AN: I know its short, but I've been really busy with doctor's appointments and other crap, so this will hopefully pacify the more belligerent reviewers of mine.
Oh, I've decided to start naming chapters. Let me know what you think
Ducky sat adjacent to the fireplace in Gibbs' overstuffed armchair, looking very much like he belonged there. He was in story telling mode, with the remainder of the team packed onto the couch. Tony and Ziva were sandwiched in the middle, with Abby, Palmer and McGee huddled in close around them. Ducky smiled with amusement as they shifted, trying to make the crowded situation more comfortable, but they'd decided it was worth it to hear Ducky's telling of The Night Before Chritmas.
"Right then, is everyone comfortable?" he chucked, not missing Ziva's elbow jabbing into Tony's side, "Enough roughhousing, go ahead and settle down."
Abby shoved McGee over, sitting up in his lap with her hands folded in her lap like a good little girl, "Go ahead, Ducky!"
"Alright...''Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring. Not even a mouse...'" Duck began
Gibbs walked in, rolling his eyes. Being a parent, he knew this tale by heart, and knew it would take all of five minutes to read. Or at least it would for anyone but Ducky. He would probably go into every insignificant detail; an exhaustive concordance of the story, probably taking up the better part of an hour to finish. "Fruitcake?" he offered, setting the brick on the table
Ziva leaned forward, eying it critically, "What is 'fruitcake'?" she took a little piece, and brought it closer for further inspection, "What are these...things in it?" she picked out an odd clump of something gooey and green, holding it up to the light
"Its a whimsical little treat, made by elves who tried and failed to make fruit into candy," Tony told her, only partially paying attention, "Trust me, its good!" he turned his focus away from Ducky long enough to watch her face contort, "See? Magical, isn't it?"
She lurched, fighting to keep it down, "That is one of the worst things I have ever eaten!"
"Worse than the maggots?" McGee asked incredulously before Abby jabbed him to get him quiet again
"Yes," she decided after a brief moment of thought, "Definitely."
"...'Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!'" Ducky finished, setting the book down. He turned his focus to the couch, where his audience had fallen asleep in a compacted heap on the couch, "Jethro, I think we've lost them."
"Nah," Gibbs sighed, "We never had 'em." he threw an extra couple of blankets over them, surprised that they were able to fall asleep in such contorted positions. He reached over, checking Tony and Ziva's fevers, "They're normal for now." 'Since when have they ever been normal?' he mentally added
A sharp knock on the door thankfully didn't wake the sleeping agents. Ducky stood up and stretched before answering the door, "Jennifer, you missed my story!"
Jen stood in the doorway, shivering as she brushed the snow off her jacket, "Sorry about that, Ducky. Its a blizzard out there. I'm just glad metro decided to take our case. At least that scout master's family has some solace this season," she tossed Gibbs a set of keys, "Thanks for letting me borrow the truck. It saved me a lot of time." she walked in and took Ducky's vacant seat by the fire, "Everyone's are in the back. Hopefully, the tree will make it until morning," she glanced over at the sad little tree, drooping under the weight of the ornaments and garlands. Its browning needles dropping faster by the minute, collecting on the floor, "Can't we just put it out of its misery?"
Gibbs shook his head, "It'll be out of here by noon tomorrow if it doesn't burn the house down by then," he ran out to th truck, bringing in the first load of gifts, "I'm guessing these are from Abby's place?" he carried in a large box of gifts that spoke more of Halloween than Christmas. The gifts were wrapped in paper that was black with silver glitter, and covered in more tape than paper, "Geez, how does she expect us to get these open?"
"My guess is, she doesn't," Ducky found a tag on one of the gifts, written in Abby's hand, "No peeking! This means you, Tony!"
Jen smiled, "I don't think she needed to worry too much. Jethro was guarding them." Gibbs looked at her oddly, making her flash a smile, "The dog, not you."
"Ah, how is that old boy doing?" Ducky smiled, hauling in the next load
"Very...lively," Jen told him, showing a light bite on her arm, "He didn't bite too hard, and once he realized who I was, he let go." Gibbs moved over to her side, checking her over, "I'm fine, Jethro. He didn't even break skin."
"Okay," he let go slowly, but her hand lingered in his for a moment after, "Hey, look up."
She didn't even have to look to know what was there. A spring of mistletoe hung from the doorway, with one berry left. Gibbs reached up and plucked it, "Where did all the rest go?" Jen asked, remembering that there were more there earlier
"How'd you think DiNozzo got sick?" Gibbs chuckled, glancing over at Tony and Ziva, sleeping peacefully in each other's arms
Jen laughed softly, draping her arms around Gibbs' shoulders, "Merry Christmas, Jethro," she kissed him softly, grateful for his warmth on the cold winter's night. She closed her eyes, reveling in the sensation before he sharply broke away, interrupted by an outcry from behind them
"Whoo!" Abby whooped, "Go bossman!"
"Abigail!" Ducky admonished, "Go to bed!" he directed her down the hall to the guest room, "Santa Clause won't come if you aren't asleep!"
Abby stood up, and yawned, poking McGee, "Come on, Timmy. We're going to bed," she shoved him a bit harder, trying to get him up
"Abby...I was asleep," he groaned, forcing himself off the couch, careful not to wake anyone else
"Come on, bed!" Abby grabbed him by the wrist, half-dragging him down the hall. As she passed Gibbs and the Director, still standing under the mistletoe, she began to softly sing, "I saw mommy kissing Santa Clause! Underneath the mistletoe last night!"