A/N: I have always thought Gibbs and Faith Coleman had some chemistry in the few episodes in which she appeared. So, I decided to give them a story of their own. This is mainly a love story; no tragedy or hospitals involved. I hope some of you enjoy it; I enjoyed writing it. I guess you could say it AU but then isn't most of what we write?!

The usual, 'I don't own these people' disclaimer applies.

FAITH

CHAPTER ONE

Jethro Gibbs drove into his driveway at the end of what ranked as one of the worst days of his life. He saw the familiar car in front of the house and wasn't sure how he felt about her being here tonight or actually this morning as it was 2:45 am. He wasn't surprised she was there because she always seemed to know when he needed her. She would have heard what happened today and known he would need someone to talk to. Jethro sat in his car for long minutes trying to gather his thoughts and get some measure of control over his emotions. He needed her tonight but he wasn't sure she should have to deal with how he was feeling. Tonight wasn't just another case that was bothering him; another dirt bag that had him tied in knots. This was about Kate. Kate was dead. No one should have to be here with him tonight. As he opened the car door Jethro reminded himself that the woman waiting for him knew she didn't HAVE to be here; she wanted to be here and she wouldn't push him. She never did. She would let him dictate how things went and as always he would be better off for her being there.

There were lights on in the kitchen and the living room so he knew she was up and waiting for him. When he stepped into the house, Jethro smelled coffee and something else he guessed were chocolate chip cookies. He went straight to the kitchen and discovered he was right.

"Kinda late to be baking isn't it?" Jethro asked as he popped a fresh cookie in his mouth and reached for the woman who had provided it.

"It's never too late or too early for chocolate chip cookies. God, Jethro I'm so sorry about Kate."

Jethro held onto her tightly and she returned the embrace. They stood together in the middle of the kitchen for a long time. He finally stepped back just enough to take her face in his hands and lean his forehead on hers. "Thank you for being here Faith. I'm not surprised you're here but I'm very glad you are."

"I came over as soon as I got out of court tonight. I figured you'd be late but I wanted to be here when you got home."

They were interrupted by the ringing of Jethro's phone. "Yeah, Gibbs."

"Jethro are you alright? Are you alone?"

"I'm fine Duck, Faith's here."

"Very good. You know you should just give in and marry that woman."

"Yeah, I know Duck."

"Well, I'm glad she's there with you tonight. Goodnight my friend."

"Night."

Jethro dropped his hands to his sides and let out a heavy sigh. He scrubbed one hand over his face and pulled Faith back into a hug with the other. "I'm not much good tonight and I can't stay long. I don't know if I can talk about this yet. Having a hard time wrapping my mind around Kate being gone."

"I understand. I figured you'd only come home for a shower and a quick nap. Of course you're having trouble, Kate was a special person and you cared for her very much not just as an agent but as a friend. Why don't you go up and take a shower. I can fix you something to eat if you want. Whatever you want to do, I'm here to help if I can."

Faith and Jethro have been friends for three years and lovers for two and she is the only lawyer he can't say he hates. She knows him inside and out which sometimes surprises them both considering his legendary status as a very private, closed off, distant, bastard. Almost from the time they met on a case they clicked and now they fit together very well. Jethro would say it's because Faith doesn't demand that he talk to her all the time and she understands his job. Faith would say it's because she doesn't let him push her around and she doesn't get her feelings hurt when he lives up to his reputation as a bastard. They would both agree they trust each other implicitly which makes all the difference in their relationship considering their pasts.

Jethro picked up several cookies and his cup of coffee and started for the upstairs. At the doorway he stopped and without turning around he said, "I'm not hungry. I think tonight what I want is you. I need to hold you and feel you all around me." Then he walked away before Faith could see his tears.

Faith stood in the silence of the kitchen and listened as Jethro made his way upstairs to the bathroom. She heard the shower come on as she put away the cookies and cleaned up the kitchen. Sometimes she wondered where their relationship was going. She knew she loved him and he had told her many times that he loved her but neither of them seemed capable of taking the next step. Jethro was understandably reluctant to marry since he was thrice divorced and Faith was mostly content with their present arrangement. They didn't see each other publicly, at least not in the public where anyone they knew was likely to see them. Sometimes they went away for weekends but mostly they stayed at Jethro's house or her condo when they wanted to be together. If you asked them why they were so secretive the answer would probably be they just liked their privacy. Sometimes, because of their work, they would go a week or more without spending the night together or even seeing much of each other. However, Faith had not dated anyone else since she started seeing Jethro and he hadn't dated anyone else either. As far as they knew the only person who was aware of their relationship was Ducky.

When she heard the water shut off, Faith turned off the kitchen light and went upstairs. She knew that even though it was 3:00 am Jethro would undoubtedly be going back to the office in just a few hours. When she walked into the bedroom he was coming out of the adjoining bathroom wearing a towel around his waist and drying his hair with another. Faith kicked off her shoes and got undressed while Jethro pulled on some boxers and a tee shirt and turned off the lights. He sat on the side of the bed and Faith crawled up behind him and began kneading the tight muscles of his shoulders and back. Jethro had his elbows on his knees and let his head fall into his hands. He couldn't stop the tears this time and Faith wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held him while he cried for another lost friend.

Sensing he would feel better if he could vent a little Faith ventured a question, "Do you have any leads?"

"Oh, we know who did it. That bastard Ari, the one who took Kate and Ducky hostage and shot Gerald last year. He's back in town and he's the one who killed Kate. I couldn't prove it in your courtroom but I know, in my gut, he's the one. I'll catch him and when I do…let's just say he won't need a lawyer."

Jethro stood up and began pacing around the room. He was agitated and furious and heartbroken all at the same time. Faith had never seen him this upset but then she'd never been around when he lost someone he cared about. She knew enough not to try and soothe him or comfort him; not yet anyway. He needed to get some of this out of his system or it would eat him alive. Jethro finally stopped pacing and stood looking out the window, his back to Faith who was now sitting on the side of the bed. He began talking about the case that had led to them to the warehouse in Norfolk. He told her about the stolen drone, the phone call to Ari and the gunfight at the warehouse. His voice thick with sadness and loss he told her how Kate had jumped in front of him, saving his life just minutes before she fell dead at his feet. Faith shivered at the thought that she could be the one mourning tonight. When Jethro turned around to look at her she saw the tears in his eyes as he told her how Ari had shot Kate in the head and she died instantly right in front of him.

Faith went to him and wrapped him in her arms and held him as he cried. "I'm so sorry Jethro. I wish I could help but I know there's nothing to say really. I love you and being here is about all I can offer."

"You are helping. I wasn't sure I wanted to see anyone tonight but I'm really glad you're here. I just need to hold you, baby."

And so they stood in the bedroom holding onto each other for the longest time. Faith let her hands roam soothingly up and down his back as she talked quietly to him about how much she loved him and how proud she was of him. She reminded him that Kate was a great agent and told him what Kate had said to her about how much she liked working for him. Slowly Jethro loosened his embrace and moved back just enough to be able to kiss her.

"Why don't you get some sleep, Jethro? You know the next few days you won't get much rest."

"I'll sleep but first I want to make love to you. I want to remind myself of the best part of my life."

Faith took him by the hand and led him back to the bed and let him have his wish. For a while at least nothing existed outside their room. Nothing could hurt them and no one was trying to kill him. Faith gave him everything he needed and took all he had to give her.

"What did I ever do to deserve you?" he asked as they lay wrapped in each other's arms letting their heart rates come back to normal.

"You eat my cooking and you are an excellent lover. I think that more than qualifies you as deserving of my company." Faith's hands were skating up and down his sides and then she pulled him down and took greedy possession of his mouth.

Jethro responded by moving over on top of her and deepening the kiss as he held himself above her. Suddenly he couldn't get enough of her and his mouth and his hands were everywhere, touching her, tasting her and driving her to the point of no return. Faith matched his passion with her own and managed to roll them over so she was straddling him, feeling his arousal as she rubbed herself against him.

"Baby I want to be inside you, please. I need you."

"Look at me Jethro. I'm right here. I'm always going to be here." With that Faith took him inside herself and their familiar rhythm began again.

Jethro loved having Faith on top of him, riding him to the edge but tonight he needed to be in charge so he rolled them over and thrust into her with abandon. He locked his fingers with hers and leaned down to suckle at her breast as she tightened around him and cried out his name. As far as he was concerned there wasn't a better sound in the world than Faith gasping his name as he drove her to her climax.

Faith could feel Jethro was on the verge so she wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him impossibly closer. She pulled his head up and kissed him fiercely, her tongue going deep into his mouth.

"Let go baby. Let me have all of you Jethro."

That was all it took and he found his release and spilled himself deep inside her. Faith held him as he came down from his high and collapsed at her side. When their breathing had returned to normal, Jethro propped himself up on one elbow and looked down at her. He brushed some hair back from her face and let his fingers trail gently down her cheek and over her swollen lips. He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss there.

"Thank you for being here tonight. I love you. I don't know what I would do without you Faith."

"You're welcome and I love you too. I don't plan on you finding out how to manage without me. I'm not going anywhere Jethro."

Faith held him until she felt his breathing even out and he began softly snoring. She lay awake for several minutes wondering how long it would be before the nightmares started. She vowed to herself she would be here whenever that happened.

When Jethro woke up he was astonished to find it was almost 7:00. He looked down at Faith; sound asleep with one arm and one leg slung over him. There was no way for him to get up without waking her but he was sure she was probably supposed to be at work anyway.

"Hey, sleepyhead, wake up." He kissed the top of her head and gently shook her awake.

"What time is it?"

"Almost 7:00. I hope you didn't have an early appointment this morning."

"I don't. I can't believe you slept so late though."

"You wore me out last night. What were you thinking?"

Faith punched him playfully on the arm. "I seem to remember you were a pretty active participant yourself. Now, come on we need to shower and get to work. You have a bad guy to catch."

Twenty minutes later they stood in the kitchen kissing goodbye. "I'll call you later. Don't expect me until you see me okay? I'll come to your place when I can. I gotta go. I love you." Jethro started for the front door.

"Me too. Be careful and I'll see you whenever." Faith followed him outside and watched him drive away as she got into her own car and drove off to work.

TBC