Thanks to those who encouraged me to continue this story. :) I hope you aren't disappointed.

Special thanks to the reviewers - DS2010, Gibbs4Eva, Loads of Randomness, Troubled-Angel-26, Sarai, Dawn248, didemi, Luv reading 67, KrisShannon, Suzy Q1068, Fan, and NCISLover10. I appreciate you all and hope that you twelve specifically enjoy. :D

References to season 3 episode 8 and the episodes immediately following (I think three or four? Maybe five).

Enjoy, and please review when you are done!

...

Abby's behaviour was slightly improved over the days following Gibbs' warning to her - and he was watching her.

There was one time when she came close to being reprimanded. It was on the birthday of the Marine Corp when Tony and Ziva had been in a shoot out after spending the majority of the day stuck in a shipping container. Ziva was generously offering to drive Tony home. After the day he had just experienced, Tony was understandably not excited about dancing with death once again with Ziva at the wheel. Gibbs did not like Abby's snippy remark of "Maybe he'd like to live" when Ziva was confused about why Tony did not want to have her drive. Gibbs figured that he should have said something, but he knew that if he opened his mouth he would have started laughing. Ziva's innocent confusion and Abby and McGee's protection of Tony was too funny. Besides, he was missing Shannon and Kelly. Abby said, "Happy birthday, Gibbs" on her way out for the night, and he just gave a half smile rather than a scolding.

Things spiraled from that night. Abby nearly lost her faith in science when Tony was accused of murder, and then had to fight off her lab assistant when she figured it all out. Then Tim had his first kill shot and everyone was focused on helping him. After the insanity stopped, Gibbs was hopeful that Abby and Ziva would finally get along. Surely facing so much adversity was a good bonding experience.

No such luck favoured Gibbs.

Things went relatively smoothly besides the normal bickering and banter that accompanied the team - until the Sunday where everyone had to be called in to work a case. No one was excited to sacrifice their weekend plans, but Abby in particular was disappointed as the day dragged on and her chance evaporated to get back to Habitat for Humanity to finish the wiring she was doing. A spark of jealousy started when Tim let a very insistent Ziva "help" him. Like a bolt of lightning building up charge before it strikes, Abby had found a place to channel all her frustration at both working on her day off and at Tim's having forgotten his promise. She was still annoyed at Ziva for having joined the team to replace Kate, and so it was easier to be mean to her than to the others.

"Is there any update that I can take to Gibbs?" Ziva asked, popping by the lab on her way back to the bull pen while fulfilling a different task.

"I can only trust important information to real team members," Abby snapped, turning back to the screens. She might be able to be nasty but she had a hard time doing so when she had to make eye contact with her disappointed and hurt target.

Abbyy had thought that she was keeping her voice low but forgot that due to having gone to a Plastic Death concert the night before her sense of volume was off. The reminder she was received was when a low voice next to her ear said, "Ziva is part of the team - something we've discussed before."

She swung around to see that Gibbs had entered the room while she was distracted. Her heart began to beat a little faster and she swallowed hard.

"Um ... Gibbs ... I ..."

"Ziva, please go upstairs. Abby and I have something to discuss."

Ziva silently left the room - she did not want Gibbs to transfer his stern glare from Abby to her. Once he was sure that she was gone, Gibbs put his finger under Abby's chin.

"Look at me, Abigail."

Abby bit her bottom lip and turned reluctantly toward her boss.

"Yes, Gibbs? You want an update?" she asked, hopeful that was the only reason he wanted her full focus.

Gibbs took a firm hold on her and pulled her to a corner of the room that Abby knew very well was only one of the places that had no cameras.

"I told you I'd start smacking you if you kept up the bad behaviour," he said calmly while her stomach took an express elevator to her heels.

"I don't want a spanking," Abby whined, half-heartedly trying to escape his hold.

Gibbs gave her a stern look. "You're not getting a spanking, although you will if you exhibit that behaviour one more time. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir," Abby responded instantly, surprised at what she thought was a reprieve. She let out a shocked squeal when Gibbs put his arm around her waist and made her bend over. "Gibbs! You said I wasn't getting a spanking!"

"You aren't. You're getting a smack, because apparently the threat of a spanking if you really push it isn't enough to keep you in line anymore. From now on, if you do anything 'head-slap' worthy, you'll be getting a reminder, just like the others. Yours is just going to be down here instead of on the back of your head," Gibbs said before landing a very sharp SMACK! over her pants to the middle of Abby's sit spots.

"Oww!" she squeaked, trying to wriggle out of Gibbs' hold as the tingling sensation spread across her bottom.

"Is that understood?" Gibbs asked firmly, keeping his hold tight around her waist.

"Yes, sir," Abby whimpered a little dolefully. She had liked being exempt from all head-slap reminders. She had made up for it in spankings, she was sure, but now ... now she was going to be in a lot more trouble if Gibbs kept his word!

If!

She snorted a little, trying to imagine a situation where Gibbs would not keep his word.

"This isn't funny, young lady."

"No, sir!" she answered quickly, not wanting Gibbs to confuse her incredulous thoughts for laughter over the situation. She most certainly did not think this was funny!

"Good!"

SMACK!

"Ouch! Gibbs!" she shouted in protest as the second smack landed right on top of the first one's landing spot.

"Just so you really do remember," Gibbs said seriously, letting go of his hold. She straightened up and was forced to look him in the eye when he tilted her chip up again. "Your behaviour's held to the same standard as everyone else."

"I know," she whispered, a little subdued.

"Apologize to Ziva next time you see her. That was uncalled for, what you said earlier."

"I will."

Gibbs held her gaze for a moment, then nodded. "Okay. Then tell me the update."

Abby nodded and started toward the computer, before doubling back quickly and throwing her arms around Gibbs, needing a moment of comfort even if it only had been two smacks.

"Love you, Gibbs," she whispered against his chest.

Gibbs smiled into her pony tails. "Love you too, Abs. Love you too."

...

I hope you enjoyed!

MM