First of all: I wish you all a wonderful Christmas Eve! I hope you all have your loved ones around you tonight, ready to celebrate :)

Gabby

Rated K

Thanks to finlaure for taking the time to beta!

Thank you all for your kind words and smile you brought to my face!

Enjoy!

Changed plans

Gibbs closed the front door quietly after stepping into the house.

Solving the case had taken longer than anticipated, which caused his plans to change.

He had promised his father he would spend Christmas Eve, the 25th and 26th in Stillwater, but obviously the crook that killed a navy-lieutenant didn't get that memo.

So he called his father and made sure he knew he wouldn't come tonight but tomorrow morning.

After taking a few more steps into his house he came to a halt as a delicious smell tickled his nose. Glancing to his dining room table a soft smile appeared on his face. Three pots were neatly placed next to each other.

A growing smile formed on his face, as he placed the coat at its usual place and crossed the distance to the slightly ajar basement door.

"Stop hiding Abs."

The agent turned around and reached for two plates.

Steps became audible as his house-guest walked up the stairs, while he placed some of the lukewarm food on each of the plates.

"I wasn't hiding."

Abby said when she finally came to a stop at his side, kissing his cheek and taking the plates from his hand to reheat them in the microwave.

Gibbs turned around to watch her. With a smile he acknowledged that she was wearing his read sweater he had left on the couch this morning.

"Not that I'm not happy to see you, but I thought you had plans."

"Well so did you." The scientist said without turning around, exchanging the heated plate with the other one.

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop on you but I heard your conversation with your father and I decided if possible no one should spend Christmas Eve alone, so I invited myself over."

Taking the two plates out of her hands he motioned her to the couch. After putting the plates down he went back into the kitchen for two beers.

Glad he could spend Christmas Eve at least with one of his loved ones.

Fin.

One more to go, but what did you think about this one?

Merry Christmas!