Hi everyone! And back again! Pretty long chapter this time, let me know what you think. A little different. Enjoy!

Chapter 9- Dealing with Abby

Gibbs POV

I get off the elevator, and am immediately assaulted with the pulsing sound of music. Walk in, and call out, "Abby!" even as I turn down her music. She, as predicted, comes out saying,

"Hey! Who turned down my music! It had better be you, Gibbs, or else there is gonna be…Gibbs!" I smirk, and give her a hug.

"Hey Abs. A bit loud, dontcha think?"

"But Giiiibbs! It's Android Lust! You HAVE to play it loud. It's the only way to properly appreciate the full effects!"

"Yeah, but let's keep it to deafening, instead of concussive, ok?" She pouts, and then replies,

"Yes Gibbs."

"Good girl." I give her a kiss. "Now," handing her a drink, "What did you want to see me about?"

"Oh yeah! Gibbs!" Here she punches me. "What were you thinking, doing that to Dorney! I mean, uh," She backtracks, seeing my look, "I'm sure you had a reason, and that he deserves it, but, oh Gibbs, can we keep him?! He's like a cute little puppy! Pleeease?"

"Abby! He is not a dog! He is a Special Agent, who made a mistake under my watch that could have been a real problem. So, I dealt with it."

"Of course you did." Here she gives me a smile of adoration and trust, so like the one another little girl gave me…

"That's why you're Gibbs. I'm glad you sent him down to see me though, because he needed some comfort. Did you have to be so hard on him Gibbs?"

"You know I did, Abs. I don't want him getting himself killed, or hurt his career."

"I know. But he just, he really did seem like a puppy, Gibbs…"

Flashback

Abby's POV

Dorneget came shuffling into her lab. Abby knew to expect him, thanks to the call from Timmy. She often was the first person to go to after someone met with Gibbs in the conference room. More often than not it was Tony. She could tell that Timmy was in for it too, going by the phone call, and hoped he would have a chance to come down and see her.

2nd Flashback

"Abby."

"Timmy! How you doing? How's your report? Are you almost done? Do you think the boss-man will let you go when you are done? Hey, my friend just told me about this new club that is totally awesome! I wanna try it out, do you want to come with me? There is some awesome new music there, and a lot of room for dancing, with a pool table and…

"Abby. I can't. Not tonight. Gibbs told me to call you, uh, let you know that he is going to be sending Dorneget down to see you in…a couple minutes.

"What, Dorneget? Why? Is he ok? Oh my gosh, did one of you get hurt? Why can't you come tonight? Is everything ok?"

"Abby! We're both fine. Well, mostly. Not when Gibbs gets done with us."

"What-oh. I get it. Wow, Timmy, Dorneget? Didn't see that one coming."

"Yeah. And it's all my fault Abs! I should have taken better care of him, taken on the responsibility, and now he has to deal with Gibbs, and Gibbs knows how badly I can care for other agents in the field. I mean, he tried to QUIT because of this! How can I call myself a team member when I can't even NOT screw up picking up a freaking witness! I mean…"

"Timmy! You have been in trouble before, and you KNOW Gibbs is fair. He only punishes each person based upon his or her actions. It is not your fault Ned is getting in trouble."

"Yeah, but if I had just…"

"No, Tim! You can't take it all on yourself."

"Yeah, Abby, I can. It is all my fault."

"Timmy…"

"No, I've got to go. Expect him down in a few minutes."

-Click-

End 2nd flashback

Return to flashback 1

It wasn't his fault, Abby thought as she continued to work. She was worried about her friend, but trusted Gibbs to be able to work it all out. Now, do I let Neddy Ned know that I know he got punished, and give him some of my ointment, or do I not in deference to his embarrassment? Nah, he just joined the inner circle. There is no embarrassment here. I am sure he knows that Tim is getting it after him…

"Abby? I uh, Gibbs sent me down here, to see you, I, uh, guess to see if I could help you with anything?"

I looked at him for a minute. His eyes were still red, and his voice a little shaky, but he seemed to be alright, mostly. He kind of looked like a little puppy dog. I decided to give him a big hug, and then I would distract him while having him help me make the ointment.

"Oomph!" *Hug*

"Hi Ned! Sure, I could use some help! I making some stuff, so if you could grab the bowls underneath the counter, that would be great! There should be three of them stacked together…great, thanks! Alright, can you go grab the box of ingredients in the back of the fridge while I fill this with some water? Everything should be together. Thanks. Feel free to pick whatever music you want from that stack of CD's over there, nothing like some music to help the time go by…"

She simply chatted with him as they worked, surprised at his choice of music, the band Death Skull. Apparently he was a quiet fan, and we talked about the musicians and the changes made to the band. Eventually, I steered the conversation back to what we were doing.

"I remember one time we had a serial killer on the loose, and we hadn't gone home for over a week by the time we had finally caught the guy. I had bought tickets for the band months ago, and was hoping we would be done with the case so I could go. I hadn't gone to one of their concerts yet, but had been listening to their cd's in preparation, and didn't want to miss it. Gibbs told us to get home, so we could get some sleep, and to get started on the paperwork the next day. Everyone was glad to leave, myself included, only I wasn't going home. I was going to go to that concert.

I should have known Gibbs would have checked up on me, on all of us, really, and when he couldn't find me at home, he got mad. Then, when I didn't answer my phone because of the noise, he started to panic. He woke up McGee to get a trace on my cell, and once he found out where I was, he was ticked. I came out of the concert excited and happy, only to find a VERY unhappy and tired Gibbs leaning against my car. He drove me home, and then the next day…I once again made use of this recipe, as I constructed it in my lab…standing up.

"I…wai…what?"

"This is a type of aloe, homemade recipe, designed by yours truly, only I've never used it for sunburns…although, Gibbs can create something quite similar, can't he?"

"I, Abby…"

"I know, Ned. Tim called me before you left. They often come down here to get some comfort after meeting with Gibbs in the conference room. We have all felt it." I gave him a smile, feeling his shock, and embarrassment.

"I…"

"I remember Tim's first time. He was in shock. It took him a while to process it. Is it kinda like that right now?"

He nodded.

"Well," I said, giving him some of the now completed ointment, "Try going down to talk to Ducky. He always seems to help." He nodded again, almost numbly, as I walked him to the door, arm around his shoulder. "Oh, and Ned?" He turns to look at me. I smile, and say, "Welcome to the club," while giving him another hug. He returns it with his free arm, and then goes to the elevator to see Ducky. I turn, and smile. Mission accomplished.

End flashback

I saw her go in her mind for a minute, and then come back.

"But he's ok, Gibbs. Don't worry."

I nod, satisfied, and turn to go.

"But Gibbs?"

I turn back to look at Abby, and she seems concerned now.

"Yeah, Abby?"

"How it Timmy? He seems to be blaming himself for everything, and getting Ned in trouble…and you know how he gets when he feels guilty, and tries to overcompensate…"

I curse silently. That is why he felt so bad! Not only did he feel bad about lying to me and the guilt about that, but for Dorneget getting in trouble in the first place. It all made sense now. McGee had a troublesome habit about trying to take on too much guilt, and then pushing himself too far to make up for these imagined mistakes. Which, in his mind, could never be excused until I pulled him aside again to explain to him that it is all over, and he shouldn't blame himself, and that it was taken care of and put behind us. Sometimes, that had to take place in the form of a spanking if he pushed himself into the realm of dangerous trying to atone. I wouldn't let that happen this time. But my little girl was still looking at me with that worried look, so I went to reassure her. I understood now, what was going on.

"I got it, Abs. I will take care of it. Don't worry." I then kissed her forehead, and turned to go, and as I walked out, she said,

"I know you do, Gibbs."

Her confidence bolstered mine, but then I sigh. Time to get this mess, and the mess with Tony, under control again.

Tbc…