Since you all asked so nicely, here is another chapter for today. But that's it until tomorrow! Only two more chapters to go!
"Anyone seen Abby today?" Gibbs asked flipping through a forensic folder. There were some things he didn't quite understand in it. Like…all of it. Tony and McGee looked at each other with uneasy expressions then back at Gibbs. After a few moments of unanswered silence, he looked up at his agents. Normally he would have demanded an answer, but something on their faces had him concerned. "What?"
"Abby's…gone, Boss."
"Well, when's she getting back, McGee?" McGee looked over to Tony for help. "DiNozzo, what the hell is going on?"
"She's not coming back," Tony said coldly. "She left for New Orleans this morning."
Now Gibbs remembered. She was going on vacation. "Whose the replacement until she gets back?"
"I told you," Tony said a bit more harshly, "she isn't coming back."
"She said she was going on vacation." Gibbs' gut was jumping up and down like a little monkey on a bed. This was wrong.
"That's just what she told everyone else. Wanted to avoid the long drawn out tearful goodbyes." Gibbs didn't like the sound of this one bit. He felt his chest start to tighten. Had he blown it that badly that she would lie to him? Leave without goodbye and not come back? No. She couldn't. That wasn't Abby.
"With me," Gibbs said walking by Tony's desk. "Now!" Tony pushed his chair back and followed Gibbs behind the stairs. "You tell me what's going on right now."
"She took a job in New Orleans to be closer to her family. Handed in her notice to Vance about a week ago. She didn't want everyone to tell her what a mistake she was making so she said she was going on vacation."
"She was just, what? Not gonna come back?!" How could she do this?!
"That was the plan." Gibbs couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had messed up that badly. She did leave and she did it without saying goodbye. The tightening in his chest got worse. He leaned against the wall and took a deep breath. "You gonna be alright?" Tony sounded half concerned. Gibbs could tell he was mad at him as well. Oddly enough, Gibbs didn't blame him. He had been an ass. Why lie about it?
"No, DiNozzo. I'm not alright."
"Do you need me to get someone?" Tony took a step towards Gibbs sounding more concerned now thinking that Gibbs was in actual trouble.
"No." Tony stopped and nodded. He turned to go but Gibbs called out to him. "She didn't want me to know."
Tony hung his head. "Thought you might stop her."
"I would have."
Tony turned around. "I know. I tried, but…I couldn't get her to stay, Gibbs." Silence. "She loves you."
Gibbs pushed himself from the wall. "Then why did she leave?" He went to move past Tony but was stopped by him grabbing his arm. "DiNozzo.."
"She didn't."
"What?"
"She didn't leave. Not yet anyway. Her plane isn't scheduled to leave until 6. She's not leaving for the airport until 3."
"Two hours," Gibbs muttered.
"Two hours."
It briefly flashed through Gibbs mind what he would do. Running to see Abby before she left to get on her plane. Telling her he was sorry. Yes! He would apologize to her. Abby deserved an apology. He would tell her he was sorry and that he loved her and he didn't want her to go. Would she stay? Would she say she loved him too? Tony said she did, but what if…what if…
He didn't want to think of what ifs. He didn't want to think about her saying anything but yes. She wouldn't say yes. She wouldn't stay. She was the one that left. And without saying goodbye. This was what she wanted. She would hate him for chasing after her. Right?
"Whose Abby's replacement? I need those files decoded?"
Tony, shocked and surprised, held Gibbs arm tighter. "You're not going?"
"Let go, DiNozzo."
"I didn't tell you all that just to have you turn around and act like I hadn't."
"She doesn't want me to go after her. Now. Let. Go." Gibbs pulled out of Tony's grasp.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Not a minute ago you were having a panic attack because you thought she was gone for good. You thought she left you without saying goodbye. That you wouldn't have another chance to get her back. I tell you that you do and you bail?!"
"Hey! She left me. I told her how I felt and she's the one that left."
"She was scared! Could you blame her? Even with all your flaws she has this whole hero image of you painted in her mind. She thinks you will leave her! That you will eventually think that she isn't good enough for you."
"That's ridiculous."
"Is it? Is it really that far fetched? You've been married four times, Gibbs. Four! What sane girl wouldn't be a little off put by that?"
"Abby's…she's…"
"Perfect?"
"Perfect."
"I know. And she loves you. She wants you. You can't let her get away. None of us want her to go, but she'll only stay for one person. Don't be stupid, Gibbs. Don't be like me. Don't let someone that great get away." Tony voice was pleading. Something Gibbs didn't hear often.
"Did you just called me stupid?"
"She is a great…terrific woman. Yeah, she can be a little weird, but that's part of what makes her Abby. And you wouldn't want to change one single thing about her. Not if you want Abby as she is now."
"It sounds like I'm not the only one who loves her."
"I think…" Tony sighed and put his hands on his hips. "I think we're all a little bit in love with her." Tony looked down at the floor. "But you know what?" He looked back up at Gibbs. "She chose you. And that makes you one of the luckiest guys in the world."
Both guys looked at each other, letting the words sink in. "Alright, Tony," Gibbs said. "What now?"
"Come on, Boss. You've already got me sounding so cheesy. You really going to make me say it?" Gibbs smirked. "Go get her." Gibbs patted Tony on his shoulder before he headed away. Tony shook his head. "When did I become a supporting actor with the voice of reason in a romantic comedy?"