Here's a short one. Don't know where it came from but am glad it found me.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gibbs or Kate or Tony - but then, you don't own people, do you?
X
„Ok, Kate. I've had enough of this," Gibbs barked.
Kate was startled. The second before this outbreak she and her boss had played their secret
game of ambiguous glances and incidental touches that always made her feel so good, so
female and special. And now he yelled at her like she had done something totally
inappropriate.
"Tony, would you answer my phone? Detective Cooder wanted to give us the results of the
DNA testing."
Tony was glad not to be the cause of Gibbs' anger this time.
"Sure Boss."
Gibbs started to walk towards the exit.
"Come on, Kate. We're going for a walk."
Kate grabbed her coat and hurried to follow Gibbs, still wondering what was going on.
Tony watched them leave. He felt sorry for Kate. It was not exactly funny to have Gibbs
being mad at you.
Kate caught up with Gibbs when they left the building. He had his hands stuffed in his
pockets and didn't even look weather Kate was with him. He knew not even she would dare
to ignore his order. They walked in silence….uncomfortable silence.
After a few minutes Gibbs slowed his steps.
"Kate, we have to stop doing that."
She instantly knew what he was talking about.
"Oh…Okay." She would miss this.
Again there was a long silence. Then Gibbs stopped and turned to her.
"Did you ever think of taking the next step?" Now he didn't sound angry at all anymore.
Kate didn't trust her ears. What did he try to tell her?
"Has this really just been a game for you?"
Something in his voice made her look up. Their eyes met and Kate knew it was no use lying
to him. He could look right into her soul.
She broke eye-contact. She had to guard her feelings, couldn't let him know it all.
"No, it's not just been a game," she admitted, knowing she just confirmed what he already
knew.
She had to move, to try and break his spell before it was too late and she would give away her
true feelings for him.
They slowly walked side by side. After what seemed to be an eternity Gibbs broke the silence.
"I've been dreaming about us Katie," he softly said. There was a tone in his voice she'd never
heard before. It made her heart jump and yet she didn't dare to believe that he meant what she
thought.
"I can't go on like this. I need to know where I'm at. Either we stop all that and keep our
relationship on a professional level, or we give it a try."
Kate was sure she was in some kind of parallel universe by now. Gibbs, her boss, the grumpy
'rule-nr12-man' would never even consider a relationship other than strictly professional with
her.
"Look Kate, it's your choice. I know what my feelings towards you are. I know that I love
you and I know what I want, but I'll deal with whatever decision you make."
Kate stopped in her tracks. Had he just said that he loved her? Did he really just say those
three words she thought she'd never hear from him? There was only one way to find out. She
was insecure and full of hope when she turned to him again and looked him in the eyes. And
there it was. Gibbs, the master of cool and disguise had lifted the curtain. What she saw made
her believe that her dreams might come true. The look in his incredible deep, ocean-blue eyes
promised warmth and care and love.
"I love you too," she heard herself whisper.
They stood there, motionless, just looking at each other and trying to realize what happened.
Gibbs was the first to recover.
"Did you ever dream about us being together?" he quietly asked.
Kate blushed and had to look down. Oh yes, she had! But all she managed was to nod her
head.
"Did you like it?" Gibbs' voice was so low , she shivered.
Again, she nodded.
"Yes….." She looked up at him again and he could see amazement and a remain of disbelieve
showing in her face when she continued.
"You… you were…gentle…," she said barely above a whisper.
At this, he realized how strong she really was.
"Katie…"
He wrapped her up in his arms and made a promise to himself that he would never hurt her.
"I'll be as gentle as you need me, Katie; I give you my word."
And Kate knew she had found what she had never even dared to look for.
She was home.