Sorry I haven't replied to the latest reviews – the fam. is in town and I've hardly had time to write, let alone respond. Also, it's been 100F + (108F yesterday) here in Seattle, and the A/C doesn't reach the home office so… yeah, I don't spend much time on the computer anyway. But I've read all your comments and I love reading them, so thank you!

Sorry for the delay, here is the next chapter.

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Gibbs wasn't surprised to see the light on in his father's kitchen when Tony pulled up and parked outside. It was just before 2am and Jack had to be up at 5, but Gibbs had expected him to wait up. Jack had taken quite a liking to Abby, and no doubt he would have a few things to say.

The key was under the mat as promised and Tony followed meekly behind Gibbs as they headed in. Jack was waiting at the kitchen table when they walked in, but stood to greet them.

Jack nodded at the bag in Tony's hand. "You remember where the guest room is?"

Tony took the hint. "Yeah. I'll just peek in on Abby first. See you in the morning. Night boss."

"Night." Both Gibbs' answered in unison.

Jack waited until Tony was out of ear-shot before pushing a pre-poured shot of bourbon towards his son.

Gibbs accepted it gratefully and downed it in one.

"I love you, son. Nothing will change that no matter how much of an ass you are. I just hope, for your sake, you can fix things with that beauty upstairs before it's too late."

"Goodnight, dad."

"You headed upstairs?"

Gibbs shot him a look. "Yeah."

"She was pretty upset yesterday. Seemed better today. There is a pillow and blanket on the couch," Jack sighed. "Just in case."

Gibbs nodded and put the glass in the sink before headed towards his old room. Abby was snuggled tightly under the covers facing the wall. He sat on the edge of the bed for a few minutes gazing down at her. He wanted to wake her, to kiss her and tell her everything would be okay – because he was sure it would be. He waited a few moments longer before pulling his shirt up over his head and sliding his pants down his legs.

Once he was down to just his boxers, he pulled back the soft and well-worn covers and eased into bed beside Abby. She stirred slightly and pulled the covers up to her chin. It wasn't until he scooted closer and slipped an arm around her, that she stiffened. "Gibbs?"

"Yeah, it's just me."

He was relieved when she relaxed against him. She was still half asleep if the way she jumbled her words together was any indication "What're you doing 'ere?"

"I needed to see you."

"mmhmm."

"Go back to sleep, Abbs. We'll talk in the morning. I love you."

"mmhmm." Abby snuggled back against him and was asleep.

Gibbs let out a sigh of relief that she didn't seem too upset with him. He pressed a quick kiss to her bare shoulder and then nuzzled his nose into her hair and closed his eyes.

It was shortly after six when Gibbs woke. He needed to use the bathroom, so he untangled himself from Abby and tip-toed across the hall. He was quick and back in bed beside her in minutes. He didn't want her to wake when he wasn't there. He couldn't fall back asleep, so instead he lay on his side so he could watch her.

He watched the way her chest gently rose and then fell as she took slow and steady breaths.

It wasn't until sometime after 9am that Abby began to stir. He watched as her eyelids fluttered slowly against the sun shining in through the curtains and then focused on him.

She was on her back but rolled towards him as he brushed her bangs from her forehead and kissed her pale skin.

He sighed when her lips found the base of his throat and her arms slipped around his middle. "I thought I dreamt that you were here."

"Not a dream."

Abby nuzzled his neck and pulled herself closer.

"I'm sorry, Abby."

"I don't want to talk about it in bed. Can't we just lay here awhile?"

"Yeah, we can do that."

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Tony woke early out of habit and after a quick bathroom stop, he headed towards the kitchen. He had figured that Jack would be in the store, and was pleasantly surprised to find that the coffee was still hot, and there was a note for him to help himself, breakfast was being kept warm in the oven. He ate quickly and then went in search of Jack. He found him leaning over the front counter and checking his inventory list. "Thanks for breakfast."

"Tony," Jack greeted. "I hope you slept well."

"I did, thank you."

"I'm sorry you had to drive up so late, but I'm glad you did."

"I didn't do it for Gibbs, I did it for Abby. If it were up to me, he'd spend a little more time without her so he realizes what he's missing."

"I know. You two are close, aren't you, you and Abby?"

"We are. She's my best friend. She's practically my sister and I would do anything for her. Sometimes I wonder if Gibbs deserves her, but she loves him, so if he makes her happy…" Tony trailed off. He didn't want to talk bad about Gibbs – Gibbs was somehow part of his dysfunctional family – but he had been an ass.

"It's good that she's got someone like you. My son… he needs to be taken down a level or two. Ever since… well, since he felt he failed Shannon and Kelly he feels like he needs to protect Abby at all costs, and he obviously got caught up in that need, but he needs to be shown that he could lose her just as easily that way as well. Has he done… this… to her before?"

"Nah, well… they got in a huge fight… well it's none of my business, but they got in a huge fight before they got together. He thought Abby and I were sleeping together and… yeah, it was a big mess. But Abby held her own. She certainly isn't a pushover. I'm sure she'll get over this. She'll make him work for it though."

"She should. The way that Hollis woman was all over him…"

"I guess she's the reason we drove up last night. He didn't really give any details."

"We'll have a little chat when he wakes up."

Tony smiled. "Yeah, if you can pull him away from Abby long enough."

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TBC…