Abby reveals another rule and a visit from McGee

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CHAPTER SIX : A spare what?

Abby's Rule 9 : Always Keep a Spare

While Gibbs was taking a shower, Abby went through his kitchen with a fine tooth comb. Does he ever eat here? Bourbon, coffee beans and more bourbon. It's a wonder he doesn't have a hole in his gut the size of the Grand Canyon. She begins to make a grocery list.

Eggs, milk, bread, butter … the staples. Fresh vegetables, meats … he is a meat eater … carnivore if I ever saw one. Fruit … hmm, whip cream.

"Abbs?"

"Yeah Gibbs. In the kitchen."

"What are you doing?"

"Making a grocery list. You don't have any food. I'm going to go out. Do you promise to behave yourself while I'm gone?"

"If you're not here, I guess I'm behaving, Abbs."

He playfully puts his arms around her and starts to unbutton her blouse.

"Gibbs! Stop! I mean it. I want to go out while you're feeling good and looking good."

Damn, he does look good.

"Okay. Could you have McGee stop by. I would like to talk with him alone."

"Anything wrong?"

"No, nothing. I just want to talk to him without DiNozzo around, that's all."

Before Abby left, she put a padlock on the basement door. She didn't want him to go downstairs and work on his boat.

"Where did you get that lock Abbs?"

"Rule number nine … always keep a spare."

"No, rule number nine is, always carry a knife."

"My rule number nine is always keep a spare."

"A spare padlock?"

"A spare … whatever."

Gibbs smiles and shakes his head. He kisses her cheek and watches her leave his driveway in her Hurst.

OOooOOooOO

Abby delivers the message to McGee and he stops by to see Gibbs … alone.

"Hey Boss, you wanted to see me?"

"Yeah, Tim. Come on in and sit."

Immediately, McGee is nervous. Gibbs called him Tim.

"What did I do, Boss?"

"You saved my life, Tim. I'm grateful. I wanted to say thank you in person. I didn't get a chance to talk to you in the hospital. I wanted to thank you for saving my life and I also wanted to tell you that you did a good job on this case. You know … or I hope you know, I think your computer skills are amazing. You have turned out to be a top notch Special Agent, McGee. I'm proud of you."

McGee is overwhelmed with emotion. All he ever wanted was respect. Respect from Gibbs, Tony … the whole team. He was getting what he wanted and didn't know how to respond.

"Ah, ah, thank you Sir … sorry … Boss. This means so much coming from you."

"Why do I have the feeling it would mean even more coming from DiNozzo?"

"No, that's not true Boss."

"Ya know, he's just messing with you. Mike did the same thing to me … he still does … every God damn chance he gets. …still calls me probie too."

McGee smiles and laughs. He thinks about Gibbs good mood. It must be Abby's influence.

"What's taking Abby so long, Boss? She asked me to stay and keep you company. I don't mind but you know Tony. He takes this Boss thing way too seriously when it comes to me. With his ankle the way it is … he's like … like …'

"Me without my coffee?"

"Worse."

"Since you're still here … you want to help me pick a lock?"

OOooOOooOO

"A flat … again? I really need to keep a spare. Now Gibbs will never take my rules seriously!

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Sorry, bit of a short update. This conversation was on my mind. Wanted to get it down before it flew right out! TGIF! Thanks for reading, Judy