Chapter 3 – Distractions and Admissions

They all ate lunch gathered round the large table in the dining room, Gibbs managing only to eat a few mouthfuls of his sandwich before he gave up. His wayward thoughts had left him without an appetite and all he could think about was Abby and how they'd almost kissed. He also wasn't oblivious to the glances she kept throwing him, nor how Tony and Ducky seemed to be frequently looking between he and Abby.

Gibbs knew with absolute certainty that if they hadn't been interrupted he would've kissed her, and because he'd been unaware of everything but her, all their friends would've seen him do it. He wasn't entirely sure how he felt about that, but he did know he wasn't happy about the scrutiny he was under. Gibbs was used to it being the other way around when it came to interrogating people, but he wasn't about to plead his case and he refused to share his feelings with anyone else. At least no-one else but Abby.

After lunch Gibbs helped Abby and Ducky clean up some of the mess in the kitchen before he went up to his room to get the book he'd brought to read. He sat on the couch, giving the others the impression he was reading, when all he was really doing was scanning the same page over and over.

He would've preferred to find something to do outside or retreat to his room but was hesitant to give his colleagues something else to talk about after what they'd seen almost happen between he and Abby earlier.

From where he sat on the couch Gibbs watched as Abby played numerous games of pool with everyone apart from Ducky, who also watched each game intently, though not nearly as carefully as Gibbs. He was certain some of the poses Abby was using to make her shots were aimed directly at him. So hypnotized was he by every curve when she leaned over he desperately wanted to believe she was giving him some kind of sign and that it wasn't purely his hormones reacting to her body.

When Abby's eyes found his after she'd been defeated by Ziva, she took several steps closer to him, biting her bottom lip in what Gibbs instantly recognized was nerves.

"Well now that I've been beaten by almost everyone, how about it Gibbs, want a game?"

"Thought you were trying to end your losing streak?" he grinned up at her.

"You sound pretty sure of yourself, you're not scared to show me your moves are you?"

"I do believe they are fighting words," Ducky smirked.

Gibbs got to his feet his expression turning serious, his poker face revealing nothing when he took his first shot, breaking the balls off in random directions.

After several turns each he'd managed to pocket seven balls to Abby's three.

Just as Abby was about to make her next shot Jethro jumped up from the floor at Tim's feet when he spotted a squirrel outside and barreled towards the door, barking and scratching to get out.

McGee walked over to the door to let him out until Abby's voice made him stop.

"Don't let him catch it Tim."

"Every squirrel in a five mile radius has heard him Abby, he won't be catching anything and he'll give up after two minutes anyway."

The second the door was opened Jethro scurried towards the tree the squirrel had climbed up, everyone except Gibbs and Abby watching on and laughing as the German Sheppard sent snow flying from under his big paws.

"Thought you named that dog after me coz he was quiet." Gibbs nodded towards the pool table for Abby to take her turn.

"McGee must be a bad influence on him," Abby snorted as she leaned over and aimed the pool cue to try and sink a ball in the far corner.

Acting on impulse Gibbs decided to make the most of everyone watching Jethro chase the squirrel and walked up behind Abby, his body surrounding hers. As he leaned over, his hands covered hers where they rested on the wooden rod, long tanned fingers sliding between her pale ones. His mouth was right next to her ear, his voice low so as to not draw anyone else's attention.

"You gotta take your time when you shoot, visualize the line the ball's gonna take once you hit it. Need to use the right amount of force...can't be too soft or too hard, it's gotta be just right or you might miss it..." He trailed off, wondering if Abby not only picked up on his double meaning but if she was also okay with the way he was invading her personal space.

Abby shivered at Gibbs' body being pressed up against hers, firm yet gentle in the way he touched her. What she wanted more than anything was to turn in his arms and throw him onto the pool table, strip him bare and run her hands over every inch of him.

"Guess you've had more practice at this kind of stuff, what with being a sniper and all that," Abby mused, her voice uneven as she tried to subdue errant thoughts of her sitting astride him on top of the table, their naked bodies moving together.

She knew she had to calm down or she'd end up embarrassing them both, but since she'd almost kissed him hours ago Abby could think about nothing other than following through with what she'd started.

"It's just practice Abbs," Gibbs answered, "same as anything...I can give you a few lessons while we're here if you like."

"That'd be great," she smiled, eager to be close to him with every opportunity she got.

"You know you're not meant to teach her how to beat you with only one shot left to make right boss?" Tony joked as everyone rejoined them.

"Pretty sure I've already won this one," Gibbs said arrogantly, guiding Abby's hands to take the shot, the ball sinking in the far left pocket.

He moved away from her, taking the cue when Abby handed it to him and quickly ending the game by pocketing the eight ball. To Gibbs it seemed like it was over too quickly, he would've gladly given her some more tips now but he wasn't prepared to let the others see him with Abby when he was getting to the stage where he might not be able to drag himself away from her.

The rest of the evening passed quickly after dinner as they sat around talking and having a few drinks before everyone wandered off to bed due to their early start that morning.

Still awake an hour later Gibbs sat up in bed and turned the bedside lamp on, he'd been tossing and turning ever since he lay down, his thoughts focused on Abby and the things that had happened between them throughout the day. He also couldn't forget the fact that she was so close and yet the walls separating them made it feel like she was on the other side of the country.

Sighing and throwing back the covers Gibbs got out of bed, deciding reading might help him drift off to sleep if he could think about something other than Abby. Remembering he left his book downstairs he quietly opened his bedroom door and moved towards the stairs.

His footsteps faltered when he saw the small light on in the kitchen, the soft glow spreading into the living room and illuminating Abby where she sat propped up against the arm of the couch.

Gibbs stopped at the top of the stairs, an uncharacteristic bout of nerves overcoming him at the position he found himself in, not only because he was anxious to see whether she was okay but this was also the situation he'd been waiting for...to be alone with her.

Taking a deep breath he walked down each step slowly, trying to figure out what he was going to say if Abby gave him the opportunity to tell her how he felt. It had been a long time since Gibbs had felt this nervous but he refused to let it get the better of him...not if it meant he could be with her.

"Abbs...what are you doing out here?"

Abby lifted her head as she watched Gibbs walk over from the stairs. "Couldn't sleep in there...Ziva's snoring, I'm surprised you couldn't hear her from your room. What are you doing up?"

"Couldn't sleep either, came out to find my book."

He sat down on the edge of the couch beside her, picking up her hand where it rested on top of the blanket she had covering her, and entwined his fingers with hers. "Don't need to stay out here, you can come and sleep with me..."

Abby felt a sudden rush of butterflies stir in her belly. She'd wanted to go into his room and lay down next to him, but just because they'd been sharing a bed for the last few months she didn't want to assume anything, especially with all the team around.

"Didn't want to disturb you...I know we've been sleeping in the same bed on and off for a while but..."

"But this time it's different," Gibbs finished for her, holding her gaze.

It had slowly been building between them all day, as if their time away from their normal lives allowed them the freedom to act the way they wanted and say the things they needed to.

"Maybe the reason I can't sleep is coz you're not there," he suggested, all too aware of how much better he slept when she was wrapped safely within his arms.

"I always sleep better when you're next to me, holding me," she admitted.

Abby held her breath as he leaned forward, his face hovering above hers for several seconds, and she knew he was giving her time to pull away if she felt uncomfortable. Her heart pounded in her chest, thudding so loudly she was certain Gibbs would hear it. He moved closer still, his cheek lightly caressing hers, the contact of their skin making Abby tingle all over, heat flooding through her and making her feel light headed.

"Wanna do more than just hold you." His admission sent a surge of desire and excitement through her, his voice rough next to her ear, his lips softly kissing across her cheek.

Was Gibbs really saying what Abby thought he was, or was it just her mind playing tricks on her?...her intense need for him clouding her judgement so she could only see what she wanted to.

Before she had chance to ask him what he meant Gibbs was kissing her, tentatively brushing his lips over hers. He concentrated on her top lip first, opening his mouth to gently nibble on it before moving to her full bottom lip. Abby whimpered at his tenderness, returning the subtle yet intimate kisses, everything about him invading her senses.

Abby squeezed their joined fingers together, her other hand sliding around the back of his neck to keep him from moving away. She didn't want to let go of him for fear that what was happening was a dream, the taste and feel of him seeming too good to be real.

Gibbs framed her face with his free hand, deepening the kiss as he leaned forward and pushed her head gently back into the pillow, following her down. Abby moaned, her tongue timidly teasing his lips apart and sweeping into his mouth.

"I want you to do more than just hold me...want us to do lots more..."she breathed heavily when they broke apart.

"You sure about this?" He asked, gently bumping their noses and pressing feather light kisses to her lips.

Abby nodded; she'd never been more certain of anything in her life. "I was sure before the explosion and I'm even surer now. I've been waiting for this...for you...us, for a long time Gibbs."

Gibbs breathed out with relief, kissing her again. Her words set his mind at ease and filled him with a joy that he almost couldn't believe.

"Been waitin' too, wanted to tell you how I felt after the explosion, but I didn't want to take advantage of you when you came to me for comfort and support."

"You could never take advantage of me...ever. Why did you think I was still staying at your place a couple of nights a week? The nightmares and the after affects are much better, thanks to you. I wanted to share your bed with you, Gibbs...to be close to you," she admitted shyly.

Gibbs studied her face, running his hand down over her soft skin and pushing her hair back. "Share my bed with me now?"

He waited expectantly for her answer, hoping he wasn't rushing her into anything. If she just wanted to sleep tonight he'd be happy to have her in his arms, but if she wanted more than that Gibbs wasn't going to hold back any longer.

Abby wrapped an arm around his neck, her lips delicate as she made her way across his cheek to his ear, her words barely a whisper when she spoke.

"I need you."

Keeping their hands joined Gibbs stood up and helped Abby to her feet, leading her towards his room, his book long forgotten now that he had Abby with him.

He paused at the bottom of the stairs, letting her go up ahead of him. Following her, he placed his other hand on the curve of her hip, hearing her sharp intake of air as it slid over her with every step.

When Abby slowed down Gibbs caught up to her, both of them stumbling up the remaining stairs, interested only in how close they were to one another. As they reached the top step he wound both his arms around her stomach, Abby's fingers linking through his as he pressed kisses down the side of her neck.

The second the bedroom door closed behind them Abby's hands were on him, travelling over the expanse of his chest and down under the loose t-shirt he wore. Gibbs wasted no time in touching her skin either, removing her pajama top, his movements stalling when he realized she was wearing one of his t-shirts underneath.

"Hope you don't mind," she said nervously, "when we weren't in the same bed I still wanted to feel like you were wrapped around me."

Gibbs pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. "Don't mind...gonna take it off though."

TBC...