Title: Feet of Clay (4)

Rating: T

Pairing: Gabby

Spoilers: None.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with NCIS.

A/N: Thank you for the reviews!

Abby woke to the sound of a baby crying, and since she wasn't used to sleeping in the coffin, for a moment she was disoriented. 'Why is there a baby crying?' she thought, sitting up. 'Is it the neighbors'?' She climbed out, feeling confused, and went in search of the sound. The shapes she could see in the dim light reminded her of where she was, and she realized it was her child.

Walking to the nursery, she saw that Jethro had already picked up Jackson and was preparing a bottle for him. Her heart sank; would she never be allowed to touch her son again?

Jethro turned and saw her standing in the doorway, and wordlessly came to her, handing over Jackson. With a half-smile, he said, "I think he wants his mommy."

She smiled back, cradling the infant close to her heart. "Shh, sweetie, it's all right," she whispered. "You can have your milk soon. Daddy's making it right now." She gently raised and lowered him; they had found that the up-and-down movement would soothe him momentarily when he was hungry.

Gibbs finished quickly, and placing his hand at the small of her back, he led her to their bedroom. "Let's lie down and cuddle while you feed him," he suggested.

"You don't trust me," she said, some bitterness creeping in.

"I do trust you," he replied quietly. "But I want to be close to you. I don't like sleeping by myself anymore; I like having you with me. I missed you earlier."

"Oh," she said, handing the baby to him so she could get comfortable on the bed. "I missed you, too."

She sat leaning against his chest, so that he could wrap his arms around both her and Jackson at the same time. Except for the occasional frustrated whimper when he couldn't get enough milk, the baby was calm and contented.

Abby was the first to speak. "I'm sorry, Jethro."

"For what?"

"For everything."

"That would be fine if everything was your fault," he replied, laying his head against hers, "but it wasn't. Most of it was mine. I'm sorry, Abbs."

She giggled. "You know, Gibbs, for someone who doesn't believe in apologizing, you've started doing it rather regularly."

"So I have. But don't tell anyone else; you'll ruin my reputation."

"Of course not." She turned her head just enough to kiss his cheek. "Thank you though. It really did hurt, what you said."

"I know. I had trouble sleeping; I kept imagining that she was scolding me for treating you that way."

"Who?" Abby asked curiously. She lifted the baby onto her shoulder and gently patted his back.

"Shannon, of course."

"Really." Abby pondered this idea. "So you think she's okay with me and you?"

"More than okay. And I don't think it, I know it."

Abby was silent for a moment, then she laughed. "Jethro Gibbs, I never would have thought you'd believe in ghosts."

"I didn't say I did," he tried to defend himself. Then he held her tighter and kissed the top of her head. "Well, maybe that's another thing you can keep to yourself."

At that moment, Jackson let out a loud burp, and they both laughed, happy that, at least for the time being, everything was okay again.

****

The next morning, Gibbs called in that he would be a bit late, to allow them time to get the baby ready. Abby had to admit that she was glad to return to work; she could amuse herself at home in many ways, but she really did love her job, and she had missed her mechanical "babies" terribly.

She was reacquainting herself with her machines (and admiring the new GC-IR system that her old boyfriend, Marty, had sent for Jackson's birth) when Ducky entered. "Ah, Abigail, it's wonderful to see you back here!" he exclaimed.

"You, too, Ducky!" she ran to him and gave him one of her trademark "flying hugs", almost knocking him over. "Have you seen Jackson?"

"Yes, I just came from the nursery. He's growing quickly, isn't he?"

"Yeah, you wouldn't think your arms would get tired holding five pounds, would you – but if you hold that five pounds all day long, different story. Anyway, did you notice the cameras when you were down there? I can watch Jackie from here! And I can even talk to him, just like I talk to you when you're in Autopsy!" She pointed out her new monitor, which showed a continuous feed of the nursery, as well as the intercom that was labeled "Jackie."

Ducky was surprised, but pleased. "This is wonderful, Abby. It's the next thing to having him here with you."

"Right! I love it. And thank you for your suggestions, Duck man; you really helped me a lot."

He reached over and took her ring-covered hand, then slowly kissed it. "A pleasure, my dear." He started to release her hand, but she wouldn't let him.

"Ummm…. Ducky?"

"Yes, Abigail?"

"What you said yesterday… I think I know what you meant."

"Oh?" He gazed at her intently, trying not to hope too much.

"Yeah. I am mad. I…" Her eyes slid to the side, avoiding contact with his. "I didn't want to be mad. I didn't want him to feel guilty. But I can't help it. Ducky, what will happen if I tell him? He doesn't seem to handle guilt very well and I don't want to push it. I'm afraid."

He beckoned her closer for another hug and she laid her head on his shoulder. He thought for a long moment, unsure of what to say.

Finally she raised her head and he could see the tears threatening to spill out. "Abby, you must tell him," he said firmly. "I can't promise you that he will handle it well, but I can promise you that if you keep pretending you don't feel it, there will be more trouble. If you want to stay together, the two of you will have to work through this issue completely."

"Yes," she agreed softly. "I know."