When Gibbs and Jenny got home the house was dark, but the entry was lit with a small lamp they'd started leaving on after October. In the dim light Gibbs looked at Jenny who seemed to be trying to gather her courage. Moving closer, he looked her in the eye.
"Something on your mind Jen?" he asked huskily, hoping it was the same thing that was on his mind, and had been since she promised him dessert two days ago.
Making her choice, Jenny let a small smile creep across her face. "I decided you can have your Christmas present a little early," she informed him gravely. "But you have to wait down here while I...get it ready."
Gibbs' mouth went dry and he stood at the bottom of the stairs, getting more impatient with each second that passed. Jenny hurried up the stairs, unbuttoning her blouse before she even got to their room. She undressed by their bed and reached for the bags she'd stashed underneath.
Smiling, Jenny pulled out the lingerie she'd bought with Rachel on Saturday. She was already imagining the look on her husband's face. Slipping it over her head, Jenny enjoyed the way the silk slid down her smooth skin. In the bathroom Jenny washed her make up off and took her hair down, shaking it out and running her fingers through it. She added something over her negligee and approached the bed, taking a deep breath before she called her husband's name.
Gibbs bolted up the stairs at the sound of Jenny's voice and walked in the bedroom to see his wife lounging across the center of the bed. Her hair was down and looked messy as it fanned over her shoulders. Jenny's body was covered by a short green silk dressing gown.
Eyeing her appreciatively, Gibbs saw the hesitation in her eyes. Before October Jenny had often surprised him with new lingerie and a night of heated pleasure. Since October, it was usually him initiating intimacy and her responding positively or negatively. He wanted her to know he treasured the gesture, that he loved her for being brave, so Gibbs held her eyes, not looking anywhere else as he shed most of his clothes.
Emboldened by the pure, deep love she saw in his eyes, Jenny crooked her finger at him and Gibbs joined her eagerly. She leaned up on one elbow and waved to the tie at her waist. "Do you want to open your present now?"
Gibbs tipped forward and kissed her first and Jenny gladly let her mouth melt into his, smirking as Gibbs' fingers fumbled with the knot. As the "wrapping" fell away, Gibbs drew in his breath. "Wow."
She grinned. "Does that mean-"
He put a finger over her lips. "Love it," he answered quickly.
The dark red negligee Jenny was wearing complimented her eyes and made her hair shine like fire. Silky material hugged her every curve and the design left just enough to the imagination, making Gibbs want her even more. Taking in the look on his face, Jenny linked her hands behind her husband's neck while he drew her close and smiled as their lips met again.
"Merry Christmas Jethro," she whispered, giving herself up to the love they were about to share in the most tangible way. To be free to enjoy him this way was exactly what Jenny wanted for Christmas.
NCIS
It was six am on Christmas morning and Abby was standing outside McGee's apartment. She'd been up since five, too excited to sleep any more. Unlocking the door quietly, Abby heard padding pawsteps and knelt down to greet her favourite animal in the shadows. Jethro whined as he licked her face and nudged her arm, wanting to be pet. Abby kissed his head, ruffling the dogs' soft ears.
"Hi boy. Merry Christmas. Want to see what I brought for you? Of course you do." Jethro wiggled once he smelled something good and Abby playfully pushed him back. "Just a second. Gosh, at least let me get it out first." She pulled the big rawhide bone out of one bag and the dog eagerly nosed it. But Abby wasn't about to let him get off that easily.
"Sit," she commanded and the dog cocked his head at her as if questioning the order. Abby arched an eyebrow at him and pointed to the floor. "You heard me Mr. Former Army dog. Sit."
With a sigh Jethro plopped his butt onto the floor, tail beating against it like a drum. "Good dog!" Abby praised. "Now shake. Com on Jethro, shake."
The German Shepherd offered his left paw rather begrudgingly and Abby hugged him before finally giving his present over, untying the bright red ribbon she'd put on earlier. Jethro lay down contentedly on the floor and started gnawing on his bone. She smiled. Now for her boyfriend.
Slipping out of her winter boots, Abby grabbed the small wrapped box out of her collection of bags and tiptoed into McGee's room. She watched him laying in bed fast asleep and let her eyes drift towards the empty spot beside him. Someday... she thought longingly. Being able to share a bed with him every night once they were married would be worth giving up her coffin for.
Abby snickered silently as she thought about the last time she woke him up in the morning. He'd been so funny trying to figure out what she was doing in his bed. But she wouldn't do anything like that today. Her entrance was about to be very hard to ignore.
Running into the room, Abby jumped onto the double bed and announced loudly, "Merry Christmas Timmy!"
Her words and actions jerked McGee out of a sound sleep and he struggled to focus his eyes. The smiling Goth sat on his bed, looking at him expectantly. "Abbs?" he groaned, trying really hard to wake up. "What time is it?"
"Time to open your present," she said gleefully, holding out a small box.
In his mildly sleep deprived state, the only thing in Tim's head was a question, wondering where on earth she'd found black sparkly Christmas paper with a Santa hat wearing bat.
Abby pushed the box towards him again. "Open it right now Timmy," she demanded excitedly.
"Okay Abbs," he managed. "Just give me a second to wake up."
"Need help waking up?" she asked, leaning forward and pressing her lips to his.
Tim's hand came up and settled on her neck, his lips warm on hers as he returned her kiss.
When she pulled back, McGee's eyes were wide open and she smirked. "Awake now?"
McGee coughed. "Definitely." He grinned. "I could get used to that."
"You could..." she agreed, leaving the thought unfinished because it would only end with her all but begging him to ask her now and that wasn't fair. "Now open it." Abby pointed to the box that lay on the bed between them.
Tim reached for it and smiled at her, carefully lifting the taped edges. He pulled the box out of the paper and took the lid off. Inside, nestled in a mass of red tissue paper, was a solid, black metal bat keychain ornament. Tim smiled and picked it up, turning it over to find an inscription. Squinting, he was able to make out the small letters.
For Timmy, so you can think of me. Love with all my heart, Abby.
His smile grew as he leaned over and kissed her softly. "Never need help thinking of you Abbs. You're always on my mind."
Abby touched his face gently. "You're as bad as Tony, quoting song titles." She kissed just the corner of his mouth. "But you're pretty cute."
"So you'll keep me?" he asked hopefully.
"Always," she grinned, resting her head on his shoulder.
Suddenly McGee sat up and reached into the drawer of his nightstand. "I almost forgot," he handed the flat object to her, wrapped in traditional Christmas paper and tied with a ribbon. "Yours. Merry Christmas Abby."
Her eyes lit up with anticipation and she studied the package carefully before tearing a strip of paper off. Abby started to smile and ripped the rest away. Inside was a custom made metal license plate - black with red letters. Their initials were together in a heart and the word, 'Always', that they often used in lieu of 'I love you', followed it.
Tim shrugged self-consciously. "You don't have to use it or anything, I like the one you have now. I just thought..." he trailed off when Abby shook her head.
"Silly Timmy," she whispered. "I love it."
They stared into each other's eyes for a long moment before slowly leaning in and tilting their heads as their lips met. Abby loved the feel of Tim's mouth on hers, soft and warm and yet firm as he gently controlled the kiss. She pressed closer, eager for more. She never got tired of his lips.
McGee fell back against the bed frame, glad for the extra pillows cushioning his head. But he could hardly think about that, not with Abby practically laying on top of him. His arms encircled her back and Abby's hands came up to frame his face.
Tim barely noticed his hands were wandering until Abby pulled back, looking at him curiously. Far from minding, she seemed to be enjoying any and all attention. He flushed and returned his hands to her waist, clearing his throat and looking away from the longing in her eyes. Where was that dang ring? he thought to himself. His patience was running out and all he wanted was more of this, more of her. But not yet, not when they were so close.
He let out a breath and gave Abby a half-grin. "Babe, we seriously need to continue this somewhere that is not my bed."
Abby no doubt could see in his eyes a reflection of what was in hers. She dragged her finger slowly down his cheek, not above teasing him a little bit more. "Fighting temptation McGee?" she asked, eyes sparkling.
Tim nearly groaned and held her hand still so he wouldn't think about what else she could be doing with those long fingers. "You have no idea," he choked out and Abby looked at him a moment longer before relenting and moving away. It was only then that he noticed what she was wearing. McGee's eyebrows rose. "You're still in your pyjamas?"
She glanced down at the bright blue flannel jammies spotted with white polar bears, then back at him. "What's wrong with them?"
"Nothing," Time shook his head quickly. "But, umm...you came over in them?"
Her expression suggested he was missing a fundamental aspect of Christmas by asking that question. "Christmas morning is for pyjamas Timmy," she shared seriously.
McGee fought the urge to laugh because Abby would probably hit him, so he smiled instead. "Of course, what was I thinking?" He kissed the side of her head. "You know what else Christmas morning is for?"
Though it was on the tip of her tongue to say making out with her boyfriend sounded like a pretty good idea to her, Abby decided to give him a break. "What?"
Tim put his arm around her. "It was tradition in my house when Sarah and I were growing up for my mom to make cinnamon buns after we opened our presents. It's one of my favourite memories. I have her recipe here, want to help me make them for breakfast?"
Abby's eyes widened in surprise. "You bake McGee?"
He grinned. "Oh, I'm just full of surprises Abbs."
She leaned into his shoulder and looked up into his eyes. "I can't wait to find out."
Tim wanted to kiss her again so badly, but knew it wasn't wise until they were at least in the kitchen. Still, looking at her now, in his arms, McGee couldn't help but be amazed. How was it that she loved him? How had he gotten so lucky that this amazing, beautiful, talented woman wanted to spend her life with him?
As soon as the ring came in, about two and a half weeks away by his count, they could start planning to have this every day for the rest of their lives. What a great way to start Christmas, Tim reflected, just hanging out with the woman he loved. Did it get any better than that?