A/N: Thanks again for the positive feedback so far!

Chapter 5

Once Abby and Gibbs were ready to go for breakfast the four of them drove the fifteen minute journey to the diner that Ray had mentioned. Their chatter in the car was mostly about the weather until the topic of their work at NCIS came up. It didn't take long for Abby to feel comfortable around the older couple and she was soon happily talking away about their co-workers and her lab. Her excited tales keeping them entertained for the rest of the short trip.

Walking up to one of the cubicles in the diner, Gibbs let Abby slide along the soft leather seat to the far side and eased himself in beside her. Ray and Margie sat down on the other side of the table and Abby looked across at them. She couldn't help but have an instant liking for Gibbs' long time friend and his wife.

Her first impression of Margie was that she was like the female version of Ducky. Although Margie's hair was a similar light shade to Doctor Mallard's, it was her soft spoken nature and calming presence that reminded Abby of Ducky. At least a foot shorter than the tall goth, Margie held an air of graciousness in her dark brown eyes that looked upon everybody the same. Abby was used to being looked at differently because of her choice in clothing, among other things, but when her eyes met Margie's all she saw was kindness.

Ray gave the appearance of being very much like Gibbs, no-nonsense and straight to the point, though he was much more talkative than Gibbs. Ray was a solid built man who had obviously continued to keep himself fit, even after retiring. His shaved head was tinged with small bristles of dark hair which protruded around the sides and back of his head. Abby watched and smiled as he took a pair of glasses out of his shirt pocket to read the menu on the table; the gesture reminding her of Gibbs.

Bringing over some cups and a pot of coffee, their waitress greeted them happily, referring to both Ray and Margie by name. She filled all their cups and brought over some milk and sugar before leaving them to peruse over the menu. Taking a sip of the warm liquid, Abby let it slide down the back of her throat and sighed. If she couldn't have a Caf-Pow, coffee was going to have to serve as a replacement for her caffeine addiction.

Looking at the menu but not really taking anything in, Abby's thoughts went to the man sitting beside her. In her half-awake state earlier at the cabin, she'd heard what Ray had said about Gibbs tripping all over himself where she was concerned. While she had noticed his behavior yesterday and their near kiss had provided some proof that he might have held some feelings for her, she couldn't forget the sadness she'd seen in his eyes. Abby hated the idea that somehow she might be the cause of his unhappiness. A part of her wished she'd stayed hidden from their view this morning to find out exactly what was going on with Gibbs, but she knew it wasn't fair to be listening into a private conversation, even if it was in part about her.

After Gibbs had come out of the shower last night, she'd heard his tired footsteps retreating over to the couch, wishing he would just lie down beside her. Trying to keep still she had listened to him toss and turn most of the night and had been tempted to walk over to him, take his hand and drag him back to bed with her so they could both get some sleep. She had eventually managed to drift off, curled around one of the pillows that still had his scent infused in it.

Shifting her body sideways slightly, she casually looked up from the menu in front of her and tried not to attract anyone's attention as she observed Gibbs. She couldn't help but wonder if she had persuaded him to sleep with her that something more might have happened. With her still recovering from her illness she didn't think he would allow it, but from what she'd overheard this morning it gave her hope.

Gibbs glanced up at her, smiling when he found her staring, before he returned his attention back to the menu. She didn't think she'd ever seen eyes so blue or so expressive, he was a man of few words but his eyes never failed to give away a hint of what was going on inside his head. Only this time they weren't giving her enough. Abby's chest tightened every time he fixed his gaze on her, knowing that with one look he could bore right into her soul. Remembering they weren't alone Abby shook away her thoughts and turned from Gibbs to find Margie looking back at her with an amused grin.

"See something you like Abby?" the older woman asked softly.

Abby's face instantly felt like it was on fire, some relief washing over her when she realized the two men were too engrossed in deciding what to eat to notice her sudden embarrassment. Margie held up the menu to indicate that's what she had been talking about and Abby grinned nervously, forcing her attention to move away from Gibbs.

When the waitress came back to take their orders Abby ordered some scrambled eggs and toast thinking it would be filling but light on her stomach. She only half listened as Gibbs and Ray talked about repairs to the cabin, mentioning some extra lengths of wood Gibbs would need to finish it.

"When we go back to the cabin," Margie said, talking to Abby. "There's a scenic lookout I usually walk to. I just sit there gazing out on to the ocean watching the boats sail by, it's very peaceful, I could take you there if you like."

"You wouldn't believe the number of times I've had to go and find her and bring her back in the dark," Ray admonished with a grin as Margie rolled her eyes and nodded her head in agreement.

Abby liked the sound of not sitting around in the cabin all day, and the scientist in her loved the thought of being able to explore and see different things. She hadn't gone far from the cabin the previous day because she hadn't wanted to get lost, so having Margie there would be perfect. It would also give her time to try and sort out her thoughts about Gibbs. "I'd like that, thank you."

Their breakfast arrived a short time later, both Gibbs and Abby getting a coffee refill at the same time. Abby had noticed the number of glances they were getting as they sat eating and talking, or more to the point, the number of glances she was getting. Her choice of clothing had been fairly subdued; a pair of jeans, a black t-shirt with the outline of a skeleton on it and a pair of her smaller boots. Her hair was up in its customary pigtails and several bracelets covered her wrists. She had put on a minimal amount of make-up, acknowledging that she didn't want to scare the locals too much. Apparently it wouldn't have made any difference what she wore; all eyes in the diner had flickered over to her at some stage since their arrival.

Abby knew with it being a small town, she and Gibbs would stand out immediately, but she hadn't quite expected to be scrutinized this much. She was used to being stared at but it was starting to make her uncomfortable.

While they continued to eat their food a young man dressed in faded jeans and a black shirt slowed down as he walked past their table. His eyes lingered on Abby as he strolled by and smiled at her before he went to sit at the counter. Although she did think he was attractive, Abby wasn't interested and she certainly wasn't going to give Gibbs any reason to think she was. Next to her she could see Gibbs' jaw rhythmically clench and unclench, his glare following the thin, tall, brown haired man as he took his seat.

Thankfully the sound of Ray's voice broke into the silence Abby felt hanging over the four of them. "While the women folk are out looking at the scenery, I'll help you with that porch," he offered Gibbs. "You'll need two sets of hands for some of it anyway...and we don't want Abby damaging those highly skilled hands she needs for her work."

Gibbs took a mouthful of his coffee and nodded his head. "Sure."

Gibbs continued to watch what was going on around them and every so often would glance in Abby's direction. She spoke to Ray and Margie some more about her work and some of their recent cases, while they told her stories about their children and grandchildren. Abby could see the genuine love and affection they had for their family and as they talked she could tell why Gibbs had been drawn to them. They seemed incredibly loyal and honest, a quality he valued in everyone he allowed to get close to him.

"So how long have you known Gibbs?" Abby asked Ray, putting her knife and fork down on her plate. She'd hadn't finished all the food but she'd eaten most of it.

"Must be going on twenty years now, we got to know each other pretty well in the Marine Corps. Saved each other's butts more than a few times, both in and out of battle...though I think my tally of rescues is higher."

Abby couldn't help but smile at the look of amusement on Ray's face as he reflected on his memories. She hoped that with the couple staying for the rest of the day she'd get the opportunity to see another side of Gibbs. Abby realized there were things he didn't talk about simply because he couldn't, but she was ready to find out more about him. She needed to know more about the man who had come into her life and changed it forever.

"Pretty sure you still owe me...after what happened in that bar last year," Gibbs said, looking more relaxed than he had minutes ago, though still alert.

Ray was mortified that Gibbs had brought it up and he shifted nervously under his wife's questioning glare. Abby chuckled, enjoying the way the two men seemed to like to bait each other.

"Not that we're counting or anything," Ray joked, finishing off his coffee and stretching back further into the chair.

Gibbs grinned and looked down at Abby's plate. "Want me to get you some cake or something to go? In case you need a sugar fix later."

She smiled at him and patted his cheek gently. "You really are my enabler Gibbs...I could use something sweet." Gibbs started to get to his feet but Abby stopped him. "No, maybe I shouldn't." She sighed and Gibbs tilted his head to the side waiting for the words they both knew were coming. "Oh alright, who am I kidding."

He stood up and walked over to the counter and Abby didn't miss how the entire time he was waiting he kept his eyes on the young man that had smiled at her. She wasn't sure if it was just him being protective of her because she was still recovering from being sick, or if was something more primal; Gibbs' way of guarding what was his. Abby couldn't deny the thought of him being jealous of other men made her heart rate quicken, if only she could get him to do something about it.

After finishing their breakfast they drove a couple of blocks to the hardware store to get the supplies Gibbs needed. As they got out of the car Abby noticed the shop next door had some old gothic style jewellery in the window. "You guys go ahead, I won't be a minute," she said walking over to look at the display.

The others disappeared inside leaving Abby alone. She was so immersed in some of the jewellery that she didn't notice the figure walking up to stand beside her. Startled, she jumped when the reflection of the man from the diner greeted her as she looked up and turned to walk away. He was the same height as Abby and although she was rarely intimidated by the opposite sex, being in a strange town and still not feeling a hundred percent, his appearance made her a little uneasy.

"You're not from here are you?" he asked, leaning against the window.

"No...I'm just visiting for a few days." Abby hoped it would be enough to satisfy him so she could walk towards the safety of the hardware store. Under normal circumstances she might not have been as quick to reject his advances, but a small part of her wanted to believe that she had a chance with Gibbs and she didn't want to risk losing that.

"I'm Kyle, I work at the hardware store for my uncle...maybe I could take you out for dinner one night while you're visiting."

Abby felt nerves flutter in her stomach; there went the shelter she was hoping to find. The last thing she wanted was for Gibbs to see another man flirting with her. It was difficult enough to get him to admit his feelings as it was, if she gave him the impression she was interested in someone else then he was even less likely to open up.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Abby answered. She took a step to walk away but Kyle stepped in front of her, blocking her path and grabbing hold of her arm.

"Why not? I promise to make your stay more memorable."

"Ya know what would make my stay more memorable?" Gibbs asked appearing behind Kyle and glaring into the back of his head. "Seeing just how pliable this heavy piece of wood is."

Gibbs held the length of wood in question in his hand, the thud of it as tapped on the ground in a regular beat loud in the otherwise quiet street. Gibbs angled his head so he could get a better view of the man in front of him and Abby waited, holding her breath, for one of them to say or do something. When the younger man let go of her arm and made the mistake of turning to face Gibbs, Ray again tried to break the tension. "You should go Kyle, your uncle is looking for you inside."

"That's good advice," Gibbs said, his raised chin and unblinking eyes daring the other man to challenge him.

Kyle ground his teeth together and took a wide berth around Gibbs, squeezing past Margie and Ray and disappearing out of sight. Abby let out the breath she had been holding in and looked at Gibbs, willing him to say or do something, anything, that might give her an indication of what was going on in his head. But there was nothing.

"Why don't you two go wait in the car," Ray said to Gibbs and Abby. "Margie and I will go and pay for all this."

Gibbs nodded and handed the wood to Ray before walking back to the car ahead of Abby. "You alright?" he asked as they got in.

"Fine," she answered gruffly looking out the window as they waited for Ray and Margie to come back. She wasn't sure whether to be angry or turned on by the way Gibbs had acted. Abby had to admit a part of her couldn't deny how his possessiveness sparked something deep inside her, but she also wanted to tell him she was more than capable of looking after herself. If Gibbs was going to outright threaten any man that came near her or attempted to ask her out, he was going to have to either make a move himself or give her some kind of explanation.

TBC...