Closer Reality

A/N: Thanks to Peanut84 for her local DC knowledge once again; really appreciate all the help throughout the story, ma'am. Only a couple more chapters to go with this story.


Chapter 52 – Belonging

After paying off the cab, they walked towards the Tabard Inn hotel, the two men flanking Abby, and Gibbs let his hand covers hers where it was hooked through his arm. She was wrapped in her long black cloak, her hood up against the cold and he glanced at her distinctive profile, taken all over again by how beautiful she looked tonight.

Aware of his gaze, Abby looked back, her eyes sparkling and mouth curving in a teasing grin. "Eyes front, Marine."

Gibbs chuckled, looking up and catching Jackson's eye on Abby's other side and his dad grinned, taking her other arm. "Can I tell you again how gorgeous you look, honey?"

Abby grinned back. "You can, Jack... as often as you like."

Gibbs rolled his eyes. "C'mon, you two. In you go." He held the door open, leaning in to whisper to Abby as she passed him. "He's right."

After divesting themselves of their coats, they were escorted to their table to find Ducky and Gloria already seated and waiting for them. Gloria broke out in a wide smile and waved when she saw them and Ducky rose to his feet, a warm smile on his face. Abby felt Gibbs' hand curl round her waist, the heat from his palm warming her skin as they moved through the restaurant area.

"Abigail, my dear, you look lovely tonight." Ducky held out his arms.

"Why thank you, Ducky. You're looking very spruce yourself."

Wrapping Ducky and her mom in warm hugs, Abby smothered a smile as Gibbs beat the waiter to settling her into a seat between Ducky and himself. Gloria ended up sitting between Jackson and Gibbs, seated so she could see everyone's faces and with the light mostly behind her so she'd have less trouble lip-reading their faces.

After they ordered drinks and looked through the menus, their waitress came back to take their food order. After writing down Abby's order, the waitress had to move round the table so Gloria could point at what she wanted on the menu, which gave the waitress a clearer view of Gibbs.

Abby resisted the urge to roll her eyes as she saw the woman's face take on what Abby had come to call the stunned rabbit look which hit most red-blooded females and a fair number of men when they first saw the Marine.

Abby caught her mom's amused gaze as Gloria caught on and saw Jackson watching with a twinkle in his eyes, while Ducky was unsuccessfully hiding a smirk as he looked down at his menu. Gibbs was giving his order seemingly oblivious of the by-play, although Abby could see a faint pink tinge to his tips of his ears and a gleam of amusement in his blue eyes.

Abby narrowed her eyes at the waitress as she took the orders from Ducky and Jackson, still casting glances in Gibbs' direction. When she'd finished, the waitress flashed a broad smile at Gibbs as she gathered the menus. "Please let me know if there's anything else you need and I'll attend to it personally, just ask for Dorothy."

"Not in this life, sister," Abby muttered, glaring at the waitress's retreating back and heard Jackson smother his laugh in a cough. She turned to see Gibbs gazing at her with a smirk tugging at his mouth, as he rested a hand over hers on the table.

"I swear I gotta beat 'em off with a stick." Abby grinned, leaning in to whisper. "The only difference is this time I can." Abby couldn't count the number of times she'd felt jealous at the attention he attracted, but had to bite her lip because Gibbs wasn't hers. Now she didn't have to hold back.

"Not gonna argue if ya do, Abbs," Gibbs murmured in reply. If he was honest, Abby's possessiveness was hot.

Abby chuckled, taking a moment to look round at their elegant surroundings. Candles cast a soft glow over everything, the subdued lighting creating a romantic atmosphere and it wasn't long before Ducky launched into a history lesson of the inn.

"D'ya eat here often, Ducky?" asked Jackson when the M.E. paused for a moment.

Ducky nodded. "Fairly regularly. The ambience is very relaxing, the food quite superb and they treat me very well here... spoil me in fact. There's some fascinating photographs of the history and what the place looked like in the past up on the walls."

"I saw them in the lobby as we came in." Abby glanced at the chequered floor. "And give this floor a few more squares and we could play 3D chess, Ducky... although stare at it for too long and it could be a bit trippy."

Ducky chuckled. "We could indeed play. It's about time we had one of our marathon chess tournaments, Abigail."

"You mean so you can whoop my ass again?" Abby teased with a grin.

Ducky returned her smile. "Just so, although I always enjoy our mental tussles." He turned back to Jackson. "And the Inn of course has a Navy connection. It served as a boarding house for the WAVES during the Second World War."

"WAVES?" Gloria finger spelled her question.

"Navy Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service," Gibbs elaborated.

Abby turned to face her mom, signing and speaking simultaneously, and Jackson suddenly realized how a lot of the gestures Abby seemed to use almost unconsciously every day were half formed signs. He dragged his focus away from her hands onto what she was saying.

"I was looking the place up online earlier and what's really amazing are the green roofs."

Ducky interjected. "Ah, yes, a really interesting example... and fascinating to see in daylight. Although I'm sure I can persuade the maître d' to take us up there tonight if you wish? There should be enough lighting to see it."

Abby smiled. "That would be cool, Duck-man."

"Green roofs... for vegetables?"

Ducky nodded, turning to face Abby's mom. "Yes, partly, Gloria. The Inn uses a lot of its own produce and has its own farm I believe."

Abby held up her hand, looking between Ducky and Gloria. "Wait... Ducky, you didn't need me to translate that, you got that straight away?"

Ducky shrugged somewhat sheepishly. "I did... I've been practising." He raised his glass to Gloria. "With a lot of help... and much online studying."

"Well, go you, Ducky." Abby leaned in to kiss his cheek, rubbing the smudge of lipstick off his skin when she pulled back.

"I can see I've got a lot of catching up to do," said Jackson ruefully.

"Oh, not really, Jack," Ducky smiled reassuringly. "I've got a lot left to learn but I must admit, I'm finding it fascinating."

"There's also a herb garden up there, on the roof over the kitchen." Ducky went on, sipping his drink.

"Really?" Abby threw a teasing glance at Gibbs who chuckled, raising an eyebrow.

"Don't get any ideas, Abbs."

"Aawww," she pouted at him before giggling and turning back to Ducky. "So how do they get up there from the kitchen... climb out the window and clamber up a drainpipe?"

Ducky chuckled. "No... they actually have a skylight in the roof of the kitchen and a pull down ladder."

Gibbs saw Abby's eyes light up. "Wow... now that's a really cool idea." She looked at Gibbs expectantly, eyebrows raised. He gazed back, fighting a smile, and Abby was the first to dissolve into laughter in their stare down, echoed by everyone else round the table.

Ducky and Jackson exchanged a glance and a smile. Jackson had found Ducky a willing and sympathetic ear when he wanted to talk about his son during his brief stay with the M.E.

He'd learned a lot about his son from Ducky, both what had happened to Leroy in the years he'd missed and also about how he'd changed. A lot of what Ducky had said backed up what Abby had told him, lending more weight to all the things she'd tried to get him to understand.

It wasn't that Jackson disbelieved her but it was easier to accept a few unpalatable truths from someone of his own generation.

And Jackson was finally accepting, however reluctantly, that he had to relearn who his only son was, all over again, and that the man Leroy was now was very different from the one who'd been married to Shannon.

It was an uncomfortable pill to swallow but it was finally being digested, slowly.

Dinner arrived soon after and they turned their attention to the meal. Conversation flowed easily and carried them right through the meal and into dessert. Apart from regular signed exchanges with Gloria, Gibbs was content to let everyone else do most of the talking; not that four such highly voluble people needed any encouragement.

Gibbs found himself relaxing as the evening progressed, enjoying listening to the others or watching Abby. Her green eyes sparkled and a warm smile graced her lips, lighting up her beautiful face as Jackson and Ducky tried to outdo each other with stories.

While Gloria made use of her notebook to write some things down for Ducky and Jackson, Abby and Gibbs also translated for her. Although Abby laughingly refused to tell some of the more embarrassing stories Gloria tried to relate from her childhood, but Gibbs obliged Gloria, grinning at Abby's good natured glare.

The maître d' stopped by their table when they reached the coffee stage, greeting Ducky warmly, and it wasn't long before Ducky had persuaded him to show Abby the green roofs.

Abby leapt to her feet eagerly and the maître d' offered her his arm. "I'd be delighted. If we go to my office, you'll get a superb view from there... and we can stay in the warm."

Ducky smothered a smile as he saw the blue eyed stare being directed at the tall, dark haired man, and stood hurriedly before any flesh could be scorched.

"I'll come with you, my dear." Ducky offered. "I never tire of seeing it all. Gloria, would you care to come with us?"

Gloria nodded, smiling as she signed her agreement, and Gibbs held her chair as she stood up to join them. Abby saw the owner's face blanch as he looked beyond her and she shot Gibbs an amused glance, well aware what he was up to; although it was by no means a full on death glare being directed at the poor guy, it was more of a 'just getting warmed up' interrogation stare Mark I, just designed to unsettle.

Abby moved passed Gibbs, leaning in to murmur in his ear. "Down boy."

"Knew I shoulda bought my gun."

Abby chuckled softly, laying a hand on his arm. "If I come back and find Dorothy sitting in my seat or she's dragged you to the dance floor, I'm gonna kick somebody's ass."

"Dorothy who?"

Abby smiled, seeing his amusement. "Good answer, Jethro."

By the time Ducky, Gloria and Abby returned, again escorted by the maître d', the two Gibbs were on more coffees and bourbon, and the dancing had started on the adjacent floor and several diners were already taking a turn.

As he ordered more drinks, Gibbs listened as Abby related what she'd learned. Given half a chance, he could see her nagging Vance about installing a green roof on the NCIS building and smothered a grin as he imagined Leon's response. Although if she enlisted Jackie's help, the Director would be toast.

The maître d' looked a trifle bemused at the grasp Abby had on the science behind the technology on the roof and Gibbs reflected, not without a slight surge of irritation, that it wasn't the first time he'd seen someone take Abby's appearance at face value and not realize there was a sharp intelligence beneath the attractive exterior.

As they relaxed over coffee, Gloria took turns to dance with Jackson and Ducky, and even managed to entice Gibbs to the dance floor, despite his protests.

When he returned and seated Gloria, Gibbs inclined his head at the dance floor, raising an eyebrow at Abby, who grinned. "Wow... that makes two dances in the space of a week. I could get used to this. Although we could do with livening up the place with a bit of Android Lust, don't ya think, Ducky?"

Gloria shook her head, giving a mock shudder. "Not them. Too loud."

Jackson frowned, looking at Gloria. "Wait, how do you... I mean," he trailed off looking embarrassed.

Gloria took pity on him and Gibbs translated. "Can feel vibrations of loud music. Android Lust makes the walls shake."

Gibbs laughed. "Sounds like a normal day in the lab."

Abby narrowed her eyes at him. "I'm being ganged up on. C'mon, Marine, dance floor... now."

Chuckling, Gibbs took Abby's hand, looking her over as she stood. "You sure we can dance... that dress has a wide perimeter. Not sure I can get close enough."

"We'll manage." She headed for the dance floor, tugging on his hand and turned to him as they reached it. "You calling my ass big in this dress, Jethro?"

Gibbs pulled her into his arms, sliding his hand to rest on her hip and capturing her other hand to his chest. "Your ass is perfect."

"Nice save."

Abby relaxed as they moved slowly to the music, leaning into Gibbs until their bodies were almost flush. She felt him rub his cheek gently against hers and slid her other hand along his shoulder to stroke the short hairs on the back of his neck and felt his hand squeeze hers in response, his low murmur of her name close to her ear.

"Now about that herb garden... on the roof," Abby began after a few minutes, hearing his chuckle.

"You mean the one in the backyard."

"It'd be like a reverse basement." Abby leaned her head back, seeing his eyes gleaming with amusement. "How cool would it be to just pop up through the roof and snip off a few herbs for dinner."

"Not as easy as opening the back door and going outside for 'em," Gibbs replied dryly.

"Spoilsport."

"And in case you hadn't noticed, there's no roof on the kitchen. Upstairs is the guestroom." He pulled her back close, resting his hand on her lower back.

Abby giggled, nudging her nose into his neck. "Trust you to spot the flaw in my masterplan. You're no fun..."

She felt his thumb stroke the bare skin of her back and shivered at the low voice in her ear. "You sure about that?"

As one dance drifted into two, Abby could feel every movement Gibbs made, the warmth of his hand on her back and the way he nuzzled into her hair.

From their table, Gloria watched the two of them dancing, seemingly oblivious to everyone else as they moved slowly round the floor. Gloria felt Jackson's hand on her arm and turned to him, blinking back her sudden tears, conscious of Ducky's concerned glance.

"Are you okay, Gloria?" Jackson asked gently.

Gloria nodded, giving the two men a watery smile and reached for her notebook.

"Abby's loved Gibbs for years. Been so lonely without him."

Ducky swallowed round a lump in his throat as he nodded, understanding all too well what Gloria meant. He'd seen that for himself close up over the years... had seen the longing and desire both had tried to hide from the other and the world.

He'd watched Abby burrow under the walls Gibbs had erected, with a warm smile in her armoury and an ability to see the good in everyone.

Ducky had been delighted at the change in their relationship. It was still early days and he didn't underestimate the difficulties ahead for both of them, but he hoped the foundations were strong enough to withstand any problems.

Jackson cleared his throat, clearly moved. "Well, I didn't see my son when he was married to his other wives, not like you did Ducky, but I did see him with Shannon... he seems just as happy now as I remember him back then. "

Ducky smiled. "He certainly seems more relaxed these past weeks."

Gloria picked up her notebook again. "Never seen my girl so happy."

Ducky looked over at the couple dancing. "I think they will be good for each other."

"I know you might be worried he's been married so many times. Worried me too at first," Jack admitted, "till I realized why. He's loyal my son... he'll look after her."

Gloria smiled, patting Jackson's arm and he looked down as she wrote. "Know he will. I understood why he got married again when I found out how he lost his first wife."

Jackson blinked rapidly, averting his gaze from Gloria for a few moments to gather himself. He cleared his throat. "Abby's good for him. I've seen that for myself. She's quite something your daughter. Real kind heart, just like her mom," added Jackson and Gloria shook her head at him, laughing.

"Well, if you'll permit me, I think what's different maybe is that they know each other well because they work together and have known each other for a long time," Ducky mused, drawing their gazes. "So maybe Abby has an advantage the others didn't? She gets to see the whole person."

Jackson remembered Ducky saying something similar during his stay earlier in the week, and he'd seen evidence of it himself over the past week. So in a way, his other relationships were almost hamstrung from the start, and really through no fault of the women involved.


Gibbs stared down at Abby beneath him, her body still trembling from her first release, muscles fluttering around him as he pushed gently inside. She gasped his name and arched into him as he slid home, her legs rising to grip his waist tightly as her hands grasped his shoulders. Her green eyes were locked on his, pupils dilated and lips swollen from his kisses.

He stilled when he was fully seated, framing her head between his forearms, burying his face in her neck, trying to pull himself back from the edge as he felt his control slipping at the feel of her.

Despite being on a slow simmer for much of the evening, they'd taken their time once they'd closed the bedroom door behind them. Stripping each other slowly, lavishing attention on each inch of bare flesh revealed, the heat built slowly as they teased and aroused, until the prolonged foreplay meant Gibbs could wait no more.

He'd slid down her body to expose her to his mouth and fingers and she arched, hand gripping the headboard until she came with a choked cry. And now he was where he wanted to be, her warm heat surrounding him, her body and arms cradling him.

Gibbs nuzzled the soft skin of her neck, biting down gently where it curved into her shoulder. When he'd regained a measure of control, he raised his head and felt his heart squeeze at the look on her face, the love and desire plain to see.

Abby shivered at the intensity in Gibbs' stare, his eyes glazed with need as he pulsed inside her. Abby pulled his head down into a kiss and he lost himself in the sweetness of her mouth, fingers tangling in her hair as he held her head steady, absorbing the soft needy sounds she was making.

Abby broke the kiss with a gasp as he began rocking his hips, sliding out of her moist depths and slowly back inside in one long deep thrust had triggered a loud moan that shivered down his spine.

The throbbing heat of him moving so slowly caused sparks of pleasure across her vision and she found heat curling inside her quickly. His mouth hovered over hers, their breaths mingling, whispering soft murmurs of encouragement as they moved together, Gibbs sinking deeper with every thrust.

Gibbs kept the pace slow, even when Abby tried to rush him and she eventually stopped trying, letting the sensations he was causing wash over her. Her entire body felt as if it were tingling as she reacted almost helplessly to the steadily building rhythm that seemed to take forever.

When his thrusts finally picked up speed and strength, he watched her face as Abby undulated into him, her eyes dazed. Adding more force behind each plunge, Gibbs felt her start to shake as he slammed into her body. He could feel she was nearly there... could feel it in the tensing of her muscles, the fingers digging into his back and shoulders, the mewling sounds she was making as she writhed beneath him.

He pulled one of her legs higher and it altered the angle and depth and he heard Abby choke on a moan which sent him closer to the edge. Gibbs pinned her hands above her head and bent his mouth to the warm skin of her neck, his thrusts becoming erratic. It took only a few more forceful plunges to send her over the edge and he was just behind her, groaning into her neck as he came, hard.

Her release was a prolonged pleasure so intense, it left her wrecked and shaking, desperately trying to grab in air, her heartbeat pounding. Abby buried her face in his neck, arms tightly wound round him, legs locked behind his back as she almost sobbed her release.

She couldn't have moved if the house was on fire.

Gibbs gasped and shuddered from head to toe through his own orgasm, moaning her name, almost grinding her into the mattress as he fought for his next breath. When Gibbs became aware of his surroundings again, he was collapsed on top of Abby and her fingers were trailing lightly across his shoulders as she nuzzled into his neck.

As their heartbeats gradually slowed, they lay there, unwilling to separate, his breathing warm against her shoulder as aftershocks quivered through them both. Gibbs turned his head to nuzzle her neck and face, pressing tender kisses to her skin, murmuring her name as she stroked his back, her fingers ghosting over his flesh and prompting another shiver as he lay buried deep inside her.

As the aftershocks quivered through Abby, her inner muscles spasmed around him, causing ripples of pleasure to vibrate through Gibbs as he softened inside her.

Eventually, Gibbs shifted slightly to his side as he slipped out of her and gathered her close. They lay tangled together, his hands stroking her back and playing gently with her hair, and Abby returned his light caresses.

Abby raised her head to see his face, his expression warm and relaxed, a satisfied haze in his eyes and smile tugging at his mouth. She ran her fingers over his lips, suddenly feeling her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. Gibbs must have sensed it as he pulled her even closer, wrapping her up snugly in his arms.

"Mine," she whispered against his neck, breathing him in.

His arms tightened, nuzzling into her hair. "Yours." He let the comfortable silence drift for a few moments before murmuring, "And I thought I was the possessive one."

Abby chuckled. "And you are... and it's hot. I mean with most men it's a big turn off but with you, it's hot."

He pressed a kiss to her hair. "I'm a possessive bastard, Abbs. Can't help it."

"I know." She raised her head, resting her chin on his chest. "And you do know there's no need to worry, right? As long as you trust me. "

Gibbs brushed her hair back from her face. "I do. But I can't promise I won't wanna break a few fingers every time some guy looks at ya."

"Which is nothing to what I wanna do to the Dorothys of this world."

TBC...