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"Maybe you should accept that job offer."

"I can't believe you would say that to me, Gibbs. How could you think I would be leaving?"

"DiNozzo! Get back in here!"

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"Anthony, how could you?"

"Ouch, with the Anthony, Abbs. Ok, in my defense I was not the one who told Gibbs."

"Well, duh! It's Gibbs, he just know things. But…he meant it, didn't he? He really wouldn't care if I left."

Tony didn't think he had ever seen Abby this upset, and certain never from something Gibbs had said. He was trying to come up with something funny to lighten the mood when she abruptly brushed him off, in search for Bert- the amazing farting hippo.

"Just go, Tony. Please."

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Later, Tony would remember the haunting look of loss on her face as the tears began to fall.

"Oh, hey, boss?"

"What is it, DiNozzo?"

"Um, it's about Abby. I mean, I just left her and she was, well I mean she—"

"Today, DiNozzo!"

"Crying, boss. She was crying, and she looked pretty upset. I think that she really believed you when you told her to go for the other job."

"Don't be an idiot, DiNozzo, it's Abby, she'll be fine. Do I need to remind you that we have a murder case still open?"

"No, I'm on it, boss."

"Good. I'm going out for coffee."

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'Oh god, he really meant it. I mean, he was surprised that I had gotten angry but the look in his eyes…he really meant it. Stupid, Abs! You should have known better than to think the rumor wouldn't have reached his ears. I had meant for the dinner to be innocent, I mean what girl could pass up the chance to get dressed up and eat dinner at the Ritz? It was a nice break, to get out and feel wanted. But I would never, ever leave NCIS!'

When she had first learned that Tony was gossiping about her job offer, Abby was a little annoyed. So, she had thought it would be a good pay back to pretend she didn't know anything about the rumors. 'Geesh, look where that got me!' But she never had believed Gibbs would have taken it seriously. Then again, she never thought he would tell her to take another job, either.

Abby had never been one to let her personal life negatively affect her work, so she pushed all thoughts and feelings about Gibbs aside and trudged on. After matching the DNA on the toothbrush to the wife of the Lieutenant, Abby ran McGee's water bottle fingerprints and sent the results up to him via email. By this time, it was nearing 10 PM so Abby decided it would be a good idea to go home. Grabbing her coat and bag, she shut down all of her lab 'babies' and walked out to her car.

Abby was slightly surprised when she arrived at her apartment, only to be met by Gibbs.

"You stayed late."

"Had to finish up running the evidence Tony and McGee asked me to; you know, just doing my job."

"Yeah."

"What are you doing here, Gibbs? You made your feelings perfectly clear earlier. It's late and I'm tired, so if it's all the same to you, I want to go to bed."

"Just wanted to make sure you were ok. Tony said you seemed pretty upset earlier."

"Well, Tony should really stop gossiping about me and my life."

"Agreed. Abs, I--"

"Please, Gibbs…just…not tonight, ok?"

"Ok. See you tomorrow, Abs."

"Goodnight Gibbs."

Abby watched as Gibbs got into his car and drove away. It hurt her to see him leave, but she just didn't think she could pretend anymore tonight. She felt too raw and was dangerously close to losing all inhibitions and confessing her feelings for her boss. Sighing, she trudged into her apartment and quickly fell asleep.