A/N: Thanks once again for all the reviews, favs and alerts for this one, this is the final chapter. As Gosgirl so subtly pointed out in her last review this is ripe for a sequel...which seems to be a common thread with me lately, but I do have some ideas for one so watch this space, and as she also mentioned I seem to have a thing for setting up Gibbs and Abby at cabins...so there may also be more on that in the future :p Thanks heaps for reading!

Epilogue - New Year's Eve

Hearing the front door shut and the familiar heavy footsteps of boots across the floor above him in the basement, Gibbs looked at his watch to check the time. With only five minutes until the New Year rang in he'd expected Abby to return much later than this. Her brother Kyle had picked her up from Gibbs' place just before eight o'clock and they'd planned on going out for a bite to eat before hitting the nightclubs.

Worried that something had happened Gibbs lifted his gaze to the top of the stairs when Abby appeared, a radiant smile lighting up the features of her face. The corner of Gibbs' lips curved up into a grin, a reaction to her that had become second nature...he couldn't help but smile when she was near.

He saw Kyle move up behind her as she walked further into the basement, her eyes following Gibbs with each step down. A bag filled with what looked like food hung from one of Abby's hands and he noticed the beer Kyle was carrying as he moved down the stairs after Abby.

"Hey there...my Marine," she said, the four short words smoothly rolling off her tongue and increasing his heart rate.

Gibbs loved it when she called him her Marine, and she knew it.

"Hey yourself, thought you wouldn't be back for a while yet."

"What can I say, I missed you."

Abby stopped on the last step when Kyle chuckled behind her.

"Missed is a slight understatement Abby," he offered, the teasing tone of his voice telling her she could fool nobody.

It had been a week since they'd gotten together at the cabin, and although they'd spent almost every hour outside of work in each other's company they were still working things out. Abby had slept at Gibbs' house every night, both of them beginning to get used to the idea of sleeping in Gibbs' bed instead of the guest bed or couch as had happened in the past.

"We had a good time," Abby reasoned, her cheeks blushing at Kyle's comment. "We ate some food, talked a lot and had a few drinks...well I had a few drinks since Kyle is driving. I guess I just realized I wanted to be with the two people who have changed my life this year, rather than in a room packed with strangers."

Gibbs felt his heart swell in his chest at the thought that she wanted to share her night with Kyle, with him as well. It showed her faith in their relationship that she did want all three of them to spent time together and that Abby wanted Kyle to join in their happiness in being a couple.

She stepped down to ground level and walked over to Gibbs, pressing a slow but gentle kiss to his lips. "And I don't want you to start the year alone any more than you'd want me to, not when this is the start of our first year together...one of many firsts to come for us."

"Glad you're both here." Gibbs put his arm around Abby's waist and reached out to shake Kyle's hand.

He was genuinely happy to see Abby's brother and welcomed his presence in her life. Gibbs could see the similarities between them, not only in terms of appearance but the way they acted. They both wore their heart on their sleeves and would do anything for the people they cared about. Gibbs hoped as time went on he could get to know the younger man better and he would become a regular at the family gatherings they had.

"You haven't eaten have you?" Abby asked Gibbs, holding the bag of food aloft.

Gibbs shook his head. "Nope, just been messing about down here."

"I knew you wouldn't eat," Abby rolled her eyes. "You haven't had anything since this morning."

She grabbed hold of his wrist to look at the time before stepping out of his grasp and placing the food on his work bench.

"You keeping tabs on my eating habits?" Gibbs raised an eyebrow and took the beer from Kyle, placing it on the bench next to the food.

"Someone has to look after you."

"Just as well I have you then. That's not all for me is it?" Gibbs asked, watching Abby take several cartons of food out of the bag.

"We ate a little while ago, but with a couple more drinks I'm sure I'll get hungry again."

Picking up his hand, she laced her fingers through his and began to countdown when it got to the last ten seconds before midnight. She reached into a smaller bag that had been in with the food and when she yelled out "three...two...one...Happy New Year," threw confetti over Gibbs and then Kyle.

Gibbs laughed and let her pull him towards her, whispering against her lips. "Happy New Year, Abbs."

Abby affectionately pulled out a couple of pieces of confetti that had gotten caught in the silver hair hanging over his forehead, her eyes focusing on his."Happy New Year...Jethro."

The brush of her lips over his was gentle but brief, she didn't want either Gibbs or Kyle to feel awkward by the show of affection...there would be plenty of time for more later when she and Gibbs were alone.

Moving away from Gibbs, Abby threw her arms around her brother in an excited hug. "Happy New Year, Kyle...I'm so glad I have you."

"Me too, Abby, Happy New Year."

After a few moments Abby dropped one arm from around his neck and held it out so Gibbs would join them. He stepped over to her and she dragged him into the embrace, one of his hands lightly patting Kyle on the back while the other slid around Abby's waist.

When Abby eventually let both men go Gibbs pulled two stools over to the work bench and offered them to Abby and Kyle to sit on. Instead Abby hoisted herself up onto the bench, her leg draping over Gibbs' when he sat on a stool next to her.

They sat talking for the next hour, Kyle having one beer since he was driving and Gibbs and Abby finishing off the rest. At the same time Gibbs tucked into the Chinese food, Abby stealing a mouthful every now and then, until they were both full.

Just after one o'clock Kyle got to his feet to say goodnight, he and Abby exchanging an enthusiastic hug before Gibbs gave the younger man a much more subdued version.

"Good to see you again Kyle, you're always welcome here."

"Thanks Gibbs...I'm happy she has you, that you have each other."

Gibbs watched as Abby led her brother up the stairs, reaching for his bottle of bourbon and two glasses once they'd disappeared from view.

When she returned Gibbs was tidying up the food cartons and gathering the empty beer bottles. Her hands slid around his stomach from behind, the front of her body pressing against his back.

"Aren't you gonna ask me?" Abby murmured against his neck, her nose nuzzling through the soft short hair.

Gibbs sighed at her touch, his hands reaching behind him to run up over her hips. "Ask you what?"

"How it went? If I need you to defend my honor to any guys who thought it was a good idea to make a move on me?"

"Nope, told you I trust you Abbs. And besides, they might look...they might even dream, but it's me you come home to and it's my bed where you scream out my name. As long as you had fun with Kyle, that's the main thing."

"We did have fun, was nice to just hang out and learn more about each other."

"That's good, glad you came back here early...and that you missed me."

"Was nice to be able to say I missed you."

Abby's hands roamed over his abdomen and chest, her lips pressing gentle kisses to the back of his neck.

"You're not wearing my red hoodie," she whispered next to his ear.

Gibbs poured them each a drink and placed the bottle back down. "Wore it for a little while until I got too hot, it's sitting on the piece of wood behind you."

She twisted to have a look and Gibbs took the opportunity to turn in her arms, her hold on him loosening.

"So it will definitely smell like sawdust and you now," Abby grinned, taking the glass he offered her.

Gibbs held his glass in one hand, the other curving around Abby's waist. She mimicked the gesture, the front of their bodies pressing together.

"To us," he held his glass up a little higher, "and our future."

Abby clinked the glasses together, softly repeating Gibbs' words. She knew they still had a long way to go, but their time together over the last week made her believe they could make things work and have a future together and be happy. The fact that Gibbs seemed to be thinking along the same lines only made her feel even more certain they could both have everything they wanted.

Swallowing the bourbon, Abby lowered her glass and smiled at Gibbs, the half grin he gave her in return making her heart beat a little faster. She bridged the gap between them, kissing him softly, her tongue seeking entrance into his mouth to taste the mixture of bourbon and Gibbs' unique flavor.

"Bourbon with a Gibbs chaser, my favorite," Abby sighed when they broke apart.

Gibbs rested his forehead against hers, licking the taste of her and the bourbon from his lips. "Mine too."

"I know it's late, but I wanna take a shower with you, feel your hands on me...have you inside me."

"Want that too, Abbs."

Since they'd gotten back from the cabins their need to become even more in tune with each other's bodies had meant neither of them was prepared to sleep apart. Abby's appetite for sex had increased ten-fold now that she knew she could have Gibbs at any time, in any position, in any room...and that she could be as loud as she wanted. Gibbs of course was a willing participant, a look or a touch the only thing needed to make him start removing her clothes.

At work they remained professional, not yet sharing their news with anyone other than their closest friends. But outside working hours there was no need to try and keep their feelings a secret, their actions completely uninhibited. They also spent hours talking and just being together, getting to know each other in the changed circumstances and learning more about one another with every passing day.

Bringing the leftover food with them they walked up the stairs together, stopping in the kitchen to put it in the fridge and turn all the lights off along the way. Gibbs checked the door was locked and followed Abby up to the bathroom joined onto his bedroom, their clothes discarded one by one until a pile had formed on the floor.

Once they were naked neither of them could wait until they got into the shower, Gibbs' fingers sliding into Abby's warm wet depths as he stood behind her. With a moan she leaned into him, one hand clutching onto his ass while the other slid around the back of his neck. The movement pushed her chest out and Gibbs' free hand covered one of her breasts, the supple weight resting in his palm as he tweaked her nipple.

Abby started to gyrate her lower body back and forth, working in time with Gibbs' fingers probing through her heated and damp flesh. Their eyes locked onto each other as they watched in the mirror mounted on the wall in front of them, Abby gasping when he started to roll her clit teasingly.

She circled her hips, her heart pounding in her chest as she sought more friction for the pressure building in her lower belly. When Abby's eyes dropped she stared at the sight of his long fingers disappearing between her thighs. In just the short time they'd been together Gibbs had already worked out what drove her crazy, he knew how to gauge her reactions...when to be gentle and slow, or firm and fast.

"Gibbs...so good...I love how you touch me..."

Just as she started to feel her orgasm nearing, Gibbs withdrew his fingers and turned her around. He gently nudged her towards the nearest wall, pinning her against it and hoisting her up, lifting her legs around his waist. A side view of their bodies was still visible in the mirror and Gibbs drew Abby's attention to their reflection.

"Watch us," he growled. "Gonna give you an even better view of the hip movements you can't get enough of."

"Never will get enough, Gibbs."

Leaning down to kiss her shoulder, Gibbs' hands slid under her ass, his erection pushing inside her, a long satisfied moan coming from between Abby's parted lips as every inch of him was slowly buried within her.

They started moving instantly, Gibbs eager to surrender to his longing for her and mark his territory, and Abby needing to give in to the desire for him that had been building all night, even when she was away from him. Watching in the mirror they exchanged kisses, their tongues flicking out to lick and tangle as Gibbs drove into her, Abby's hands gripping at him so she could meet his thrust with her own.

Gibbs' big hands spanned out over her hips and backside, his fingers digging into her as he grunted with each forceful stroke. Abby watched their reflection, her gaze moving between Gibbs' clouded blue eyes and their lower bodies where they were joined so intimately. The sight of them being connected in every way possible filled her with an undeniable feeling of joy and wonder...everything about him made her feel whole.

Abby's cries got louder with each plunge forward of Gibbs' hips, the sounds of their heated flesh rubbing together, the view of them moving in unison, and the feel of Gibbs' hot hard cock throbbing inside her quickly sending her hurtling over the edge.

As soon as he felt Abby's orgasm wash over her, Gibbs' sole focus was achieving his own release. She clamped around him so tightly that he gripped onto her hips even tighter, forcing himself deeper inside her until he felt the pull in his groin. His harsh groan of pleasure was loud in the bathroom as he thrust into Abby one last time before letting go, shuddering through his climax while Abby continued to tremble around him.

Gibbs collapsed against her, his legs shaking slightly.

"I love you, Gibbs."

"Love you too, Abbs, with everything that I am."

Once their breathing and heart beats had calmed Gibbs eased her legs down from around his waist, slipping from her body. They showered together, taking the time to let their hands wander and allowing their lips to caress, enjoying the slowness that their intense desire had prevented just moments ago.

When they both fell into an exhausted sleep a short time later, Gibbs' body cocooned around Abby, they both knew that what had seemed like an impossible dream before Christmas had now become a reality. With the love and acceptance of each other, and their friends, they had broken away from the shackles of friendship and were now partners in every way.

What the future held in store for them only time would tell, but they were together...their waiting was well and truly over.

The End.