Summary: What would have happened if Kate never went to work at NCIS?

Disclaimer: I don't own any of this. The rest belong to creators of NCIS, CBS, and Paramount. Lucky them.

Author's Note: This is a story in progress. I apologize in advance but updates might take awhile due to the real world. Thanks in advance for reading this one.

Spoilers: Yankee White. Everything else is AU.

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"I'm going to be doing paper work for a week"

"Oh Yeah. Me too"

Special Agent Gibbs of NCIS and Secret Service Agent Bauer walked down the aisle of Air Force One together, both oblivious to the hectic movements around them caused by the terrorist attack.

"Agent Todd told me about her and Major Kerry when she tendered her resignation"

It was amazing how one sentence could stop Leroy Jethro Gibbs in his tracks.

"Are you accepting?"

"No" Agent Bauer shook his head. "Agent Todd is one of the best we have. I'd be a fool to let her walk away."

Both men continued down the aisle together eventually coming to the door of Air Force One.

Agent Bauer offered his hand. "Well, thank you Special Agent Gibbs"

"Thank you sir."

Gibbs turned and started down the staircase, his eyes scanning the many reporters and agents in the area looking for that brunette he had come to know so well. He wasn't sure when it had hit him, but he was really going to miss Agent Todd's feistiness. At least he convinced himself that was what he would miss. The less responsible part of his brain would miss her smile, her laughter, and those eyes. Those deep brown eyes.

If only they had accepted her resignation. Gibbs shook that thought away. Those kinds of thoughts would only get him into trouble and he couldn't afford that. Not with three previous wives under his belt.

As he rounded the corner near the gates he saw her walking towards her car. His breath caught in his throat. Would this be the last time he saw her? He didn't want to miss saying goodbye so he quickly moved after her calling her name. She didn't turn around but her steps slowed down to wait for him.

"I heard you quit Agent Todd"

She smiled to herself. "Happy news travels fast. Yes I resigned. It was the right thing to do"

They came to stop next to her car where they stared at each other for a moment. Kate was the first to look away and for some reason Gibbs found that stimulating.

"They suspended me for a short time but Agent Bauer was confident I would be back on the Presidential Detail soon."

"That's good" Gibbs silently cursed himself as Kate turned to unlock her door. That's good. Is that the best you can come up with? "I'm sure it will be sooner than you than you think"

Kate opened her door and threw her purse onto the passenger's seat. She paused for a moment before turning back to Gibbs.

"I really have to thank you Agent Gibbs for everything that happened these past few days... Without you, I'm not sure I would have picked up on the threat" Kate paused and looked down at her shoes. "We may have lost the President because of it."

Gibbs watched Kate as she shuffled her feet nervously. He didn't know what to say to comfort her. These situations always called for reassurance and he didn't know if he was the right person to offer it. How was it an agent – no a woman like Kate could have such low confidence in herself?

After a moment, Gibbs tilted her chin up with his hand and stepped into her personal space. A part of him cheered silently when he heard her gasp at their proximity. He looked deeply into her eyes, willing her to believe him. "You would have been there for him Kate. You are a good agent. It's too bad you are still working with the Secret Service or I would steal you away"

They both gazed at each other, just enjoying the moment passing between them. Gibbs's heart started racing when he saw a haunted look pass over Kate's eyes.

"So I guess this is goodbye"

Gibbs was one person who could recognize an opportunity a mile away. She was leaving it up to him. Did he ask for her number? Ask to see her again? Would she want to see him again? Would she laugh at him?

"Kate, I…"

The sound of a horn interrupted Gibbs and he glanced over his shoulder while stepping away from Kate. A silver convertible he knew too well waited for him in the distance.

Gibbs turned back to Kate. "That's my ride"

Kate looked over his shoulder. "Of course." She turned back and offered her hand. "It was wonderful working with you, Agent Gibbs."

Gibbs took her hand in his and ran his finger over her knuckles. "Likewise, Agent Todd"

He dropped her hand and took a few steps back. Just keep walking.

When he made it to the car he jumped into the passenger seat and snuck a glance at Kate as he shut the door. She waved to him and he acknowledged her with a nod.

"A friend of yours?"

Gibbs turned to his companion and smiled. "Just a fellow agent"

He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. He didn't want to ponder why he had felt the need to lie to her. Accepting the end of the conversation she slipped the car into drive and pressed down on the accelerator. As they sped out of the parking lot, Gibbs looked back to where he left Kate. He watched as she stepped into her car and he found himself wondering if they would ever see each other again.

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