Hope the mothers out there are having a wonderful mother's day :)

Here begins the Gaaaaabby….

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Abby paced her bedroom, her suitcase open on her bed. She had originally been excited at the idea of two weeks back with her family in New Orleans, but as the time to leave grew near, she was having second thoughts. The idea of leaving Gibbs over Christmas and New Years tugged at her heart strings.

"Careful, you'll wear down the hardwood." Gibbs was leaning casually in the doorway, watching her as she moved back and forth, lost in thought.

"Maybe I should stay here… I can go visit any time."

"Abby, you've planned this trip for eight months. It's been nearly two years since you've been home for more than a few days. Come on, you've got to start packing. Ziva will be here in an hour to take you to the airport." Gibbs would've preferred to take her to the airport himself, but he had to leave shortly for a meeting with the director.

"I know, but Gibbs… Christmas time, what are you going to do?" She avoided his eyes, and continued to move across her room.

"Same thing I always do, I'll spend Christmas Eve with Ducky and his mother."

Abby didn't look convinced. "I don't know… two weeks it a long time. I mean, you've got a temp in the lab. I don't think a temp will even last that long."

"Abby." Gibbs grabbed her shoulders to stop her from pacing. "I'll be fine. The team will be fine. Your lab will be fine. You will be fine."

"But…"

"Go Abby. I'm a tough old Marine. I can take care of myself and I'll watch out for your lab."

"Someone has got to watch out for you, and no offense, but what do you know about my lab?"

"Start packing or I'll do it for you."

Abby tried to stare him down, but he didn't give in. "Fine, but just in case, I'll leave Bert with you so you'll have someone to talk to if you get lonely."

"Pack."

Abby saluted and then turned to her suitcase. It didn't take much time to pack clothes and the Christmas presents she had purchased for her family, as well as the neatly wrapped present Gibbs had told her she'd better wait until Christmas to open – he knew she was easily tempted. She had left a present for Gibbs under the small Christmas tree she had set up in the corner of the living room. Gibbs had protested, but she firmly reminded that he had asked her to move and told her to feel at home. A few days after she had decorated the tree she had found a few added ornaments from Gibbs past.

She tucked her toiletry bag into the suitcase and then stood back. Good enough.

Suddenly Gibbs appeared in the doorway again. "Ziva is almost here. You finished?"

"Yeah." Abby sat on top of her suitcase to hold it down as she pulled the zipper around.

Gibbs carried the suitcase down the stairs to set by the front door. The only had to wait a few minutes until Ziva knocked at the front door. "Hello Abby. Are you ready to go?"

"I… I think so."

Ziva could easily sense that there had been things left unsaid between both Abby and Gibbs. As Ziva had gotten closer to Tony she had nearly convinced him to come completely clean about his knowledge of Abby's feelings for Gibbs and everyone knew how Gibbs felt about Abby.

"I will take this out to the car." Ziva grabbed the suitcase and excused herself.

Abby threw her arms around Gibbs' neck in a tight hug. "I'll call you once I get in."

Gibbs returned the hug until Abby pulled away. He reached into his pocket and pulled something out. Gently he placed it in her hand, wrapping her fingers around it so that she could feel it, but not see what it was. "Be safe, Abbs. I'll see you when you get back."

He cupped her cheeks in his hands, her face was tilted up towards his… it would be so easy to just kiss her, he thought. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead instead, and then sent her out to the car where Ziva was waiting.

Abby was at the car before she uncurled her fingers to see what he had put in her hands.

His dog tags.

Abby turned to look back at the front door but it had already closed. She examined them, tracing her finger over his information inscribed on the tags. She had asked about them before, but until Stephanie had been involved in a case, Gibbs had thought they had been lost. She knew he had been grateful to get them back. She slipped the chain around her neck before opening the car door and sliding in the passenger seat.

"Ready?" Ziva gave her a small smile.

"Yeah, I'm ready."

Abby had a quick layover in Memphis and then was on to New Orleans. Gibbs had been right, she had been looking forward to spending time with her family for quite some time. It had been too long since she was home, but work kept her busy.

Her parents and brother were waiting in the arrival hall and she ran to them, dropping her bags so she could sign more easily.

Her brother pulled the car around and Abby settled into the back seat beside her mother. Before they got far, Abby pulled her cell phone out and dialed Gibbs number at work.

"Yeah, Gibbs." He answered.

"Has the temp quit yet?"

He chuckled and her heart melted a little.

"Because if he has, too bad. You're shit out of luck. I'm in New Orleans now."

"Did you have a good flight?"

"I did, but did you know they totally raised the prices of those little alcohol bottles?"

"Heartbreaking."

"I know."

"Okay Abbs, I've got to head up to MTAC. The others say hello."

"Oh, ok." Abby looked down and fingered the tags hanging from her neck, unsure of what exactly to say. "Gibbs?"

"Yeah?"

She knew a simple 'thanks' wasn't enough, but she wasn't sure how to word what she felt. "Thanks."

She heard him hold his breath for a moment and she figured he knew what she was talking about. "Have a good time. I'll talk to you soon."

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TBC…

Next Up: Christmas/New Years (though the holidays are spent apart – very Gabby'ish – and no, he isn't going to surprise her).

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