Okay, so I've only gotten three reviews so far…but dang! They were fast and very positive! Plus, I for one, hate to wait for more of my favorite stories to be updated…here's the next chapter.

The week went by smoothly for everyone. No new cases had emerged, and Abby and Gibbs were getting along great. Both had thought it would be incredibly awkward for a time; however, by Monday they were back to their old routines. They were even signing in front of Tony just to annoy him. Yes, from the outside, it looked like their friendship was still intact and stable.

However, on the inside…well that was a different story. Abby never felt so timid and unsure of herself as she did lately. She played it off well, but she hated the butterflies that were now a constant fixture in her stomach whenever Gibbs was around. For his part, Gibbs had found it hard to not touch her at every turn. Granted, it was common knowledge that they had their own language and way of touching each other frequently; but since he now knew what it was like to taste her lips…it was harder than he ever thought possible to return to kissing her cheek.

Yet, per their silent agreement, neither one of them brought up the kisses. Nor did they act as if anything had changed between them. Ducky found it almost comical, the way they danced around each other and lived in denial. Unfortunately, Mrs. Mallard had once again cut herself, thereby postponing their dinner engagement till Saturday. Though this was a relief to both Gibbs and Abby, since they each were then given a few extra days to pretend before attending dinner.

However the pretending was quickly starting to wear on both of their nerves. It seemed to Gibbs that each day Abby's skirts got shorter and her shirts were tighter. Abby, on the other hand, was irritated that Gibbs chose to wear his pants tighter, thus showing off his great butt; and he wore more black (which Abby loved). Of course, neither of them knew they were doing this to the other. So by Saturday, it had become increasingly harder for them to be around each other.

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Abby was finishing her makeup as she heard Gibbs knock on her door.

"Come on in, Gibbs. Almost ready!"

Gibbs stepped into her apartment, obviously aggravated that she once again left her door unlocked. He rolled his eyes, wondering if she would ever truly listen. Just as he was about to chastise her for the door; she stepped out into the hall where he could see her. Not only did Abby have her hair pulled up, with some escaping ringlets of curls; she wore the tightest, sexiest black dress Gibbs had ever seen. He was speechless, furious and…turned on as hell.

Abby also lost her voice for a moment as she took in Gibbs. He was wearing form-fitting black pants, a charcoal gray polo shirt and a white undershirt. Turning, so that he wouldn't see her blush, she walked into her bedroom to grab her purse and spray on some perfume. Finishing, she stepped back out, trying desperately to control herself.

The moment she turned around, Gibbs lost any remote possibility of ignoring his lust. Her dress had a low v-neck cut in the front, and an even lower one in the back that left little of her back covered. He had seen her cross tattoo once before, during Halloween when she dressed up as Marilyn Monroe. Yet tonight…it was somehow even sexier and more forbidden. Her dress stopped about 3 inches up from her knees, which left her legs bare (she wasn't wearing her usual white knee-highs or boots, she was wearing black heels).

"You look…"

"Different, I know. I think I kinda freaked Ducky's Mom out last time we had dinner with them, so I decided to dress more conservatively."

"So you chose this?"

"Well, yeah. Why? You don't like it? I mean I know it's not my usual, but the salesman said I looked good in it."

"I bet he did."

"What does that mean?"

"It means, we should get going or we'll be late."

"Fine, let's go…I wouldn't want Ducky to think we weren't coming."

"DiNozzo and Ziva should be there by now."

"Isn't McGee coming too?"

"Yeah, he said something about an elf-mistress or something. I tried not to ignore that conversation."

"Good for McGee. He should be getting out there, dating more. He sits at home too much."

"Well unfortunately, Palmer and Agent what's-her-name, will be there too."

"Agent Lee? Hmm…I didn't know they had come out as a couple."

"What makes you think they are?"

"Please, Gibbs…they've been humping like rabbits since day one. Oh, although I guess you weren't around when they met."

"No, Abby, I wasn't. I was in Mexico."

"Gee, relax, Gibbs. I was just saying. They're the only real couple going to this thing tonight. Although I think it's nice to get together once a month like we all do."

"Sure…nice."

The rest of the car ride was in silence. Gibbs hoped Abby didn't notice his hands, since he was gripping the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles were turning white. Of course this was so that he didn't lose control and crush her against him. Abby was also trying to occupy her hands so that she didn't reach over and grab his highly toned thigh or upper arm. Black usually aided to mask the parts of your body you want to hide from others; however, on Gibbs it defined and highlighted every muscled detail. Abby was sure she would be going crazy by the end of the night…if he didn't beat her to it.