Kate opened her eyes and yawned. God, was it hot! She was sweaty, uncomfortable and still tired. She sat up and leaned over Tony for a better look at the clock. She was trying to figure out what had woken her at four-thirty in the morning when she heard a thumping noise. That can't possibly be someone at the door at this hour,' she thought, as she crawled out of bed and felt her way through the apartment. She reached the window she had peered out last night and once again twitched the curtain to see who waited at the door. Her lips pressed into a tight line and she made her way to the door. Opening it a crack, she greeted the visitor.
Gibbs. What do you want?
We need to talk, let me in.
Give me a couple minutes. I was hoping whatever was knocking wasn't really here. She shoved the door shut in his face and made her way back to the bedroom. She was so sweaty, she didn't want to put on the only clothes she had, but she didn't know if she had a choice. Moving close to him, she whispered in Tony's ear. Hey, got a robe anywhere?
Mmm, hook onna bathroom door, he mumbled as he rolled over.
Kate moved as quickly as she could in the darkness. Whatever Gibbs came to talk about, she just wanted to get the conversation done with and send him on his way. Returning to the front door, wrapped up in Tony's robe, she let Gibbs in.
Good morning, Kate. I brought coffee.
Almost morning, Gibbs, she corrected. Where did you get coffee? Power's out here.
Power's out most places. One of the larger buildings downtown has a generator. They also have a pretty good coffee shop and a line of caffeine addicts around the block. I got there early. He made his way unerringly in the dark to the kitchen counter. Kate trailed behind, much slower.
What'd you do, sleep there? Kate muttered as she took the cup marked with her additives. Turning to face the man, she asked, What did you want to talk about, that it couldn't wait until I got in to the office?
Where's Tony?
Kate was just about to answer, but Tony spoke from a spot near the hallway. She turned to see his shadowed form leaning casually against the wall, dressed in a pair of running shorts.
Right here, Gibbs. What can I do for you?
Gibbs brought us coffee, Tony. Kate carefully carried the cup to him. The couple eyed their boss warily.
We need to talk. Gibbs took a seat on a stool by the counter.
About what? Tony took the lead, wanting to know why the man was here.
Tell me about last night. Start with when you left the office, don't leave anything out.
Kate blinked in surprise. She moved back over to the counter for her coffee and to give herself time to think. Drinking deeply of the brew, she avoided Gibbs' eyes.
Tony walked over to the sofa and sat down as he began his recitation of the previous night's shooting, explaining his reasoning for choosing his apartment instead of Kate's. He'd taken building floor plans into consideration, as well as parking. He detailed everything for Gibbs; each action and where appropriate, reasons for each decision. During his impromptu report, he kept his eyes on the floor or on his boss. When he'd reached the end of what he could contribute, only then did he shift his gaze to Kate.
She gave a brief nod, then began to fill in the remaining pieces of the night. Like Tony, her explanations were clear on every decision point. There were overlaps in the agents' reports where Kate felt it important to add her observations, and when she had finished, she also turned to Gibbs.
The team leader sipped his coffee, as silent and inscrutable as ever, while the other two waited uncomfortably in the faint light of the room. The verbal report was everything he expected from them, as were the actions they'd apparently taken. Unfortunately that was only a small part of the reason he was here. For the safety of the team and anyone else they would have to work with, he needed to know something about their relationship and to what lengths they would go to defend one another. And that meant putting one of them very off-balance.
Sick of the silence, Kate spoke up first. Why did you come here to ask us this? It's barely five a.m. Isn't this something that could have waited until we were in the office?
Gibbs took the opening she gave him, hating himself for what he was about to do. That wasn't the only thing I needed to know. About this, he said as he gestured between his two teammates. How long you been doin' DiNozzo, Kate?
How dare you! Kate's fingers flexed and her palm itched with the desire to slap the smug countenance in front of her. The cold blue eyes raking over her bathrobe-clad body dared her to try.
Tony, meanwhile, had risen to his feet, hands at his sides. It took everything he had to keep them from curling into fists. This man was not Gibbs -- at least not the Gibbs he knew.
I warned you when I hired you, Kate, not to pull any of this crap at NCIS...
Her eyes widened and she cut him off with an icy voice. As a Secret Service Agent we were forbidden to become involved with any person under protection. That was the rule I violated. I compounded my error by keeping it a secret and continuing the relationship. She straightened her spine and glared, drawing a breath before continuing in clipped tones. Special Agent Gibbs, I am interested in pursuing a relationship with Special Agent DiNozzo outside the office. If either you or NCIS have a problem with this, then my resignation will be on your desk at 0900 this morning, effective immediately. She remained as she was, refusing to look away from the piercing gaze or relax her posture.
Tony was moving as she spoke; when she finished he was standing next to her, not touching her, not looking at her. He began speaking just as she finished, his voice as cold and hard as steel. Special Agent Gibbs, I would very much like to pursue a relationship outside the office with Special Agent Todd. If either you or NCIS have a problem with this, then my resignation will be on your desk at 0900 this morning, effective immediately.
Gibbs stared them down for another full minute, but they didn't flinch nor did they seek support or comfort from each other. Instead they made a formidable team, even dressed as they were. At last he broke the angry silence. Sit down. When neither moved he gave half a shrug and continued on.
There are no rules at NCIS concerning fraternization. My rules are just that. Mine. I've learned over a number of years that no matter what the situation there are a handful of simple rules that, if followed, will get you out alive almost every time. I've seen too many dead bodies because someone was more worried about a lover than doing their job. I know that I can trust either one of you with my life... at least I could until this case. He took a deep breath and a long drink of his coffee, needing the caffeine comfort.
Kate was still furious, but she could see his point. Restraining her anger as much as possible, she stated, I don't care for the implication that just because I have a man in my life that I have suddenly become incapable of doing my job!
Jumping on the sentence, Gibbs retorted, It's not just any man, Kate! It's your partner! Haven't you ever heard the phrase You don't shit where you eat'?
I trust my partner with my life, you bastard! she spat back. Getting injured, getting shot -- those are risks we all take. I'm not stupid and neither is Tony. When it comes down to getting the job done, I know I can do it. I know he can do it. But if you think we've suddenly become inept twits because of something that happened after work -- then you're the fool, because my resignation will be on your desk. I would rather lose an overbearing idiot for a boss than a man who values me as a woman and an equal. Shaking, she turned, stalked into the kitchen, stood in front of the sink and stared out of the window.
Gibbs' eyes widened at her outburst. That had been unexpected and he began to wonder if perhaps he hadn't pushed this too far. He turned to Tony.
Don't look at me; she said it all. The two men eyed each other carefully, then Tony continued, I think I know what you were trying to do here this morning, and I understand it -- but I don't appreciate it. We're friends, you should have talked to us like friends, not like agents you've been asked to handle.
Gibbs looked at the back of the woman in the kitchen for a long moment. Tony was right, but he knew he could never explain why he had to do this the way he did. At least now he had his answers, including the one he wasn't sure he really wanted.
I suppose you're right, Tony. You are two of the best agents I've ever worked with. I just needed to be sure.
Kate let her shoulders slump at his words, knowing they were the closest he'd come to an apology. She, too, understood why Gibbs did what he did, even if she wanted to shoot him for the way he did it. Because she did not want him to leave without resolving the animosity between them, she reached for a glass and poured some water, nabbed a few ice cubes for it, then set it in front of her obnoxious boss.
You certainly earned that b' for bastard, she said, looking him in the eye. I don't want to resign unless you make it necessary. Either you trust Tony and me and lose this attitude, or I walk. What's it going to be?
Gibbs stared Kate down, knowing she wouldn't flinch. I expect both of you at your desks this morning.
Okay, Gibbs. We'll be to the office shortly. We have to make a run over to Kate's place before we can come into work, but it shouldn't take us too long. Tony's words were friendly, but the tone was a muted version of his normal banter.
Almost forgot. Power's out at the office, too. They're powering up the backup generator, but it won't be full up until nine-thirty. Go grab an extra hour's sleep. Gibbs stood and headed for the door, Tony following him.
As Gibbs stepped through the door, the two men eyed each other one last time. Then the older gave the younger a ghost of a smile. Nine-thirty, and not a minute later. No excuses, DiNozzo!
