Abby learned things about Gibbs that night she never knew. She learned he cried at The Lion King. She learned that he was actually a bit of a nerd and had watched all of Firefly. She learned that he was allergic to some colognes and perfumes, but he liked her homemade gunpowder perfume. She learned that his father was still alive but his mother had passed away. She learned he had a Marine Corps tattoo on his upper arm. Abby learned that he hated picky eaters because his mother never allowed it and thought is was disrespectful. He told her about his days in NIS and about his mentor, Mike Franks. Abby loved hearing him talk this much. She never expected him to be so loquacious! Gibbs had stretched out on his couch and Abby laid against him. She ran her fingers through his hair over and over; he stroked her back. Abby felt exhausted after the events of the day, so she was perfectly content to lay in his strong arms.

"Abbs," Gibbs whispered. "Do you forgive me? I never want you to think that you don't mean the world to me. I made a huge mistake."

"I do forgive you, if you forgive me? I wanted you to remember but I didn't really give you a chance to, and I jumped to the worst possible conclusion."

"I'll get it tattooed, if you want, so i never forget again."

"I'd rather you get one of Bert."

Gibbs laughed. "Don't push it."

They stayed up for another twenty minutes talking before making their way upstairs to go to sleep. Gibbs gave Abby a new toothbrush, which she exchanged with a kiss. He held the sheets down for her and she cuddled next to him. Both were asleep within minutes.

Abby woke alone the next morning. They were off call for the weekend, so she had slept later than normal. Gibbs had left the bedroom door cracked, and she heard him coming up the stairs. He entered the room with a full tray.

"Gibbs! Nobody had ever brought me breakfast in bed!"

"Well I didn't get to take you out so I thought this would be nice. Here, sit up." She did, and he placed the tray neatly on her legs and sat next to her. He had made eggs, hash browns, toast, and bacon. Two glasses of orange juice sat on the tray. Gibbs settled himself back next to her to help steady the tray. There was one large plate of food, enough for both of them. Abby periodically fed him bites of food, and he kissed her after each. They both ate greedily, as neither had eaten dinner last night. Once Abby finished she made to get up to take the tray downstairs, but Gibbs pushed her back against the pillows. She told him to hurry back and she snuggled back under the blankets. Gibbs seemed to take a while returning from dropping the tray. She wondered if he had disappeared into the basement to work on his boat.

He returned just as she had gotten up to go look for him, to make sure everything was good. He smirked at her. "You just don't listen, do you?"

She saluted. "No sir!"

"You'd never make it in the Marines! But you're cute so even the most hardened grunts would forgive you. C'mere." He had settled himself against the pillows again and she climbed back on the bed and snuggled against him.

"You're gonna be useful in the winter. Keep me warm."

"Hmm. So what are your secrets, Abbs?"

"I have always had a crush on you!"

"Kinda figured that. Hoped, I mean. Both."

"My secrets? I'm really not obsessed with death-I am scared of it actually. I hate it when people chew their gum out loud. I miss college and not being responsible all the time. I get weirded out talking about myself a lot, so now I am just going to cuddle with my favorite person."

"I like that idea. How about we go downstairs and snuggle on the couch? I have books down there or we can play a game."

"Can we work on the boat later?"

"Sure, anything you want." He led her down the stairs and she gasped upon entering his living room. He had put up a banner that read "Happy Birthday" and a vase of black roses sat on the coffee table next to a few presents.

"Gibbs! How did you, when did you? Did you already have them? What about the flowers? The look fresh! Thank you!" Abby flung herself into his arms, and he steadied her.

"Early this morning. Sit with me." He sat on the couch and she climbed right into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her back and she rested her head on his shoulder. Abby couldn't stop the tears from flowing. Gibbs stiffened when he felt the tears she was trying to hide from him soak through his shirt. "What's wrong, sweet girl?"

"You didn't have to do all this! Especially after I was so mean to you yesterday. I should be getting you a present."

"I don't want you to worry about that. I screwed up and you were allowed to be upset. Abby, you always let stuff go when somebody hurts you and you don't stick up for yourself. I'm glad you did, even if it was me you fought with. I don't know if you've noticed, but I can be a stubborn jackass. I'm sorry that I was so hard on you yesterday and that instead of talking to you about it I let us fight about it. I just hope in time you start to trust me again."

"I do trust you, Jethro."

"See, you did get me a present. I always wanted to hear you say my name." Gibbs brushed the tears away from her eyes and kissed her lightly. "Open this." He presented her a gift envelope with a large bow.

She opened it and plucked the bow off and placed the bow on his chest. "You're my present, Jethro." He smiled at her as she pulled the contents of the envelope out. "Two Plastic Death tickets?! But they were sold out! How did you get these?"

"I know a guy. Owed me a favor."

Abby giggled. "You sound like a gangster. Thank you so much, Gibbs!"

"I'm not going to that concert with ya, though. Take a friend and I'll be your chauffeur for the evening. I like my hearing." She giggled again and hugged him tightly. She hadn't moved from his lap. She fit there, perfectly, like pieces of a puzzle. Gibbs handed her the next gift. She opened it to find an elegant silver choker, inlaid with small emeralds. She gasped. It was gorgeous, and caught the light beautifully.

"Thank you. This is beautiful. You're incredible, Gibbs, I don't deserve this."

"Of course you do. It matches your eyes, Abbs. Stop beating yourself up over yesterday, Abby. That's an order."

She saluted him. "Yes, Gunny!" He grinned at her, and handed her the last present. She opened it to reveal a framed picture from when her mother had visited her in D.C. last. Gibbs had taken the two women on a tour of the city, not the tourist parts. A kind passerby offered to take a picture of the three of them in front of a small harbor. Gloria stood in the middle of Gibbs and Abby, looking radiant, and Abby was glowing.

Abby burst into tears and Gibbs soothed her, running his fingers through her hair and down her back. "I miss her so much."

"I know, baby."

"This is a beautiful picture, Gibbs. She looks so happy. Thank you."

"I didn't mean to make you sad."

"You didn't! I just wish she knew how happy I was going to be, because of you."

"She does know, Abbs. I just wish you had told me. Why didn't you?"

"You had enough going on already. This was slightly after the Boone case and you were sad already. I regret not being there enough for you."

"Never let a case stop you from coming to me if you need, Abbs. You're my priority. Abby, I love you."

"I love you too."

Abby didn't doubt now that he loved her. She had never felt this strongly for anyone before and felt safe and secure. No matter what they went through, she knew that they would survive because they had each other.

The End

Author's note: Glad everyone enjoyed it! Have a possible sequel in mind for it. Experiencing a block for the rest of "You Make me Feel too Much" but come hell or high water I will have that one finished by season 11 premier.