A/N: I decided to let Kate talk to Abby since I didn't know what else to do. Again a lot of thoughts by Gibbs and Kate which I think gives insight in their feelings for each other. Let me thank you all again for the reviews. I know it can be hard coming up with ideas, I know I'm struggling with that. I just wanted to say that if you have a suggestion you can tell me about it. Please R&R and I hope the next update will be there next week but I'm not sure.

Chapter seven

She felt disoriented as she opened her eyes. Where was she? She wasn't in bed, nor was her head on a pillow. No, her head had found a place on someone's chest. She slowly sat up to avoid waking the other person up. She rubbed her eyes before she looked at the person next to her. Gibbs was sitting on the couch, his head on the back of the couch and his mouth open. Gibbs… he'd stayed with her the entire night and it had been the first night since the explosion that she'd really slept. He'd kept his promise; he'd kept the dreams away. She thought back about their conversation. He didn't judge, he just let her talk about her dream. He'd comforted her when she needed it the most. In his arms she'd felt safe and protected. She was seeing a side of him that made it even more difficult for herself to hide her true feelings.

Gibbs felt Kate was gone, because she wasn't leaning against his chest anymore. He opened his eyes and saw her looking at him. "Good morning." He greeted with a voice still edged with sleep. She looked a lot better than yesterday. She looked rested. He also saw uncertainty in her eyes, probably caused by the way they'd spend the night.

"Morning." Kate was unsure how to proceed. She didn't know if she should thank him or what else to do. The situation was so awkward to her.

"You go take a shower, I'll make us some coffee." Gibbs suggested when he saw her hesitation.

Kate nodded before walking past him to the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs she turned around to watch him. He was rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "Gibbs?" She waited for him to look at her. "Thanks." She didn't say it loud but loud enough for him to hear it. She didn't wait for his reaction, but just continued with her way up the stairs.

Gibbs stood in the kitchen, contemplating the previous night. He'd seen a vulnerable Kate. A side of her he'd never seen before. He was grateful that she'd accepted his comfort and didn't try to keep him at a distance. For the moment he would ignore how good it felt to feel her body next to his. He decided to not push her about talking about her insecurities. He would leave it up to Kate to take that first step. She needed to take that first step, he couldn't do it for her.

They were just finished with breakfast when Gibbs' cell phone starting ringing. He walked away from Kate into the living room.

"Gibbs."

"Hey, Gibbs!" Abby greeted her boss.

"Abbs, what can I do for you?"

"Always straight to the point. I was wondering how the two of you were doing."

"We're fine."

"How's Kate?"

Gibbs looked back to the kitchen for a moment and saw Kate was cleaning up. "She'll be all right." His voice turned soft as he spoke about her.

Abby was silent for a moment. Gibbs was never forthcoming with his answers. Well, she decided to try another way. "Can I talk to her?"

Gibbs contemplated Abby's question for a moment. Maybe it would be good for Kate to talk to Abby. "I'll ask her." He walked back to the kitchen. "Kate, I've got Abby on the phone for you. You wanna talk to her?"

"Yeah, thanks." Kate said as she took the phone from Gibbs. She walked onto the balcony and sat down on one of the chairs. "Abby."

"Kate! How are you? We miss you."

"I'm doing better. How are you handling Tony and McGee?"

"Aah, you know me. I have everything under control."

Kate smiled, Abby was a good friend. You could count on her when you needed her.

"So, Kate… how are things with Gibbs?" Abby decided to slowly built up to her question.

"Gibbs is fine, but that's not what you wanna know."

"True. How do you feel about having him there?"

"When I first saw him, I wasn't happy at all. But you know Gibbs, he quickly told me he wasn't going anywhere. There was only one thing for me to do and that was accept his presence. I've got to admit Abbs, I like having him around. He's a good friend."

"Just a friend or more?" Abby knew about her friends' feelings for Gibbs.

"Just a friend. I still have so much going on. It would make things too complicated."

"Probably but he's with you the entire day. That's only making it harder for you to ignore your feelings."

What Abby was telling was true. "I know, Abbs, but it simply cannot happen."

"What if it does?"

"It won't. Besides, you're forgetting Gibbs. He doesn't feel the same as me. He never let it happen."

"Don't let him fool you, Kate." Abby had known Gibbs for a very long time. He was so different with Kate, so much more protective. There was a look in his eyes when he looked at Kate. She was pretty sure Gibbs was feeling more than he was letting everybody believe. "I've gotta go, Kate. Take good care of yourself."

"I will. Tell Tony and McGee I said hi." After saying Abby goodbye she hung up. Abby's words were still on her mind. Don't let him fool you. What did that mean? Did Abby know more than she did? Could it mean that he did have feelings for her? She shook her head and dismissed that thought. Like he'd once said: Romance between agents, Kate, it doesn't work. He'd said it with so much conviction that she was pretty sure he would never pass that line. It probably was for the best, it would make things at work so much more complicated. Yet for a moment she thought about the possibility of her and Gibbs together and a smile appeared on her face.

Gibbs had heard Kate saying goodbye to Abby. He waited inside for her, but since she wasn't back yet he decided to see if everything was all right. He stood leaning against the doorframe, looking at Kate sitting on the chair. She had a wistful smile on her face. It was good to see her smile. At that very moment it hit him how beautiful she was and how precious she was to him. She meant so much more to him than he was ready to admit. As an agent he wanted her by his side, but as a person he wanted her with him also. He shook his head. This wasn't the time for his feelings. He didn't want to confuse her even more. She was having a hard time already. She needed, no deserved, some rest. Besides, he didn't even know how Kate felt about him. Sure there was a connection between them and he was pretty sure Kate felt it too. He was an old man, and Kate was a young woman. Surely she could do so much better. What could she even see in him? He was old, had grey hair and he was famous for his inability to talk about his feelings. He also didn't have a good track record, three failed marriages. Nope, there was nothing in him that she could be attracted to.

"You okay?" He stepped onto the balcony.

"Yeah. Abbs is handling the guys."

Gibbs smiled at that. Abby was a bit eccentric but she was the best and she could handle DiNozzo and McGee as good as he.

"You know, I didn't think I would say this but I miss them."

Gibbs didn't want to smile at that remark, but it was hard. She was missing her work. That was a good sign. He decided to tease her a bit. "Who would have thought you'd miss DiNozzo. Maybe I should call him. You'd be hearing that for the next month."

Kate laughed. Tony could be a pain in the ass, but he was a good agent and a good friend. "That's true. I bet McGee is feeling awful. I feel sorry for him. Tony's probably played every practical joke on him that exists."

Gibbs nodded his agreement. "Aah well, it'll toughen him up a bit."

They were both silent for a moment. Both lost in their own thoughts, about work, their lives and their current situation that held many feelings for the both of them. Kate watched as Gibbs walked to the railing of the balcony. He seemed so different yet so similar. He was a man who chose to keep a part of him secret to others. In the day he'd been with her, he'd allowed her to see a bit more of him. Maybe she would be able to unravel the mystery that surrounded Gibbs. Then again, maybe she shouldn't. It would only cause her more problems and that wasn't a good idea.

TBC………….