That night after dinner Abby was once again sent back up to her room to rest. She decided since both of her parents had already swatted her she had better lay low for the rest of the night. Fortunately her big brother came to her rescue with a rented movie.

Abby and Tony sat on her bed watching Titanic, one of Abby's favorite movies.

The next day Jen was up unusually early. She was finishing coffee with her husband while the kids were still asleep. Jen couldn't help but wonder how today would go. She had never been so happy to go to work in her life.

She leaned down and kissed Gibbs. "Good luck today"

Gibbs cocked an eyebrow "Really Jen? I think I can handle our 12 year old daughter. I am a trained sniper and federal agent.".

As Jen walked away Gibbs could have sworn he heard her say "That's what you think" under her breath.

An hour later Tony had left for school and Gibbs was taking up a tray of oatmeal, juice, and Abby's meds.

Gibbs set the tray on the desk while he woke up Abby. He couldn't help but smile at the way Abby's pigtails were all askew from sleeping. He gently shook her while calling her name. "Abbs, Abbs wake up"

Abby woke up and smiled, she was glad her dad was home today, her mom was very cranky yesterday. She threw her arms around him. "Morning dad"

Gibbs set the tray on her bed along with the cordless phone. "Eat your breakfast, then you can watch TV. Here is the phone. I will be working in the basement so call my cell if you need me."

Gibbs could see the smile spread across Abby's face. "And if you pull the same crap with me that you tried with mom, I guarantee you won't like what happens. Clear?"

The smile faded from Abby's face. Hum maybe her dad was going to be just as cranky as her mom.

Abby gave him her most innocent smile "Clear boss".

Gibbs watched her swallow her medicine and then kissed her head and left.

While Abby sat in bed playing with the oatmeal in the bowl she decided 2 things.

1. She really did NOT like oatmeal, it was too lumpy.

2. She was breaking out, she was sick of being in her room.

She would have to wait for the right time, until then she decided she needed new batteries in her CD player. She picked up the phone and dialed her dad.

Gibbs was in the middle of sawing a board when he saw the home number. He rolled his eyes and hoped for Abby's sake that she really needed something and wasn't pulling the stunts she did yesterday.

After climbing the 2 flights of stairs up to Abby's room, Gibbs walked in and asked "What do ya need Abbs?"

Abby tried to look as innocent as she could. "Dad I want to listen to my CD's but I need new batteries."

"Can't you plug it in instead?"

Abby gave her dad her puppy dog look "But dad then it doesn't reach the bed and how am I supposed to change the CD's when I can't get out of bed. I mean I could always call you when I need to change CD's I guess".

Gibbs rubbed his hand through his silver hair. "Fine Abbs what size batteries do you need?"

"Hum….. 4 AA batteries."

Gibbs went into the hall closet where Jen kept a supply of every size battery imaginable. He found the required batteries and went back to Abby's room.

He handed the batteries to Abby along with the CD player.

"Thanks dad"

"Anything else Abbs?"

"Nope I am good".

Abby waited about 10 minutes when she picked up the phone again.

Gibbs was busy sanding the boat when his phone rang again. When he saw the home number he felt his muscles tighten. Does she have a death wish? He thought.

Gibbs once again hiked the 2 flights of stairs back to Abby's room. He walked in and glared at his daughter.

Abby tried to look as innocent as possible. "I want a banana, sliced please"

Gibbs grumbled all the way to the kitchen to discover they were out of bananas. He poured himself a cup of coffee before going back up to Abby's room to see what she would like in place of said banana.

Unfortunately for Abby's liking her dad was taking too much time so she picked up the phone and called his cell. This time Gibbs answered his cell while he enjoyed his coffee. "We are out of bananas Abby. What do you want instead?"

Abby pretended to think for a minute. "Um nothing I guess. I really wanted a banana. I don't feel like anything else."

Gibbs hung up and finished his coffee before going back in the basement to try and relax.

Abby waited about 15 minutes before she called her dad again. This time instead of coming up he picked his phone and grumbled "Now what?"

Abby pretended to be offended at her dad's grumpiness. "Wow. Is it my fault that you and mom won't let me out of bed. I have strep throat not a broken leg, but you two are insisting on treating me like an invalid. Not my fault I can't get my own snack…."

Gibbs decided she was just going to ramble on and on if he didn't stop her. Pouring himself a glass of bourbon he tried to calm down while asking her what she needed.

"I want an apple, peeled, sliced with cinnamon" she added "please" for good measure.

Gibbs hung up his phone and stomped up to the kitchen. He made Abby her apple and stomped up the stairs to her room.

He sat the apple in front of her and gave her a Gibbs Glare. "Here is your apple. You are going to eat it and then take a nap and I don't want to hear a peep out of you for the next 2 hours."

Abby realized if she wanted to sit down anytime soon she had better lay off her dad for a while.

She gave him a quick hug "Ok daddy".

Gibbs went back downstairs contemplating which was worse, divorce papers from Jen or staying home with Abby. At this rate he might have to take his chances with Jen and force her to stay home tomorrow while he went back to work.

Abby was flipping channels when she heard her dad start hammering. Now was her chance to get out of this room. She quickly climbed out of bed, threw on a sweatshirt and slippers and snuck downstairs and out the back door.

Fortunately for Abby, Gibbs was trying to pound out some of his frustration on some nails and didn't hear the creak of the stairs or the front door.

Abby stepped out into the fresh air and couldn't believe how good it felt. She had been stuck in her room for 2 and a half days without the outside world. She quickly went to the weeping cherry tree and climbed onto the bottom branch. She found herself picking at the leaves and just enjoying the fresh air.

She was so relaxed that she fell asleep sitting in the tree.

Gibbs had stopped hammering and realized his gut was telling him something. Thinking Abby had been unusually quiet and compliant he decided to go check on her and make sure she was indeed napping.

The closer to Abby's room he got the stronger the feeling in his gut became. He couldn't believe his eyes when he opened her door and found her bed empty. He felt the fear and panic start to rise. He quickly searched the house before heading out the backdoor to have a quick look around before he called Franks.

Gibbs didn't see any sign of Abby and was about to go inside when something caught his attention in the cherry tree. He walked over and was relieved when he saw Abby sleeping in the tree. His relief quickly turned to anger realizing that she had disobeyed.

Abby felt something touching her leg and slowly started to open her eyes. At first she hoped she was dreaming but she soon realized it was a nightmare, there standing in front of her was one pissed off Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

"Oh, hi dad"

Gibbs just continued glaring at her "Oh, hi dad, that's all you have to say. How about giving me one good reason not to tan your backside?"

Abby cringed. Oops she really hadn't intended to get caught. She began picking at the tree. "Um….. Well…I needed some fresh air. I can't stand being cooped up."

Gibbs began helping her off her perch in the tree. "You are on bed rest for a reason. The doctor and your mom and I decide what you need and your job is to obey orders. Clear!"

Abby looked at the ground. She hoped if she put on her most innocent act she could wiggle her way out of any further punishment. "Yes daddy"

Gibbs smirked at her aware of what she was trying to do. Little con artist. Before Abby knew what hit her (literally), Gibbs was grabbed her arm and swatted her butt hard.

Abby let out a little yelp, half from surprise and half because it hurt.

"Get in your room now" yelled Gibbs

She didn't need to be told twice. She was more then happy to get away from her dad when he was in a swatting mood.

Unfortunately Gibbs had followed her up the stairs and into her room.

Abby tried to crawl into bed away from her dad, but she was no match for the ex gunny. Gibbs sat down and pulled Abby across his lap. SWAT you will SWAT do as SWAT you are SWAT told SWAT you are SWAT not in charge in this house SWAT SWAT SWAT SWAT SWAT SWAT. While Abby was still crying over her dad's knee he continued to lecture her on her behavior over the last 2 days. When he stopped lecturing he told her she was supposed to stay in her bed and he didn't want to hear from her until dinner. He emphasized it with 5 hard swats to her sit spots.

When he was done he hugged her and put her in bed. He kissed the top of her head and left.

That night when Jenny got home she asked how it went. Gibbs couldn't help but notice her smug look as he told all about his day. He had no choice but to admit defeat to Jen.

"Tomorrow I am going to work and you are staying home, file for divorce if you want to but nothing can be worse then a grounded Abby."

Jen laughed and hugged her husband "I have a better idea, let's call Ducky and see if he will give her clearance to leave her bed and go back to school. When you call him tell him her backside is in more danger then her health if this goes on any longer."

Before Jen even finished Gibbs was on the phone to get Ducky to come over.

TBC-One more chapter to tie up lose ends like McGee