DISCLAIMER: I don't own Kate, Gibbs, or any of the NCIS, characters in this story (even Rachel belongs to CBS). The rest are mine.

KATE POV:

The sight of the house brings a feeling of relief; I let it wash over me. It has never felt so good to be home in my life.

I walked inside and noise assaulted my ears. In hindsight, it was like walking into an ambush. Someone had to pay. There were a round of "surprise" and "happy birthdays" but Jethro stood at the back of the room and took everyone in. There were all my siblings and their partners minus Stephanie, but that's no surprise there, Jethro's team, Macy & Simon and Rick & Deb from the secret service, even Mrs. Gladman had been invited. There was good music (thanks to Abby), good wine (Thanks to Ducky) and great steak (thanks to Jethro). I never felt more at home or loved in my life as I do now. With 15 years between Rachel and me, I never was really paid much attention to growing up.

ABBY POV:

I saw the look, someone's going to pay when all this over. I plan to be many miles away by then. Gibbs, Dan and Mike are all dead men. But she is touched, I can tell. I scan the room mentally ticking people off the guest list. Kate's brother Shaun comes over to chat to me, sure his nice enough, but he wants revenge on his wife and I won't do it. Especially without talking to Kate first. She's my best friend. Looking around I see Ducky and Gibbs barbecuing outside. It's still quite warm evening for spring. Well nearly summer, as its summer next week. They seem deep in conversation. Not planning on interrupting that.

KATE POV:

It's so exhausting catching up with friends and siblings, but after much investigative skills I have come to the conclusion that Jethro planned the whole thing. He knows that I know. He and Ducky are hiding outside under the pretenses of barbecuing the steaks. He keeps looking at me through the window, like he's expecting me to explode at him. Ducky comes inside to check on my sister in law Tina. "Jethro asked can you bring out the marinade?" he asked as he walked past me. It's hard to catch him by surprise and his expecting me to yell at him. I wonder what he'd do if I didn't.

"Thanks." He says softly as he sees me. "Having fun?" he smiles that 1000 watt smile that I love. The one he reserves just for me.

"Thanks Jethro." I step up into his personal space, using his own interrogation tactic against him. I gently put my arms around him and kiss his lips gently. And turn and walk away.

GIBBS POV:

She kissed me and before I could react it was over and she was walking away.

"This isn't over Katie, when everyone's gone we will talk about this." I whisper to myself. My lips are tingling and my mind is made up. I'll be staking my claim later.

SHAUN POV:

I cornered Kate earlier and asked her about this Jethro guy, she said they were just friends and told me to drop it. Not a full minute later, she is outside kissing him. I thought that Mike said they were just friends too. This is why I don't socialize with my family a lot, we aren't close anymore. Derrick's leering at Kate and Kate hasn't realized, Rachel and Kate exchanged heated words upstairs and haven't spoken since. Jimmy, Tina and Jethro's friend Doctor Mallard are discussing childbirth and I don't even want to know what the hell she is, all I know is I'm so randy I'd even do Kate's weird friend Abby. Dan and Mike are talking to the other single guy DiNozzo about suits. That DiNozzo I'm staying with is probably gay too. I got to get out of here. I saw Stephanie today, so I know she's in D.C maybe she'd be up for a romp.

JIMMY TODD POV:

Kate's new to be boyfriend is awesome; his friends are so supportive and amazing. This weird kid though DiNozzo asked us to join the pool on when Jethro would defile my sister. I joined at $1 a day I'd be a fool not to. I reckon Ducky's right on the money, won't be long now. I can't believe Shaun stormed off. He will never learn. He and Kate have never seen eye to eye and Rachel shouldn't have wasted her time. If Rachel spoils Kate's birthday I'll never talk to her again.

DAN POV:

Finally the party has dwindled down to a select few. I forgot that the Todd Family is a dramatic one at best. Only DiNozzo, Kate, Abby, Gibbs, Mike and I are left. Abby and DiNozzo are cleaning up while Mike and I are trying to coax Kate awake. She passed out sometime ago, from intoxication. She is really upset about turning 30. Mike doesn't care about it, but Kate's been freaking.

GIBBS POV:

Choosing a gift for Kate was one of the hardest things that I have ever had to do in my life. I look down at the dining table at all the presents, I briefly wonder if my present will measure up. I just want everyone to head home now, I can continue on my own.

"Go on home guys. See you all tomorrow at Kate's for dinner." I say Mike and Dan come over and shake my hand. "Hey Mike," I call back briefly looking at the clock. "Happy birthday, Man" I say shaking his hand again. It just plopped into my head that they are twins. DiNozzo and Abby join in Happy Birthdays too as they all leave to their respective homes.

Kate's still asleep on the sofa. Dan has removed her socks and shoes. Abby took off her clothes and put my USMC shirt on her. I pull the afghan that lives on the back of the sofa over her and breathe a sigh of relief that I don't have to face her tonight. I head to the basement for some much needed work on my neglected boat.

KATE POV:

Somewhere around 3 or 4 am I woke up on the sofa freezing cold. I know Jethro hates the heater on when he sleeps, so I tiptoe up into Jethro's room and crawl into the other side of the bed with him. And go back to sleep. This, at the time is not a conscious thought. In hindsight I look back and I think I dreamt that it happened.

In his sleep, he immediately snuggles into making me warm. As the sun streaks across the room, I lightly wake but my dreams still there. I try to escape and he holds me tighter, mumbling not to leave again. He starts placing feather light kisses on my shoulders and neck. I think his dreaming.

GIBBS POV:

I hope I'm dreaming. I run my hands all over her body as gently begin to kiss her. As I awake slowly I realize that maybe it wasn't the best idea to loan her my shirt. I'm having major problems not to jump her right here. I open my eyes and see her chocolate eyes staring back at me.

"Good Morning." I say as I stretch and yawn, she darts out of bed to the bathroom and I lay back and sigh. A few minutes later upon her return, she smiles and hops back into bed.

"That's better." She smiled. I lean across her and kiss her gently on the lips and whisper a happy birthday. She opens her mouth for me and allows me entry. I sweep my tongue over hers as I realize that she is giving as well as she gets.

Kate wants the upper hand; I'm not going to give it to her. If I relinquish control to her it'll be over before it begins.

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