Acceptance

Tony waited until he heard Gibbs head back down the basement steps before he resumed his narrative. "So I harnessed some courage and told Boss that I wanted to go shoot hoops at the park. He reminded me about getting home so we could make the interview and I told him I would get back in time to change and hit the road. When I got to the park, though, some other guys wandered over and we started an intense pick up game. Then we played another, and another after that one. When I remembered to check the time, it was three thirty."

Abby covered her mouth with her hand, eyes wide. "You were supposed to be back by lunch, right?"

"Twelve, to be specific, was the appointed-get-my-butt-home-by-then- time he had told me."

"I already feel sorry for you." Abby leaned over and patted his leg.

"So I didn't just run home- I vaulted home. When I got here, however, Gibbs had already gone and I started trying to call him. It went straight to voicemail, though, and I realized he'd shut the phone off to conduct the interrogation. I knew the interrogation was probably over by then, and that if anything, he would be on his way home himself. There was nothing to do but just wait for him."

Tony grimaced at the memory.

Abby drew her knees up under her chin and wrapped her arms around her legs. "Uh oh..."

"Boss walked through the door about an hour later and I didn't even let him get his coat off before I started apologizing and explaining. I was just knocking myself out talking to him. He didn't answer me, though, and I kept speaking, racking my brain trying to say something to put things to rights. Finally I just ran out of steam, and I stood there, in the kitchen, out of breath. He had managed to perk an entire pot of coffee during my defense plea."

Tony rubbed his chin thoughtfully, recalling the scene.

"He poured himself a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter, waiting for me to get quiet, I guess. Anyway, I felt pretty awful and guilty, and the worst part of the whole incident was that horrible anticipation of waiting for his reaction. Remember when you were a kid and you cut up at the store, and your mom promised you'd get it when she got you home? I honestly think that he made me wait for a response to prolong my horrible suffering. Finally, though, he pointed to a chair and ordered me to sit down. Then he lowered the boom." Tony sucked in a breath.

"Don't stop there, Tony!"

"Well, the gist of the lecture turned out that since I had conducted myself like an irresponsible teenager, he would treat me as one. Therefore, he thought a time out while I contemplated what I should have done differently would certainly be apropos and do the trick."

Abby winced sympathetically.

"So, for the next week, the only times he allowed me out of this house were when we were physically at work. Otherwise, I stayed punished, on restriction, every single other moment. Please believe me, I nearly lost my mind. The only thing I had to while away the time was the television, which had no cable, which I mentioned to you earlier. Still, I was grateful for any small favours, and walked on eggshells lest I did something that would make Gibbs take the television away, too. Miserable comes to mind when I reminisce about my mental state then. I learned my lesson with that, all right."

He stood up and started gathering the empty popcorn bowl and their cocoa cups. "I'll clean the dishes, Baby Girl."

Nevertheless, she jumped up and followed, and they made their way to the kitchen. Gibbs had just climbed up the steps for more coffee when he saw them approach.

Tony whispered, "Maybe he'll decide the punishment's finished when he sees us getting along and will recant his earlier punishment and give us back the television."

"Act cooperative and sweet," Abby murmured in reply.

Gibbs looked up as they entered, and Abby smiled brightly. "We've been playing together nicely, Gibbs."

"I couldn't agree more, Boss, and I must say we now feel clear on what you meant about not fighting over the tv lineup. No longer do we entertain any ambiguity," Tony continued cheerfully.

"Really, there is nothing else to amuse us tonight other than the television," Abby spoke chirpily, then leaned over and hugged Gibbs. "We think we now understand how to select a program together to watch."

They held their breaths in anticipation, and then Gibbs leaned down and kissed Abby on the cheek. "Since that's the case, both of you go on and get to bed right now."

Horrified at the unexpected turn of events, the pair opened their mouths to loudly protest. He held up his hand, "If you say one word you will find that the television ban has spilled over until tomorrow night. The wise move to make is to keep your time out confined to just this one evening. Good night, both of you-"

Each gave him pouting expressions as their responses when they left the kitchen, and he couldn't hide a smile. Clearly they had hoped that he would agree to, not shoot down, their plan.

He watched them slowly make their way upstairs and shook his head. They were a handful, all right, but they were his handful.