Abby: I've never been this scared in my whole life. Except when my stalker ex tried to kill me and when my insane assistant Chip had me at knife point and when McGee's crazy fan put a gun to my head that—
McGee: We got it Abs.
--
…Alternate Ending…
Gibbs turned towards the hallway before she grabbed his arm. "Not that I don't love that you care for me cuz I love it when you get all papa bear and let me spend the night. And make pop corn for me. And threaten boyfriends. And listen to my problems. And race in to save me…" She watched him almost smile. "I guess I didn't realize how sensitive of a topic this was. If you don't want me to have one, that's okay."
He was quiet for a few moments as he contemplated the reasons behind his insistence. "Good."
"But…" She started after him and was met with a stare that she'd never seen before. "Geez Gibbs, it's not like I'll have to use it."
"That's what I'm afraid of."
She crossed her arms again. "Fine."
The tone in her voice angered Gibbs slightly. "You want me to spell it for you Abs?"
"Um…"
He didn't let her finish. "I don't want you to know what it feels like."
"To shoot someone?"
He nodded and stepped towards her. "To kill someone Abs. I don't want that to be something you can accept."
"But you do."
He shook his head and pointed to himself. "You're not me. And I'm gonna make damn sure you never are."
She was a bit taken aback by his intensity and wasn't sure what to say next. "Um, I think I get it."
He nodded and took in a breath to calm himself. "Good…let's drop this."
"Okay." She agreed solemnly then pulled him into an unexpected embrace. "Sorry I didn't mean to make you mad."
"I'm not mad Abs. I'm just…" He stopped himself and searched for the right description.
"Obsessively over protective?" She finished for him and watched a smile fall across his face.
"Yeah," he nodded. "That'll work."