Chapter 3

The following morning Abby arrived at work with an extra bounce in her step. She had spent a wonderful evening with a wonderful man and she was now dating the most wonderful man at NCIS. As she strolled through the bull pen Abby put a cup on Gibbs' desk and carried on walking to the back elevator. Gibbs smirked to himself, took a sip of his coffee and carried on with his work.

The three other agents looked at each other and wondered what was going on. No one bought Gibbs coffee and if they did he always checked it before drinking it, yet here he was trusting Abby to got his drink correct.

There was no body to attend to that morning so the morning was filled with paperwork. When lunch time arrived Gibbs stood up silently and went to see Abby.

"Is it me or is something different?" DiNozzo said
"I do not know what you mean"
"Oh come on Ziva, Gibbs seems different today, and what's with Abby bringing him coffee?"
"He seems the same to me" replied Ziva
"Come on Probie you agree with me don't you?"
"I'm not sure I do, although, I think I saw him smile earlier"
"He smiled? I must have missed that, see there is something different"

"What's different Tony?" Abby said as her and Gibbs walked back through the bullpen.
"Um, nothing?"
"Good." Replied Gibbs.
"Where are you off to Abbs?"
"Lunch" she said smiling as Gibbs escorted her to the elevators.

"See I knew something was different" DiNozzo said, almost bragging
"I still do not see it. Gibbs and Abby have always been close, yes?"
"Yes they have, but don't you think…."
"Think what Tony? They're dating? They are just friends. As Ziva said they have always been close" McGee said putting to end to Tony way of thinking.
"I suppose you're right" Tony said a little down hearted "It's not as if Abby and Gibbs have lots in common is it"
"I suppose not" Tony said. He still couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed though.

"I like this" Abby said as Gibbs handed her a hot dog.
"You've not tried it yet"
"I'm not talking about the hotdog. I'm talking about sitting outside with you having lunch"
Gibbs smiled "Guess we'll have to do this more often then"
"Definitely. What do you think the team are saying about us?"
"Nothing if they know what's good for them"
"Aren't you worried what they'll say?"
"No."

Gibbs phone rang "Gibbs" there was a pause as the listened to the other person "She'll be right there" Gibbs hung up and turned to Abby.

"What is it Gibbs?"
"Vance needs to see you"
"That's not good. Did he say what he wanted?"
"No"
"Suppose I better go then"
"No"
"Oh"
"You got a hot dog to finish first"

Abby smiled, if the director knew she was with Gibbs then he also knew that she may be late. Vance may be the director of NCIS but as far as Abby was concerned no one upset her, told her off or ordered her around with out having Gibbs to answer to and an angry Gibbs is something you never wanted to see.

"Hey Cynthia"
"Hey Abby go straight in he's waiting for you"
"Thank you" Abby took a deep breath before opening the door that lead to the Directors office.
"Come in Abby, shut the door"

Why did she always feel like she was being sent to the head masters office? She hadn't done anything wrong, well unless you counted her date with Gibbs? Is that why she was here?

"Don't look so worried"
"I'm not worried"
"Of cause you're not. I have something I need you to do"
"Oh" she said a little surprised but happy she wasn't going to get told off.
"I need you to go to LA"
"Ok"

Vance explained to Abby why he was sending her along with all her travel arrangements. She would be going on her own as he could not spare any of his agents to go with her, she would be met in LA my and NCIS agent who would take her to there offices.

"I can do that" Abby said "Was that everything?" she said biting her bottom lip

Vance smiled, which was something he hardly ever did "for now Abby"
Abby turned and headed for the door.

Abby left Vance's office and came face to face with Gibbs

"What did he want?"
"Walk me to my lab?" she said with a smile. She didn't want to have this conversation in from of Cynthia.

They got as far as the elevator before Gibbs hit the emergency stop button, causing the small metal box to come to a jarring halt.

"Ok Abby out with it"
"Vance wants me to go to LA, help out the special units team there"

Abby could tell by the look on Gibbs face that he was less than happy about this "He cant expect you to do that, you are not a field agent"

"I don't mind. It might be kind a fun"
"You don't like flying that much, you don't like that much sun and you hate leaving your lab for any length of time. This is what you call fun?"
"Well, when you put it like that." She sounded cross, angry even. She didn't really want to go but to have Gibbs throw all her flaws at her that was really not helping.

Gibbs could see that he had upset her so he did the one thing he knew would calm her down. He hugged her and simply whispered "I'm sorry" in her ear.

How could she stay angry at him when he held her like that, "thank you"
"When do you leave?"
"Flights tomorrow morning"
"I assume Vance is not providing transport for you?"
"You would be correct"
"In that case, stay with me tonight"
Abby stood back a little and looked in to the eyes of her silver haired fox "Anything you say"

That night Gibbs collected Abby from her lab and escorted her car.

"You come over as soon as you're ready"
"Ok"
"What do you want for dinner?"
"Don't mind, take out?"
"It's not good for you Abbs"
"I know, but it's easier than cooking"
Gibbs kissed her cheek and whispered "but not as much fun" he turned and walked away leaving Abby standing by her car with a big smile on her face.

"What do you think that was about?" Tony asked McGee as they witness Abby 'Cheshire Cat' grin.
"Could be anything" McGee replies
"You still don't think…."
"No, Tony I don't think that. Go home, I'll see you tomorrow"
"Night McGee" Tony looked towards Abby "Night Abby, have a good night"
She smiled back at him "Oh I plan to"
"See you tomorrow"
"No you won't"
This got Tonys attention "Where you off to?"
"Not allowed to say, am sure Gibbs will fill you in tomorrow. Night Tony" and with that Abby got in her car and headed home.

Gibbs had everything ready, he was going to show Abby just how much fun it could be to have a home cooked meal.

As soon as he heard the front door open he poured the wine and started to heat the oil.
"So, what you making me for dinner?" Abby said strolling in to his kitchen
"Nothing" he said with a smile handing her a glass of wine.
"Nothing?" she said confused "so what's all this?"
"I'm not making anything, we are"
"I can't cook"
"Do you trust me?" he asked her.
"With my life" she replied, her voice full of honesty.
"Well, don't just stand there come over here and help"

Abby took a large sip of her wine, placed it on the side and went to stand next to Gibbs at the cooker.

"So, what are we making?" Abby asked looking at all the ingredient neatly laid out on the side. Gibbs had done most of the preparation work for her, the onions, peppers and garlic had all been chopped for her.
"You'll see"

Gibbs added the garlic to the onions to the frying pan wile Abby chopped the mushrooms. Soon they were working smoothly together, Abby followed Gibbs instructions carefully and in no time at all there dinner was ready. Gibbs carried there plates to the table while Abby took the garlic bread.

"This smells wonderful"
"You cooked it"
"You helped"

They shared a smile "You were correct as always my Silver Haired Fox"
"About?"
"Cooking being fun"
"Told you"

They ate and talked about all sorts of things, from work to music. With no restriction on time or topic they soon learnt they had more in common than they first thought. Yes Abby liked music that was more unconventional than most such as Android Lust and Dominic Kelly, but Gibbs also discovered that she liked classical music.

"They just don't write them like that anymore" she said.
"Do you have a favourite?"
"There are just so many to choose from but I think for pure brilliance and diversity in one piece of music it has to be Ravels Bolero"
Gibbs smiled; Abby certainly was full of surprises.

"What shall we do know?" Abby asked after the plates were cleared and the dishwasher loaded.
"It's getting late; shouldn't you think about going to bed?"
"I can sleep on the plane, why don't we watch a movie?"
Gibbs smiled, Abby was like him in that way as well. They could both function perfectly well on just a few hours sleep. "Ok, but I don't have that many DVD's"
"Wow Gibbs you own DVD's? I am shocked" Abby said playfully before running away into the sitting room.

He had to smile after all more than one of those had come from Abby.

Soon Abby and Gibbs were settled on the sofa together watching a film that Abby had chosen. Sitting there with Abby in his arms Gibbs felt more content than he had done in a very long time. He was about to say something but Abby beat him to it.

"Stay with me tonight Gibbs"
"You're already staying here"
Abby sat up and looked at him "When I stay here you always give up your bed for me, tonight, I want you to stay"
"Abby is that really a good idea?"
"I don't know, is it?"

Gibbs took her face in his hand "I care about you Abbs, more than I should. Will you promise me something?"
"Anything"
"You be careful in LA"
"I'm always careful Gibbs"
"Promise me"
"I promise"

Gibbs smiled "Good I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to me you"
"Nothings going to happen to me. I'll probably be stuck in the office the whole time"

"Can I ask you something" Abby said
"Anything"
"Were you going to kiss me just then?"
"Only if you want me to"
Words would not form on her lips, all she could do was nod once. Gibbs moved slowly towards her and placed a soft tender kiss on her lips.
"Take me to bed Gibbs"