DISCLAIMER: I own nothing! It all belongs to Don Bellisario and CBS! (I do love writing though!)

"So Kate...what was it like? Being Gibbs' superior? Having him call you ma'am?"

Tony to Kate in "One Shot, One Kill" Season One.

Kate Todd didn't have time to answer Tony, and she was thankful, because if she had attempted even a witty comeback she might not have been able to do it with a straight face.

"Grab your gear." Jethro Gibbs barked as he entered the bullpen.

Kate sighed as she reached for her badge and weapon. They had been back in the office less than two hours and now the team was headed back out for another assignment.

"I'm going to have to cancel my date." Tony groaned as he and Kate bent down over the body of a recently deceased rear admiral.

"Me too." Kate said in a measured tone. This case was going to take forever. A high-ranking officer dead after a suspicious accident in his garage.

"Yeah right..." DiNozzo muttered as he stood up.

"Is it so hard to believe...that I might actually have somewhere to go?" Kate asked petulantly as she began taking photographs.

"Yes." Tony said as he pulled out his cell phone.

"You're such a jerk." Kate retorted through gritted teeth.

"Why is DiNozzo a jerk?" Jethro Gibbs asked as he made his way towards the body.

"Let me count the ways..." Kate said as she smiled at her boss.

"Hey! Enough...I just don't really believe that our little Kate has a date on a random Wednesday night." DiNozzo explained.

"A date I have to cancel." Kate said as she stared at the ground.

"Are you sure you have to cancel?" Gibbs asked as he looked around the crime scene.

"This will take awhile." Kate replied as she turned from her boss and began snapping more pictures.

Four hours later the crime scene was processed and Kate headed back to her apartment, weary and ready for a hot shower. As she drove home Kate realized just how pathetic her life had become, she alternated between work and home, spending far more time at work than most people her age. Her social life was slowly deteriorating, and she hardly saw her old friends anymore. When she should have turned right into the parking lot of her apartment complex Kate swerved hard left and pulled into a convenience store. She went in and bought a large Caf-Pow. The drink was sickeningly sweet and Kate couldn't even imagine how Abby stomached so much of the beverage. Kate finished her drink and headed home. A smile crossed her face. Tonight was the night. Kate Todd was living on the edge. She didn't care how tired she'd be the next day, or what anybody thought of her. It was time to live a little.

Kate managed to shower, fix her hair and touch-up her make-up in less than a half hour. She rummaged through her closet even quicker, knowing that whatever she picked out had to suit her mood. In the far section of her closet Kate found it, a black dress with gold beading and slinky little spaghetti straps. It was one of those dresses Kate always needed a reason to wear, and lately there had been very few reasons. Kate pulled the dress on and grabbed the highest heels she owned and headed back out.

Jethro Gibbs was in his basement working on his boat. He sighed heavily, knowing that tonight would probably be the last night he'd be able to work on the boat for at least a week. They had the unfortunate duty of investigating the death of a rear admiral. The sound of high heels on the steps drew Jethro from his own thoughts and he turned to see Kate Todd standing at the bottom of the basement stairs.

Jethro drew his breath in sharply. She looked absolutely stunning.

"I thought you had to cancel." Jethro said with a smile as he made his way towards Kate.

"I lied." Kate said as she stared at her boyfriend.

"I know." Jethro said as he leaned in and kissed Kate, unable to resist the temptation.

"You owe me." Kate said as the Caf-Pow turned in her stomach.

"I'll do whatever it takes." Jethro said with a smile as he surveyed Kate's appearance.

"One small request..." Kate said with a smile as she tilted her head to the side.

"Anything for my sweetheart." Jethro said as he wrapped an arm around Kate's waist.

"You have to call me ma'am....all night long." Kate whispered in Jethro's ear as she grinned at him deviously.