Fic: April Fools [1/1]
Posted on behalf of iheartGibbs..
April Fool
by iheartGibbs
Written for lolife, who requested a kiss and a scene in the lab, any rating
Rating: FR7
Pairing/Characters: Gibbs/Abby
Summary: Abby is upset and Gibbs determines to find out why.
Abby Scuito bustled around her lab like a busy little bee. She arranged items, shut down equipment and did all of the things required to close her lab for the night. The ritual usually took her a good thirty minutes, but she had no time to spare today. One last glance around the room assured her she hadn’t left anything incomplete. Picking up her coat, she spun toward the sound of the door opening.
“Gibbs!” she said, breathless.
“Abs,” he replied, taking in the situation with a curious look. “Headed out early today?”
“It’s not early!” Abby began. “I’m only required to stay here until this time, it’s just that I usually choose to work later because I have so much to do.”
“What’s going on?” he asked, noting that as he took a step toward her, she retreated from him in equal measure.
“Nothing, Gibbs, I just have to go.” She moved around to the other side of the counter and began making her way toward the door by way of the part of the room furthest from him.
“Abby,” Gibbs said softly, knowing she wouldn’t dare leave without hearing him out.
Abby sighed and turned back toward him. “Seriously, Gibbs. Nothing’s wrong, I just have to go.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
Gibbs nodded toward the door, indicating she should take her exit. Without a second thought about why he let her off so easily, Abby breezed out the door, grateful for the opportunity to get away.
---
Gibbs tailed Abby’s bright car through town until she pulled into a small storefront. The sign above the door read [i]Home Away from Home[/i] and had paw prints in the corners. A kennel? Abby didn’t have any pets. She didn’t think it was fair, given the number of hours a week she spent at the office. Gibbs smiled at the thought of how many pets she would have if she were home all day. Probably a houseful.
She got out of the car and disappeared inside without a moment wasted. Gibbs waited a bit, giving her time to take care of whatever was so urgent. He fidgeted, recognizing even as he did so that it was out of character for him. He was a sniper. He had nerves of steel. But Abby was upset…and she was taking far too long.
Just as he was about to go in after her, the door opened and Abby emerged, leading a large chocolate Labrador Retriever. Now more curious than concerned, Gibbs stepped from the car and into her line of sight.
“Gibbs, what are you doing here?” Abby nearly jumped when she saw him.
“Followed you.”
“Well, obviously…but why?” Abby asked.
Gibbs nodded toward a small grassy area at end of the block. “Somewhere we can talk?”
“Sure,” she agreed.
When they reached the end of the block, she took a seat on a small park bench. Gibbs knelt down to introduce himself to the dog.
“This is Hershey,” Abby said, not able to keep herself from smiling. “He belongs to a friend of mine.”
Gibbs allowed the animal to get his scent, then he gave him a pat and greeted him warmly. He moved to sit next to Abby on the bench. The dog circled three times, then sat on the ground between them and rested his head on Gibbs’ shoes.
“He likes you,” Abby told him, unsurprised.
“Sweet dog,” Gibbs confirmed.
“He can be,” Abby sighed. “My friend Maggie rescued him from a shelter a little over a year ago. He has had over fourteen owners. Everyone loves him, but no one seems to be able to handle him.”
Gibbs nodded, letting her know he was listening.
“Hershey suffers from separation anxiety. He’s incredibly sweet and loyal, but he doesn’t like to be alone. He…well, he destroys houses.”
Gibbs chuckled. Abby smiled and continued, “That’s why Maggie’s the perfect companion for him. She works from home and lives alone. She takes him most everywhere. He just hops in the truck and rides with her. But her mom is ill and she had to fly to Wyoming to check on her. Of course I agreed to help take care of him. I had thought I’d bring him to work with me, but I approached Director Vance and he told me it wouldn’t be professional or appropriate…which it wouldn’t, of course, but he wouldn’t be in the way.”
“You put him in a kennel?” Gibbs asked, connecting the logical dots.
“Yeah, but not just any kennel, Gibbs. This place rocks! I mean, they actually have people on staff who play with the animals and spend time with them. They don’t just spend all day locked in a cage. When I first called, they said they were all booked up. I thought I was going to have to request a week’s vacation from work. But when I brought him down in person…well, you’ve met him. Of course they couldn’t say no.”
“Of course not,” Gibbs smiled, knowing Abby would have been nearly impossible to turn away, even if the dog had been a nightmare.
“So I was finishing up some tests in my lab, thinking I needed to come pick him up, and I got a call from Joey at the kennel. He said I needed to come immediately - that something was wrong with Hershey. I was frantic, Gibbs. I cannot imagine anything happening to him, especially not while he’s in my care.”
“And that’s when I found you.”
“Exactly. Only there wasn’t anything wrong with him. Apparently Joey wanted to ask me out, so making up some line about an animal I love being hurt seemed like a good idea at the time. He blamed it on April Fool’s, but that’s not until Friday. Not that it would have been acceptable then, either.”
“Pretty cruel,” Gibbs admitted. “What did you tell him?”
“You would be shocked at the words I said, Gibbs. I was a little upset.”
“You were in there a while. I was about to come in after you,” Gibbs said.
Abby giggled. “It took me a while. I gave him a piece of mind, let’s say.”
“Bring Hershey with you tomorrow. I’ll handle Leon.”
“Thanks, Gibbs,” Abby said, her face lighting up.
“And the date?” Gibbs asked after a brief pause.
"What date?” Abby asked, now completely lost.
“You said Joey wanted to ask you out.”
“Do you seriously think I would go out with someone who would play games like that with a defenseless little dog like Hershey?” Abby asked, her voice rising with indignation.
“No, I just wanted to see your reaction. And open the subject again,” Gibbs said, rising to his feet.
Abby watched him begin to pace and instantly began to worry. Gibbs did not pace.
“What’s wrong, Gibbs? You’re acting like Tony.”
“Nothing wrong, Abs, I swear,” he said, assuaging her fears. “Like DiNozzo?” he chuckled at the irony. “Maybe.”
“Why is that funny?” Abby asked, not getting the joke.
“Because I’m trying to ask you out. But it’s harder than I thought it’d be, breaking my own rules. Guess I’m nervous.”
“And that’s why you think it’s appropriate that I said you were acting like Tony. But he never gets nervous when he asks me out.”
Gibbs narrowed his eyes and took a step toward her. Abby giggled. He grasped her by one wrist and pulled her to stand before him.
“Not gonna make this easy, are you?” he complained when she batted her eyelashes and waited for him to ask his question.
“What fun would that be?” she asked.
“You know you’re important to me. I’ve always thought of you…differently from the others. You’re mine,” he said, a hint of possessiveness in his voice. “I know you thought my feelings were paternal, but trust me when I say that what I feel for you would not be appropriate if I were your dad. This might seem to be coming out of left field…” he broke off, not sure what to say next.
“No,” Abby said, saving him the awkward moment. “I said what I did about you loving me like a daughter because I desperately wanted you to correct me. It’s my biggest fear: that you don’t share the desire I have for you.”
Gibbs’ face softened into a confident half smile and he pulled her into his embrace.
“I’m gonna kiss you now,” he warned, bringing his calloused hand up to cup her cheek.
“April Fool?” Abby asked, suddenly wondering if she had misread his intentions.
Gibbs sighed and pulled back an inch or so. “If you’d prefer,” he said, giving her an out.
“Not a chance,” Abby said as she threw herself at him and pressed her mouth eagerly to his.
He wound his arms around her and held her tightly to him. She sighed as he deepened the kiss.
Hershey barked, pressed his nose between them and barked again.
“Okay, you too,” she said with a giggle as she opened her stance and dropped to one knee to pet the dog. She leaned toward the animal and allowed him to nuzzle her neck in an odd sort of embrace.
She took care not to release Gibbs’ other hand. Now that she had him, she would never let him go.
THE END
April Fool
by iheartGibbs
Written for lolife, who requested a kiss and a scene in the lab, any rating
Rating: FR7
Pairing/Characters: Gibbs/Abby
Summary: Abby is upset and Gibbs determines to find out why.
Abby Scuito bustled around her lab like a busy little bee. She arranged items, shut down equipment and did all of the things required to close her lab for the night. The ritual usually took her a good thirty minutes, but she had no time to spare today. One last glance around the room assured her she hadn’t left anything incomplete. Picking up her coat, she spun toward the sound of the door opening.
“Gibbs!” she said, breathless.
“Abs,” he replied, taking in the situation with a curious look. “Headed out early today?”
“It’s not early!” Abby began. “I’m only required to stay here until this time, it’s just that I usually choose to work later because I have so much to do.”
“What’s going on?” he asked, noting that as he took a step toward her, she retreated from him in equal measure.
“Nothing, Gibbs, I just have to go.” She moved around to the other side of the counter and began making her way toward the door by way of the part of the room furthest from him.
“Abby,” Gibbs said softly, knowing she wouldn’t dare leave without hearing him out.
Abby sighed and turned back toward him. “Seriously, Gibbs. Nothing’s wrong, I just have to go.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
Gibbs nodded toward the door, indicating she should take her exit. Without a second thought about why he let her off so easily, Abby breezed out the door, grateful for the opportunity to get away.
---
Gibbs tailed Abby’s bright car through town until she pulled into a small storefront. The sign above the door read [i]Home Away from Home[/i] and had paw prints in the corners. A kennel? Abby didn’t have any pets. She didn’t think it was fair, given the number of hours a week she spent at the office. Gibbs smiled at the thought of how many pets she would have if she were home all day. Probably a houseful.
She got out of the car and disappeared inside without a moment wasted. Gibbs waited a bit, giving her time to take care of whatever was so urgent. He fidgeted, recognizing even as he did so that it was out of character for him. He was a sniper. He had nerves of steel. But Abby was upset…and she was taking far too long.
Just as he was about to go in after her, the door opened and Abby emerged, leading a large chocolate Labrador Retriever. Now more curious than concerned, Gibbs stepped from the car and into her line of sight.
“Gibbs, what are you doing here?” Abby nearly jumped when she saw him.
“Followed you.”
“Well, obviously…but why?” Abby asked.
Gibbs nodded toward a small grassy area at end of the block. “Somewhere we can talk?”
“Sure,” she agreed.
When they reached the end of the block, she took a seat on a small park bench. Gibbs knelt down to introduce himself to the dog.
“This is Hershey,” Abby said, not able to keep herself from smiling. “He belongs to a friend of mine.”
Gibbs allowed the animal to get his scent, then he gave him a pat and greeted him warmly. He moved to sit next to Abby on the bench. The dog circled three times, then sat on the ground between them and rested his head on Gibbs’ shoes.
“He likes you,” Abby told him, unsurprised.
“Sweet dog,” Gibbs confirmed.
“He can be,” Abby sighed. “My friend Maggie rescued him from a shelter a little over a year ago. He has had over fourteen owners. Everyone loves him, but no one seems to be able to handle him.”
Gibbs nodded, letting her know he was listening.
“Hershey suffers from separation anxiety. He’s incredibly sweet and loyal, but he doesn’t like to be alone. He…well, he destroys houses.”
Gibbs chuckled. Abby smiled and continued, “That’s why Maggie’s the perfect companion for him. She works from home and lives alone. She takes him most everywhere. He just hops in the truck and rides with her. But her mom is ill and she had to fly to Wyoming to check on her. Of course I agreed to help take care of him. I had thought I’d bring him to work with me, but I approached Director Vance and he told me it wouldn’t be professional or appropriate…which it wouldn’t, of course, but he wouldn’t be in the way.”
“You put him in a kennel?” Gibbs asked, connecting the logical dots.
“Yeah, but not just any kennel, Gibbs. This place rocks! I mean, they actually have people on staff who play with the animals and spend time with them. They don’t just spend all day locked in a cage. When I first called, they said they were all booked up. I thought I was going to have to request a week’s vacation from work. But when I brought him down in person…well, you’ve met him. Of course they couldn’t say no.”
“Of course not,” Gibbs smiled, knowing Abby would have been nearly impossible to turn away, even if the dog had been a nightmare.
“So I was finishing up some tests in my lab, thinking I needed to come pick him up, and I got a call from Joey at the kennel. He said I needed to come immediately - that something was wrong with Hershey. I was frantic, Gibbs. I cannot imagine anything happening to him, especially not while he’s in my care.”
“And that’s when I found you.”
“Exactly. Only there wasn’t anything wrong with him. Apparently Joey wanted to ask me out, so making up some line about an animal I love being hurt seemed like a good idea at the time. He blamed it on April Fool’s, but that’s not until Friday. Not that it would have been acceptable then, either.”
“Pretty cruel,” Gibbs admitted. “What did you tell him?”
“You would be shocked at the words I said, Gibbs. I was a little upset.”
“You were in there a while. I was about to come in after you,” Gibbs said.
Abby giggled. “It took me a while. I gave him a piece of mind, let’s say.”
“Bring Hershey with you tomorrow. I’ll handle Leon.”
“Thanks, Gibbs,” Abby said, her face lighting up.
“And the date?” Gibbs asked after a brief pause.
"What date?” Abby asked, now completely lost.
“You said Joey wanted to ask you out.”
“Do you seriously think I would go out with someone who would play games like that with a defenseless little dog like Hershey?” Abby asked, her voice rising with indignation.
“No, I just wanted to see your reaction. And open the subject again,” Gibbs said, rising to his feet.
Abby watched him begin to pace and instantly began to worry. Gibbs did not pace.
“What’s wrong, Gibbs? You’re acting like Tony.”
“Nothing wrong, Abs, I swear,” he said, assuaging her fears. “Like DiNozzo?” he chuckled at the irony. “Maybe.”
“Why is that funny?” Abby asked, not getting the joke.
“Because I’m trying to ask you out. But it’s harder than I thought it’d be, breaking my own rules. Guess I’m nervous.”
“And that’s why you think it’s appropriate that I said you were acting like Tony. But he never gets nervous when he asks me out.”
Gibbs narrowed his eyes and took a step toward her. Abby giggled. He grasped her by one wrist and pulled her to stand before him.
“Not gonna make this easy, are you?” he complained when she batted her eyelashes and waited for him to ask his question.
“What fun would that be?” she asked.
“You know you’re important to me. I’ve always thought of you…differently from the others. You’re mine,” he said, a hint of possessiveness in his voice. “I know you thought my feelings were paternal, but trust me when I say that what I feel for you would not be appropriate if I were your dad. This might seem to be coming out of left field…” he broke off, not sure what to say next.
“No,” Abby said, saving him the awkward moment. “I said what I did about you loving me like a daughter because I desperately wanted you to correct me. It’s my biggest fear: that you don’t share the desire I have for you.”
Gibbs’ face softened into a confident half smile and he pulled her into his embrace.
“I’m gonna kiss you now,” he warned, bringing his calloused hand up to cup her cheek.
“April Fool?” Abby asked, suddenly wondering if she had misread his intentions.
Gibbs sighed and pulled back an inch or so. “If you’d prefer,” he said, giving her an out.
“Not a chance,” Abby said as she threw herself at him and pressed her mouth eagerly to his.
He wound his arms around her and held her tightly to him. She sighed as he deepened the kiss.
Hershey barked, pressed his nose between them and barked again.
“Okay, you too,” she said with a giggle as she opened her stance and dropped to one knee to pet the dog. She leaned toward the animal and allowed him to nuzzle her neck in an odd sort of embrace.
She took care not to release Gibbs’ other hand. Now that she had him, she would never let him go.
THE END