1**Author's Note** Yes, I know that Kate is dead, but I really thought this might be a fun story to write. So then I guess it goes without saying that the story is set in some alternate time and place where Ari Haswari thankfully does not exist. I will eventually write most of the characters in from the show, Gibbs and Kate will also become romantic with one another, but for now this is just the beginning. Reviews are always welcome! :)

p.s. I own nothing...all the credit for the real creativity goes to CBS and Don Belisario!

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Jethro Gibbs sat in the blue sedan and heaved a sigh. He had to gain his composure and put himself in the right frame of mind. Places like this always made him angry. He would walk through the double doors with confidence, and act like he belonged there. If he did feel tempted to lose his temper he'd do what he always did. Remind himself that there was a boat at home waiting for him to take his frustrations out on.

Inside though, he would be seething with anger. Looking at every single woman. Thinking about Kelly, Shannon, Abby, Jenny...even his ex-wives. No woman deserved a life like this. Every woman he had ever loved would race through his mind. Every woman he had ever tried to protect or shield from harm. Tonight he was searching for one in particular, but none of that mattered now. All that mattered was not blowing his cover, or hers for that matter.

Once he'd made up his mind that he had enough courage Jethro Gibbs got out of the car. He strode towards the doors of the establishment. To anybody else he looked like a picture-perfect portrait of masculinity. His silver hair was neatly combed, and he was dressed in the usual jeans, polo shirt, and jacket. At best he was a curious voyeur. At worst he was an older man with a filthy mind and a lot of money to spend on scantily-clad women.

Jethro made his way to the doors, and paid the cover charge. In the years that had passed Jethro had forgotten just how large Perfect Gentleman's was. He had been in there twice before, both times for an investigation. Even when it was closed the place sickened him. Jethro pulled himself out of the momentary flash back and reminded himself to blend in. Jethro glanced around the dimly lit club. She was nowhere in sight.

Jethro made his way to the bar and ordered the standard double-shot of bourbon. He wouldn't actually drink it. He was working after all, but the appearance he gave was all that mattered. Jethro glanced for an empty seat closest to the main stage. He found one left. Jethro moved through the haze of strobe lights, cigar smoke, and men dressed in suits and ties receiving lap dances from various women, all in various states of undress.

He walked by a redhead who was slowly unhooking the bikini top she was wearing. The man sitting in the chair next to her really seemed to appreciate it. Instantly Jethro's stomach turned and he thought of Kelly. He just might get sick. It wasn't that Jethro didn't appreciate the female form. He loved women. Everything about them...their hair, the way their eyes would sparkle in the moonlight when he took them sailing, their curves, their perfume. The only thing Jethro didn't like about women was their penchant for divorcing him. Jethro didn't think that this was the proper venue to appreciate women. He looked at all of their faces. They could all do so much better. In one way or another every single one of these women had to have some sort of life skill or natural talent besides removing their clothing that could be turned into a decent living.

Jethro found the empty seat at the front of the stage. He set his bourbon down and pretended to watch the girl on-stage. She would find him eventually. It was Tuesday, the usual night they tried to make contact. For the past five weeks he'd been meeting her at a restaurant, or a park, but now her cover was so deep he couldn't chance seeing her anywhere but at the club.

Not to look out of place Jethro threw a crumpled five-dollar bill on the stage after the song was done. It wasn't his money he reminded himself as he reluctantly tossed the cash. The young woman gathered up her cash and the remainder of the nurse's outfit she had been wearing and headed offstage. The music started again and another girl appeared out of nowhere and began dancing. Jethro pretended to sip his bourbon.

"Would you like a refill?" The familiar voice asked.

"Perhaps." Jethro said barely glancing at her.

"How about a trip to the VIP lounge instead?" The dark- haired beauty suggested.

"Five minutes...I'm enchanted by this sweet young thing at the moment." Jethro kept his eyes fixated on the woman on stage. No real man would take his eyes off a completely naked woman to stare down one in a Catholic school-girl uniform.

"Curtain three." The woman said before disappearing.

As the music for the number on the main stage ended Jethro threw the requisite five dollars on the stage and stood up. He made a beeline for the VIP room. A bald man who looked as if he ate steroids for breakfast stood in front of the third curtained room at the back of the club. Jethro fished through his wallet and pulled out a hundred dollar bill. The bouncer grunted as he accepted the money and pulled the curtain back for Jethro. He sat on the velvet couch and waited. A brass pole stood in the middle of the small room. Jethro waited and waited. Ten minutes later he finally had some company.

A small cd player in the corner filled the room with a hip-hop beat as Kate Todd began gyrating up and down the brass pole. He only wanted to talk to her, but with a bouncer standing a few feet away and a sheer curtain separating them from the club Jethro knew they couldn't take any chances. If she didn't perform people would instantly be suspicious. Jethro did the only polite thing he could think of and averted his eyes. He had suddenly become very interested in the upholstery of the couch.

From across the room Kate could sense his disdain, and discomfort. She shed her blouse, and tiny plaid skirt before she shimmied towards him in a red lace bra and underwear set. She still had her shoes on. The platform saddle-shoes Abby had helped her find had been horrible to learn how to walk and dance in, but she had made the best out of a bad situation.

"What you got for me?" Jethro asked as Kate leaned in and placed her hands on his shoulders.

"You're a dirty old man." Kate teased as her eyes shone. She loved teasing Gibbs.

"I think I've actually got something useful." Kate muttered as she swivelled her hips.

"Good...now tell me." Gibbs said looking directly into Kate's eyes.

"So much to say...and our time is almost up." Kate whispered.

"Take this." Kate added as she unhooked her bra.

Jethro used all of his strength to avoid looking at her breasts. "They must be amazing". Jethro thought to himself. She was amazing. In the end the gentleman in Jethro beat out the carnal instinct side and he kept his gaze fixed on Kate's hazel eyes.

"Is this a souvenir?" Jethro asked as the lacy bra dangled from his hand.

"Something like that." Kate said as the music ended and she sauntered out of the VIP room.

Jethro shoved the bra into the inside pocket of his jacket and headed out of the club. Once he was safely in his car he pulled the bra out of his pocket and flung it onto the passenger seat. He chuckled at her insistence that he take it. In the safety of his basement Jethro removed the lining from the cups of the bra. Inside was a piece of paper in Kate's handwriting. He read it slowly.

"Her stage name is Feather...has little girl...will be doing lots of baby-sitting in the coming days. Bartender that looks like a cross between Pee-Wee Herman and Ted Bundy is on to something too. Get real names and vital stats ASAP."

Jethro smiled as he crumpled up the note. Kate was a damn good investigator.