Gibbs studied Abby, waiting for her to say the first words. It was custom for them, expected almost. He would stand and listen while she worked her own problems out. Or she usually did. Today she just made a point to stare at her computer, being uncharacteristically quiet.
"Problem Abbs?" Gibbs asked after almost a full six minutes of silence. She shrugged, picking Bert up off the lab table. "This is the reason rule number 12 is in place," Gibbs pressed on. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what had happened. "Though why DiNozzo would let you go without a fight is beyond me."
"How did you…?" Abby started turning to look at him. She took a breath and said, "Your Gibbs, of course you know." Gibbs waited, knowing she was going to start talking. And sure enough:
"He told me he loved me," she said quietly, fiddling with a piece of loose thread on Bert's coat. "And, and I just can't say it back." It was quiet for a few more seconds. "It's not that I don't, it's just…" she took a breath. "He's a magnet for trouble, more so than you and McGee. Equal with Ziva, yet sometimes he passes her. I don't, I don't want to see him get hurt. Or worse…
"And if I allow myself to…" she trailed off, biting her lip. "I c-can't lose him," she whispered.
"Maybe you won't," Gibbs said slowly.
"But how can you be sure? How you can you know that Michael or one of my other exes might not go after him? Or he won't get shot? Or k-killed? How?" a few tears rolled down her face.
"Abbs, no one knows," Gibbs responded. Abby nodded, letting her eyes shift to the floor. It was quiet for a few seconds then Jethro asked, "Do you love him?"
"Of course, I l-love you all…"
"You know what I meant," Gibbs cut her off. "Do you?"
"I-I do," Abby whispered with barely a hesitation.
"Then what's the problem…?"
The lab fell silent again. Abby mulled over Gibbs' words before she nodded and gave him a watery smile. "Thanks Gibbs," she said giving him a hug. He returned the hug, before breaking away from her. "Just save it for after work," he said before turning and heading out of the lab…
NCIS
I tried for a Tony/Gibbs scene, but it just wouldn't come to me. Plus, I thought of a cool scene for a future chapter between the two guys that might make up for the lack of one now :D
Anyway, thanks for all the reviews, alerts, and just plain reading last chapter. You guys are truly awesome.
And now I must be off, I have more Tabby chapters to write :D
So, leave a comment if you can, I own nothing, and thanks again for reading
Bye...
