Chapter 7

Gibbs had taken to sitting outside Kathy's hotel in his car, alternately angry with her, Vance and himself.

He knew he was acting like a child and that if ever there was a time he needed a head slap it was now. He couldn't stay away but at the same time he couldn't go in to the hotel either, so he just in the car with his warring emotions.

On the fourth night, his phone beeped, he pulled on his glasses to read the text.

It was short and to the point 'room 317 if you ever plan on getting out the car'

Gibbs looked around guiltily before giving a frustrated sigh and getting slowly out of the car.

He walked into the hotel and took the stairs to the third floor, he found the room and stood outside for a full 5 mins, his emotions conflicting finally, questioning his own judgement he lifted his hand to knock.

The door swung open before him. Kathy held it open, Gibbs stood staring at her for another minute before walking in.

Kathy closed the door behind him, then followed him into the room.

The room wasn't large, in terms of places to sit, there was a armchair and the bed. Kathy chose the bed, getting comfortable, prepared to give Gibbs all the time he needed.

Gibbs paced out the room a few times before settling against the closet door.

"who are you?"

"We're on the same side Jethro" she hesitated slightly before using his name, this wasn't the office though, this would be played out on her terms.

"that's not an answer" Gibbs voice rose in anger and frustration

"It's the only answer I can give you" Kathy remained deliberately calm

Gibbs vented some of his anger by slapping the closet door several times.

"We have to play the hand we're dealt Jethro, you need to trust me"

"you have to earn trust!"

"then give me a chance to do that"

Gibbs stared at her in silence, unable or unwilling to reply.

"A time will come when the only thing between success and failure is our ability to work together, the balls in your court"

Gibbs flopped down into the armchair and massaged his forehead, he tried to shut out his head which was screaming at him to walk out, to walk away, he tried to shut out his heart which was screaming just as loudly to take a chance, to trust this woman and to hell with rule 12. He tried to shut them out because he had to listen to his gut, the only thing that had never let him down.

After an agonising amount of time, He looked up and nodded "ok"

He stood up to leave Kathy jumped and stood in his way, just like their first kiss, she reached up and pulled him towards her, he didn't resist.