Disclaimer: I own nothing, sadly enough, I wish NCIS was mine.
Please read and review. Thank you for the reviews everyone! I haven't had a chance to reply to them yet but I will!!!
Abby and Tony arrived at the same time, only they didn't know it. Not until they both got out of their cars. Tony looked at Abby and smiled.
"I almost didn't recognize you." He said as he walked over and hugged her. "You look different, good different thought." He said with a smile.
"Thanks. Are you okay? Meeting a date?"
"Nope. I decided to come here since I was alone."
"Well you aren't anymore." She said as she threaded her hand through his arm.
Tony hugged her closer and kissed her on the top of her head. "I love you Abs. Have I told you that? I think sometimes you are the only constant in my world."
"Oh Tony." She said pressing her face on his arm and squeezing it. "I love you too."
They made it to the front door and were stopped by a voice.
"Tony? Abby?"
They turned around to find that it was McGee.
"McGee," Tony looked at him. "Or should I say McStud? What's up?"
"Nothing. I just came to grab a bite to eat." He replied.
"Join us." Abby said as she hugged him.
They walked inside and waited. The host was taking a couple to their table. As they waited, the door opened.
"I guess great minds think a lot, yet?" Ziva said as she saw them.
"Alike." Tony corrected her. "Are you here, alone?" Tony asked.
"I am."
"Not anymore." Abby said as she hugged her friend.
The host came back and they were about to say table for four when the door opened again.
"Ziva, Tony, McGee," Ducky said. They all turned around and then he saw Abby. "Abigail." He said with a grin.
"Table for 6." Tony said.
"I'll be right back." The host replied.
Abby walked over to Ducky and hugged him.
"You look so different my dear." Ducky told her.
"Thank you." She beamed.
Gibbs cleared his throat and Abby looked at him.
"Don't I get a hug?" He asked pitifully.
Abby immediately went to his arms. She whispered so quietly not even Ducky heard, "You never have to ask."
The host came back and ushered them to a booth table in the back of the restaurant. The waitress came out to get their drink orders, flirting with Tony and McGee. Abby laughed as she watched McGee flirt back and Tony turn red.
She was between Ducky and Gibbs and loved the view she got when she looked at her two best friends sitting across the table not sure how to react to the waitress. When she left to get their drinks, Abby grinned.
"Look at you two. You're roles look a little reversed." Abby said with a laugh.
"You know, this reminds me," Ducky started.
Everyone groaned to themselves, thinking they were going to be subjected to a Ducky story, but he surprised them.
"I heard from Gerald today."
They launched into conversation and fun that had nothing to do with the office for once. When their dinners came, they each took a little bit and passed it around, sharing all the entrees. When the waitress came back to fill their glasses, she brought two bottles of wine with her.
"This is from the gentleman at the bar. He said to tell you thank you." She said.
"For what?" Tony asked.
"That was all he said." She told them as she left.
They turned to the bar, but no one was sitting there.
"I'm quite thankful it's Friday and we don't have to work this weekend." Ducky said looking at his watch.
They all looked at their watches and it was suddenly 1 am. They asked for the check and the waitress looked at them and smiled.
"It's already been taken care of." She replied.
"By who?" Gibbs asked.
"The man that was at the bar."
"Do you know who he was?" Tony asked.
"I don't. I'm sorry."
"It's just that we looked for him and there was no one there. Did he leave a credit card receipt?" Tony questioned.
"No, I'm sorry, he paid in cash." She said walking away.
They all got up and headed out. They stood around talking for the longest time. Finally Ziva pleaded that she needed to go and get some sleep. Tony offered to drive her home since he didn't drink anything other than water. Ziva smiled and said she rented that new Zombie movie and Tony was welcome to watch it with her. That was all he needed to hear. He bid them goodnight and ushered Ziva to his car.
McGee felt like he would write now and so he left.
Abby stood there with Gibbs and Ducky, about to hug them and walk to her car when Gibbs stopped her.
"Ducky, why don't you let Abby take me home. She lives just down the street now and you're in the opposite direction."
"Do you mind Abby? I'm sure Jordan is wondering where I am."
"I don't mind Duck man." She said giving him a hug.
"Thank you my dear."
"You're so welcome. Tell Jordan I said hi and I will see her Wednesday."
"I will my darling." Ducky said as he walked to his car.
Gibbs stood there staring at Abby.
"You look good."
"Thanks. I'm surprised I didn't catch any hell for it."
"Getting tired of the Goth look?"
"A little." She replied sheepishly.
"You know, I remember an Abby that used to dress just like that and act just like you. It wasn't that long ago either."
"I remember her too." Abby said quietly.
"We never just hang out anymore. I miss that." Gibbs told her.
"I do too."
"So take me to your new place. You haven't let me see it yet." He said as he put this arm around her waist and ushered her to the car.
They drove in silence. Abby's new place was only a few blocks from the restaurant. When they got there, he walked her to the front door and watched her enter her code. He smiled when he noticed her code was his birthday. He didn't say a word until they were standing in front of her door. Abby was fumbling with the key and he took it from her.
"Let me." He opened the door.
The lights were off when they walked in so he didn't get to see everything. When she turned on the lights, he was amazed. This was the old Abby. He just smiled.