Family
Rating: K
Pairing: Abby/Gibbs
Category: Friendship/Romance
Spoilers: None
Summary: Written for the Gabby Shipper Forum Hiatus Creative Drive and the prompt 'Family.'
Abby looked round the table at her friends... her family. She smiled indulgently as she watched them all tuck into their Thanksgiving Dinner, once again held at Ducky's in what was rapidly becoming an annual tradition for them all to celebrate this holiday together.
She let the laughter and the banter roll over her, for once just content to absorb the atmosphere and not take part... not yet.
It was at times like this that she usually missed her own family, her mother and brother, as well as her extended family of cousins. She'd left them all behind when she moved to DC and now only saw them occasionally, mostly for holidays or birthdays. When she first started working at the Navy Yard, she'd been lonely for a while... until a new family had adopted her, taken her under their wing.
The members making up her new family had changed over the years... some losses still a raw wound.
If she closed her eyes, Abby could still conjure up a vivid image of Kate sitting with them, mouthing "Tony" in affectionate exasperation; or Jenny quirking an amused eyebrow, lips curving in a seductive smile, usually aimed in the direction of a certain silver-haired Marine; or most recently, Mike Franks, his twinkling eyes, flirty charm and sense of honour all combining to make him one of her favourite men.
All gone... all still deeply missed.
It only strengthened the love she felt for everyone now sitting round the table.
Abby smiled as she saw the three 'boys' squabbling amongst themselves, all trying to show off in front of Ziva, who was talking quietly with Ducky and studiously ignoring their antics, although the small smile curving her mouth showed she wasn't oblivious.
Ducky, so wise and warmly compassionate, whose strength they all leant on. Ducky, who'd become like a father to her after she lost her own.
Tony, whose dazzling smile was at full volume tonight, but she knew to look beyond the joker front to a strong and loyal friend. Tony, the big brother she'd never had, who needed this dysfunctional family of theirs as much as she did.
Tim, who'd grown so much under their leader's guiding hand, no longer the shy, gauche young Probie. Timmy, who still looked at her with longing sometimes, even when he knew her heart lay elsewhere.
Ziva, warm and caring, who could kick ass and look gorgeous doing it and who would walk through fire for any of them. Ziva, the younger sister she'd never had and whose sense of mischief rivalled her own.
Jimmy, whose nervousness hid an unexpected bravery and a cheeky smile, as well a sense of humour that could get him into hot water. Jimmy, her protective cousin whose confidence had grown under Ducky's mentorship.
So what did that make her? Their sister, daughter, mother hen? She snorted to herself at the thought... even though she was older than she looked.
"Abbs... you okay?" A deep, gravelly voice rolled into her ears and a warm hand covered her own. She turned to look into the cobalt eyes of its owner, her heart lifting as it always did when she looked at the man who held them all together.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs... Her lover. Her friend. Her partner. Her rock. Her husband in everything but name.
Her... everything.
Together, they were her family.