I will get both versions of this story finished eventually!


53.

KATE

If she was a little less happy, Kate thought, she might be inclined to be embarrassed by how much of a bounce in her step she had as they walked out to the car. She felt like there might as well be a sign round her neck that said "I just had sex in the shower and it was incredible", and yet she really didn't care.

She'd even managed a smile for their host as they said goodbye. Her loathing for him had only grown deeper over the time they'd been here: his veneer of respectability and affability made the fact he was up to his ears in despicable business even more repulsive. She had been grateful to have Gibbs there as an excuse to rebuff his advances, but the fact they were done and out of this place plus the post coital glow left her able to brush off even his suggestive comment and leer.

Gibbs raised an eyebrow as he handed her into the car, but he couldn't keep the grin off of his face either. Once they were both inside he gave her knee a quick squeeze and then drove off down the driveway at what was, by his standards, a positively sedate pace.

She shot him a questioning look. They had to wait to dispose of the earwigs and mics till they were properly off the premises, and she didn't want to accidentally say anything to out them to the rest of the team.

Apparently he understood the unspoken question. "Wanna make sure we get back in one piece." Not a typically Gibbsian sentiment, but at least the guys wouldn't be able to see the slow grin and suggestive glance, or her blush in response.

Once they were out on the road, they both rapidly divested themselves of the listening gear, though Gibbs' cell rang about thirty seconds after they were through the gate. He pulled a face and tossed the phone to Kate before putting his hand back on the steering wheel. She put it on hands free.

"Hey Tony."

"Hey Kate, Boss. Director wants us all back at HQ for a debrief before we go off duty. We'll meet you guys where Gibbs went to pick up the new bugs... If that's okay with the two of you, of course..."

There was an edge in Tony's voice that suggested he wasn't entirely unaware what was going on, and Kate didn't know how to respond. She'd banked on their having the trip back to DC to talk and flirt and just enjoy their privacy a little, and knowing they had a rendezvous a relatively short drive away... She had no idea why they'd need to meet up before getting back to the Navy Yard anyway.

Fortunately Gibbs seemed much more at ease. "You'll probably beat us there, but we won't be far behind."

Kate frowned. If anything DiNozzo and McGee had further to travel, since they had to avoid being seen anywhere too close to the house. Given that he was covering for her inability to think of anything to say, though, she stayed quiet.

There was a moment of silence and she wondered if Tony was wondering the same thing she was. "'Kay, Boss, guess we'll see you in a few."

Gibbs nodded at her to shut the phone off, and then he was pulling in to the side of the road, turning off the engine and pushing his seat as far back as it would go.

She looked at him, a little confused.

"Whaddya say to an unavoidable delay," he rumbled, reaching for her, and Kate laughed as she unclipped her seatbelt.

"I'd say I like the way you think, Gunny," she replied, and climbed into his lap.