It had been two days.
He was standing in the kitchen, making breakfast with Kate, who was wearing one of his sweaters from the Corps and pajama pants, her hair tied back from her face. She looked gorgeous, as usual. Ducky was stopping by for brunch any minute now.
His phone rang, "It's Gibbs," he said, grabbing the frying pan full of bacon as it started smoking.
"Hey boss, we got the guy."
"Which guy, DiNozzo?"
"The one who torched Crispy."
"Perfect. And?"
"He's going to fry."
"Were you working all night?" Gibbs asked, chuckling a bit at the stupid joke. He heard a knock on the door. Kate went to answer it, leaving him alone in the kitchen, keeping an eye on the food.
"Yeah."
"Then come over, we're having Ducky for brunch. Is the rest of the team there too? Bring them." He hung up before he could get a no.
"How domestic of you, Jethro," Ducky teased as he walked in.
"Grandpa Ducky!" Rosie ran in, and launched herself at Ducky.
"Oh sure," Kate joked, "You'll run to see your grandpa, but I don't get a good morning?"
Rosie grinned, "Good morning mommy."
"Yeah go kiss up to your grandpa some more. Tea, Ducky?"
"Ah yes please, Caitlin."
Gibbs, as he walked past, refilled Kate's coffee mug, and winked at her. It did not go unnoticed by Ducky who glanced between them with raised eyebrows. Mercifully he said nothing. Yet.
"What's the plan for today?" Ducky asked.
"I was thinking that we would go explore DC today. How does that sound, Ro?" Gibbs asked.
She whipped around from where she'd been showing Ducky one of her drawings. "We're going exploring today? Really?"
"Really." Kate said, kissing her on the top of the head as she walked past, grabbing her coffee mug from Gibbs. It worked like a practiced dance, complicated and yet intricate.
"And after that, I'm going to introduce my girls to the best diner food in Washington."
"Really?" Kate asked with a grin, sitting down.
"You bet. They have great ice cream sundaes."
Rosie perked up. "Ice cream? What kind?"
"Whatever kind you want sweetie."
"Yes," Kate muttered under her breath, "get her all hyper with sugar…"
"And tomorrow Rosie, we're going to go look at paint colors together." Gibbs said.
Rosie's eyes went wide. "What?"
"We're painting your room."
Ducky definitely noticed this and all that it implied, and he opened his mouth to say something, but the doorbell rang again.
Gibbs, noticing his look, took the opportunity to bolt. "That's probably the other three."
"More people are coming?" Kate asked, glancing at Gibbs with a withering glare. It didn't faze him, he just grinned at her.
"I didn't mention it, Katie?"
"No, sweetheart." She muttered through clenched teeth. "You're sacrificing your breakfast, Mr. Gibbs."
He leaned in and kissed her, "That's Agent Gibbs to you, Miss Todd."
She stuck her tongue out at him as he walked out. He walked over to the door, intending to let the team in. And then he paused. Tim and Tony had not yet had the chance to welcome Kate back, and Ziva had never met Kate. To say the least, it would be interesting.
He opened the door, to find his team grinning at him. Abby shot out from behind them, running into the house. "KAAAATE!"
He grinned, "Are the rest of ya coming in?"
Tony and Tim walked in, and Ziva followed. He smiled at her, and she smiled back, as they walked into the kitchen.
Abby had Kate wrapped in a really tight hug, and as the rest of them walked in, she pulled away, and said "I missed you so much, Kate!"
Kate had frozen though, staring at Tony and McGee.
Tony grinned. "So heard you're a mom. Tell me Kate are you a boring mom or a fun mom?"
"Hi Tony." She rolled her eyes as smiled at him, but looked at McGee who smiled as well. "Wow… Tim. You look all grown up."
He made a face, yet grinned. "I missed you Kate."
"You look great McGee."
"So do you." He walked over, and hugged her, and she kissed him on the cheek.
"You keeping DiNozzo in line?"
"That's Ziva's job." And as Tony swiped a croissant off the table, and Tim grabbed a coffee, they both stepped aside, allowing Ziva into the kitchen, effectively crowding it. Rosie launched herself at Ziva, who kneeled down to hug her, before turning to Kate.
"Mommy, mommy, have you met Auntie Ziva?"
"No, sweetie. Why don't you go and make sure your uncles have enough to eat, hey?" Rosie nodded and immediately went over to pester Tony and Tim.
Ziva stood up, looking a bit nervous.
"I heard you're taking care of those two idiots." Kate said, with a smile.
Ziva smiled back. "Rosie looks just like you."
And just like that, the two of them were shyly acquainted.
Kate paused. "Gibbs told me how you intervened at Ducky's."
"It was the least I could do. She's a very precious little girl. I care for her greatly."
Kate nodded at the table, "Come have some breakfast. Throwing a knife at your father takes guts."
"It does, but so does protecting the President."
They sat down together, and Kate handed Ziva a cup of coffee, as everyone else started chatting. Rosie climbed into Tim's lap, insisting that he discuss video games with her, to the displeasure of Tony.
Gibbs leaned against the counter, with his cup of coffee, watching his team interact with Kate. He'd always known that Ziva and Kate would get along. They were very different, but maybe not so different after all.
XNCISX
Brunch had ended, and the team had gone home to get some rest, when Rosie was helping clean up. Kate was drying dishes, as Rosie helped Gibbs wash them.
And then she dropped a glass- a plastic one, it didn't break- on the ground, and said "Damn it!"
Kate whipped around to stare at her, as did Ducky and Gibbs. Gibbs bit his lip, sure he was about to laugh. "Rose Abigail Heather Todd! What did you just say?"
Rosie had clapped her hand over her mouth, and Ducky saw she was about to cry. "Oh Caitlin, she didn't mean it. Come here, Rose, darling, it's okay." Rosie allowed herself to be wrapped in a hug.
Kate turned to Gibbs, who tried to assume a demeanor of innocence. "Gibbs, what the hell have you been teaching my daughter?"
He smirked, "Well Kate you should have thought about it when you left her with me."
She sighed and rolled her eyes, the anger leaving her. "You're infuriating."
He grinned and stepped closer, "That's why you love me."
She touched his face. "Yeah." She admitted. He put his hand on her back, pulling her in closer, and leaned down to kiss her. When they broke apart, she took the dishcloth back, before reaching into the sink and flicking water at Gibbs.
He turned. "Hey!"
She giggled, "Oops. Sorry."
He flicked soapy water at her, and she ducked, squealing. "Oops," he said sarcastically.
"Rosie, shouldn't you be getting dressed?" Ducky asked, watching them.
"Kay. Can you come brush my hair for me, Grandpa?"
"Of course, Miss Rosie. Come on."
Shooting a look at Gibbs, Ducky left the room. Gibbs reached into the sink, cupped a handful of water, and tossed it at Kate, who shrieked. Mercifully she'd taken off his USMC sweater, because the water was now soaking through her shirt.
"Bastard." She muttered, before scooping water in a glass and throwing it at him. He shook his head like a dog, the suds flying everywhere, before grabbing her around the waist, and pinning her to the counter.
She bit her lip as she looked up at him. And then he got a face full of water, as she'd reached around and pulled the detachable faucet out, spraying him in the face.
He managed to turn it on her, and they wrestled for it, effectively spraying each other and most of the kitchen in the process. But they were laughing hysterically as they did so, and he was chuckling as he grabbed her wrists, pulling her into a gentle (if somewhat damp) kiss.
"Ahem."
They broke apart in guilty shock, turning to see Ducky, who was holding a bundle of towels. He had apparently walked in a moment too soon.
"Yeah Ducky?" Kate asked, trying to regain her composure.
"Rosie is getting dressed."
Gibbs looked at Kate, brushing a damp strand of hair out of her face, before turning to Ducky. They both looked as though they'd been caught in a sudden, vicious downpour. He handed two of the towels to her. "Go get dressed," he told her.
"Dry yourself off Caitlin, or you'll catch your death of cold." Ducky scolded.
She grinned, kissing Ducky on the cheek before walking out of the kitchen. As soon as she was gone, Gibbs grabbed a towel of his own, before gesturing, "Something you needed Duck?"
"You are in love with Caitlin, aren't you?"
"Yes." He didn't even need to think about it.
"What exactly is your plan, Jethro?"
"I don't have a plan."
Ducky raised his eyebrows, before looking around the kitchen, "I must say this is an improvement, Jethro. Hosting your team for brunch, acting like a love-struck teenager around our Caitlin."
"Is there a point to this lecture, Duck?"
"I walked in here, to see you laughing with Caitlin, and playing around in a way I don't think I've ever seen. Are you happy, Jethro?"
"Duck, of course I'm happy. I've got Kate, and Ro… and the team."
"Caitlin is moving in with you." It was a statement, not a question.
"Yeah. She is. Her and Rosie."
"And that is as far as you've gotten with arrangements for the future?"
"She's going through the paperwork to work at NCIS again. She and Rosie are living here."
"Nothing permanent."
"Duck, what is it that you're asking?"
Ducky smiled. "If you're happy Jethro, then don't risk losing that chance. That is all I will say."
"Okay," Kate walked in, with Rosie in tow. "I think we're all ready to go for a day out on the town. Want to come with us, Ducky?"
"Oh, no I promised I would help Mr. Palmer move some furniture today, I'm afraid."
"Say hello for me." Kate said.
Rosie hugged him. "Good bye Grandpa. Be nice to Uncle Jimmy."
"Of course Miss Rosie. You have fun with your parents today, and don't wear them out too much, okay?"
She nodded, and he smiled at them. "Have a good day, you three. Caitlin, Jethro."
After he left, Kate turned to him, "So are we ready to go?"
"Of course we are. Now let's go. Washington awaits."
XNCISX
The three of them were wandering along the Tidal Basin, his one arm wrapped around Kate's waist, his other hand grasped tightly in Rosie's. He felt oddly happy at the prospect of what was to come. The whole day had been one memorial and monument after another, and oddly, Rosie was excited about it. She had laughed through Kate's endless pictures, and waved off Gibbs' worries about her getting kidnapped or tripping over her shoelaces.
And there was Kate.
She looked so carefree and relieved of all stress. Her job application was being processed, but she had a meeting with the Director the next day.
He looked over at her, "You'll like the FLETC instructor, Kate."
She turned and stared, "I have to go through that again?"
"Yeah. But don't worry. Tell Quinn you're the mother of my kid, and you'll get a free pass."
She punched him in the shoulder. "I don't need to use your name, and I can do perfectly fine on my own. Did you ever protect the president, Gibbs?"
"No. Did you?" he retorted.
She started laughing. "Careful or I'll put a curse on you." They had finished Howl's Moving Castle the night before, and were planning to watch the movie that night with Rosie. It was obviously still on her mind, especially the happy ending. He had gotten oddly attached to the characters himself.
Rosie, who had started skipping along, turned around to stare at her mother in horror, before whispering. "I knew mom was like Sophie."
Gibbs bit his lip hard, trying to resist the urge to laugh. Kate looked at their daughter and then grinned a slasher smile to end all slasher smiles. It worked, because Rosie started looking to Gibbs for protection.
"Dad…?"
"Don't worry Rosie, your mom is just teasing you." He glanced at her. "I hope."
She nudged him with her elbow. "I am kidding, Rosie. Dad just thinks he can mess with me."
"Of course I can. It's too easy, Katie."
She snorted, "That's what you think. Someday I'll get my revenge, and you'll regret ever doing anything like that."
"Revenge?" He stared. "Kate, I don't know what you're idea of revenge is, but…"
"I'll knock you into the Tidal Basin," she warned, holding up a fist and laughing.
"Come on," he said, "You wouldn't hurt me."
She pulled away and grinned up at him, "I seem to recall threatening to shoot you."
"No," he kissed her, "You said you were destined to shoot me. Now come on, let's go get a bite."
She checked her watch, and smirked. "In other words, it's time for your evening coffee."
He grinned. "Maybe."
"Rosie!" she called. "We're going to go get some food now!"
"Okay mom!"
"Come on Kate, I can hear your stomach growling from here."
"You must really need that coffee."
XNCISX
Kate and Rosie were both sitting at the table, drinking the hot chocolate he'd made, and eating cookies leftover from the batch Rosie had made with Ducky. Gibbs joined them, hand jammed in his pocket. He was watching Kate and his daughter flip through paint samples.
He had a sudden flash of inspiration that this was what he wanted. When he had been young, he'd wanted to paint. And yeah, then the Corps had taken over his life, Semper Fi becoming his code. After he lost Shannon and Kelly, their loss overshadowed his life. He liked to think that he was a good man, a family man at heart. And having his house full again made him think… he wanted this life.
He had the chance.
Kate looked up and smiled at him, before turning back to Rosie, "What kind of theme do you want? Because I'm sure Dad and I could come up with a theme good enough for our girl."
"How about a Howl's Moving Castle theme?" Rosie suggested.
"A Howl's Moving Castle theme?" Gibbs asked. "Are you sure?"
"It's my favorite book, Dad. And it has a happy ending."
"I know it does, sweetheart." He passed a hand over her hair. "Okay, then what do you want for the colour scheme?"
"Can we paint the castle on one of the walls?"
"I can sketch it out," Kate bit her lip, "I'm not sure about the painting though."
"I can paint it," Gibbs offered.
She turned to him in astonishment, and he shrugged. "Since when do you paint, Gibbs?"
"I used to do watercolors." He smiled.
"Why did you never…?"
"Because as far as you knew, Kate, I was a Marine, nothing more. And that's all I needed to be."
"Just makes me realize how much I don't know about you."
"And I don't know that much about you, Katie. But I think we can learn more."
She looked up at that. "What?"
And the time was definitely right.
He got out of his chair, walked over to Kate's side of the table, and with only a mild protest of body, he sank to one knee and pulled out the ring he'd so carefully hidden. "Kate, will you marry me?"
Her hands rose to cover her mouth, and even Rosie had fallen silent. "Gibbs… Jethro…?"
"Marry me, Kate. Stay here. With me. As a family."
"And you're not just doing this for Rosie?"
"Kate," he grinned. "Even if you're destined to shoot me, I want to marry you. Because I love you. Now it's a simple question. I love you. Marry me."
She paused, then a grin blossomed, "Yes."
He looked up at her, and then the look of surprise grew into a grin that matched hers. He stood, slid the ring onto her finger, and pulled her into a kiss. She wrapped her arms around him, and then when he pulled away, he warned, "It won't be easy. I'm known as a bastard."
"I know, I know."
"But we still have a chance for a happy ending."
Rosie chimed in, "It should be hair-raising."
"That's my line, Ro." He turned back to Kate, "She's right. It should be hair-raising."
"Sign me up," she said, and kissed him again.
