Chapter 2

'Abby will keep' Gibbs thought as he passed her level in the lift. He exited the lift and got into his car. He speed off towards the local flouriest. Gibbs parked the car out on the street and entered the shop. He looked around and picked the nicest bunch, Gibbs then walked up to the counter and paid for the flowers. He smiled as the sale assistant gave him his change. He quickly walked back to his car and drove off.

Gibbs knocked on her door and took a deep breath waiting for Kate to answer. 'She must be asleep' he thought turning away after waiting a couple of minutes. Gibbs was not one to show up at someone door carrying a bunch of flowers, but his team needed Kate and so did Gibbs. Without her the team could not function, shown from DiNozzo and McGee's bickering. Just as Gibbs began to walk away the door swung open and Kate stood there looking out. Gibbs turned around and quickly marched back up to her.

"Can I come in?" he asked

"Sure" she coughed and stepped aside. Gibbs nodded as he walked into her apartment for the second time that morning.

"Would you like some water?" she asked softly closing the door.

"I'm fine thanks" he mumbled

"Not for you, silly. I meant for the flowers" Kate said pointing to the bunch he held in his hand.

"Oh… right" he said handing them over.

"They're beautiful!" Kate commented putting them in a vase.

"They are for you" he said watching her arrange them skilfully.

"I kind of figured that" Kate smiled walking out of the kitchen and placed the vase on the table. Kate turned around to face Gibbs

"Two visits in one day. I must be pretty special" she smiled

"You are" he mumbled under his breath.

"What did you say?!" Kate asked narrowing her eyes. Gibbs turned his head to look at her and could feel his heart rate quicken.

"I said 'you are'. Because it's true" Gibbs replied.

"How special?" she asked taking a step closer.

"What is that supposed to mean?" he growled

"Like; to you, or to the team?" she asked watching Gibbs closely.

"Both. But you mean a hell of a lot more to me" Gibbs confessed. Kate stood there for a moment taking in what he had said. Suddenly she rushed up to him and hugged him tightly.

"I love you to" she whispered clsoe to his ear.

"That's one problem solved" Gibbs sighed stepping back.

"Problem? I'm a problem?!" she shrieked

"What? No! I meant confessing how I feel" Gibbs frowned

"Oh ok. So what is your other problem?" Kate asked leading him over to the couch.

"It's Abby. She is mad at me because I didn't tell her I was coming over" he replied sitting down on the couch. Kate looked at Gibbs then smiled

"Here's what you do" she said leaning in close and whispered into his ear. Gibbs nodded his head and pulled her close.

"Shouldn't you be going back to work? You don't want to get sick do you?" she asked looking up at him.

"Never been sick, and I don't intend to" he replied softly stroking her back.

Gibbs glanced down at Kate ten minutes later and saw she was fast asleep. He picked her up and placed her down on her bed, he pulled the blanket up and covered her. He smiled as he pushed the hair from her face and left. Gibbs drove off to NCIS and before he went to Abby's lab he grabbed a cup of CAF-POW. He walked through her door and found her standing in front of her computer. He walked over and placed the cup down in front of her. His fingers found their way to her shoulders began to massage her tense muscles. Minutes later Gibbs felt her relax and thought it was the best time to apologise.

"Abs, please forgive me. I didn't know you wanted to see Kate" he murmured.

"Why wouldn't I? She is my best friend!" She cried

"I'm sorry" he whispered. Abby turned around and stared into his eyes.

"What did you say?" she asked

"I'm sorry" he said again

"I thought you keep telling us apologises are a sign of weakness" she teased

"Not between friends" Gibbs replied quietly. Abby smiled and quickly hugged him.

"I could never stay mad at you" she said and pushed him back.

x-x-x

Kate opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling as she stretched out her arms. Sitting up she looked around the empty room. Getting up slowly she walked out into the living room and searched for Gibbs. Frowning she made her way over to her hand bag and pulled out her phone. Going through the phone book and dialled Gibbs.

"Yeah, Gibbs" he answered

"Where are you?" Kate asked

"Back at work. Why?" he asked with a hint of concern in his voice.

"Oh, I just didn't know where you were" she replied.

"DINOZZO!! Put that down!" Gibbs shouted

"What has he done?" Kate asked

"He picked up his chair and threatened the throw it at McGee" Gibbs grumbled

"I really wish you could come back to work" he whispered

"So I can get teased by Tony? No way!" she yelled

"Oh but you wouldn't, you got me!" Gibbs said and Kate imagine see him smiling away.

"I'll come by later tonight. I have to go" Gibbs said

"Bye" she said and expected him to hang up but he didn't.

"I love you" he whispered

"Me to" Kate beamed and hung up. She floated across to the couch and flopped down into it. Smiling she turned on the TV and decided she would be eternally happy if Gibbs kept saying that to her every day.