Alright, no sex… not yet. Just have to move the story along a bit… Enjoy :)

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Gibbs had been thinking more and more about his father and trying to get back up to Stillwater for a visit. He knew they still had things to work out, and it would likely take more than one visit, but it had now been a little over a year since he had been in Stillwater for the LaComb case and he was overdue for a return visit. They spoke every few months on the phone, not really talking about the past, more about current events. He hadn't told his father about Abby, that was something he'd rather say face to face. He spoke about NCIS, slipping Abby's name in here and there, but also DiNozzo, Ziva and McGee.

Jackson spoke about the store, shared the local town gossip. He had said that it was weeks after NCIS left town before the chatter about Gibbs and his team had died down. It had made Gibbs laugh. He knew his team had made a big impression, but it surprised him for how long they had been talk of the town.

The more he thought about his father, the more he wanted to visit. Ever since his relationship with Abby had begun, he felt a weight lifted off his shoulders and he wanted to share that with his father. He wanted to show him that he wasn't still the harden bastard that his father knew him to be since Shannon and Kelly had died. He wanted to prove that he could love again, that he did love again and that it was real. His father was unaware of his other marriages, and Gibbs wasn't sure it was something he'd share with his father, but his relationship with Abby he did want to share.

He contemplated going up alone for a day, have a long conversation with his father and be home in time to crawl into bed with Abby. Or they could both go up. Maybe take a few extra days, let his father get to know Abby. He wasn't sure he would ever propose to Abby, he wasn't sure she'd accept if he did, but he did know that she was just as much his wife even without a ring on her finger and he wanted his father to know her. Know her like he knew Shannon.

When the team had been in Stillwater Gibbs had noticed that Abby and Jack had gotten along famously, though it wasn't often that Abby met someone she didn't like. Although the dynamic would be different if he brought Abby up for a weekend, he figured there would be no issue.

His only issue with returning to Stillwater was his unspoken rivalry with Chuck Winslow and Sheriff Ed Grumby. Not that he was scared of them, but they were two people from his past he'd prefer to forget.

Gibbs headed up the basement steps and found Abby right where he had left her; curled up on the sofa with the newest forensic journal. He plopped down beside her and pulled the magazine from her hands.

"Gibbs! At least let me finish the article."

Gibbs opened the magazine to where she had been "Blah blah blah, DNA sequencing, the end." Gibbs tossed the magazine to the coffee table and made a move to nibble along the side of her neck. It wasn't often that he initiated the playfulness, but sometimes he did and it made Abby laugh.

"Gibbs…" Abby squirmed under his kisses.

Finally having her attention, Gibbs pulled her onto his lap. "I was thinking about taking a long weekend up in Stillwater. Go and visit Jack." It was still a little difficult to call Jack his father out loud, but he was working on it.

"That's a wonderful idea. Have you even been up since the case with Ethan LaComb?"

"No. We've spoken a few times over the phone, but I feel that I need to make more of an effort."

His admitting that he was the one to need to make more of an effort wasn't something that slipped past Abby, but she decided not to comment on it. "This upcoming weekend? Have you gotten the time off yet?"

"No, weekend after. I figured I'd submit our time-off forms together."

"Both? Me too?"

"Abby, of course you too. I want you to come with. You and Jack got along great last time. He needs to know about us."

"Yeah, I think Jack is great, I just figured that if you are trying to put things back together between you two, you'd want time alone." Abby idly fingered the buttons on his polo shirt.

"Nah, I want you to come with. You don't have to, but…"

"Of course I'll go! I'd never say no to a few days with you in Stillwater. You should let Jack know that I'm tagging along though. I don't want to just randomly show up with you. That might be a bit awkward."

"Good," Gibbs patted her thigh and leaned in for a kiss. "I'll give Jack a call."

Their kiss was slow and lazy, and when Gibbs pulled away Abby sighed and scooted off his lap. "Can I have the journal back now? Please."

Gibbs stood and grabbed the journal, patting the top of her head gently with it. "Enjoy."

Abby settled back with the journal as Gibbs headed to the kitchen to call his dad. She didn't listen, but at some point she heard her name and it caught her attention.

"Yeah… Abby. I'd like to bring her with me… Yes, the forensic scientist… No… Well, I'd rather explain face to face, but yes, we're together…" Abby heard a soft chuckle, "Yes, together – together."

Abby couldn't help but smile as she returned her focus to the article she was reading.

Gibbs eventually wandered back in, two cups of steaming coffee in his hands. "He's looking forward to our visit."

"That's great." Abby took the coffee that was held out for her. "I look forward to visiting as well, and I'm sure Tony will send me with a list of questions about your childhood."

"Not if he wants to keep his job."

"You say that, but it'd be a cold day in hell before you'd fire Tony. You know that as well as I do."

Gibbs grumbled something that Abby was unable to decipher, but they both knew she was right. There was no one he'd rather have looking out for him in the field.

Abby picked up Gibbs arm and moved it around her shoulders so that she could snuggle close, careful that she didn't spill their hot coffee. "What do you think Jack will say about us being together?"

"I'm sure he'll be thrilled. I'm sure he'll be more worried that I won't treat you right over anything else."

"I'll make sure he knows you treat me right. That he knows you are the best thing that has ever happened to me."

"That's not saying much, Abbs."

"Gibbs." Abby socked him lightly in the ribs. "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, and it's saying a whole lot!"

"Okay, okay." Gibbs sat his coffee down on the coffee table and rubbed his side. "I love you, Abby. I love you a lot."

"You going sappy on me, Jethro?" Abby drew out his name.

"Maybe."

"Well, it's a good thing I love you anyway. But I'd love you even more if you wanted to rub my feet." Abby fluttered her eyelashes at him and smiled.

Gibbs quirked an eyebrow at her and then patted his lap indicating that she should swing her legs up.

Abby grinned and turned sideways to bring her bare feet up to his lap. Her bare legs rested over the soft denim of the worn and faded jeans that he wore. She leaned sideways into the soft sofa cushion as he picked up one of her feet and pressed his thumb into the center of her foot, pressing his thumb upwards. Heaven, she thought. Pure heaven. Abby let out a soft moan as Gibbs rubbed the tension out of her foot, his calloused thumbs easing the stress from her body.

Gibbs watched as her eyelids fluttered and then closed and he smiled as the soft moan that escaped her lips. He loved to see her like this, relaxed and at ease. Her face softened and he swore he heard her purr.

"You look beautiful, Abbs." He couldn't resist, she looked like the goddess he knew her to be.

"Mmm." Abby smiled.

When he finished he pulled Abby into his lap. She was like jelly in his arms, she seemed to melt against him, her head resting on his shoulder, her fingers playing with the dog tags that were always around her neck. Gibbs ran his fingers through her hair in long, even strokes. He loved that it felt like silk between his fingers, the sensation was addicting.

Abby was asleep in minutes and after finishing his coffee, as well as hers, Gibbs carried her up to bed. He went back downstairs to clean up and turn off the lights. He crawled into bed beside her and pulled her close again to resume stroking her hair until he too was asleep.

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TBC…