This is a collection of Gibbs/Kate stories, mostly AU. Some stories are standalone while others are based on scenes from the episodes. It will be stated at the start of each chapter in which season and episode the story takes place. The stories won't be in chronological order, just bits and pieces, since I add them as I write them. I know it can be confusing at times, but if I wanted to publish this story in chronological order it would take ages to write and update.

So, I've added an Inventory at the end of this chapter. It is basically a list with the chapters written so far placed in the right order. I've separated them by season so you'll get a better idea of where everything goes. It was the best day I could think of to make this a little less confusing. Hope it helps!

DiNozzo, Abby, McGee, Ziva, Ducky and the other characters will also make appearances :) I'm toying with the idea of adding more relationships to this story, except Kibbs, but nothing is certain yet.

I hope you'll enjoy reading this! Comments and suggestions are always welcome.

This chapter takes place in Season 1

Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS...

xOxOx
Hard Cases
 xOxOx

The sound of sandpaper against wood fills the room as he works on the rib of his latest boat, his moves smooth and measured. He runs his hand over the wood, inspecting every inch to make sure it's as close to perfect as it can get.

He finds working on his boat soothing, the motion familiar and the smell of sawdust comforting somehow.

It's been a few days since he had the time to do this. Tough cases like this don't happen every day but when they do they are the only thing on his mind. His boat, unfortunately, has to wait. But his boat isn't the only other thing on his mind for the past three months...

He blows the sawdust away and he inspects the smooth rib closely, trying to find any spot that needs more sanding.

He walks towards the workbench and he takes a generous gulp from his coffee before retrieving a new piece of sandpaper. He figures he can work a little more before returning to bed.

He gets back to sanding, easily slipping into his familiar rhythm until he hears the soft creak of the top step.

A small smile tugs at the corner of his lips but he continues with what he is doing. A few moments later he feels two arms wrap around his waist and her lips between his shoulder blades before she rests her head there.

"I thought you were asleep," he tells her in a low tone.

"I was but then you got out of bed..." she replies sleepily.

He gives one of her hands a squeeze and then he turns around in her arms, sand block still in hand.

Her hazel eyes connect with his blue ones and he smiles lazily at her.

"Hello..." he mumbles before kissing her lips tenderly making her hum.

"Hello to you too..." she replies against his lips as his hands drop on her hips, pulling her against his body.

He observes her closely, his eyes run over her face and she raises an eyebrow questioningly at his close inspection.

"You need sleep," he points out before cupping her cheek in his hand.

"So do you. We both worked the same case you know," she replies almost cheekily and he smirks.

"Yes, but I'm the boss," he replies and before she can say anything else he captures her lips with his.

Her hands come to rest on his chest as his arms wrap tightly around her body, holding her against him.

She breaks away with a sigh and she drops her forehead against his chest. He kisses the top of her head softly and they both stand there for long moments, without saying a word.

He knows the case has affected her. It had the same affect on him too, that's why he came down here in the first place. He needed to empty his mind and he didn't want to disturb her by tossing and turning in bed. He realizes now that she needed him there...

"Katie..." his soft tone makes her look up and straight into his eyes.

He takes his time to observe her, he gets lost into her hazel eyes. Most people would look away from his gaze but she doesn't, her eyes remain locked on his, allowing him to look straight into her soul.

His thumb runs over her chin, a ghost of a touch, and she smiles softly.

"It's over, the guy is locked up for good," he tells her in a serious tone and she nods.

"I know... it's just..." she trails off, trying to find the right words to describe this but she knows she doesn't need to. He understands.

"I hate cases like this," she says instead and he nods in agreement.

He covers the hand that is resting against his chest with one of his own and he gives it a squeeze.

"Let's get back to bed..." he murmurs before dropping a chaste kiss on her lips.

She doesn't argue, she's had enough of this case and she really doesn't want to talk about it right now. All she wants is to crawl in his arms and fall asleep there, safe and sound.

She grabs one of his hands in hers and she tugs him towards the stairs. They'll have time to talk about the case tomorrow.

...

00. Inventory
This is a list of the chapters written so far in chronological order. The new chapters will be added here too as the story goes on.

Season 1

8. The First Night

21. Discoveries

5. Stay

11. Morning

3. Cuba (Minimum Security |1.08|)

17. Jealousy (My Other Left Foot |1.12|)

15. It's not a Rose (My Other Left Foot |1.12|)

16. Just a Name (The Good Samaritan |1.14|)

1. Hard Cases

6. Abby's Suspicion

10. Busted

22. Bête Noire, Part 1 (Bête Noire |1.16|)

23. Bête Noire, Part 2 (Bête Noire |1.16|)

40. Who's to blame

33. Early Morning (Dead Man Talking |1.19|)

.

4. Clash (between Seasons 1-2)

.

Season 2

20. Confessions (See no Evil |2.01|)

2. Coffee Break

25. Team Holiday (between Call of Silence |2.07| & Heart Break |2.08|)

31. Christmas Spirit

7. Rooftop (Twilight |2.23|)

.

Season 3

9. Hospital (Kill Ari, Part 1 |3.01|)

24. Reactions (after Kill Ari, part 2 |3.02|)

29. Nightmares (early season 3)

13. Recovering (early season 3)

12. Welcome Back (early season 3, after Ziva has joined the team)

42. Tied Up, part 1 (early season 3, after Ziva has joined the team)

43. Tied Up, part 2 (early season 3, after Ziva has joined the team)

44. Tied Up, part 3 (early season 3, after Ziva has joined the team)

45. Tied Up, part 4 (early season 3, after Ziva has joined the team)

37. A Case and a Child, part 1 (Honor Code |3.07|)

38. A Case and a Child, part 2 (Honor Code |3.07|)

35. Under Covers (Under Covers |3.08|)

19. Sunday At Work (Deception |3.13|)

34. Explosion (Hiatus, part 1 |3.23|)

36. Coma (Hiatus, part 1 |3.23|)

39. Distress (Hiatus, part 2 |3.24|)

41. Memory Loss (Hiatus, part 2 |3.24|)

46. Lost (Hiatus, part 2 |3.24|)

.

Season 4

18. Sexual Harassment Education (Driven |4.11|)

14. Questioning DiNozzo (Friends & Lovers |4.15|)

30. Mistletoe Infestation

32. Happy New Year

26. Baseball Practice (Grace Period |4.19|)

.

Season 5

.

.

Season 6

.

.

Season 7

27. The Past in the Present, part 1 (Mother's Day |7.16|)

28. The Past in the Present, part 2 (Mother's Day |7.16|)

.

Season 8

.

.

Season 9

.

.

Season 10

.

.

Season 11

.

.

Season 12

.

.