No matter how tired either of them was, sleep did not occur. Abby tossed and turned, worrying about controlling her feelings for her now not-so-secret love interest; while Gibbs worried about tomorrow. Abby had meant it when she said they were ok; she wasn't angry or even hurt from their conversation. In fact, she understood now with perfect clarity why he had left her that night…he had been scared. Abby decided soon after giving up on sleep and showering, that she was too close to the situation to see it clearly. There had to be some other possible solution…right? So, she was going to follow Gibbs' rules again…only this time it would be number 4.

"Good morning, Ducky!"

"Good morning, Abigail. What brings you in so early? Or shall I say late?"

It was around 4 AM when Abby arrived at work, having known Ducky would be there alone.

"I needed to talk to you. Got a second?"

"For you, my dear, I have a whole minute."

"Aww, Ducky. You're so sweet! Anyway, I need to tell you something, but I don't know how to—"

"Is this about the kiss you shared with Jethro?"

"What?! Ducky, how did you know?"

"Well, I witnessed it by accident. You see, I had beeped in to ask you to dinner; however, I noticed you and Gibbs were talking. I decided to wait, thinking it would be ill-advised to interrupt Jethro. So when you two kissed, I was still waiting on my chance to talk. Although, I have to say I'm surprised Jethro didn't mention any of this to you."

"Gibbs knows you saw?"

"Yes, we had a conversation about it, oh, two weeks ago. Are you two still not talking?"

"No, I mean we are, now. He came by to see me earlier tonight, er, last night? Whatever, he came to see me and we talked."

"Well, that is good news. Mother would be most displeased if you both could not make it to dinner Thusday evening."

"So that is this Thursday? Oh, Ducky, I'm sorry, I totally forgot. But don't worry, I'll be there with bells on! Well, not bells, more like spikes on my collar…unless I wear the one--"

"Abigail? Was there something you wanted to discuss with me?"

"Oh, right, sorry. Um, well it makes it easier to know you know about the kisses."

"Kisses? As in plural?"

"Um, well, he kissed me last night when we were talking."

"I see."

"Anyway, I understand now why he left. He was scared. I mean, not scared like terrified scared, but you know."

"Yes, I do. In fact, that was the basis of our conversation. Did you two reach any conclusions?"

"No. We just kinda left it up in the air. Which is why I'm here now. I have been thinking that I'm too close to the situation, so I'm going with Rule number 4."

"Always carry your knife?"

"No, that's rule number 8…or 9. No, the one about 'if you have a secret, the best way to keep it is by not telling anyone else. But if you have to, tell only one other person'."

"Ah, yes. Well that makes sense. However, I am afraid I do not see what it is you are asking of me."

"Would it be too foolish to say "tell me what to do, Ducky"?"

"To be frank, yes…but only because I can't give you that answer. You and Jethro must come to the right decision, and preferably together."

"It's not just us, Ducky. It's also you, Tony, McGee, and Ziva; as well as our jobs here at NCIS. Yet—"

"Yet?"

"Why do I feel this incredible sadness when I think about never kissing him again?"

"My dear, if you haven't figured that out yet, you may be doing the right thing."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean if you haven't come to the conclusion of how you feel; then it may be best to hold off on pursuing anything more."

"You're right, Ducky. Thank you. I'm gonna go fire up all my babies and start working. See you later?"

"Of course, anytime."

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'What did he mean about me coming to a conclusion about my feelings? I know what my feelings are. I mean Gibbs is my boss and one of my best friends. And totally kissable! But, I mean, that's the extent of it. It's just hormones and sexual chemistry…curiosity, really. Right?"

Abby quickly set about her daily routine not knowing that Gibbs, who had also given up on sleep, came into work early as well. Both of them tried hard to not think about the other; while at the same time convincing themselves that everything was fine. It was a hard balance. Around 6 AM, Gibbs left to grab a coffee and a Caf!Pow. Shortly after returning, he found himself stepping out of the elevator and into Abby's lab.

"Abby?"

"Gibbs! You're in early…and on a Saturday."

"Been here for awhile. Got you your morning drink."

"Oh, yes! You are the best, Gibbs. So why did you come in? Couldn't sleep too, huh?"

"Yeah, Abs, I—"

"Good morning people…boss."

"Tony! You're awfully chipper this morning. What gives…and why are you here?"

"I had a wonderful date last night. She's gonna call. As for why I am here, that's easy, paperwork, Abs."

"DiNozzo!"

"Yeah boss?"

"Did you see that Abby and I were in the middle of talking?"

"Sure, but you guys always talk. Going to my desk, boss. Later, Abs."

"Bye Tony! (To Gibbs) You were saying?"

"Oh, just that…Ducky called to remind me we agreed to dinner Thursday evening with him and Mrs. Mallard."

Abby looked at him for a long minute, but decided to let it go whatever he was almost going to say.

"Yeah, he reminded me this morning. I told him I'd be there. You're still going too, right?"

"Yep. Do you still want me to pick you up on my way?"

"Sure."

"Ok. I better go supervise DiNozzo. He's liable to superglue everything on McGee's desk if I don't. I'll pick you up at 6 o'clock that night, Abs."

"'Kay…bye Gibbs."

'Great…now what to wear?'

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