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Early Season 3

Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS


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Welcome Back
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It's been a slow day so far, driving everyone crazy. They have no case and they are all stuck doing paperwork. Well… all except Gibbs who is busy going from the bullpen to MTAC and back again. There is something going on with him. He seems impatient, like he is waiting for something important to happen but has nothing to do until it does so he just walks aimlessly around the building trying to kill some time.

He is on his third cup of coffee, despite the fact that it's only ten o' clock in the morning, and he looks like he will shoot anyone who asks him what's on his mind. Director Shepherd tried to find out only to receive a glare from him and incredulous looks from his team members.

After that nothing worth mentioning happened. Gibbs left the bullpen and Tony, McGee and Ziva continued doing paperwork.

"Could someone shoot me please? I need to get out of here," Tony mumbles in exasperation as he goes through another case file.

"I could." Ziva volunteers making McGee smile in amusement but that doesn't lasts long as a crumpled piece of paper hits him square on the head.

"Hey!" he exclaims, looking accusingly at Tony who only smirks.

"You were asking for it McGoo," he says, leaning back in his chair, his head hanging back.

"I've had enough…" he states and he is ready to take a break and go get a snack when he sees Abby running towards their desks hurriedly.

"Gibbs, Gibbs, Gibbs!" she calls out but stops abruptly when she gets no answer.

She looks around the bullpen with narrowed eyes, searching for him, but he is nowhere to be found.

"Where is the boss man?" she asks, heading to Kate's empty desk and sitting behind it.

All three agents stop what they are doing and look at her with wide eyes, like she has gone crazy.

"You may want to stand up; you know Gibbs doesn't let anyone sit there! He even brought a new desk for Ziva," Tony states pointing at the desk next to Kate's and looking around in alarm as if waiting for Gibbs to pop up any minute.

"Don't be silly Tony," she says dismissively.

"Of course, you are the teacher's pet, he won't do anything," McGee points out making her smile smugly.

"So where is Gibbs?" she asks, starting to get impatient.

"We don't know, he's been kind of distracted today," Tony tells her.

"He even glared at the Director when she asked what was going on and then disappeared again," Ziva adds.

"I wonder what's up with him…" Tony muses out loud, tapping his fingers against his chin.

That's when he notices Abby's look, who averts her gaze the moment she meets his eyes and he stands up.

"You know! You know something and you are not telling us!" he accuses pointing a finger at her and coming to stand right in front of the desk where she is sitting.

He is surprised she slipped like this; usually she has an excellent poker face.

The other two observe them with interest. Abby crosses her arms in front of her chest in a defensive stance and shakes her head.

"I know nothing! I was just looking for Gibbs, that's all," she says uncrossing her arms and moving her hands for emphasis.

"You are lying," Ziva states, clearly amused to see her fidgeting.

"Am not!" she exclaims.

"You so are," Tony agrees with a smirk. This is definitely more interesting than doing paperwork.

"McGee, back me up here!" Abby says in a desperate attempt to get out of this.

"I would but I really want to know what you know," he replies making her scoff.

"Looks like you are going to have to tell us," Tony says, his palms flat on the desk as he leans down to be face to face with Abby.

Of course he hasn't noticed that the bullpen has gone silent so he doesn't expect the head slap he receives, making him stand up abruptly and cradle the back of his head.

"Ouch boss, why did you do that for?" he asks with a frown as he rubs his head.

"Back to your desk," he orders and Tony moves grumpily, glaring at the other two who pretend to be busy.

"Gibbs!" Abby says, thankful that he showed up at the right moment.

"What are you doing here?" he asks with a frown.

"Well, I would have called but you didn't pick up the phone!" she says in exasperation and stands up.

"So?" he asks cryptically, piquing everyone's curiosity although they all pretend to be hard at work, filing reports.

"The package is on its way," Abby states, smiling in excitement.

Gibbs chuckles at her choice of words making his agents look up from their computers in disbelief. He's been pacing around all morning looking agitated and now he is smiling? Now they are really curious about what's about to happen.

They exchange glances and Tony, not being able to contain his curiosity any longer, is ready to ask what's going on when the elevator dings catching Abby and Gibbs' attention.

Tony cranes his neck to see who can cause their boss and forensics specialist to act this way, although he is pretty certain he knows and he isn't proven wrong.

Walking towards them is none other than Kate Todd, a wide smile on her face as she walks into the bullpen again after several months of recovery.

Tony is the first to jump out of his chair, beating Abby to it.

"Kate, you are back!" he exclaims excitedly, his arms wrapping tightly around her in a tight hug that she returns with the same amount of enthusiasm.

Everyone in the bullpen has stopped what they are doing and are looking at their team by now.

"Way to state the obvious Tony!" she teases but she doesn't let go of him as he spins her around.

He quickly remembers though why she had been missing and gently puts her down again.

"Sorry, I got excited," he says sheepishly.

"Don't worry, I passed my physical evaluation yesterday, everything is great," she reassures him with a smile.

"And the psych?" he asks with a raised eyebrow, a glint in his eyes.

"Yeap, I got my gun back."

"Then I can do whatever I want," he says with a smirk but Gibbs' hand connects with the back of his head for the second time that day.

"Ouch! I was joking boss!" he exclaims.

He really should be more careful what he says now that he knows about his partner and boss' relationship.

"We missed you Kate," McGee says as he hugs her affectionately, a lot gentler than Tony did.

"I missed you too Tim," she says as she hugs him back until suddenly Abby attacks them, wrapping her arms around both of them.

"I missed you too!" She says, hugging them tightly making Kate chuckle.

"Abby we were together yesterday," she points out with a smirk.

"It doesn't matter. You were with Tony and McGee last week, drinking coffee," she replies stubbornly and the three agents laugh at her antics while Gibbs smirks in amusement

Ziva is standing awkwardly by her desk, watching as the team welcomes Kate back. When they finally break apart Kate turns to her direction and extends her hand.

"You are Ziva," she states and the Israeli nods and shakes her hand firmly.

"And you are Kate," Ziva states making the agent smile and nod.

"It's an honor to finally meet you," Kate tells her seriously, their eyes locking "Thank you for everything you've done..." she adds in a low tone as she squeezes the other woman's hand.

There is understanding, gratitude and respect in her eyes and at that moment Ziva understands that Kate knows everything. For some unexplainable reason she doesn't feel threatened by that.

She gives Kate a small smile as she releases her hand, nodding in acceptance.

"You should have told us you would come back today; we would have organized a party!" Tony says with a pout.

"Did I hear something about a party?" Ducky's voice catches their attention and Kate smiles widely when she sees him.

"Ducky!" she exclaims happily as she hugs him.

"My dear Caitlin, you are back!" he says as he wraps his arms around her.

"This is a great reason to party, indeed!" he agrees when he pulls away and lets Gibbs approach.

"Welcome back Agent Todd," he tells her with a soft smile especially reserved for her as he hands her back her badge.

She accepts it with a grin, her fingers brushing his as she takes it, lingering there for long moments.

He hesitates only for a moment before he pulls her to him and wraps his arms around her waist gently for a few moments before reluctantly pulling back. It doesn't matter that he gets to have her in his arms every day at home; he wants to welcome his agent back.

Their team agents smile knowingly. After that day on that rooftop everyone on the team found out about them. After talking with Abby and Ducky and finding out the details and how long it had been going on both Tony and McGee believed they should have realized it sooner. But they were happy for Kate and Gibbs, maybe a little weirded out too but they got used to it. Now it has become the team's little secret. No one else needs to know...

It's Tony who claps his hands to get everyone's attention after a few moments.

"Now let's party!" he says, extending his arms for effect.

"Don't you have work to do Agent DiNozzo?" The Director's voice makes him frown and when they all look up they see her leaning against the railing, watching them.

"Well, not really..." he replies cautiously as she walks down the stairs and straight to where Kate is standing next to Gibbs.

"Agent Todd, welcome back officially. Yesterday afternoon I saw you, you didn't have your badge yet," she says shaking Kate's hand.

"Thank you Director. It's good to be back," she replies with a polite smile.

Jenny notices Gibbs' almost protective stance and the closeness between him and his agent instantly, as she notices his warning look making her wonder what's going on but she doesn't say anything.

Instead she starts walking back to her office when Abby's voice stops her.

"Um, Director, since the team doesn't have an active case and we are not working on anything urgent could we head to the lab for a small get together?" she requires politely.

"Only if you can guarantee that you'll get back to work if a case comes up," she replies.

"Absolutely Director!" Tony butts in "You can count on me; I'll drag everyone up here if something comes up!" he promises, barely able to contain his enthusiasm.

"Ok then," she says and without another word she retreats back to her office.

"Party!" Tony shouts the moment the door closes behind her and the team burst out in laughter, even Gibbs joining in.

They all head to the elevator and to Abby's lab following an overexcited Tony.

"It's good to be back," Kate says as they walk, a smile finding its way to her lips.

"Yes it is," Gibbs agrees as he guides her to the elevator with a hand at the small of her back. It's perfect to have her back...