DISTANCE NIGHTMARE

A/N: Okay… final chapter! Thank you all so much for all the reviews, alerts and support for what turned into a marathon of a story. Thanks for Machelo for giving me an idea about Bert in this chapter! And Bamacrush and bbfan might recognize a familiar pose in here somewhere! *grin*

And can someone thump me on the back please? There's so much fluff flying around in this chapter that I think I've given myself a furball. *cough, cough*

Chapter 37 - Commitments

The next day at NCIS was thankfully quieter.

His team had also been subdued as they dealt with their own thoughts on the tough case that had occupied all their attention the day before. They'd all experienced more horrific cases, seen equally heartbreaking tragedies, and worked other prolonged and exhausting investigations, but all of them had found it hard to shake the memory of that lost little girl and the futility of her mother's murder.

Gibbs was able to leave for home at a reasonable time, relieved for once to put the working week behind him. He had Abby's present in his pocket and couldn't help a flutter of nerves over what her reaction might be.

At least last night Abby had been free of nightmares.

This week they'd developed a habit of waking completely tangled up in one another and sometime in the night Abby usually ended up using him as a pillow. So drifting awake, slowly becoming aware of her silky hair tickling his arms, a dark tousled head nuzzling his chest and a sleepy pair of green eyes blinking up at him he'd decided was a terrific way to start the day… every day if he could.

Dumping his coat in the hallway, he could hear Abby in the kitchen and the house was filled with the delicious aroma of cooking. As he wandered into the kitchen, Abby was standing at the stove, hair loose on her shoulders, swaying to the music on her iPod… thing.

Abby squealed and jumped as he slid his arms round her waist and buried his face in her hair, breathing in the familiar scent of her shampoo. She laughed and swatted at him, before relaxing back in his arms, removing her earplugs, "I'm so gonna get you a bell." She glanced up at him. "Was it a better day?" she asked, softly.

"Yeah, easier."

That little girl would haunt him for a while, but he'd get past it in the way he usually did, and with Abby's help. He'd ended the evening feeling much calmer than he would have on his own. Last night showed him yet again how much he needed her.

She squeezed his hands where they rested on her waist, "If you need your basement tonight, I shan't mind, y'know."

She was still touched that he'd come to her last night instead of retreating to his sanctuary. He rarely showed any vulnerability in front of anyone and it illustrated just how much he trusted her that he was willing to let her in that much.

"I know. We'll see." He didn't think he'd need to yet and besides, he had other things on his mind for tonight. He kissed his way across her cheek to nibble her earlobe, grinning as she shivered. "Something smells good… and the food too."

She snorted, "Oh, smooth, Jethro, very smooth."

"I thought so," he murmured, lips wandering over her neck and she angled her head to give him better access.

Putting the spoon down, Abby gave up trying to concentrate on cooking for the moment, he was just too distracting. "You've been practicing that line all the way home, haven't you?"

"Yup. Did it work?" He smiled against her neck.

She reached up to run her hand through his hair, enjoying the silky feel to it, "Thinking about it, my silver-haired fox."

"Could get used to this," he told her, quietly, after a few moments.

"You mean me cooking you dinner," she teased, laughing. "You're not thinking of tying me to the kitchen, are you?"

His low chuckle against her neck caused her nerve endings to zing. "The kitchen's not the place I'm thinking of tying you to."

She giggled, loving this playful side of him the more she saw it. "Sounds fun. You do realize there's still some massage oil left."

"Hadn't forgotten." His hands wandered across her stomach, moving slowly upwards to brush the underside of her breasts, feeling her arch back against him, her low moan going straight to his groin. "Don't plan on us getting out of bed till Sunday morning."

"Really? I like the way you think." She turned in his arms, pulling his head down in a heated kiss that left them both breathless.

It would be their second weekend together and the first one where hopefully Abby felt better, both physically and mentally. She'd tackled a lot of hurdles this week, although he didn't kid himself that she was out of the woods yet. But as a respite from everything, he was planning to spoil her this weekend, and if this evening went to plan, they'd have a lot of celebrating to do.

"You coming with me to bowling practice on Sunday?" Abby enquired as she stood cradled against him, head resting on his shoulder.

He nodded, dropping a quick kiss on her nose, "Yup, be good to see the Sisters."

"And tell 'em about us?" she asked, hopefully.

His grin was reassuring, "That too. If they haven't already guessed like everyone else seems to have done."

He disappeared upstairs to change while Abby finished dinner and when Gibbs returned, she heard him in the living room lighting the fire. He pulled two beers from the fridge when he came back and popped the caps, handing her one as she served up two plates of steaming chilli.

They caught up on her news over dinner. Director Vance had called Abby to personally give her the news that he'd signed off on her returning to work on Monday.

Gibbs smiled and squeezed her hand, seeing the happiness on her face at the prospect of returning to her lab… to her babies. The temporary lab tech that had replaced Abby had finally stopped leaping into orbit whenever he strode into the lab, and even he had to admit she was competent enough. But no one worked as hard as Abby did, put in the same long hours or got results quite so quickly. He'd missed his daily visits.

Earlier, Abby had tried to call her mother to check on her plans for Christmas and to tell her about Gibbs, but Gloria was away with a friend for a few days.

Gibbs insisted on washing up and shooed her out of the kitchen. Abby curled up on the couch with coffee, looking forward to a relaxing evening. She laughed when she saw Bert sitting on the coffee table. Gibbs must have moved him when he got back as Bert had been on the window sill all week.

Reaching for him, Abby paused when a glint of something caught the light. Curious, she picked up her hippo and was startled to see dog tags hung round his neck on a gold chain.

She pulled the chain off to take a closer look, but there was only one possible owner of dog tags in this house. Heart racing, she saw Gibbs' name and recognized his military service number.

Watching Abby from the kitchen, Gibbs felt his mouth go dry as he tried to read her reaction.

While still trying to absorb what he meant by hanging his dog tags round Bert's neck, something else on the chain drew her eye… a ring. She held it up to the light to examine it.

Oh… my… god.

A promise ring…

A gorgeous white gold ring encircled with black inlay, with a raised Celtic design also in white gold of three cornered knots running all the way round. She knew this design, had seen it before and wracked her brains to remember the meaning of the Celtic symbol. These knots were triskeles, denoting the body, mind and spirit of two people and when they were joined together like this

… oh…

… it meant two people joined in Serch Bythol, everlasting love.

Her hands shaking, Abby looked at the ring in amazement, turning it to reflect the light, seeing not only the beauty of the design but also the possible meaning behind it.

Did Gibbs know what this symbol meant when he bought it? Or was she reading too much into the gift of just a lovely ring?

Her barely audible whisper of "Oh, Jethro," reached him where he was standing hesitantly in the doorway. When she raised her gaze, Gibbs caught his breath at her green eyes shimmering with tears and the joy on her face.

When Abby caught sight of him, she launched herself from the couch. He met her halfway, staggering as she wound her arms and legs around him and he managed to tumble them down to the couch. She was laughing and crying at the same time as he held her tightly, burying his face in her neck.

"Abby."

She'd rarely heard her name said with such emotion.

Abby peppered his face with kisses and he grinned down at her, heart thudding with relief. Sliding his hands into her hair, Gibbs kissed her slowly, tenderly. She lost herself in the warmth and taste of him, the familiar weight of him as soothing as it was arousing.

When the kiss ended, she turned her attention to her present, unclasping the chain so she could remove the ring for a closer look. "It's beautiful."

"Is it okay?"

Glancing at him to see that half smile that she loved, overlaid with a measure of uncertainty and hope in his eyes, Abby sought to reassure him. "It's more than okay… it's completely, totally and utterly wonderful."

As she tilted it to the light again, she noticed something engraved on the inside.

Their initials… just a simple engraving on the back, which spoke volumes.

How could a guy who found words so difficult sometimes get things so right?

She knew there had to be a romantic side hidden somewhere. Gibbs had after all persuaded three women to marry him, and it couldn't solely be to do with how good he was in bed… or in the shower… or on a fireplace rug.

Tears of joy started to slip down her face. "Hey, wasn't supposed to make you cry, Abbs," he brushed his thumb tenderly across her cheek.

Laughing through her tears, she reached up to kiss him, "Happy tears, Jethro… positive tears." She held up the ring and queried, tentatively, "Do you know what these symbols mean?"

"Yeah," Gibbs nodded before giving a self-deprecating shrug. "The jeweler explained and it just seemed… right."

He'd gone to the jeweler's where he knew Abby bought a lot of her jewelry, and there'd been quite a few rings with different Celtic designs. When the guy explained the meaning of the different symbols, this one drew him straight away.

He just hoped it wasn't too much too soon for Abby.

He'd worried all week that he might be moving too fast. He knew how she felt about marriage, had often heard her say she never wanted to get married. And he didn't feel the need to get married again yet either. His three divorces had left scars that weren't likely to go away any time soon. But he wanted to show Abby how much he was committed to making a go of this relationship… committed to her.

"Oh, it's more than right, it's just perfect," Abby whispered, eyes shining. He felt a pleasant jolt when she slid it onto the ring finger on her left hand. He'd wondered whether she'd play 'safe' and wear it on her right hand.

"Looks good," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her hair.

It was only slightly loose but they could get that fixed easily. "Almost a perfect fit too. How did you…?" Abby trailed off.

He tapped the ring finger on her right hand. "Measured this ring."

"Sneaky," she grinned at him, twining their fingers together.

They lay in contented silence for a while, before he told her quietly, "This is it for me, Abbs. Told you I'd try." He grasped her left hand and traced her new ring, "That's my promise to try."

Abby was so moved, she could barely speak and had to clear her throat before she could get her voice to work. "This is it for me too, Jethro. That's my promise too," she looked down at their joined hands, "I love you. Don't want anyone else."

He pulled her close as Abby leaned in to kiss him, pouring everything he felt into it, the kiss soon turning heated and possessive. When they broke for air, he tightened his arms around her, tucking her head into the crook of his neck.

She couldn't stop staring at her ring, unable to keep what Emily would no doubt describe as a goofy grin off her face. For his part, Gibbs felt a sense of calm and wellbeing that he hadn't felt in a long time.

There was just one more thing he wanted to ask her, but was going to save it for later, so as to not throw everything at her at once.

Eventually she turned her attention to the other part to his present, which she had a feeling would mean just as much. Picking up the elegant gold chain, she ran her fingers over his dog tags.

His voice was a low rumble in her ear, "Thought I'd get a nicer chain for the tags."

"It's lovely," she smiled. "And I can use it if I need to take the ring off... to protect it sometimes in the lab."

She moved to put the chain round her neck and Gibbs stopped her, hesitating, "You don't have to wear 'em, Abbs, if you don't want to. Just wanted you to have them."

"But I want to?" she revealed, softly, holding the tags to her chest. "I'll either wear them or carry them with me all the time." She'd always thought that a guy giving a girl his dog tags was the military equivalent of a promise ring, and there was no way she was going to be parted from them.

Abby slipped the chain over her head, and he touched the tags, a boyish grin breaking out. "Suits you."

"Although strictly speaking, you really gave your ring and dog tags to Bert," she pointed out with a teasing smile.

He snorted with amusement. "Nah... he turned me down." She dissolved into giggles and hugged him close as he laughed into her neck.

After a while, Gibbs took her hand, pressing a kiss over the new ring on her finger, neither finding the need for words. Their quiet contentment was eventually interrupted by the phone ringing. Cursing softly, Gibbs kissed her quickly and she slid off the couch, standing as he grabbed the handset. "Yeah, Gibbs… hey, dad."

Abby made to leave, gesturing that she'd be in the kitchen, signing privacy to him.

Gibbs shook his head, signing stay.

She grinned and stretched out on the couch resting her legs across his lap. Watching his face as he caught up with Jackson's news, she tried to piece together what was being said from the one-sided conversation.

When there must have been a gap in the flow of words from his father, Gibbs broke in, "Remember Abby, Jack?..." She saw him grin in response to whatever Jackson was saying. "Yeah, that's Abby… " Another pause followed before an indignant… "Dad!" was accompanied by an eye roll and what she could swear was a slight reddening to the tips of his ears.

"Was gonna ring ya soon… " He reached out to take her hand, shooting her another smile. "We're together…" Pause. "Yeah, together." Another pause and Gibbs took the phone away from his ear to give it an almost disbelieving look before saying, "What d'ya mean it's about time?"

Abby giggled as she watched Gibbs carry on the conversation, nodding and replying to whatever else Jackson was saying. "You comin' over this time?... Yeah, good… I'm sure Abby'd be pleased to see ya… Yeah, okay, we'll sort out the details later. Bye Jack."

He hung up and put his head against the back of the couch, laughing. "I'm beginning to think everybody knew before we did."

"He'd guessed already?" He shifted to crawl up the couch next to her, and she slid her arms round his broad back as he settled against her. "Was that the 'about time' comment?"

"Yeah, says I shoulda pulled my head outta my ass years ago." He brushed her hair off her face, before cupping her cheek and kissing her softly, "He's gotta point."

"Hey," Abby admonished him, poking him in the side. "I thought we agreed no regrets for time lost or what ifs, remember? I'm just relieved he's okay about us. I thought he might not approve." It was something that had worried her more than she cared to admit. She didn't want to damage Gibbs' renewed and still fragile relationship with his father.

"Told ya not to worry."

"Easier said than done," she admitted. "I mean I get on really well with Jackson. I know I've only seen him the once but since we came back from Stillwater last year, we've kept in touch, y'know, emailing and phoning regularly. But I'm not exactly obvious material for any father's son's partner… if you see what I mean?"

He smiled at her, shaking his head at her doubts. "He'll be fine, he's fond of ya."

"What else did he say?" she turned on her side and rested her hand on his chest. "Is he coming here?"

He nodded, "Yup, said he was gonna try to get over for Christmas."

"Hey, that's great," beamed Abby.

"If he comes," Gibbs shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Why wouldn't he?" she asked, concerned. She thought they were gradually improving their relationship and assumed Jackson would want to spend Christmas with his son again, even if Gibbs still found the festive season an especially difficult time.

"He didn't last year," he admitted. "Might this time though, so he can see you."

"Is that what caused the indignant 'dad!'" she asked, curious if he'd tell her.

"Nope," he grinned at her, running his fingers along her jawline, "that was his description of you… "

"Really?" she quirked her eyebrows.

"Said you were the one with the sparkling emerald eyes and a smile that lights up a room… " His grin widened, and she laughed at his next words, "and with more tattoos than a man could dream of."

They spent the evening lying on the couch wrapped up together, talking quietly about everything and nothing… from Jack's visit and Gloria, to the Sisters, the team and work. Abby couldn't stop touching and kissing him, addicted to everything about him.

Later, Abby sat in bed reading, watching him get ready for bed. He prowled round the room with his usual lithe, powerful grace… and she couldn't help a smug thrill that he was all hers… every gorgeous inch.

When Gibbs emerged from the bathroom, she decided that those boxers would definitely have to go. She smiled at him as he climbed into bed next to her. He propped himself up on the pillows, leaning his head on his hand and smiled at her, watching as she fiddled with her ring while she read.

"Hey, Marine," she greeted him. "I've nearly finished this chapter." Just a page to go… not that she'd be able to concentrate for long with that distraction next to her.

"S'okay, take your time. I'll just enjoy the view." The red satin nightie she was wearing tonight clung to her soft curves.

She ran her eyes appreciatively down the line of his hard body and back up to his face, propped on his hand, that familiar half smile in place

… oh boy.

"And my view would be immeasurably improved if you were to lose those boxers."

"Patience, Abbs." He ran his hand gently over the silk, planning on taking his time removing it. "Not seen this one before."

"That's coz I rarely get a chance to put anything on after you've removed all my clothes," Abby commented, smiling.

"True," he acknowledged, lips twitching in amusement. "Though seeing this, obviously that was a tactical error."

When Gibbs didn't move but just lay there watching her, she glanced at him, seeing the blue eyes twinkling. "You trying to distract me?"

"Nope. If I was trying to distract ya, I'd do this." He leaned closer, kissing his way across her shoulder to the curve of her neck, raising goosebumps along the way, causing her to shiver.

"Yeah, you're right, that would be distracting," she gasped as he pulled back, looking insufferably pleased with himself.

"Or I'd do this instead." He hooked a hand round her neck and pulled into a toe curling kiss.

Abby moaned when the kiss ended, her voice husky. "Yeah, I'm really glad you're not gonna do that coz then I wouldn't be able to concentrate at all."

"Thought so. I'd better behave myself then," he grinned.

"That'll be the day." She laughed and stroked his face gently before looking slowly round the room, "Y'know, I'm gonna miss this… miss you."

He frowned. "What d'ya mean, Abbs?"

"Well, the heating will be back on again probably by Monday, so I can go back to my apartment. I won't be under your feet any more." She saw his face settle into that infuriatingly blank expression he used in interrogation and the one that she found hard to read.

Conscious she'd started babbling but she couldn't stop herself, worried what he was thinking. When he didn't speak, Abby went on, "I know you'll be glad to get the place back to yourself. And I'll definitely be out of your hair by the time Jackson arrives. I'd only be in the way coz you know you need time with your dad, you've both got a lot of catching up to do…"

Abby trailed off when Gibbs still didn't say anything, but she saw something spark in his eyes.

Now was as good a time to ask her as any.

Reaching for her hand, Gibbs twisted her ring before asking her quietly, "What if I don't want you to go, Abbs."

"Wh-… what do you mean?"

"Stay… " He saw a smile start to curve her lips and went on before his courage failed him. "Move in with me, Abbs."

He caught her as she flung herself at him. The kiss she bestowed on him was all the answer Gibbs needed.

THE END.

A/N: Phew! Biggest hugs of all to Bamacrush and Zivacentric for keeping me going and supporting me during this mad story. And thanks to AHJ for all her help with some chapters.

And if I ever talk about tagging an episode with a long story again, will you please all head slap me and lock me in a room with a year's supply of chocolate, coffee, Greek yoghurt and Marines, until I come to my senses?