After a long, silent car ride, Gibbs just said, " bath. Back down in 20." Abby nodded and walked upstairs. Gibbs went into the kitchen. He didn't have time to call for takeout and roasting steaks was out of the question. He decided to just put together his signature dishes. He put out the two boxes of cereal he had and didn't fail to notice that both of them were Abby's preferred brands which he had learnt to like. He warmed up some milk and made beans from a can. And finally poured a glass of water for Abby and some strong Bourbon for himself and waited. As much as he wanted to go away from her right now, he knew she was hurting and lashed in anger and he had to be the understanding parent. He also realised that he really couldn't punish her anymore tonight with any degree of fairness. But he knew that he had lit into her severely enough for it to give her an incentive to obey.

When she came down and saw the signature Gibb's dishes on the table, she was again overwhelmed by his love and her shame and started crying. Gibbs wasn't ready to talk yet so he held her by her shoulders and made her sit down and pointed to the food. She understood the silent order that everything had to be gone before she would be allowed to get up. She reached for her drink and noticed that it was water, she was about to complain when she noticed Gibbs drinking Bourbon and realising why he had to do that cried again. Gibbs said, "Abs eat" And she remembered her promise to do as he said and started eating. After a silent dinner, as expected Gibbs directed, "leave your phone on the table. Go to sleep." Abby started gathering her dishes as she said, "let me help you by doing the dishes." Gibbs repeated in the same monotone, "leave your phone on the table and go to bed." She got up and started walking away. Suddenly she turned and said, "what about?" Reading her mind Gibbs said "Nothing tonight. Go to sleep." She nodded, put her head down and walked away.

Gibbs cleaned up and went upstairs to check on Abby. Thankfully she was in a deep sleep, on her stomach. He tucked her in and wished for strength and wisdom to do what he needed to do to make sure that she grew into a great, responsible, professional and remained secure about his fatherly love.

The next morning Abby felt refreshed but seriously lacking caffeine. She got ready and went downstairs. She was shocked to see chocolate chip pancakes. The man who never bothered to do any cooking besides grilling meat had gone through making pancakes for her. She was surprised that he even had the ingredients or knew the recipe. As usual, he read her mind and said, "they were Kelly's comfort food too." "I'm sorry about what I said Gibbs, you're the best father in the whole world." And she looked so much like a lost puppy that he knew that his stern demeanor was a losing battle as he got up and enveloped her in a strong, warm hug. "We're going to be okay." Finally pulling out of the hug, he said, "Eat."

She noticed a glass of water near her and a cup of coffee with Gibbs. She took a few bites before she dared to ask, "May I have some coffee?" "Nope, finish your glass of water." "But Gibbs!" She started to whine and like lightning he had pulled her from her seat, swatted her thrice, hard and put her back before sitting down himself. "You're on very thin ice, Abs. I have zero tolerance for disrespect of any kind coming from you right now. Tread carefully." She gulped. Gibbs had threatened her before about smacking her like he does Dinozzo but had never really done it. This was going to make things so much more difficult!

After she finished eating, Gibbs pushed a pen and paper towards her and started, "Here are your punishments. You are grounded to my house for 2 weeks. Your car stays at NCIS. I'll drive you there and back. You will be getting a spanking with my belt now and a hand spanking every morning and before bed for one week. I hope this helps you remember that you have people who care and who you should reach out to. Also, no caf-pows for a week. This is from both me and ducky. When we're at home, all your gadgets will remain at the table and you will spend your free time in the corner, writing lines or doing chores. I am being extremely generous in understanding the extenuating circumstances but that is in exchange for a display of visible change. I want to see you taking full responsibility and following your punishment to the T. If not, trust me, I can make you a lot more miserable. Understand?"

"Gibbs this is too much. I didn't do anything that bad." She tried in her most reasonable, clearly not arguing or whining voice.

"And you'll be running 3 miles everyday for the week."

"What?"

"The correct response is, Yes, Gibbs. I'm sorry and I accept my punishment. Last warning before I tack on more."

She couldn't believe that Gibbs was being so hard on her. All she could do was nod.

"Verbal confirmation, please."

"Yes Gibbs. I'm sorry and I accept my punishment" She repeated almost verbatim, still shocked.

"Good. Bend over." She looked at him but wisely chose to not say anything and obeyed. She started praying frantically, worrying if she could take it when she was still sore from yesterday.

Knowing that she didn't have an option, she just lay there and sobbed her heart out. Gibbs steeled his heart and gave her the 30 licks he had decided on. When he finished, he rubbed her back and pulled her into a hug so warm, it felt like nothing would harm her ever again.

"Now I want you to sit and write those rules down while I do the dishes. As you finish a set, keep repeating. No slacking."

She looked at him, horrified but didn't yet dare to verbalise her thoughts. He raised an eyebrow and she sat down, hissing. She tried to raise her bottom and hover over the chair but he spotted it and pushed her down by her shoulders and she squeaked. She squirmed more than she wrote but he figured she was at her limit for the morning and let it go.

When he finished drying the last plate he found her looking at him with puppy eyes and he nodded as he said, "Since you have worked so hard in writing your punishments so many times, not remembering any of it is not an option at all. Right?" She sighed but said, "Yes sir."

Being called sir always rubbed him the wrong way but coming from Abby, it hurt. So he stepped forward and hugged her again and reminded her how much he loved her and how he would always keep her safe, even from her own foolishness. He also warned her about the car ride to NCIS and said she may keep a pillow in the car which she will be allowed to use based on her behavior and attitude. She thanked him profusely and went looking for all the pillows in Gibbs' house to scientifically figure out the one that would give the most comfort.