Because of what the team had seen in MTAC, McGee was sent down to collaborate with Abby on a technical glitch. That was better than having it read in an official report that they'd been ordered to hack into some highly confidential information. It was silent in the lab for awhile except for the clack of computer keys and the occasional exchange of geek speak between the two as Abby asked McGee to open port such and such and McGee reminded Abby to watch out for the protocols attached to this or that firewall.

They worked seamlessly together, almost reading each other's minds when it came to computer stuff. That's why McGee knew they were going to make it. Like peanut butter and jelly, computers and keyboards, Gibbs and NCIS, they just fit together. Two hours later they sat back in their chairs with big smiles on their faces as the screens displayed the information they sought.

"Way to go McGee!" Abby praised, holding up her hand for a high-five.

"Nah, that last bit was all you Abbs."

"Thank you," she pretended to curtsy. "So, how's today going?"

Tim laced his fingers behind his head. "I survived an interrogation with your father this morning."

"My...father?" Abby's brows knit in confusion. Her dad was dead. Then understanding dawned. "Oh, Gibbs." She put her hand on McGee's shoulders, looking him over. "My poor Timmy!" she cried. "Any bruises? Broken bones?" she lifted an eyebrow. "Sore spot on the back of your head?"

"No. No. Well, maybe a little." He took one of her hands. "Gibbs scared the crap out of me before I figured out what it was about. He really loves you Abby."

Abby grinned. "I know. I've got great guys in my life. Dad. Big brother. Best friend/boyfriend. I'm a lucky girl." Her eyes were twinkling.

And hopefully I'm more someday in the not too distant future, Tim thought, looking into her eyes. He wondered if Ziva would go with him to look at rings in a couple months. Abby need something unique, like a gothic style engraved ring with a black diamond and blood red rubies maybe. Or something. Don't rush it Tim, he told himself, just enjoy the fact that she's your girlfriend and let the rest happen how it happens. He tended to plan to much. This time McGee just wanted to live in the moment with Abby.

"Well, are you gonna kiss me McGee? Or just stand there staring at me?" Abby asked after a minute.

"I'll take option one." He leaned down and brushed her lips with his.

Just then the elevator dinged and Abby pulled back. "Yikes! It's Gibbs. We're in trouble. Quick!" she darted behind McGee. "Hide me!"

"No." Gibbs walked in and shook his head, pointing at his junior agent. "Take what you've found up to Je...the Director." McGee hesitated. "Go."

McGee looked between Gibbs and Abby and nodded. "Yes Boss."

"Traitor!" Abby hissed after him. "Hi Gibbs," she waved innocently. "What a surprise...to find you here...in my lab. Can I..help you with something?"

He turned her chair around and pushed it towards her. "Sit. You and I are going to have a talk."

Abby visibly cringed as she perched nervously on the edge of the chair. She held up her hands. "Okay, before you say anything Gibbs, I swear I wasn't lying to you on Sunday. McGee and I...that happened Monday night."

Gibbs crossed his arms. "When were you going to tell me, Abs?"

She bit her lip. "Umm...now?"

Gibbs leaned back in his chair. "McGee's a good man Abby."

"I know," she swallowed.

"I hope you're not playing games with his heart this time. He was really hurt the last time it ended."

Gibbs not on her side, that was something new. Abby shook her head. "No, not playing games. I wasn't ready last time, but Timmy...he waited for me." She twisted her fingers together and looked at Gibbs. "I think he loves me Gibbs."

Gibbs smiled and held out his arms, cradling Abby against his shoulder. "Oh, I know he does Abs. I wouldn't let him within a mile of you if I didn't think he was serious about this." He pulled back. "Are you serious about it Abby?"

She nodded. "Timmy's mine. I'm definitely gonna keep him forever. Promise, Gibbs."

He kissed her on the forehead. "Make good use of your second chance Abby, there are those who aren't lucky enough to get one."

Abby hugged him again. "Thanks Gibbs."

He smiled. I love you, he signed and Abby beamed.

Gibbs headed for the door. "Oh, Abby?"

She turned around. "Yeah?"

"No making out in the lab." He shook his finger at her and left.

NCIS

"I trust everyone survived their interrogations today?" Jenny asked as she settled into the car beside her husband that night.

Gibbs chuckled. "I put the fear of God into McGee before shocking him speechless when I told him to take care of my girl."

"You're mean." Jenny shoved his shoulder. "And Abby?"

"Well," Gibbs rubbed his chin, " can't really raise my voice to Abby."

"Pushover."

"Guilty." He held out his hand to her and Jenny slid her fingers between his. "So, what should we have for supper? We finally managed to leave work at a sane hour."

Jenny contemplated their options. "It might have to be something simple like grilled cheese or soup. I think we're running out of food."

"We need to buy some steaks for your house," Gibbs stated.

"You would eat steak every night if we kept it around the house."

"There something wrong with that?"

She leaned over and patted his stomach. "Only if you want to lose to Tony at your next fitness qualifications."

"Are you saying I'm fat?" Gibbs joked.

Jenny shook her head. "Not playing that game."

He kissed her hand and they sat in silence the rest of the way home. When he pulled the car into the driveway, the first thing he noticed was that the lights were on. Gibbs automatically reached for his gun.

"You leave the lights on this morning?" he asked.

Jenny shook her head, then shrugged. "Maybe in the kitchen."

"Wait here," he commanded.

Jenny sighed. "Jethro, a burglar is not going to announce his presence by turning all the lights on."

"Jen, stay behind me!" he protested when she reached for the door handle.

The door swung open to reveal Jenny's housekeeper, Noemi. Gibs breathed a sigh of relief and dropped his hand.

"Senora! Mr. Gibbs!" Noemi greeted her boss and her boss's husband. "Buenos Noche. Como estas?"

"Bueno Noemi, gracias," Jenny smiled, leaning down to hug the small woman.

Noemi shook her finger at Jenny as they followed her inside. "Ms. Jenny, you and Mr. Gibbs make big mess while I am away."

Gibbs held up his hands in surrender. "Guilty. Sorry Noemi. We just can't function without you." He sniffed the air. "Is that...supper I smell?" he asked hopefully.

Noemi nodded. "Si Senor Gibbs. All is ready."

"How was your trip Noemi?" Jenny asked. "Su familia es buena?"

"Si. Mi mama very happy to have Noemi home for a visit. But I am glad to get back to mi familia aqui."

"And we are glad to have you back Noemi." She glanced around the house. "You've worked wonders in just a few hours. Everything looks great and supper smells wonderful."

"I will go home now?" Noemi questioned.

"Of course," Jenny smiled. "Muchas gracias Noemi."

"De nada Senora," Noemi said as she slipped her coat on.

Jenny locked the door and joined her husband in the kitchen. He was practically drooling over the feast Noemi had prepared for them. "Roast beef, mashed potatoes, vegetables...ohh, Noemi is spoiling you Jethro."

"I'll take it." He laughed, reaching for a plate. "Did you want some wine with it Jenny?"

She thought about it and then shook her head. "I don't think so. Maybe some tomato juice. Dad and I always had tomato juice with our roast dinners. But go ahead if you like."

Gibbs decided he didn't want to drink without her and opened a new bottle of tomato juice for them. They carried their loaded plates to the table. Well, his plate was loaded. Jenny's looked more like a sampler. But he'd give Noemi a raise in a heartbeat if she could make something that would tempt Jenny to eat more than a bite.

"Do you think she made dessert?" he asked.

Jenny opened the fridge. "Cheesecake." She smiled. "We should've asked her to join us for this welcome home dinner."

"Next time," Gibbs suggested. "Although I don't know if she'd be comfortable eating with us, she's so used to serving."

"We could invite Marisol as well, that might put her more at ease," Jenny offered. Noemi's daughter was a beautiful Latina girl who was her mother's pride and joy.

"Why don't we have them over for Christmas? The team will be here anyways, along with Ducky and his mother. What's a couple more people?"

Jenny's eyebrows disappeared under her bangs. "I'm surprised Jethro. You're thinking about Christmas already?"

"Gotta plan ahead Jen."

"Yes, I know. And I tell you that every year. But you're still the man who goes shopping on Christmas Eve hoping the rest of the desperate men in DC haven't bought the stores out of whatever you were hoping to get."

"What are you getting me for Christmas?" he asked, swallowing his first bite of roast, sure this was the best food he'd had in weeks.

"Not telling. Just like I was not telling last year. Just like I will continue not telling until you open it on Christmas morning."

"You don't know yet," he accused.

"Do you know what you're getting me?" she asked, curious.

"A question to answer a question. You've been spending too much time listening to interrogations Jen."

"I don't listen to them, I read them," she retorted. The mashed potatoes were heavenly. At least, that's what her tongue thought. Her stomach was still undecided.

"You want seconds?" Jethro asked a few minutes later.

Jenny laughed. "Jethro, I've barely gotten through my firsts. You just want dessert faster."

"It's not a crime!" He watched her toy with her food, trying to remember what Kristyn had said about Jenny not eating. I just don't understand why she's punishing herself with what she's chosen to control about her life, he thought. But bringing it up wouldn't win him any brownie points and he didn't want to stress Jen out any more than she already was.

"Can I entice you to share a slice of dessert with me?" he asked instead.

"I think you can," Jenny responded, wishing she could eat more of the delicious meal Noemi had cooked.

She cleared their places at the table while Gibbs got out a new plate and cut them a liberal piece of Noemi's cheesecake, smothering it in the blueberry sauce she'd left beside it.

"You know it wouldn't actually hurt you to taste the cheesecake part of the dessert," Jenny informed him, scraping the sauce off her side. She preferred just a taste.

"We need whipped cream," Gibbs insisted. "Besides, the sauce is the best part."

"I bet you were one of those children who always took extra cookies and fed your vegetables to the dog when you thought no one was looking."

"I only got caught once." He chuckled. "After that I just got sneaky."

"Trust you to do nothing the easy way."

He observed her carefully before answering. "No, I don't think I did."

Jenny had a feeling there was a lot more meaning behind what he said than just responding to her comment. She licked her fork. "We could do something the easy way tonight."

"Like what?"

She grinned. "Put the dishes in the dishwasher."

Gibbs started to laugh. He laughed more than he had recently. Then he agreed that was probably a great idea and helped her collect the dishes.