DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NCIS OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS!

OPENING THE PAST

CH 1

It was Friday and nearing quitting time. The week had been a long one of cold cases and meetings. Tonight though would make up for all the drudgery. Karin was meeting him at the Navy Yard to go to a local Italian place rather than having to drive to her place and back.

They'd been having a good time getting to know each other, though there was still much she had to learn about him. He had a plan and was going to see about putting it into action after dinner. Lost in his thoughts he became aware of how quiet things were around him.

Without focusing on anyone in particular he accused, "Something wrong?"

"No, Boss." "Not a thing." "Can't think of anything." His three agents answered. Pleased that they weren't ready to start prying he sat up from his relaxed position and prepared to call it a day. Karin should be arriving any minute.

No doubt the curiosity would bubble over, but he could deal with it. They all knew he was seeing her and Abby was happy to see him happy. Tony was his skeptical self waiting to make a joke when it ended- if it ended. Gibbs smiled at that. He didn't normally look far enough ahead to be concerned about how long a relationship would last.

This had gone on now for three months. He survived meeting her mother-in-law. From what Karin had shared the day after, Mildred was at least feigning support wanting her daughter-in-law to find some happiness.

Ziva had remained stoically supportive and Tim was quietly keeping watch to see how it panned out.

In the silence that settled among them the arrival of the elevator could hardly go unnoticed. Karin approached slowly, the nerves she'd been trying to calm not quite under control. She smiled naturally though when she caught Gibbs' eyes. Meeting the team was the next step on the journey of being with him.

Gibbs was by her side before she reached the bullpen brushing a kiss along her cheek and wrapping an arm around her waist giving her an encouraging squeeze. "You look terrific," he whispered in her ear causing her to blush slightly.

The team had stood not quite gathered together, but standing in front of their desks. Gibbs rolled his shoulder and stiffened his back before beginning the introductions. "Karin, this is my team: Tony, Ziva and Tim," he gestured at each as he said their names. "This is Karin."

"Pleased to meet you all," Karin offered shaking hands with each of them with a strong assured hand.

"It is nice to meet you in person as well," Ziva returned appreciating the strength of Karin's handshake. She was certain that Karin would be a good match for Gibbs.

Tony was nearly jumping out of his skin wanting to ask her questions, but the stare from his boss kept his lips sealed only eking out a 'Nice to meet you, Karin."

Tim, ever the gentleman shook her hand with a slight nod of his head, "A pleasure to meet you."

Before the handshakes were completed Abby came racing in. "Did I miss... Oh there you are," she look expectantly at Gibbs waiting to be introduced.

With a smile he turned to Karin, "This is Abby."

"Abby. It's nice to put a face with your name," Karin began to offer her hand when she was grabbed in a big hug. She recovered and gave a hug in return.

"It's so nice to finally meet you," she scowled at Gibbs, but erased it when he raised an eyebrow at her. Karin missed it, but noticed that Abby was back to smiling quickly.

Karin noticed an older gentleman with a younger man coming their way. Gibbs took her elbow and led her to meet up with them.

"Karin this is Ducky and his assistant, Jimmy. This is Karin." Gibbs audibly sighed glad to have the introductions over.

"Karin it's a pleasure to meet the woman that has caught the attention of our Jethro," Ducky lilted.

"Duck," Gibbs almost growled.

"Yes. Yes. It's a pleasure," he patted her hand as he shook it.

Jimmy smiled politely, "Nice to meet you."

Karin looked around at all the faces staring back at her and then to Gibbs eagerly.

"We should be going," Gibbs suggested getting them on their way. They passed back through the bullpen onto the main walkway.

"Gibbs," Vance called out.

The lead agent hung his head, but turned to face the director.

"Leon," he replied.

The director proffered a smiled for Karin and gave Gibbs a look of curiosity.

Once again Gibbs introduced her. When that appeared to be all that Vance was interested in, they left grateful that an elevator was waiting.

Once the doors closed Karin began to laugh releasing the tension that had been building up inside her. It was infectious and Gibbs soon joined in with his own laughter.

"They certainly are a big group," Karin managed through the last of her laughs.

Gibbs nodded. "They don't really compare to meeting Mildred," he teased.

Karin slapped at his hand on her arm. "Now be nice."

They exited the elevator and walked to Gibbs' car. He held the door as she got in and then hurried to his side to get on the road.

"We're not being followed are we?" she jested.

"No," he took a precautionary look in the rearview mirror and smiled at her. "They have no idea where we are going."

"How can you be so sure?" she asked trying to figure out why he was so confident.

"I left enough clues for several different restaurants, not one of them the one we're going to," he explained pulling into the parking lot was hidden behind a brick wall, so his car couldn't be seen from the street.

"What about your phone?" she asked, having heard stories about tracking people via the GPS chip in their cell phones. "Surely you aren't turning your phone off."

"No. Don't have to. I had a friend disable the GPS. He'll be restoring it tomorrow," he smirked.

"You have thought of everything," she relaxed glad to have a night with just the two of them.

Their dining experience went well. The atmosphere was subdued allowing them to engage in quiet conversation. The lighting was bright enough to allow them to look into each other's eyes, but dim enough to give the sense that they were the only two in the room. The food was prepared to ordered and delivered in a timely fashion.

It was while imbibing in their after dinner drinks: a glass of chardonnay for Karin and bourbon for Gibbs that Jethro broached the subject he'd been contemplating throughout the day. Actually he'd been thinking about it since the night he'd met Mildred. It was a big step in a relationship for him. One he hadn't taken since Shannon; even that had been a difficult choice.

Things were different now. He was different- older, maybe even wiser. It seemed the logical thing to do even if a bit old fashioned. He chuckled at himself in that light.

"Something you want to share?" Karin asked. She had watched him closely as he eyed his drink. She could sense he had something important to say. It made her a little nervous, because though he wasn't a big talker, he normally said what he had to say without preamble.

He put his glass down and reached for her hand across the table. Shocked she put her glass down and let him hold both her hands. He played with her fingers for a moment before looking into her face and smiling.

"I'd like you to take a trip with me," he told her watching to see her reaction.

Surprisingly though her heart seemed to skip a beat she remained calm on the outside. A trip? What kind of a trip?

She quietly asked, "Where would you like to take me?"

He grinned, "Well at this moment I was thinking Stillwater."

In her travels she'd never heard of it, "Where is Stillwater?"

"Pennsylvania. It's where I grew up," he shrugged not surprised she didn't know of it.

"Oh," as realization began to set in. "What will I find there?" she asked curious as to his reasons for wanting to take her there.

"My father, for one," he stated simply.

"My turn to be put under the microscope, huh?" she teased.

Gibbs stared into her eyes, "Hardly. Jack will love you."

"Jack?" she asked "but answered her own question, "Your father."

Gibbs nodded. "He's got an eye for beautiful women."

"Is that where you get it then?" she smiled.

"I'm a little more selective."

"Really? I'm not just a pretty face then?" she continued to tease.

"You certainly have that going for you," he smirked, "But yeah, you're much more than that."

Karin sat quietly considering what he was asking her. It was more than a chance to meet his father. He was willing to share a part of his past; something that he'd kept safely guarded and she respectfully allowed. She picked up her glass and took a sip of the wine.

He watched her seeing her absorb the importance of his invitation. He smiled when she nodded.

"Yes, Jethro. I'd like very much to take a trip with you."

That settled he picked up his glass and downed the rest of his drink.