Abby punched McGee in the shoulder, glaring at him.

"Ow!" he complained, making a face at her. "What was that for?"

"I told you we should've put hidden cameras in the elevator. If we had, now we'd be able to access them and see what's going on. But nooo...people deserve their privacy when they're in the conference room," Abby grumbled, crossing her arms.

"Abby," McGee tried, "you know that wouldn't be a good idea. Something has been going on between Gibbs and the Director for the last couple days. Whatever it is, they don't need anyone else watching while they work it out."

"The camera's wouldn't have to have sound," she tried to bargain.

"You can read lips," he reminded her. "It's the same amount of privacy invasion if people can't have a conversation without you knowing what they're saying."

Abby relaxed a little, giving into the subtle pleading in McGee's voice, the gentle press of his hands on her shoulders.

"I know," she gave in. "But I still want to know."

McGee leaned forward from behind and pecked her on the cheek. "I know Abbs."

Just then Ducky came in the lab door. "Hello my dears, what are we up to this fine afternoon?"

"Wishing I'd put hidden cameras in the elevators last month," Abby smiled, shooting a teasing glance at McGee and moving forward to hug the older man.

"Still no case Timothy?" Ducky asked.

"Nope." Tim shoved his hands in his pockets. "It's been really quiet this week. Which probably means that next week will be so busy we won't even have time to sleep."

"An unfortunate effect of Murphy's Law, I'm afraid." Ducky looked back at Abby. "Abigail, why are you wishing for cameras in the lift?"

Abby shrugged. "To see what Gibbs and the Director are doing."

The ME raised an eyebrow. "If they wanted witnesses, their discussion would've happened in the hallway Abby," he reminded her.

Abby eyed him suspiciously. "Do you know what's going on with them Ducky?"

He pondered the question. "I know something, but I don't think it's my place to share confidences."

She frowned. "Well, you're no fun."

Ducky chuckled. "If it was your privacy I was respecting, I think you'd feel differently."

"Maybe," Abby sighed, "but I don't have any good secrets for you to keep, so it doesn't count."

"You may, someday," Ducky said. "Well, I suppose I better get back and see what Mr. Palmer is up to." He shook his head. "That boy needs constant supervision."

"Okay Ducky," Abby smiled. "And if you get bored with him, send him my way. We can find something to do here."

Ducky shook his finger at her. "No super glue Abigail. I need my assistant fully functioning when you're done with him."

Abby rolled her eyes. "I know, I know. Already heard about it from Gibbs."

Once Ducky left, McGee leaned back against the metal table and crossed his arms. "Did you enjoy the movie last night Abby?"

She turned around, eyes sparkling. "Oh, were we supposed to be watching a movie Tim?" she said coyly. "I thought you'd suggested cornering me in a darkened theater for an entirely different reason." A teasing smile played on her lips, though McGee was thinking about a way to get it off.

"Fine," he humoured her and rephrased the question, grinning. "Did you enjoy not watching the movie last night?"

She leaned closer to him, her breath tickling his cheek. "Oh, very much so. I might even be up for a repeat sometime."

"How about now?" McGee pulled her close and brought his lips down to hers.

Abby gave in for a moment before she pulled back. "Gibbs said..." she tried to protest, but Tim didn't let her finish.

Just before their lips touched, Gibbs strode in, his expression between a glare and a grin. The two of them jumped apart, avoiding their boss's eyes, guilt written all over their faces.

"Gibbs' exact words were 'no making out in the lab'," he repeated, frowning at the couple. He sighed. "Do not make me enforce a hands off policy in this lab." Gibbs jerked his head towards the door. "McGee, upstairs."

The agent glanced longingly at Abby for a moment, then reluctantly headed for the stairs.

Gibbs looked back at Abby. "Looks like interesting things happen when I leave you unsupervised Abs. I thought you were going to behave."

Abby spread her hands innocently, still looking like a little girl awaiting Daddy's punishment. "Not my strong suit?" she said, the inflection in her voice making it a question instead of a statement.

He shook his head at her. "Well, you're lucky I'm not down here to make sure you're following the rules."

Abby brightened, glad for a different topic. "What can I do for you, oh fearless leader?"

Gibbs sighed, unused to asking for help, although he was getting a lot of practice these days. Finally he just decided to say it. "I'm looking for something that will help Jenny relax. She...hasn't been sleeping all that well and I thought you might know of something that would help."

Abby's eyes shadowed. "How bad is it?" she asked softly.

"Not as bad as it was, in some ways." He ran a hand through his hair. "She's been having some pretty nasty dreams though. And she's still not a huge fan of the dark."

The forensic scientist gestured for Gibbs to follow her into her office. Rummaging around in a drawer, she came up with a small, amber vile of clear liquid and handed it to him.

"This is lavender essential oil. Try putting a few drops on her pillow case. It helps with relaxation and is supposed to be very soothing." She smiled at Gibbs. "My parents used to use it for me and my brother after we woke from bad dreams."

Gibbs leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. "Thanks Abs."

"Tell Jenny if she ever needs anything..." Abby offered hesitantly, not sure how to word what she wanted to say. "Well, tell her that there's lots of people here that love her." She shrugged. "Remind her that we're a family Gibbs."

He couldn't help it. She looked so sweet and unsure standing there, wanting to help but not knowing how. Gibbs pulled Abby into his arms and held her tight.

"I'll tell her Abs. Sometimes the most important things are the easiest ones to forget." He headed for the elevator, flashing Abby the sign for 'I love you' before the doors closed. Her grin lit up the room. Just like others he knew, she could never hear it, or see it, enough.

NCIS

Jenny felt like the whole day had just gotten brighter. Heck, her whole week looked like a ray of sunshine now. It didn't matter that the last couple of days she had been close to despair. They had talked, they had made up, they had almost started making out. She smiled and touched her lips. All that mattered was that they were back where they belonged, together. But now there was still work to be done.

Cynthia looked up in surprise when Jenny walked into her office. "Director? I thought you were away for the rest of the day."

Jenny lifted one eyebrow. "And who told you that?"

Cynthia looked down at her keyboard. "Well, Special Agent Gibbs was the one who called. But seeing as you're married...well, I figured he would know."

Jenny smiled. "It's alright Cynthia. And I'm glad the rest of my day is clear. I still have paperwork and files cluttering up my desk, it would be nice to get through them and leave at a normal time of day for once."

Cynthia smiled and handed her a stack of messages. "The paperwork may have to wait Ma'am. Unfortunately the Director of NCIS is a fairly popular lady, especially when she disappears for a few hours. These all need to be returned or seen to."

Suppressing the urge to roll her eyes, Jenny accepted the messages. "Thank you Cynthia. I suppose I will be in my office until at least after sunset now."

And if her husband had been busy with a case, Jenny's prediction might have come true. As it was, he was merely counting down the seconds until the clock reached a reasonable enough time to send his agent's home without arousing too much suspicion that maybe Gibbs was eager to leave the building for once as well.

At precisely 1705, Gibbs tapped his knuckles on Jenny's door and poked his head inside. She looked up and met him with a smile.

"Jethro. What are you doing here?"

He glanced pointedly at the clock. "I've come to collect my wife. Time to go home."

She raised her eyebrows. "Oh, leaving at a normal time for once, are we? This must be a special occasion. Or is there something at home that you're looking forward to?"

Unable to express the joy he felt at her gentle teasing, Gibbs rounded the desk and planted himself right in front of Jenny. "All of the above," he admitted, leaning down to kiss her.

Jenny leaned back with a smile. "Did kissing suddenly become a novelty Jethro?"

He looked into her eyes and held them, his suddenly serious. "When there are times you're not sure you're going to be able to still do that, then yeah Jen, every opportunity becomes like the first one."

Jenny's hand found the center of Jethro's chest, the same place she always rested her hands. He grasped her elbows to help her stand.

"I suppose I could be persuaded to leave now, since you're offering."

Gibbs reached for her coat. "And if you're going to be stubborn about it, I would have to insist."

Jenny rolled her eyes. "Contrary to popular belief, I am not stubborn just to frustrate you. It happens to be a character trait."

"Does it now?" he grinned.

"And of course, you've never been accused of having that particular trait now, have you?"

"Well, if anyone has noticed, they haven't had the nerve to say it to my face."

"I may be the only one with enough nerve then..." she trailed off. "But I am lucky that you are so stubborn Jethro. It's what is getting us through this together."

Gibbs caught her hand and they walked out the door together and into the waiting elevator. Instead of G, for ground floor, Gibbs pressed B4, for Level 4 of the basement. Jenny looked at him curiously.

"I thought we were going home?"

"One last thing before we head out Jen." He kissed away the look on her face. "It's nothing bad, I promise you."

Jenny wasn't sure about that. She knew what was on Level 4. The question was, was she up for it? But after the last couple of days, she couldn't back out now. She was tired of being scared, of feeling like she couldn't stop bad things from happening. Yesterday had proved that she still had the skills to fight for herself. Tonight would hopefully teach her another good lesson.