Title: I Know You Can Feel This Too - posted in parts due to length.

Written for: v_angelique on Dreamwidth

Prompt: Fornell starts hitting on Abby, preferably in subtle ways, and Gibbs gets onto it and doesn't like what he sees. Could be Gibbs/Abby established relationship, or could be that Gibbs' jealousy cues him into his interest in Abby.

Archive: okay to archive

Genre: het

Pairings: Abby/Gibbs

Rating: NC-17

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: No copyright infringement is intended. NCIS and its characters are the property of DPB and CBS. If I had a silver-haired, blue-eyed Marine to play with, do you think I’d have time for writing?

Word Count: 20,327

Summary: Gibbs becomes jealous when he suspects Fornell is hitting on Abby. Will this push Gibbs to make a move, or are things not quite what they seem? Set during the latter half of Season 7 after Jack Knife.

A/N: Big hugs to Zivacentric and Bamacrush for being my betas and for their flurry of ideas on this story, and their continued support and encouragement for all my writing. Can’t tell you what it means, munchkins (a year’s supply of Greek yoghurt and bananas on their way!).

Chapter 6 – Breaking Storm

When Gibbs strode into her lab, Abby picked up on his bad mood straight away. She was subdued as she gave him the results, feeling as if he was a bomb that was about to go off.

Why was he pissed at her?

What had she done to make him irritated? For years, they’d had an easy friendship and now all he could do was snap at her.

And she was tired of it.

He had been particularly snippy whenever Toby’s name was mentioned but he couldn’t be jealous, could he? Gibbs didn’t think of her in that way, did he? Of course he didn’t. And there was nothing to be jealous about anyway, surely he saw that.

Besides, how dare he?

Gibbs was seeing that lawyer, had her eating out of his hand and yet Abby was supposed to accept that without a murmur.

As Gibbs turned to leave this time without even a thank you or a smile, Abby couldn’t take it any more. “What have I done, Gibbs?”

Her soft voice stopped him in his tracks but he didn’t turn round. “Done?”

“Yeah, Gibbs. I don’t know why you’re mad at me, but I wish you’d tell me what I’ve done so I can fix it.” She moved tentatively closer, wishing he would turn and face her so she could see his face, his eyes.

“I’m not mad at you,” he stated, matter-of-factly.

“You could have fooled me,” Abby stared pacing in her agitation. “You barely speak to me. We used to be so close and now... now I don’t even feel we’re friends any more. What’s changed?” The best friendship she had was crashing and burning around her and she didn’t know why.

He finally turned, his face held in the neutral expression that she could never read. “Nothing’s changed.” He knew he was not fooling either himself or Abby when he said it, but he felt more comfortable hiding behind his usual defensive shield than dealing with his feelings... whatever the hell they were.

“Oh, hasn’t it? Then why won’t you stay and talk to me, like you used to. I never see you any more.” Abby knew she sounded whiny even to her own ears as she struggled to put into words how she felt.

His next words brought her up short. “Thought you were fully occupied with Toby.”

She frowned, shaking her head. “What has that got to do with anything? That’s ridiculous, Gibbs.”

“Is it?” His blue eyes, usually so warm, were cold as he stared at her. “Every time I turn round, he’s here.”

“Why on earth should that bother you? We’re friends, that’s all,” she protested, starting to turn away, only to be brought up short... Hang on – was that a growl she just heard?

“You sure about that?” he queried, voice tight with anger.

There was a note to his voice that had her own temper rising. “What the hell does that mean, Gibbs? I don’t tell you who to date, do I?”

“Oh, so it’s a date now. Thought you said you were just friends.”

She spun to face him, not liking being interrogated as if she was a suspect, feeling her breath hitch at the smouldering anger in his eyes overlaid with... something else. “Will you stop cross questioning me, Gibbs. I don’t pass comment or judgement on Ms. M. Allison Hart, do I?” she snapped at him. “Despite you breaking Rule 13.”

“That’s not... ” Gibbs trailed off, breaking eye contact and running his hand through his hair.

“Not what? Not any of my business? Yeah, you’ve made that very plain, Gibbs. But you seem to think it’s okay to pass judgement on my personal life? Well, I’ve news for you. My friendship with Toby isn’t any of your business either,” she exploded, furious with his hypocrisy.

Abby stormed into her lab and threw herself down into her chair, hoping that he’d go away if she ignored him. She should have known better.

She heard his voice, suddenly sounding soft and weary, from where he stood at her office door. “Why, Abby? Why him?”

She didn’t look up, jaw and shoulders tense as she typed, taking her temper out on her keyboard. “I could ask you the same thing, why her? But you wouldn’t answer, would you, coz you never explain yourself.” His stony silence confirmed it and she didn’t look up to see his expression. “So why should I answer you about Toby? And for God’s sake, Gibbs, why does it bother you so much? It’s not as if it’s affecting my work.”

“You sure about that?” His voice was rising again. “You think I enjoy coming down here to find you mooning over Tobias.” He regretted the words the instant they were out of his mouth as he saw the hurt flash across her face, eyebrows shooting up in wounded disbelief at his cruel words.

“Mooning?” She slammed her hands down on her desk as she stood up, glaring at him. “I don’t moon over anybody. How dare you, Gibbs. How dare you criticize my professionalism. That was uncalled for and you know it.”

“Abbs...” he began, but she interrupted him.

“No, don’t you Abbs me. Just get out, Gibbs... just get out of my lab now and leave me alone.” She felt tears welling up and hated that she was about to cry in front of him. Abby turned away before it could overwhelm her and fled into her ballistics lab.

She didn’t see him start to reach out towards her as she turned away. He stood frozen to the spot for a moment before dropping his hand. When she didn’t return, Gibbs left, knowing he’d gone too far this time.

As soon as she heard Gibbs leaving, Abby couldn’t hold back her tears any longer. She returned to her office and slumped into her chair, shoulders hunched as she cried.

It was in that position a little while later that Ducky found her.

He crossed to her immediately and folded his arms round Abby where she sat and she relaxed into his comforting hug. The ME had not been blind to the building atmosphere all week and could make an educated guess as to the reason, but he had hoped that Gibbs wouldn’t take his ire out on Abigail. She didn’t deserve it.

When Fornell dropped by soon after, he paused as he entered the lab and saw Ducky there, his concern immediate as he saw Abby’s tears. He couldn’t restrain the anger rising up as he was pretty sure who’d upset her.

Fornell knelt by her chair and took her hand. “Hey, Abby, what’s wrong?”

She turned a tearful face towards him, scrubbing at her cheeks and giving him a wan smile. “Nothing Toby. It’s...” She turned away, biting her lip to stop the tears welling up again. “It doesn’t matter, it’s nothing. I’m fine.”

Fornell squeezed her hand and stroked her hair before straightening up. He looked into the troubled eyes of Dr Mallard. “What the hell did he do?”

Chapter 7 – Royally Screwed Up

Gibbs sat at his desk trying to read a report and not taking in a word of it. He felt sick to his stomach at the unkind things he’d said to Abby. He wasn’t sure why he was taking out his bad temper on her. He’d sworn to himself that he’d always protect her and never hurt her and now she was crying because of him.

And worst of all, he’d attacked her professionalism and that was neither fair nor true, and he knew it. Abby wasn’t anything other than professional in everything she did and she worked harder than any of them.

This time he’d really screwed up.

Not even Abby’s forgiving nature would let this one go, and why should she? He hated himself for the hurt that had flashed across her face and the tears he’d caused. This one wasn’t going to be fixed with a Caf!Pow and a hug.

He’d messed up every other relationship he’d had and now he’d done the same with the best thing in his life... destroyed the best friendship, the best relationship he had.

Relationship?

When did he start thinking of what he had with Abby as a relationship?

And all because he was annoyed at Abby’s relationship with Fornell, whatever that might be.

It was typical timing that the subject of his thoughts would choose that moment to enter the bullpen and judging by the look on his face, Fornell was royally pissed. He marched straight up to his desk and ground out, “Your office, Gibbs, now.”

Not liking being ordered about in his own building, Gibbs nevertheless followed Fornell into the elevator; at least he’d have a more deserving target for his anger.

His agents watched them go with some apprehension.

“Do you think we should alert Ducky he’s gonna have a body soon?”

“Yeah, but which one, Tony?”

“Oh, come on, Probie,” scoffed Tony. “Gibbs’ll tear Fornell apart.”

“Normally I’d say yes, but Fornell looked pretty pissed to me just now,” replied McGee.

“Yeah, he did, didn’t he? Perhaps he’s defending our Abby?” Tony sounded thoughtful.

McGee frowned. “What do you mean by that, Tony?”

“Oh, come on, McGoo,” said Tony, amazed. “Even you can’t have been blind to the reason for Gibbs being even more of a grizzly bear this week than normal?”

When McGee continued to look baffled, Ziva rolled her eyes and pointed out, “Ever since Fornell began taking Abby out regularly, Gibbs has been acting...” She paused, searching for the right word.

“Hinky? Cranky? Well, crankier than normal,” suggested Tony.

Ziva nodded, reluctantly conceding his point. “Yes, Tony, cranky or hinky would cover it.” They all turned their attention back to the elevator as muffled shouting and thuds drifted up to their ears. Ziva turned away, “I am going to see if Abby is okay.”

“Ziva…” Tony’s voice stopped her and she turned back to her partner, seeing the concern on his face.

“I will let you know if she is alright and if she is ready for more visitors,” she promised him.

“Thanks, Ziva,” he said, quietly.

Ziva smiled at him. Tony may act the fool but he was a perceptive, caring person underneath that mask and especially so where Abby was concerned. “And if either Fornell or Gibbs have upset her, I shall have to remind both of them how many ways I can kill each of them with just a paperclip.”

They both watched her go before Tony turned back to McGee. “Well, I wouldn’t argue with her, Probie.”

Chapter 8 – Confrontation

No sooner had the elevator begun moving than Fornell hit the emergency stop switch and angrily faced Gibbs. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Gibbs? You can be pissed at me all you like but you don’t take it out on Abby.”

“Take what out on her?” He folded his arms and glared back. He wasn’t about to be intimidated in his own elevator by Fornell.

“You know damn well what I’m talking about. I’ve just come from Abby’s lab where I found Ducky comforting her. She was in tears, Gibbs. Tears all because you upset her.” Fornell was furious. “You really are a piece of work sometimes, you bastard, it’s no wonder three wives divorced you.”

“Don’t push it, Tobias.” Gibbs ground out. “It’s none of your business.”

“Isn’t it?” Fornell demanded. “I don’t like to see my friend upset.”

“Your friend?” scoffed Gibbs. “You’re behaving like she’s your girlfriend.” He wanted to pace but the space wouldn’t allow for it, so he settled for leaning back against the wall, hands clenched in an effort not to put his fist through Fornell’s face.

“And what if I am?” Fornell snapped right back at him. “What business is that of yours anyway?”

Gibbs paused, trying to get his anger under control. “What are you up to, Tobias?”

“Up to, Jethro,” he glanced at Gibbs, sharply, crossing his arms and looking up at the tall figure in front of him.

“You heard me. Don’t act dumb. You know what I mean,” muttered Gibbs, tightly.

“Oh, now we’re getting to it. I wondered when this was coming. Go on then, do your worst...” Fornell spread his arms wide. “Do you just wanna hit me and get it over with?”

Gibbs virtually snarled at him. “If you hurt her Tobias.”

“I have no intention of hurting her, unlike you who seem to have taken every opportunity this week to do just that.”

He’d been livid with Gibbs when he saw how upset Abby was. But Fornell was equally angry with himself that he hadn’t been there in time to deflect the Marine’s anger away from Abby. He’d seen this coming and had been determined to be there when Gibbs exploded, but he’d messed up and Abby had taken the brunt of it.

“Well, you would know seeing as though you’re here every five minutes.” Gibbs slammed his hand against the wall.

“Oh, so that’s it. Well, unless you’ve gone blind, Abby’s a wonderful woman and we happen to enjoy each other’s company, not that it’s any of your business. And anyway, since when did you get appointed her surrogate father?” He saw Gibbs wince at that and knew he’d hit below the belt. “Or is that it, Gibbs? That fatherly feelings are the last thing you’re feeling right now?”

Gibbs exploded, “She’s my... “ He swallowed hard as rage threatened to overwhelm him, “my friend and I don’t want to see her used.”

“I’m not using her,” protested Fornell, angrily, thinking that Gibbs had some nerve, given what his own private life looked like to outsiders. “I’m very fond of her. She’s not yours, Jethro. You had your chance. God dammit, you’ve had her in front of your nose for ten years and done nothing.”

“It’s not like that…” Gibbs began but Fornell cut him off.

“Isn’t it? Well, that’s how it’s looked sometimes. Or did you think you’d somehow marked your territory and she wasn’t allowed to look at anyone else until you decided it was time to get your head out of your ass and did something?” Fornell had worked up a good head of steam and was practically shouting. “Well, tough. I’ve no idea if this is going anywhere but I enjoy her company and she seems to enjoy mine, and Emily adores her.”

Gibbs paused, before forcing out through gritted teeth, “I never said she shouldn’t see who she likes.”

“No? Well, you’re doing a bloody good job of giving the impression that you’ll tear apart anyone she does see. For God’s sake, Gibbs, Abby’s not a mind reader. How is she supposed to know how you feel if you don’t tell her, but that’d be too simple for you, wouldn’t it?”

Gibbs leaned against the opposite wall and eyed Fornell, angrily. “I told ya, it’s none of your business.”

But Fornell wouldn’t back down. “You made it my business when you upset her. You’ve done nothing this week but take out your bad mood on Abby, and she doesn’t deserve that.” He paused, trying to get his own temper under control, remembering how he’d wanted to give her a hug, hold her just now, feeling that it was just as much his fault that Abby was upset, that he was the one who’d made her a target. “Did you think she’d wait for you forever?”

“She doesn’t...” Gibbs trailed off, irritated beyond words at Fornell’s needling.

“Doesn’t what? Feel that way about you? You sure about that? Besides, you’re being a bloody hypocrite, Gibbs,” he goaded. “Don’t you think you’re hurting Abby enough by flaunting that lawyer in front of her?”

Fornell wondered if he’d gone too far with that remark. Baiting this particular Marine in a confined space probably wasn’t the smartest idea he’d ever one if he wanted to get out of this elevator with his neck intact.

But what he wasn’t prepared for was the sudden guilty look that washed over Gibbs’ face at his words, or for his anger to suddenly drain away, leaving the Marine looking deflated and tired.

“It’s not... it’s not what it seems, Tobias. It’s complicated.” Gibbs ran his hand over his head, feeling suddenly worn out.

Not in the mood right now to puzzle out what the hell Gibbs was up to, he shot back, “Huh, with you it always is, Gibbs. But all Abby can see is you’re with another woman and yet somehow that’s okay, and she’s got to accept that without question. Well, I don’t want to see her hurt either so I’m not going to let you upset her any more.” With that, Fornell slammed his hand back on the switch and they continued the journey to the ground floor in tense silence.

Rest of chapters
Chapters 1 - 3
Chapters 4 - 5
Chapters 6 - 8
Chapters 9 - 11
Chapters 12 - 14
Chapters 15 - 17
Chapters 18 - 19