Okay, my third update. Thanks to all reviewers. Your feedback leads me to think about a new story. I hope you enjoy the next part of this one.


He closed his eyes. ´Only a few minutes.´ Gibbs thought. But the remaining strength left him and he drifted off into a peaceful sleep with Kate in his arms.

Kate felt safe. Two strong arms were encircling her. Her head rested on a solid, warm, male chest. Under her palm she felt the heat of skin. Her legs were stuck between two others. She tucked her head under the chin of her companion and sniffed. Coffee and…sawdust. "Gibbs!" ´Oh this is so good. Never felt a dream this real. If I don't wake up, will I dream forever? ´ She sniffed again and purred. Without opening her eyes, she placed feather light kisses along the collarbone. Two strong arms tightened his grip on her and she heard a soft moan.

Gibbs opened his eyes and focused them on the beautiful woman in his arms. He smiled, thinking this was the most wonderful dream he'd ever had of Katie Todd. Please don't wake up, Jethro! He closed his eyes again to savor this feeling. She caressed his chest with her delicate little hand. It felt so warm, so right. Gibbs turned on his side and his hand travelled over her arm, up to her shoulder. With his fingertips, he outlined her collarbone, then her neck and her jaw line. He cupped her cheek and his thumb traced her bottom lip. "You're so much more than beautiful, Kate."

With that his lips descended on hers. At first the kiss was gentle and soft, but soon it became demanding and more passionate. He kissed her as if his life depended on it.

Only the need of air forced them to part. Gibbs had rolled her beneath him. Her hands were roaming over his back. It was the first time Kate opened her eyes and she gazed deep in his azure ones. She saw desire, passion, need and… ´could it be…love?´

She didn't know what stopped her. The warmth of his body on top of hers, his soft but demanding kisses, his tongue, exploring her mouth…

"Gibbs?" Her voice was filled with uncertainty, barely a whisper. "Is this a dream?" She felt his hot breath on her lips. It was intoxicating her mind.

That question brought him out of his reverie. Reality snapped in. "Kate... I'm not dreaming, am I?" Gibbs pulled back and sat up. "No. I'm not dreaming!" He got out of the bed as fast as he could. He needed distance to her bewitching body, scent and warmth. ´Oh my…what have I done.

Kate sat up, already feeling the loss of him. She tucked the sheets tight around her body. She couldn't look him in the eyes. It was the first time she saw their surroundings. She didn't recognize this place. How did she get here? The last thing I remember is, when we sat in the car on our way back home from Norfolk. I think I fell asleep. How did I get here?

She looked around. This had to be a cabin or something. A fire was burning. Some candles were lit. Her clothes hung over a chair near the fire. Most furniture was under white sheets. Her eyes searched for something that would help her remember. But there was nothing… only Gibbs. She looked at him. He had remained silent. He was lost in his own world… between reality and the feeling of her hands and lips.

"Gibbs, how did I get here?" She asked with a tentative voice.

Gibbs cleared his throat not trusting his voice. He locked his eyes with hers and saw her confusion. That brought back his voice. Everything came out in a rush.

"The car, it began to spin. There must have been ice on the street and I couldn't hold the car on the street, so we crashed in that tree. You were unconscious. I had to find help. Our cells weren't working. The only thing I found was that cabin. I brought you here. We were both wet and cold. I didn't know if you're okay…." His voice trailed off.

Kate had listened intensively. Never had she seen Gibbs this… ungibbsish. "Kate…I thought I would loose you." Again there was silence. They only stared each other. It seemed as an eternity was passing. "Katie, I'm…" Her voice stopped him. "No! Please don't say what I think you'll want to say. Not that I would mind to hear you say the s-word only one time. But this is not the right moment, Gibbs." A soft smile appeared on her face. That statement brought back the old, always-in- control Gibbs. The corners of his lips turned upwards. ´Oh, how I love that smile.´ Kate thought.

"So you dream about me, agent Todd?" It was more a statement than a question.


Okay, what do you think? Perhaps Gibbs was a little out of character, but in the next chapter the old Gibbs will be back.