A Woman's Place

Author: Fly Casual

Disclaimer: The only thing I own is a blue VW Beetle.

Summary: Kate and Gibbs go under cover to catch a killer that may be closer than they think.

Chapter 7

"Found anything Duck?" Gibbs asked gruffly as he breezed into autopsy. He knew that his aggravation showed in his posture and voice. He had accepted the fact that the team would have to keep working other cases as they searched for Davis's killer, but the their case load was quickly becoming ridiculous. They had worked 5 cases in the last week a few of which could have could have gone to some of the lesser-experienced teams. It was this preponderance of cases that caused him to be in autopsy listening to Ducky rattle on about something this case reminded him of.

"…and we woke up the next morning and it was covered in friction tape!" Ducky said finishing his story with a flourish.

"That's great Duck, but what can you tell me a about the Petty Officer here?" Gibbs questioned as he pointed to the body laid out on one of the cold steel autopsy tables. Getting back on topic ducky answered, "It was just as we suspected Jethro, the young petty officer here did, in fact, take his own life." As he spoke Ducky stripped off his soiled rubber gloves and tossed them into the garbage can.

"Good." Gibbs said as he spun of his heel to leave. "Maybe we'll be able to wrap this one up quickly and actually leave here at a somewhat normal time." Ducky help back a smirk upon hearing his friend's words. Ever since Kate had announced her pregnancy Gibbs had pushed to get more regular hours and he had even gone so far as to let the team go home and catch some sleep while they were investigating a case. Yes, Ducky decided, Caitlin was defiantly having a positive effect on Jethro and the love the two shared was plainly obvious to everyone.

"Jethro, there is something else," Ducky called to his friend as he moved to the x-rays that were lit up on the wall. Thinking Ducky wanted to point out something to him Gibbs moved closer to his friend to get a better vantage point. Gibbs was totally unprepared when Ducky reached over and gave him a good hard smack on the back of his head.

"Ouch! Ducky what was that for?" Gibbs asked as he ran his hand over the newly sore spot on the back of his head.

"That was for being an idiot."

"Ducky what the hell are you talking about?" Gibbs asked wondering what had suddenly possessed his friend.

"Jethro I'm talking about Caitlin." Ducky stated plainly.

"I still have no idea what you are talking about!" Gibbs shouted exasperated. He was beginning to fear for the medical examiner's sanity.

"You really are dense aren't you? You have a beautiful woman who you obviously love, who is carrying your child and let you haven't asked her to marry you. You have had much less with some of your ex wives and yet you still found it within yourself to marry them. How is this so different?" All Gibbs could do was stare open mouthed. All capacity for speech had left him. When he tried to formulate an answer his jaw just bobbed up and down like a fish trying to breath in open air. His brain's automatic response was denial. There is no way I am in love with her. Is there? Gibbs questioned himself. He could help but remember the events that took place after they had left FBI headquarters.

Gibbs was less than excited when Kate had told him they would need to make a trip to the mall to pick up some maternity cloths. Really all he could think about was how incredible Kate looked in her red dress. And how good she look out of that dress, he thought. God, knock it off Jethro! He thought giving himself a mental slap to the back of his head. Kate is your subordinate! There is no way such a beautiful young woman would be interested in a grumpy old man. Give it up, he told himself with an air of finality. You need another ex-wife like you need a hole in your head and that's what you might just get from Kate—she has threatened to shoot you.

Maybe shopping isn't so bad, Gibbs thought as she walked arm in arm with Kate through the Pentagon City Mall. He really loved being able to be close to her to play the loving couple. This must be what heaven feels like, Gibbs thought as Kate laid her against his shoulder with a barely audible sigh of contentment. Maybe there is a chance for an old bastard to fall in love again.

As he thought further he realized he had fallen in love with the junior agent. He didn't know when or how, but the infatuation he had for his team member had indeed turned into love. Ducky could see in Gibbs' eyes the exact moment he realized how deeply he loved Kate Todd.

"My God Duck, what have I done?" Gibbs asked scrubbing a calloused hand over his face and leaning back against the morgue table. "How could I have been so blind?" Ducky didn't answer; instead he just placed a reassuring hand on his friend's shoulder much as a father would comfort his son. The pair stayed this way for some time; Gibbs drawing silent strength from Ducky.

"Would you like me to help you pick out the ring Jethro?" Ducky asked quietly breaking the profound silence in autopsy.

"That's okay Duck," Gibbs said his voice slightly shaky. "I already have the perfect ring."

"Dear God Jethro, you aren't thinking of reusing an engagement ring from one of your ex wives are you?" Ducky questioned his tone bordering on irate.

"I may be an idiot, but I'm not that stupid. No," Gibbs said shaking his head. "I still have my grandmother's ring," he admitted softly. "There hasn't been anyone I have ever wanted to give it to."

-x-x-x-

When Gibbs returned to the bullpen from autopsy Kate could tell there was something wrong. Gibbs remained unusually quiet and reserved as he announced that their case had been ruled and suicide and the faster they turned in their reports the sooner they all could go home. Kate became even more worried when he did not acknowledge her questioning glance or give her that small reassuring smile he had developed in the weeks since they had gone undercover.

Kate tried to put Gibbs' behavior out of her mind as she finished up her report as quickly as possible; she had had a long day and right now she wanted nothing more than to go home and curl up on the couch with a good book. She smiled to herself as she thought about the routine they had slipped into. Gibbs would drive the two of them home in his pickup truck and after dinner they would sit together on the old couch in the basement and take in a baseball game or she would watch him work on his boat. If only we could go on like this forever, if only it were real, Kate thought as she stood in front of the copy machine waiting for it to spit out her papers.

Kate was startled from her reverie when a pair of strong arms wrapped around her from behind his hands resting gently on top of her baby bump. Sighing in pure contentment Kate melted against Gibbs' chest as he pressed a kiss to her temple.

Just say it! Gibbs thought to himself. It's not that hard; just three little words. I love you. Damn it just say it! Before Gibbs could say anything the copy machine signaled the printing was done with a shrill beep causing the two agents to spring away from one another with sheepish smiles.

-x-x-x-

This is disgusting, he thought. At least with Davis he didn't have to endure the public displays of affection. He just had to deal with seeing a pregnant woman working in a job that no woman should even be allowed to have. The second she had told him she was pregnant Gibbs should have insisted that she quit her job immediately and stay home like a proper woman. Soon, he thought. Soon I won't have to endure these disgusting displays.

-x-x-x-

Neither Kate nor Gibbs knew exactly when it had been decided, but Gibbs's truck had become a safe zone where they could talk freely about anything including their mission or cases. Yet today Gibbs was stonily silent no matter what Kate did to get him talking.

When she felt a slight pressure on her stomach Kate seized on an idea that she thought might get him to tell her what was going on at last. Before her brain could the possibly terrible outcome of her plan Kate grabbed Gibbs large mitt off of the gearshift and placed it over the spot on her belly where she could feel junior kicking. The slight smile that showed on Gibbs face was enough to reassure her. As he drove Gibbs held her hand absent-mindedly tracing small circles on her palm with his thumb.

I wonder if he knows what he is doing to me? Kate mused. Just the simple touch of his thumb to her palm was sending shivers through her body. The pleasure of his skin touching hers had left her so oblivious to her surroundings she didn't notice they had pulled into his driveway.

Suddenly his lips were pressed against hers in the most sensual and loving kiss she had ever experienced. Momentarily Kate was taken by surprise, but soon Gibbs had completely defeated any defenses that she may have had. Moaning into his mouth her lips parted to let his tongue explore the deepest recesses of her mouth. They only broke apart when the need for oxygen finally became so overwhelming it could no longer be ignored.

"Why Jet?" Kate asked her eyes wide and her voice husky. Unconsciously she began to slide closer to the passenger door ready to escape if he did not feel the same way she did. There was no way she wanted to break in tears in front of him.

"Because I love you," he said honestly.

-x-x-x-

A/N: I know I said that I wasn't going to be able to update very soon, but I lied. I had a really difficult time writing some on the more emotional parts of this chapter; especially the interaction between Gibbs and Ducky so if you all could let me know what you think I would really appreciate it. The next chapter may actually take more than to days to be posted, but I guess we'll see. :P