Disclaimer: You know the drill… I haven't purchased the rights in the last 24 hours… I still don't own it!
Warning: THIS STORY will CONTAIN NON-SEXUAL SPANKING; ABORT THE MISSION… DO NOT READ… TURN BACK NOW IF THIS ISN'T YOUR THING.
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He had removed the file from the trembling lap of his daughter and placed it back on the desk that was still propping him up. For once Leroy Jethro Gibbs was at a loss for what to do next. Abby being in this kind of trouble was so far from usual he wasn't sure his typical methods would prove effective for getting to the truth. Tony and Kate would be dealt with standard modus operandi because Gibbs was willing to bet whatever they did, no matter how grossly inappropriate, was just to protect their sister. Shifting to his investigator mindset the federal agent replayed the evidence and his interpretation of it on his internal movie projector.
A choice needed to be made quickly. Abby was weighing through her options as her tears subsided to a low sniffling. She could wait for the "attack" or come out "swinging". Book sense often outweighs common sense.
"I can't believe you would think the worse before you listened to my side! I didn't do what she thinks I did… I swear! Are you even listening to me? Look, so what a bunch of seniors were trading favors for grades, I wasn't! I'm a junior we don't even have Mr. Dodson. Okay, so I didn't tell you about one grade in one class, but you can't let her expel me for something I didn't do." Abby had been pacing during her rant. Her arms were periodically flailing around in gesture. Gibbs hadn't moved, but if he were anymore red his head could've doubled as a tomato. The only thing saving her backside from being turned that same shade was Gibbs' sense of decorum and his capacity for personal self-restraint.
"Dad! Are you listening? Are you going to say anything?"
"Uh-huh, sit down Abs!" Now, it was his turn to roam the room. "When they come back in this room do not open your mouth. I'll handle this with them until I can get to the bottom of your part in it all. I promise you though if you're lying to me there will be no way to dig yourself out of the ditch you're in."
"Understood," the exhausted 16-year-old whispered.
He was standing behind her with his hands on her shoulders when the door opened again and the two women re-entered. Passing him they reclaimed their seats and picked up the conversation where they had left off… wanting answers.
"I hope you've had enough time to convince Abigail that owning up to our mistakes is the best choice in these situations," Mrs. Updike began.
"Didn't take any convincing… she's been taught that her entire life, which is why I believe her when she says she's not involved with some group committing grade fraud." Mrs. Sculdini made to interrupt, "Let me finish. I know what my daughter, all of my children for that matter, is capable of and I can assure you there will be consequences for her actions, but I will not allow her to take the fall for something she didn't do."
"So am I to assume there is a perfectly acceptable reason they were all photographed behind my desk at my computer after hours?"
"It was a very childish, stupid prank that didn't work out and I'm sure your audit will confirm had no bearing on anyone's grades."
The glances being exchanged between the three adults in the room had Abby squirming in her chair at a frenetic pace… internally. On the outside she was a blue-gray shade of violently ill, but quiet and almost non-responsive. Her head was playing every possible scenario that could take place with her father when they left the office and none of them were good.
"Agent Gibbs please tell me you're not expecting me to pretend none of this happened." The head-mistress wasn't about to have this man come in and dictate her decisions. When she had taken the job years ago she worked vigilantly to end the 'favors' that passed between the parents and administration.
"What I'm expecting is for you to follow the evidence and I'll do the same. I do not believe in allowing misconduct to go unpunished, but we should be sure the punishment fits the crime."
More silence followed by Updike checking her calendar before looking at father and daughter again. "The audit will be complete by weeks end. If Abby wasn't involved on any level then she'll be allowed to return on academic probation and residential restriction."
Her jaw dropped but a quick sideways glance at her already fuming father squelched the urge for words to escape her mouth. She saw him standing and making to leave the room. Her legs wouldn't work yet though and she feared falling as soon as an attempt to stand was made.
"Abby I think your father is ready to leave dear." Mrs. Sculdini voice seemed almost kind.
"Yes ma'am… bye."
Now she was back on his heels frantically keeping up even to the short distance back into the reception area. Missy was gone and everything was off. Abby wanted to see if she'd heard anything the two women had said while they'd left her to deal with her father… alone. When the elevator doors closed she turned to her father and threw her arms around his neck. He returned the hug, but stiffly, quickly pushing her back to meet his eyes.
"This is far from over young lady." His phone rang while they were exiting and heading back across the quad.
"Yeah, Gibbs… I'm off Boss… Of course it does, but I'm nowhere near the scene… Picking Abby up from school… same time every year… fine… I sound annoyed at being asked to work on my day off… You know she can't… court all day then a lunch meeting… I will not do that… yes, it does… I know Mike… Gimme an hour… I'll take a look, drop her off and meet you back at the office… sure you are."
"Dad, do you have to go to work? We always spend the first night home doing family stuff." She was really starting up a good pout unable to mask her disappointment.
As they came to the front door of the house Gibbs barked orders temporarily forgetting her last statement.
"Get your things and put them in the car. If you need to use the head you better go because stopping won't be an option." Tossing the keys in her direction she narrowly caught them before grabbing hold of her duffel bag.
"And yes I do have to work… Lucky for you it was a double homicide."
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Is there anything more miserable or uncomfortable then an utterly silent car ride home? Abby attempted to process that question when they pulled up to the Little Creek base and she'd been ordered to stay put in the car. The windows and doors locked for her protection of course. Slumping lower into the leather seat she reconciled that there was indeed something worse.
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"Senorita Abby, it is so good to have you home. I making all you favorite foods." Noemi flung the door open before either Gibbs residents could ring the bell or pull out their keys. This was Noemi's favorite time of the year. The house was too quiet when it was just the two agents in the house.
"Hey Noe," Abby shared one of her requisite body crushing hugs.
"Give me you bags and you tell me all about school while I sort."
Abby turned back to her father before committing to following their exuberant housekeeper.
"Noemi I have to go back into the office. If Mrs. Shepard calls have her call my cell. Abby is not to leave the house and the same goes for Kate and Tony when they come in."
"Yes sir."
"Daddy, are we going to talk tonight?" It wasn't that she was in a hurry for her punishment or explaining herself, but the waiting would undoubtedly do her in.
Leaning in close to his daughter's face made her pull back a little, but his hand reached out to draw her near. Her head fell along with her eyes and once again he caught them bringing her focus in lock with his.
Kissing her forehead gently Gibbs whispered, "I love you Abs."
"I love you to daddy and I'm sorry."
Fixing her with a look before he turned her toward the kitchen she got a firm swat to her bottom as he called after her, "you better call those two and get your story straight before we have that talk Abs."
Rubbing out the sting resulting from his Marine precision Abigail Gibbs went forward without response.