Chapter 1

"SHOOTER!" Kate yelled as she dived in front of Gibbs on the rooftop. Kate fell on the ground. Gibbs and Tony unzipped her windbreaker and found the bullet lodged in her bulletproof vest.

"Stay down," Gibbs said and looked at Tony, "get your ass down to."

"Okay, boss," Tony said as he laid on his stomach on the rooftop.

Gibbs was laying extremely close to Kate. She knew this wasn't the right time, but she instinctively got closer to Gibbs until there was no space between them.

"Didn't know you were the cuddly type Agent Todd," Gibbs said to Kate, but didn't move from his position.

"There's a lot of things you don't know about me Agent Gibbs," Kate said back to Gibbs.

Gibbs was about to wrap his arm around Kate's waist when Tony said, "Boss, I think we can crawl to the stairwell."

Gibbs thought about it for a second then said, "Alright, but stay completely down until you get halfway down the stairs. I'll check on McGee."

Tony started crawling toward the stairwell when he asked, "Kate are you coming?"

Kate looked Gibbs in the eyes and he nodded. Kate started following Tony through the stairwell.

Gibbs got out his radio and radioed McGee.

"McGee," Gibbs said into the radio, "sitrep."

"Yes boss," McGee began, "Ari was the one that shot at you guys. He ran down from the building he was at and got into a black van. They shot at me, but I ran to the other side of the car. They then turned right on Main Street and left."

"Did you get the license plate?" Gibbs questioned.

"I am having Abby run it through the database now," McGee replied.

"Good work," Gibbs said, "get back to NCIS headquarters and help her."

McGee left for headquarters meanwhile Gibbs was crawling through the stairwell meeting Tony and Kate in the middle of it.

"There you are boss," Tony said, seeing Gibbs.

"Oh thank god," Kate muttered.

The team walked the rest of the way down the stairs. While checking their surroundings they headed to their car back to headquarters.

At NCIS Headquarters…

Everyone was at their desks when Gibbs said, "Kate, you're with me."

Kate followed Gibbs in the elevator where it was moving for two seconds then stopped it.

"You're going to let Ducky check you out," Gibbs told Kate.

"No, Gibbs I'm fine," Kate replied.

"It's either let Ducky check you out or go to the hospital," Gibbs argued.

"Fine," Kate huffed and crossed her arms across her chest.

In Autopsy…

"Hello Jethro," Ducky began, "whatever might the pleasure be?"

"I need you to check out Kate," Gibbs said, "she was shot, but her bulletproof vest stopped the bullet."

"Alright, Kate, will you sit on one of the tables?" Ducky asked.

Kate hopped up on one of the tables then Gibbs said, "I'll go."

Kate grabbed Gibbs' wrist and said, "No, please don't go. I need yo- someone here, please."

Hazel eyes poured into blue ones.

"Alright, I'll stay," Gibbs replied.

Ducky started to lift up Kate's shirt where an angry blue and purple bruise was discovered. Ducky started to touch the bruise when Kate winced.

"I'm sorry, my dear," Ducky said while pulling down her shirt, "just take it easy. No strenuous activities and if the pain gets any worse take one of these and put ice on it once a day."

Handing Kate some pills she hopped off the table hugging Ducky and saying, "Thanks Ducky."

"You're welcome my dear," Ducky replied.

Kate and Gibbs were back in the elevator when Gibbs stopped it again.

"I've already talked to the Director, so you are staying with me until this situation is handled," Gibbs told Kate.

"I'll be fine Gibbs," Kate said, patting his shoulder lightly.

"Director's orders. It's either that or stay with Dinozzo," Gibbs said leaving the elevator.

In the bullpen..

The team was still at their desks when Gibbs announced, "Everyone go home. Be here by 0700."

"Yes boss," McGee and Tony said, leaving for the elevator with their bags.

Kate was thinking of going home with Gibbs when he came up behind her and asked, "Are you coming Agent Todd?"

Kate nodded her head and followed Gibbs to the elevator.

In Gibbs Truck…

"We can go to your apartment so you can get some things and then we can order take out. Chinese sound good?" Gibbs asked.

"Yes," Kate answered.

It was quiet the rest of the ride to Kate's apartment. She started to get out and head inside her apartment when Gibbs snuck up behind her.

"Jesus Gibbs," Kate said while putting a hand over her heart.

"You can't be alone, remember?" Gibbs questioned.

"Right," Kate said while unlocking her apartment door and heading inside followed by Gibbs.

"Make yourself at home. It won't take me long to get some things," Kate told Gibbs.

Gibbs nodded then sat on the couch watching Kate disappear into her room.

In Kate's Bedroom...

Kate was packing some clothes in an overnight bag after getting all her essentials in a bag. She was looking in her drawer for anything else she needed when she came across red lace lingerie. Throwing it in the overnight bag she headed into the living room.

"Alright, I'm ready to go," Kate said carrying her bag to the door. Gibbs nodded and they headed out to Gibbs truck.

They made it to Gibbs house where Kate threw her overnight bag on the couch and sat by it.

"I'll go order the takeout. You can take a shower while we wait on the food. First room on the right upstairs," Gibbs told Kate.

Kate nodded and headed up the stairs while Gibbs ordered the take out for them.

Kate walked into the room seeing a bed in the middle of the room. It smelled of Gibbs, sawdust, and bourbon. Navy blue bedding was on the bed. The room was simple yet so Gibbs. She found the bathroom and took her shower.

Meanwhile downstairs Gibbs ordered the take out and set out plates and glasses pouring bourbon in each glass. Kate then walked down the stairs. Gibbs looked at her and his jaw dropped. She had a towel wrapped around her walking towards him.

"This is all a dream," Gibbs thought to himself.

"Sorry, I forgot my bag down here," Kate said quietly blushing slightly.

Getting her bag Kate ran upstairs to the bathroom changing her clothes and heading downstairs where Gibbs was getting the takeout set out on the plates.

"Smells good," Kate said and Gibbs nodded.

Kate sat down next to Gibbs where he had turned on a random channel and started eating. Kate started eating as well and watched the movie. After eating, Gibbs cleared the plates he came into the living room to see Kate passed out on the couch. He smiled to himself then moved closer.

"Her back will hurt when she wakes up," Gibbs thought so he picked Kate up. She cuddled closer to his chest and moved her to his bedroom. Laying her down on his bed and covering her up he kissed her on the forehead and whispered, "Goodnight Kate."