Fathers' Day

A/N: FFNet still driving me mad, so apologies if I've missed off any thank yous. Thank you to Peanut84 who helped again with DC details and to Bamacrush for her help with this chapter, and for stopping the fiddling gene getting out of control.

Chapter 14 – Closer

When they left the restaurant, Gibbs took Abby's hand in his as they headed for the waterfront. As they passed by some of the bigger vessels moored there, Abby gestured to a particularly ostentatious example.

"That sure beats my uncle's shrimping boat," she said, peering up at the boat towering overhead, "though I think my uncle's boat has more character... and a lot less crew." She threw a giggle over her shoulder.

"Uncle Larry?" he asked, remembering the stories she'd told him before of Gloria's brother.

"Yeah," she nodded, smiling at the memory. "I spent the summer one year when I was 16 on his boat, and the only reason I did it was so I could see this boy I had the hots for who worked on another boat."

He smiled. "Did it work?"

"Oh yeah," Abby giggled. "He was my first... not the first guy I slept with coz that was a cab driver, but my first boyfriend I mean."

"Cab driver, huh? Bet there's a story to that one." He reached up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, enjoying the mischievous sparkle in her green eyes.

"Oh, there is," Abby revealed, patting his cheek, chuckling. "And one day I'll tell you all about it, Jethro."

He laughed and pulled her into his side again as they walked on. Abby could see by his distant gaze and slight smile that he was remembering something. Gibbs didn't often share memories and she was always delighted when he did, as he chose to this time.

"First girlfriend at high school. Patti. Asked her to teach me ice skating one winter so I could get the chance to ask her out."

"And did that work?" she smiled.

"Oh yeah... " And there was that cocky grin she loved. "Though I didn't get past second base. But it was almost worth the bruises on my ass from falling over on the ice so often. Nearly got to third base though when we both got very wet one day."

Abby laughed before asking teasingly, "So, can you still ice skate, Jethro?" As a Southern girl, she'd never learned and wondered if she could get him to teach her one day, and she'd let him get much further than third base...

"Probably. Haven't for years but it's supposed to be like swimming or horse riding, isn't it? You don't forget. I was going to..." Gibbs suddenly broke off, tensing and when she glanced up at him questioningly, he shook his head slightly, turning away in order to compose himself.

He had planned to teach Kelly to ice skate when he came back from Iraq.

Abby had seen his face still into that neutral mask that usually meant Gibbs was in the grip of severe emotion. She didn't ask him what had caused the sudden change but could make a guess that it involved either Shannon or Kelly... or both. It was the one thing guaranteed to blindside him.

She slipped her hand back into his, gently squeezing in reassurance and Gibbs glanced down at Abby, giving her a brief half smile as he acknowledged her concern. They walked in silence for a while, Abby not disturbing his preoccupation.

She knew that conversations about the most innocuous of subjects could suddenly become a minefield when they trespassed into memories of his first wife and daughter.

Abby was determined that she would never push Gibbs beyond what he was comfortable sharing, would never try and force him to talk about something if he didn't want to.

One of her most cherished wishes was that one day he would never be afraid to tell her anything, that Gibbs would eventually trust her to listen without judgement, and that he'd be able to accept the support and understanding she so wanted to wrap him up in.

But Abby was under no illusions that it was going to be a long road before Gibbs could bring himself to open up to her like that... if he ever could.

Their route eventually led them to a more secluded, darker area at the southern tip of the Harbor, which was lit only by solar path lighting and with a few scattered park benches and tables. It was still within reach of the main marina but much quieter with fewer people milling about.

When Gibbs settled on one of the benches, he pulled her down to sit beside him and Abby looped her arm through his as she settled against his side. He started to relax again in her soothing presence, regretting how the sucker punch the memory had given him had interfered with their evening... although he doubted Abby would think of it like that.

Typically, Abby hadn't pushed him. She never did but just let him work through anything that bothered him at his own pace. It was a far cry from the way his ex-wives would have acted in the same situation. They'd have badgered him to talk about what was bothering him till he snapped right back at them. None of them seemed to realize that pushing him to open up wouldn't work and only make him retreat more, to slam his walls up to protect himself.

When he turned to press a gentle kiss against her temple in silent thanks, Abby smiled to herself, relieved that he was coming back to her.

"So when are you planning to go see Jackson," she asked, tentatively, sensing he may need a change of subject. "On Friday next week for the 4th July weekend?"

"Yeah," he confirmed, pulling her more firmly into his side. "Come back Monday."

"Bet he's really looking forward to seeing you," she said, brightly. "Has he got a pile of plans for the weekend?"

"Think he mentioned fishing," he told her, wryly.

Any chance Jackson got on his visits, he'd drag him off fishing – not that Gibbs minded. It was a quiet activity they both enjoyed and it meant they didn't have to talk much... and not talking too much meant not arguing with his dad. As improved as their relationship was, they were still workin' on it and they could set each other off quicker than gunpowder.

Abby glanced at him, amused. "That can't be the only thing Stillwater has planned for the holiday weekend."

"Doubt it – they usually go overboard." He rolled his eyes, smirking. "Don't know what Jack plans to get involved with but it'll be somethin'."

"I'm sorry you didn't get to go this weekend..." Abby chewed on her bottom lip. "I feel really guilty about that."

He bumped her shoulder gently. "Told ya yesterday, don't. Jackson was worried about ya." He hesitated before asking quietly, "Come with me next weekend?"

He'd been thinking about inviting Abby to go with him even before this change in their relationship.

"Me?" Abby asked, surprised, staring at him. "Are you sure? I don't wanna intrude."

He tilted his head, giving her his characteristic half smile. "Jack'd love it..."

And he would too.

She searched his eyes. "Are you sure?"

"He'll be more glad to see you than he will me." He paused, reaching up to brush his fingers along her jawline before cupping her cheek. "Want you to come with me, Abbs."

She gave him a shy smile, nuzzling into his hand. "I'd love to... as long as you ask Jack first."

She adored Jackson and the thought of spending the entire 4th July weekend with Gibbs in Stillwater delighted her. It wasn't exactly being taken home to 'meet the folks' as she already knew Jackson, but it was more evidence that Gibbs was comfortable with the prospect of taking his girl to see his dad... that is, if he was going to tell Jackson about them.

He nodded. "Okay, but I know he's gonna want you there, Abbs... same as I do."

She glanced down at her lap, plucking nervously at the material of her dress, her voice continuing to radiate uncertainty. "Will you tell him... about us?"

He titled her chin so he could see her eyes. "Not hiding, Abbs."

"I hope he approves. I'm not exactly an obvious partner for a guy like you... not many people would think you'd look twice at me. But it would just mean a lot to me if Jackson was okay with us, is all." Abby trailed off when he placed a finger over her lips and she saw concern blossom in his eyes.

"He'll be fine, and Abby, just don't..." He took a deep breath to calm himself. "Don't run yourself down like that." It constantly amazed him how often she undervalued and criticized herself. "Jack thinks the world of ya, you know that."

"It's mutual. He's come to mean a lot to me too, especially over the past year." She reached for his hand, lacing their fingers together. "He and Ducky have been like fathers to me ever since Ben died."

"I know he worries about ya. Wants ya to rely on him, turn to him for anything ya need to." He hesitated, swallowing hard before continuing, "He and Shannon used to be very close... she, er, ironed out a few rough edges me and Jack always had."

"He thinks the world of you, y'know..." she told him, sincerely. "Even if the two of you don't tell each other that often enough coz you're too busy bumping heads."

"It's always been like that," he confessed, wryly. "I was a difficult kid."

"Never." She loved the almost shy half smile that broke out as he ducked his head.

Going out with Abby yesterday on Fathers' Day and talking about all the things she used to do with her dad had served as a reminder of how much he'd lost from his own relationship over the years with Jackson.

Time they'd never get back.

Despite both of them trying to fix their relationship, there were still some things that they'd never experience... so much they'd missed out on. It was yet another regret in his life, among so many others.

Abby went on, bringing him out of his memories. "Remember, I've got that conference early next week but I'll be back on Wednesday night."

"Oh crap, I'd forgotten," he admitted, frowning. "When d'ya go?"

"Sunday afternoon." She gazed at him, feeling slightly silly for confessing this. "I'll... I'll miss you." They'd been apart before many times but this seemed somehow different to her this time.

Now they'd taken this first step, Abby was just eager to spend time with Gibbs, to enjoy these early stages and work out how this new relationship was going to work. For the past few years, she'd known that Gibbs really was the one for her... there was no doubt in her mind about her commitment to him. But she didn't want to suddenly play the needy, clingy woman... it just wasn't her style.

His smile was understanding. "Me too."

Now they'd crossed this line, he resented any time spent away from her and had forgotten he'd be without her for half of next week. He needed a plan for the weekend, to make the most of their time.

Abby shifted back against the seat and leaned into him, her head resting comfortably on his shoulder... and there was that damn freckle under his nose again.

"I asked Ducky for another copy of that photo. Got a few knowing looks when I said I'd given you the original," she admitted, wryly.

"Does Ducky know?" Gibbs asked. They hadn't discussed telling anyone on the team and he wasn't sure how he felt about that yet. He needed time to think about it.

"I haven't said anything, but I think he's suspected for a while now how I feel about you," she told him, honestly. "He's given me his fair share of gentle smiles and insightful comments."

"You've had those too, huh?" he said, dryly.

Ducky hadn't made any direct reference or questioned him about his feelings for Abby, but he'd intercepted a few perceptive looks from his long time friend, and knew it was only a matter of time before Ducky tackled him outright.

Ducky had taken on the role of honorary father to Abby and took his responsibilities seriously. The thought that his adopted daughter was involved with a thrice divorced cranky son-of-a-bitch like him was bound to worry the M.E.

"Oh yeah. I guess I wasn't hiding it as well as I thought. I must have given myself away over the years," she told him with a rueful smile.

"Glad you showed me that photo, Abbs." He rubbed circles over the back of her hand with his thumb, conscious of the slight shiver she gave.

"Me too." Her soft voice broke into his thoughts. "I'm not sure I'd have found the courage otherwise... but we're here now, and I'm so glad. I know this is all new and we've got a ways to go yet, coz someone wants to go slow..." She rolled her eyes as he grinned at her. "But at the risk of sounding too sappy, this feels right... as if this is where I belong."

Abby hoped he had no doubts about her feelings coz as far as she was concerned, this was it for her...

Even though this was all new and there were still lots of things to learn about each other, that same ease they'd always shared was still there. So it wasn't the same as a first date between two people who barely knew each other. They'd gotten over that hurdle already.

"It is where you belong," he whispered, his voice husky with emotion. "Feels right to me too."

He gave in to temptation and put his arm round her bare back, not sure if it was a wise move but needing that close contact. He felt the heat from the warm skin of her shoulder almost branding his forearm and his hand came up to stroke her hair gently, enjoying the feel of the silky strands through his fingers. She leaned against him more fully, almost snuggling into his side.

"Are you gonna tell Gloria?" he asked, softly.

"Yeah, I'd like to" she admitted. "If that's okay with you?"

Abby knew they needed to talk about telling the team but initially she just wanted it to be about them.

They were both private people, Gibbs especially so, and while she wanted their friends, his team, to know that the reason she was so happy was because of Gibbs, she was more concerned with feeling her way through this new relationship. Abby knew Gibbs wanted to get used to everything changing or he wouldn't have wanted to go slow from the start.

Abby also didn't know how the team would react, and Gibbs had to be concerned about that. She was pretty sure Tony and Ziva would be supportive but McGee was an unknown quantity. Even though she and Tim were now just friends, his reaction to an ex-girlfriend being involved with his boss was unpredictable.

Abby didn't want to put any extra pressure on Gibbs. It felt sometimes as if she was treading on eggshells with certain aspects of this relationship, but he was worth the effort. They would tell everyone when they were both ready.

He nodded, "Sure. Give her a chance to kick my ass."

"Gloria loves your ass..." she teased, grinning up at him, distracted by the twinkle in his eyes. "And I'm sure she'll approve."

"Hope so."

He brushed his fingers across her cheek as he studied her face in the half light. He loved the curve of her lips, the strong jawline, snub nose and startling green eyes which contrasted with her flawless soft skin. He watched her long ponytail swing over her shoulders and reached up to slide his fingers slowly through it.

"Like this."

Mesmerized by his blue eyes and his touch which was sending shivers down her spine, she drew in a ragged breath. "Thought you liked my pigtails?"

"I do," he smiled, "and when it's down."

He preferred her hair loose, even though it tested his self control. He always had the urge to bury his hands in it, and the thought that he could now do that whenever he wanted was a big turn on.

Cupping her cheek, he ran his thumb across her cheekbone, seeing her eyelids half close as she nuzzled her face into his hand.

She was just so lovely... and so close.

It would take a saint to resist her... and he was far from being a saint.

Sliding his hand to cup the back of her neck, he pulled her gently towards him, bending his head to brush his nose against hers, seeing her mouth curve in a smile.

He closed the distance between them and pressed a soft, loving kiss to her lips. The kiss began with the briefest of feather light touches across her mouth, a tender, warm, almost hesitant first time feel to it.

As much as he wanted to deepen the kiss, he kept it light and gentle and Abby responded in kind... kissing him back sweetly, softly. Mouths moving slowly, lips tugging, clinging, they gradually learned the feel and taste of each other.

She slid her hand up to the back of his neck, scraping her nails lightly through the short hairs, feeling him moan softly into her mouth.

When they pulled apart, Gibbs felt a surge of satisfaction at the desire in her eyes. He pulled her into his arms and tucked his face into her neck, letting the feel of her, her scent, wash over him, inhaling almost raggedly as he clung onto his control by his fingernails.

Later, they walked in a comfortable silence to head back to catch the water taxi, his arm slung round her shoulders and hers snug at his waist. When they boarded this time, Abby led him through to the back of the boat where they were the only ones on deck, and pulled him close as the boat headed north.

He held Abby, enjoying the warmth of her curves moulded to him as she almost melted against him. He cupped the back of her head, enjoying the silky feel of her hair through his fingers as he intermittently nuzzled against the side of her face, neither finding the need for words.

Abby pressed close as he wrapped both arms round her and she slid her own arms round his waist, snuggling into his neck. That kiss, brief as it was, had ignited just about every nerve ending and she was wondering how the hell she was gonna let him go at the end of the night without jumping his bones.

But as impatient as she was, Abby knew that rushing Gibbs when his mind was made up was never going to work... however seductive she could be, and she had a few good moves up her sleeve yet, she thought with a giggle.

And in a way she knew Gibbs was right... she still felt a little raw from the weekend and if he wanted the reassurance that it was really him she wanted and that she wasn't just turning to him for comfort, then that is what she would give him... even if it half killed her.

On the drive back to her apartment, Abby curled up in the passenger seat, gazing at him as he drove and he threw her regular heated looks and smiles which only ratcheted up the tension.

They walked to her door in silence and Abby turned to him after she'd unlocked her door. "I had a lovely time tonight, Jethro. Thank you," she told him with a wide smile.

"Me too," Gibbs admitted, returning her grin as he stepped close. "D'ya wanna go see that movie you mentioned... movie and ice cream, tomorrow night?"

"That'd be great." She reached out for his hand, gazing up at him. "You're going to come over all noble on me now, aren't you? Wanted to ask you to stay."

Gibbs sighed, cupping her face before sliding a hand to the back of her neck and pulling her into a hug. "And there's nothing I want more than to stay."

He'd completely underestimated the effect her touches and full on flirty sparkle would have on him, now that she didn't have to hide what she was feeling... now they could touch each other when they wanted.

Perhaps it was an after effect of having to suppress and control himself all these years, but his body was reacting to the simple caresses, her intoxicating nearness and the extra flirtiness she was unleashing, more strongly than he'd anticipated.

"Whatever you want, you can have, Jethro." Her arms came round him in return, her hands smoothing over the defined muscles of his back, rubbing almost soothing circles as if she'd picked up on his struggle.

"God, Abbs, if I stay, it'll make me want more... a helluva lot more." He nuzzled against the side of her face in a tender, intimate gesture, his voice deep and hoarse. He pulled back and cupped her face, rubbing his thumb softly across her bottom lip. "I'd better go."

"Okay," she agreed, whispering.

If he didn't go soon, she was gonna grab his belt loops and drag him inside her apartment and ravish him in the hallway.

He rested his hands on her hips, gazing at her intensely. "One thing I wanna do... been wanting to all evening."

He bent his head to press a light but open mouthed kiss on her left shoulder over that freckle that had been teasing him all night.

He nuzzled his way across her collarbone and into the creamy skin of her neck, pressing his face gently against the spider's web tattoo... the warmth of his skin and slight rasp of his stubble sending her nerve endings into overdrive.

Abby gasped and reflexively clutched his shoulders as a surge of arousal shot through her, letting her head drop back as she felt her knees almost give out. Feeling his warm breath on her overheated skin, she felt him press a soft kiss over her wildly beating pulse point before he straightened up.

Opening what she was sure must be dazed eyes, she saw a smug smirk on his face before Gibbs dipped his head again. He kissed her lightly, lips clinging softly in a promise of things to come, before whispering, "G'night, Abbs."

Squeezing her hand, Gibbs turned and left, heading downstairs. Abby leaned against the wall by her door, trying to get her heartbeat and hormones under control.

Jeez, if she was this turned on from a nuzzle...

TBC...