Chapter 12

"Abby, I am really too old for this, my back is killing me" Gibbs grumbled, having sat holding her silently for awhile

Abby smiled into his chest, not yet willing to relinquish the feeling of safety she had

"My old silver haired fox" she retorted, getting a soft slap on the backside for the old comment, Gibbs gently pulled her away from him and stood her on her feet, rising gracefully to his at the same time.

"Feeling better?" he asked lifting her head up and gazing at her face, he smiled at her nod and the small impish smile on her face

"Yeah you make a great cushion, for such an old man" she teased.

"So what am I going to do with you?" Gibbs said, crossing over and turning the lights on, causing both Abby and himself to blink at the sudden brightness after the dark

"Well…" Abby said mock flirtatiously "you could….give me a rise?" she grinned, feeling almost like herself again, if only for a few moments.

"You want a rise after waking me at 3am, scaring me, giving me a new case I don't need…and you want a rise? After this I might have to fire you" he teased back.

Abby's face fell and her insecurities returned

"I'm Sorry" she whispered again, turning away from him, Gibbs could have happily shot himself then for his stupid mouth, he sighed

"Abby, it was a joke, a bad one maybe, but what do I know about woman, if I had a clue I wouldn't have three ex wives" he told her, crossing back to her and pulling her hair gently, wishing it was her usual pig tail.

"So let's try again, what am I going to do with you, while I go catch the bad guy?" he told her seriously.

"I could stay here and work?" she suggested, her eyes lighting up at the idea

"No, not an option" he said sternly "How about you go and wait with Ducky and then when I can I will send you home with Kate?" He suggested thinking that Abby would be better off staying with Kate for a few nights.

Abby looked at him thoughtfully for a moment, her head to one side

"How about I go wait with Ducky then stay with you?" she pleaded, her eyes wide and sure. Gibbs looked at her for a long moment, not sure it was such a good idea

"I don't have a bed in the spare room" he said desperately "And you need to be around another woman" he said desperately. Abby grinned at him

"Why Gibbs, are you afraid I will jump your old bones?" she teased, then she grew serious "Please Gibbs, I feel safe with you" she added softly.

Gibbs sighed then nodded abruptly

"Fine, but you hadn't better snore" he grumped as he left the room, pausing at the door

"You Coming Abby?" he growled, not sure what he was feeling at the moment, so deciding to hide behind his comfortable wall.

……………………………………….

Tony prayed for relief, he prayed for a bullet to come crashing through the window, he wasn't sure if he wanted it too hit McGee, the old woman or himself, he just knew he wanted relief. His eyes narrowed as he imagined what he would one day do to Gibbs as revenge, maybe he would get all of his ex wives and…

The thought stopped suddenly as a car pulled into the driveway opposite and a scruffy man in blue overalls got out and headed up the path.

"McGee" Tony called, pointing across the street "Looks like he's home" he added as McGee came to stand next to him, the old lady crowding in too

"Oh yes that's the horrid little man" the old lady said nodding her head repeatedly "does that mean your going now?" she asked sadly

Tony ignored her, instead pulling out his phone and dialling quickly

"Boss he's home, do you want us to bring him in?" Tony asked

"No, I'm on my way" Gibbs said "Tail him if he leaves again" he added before hanging up

Gibbs turned to Abby, Ducky and Kate

"Kate your with me, he's home" Gibbs said, he then turned to Abby,

"Would you recognise him again?" He asked carefully, hating to ask her to remember but knowing it was his job and her responsibility to herself and others to do this, Abby swallowed and nodded, not trusting her voice.

"Ok, lets go bring him in Kate" he said heading for the door, he turned before exiting, nearly causing Kate to crash into him

"You ok?" he asked Abby in a rare display of concern, Abby smiled and nodded

"Just go get the baddie, boss man" She told him

…………………………………..

Gibbs parked outside Flynn's house and he waited for Tony and McGee to get in place before he and Kate exited the car, he had called ahead to Tony to get him to position himself and McGee in the rear of the property, he and Kate would take the front. He had already taken the precaution of getting a warrant earlier, before Flynn had returned.

Once they were all in place, with guns at the ready Gibbs banged on the front door

"Federal Agent's, open up" he shouted, he paused and heard running from within, then a shout, he motioned Kate who nodded, and Gibbs kicked the door open with one vicious motion. Kate immediately filled the doorway, gun aimed and ready, she moved in and Gibbs followed in a well rehearsed and practiced move. Tony and McGee were following the same action in the back. Flynn paused in the middle of the hallway, not sure which direction to go, seeing four guns levelled at him; he slowly raised his hands and waited, Gibbs wished he had tried to run, tried to fight so that he could kill him.

…………………………………………

Abby stood in the hall, her hands shaking slightly as she faced the door before her, Gibbs gently put his hand on her shoulder, and squeezed

"Ready?" he asked, watching Abby intently, seeing the struggle in her face and hating having to do this too her, but she was the only victim who had survived, and although they could connect him through DNA it was still better for her to positively ID him.

"No" she said in answer to his question, even as her hand reached out and opened the door. She entered the dark control room, with Gibbs next to her. Kate, Tony and McGee already stood silently by the big glass mirrored window, they moved aside as one to give Abby and Gibbs room.

Abby took a deep breath and turned to look at the man in the room on the other side of the window. She stood for an eternity that lasted only a moment and then she slowly nodded her head.

"Yes that's him" she said quietly before slipping to the cold floor.