3. Three times. Three times he said it, that was all.
Once they were under cover, pretending they were a married couple. He said it to keep their covers in place, looking into her eyes like a lover.
She didn't feel like someone else when he said it, and neither did he.
The second time was in the middle of the night. They were all tired, had been up for hours on end, and she came in bearing enough caffeine for an army. He looked up at her with bleary eyes and heartfelt gratitude, and she was never more content to work all night long as long as he was at the desk across from her.
The third time, the last time, was the most meaningful.
It was also spoiled right after the words came out of his mouth.
It was his last grasp at a goodbye right before she went back to Israel, and it worked. No matter how hard she tried, whatever (whoever) she distracted herself with, she kept coming back to those last few muttered words: "Don't forget, I love you. McGee loves you, Abby Loves, you and Gibbs loves you. Don't forget us, and don't ever leave us behind. Please."