Chapter 4

Abby was already awake when the alarm went off that morning, in fact she'd been awake for a while. Not that she hadn't slept; she had and slept really well. There was something to be said for sleeping in the arms of the man you love.

"Morning Abbs"
"Morning Gibbs"
"We need to get you to the airport"
"I know, but I can't go without coffee"
Gibbs kissed the top of her head "is that a request or a demand?"
Abby adjusted her position and placed a long passionate kiss on his lips "I'll make it worth you're while" she purred
"OK you win. You stay here I'll get the coffee"
"Thank you" she said smiling.

He really was a very lucky man. To have someone like Abby return his affection was more than he thought possible. The feelings he had for her had grown slowly over time, the more he had got to know her the more he had fallen in love with her. He had heard it said many times before that a relationship that started with friendship was a stable and strong relationship. He had only had that with Shannon; they had known each other for years before they started dating. When he and Abby talked they could say anything, they were completely at ease with each other, yet words were not always needed. When you can be comfortable with the silent times, that's when you know its right.

Gibbs headed downstairs to get coffee and make breakfast for his girl. It had been a long time since he had made breakfast for anyone but this morning he was more than willing to give it a go. He knew Abby well enough to know that she didn't eat much for breakfast but she did have a long day ahead of her. Gibbs made a pot of coffee, a fresh fruit salad and round of toast.

Abby stretched out in the king sized bed and inhaled deeply. Last night was possibly one of the best nights of her life and so far this morning had started off really well.
She begrudgingly got up and headed for the shower. It wasn't until she was almost finished that she realised she had forgotten to bring a towel with her.

"Gibbs!" she yelled.

Quicker than she thought humanly possible the bathroom door flew open "What's the matter Abbs?"
As Abby peered round the curtain she could see Gibbs standing in the middle of the bathroom, gun in hand, concern on his face wondering what had made her yell like she had.

In a very sheepish voice she answer "I forgot to get a towel"
Gibbs looked at her and slowly a smile spread across his face then he began to laugh "is that all?"
"Yes?"
Gibbs, still laughing, went and grabbed a towel from the linen closet.
"Here you go" he said holding the towel out for Abby to step in to.
"Thank you"
He wrapped his arms and the towel around Abby pinning her arms to her side.
"You appear to have me trapped"
"Looks that way"
"So, what are you going to do with me?"
Gibbs kissed her lips, let go of the towel and said "leave you to get dressed" and as he left he heard Abby sigh.

Abby dried her hair the best she could, then wrapped the towel around herself before heading to the bedroom.

"Wow Gibbs I thought you were just getting coffee"
"You have a long day ahead, you need food"
Abby arranged her self on the bed and Gibbs arranged the tray of food between them.

"Thank you"
"What for?"
"For this, for last night, for giving us a chance, for being you"
Gibbs smiled "I should be thanking you for that"
"For what?"
"For giving me a chance"

When they had finished there breakfast Gibbs took the tray back downstairs and left Abby to get dressed. It didn't take Abby long to get ready and double check she had everything in her bag for the few days she would be away. There was just one more thing she needed, she grabbed the t-shirt that Gibbs had worn in bed that night and packed that in her small bag as well. It was silly, she knew that, but having Gibbs with her in some small way made her feel instantly safer.

She left her bag by the door and went in search of Gibbs. It didn't take a trained investigator to know were he was. As she descended the stairs to the basement she could see Gibbs started another wood work project.

"Hey" she said
"You ready to go?"
"Yes, but I don't want to "
"I know"
Gibbs joined her at the top of the stairs "better get you to the airport, don't want you to miss your flight"

Gibbs parked his car as close to the terminal as he could.

"You don't have to come in you know"
Gibbs gave her one of those looks.
"Ok, maybe you do" Abby said.

Gibbs carried her bag in one hand and held her hand with the other and they walked in silence to the check in desk.

Thankfully the check in was quick and her flight was on time.

"Well I guess I'll see you in a couple of days" she said, sadness in her voice
"You know who's picking you up"
"Yes"
"If you have any problems you tell Hetty"
"I know"
"Or you ring me"
Abby smiled "Stop worrying Gibbs I'm going to be fine"
"I'm not worried"
"Of course your not" she said with a smile.
"I don't like LA, I just want you to be safe"
"I will be"

Her flight was called so it was time to say there goodbyes.

Abby gave Gibbs a big hug "I'll see you soon"
"Yes you will"
"Don't be too hard on the team while I'm away"
"Only if they deserve it"

Abby let go, picked up her bag and turned to walk away. Gibbs grabbed her arm, looked her in the eye and said out loud the three words he had never said to her before.
"I love you, Abbs"
Abby flung her arms around his neck "I love you to"
"You ring me with your return details. I will be here to get you"

The final boarding of her plane was announced "I really have to go"
"I know"

Abby turned and left, Gibbs knew Abby could look after herself but he just could shake the feeling that her trip wasn't going to be as trouble free and Abby thought. His gut had never been wrong, but right now he really wished it was.

AN: this story continues in "Hetty Knows All" a NCIS / NCIS:LA cross over