Jennifer Shepard had met a lot of very different people in her life, but she didn't think she'd ever met anyone quite like Abby Scuito. She was a walking contradiction – the piercings and tattoos giving an impression that was immediately undermined when she talked. Her mind seemed to gallop along at a ridiculously high speed and almost everything she said made sense, albeit in an entirely unconventional way.

And then there was the innocence, which in another person would have been childish but instead was a kind of wisdom.

Her staff was no doubt concerned about all the papers she was neglecting as she sat here chatting to a stranger. But she knew she had to take this moment and enjoy it. The people who had been with her the longest probably came close to understanding why this was important to her, but even they couldn't really understand how much she worried about losing touch with the real world.

But, though she might not know it, Jennifer Shepard's staff was fiercely devoted to her and extremely loyal. They were more perceptive than she realised and well aware of the pressure she was under. As the sound of her laughter drifted across the cabin several of them shared smiles – glad to see her relaxing.

"I wonder how Gibbs is doing?" Abby mused, but before Jen could tell her that she was sure he was fine, the steward appeared to offer them a drink. "Water," Abby said, obviously totally depressed about being in Business Class and not being able to take advantage of it.

"Perhaps we can send Agent Gibbs a drink?" Jenny's suggestion was met with a smile from her companion.

"He likes bourbon," Abby told the steward firmly.

_________________________________________________________

Gibbs couldn't stretch his legs properly and it was too noisy to sleep – but the mother and her baby in the seat next to him were pleasant companions.

His Spanish was good enough for a rudimentary conversation with the mother and his smile earned him a toothy grin from the baby. The little girl was adorable, all curls and big eyes.

"Agent Gibbs?" He looked up and found there was a steward standing beside him – holding a glass. "Compliments of Senator Shepard."

As he sipped the bourbon his mind returned to Abby, hoping she was feeling better and more amused than he cared to admit at the idea of the patrician Senator – who had a reputation for being reserved - and the exuberant Goth scientist who did nothing by halves. He'd love to be a fly on the wall for that conversation.

He would no doubt have been surprised to learn that the two women were actually discussing him.

"I thought at first that he might be your father?" Jenny said, making it a question because she still wasn't completely certain that he wasn't. The difference in their surnames meant very little and it would certainly explain his over-protectiveness.

"He's not my father," Abby said, though there was something in her expression that told Jenny that there was a story there – though whether the story was hers or Gibbs' she couldn't tell.

"Are you fishing for information about Gibbs, Senator?" Abby asked, leaning her chin on her hand and smiling broadly. "I can tell you all about him – he likes bourbon, building boats and redheads, doesn't like technology, bureaucracy and politicians." She pulled a face as she realised who she was talking to, "no offence." Before Jen could reply Abby continued, "Gibbs has scary super powers and he's always there when I need him. He appears .. you know .. like magic. I know he'd do anything for me."

"Sounds like you are very lucky to have him."

"He's the best."

The sense of loneliness engulfed Jenny again – because it had been a long time since there had been anyone in her life who made her feel that way.

Normally she was good at hiding her feelings – but the ability seemed to have deserted her because Abby reached over and touched her hand. "Senator, are you all right?"

"I'm fine," she said as she fixed a practised smile on her lips, "and it's Jenny."

There was a small commotion at the entry to business class that had both of them turning their heads to look. Somehow Jenny wasn't at all surprised to see Agent Gibbs in the entry to their section, having a conversation with the security detail and one of the stewards, who were refusing him entrance.

"He wants to know if I am OK," Abby said.

"Melvin!" Jenny pitched her voice at a level that the man couldn't fail to hear; though of course she didn't shout. As the man turned Abby leant forward and signed quickly to Gibbs. To her surprise he replied in the same way and the two of them had a rapid and entirely silent conversation.

Jenny couldn't help but notice the way his eyes softened when he looked at Abby. The over-protectiveness was still there but he was almost smiling as they signed back and forth. She wondered how he had come to learn sign language.

"He says 'thank you for the bourbon'" Abby said, drawing her attention back.

"Can you show me how to say 'you're welcome?'"

She followed the instructions Abby gave her, carefully signing back to him, hoping she'd got it right. His smile told her she had and she couldn't help but smile back – just a little lost in the unexpected warmth that spread through her, until Abby cleared her throat.

"Tell him I didn't use taxpayers money to pay for it" She said, to cover the awkwardness of the moment, surprised at how easily he'd drawn her in. As Abby signed Jenny looked up and found him watching her, those damn eyes full of amusement. As she met his gaze he smirked at her and nodded once before wandering back to his seat.

"You made googly eyes at Gibbs!" Abby exclaimed, "and he liked it."

"I did not!" Jenny protested – not even sure she knew what googly eyes were.

"You so did!" Abby squeezed her hand, "Jenny – he's so great. He needs to find a nice red head and settle down." The young woman's enthusiasm was infectious – but as she spoke, Jenny felt the cold settle in her stomach; she wasn't in any position to settle down. Abby pulled a face, "except that Gibbs isn't really the settling down type and he has been married a few times."

"A few?"

"More than twice." Abby confessed and Jenny raised an eyebrow, not sure why she found the knowledge unsettling – wondering if he was unlucky, or just careless. "And they were all red heads."

_______________________________________________________________________

She had almost forgotten that Abby wasn't feeling well – but when food was served she bit her lip and then shook her head, looking disappointed.

"How are you feeling?"

"Kind of sick," she confessed.

Jenny waved away the steward, knowing the smell of her own meal wouldn't help.

"Why don't you try to get some rest," she suggested. "You can try to eat something later if you're feeling better."

Abby nodded and Jenny was surprised when she pushed the armrest up and lay down close to her, head resting in her lap. She reached over and pulled a blanket over her slender shoulders, rubbing them slightly and then letting her hand stroke Abby's hair as she listened to her breathing level out.

"You are going to be offered this job aren't you?" a quiet voice whispered.

"I don't know," Jen whispered back, "it's up to the President-elect and his team."

"Aren't you scared?"

"I'm terrified."

In response Abby reached across and squeezed her hand.

_____________________________________________________________

Jen glanced up from her papers as the weight on her lap shifted. She placed her hand on the Abby's forehead, concerned by how warm she was. She murmured something unintelligible in her sleep and Jenny soothed her as best as she could. But then she sat up suddenly and fumbled for the seatbelt that was still fastened around her.

"Abby?" Jenny helped her, but they weren't fast enough.

Abby covered her mouth as she started to vomit and Jen grabbed the blanket to mop up the mess. Her aides gasped as she followed Abby to the bathroom and knelt down beside her as she threw up into the toilet. As she held the dark hair back she glanced over her shoulder to find Melvin standing in the doorway. She bit back a comment about what possible threat to her security could come from this moment and instead said, "get Agent Gibbs – I'm worried about her." She was relieved when he nodded once and turned to do as she asked.

"Ma'am," she looked up from Abby, irritated that he was still standing there, only to see the figure beside him and realise the errand was unnecessary.

Gibbs was already there.