CLOSE PROXIMITY
Chapter 2 – Holing Up
The dimly lit reception area was already crowded. The first thing they were aware of was raised voices as several people argued with the manager, who was being surly and defensive instead of the welcoming port in the storm many had hoped for.
A piercing whistle broke through the noise and everyone fell silent. Gibbs strode forward to the desk, Abby suppressing a smile with difficulty as he dominated the room with his usual ease.
"What's the problem?"
One of the men leaning on the counter turned to Gibbs, "He expects us to pay more than the full rate when he hasn't even got full power. It's pure exploitation if you ask me and we've all offered to share rooms to make it easier."
Abby could see the moment the manager was on the receiving end of a Gibbs' glare as he both paled and bristled at the same time before protesting, "I can't give it away, y'know. I gotta make a living too. And there's nothing I can do about a power cut... you're lucky to get lighting and some heating from the generator, and even that might not last as the storm arrives."
Before things could get out of hand, Abby pushed to the front and gave the manager a dazzling smile, catching his attention immediately.
Gibbs watched, hiding a grin as Abby negotiated fair rates for everyone with a charm and tact that was far more effective than a glare and threats of physical violence. When she was done, the manager had gone from being uncooperative to eating out of her hand.
Abby stepped back when she was satisfied with the arrangement and left the manager doling out rooms, with people agreeing amongst themselves who they would share with.
Abby noticed a red-headed, attractive woman and two young kids standing off to the side, talking to two men. The woman's body language oozed nervousness. Abby caught her eye and beckoned her over. The woman broke away from the two men and approached them, clutching the hands of her kids.
Abby smiled a greeting, "Hello, we haven't sorted out anyone to share with yet. Why don't you three share with us? We've got sleeping bags so we can take the floor while you three have the bed if you want? It'll keep you out of the way of those guys in case they give you any trouble."
A grateful smile broke out on the woman's face, and she glanced over at Gibbs as he approached, her eyes widening. "I must admit I'd feel a bit safer that way, thank you. Are you sure you don't mind sharing, you and your husband."
"Oh, we..." began Abby.
"Don't mind," Gibbs finished, and Abby looked at him, startled. He indicated the two men the redhead had moved away from with a tilt of his head before asking. "They been givin' ya trouble?"
"A little but it's no big deal, honestly," the woman admitted, shrugging.
Without saying another word, Gibbs moved across to the two men and Abby could see the redhead's eyes follow him as he began talking quietly with the two men.
Although Gibbs didn't have his badge or gun with him, as far as she knew, Abby doubted that would hinder him in being as effortlessly intimidating as he needed to be. Whatever he said seemed to sink in as both men rapidly looked uncomfortable and shifted on their feet, breaking eye contact.
When Gibbs returned, Abby saw the woman smile gratefully at Gibbs, a familiar spark of interest crossing her face... the usual reaction of any red-blooded, never mind red-headed, female to setting eyes on the Marine.
Strike that... any woman with a pulse would react to this man but of course this one had to be a redhead, didn't it?
"I don't know how to thank you for intervening." The redhead's wide smile made her face even more attractive as she tilted her head to gaze up at Gibbs from under her lashes, and Abby resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
Gibbs shrugged, replying quietly, "No need."
"Nevertheless, I'm grateful. They were making me a little nervous."
Abby held out her hand to introduce herself, drawing the woman's attention back to her, "I'm Abby by the way."
"Hello, I'm Anna," she said, smiling and shaking Abby's hand, "and thanks again for offering to share. I'm sorry to barge in on your Christmas Eve together."
"That's okay. This is hardly where we'd all choose to spend Christmas Eve is it, so we might as well make the best of it, if we can." Abby glanced at Gibbs again, curious as to why he was allowing Anna's misconception that they were married to go uncorrected.
"This is John, my son," Anna indicated the young boy of about six who was clinging to her hand, "and my daughter, Emma," and the little girl of about ten smiled up at them, shyly.
Abby said hello to the two children and shook their hands and Gibbs followed suit, his face softening as it always did with kids.
Anna turned to Gibbs expectantly and held out her hand. He hesitated only momentarily before returning her handshake, "Jethro. D'ya need help with your bags?"
Her face lit up, "Yes, please... I'd rather not go out to the car on my own. Abby, would you mind if my kids waited here with you?"
Abby looked at the expression on Anna's face with a familiar sinking feeling. Perhaps she should offer to share with the kids and leave Gibbs to go into his usual redhead routine?
"Of course not. We'll be fine, won't we?" Abby smiled down at John who had already planted himself by Abby's side, looking up at her wide eyed, and she held out her hand for Emma to take.
"D'ya need anything else from the truck, Abbs?" asked Gibbs, sliding an arm round her shoulders.
Abby surveyed the rucksacks and bags they'd brought in so far and shook her head, and got another surprise when he dropped a quick kiss on her temple before heading outside with Anna in tow.
When Gibbs returned carrying the cases from Anna's car, he waited while she collected her kids from Abby and ushered the three of them to their shared room, wanting to make sure the two men didn't give her any more hassle.
Returning to reception to pick up their own bags, it was to see Abby flanked by two young lads standing way too close for his liking and although she was smiling, as Gibbs neared them, what he heard made his fists clench.
"We don't mind sharing with you... you know we could have a good time. Why don't you swap rooms rather than share with that old guy and some kids?"
Before Abby could reply, she felt a presence behind her. If the heat at her back and the hand that curled almost possessively round her waist wasn't a clue that Gibbs was back, the way the lads flinched and stepped back clinched it.
When she turned, it was to see a full blown death glare being sent their way and she shook her head, smiling at him.
"You know I can handle kids like that, Gibbs, don't you, with one hand tied behind my back?" she pointed out, quietly, once the young men had moved off.
The icy blue eyes turned in her direction and his expression softened, "I know, Abbs."
Old guy... was the phrase echoing round his head, wondering if she saw him like that.
"Doesn't mean I don't appreciate the knight in shining armour impersonation though..." She leaned in to whisper, "and you're not old." Abby grinned at his surprised look.
Abby had an uncanny knack of knowing what had gotten to him and he shook his head, ruefully, returning her smile.
Pulling himself out of his maudlin thoughts, Gibbs told her, "Storm's finally arriving but hopefully it'll blow through by the morning. Snow'll be deep though. Have to dig out the parking lot in the morning to get out."
"Then let's get settled in and have some food. I'm starving," smiled Abby, picking up her rucksack.
She noticed that even in the brief trip outside, snow had settled on his hair and face and was now melting...
One of her many weaknesses with this man was how good he looked when he was wet, and she watched fascinated as a water droplet ran down his cheek and down onto his neck, itching to follow its trail with her tongue.
Pull yourself together, Sciuto...
Making their way to the shared room, they all got settled as best they could. Unpacking only what they needed, Abby and Gibbs moved some of the furniture to give them enough space to lay out the sleeping bags at the foot of the bed.
Anna was getting her kids ready for bed, still fully clothed as the room felt cold without the full heating on. Piling coats on top of the bedding, she asked, "Are you sure you're okay down there on the floor? I feel guilty we're taking the bed."
"We'll be fine," Abby assured her.
She had no intention of going anywhere near the motel bed... having removed enough DNA from bedclothes too numerous to mention and seen the sticky results of black lighting, she had no illusions over what bodily fluids were lurking on most motel beds.
"At least you've got sleeping bags that'll zip into a double... that'll be cosier," Anna pointed out.
Gibbs realized with a sense of dismay that she was right.
He'd forgotten that the individual sleeping bags he'd packed could in fact do duty as a double... and having given the impression they were married, it would look very odd now if he suddenly insisted on he and Abby sleeping in separate sleeping bags.
Oh crap... Well, you walked into that one, Marine.
The thought filled him with both anticipation and apprehension.
How was he supposed to keep himself under control snuggled in a sleeping bag next to Abby? He didn't know whether to be grateful or disappointed that they were sharing a room with Anna and her kids... and that they effectively had an audience so he'd have to keep himself in check.
When Gibbs looked up, it was to see the subject of his thoughts struggling to hold back her laughter. She'd read his mind with ease and he smiled ruefully at her.
Abby shook her head, smiling as she signed to him it's okay. Don't mind.
They zipped the bags together and Abby folded her jacket to act as a pillow, although there was a far more tempting pillow in the form of broad shoulders and solid chest within reach... but she was trying not to think of that for now.
Trying to control herself when she was within grabbing distance of everything she wanted wasn't likely to result in a restful night's sleep.
Once Anna's children were comfortable in bed, they soon fell asleep, the events of the day wearing them both out and Anna nipped into the bathroom for a quick wash... enough hot water for a shower being the other casualty of the power cut, but some warm water was still possible at the moment.
As soon as the door closed behind her, Abby turned to Gibbs and asked him, curiously "Why didn't you correct her when she thought we were... y'know?"
Gibbs shrugged, glancing at the bathroom door, "Easier this way."
He wasn't sure what had come over him when he hadn't corrected Anna's assumption about he and Abby being a married couple. He told himself that it was merely convenient and nothing to do with the way it made him feel to think of Abby as his.
He hesitated as a thought struck him, "D'ya mind?"
Abby shook her head, giving him a surprisingly shy smile, and he breathed a sigh of relief as she told him, "No, don't mind at all, really."
Gibbs thought it would also make it easier to fend off Anna's obvious interest if she thought he was already taken. It was an interest Gibbs didn't share and he had no wish to return her flirtation. There was only one woman he was interested in right now and she was currently looking at him with twinkling green eyes.
Abby's smile turned mischievous as she whispered, "And don't worry, I'll defend you in the night if she jumps you."
He rolled his eyes and chuckled, "Good to know."
"Although, are you sure you don't want me and the kids to find another room? So you can go into your tried and tested redhead routine?" She chuckled at the glare she got in return.
Abby was flattered and slightly amazed that Gibbs would use this excuse but she wasn't about to refuse a night spent in the same sleeping bag.
Digging into the rucksacks, Abby handed him some of the sandwiches they'd brought with them and they shared another thermos of hot soup. Gibbs braved the coffee maker to make them both a mug... even the crappy coffee in a motel was better than no caffeine at all.
Gibbs shed his jacket and boots but kept the rest of his clothes on as he slipped into the sleeping bag. With minimal heating, when the storm arrived and the wind increased, it would only get colder.
Fortunately, the sleeping bags were winter weight... that plus shared bodily warmth should keep them both cosy enough to sleep. If only he could get his mind off who was providing that shared bodily warmth in the first place, he might actually be able to fall sleep.
Lying down, he looked up at Abby and couldn't resist asking, "Aren't you gonna say it?"
She gave him a puzzled glance as she slipped her legs into the bag, still eating a sandwich, "Say what?"
He watched her carefully, "Thought you'd say I told ya so."
Abby shrugged, cocking her head to one side in a familiar gesture, "And would it help if I said that? Besides, you couldn't have predicted the accident. If it hadn't been for that, we would have made it to Jackson before the storm hit. So... it's fine, really. And it wouldn't change anything, would it, if I did say I told you so?"
"No, guess not," he grudgingly admitted, looking away.
"Well, then..." she insisted, puzzled why Gibbs was trying to get her to be critical of him.
"Don't think that would have stopped any of my ex-wives saying it," he admitted.
Ah... so that was it.
"Well, I'm not them, Gibbs... don't compare me with them." She couldn't keep the touch of annoyance out of her voice.
Abby loosened her pigtails and scraped her hands through her hair, easing the tension on her scalp. He watched the dark locks tumble around her shoulders and his hands itched with the urge to bury his fingers in her tresses. He loved seeing her thick hair down like this.
Abby shivered. The room was cold and she settled into her side of the bag, rolling onto her side to face him.
"Meant it as a compliment," he told her softly, eyes roaming over her face.
And he did.
Abby always surprised him. She never reacted in the 'traditional' female way he'd come to expect after experiencing the bitterness that comes with ending up with three ex-wives. Not that she wasn't unpredictable... she was, but in the best possible way.
"I know you did," Abby loved the warmly affectionate gaze he was sending her way, his blue eyes gentle. "But I'm me, Gibbs."
"Oh yeah, I know," his voice was tender as he stroked her cheek. "A one off." He paused before continuing, "C'mere."
He tugged her towards him and she curled into his side willingly, pillowing her head on his shoulder and tentatively rested a hand on his chest, curling her fingers into his sweatshirt. His arm tightened around her and she tried to relax, more than distracted by his close proximity, but feeling her tiredness creeping up on her again.
Gibbs had always been physically affectionate with her but seemed even more so on this trip, as if being out of DC and their work environment was allowing him to relax more.
Whatever the reason for it, she wasn't about to protest.
After a while, listening to his regular breathing and the steady, comforting thud of his heartbeat, Abby felt moved to tell him, "Besides, I think your ex-wives were idiots."
"Why?" he chuckled, his voice a low rumble that she felt as well as heard. "For marrying me in the first place?"
"For letting you go," she said, quietly after a pause.
He held his breath before admitting, "I'm not easy to live with, Abbs."
She raised her head to look at him, green eyes shining, "I know that, but it takes two to screw up and two to make things work too."
The atmosphere was suddenly intimate and charged but before either of them could speak or move, the bathroom door opened signalling Anna's return, breaking the moment.
"Oops, sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt. I'll be out of your way soon... don't mind me."
Anna slipped into bed beside her sleeping kids and they both shifted towards her and cuddled up.
Abby struggled upright again, reluctantly pulling away from his warmth but needing some distance to compose herself, "I'll just go and wash my make-up off... panda eyes are not a good look for Christmas morning, trust me, Gibbs."
When she returned and slipped back into the sleeping bag, Gibbs appeared to be asleep and Abby tried to relax enough to do likewise, her mind whirling with their conversation and the emotion she thought she'd read in his eyes.
She was acutely conscious of him lying beside her, the heat from his body seeping into hers and very aware of his deep and steady breathing. With his ability to sleep anywhere at any time, Gibbs had presumably drifted off rapidly, leaving Abby almost over tired and unable to settle easily to sleep, much as she needed it.
She waited till she was sure Anna was asleep before turning on her side again.
By the light of the nightlights Anna had switched on for the kids, Abby watched his face in repose, enjoying this chance to look at his features close up, without him being aware of it... her eyes roaming over every line of this face she loved... the distinctive nose, wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, firm jawline and strong neck that really needed to be nibbled, and silver hair that she wanted to run her fingers through to find out how soft it was.
God, he was gorgeous.
"If you were mine, I wouldn't let you go," Abby murmured, confident that Gibbs was asleep and hadn't heard her remark.
But he had.
TBC...