Thanks again for all the comments guys. I have finally decided where I'm going with this! The suggestions really helped. Hope you all enjoy :)
McGee froze, this was the very last thing he had expected. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. This was exactly what he did, and yet did not want to hear. She just sat there expectantly, looking at him flirtatiously from under her lashes. He knew what she was trying to do, attempting to melt his resistance, trying to win him over. If he wasn't careful, she would break his resolve and he would be right back where he started. He knew they couldn't be good friends if he didn't try and get over her, to save their friendship he needed to stand up to her.
"I…I can't do that Abs." He muttered.
"Aww, come on Timmy," she said, reaching over and laying her hand on his forearm, "just you and me, hanging out, no pressure."
"Abby, I can't." He replied.
She narrowed her eyes and looked questioningly at him. This was a side of Tim, she had not missed. Sometimes he could be so stubborn when he had decided against something, there was almost no point in pushing him. Well, no point in anyone but her pushing him…
"C'mon McGee, it's just one night," she continued, her eyes flickering devilishly, "we can get ice cream…"
He swallowed nervously, this was going to be hard, he really liked ice cream.
"I'd just rather spend tonight alone Abs." He said, looking back towards his screen.
McGee began typing, trying desperately to concentrate on something that wasn't her. He was secretly pleased that she still wanted him, even if it was only for one night. However, he knew that it was little teases like this that had caused him to be so hung up on her, these were the moments that he had to be strong. After a short pause, she withdrew her hand from his arm. Perhaps his rejection had stung her? No, this was Abby, she didn't need him like he needed her. This minor inconvenience wouldn't distress her.
It was perfectly clear that the conversation was over, so Abby wheeled her chair away to the other end of her desk. She began pottering around with some evidence bags and result read-outs, trying to look busy and with purpose. Anything to make it look as if she wasn't troubled by his rejection. This was definitely a strange situation; normally Tim would have taken the opportunity. They would have gone home together, had pizza, watched a movie and probably ended up in bed together. She always looked forward to these nights, they were almost perfect. The only awkward part was the morning, neither of them knew how to act or what to say, all of Tim's confidence, and her warmth, had disappeared.
Focusing her attention back on one of the laptops, she selected a new scan to run. She glanced over at him, he was staring intently at the screen in a surprising display of concentration. Usually unflappable, she was becoming frustrated, why had this offended her so much? The last time she had made such an offer, he had taken some convincing, but she had managed to change his mind. Somehow she knew that this time was different, he was firm and sure of himself, something he didn't usually roll out unless it was completely necessary. He really didn't want her. From their conversation last night, she knew he wasn't seeing anyone, so it had to be something else. Abby searched her mind for an explanation that would reassure her, but she failed. An unpleasant feeling was growing in the pit of her stomach, nausea was creeping in. Her thoughts were disorganised and flowing fast. He didn't want her. She hadn't changed, he had. What if things could never be the same again? He didn't sound like he usually did. She hated this new hard edge he was showing her today, where had it come from?
The phone gave a sharp ring, shattering her thoughts. She got up from her chair and walked over to the phone. Checking the display, she noticed it was Tony, so she picked up and waited for the voice to kick in.
"Abs?" Tony ventured.
"Hey Tony!" she replied, trying to sound as upbeat as possible. She certainly didn't want Tim to think he had got to her.
"How ya doing?" Tony said.
"Good…good, hopefully we'll, I mean I'll, get something good from the next scan I'm running. I'm pretty sure if they're hiding something, it'll be in there. You?" She babbled, attempting to seem her usual smart and confident self.
"Not so good. Turns out we have to make a lot more calls than we thought, so I'm going to have to get the Probie back. Unless you need him down there for…something?" Tony replied, laughing at his own effort at innuendo.
"Don't worry, I can cope without him…" she barbed, looking pointedly in McGee's direction.
"Ok then, send my McGeek back ASAP. See ya later Abs" Tony said, before hanging up.
He heard her saying her goodbye to Tony and looked at her for an explanation of the call.
"Tony says 'send my McGeek back ASAP'. So I guess I'm gonna have to cut you loose." She said flatly.
She was definitely angry with him, it was subtle, but it was there. He didn't think a time would come that he would rather work with Tony over Abby, but here it was. Anything was better than working with her right now, given the mood she was in. He started packing away the laptop he was working on and putting on his jacket.
"I'm just going to take this with me," he said, motioning towards the laptop, "I think I can probably play around with it a little more while I'm upstairs."
She didn't look up from her screen, she didn't even say a word.
"Ok, I guess I'll…uhh…see you another time." He said, getting up and walking towards the elevator.
"McGee…" she started.
"Yes?" He replied, turning back around to face her.
"…I…umm…don't forget to use the new Recovery Agent, the old one is…umm…old." She said, quickly looking back down at her screen.
Looking quizzically at her, he nodded and stepped inside the elevator. Why on earth had she said that? Of course he knew they were using a new Recovery Agent, he was the one that had suggested it. Sometimes he wondered if he would ever understand women, especially Abby. The more he thought about it, the more angry he was with her. She had no right to be annoyed with him, all he was trying to do was make a break between them. He just wanted to be able to move on with his life, to stop being at her beck and call all the time. Why did she insist on making this so hard for him? She had to accept that he wasn't going to brood over her forever, maybe this was what she had needed to hear. She had to know that, sometimes, he wasn't going to be there.
Down in her lab, Abby turned on some of her loudest, angriest music. She paced around, running things over in her head. He was so full of crap, 'I'll always be there for you.' That's what he had said, the last time they were together. I guess he meant he would only be there when it suited him! She flopped down onto her chair and let out a groan. Why was this even getting to her? Guys often asked her out, she could have had her pick of boyfriends, why was Tim such a loss to her? Maybe it was because she had always thought, that if she were ever ready to settle down, it would be someone like Tim. Someone with kind eyes and a good heart. But it couldn't be Tim, they had already tried and failed. It was her fault they had broken down and it was something she doubted she could ever fix. It dawned on her that they could never be together again. And she was stunned when she realised, that this broke her heart.