A/N: Well, I survived the weekend, so here's another chapter. For those of you waiting on a new chapter of 'Choices', my other story, please be patient. I'll have one up as soon as I can, but I'm struggling with a little creative stifling.
In the meantime, enjoy! F.
Deciding that they couldn't face the thought of breakfast, McGee rang down to room service for coffee. As he expected, it arrived quickly. He turned from closing the door behind the overly curious room service waiter to find Abby surveying her clothing with a look of distaste.
"I need new clothes" she announced. At his quizzical look, she explained
"I wore these at work all day yesterday and half of last night. I can't wear them all day again today and tomorrow until we get home, McGee."
He had to admit she had a point
"So...shopping?"
...
Shopping with Abby was an experience. As her hangover had receded, she'd become her usual bubbly self. Grinning at his expression as he inspected the male Gothic fashions in the shops they visited, she convinced him to try on one of the less extreme outfits. She burst out laughing as he exited the change room. Making a face at himself in the mirror, he quickly re-entered the cubicle and changed back into his own clothes. Opening the door again, he saw Abby still convulsed with hilarity.
"This sort of stuff looks good on you, Abs, but I think I'll stick to something else" he informed her. Wiping her streaming eyes, she nodded.
...
Shopping completed, they caught a cab back to the hotel and changed clothes.
"Right. So where do we start?" he asked.
Abby considered a moment before replying.
"Let's just start at one end of the Strip and work our way back" she suggested.
"Done"
...
The spent the rest of the day seeing what Vegas had to offer. They rode the rollercoaster at the Stratosphere at Abby's insistence, Tim keeping his eyes closed and trying not to panic; climbed the Eiffel Tower at the Paris; spent a couple of hours in the Reef exhibit at the Mandalay Bay. After watching the lion cubs at the MGM Grand, Abby taught Tim the finer points of poker, laughing at the delighted grin on his face when he won his first hand.
"Some poker face" she teased
He gave her a sheepish look. "Hey, at least I managed to keep a straight face when I was playing" he pointed out. "Where'd you learn to play poker anyway?"
"My uncle used to run a weekly poker night when I was growing up. He taught me" she explained.
"Wait, is this the same uncle that owned the bar in Canal Street?" he asked
"That's the one" she confirmed. "After a while he and his poker buddies wouldn't let me play anymore; I won too much."
He grinned. He could believe that.
...
By the time they made it back to the hotel, it was dark. They'd visited M&M World, watched the volcano at the Mirage and ridden the gondolas at the Venetian.
"What now?" Abby asked as she sat down on the end of the bed.
"Dinner? I made a reservation at the hotel restaurant" he told her. She nodded as he went to get changed. She was glad she'd had the foresight to buy a new dress.
Tim was waiting for her when she exited the bathroom. She'd been unable to resist the temptation when she'd seen the low cut, figure hugging black dress in one of the stores they'd visited that morning. She caught a glimpse of appreciation on his face before he turned to open the door and smiled to herself. The dress had been a good idea.
...
After dinner, they wandered back up the Strip to the MGM, settling themselves down at a table in the poker room. They played for a few hours, the pile of chips at Abby's elbow growing steadily larger. Folding on a hand, McGee put his cards down in disgust and watched Abby instead. Her eyes were intent though her face remained expressionless as she concentrated on the cards in her hand. Laying down her full house to beat the dealer's two pairs, she contentedly raked in her winnings, stacking the chips into neat piles. McGee tapped her on the shoulder.
"Abs, we should probably go" he told her.
She looked around for a clock. Not finding one, she asked "What time is it?"
"It's 2am, Abby. Our flight's at 11, remember? We've been here for hours." She stood and collected her chips while he watched
"Now I understand why your uncle wouldn't let you play anymore" he said as they headed for a cashier's window. "Remind me not to play against you again."
They caught a cab for the short distance back to the hotel, wearily re-entering their room. He went over to the bed, picking up a pillow and getting a spare blanket out of the closet and depositing them on the couch while she watched.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Sleeping on the couch" he replied. "There's only one bed, remember?"
Abby rolled her eyes. "We're both adults, Tim, I'm sure we can manage to share a bed."
"Like last night?" he asked pointedly. She flushed a little at the memory.
"Last night we were both drunk, Tim. Neither of us has been drinking tonight" she reasoned.
He shook his head. "Not a good idea, drunk or sober" he told her. He took a few steps towards her, coming close enough so she could see the flicker of desire in his eyes. Her breath caught. He was going to kiss her, she knew it. A little shocked, she realised she wanted him to kiss her. At the last moment, he took a step back, shaking his head.
"Not a good idea" he repeated. "Goodnight, Abs." He turned and headed to the bathroom, leaving her speechless.