Rule number 23 ... is Gibbs coffee more important to him than Abby?

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CHAPTER 4 : Rule number 23

Rule number 23: Never mess with a Marine's coffee if you want to live.

Abby left bright and early to arrive at Bethesda Navel Hospital. She wanted to be by Gibbs' side when they removed the respirator. Having that tube removed wasn't going to be pleasant. Gibbs was tough, he could handle it. Her real reason for being by his side -- she wanted to hear his voice, hear his words. She wanted those first words out of his mouth to be … I love you Abby, I have for so long. Something like that, anyway.

They ask her to leave during the procedure and after several long minutes, a nurse came out with a progress report. It would be a little while longer. The Doctor had to examine the patient and go through a series of breathing tests. She would have to wait in the family room.

Abby paces and adds a few jumps in the middle. She rings her hands and gnaws on her thumb nail. The waiting is causing her mind to leap into overdrive. Something's wrong … is something wrong? What's taking so long? Can he breath on his own? Did they have to put it back in?

"Ms. Sciuto, he's asking for you."

Abby jumps out of her skin, her heart begins to race at the mere thought of his first words to her. She practically knocks the nurse down as she heads to his room. She rounds the corner and they lock eyes. He smiles, she smiles … the anticipation. She wants him to say it first … he signed it first.

"Abbs?"

"Yeah Gibbs?" She's wearing her biggest smile.

"Coffee."

"What?"

His voice is Gibbs' but gruff from having the tube down his throat … he repeats himself.

"Coffee … I could really use a coffee."

Abby storms out of his room in search of … coffee.

Coffee? Coffee? Would I ask him for Caf Pow, if that was the first thing I could say to him? Coffee?

She returns with his coffee only to find a nurse in his room taking his vital signs.

"Oh, excuse me ma'am, I was just getting him his coffee."

"Coffee … I don't think so."

Gibbs watched in horror as the nurse from hell … The Army … threw his coffee in the trash. Abby covered her mouth to hide the smile that escaped her thought process and ended up on her face.

He is feeling better, so his voice is a gruff and low growl … he is able to tell the nurse exactly how he feels about what she had done.

"Hey! Don't you know never to mess with a Marine's coffee if you want to live!"

"Who's sick in the hospital, Marine and who has who's life in their hand's?"

"Get me out of here, Abby … that's an order."

Abby signs to Gibbs and storms out once again, running over Tony, Ziva and McGee, on her way out. It was that universal sign that Gibbs used on Tony the day before. They find Gibbs, pouting?

Tony instantly panics knowing the tongue lashing that he's about to receive, but there's silence.

"Boss? Do you want us to get Abby back? Does your throat hurt too much to talk?"

"No Ziva, I'm fine. How's the case?"

"Good. Abby traced DNA back to the Seaman's Mother. She was having an affair with Studebaker. She was in on the killings. He found out, she didn't want to go to jail."

"So she killed her own son?"

"No Boss, she had Studebaker do it. It was the only killing that she didn't take an active roll in."

"Wasn't that nice of her? Good work team."

"Thanks, Boss. Can we get you anything?"

"Yeah, Abby and a Caf Pow."

McGee found Abby outside of the hospital … sitting … stewing. He told her that Gibbs wanted to see her. She nods , decides to let him sweat it out and remains sitting on the bench.

The team remain with Gibbs discussing all of the nuances of the case, why Ducky hadn't come along -- he had the flu and how Tony would need surgery to repair his ankle. Gibbs notices an exchange of glances between Tony and Ziva that he had never noticed before. It made him wonder if anyone ever noticed how he looks at Abby. Abby finally returned … cooled off … somewhat … to find everyone and a Caf Pow. She smiles and sits. With the gang all there, Gibbs spirits seem to lift, but the Army nurse returns and spoils his party. She kicks everybody out for his sponge bath … talk about a buzz kill. Abby promises to return because he signs a plea of insanity from before with an added … I love you, Abbs. She wonders if he's ever going to be able to verbalize it or just use their special language.

After his sponge bath from the very lovely Army nurse, Abby returns with contraband … coffee. She emptied her Caf Pow and prayed his coffee didn't melt the cup. She smiles at the nurse and has a seat by Gibbs' side. When the nurse leaves, she hands Gibbs' the cup.

"I know I shouldn't be doing this, but here … it's coffee."

"Oh, gee thanks Abbs … I love you!"

That's not the 'I love you,' she wanted.

With a heavy sigh … "Sure Gibbs … whatever."

"No, Abbs … I mean … I really do … love you. Not for the coffee, but for you."

That's when she jumped on him … his coffee bit the dust. So much for rule number 23.

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Next up: He's coming home from the hospital ... Thanks for reading : ) Judy ... I know I'm a tease ... but he is still in the hospital!