Once again thanks for the reviews. Here's the next chapter, enjoy.

CHAPTER 16

Gibbs stretched in his chair and yawned, it was late and he found himself alone in the squad room again. He had sent his team home early as it was Friday night, Tony had a hot date with a girl in Human Resources, Ziva, McGee, Ducky and Palmer were meeting up for drinks at their local. Ducky had invited Gibbs along but he declined. Ducky had smiled, believing that Gibbs would be spending his evening with Abby. Unfortunately he had spent the evening alone finishing off a case report whilst Abby was out bowling with Sister Rosita and her fellow nuns. She asked him to join them but had understood when he said he had to stay late to finish off some paperwork.

Gibbs took a final look at his report. The case had been an emotional one for him as it involved a child. For him, every case that involved a child seemed to bring back memories of Kelly. Today the memories had come flooding back when Commander Taffet had accused Gibbs of not knowing what it was like to serve your country miles away from home and not being able to protect your family. Gibbs had remained professional during the whole conversation but had sensed Tony looking at him waiting for a reaction.

Gibbs picked up his pen and signed the last page of the report. The case was closed but it was not the outcome that he had wanted, a teenage girl charged with murder. Gibbs sighed, stood up and grabbed his coat and headed for the elevator. He had a quick look at his watch; it was much later than he thought.

He flicked open his cell phone and pressed speed dial 1, a sleepy voice answered "Hello".

"It's me, did I wake you"

"Not really, I've been dozing on the couch. What time is it?"

Gibbs pressed the button to call the elevator, "Late"

The elevator doors opened with a ding.

"You still at work"

"On my way home now"

"Want me to make you something to eat, you probably haven't eaten since lunch."

"Don't worry about me; I make something when I get in. By the way, where exactly are you calling home tonight?"

"I'm at yours. I thought we could spend the weekend finishing off the coffin"

"We finishing! Don't you mean me finishing and you watching"

"Ha Ha, well I'm hanging up now cos the more you talk the longer its going to take for you to get home"

"Ok"

"Bye"

"Bye"

"Love You"

"Love You to"

"Hang up"

"No you hang up"

"After 3"

"1,2,3"

"Gibbs"

"Abs"

"You need to hang up"

"OK"

Abby smiled as she hung up on Gibbs. She couldn't wait for him to get home. She hadn't seen him much during the day; he had been so busy with the case. He had popped into her lab a few times but the visits were fleeting and they really didn't get a chance to talk or more importantly for Abby, to be intimate with each other. She usually tried to sneak in a kiss or two during the working day but not today, there was too much traffic going backwards and forwards to her lab, they couldn't take the risk.

She glanced at the clock on the fireplace, he would be home shortly. At this time of night and the way that Gibbs drove it wouldn't take him too long to get back from the Navy Yard. She got up from the couch and went straight to the kitchen. She switched on the coffee maker, knowing that Gibbs would want a coffee as soon as he got home. They had only been together officially as a couple for a week but they had settled into domesticity quiet easily.

Abby opened the fridge door and looked in. There was a piece of very tired cheese and some ham which had seen better days, not much to make a sandwich with. She closed the fridge door and was starting to investigate Gibbs cupboards when she felt an arm wrap around her waist and soft butterfly kisses applied to her neck. "Don't know what you going to eat Gibbs, the cupboards are bare" said Abby as she turned to look at him. "How about you?" growled Gibbs as his mouth descended hungrily on hers. Abby eagerly returned his kiss but then gently pushed him away.

"Take out then?" laughed Gibbs

"Not for me but you can order something, I ate with the sisters."

"No point if it's just me, I make do with a couple of pieces of fruit. Need a coffee though"

Abby walked to the coffee maker and poured them both a coffee. She handed one to Gibbs. "You look tired baby, long day?"

"Very. Even longer because I didn't see a lot of you"

"Ah, that's sweet Gibbs", said Abby as she took his hand and led him into the hall and into the lounge.

Gibbs sat down on the couch and stretched his feet out onto the coffee table. Abby sat next to him, tucking her legs under herself and snuggling into his chest.

Gibbs placed a kiss to her hair. "Are you comfortable there?"

"Um, I've been waiting for this all day" purred Abby into his chest. "I've missed holding you . I didn't even manage to get a kiss today."

Gibbs took a sip of his coffee. "We've been so busy , me with the team and you with your maggots"

"Did you check my babies before you left?"

"Shit, forgot"

Abby punched his chest lightly. "Gibbs, you promised"

"Abby, they're maggots, they don't need baby sitting" he smiled into her hair.

"Babies need to know that they're loved and wanted. You promised you would check on them for me"

"They're maggots Abs" said Gibbs as he reached out to place his coffee on the coffee table.

Abby shifted in his embrace so that she was now looking at him. "I hope you not going to treat our babies that way". Abby suddenly realised what she had just said, her mouth was going to get her into trouble again.

"What babies?" quizzed Gibbs

"I was only talking hypothetically" said Abby as she snuggled back down on to his chest.

"Oh"

Abby thought he sounded disappointed.

"Though if we did have kids Gibbs, I know you would be a fantastic father"

"Do you want children Abs?"

Abby sat up and looked directly at Gibbs.

"I haven't really thought about it, may be because the only person I wanted to father my children was off limits"

"Is that a yes?"

"Could be, may be, perhaps, definitely. What about you Gibbs?"

"I haven't thought about it for a long time. Stephanie and I did try but nothing happened and since our divorce I've not met any one that I would like to have children with. I've accepted the fact that I wouldn't be a father again and I will always have memories of Kelly"

"And now?" said Abby

Pulling her back into a gentle embrace and kissing her tenderly, Gibbs with a voice full of emotion, whispered "Yes, Abs, I think I do."

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