A/N: Hold on... anyone who still thinks that Chapter 5 was a steamy scene between Abby and GIBBS should go back and re-read the very last line of the chapter CAREFULLY (then re-read the chapter if you must...). Then come back here.
I know, I know... it wasn't entirely fair to expect you to still be paying attention after a chapter like that. But I happen to like the subtle, understated approach to the plot twist. Anyway, everyone get it now? Excellent. On with the story!
A week later, Abby bounced into the bullpen just before 5pm and demanded the power cord for her stereo. She'd been good all week and hadn't played a single prank on anybody, and Gibbs's mood had returned to his usual level of grumpiness.
'Have you learnt your lesson, Abby?' he demanded, almost playfully.
'Yes, Sir!' She gave him a mock salute and grinned happily across his desk at him.
He raised one eyebrow then broke into a grin as he handed her the cord. She seized it and took off for the elevator at a sprint, took one look at the light indicating that it would be a while before it reached their floor, and raced into the stairwell instead of waiting for it.
'New CD,' Tony supplied helpfully in response to Gibbs's astonished expression.
Twenty minutes later, Gibbs told the rest of the team that they could leave for the weekend. Kate and Tony were gone within seconds. There was always a chance they might get called in, even when they weren't supposed to be on call, but it was still safer to be out of the building when a case came in. After all, there was always a chance it would get passed to some other team; why remind the Director of their existence by being right there in the squad-room?
Gibbs looked inquiringly at McGee, who continued to type at his computer.
'I can finish this report in about five minutes. I'd rather do it now than have to remember where I am on Monday morning.'
'Ok.'
Gibbs got up, but left his jacket and Sig behind so McGee knew he wasn't going far and would be back at his desk soon. A few minutes later, he heard his boss coming back downstairs from MTAC but didn't look up until he heard his name.
'Yeah, Boss?'
'How's that balcony garden coming along?'
'Huh? Oh, just fine, Boss.' He felt the beginnings of a blush creeping along the edge of his collar, remembering the circumstances of his mentioning his non-existent garden to Gibbs.
'Good. If you need any more sawdust for mulching, you just let me know.'
The words were spoken neutrally, but there was a slight twitch around Gibbs's mouth and his eyes sparkled with humour. McGee was suddenly absolutely certain that Gibbs knew exactly why Abby had so suddenly given up her crusade of mischief. Shutting his computer down as fast as humanly possible and mumbling something about having a good weekend to his boss, McGee fled.
A/N: Yeah, I know... if McGee was smart enough to figure out the importance of getting the smells right when acting out Abby's spanked-by-Gibbs fantasy for her, he'd be smart enough to go hang out in a DIY store instead of asking Gibbs for boat-sawdust... but my way's funnier! Anyhow, this story was a bit of an experiment for me - any and all feedback is appreciated. The PM feature on my profile page is active if you'd rather not comment in public. Talk to me, guys!