I Know You Can Feel This Too

A/N: Thanks so much for all the comments... really appreciate and enjoy every single one, and I agree, I could head slap Gibbs sometimes... on we go!

Chapter 7 – Royally Screwed Up

Gibbs sat at his desk trying to read a report and not taking in a word of it.

He felt sick to his stomach at the unnecessarily heartless things he'd said to Abby. He wasn't sure why he was taking out his bad temper on her. He'd sworn to himself that he'd always protect her and never hurt her, and now she was crying because of him.

And worst of all, he'd attacked her professionalism and that was neither fair nor true, and he knew it. Abby wasn't anything other than professional in everything she did and she worked harder than any of them.

This time he'd really screwed up.

Not even Abby's forgiving nature would let this one go... and why should she? He hated himself for the hurt that had flashed across her face and the tears he'd caused. This one wasn't going to be easily fixed with a Caf!Pow and a hug.

He'd messed up every other relationship he'd had and now he'd done the same with the best thing in his life... damaged the best friendship, the best relationship he had.

Relationship?

When did he start thinking of what he had with Abby as a relationship?

And all because he was annoyed at Abby's relationship with Fornell... whatever that might be. It was typical timing that the subject of his thoughts would choose that moment to enter the bullpen and judging by the look on his face, Fornell was royally pissed.

Tobias marched straight up to his desk and ground out, "Your office, Gibbs, now."

Not liking being ordered about in his own building, Gibbs nevertheless followed Fornell into the elevator; at least he'd have a more deserving target for his anger.

His agents watched them go with some apprehension.

"Do you think we should alert Ducky he's gonna have a body soon?"

"Yeah, but which one, Tony?"

"Oh, come on, Probie," scoffed Tony. "Gibbs'll tear Fornell apart."

"Normally I'd say yes, but Fornell looked pretty pissed to me just now," McGee pointed out.

"Yeah, he did, didn't he? Perhaps he's defending our Abby?" Tony sounded thoughtful.

McGee frowned. "What do you mean by that, Tony?"

"Oh, come on, McGoo," said Tony, amazed. "Even you can't have been blind to the reason for Gibbs being even more of a grizzly bear this week than normal?"

When McGee continued to look baffled, Ziva rolled her eyes and pointed out, "Ever since Fornell began taking Abby out regularly, Gibbs has been acting..." She paused, searching for the right word.

"Hinky? Cranky? Well, crankier than normal," suggested Tony.

Ziva nodded, reluctantly conceding his point. "Yes, Tony, cranky or hinky would cover it."

They all turned their attention back to the elevator as muffled shouting and thuds drifted up to their ears, before Ziva turned away, "I am going to see if Abby is okay."

"Ziva…" Tony's voice stopped her and she turned back to her partner, seeing the concern on his face.

"I will let you know if she is alright and if she is ready for more visitors," she promised him.

"Thanks, Ziva," he said, quietly.

Ziva smiled at him. Tony may act the fool but he was a perceptive, caring person underneath that mask and especially so where Abby was concerned. "And if either Fornell or Gibbs have upset her, I shall have to remind them both how many ways I can kill them with just a paperclip."

They both watched her go before Tony turned back to McGee. "Well, I wouldn't argue with her, Probie."

TBC

A/N: Sooo, next one is what's going on in that elevator...