Next chapter! Thanks again for all the lovely reviews!!!

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Abby had been chatting with a few of Jack's friends when Gibbs came in. She could tell something was off, but Jack stepped up to him so she decided against ending the conversation and let Jack handle it. As she listened to Dorothy explain the way the small town worked, she heard bits and pieces of Gibbs conversation.

"…Abby's too young for me… Shannon was too good for me…Abby…my mistress…parading her around town."

Abby struggled to keep her happy face as the words pierced her heart. When Dorothy's friends had gathered what they needed Abby stepped around the counter to ring up the total and then smiled at them as they left.

Gibbs and Jack approached and Gibbs held up a small while bag containing goods from the bakery. "I brought back something sweet."

Abby offered a half smile. "I'm not really hungry. Thanks though." Abby stepped around the two men and picked up the pricing gun and returned to the cans of soup where she had been pricing before Dorothy and her friends had come in.

Both Gibbs men looked at each other with a raised brow and then looked back to Abby.

Around lunch time Abby had stopped puttering around the shop. "I'm going to take a little walk. I could use a little air."

"I'll go with you." Gibbs was quick to step up beside her.

Abby pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. "Nah, I won't be long. You stay here." If Gibbs looked confused, Abby didn't notice. She slipped out the door and headed down the street.

Gibbs turned to look at Jack. "Did something happen while I was away?"

"No, not at all. Hank nearly had her in tears, but that was because she was laughing so hard. You know, maybe I could use some fresh air too. You'll watch the store for me, Leroy?"

"I don't… yeah, I'll watch the store."

Jack stepped outside and spotted Abby down the road. "Abby!"

Abby stopped and noticed Jack hurrying to catch up to her, so she took a few steps towards him. "I haven't gotten any fresh air yet today, can I join you?"

There was no way Abby would say no, so she held out her arm. "Sure."

Jackson pointed out various points around town, recalling memories of his son's youth and adding a few stories of his own youth.

"What's wrong my dear?"

Abby looked at Jack. She supposed that Gibbs got his uncanny sense for telling the truth from a lie from his dad. "I… I just…" Abby sighed.

"You know, sometimes problems seem like less of a problem over a good meal. I know a place that serves a great lunch. Can a guy buy a pretty lady lunch?"

Abby weighed her options. Maybe Jack could clear things up for her. "I'd like that."

Jack escorted her to a local diner. It reminded Abby of the diner where Shirley worked and she liked the place immediately. Inside Jack waved at a few people sitting at the counter as they were escorted to a booth by the window.

One of the men sitting at the counter followed them over and shook Jack's hand. "Who's the pretty lady, Jack?"

"Back off, Ron, she's Leroy's lady, I'm just borrowing her for lunch date."

Ron tipped his hat with a smile and headed back to his spot at the counter. They both ordered a burger and fries and a chocolate milkshake.

"I like milkshakes." Abby smiled as two large shakes were placed in front of them.

"They are a tasty treat." Jack eyed Abby, wondering if she'd bring up what was bothering her on her own, but when their burgers had arrived and she'd talked about nothing more than Stillwater and the diner they were in, he knew he'd have no such luck.

They were halfway through their burgers when Jack finally brought it up. "You going to tell me about this problem of yours?"

"Does… does Gibbs… is he settling by being with me? Am I just a replacement for Shannon?"

Jackson was shocked by her question. "No! My dear Abby, what has brought this on?"

"He's worried about me being too young… about what people think about me, isn't he?"

"Goodness no, Abby, he thinks nothing of the sort. Has he given you some reason to think that?"

Abby looked down at her plate. "I heard him telling you…"

Jack breathed a sigh of relief and leaned back. "Oh Abby, you didn't hear everything. He ran into Chuck Winslow while he was out this morning. I guess Chuck saw you two at the store yesterday and, in trying to get a reaction out of Leroy, said some things. My son was just telling me what he said. Honestly, it was nothing more."

"Really?" Abby could kick herself. How many times had Gibbs reassured her that she was the one for him? She couldn't even count the number of times, yet still… here she was, as insecure as could be.

"Of course. And no, you aren't Shannon, but that doesn't mean you aren't a good woman, aren't the right woman for my boy."

"Thanks Jack."

"No, thank you. I didn't think I would ever see my son look so in love, so happy again. For that I thank you."

"Thanks for saying that. It means a lot." Abby fingered the tags which rested under her shirt.

"What do you have there?"

Abby lifted the tags out from under her shirt. "His dog tags. He gave them to me when I left for New Orleans over Christmas. They make me feel safe."

Jack leaned across the table to get a better look. He realized the significance in his son giving up his dog tags. "Before Christmas, huh?"

"Yeah."

Jack was well aware of the face that they hadn't been officially together before Christmas and he realize that their deep bond started way before any romantic relationship. He smiled when he realized that these tags were likely on the same level as his son slipping a ring on her finger. Jack let the tags drop against her chest again and watched as she tucked them back into her shirt, holding the cool metal against her heart for a moment.

It was Abby's turn to let out a sigh. "You know Jack, you were right. Problems seem like less of problem with a nice meal. Thanks."

"Anytime my dear, anytime. And I know my son can be a bit much sometimes. He has a temper like his mother, so if you ever need to talk. You can just pick up the phone. Or drive up. You are always welcome."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"I hope you do. We should get back to the store soon. I'm sure Leroy is worried."

"Can we keep this between you and me?"

"Of course. Leroy worries enough as it is, we don't need to worry him with this. As long as we are clear that he loves you, and you are in no way a burden to him, or some sort of replacement… anything like that."

"We're clear."

"Good." Jackson slipped some cash to their waitress and led Abby towards the door, Abby shooting a smile to the men at the counter as they whistled appreciatively at her. They were down the street before Jackson spoke again. "You sure are popular around here."

"This place is good for my ego. Your friends in the store this morning were very nice."

Jackson pushed open the front door to his store. "They are a friendly bunch, and that Dorothy sure can talk for days."

"That's ok. So can I."

Gibbs noticed them and stepped up to Abby, tilting her chin up so that she looked at him. "Where were you guys? Is everything ok?"

Gibbs looked at Jack as Jack explained. "We just went for a walk and then I took Abby to my regular spot for a little lunch. It isn't often I get to take a pretty lady to lunch.

Gibbs looked back at Abby. "That true?"

"Yeah. You know Gibbs, you've got some competition here in town. Some guy name Ron winked at me. He looked pretty friendly."

"Ron? Ron from the post office?" Gibbs looked back at Jack.

"One and the same."

"Competition, Abbs? I think he'd work you harder than I do, having you running back and forth from the couch to the refrigerator and back again for his beer."

"Hmph."

The three spent the rest of the afternoon in the store, heading back up into the house at dinner time for leftovers of Abby's Jambalaya. Again Abby tried to give Jack and Gibbs some alone time, but Gibbs followed her up to bed.

It wasn't until they were both tucked under the blankets that Gibbs pulled Abby close and whispered softly against the top of her head. "What was going on earlier? You seemed upset."

Abby didn't want to lie, but she didn't want to tell him either. "It was just a lot… everything, being here, all of your past is here, your memories. It's like I can feel them too. I just needed to clear my mind. I'm fine, I promise."

It wasn't the answer he had expected, but he accepted it. "I know, Abbs."

Abby rolled onto her side, her back facing Gibbs. She reached behind her to grab his arm and then tucked it tightly around her. Gibbs buried his nose against the back of her neck, kissing the soft skin gently. "Night Abbs. I love you."

"I love you, too."

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TBC…