Previously on NCIS

As Kate lay there, contemplating her thoughts, there suddenly was a knock echoing from the door behind her.

The room inside Kate's apartment suddenly fell silent. She craned her neck around to look for the source of the noise, trying to make none herself.

Tentatively, she got up off the couch, quickly wiping her eyes, patting her hair down and psyching herself up for whoever was at the door. She wasn't really expecting anyone as she was sure that they'd all had gone home for an early night.

As she approached the door to look through the peephole, a voice came from the other side.

"Kate… it's me. Let me in."

She knew instantly who it was…Gibbs.

Quite surprised, Kate turned around with her hand covering her mouth and cursed slightly under her breath. She leaned against the door trying to compose herself.

In a 'rip-it-off!' band-aid like motion, Kate whipped open her front door to reveal Gibbs leaning on the doorframe.

The first thing Gibbs noticed was the slight puffiness under Kate's eyes, his heart caught in his throat. Gibbs didn't like to undermine her, but he was doing it for her.

"What do you want?" Kate asked, it came out a little angrier than she intended, but he was playing her and she was in no mood for games.

"Can I come in first?" Gibbs pleaded. Gibbs was a little taken back at her tone, he expected her to be annoyed but this was different,

Kate stood a half concealed behind the door, but relented by directing him inside with her arm pointed at her couch.

Gibbs stepped inside, turning to face Kate as she closed the door. It was dark inside the apartment and Kate brushed past Gibbs to turn on a table lamb before sitting down on the couch.

Her perfume wafted in the air and momentarily paralyzed Gibbs. The very un-boss-like thoughts came back again and he found himself starting to crumble.

"Well, aren't you going to say something? Sit down and get it over with." Kate insisted. Whatever it was, she already felt self-conscience about what she must have looked like after that days events let alone now.

Still trying to resist, he walked to the front of the couch, still standing, looking down at her with those piercing blue eyes. Kate's demure tone…melted and she relaxed back into the couch, she couldn't stay angry with him for long. He was being a bit overprotective and it made her…well…curious! Gibbs wasn't exactly the same with Tony and he had been acting strange ever since their second encounter with Ari, and now that he was back it wasn't getting any easier.

Gibbs tried to remain objective, but this was one time he had to be truly honest with her so that she would listen to him, "Kate…" He began, sitting down on the coffee table and cupping her hands over his, "…I need you to be off this case."

Kate tore her hands from Gibbs and crossed them against her chest, "Why Gibbs? Just tell me why!" She leaned forward to that they were eye-to-eye, breath in breath, so that they were inches apart. Kate began to sense that their conversation had taken an unusual turn.

Gibbs' mind suddenly drew a blank, there were no more excuses, so he just continued to stare at her, this time without trying to conceal it.

As the seconds passed, Gibbs found that he couldn't stand it any longer…and neither could Kate. Ironically, surprising each other by closing the gap simultaneously.

Their lips pulsed together, feeling as good as each other had imagined. Not breaking for breath for a few minutes, Gibbs ran his fingers through her hair and she pulled him onto the couch next to her.

"Kate…I don't want you to go…" Gibbs said between kisses, "…and I know that I can't change your mind, but will you at least be careful?" Kate stopped, now with Gibbs on top looking down at her, she looked back up at him before planting one more passionate kiss, "Sure…"

Kate suddenly became aware of tomorrows early events, "We…will have to get there early tomorrow."

Gibbs was trying to hold himself back as much as he could, but he knew that she was right. But was surprised him was what Kate said next, "Will you stay with me?" It was one of many phrases she had longed to say ever since they'd meet on 'Air force one'.

Gibbs gave no hesitation, "Sure," he replied.

Kate lead him to her bed and he pulled the covers up over her and then slid over to the other side and curled his arms around her to which Kate snuggled back in return.

"Goodnight…" Gibbs whispered into the back of her head.

"Goodnight." She whispered in return, before pulling his arms around her shoulder tighter and both drifted off to sleep.

A/n: review, review, review! I finally got there! What u think Charmed-angel4! sobs i don't have yahoo messenger; only msn: hopethat it was what u expected and I actually found it more difficult to write than anything else…as there are no real scenes aired like it… yet! grins THANK U BETA JENNY!