Appointment with Dr. Shaw went pretty well and both Kate and Lucy were satisfied with it. They got home and Kate went straight to her office to answer some emails she got and Lucy went to their bedroom to change and start dinner. Since it was finally Friday, she wanted to do something nice for her and Kate, maybe even ask her wife out on a date…real date…dinner, movie and maybe some making out at the movies or in the living room since bedroom was not safe place to do something like that. Dr. Shaw still didn't give them green light to have sex and it mattered to Kate to follow the rules and Lucy knew that. Lucy was finishing her shower when Kate came up. She was in the towel drying her hair and she noticed her wife standing at the entrance looking at her.
''I would have invited you to join me but I know you are stickler for rules.''
''That would have been very tempting. But I want to believe Dr. Shaw has her reasons for not letting us be intimate.''
Lucy smirked.
''So, she is the only reason you are not being naked in the shower with me?''
''Pretty much…''
''I hate your resolve.''
Kate smiled at her wife's comment and mumbled quietly.
''Sometimes, I hate it too.''
Kate gave her naked wife wrapped in the towel another longing look and left the bathroom. When Lucy got out of the bathroom, she found Kate barefoot sitting on the bed reading her text messages.
''Something fun?''
''Franklin and his wife said they are coming to Hawaii for Christmas.''
Lucy was a bit surprised.
''How did that happen?''
"I saw them when I was in DC and I offered them to visit. I sort of miss them. Living in DC was easier because they were there.''
''Ok… I guess that will be fun holiday.''
Kate could sense Lucy was a bit uncomfortable.
''They miss you too.''
''They do?''
''Yes, you know he always had soft spot for you. Just as Noah did.''
''Do they know…? Do they know about our…situation?''
Kate nodded.
''They know everything.''
''And what do they say?''
''They are not getting involved. You know my brother. Our marriage is our thing and he will not get into it unless he is asked to.''
''And your parents?''
''I don't think they are interested in visiting any time soon. You know our relationship is…complicated and more for show. I missed a chance to be a golden child when we eloped and I don't think they ever stopped blaming me for Noah missing his flight, being in that car as a punishment and eventually his death.''
Lucy was always feeling bad when that topic came up. She knew it was not her and Kate's fault that Noah had died, but they both blamed themselves for asking him to stay a moment longer. She and Kate both wondered if he would have been alive now if they didn't ask him to stay. Her train of thoughts was interrupted by Kate continuing to speak.
'' I am sure they will have some huge party in DC to be at. At least dad will have to be at the White House for some dinner and reception close to Christmas. And you know that we were barely ever invited to the Christmas dinner even when we ALL lived in DC.''
Lucy just nodded and took a seat on the bed beside Kate.
''Would you like to do something tonight?''
''Have something to eat and get to bed. This day feels so long. Maybe we could watch a movie or something?''
''Sure, movie sounds amazing.''
Lucy got under covers and Kate went to change and make them sandwiches. They picked the movie together and got comfortable in their bed.
''So, Kate… What do you want to do tomorrow?''
''Tomorrow?''
Lucy was a bit offended.
''It's our wedding anniversary…and our seventeen years together anniversary too.''
''Oh… In this chaos at work, I forgot… But in my defense, I had alarm set for the morning of so I don't forget.''
Lucy was pretending to be insulted.
''Alarm? For anniversary? Katherine May Elizabeth Whistler Tara?! Shame on you!''
''And how did you remember? Did mama call you to ask about what we are doing?''
Kate had a knowing smirk and Lucy looked down to her lap.
''That is beside the point.''
''Of course it is my love.''
Kate pulled her into her arms and kissed her.
''I love you Lucy…''
''I love you too.''
After the film was over Lucy took their plates down and checked if the house was locked. By the time she got upstairs, Kate was already asleep. She cuddled up to her wife and fell asleep soon.
In the morning Kate woke up first and made breakfast for Lucy. She made an effort to make pancakes and cut Lucy's fruit like she loved it. She surprised her with the breakfast in bed and they spent the morning in bed. They didn't have to get into work early so they had some time to themselves. They ate in comfortable silence sharing smiles and looks. Lucy was the first to speak.
''Seventeen years?! Wow! That is a lot.''
''Is it?''
''Well, it is… But I guess compared to sixty years my grandparents had it is next to nothing.''
''So, are we pushing toward sixty?''
''I am pretty sure we are pushing toward more…if you are the on to ask.''
''Me?''
''Well, Kate…We know you love to prove people wrong and I am sure that there is some I told you so waiting to happen as soon as someone dares to mention something bad about us. People didn't think we would make it. They were sure we wouldn't work.''
Kate grew serious for a moment.
''Well, in a way they were right… We had our issues.''
''All couples have issues Kate.''
''Yes, but our made you leave and cut off all the contact for two years. You never reached out and who knows what would have happened if I never came here.''
Suddenly there was tension in the room.
''But you did… You came here and we are working on fixing us. I am not saying it's all your fault or that I have no blame in our issues, but Kate, we were stuck and not listening to what the other one needed. We are lucky enough to have a chance to learn from our mistakes and learn to communicate better and be more independent in the relationship. Me loving you doesn't mean I have to blindly agree to all your ideas and you loving me doesn't mean that I get to get away with acting out like child and making bad choices. I made mistakes Kate, but I am ready to own them.''
Kate just nodded and shared a kiss with her wife. It would have lasted much longer if they were not interrupted by Lucy's phone. Tennant needed her in the office earlier than planned and she had to leave as soon as she got ready. When she got to the office Tennant was waiting for her with Kai and big file in her hands.
''Morning boss…''
''Lucy… Kai…''
''What is that in your hands?''
''Files… Files of the officer on the aircraft carrier…''
''What is going on?''
''We have murder on our hands and about 4000 suspects.''
''Who is killed?''
''That is the answer only Whistler's boos knows, and I am sure she will know too. What WE know is that two of you are going undercover to that carrier.''
Lucy froze.
''That is in the middle of the ocean…''
''Yes, Lucy, boats usually are…''
''But I…''
''I have no one else to send. Jessie is alone with the kids since Heather has some of her own work away from home, so it's only two of you.''
Kai noticed that Lucy didn't look happy, but he knew that was their job.
''When do we leave?''
''In three days. You will pack tonight and spend this time on the land learning how to fit in as sailors.''
''Tonight?''
''Is that a problem Lucy?''
''It's our wedding anniversary…''
''I am sorry… But there is no way out of this. Orders came from people whose orders I can't question or alter in any way.''
On the way out she mumbled.
''I can't wait to tell Kate. She will be very happy about this.''
Lucy was not even close to guessing how pissed Kate was. Of course, she was not angry at Lucy, but at whoever gave the order. She hated that they wouldn't have a moment to themselves at all and that the only celebration they will get is a chance to share a sandwich and can of soda in her office.
Lucy had few hours in the office and she made sure to spend it with Kate. She moved her laptop in Kate's office and at least she did her studying by her side. They sat close to one another and both worked on their assignments, but at least they were in the same room. It would have to work for now. Around two in the afternoon, it was time for Lucy to go home and pack. They shared very tight hug and long kiss before Lucy left and Kate closed her shades so she would have a moment to herself to feel sad for her wife leaving. She canceled dinner and all the plans she made and before day was over, Tennant offered her to come to her house for dinner.
''I feel responsible for ruining the anniversary for you.''
''It was not your choice. You have job to do, like all of us… This time it is Lucy being sent somewhere. Next time it could be me. That is part of the job. You go where it takes you, or where people above you say it must take you.''
Jane was surprised by Kate's answer and then she remembered who Kate was. General's daughter. Duty comes before anniversaries, school plays, birthdays… Country first…And she was sure that there was part of that installed soo deeply in Kate that she would never dare to protest it.
Coming back to an empty house was hard for Kate. She had so many hopes for this night, even maybe breaking Dr. Shaw's rule, but now she is back to being alone and having no idea how Lucy is and when they would talk next. She was sure she would pick up some crumbs of information at the DIA, but it was not enough. Her wife, that hates the ocean will spend months there.
She made diner, had a glass of wine and went to bed early holding Lucy's pillow because it smelled of her.
Lucy and Kai had pretty hectic schedule during their preparation and Lucy couldn't get used to being in the uniform and having her hair pulled up in a neat bun and doing all the things that the female officers had to do. Kai adjusted easier. He lived something like this during his service. He felt comfortable in the uniform and combat boots, it somehow felt like coming home for him. He helped Lucy with her studying and made sure she was really ready for what is ahead of them. She never believed she would use so many terms she would use never again.
On the third morning , they boarded the ship and their personal items were sent back to the NCIS. Tennant received them and thanked the officers that brought them. When Kate came to work, Jane noticed that she was crying and was not being her usual Whistler self. She took Lucy's bag and brought it to Kate. It had just few or her things. She her phone, her hairclip and wedding ring. Jane entered the office and Kate lifter her gaze from the coffee she was having. She got scared something happened to Lucy.
''Is something wrong?''
''No, they just got there… I got this and I think you would want this back.''
She put the bag on the desk and Kate pulled it toward herself. She took out the wedding ring and placed it on the chain she had around her neck.
''It will be ok Kate… She will come back to us.''
Kate just gave her a smile and nodded. With that, Jane went back to her office and Kate kept working on what her boss assigned to her. She was unsure about many things, but she was sure that this will be big test for them.
Two weeks after Lucy left, Kate got a phone call from her mother. When she saw her name, for a moment she got scared that something happened to her brother or her father. She answered and soon learned that both of them were well and alive.
''Katherine, I am calling for a very particular reason.''
''Yes mother?''
''I've had lunch with Andersons. Kassandra sends her regards.''
Beatrice hated that family and hated how much her mother was trying to set up Kassandra and Noah. Beside having A LOT of money, they had nothing in common, but mama Whistler and mama Anderson saw it as a way to make even more money and form new companies that their children and grandkids could run. Noah hated the girl almost as much as Kate.''
''I am sure you had a lot of fun mother.''
''Yes, I did…''
''Is there a reason you are telling me about Kassandra mother?''
''Yes, I was talking to her and I want her to carry Noah's baby?''
Kate froze.
''What?''
''I know you have his frozen…specimen… and I want her to use it to give me a grandchild. You can call the clinic in the morning and make arrangements with them.''
''No, I can't…''
''What do you mean?''
''I don't want her to have Noah's baby.''
''It's not up to you.''
''It is mother…''
''I will have my grandchild Kate… Don't make me take you to court.''
And with that she hung up. Kate just stared at her phone and tried to think what were her options.
''Well, shit!''
She informed her boss that she has to take some time off due to medial emergency and packed her bag to catch the first flight to DC she could. She called her brother and told him what happened. He told her that she could stay with him and that she can count on his help in every way he can help her.
During her flight, she couldn't stop thinking about Lucy and how she needed her to be here. She was wondering what would her mother do when she learned that there is no sperm, but two embryos. Kate tried to get pregnant before but it didn't work out then. She hoped that now she could use those last embryos and get a baby out of it. She didn't want Kassandra Anderson to be mother of Noah's and Lucy's baby. That idea made her sick to her stomach.
Franklin took her to the clinic straight from the airport and after a checkout doctor told her that he heard that her mother was trying to reach him. He told his staff to tell her to call some other day just to give Kate time to arrive and make plan with him.
''If she petitions the court, we can't use the embryos…she believes are sperm. We have to wait for the resolution there. BUT if you let me implant them today, then we are all in the clear… Well, you will have family hell, but legally we are clear.''
''How long do I have to wait?''
''We can do it now…''
Kate took a deep breath and just nodded. Here goes nothing…
