Title: Gifts of Comfort and Joy

Rating: M

Pairing: First time Gibbs/Abby
Prompt: A "Gift of the Magi" scenario where both Gibbs and Abby sell or give up something of value to get a gift for the other.

Summary: During the Christmas season, events transpire causing Gibbs and Abby to each sell something of value and what they ultimately give one another is priceless. Written for the Gibbs/Abby Shippers Forum 2012 Secret Santa.

Disclaimer: NCIS and its characters are the property of Belisarius Productions and CBS. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 1

Abby descended the stairs to Gibbs' basement and stopped midway because of the sight that greeted her. Just two days ago she had been in his basement, watching him work on his nearly-finished boat, but now her mind was befuddled because of the new emptiness that filled the room. "Where's your boat, Gibbs?" she asked in amazement and stepped down to the basement floor.

Gibbs looked up from where he was working at the bench along the far wall. A newly built wooden cabinet sat on the work surface and he was attaching a small door with hinges. "Hey, Abbs," he greeted, briefly looking up. "It's at the marina."

Abby walked over the space where the boat had sat. "When did you…? How did you…? I was just here and the boat was here," she stated, obviously confused. When Gibbs didn't answer and continued to work with his back to her, she stepped up beside him and placed her hand over his, stilling the screwdriver he held. "How did you get it out of your basement?" she insisted and followed up quickly with, "When did you move it to the marina?"

Gibbs gazed at her slender warm hand atop of his, always intrigued by the differences. His was larger, darker, and rougher. Hers was slim, delicate, and silky smooth. It wasn't unusual for her to touch him casually, whether they were at work or alone in his basement. That was just the way Abby was, always had been. But this time, his mind told him that her touch was intimate and he felt a slight tingle move over his skin.

Lifting his eyes, he found her smiling at him and realized he was being ridiculous. Abby had no designs on starting something that went beyond their close friendship. He could wish and hope and imagine all he wanted to, but he knew she would never be interested in a guy like him. So Gibbs pushed the thought from his mind and answered, "Yesterday a couple of guys from the marina came with a trailer."

Her soft palm slid from the back of his hand as she turned to look at the empty space once again. "They helped you get it out of your basement and load it?"

"They helped me get it loaded," he replied, returning his attention to the hinges.

Abby knew that was the best answer she was going to get from him, and she began walking around the room again, trying to imagine how he would have gotten the boat outside to a trailer on the street.

"You know it is December, Gibbs. Wintry and cold. Doesn't seem like a sailing kind of month to me. When do you plan on taking it out on the high seas?" she asked. Gibbs was just about to respond when Abby spun and exclaimed, "Oh my god, you're not going to sail to Mexico and see Mike Franks for Christmas are you? That's a long trip that would take a long time which would mean you would be gone a long time." She started pacing and gesturing, and asked with obvious anxiety, "When were you gonna tell me?" Then suddenly she stopped and spun towards him. "You were going to tell me you were leaving, weren't you?" Her pacing resumed. "So you're not going to be here for Christmas? You have to say good-bye to everyone. Christmas is only ten days away. When are you…"

As Abby turned to stride back across the floor, she nearly bumped into Gibbs. He was standing right there and his strong hands gently gripped her shoulders. "I'm not going anywhere, Abbs." A half grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"You're not going to Mexico?" she asked softly and he shook his head. "Then why are you going sailing in December?"

"Not going sailing either."

Abby narrowed her eyes and gave him a suspicious look. "Then why is your boat at the marina?"

"That's where I need it to be to finish building it," he replied and walked back to the work bench.

"What has to be done yet?" she asked, feeling less alarmed and more interested.

"Wiring for the lights and radio, the motor has to be installed, a few more cabinets and cupboards, and the main mast and sails."

Abby leaned against the bench beside him. "That's a lot."

"It is. Might be ready to sail sometime in April."

They were silent for a few minutes as Abby watched Gibbs finish with the cabinet door and when he opened and closed it a couple times, she finally asked, "That for your boat?"

"Yep," he answered, throwing an old blanket over it and securing it with a strap. "I'm headed over there now to install it." Gibbs lifted the cabinet into his arms but when he saw the look on Abby's face, he set it down again. "Never did ask you why you're here."

"Oh, I almost forgot," she replied slowly. "I'm going Christmas shopping and thought you might want to come along."

Gibbs paused and ran a hand through his hair. "Christmas shopping isn't really my thing, Abbs."

"I know and that's why I thought it might be easier for you if we went together. I know you have shopping to do."

Gibbs hesitated, looking at the floor and Abby rested her hand on his shoulder. "Or you could give me a list and I could get the things for you."

Unexpectedly, the touch of her hand once again sent tingles sliding over his body and he had to turn back towards the cabinet so he wouldn't do something stupid, like pull her into his arms or confess something ridiculous. Mentally head-slapping himself, Gibbs knew he had to get his wayward thoughts under control or things were going to get awkward between them.

"Not gonna have you do that," he said, lifting the cabinet into his arms as a way of detouring what he really wanted to do. "I've only gotta get a few gifts for the team and my dad and Emily. I'll get it done, just not today. I know you love to shop and browse, so go on and have fun."

Following Abby out of the basement to his front door, he set his burden down then pulled on a wool zip-up vest and grabbed his truck keys. Before he bent to pick up the cabinet, he noticed that Abby stood fidgeting as she nibbled on the corner of her bottom lip.

"Something else on your mind, Abbs?" he asked and took a moment to pull on a pair of leather gloves.

"Could I go with you?" she asked hesitantly.

Gibbs' heart thumped in his chest at the thought of getting to spend the afternoon with her after all. "What about your shopping?"

"I'll get it done, just not today," she said, echoing his exact words. "I'd like to see what your boat looks like out of the basement."

"C'mon then," he agreed and picked up the cabinet. "She looks the same except she's settin' right side up."

To be continued...