Disclaimer: All publicly recognized characters, settings, and dialogue, belong to Donald P. Bellasorio, not me. No copyright infringement intended.
Rating: T
Pairings: Kate + Gibbs Kibbs (yes I know she's dead but I'm in twilight denial OK), Paula + Tony ?? ( I know she's dead but I decided to bring her back anyway ), McGee + Abby McAbby
A/N: Hi! This is my first ever case file and I am having a little trouble creating/bringing up clues, finding chapter breaks, and so on… please bare with me during the duration of this story. I really am trying my hardest. Please, no flames…constructive criticism and encouraging reviews, however, are acceptable. I would also like to thank Sammie28 and csiphile for their stories "The Good Doctor" and "When I'm Gone" (respectively) for their great inspiration toward this piece.
A/N 2: I have stayed almost perfectly realistic in scientific and profiling aspects, therefore you all can try to solve the case on your own if you want to…message me through my profile when you figure it out…
A/N 3: This chapter is a little shorter, but it seemed a good place to cut this one. There is more to come I promise. I would also like to thank hellraiser for beating this chapter. Thanks!
Now Enjoy!…And Review!
Can it be Bliss?
Chapter Three
By: Katie Todd123
GRAQNDVIEW DRIVE: STEVENSON HOME
1 WEEK LATER
"Yes, I just got them, Paula. Thanks."
Kate lays the phone back in its cradle just to have it ring again.
"Stevenson residence." Kate says into the receiver.
"Hi, Kathleen, it's Heather from next door. I decided to have a get together with a couple other families tomorrow at 7:30. I was just wondering if you, Mark, and Belle could make it. I know it's short notice but it's nothing real fancy. You think you could make it?" Kathleen hastily babbles.
"Yeah, that'd be great, tomorrow at 7:30. We'll be there." Kate replies.
"Great we'll see you then, Bye."
"Bye."
Kate hangs up the phone and turns to an antsy Belle in her playpen.
"Come on Belle. Lunch time."
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NCIS HEADQUATERS:MTAC
STEVNESON HOME:DEN
VIDEO CONFRENCE
NEXT DAY
"Looking nice Kate." Tony comments into his head set.
"Thanks." Kate states simply as she stumbles into the den trying to pull a black heel on as she goes.
"Party or something tonight?"
"Yeah, it was sent in with a bunch of dates for our security contact schedule. You didn't get it?"
"Nope," Tony says characteristically popping the 'p'. "Has to be seen by the director first and he's been busy."
"Feeling safer already." Kate remarks sarcastically.
"So this was important." Gibbs gripes as he scoots into the room.
He takes Kate's hand to help steady her when Belle crawls into the room. Gibbs leans down to pick up the tot, who is clad in a cute tank top black dress. Gibbs straightens the matching bow in Belle's hair and turns back to the camera. His eyes raise in a silent question.
"We discovered that the killer is someone that knows the families, no pick marks were found on the doors, we're trying to get a list of people who worked for the families; baby sitters, pet sitters, mowers etc. And we also found out that the killer collects trophies; pearl necklaces that were commonly scene on all the victims, it's apparently military tradition for an ex-marine to give a pearl necklace to his wife for Christmas after his tenth full year of being home…which you of course already know…, stuffed animals were also taken. They range anywhere from bunnies to bears to an alligator, and last but not least a security clearance card from each husband."
"Got it." is Gibbs' simple reply as Kate slides from the room in search of Belle's bunny rabbit and diaper bag.
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125 GRANDVIEW DRIVE:SAMEN HOME
NEXT DAY
"Welcome." Kathleen says as she opens the door for the undercover agents.
"Wow, nice place, I love the decorating." Kate comments.
"Thanks," Heather smiles.
"Oh, here." Kate grins and hands her a tray of cookies.
"They look delicious, Kathleen," She pauses for a second before she leads them into the living room, "This is Alice, Mike, and their daughter Dana."
Heather excuses herself and Gibbs passes a squirming Belle to Kate.
"Mark Stevenson, my wife Kathleen and our daughter Belle."
"Aww," Alice remarks, her short dark hair gently grazes her chin as she speaks. Her bright yellow sun dress is in great contrast to Kate's three-quarter length sleeved black one, "how old?"
"She's almost twelve months." Kate smiles.
"What's her name, again?" Alice questions apologetically.
"Belle, it's short for Isabelle Marie. How old is yours?"
"Dana," she glances down at the thin freckled, red head child, "Just turned three."
"How's our schedule Friday, love?" Gibbs says as he leans over toward his partner.
"Free, why?"
"Mike wanted to know if we could meet them at Café 210 for dinner." He smiles as he lays a soft hand on Kate's back.
"I'll have to find a sitter…" Kate worries, as she glances at the toddler in her arms.
"Heather is watching Dana, I'm sure she could watch Isabelle." Alice assures.
"It wouldn't be any trouble." Heather remarks as she comes into the room.
"OK." Kate fakes a smile.
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VIDEO CONFRENCESTEVENSON:DEN
NCIS HEADQUATERS:MTAC
TWO DAYS LATER
"You sure she's clean?" Kate questions.
"Scrubbing bubbles clean." Tony answers.
"Has the Profiling Squad compiled a profile yet?"
"No," Paula chirps, "It's close to the bottom of their list."
"Wonderful." Gibbs growls as he enters.
He looks Kate over and grunts. Her auburn hair is up in rollers, her navy blue dress, partially unzipped in the back, her white death-trap shoes stand by her feet.
"You think this is detailed enough?" He questions referring to the clear, over filled folder filled with 'Baby Sitting Belle Instructions'.
Kate rolls her eyes, places a hand to her temple, and sighs. Tony chuckles, but neither of the pair notice the sound. Gibbs drops the folder to the ground and raises the zipper on Kate's dress.
"Hey," he smiles as his hands begin to knead her halter strap covered shoulders and neck.
"She'll be fine."
"So…" Tony begins.
Kate's head snaps up, but Gibbs' gentle kneading doesn't stop.
"We couldn't find any common work men for any of the families." Tony finishes.
"Forensics found some more evidence. It had been misplaced…put in a mislabeled box…," Abby squeals, "and I can now tell you your perpetrator is more recently a blonde."
Gibbs' frustration is only evident in the newly added pressure on Kate's shoulders.
"Party?" Paula asks as she comes to stand by Tony.
"No, dinner with neighbors." Gibbs states, "Our Kate is a little worried about letting someone baby sit Belle."
"Oh." Paula sympathizes.
"We should finish getting ready." Gibbs states as he presses his palms down Kate's back.
He marches forward and turns off the camera.
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"Our Kate, meaning HIS Kate." Tony states.
"He did seem pretty concerned." Abby agrees.
"That or he is going into massage therapy." Paula concurs.
McGee stares on puzzled.
A/N: What do you think? Please let me know.