Fic: Coup de Grâce [3/10]
Title: Coup de Grâce
Author: Jo. R (driftingatdusk)
Rating: FR-15
Pairing: Gibbs/Abby
Category: Drama, Angst, Romance, Case-file,
Spoilers: 'Semper Fi', 'Borderland', 'Patriot Down', 'Rule 51'. Slight for 'Cracked', 'False Witness'
Summary: Sequel to 'La Belle Dame Sans Merci'. Abby's involvement with the NSA, past and present, puts her future at risk.
~*~
The change in their relationship meant a slight change in the tradition of celebrating her birthday the day before. While Gibbs offered to take her out for dinner as usual, to the restaurant they'd visited many times over the years, Abby declined the offer and instead opted for dinner at home and an early night.
Leaving her tangled in the sheets after they'd decided to start the evening in reverse order, Gibbs made his way down stairs in his sweat pants and old t-shirt to get their evening meal. He grinned to himself as he plated up two portions of lasagne - Abby's favourite - and balanced the plates on a tray alongside the two glasses he'd refilled with the wine he'd bought in for the occasion. He carried the tray through to the living room, resting it briefly on the small coffee table so he could add the small jewellery box he fished out from his jacket pocket to it, before resuming his journey upstairs.
She was exactly where he'd left her when he returned to the bedroom and he paused for a moment in the doorway, drinking in the sight of her. She lay across the bed, her hair splayed out over the pillows. Pale skin stood out against the dark cotton of the sheets around and beneath her and her dark lips curved up into a welcoming smile when she noticed him watching her.
"Gonna stand there all night or help me forget I'm getting older?"
"How about we eat first, then I help you remember why getting old isn't always a bad thing?"
Her answering giggle was all he needed to kick the door closed behind him and cross the room to sit beside her on the bed. Their meals were temporarily forgotten as her gaze fell on the velvet covered jewellery box - and his fell on the scar just visible on her thigh where the sheets rode up around her.
"Hey." Her voice was quiet, her eyes soft. She covered the scar on her thigh with a sheet as he watched, his gaze rising to meet hers once the reminder was no longer visible. "I'm okay. I'm still here."
He covered the distance between them, kissing her gently, carefully balancing the tray between them. He wasn't a man of words and hoped he could convey all he felt in that one kiss. Drawing back after several moments, he reached own and picked up the box, offering it to her with an almost shy grin.
Abby took the box with an easy smile, biting her bottom lip as she opened the lid. The white gold necklace stood out against the dark blue satin inside, two dog tags, smaller than his own but... She narrowed her eyes as she studied them, turning them over with a gentle finger, only to widen them in surprise as she looked back at him. "'Semper Fi'," she read, stroking her finger over the Marine motto, turning the dog tag over to see his initials and hers carved side by side. Turning the second dog tag over, wondering if both sides were blank or if one was patterned, Abby stilled, studying the cross design intently. "This is my tattoo..."
"As close as I could get." He shrugged, the tips of his ears growing warm. "The jeweller worked from a sketch."
"That you drew?" She guessed correctly, smiling all the more at the sheepish expression on his face. "They're beautiful, Gibbs. I love it."
"You don't have to wear them all of the time..." He shrugged again when he looked up and caught sight of the amused affection on her face. "I know you love your collars but I thought..."
"Gibbs." She reached out and put her finger over his lips, cutting him off mid-sentence. "They're beautiful. I'd be happy to wear them all the time." She replaced her finger with her lips, kissing him gently before pulling away with a smile. "If the chain is long enough I could probably wear them with some of my collars. If it's not, I'll keep them with me some other way. Thank you. They're perfect."
He grinned, pleased with her reaction. He watched her as she took the necklace from the jewellery box and fastened it around her neck before handing her one of the plates, setting the two glasses of wine on the bedside table.
"Looks good," Abby murmured, taking a bite of the lasagne. "Tastes better." She winked at him as he settled on the bed beside her, his own plate in his lap. "Better eat up, Gibbs. You're gonna need your strength when I thank you properly for my present."
~*~
Two days later, Gibbs woke to an empty bed. It was the first sign that something was wrong and the first hint that he was going to have a bad day.
A search of the house revealed no clue as to Abby's whereabouts.
He dressed quickly and tried to call her cell phone, curiosity changing into concern when his calls went unanswered. Not only was it unusual for Abby to wake up first, let alone slip out of the bed without waking him up or leave the house without letting him know or leaving a note, it was unheard of for her not to answer the phone when he rang. It was one of his rules, rule three, to never be unreachable - a rule she had taken on as her own within days of learning of its existence.
The drive to work took half the time it should even though he hadn't run any lights that he was aware of. He scanned the parking lot for any sign of Abby's car, his brow furrowing when he failed to spot the bright red paintwork of her car. He checked in with security, scanning the list for her familiar handwriting, biting back a sigh when he couldn't see that, either.
It wasn't until he reached the squad room that he realised why she wasn't answering her phone.
The woman standing in front of the window was familiar, as was the young man standing beside her. Agent Catherine Lowry and Agent Charlie Robertson both glanced at him as he walked passed but neither acknowledged him more than that, turning their attention back to the man in a dark charcoal grey suit, who was in deep conversation with Director Leon Vance.
Tony stood and moved around from his desk, coming to stand beside Gibbs at the plasma screen. Both Ziva and McGee's desks were empty but a glance at his watch reminded him he'd still made it to work half an hour before his shift was due to begin.
"NSA causing trouble again?" Gibbs asked Tony in a quiet voice, glancing at the senior agent of his team.
While Tony had a bit of a reputation for being a joker - for being the 'class clown', as Ziva had once said - he was one of the most dedicated agents Gibbs had worked with. He often got in before everyone else, often leaving after them, too. He was, Gibbs mused, the way he himself had been prior to the change in his relationship with Abby, back when he hadn't really had much of a reason to go home at night.
"The guy in the suit's been arguing with Vance since they left his office ten minutes ago. Agent Lowry hasn't said anything; think he might be her boss." Tony reported, keeping his voice low.
"You hear anything to suggest what this is about?"
Glancing at the NSA agents, Tony turned his body slightly away from them as he answered. "I heard the suit say something about Branley."
"Josef Branley?" Gibbs' attention flickered back to the NSA agents and he caught Catherine's eye momentarily. The senior NSA agent gave him a look that he could only call apologetic, causing the dread he already felt to double. He turned his back on the NSA agents, deciding to try and pretend they weren't there. "Has Abby been here?" He asked Tony, struggling to keep his voice calm.
Tony looked at him sharply, genuine surprise on his face. "She's not with you?" His eyes widened in a way that Gibbs might have found comical had the situation been different. "I mean, not that she would be with you. Not that she shouldn't. I mean, you guys are... Not that I know you guys are..."
"DiNozzo." Gibbs arched an eyebrow and fought the urge to deliver a traditional slap to the back of his agents head. "A simple no would do."
Opening his mouth to confirm that no, he hadn't seen Abby, Tony's attention was quickly diverted to something - someone - over Gibbs' shoulder. His eyebrows shot up and he nodded his head. "I'd say no but that would be a lie. Abby's here, boss. Talking with the suit."
Gibbs turned to look, his jaw clenching as he took in her appearance. Gone were the pigtails, clunky boots and short skirts he associated with the NCIS forensic specialist and the woman he'd fallen in love with. Back were the perfectly tailored suit, leather boots and neatly pinned back hair he knew she thought of as her 'NSA uniform'; sensible, practical and befitting of the NSA agent she once had been.
As if sensing his gaze, Abby glanced over from her conversation with the man in the suit, a flash of something he couldn't decipher in her green eyes. He would wonder, in the weeks and months to come, if it had been regret. His gaze dropped to the v of her top when something sparkled and caught the light and he narrowed his eyes slightly, able to pick out the shape of the dog tags pendant he'd given her just days before against her pale skin.
That, he told himself, was something. A sign the woman he knew and loved was still there, somewhere.
"Gibbs." It was Director Vance who spoke, calling him over to the small group. Gibbs knew from the expression on his face, and the way he kept glaring at the man in the suit, that whatever he was about to say wouldn't go down well. "You remember Agents Lowry and Robertson, and Agent Sciuto, of course," the Director added with a note of sarcasm. "This is Agent Ron Stone."
NSA Agent Ron Stone barely acknowledged the senior NCIS agent, ignoring the appraising look Gibbs threw him. "Sciuto, Robertson, get to work," he ordered instead, his voice gruff and manner impatient. "You know what you have to do."
"Yes, Sir." Abby and Charlie chorused together, with the former giving the latter a faint, reassuring smile as he swallowed hard, his anxiety plain to see.
As Gibbs watched, Charlie headed to Tony's desk while Abby headed to his own. "What's going on?"
"The NSA are taking over the investigation into Josef Branley and his dealings," Stone answered shortly before Vance could. "As I was telling your Director, we would appreciate your cooperation in this matter and expect you to be fully forthcoming with any evidence you've already gathered."
"Why do I get the impression this isn't going to be a joint investigation?" Gibbs wondered aloud, glancing at Vance and Agent Lowry before watching an obviously uncomfortable Charlie explain the situation to an equally obviously unhappy Tony. After nodding at Tony, letting his agent know he was to do as Charlie said, Gibbs glanced at Abby, noticing her close the top drawer of his desk - a drawer he knew she knew he kept no files relating to current cases in. "The NSA so bored you're tackling drug smugglers now?"
"It seems Mr. Branley has been smuggling more than just drugs into the country," Director Vance answered, his tone dour. "The NSA have apparently had their suspicions about his operations for some time but failed to mention it."
Gibbs put the pieces together quickly, staring at Stone and Catherine in disbelief. "You suspected him of smuggling arms into the country and decided to keep it yourselves? Why?"
Catherine bit her bottom lip and shifted uncomfortably. "It's a little more complicated than that, Agent Gibbs..."
"The NSA does not have to explain itself to you," Stone interrupted, glaring at her when Catherine tried to continue. "I understand you assisted us last year but it appears you should pay more attention to what goes on inside your own agency instead of querying what goes on in ours."
"Three of your agents were assisting a known terrorist," Gibbs pointed shortly. "A lot of people died."
"As I said," Stone continued, baring his teeth in a grin that seemed threatening, "we appreciate your help in that matter. However, recent events seem to suggest that NCIS has a few security flaws of your own. How else would you explain the brutal murders of two key witnesses in your most recent attempt at bringing Branley to justice?"
Abby returned to the group with Charlie in tow before either Gibbs or Vance could deny or argue the point with the NSA agent. She glanced at Gibbs briefly, trying to tell him something with her eyes before turning her attention to her superior. "That's everything, Agent Stone. The rest of the evidence is already on its way to the NSA offices."
Stone fixed his flat brown eyes on the NSA Agent-turned-NCIS Forensic Specialist-turned-NSA Agent, his scepticism and suspicion clear. "You're sure you have everything?" He demanded, the look on his face forcing Gibbs to clench his hand into a fist at his side to keep from lashing out. "Agent Sciuto?"
"We have everything," she answered after only a split-seconds hesitation, a momentary pause only Gibbs - and, he suspected, Catherine - picked up on. "We're ready to leave when you are."
For a moment, Stone looked visibly unconvinced. Gibbs didn't like the way the senior NSA agent's gaze moved from Abby to Gibbs himself and then back to Abby. There was something in the look he gave them, something knowing, that Gibbs really didn't like. Instead of commenting, Stone nodded shortly and glanced at Director Vance. "Director. Thank you for your cooperation."
"I'd say anytime," Vance answered wryly to Stone's already retreating back, "but I'd be lying."
Lingering, Catherine sighed and once more gave the NCIS team a faintly apologetic smile. "I'm sorry for Ron's behaviour, Director. He's not usually like this, I assure you."
"No, he's usually worse," Abby added, careful to keep her voice down as the man in question stopped and looked over his shoulder when he realised his agents weren't following. "Agent Robertson - Charlie," she corrected herself, giving the younger NSA agent a winning smile. "Why don't you take the evidence down to the car with Agent Stone? It's the first time he's been here and I'm sure you remember the way from last time..."
Charlie smiled back, clearly still smitten with the raven-haired woman. "Yes, Ma'am. Ah... If that's okay with you, Agent Lowry?"
Catherine bit the inside of her cheek in an obvious attempt at hiding her own smile and nodded her approval. "I'll come with you. And try to distract Ron," she added under her breath, giving Abby a meaningful glance. "Be quick," she warned. "You know he won't like it if you're away too long."
Abby gave her former - current - boss a brief nod and waited until Catherine began ushering Stone and Charlie towards the elevator bank before turning to Gibbs, Vance and Tony, who'd joined them. "I don't have time to explain properly," she said hurriedly, glancing over her shoulder at the retreating NSA agents. 'Check your desk drawer,' she signed to Gibbs quickly before finishing aloud. "And whatever happens, I hope it doesn't make you rue the day we met."
"Agent Sciuto!" Stone's voice carried across the squad room, which was slowly beginning to fill with NCIS agents as the day shift began. Several of them stopped what they were doing, confused at hearing their beloved forensic specialist addressed in such a way. "I'm waiting."
As Gibbs watched, Abby squared her shoulders. The warmth he was used to seeing in her eyes faded, replaced by a coldness that set even him on edge. The woman he knew was gone, he realised, replaced by the agent she was, he hoped, pretending to be. "Yes, Sir. I'm on my way."
She left without looking back, without adding anything further to the conversation. Ziva and McGee passed her as she walked towards the elevators but went unacknowledged, their hurt and confusion visible as they joined Gibbs, Tony and Vance at the window overlooking the city.
"What is going on?" Ziva asked, looking immediately to Gibbs.
"Was that Agent Lowry...?" McGee questioned, throwing a look over his shoulder in the direction their friend had last been. "And Abby...?"
Instead of answering, Gibbs walked away from the group, aware of them following him as he crossed the office space towards his desk. Sitting down in his chair - the chair Abby had so recently vacated - he opened the top drawer of his desk. Moving aside the bits of paper he kept there - notes from old cases, copies of the triplicate forms he was required to fill in on a daily basis - he quickly located the item that hadn't been there before Abby had sat down at his desk.
Holding the flash drive, he glanced at Vance. "Think we'll find some answers on here?"
~*~
Author: Jo. R (driftingatdusk)
Rating: FR-15
Pairing: Gibbs/Abby
Category: Drama, Angst, Romance, Case-file,
Spoilers: 'Semper Fi', 'Borderland', 'Patriot Down', 'Rule 51'. Slight for 'Cracked', 'False Witness'
Summary: Sequel to 'La Belle Dame Sans Merci'. Abby's involvement with the NSA, past and present, puts her future at risk.
~*~
The change in their relationship meant a slight change in the tradition of celebrating her birthday the day before. While Gibbs offered to take her out for dinner as usual, to the restaurant they'd visited many times over the years, Abby declined the offer and instead opted for dinner at home and an early night.
Leaving her tangled in the sheets after they'd decided to start the evening in reverse order, Gibbs made his way down stairs in his sweat pants and old t-shirt to get their evening meal. He grinned to himself as he plated up two portions of lasagne - Abby's favourite - and balanced the plates on a tray alongside the two glasses he'd refilled with the wine he'd bought in for the occasion. He carried the tray through to the living room, resting it briefly on the small coffee table so he could add the small jewellery box he fished out from his jacket pocket to it, before resuming his journey upstairs.
She was exactly where he'd left her when he returned to the bedroom and he paused for a moment in the doorway, drinking in the sight of her. She lay across the bed, her hair splayed out over the pillows. Pale skin stood out against the dark cotton of the sheets around and beneath her and her dark lips curved up into a welcoming smile when she noticed him watching her.
"Gonna stand there all night or help me forget I'm getting older?"
"How about we eat first, then I help you remember why getting old isn't always a bad thing?"
Her answering giggle was all he needed to kick the door closed behind him and cross the room to sit beside her on the bed. Their meals were temporarily forgotten as her gaze fell on the velvet covered jewellery box - and his fell on the scar just visible on her thigh where the sheets rode up around her.
"Hey." Her voice was quiet, her eyes soft. She covered the scar on her thigh with a sheet as he watched, his gaze rising to meet hers once the reminder was no longer visible. "I'm okay. I'm still here."
He covered the distance between them, kissing her gently, carefully balancing the tray between them. He wasn't a man of words and hoped he could convey all he felt in that one kiss. Drawing back after several moments, he reached own and picked up the box, offering it to her with an almost shy grin.
Abby took the box with an easy smile, biting her bottom lip as she opened the lid. The white gold necklace stood out against the dark blue satin inside, two dog tags, smaller than his own but... She narrowed her eyes as she studied them, turning them over with a gentle finger, only to widen them in surprise as she looked back at him. "'Semper Fi'," she read, stroking her finger over the Marine motto, turning the dog tag over to see his initials and hers carved side by side. Turning the second dog tag over, wondering if both sides were blank or if one was patterned, Abby stilled, studying the cross design intently. "This is my tattoo..."
"As close as I could get." He shrugged, the tips of his ears growing warm. "The jeweller worked from a sketch."
"That you drew?" She guessed correctly, smiling all the more at the sheepish expression on his face. "They're beautiful, Gibbs. I love it."
"You don't have to wear them all of the time..." He shrugged again when he looked up and caught sight of the amused affection on her face. "I know you love your collars but I thought..."
"Gibbs." She reached out and put her finger over his lips, cutting him off mid-sentence. "They're beautiful. I'd be happy to wear them all the time." She replaced her finger with her lips, kissing him gently before pulling away with a smile. "If the chain is long enough I could probably wear them with some of my collars. If it's not, I'll keep them with me some other way. Thank you. They're perfect."
He grinned, pleased with her reaction. He watched her as she took the necklace from the jewellery box and fastened it around her neck before handing her one of the plates, setting the two glasses of wine on the bedside table.
"Looks good," Abby murmured, taking a bite of the lasagne. "Tastes better." She winked at him as he settled on the bed beside her, his own plate in his lap. "Better eat up, Gibbs. You're gonna need your strength when I thank you properly for my present."
~*~
Two days later, Gibbs woke to an empty bed. It was the first sign that something was wrong and the first hint that he was going to have a bad day.
A search of the house revealed no clue as to Abby's whereabouts.
He dressed quickly and tried to call her cell phone, curiosity changing into concern when his calls went unanswered. Not only was it unusual for Abby to wake up first, let alone slip out of the bed without waking him up or leave the house without letting him know or leaving a note, it was unheard of for her not to answer the phone when he rang. It was one of his rules, rule three, to never be unreachable - a rule she had taken on as her own within days of learning of its existence.
The drive to work took half the time it should even though he hadn't run any lights that he was aware of. He scanned the parking lot for any sign of Abby's car, his brow furrowing when he failed to spot the bright red paintwork of her car. He checked in with security, scanning the list for her familiar handwriting, biting back a sigh when he couldn't see that, either.
It wasn't until he reached the squad room that he realised why she wasn't answering her phone.
The woman standing in front of the window was familiar, as was the young man standing beside her. Agent Catherine Lowry and Agent Charlie Robertson both glanced at him as he walked passed but neither acknowledged him more than that, turning their attention back to the man in a dark charcoal grey suit, who was in deep conversation with Director Leon Vance.
Tony stood and moved around from his desk, coming to stand beside Gibbs at the plasma screen. Both Ziva and McGee's desks were empty but a glance at his watch reminded him he'd still made it to work half an hour before his shift was due to begin.
"NSA causing trouble again?" Gibbs asked Tony in a quiet voice, glancing at the senior agent of his team.
While Tony had a bit of a reputation for being a joker - for being the 'class clown', as Ziva had once said - he was one of the most dedicated agents Gibbs had worked with. He often got in before everyone else, often leaving after them, too. He was, Gibbs mused, the way he himself had been prior to the change in his relationship with Abby, back when he hadn't really had much of a reason to go home at night.
"The guy in the suit's been arguing with Vance since they left his office ten minutes ago. Agent Lowry hasn't said anything; think he might be her boss." Tony reported, keeping his voice low.
"You hear anything to suggest what this is about?"
Glancing at the NSA agents, Tony turned his body slightly away from them as he answered. "I heard the suit say something about Branley."
"Josef Branley?" Gibbs' attention flickered back to the NSA agents and he caught Catherine's eye momentarily. The senior NSA agent gave him a look that he could only call apologetic, causing the dread he already felt to double. He turned his back on the NSA agents, deciding to try and pretend they weren't there. "Has Abby been here?" He asked Tony, struggling to keep his voice calm.
Tony looked at him sharply, genuine surprise on his face. "She's not with you?" His eyes widened in a way that Gibbs might have found comical had the situation been different. "I mean, not that she would be with you. Not that she shouldn't. I mean, you guys are... Not that I know you guys are..."
"DiNozzo." Gibbs arched an eyebrow and fought the urge to deliver a traditional slap to the back of his agents head. "A simple no would do."
Opening his mouth to confirm that no, he hadn't seen Abby, Tony's attention was quickly diverted to something - someone - over Gibbs' shoulder. His eyebrows shot up and he nodded his head. "I'd say no but that would be a lie. Abby's here, boss. Talking with the suit."
Gibbs turned to look, his jaw clenching as he took in her appearance. Gone were the pigtails, clunky boots and short skirts he associated with the NCIS forensic specialist and the woman he'd fallen in love with. Back were the perfectly tailored suit, leather boots and neatly pinned back hair he knew she thought of as her 'NSA uniform'; sensible, practical and befitting of the NSA agent she once had been.
As if sensing his gaze, Abby glanced over from her conversation with the man in the suit, a flash of something he couldn't decipher in her green eyes. He would wonder, in the weeks and months to come, if it had been regret. His gaze dropped to the v of her top when something sparkled and caught the light and he narrowed his eyes slightly, able to pick out the shape of the dog tags pendant he'd given her just days before against her pale skin.
That, he told himself, was something. A sign the woman he knew and loved was still there, somewhere.
"Gibbs." It was Director Vance who spoke, calling him over to the small group. Gibbs knew from the expression on his face, and the way he kept glaring at the man in the suit, that whatever he was about to say wouldn't go down well. "You remember Agents Lowry and Robertson, and Agent Sciuto, of course," the Director added with a note of sarcasm. "This is Agent Ron Stone."
NSA Agent Ron Stone barely acknowledged the senior NCIS agent, ignoring the appraising look Gibbs threw him. "Sciuto, Robertson, get to work," he ordered instead, his voice gruff and manner impatient. "You know what you have to do."
"Yes, Sir." Abby and Charlie chorused together, with the former giving the latter a faint, reassuring smile as he swallowed hard, his anxiety plain to see.
As Gibbs watched, Charlie headed to Tony's desk while Abby headed to his own. "What's going on?"
"The NSA are taking over the investigation into Josef Branley and his dealings," Stone answered shortly before Vance could. "As I was telling your Director, we would appreciate your cooperation in this matter and expect you to be fully forthcoming with any evidence you've already gathered."
"Why do I get the impression this isn't going to be a joint investigation?" Gibbs wondered aloud, glancing at Vance and Agent Lowry before watching an obviously uncomfortable Charlie explain the situation to an equally obviously unhappy Tony. After nodding at Tony, letting his agent know he was to do as Charlie said, Gibbs glanced at Abby, noticing her close the top drawer of his desk - a drawer he knew she knew he kept no files relating to current cases in. "The NSA so bored you're tackling drug smugglers now?"
"It seems Mr. Branley has been smuggling more than just drugs into the country," Director Vance answered, his tone dour. "The NSA have apparently had their suspicions about his operations for some time but failed to mention it."
Gibbs put the pieces together quickly, staring at Stone and Catherine in disbelief. "You suspected him of smuggling arms into the country and decided to keep it yourselves? Why?"
Catherine bit her bottom lip and shifted uncomfortably. "It's a little more complicated than that, Agent Gibbs..."
"The NSA does not have to explain itself to you," Stone interrupted, glaring at her when Catherine tried to continue. "I understand you assisted us last year but it appears you should pay more attention to what goes on inside your own agency instead of querying what goes on in ours."
"Three of your agents were assisting a known terrorist," Gibbs pointed shortly. "A lot of people died."
"As I said," Stone continued, baring his teeth in a grin that seemed threatening, "we appreciate your help in that matter. However, recent events seem to suggest that NCIS has a few security flaws of your own. How else would you explain the brutal murders of two key witnesses in your most recent attempt at bringing Branley to justice?"
Abby returned to the group with Charlie in tow before either Gibbs or Vance could deny or argue the point with the NSA agent. She glanced at Gibbs briefly, trying to tell him something with her eyes before turning her attention to her superior. "That's everything, Agent Stone. The rest of the evidence is already on its way to the NSA offices."
Stone fixed his flat brown eyes on the NSA Agent-turned-NCIS Forensic Specialist-turned-NSA Agent, his scepticism and suspicion clear. "You're sure you have everything?" He demanded, the look on his face forcing Gibbs to clench his hand into a fist at his side to keep from lashing out. "Agent Sciuto?"
"We have everything," she answered after only a split-seconds hesitation, a momentary pause only Gibbs - and, he suspected, Catherine - picked up on. "We're ready to leave when you are."
For a moment, Stone looked visibly unconvinced. Gibbs didn't like the way the senior NSA agent's gaze moved from Abby to Gibbs himself and then back to Abby. There was something in the look he gave them, something knowing, that Gibbs really didn't like. Instead of commenting, Stone nodded shortly and glanced at Director Vance. "Director. Thank you for your cooperation."
"I'd say anytime," Vance answered wryly to Stone's already retreating back, "but I'd be lying."
Lingering, Catherine sighed and once more gave the NCIS team a faintly apologetic smile. "I'm sorry for Ron's behaviour, Director. He's not usually like this, I assure you."
"No, he's usually worse," Abby added, careful to keep her voice down as the man in question stopped and looked over his shoulder when he realised his agents weren't following. "Agent Robertson - Charlie," she corrected herself, giving the younger NSA agent a winning smile. "Why don't you take the evidence down to the car with Agent Stone? It's the first time he's been here and I'm sure you remember the way from last time..."
Charlie smiled back, clearly still smitten with the raven-haired woman. "Yes, Ma'am. Ah... If that's okay with you, Agent Lowry?"
Catherine bit the inside of her cheek in an obvious attempt at hiding her own smile and nodded her approval. "I'll come with you. And try to distract Ron," she added under her breath, giving Abby a meaningful glance. "Be quick," she warned. "You know he won't like it if you're away too long."
Abby gave her former - current - boss a brief nod and waited until Catherine began ushering Stone and Charlie towards the elevator bank before turning to Gibbs, Vance and Tony, who'd joined them. "I don't have time to explain properly," she said hurriedly, glancing over her shoulder at the retreating NSA agents. 'Check your desk drawer,' she signed to Gibbs quickly before finishing aloud. "And whatever happens, I hope it doesn't make you rue the day we met."
"Agent Sciuto!" Stone's voice carried across the squad room, which was slowly beginning to fill with NCIS agents as the day shift began. Several of them stopped what they were doing, confused at hearing their beloved forensic specialist addressed in such a way. "I'm waiting."
As Gibbs watched, Abby squared her shoulders. The warmth he was used to seeing in her eyes faded, replaced by a coldness that set even him on edge. The woman he knew was gone, he realised, replaced by the agent she was, he hoped, pretending to be. "Yes, Sir. I'm on my way."
She left without looking back, without adding anything further to the conversation. Ziva and McGee passed her as she walked towards the elevators but went unacknowledged, their hurt and confusion visible as they joined Gibbs, Tony and Vance at the window overlooking the city.
"What is going on?" Ziva asked, looking immediately to Gibbs.
"Was that Agent Lowry...?" McGee questioned, throwing a look over his shoulder in the direction their friend had last been. "And Abby...?"
Instead of answering, Gibbs walked away from the group, aware of them following him as he crossed the office space towards his desk. Sitting down in his chair - the chair Abby had so recently vacated - he opened the top drawer of his desk. Moving aside the bits of paper he kept there - notes from old cases, copies of the triplicate forms he was required to fill in on a daily basis - he quickly located the item that hadn't been there before Abby had sat down at his desk.
Holding the flash drive, he glanced at Vance. "Think we'll find some answers on here?"
~*~