Title: I'm Not Sorry (chapter 9)
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: none.
Disclaimer: NCIS doesn't belong to me. If it did, certain things would be different. :)
A/N: So many nice reviews; thank you very much!
Throughout the meal, Franks continued to watch the couple across the table. He noticed how often Jethro smiled and the fact that his smiles actually reached his eyes. He watched as Abby snuggled close, an adoring expression on her face. Jethro's voice was gentler than usual even when he spoke to Mike, and downright tender towards Abby. Franks couldn't help wondering what had happened to break down his friend's walls so thoroughly.
Then he saw Abby turn green when the waitress passed them with a pot of coffee, and he began to have an idea. He decided to wait until he could speak to his probie alone, though, before demanding a full explanation.
After lunch they drove to Gibbs' house in Franks' car, with a brief stop at Abby's apartment on the way. Abby announced her intention of taking a nap; Gibbs followed her to the bedroom, telling Mike he'd meet him in the basement shortly.
"Are you gonna tell him?" Abby whispered as he stroked her hair.
"Yeah," he replied. "I have to."
"Good," she murmured sleepily, her eyes closing.
Gibbs waited until she fell asleep, then left the bedroom, leaving the door open in case she called to him.
Mike was examining the skeleton of the latest boat when he heard footsteps on the stairs. "Gonna keep it this time, Probie?" he asked.
Gibbs knew he wasn't just asking about the boat. "Definitely," he replied with a half-smile.
"Well, I'm glad to hear it because otherwise I'd have to kick your ass into next week."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, that's right. I'd have to make you see what a good thing you have here." He took a swallow of bourbon and grinned. "So how far along is she?"
Gibbs had been expecting this question. "Two months."
"How long you been dating her?"
"We haven't actually dated, Mike."
Franks' eyes narrowed a bit. "Okay." His tone made it clear he expected an explanation.
Looking his former mentor straight in the eyes, Gibbs said, "I got drunk and took advantage of her."
The next thing he knew he was lying on the concrete floor, his head and jaw aching from the intense blow he'd just received. He reached up and found that his lip was bleeding. A second later Franks kicked him in the side.
"You did what?" the older man exploded. "How is it you're still employed – and still in one piece? I could fix that, you know, Probie. Better talk fast or I just might." Franks' anger was barely controlled, his jaw clenched tight, his pulse visible at his temples.
"The only reason I still have a job is that Abby loves me. She begged Jenny not to fire me." Gibbs tried to sit up, but was pushed back to the concrete, hard. He sighed, knowing that he deserved the punishment.
"I would have fired you anyway," Franks grumbled.
"I know, Mike, and so would I."
"And that's not all I would have done. What were you thinking? Why didn't you just tell her you loved her like normal people do? It's obvious she adores you – although I don't see why, considering what a damn bastard you are."
Gibbs sighed, "I know, Mike." He related everything that had happened, starting with the email from Shannon's friend and ending with the previous day's confrontation.
His description of that night in his basement earned him a head slap and a second punch. But the catch in his voice as he talked about Abby convinced Franks that he truly was sorry for what he had done. By the time Gibbs finished, Mike's intense anger was almost gone.
He shook his head, helping Gibbs get up from the floor. "Probie, you don't know how lucky you are."
"No, but I'm learning," Gibbs said with a wry smile.
"Learning what?" called a sleepy voice from the top of the stairs. Gibbs immediately turned and bounded up the steps two at a time.
"You okay, Abbs?" he asked, putting his arms around her protectively.
"I'm great. What the hell happened to you?" She wiped some blood from his lip, looking concerned.
"I'm fine, Abbs – just a little accident." He looked into her eyes, trying to project sincerity, since he could see she was suspicious.
"Well… all right." Abby wasn't really convinced, but she wasn't going to press the issue. "Hey, you and Mike want to watch a movie? I brought some of my favorite horror flicks – I'll pretend to be scared and you can comfort me."
Gibbs smiled. "Sounds good to me, Abbs. What about you, Mike?" He had heard Franks climbing the steps behind him.
The older man smiled. "Whatever Abby wants to do is fine with me." Gibbs frowned at the tone of his voice – more seductive than gallant -- but Abby didn't seem to notice.
"Yay!" She turned quickly and headed for the den, where the TV and DVD player she had bought Gibbs for his last birthday resided.
Gibbs waited for Franks to reach the top of the stairs, then held out an arm to stop him.
"What's the problem, Probie?"
"She's mine, Mike," he growled. "Don't you forget it."
Franks chuckled. "Just because I admire the merchandise, Jethro, doesn't mean I'm going to steal it. Relax. I'm just glad to see you happy. Don't you trust me?"
Gibbs chuckled. "Not with women, no." They walked towards the den, hearing the music of 'Friday the 13th' already coming from the TV.
After the movie and two batches of popcorn, Franks said his goodbyes and soon the two lovers were preparing for bed. Gibbs stood in the bathroom doorway, watching as she removed her clothing piece by piece, stretching as she did so. He had considered taking care of that himself, but voyeurism was more fun, especially seeing her many tattoos revealed a bit at a time.
She was down to her black thong when his reverie was interrupted. "Should I put on my pajamas, Jethro, or are you going to make a move on me?" she asked, a bit impatiently.
His response was swift as he stepped up behind her, pressing his body against her bare back, one hand on her breast and the other drifting lower. "All you had to do was ask, Abbs," he murmured with a smile.
A/N2: Next chapter – more "details" and perhaps an 'M' rating?
