Disclaimer: The usual yadda-yadda-yadda.

Authors Note: Since I've been writing here, there have only been two story ideas I've never been able to build a story about. One is 5Snowflakes about Gibbs' sniper mission in Colombia where he meets Rose. The other is M E Wofford's story about the big hug Abby gives Mike Franks in 'Delieverence'. Sadly I'm no closer on the Rose story (though I think about it when working). On the Abby/Mike story I think I've got an idea. This is the start.

Background: The story I'm going to tell has the frame work of 'Hiatus I & II'. Also my chapter 'Blown up' in this story. If you've read this far and don't know Gibbs got blown up on the show, stop reading now. Go and watch 'Hiatus'. Then you can come back (bossy much LT?). Anyway, the hug between Abby and Mike is a tough hook to write. There was no context, at least none I could find. So I'm going to try and give it some. I'm also going to write in POV, which I haven't done in a while. Hope it doesn't suck too much (as you can tell I'm not a 100% confident in this one).

Abby's POV

As a forensic scientist, Abby Sciuto liked to deal in facts. Director Shepard told the team a retired agent named Mike Franks was coming to help Gibbs try and remember what happened prior to the explosion that put him in the hospital. Agent Franks was Gibbs' partner and mentor before he got the MCRT.

The first thing Abby did when she got back to the lab was try and access Franks' personnel file. No luck. The man retired in 1996 and his file was not transferred to the database.

If I want a peek I'm gonna have to go next door.

The Archives section was housed in the building next to headquarters. Since Abby had a boatload of evidence(Literally) in her lab, she set up several of her 'babies' plus Major Mass Spec to run tests. This would give her forty five minutes of down time.

Archives was in the basement. It was accessed by walking down a long stairway. There was a waist high counter behind which was an agent who retrieved the paper files. When Abby walked up to the counter, she saw that one of her friends, Agent Frank Reynolds was manning the desk. He grinned when he saw Abby.

"Abby, what brings you to my kingdom?"
Abby smiled.

"I need to see a retired agent's file Frank."

"Sure, name?"
"Mike Franks."

Reynolds raised an eyebrow.

"Franks has been gone since '96. What's going on?"

"Just some research. Did you know him?"

"Oh yeah. Last of the 'cowboys'. Damn fine agent. Give me a couple."

As the agent went to dig out the file, Abby started dancing in place to music only she could hear. When Frank came back with the thick file he grinned.

"Might be time to cut back on the Caf-Pow kiddo. Here ya go."

Abby took the file and moved away.

"Hey Abs, ya gotta read it here. Can't take it out of the building."

The Goth turned and gave Frank her wide eyed "who me" look.

"Oh, right. Sorry."

Abby took the file to a nearby table and flipped it open. The picture on the cover sheet showed a guy with slicked back black hair and a mustache. Born in 1948 in Alexandria, Louisiana, college at LSU (Hey, a Tiger just like me!). Served eighteen months in Vietnam with the Marines. Joined NIS in 1976, stationed in Panama, Honduras, and Colombia (activities Classified, see separate file folder NIS 03-73452). Last assignment, NIS Field Office, Camp Pendleton MCB. As Abby looked over Franks' time at Camp Pendleton, her eyes widened. Franks was the lead investigator in the homicides of Shannon and Kelly Gibbs! No wonder Director Shepard wanted him here. Abby returned the file to Agent Reynolds and went back to her lab.

The next day, Director Shepard brought Franks down to the lab to introduce him. The hair was longer, shaggier and shot full of gray, but it was the voice that Abby. It was growly and whiskey soaked. After a couple of minutes the Director whisked him away. The next time Abby would see him it was very early in the morning in Gibbs' room at Bethesda.

Mike's POV

When Mike Franks got the call that brought him to Washington, he thought it was a joke. That was until he heard his Probie's name. When he got to Bethesda and saw Jethro lying in that hospital bed looking lost, hurt and confused, his heart about broke. But years of interrogating suspects kept his face impassive. Mike managed to jog Gibbs' memory to the point where He retired, but no farther.

When Mike first arrived in Washington, he was taken to see Director Shepard. The petite red head who'd stood up behind the desk set off bells in Mike's brain. This was the woman Probie'd been talking to him about in '99! Franks was as sure of it as anything he'd ever been. Director Shepard took him down to the bullpen and introduced him to Gibbs' team.

DiNozzo, the playboy never grew up frat brother. Mike sensed there was more there than DiNozzo let anybody see. What Mike did see was Tony took charge and was making some headway in the investigation.

McGee, the tech savvy Probie. Mike saw the potential that made Gibbs pluck McGee from Norfolk.

Finally, Ziva David. Even before Director Shepard mentioned Ziva was a liaison from Mossad, Mike pegged her. It was all in the eyes. David was a hitter. He'd seen the same eyes on cartel and Mafia hitmen. She was definitely not a cop. But again, Jethro must have seen something or Ms. David would've been back in her homeland killing terrorists.

Mike met Dr. Mallard and was then taken to the lab to meet the team's forensic tech. Between the Goth attire and the death metal music, Abby Sciuto was definitely different. One thing Mike saw that was apparent was Abby cared deeply for his Probie. Points for her.

As Mike and the Director rode the elevator back upstairs, Mike spoke.

"Thought the agency had a dress code?"

Jenny Shepard chuckled.

"We do. But Abby is the exception. She's brilliant, and I can live with the clothes to get the mind."

Mike grinned.

"Wish I'da had you as my SAC at Pendleton. My boss liked my clothes, but hated my mind."

Mike put the Goth out of his mind figuring he'd not see her again.

Between Angie's Diner and the National Naval Medical Center (Bethesda)

After Abby finished demolishing her breakfast, she and Mike Franks started walking back to the hospital. While she ate Abby had peppered Mike with questions about Gibbs. Franks told her some things Jethro would have if asked. When they left the diner, Abby fell silent and they walked side by side, Abby's platforms bringing her almost to Mike's height. Franks knew what see was dying to ask, but he'd let her bring it up. Abby finally gave a sigh.

"Agent Franks…."

"Told ya to call me Mike."

"Sorry. Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, fire away."

"Why didn't Gibbs ever tell us about Shannon and Kelly?"

What she means is 'why didn't he tell me'.

"Don't know Abby. He's always kept that part of his life private. The only reason I know is I investigated the deaths. If I hadn't, I 'd probably be in the dark too."

Just a little white lie there.

"Was it really bad?"
Mike gave her the bare bones details.

"If you want to hear more you'll have to ask him."

The two drew up to the pedestrian gate of the medical center. The Marine who checked their ID's gave them a sort of sideways look. Mike chuckled to himself.

We must look a sight. Old fart and young Goth!

The two proceeded up to Gibbs' room. Abby stopped outside. Mike raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

Abby smiled.

"Gotta put on my 'happy face'. Don't want the Bossman to see me down."
Mike guided her into the room, putting a smile on his own face.

"That's the spirit."

A/N: As I said at the start, I'm going to try and build a relationship between Mike and Abby so the 'hug' makes more sense. Only time will tell if I can do that. There will be a couple of chapters I think.