Author's Note: I don't own any of the characters! NCIS has a new director, but will her relationship with Leroy Jethro Gibbs be a problem?
I couldn't deal with it anymore. The long days, and even longer nights. There were things about me my agents didn't know, things they'd never know. It was twisted, but on some level it worked. They were my family now. All of them. Every agent under my direction. I had felt that way since Morrow had left. I remember the conversation like it was yesterday.
"You understand what an awesome responsibility this is...don't you?" He whispered in a low voice as I stood awkwardly in my new office.
I managed a nod as I choked back any sign of fear. I remembered that from a brief overseas assignment. "Don't show any emotion...especially fear." It had been whispered in my ear by a senior agent who only meant well. Now I knew exactly how to handle myself.... or so I thought.
Every night my driver would drop me off and my protection detail would stand watch as I made my way inside, comforted by the familiar surroundings of home. It always felt good to be home, but the awful truth was that sometimes when I'd try to sleep the images from MTAC would haunt me. Even if I knew they were working a case close by I was still nervous about them.
My mind was brought back to MTAC by the sound of a loud explosion. The screen before me filled with shades of orange and red.
"Damnit!" I yelled as I yanked the headset off in frustration.
"We're done here for the evening." I mumbled as I walked past the technicians and programmers.
"Yes Director." Three voices chorused.
I glanced at my watch. Seven-fifteen. No doubt that they were thankful for an early evening.
"Thanks Stan!" I yelled as I bounded up the front steps and into my house where one agent was holding open the door for me.
"Typical Friday night." I explained giving the two agents in the front hall a rundown of the evening.
"Yes Director." The voices chorused as I undid the straps on my heels and stepped out of the frustratingly high shoes.
I grabbed the shoes and headed towards the study. It was a sudden relief to only have three things on my mind. Bourbon, a hot bath, and Leroy Jethro Gibbs. I wanted all three, but only two of my desires could be satisfied at the moment.
"Law of averages." I muttered under my breath as I poured a double shot of bourbon and headed upstairs. Two out of three wasn't so bad, technically it was more than half, and after watching seven months of undercover work get blown to tiny shards I was willing to accept anything that wasn't half-bad.
Immediately I drew a hot bath and undressed, climbing into the tub. I rested my drink on the edge and closed my eyes and inhaled the sweet aroma of my Mango Madness bubble bath. The frustration, fear, and stress slowly slipped away. I closed my eyes and sipped my bourbon. Two out of three, not bad, but I was still wanted Jethro more than anything. It was highly improbable, given the conversation we had earlier that morning in MTAC.
"What do you mean you can't do it?" He barked in anger.
"I can't do it!" I yelled, trying to remain authoritative.
"I guess not!" He retorted angrily, as he got up from his seat.
"This is bullshit." I heard him mutter just before the large steel door slammed shut behind him.
I had warned him about this, the day I became Director. Just because of our relationship I would not break protocols or ignore the rules on his behalf. He had been good natured about it then, as I knew he would be, but when it came time to put those standards to the test, he had been far more reluctant.
I heaved a sigh and sank lower into the tub. It was comforting to know exactly where he was, even if he wasn't with me. Somewhere in a dimly lit basement he was taking his frustrations out on a boat.
I lifted my head slightly and finished off my bourbon.
"You really shouldn't fall asleep in the tub." Jethro's voice echoed through the marble bathroom.
I slid back up and opened my eyes, frustrated that I was dreaming about him. But it wasn't a dream. Jethro was standing in the doorway of my bathroom, staring at me.
"Jethro?" I questioned, wondering if I was drunk.
"I am...I hope you don't mind...the guys let me in." Jethro said with a smirk as he approached the edge of the massive tub and knelt next to the side.
"I told them it was a typical Friday night. They were expecting you, even though I wasn't." I confessed as I avoided his gaze.
"I couldn't stay away. Not after the way I treated you this morning. It was unfair." Jethro grumbled.
"Really? Unfair? That's not exactly the word you used this morning...yes as I recall just a few hours ago it was bullshit." I recanted his exact words.
"Listen, about that, I was just angry and upset. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that." Jethro added.
"Generally it's not wise to swear at the boss-lady." I smirked as I looked into his impossibly deep blue eyes.
"I know." Jethro said as his eyes glimmered in the dim light of the bathroom.
"Really? Have you learned your lesson?" I asked with a wink of the eye and an arched eyebrow.
"I have...Director...I am sorry." Jethro said the last word with a heavy sigh. I knew how he felt about apologies...we all did.
"And?" I asked with a mischievous grin as I pulled on his collar playfully, so that he was inches away from me.
"Oh...yeah the other part...the one we both like so much..." Jethro said with a grin as I locked eyes with him.
"Yes...that part." I whispered, inching my lips closer to his, knowing what would happen next.
"I love you...Katie." Jethro whispered.
My lips met his, and they fused together, a sweet kiss that explained everything we couldn't say with words.