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Prompt #28: Tarburst - When she returned home, McGee was waiting with a hug.

Words: 527


It was five days after the Tarburst case when McGee walked into Abby's lab and heard her crying.

She hadn't been quite herself since they discovered the truth. She put up a brave front at first; righteous fury at being lied to, then the cold send-off when they arrested King, then her usual bubbly self when McGee, Tony, and Palmer had to clean up the mess they'd made in the lab.

Honestly, he was surprised Abby held out for so long. Then again, she was on Team Gibbs. They were made from sterner stuff.

"Hey Abby," he called out, walking towards her desk. "Where are you?"

"Back here," she sniffed. He turned to see her sitting against the ballistics tank, knees drawn up against her chest. Her hair was hanging loose around her face, and from what McGee could see, she wasn't wearing any makeup. "What's up? Does Gibbs have evidence for me to test?"

McGee shook his head. "No, there's no case today. I came down to check on you," he said.

"I'm fine."

"Liar." He carefully sat down beside Abby and nudged her shoulder with his. "It's me, Abs. It's Tim. You can talk to me."

She inhaled through her nose, then let it out in a controlled hiss through her lips. Her eyes flashed with fire as her fists clenched atop her knees. "I trusted him, Tim," she said. "We talked about stuff. We played chess. We broke out lab bunnies!" Her voice climbed in pitch with each sentance. "And then, I thought he died! I thought - and then he lied to me. He lied to me, Tim!"

Every bone in his body ached to hug her, but he knew she didn't want a hug right now. She wanted to vent. So McGee just nodded.

"I hate him!" she shouted. "And you know how hard it is for me to hate someone!"

McGee nodded again.

"They have to have done unspeakably bad things like, like, like kicking puppies into sewer drains or, or drowning kittens or employing child labor!"

Another nod.

"Aren't you going to say something?"

Now he spoke. "He hurt you."

"No shit!" she yelled, rounding on him. "Any other brilliant deductions, McHolmes?"

Wisely he fell silent. Abby's rage quickly cooled when she realized who she was talking to, slumping back again. "Ugh, I'm sorry Tim. I didn't mean to - "

"I know you, Abs," McGee said softly. "I know you didn't mean it."

Fresh tears glistened in her eyes and her lips trembled like Jell-O in an earthquake. He opened his arms and caught Abby as she fell into his embrace, sobbing afresh. He patted her back and let her cry.

"Y-You've been taking lessons from Gibbs," she choked out between sobs.

"How so?"

"You say nothing, and it makes me spill my guts."

McGee smiled. "Seven years, you learn a few things." He pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"Promise you won't tell anyone?"

"Promise."

"Especially not Gibbs."

"Why would I tell?" he asked. "Your secret's safe with me, Abby."


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