Title: Fleeting Farewell
Rating: G
Spoilers: Hiatus II
Summary: Abby isn't about to let Gibbs leave without saying goodbye.

Author's Note: A drabble meme response for ncis_love. It's not quite Gabby, but I hope you like it, Hanne!

As Gibbs steps away from the check-in desk, boarding card in hand, a pale, pigtailed obstruction bars his path to the security gate. "You're really going, then."

A pang of guilt permeates the protective numbness that keeps him from falling apart. Sighing, he motions for her to follow him out of the path of other travellers. "Abbs…"

Her eyes are full of tears again, but there's no condemnation in them. "I get it. I do. And you should do whatever you need to, to feel better."

He relaxes slightly when he realises he won't have to turn a deaf ear to her pleas for him to stay. Even as he does, he feels like a traitor.

"Then why are you here?" he asks quietly.

Her voice cracks, and she scrubs away a tear in frustration. "Because you wouldn't let me say goodbye."

Gibbs pulls her into a hug, letting the gesture say what he won't voice. His reason for silencing her back in the squad room was selfish; he didn't want to hear a goodbye. Not from Abby. They've always been too close for farewells, except…

Abby's crushing return hug is hell against his bruised, lacerated flesh, and he eases out of it after a few seconds with a wince. "I'll visit."

Realising he's in pain, she bites back an apology – she knows how he feels about those. Instead, she reaches out and deals him a light headslap, wary of aggravating his injuries further. "You better. And call me at least once a week, or I'm gonna get cranky."

His mouth curves slightly, into the first genuine smile he's managed since the explosion. "Wouldn't want that."

Another tear spills from her eye, but she stubbornly ignores it. "Take care of yourself, Gibbs… okay?"

"Always do, Abbs."

Her response is half laugh, half sob. "Liar."

There's nothing else he can do but hug her again, bearing the pain to squeeze her tightly. "Stay safe."

She nods and steps back; swallows another sob. "You better get out of here, before I change my mind and superglue your feet to the floor."

Gibbs leans in and kisses her cheek a final time, his lips lightly brushing away a tear. "This isn't goodbye."

"No, it's not." From somewhere inside, she summons a steely resolve. Straightening and giving him a tremulous smile, she steps back. "Have a good flight."

He nods, lingering for one final moment. Then, because if her composure cracks he won't be able to leave, he turns and walks away.

A minute later he glances over his shoulder, but she's vanished, almost as if she was never there.

END.