Monday morning brought several things with it…first, Abby began counting the days until her 'family' was once again reunited. Second, she was greeted by three dozen black roses in various parts of her lab all without cards—though she knew who they were from. And finally, meeting the new 'Team Gibbs'.
"Ms. Scuito, I want to introduce you to a few new faces. I believe you're already familiar with Agent Lee. This is Agent Langer, fresh from the FBI, although he has worked at NCIS before. And finally, Agent Keating, who transferred up from the cyber crimes unit. Everyone, this is Abigail Scuito, our forensic scientist."
"It's Abby, Sir. Hey Michelle."
Abby gave a small smile to the group then resumed her work. It wasn't that she wanted to be rude; she just didn't want to give the impression to Director Vance that she was ok with losing the others.
Hours later, she heard the familiar ding of the elevator.
"I loved the roses. Although, an apology would be nice too."
"I am sorry, Abby."
Turning around, she noticed he looked tired…and unsure. The tired, she could understand, especially since she hadn't gotten much sleep over the past few days either.
"You need sleep, Gunny."
"Yep."
"Been hard?"
"Yep."
"And why's that?"
She stepped closer with each question, ending a breath away from the visitor.
"Ah, hell. I missed you, Abs."
"I missed you too, my silver-haired fox."
Before his lips touched hers, she spun around, striding towards her computer. She knew he would follow.
"By the way, you owe Ducky some major ass-kissing."
"Ass…kissing?"
"Yeah, you know…where you thank him and tell him what a great friend he is for taking care of your jilted lover…"
"I was an ass."
"You were. But…the flowers helped. Besides, I have some news."
"Me too."
They both went rigid at the interruption, neither of them had heard the elevator.
"I took the stairs. Ms. Scuito…Agent Gibbs…something you would like to share with me?"
"Nothing I can think of…Leon."
"Your new team is waiting for you upstairs. I'm sure Ms. Scuito will be fine down here by herself."
The new director wasn't shying away from the classic Gibbs-stare; finally, with a sigh, Gibbs relented. He gave Abby a small peck on the cheek and then walked towards the elevator. As soon as the doors shut, Dr. Vance turned towards Abby.
"Ms. Scuito, I presume you and---"
"Director Vance, gonna have to stop you there. Listen," Abby put on her no non-sense look and stomped towards the intruder, "don't you think you've done enough?"
"Ms. Scuito, I—"
"It's ABBY! And frankly…as far as I'm concerned, NCIS doesn't have a director anymore. Not since Jenny…you tore apart my family!! And now you're honestly trying to threaten my relationship—whatever that may be—with Gibbs?!? You may be 'acting' as our boss, but that doesn't mean you are…which means, if you even THINK about finishing whatever sentence you were about to speak, you will be searching for a new forensic specialist. And let me tell you, we are hard to come by!"
Her breathing was ragged, her fists were clinched, and her body posture showed she meant business. Within moments, she saw the change occur in his eyes.
"Very well, Ms. S…Abby. Have a good afternoon."
She watched as he made his departure into the stairwell. As the door shut, her stomach flipped. As she ran to the bathroom, she thought, 'I hate morning sickness!'
