Gibbs fumed after another unsuccessful attempt to reach Abby's cell phone and banged his hands on the steering wheel in frustration as he neared Abby's apartment, not having had any luck at Abby's usual spots. He figured he would stand watch at her apartments and let McGee get some sleep.

McGee had entered with a spare key but Gibbs rang the doorbell. Abby heard it and woke up groggily. She jumped and screamed as she heard someone else open her front door. Gibbs and McGee immediately reached for their guns but soon realized that Abby was safe and put them away.

"Abs?" Gibbs asked tentatively.

"Hi Gibbs."

"Don't you hi Gibbs me, young lady. Where have you been?"

"In bed, sleeping. Why are you in my apartment?"

"Why weren't you answering your phone?"

"I was tired and turned it to silent so that I could sleep peacefully."

Gibbs sighed, turned to McGee and said, "Go, get some rest."

Tim went to Abby, hugged her and turned toward the door. As he passed Gibbs, he felt a sharp headslap. Before he could question or complain, Gibbs said, "you should have checked if she was in the house!"

Tim just nodded and walked out.

Gibbs considered what to do for a moment then said, "Okay then, back to bed with you."

"Am I in trouble?"

"We'll discuss this tomorrow."

"But I didn't do anything!"
"Tomorrow Abs."
"Fine."

"I can always give you a teaser tonight. But it won't help your plans of a peaceful night's sleep at all."

"Sorry, I'm just tired."

"Then why are you fighting me about going to bed?"

Abby just shrugged and started walking to her bed.

Gibbs followed. He pulled up Abby's blankets, tucked her in and kissed her goodnight. But he didn't get a 'good night' back.

He made himself comfortable on the couch, wanting to be rested for the confrontation the next day.

Abby woke up to a table of eggs, toast and orange juice. She would have preferred pancakes and caf-pow but it still beat having to cook for herself.

As she moved towards the coffee machine, Gibbs said, "sit down and eat, Abs."

"As soon as I get some coffee."

"You're not getting coffee."

"Why not?"

"You haven't been sleeping well or enough. You don't need any caffeine. Let your sleep cycle regulate."

"Then why are you drinking coffee?"

Gibbs raised an eyebrow and frowned, "remember who you are speaking to."

"An extremely mean and hypocritical person."

Gibbs had had enough that morning. He held her arm and gave her three swats. Then said, "Sit down and eat." This time Abby did as she was told.

Once Abby started eating, she realised that she had been really hungry and the food was delicious. Gibbs didn't cook a lot of things, or often, but when he did, it turned out delicious.

When she finished eating, she moved to get up but Gibbs stopped her with a "juice" without even looking away from his newspaper. She glared at him for a few moments then changed her mind, picked up the juice and gulped it down. As she was about to move, Gibbs said, "clear the table and then go sit on the couch."

"No. I have to go to work."

Gibbs got up, moved her aside and landed two swats. She yelped. "Okay okay I'll do it."

"Now you can wait in the corner instead of on the couch."

Abby grumbled under her breath and Gibbs gave her another swat.

She did as she was told and was standing in the corner contemplating how boring it was and how unfair Gibbs was and how pointless life was when she heard Gibbs order "front and center".

She was suddenly frozen but the growled "now" got her moving. Gibbs pointed to the couch with his eyes and she sat down.

Gibbs normally stood or paced as he lectured but he surprised her by sitting down next to her and asking, "walk me through yesterday"

"So Gibbs, I had finished working and"

"Did you finish tracing the financial records?"
"No but"
"Was there any ambiguity in my orders?"

"No but" this time GIbbs didn't interrupt and as she realised that she was about to tell Gibss that he was wrong, she stopped.

"Go on, you chose to disobey a direct order and then?"

Abyy gulped but continued, "I was feeling tired and sad and out of sorts and just wanted to sleep. So I came home and slept. I had no idea that you were looking for me."

"Why didn't you check in with me when you were leaving for home?"

"I didn't think it was necessary."

Gibbs raised an eyebrow. "Elaborate on the feeling out of sorts. Were you sick?"

"Well, maybe, or maybe it wasn't me but the universe. You know how mercury is in retrograde? That makes everything go wrong."

Gibbs was confused. "Does this have something to do with the party at the cemetery?"

"Not really. The party happens irrespective of celestial bodies. But wait, how do you know about the party?"

"I went there looking for you."

"Gibbs! How could you! How could you look at my computer? I'm sure you did something to embarrass me there. How will I ever go to a party with those people again?" Abby had stood up in the middle of her rant and was standing over Gibbs with her hands on her hips.

Gibbs pointed to the seat that Abby had just vacated and gave her a minute to comply. When she didn't, he grabbed her wrist and easily pulled her across his lap.

"Gibbs! What are you doing? I didn't do anything!"

"Well, this is just to get your attention and get you to think about your actions. So it will stop when you acknowledge what you did and then I will hand out your actual punishment." And with that Gibbs started swatting.

Abby started crying almost immediately. This worried Gibbs. He stopped after 10 swats and pulled her into his lap. Abby tried to squirm away but Gibbs held tighter. Eventually she gave up, leaned across his chest and sobbed. Gibbs rubbed her back and murmured soothing words.

Once Abby calmed down, he asked, "what was that about?"

When she didn't respond, he said, "not a rhetorical question."

She squeaked, "don't know"

He turned her head so that they were making eye contact and said, "not a good enough answer."

When Gibbs raised his eyebrow, Abyy started speaking really fast, "I really don't know Gibs, I have just been feeling really out of sorts. Now I am sure it is because of the mercury retrograde. That cry and the hug helped," and she turned back to lean against his chest.

Gibbs went back to rubbing her back, lost in thought. After a few minutes he said, "This is a one time deal. Do not expect me to be so lenient next time. I have decided not to spank you further. You are grounded. You will eat and sleep properly and have limited screen time. I think that routine will help you get back on track."

"But how will it solve mercury being in retrograde?"

"I'm sure you want to avoid me being in retrograde much more."

Abby just laughed and they sat in a comfortable cuddle till they had to leave for work.