SO- I've still started my book, and now starting this little dalliance in SLASH.

SO- if it's not your bag, I totally understand and you may be interested in the next fanfic that comes after this one.

A/N: I do not own, or claim to own, any rights or trademark on NCIS or the characters used here. I simply like to play colorforms. Note though, that the creativity of the story, and it's plot, those are indeed mine.

WARNING : This story has very graphic, steamy sexual content, not suitable for anyone under 18. I am writing a variety of stories…so please see the other ones if this is not your cup of tea.

THANKS – GRACIAS – DANKA – DOMO – GRAZIE

The restaurant was packed with people.

And smelled heavenly. Aromas of garlic and truffle oil permeated the air.

Abby peeked over the top of her menu at Gibbs.

"What are you gonna' have Gibbs? Everything looks so good. I dunno' what to pick…I like three things at least. At least! I have no idea which one." She glanced down again.

Gibbs opened his mouth to reply but she cut him off again, which made him smile.

"So…"she raised a black polished pinky nail and bit it gently, "Seafood risotto….mmmmm. OR maybe the orrichiette. Ohhhh…"

"The usual for me."

"Huh?" she asked, finally looking at him as he smiled warmly at her with his pale blue eyes resting on hers.

"Meatballs and spaghetti."

"Oh come on, Gibbs! You have that every time…" every time I break up with a guy and you take me out to dinner here to cheer me up. "Be adventurous!"

"No," he continued to smile and chuckled at her. "Adventurous is you, Abby."

She sighed heavily, putting her menu down on the table. "Yeah. Maybe I should curb my enthusiasm when it comes to my adventurous dating." She absently scratched at the corner of the menu. "I mean…I keep picking the wrong ones…"

You already picked the right one, he thought, you just haven't figured it out yet. He knew in his gut, she just wasn't ready. And one day when she was, he pitied the girl who happened to be dating McGee, since Abby, with her forensics expertise, could eliminate someone at least five different ways without leaving any evidence.

"Holy co-inky-dink, Batman," she suddenly said, sitting up straight in her seat, her pale green eyes widening. She looked past his shoulder further in to La Scalla's grand dining room.

He twisted around to see DiNozzo, seated at a table towards the front of the restaurant, also perusing a menu, across from….Wendy?

"That's Tony's ex!" Abby said excitedly.

Gibbs nodded. "Yeah, it is." He turned back to look at Abby.

"Do you think they're getting back together? Ohmigod. Ohmigod. This could be epic!" She was almost vibrating. "Maybe it'll finally happen! OH Gibbs! They would make such cute little DiNozzo babies together!"

"Abs…"

"And I would be the favorite Aunt! I know I would because you know, Ziva…well she's nice and everything,…well, no, she's not that nice is she…but I'm waaaay more fun. Oh…well, she would teach them how to throw knives and stuff…they would like that, huh?"

"Abby!" he warned.

She finally looked at him. "Huh?"

"Cart. Horse."

"Yeah, yeah, I know," she smiled, "but a girl can dream!"

He laughed.

They ordered their food, and talked a little about work.

But after a while, she wasn't talking much… and Gibbs could see what she was really doing.

"Abby…" he warned, with a bit of a growl.

She had been fastidiously looking past him, over at where Tony was eating with Wendy.

"What?" she said with a practiced look of innocence that he knew quite well.

"It's not polite to eavesdrop."

"I can't hear anything from here, Gibbs!" She smiled in mock indignation and said, "How could you even think such a thing?"

"I know you're reading his lips, Abby. Leave it alone. If there's anything to know, he'll tell us when he's ready."

She pouted. "But Gibbs…." And looked over again. "It's getting good. C'mon- listen to this-"

She looked over intently at Tony again, and started quoting Gibbs' SFA:

"You know, I wondered why you called me. I was hoping…to talk about you and I…." she paused, focused intently, waiting for his next words. "Uh-huh…well, I can see that, Wendy. And…I'm glad for you. That you found what it is that makes you happy, but…you can't do this…" Abby frowned, realizing there was some trouble in the works now in Tony's conversation.

"Abby!" Gibbs warned again. "Knock it off!"

But she couldn't stop herself. She continued to watch and quote Tony:

"Do you know? DO you have any idea what this could do to my life? My career? Did you think about that? No, you didn't. God! You're the same selfish bitch you always were!"

Now Gibbs couldn't help himself but turn a little to look over at the couple off in the distance. He could see the petite form of Wendy and her dark hair from the back, as she gesticulated wildly, saying something with intensity to DiNozzo.

He and Abby saw the very disturbed, if even frightened look in Tony's eyes as he shook his head negatively at her and dragged a hand through his short hair.

Abby continued to speak but very softly now, as Tony looked at Wendy desperately: "Please, don't do this. If you needed to write a book, why about this? If people figure it out…you…you just don't understand…"

There was more gesturing from Wendy, and she put a hand on one of Tony's, both of which were gripping the edge of the table.

She was speaking, but Tony just swallowed and looked around the restaurant, his expression closing down.

Both Gibbs and Abby hoped he wouldn't spot them.

He didn't.

Instead, Tony slowly pulled his hand away from her and stood up. She tried to grab his jacket cuff, but he pulled it away. He looked down at Wendy, his eyes dark and glittering with anger. He pulled out his wallet and took money out, tossing it on the table as she looked up at him.

"We're done here. Nice to see you, Wendy. Good luck with your book." Abby was almost whispering the words now, feeling a mix of worry and shame that she had indeed eavesdropped on a very personal conversation.

She watched as Tony turned without hesitation and left the restaurant, leaving Wendy slouched in her chair dejectedly, staring down at the table.

Abby finally looked at Gibbs, who had turned back to her after Tony stood up and reached for his wallet.

"He just…left…" Abby said a little sadly.

"Yep." Gibbs said. "And I'm only gonna' say this once, Abs. Leave. It. Alone."

"But Gibbs, Tony-"

"Is not happy with how this dinner went, and you should leave it alone," he repeated himself for good measure.

She was a little tearful, already wanting to go to Tony and hug him and talk to him about what they witnessed. But she knew Gibbs was right.

"Would you two be interested in dessert tonight?" The waiter asked, suddenly standing at their table.

"Tiramisu?" Gibbs said, and he knew it was the magic word.

"OH! YES! Yes, tiramisu!" Abby said, now excited to have her favorite sweet treat at La Scalla.

Gibbs smiled at her, a little puff of air escaping his nose in amusement of her reaction.

She eyed him sweetly, but thought to herself, I won't bother Tony about this…but it doesn't mean Wendy is off limits. Gibbs didn't say anything about her.

"I'll have a coffee, black," Gibbs said, and as the waiter turned away, he seamlessly told Abby, "And leave Wendy alone too."