CHAPTER IV
By the time Gibbs was done with the interrogation of civilian supervisor, Karen Wilkerson, she had confessed to the murder of her employee. She claims he tried to blackmail her, but the evidence showed she was the one who found out about his embezzlement scheme and tried to blackmail him for part of the action. When he refused to go along, she shot him at point blank range in the back of the head.
Gibbs still can't believe he was so distracted by her tight skirt and sassy attitude towards him that he didn't see that she could be a prime suspect. She had batted her eyes at him, rubbed up against him in just the right 'accidental touch', laid her arm on his suggestively and kept him following her like a love sick puppy. Well, there was truth to that... he was love sick, but not for Karen Wilkerson. He sits in his car, idling at the exit to the Navy Yard's guard shack. He is too angry with himself to go home so he curses under his breath, guns the engine and jerks the wheel to the left. Before he knows it, he is at the local bar where all the agents went to blow off steam after work. It was already ten o'clock, so the chances of running into anyone from the office doing happy hour was pretty slim.
He parks out back, heads in through the alley door and stops just inside to let his eyes adjust to the darkened room. The music is thumping, but at least it was old rock that soothes his tortured soul. He finds a stool by the end of the bar near the back door and holds up a hand to the bartender. Rosie was the ancient woman working behind the bar and she had to be in her eighties. She had been working this bar when Gibbs was a green probationary agent himself. She knew all the agents, all the top brass and even managed to keep her nose into all the scuttlebutt racing around this town. She moves slowly down the bar, grabbing two glasses and a bottle of the good bourbon from behind the bar on her way. "Jethro Gibbs, where you been keeping yourself, boy?"
He grins at the greeting, knowing she's the only one who would dare call him, 'boy', because she treated him like her long lost son. She hoists herself up onto a stool on her side of the bar and gives a heavy sigh as she sets the bottle and glasses before them. Gibbs takes the bottle, pours them each a finger of bourbon and then slides her glass over to her as he replies, "Been busy, Rosie. You know how it is at the Navy Yard."
"Heard you got divorced again... when are you ever gonna learn, son?" She takes a sip of her drink and then leans in closer to him so they can talk over the music. Gibbs chuckles and takes a swig of his drink before he leans in and looks her directly in the eye, knowing she has some bit of sage advice to give him. "Jethro, you're a decent man... a principled man and I respect that... but, son, you don't have to marry every girl you take to bed... that ain't real love."
Gibbs can't help but throw his head back and laugh at her serious advice and the frown on her face. He finally shakes his head, downs the rest of his drink and reaches over to pat her wrinkled arm, "Rosie, my love, if I do marry again, I wouldn't consider anyone but you."
She blushes and gives him a happy grin, showing off her dentures as she pats his hand. He is just teasing her, but she's glad she has been able to make him laugh. Most of the time, Jethro was too serious and she'd never been able to find out what was eating at his soul. She shoves the bottle towards him and hops off her stool as she gets back to work, "That one's on the house, Jethro... just because you made an old woman blush."
Gibbs feels better already, liking the gritty atmosphere and it was always good to see Rosie again. She was the salt of the earth and always made any problem seem simple when she doled out her advice. He refills his glass and leans back against the wall as he surveys the bar and the crowd of people milling around. Some were playing pool, others shooting darts, but most were just standing around talking. A few who had been lucky enough to get a booth were cuddling with their dates, hoping to get lucky.
He just wished he knew what to do about Kate... his employee and if he is being honest, the reason for his growing frustration lately. Normally he had no problem abiding by his rules... and number twelve was pretty simple. Don't date a co-worker. He'd held that rule ever since his brief affair with Jenny Sheppard back when they had been stationed in Paris as young agents. When she ended it, he had come up with rule twelve to keep him from making such a painful mistake again.
He downs his bourbon again, letting the burn linger in his throat to help clear his head of the images of his head lying on Kate's leg. He is just pouring himself another shot when he catches a sudden movement out of the corner of his eye. He lifts his glass to drink, but stops half way to this mouth as he focuses on the object of his thoughts. He can't believe it's her... maybe he was imagining things since he'd been thinking about her. He blinks and looks again, but what he sees next leaves him in no doubt that it really is Kate across the room, trying to untangle herself from some big slobbering ape of a man in a very expensive suit.
Kate is bent backwards, trying to avoid the wet, slobbering kisses of the man who has her wrapped up in his arms. She is pushing against him trying to get away, but the man is obviously strong and just drunk enough he isn't taking the hint to back off. Kate has had a few drinks, but is by no means drunk and is trying to maintain her dignity as she tries to reason with him, "Okay, Romeo... time to take a breather! John! I'm serious, enough!"
The man is ignoring her and Kate realizes he isn't going to stop until he gets what he wants. His hand slides possessively down her back to tightly grip her ass as he thrusts her roughly against his hips. Kate has had enough and uses her training to stomp down on his instep with her spiked heel. As he jerks back in pain, she then brings one hand up to shove his arms away from her, "Back off, John! I said enough!"
John staggers slightly, stunned by her assault and suddenly realizing that other bar patrons are watching the scene. The men are looking at him with skepticism that he let a little bit of a woman like Kate get the better of him. He suddenly snags her arm, jerking her back towards him as he angrily growls, "Look, Kate... you agreed to this date, so don't turn into a cock teaser now!"
"Consider this date over, pal. I'm outta here." Kate's bravado is only on the surface because the pain of his harsh grip has her fearing what he might do next. Her responses are dulled just enough that she doesn't react in time as his other hand suddenly slashes out to slap her across the face. The loud crack causes the bar to fall instantly silent as Kate's head snaps back from the force. She is momentarily stunned, but recovers quickly as adrenalin kicks in and she suddenly rips both arms up and around, breaking his grip. The anger flashing in her eyes should have been a warning, but John is just too drunk to realize the danger he is in. He takes one step towards her, but never gets any closer as he is suddenly flipped backwards over a table by a rock hard fist to his nose.
Kate had been ready to strike, but out of nowhere Gibbs has appeared and is now pummeling the man who puts up an awkward attempt to fight. Gibbs' jabs are quick and accurate, putting him out cold on the floor in a matter of seconds. Standing over him with one foot on his chest and his fist cocked back and ready, Gibbs finally stops, realizing the man is no longer a threat. He is tempted to continue beating the man, but then looks around at the people watching him and lets his fist come down as he stands up and growls, "The lady said no."
He turns around to face Kate, seeing the stunned look in her eyes at his sudden appearance. He scans her face, noticing the red welt where this creep slapped her. He takes a step towards her with his hand raised to examine her injury, but Kate is still in fight or flight mode and her hand flies up to intercept him. Gibbs easily turns his hand, grabbing hers gently, "Kate... it's all right. I'm here now, come on... come on..."
She suddenly realizes what he is saying and focuses on him as her fingers curl around his and she lets out a shaky breath. Gibbs puts one arm gently around her shoulders and leads her towards the back of the bar where Rosie is waiting with her hands on her hips. Gibbs isn't sure if she's upset with him, but shrugs, "Sorry, Rosie... it couldn't be helped."
"I know, Jethro... you see to Kate now. I'll take care of that creep." She walks past the two with a gentle pat to Kate's arm. She moves to stand over the still unconscious man on the floor before turning to a couple of her regular customers with a wave at the man's body, "You two... drag this trash out to the sidewalk." They quickly obey, grabbing John by the arms and dragging him out the front door. Rosie then goes to the booth where Kate had been sitting and retrieves her purse; bringing it back to where Kate is sitting on his bar stool in the corner. She hands it to her with a smile and then returns behind the bar to give them some privacy.
Kate has her head bowed, mortified that she allowed that ape to manhandle her like that... but even more so that of all the people in the world, it had to be Gibbs who saw it. She has her hands tightly fisted in her lap, trying to still their shaking. Then a glass of bourbon appears in her line of sight with a gentle suggestion from her boss, "Drink this, it'll help."
"No thank you." Her voice is barely audible, but Gibbs doesn't take no for an answer. He presses the glass into her hand and then reaches around her to grab one for himself. After a moment, he notices the glass slowly raise to her lips and he smiles. A moment later she holds out the glass and he refills it. She finishes the second shot of bourbon, coughs a little bit and then finally has the courage to look at her boss.
"Gibbs..." She can't continue as her eyes begin to cloud with tears. She is about to lower her head again, but his gentle finger under her chin stops her. He studies her cheek for a moment and then glides his thumb slowly along her cheek.
"Come on, Kate. Let me take you home." He makes no move to leave, holding her gaze until she smiles shakily and nods her consent. Then she slips off the barstool and allows Gibbs to lead her out the back door to his car.
Gibbs is, as always a gentleman, as he comes around to help her from the car. Kate would normally not allow this, but tonight, she just isn't up to playing the macho in-control woman. At her door, her hand shakes as she tries to unlock the door and after a few tries, holds out her keys to him. He makes quick work of the door lock and escorts her inside without a word. The keys and her purse are set aside and she moves on autopilot to the kitchen.
It was strange, having Gibbs in her home. He'd only been there once before and that was when she was sick and he'd brought her some soup, washed the dishes and made sure she was all right. Now, it appeared he was back to fulfill his role as her guardian angel. She stands for a moment staring at the coffee pot, but not seeing it as the events of the evening suddenly hit her.
"Men are fucking PIGS!" She is angry at John, angry at herself, mortified that Gibbs will now always see her as this weak female who needs to be rescued... as all of her stress from the past few weeks comes to a head, she can no longer hold back the tears.
Gibbs stands at the entrance to the kitchen watching her slim shoulders tremble as she cries silently. He knows she doesn't want him to see her like this, but right now he can't resist comforting her. "Not all men, Kate... not all men." He rests his hands on her shoulders and gently turns her around, enveloping her in a gentle hug.
The instant his arms close around her, she fists her hands in his shirt and sobs softly, her tears soaking into his shoulder as he slowly strokes her hair. He lets her get it all out of her system until her tears have dried, but she is still huddled in his arms with her head resting on his chest. "I can take care of myself." Her soft words are at the same time defiant and tentative as if she is trying to convince herself.
"I know you can, but you don't have to... not all the time. Come sit down while I make us some coffee, okay." He gently leads her into the living room and she wilts onto the soft leather sofa as if she has no more strength left in her. He gives her a gentle smile, realizing the bourbon has hit her and then returns to the kitchen to start the coffee.
She is lost in her own thoughts and when he returns a few minutes later with two steaming cups, she looks at him as if just realizing he was there. "Gibbs, Why can't men be decent? Why all the crude comments and the constant groping?"
He sits down beside her and slowly sips his coffee before he answers. He looks her in the eye and knows she needs full honesty tonight, so he gives it to her. "Not all men are like that, but you chose to work in a field where being macho is almost a prerequisite, Kate. Military, law enforcement, government... it's all about power and being king of the hill. You've worked very hard to overcome the stereo-type of a woman in this field. You've proven that you can hold your own with the guys, even show us up from time to time." He grins as her eyes meet his and she remembers their sparring match yesterday.
She lowers her eyes and sips her coffee, feeling her breath catch as a bolt of desire drops right through her core at the memory. She keeps her eyes on her cup as she continues to vent her frustrations. "Why can't they just like me for 'me'? Am I so horrible? They treat me like one of the guys... with crude comments and rude gestures. I'm expected to ignore it because I'm part of the boys club, but at the same time I'm fare game for their sexual pursuits, innuendos, unwanted advances... I'm not respected no matter what I accomplish."
Gibbs puts his cup down and turns to face her, leaning back against the sofa as his arm comes to curve around her shoulders, pulling her back with him into a loose embrace. He knows what she says is true because he's watched her struggle through that attitude every day. Tony, McGee, other agents, military men they encounter, and even that Capitol Hill pretty boy from tonight. He sighs and lifts her chin with a finger when she won't look at him again. "Kate, you want the truth?"
She studies him for a moment, nods her head and tries to ignore the heat radiating off his body. She really does want the truth because she's been fighting this uphill battle for ten years and she was worn out.
"The truth is, you're tough, you're smarter than most men, you're confident and you can hold your own in verbal sparring... and... you're hot as hell, Kate." Her mouth drops open at his comment and she tenses as if to move away from him. Gibbs immediately tightens his arm to keep her in place as he rushes to explain. "No, now don't rip my head off. I mean that with every respect to you. The truth is, you're all those things and you show off your 'assets' every day with the dresses, the heels... that's a very potent combination. Most men can't handle it because they're intimidated as hell."
"Most? Try all men... all men are bastards!" She lets her frustration and anger vent again and Gibbs just watches her with a slight smile on his face as her hand comes up to push gently against his chest. "And what are you laughing at? You can be a bastard too, Gibbs."
He chuckles and nods in agreement, "Yea, I can... I admit, my ex-wives were angry enough to call me a bastard when they left... each and every one of them. But it wasn't because I treated them badly. It was because I live by a set of principles and when things happen, I can't just ignore them. That's what ended my marriages, Kate. If I'm guilty of anything it's being too strict in my principles."
"I have to give you that... I have never heard you making some sexist comment, or discussing your latest conquest with the boys at work, or ogling a woman's ass at a scene."
Gibbs slowly runs his free hand down over his face, trying to hide his smirk, but knowing he can't lie to her now. "Well, I can't say I haven't noticed yours, Kate. You have a gorgeous tush... but I have never ogled."
Kate blushes and leans forward to grab her coffee as a distraction while she processes what she just heard. She feels her cheeks burning and it has nothing to do with the bruise forming on her cheek. She sighs and finally sits back, just a bit closer than before as she shakes her head and admits, "I can't believe I'm having this conversation with my boss."
"Why? You think I recruited you just because you're a kick ass agent?"
She looks at him through her lashes, feeling a bit reckless from the bourbon flowing through her veins. The sparkling blue of his eyes, focused entirely on her is causing her pulse to jump erratically. "You mean you didn't?"
Gibbs lets his hand come up from the back of the sofa to gently stroke her hair back from her face as he chuckles, "Well no... not entirely." When she doesn't move away from him, he gently strokes his finger down along her cheek. Their eyes hold for a long moment before he leans in to gently kiss her brow, then her temple before easing her head onto his shoulder. She snuggles closer, relaxing into his comforting strength with a sigh.
They sit in silence for a long while, just enjoying the freedom to be close, to be personal, to be friends. Kate's hand gently presses against his chest, feeling his strong steady heart beat and for the moment everything seems perfect. Then she remembers who she is with, her boss... and a sigh escapes her as she asks, "Why can't I meet a man like you, Gibbs?"
"Because you've already met me, Kate." His arms close around her more, pulling her into a gentle hug as he kisses the top of her head several times. Her arm curls up around his neck, snuggling her face into his neck as she breathes in the clean male scent of him. When they are settled, Gibbs kisses her brow again and adds, "I'm right here."
They sit like this, just cuddling and letting this new closeness bond them together as more than friends. Gibbs would love more coffee, but he doesn't dare move for fear of breaking the spell and losing the chance to hold Kate in his arms. So, he sits still, just gently stroking her back and hair until her soft even breathing tells him she is asleep. He smiles and lays his head back on the cushion, thinking his weekend hasn't turned out so bad after all.