Closer Reality

Author: Gosgirl
Rating: Eventual MA
Pairing: Abby/Gibbs
Category: Romance
Spoilers: Faith, Season 7
Summary: Sequel to Distance Nightmare. Abby and Gibbs spend their first Christmas together as a couple, with Jackson. Partly based around some of the events of the episode Faith.
A/N: Big hugs and thanks to Bamacrush, With the Grain, Kesterpan and Gibbsredhoodie who have listened to my babbling on about this sequel for ages and have been waiting patiently for it. Couldn't have done this without you all – so you see, it's all your fault. I'm going to try and post this alternately with a threesome G/A/T I'm also working on, which will be shorter.
Disclaimer: No copyright infringement is intended. NCIS and its characters are the property of DPB and CBS. If I had a silver-haired, blue-eyed Marine to play with, do you think I'd have time for writing?

Chapter 1 – Moving Day

It was the third time Palmer and Tony got stuck in the doorway with a piece of furniture and the second time Sister Rosita goosed Tony that Gibbs saw his Abbs was back.

She was doubled over in the hallway, breathless with husky laughter and when she straightened up, still giggling, he saw her green eyes sparkling with mischief.

It was good to see and had been a few weeks coming.

Since she'd been kidnapped by the Phantom, the serial killer she'd been instrumental in discovering, Abby had been slowly recovering from her ordeal. And it hadn't been the way he'd have chosen for their relationship to change from being just friends to so much more, but he couldn't argue with the results.

Gibbs felt happier and more content than he had for years, and was looking forward to a future with Abby... which was why they were all here today at Abby's soon-to-be ex-apartment.

To move Abby into his house... permanently.

Gibbs suspected it would be a while before Abby was fully back to normal. But all week, he'd seen the beginning of her normal bounce returning in full force as they started to prepare for the move... deciding which items of furniture they were going to discard from his house, what stuff she wouldn't need to bring from her apartment and starting to pack up everything else.

They'd moved most of Abby's clothes and a lot of her personal belongings across to his house already. And the two of them had spent some of the past weekend packing and any weekday evenings they could manage after work... with the team pitching in to help whenever they could.

And this morning, as moving day arrived, Abby had been virtually vibrating with excitement, her face shining with a happiness that was infectious.

DiNozzo's laughing voice brought him out of his thoughts. "You realize this is a red light situation, ladies?"

Carol popped her head around the kitchen door. "Well, Tony, as I've been on eye level with that mighty fine booty all morning, I'll offer myself as a character witness for Rosita, and swear that she was overcome and just couldn't help herself." She laughed as Tony blew her a kiss before disappearing back into the kitchen.

Abby giggled as she approached Tony and Palmer as they leaned the dresser against the doorframe. "What's the matter, Tony? Have you never been sexually harassed by a nun before?"

"Oddly enough, Abby... in my many years of being sexually harassed, I can't remember one nun."

"Uh-oh, Tony... incoming," Jimmy put in, a grin breaking out as he gestured behind DiNozzo.

Sister Rosita's smiling face appeared behind Tony in the doorway. "Well, you must have led a very sheltered life, Tony. And be still my beating heart if I'm your first."

"I have led a sheltered life, you're right there," Tony grinned as snorts of derision and catcalls broke out around him. He peered over his shoulder. "Let me see those hands, Sister... front and centre now..."

Gibbs bit back a grin as Sister Rosita backed away from the doorway, hands raised, an innocent smile on her face.

It took much shoving and manoeuvring before Palmer and Tony managed to extract Abby's dresser from the doorway and on its way down the stairs to the waiting vehicles.

As well as Gibbs' truck, they'd hired a van for the day to take the larger bits of furniture and with the rest of the team's cars, they figured they'd got all the transport they needed to ferry everything from Abby's apartment in one trip.

They reckoned the combined muscles of Gibbs, Tony, McGee, Palmer and Fornell could probably tackle the heavy items, and Ducky and the girls could manage most of the smaller boxes or cases.

Abby's best friend, Carol was also there, as she put it, to help with packing and any sexual harassment Sister Rosita couldn't manage, and Fornell and his daughter, Emily, were also lending a hand.

Sister Rosita had arrived with a young but strong volunteer from the church and a truck in tow to take any spare furniture to charity. They'd arrived at Gibbs' house that morning early where they'd loaded the furniture Gibbs was getting rid of and now they were here to do the same with the stuff Abby wasn't keeping.

Gibbs came out on the communal landing at the top of the stairs, stopping beside Abby. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they took a break and she leaned into his side.

He laid his other hand over hers where it rested on the banisters, feeling the ridge of her promise ring under his fingers... the one he'd given her a week ago and which he didn't think she'd taken off since. He also noted with satisfaction the chain he could see around her neck which held his dog tags, currently tucked under her T-shirt.

Abby gave him a sideways look as Gibbs joined her, running an appreciative eye over his outfit. She always loved Gibbs in a hoodie but the one he'd put on this morning already had her brain melting out of her ears and she'd been fighting back the urge to jump on him all morning.

This hoodie was black and form fitting, emphasizing his broad shoulders and chest and setting off his blue eyes and silver hair. Completing the package were khaki cargo pants that were far less baggy than his normal off duty jeans and hugged his butt very nicely indeed.

He pressed a kiss to her temple, startling her out of her ogling. "You okay?"

Her smile could have powered DC and she leaned in to kiss him lightly, reaching up to cup his face and run her other hand over his chest. "I am completely and utterly and totally okay. Never been happier."

Gibbs returned her smile, nuzzling her nose and hugging her against his side. "Good to hear."

He couldn't help hoping that he was at least partly responsible for her happiness and that moving in with him was having something to do with his old Abby starting to return, and that she was beginning to put her ordeal behind her.

She threw him a teasing smile. "The sooner we get moved, the sooner I can get you to myself... don't want Sister Rosita to be the only one getting any action around here."

Tony's voice behind them made them jump as he joined them. "I would tell you two to get a room but I appreciate you're between rooms at the moment... so I'll just avert my eyes. Feel free to carry on. Don't mind me."

Abby giggled at Tony's usual yelp as the expected head slap landed, lighter than usual, seeing the amused gleam lurking in Gibbs' eyes. "Thank you, Boss... we're nearly done with the heavy stuff, Abbs, just your coffin left... now if the coast is clear from Sister Rosita's wandering hands, we can finish and load that last."

"That's great, Tony, and then I think we're left with just the boxes," replied Abby.

Tony beamed. "Consider it done, little lady."

As Tony leaned on the banisters next to Abby and Gibbs, voices drifted up from below.

"Will you put your butt into it, McGee."

"It's back, Ziva. Put your back into it."

"Well, I wish you would put something into it, McGee," Ziva shot back, "whether it is your back or your butt, or we will be stuck here all day."

Tony laughed, calling down the stairs. "Oh, where do I start, my very own Probies?"

Ziva's exasperated voice drifted up. "I will start with my knife, Tony, if you do not get down here and help. McGee has got us stuck."

McGee sound indignant. "Hey, it's not just me that's got us stuck... we're just... er, temporarily jammed in the doorway."

Tony straightened up. "Clearly, I am needed." He set off down the stairs. "Hold your horses, my little ninja. Make way for very Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo... and you can put that glare away, Ziva, or you'll injure yourself."

Gibbs and Abby lingered at the top of the stairs, chuckling as they listened to the banter drifting up the stairs as whatever it was that was temporarily jammed finally made it through the door, before the two of them headed back inside.

When McGee returned, he was breathing hard. "I swear that woman has the strength of ten. I'm exhausted."

Carol and Abby were in her bedroom packing and sealing more boxes, labelling them for the different rooms in Gibbs' house or for storage in his attic for now, until they could work out where everything was going to fit.

"Well, I guess you won't be needing these anymore?"

Abby peered over Carol's shoulder into the box she was indicating and giggled.

Gibbs entered the room at that moment. "Won't be needing what?"

Carol and Abby took one look at each other and burst out laughing. Gibbs looked from one impish face to the other. "Or maybe I don't wanna hear what."

"Well, I'm far too young and innocent to hear this conversation." As Carol passed them carrying the small box, she put it down for a moment, rummaged inside and handed Abby a pair of leather handcuffs. "Although you might need these."

Abby giggled as Carol threw Gibbs a wink and left the room. Gibbs looked over at her, his half-grin tugging at the corner of his mouth and Abby sauntered over, smiling, enjoying the heat in his blue eyes.

Gibbs looked from the cuffs dangling from her fingers to her sparkling eyes, and moved closer, pushing her arms behind her back and holding them there, hands around her wrists, smiling down at her.

"Reckon Carol's right."

"Really?" She nuzzled her face into his neck, nipping the skin, feeling him pull her more firmly against his hard body, a jolt going through her at the contact, amazed all over again at how quickly he could turn her to a pile of needy mush.

"Uh-huh... definitely gonna need 'em." He dipped his head to kiss her.

"Mmmm..." she mumbled against his mouth. "Though I don't think I'm gonna need my other toys any more though when I've got the real thing... and life size at that." Voices suddenly in the hallway outside the door had them jumping apart.

Later they'd emptied most of the rooms, loading Abby's precious coffin onto the truck, well protected with blankets, and had cleared the majority of the boxes. That left just the boxes of her many books and DVDs to pack into the truck and cars, and then they could all set off for Gibbs' house.

Although the last thing to be packed in the kitchen was the coffee maker, which was the only way she could keep the masses fuelled.

The thought of an uncaffeinated Gibbs on the prowl was a scary thought.

Ducky had organised lunch, collecting it from a nearby diner and they all took a break, sitting around on the floor or the few remaining chairs. A few of her direct neighbours in the building popped in to say goodbye, leaving presents and food and were wrapped in a hug by a tearful Abby.

Gibbs looked around in satisfaction as he made a trip to the coffee maker for a refill as his extended family bantered and joked, catching Abby's eye across the room and returning her smile. Ducky was in the middle of relating an elaborate story of one of his past moves to an attentively listening Carol and Emily.

Abby had been thrilled when everyone pitched in to help so readily. As soon as they'd told the team she was moving in and asked for some extra hands on moving day, Tony had immediately launched Operation Abby Move. After everything Abby had gone through, Gibbs knew it meant a lot to her that the people she cared about were here to share this day with her.

Gibbs remembered some past moving days in his life with several wives, which had been nothing but stress and arguments and was grateful that his SFA was as good at defusing tension off the job as he was at work.

The way everyone was throwing themselves into the day, it turned the day into a special occasion... a celebration. Tony had even brought along his camera and much laughter ensued as he recorded the day.

After lunch, sipping his coffee before starting on more boxes, Gibbs sat at the top of the stairs and handed Carol her mug as she returned from a trip to her car.

"Hey, gorgeous." Carol stood on the top step and leaned against Gibbs, who wound an arm around her back.

"Hey, half pint."

"I think we're nearly done," commented Carol, warming her hands around the mug. "Just a few more boxes left and the posse should be ready to roll."

Gibbs nodded. "Sounds good. Unpackin'll take longer... but we can do most of it over the weekend."

Carol nudged his shoulder. "Hey... we can help do some of it, can't we? You find me a chair and I'll have most of that kitchen stuff unpacked before you can say, I'm going for coffee."

Gibbs chuckled. "Deal."

Carol was silent for few moments, sipping her coffee. "She looks happy, Gibbs... and I know that's down to you. Look after my girl, won't you?"

Gibbs met her serious gaze, nodding. "Intend to."

"Is she still having nightmares?" asked Carol, gently.

"Not so much now... just one after the psych appointment last week." She'd woken him in the night, jolting awake and he'd drawn her trembling form into his arms, soothing her back to sleep.

Carol leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Glad she's got you, Gibbs."

Fornell appeared behind them and squeezed passed on the stairs, carrying a box. "When you two have finished smooching and blocking the stairs, some of us are still workin' around here."

"Oh, you should have said Tobias," Carol called after him. "I'd have saved my smooching time for when you had a few minutes to spare... although you might have to join a queue."

Gibbs snorted as Fornell threw an uncertain grin over his shoulder as he continued down the stairs. Gibbs tilted his head, raising an eyebrow at Carol.

Her cheeky grin was unrepentant. "What?"

"Don't think Tobias has worked out when you're joshing him."

"Who says I was joshing, Gibbs?" Carol waggled her eyebrows.

When Sister Rosita and her volunteer, Ken, were ready to leave, Abby wrapped both of them in tight hugs. Gibbs narrowed his eyes at Ken over Abby's shoulder and the young man blanched slightly when he met the stare and pulled back quickly, smiling uncertainly at Abby before climbing into the truck. As Gibbs turned away, he saw DiNozzo biting back a grin.

After the last few boxes had been loaded and they'd all pitched in to clean up the apartment, they dispersed to their various vehicles, an argument breaking out between Tony and Ziva as to who would drive the truck... Tony pointing out that Abby might want her furniture to arrive in one piece.

Biting back a grin at the familiar argument, Gibbs secured his truck and headed back inside. With his door unlocked, it didn't matter if the others got to his house before he did. He went to find Abby, passing Carol just leaving the apartment.

"She's in the living room, Gibbs. I'll wait by the truck."

He found Abby standing at the window looking out and stepped up behind her, sliding his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder. She sighed and leaned back against him.

"Sayin' goodbye to the old place?"

Abby turned in his arms. "Yeah... call me sentimental but I've been happy here... it was the first place that was really mine. My first independence."

Gibbs was silent, wondering if a part of her regretted losing that independence.

As if sensing his disquiet, she wrapped her arms around his waist. "But I shan't be sorry to leave here..." An impish smile spread across her face. "Although we never did get to christen all the rooms."

He nuzzled her nose, kissing her lightly. "Well, we gave it a fair shot this week."

Abby giggled, looping her arms round his neck. "We did."

She suspected they'd have gotten her packing done a lot quicker, but they kept getting distracted and managed to work their way around some of the rooms and furniture. Although she was quite glad her kitchen table wasn't following her to his house as it was still wobbly from the energetic workout they'd given it last week.

"Well, we've still got some of the furniture to try out..." he pointed out, pulling her close.

"We have..."

"Will ya miss it?" he asked.

"Yes and no," Abby admitted. "And I know you've never liked me living here."

"Wasn't the apartment, Abbs. Just the area and the building."

She cupped his face, seeing the question he wouldn't voice in his eyes. "And before you start wondering, no, I'm not regretting it. There's nothing I want more than to be moving out and in with you."

He laced his hands behind her back. "You're not the only one."

She pulled him into a kiss, murmuring against his mouth. "Take me home, Jethro."

TBC...