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CHAPTER 17

Gibbs was down in his basement finishing off Abby's coffin. He was busily applying the last coat of vanish when he heard Abby stomping down the stairs.

"Ouch"

Gibbs looked up from what he was doing to see Abby holding her chin. "What Abs?"

"I think I've cracked a tooth" said Abby as she run her tongue over the offending molar.

Gibbs put down his brush and walked over to her. "How?"

"On a piece of nougat"

"Babe, that's my nougat, you don't like nougat"

"I know but I had this urge to eat some. It's really strange I've never wanted to eat it before" said a puzzled Abby.

"Did you like it?"

"Well, I don't know, maybe"

Gibbs laughed. "Abs, it's amazing how you can make a decision about anything"

"Considering it might have caused my first cavity, the answer to liking nougat is a definite no"

"You're first? I don't believe you"

Abby looked offended. "It's true. No Scuito has had a cavity since 1922"

"That's pretty impressive"

Abby winched. "Gibbs, its really hurting now"

"What is it with you anyway Abs, first your finger and now your tooth. You must really enjoy pain"

"It's certainly not the time and the place for it now" pouted Abby.

"Well if it's causing you that much pain you'll need to go to the dentist"

"I'll be fine. I've probably hit a nerve whilst chewing on that horrible yucky nougat. It'll be gone soon"

A week later Abby was still in pain.

"Admit defeat Abs, you need to go to the dentist"

"But Gibbs, remember Scuitos don't get cavities"

"If it's causing you pain, you need to go"

"Fine, I'll book an appointment for tomorrow morning" Abby said reluctantly.

Abby slammed the door to her apartment shut. She was so angry. She couldn't believe that she had been so easily taken in. She threw her cloak and handbag on the floor in frustration and stormed into the kitchen. She so needed a cup of coffee.

Damn, she was out of coffee. Great now she really felt pissed. Abby heard her phone ring. She looked at the caller id, it was Tony.

"Hello"

"Hi Abs. Are you ok?"

"I fine, just pissed that's all"

"Maybe you need a dose of DiNozzitis to make you feel better"

"Tony, that sounds contagious"

"What if I came round with a pizza and some beer?"

"That would be lovely but Gibbs is…"

"Don't worry about Gibbs, I bring enough for everyone"

"Tony, it's ok, you don't have to"

"I'm not taking no for an answer, see ya later"

"Tony, no" but he had already hung up.

Abby was still wound up, she needed to relax, and perhaps a nice hot shower would do the trick.

She let the warm shards of water run down her skin. She slowly rubbed the soap into her tense shoulder muscles feeling the knots start to relax. She let her hands travel down the rest of her body, washing the tension of the last couple of days off her skin. She had been so stupid to be taken in like that, she should have detected that something hinky was going on. Obvious her hinkometer was well of base for a change. She turned off the shower, wrapped herself in a large fluffy towel and padded into her bedroom.

She was surprised to find Gibbs sound asleep on the bed. She knelt by the side of the bed and gently kissed his lips. He stirred slightly, muttering Abby and then rolled over on to his side. She smiled, thinking how peaceful he looked when he slept. As she stood up she noticed the time, Tony would be here soon. She quickly dressed in a t-shirt and sweatpants and headed for the kitchen. She took a last look at Gibbs before shutting the bedroom door. She didn't want Tony finding out about them just yet.

"Burp"

"Tony, that's disgusting" squealed Abby as she watched him stuff another piece of pizza into his mouth.

"I'm just showing my appreciation" spluttered Tony, his mouth full of food.

"Sometimes I think you must be descended from pigs"

"I'm hurt Abs"

"You need to improve on your table manners. No wonder you having problems dating"

"It's nothing to do with my manners Abby. I just haven't found a girl who likes pizza as much as me"

"I like pizza" smirked Abby.

"I know Abs but I can't date you", grinned Tony, "I can't date my little sister"

"Ah, that's so sweet"

"Whose sweet?" asked a groggy Gibbs, as he entered the kitchen.

DiNozzo nearly choked on his pizza. He couldn't believe what he was seeing as he watched Gibbs sleepily walk over to Abby and kiss her firmly on the mouth. Abby briefly returned the kiss until she remembered that Tony was in the kitchen with them.

"Babe, we've got company"

Gibbs suddenly found himself wide awake as he turned to look at DiNozzo.

"Hi Boss, just brought over some pizza for Abby, thought she needed cheering up. I can see now that the pizza was only the main course and you must be providing the dessert." He grinned.

"DiNozzo" growled Gibbs. "Careful what you say or you might get a slap on the head""

"If you don't Gibbs, I will" scowled Abby.

"No offence Boss, but it's a bit of a shock.

Gibbs looked across at his senior field agent, "Well I think we've both had a shock tonight."

"I think we need to tell everybody now Gibbs, it's not fair that Ziva is the only one who doesn't know"

Tony balked. "McGoo and Ducky. How long have they known?"

Gibb pulled up a chair and sat next to Tony. "Since the beginning"

Abby got up and sat on Gibbs' lap facing Tony. "They promised to keep our relationship secret so that Vance wouldn't find out. We were going to tell you and Ziva but it got harder as time went on."

Tony was having difficulty getting his head around all this. Here he was in Abby's kitchen, chatting to her whilst she sat on Gibbs' lap. He found the whole thing very awkward. "How long has it been going on for" he asked.

"Two months" answered Gibbs.

"They've known that long and McGoogle didn't tell me" whined Tony.

"Tony, Rule #4" explained Abby.

"Rule #4, the best way to keep a secret, keep it to yourself. Second best, tell one other person – if you must. There is no third best" quoted Tony.

Gibbs smiled. "I told Ducky and Abby told McGee".

"I understand Boss, but it still hurts that you didn't say anything"

"You know now and I'm glad you do. Do you know how hard it is to keep a secret?"

Gibbs saw Tony's face wince as though in pain. "Sorry, Tony, I didn't mean to"

Tony smiled weakly back at him. "Don't apologise Boss, it's a sign of weakness."

"Is this what the rest of the evening is going to be like? You quoting my rules to me" said Gibbs as he tried to lighten the mood.

Tony stood up from his chair. "No Boss, I think I need to make a move, it's a school night after all."

Abby got off Gibbs' lap and pulled Tony into a big hug. "Love you"

"Love you too. I'm happy for you, for you both" as he looked down at Gibbs

"Thanks Tony, it means a lot" said Gibbs.

"You're secret's safe with me but I don't know for how long. You know Ziva, if she senses something hinky is going on it wouldn't take her long before she'll wheedle the information out of me"

They all laughed.

Gibbs showed Tony to the door. "Thanks again"

"No problem Boss, but can I say one thing."

Gibbs nodded.

Tony suddenly turned serious. "If you hurt her, I will hurt you, understand?"

"Oh I understand Dinozzo but you'll have to join a queue behind Ducky and McGee first".

Tony opened the door. "I just needed to tell you"

"It's ok Tony, you don't have to worry. I will never hurt Abby, she means too much to me."

"I think you're the one that needs to worry, Boss. Abby is always saying that she can kill without leaving a forensic trace"

"Tony, I heard that" said Abby from behind Gibbs.

"It's true Abs" smiled Tony as he walked out of the door. "Well, I leave you two lovebirds alone now but remember it's a school night so no staying up too late".

"I don't understand what you mean", smirked Abby as she waved goodbye.

"Want me to show you Abs"? growled Gibbs as he shut the door.

"Oh, yes please" she whispered as Gibbs lowered his lips to hers.