The week ended up going by in a blur, and the events were much the same as before. It was Friday now, and Abby had all but given up on Gibbs; since he had been avoiding her all week. Around 2 o'clock PM, Abby was drumming her fingers waiting for McGee to bring down her mid-afternoon drink (a task that Gibbs used to do). However, it wasn't McGee who stood at her lab's threshold.

"Hey Abs."

"Did you forget where your desk is, Special Agent Gibbs?"

"Guess I deserved that. I brought you your drink."

"No thanks. I quit."

"Abby, you drank one this morning."

"Well then, I just decided to. Where's McGee?"

"I told him I was coming down today. I wanted to talk to you."

"Oh? About a week late in that, Gibbs. You can leave the drink. You know your way out all too well."

"Abs—"

"Don't Gibbs. Just don't. I'm upset and I don't want to say something I'll regret later. So please, just go."

"If you want."

Gibbs felt defeated as he sat her Caf!Pow down beside her and walked out. She barely even would look at him. The worst had happened, one kiss and their friendship seemed to be over. This had been why all these years, despite the flirting and playful banter, he had refrained from taking the next step. Abby was too important to him, she had always been. Once back in the elevator, he pushed the emergency stop button. Since he was alone, he took the opportunity to release his frustration and guilt, by punching the wall. Unfortunately this did nothing to ease his pain, only added to it.

"Great, just great! What now?"

"Abigail? Are you there?"

Sniff "Yeah, Ducky. I'm here."

"Are you alright? You look as though you have been crying."

"It's nothing, just allergies. What can I do for you?"

"Well, I was hoping to collect on that rain check for dinner this evening. Are you available?"

"Sure, Ducky. But I've gotta warn you, I may not be great company."

"No matter. Same place and time, I presume?"

"Sure. See you then."

"Yes, goodbye for now."

Abby hated to cry at work; actually she hated to cry at all. There had been only two (well now three) other times she had lost control while at work: after Kate had been shot by Ari, and during the whole Mikel Mowers incident. Yet, here she was, once again shedding tears over a man who knew nothing about her feelings for him.

She had waited everyday for an apology that never came. Every day she had come to work, determined to make him face the reality before them; and everyday something got in her way. Whether it was the mounting evidence from the latest case, or unexpected visits from Palmer and Tony, Abby never got to confront Gibbs. So by Friday, she had felt the loss and was ready to accept that he just didn't want to see her. However, in true Gibbs style, of course, he had shown up and tried to act as if nothing had happened.

"Morning, Abs. Brought you a Caf!Pow…and a DNA sample from the latest vic."

Abby stared, open-mouthed at Gibbs, who looked completely innocent. Though no matter how hurt and angry she was at him, she wouldn't pass up her morning drink. Abby stomped over to him, yanked the drink and evidence bag from his hands, and returned to her computer without saying a word.

"Abs? Something bothering you?"

"Why would something be bothering me, Special Agent Gibbs?"

"Well, I don't know, you just seem…"

"Pissed? Must just be you. I'm fine."

"I'm not fighting with you, Abby. Let me know when you get the results."

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