"I'm here to pick up a special order under the name of Thom E. Gemcity." Mcgee said to the cashier.
"Oh yes, that just got in. Let me get it for you." The cashier said to him. Mcgee started walking around the store looking at It's merchandise and was caught off guard when he heard a voice right behind him.
"So, probie's finally upgrading watches?" He instantly recognized the voice to belong to none other than Tony DiNozzo.
"As a matter of fact, I'm not." He said hastily before turning away from his co-worker.
"Well then, why are you in here?" Tony questioned obviously confused. Just then the cashier emerged from the back.
"Mr. Gemcity?" He asked in Tim's direction. "Silver, black diamond, two rubies, correct?"
"Uh yeah…" He said quietly and snapped the box shut.
"MCGROOM!" Tony screamed across the store.
"Shut up!" he replied as he tried to make his way past him and out of the store. When he was unsuccessful he sighed. "Tony what do you want?"
"Your pin number…" Tony started in a very Abby answer.
"Tony, you can't tell anyone!" Mcgee stated as he stared right at him.
"What will you do about it!" He asked scoffing.
"Tony." He started growling under his breath. "You've already messed our relationship up enough. Would you just stay out of this?" That was all it took for Tony to retreat and allow Mcgee to leave.
He continued to walk through the mall. It was a Saturday and the team wasn't working on a case, meaning he had the whole day to himself. Abby had gone to a forensics conference in Albuquerque and would be home that night, but in the meantime he was preparing for something he'd been planning for the past several months.
Finding out Abby actually did love him had put the thought into his mind, but almost loosing her, that shoved and pushed the idea into his mind. He was going to ask Abby to marry him. He'd been planning it since January, it was now March. March 26th to be exact. The day before Abby's birthday.
Secretly Mcgee had arranged for everyone to go out to dinner with them at Abby's favorite restaurant, China Eve. There not only would it be a birthday party for her, he was going to propose. He had special ordered a ring, it was silver metal, which wrapped around a black diamond and two red rubies. Not only was it extremely elegant, it was very Abby.
Abby was still living at Mcgee's apartment and had slowly been re-acquiring things she needed. She was very insistent upon the point that she would move out soon, which caused him to chuckle, because if everything went according to plan tomorrow, that wouldn't be necessary.
It was when he heard Ziva's voice that he snapped back to realization. "MCGEE WATCH OUT!" She cried from across the food court as he almost ran into a pretzel cart. She jogged over to him. "Mcgee what got into you?" She asked as she bent over to pick up the white bag he'd dropped. She realized she was holding an empty bag and looked to the floor to see what it's contents had been and she saw the ring box. "Mcgee?" She asked expectantly.
"How? What did you guys plan this or something?" He exclaimed at her.
"What are you talking about?" She asked handing the box to him.
"Tony, and you… next Palmer will…"
"Hey guys!" greeted Palmer.
"WHAT?" He nearly screamed as Tony caught up with them.
"Office party?" Tony asked jokingly, then he noticed the ring box. "So you guys know too?"
"Know what?" Jimmy asked not aware of what had happened.
"That Mcgee's going to plop the question to Abby." Ziva said excitedly.
"Pop… Ziva… Not Plop…" Tony said putting his face in his hands.
"Noted." She said quickly. "Now let's see it!"
"See what?" Mcgee asked.
"The ring of course!" She said as if it should be obvious.
"Wait… What's he going to ask Abby?" Jimmy asked confused.
"I question the IQ of someone who has to ask that." Tony stated alarmed.
"Come on Mcgee!" Ziva was a bit too excited as she accidentally hit Jimmy's glasses of his face.
"NO!" He nearly screamed. Just then Gibbs and Ducky walked up.
"Timothy?" Ducky questioned the younger agent who was on the verge of throwing whatever was in his hand.
"What?" He growled. Ducky slowly made his way over to him and took the object out of his hand and was surprised to find a black velvet box.
"Would someone mind explaining what's going on here?" Gibbs said over the noise of the arguments that were starting.
"Maybe we should take this out of the main area…" Ducky said and the group agreed by following Gibbs and Ducky to by the vending machines, where they continued the conversation.
"So what is going on?" Ducky asked calmly and the three agents plus Palmer started talking at once.
"I just want the box back so I can leave."
"Tony thinks I'm stupid."
"Palmer is complete idiot."
"Why exactly are we all here?"
"HEY!" Came from Gibbs in an attempt to quiet everything down. It seemed to work, even the vending machine maintenance man was at a loss for words as he avoided Gibbs' glance. "Mcgee, since this seems to be centered around you, why don't you explain." He suggested.
"I'd rather just leave…" He muttered before starting into his explanation. "I really don't have all that much to do with it, all I need is that box back, then I can go." He said rather quietly.
"Come on! Just tell them." Tony cried. "Fine I will. Mcgee's gonna ask Abby to marry him." He said simply.
"Ooooooh!" Escaped from Palmer's lips with a tone of realization.
Gibbs had to try hard to keep the shock from showing on his face as he let this news sink in. He was going to ask Abby, Abby… To marry him…
"Well that's wonderful news!" Ducky said giving Mcgee a pat on the back and handing him the box.
"It was, until everyone but her knew about it!" He exclaimed obviously angered as he stormed off to the parking lot.
"Oh dear." Ducky said as he followed him out to try and comfort him. Gibbs turned to stare at what was left of his team.
"Might I ask exactly why all of you are harassing Mcgee?" He asked with a stern glare as he clutched his coffee cup.
"Sorry Gibbs." Ziva said noting the sensitivity of the subject. Which immediately triggered a similar response from Jimmy. Tony however was less willing to apologize. After Gibbs dismissed Ziva and Palmer, he had a conversation with Tony.
"You really think you have any business messing with this?" Gibbs asked obviously angry.
"No boss." He said knowing what was coming.
"You stay out of this Tony! Do you understand me?" Tony nodded in response. "I do not want you anywhere that both Abby and Mcgee are until you know for a fact that you can no longer interfere with this part of their lives."
"Wait… Abby's birthday party tomorrow!" He exclaimed thinking of how hurt Abby would be if he weren't there.
"I don't want you there DiNozzo, and I don't think Mcgee does either." He said sternly.
"Gibbs!" He started to protest.
"NO!"
"Fine." Tony said as he sulked away.
It was ten o'clock at night when Abby got home from her conference. Mcgee opened the door as soon as he heard her key in the lock.
"Abby!" He greeted and kissed her.
"Hi Tim." She said obviously worn out from the trip. Mcgee picked up her suitcase and carried it to her room.
"Get some sleep Abs, we're going out with everyone tomorrow night for your birthday." She smiled in response. She hadn't seen the team since she left on Wednesday and she was looking forward to it.
"Okay Timmy. Night." She said her eyes shining brightly.
"Goodnight Abs." He said as he kissed her good night.
The next morning Abby awoke to the smell of blueberry pancakes. She lazily made her way to the bathroom between her and Mcgee's bedrooms. After taking a shower she changed into a pair of black jeans and a tight fitting red tee shirt sporting the logo of her favorite band, Brain Matter. She opened the door to the bathroom and was greeted by more than just the aroma of her breakfast. She was also greeted by Tim holding a bouquet of red and black roses.
"Awww. Tim they're beautiful." She said as she accepted them.
"Not compared to you." He replied with a smile as he planted a kiss on her lips, which she accepted with grace.
"Timothy Mcgee, I love you." She said as she caught her breath. They held hands as they made their way to the kitchen. Abby smiled as she sat down at the table which not only had blueberry pancakes, it also had a cup of hot chocolate topped with plenty of whipped cream. "You know me too well." She said with a smile.
"Is that a bad thing?" He asked from the coffee pot where he was acquiring his morning drink of choice.
"Of course not Timmy!" She exclaimed through a mouth full of pancakes. She swallowed and started talking again. "So, what are we doing today?" She asked as she cut up another part of her pancakes.
"Well until six we have the whole day to do whatever you want." He said then went on. "But at six the team is meeting at China Eve to celebrate." The grin across Abby's face was worth everything to him, and he loved it.
"I was thinking we could go shopping actually. I need a dress if we're going to China Eve and I honestly don't have one." She said avoiding eye contact. The losses from the fire, were still a sensitive issue with Abby. He put an arm around her shoulders to comfort her.
"I think that's an excellent idea." He said with as much enthusiasm as he could muster. "We'll head to Frankie's as soon as you're done eating." He said recalling her favorite dress store.
Abby finished her breakfast and finished getting ready to go. "Okay Tim." She said but was interrupted by his lips crushing hers. "Tim...?" She questioned.
"Sorry… you're just so…I dunno… I love you Abs." He said uncomfortably.
"Well I love you too!" she said as she hugged him. "Let's get going, it's nearly noon!"
It was four hours later that Abby was finally satisfied with her shopping trip. Tim, after spending the entire time sitting in a hard plastic chair by the cash register, had no idea what she had bought. "You ready?" He asked as she emerged with a dress in a plastic bag and a shoe box.
"Yup, just need to pay…" She started but he cut her off.
"No. I'll pay, I insist." He said thinking she would find that quite silly in a couple of hours.
Abby stood back and allowed Mcgee to pay without too much protest, but she decided to sulk her way home. Her mind was changed in an instant when his lips brushed across hers on the way to the car.
When they arrived at Mcgee's apartment both went to their respective rooms to chance. It was only a matter of minutes before Mcgee was waiting in the kitchen wearing a pair of black slacks and a light green shirt, one that Abby had always loved. It was another hour before Abby emerged from her room, and Tim couldn't help but gasp.
He couldn't help but stare as his eyes traveled up and down her body. Her hair, wasn't pulled up as it usually was, instead it was in ringlets held back by a simple silver band. Her shoulders were bare exposing her healthy pale skin. He followed the skin until he reached the dress, which was a stunning shade of red. The dress flowed perfectly with her body showing of every perfect curve. The top of the dress was simple, it was ever so slightly scrunched as it flowed into the mid section of the dress. The mid section appeared to wrap around her torso in two directions providing a simple, yet elegant feel. However the skirt of the dress was what had Tim still staring. The skirt started in different places around the torso, in the front, just above the bellybutton, in the back at the base of her spine. The skirt almost appeared pleated, but it wasn't quite as it flowed just a bit too much. The skirt ended just below the knees leaving the skin beneath it uncovered, unless you count the simple black pumps that were on her feet.
Out of all the things running through Mcgee's mind only one of them would escape his lips. "Wow." He said very softly.
"You like it?" Abby asked shyly, for some reason appearing extremely self conscious.
"Yes Abby! I love it! What's wrong though…?" He asked unable to note the obvious self consciousness emanating from her.
"It's nothing Mcgee." She said mumbling.
"It's not nothing if it's making you this upset!" He said simply.
"Well… I sort of have…I… There's…" She was trying to figure out how to word something that was obviously something she hadn't talked about before.
"Abby, what is it?" He asked quietly to comfort her.
"You remember Michael Mauer right?" Abby said sullenly.
"Abby, I swear he was supposed to be in prison for the rest of his…" Mcgee started ranting as he headed to phone someone, who she assumed to be Gibbs.
"MCGEE!" She called. "Calm down! It's not that, it's actually really silly…"
"Abby." He said in his way that meant he wanted an answer but he wouldn't force it out of her.
"The last time I had a sleeveless dress, or that I wore one anyway, was on the night I broke up with him. And it… it makes me think of that… which… this sounds stupid… but for some reason, I feel like you'll break up with me." She finished softly and he enveloped her in a hug thinking of the irony. He didn't want to break up with her, in fact he wanted to do just the opposite, he wanted to marry her, she of course didn't know this yet. So all he could do was attempt to persuade her otherwise.
"Abby. I would never… never hurt you like that." He said as he held her closer.
"But someday Tim… you might…" She said as she buried her head into his chest and broke into sobs. He was trying hard to refrain from laughing, somehow he succeeded.
"Abby. I'll promise you that I'll prove that I have no intentions to hurt you. Until then you'll just have to trust me." It was just then that he noticed the time on the wall 5:50. "Abby! We have to be there in Ten minutes, and no offense… but your makeup… it's seen better days." He said noting the smeared eye makeup.
"Crap! Okay, Mcgee you go tell everyone I'm on my way, I'll meet you guys there." She said as she headed to the bathroom as quickly as she could in her heels. Mcgee made his way out to his Porsche and climbed in.
He was five minutes late when he finally arrived at China Eve, he found all of the team waiting there, well all the team except Tony, but he was sure he was coming.
"Sorry guys! Abby's on her way." He said explaining her absence. He walked up to the podium and said. "Sciuto for seven." He said and she responded with a cheerful: right this way and led them to a round table near the front doors.
It was twenty minutes later when Abby finally entered the restraunt, still unnoticed by the team. She was feeling rather low on caffeine and decided to grab a quick can of Caf-Pow from the vending machines in the waiting area. She squeezed past a maintenance worker and placed in fifty cents and moments later was subtlety drinking it against the wall, attempting to remain unnoticed until she finished. She was surprised when the worker started talking to her.
"You a part of that group?" He asked noting that she was staring at the table where her team was seated.
"Uh yeah… I was just… getting a bit of caffeine in before I sat down." She said with a smile.
"Well I heard that the one sitting next to the young man with the round glasses…"
"Tim?"
"Sure… I heard he's gonna pop the question to his girl tonight." He said with a grin. "I bet it's her right over there." He said pointing to Ziva, who was currently laughing at something Mcgee had said.
It took all the strength Abby could come up with to not fall over, none the less not laugh at the poor man, just trying to share some good old fashioned scuttlebutt. "Thanks." She said quietly as she disposed of her soda and made her way to the table in a daze.
"Happy Birthday Abby!" Could be heard from everyone at the table. Each in turn gave her a hug until she was seated down next to Mcgee. He reached for her hand but she immediately pulled it away, not thinking. She looked around the table and noticed an empty chair.
"Tony!" She exclaimed, realizing her best friend was missing.
"He's uh… Not coming…" Gibbs said not looking at Abby's face."
"Oh." She said sullenly, but she couldn't keep that mood for long as the appetizers made their way to the table.
Abby wasn't really eating, just picking at her food and pretending to eat it. In truth the butterflies in the pit of her stomach were preventing her from thinking of anything but Tim and his supposed proposal.
They had just finished the appetizers and were waiting for the main course when Tim thought it was the perfect time. He tapped his spoon to his glass which caused everyone at the table to hush immediately as they all knew what would be coming.
"I propose," He started and Abby's stomach flipped just from hearing the word. "That each of us make a toast to Abby. Jimmy would you like to start?" He asked hoping everyone would catch on he wished to be last. And they all did.
"Abby, you're an amazing scientist and… well… an awesome person in general." Jimmy said, obviously not having large amounts of experience with toasting to people.
Gibbs was next. "Abby, you've been like a daughter to me and I know times are hard. But I know, that you are strong enough to handle it all." He said with a smile. She forced a smile back which somehow triggered the butterflies to go wild.
Then Ziva. "Abby, I've known you for much less time than the rest of the team, but you seem like a sister to me. Always willing to help, no matter what. For that I am eternally grateful." Abby really did smile at that, at first her and Ziva hadn't really gotten along, but now, now they were nearly inseparable.
Ducky was the last before Mcgee. "Abigail, you are simply young. Young and wonderful, you know how to live life, and I wish for you to find nothing but happiness throughout the rest of it." Abby smiled but immediately her face went as pale as a sheet when Mcgee started to talk. Each person around the table staring at him with an expectant gaze.
"Abby, you are simply amazing, however, I don't want to spend one more birthday with you as a friend." He said almost harshly. Abby felt tears well up, this was not what she had expected at all, in fact hadn't he just promised her he would never hurt her again, and there he went. She immediately flipped back her focus to him with anger in her eyes. "Abby, I want to spend it with my wife." He said as he knelt down on the ground and pulled out the black box. "Abby, will you marry me?" He asked with almost pleading eyes.
It took Abby a moment before she got over the shock, even though she knew it was coming. She opened up the box slowly as words escaped from her mouth. Words no one heard.
"Abigail dear, speak up." Ducky said feeling no one else would. Tim sent a silent thank you in his direction.
"Yes Tim!" She gasped through her tears, which were not tears of sorrow, oh no they were tears of joy. He stood up and kissed her. It was not something he had done in front of the whole team before, but now he felt oddly comfortable with it. Abby had blushed for a moment, but then realized, Who cared what they thought, she was getting married! She had the right to kiss him!
Each person at the table took a turn to hug Abby, but the person who stood out the most was Gibbs who whispered into her ear: Now if he ever, ever does something wrong… She had already started giggling. "I know Gibbs. I know."
Author's Note: Now maybe it's just me but this chapter was downright hilarious. A few random notes. The dress was indeed based on a real dress. If you want to see a picture of it Message me. The next chapter should be an interesting one, however I want ideas from you! I want your help to write the story. And remember: Please review!