Here's the next installment. Sorry for long wait with this update. Thank you for all the reviews and alerts. Much appreciated! Hope you all enjoy!
"Spend the weekend with me."
Those five words had her heart racing. It had been a month since that fateful night—sure they had found solace in each other a few times after that, but never spending more that one night together. This was what her heart longed for—she didn't let herself get too excited because the end would hurt worse than anything she'd ever experienced.
Why had she said yes when he asked her to come home with him? Because her heart and mind were finally on the same page that night—both knew about her feelings for her boss—ones that she tried her damnedest to keep hidden at work. Before that night—it was becoming quite difficult to not say how she felt—especially when he touched her.
The day on the gun range—when he cupped her shoulders, telling her to relax while firing—she had bitten her tongue to hold back a moan that had formed in her throat. And then a few days later in Colombia—sure he was protecting her from a grenade blast, but her thoughts were far from pure.
So, when he asked her to come home with him, how could she say no? That had been what she wanted for so long. Even if it meant just one night—and then going back to the standard operating procedures. She would've made that night one to remember—and she did.
Now, he was asking her to spend the weekend with him. Like that night—how could she refuse his request? Just like the previous requests of a night together. When it came to Gibbs—Kate couldn't say—or utter—the word no. It wasn't in her vocabulary.
"Kate," he huskily whispered, "please spend the weekend with me."
And now he added the word please.
"Yes." No wasn't in her vocabulary.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we're beginning our descent into Charleston—please make sure your seats are in the upright positions, tray tables stowed properly, and your seatbelts are fastened." The Captain's voice over the intercom jerked Kate awake.
She shook away the cobwebs as she put her seat upright and checked her seatbelt.
Yesterday, she'd gone to Director Morrow and asked for a couple of days off—which he granted since they were slow with cases and he thought she needed a break from NCIS after her ordeal with Ari Haswari.
Today, in the early afternoon, Gibbs had driven her to Dulles International Airport and saw her off with a kiss. He completely understood her needing to go visit her parents by herself. It was bad enough to tell her parents that she was pregnant—but to describe her and Gibbs' relationship the past five months—that was another story. He told her that he would be waiting for her—here at the airport—four days from today. And then as he hugged her goodbye—he whispered in her ear:
"I love you. Don't ever doubt that. You and the little one travel safe. I'm going to miss you both."
She reached above her head to retrieve her only bag—the carry on—once the plane had landed and arrived at the gate. After debarking, she headed for the rental car counter to pick up her rental. And before she knew it—she was on the road towards Summerville, South Carolina.
Raising a shaky hand, she knocked on her parent's door. A minute later—but to Kate it felt like years—the door opened to reveal a woman in her mid-sixties with fading auburn hair. Kate thought her mother never looked better—Elizabeth Todd has aged beautifully. Kate only hoped that she'd inherited those genes as well.
"Caitlin!" Her mother exclaimed as she opened the screen door and enveloped her youngest child in a tight hug. "What are you doing here?" She asked as she pulled back, then quickly added, "Not that this isn't a pleasant surprise."
Kate smiled softly at her mother. "Is dad home?" She followed her mother into the house.
"He's out golfing with some friends with the weather being nice. You know how he is since we moved down here after both retiring."
"Yeah."
"What's the occasion for this visit? I'm sure you're busy at NCIS right now."
She laughed. "Just a bit." How hard was it to tell your mother that you're pregnant? Why was she nervous? "Mom, how about we sit down?"
Elizabeth noted the ominous tone in her daughter's voice. "Would you like something to drink?"
"Some of your Southern Sweet Tea if you have any?" Kate loved her mother's tea. When in Rome, do what the Romans do. Her mother adopted a lot of southern ways since she and Kate's father moved to the area five years ago.
Returning to the living room with two glasses of sweet tea—Elizabeth handed one to Kate and then sat down beside her on the couch. "What's on your mind, sweetie?"
Taking a sip to wet her dry throat, Kate ran through the ways to break the news of the baby—none of them sounded very intelligent in her mind. Might was well go for the jugular. No hold's barred. "Mom…I'm pregnant."
"Okay." Suddenly her glass of tea wasn't strong enough. "Um…how far along are you?"
"Seven weeks."
"I didn't think you were seeing anyone."
"Mom, I don't tell you about every man I date." Kate laughed softly. "That baby's father and I have been together for five months. We've known each other, though, for almost a year."
"Mmmhmm," her mother muttered.
Kate knew her mother was holding something back. "Out with it, mom. Go ahead and say what you're itching to say."
Elizabeth huffed, "Any plans on getting married?"
"No, not right now, mom. The pregnancy wasn't planned and I just told him last week. I want to get married because we love each other—not because of the baby. I don't want him to feel obligated." She took a long sip of her tea. Then she felt her mother's hand settle on top of hers—which was resting on her thigh.
She whispered, "I'm happy for you, honey. Really, I am. I just don't want to see my baby get hurt."
"Mom," Kate chastised her mother.
"You might be thirty years old, but you're still my baby and always will be." She leaned over and kissed her daughter's cheek. "Is he a good man?"
More than you know. "Yes, he is."
"And why didn't he come with you?"
"Because I told him to stay in D.C. and I needed to do this visit on my own. He understands me completely—sometimes more than I do myself." Another sip of tea.
Elizabeth noticed the tell tale flush in her daughter's cheeks. "Did you two meet at NCIS?"
Kate nodded.
Looking at her watch, her mother then said, "Would you like to help me get dinner ready? We can talk some more about you and your mystery man."
Kate laughed at her mother. "Soon he won't be a mystery man to you and dad. What's on the menu tonight?" She stood and followed her mother into the galley style kitchen.
"Well," Elizabeth drawled, "I've got all the fixings for Low Country Boil. Sound good?"
Sound good? Kate loved that. Every time she visited her parents—which wasn't much because of her career—she begged for them to make that dish. "Do you really have to ask?"
Both mother and daughter shared knowing smiles.
"Kate," he whispered huskily, "please spend the weekend with me."
"Yes."
His hand brushed against hers as they rode the elevator down to the ground floor. Another day gone. Another week in the books. "Where would you like to spend it?"
With you. She wet her lips. "Doesn't matter."
"Yes, it does. Do you want to be in your own bed?"
She shook her head. "I don't need my neighbors to know my relationship status. Are you okay with your place?"
"Of course. Meet you there?"
This time she nodded her head. "I need to grab enough clothes for until Sunday. It shouldn't take me too long."
His voice was husky. "Bring enough for Monday." He couldn't believe that he suggested that.
"Gibbs," she trailed off—not sure of what else to say to him.
"I want you there for the whole weekend—that includes Sunday night. Please."
There was that word again. He had to have known its affect on her—might be why he kept using it. "Okay, Gibbs, I'll stay the whole weekend." Couldn't utter the word no.
Her cell phone rang and when she looked at the caller ID—a smile graced her face. "Well, speak of the devil," she answered.
"Thinking of me, huh?"
"Maybe." She sighed dramatically, "Okay, I was thinking about you. Just can't help myself." Her heart warmed at hearing his soft laugh over the phone. It made her want to make him laugh more often.
He sobered. "How are you doing?"
"I'm okay."
"Are you sure?"
His sincerity made her smile once more. "Yes, Jethro, I'm sure." They both were silent for a few seconds. "What are you doing at home?"
"I'm still at the office."
"Why am I not surprised?" She heard him chuckle. "And you are talking to me instead of getting your work done."
"What can I say other than I miss you?"
She whispered, "I miss you, too."
His voice dropped. "What are you doing?"
"Sitting outside on the front porch—looking at the stars and listening to nature."
Gibbs huffed in frustration. "So much for phone sex." He reached for his coffee—took a sip and grimaced when the brew was lukewarm at best. He needed a pick up. "How are you feeling? No morning sickness?"
"I'm doing all right. Besides, being here with my mom—she'll probably have crackers and ginger ale beside the bed when I wake up." Kate hadn't had any serious bouts of morning sickness so far—knock on wood. She had learned that when she felt nauseas—it meant she was hungry and needed to grab a small, healthy snack.
"Nothing wrong with your mom being a mom. They take the news okay?"
Kate nodded—even though she knew he couldn't see her do it. "Yeah. My mom was shocked at first—but they're both thrilled to be grandparents again. I told them to not tell my sister and brothers. That I would do it."
"Mmmhmm, and when will you do that?"
Kate muttered, "I don't know." She heard him yawn. "Gibbs, go home and get some sleep. Work will be there in the morning."
"Not tired. Just need some fresh coffee."
Kate glanced at her watch. "It's nine-thirty at night. I bet Tony's gone—along with Abby, Ducky and every other employee of NCIS."
How the hell did she do that? "Yeah," he murmured, "but after sleeping with you all week, I don't think I'll be able to for the next four days."
"I'll be back before you know it. And we'll have to discuss a lot of things." She knew they were both putting off that particular discussion.
He whispered, "I know. I love you, Katie."
"Love you, too." Then she disconnected the call. She sat outside for another fifteen minutes before retreating inside the house.
The first night of the weekend—very little words were spoken. They spoke to each other through their hands and mouths—caresses, little kisses over each other's bodies. And when Gibbs slipped into her—colors burst behind her closed eyelids. She hadn't dared open them out of fear of him seeing her true feelings for him mirrored in them. She clawed at his back. The sensations he was creating were too much for her to handle.
It wasn't supposed to be like this. It wasn't supposed to make her want more of it. It wasn't supposed to feel right. When she climaxed—she knew that she was now addicted to Jethro Gibbs.
Saturday had them going out for lunch—then downtown to walk around the National Mall—each itching to hold the other's hand. It wasn't until they were perusing the Museum of Natural History that Kate finally gave in and clutched his hand in hers. Gibbs immediately looked at her, but said nothing. Nor did he remove his hand from her grasp.
Upon returning to his house—more sex ensued. Clothes littered the living room floor and they came together on the couch—Kate straddling his lean thighs and slowly riding him. Eventually they fell asleep—curled up together on the couch and when they woke—Gibbs ordered a pizza. Naked, they sat on the floor and ate the whole pizza while watching an old Alfred Hitchcock movie—North by Northwest—on TV.
Sunday turned out to be the lazy day. They slept until eleven o'clock in the morning. Together, they took a long, hot shower—sharing caresses and kisses while washing each other. Gibbs surprised her by wanting to wash her hair. Kate could've sworn she felt nirvana—the way his fingers scraped over her scalp as he massaged the shampoo into her auburn tresses. And then when he rinsed it—her knees buckled from the sensations that coursed through her body.
After the shower, Kate dressed in a tank top and a pair of boot cut jeans. She went downstairs to make the two of them some breakfast.
"Kate," he whispered as he walked into the kitchen, "I've enjoyed the weekend."
"Me too." She couldn't look at him. Couldn't bear to see what was in his eyes. She handed him a plate with two pieces of toast and two eggs over easy. She then made her own plate—two egg whites and a piece of toast.
The rest of the day, they lazed around the house.
Later that night, after the round of sex—Gibbs was lying behind her, his nose buried in her sweet smelling hair. He breathed in the scent of her. "Kate…"
Her hand covered his that was resting on her breast. "It's all right, Gibbs. I know."
Few words were spoken that whole weekend. Kate understood their arrangement. She knew that she was in love with Gibbs, but it was up to him to change the status of what they had. He needed to figure out what he wanted. And she wouldn't pressure him. But she did know that someday—she would have to learn to say no in order to leave with something of herself if indeed Gibbs decided to end all contact.
Kate walked out of the arrival gate three days later and made her way to baggage claim—where she knew Gibbs was waiting. When she saw him, a smile lit up her face and she launched herself into his arms. She buried her nose into his neck—breathing in the strong scent of sawdust. He had been working on his boat before coming here.
"I missed you," his rough voice sounded in her ear.
She softly chuckled. "I missed you, too." Pulling back from him, but still in the circle of his arms—she gazed into his icy blue eyes. She ached to tell him about her soul searching morning on the east side steps of the US Customs House in Historic Downtown Charleston, yesterday. But she wouldn't tell him while in the airport.
"Are you ready to get out of here?"
Kate nodded while grabbing his hand and together they exited the airport.
To Be Continued