Refuge

An hour later he made his way upstairs to help himself to a cup of coffee and join the gathering. Music from Lion King blasted from the television. Abby and Tony had grabbed blankets and cocooned themselves on the sofa, propping their feet on the coffee table. This sofa was a new one the two had badgered him to buy, insisting that his old couch was not fit for human habitation. This newer model had room to seat six or so people, and he secretly liked the replacement, though he chose not to let on to them.

Gibbs walked in and slapped Tony's leg, then Abby's, and ordered, "Get your feet off the table. You know better than that."

They both obeyed immediately then Abby asked, "Are you ready to watch? Lion King just finished."

"A Few Good Men is up next, Boss," Tony spoke. "It's a great Marine show, and it's got Jack Nicholson. You'll like it."

"Let me get my coffee. Do you two need anything while I'm up?"

"Coke," called Tony.

"Caf Pow," added Abby.

Gibbs located a tray in the kitchen and loaded it with a fresh cup of coffee, two juices, potato chips, and dip, and made his way back into the living room.

Abby began to pout when she saw the juice. "Why no Caf Pow?"

"I wouldn't dream of giving either one of you more caffeine. You'll be up all night. It's this or nothing."

Tony and Abby sighed dramatically and picked up their juices. Gibbs sat between them on the couch and opened the chips.

"Why do we have to watch a war movie?" Abby complained.

"Not a war movie, oh uneducated one," corrected Tony. "This is the standard for- ouch! Stop!"

Abby had reached behind Gibbs and pinched Tony.

Gibbs immediately reprimanded. "If you do that again, you're going to your room. Got it, Abbs?"

Abby decided not to push it. "Sorry, Tony, I guess."

Tony smirked and Abby grabbed a throw pillow, set it in Jethro's lap, then scooted so her head was in his lap and her legs were over the arm rest. Tony threw his legs over his side's armrest and propped himself against his boss. Gibbs resigned himself to the arrangement. The two were fiercely jealous at times, and both wanted to make sure that they had equal attention from Jethro.

Once Abby had snuggled into a comfortable place she began to relax, and within half an hour she was sound asleep. Gibbs smiled indulgently at her, and brushed her bangs back. She brought him so much joy. Tony squirmed that same amount of time and slowly his head began creeping down towards the pillow as well. His heart swelled with pride as he regarded his senior field agent. Within an hour, he, too, was sound asleep and Gibbs couldn't help but smile at their sharing the cushion, without an argument, for once. When the film ended he sat quietly, enjoying the sense of family and the peaceful breathing of the two. He would have to wake them and send them up to their beds, but for just a little while he wanted to enjoy having them so near. Those two had crept into his affection and his life, giving him a sense of belonging and a sense of being needed. They were his ties that bind.