Note: Between Bikini Wax (2x18) and Conspiracy Theory (2x19), Kate and Ari take a few more steps into their relationship such as learning about the baby and expirencing jealousy.
WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, NCIS, BULLPEN; MARCH 01, 2005, 07:00
Ari arrived and placed his weapons on Gibbs' desk as he always did and got to work on his paperwork. Hopefully him getting it done would allow him to go with Kate to the doctor's appointment. She would be staying home till it was time to go so he had to work Gibbs into a good mood.
He had bought the boss coffee and placed it on his desk, McGee and Tony arrived next to find the Mossad officer hard at work. Gibbs eyed Ari as he entered, he found the former-Mossad officer working which was not a shock but he was doing nothing but was he was assigned.
"Let me guess," Gibbs eyed him and Ari looked up, "you have to be somewhere today?"
"1030 I'm having lunch with a friend, I know Caitlin will be out till 1300 but I believe I have earned this right." He eyed Gibbs, "no terrorism or Mossad activity involved."
Gibbs eyed him and nodded, "be back by 1300."
"Thank you Gibbs."
GEORGETOWN UNI HOSPITAL, OBSTETRICS; MARCH 01, 2005, 10:30
Kate sat surrounded by women just like her and yet she felt alone. She noticed husbands, fathers and boyfriends waiting with the other patients and because of the situation, Ari couldn't be there.
Picking up a magazine, she decided to wait. A kiss on her head made her turn to find Ari, he sat down in the chair beside her. "How'd…"
"I told Gibbs I was having lunch with a friend, which I am since I'm taking you both to lunch after this." He eyed her and pushed her hair back, "you're nervous."
"Scared, of what Gibbs will say to us."
"Todd, Caitlin."
Kate stood and grabbed her bag, Ari walked with her back.
ALEXANDRIA, GEORGETOWN HOSPITAL, OBSTETRICS; MARCH 01, 2005, 11:15
After a quick pelvic exam, Kate was taken to another room for an ultrasound. Ari sat beside her, his hand holding hers as the doctor began the ultrasound.
"So what do you want, a girl or a boy?" The doctor smiled and Kate looked at Ari.
"He wants a girl but I just want a healthy baby." She smiled when Ari kissed her hand; they both heard the heartbeat and eyed the screen.
"You're about," she measured the ultrasound, "eleven weeks; your delivery date should be September 14…if the baby doesn't show up sooner."
ALEXANDRIA, INDIGO LANDING RESTAURANT; MARCH 01, 2005, 11:45
The two sat eating and admiring the sonogram, "look at the little hands and feet."
Ari eyed Kate, realizing he had fallen in love with her all over again. "I told myself something not long after we met; I said I would never love another person like I do you." He eyed the sonogram and smiled, "I have broken that because I love this child as much as I do you."
"You're a father, what do you expect." She smiled and placed the sonogram away, "now it's just a waiting game."
"But worth the wait," he placed a hand on her cheek and leaned over, kissing her. "I love you my Caitlin."
"I know," she kissed him again. "I love you too. Are you done with lunch because we have to get back?"
"I'll see you there." He stood and laid down enough to pay for their meal before kissing her again and left.
WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, NCIS, BULLPEN; MARCH 01, 2005, 12:30
Kate found Ari and Gibbs talking in front of the plasma, a floor plan present, when she came in the office. Tony and McGee were at their computers or on the phone. She walked over to the two men and eyed them.
"What's the case?"
"No case, just preparing for the Annual Navy Ball." Gibbs looked at her, "you'll have to find a gown…we're going to be blending in for security but also have been extended an invitation from SecNav to come."
"I can find a gown, when is it?"
Tony came over and looked at her, "this weekend…so is the gown going to be short or long because you have great legs."
Kate eyed him, "I'll kill you if you make another comment…I'm not in the mood."
Ari pointed to the screen, "posting guards would frighten guests so I suggest we have visuals here," he pointed to several places. "As well as undercover officers at the doors and with the band or musicians."
Gibbs nodded and looked at Kate, "you two get with MAA and start setting up security plans and choose agents carefully."
"You have it."
Ari looked at her with a questioning look, "MAA?"
"Master at Arms, military police…it's similar to Heil HaMishtara HaTzva'it of the IDF."
"I understand now."
Kate chuckled and walked to her desk, which was now facing his. Their desks were facing each other turned to the side. McGee had her old desk beside Gibbs while she had taken McGee's.
Gibbs approved the switch after realizing Kate and Ari did their best work together, he however noticed little things now and then, as if something else was going on. He always ignored it but hearing Kate speak Hebrew with flawless perfection made him wonder if something was really going on between his agents…even though Ari wasn't an agent of NCIS.
Ari made Kate laugh and smile, the littlest thing could bring a smile to her face and her eyes become bright. While he was gone, Kate's behavior turned to being depressed and she sectioned herself off from team meals, was quiet and let Tony make derogatory comments without a word.
The minute Ari returned, she was happy and laughing again, the sparkle in her eyes was even brighter. He noticed how the Mossad officer doted on Kate, helping her and spoiling her…always bringing her coffee in the morning.
If anything was truthful, Kate had changed this murderous Mossad officer into a trusting, loyal and kinder man. He'd give hell if Rule 12 was broken but somehow he could never see Kate being anything other than a friend to her partner. She had moved on but he knew deep down she still resented being held hostage and kidnapped.
WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, NCIS, BULLPEN; MARCH 05, 2005, 16:30
The team arrived earlier that day to begin security operations with the MAA. It was later that they all broke off to get dressed; Kate took her lab while the men spread out around the building, using locker rooms and bathrooms.
The guys stood waiting when Abby came in with Kate, everyone stared at Kate…she was beautiful. A brown gown that made her look like a goddess, it was modest and perfect…jewelry given to her by Ari were what she wore with it…jewelry she protested till he showed her.
"Whoa!" Tony spoke and Abby eyed Kate.
"She's beautiful huh?"
They all nodded and Kate eyed them all, "why are you all staring at me?"
"You're going to be the most beautiful woman at the ball." Abby smiled and eyed Kate, "guys will be all over you."
"I hope not, we'll have to provide protection for them…she'll kill them with one look." She eyed Tony at his comment, "it's a compliment Kate…be happy about it."
She rolled her eyes and shook her head, noticing finally that Ari was in a tuxedo…a strange sight but also one she'd enjoy unwrapping later…she had always enjoyed two types of men: ones in uniform and ones in tuxes. Of course, Tony's comment earlier that week of it being double agents that do it for her…he'd been dead right, but in truth only one double agent could ever make her happy.
WASHINGTON DC, SOFITEL HOTEL, BANQUET HALL; MARCH 05, 2005, 18:30
Right before dinner, SecNav had given them relieved duty and most headed for the wine and champagne. Dinner was served around 1800 and everyone sat eating or if finished, dancing.
"Excuse me," they turned to find a man standing by Kate's chair. "How are you Kate?"
Kate smiled and stood and looked at him, "Chris, what are you…how'd you get in?"
"Sister is a sailor…she invited me, how have you been?"
"Good, NCIS now…left Secret Service." She looked at the team, "this is my team…well the team I work with." She started introductions. "My boss Jethro Gibbs, our ME Donald Mallard, and our forensic tech Abby Sciuto." She motioned to Ari, McGee and Tony. "My team members, Agents Tim McGee and Anthony DiNozzo and my partner, Mossad Liaison Officer Ari Haswari." She smiled, "guys this is Chris Peterson, we were partnered together my first two years in the Secret Service."
Chris looked at Kate, "would you like to dance?"
"Sure," she took his hand and walked toward the dance floor. "So how's Tiffany?"
"Aren't together anymore…how about you, anyone special?"
Kate nodded, "we're engaged."
"So isn't Haswari the one that kidnapped you," Kate eyed him, "we all heard after we received the call…why are you working with him, in fact why haven't you killed him."
"He was undercover for Mossad, he had to make his Hamas team think I was being kidnapped for information he didn't know. He knew I wouldn't shoot him, I never have been able to…once you get past the rough exterior, you find a sweet guy."
Chris looked over at the table to find Ari staring at him before going back to his conversation with Gibbs. "He's looking like he'll murder me."
Kate laughed, "Ari's a little protective of me, I'm the only one who's ever showed him compassion or friendship…he doesn't want that lost."
The music changed and Kate looked up when she sensed Ari, she found him coming over. "May I cut in?"
"Sure," Chris handed her over and Ari took Kate's hand. "Good to see you again Kate."
"You too." Kate turned back to Ari and chuckled, "a little possessive tonight aren't you?"
He smiled at her, "he was dancing with my fiancée and the mother of my child…of course."
"Are you always going to be like this…I do happen to have friends who are male?" She eyed him and he shrugged. "Ari, bashert…give me a little room for comfort, I can take care of myself even right now."
He eyed her and smiled, she had called him her soulmate in Hebrew…the Hebrew he was teaching her. "If you want room, I'll give you room…I just can't lose you my Caitlin, without you and our child, life is meaningless."
"I feel the same way," the song ended and they walked back to the table to enjoy the night as they spent it among the team.
Translations:
Bashert: Hebrew for destiny (masculine form), used for soulmates.
