jeopardise your job, they're not worth it, remember everything should be on your terms, don't jump to their demands"
"Curtis, I do work for them, I have to jump to their demands"
"No, you work with them, and they need you more than you need them. Make them appreciate you, just be careful, don't give them anything they can use against you"
"Like what?" Abby was trying to follow Curtis's train of thought but the wine he kept topping up her glass with was making her sleepy and confused.
"I don't know, Gibbs is up to something, we don't know what or when or who he'll have roped in. Be on your guard with everyone; don't let them question your ability to do your job"
Over the next few weeks Abby felt Gibbs watching her, every time she turned around he seemed to be there, watching, waiting. Every time she spotted him she felt an inexplicable surge of hope but not understanding where it came from, she squashed it and focused on what Curtis had told her.
Be on your guard, they're up to something, something that could damage you, damage your reputation or cost you your job.
You can't trust anyone, he could have gotten anyone to do anything, oh God, what if they plant something in my lab, or tamper with something I'm working on. I need to call Curtis.
Curtis was mildly irked that he hadn't thought of this scenario, but the fact that Abby had thought of it herself made it all the stronger in her mind. He took delight in the way Abby was now alienating herself and encouraged her to act on those suspicions.
Abby started locking her lab doors, e-mailing people with results and generally discouraging visits to her lab. Anytime someone did have to go in, Abby was very formal, ignored all attempts at small talk and practically pushed them out the door as soon they had delivered or collected what they had come for.
Gradually, it became known round the office that Abby's lab was no longer a place where random visits were welcome, no-one understood what was happening and everyone looked to Gibbs and his team to make it right.