Chapter 5 - Epilogue

The team reached headquarters after a detour to Taco Bell; Abby ordered and devoured two quesadillas and a taco. Abby went down to the morgue immediately after arriving.

Ducky had been in the middle of writing an autopsy report when he got Kate's call, and he had been cleaning up and pacing worriedly since then. When he heard the elevator and saw Abby step out, he breathed a sigh of relief. She ran over and gave him a hug. "Abby! I'm so glad you're alright," he exclaimed.

"Of course, I'm alright; I've got the best team of friends anyone could ask for." She grinned.

"And what of the kidnappers?"

"Sorry, Ducky, Gibbs only shot one of them in the arm; you don't get to weigh their livers."

"Oh, rats! And I was so looking forward to it." He smiled.

Abby laughed. "Well, Duckman, I have to get back and give Gibbs a fingerprint match he wanted. I'll catch you later." She waved to him as she started to walk off, but he stopped her.

"Oh, Abby, let me have a look at your wrists." Despite protests from Abby, Ducky succeeded in medicating the rope burns on her wrists.

She took the elevator up to her lab and printed out the match for Gibbs. Then she got on the elevator again, and rode up to the bullpen. She strode over to Gibbs' desk and handed him the paper.

"Thanks, Abbs. Now I want you to go home and rest. If you feel like coming in tomorrow, fine, but I want you to take the rest of today off, okay?"

"But, Gibbs-"

"No buts, Abby. You need food and rest, I'm ordering you to go home and get plenty of both. Do I make myself clear?"

She sighed. "Yes, Gibbs." She had just started to leave when she heard a more gentle "Abbs?" She turned back around, "Yeah, Gibbs?"

"I didn't tell you earlier, but that was great thinking."

She smiled. "Thanks, Gibbs."

He smiled back and then returned to his paperwork.

xxxxxx

The next morning, Gibbs walked into the building carrying two drinks: a cup of coffee and a Caff-Pow. Instead of going straight up to the bullpen, he took the elevator down to the lab. He knew Abby would be there; she worked hard at her job, and wasn't going to use the kidnapping as an excuse to stay home. He walked through the lab doors and saw Abby-just as he'd predicted-busy at work.

She was looking at something through the microscope. "Hey, Gibbs," she called, recognizing his footsteps. She looked up and smiled when she saw the Caff-Pow in his hand. She grabbed it from him eagerly and took several gulps. "Mmm," she said, setting it down and returning her focus to the microscope. "You sure know how to make a girl happy, Gibbs."

"Well, I try." His arms encircled her waist. "Are you doing anything tonight?"

She enjoyed the feeling of his strong arms around her. "I don't think so, why?"

"Do you wanna go out for dinner? You can pick the place."

She grinned. "Sure. How about Olive Garden? Italian food would be a really nice change."

"Sounds good to me. I'll come get you after hours."

"I'll be waiting." She smiled. "Hey, Gibbs, this sounds like a date to me."

"Yeah?"

"Well, what about Rule 12?"

"Since when are you afraid to break the rules?"

She grinned at him.

"I hate to leave, but I have a meeting with Director Morrow." He released her from his embrace.

"See you tonight."

"Bye, Abbs."

xxxxxx

The team worked on the paperwork for the kidnapping the whole day. At four-thirty, Gibbs shoved the stacks of paper away and rubbed his eyes. "Guys, these papers aren't going anywhere; let's call it a day."

Tony glanced at his watch. "It's only four-thirty, boss, we-"

"Do you want to work late? Get your butts out of here before I change my mind!" The agents quickly turned off their computers, grabbed their things, and left.

Gibbs finished his coffee - his fourth that day - picked up his coat, and headed for the elevator. When he stepped off and walked into the lab, he heard Abby's usual music playing. 'Everything's back to normal,' he thought. "Abbs. Hey, Abbs!" The music drowned out his voice, so he walked over to where she was working the gas chromatograph and placed his hands on her shoulders. Abby's elbow shot back and rammed Gibbs in the solar plexus. She whirled around and to her horror saw her boss doubled over and groaning. "Oh my gosh! Gibbs! I'm so sorry! But I warned you not to sneak up on me."

"Yeah, Abby-" he inhaled sharply "-you did."

"I'm so sorry! Are you alright?"

"I think so." He winced as he exhaled. "I came to get you."

She looked at the clock on the wall. "You're early."

"Yeah, I thought we could go do something relaxing before we eat. The weather's nice; we could go for a walk or something."

"I'd like that, Gibbs. Just gimme a minute." She ran around the lab turning off all the machines. Then she hung up her lab coat and put on her black trench coat. She flipped off the lights and returned to where Gibbs stood waiting by the elevator. "Okay, let's go," she said cheerily.

They left the building and got into Gibbs' car. They drove to a park, and when they got out Abby put on her NCIS cap, but left her gloves in her purse; it was late enough that she wasn't very worried about the sun.

They began walking along the path in the fresh, cool air. They talked about anything and everything that wasn't work-related. As they continued conversing and laughing, Abby slipped her hand into his. Gibbs smiled - hand holding may have seemed juvenile, but he didn't care - and he interlaced his fingers with hers.

Abby smiled, and then suddenly had a thought. "Hey, Gibbs, I thought you only like redheads?"

"Maybe that was where I went wrong," he said before leaning over and kissing her.

FIN

Author's Note: I am so sorry that I didn't get this up on Sunday, but I was only home for about twenty minutes, and then I went to my Church lock-in, so as soon as I got home this morning, I went to sleep. :) Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed, you don't know how much it means to me. I again would like to thank my editor, Hannah, and beta, nikkinor; y'all are the best! My next project, which is currently in the editing/beta-ing stage, will be a follow-up on "The Perfect Gift" for those of you who wanted a little bit more. I hope everyone liked how I ended this; I'm going back to sleep now. :) ;) :D