CHAPTER 10
A/N OK, this is turning into something way bigger than I had first anticipated. It was supposed to be 3 chapters of fluff, but it's taken on a life of its own, who am I to stop it?
The next morning, Ziva went into the office at her usual time surprised to find the director waiting for her.
"Director"
"Agent David, that was quite a stunt you pulled with the Naval intelligence boys"
"Ah"
Vance laughed, "He'll never tell you" indicating Gibbs empty desk "but he's proud of you, and so am I, hell those navy boys are still running around trying to figure out who you are" he laughed again then turned serious "David, make sure Miss Sciuto is in my office first thing on Monday morning"
Ziva nodded, she was beginning to understand just how much trouble Abby was in.
Later that morning, the team caught a case, Ziva found herself alone with Gibbs driving to the crime scene.
"You are not going to let the director fire Abby"
Gibbs wasn't sure it was a question, but he decided to answer it anyway
"Why should I stop him?"
"Because it is Abby!"
"That's not a reason Ziva"
They drove the rest of the way in silence.
Back at the office McGee lifted the box of evidence "I'll get this lot down to Abby, I mean, Lewis" It was the 5th time he had 'accidentally' mentioned Abby that day.
Gibbs was starting to lose patience, he understood the teams need to try and protect Abby, but he wasn't the bad guy in all this. He turned back to the elevators and went for coffee.
Friday morning.
Gibbs went down to autopsy, answering a summons from Ducky.
"What have you got for me Duck?"
"Oh, nothing related to the case, I just wondered if it was time to play that guilt card?"
Gibbs rolled his eyes "Not you too Ducky"
"Jethro, you know as well as I do that the only reason the director didn't fire her on the spot was to give you two time to patch things up"
Gibbs stared at him "I haven't done anything wrong here Ducky" he said softly.
"No, but you haven't done anything right either"
Gibbs shook his head and walked away.
Friday night.
"Ziva? Can you drive me over to Gibbs place?"
"Are you sure you want to do that?"
"No, but I have to"
"You want to go now?"
Abby nodded.
An hour or so later, they pulled up outside Gibbs place.
Abby sat in the passenger seat, pale, shaking and twisting her fingers together.
"You do not have to do this"
"I do, Ziva, as much as I want to ask you to turn round and go back…"
"Do you want me to wait?"
Abby shook her head "No, this could take a while"
"You call me anytime, and I will come here"
"I know Ziva, thank you" Abby leaned over and hugged Ziva before quickly jumping out of the car before she lost her nerve completely.