Title: First Christmas – Abby's POV

Author: Jay-Jay, Shorty, and Jenn

Rating: PG

Pairing: Gibbs/Kate

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters; they are all property of DPB.

Summary: After a long case that keeps the team at work for six days, Gibbs and Kate spend their first Christmas together.

As I lay here watching McGee sleep, I wonder how the past week really affected him. I know that he always looked up to Tony as a role model, Kate as an older sister, and Gibbs as a father figure. It must have pained him considerably to have to search for her, racing against time, hoping they were able to find her before the kidnapper killed her too. I remember always putting other evidence that came in for other cases aside whenever Tony, McGee or Gibbs showed up with something for Kate's case. I got in trouble for it once, but when I explained to the director why I did, he put out a memo that said that I was not to be harassed about anything. I think Gibbs had something to do with that.

Looking at McGee sleep, he looks so peaceful, more so than when he first arrived at my door. The last few hours have worked as a sort of therapy for him, letting him feel alive again. I know that it meant something to him, just like it meant the world to me. I guess it worked as a healing agent for both of us. Don't get me wrong, I love McGee with all my heart and have for a while now. This wasn't just some one-time thing for me. I will always love him. All I have to do now is wait for him to wake up and find out what he really feels for me.

Looking out the window I noticed that it was nearing afternoon. Maybe I should wake him, he might have plans for today. I feel him move beside me and turn over. His eyes are still closed. I reach over and kiss him lightly on the forehead. As I pull back I notice the smile on his face. I lean in and kiss him on the tip of the nose, and see the smile grow wider and his face tilt slightly upwards. I smile at this, and lean down to kiss him on the lips. "Good morning Tim." His eyes open, not in a shocked sort way, but in a 'oh my god its not a dream. Yes!!!' sort of way. "Hey. Did you sleep well?" He asks me. He is always sweet like this, always making sure I am okay.

"The best night's sleep I have ever had. You?" I ask him, wanting to know if I was able to chase the ghosts away for at least one night.

"I was afraid to wake up, thinking that it wasn't real. I am glad that it was real." He smiled at me. "I think you ruined me Abby."

"How's that?" I asked him, totally perplexed but not upset cause I could see the happiness radiating from him.

"I don't think I could ever sleep without you by my side ever again." I smile at him kiss him again and just snuggle deeper into him.

The next thing I knew was the sun was setting. I was lying on my side spooned into McGee, my back facing him, his arms wrapped around my waist. His one hand was drawing patterns on my belly. It so felt good. I didn't want to move. I was beginning to come down from my adrenaline high that kept me from thinking about everything. I knew McGee knew I was awake, but the fact that he didn't badger me to talk said a lot, as I realized tears were streaming down my face. I didn't want to remember what had happened the past few days, nor did I want to remember what Kate looked like in the hospital when she first arrived. I didn't want to deal with this right now. I rolled over to bury my face into McGee's chest to try to make it go away. His arms just tightened around me.

Both his hands were massaging my back in a soothing motion. McGee was telling me it was all right, everyone was safe, but I couldn't deal with it. A picture formed in my mind of what Kate must have gone through. Being chained to that bed, repeatedly raped, and the emotional terror that she must have gone through. I wanted it to go away. I was crying so hard I began shaking. This isn't supposed to be happening. I wasn't supposed to breakdown like this in front of McGee. I am supposed to be strong for him, and help him get through this. He isn't supposed to see me breakdown like this. He is the one who is allowed to not me. He saw the conditions that Kate was found in.

"Shh. Abby it's okay. Kate is fine. We are all fine. It's over." His words penetrated my grief stricken mind. I realize that he is right and that the bastard who did this will never be able to hurt anyone ever again. But that doesn't stop the tears from falling. All I want to do is forget. I burrow myself closer to him, and his arms wrap tighter around me, sealing me in a cocoon of safety and love. After awhile, my crying lessens in to sobs, and then in to calmness, as his love and protection surrounds me, and I fall into blissful slumber.