A/N: I know I said Christmas but I have been busy…at least you're not waiting a year again LOL

Disclaimer: Not mine…I'm just playing with them

Chapter 8 - Secret Santa Shopping

Since nobody had bought their presents yet for their Secret Santa, Abby took it upon herself to organise a shopping trip to the mall. This would be a fun day out!

She assembled the 'troops' in the bullpen.

"Since you haven' got your gifts yet, I have organised a team trip out."

"I'm sorry Abigail, I have a erm, body in autopsy." Ducky tried to get out of it.

"Lame Ducky, just lame." Abby said to his 'excuse'.

When they reached the mall Abby reminded them of the rules. "Nothing less than $5 and can be as pricey as you like." she winked at Gibbs, "Now get shopping!" she ordered.

They all split up and went their own ways.

Abby's P.O.V

Abby was buying a gift for McGee so she knew the best place to go for his gift, the Sony store or any store with electronics and gadgets. She browsed the stores, there was a lot to choose from. She saw the perfect gift for Tim but decided to look in some more shops before she made her mind up. It felt like she had been in the mall forever, she was getting a few funny looks from some people most of them the elderly. She heard one woman say to her friend, "How can people dress like that these days? And with all that make-up on too. Why, back in my day…" she trailed on, Abby shook her head and laughed at the remarks. People like that made her laugh too, how can they wear the things they do? Abby wouldn't be seen dead in bright coloured clothing. She continued her search and decided that the perfect present for Tim was the one she had seen in the first store. Typical, it always ends that way.

Anthony's P.O.V

Tony had, luckily for him, picked Ziva's name, unlucky for her. He knew exactly what to buy her and knew the best place to go. He was a pro at buying gifts for women, he knew better than to buy flowers and chocolates, he knew women. He walked into a store and saw exactly what he was going to buy. He grinned devilishly and thanked the big man for letting him pick Ziva's name. He picked up the item and went to the counter, eyeing up the clerk at the register he placed it down and smiled. "This is gorgeous." the young lady remarked. Tony guessed she was about 25 or 26 years old, "It's for my girlfriend. She loves things like this…and so do I." he added. "She's a lucky girl."

"Woman."

"What?" she asked, puzzled.

"She prefers woman. Becky." he peered down to look at her name badge and a bit more. "She almost killed me once for calling her a girl."

"Really?" Becky asked.

"Yup, but she like a ninja kung fu chick though." he stayed and chatted her up for a while and paid for the gift; which he had gift wrapped, and left with an unhappy face - she had turned him down on a date because he had a 'girlfriend'. Stupid idea, he berated himself.

Caitlin's P.O.V

Caitlin was looking for a gift for Gibbs. But what could she buy? Abby's question from last Christmas echoed in her mind. What do you get for someone who doesn't need anything and doesn't want anything? she recalled Ducky's reply, Some squeaky shoes. she giggled to herself, that would help. But seriously, what could she buy for him? She browsed some shops and looked through a few windows. She looked in one shop window and caught a glimpse of DiNozzo chatting up some young blonde clerk with a big chest. How predictable he was. She knew he would more than likely wander into a store and chat up at least one or two of the shop assistants. She continued to search the mall and there it was; the perfect gift.

Ducky's P.O.V

Ducky knew exactly where to go for Abby's gift. She wasn't a hard person to buy for. He wandered in to her favourite Goth shop, looking 'round he noticed how out of place he seemed to be. There were people in dark clothing, even darker make-up and 'funky' hair styles. He on the other hand was dressed in a suit with a hat and a bow tie. He smiled at the people as he passed, "Hello, lovely day." he didn't know what to say. Abby was easier to talk to than these people. He walked up to the counter, "Excuse me, miss? Can you help me?"

A young woman with black hair, black lipstick and eyeliner and a black dress turned around, "What's up pops?"

"I'm looking for the perfect gift for my friend Abby. I know that this is her favourite store."

"Abby? As in Scuitto?"

"Yes, that Abby."

"Any friend of Abby's is a friend of mine. I know just the thing." she moved from behind the counter to the shop floor, Ducky followed, "She's had her heart set on this for a while now." Ducky smiled a knowing smile, "Oh, yes. Abigail will love this."

Gibbs' P.O.V

Gibbs knew exactly what he wanted to get for Caitlin, he only had one problem so he was gonna have to 'wing it' so to speak. He found the shop in no time, checking through the window first encase one of the others were in there, he saw Kate turning from the counter, quickly he went into the store next door. It was the wrong kind of store for him to be seen in. He cursed himself, he daren't look around so stood with his back to the door, turning his head slightly he saw Kate walk passed. 'Phew' he thought, 'all clear'. he walked out and bumped into Tony. "Sorry, boss." he apologised, looking up at the store Gibbs walked out of he smiled, "Never saw you as the type of man to go into a women's store, Boss."

Gibbs glared, "Shut it, DiNozzo!" he said a smacked the back of his head 'THWACK'.

"Catch you later, Boss." he said walking of and rubbing his head.

'Damn it' he cursed himself again as he went into the 'right' store. He wandered 'round, it wasn't were he'd seen it before, he continued his search and sighed in relief when he saw it.

Once he was satisfied he had Kate's present gift wrapped and added a special message with it. He hoped to high heaven that she would like it.

Paula's P.O.V

Paula had picked Ducky's name from the Secret Santa hat. She had a few good ideas of what she could get, he was all sorts of tastes so it should be fairly easy to find a gift he would like. As she scoped 'round she saw Ducky, she hid behind a column and watched him. He walked into a Goth store, 'Must be getting a gift for Abby.' she thought. Once she was sure he wouldn't see her she quickly passed the store to the escalator. As she stepped off she saw Gibbs, he was looking at something or rather someone. Kate to be precise. She walked out the store and Gibbs suddenly dived into the next store to avoid being seen. Paula laughed and laughed even more when she saw what store he was in. As Kate walked by the store and out of sight Gibbs stepped out, a look of relief on his face, she hadn't seen him. But he hadn't seen Tony stood behind him the whole time. They exchanged a few words and then Gibbs slapped the back of Tony's head. She could've sworn she heard the slap from where she was. Shaking her head and laughing she continued her search for Ducky's present knowing exactly where to start.

Tim's P.O.V

McGee didn't know where to start for Paula's present. They had worked together now for a good few years yet he had no idea what to buy her. Underwear and any kind of lingerie was out of the question. Not jewellery either. He knew she liked reading but wasn't sure what type of books she liked. He took a minute to think…'Aha!' he knew exactly what to buy, now all he had to do was find a store that sold it. He pottered around, trying to avoid being hit by the sea of people that seem to be walking his way - he felt like he was going the wrong way on a one way street. As he walked by one of the stores he saw Tony: chatting up a young shop assistant - too young for him. He saw the smile fall from his face 'Must've turned him down.' he said to himself. He continued his search and that's when he saw Gibbs rushing from the front of one store and into another. Kate walked out of the store Gibbs' had run from and walked passed the store Gibbs was now in, completely oblivious to Gibbs watching her. He was relieved that she hadn't spotted him. But what he didn't notice was Tony watching him when he emerged from the store, slightly red in the face. They exchanged a few words then Tony received a head slap from Gibbs, he walked off rubbing his head. Gibbs, however, walked into the store Kate had come from, "Wonder what he's buying.' he shrugged it off, he had to worry about Paula's present not what Gibbs was buying. He walked on and bumped into Ducky who was exiting a Goth-style store, "Hi Ducky," he greeted the older man.

"Ah, young Timothy. How's your shopping going?"

"Erm, so far? I haven't found what I've been looking for. Yet." he added. "You?"

"I've already got mine." he said waving a bag in front of McGee's face.

Just then a young woman in black appeared, "Hey Ducky, you forgot your hat." she passed it to him.

"Thank you my dear." he took the hat and placed it on his head. "Enjoy the rest of your day."

"You too Duckman." she turned and disappeared into the store.

McGee gaped, open-mouthed, "You know them?" he asked, stunned.

"I do now. Friends of Abigail's."

"Oh."

"Now if you'd excuse me, Timothy, I have to get myself a cup of tea." They said their goodbye's and went their separate ways.

Ziva's P.O.V

Ziva had been cunning, she had seen everybody and none of them had seen her. She had her Mossad skills to thank for that. She couldn't believe what she had seen. First it was Ducky walking into a Goth clothing store, DiNozzo went into a women's store - clearly chatting up the young shop assistant, she caught a glimpse of Abby walking into a computer store, Kate walking into a store, Gibbs following a few minutes later only to back track into another store to hide from Kate when she walked out of the other store where Tony was. McGee was clearly spying on Gibbs and DiNozzo's confrontation when Kate had gone, Tony received a head slap from Gibbs and he walked away with a sore head. Paula was walking into a clothes store; one you'd usually associate with elderly gents such as Ducky. She had also been watching Tony, Kate and Gibbs but she hadn't seen McGee. Then she saw McGee bump into Ducky, they chatted for a while to each other then a young lady Goth that passed Ducky his hat back. After a few minutes they went their separate ways.

Ziva had a fair idea of who was buying whose gift, she had to buy something for Tony. What could she buy him? Handcuffs? A gag for his mouth? No way! He'd love those, so she would not be buying them. He was a movie buff so she knew exactly where to go to get his present. She set off to find a DVD store.

Once everyone had got their gifts they met at a coffee shop, not Starbucks, Gibbs was not impressed with the coffee - if that's what he could call it. They agreed that they would give each other their gifts on Christmas Eve as they had their own plans for Christmas day.

They all left for home, hoping that their gifts would be loved (or at least, liked) by their recipients.

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