Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Spoilers: None but set between "See No Evil" & The Good Wives Club"

All The Elevators In Between

Chapter 25

Gibbs pressed his hand to the small of Kate's back as they made their way up the aisle of the airplane to their seats. She'd been fine up until this moment. He knew it had nothing to do with flying. They'd done that enough times him to know she wasn't afraid of planes. No, he knew her nervousness came from seeing her family again. He knew she was happy to see her brother George, but had become increasingly snappy about the rest of her family. He took the aisle seat, and Kate took the middle. Another gentleman was already occupying the window. He eyed Kate, ignoring Gibbs death glare. He wondered how long it would take the man to attempt a conversation with her. He didn't think it would be long.

Kate tried to breathe. It was difficult but she didn't want to pass out due to anxiety over seeing her family again. She thanked God a dozen times that Gibbs was there to save her, if only from herself. She practiced her silent breathing for a few minutes, and it helped a little bit, lowering her heart rate. She could feel herself settle a little bit. Gibbs took her hand, rubbing his thumb over the back of it. That alone relaxed her even more. She opened her eyes and favored him with a soft smile.

The man next to Kate was oblivious to their holding hands. He turned to her almost as soon as the landing gear was up, and introduced himself. Gibbs didn't pay him any attention, other than to favor him with another glare. He knew Kate could and would hold her own.

"Hi, my name is Justin." He said by way of introduction.

"Kate." She offered politely.

"My favorite name in the world. It's nice to meet you Kate."

"Likewise." Gibbs could hear the sarcasm in her voice, but doubt that the other man could. The man prattled on for what seemed like an age before it was obvious she'd had enough. She raised the arm rest between her and Gibbs giving him a wink when her face was turned away from Justin. Turning back to the man, she gave an exaggerated yawn, and promptly told him she was going to try and nap before they landed. She then snuggled into Gibbs chest, who wrapped an arm around her shoulders and hugged her gently before placing a kiss on her head. Justin shocked to say the least but he recovered quickly. He looked as though he was ready to make another comment, but finally took notice of the glare directed in his direction and stayed silent.

Kate sighed in relief and kept her eyes closed to maintain the charade. Gibbs kept his arm around her, his thumb drawing circles on her side. The repetitive motion and his scent in her nose lulled her into sleep even before she realized what was happening. Gibbs felt her breathing even out and all her muscles relax, and knew she'd fallen asleep. He draped his jacket over her to keep her warm, and bunched her jacket under her head to keep her as comfortable as possible.

"So is she your daughter?" The guy, Justin, whispered to him.

"No, she's not my daughter. I don't have any children." Gibbs answered with another glare.

"Ah. Your sister then. It's nice that you take such good care of her." With that he turned away toward the window, obviously secure in his misconception of the truth. Gibbs shook his head at the man's ignorance of the obvious and closed his eyes in an attempt to find some rest as well.

The landing gear touching down woke both Kate and Gibbs. She smiled softly at him as she attempted to straighten out her clothes. They managed to avoid further conversation with Justin once they touched down, as he became attached to his cell phone. Gibbs stood and gathered their carry-on bags as Kate moved into his seat and stretched.

They disembarked with relative ease and picked up their rental car. Neither wanted to be stuck with her family in the off hours before the wedding or after the reception. Kate had chosen a hotel not far from the wedding site. With any luck they would only have to tolerate her family for the rehearsal dinner, the wedding, and the reception. However luck seemed to be avoiding them. Kate's mother called just as they pulled up to the hotel.

"Hello darling. Did you make your flight?" Her mother started as soon as she answered the phone. Kate rolled her eyes.

"Yes, mom. We've just arrived at the hotel. We still need to check in and get settled."

"Oh, well, as soon as you're done, you must come by the house. We're having a small pre-wedding party. I'll see you soon." Kate stared at the phone for a moment, before turning to Gibbs.

"Is it justifiable homicide to murder your mother?"

"In your case, probably. What did she want?"

"She wants us to come to a pre-wedding party at the house. Come on. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can beg off being jet lagged and leave."

"Didn't know you could get jet lag from one time zone change." He answered with a smirk.

"Trust me. An hour with her, and you'll use any excuse to get away." He smiled at her sarcasm, but knew it was most likely true. They checked in and dropped off their luggage. They changed quickly and Kate directed them towards her mother's house. It was a short drive and Gibbs could tell she wished it was a lifetime longer.

Gibbs and Kate pulled up to a large Victorian house with a wraparound porch. Two men braved the chill of the fall, and stood outside gazing across the lawn. As they got out of the care, they could hear the voices of people inside as well as music. One of the men brightened immediately upon seeing Kate.

"Katie girl! You made it." He called out.

"I said I would George." Gibbs concluded this was her youngest brother.

"And is this your man? You sure know how to pick them."

"Down boy." The other man commented.

"Yeah George, mind your manners." Kate chastised. This is Jethro Gibbs. Go with Gibbs."

"Nice to meet you George." George nodded in acceptance.

"This is Andrew, my partner." Gibbs nodded in return. "Alright Katie-girl, it's time to brave the harpies before they come looking for you and disturb the peace of the outdoors." George shoved her gently toward the front door with a wink.

"I'm going. Behave yourselves. I don't want to hear about it from mom if you two get frisky and someone complains." Kate called over her shoulder as she pulled Gibbs into the house with her.

They were both washed over with music and the sounds of dozens of people trying to talk over one another. Kate eyed the crowd strategically, thinking to say hello to all her family and make a graceful and timely exit. When she spotted her mother, she dove through the crowd with practiced ease, towing Gibbs along in her wake. The sidled up to an older woman who had Kate's hazel eyes and strawberry blonde hair. Some of the features were the same but Gibbs guessed Kate and George took after their father.

"Kate! You made it. I'm so happy to see you darling." Her mother gushed.

"Mom, this is Gibbs." She introduced him.

"Oh, yes, the man who answered the phone. So nice of you to join us. Please call me Caroline."

"Ma'am."

"Have you seen your sister or your brothers yet?"

"Not yet mom. I wanted to stop and see you first. We'll go make the rounds now." Kate pulled him away before her mother could protest. She pulled him through the crowds easily. She spied someone through a doorway and towed him in that direction. They stopped next to a tall man with Kate's dark hair and blue eyes.

"Bradley." She prompted when there was a lull in the conversation.

"Caitlyn. Nice of you to join us. It seems so difficult to pry you away from that job of yours."

"Well mom insisted as she always does. Bradley this is Gibbs. Gibbs, my oldest brother Bradley."

"Aren't you a little old to be dating my sister?"

"Probably but she's with me anyway by her own choice, and I was taught never to question what a lady wants." Kate smiled and started to pull him away again.

"We'll talk more later. I still need to say hello to Deb and Mark." They made their way through the kitchen and dining room. Kate waved to a few people he thought might be aunts, uncles, cousins. He wondered briefly about her father. No one had mentioned him thus far. When they came back around to the living room, Kate pulled him up the stairs. She poked her head in various doors until she came to a wood paneled office where four men stood stalking casually. One he guessed was Mark from his resemblance to Kate's mother. The second, he figured was Chase, the groom. The third was Justin, from the airplane, and the fourth was an older man with white hair who had his back to them.

"Mark." Kate said as they walked in.

"Kate. It's good to see you little sis."

"This is Gibbs. Gibbs, my middle brother Mark."

"Nice to meet you Gibbs. Kate, this Chase, the groom, and Justin is the Best Man."

"Chase, a pleasure. And Justin and I met on the plane. I believe you thought Gibbs was my brother." Justin looked slightly embarrassed.

"My mistake."

"Caitlyn." The older man spoke for the first time. Gibbs could feel the tension in her body increase ten-fold.

"Dad." She barely squeaked out. He couldn't tell by the look on her face if she was going to run, cry of kick this man. "Why are you here?"

"Deb asked me to come. Your mother allowed it."

"I see." Kate stated her voice cold as ice. She turned to Mark. "I saw mom, George, and Bradley first and none of you thought to warn me. Some family I have." She turned away to leave, but the older man stopped her.

"You can still be mad about everything, Caitlyn?"

"Yes I can, but it's not just that and you know it." She stormed into the hallway. The man stopped Gibbs with a hand on his arms.

"Give her a few minutes to cool off."

"You obviously don't know your daughter sir." Gibbs gestured to the doorway. Kate was waiting for him.

"Jethro, we still need to see Deb." He nodded and followed her out. They made another circuit of the upper floor before returning to the lower floor and making a final round. Deb was on the veranda in back of the house with some of her friends.

"Kate."

"Deb."

"I didn't think you'd come."

"Mom insisted and I guess it's time to let things go."

"I'd like that. Thank you for coming. Will you be joining us for the bachelorette party tonight?'

"Thank you, but no. Enjoy your time with your friends."

"I will. Have you seen Dad?"

"Yes, upstairs with Mark, Chase, and Justin."

"They didn't say anything to warn you, did they? Rats! Has George seen him?"

"I saw George first and he didn't say a word, so I would assume not."

"Will you tell him then? He'll take it better from you. Tell him I didn't mean to hurt either of you; I just wanted my Dad to be at my wedding."

"Yes. I'll tell him."

"So who is your handsome shadow?"

"Deb, this is Gibbs. Gibbs, my sister Deborah."

"A pleasure Gibbs. Please enjoy the party. We'll talk later Kate."

"I'm sure." Kate pulled him around the side of the house, back toward the front porch. George and Andrew had relocated to one of the swings and were chatting amiable with another couple who had come to escape into the fresh air. George saw her coming and excused himself from the conversation.

"What's up Katie-girl? You look like you've seen a ghost." He said once they were away from everyone else.

"Dad's here." She replied succinctly.

"No one mentioned it to me." He looked shocked.

"No one told me either. Deb asked me to warn you, as she hasn't seen you yet. You might want to pay your respects and disappear like we are about to do."

"Absolutely. I'll see you later. We are staying in the same hotel."

"Sure thing brother." Kate nodded and pulled Gibbs toward the car. Gibbs gave her a look that said he would like an explanation about her father.

"Later Gibbs. One open wound at a time." He nodded and pointed their car toward the hotel.