As soon as Gibbs stepped out the door, Abby felt a sense of uncertainty. She sat quietly, tucked securely into Jack's side and gazed around the place. She had been in Gibbs' living room hundreds if not thousands, of times, but out in the woods she had struggled to recall even the simplest of details. She gazed around at the books crammed into the bookshelf (books about the Marines, historical fiction and the occasional biography). His bike leaned against the far wall and she wondered when he ever had time to ride it (and if they could go biking sometime). The furniture, like most everything in Gibbs' home, was old and well worn, but also well taken care of. She couldn't decide if Gibbs was good at dusting, or if dust was just too scared to settle in Gibbs' house.
She wasn't aware of how long they sat there together until Jack got up to make them both lunch. He returned with grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches and a bag of potato chips.
"I didn't think Leroy would get something like chips, so I brought a bag from the store. Can't have lunch without some chips on the side," he patted his belly.
Abby's eyes lit up at the mention of the store. "How is the store? Who will run it while you're gone?"
"Business has been good the past few months." The store was something Jack could always talk about. "A good friend of mine, Wayne and his wife Dorothy, run it for me when I need some time off. They are retired, but enjoy working some hours now and again. Plus, working the store means keeping up with the town gossip. Always something going on in Stillwater."
"How's Ethan?"
"Doin' real good. Stops in with his aunt now and again, he's been living with her since he got out of the hospital." Jack opened the chips, took a few and then handed the bag back to Abby. She took a few and chewed thoughtfully. "Have he and his father worked things out? Or even tried to work things out?"
"They've spoken a time or two that I know of. It'll take a long time if they every truly get along, but it's a start."
"You never know," Abby shrugged. "You and Gibbs got a second start."
Jackson smiled. "We sure did."
Abby tried to bite back a yawn, but Jack saw it. "Why don't you take a little snooze?" He nodded at the dining table where the newspaper lay. "I'm going to sit there and read the paper. See what's going on in the big city that they don't report in the Stillwater news."
A nap didn't sound like a bad idea, so Abby let Jack tuck her in on the couch and then fell asleep.
---
Every time his phone rang, Gibbs was sure it was Abby. Only she didn't call. It was Director Vance, Ducky, someone from the mail room at NCIS wondering if they should leave his mail on his desk.
They were waiting for Miles Reek to arrive on a flight from Miami, and the clothes Abby had been wearing were being processed by the FBI lab. When he hadn't heard from her by one, he decided to call and check in.
"… 'ello?"
"Dad, how are things?"
"Leroy! Everything is fine. We had a bite to eat and now she's taking a little nap. I was just about to do the same."
"So she's fine?"
"She was quiet for quite some time after you left, just looking around like she's never been here before. But then I mentioned the store and that got her going."
Gibbs could tell that his father was smiling. Abby had been fascinated by the store when they had gone up to Stillwater for the LaComb case. "Alright. Call me if she needs anything. I'll be home by dinner."
---
Abby woke two hours later to the sounds of a soft snore. Jack was in a chair across from the sofa where she lay, his hands folded on his stomach and his head tipped back. She carefully pulled the blanket back and swung her legs over the edge of the couch, grimacing slightly when her feet hit the floor. She shuffled slowly to the downstairs bathroom and back, surprised that Jack was awake when she returned.
"No sneaking up on you, is there?"
"You should have woken me," he said. Then added, "you could've borrowed my cane."
Abby giggled and sat back on the couch, burrowing back into the blankets that smelled like Gibbs. "Will you tell me about Gibbs?"
"Sure," Jack smiled. "What do you want to know?"
"What was he like growing up?"
Jack grinned. "Oh, he was his momma's boy from the very beginning. As a little guy he was never far from her; playing quietly at the table while she made dinner, watching her hang the laundry to dry. He was such a helpful little boy." Jack's smile faded. "Things between Leroy and I have always been a little tense. We can both be a little…" he thought for a moment.
"Stubborn?" Abby supplied.
"That too. We just both want things to go our way, so it caused a lot of clashes between us. Especially once he got older. He'd do anything his mother asked of him though. Don't get me wrong, there'd be plenty of eye rolling, but he'd do it anyway, if she asked."
"Gibbs rolling his eyes, not sure I believe it."
"Pouting, too." Jack laughed. "But then she passed away and things were hard. Only been three women in his life that I've seen, that he would do anything for."
"His mother, Shannon and Kelly," Abby smiled. She didn't even try to compete with their memory; she knew she'd never win. Over the years Gibbs had shared a few memories with her; waiting for BearySmiles on Christmas Eve, watching the Princess Bride, and building things together in the basement.
"Oh, I wasn't thinking of Kelly, though I suppose that little princess did have him wrapped around her little finger."
"Oh yeah, he told me himself."
"She was. But we're getting away from the point. I meant you, in the group of people he'd do anything for."
Abby blushed. "The whole team; it might not seem like it at times, but he would do anything for anyone on the team."
"I'm sure he would." Jack decided not to press the issue.
"Oh he would. When Tony got the plague, Gibbs ordered him not to die and they stayed by his side until he was out of the woods. And no one disobeys an order, so Tony didn't die. Then, he came back to D.C. to save Ziva. Heck, he went to Somalia to save Ziva. Well, all the guys did. I've never been so scared in my life… well, maybe this past weekend, but still. They all could've died over there."
Jack let her continue to rattle on about the way his son had helped each member of the team. When she finally slowed to catch her breath, he broke in. "What about you?"
A smile tugged at her lips as she took a moment to think. "Anything. I think he'd do anything, within reason of course," she smirked. "She, I had this stalker. Well two. Although if you count Ari trying to hurt me to hurt Gibbs, then actually three."
"Stalkers?" Jack's eyes went wide, forgetting momentarily the point he'd been trying to make.
"Yeah," Abby sighed. "An ex-boyfriend who was a little nuts, then some guy who thought I was a real character in McGee's book. Then there was Ari, Ziva's half brother. He killed Kate before Ziva joined the team. But Ziva is nothing like Ari. Not much, anyway."
"Uh huh," Jack nodded. He didn't quite follow, but he wasn't sure he wanted to know the full story.
They continued to chat, the only pause coming when Jack got up to make more coffee and retrieve a Caf-Pow that the guys had brought. As Abby talked, Jack watched. He could see what drew his son to want to protect the woman in front of him. The innocents that she projected as she sipped her drink made anyone want to keep her safe. But at the same time he could appreciate her beauty. Her eyes, although green, were wide and bright like a doe, and when she smiled, he heart melted a little.
Ducky arrived at dinner time toting cartons of Chinese food. "Is Jethro not home yet?"
"Not yet." Jack glanced at the clock. His son had promised to be home by dinner.
"The team has been working out of the FBI office, so I haven't heard from him all day."
"He promised he would call if they found him. You know how focused he gets. He'll be home soon." Abby defended. "What'd you bring?"
"Chinese." Ducky set the cartons on the kitchen counter and returned. "But I want to change the bandages on your feet first."
"Why don't you give her a look-over and I will dish up." Jack offered. He dug around the kitchen for plates and dished up a little of everything for the three of them, returned just as Ducky was finishing up. "Everything looks okay?" He had seen how slowly she moved early and was concerned.
"Looks fine. She'll be tip top shape before long." Ducky patted her knee affectionately.
As they ate, Ducky filled her in on the gossip at NCIS; the big case Bernard's team had landed, Palmers new girlfriend, and about all the flowers continuing to show up at her lab as news of her being found spread through the office.
---
It was eight before Gibbs arrived home for the night. Both Jack and Ducky questioned him with a silent glance, but Abby smiled. He crossed the room to show his gun and badge in the small safe on the bookshelf. He headed for the kitchen, the Chinese food calling to his grumbling stomach, detouring by Abby to lean down and kiss Abby's cheek. "Things went fine today?"
"Your dad is great company."
"Didn't run out of things to talk about?"
"Have I ever run out of things to talk about?"
"Well then, I'm glad you didn't talk each other to death." The line of his mouth curved upward as he peeked into the Chinese boxes. "Enough left for me?"
"I got enough for you. I assumed you would be here when I arrived." Ducky scolded lightly.
Gibbs ignored the comment as he dished up his plate.
"Want to watch a movie with me?" Abby asked hopefully as he took a seat beside her. "I mean, if you've got nothing better to do."
"Don't have a DVD player, Abbs."
"I know," she made a face. "We should get you one. But that's not what I meant. There is a Civil War movie on the history channel starting shortly."
"Think you got me confused with DiNozzo," Gibbs smirked.
"Hardly." Abby punched his shoulder playfully and then stole a piece of cashew chicken from his plate. "Well, it's either that or forensic files, that's a show about forensic-"
"Civil War it is, when does it start?"
"Fifteen minutes." Abby hesitated, unsure of what to say. She chewed nervously on her lower lip. Or a few minutes things had been normal, and then she remembered why she was there. "So, um, what did you do today?"
Gibbs finished chewing and set his plate on the coffee table so he could turn his body toward Abby. "We haven't found Ian yet, but we spoke with his father. He doesn't know where his son is, but he is willing to help us find him."
-
Gibbs paced the halls of the FBI. His team had gone with Agent Johnston and Cole to pickup Miles Reed at the airport, and until they arrived, there was nothing he or Fornell could do. He couldn't wait to talk to Miles. Fornell had warned him that Miles was coming in voluntarily to help, and that Gibbs was to stay out of the way – if they lost the interview, they would never catch up to Ian.
"They've got him in interview room one." Fornell peeked out from his office.
Gibbs smiled inwardly. Only the FBI would call and interrogation room and interview room. The two men took the elevator down one floor and Gibbs saw the four agents waiting silently outside interview one. He didn't wait for small talk or Fornell's invitation. He pushed right in a slammed his hands on the table. "Where is your son?!"
Miles Reed was a well-dressed business man who, judging his tan, leathery skin, was enjoying life in Miami to the extreme. It gave Gibbs a sense of satisfaction when he jumped backward, his hard-nose business face fading in an instant. "I… I… I don't know," he sputtered.
"AGENT GIBBS!" Fornell roared. He turned to Mr. Reed, "Excuse us, we'll be right back"
Fornell slammed the door shut behind them as they stepped out into the hall. "What the hell were you thinking? We have no legal right to hold him. If he wants to leave, can't keep him. Right now, he is the only hope we have of finding his son."
Gibbs grunted.
"You can watch from observation, but you will not step foot in that interview room. I won't hesitate to have you removed from the building. We clear?"
Gibbs nodded and headed for observation where the other agent's waited. "Where's McGee?"
"Fornell has him monitoring bank accounts," Tony explained.
"Oh," he quieted when Fornell reappeared with Mr. Reed.
"I'm sorry about that outburst. Tension has been high as this case had hit close to home for some of us," He glared back at Gibbs.
"It's... it's okay. "Miles eyed the door cautiously. "I just want to help.
-
"The lab is finished with the clothes you were wearing. There is a small drop of blood on the elbow of your jacket from when you elbowed him in the nose, but after being so wet and dirty, they don't know that they'll be able to 100% match it."
"I should've thought about protecting the evidence."
"No!" All three men said at once.
Abby looked up sharply. "Well that was well timed."
"Abby, I'm serious, look at me." Gibbs fingers curled under her chin and he directed her gaze to meet his. "You focused on staying alive. That's all that matters. Got it?"
"Yes," her lips curved into a mischievous smile, "ma'am."
"Don't make me-"
"I do believe it's time for me to head home for the evening. Call if you need me."
With Ducky out the door, Gibbs locked up and then took his plate to the kitchen. The movie was just starting when he took a seat beside Abby again. Kicking his shoes off, he rested his feet on the coffee table and then gently tugged Abby into his side.
---
TBC…
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