Disclaimer: No still do not own anything sigh. Will return them as soon as I am done.

A/N : This is a continuation of The Sketch and is set a few weeks after that incident happens.

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Gibbs has competition

Standing in the parking lot, next to the car that she had just emerged from, Kate leaned over to kiss her date, who was dropping her off. She was going to kiss his cheek but he turned his face at the last moment and she landed up kissing him on the lips instead. She was caught totally off guard, but she was not complaining, hell he was one good kisser.

They broke apart when the phone on her hip started to ring and vibrate, breaking the silent embrace that they were enjoying. Looking at the caller ID and seeing Gibbs's name she said "hey I gotta go, I'll call you later" and started making her way towards the building. Her date, it seemed did not want to go and pulled her back towards him and engaged her in another conversation and it seemed that she didn't mind and carried on with the conversation.

A few parking spaces away, watching the scene were a pair of the clearest blue eyes anyone had ever seen. When the gaze had first settled on the couple they were twinkling and dancing with mischief, but then as he recognized the brunette as his agent, the eyes turned into icy, steel blue slits.

As he saw her lean in to kiss her date or whoever he was, Gibbs's hand that was holding the ever present cup of coffee tightened around it, causing some of the hot, strong, brown liquid to spill onto the seat. "Damn" Gibbs growled as the liquid burned his skin.

He decided that he'd seen enough, and he needed to get away from there before his anger turned into a full blown rage and before he built up enough of a temper to beat the life out of the stranger who had HIS AGENT in his arms.

Getting out of his car and making his way to the building, and passing her on his way there. As he did so, he made sure that his shoulder brushed hers and without looking up at either of them he acknowledged her presence "Special Agent Todd" he said icily and didn't stop for a response.

"Crap" she pulled away from her date, "I'll call you later" she shouted as she made her way to the door of the building. Alone in the elevator on the way up to her floor she wondered what was up with her boss. He usually didn't react this way when DiNozzo was teasing her about her dates or even when Gibbs himself saw her leaving with them himself.

When the doors swished open on her floor, she stepped out of the metal box and made her way to her desk greeting DiNozzo and McGee as she did so. Tony didn't miss a beat "How was your date last night?" he was looking up at Kate with all the interest in the world. "Good" came the growl from desk across theirs and three heads turned in Gibbs direction.

"Wow Boss I didn't know you had a date last night!" "I didn't" came Gibbs's impatient reply. Tony was now confused but before he could ask another question Gibbs beat him to it. "So… Special…Agent…Todd…how...was… your…little…adventure…this…morning?" he laboured each word making it sound worse than anyone could ever imagine.

Kate looked like she wanted to kill Gibbs but she took a deep breath and tried to compose herself before answering him, very satisfying Gibbs." "Well then the little adventure is over and you can get back to doing what you're paid to do," he growled. He knew he was being a bastard but he didn't care at this moment.

"Actually I'm going to see Abby if that doesn't bother you" she replied hotly and made her way back to the elevator. Tony and McGee buried themselves back in what they were doing, afraid of being on the receiving end of Gibbs wrath. They were however wondering about what had happened between their boss and co worker, to make them both as furious as they both were.

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Down in Abby's lab Kate was yelling furiously to Abby about what had just transpired between her and Gibbs in the bullpen. "I mean who the hell does he think he is behaving with me the way he did? It was humiliating!" Abby did nothing to try and diffuse Kate's anger knowing that it would result in an even bigger temper flare.

An hour later when had calmed down considerably Abby said to her "Kate you know how Gibbs can be… He's full of himself and he can be unbearable at times but I don't think he meant to upset you the way he did." "It's not what he said Abbs it was the way he said it."

Kate looked like she was going to start all over again and Abby tried to keep her from doing that. "Hey…" she linked her hand with Kate's when Kate did not respond "hey he's not worth crying over Kate, if he upset you that much. " "Yeah I guess you're right." Kate said as she wiped away the rogue tear that had ran down her cheek.

When Kate returned to the bullpen, after what she called her therapy session with Abbs, she found DiNozzo and McGee still buried in their work and Gibbs was nowhere to be seen. At least that would give her a bit more time to compose herself until he returned. She was sure that he was on his usual coffee run and she was glad that she had Abby to turn to in times like these.

Starting with the paperwork that was crowding her desk, she soon became so immersed in it that she forgot all about the incident that took place earlier. They worked in silence McGee typing away furiously trying to finish as much as he could, DiNozzo trying to figure out a way of finding out the reason of the outburst that morning but not wanting to ask directly, and Kate just keeping her mind as occupied as she could.

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Gibbs was just as furious as Kate but since she was the first to go to Abby he decided to try and clear his mind with a quick run to his caffeine dealer two blocks away. As he stepped outside the building, he felt the icy wind sting his eyes and cheeks, but he had to clear his mind. He pulled up his coat further and kept on walking, knowing that if he didn't his day would just get worse.

He was used to having his life in order and in balance and having a specific routine to follow everyday and not as messed up as it was at this moment, or as it had been for the past few weeks. There was only one person that could be blamed for this, whether she knew it or not or whether she did anything intentionally or not.

He cursed himself to no extent as he walked, finally reaching his destination and what promised to be a help to his mood. The coffee shoppe was empty and he didn't have to wait long for the fix to his addiction, the brown hot liquid warming his throat and body and calming him a little as he swallowed sip after sip. He ordered a second cup and made his way back to the office.

As he walked back his thoughts backtracked to the incident in the parking lot and the aftermath that had followed as a result of his reaction to it in the bullpen. He could have handled it better than he did, he knew it, and now he not going to be easily forgiven for a long time.

However that was not what was bothering him. The source of his problem was why he reacted the way he did today. It was not as if he didn't know she was dating. Tony seemed to think it was okay to make her personal life public and had no trouble mentioning her dates frequently.

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He couldn't dwell on the thought any longer, as the elevator doors swished open and he stepped out of it and made his way over to his desk, stealing a glance at Kate as he passed her. She was busy reading through the paperwork that he had thrown onto her desk when she was down in Abby's lab. Now he felt a little guilty knowing that he did that just to be spiteful and he knew it was going to be a while before he was going to be forgiven.

Eventually he also started on the work that had to be finished by the end of the week, occasionally stealing glances at Kate. She in the meanwhile made no attempt to look or communicate with any of her co-workers and especially not her boss, looking only at the papers in her hand and her computer screen. All she wanted was for the day to be over or for something to happen that would make it better than it currently was.

Three hours later it seemed like her day was going to change, though she wasn't sure if it was going to get better or worse. The elevator doors swished open for the umpteenth time that day but this time a really good looking guy stepped off it. He looked around the office and spotted Gibbs whom he recognized from that morning. He walked over to Gibbs's desk knowing that Kate would not be far from there since they were on the same team.

"Good afternoon" the visitor said as he reached Tony's desk, "I'm looking for Special Agent Todd" he continued as he looked from Tony to McGee to Gibbs. "Well if you turn around you might see her" Tony replied in his most boring tone but still smiling. The good looking guy did so and came face to face with Kate. She looked at him and flashed a million dollar smile that Gibbs had only seen once before.

"So what can we do for you Mr. … "DiNozzo started but realized he did not read the name on the card that the guy had been issued. "It's Matthew Tyler and I was hoping to steal Kate away from you guys for about an hour and a half just so that we could have lunch together. "She's busy typing reports" Tony replied dryly immensely enjoying rejecting Kate's date's request. Gibbs was glad that Tony did but did not show it on his face, instead only fixed Tony with the glare that he usually reserved for him. "Actually you should ask the boss over there."

He turned to look at Gibbs "so what do you say?" Matt asked waiting for an answer. "What do I say about what?" he was really impatient now and even though he heard the question the first time around he wanted Matt to ask again. "Could I please steal Kate away from you for a little while? Matt requested again.

It shattered Gibb's heart to hear it but he kept his face expressionless "you already did" and fixed him with the glare that Tony had received earlier. "Excuse me?" Matt was dumbfounded. "You asked for an hour and a half you know have an hour and twenty five minutes." Gibbs said still challenging the visitor. Before Gibbs could change his mind Kate gathered her stuff and led Matt out of the bullpen and out of Gibbs's view, knowing that his mood was going to deteriorate even more.

They did not leave the building right away as Kate wanted Matt to meet Abby and knowing that he would was eager to meet her as well. Stopping at the lab rat's floor she entered and said "Abbs?" "Hey Kate that's twice in one day what happened now?" "Nothing Abbs just wanted you to meet Matt" and she waited for the reaction she knew that would come from her friend.

Abby was in front of them in a split second and Matt was clearly surprised at her get-up. He was a little surprised, even though he had heard a lot about Abby from Kate it still was a bit of a shock. Abby was no fazed though and said "so you're Matt!" and eyed him from top to bottom. "The one and only" he played along.

Seeing the glances that were being passed between the ladies he excused himself "mind if I take a look around?" "No problem - just don't touch anything that looks freaky!" Abby replied smiling. "I'll try to keep my hands to myself" he said while walking away from the ladies.

"Wow Kate he is definitely a looker and he's funny and charming too." "Yeah he is amazing Abbs" Kate said dreamily. "As long as he's not an agent its okay because, Kate, romance between agents never works" Abby mocked in Gibbs's voice and they both started giggling. Then in all seriousness Abby said "no wonder Gibbs was so furious and mean to you this morning Kate, it's because he's got competition."

"What?" Kate asked incredulously "Abbs be serious what are you talking about?" This was definitely news to Kate. "Oh come on Kate, don't tell me you didn't know" "I didn't" Now it was Abby's turn to be surprised. "I'm serious Abby" Kate continued "I really didn't know, and besides what makes you think that he's even remotely interested in me?"

"I don't know Kate," Abby whispered so that Matt wouldn't hear "maybe it has to do with your guys making out session in the elevator a few weeks ago!" and she started giggling even more. Kate turned crimson within a few seconds "How did you know about that?" "So then it's true?" "WHAT?" Kate was very, very nervous. She knew that they would have found out eventually but this was weird.

"It was a once off thing Abbs, nothing else happened." "That's not what Gibbs said." This got Kate thinking very hard, she was going to be in some deep, deep trouble. Before Abby could say anything else that would have made her think more than she was she called Matt and they left for their lunch date.

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While Kate was gone Gibbs went down to see Abbs knowing that she would have the information that he wanted on Kate's new friend. "Hey Abby" "Hey my silver haired fox!" she replied brightly. "What can you tell me Abbs? he showed a the huge cup of Caff-Pow that he had brought for her. "Gibbs, therapy sessions are made in confidence, we don't disclose what is said between doctor and patient. She tried to take the Caff-Pow from him but he took it away, saying "Nothing comes for free Abbs"

"Aww come on Gibbs" she pleaded. "Tell me and you can get it" he replied. "Fine but if she finds out I'm telling her you blackmailed me." "Works for me" he said happy with himself as long he got the information. "Okay so he's a long time friend, and has a huge business empire and he is totally in love with her, and he asked her to marry him." Gibbs's heart almost shattered for the second time that day."

"What did she say? Did she accept or reject his offer?" he needed to know as his heart was at stake here. Abby didn't have the heart to tell him yes directly so she said "we're having a celebratory party tonight actually as he's leaving in two days again for business." "I'm sorry Gibbs" "Yeah Abbs so am I" she heard the rejection and disappointment in his voice. She had to do something for him.

"Hey Gibbs there's just one thing we don't have a place to celebrate. McGee lives too far, DiNozzo is renting, my geyser burst so it's a mess and Kate's is being painted so can we have it at your house?" She knew that this was going overboard but it was the one chance that they had to get Gibbs and Kate together. "No Abbs" "Come on Gibbs please? I promise I'll make it up to you" she fixed him with such a smile that he couldn't refuse her a second time.

When Gibbs had left Abby called McGee and told him of her plan and told him to tell DiNozzo only half of it, the half that did not involve getting Gibbs and Kate together. "Hey Tony, Abby wants us to initiate Kate's date into our friends group." "Ok probie what did she have in mind?" "Well she mentioned that Ducky was going to do a Y-incision on the body in the morgue and she wanted him to see it up close and personal and we thought that you were the best guy for the job."

"Fine I'll do it, I'll take one for the team" Tony said knowing that he would enjoy making the newbie squirm. He called Ducky and told him to wait until he got there. Ducky didn't have to wait long though because just then Kate and Matt had returned from lunch. Gibbs was by now back at his desk and his mood was worse than ever. Now he was being totally unbearable.

Hey Matt come on there's something I wanted to show you, it's really interesting" Tony was as excited as a child that had just received a new toy and was about to use it for the first time. He led Matt down to autopsy and scrubbed in and made matt do the same. He saw the colour drain from the guy's face and for this first time actually felt sorry for him. Aah well he had to go through initiation to become a part of the circle.

Up in the bullpen Kate looked questioningly at Gibbs and McGee. Gibbs didn't bother to respond to her look or the questions that followed. McGee looked as clueless as usual. After what seemed like eternity DiNozzo and a clearly traumatised Matt returned to the bullpen. "What did you do to him Tony?" "Nothing Kate Ducky needed help with a Y-incision so we went to assist.

Gibbs Smirked to himself mentally thanking Abby already, but he would get her something to really show his appreciation. He couldn't wait that long though so he called her "Abby" "yes Gibbs" "Thanks" "No problem, so we're still on for tonight?" "Yep"

Needless to say Matt did not want to stay at the office any longer but promised to visit again. As he was leaving Gibbs said "hey Matt we're having a little party tonight at my place, I'll be expecting you." It was not a question but an order and he knew that Matt would not disappoint him. He looked at the rest of them "you guys are expected to com as well" he growled.

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A/N 2 : I am currently working on the next chapter and hope to get it up soon. Until then I hope that this keeps you people entertained.

Sorry had to repost this as I was having a bit of a problem accessing it.

Thanks Hellraiser

PS don't forget to leave your trail of thoughts, and suggestions behind. They are all very welcome.