A/N - This is a slightly rewritten repost because I'm trying to trim my stories list to make it easier for people to find the serial they're following and because no-one seems to read the "back catalogue". This is one of my favourites and I wanted to keep it so I added it to this collection.
FIRST CONVERSATION.
It is a few weeks after she has started at NCIS and Abby is sitting at her desk glaring at her computer screen with the music blaring. She's wondering if she's made a big mistake and has been since the Director yelled at her that morning. Not a mistake with evidence. So far everything she had been given had been fairly straightforward apart from the blood splatter and even that she'd dealt with. What Abby is wondering as she sits there is if she'd made a mistake in coming to NCIS. She'd stood there as the Director shouted at her like she was a schoolgirl caught smoking behind the bike sheds not the fully qualified forensic scientist she is. Then she'd nodded meekly, said "Yes Sir" and left. This was not her usual style at all but she hadn't known what else to do. Suddenly the lab falls silent.
"Don't ever" Abby turns around scowling and jumps out of her chair when she realizes who is in her lab. "Special Agent Gibbs. What can I do for you?" She had heard agents talking about the legendary Agent Gibbs of course and was curious as to how much truth there ws behind the stories. She did know whatever story was told it was always with a deep measure of respect. Although they'd talked on the phone and bumped into each other at the vending machine a couple of times this was the first time he had come down to her lab. Oh hell what now she thinks. Abby is surprized when he holds out a Caf-Pow!to her. He always seemed so preoccupied she couldn't quite believe he'd noticed and remembered her drink preference.
"Miss Sciuto. Just wanted to say good job on that blood splatter evidence and..."
"and...?" cheering up slightly as she accepts the drink and the compliment Abby is puzzled by the hesitant expression on Agent Gibbs face.
"I heard the Director yelled at you for not getting the results fast enough."
Abby glares at him for a moment then she explodes with "You can't rush science Special Agent Gibbs. In an analysis of this sort first you have to..."
"Miss Sciuto I understand but..."
"You do?" she interrupts sceptically.
"No, I don't but it always has taken that long. I wanted to tell you the Director didn't mean it."
"He sure sounded like he did." She continues to glare at him.
"You haven't been here long enough to know. The Director gets like this sometimes when we're on a tough case. It isn't personal."
"Oh." She knew the agents had been spending long hours on the case but were failing to come up with answers. That was why she had stayed late waiting on the DNA results. Of course Special Agent Gibbs was working on the case too. Yet he had taken the time to come and check on her and explain why the Director had acted as he had. Interesting she thinks. Gibbs appeared to have a softer side well hidden behind that gruff exterior. Abby was starting to feel much happier.
"Goodnight Miss Sciuto" Gibbs turns to leave.
"Abby."
"What?" he turns back.
"My friends call me Abby."
"Friend..." as if he's searching his memory for the meaning of the word. "We've only just met" he states with an inquisitively raised eyebrow.
"Friend - someone who is always welcome in my lab no matter what my mood especially if he's bringing me a Caf-Pow!"
Gibbs lips twitch in what might be a smile. Looking stern he replies "We'll see. Goodnight" he pauses "Abby." His phone rings. "Gibbs." He listens. "On my way." He hangs up. "There's been a breakthrough in the case."
"A breakthrough, a breakthrough, there's been a breakthrough." Abby jumps up and down and hugs the very startled special shocked but smiling all the same he responds "And it's all because of your blood splatter analysis." He kisses the cheek of the even more startled forensic scientist."Got to go."
"Goodnight Agent Gibbs."
He turns the stereo on as he leaves. With just a brief conversation she'd been able to take his mind off the horrors of the current case and she didn't appear to have taken the Director's reprimand to heart. He'd keep an eye on her after all she was now one of the team but he already knew Abby was going to fit in just fine.
