This is in response to staindredglass' Christmas Challenge Fic on NFA

Santa's Got A Brand New Bag

Rated R (just to be safe)

Summary: What's the team to do when grumpy Gibbs tries to forget about Christmas? Whatever it takes.

Chapter 1

Everyone at NCIS knew that Agent Gibbs hated Christmas. He was grumpy enough throughout the rest of the year but at Christmas he became a nightmare. His team, over the past year, had come to realize one possible reason for his not liking Christmas. Losing his wife and daughter while he was at war had taken its toll on him. It had hardened him in a way the war hadn't managed to do.

"We have to help Gibbs get over these negative feelings towards Christmas," Abby told everyone. They had gathered in Autopsy with the doors locked to discuss this. Gibbs had gone home 30 minutes ago.

"You could lock him in your office with your aromatherapy oils and relaxation music." McGee suggested.

That earned him a look from Abby and a head slap from Tony. "Be serious Probie! We have to get Gibbs in a good mood or our Christmas will be miserable as well."

"Why?" Palmer asked.

"Do you really want to work on Christmas, Jimmy?" Tony asked.

Palmer paled and shook his head. "No."

"That's why, Jimmy." Tony told him.

"We could get him a date." Ziva suggested.

Tony's eyes lit up. "I know..."

WHACK

Tony glared at Ziva and McGee. "What was that for?"

"You are so easy Tony." Ziva told him.

Ducky cleared his throat. "Really, we have to get on with this. People are going to get suspicious if I keep Autopsy locked for too long."

"Why don't we just get him gifts?" Palmer asked.

"Palmer, he doesn't like surprises..." Tony started.

"That's a great idea!" Abby started bouncing up and down. "We could each get him something that reminds him of something funny that has happened between him and the gift giver!"

"Sounds like a good idea to me," Director Shepard said from behind Abby.

Everyone froze and turned to face the Director with a smile. "We just don't want to watch Gibbs go through another Christmas lonely and sad," Abby explained.

Jenny nodded. "Like I said, it sounds like a good idea."

"We should also have a meal together," Ducky suggested.

"At Gibbs' house?" Palmer asked.

"Well, we could have it at mine, but mother's dogs..."

"NO!" Tony shouted. "Not at Ducky's!"

Abby grinned. "We can all bring a dish of something over say on Christmas Eve and surprise him!"

"He has to have a tree though, what Christmas is complete without a tree?" McGee asked.

Grinning even bigger, Abby told them, "Let me handle the tree."

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Gibbs was in his basement staring at the nearly finished box on the floor. He had wood stacked along one wall and plans for a toy chest for Tobias' daughter on his desk. Fornell never had been any good at building things. Taking a drink of his bourbon, he started to sand the sides of the toy chest smooth. He had just finished the back side of the chest when the doorbell rang. Looking at the clock he almost didn't answer. But the insistent ringing of the bell and the fact that he hadn't had a late night visitor in a while had him climbing the stairs with his cup in hand.

He opened the door only to stand staring at Abby slack jawed. His mouth wasn't open, mind you, but it was almost there. She stood before him in a Santa suit. Only this one wasn't meant to be worn outside in the winter in Washington, DC. Abby's breath was frosty in the cold air and Gibbs grabbed her by the arm and hauled her inside to warm up.

"Abby, what the hell are you thinking?" he asked, motioning towards the mini red-velvet skirt, barely-there top and Santa hat.

"I dressed for the occasion," she said cheerfully and turned to walk into his living room.

"What occasion?" He asked, taking note of the boxes in her hands.

"Decorating your Christmas tree, Gibbs! I can't let you go another Christmas without a tree. It wouldn't be right." Abby placed the boxes on his coffee table. "Plus, it's just a four foot tree and its pre-lit. Wouldn't want to freak you out and make you do a big tree and lights all in the same year. We're starting small so don't panic."

"Abby, I don't …"

"Do Christmas trees? Yes I know, but we're starting something new here and this year you will. Got it?" She squinted at him with her hands on her hips until he started to smile.

"Yes ma'am."

"Don't call me ma'am," she told him.

He saluted her sharply. "Yes sir!"

Abby laughed and opened the box with the tree in it. "You know, once you see how pitiful this tree is you may change your mind about not getting a bigger one."

He stood there and watched as she molded the limbs of the tree, maneuvering them into a decent shape. Adjusting light positions so that the small tree would be lit just so. Once satisfied with that, she set about putting the small decorations on the tree. Turning it on when she was done, her smile outshone the lights on the tree.

"What do you think?"

"I think it's beautiful." He murmured in a husky tone.

Abby looked up and got caught in his gaze. "Gibbs…"