I have to wonder if Mark Harmon *knows* that he's narrowing his eyes ever so slightly when he hears certain news as Gibbs, or if it's an unconscious trait. I would imagine he has made it a thing for Gibbs, but still… mm sexy man.

Also, in this chapter, I am guessing on Pauley's height compared with Mark's, given the fact that she's usually wearing ridonklulus heels of some sort.

Last time: Gibbs turned back around to face her, standing still in the spot as he thought through the possible consequences of each answer he could give her. "It's not about you wanting something you can't have, Abbs. It's about me wanting something I shouldn't have."

Abby set down the hot chocolate on the end table next to the couch. "What does that mean, Gibbs?" Her voice was a raspy whisper, hopeful of the answer, but terrified simultaneously.

Gibbs shook his head, as if convincing himself not to answer, "Nothin', Abbs."

"What does it mean?" Abby repeated herself, her voice now confident and demanding.

He cocked his head slightly to the side, his eyes narrowed as he considered her reaction, "It means the flirting has to stop before I'll do something I'll regret."

Abby's mind was spinning, trying to absorb what he was saying, her exhaustion shoved aside as she answered him, "And you'll regret this thing that you'll do because you won't really mean it or because it'll mean you've started something dangerous that you do want?"

Gibbs' demeanor was still calm and collected though on the inside his own mind was whirling, trying to figure out how badly this would end, how much Abby would hate him. "I'm a bastard, Abbs. You know that."

Abby stood cautiously, still facing Gibbs over the back of the couch as she walked slowly around it. "Stop saying that. I know what you are, and I'm still here. It's not about what you are, it's about what you want. What do you want, Gibbs?"

He sighed deeply, less from sadness, and more in preparation. "You, Abbs."

She breathed in abruptly in a sort-of gasp, unsure if she had heard him correctly. "Me? You want me?" She had to be sure. She needed confirmation that she had heard him right, that he meant what she thought he meant.

"Yeah. You." Gibbs stayed standing still, waiting to see what she would do, how she would react to his admission.

Abby stepped forward, closing the couple of feet of distance between them. She stood suddenly immediately in front of him, her true height obvious in her bare feet so that her head came only to his nose.

The pair stood there for a moment, watching each other as if expecting the other to react first. It was Gibbs that reached over slowly, wrapping one arm around her back as the other swept under her hair, his hand resting on the back of her head and neck. "Been you for a long time, Abby."

Gibbs' contact encouraged Abby to lean forward and bring her lips to his, tentatively kissing him as she hoped and prayed he would return the kiss.

Her prayers were unnecessary however, as Gibbs quickly kissed back, slowly and gently caressing her lips with his own, the tension building rapidly. They both broke apart, catching their breath from the sexual tension and desire that had filled the room around them.

Abby grabbed her head to stop the spinning that began as she pulled away from him.

"Need to rest more, Abbs." Gibbs' voice was quiet, though the deep tone of his voice resonated in her body, the nearness of him causing his voice to almost vibrate through her.

She tried to protest, but found herself too tired, "Yeah, okay, Gibbs."

Gibbs made a move to lead her back to the couch, but Abby resisted, "Gibbs, can we…I mean…I'd like…" Abby sighed. "I don't want to sleep on the couch alone."

He looked up towards the stairs, contemplating. "Okay." Gibbs turned to face the stairs, his arm still holding her loosely around her side. "You need help?"

Abby shook her head, careful not to make herself dizzy again, "I should be able to climb the stairs. Just…slowly."

A few minutes later Abby was curled up in the guest bed, the sheets Gibbs had just put on soft and fresh-smelling around her. "Gibbs?"

He stood next to the bed, "Yeah, Abbs?"

"Are you gonna…" Abby paused, thinking of the best way to put it, "Sleep?" She made a motion next to her.

"Gotta get changed." Gibbs nodded.

"Okay." Abby smiled slightly up at him, still nervous at how things could play out.

She was already asleep by the time he returned, having changed into sweat pants and a tee shirt. He knew he wasn't going to sleep, not well, anyway, but at least he could lie next to her, hearing her steady breathing and smelling her intoxicating shampoo, which he'd noticed so many times before when kissing her forehead in the lab. He slipped under the sheet and comforter and slid up next to her. In her sleep, she adjusted herself, allowing him to pull her into him as he wrapped his arms around her, fully enveloping her. Gibbs buried his face into her hair, allowing himself to relax.

Eventually, Gibbs slept, peacefully and deeply, next to Abby.

Super short, I know! I have closing shift tonight, and off tomorrow, so I should be able to write some more when I get home late tonight, since I write best at night.