He walked into his office and all eyes were on him. Abby was standing by his desk. His heart sank. Her face was very somber.

He approached his desk, "What are you staring at?" he barked at McGee.

"Gibbs, we need to talk," Abby whispered, but everyone could hear her.

"No. I need to talk and you, all of you, need to listen," he snapped, not making eye contact with her.

"Abby, you will have your chance to yell, scream, and hit me when I'm finished saying what I have to say. I am leaving. I don't know where I'm going but I'm going far, far away from here, away from Abby. Yes, I love her. I am so in love with her. I can't change this, no matter how wrong it is, no matter how sick it makes me look, no matter how much I wish I could take it all back…I cannot change it. It is wrong for me to love her and all of you have every single right to hate me and so, I am leaving," Jethro's eyes never wavered from the floor.

"Gibbs…" Abby's voice was shaking.

He looked up at her with pure pain in his eyes, "I am so sorry for everything I have put you through. But, you don't have to worry anymore Abigail. I will never bother you again. You see, I love you unconditionally and more than anyone thought possible. I can't stop loving you but I can stop myself from seeing you, to ease your pain. I am…so, so sorry," a single tear rolled down his cheek.

"Boss…" Tony's voice cracked.

"DiNozzo, you're in charge."

"Boss…" his voice cracked again and he approached him.

Gibbs placed his right hand on Tony's right shoulder, "Boss, will you please look at Abby?"

Gibbs closed his eyes slowly and turned to face Abby.

"Gibbs…" tears were streaming down her face, the sight broke his heart.

He approached her, "Please, Abby, stop crying. I'm sorry. I can't fix it, I'm sorry!"

Abby looked up at him and wiped her eyes and Gibbs nodded and turned on his heel and strode off towards the elevator. The elevator doors opened and he held it open with his hand briefly.

"Gibbs!" Abby's voice cried out as she ran towards him.

He let go of the elevator and it closed shut without him in it. Abby slammed her body onto his, embracing him in a strangling hug. Gibbs wanted so badly to wrap his arms around her and never let her go but he didn't.

"Kiss me, Gibbs," she commanded as she pulled away to look him in the eyes.

"No."

"Kiss me!"

"Abby! Don't do that to me! Don't tease me like that! My heart is already in a thousand pieces… I don't need to know what it's like to kiss you and then have to walk away," he looked away.

"Then don't walk away, Jethro…" her voice was barely audible.

He looked at her and studied her face, "You don't love me."

"I do love you," she whispered.

"No, you're saying this because you don't want me to leave again…" he shook his head.

"No, I'm saying this because I love you," her voice was firm and she stepped closer to him, her face nearly brushing his lips.

Every cell in his body ached to touch her. He lifted his face towards the ceiling trying to regain control of himself, "Don't do this to me. I've suffered years of hurting, of longing, of grief. I broke hearts because I couldn't satisfy my own broken heart. Now, I've found you and I can't have you. Don't lie to me," his breathing was uneven as he felt her warm breath rhythmically brush his neck.