Slow Burn

Chapter 11 – Balls of Fire

"I went for it."

Startled, Abby jumped as Tony's voice sounded right by her ear. She spun round, her hand pressed to her chest. "Tony! Jeez, you nearly gave me a heart attack. You been taking sneaky sniper lessons from Gibbs or something? Wait… you went for it?"

Tony nodded, smiling as Abby's eyes widened. He winced as she squealed, grabbing his arms. "Oh. My. God! That is awesome, Tony. And how did going for it… go?" She peered at him closely, holding up her hand. "Wait… don't tell me. I can see by your face."

Before Tony could say a word, Abby launched herself at him and he grunted as he staggered back under the force of her hug. "Whoa, Abby… and keep your voice down, will ya?"

"Oh yeah… sorry." She grabbed his hand and dragged him into her office, grabbing her remote control to close the door and shutting off her music. She spun around, hands on hips. "Okay, Tony… speak!"

"Thought you could see it all from my face?" Tony teased with a grin, settling one hip on the edge of Abby's desk.

"I did… and I can, but don't try and tease me with this, Tony." She started to pace, waving her hands. "This is way too important for that. When did you go for it? Was it last night? How did you go for it? What did he say? He didn't turn you down, did he? Well, no, I guess he didn't, judging by that smug look on your face. Is it gonna be okay? Please tell me it's gonna be okay? What are you gonna do now? Speak Tony! I need more details… and are there pictures?"

Tony burst out laughing as Abby came to a stop in front of him, practically vibrating out of her skin. "No, there aren't any pictures. Just slow down, will ya, and maybe let me get a word in? Yeah, I went for it last night and we talked… I mean my functional mute really talked to me."

Abby grinned, bouncing on her toes. "That's awesome."

"Took me by surprise a bit… but it was good, Abbs. He really listened… let me talk, and I know for Gibbs any kinda talking is huge."

"Gibbs rocks as a good listener. Oh my God, Tony, this is so exciting." Abby launched herself at him again, hugging him tightly. "I told you it'd be okay, didn't I?"

Tony smiled at her enthusiasm as he held her. "Yeah, you did, Abbs… and boy, am I glad you were right."

When she pulled back, Abby rested her hands on his shoulders. "So he does return your feelings, right?"

Tony shrugged. "Well, I wouldn't go that far but he didn't run away or blow me off… He thinks there might be… something."

"Well, of course there's something."

Tony shook his head, a fond smile breaking out at her certainty. "And we're gonna see if we can work it out. Gotta take it a step at a time."

"Of course you're gonna work it out. You two are gonna be so awesome together, I can just feel it. I mean, you've really been dating for years anyway, even if you didn't know it… and without the sex."

Abby gazed off into space and Tony could easily guess at the images running through her head because he'd had the same ones flashing through his head pretty much since last night.

Her grin widened. "And that's gonna be totally awesome too."

"Abby…" Tony interrupted hurriedly before she could start on about orgasmic waves again.

"Oh, Tony, you totally rock! I'm so proud of you!" Abby grinned, waving her arms.

Tony stood and grabbed her shoulders. "Abby… calm down. You gotta remember it may not work. Neither of us are poster boys for long term relationships, are we?"

"No…" Abby deflated momentarily but he could see the wheels turning and her face soon lit up again. "Well, you were just waiting for Gibbs, that's so obvious now… and you don't know but he's been waiting for you too, Tony, even if he hasn't realized it… until now."

"Abby…" he tried to halt the flow before she could get going again.

One of them had to keep their feet on the ground, even if her joyful enthusiasm was infectious.

"Sorry… okay… shutting up now." She zipped her mouth up, her eyes still smiling.

Tony rolled his eyes. "That'll be the day." He ran his hand over his hair, moving away to start pacing his own circuit of her office. "I don't know how it's gonna work out, Abbs… or even if it's gonna work out and I gotta tell ya, I was pretty scared last night. Really thought I was gonna screw up."

Tony turned and saw Abby tilt her head, looking at him expectantly. "Okay, okay, speak."

She unzipped her mouth. "But you didn't, right?"

"Well, he didn't stiffen up on me."

An eyebrow raised, a gleam in her eyes. "Well… not yet but very soon."

Tony laughed. "I'll rephrase that. And you… behave. Your mind lives in the gutter."

"You say that like it's a bad thing, Tony. Okay… okay…" Abby drew a hand down her face as if smoothing out her expression but it was given away by the twinkle in her eyes. "I'll behave. So, what are you gonna do to work it out? Just to keep my fantasy life fed and watered."

Tony grinned, shaking his head. "You don't need my help for that one, Abbs." Tony shrugged. "We're gonna just spend more time together."

"There you go then… dating," Abby stated as if it was obvious.

"Yeah… dating. Sounds simple, huh?" Tony moved to sit back on the edge of her desk, running his hands over his face. "And sounds so damn good too… but I don't wanna scare him off by coming on too strong."

"You won't, Tony. Time to bring out the charm."

Tony shook his head. "No. Gibbs deserves better than that, Abbs. He deserves better than that Tony."

Abby came and perched next to him, nudging his arm. "And he'll get the real Tony, won't he?

Tony wrapped an arm round her shoulders. "Sure gonna try…"

"And you'll get the real Gibbs, I know it." Abby rested her head against his. "You two just fit like… peas in a pod, Yin and Yang… and I still want pictures."

TBC…

A/N: A short chapter this time… split off from the next as my fiddling got out of hand and I've added a lot to the next chapter… which is SO not like me! *rolls eyes at self*