I haven't left you on any cliff-hangers yet, and people are already starting to worry over the sad party I wrote about in the beginning… oh my! Have no fear, we'll get to the cliffs soon… and there be lots of 'em.

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Abby was sad to leave Stillwater on Sunday, but she looked forward to the comfort of their own bed. Gibbs pulled the car around to the front of the store and Jackson carried their bag out, setting on the sidewalk as they waited for Gibbs to come to a stop.

"Bye Jack!" Abby wrapped him up in a tight hug, making Jack smile. "I'll call you next Sunday after church and bowling with the nuns."

"I'd like that very much, Abby." Jack again hugged her until he heard his son clear his throat.

Abby took the hint and picked up their bag, circling around the car and popping the trunk.

Gibbs stepped up to his father and automatically pulled him into a hug. "Thanks dad. I've had a good weekend."

"Thank you for coming. And thank you for bringing Abby along. She's something special."

Gibbs pulled back with a smile. "We'll be back soon, I think. Abby enjoyed working in the shop."

"She's a great employee. If you don't keep her at NCIS I just might have to hire her. See you soon, Leroy."

Gibbs looked back at the car; Abby was waiting patiently in the passenger seat. "Yeah, see you soon." Gibbs slid into the driver's seat, leaning over the center console to press a quick kiss to Abby's temple and then started the car.

Again Abby slept for a majority of the car ride home. Gibbs didn't allow her to play punch buggy with him, nor did he play her game in pointing out various state license plates, and the choice of music on a long car ride was limited, so Abby settled into a comfortable position, balling up her sweatshirt to lean against the window and fell asleep.

Gibbs peeked over at her every so often to see if she was still sleeping. He thought back to the night before at the bonfire and what he had heard her say to Ed. He wanted to forget about it, Abby had obviously turned down his peculiar job offer, but his curiosity was strong and he wanted to ask about it. Also Abby had defended him. Not that he really cared what Ed thought of him. They had never gotten along, and he figured he was the federal agent, and Abby was right: Ed settled disputes over cattle grazing. But to hear what Abby had said about him warmed his heart.

They were nearly home when Gibbs reached over and stroked Abby's cheek to wake her. "Abbs… Abby… we're almost home; it's time to wake up."

Abby yawned and then stretched before sitting up in her seat. "We're home?"

"Almost."

Abby recognized that they were about two minutes away. Eventually Gibbs pulled up into the driveway and stopped the car. Abby got out and waited for Gibbs to grab their bag from the trunk and then followed him up to the front step and waited as he unlocked the door. It had been another relationship compromise. Gibbs might not have cared about locking the door, but Abby did.

They set off in different directions inside. Abby brought their bag up to sort out the dirty clothes while Gibbs settled in front of a laptop set up on the dining room table. As dinner time rolled around, Abby made them each a quick sandwich and sat in the chair beside him. "Any big cases come up while we were away?"

"Doesn't seem like it. It looks like everyone finally got caught up on all their paper work and McGee scanned some of it so I've just been reading it through. I just have to sign it in the morning."

After finishing her sandwich, Abby headed upstairs to her own lap top to check her mail. Afterwards she changed into her pajamas and headed back down to the couch. "Giiiiibbs?"

Gibbs knew that long-drawn out version of his name and automatically shut down the laptop. He knew he was done working for the evening whether he was ready to stop or not. "Yes?"

"Come cuddle with me on the couch."

"Be right there." Gibbs headed up to the bathroom and then traded the jeans he was wearing for a soft pair of sweatpants.

Gibbs pulled Abby up off the couch and settled lengthwise on the soft cushions before pulling her back down on top of him.

Abby sighed as she settled into her favorite position of resting wedged between Gibbs and the back of the couch, and partly resting on his chest. Abby pulled the blanket that rested over the back of the couch over then and nuzzled her face against his neck. She loved his distinct smell of sawdust, his soap and his fabric softener, though this time the scent of sawdust was lacking as he hadn't been around the boat for four days.

Abby clutched the fabric of his shirt over his heart and let out a soft sigh. With an arm around her, Gibbs hand reached under the back of her shirt to rub across the inked skin of her lower back. His calloused fingers traced the cross tattoo blindly, having memorized it a million times over. His other hand came up to cover her hand clutching the fabric of his shirt.

They both loved these moments, nothing needed to be said to confirm what they both felt. This was right. They were right.

Just because they didn't need words, didn't keep Abby from talking. "Gibbs?"

"Yes?"

"It's none of my business, but things are better between you and your dad, right?"

"It is. Why?"

"Well, I keep saying how I'd like to go back, but I didn't even stop to think that maybe you two still had issues and you'd rather not go back, or maybe you'd rather go back alone."

Gibbs used his thumb to dig into her side, causing her to jump at the sudden pressure. "We're good. I don't know that we'll ever have to story-book father/son relationship, but we're good. And you and I are going back. Together."

"Good."

"My turn for a question."

"Uh oh." Abby smiled.

Gibbs could feel her lips curl into a smile against his neck. "Why didn't you tell me about the job offer from Ed the first time we were up in Stillwater."

"Busted." Abby kissed his neck before pulling back and shifting so that she could look at Gibbs. "I don't know, it was such a pitiful job offer, and I don't know… I know being in Stillwater last time was very, um, trying on your nerves. There was no way I would take it, so I didn't think it was a big deal. Why?"

"Just wondering."

"I've said it before Gibbs, you have to trust me. We're one big family at NCIS, no amount of money in the world would pull me away from that."

"I know. But I don't like the fact that Ed pulled you aside at the bonfire."

"So that's how you found out about the job offer? He didn't pull me aside, I pulled him aside. I didn't want to make a scene at the bonfire."

Gibbs pulled her forward for a kiss, his signal that the conversation was over. Abby melted against him, their kisses long and languid. Although they both loved the sex that they shared, sometimes all they needed was a make-out session on the couch. Their lips were red and swollen when they eventually climbed the stairs for bed. Abby was too exhausted from the long weekend for sex, but she pulled off her shirt for a little skin to skin contact – and if she set the alarm early she could likely entice him with a little morning sex before work.

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TBC…