Chapter 4- Christmas Happenings

Christmas Eve

Gibbs heard his name being called through his foggy brain.

"Leroy," the voice whispered.

Gibbs groaned and buried his head under the covers, trying to get away from the offending noise.

"Leroy," the voice said a little louder and more insistent.

Gibbs eyes popped open. No one called him Leroy except for one person, his father.

He quickly threw off the covers and sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He immediately smelled coffee.

"About time, son. Been calling you for the last couple of minutes," Jack said. He was standing next to the bed holding a steaming cup of coffee in his hand.

Gibbs shook the sleepy cobwebs from his brain, squinted to see what time it was but couldn't see the clock. It was still dark outside. The only light was from the hallway and it wasn't enough to light up his room.

"What time is it?" he asked, his voice thick with sleep. He reached for the coffee.

"It's almost six. I've called in a favor from Bud Nelson. You remember Bud? He's got a sleigh riding business on the old family farm. He said if you want to bring Abby over this morning for a sleigh ride, be there by 7:30. He's fitting you in," Jack said.

"Is Abby up?" Gibbs asked, sipping his coffee.

"No. I've left that for you. I remember the last time she was here. Morning wasn't her favorite time of the day. I'll be at the store until noon. Closing early," Jack said, as he left the room.

Gibbs cringed. He knew Abby hated early mornings.

Getting up, he stretched, did some push-ups and then went about getting dressed for the ride. He put on a pair of long-johns, then his jeans, doubled up on the socks, two t-shirts and a flannel shirt. He remembered how cold he'd get on the sleigh rides when he was a kid.

He made his way down to Abby's room, steeled himself for the onslaught of verbal abuse that he knew was coming. He knocked, softly at first and then a little louder. He heard a moan coming from within. Slowly, he opened the door, poked his head in and called her name.

"Abby?"

Nothing.

He opened the door all the way. The hallway light did very little to help the situation. He had entertained the thought of turning on the light in her room but he valued his head.

Making his way over to the bed, he smiled down at the sight. She was all curled up, buried under the covers to where only her nose was sticking out. He reached down and gave her shoulder a little push.

"Abby, get up."

She stirred, moaned and stretched. As she did so, a bare leg slipped from under the covers.

God…

Gibbs stared at her leg, resisted the overwhelming urge to rub his hand up it and under the covers. Shaking his head of those thoughts, he shook her shoulder a little harder.

"Come on Abby, get up or we're going to be late."

That did it. Suddenly, she sat up, pushed the covers off, looking wildly around the room.

Gibbs swallowed hard at the sight. Gorgeous came to mind. Her hair was a mess, like it would be if he'd had the chance to run his hands through it. Her face was void of make-up and her lips were full, beseeching him to kiss them.

"Damn it, I'm going to be late. Gibbs is going to kill me." It all came out in a rush, but as fast as she said it, she stopped and stared up at him, blinking the sleep from her eyes.

"What the fuck, Gibbs?" she growled.

Gibbs held up his hands and backed away a bit. He caught the pillow before it smashed into his face. "Hey, don't blame me. Jack's bright idea."

"And that would be…?" she asked, as she yawned and stretched.

"A morning sleigh ride at the Nelson's farm," he said, tossing the pillow back at her, trying hard not to stare. As she stretched, her top slid slightly open to reveal the top of her breasts.

Lord have mercy…

Abby smiled. "A sleigh ride? With horses and bells and…"

"Yep," Gibbs interrupted her ramble. "You'll need to dress in layers. We've only got an hour, so hurry."

Abby jumped out of bed. The silk pajama top did nothing to hide her long, sleek legs. Gibbs just stood there and stared, mesmerized.

Abby started to unbutton her top and then stopped when she noticed he hadn't left the room. "Um, Gibbs?" Her eyes shone with amusement.

Gibbs shook his head. "Oh, yeah… leaving," he said and rushed from the room. As he shut the door behind him, he heard her giggle and he smiled at the sound. He really could get used to hearing that every morning.

The sleigh ride was everything he remembered and more. This time he had his girl with him. It made the ride so much more bearable. It was cold, so they didn't talk much. They didn't have to. Abby's eyes said everything.

Riding along, Gibbs would point out some of the places where he'd hung out when he was a kid. Meyer's swimming hole, which was frozen over, the old abandoned mines on Bailey's Hill and Jackson Lake where he and Jack would go fishing.

As they entered a stand of pine trees, the horses began to slow. They came to a stop and Gibbs heard Abby sigh. The pine trees were laden with piles of snow, bending their boughs down toward the earth. It was a very peaceful, romantic and magical place.

"It's beautiful here," she said, sighing.

Gibbs nodded and then smiled. The memories of this place came rushing back. This was where he had his first serious make out session. Abby must have noticed his reaction.

"Tell me," she requested.

"This is where… well, there was this girl…"

Abby held up her hand to stop him. "Say no more. I totally get the picture. This was where you lost your virginity."

Whoa…

"Not quite, but close," he said. He felt his face flush with embarrassment.

Abby's laughter rang out, which made him smile even more. He snuggled in under the blanket even further, grabbing her hand and held it tight.

The horses started to get a bit restless, wanting to keep moving. The driver let out a little shout and they were off. The rest of the trip was in silence.

After the ride they went into town and stopped by the store to see if Jack needed any help.

When he said no, Abby told Gibbs she wanted to take a walk and that she'd be back in a few minutes.

Gibbs nodded and watched her leave. He knew she was probably going to do some last minute shopping, so he didn't offer to go with her. Good thing, because what his father had planned for the rest of the afternoon was something he knew she'd love to do.

"So?" Jack asked.

Gibbs smiled. "She had a great time. Thanks, Dad."

"Well, good. Now I want you to take her over to the town hall. They're having their annual Christmas Eve toy drive for the kids who's families are having a hard time with making ends meat. I called ahead and told Chief Davenport that you and Abby would be there to help pass out toys. I know from talking to Abby that this would be something she'd like to do," he said as he handed Gibbs a great big, red-velvet sack full of wrapped presents.

Gibbs grabbed the bag and looked at it. "I don't need to dress up as Santa, do I?"

"No, not this year. I was Santa last year. Harry Johnston has the honors this year," he laughed.

Gibbs nodded and placed the sack on the table, grabbed the broom and started to sweep the floor, biding his time until Abby came back.

Abby bounded her way in, empty handed. She smiled at them and then saw the sack sitting on the table.

"Santa arrive a little early?" she asked, pointing to the sack.

Gibbs finished sweeping and then put the broom away. "Nope." He snatched up the bag, grabbed her by the hand and led her out the door.

"Gibbs, where are we going?" she asked, trying to keep up with him.

"We're going to help with the toy drive," he said.

"Yay!" Abby exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement.

A/N- Don't you love an old fashion sleigh ride to get things rolling!