Disclaimer: Still in Chapter 1, hasn't changed yet.

Spoilers: My Other Left Foot.

All The Elevators In Between

Chapter 4

It took a few more days, but they returned to normal, both Gibbs and Kate, getting over their revelations. Neither knew what to do about what had transpired, but they were comfortable with each other again. As he came into work, he heard Tony and Kate bickering as usual. They had a case so be barked at them to grab their gear. They obliged and were read in a flash. Soon enough they were standing over the leg of a Marine. He could hear Tony and Kate going at it again, this time about tattoos. He shook his head and questioned the man who had found the leg.

When they were finished he sent Tony and Kate to collect the records on Dorn. They came back with the records and the name of his half sister. He took Kate with him to question her. He knew he was in trouble when a pretty redhead answered the door. He asked he a few questions and flirted a bit before getting the woman into the kitchen so Kate could do a little searching for something to get them a warrant.

Kate heard them talking in the kitchen and gagged. She briefly wondered if he was buying what she was saying. She hoped not, otherwise, she'd have to reevaluate her estimation of him. When they were outside, she decided she had to say something.

You weren't buying any of that were you?"

"Is it so hard to think I might find a woman attractive, Kate?"

"No, not at all, but she was paying you like a master violinist."

"Yes, she was, and no I wasn't buying it."

"Oh, good." He chuckled softly as he scooped up some sycamore seeds.

"I told you Kate, I prefer brunettes." It was the first time there had been any mention of their previous conversation. She gave him a shy smile of appreciation.

As soon as they were back at NCIS, he went down to Abby and Tony started in on her about her tattoo again.

"It's a heart isn't it? Or maybe a butterfly? You look like a butterfly type."

"No Tony, neither one."

"A rose?" She was getting tired of him asking.

"Yes, it's a rose, on my ass. Will you leave it alone now?"

"Sure." He waited a few seconds before starting again. "What color is it?" She sighed in frustration, but their conversation was put on hold because they had a warrant for Melissa Dorn's arrest.

They arrested Melissa Dorn and her mother Dr. Chalmers for murder and insurance fraud. They found the rest of Dorn in a large circle around the town of Harmony. As soon as they were back at NCIS, Tony started once more.

"Its not a rose, is it?" Kate sighed.

"No, it's not a rose."

"Abby has tattoos, does she know what it is?"

"Yes, I do." Abby said from behind him. He turned quickly.

"Would you tell me if I asked?"

"Nope."

"Were you there when she got it?"

"Nope, she's had it longer than she's known me." With that she walked away. Tony looked perplexed as he turned back to Kate, who was smiling at him.

"Gibbs! Do you know what Kate's tattoo is? Is it in her file?" He looked at him, then at Kate.

"It's not in her file, but it's not a rose."

"Yeah, she said that already, but do you know what it is, and how do you know its not a rose?"

"Because I know Kate, and I don't know what it is. I am curious though." Kate smirked at both of them and gathered her things to go home. She waved over her shoulder as she sauntered toward the elevator. Tony looked pathetic for a second but shrugged it off. Gibbs followed her onto the elevator.

"You've got me wondering what you would choose as a tattoo." He stated as they moved toward the ground floor.

"Do you have any tattoos, Gibbs?"

"Yeah, one, from when I was young."

"What is it?"

"U.S.M.C. on my chest, over my heart in very small letters."

"How small?" He held up a space of about an inch between his thumb and index finger. "Show me?" He sighed and flicked the emergency stop switch on the elevator. He un-tucked his shirt and tugged it up to reveal his tan and nicely muscled chest and abs. There over his heart were the small letters U.S.M.C. in Marine green. She traced them with a finger and pressed a soft kiss to the ink mark on his skin. He inhaled sharply. When she stood back, he let his shirt drop.

"I don't suppose you'll share as well?" She nodded and turned sideways. She unbuttoned her pants and pulled them down on one side, to show him her hip. Pointing down her hip was a detailed katana in black, about three inches long, with the character for justice overlaying it in bright red. He returned the favor, brushing a finger over it, before dropping to a knee and pressing a kiss to her hip. Much like he had, she inhaled sharply. When he stood back up, she re-buttoned her pants and he restarted the elevator.