I Know You Can Feel This Too

A/N: Just a short chapter next coz I'm evil that way, and I wanted to get a Gibbs/Ducky conversation in there too...

Chapter 15 – Plucking up Courage

Leaning against the bar, nursing a bourbon but unable to take his eyes off the dance floor, it had taken a while for Gibbs to even hear what Ducky was saying. The ME had seen the interplay at the table with Fornell and Abby and he could still feel the tension radiating off the Marine.

"You've only yourself to blame, Jethro," he pointed out, mildly, sipping his own whisky.

The scowl Gibbs sent in his direction didn't daunt Ducky in the slightest. The Scotsman was tired of seeing his two friends miserable.

"Glare at me all you like but you know I'm right. If you leave it any longer, Jethro, you'll lose her. The decision's yours. Although after upsetting our Abigail yesterday, I'm surprised she'll even speak to you," Ducky stated, firmly.

He remembered all too vividly the aftermath of Gibbs' visit and how distressed Abby had been.

"I know, Duck, you don't have to tell me." Gibbs finally admitted, with a heavy sigh as he took another swig from his glass. "She didn't deserve any of it."

"No, she didn't. Whatever's happening between Abby and Fornell, and between you and your lawyer..." Ducky had rarely seen Abby look as upset as he'd seen her yesterday and was still angry with Gibbs that he'd lashed out at her in such a way.

Gibbs interrupted, annoyed. "She's not my lawyer."

"Well, however you're describing Ms Hart," responded Ducky, irritated, "it would help if Abby knew that, but knowing you, I'd bet you haven't made that clear, have you?"

When Gibbs didn't answer, Ducky sighed and turned away from the bar. There was no use pushing Gibbs when he was in this mood, he would just clam up. "Just think about it, Jethro. Personally, I'm going to find our lovely Ziva and take her for another spin round the floor."

Gibbs was barely conscious of Ducky leaving, his gaze riveted on Abby in Fornell's arms. She was smiling at Tobias, looking relaxed, and being spun round gracefully as the couple moved around the floor.

Jealousy was like a lead weight in his stomach, making the bourbon taste sour and he clenched his hand around the glass.

Seeing Abby when he'd arrived had taken his breath away.

The black dress contrasted with her flawless alabaster skin and her statuesque figure was emphasized by the floor length dress, her curves drawing the eye. He'd seen with a jolt of masculine satisfaction that she was wearing his most recent birthday present. The elegant black choker looked so perfect on her beautiful neck, the green of the emerald matching her eyes perfectly. He wanted nothing more than to run his fingers over it and the warm skin underneath and down to the glimpse of cleavage below.

But like a tongue tied teenager, he'd not even been able to summon up the words to tell her how lovely she looked tonight.

He couldn't find his voice or move through the jealousy which had risen up to grip him, or even to ask her to dance, to take her in his arms and hold her close. He'd watched in helpless envy as she accepted Fornell's invitation to dance.

He wanted above all to finish their conversation from this morning. Had he done enough to convince Abby of his feelings?

TBC