Sep 4
A good friend is a mirror who helps you see yourself as you really are.
Tim was always a little nervous about being summoned to Abby's lab, especially when they didn't have a case. It usually meant the Goth wanted to show him something, and that something was not always good.
There was the time she had waved a tub of maggots in his face in an attempt to cure his fear. And the time she had decided to test whether or not a tiny plant sample contained poison ivy by rubbing it against his skin and jumping for joy when he had begun to itch for the rest of the day. And the time she had tried to cure his hiccups by almost leaping on him and scaring him half to death.
Which hadn't worked either.
He knew she cared for him, but sometimes she showed it in ways that made him nervous. And even if she wasn't planning to handcuff him to a chair and test aromatherapy on him again, she was capable of dragging him into other things. Up to and including her latest attempt to get Gibbs and the Director together.
Stepping into the lab, he noticed her hard at work. That was always a good sign. She wasn't waiting to pounce.
She whirled unexpectedly and spotted him. "Tim!" she squealed, engulfing him in a hug so tight he was sure one or more of his ribs would break.
"Hey Abby," he managed to gasp.
"I have a present for you," she promised.
His heart dropped, even though he could not see any mischief in her eyes. If this turned out to be a cat…
But it wasn't. She led him into the back room and pointed at a beautiful mirror. "I thought it would look good on your wall," she smiled. "I saw it while I was hunting for a present for Ducky in that little antique store, but I knew it would be perfect for you."
He smiled back at her. It was perfect. He wasn't going to doubt her ever again.