Disclaimer: Err, do ya all need this anymore? Or can I use the space to do this; Hello to all you dedicated readers and anyone who is a little confused about where they are!!
Gibbs started for the door, but a shout made him pause.
"I'm sorry."
The shout had come from Abby. Sensing it to be an inappropriate time to be present in the lab Ducky ushered the rest of the team out.
"What?"
"Look I know that saying sorry is a sign of weakness. But it was my fault for drinking it. I mean it wasn't as if I couldn't have smelt the alcohol. You could have stripped paint with the fumes."
"And?"
"And I'm sorry for the lack of awareness on my part."
"And that was all I needed to hear." Gibbs smiled at her. His blue eyes met her equally green ones; the smile seemed to reside even there. Acting upon instinct he lent in and kissed her. She drew back.
"What?" Gibbs sounded truly puzzled.
"We agreed. Rule 2; we keep it out of the lab/office."
"That is not a rule. That is a guideline to be used as such." He tried to be indignant, but it didn't quite work, so came out more humours.
"If it's a guideline why have you stuck to it until now?"
"Because, obviously, no-one has ever told you how cute you are when trying to apologise. And Ducky is keeping the kindergarten under control upstairs." Despite her best efforts Abby could not keep a straight face.
"I am not cute, I'm adorable. You'd have to be blind not to see that." Gibbs nodded and kissed her again, and instead of pulling away she deepened the kiss. Then the phone rang.
"Damn." Abby picked the receiver up. "Hiya you have reached the Million Dollar phone in, do you know the answer to today's question?"
"Err, no, but I do, know that Gibbs is still in your lab." McGee's garbled message was cut off when Tony audibly head slapped him. "On second thoughts; never mind." The phone clicked off.
"What was that about?" Standing behind her while he talked he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug.
"Dunno. But who cares? You can sort it out. You might want to give Tony a head slap from me though." They paused for a moment, savouring each other's company.
"Fishing." The sudden outburst startled Gibbs.
"Ah?"
"I like to go fishing. One of the dullest sports on the planet, but I like to go every now and again. To clear my head and get some space."
"Oh. You it doesn't have to be dull, Shannon and I used to go fishing after seeing her parents."
"Gibbs did you just say what I thought you did?"
"Depends. If you thought you heard me talking about Shannon, then yes, you heard correctly."
"But you never talk about them, ever. Not even with me or Ducky." She felt Gibbs shrug. He took her hand and pulled her out of her chair. He pulled her near, as if to kiss her again, but instead whispered in her ear;
"It's time I moved on from them, they're gone. There is nothing I can do, except hope they are smiling down upon us." And then he did kiss her.
When he drew away he added out loud; "I know that they didn't like any of the others, but I have a good feeling about you." He wiped the tear from her cheek, gave her a quick and then lead her out of the lab and into the elevator. He hadn't let go of her hand yet.