Here are a couple mini stories just to help you check in with the characters and maybe get more hints as to who has who for the gift exchange. Sorry it's so late for me to be updating, but it's been a busy day.
Anyway, Disclaimer: I do own an Abby costume, but I do not own her or anything to do with NCIS. Just my story here.
Sooooooo….
Chapter 7: Creating and Decorating
Ziva David woke up at five for her usual morning run. It was December 24th. She pulled on a pair of jogging pants and a light sweatshirt. When she opened her door to leave, she saw another package laying where it had the day before. Ziva smiled as she picked it up and reentered her apartment to unwrap it. She grabbed her pocket knife from her waist where it was concealed, and slid it across the packing tape. Inside were 8 Israeli Sheqalim. In US dollars, that was only worth about $2.00, but the coins were beautiful and reminded her of home. The note that came with the gift read, "Here is some traditional Gelt for Hanukkah. I hope you had a wonderful holiday. ~Your Secret Santa".
The gift made Ziva nearly cry. Who was this thoughtful person who had drawn her name for the gift exchange? She would find out tomorrow. Until then, she would focus on finding her gift for the person whose name she had drawn. She wasn't sure where to find this gift because it wasn't very common in America. Maybe she'd just have to make it herself.
"Pass me the scalpel Mr. Palmer," Ducky asked. Since there were other cases for other teams going on, the M.E. and his assistant did not get a break. They had been granted the 25th off for Christmas, but they had to make up for it with extra work hours. Unfortunately, criminals and murderers did not take a holiday break.
"Doctor," Palmer began as he handed Ducky the requested tool, "Can I get your opinion on the gift I am bringing for tomorrow?" Ducky pulled off his latex gloves and replied, "It would be my pleasure." Palmer pulled out a clunky briefcase. Ducky surveyed the present.
"Ah," he began. "He will be delighted!" Jimmy let out a sigh of relief. "Although, it might take some explanation," Ducky added. Jimmy nodded.
"I'm glad. He wasn't the easiest to shop for!" Jimmy said.
"You've done a marvelous job," Ducky said as he put the X-Rays on the light board. "It will suit him perfectly."
Gibbs was again in his basement, this time working on his present for the next day's party. He sanded down the wood, then stepped back to admire his handiwork. From a high shelf, he retrieved buckets of wood stain and polish. Gibbs felt that a store bought present would not have as much meaning when he was giving this gift to someone that meant a lot to him.
In delicate brush strokes, Gibbs stained the wood, then he left it to dry. He sat on his couch drinking coffee while the stain dried. He heard his front door open and saw Abby walk in.
"Hi Gibbs!" She said. "I hope you don't mind my intruding."
"I never do," he replied.
"I was thinking, could I decorate your house for tomorrow's party right now?"
"Sure."
"Great!" Abby exclaimed. "I'm gonna go get the decorations from my car." She went back outside and grabbed the décor. When she arrived back at his doorstep, Gibbs noticed that the boxes that she had brought were nearly falling out of her arms.
"Need some help?" He offered. She gratefully accepted and together they brought in the party decorations. Gibbs opened up one of the boxes. Inside were some decorative paper plates and napkins, some paper and scissors, red and green streamers, and blinky house lights.
Abby was standing in the living room, staring at the tree Gibbs had put up the other day. "Has this always been here?" She asked. Gibbs laughed, "No Abs, just this year." Abby began to tear up. "Did you do this just for this party?" Gibbs nodded. Abby ran to him and gave him a hug. "Thank you, it's beautiful."
Gibbs went back to the boxes. "What's the scissors and paper for Abs?" Gibbs asked, confused.
"Oh, I was gonna make paper snowflakes." She said as she unloaded the other boxes.
"I'll help." Gibbs said. He grabbed the supplies out and placed them on his kitchen table. Abby was surprised. "You will?" She asked.
"Sure." Gibbs said. Abby's eyes twinkled and she skipped over to where Gibbs was sitting, then sat down at the seat across from him. They both started making small cutouts of the paper.
Gibbs hadn't made a paper snowflake since Kelly was alive. She and Gibbs used to make them each year, as a Daddy-Daughter tradition. He was a little rusty at first, but soon he became quite the Snowflake maker.
Abby was shocked by his skills, and soon they had made 20 or more snowflakes. Gibbs helped her hang them from the ceiling, then they hung the lights and finished their decorating.
Abby stood by the front door, ready to leave. "Bye Gibbs, see ya tomorrow!"
"Bye Abs." Gibbs kissed her cheek. Once Abby had left, Gibbs descended the stairs to his basement to put on the final layer to his wooden creation. Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough.
Hope you really liked that. Please review. I've been loving it!
Merry Christmas!
Happy Hanukkah!
Enjoy your holidays and I wish you safe travels!
I should be updating tomorrow and hopefully on the 25th.
Again, if you have a fanfiction you'd like me to check out, PM me. Hurry, we're almost done with our story!
Bye for now,
~NCIS Obsession
