Oh hai, was I posting here? ;) Sorry, my mind went nuts after the last three NCIS eps and I've been terribly caught up in a new fic where I'm pretty much changing everything that happened to how I want it to happen. Because MAllison needs to die a painful death. But enough about that, on with the conclusion to this fic.

Although by all outward appearances she was calm, Abby's grip on Gibbs' hand said otherwise. She held her chin high as they passed the spot where Ian had approached her the day before, but her feet moved quickly and Gibbs had to hold her back so they didn't completely leave Gloria and Jackson behind.

He had suggested they go somewhere else, but Abby had refused to change locations, and responded with, "I have to face my fear sometime, and the sooner, the better."

He couldn't argue that.

Once they were seated and had ordered Abby was able to relax. As Gloria signed, Abby spoke to keep Jackson in the loop, and soon the conversation was dominated by Gloria and Jack. They shared stories of both Abby and Gibbs as children, and Gibbs smiled when Abby changed a few details when she spoke for Jack, ignoring the slight smirk on Gibbs face when she left out a few of the more scandalous details of her past.

"I think I might have to take up learning ASL," Jackson said thoughtfully between bites. "I think it would come in handy the next time we have a family get-together."

Having read his lips, Gloria clapped her hands together and smiled, nodding her approval of the idea.

Gibbs sat back and watched the faint blush that spread on Abby's cheeks as she avoided eye contact with him. They hadn't talked about their relationship in terms of the future and it was obvious that Abby didn't want to assume things about their maybe future together. "Hey," he reached across the table, covering her hand with his. "I think it's a good idea too, and then we can send them out to entertain each other. We can avoid hearing repeats of the same stories."

"I don't tell the same stories over and over again." Jack protested.

"Uh huh." Gibbs rolled his eyes.

"Of course not, Jack. And I love your stories. I will never be tired of hearing them."

"Traitor," Gibbs muttered, giving her hand a soft squeeze before pulling his hand away.

Abby stood with her arms wrapped tightly around herself, gazing out at the moon. It had been two weeks since Ian has last approached her, and it was her first night back in Gibbs' bed since that night. She had been given an additional two weeks off to spend time with her mother, and they had stayed at Abby's so Gibbs could get settled back at NCIS after finishing up all the paperwork pertaining to her case.

A small shiver ran through her body and she couldn't help but think about Ian. Gibbs had sat her down after dinner to tell her that, although he had confessed, his lawyers were pushing mental illness as the reason for his actions, and were asking for treatment and limited jail time.

"So he could be out after a few years?" Abby's eyes had been wide with panic.

"I won't let him get you."

"I know."

She had pushed him toward the basement and told him she'd be down in a bit; she needed time to think first. That had been nearly two hours ago.

"Hey…"

Strong arms wrapped around her and she leaned back against Gibbs' firm chest, letting her head fall to the side as warm lips moved along her neck.

"You okay up here?"

"Mm, I'm good."

"What're you thinking about?"

Abby sighed, "Ian. You. Us. Going back to work tomorrow."

Gibbs pressed his lips to the side of her head. He could tell her that he'd keep her safe; that everything would be okay – they would be okay – that things would be normal again. But he had said those things already and now she needed to work things out in her mind.

"But you'll protect me, keep me safe. And we're good, right? We're good," she confirmed to herself. "And work… I've really missed my babies. McGee said he made sure everything in my lab was in order for me, so it'll be like normal. Tomorrow will be normal, won't it?"

Gibbs turned her to face him and smiled. "We'll go to work; I'll likely have DNA or something for you to run. You'll get a match like you always do and I'll bring you Caf-Pow!-"

"What if I don't get a match?" Abby questioned.

"I'll bring you a Caf-Pow! just because. Then, we'll come home, have dinner and relax in front of the fire."

"You make it sound so easy." Abby wrapped her arms around his middle and pressed her cheek to his chest.

"It is." He stroked her hair, and pressed his lips to her forehead. "C'mon, let's get some sleep." He led her back to the bed and carefully stripped her of her clothing. He watched as her eyes drifted shut and she sighed contentedly under his touch. He noticed the way she visibly relaxed and he dropped a gentle kiss to her bare shoulder. His actions weren't sexual, though he appreciated her bare skin before helping her into a pair of shorts and one of his old shirts.

He helped her under the covers, and quickly stripped down to his boxer-briefs before sliding under the covers beside her. Almost instantly she was in his arms and he let out a deep sigh. It had been two weeks since he had had her curled up next to him in bed.

"I missed you," Abby peppered his chest with kisses. "Missed this."

"Mmm," he allowed her to cover his chest with kisses before tilting her face up so he could kiss her. He knew she needed a good night's sleep before going back to work, but the moment she slipped her leg between his, he knew he couldn't deny her what she wanted.

Ian paced the holding cell, drumming his fingers together steadily. He had to see Abby again, he would see Abby again. When he closed his eyes, visions of the spider web danced in front of him. He wanted to touch it, to lick it, to taste it…

If he could just keep it together and get through rehab… Abby would be his.

THE END.

Hope you enjoyed.