Main NCSI Slash page | The new stories | Tony/Gibbs stories | Other pairings stories | Het stories | Gen NCIS stories

Title: The Long View
By: nancy
Pairing: Abby/Kate
Fandom: NCIS
Rating: G
Summary: AAbby decides to take the long view and be patient with Kate.

***

She wasn't stalking Kate. She was making sure that a coworker and good friend was doing all right after being dealt a traumatic emotional blow, not to mention being injured in the line of duty.

She was not stalking Kate.

"Hey, Abs, what're you doing?"

Unhurriedly toggling her monitor's view of Kate at her desk to MTV, Abby looked over at Gibbs and answered, "Nothing. Why? You want me to earn my paycheck this week?"

He grinned and replied, "I did have something like that in mind, yes."

"Lay it on me, Bossman," Abby prompted, leaning back in her chair.

They talked for a good half-hour about a few open cases and by the time he left, Abby really did have work to do. Still, she couldn't resist taking a peek at what Kate was doing and smiled in relief when she was that Tony looked to be teasing the agent incessantly about something. That was a good thing, because Kate had been withdrawn for the last few days, more so than usual.

Abby knew that Kate would bounce back, but she couldn't stop the worry from cluttering her life until that happened. There was a pain in the dark eyes that just shouldn't be there and all Abby wanted to do was squeeze Kate tight until she started laughing and demanded to be let go. Self-doubt was a total bastard, as she knew from personal experience, and it seemed like Kate was doubting herself big time now.

Thankfully, Gibbs and Tony had both been acting the same as usual towards the walking-wounded and that seemed to be helping. Abby knew how much the other woman hated to be singled out for any reason, let alone for something that she perceived as a weakness. The fact that Kate still trusted people, even in her line of work, just made her all that much more attractive to Abby.

Regretfully switching off the camera's view, Abby got to work.

* * * *

"Everything okay?"

Kate jumped in surprise and fright at Abby's quiet question, then canted her head over at the other woman and flashed her a glare. "It'd be better if you stopped jumping out of the woodwork."

"Hey, there was no jumping involved!" Abby protested, a grin hovering. "Lurking, perhaps, and maybe even some skulking, but no jumping."

Unable to stop her lips from twitching into a grin, Kate observed the new outfit with interest. A black skin-tight top under a loose, plaid shirt, and slick black pants ending in those ass-kicking boots. "Didn't know vinyl was part of your work wardrobe, Abs."

"It's not. I'm heading out to a party in a few. You want to come with?"

"Ah, no, thanks. I'm just going to head home and forget this entire week happened in a long soak."

Abby nodded, understanding, and said, "Yeah. Baths are good for that. Especially when accompanied by bubbles and Jack Daniels. Lots of both."

Chuckling, Kate agreed, "Definitely. Walk you out?"

"Sure!"

Kate gathered the rest of her things and slipped on her blazer. Her arm still hurt, but it was a dull ache that spoke of healing and would be easy enough to keep dry and out of the tub. Suzanne's betrayal still hurt, aching worse than the throb of her arm, even though she had no right to feel that way. She hadn't known the woman long enough to trust her, hadn't known the first thing about her, so when Suzanne had set off the bomb, killing herself and her boss, it shouldn't have affected her this deeply.

Only, it did, and Kate was trying to forget why. Trying to ignore the empty ache inside that had been so briefly filled by a woman in need, a woman with kind, needy eyes. A woman who she could so easily have fallen in love with, and maybe had, just a little.

Abby gently hip-checked her and said, "Hey. You all right?"

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine," Kate assured her, forcing a smile. She reached over and pressed the Garage button in the elevator panel.

A surprisingly strong hand gripped the back of her neck and started rubbing. Unable to stop herself, Kate groaned in appreciation as Abby's fingers massaged out some of the tension.

"Damn, Kate, you're tighter than Gibbs after caffeine deprivation," Abby teased lightly. "Turn a little."

Kate did so and both of Abby's hands descended, working her over in a strong, merciless fashion. A shiver ran through her and Kate tried to pull away, sensing her defenses going down, but Abby held on too tight. The massage didn't end until the doors pinged open and when that finally happened, Kate had to clear her throat and take a breath before facing the other woman. Managing a wobbly smile, she said, "Thanks, Abs."

Concerned, Abby offered, "I can blow off the party if you want to hang out. It's no big thing. The woman putting it on's a poser anyhow."

Shaking her head, Kate answered, "Thanks, but really, I just...time alone is going to be a good thing. Honest."

Abby didn't look convinced, but reminded, "You've got my cell. If you want help polishing off that bottle, call me."

"I will," Kate promised.

Surprising her, Abby wrapped her arms around Kate and held tight for a long moment with, "You don't have to be buff all the time, Kate. You got options, you know?"
Kate allowed herself a moment to relax into Abby's hug, nodding. "I know. Thanks, Abs."

"No problem."

She felt the brief press of lips to the space just above her ear and almost moved closer instead of pulling away, but forced herself to step back. For a moment, they just looked at each other in the garage, then Kate chuckled shakily and said, "Okay. I'm off then. Don't party too much."

Flashing Kate a brilliant smile, Abby saluted and sauntered off towards her car. Kate watched for a moment, then silently laughed at herself for being delusional. God, I must be hard up if I'm imagining things about Abby.

Shaking her head, Kate headed for her car.

* * * *

Definitely need to take the long view on this one, Abby thought, watching as Kate's car left the garage.

She was thrilled at Kate's response in the elevator and to the hug, but knew that it was just the seeds of something that had been planted tonight. Kate was in no shape to risk herself to anyone and probably wouldn't be for a while, thanks to the amnesia bitch. And though Kate probably had no trouble seeing Abby as walking on the wild side, it probably didn't occur to her that Abby walked on both sides of the wild side.

So she'd be patient. She'd let Kate heal from this disaster and offer herself into the role of Kate's best friend. Because, really, that's exactly what she wanted to be anyhow; that and way, way more. In the meantime, she would live her life and keep an eye on Kate.

Gibbs isn't the only one who knows how to wait for the right moment, Abby thought with a grin as she started the car.

***