Gibbs strode bravely back into his office two days after the beach house talk with Abby. It was now December 30th. Everyone turned to stare at him. Their jaws dropped in amazement.
Gibbs walked briskly and proudly over to his desk just as he always had done. He sipped his coffee in silence while all eyes were on him.
He popped a breath mint just as Abby walked onto the scene from her lab. She reported her findings about a case Gibbs cared nothing about and knew nothing about.
He asked her several questions, she answered awkwardly and she turned to return to her lab, "One more thing…" he said and she stopped.
He spun her around and hugged her. It was an awkward hug. She wasn't expecting it so her arms were at her sides. The hug was, actually, very VERY awkward. It was as if they'd never hugged before. His face wasn't pressed towards hers; it was more stiff and away from her body. He pulled away from her but didn't look at her. He wiped his nose as he turned around and was crushed by Tony's embrace. Abby left the room, confused as she glanced back over her shoulder at Tony hugging Gibbs.
Gibbs attempted to resist his intense rush of emotions but he failed miserably and he clung to Tony as if Tony were the only thing holding him to the planet. He cried into Tony's shoulder as Tony rubbed his back soothingly. He cried tears of joy and tears of fear.
Once Jethro had calmed down he pulled himself slowly from Tony's arms and much to his surprise, Tony's eyes were watery too.
"I…I don't know how to thank you," Gibbs choked.
"You don't have to thank me, boss. Just, please, take care of her…and yourself…" He looked worriedly at Gibbs.
"I don't know what to do…I've been married four times and I'm at a loss here. I don't know what I'm supposed to do. Do I make a move? Do I kiss her? Do I hug her? What am I supposed to do?" Gibbs voiced cracked slightly.
"If I were you, which I'm not because I'm much better looking and my hair isn't…,SILVER…*ahem*…I'd call Abby back up her and kiss the hell out of her. I'd make her knees go weak so that I'd have to practically hold her up completely. Then, I'd take her to my New Year's party," Tony added with a wink.
Gibbs called Abby's phone and demanded she come back upstairs. He met her at the elevator.
She started rambling about something. Her words didn't even register in his head. He stopped awkwardly in front of her.
"What'd you need, Gibbs?"
"Just…just let me do this. Let me do it all. Don't move a muscle. This is all me, just don't move," he said squaring her shoulders in front of him.
His blue eyes narrowed as he stared into hers. He stepped closer to him. His heart began to race. He lowered his head towards hers and stepped closer yet. Her body was a mere inch from his. The tip of his nose brushed against hers softly and she could feel his warm breath on her lips.