a/n: I wanted to name this chapter "ice queen": just fora bit of a fun trivia quiz, in regards to the title. What three things does the chapter title "Ice Queen" pay 'homage' to?) …I know it's difficult but if no-ones got it by the next chapter I'll post a clue for each. (Also im stealing a quote I was reminded of from an mp3 I found which happens to relate to the title aswell… no infringement purposely violated!)…Thanx jenny! And Enjoy:P xxx Claire
0539 Tuesday Morning

Kate was the first to stir; she felt a warm body with a stray arm draped over her. She rolled onto her back as she recounted the night's events…and smiled.

She stared up at the ceiling, with a million thoughts clouding her mind. The operation starting today was going to be difficult, but she was glad to have the support of the silver haired man sleeping next to her. He looked so…content, that Kate didn't want to disturb him.

She then proceeded to carefully untangle herself from the sleeping man's covering arm and wake herself up in the bathroom with a splash of water on her face. However nothing ever got by Gibbs as he was promptly alerted to Kate's absence by his sub-conscience to which he responded by flashing one eye opened to assess the situation.

Gibbs' mind told him to tread carefully as he had been burned before, however his heart melted every second he had Kate in his sights.

Kate returned from the bathroom to see Gibbs sitting up, looking as if he were eagerly awaiting her return. She wanted to say so many things, so many heartfelt and professing things that told him how much he means to her and how much she loves him. However when she began, she even struggled to say,

"Thank you for being here with me…" Sitting down on the bed next to him, she locks with his sparkling blue eyes, "…I want everything to be okay between, us… and to be able to work together professionally on this case."

Gibbs' face sparks a hint of angered recognition as to whom she was referring, but then relaxes.

Kate isn't finished, taking one deep breath for the step she is about to take,

"…What about rule 12?"

Gibbs sighs for a moment and then picks up and cups her hands in his.

"Rule 12 is the only thing that Tony can properly respect, I know he won't break it. But for the truly right person I would in a heart beat."

Gibbs releases her hands and leans in to plant a soft kiss on her lips, to which she responds by pulling her arms around his neck and pulling him closer. Their lips part, but leaning in close so that their foreheads are touching Gibbs continues,

"Did you feel my heart beat?" His smile broadens into a grin and they lay back down on the bed, still with Kate's arms wrapped around his neck and their unbroken eye contact.

Gibbs continued to look over the features of the women that lay beside him when he suddenly said, "I wish I would have met you when I was a little boy"

"Why's that?"

"Because my whole life, everything that I've ever done or felt up until this moment is wasted because you weren't apart of it."

Kate was totally speechless, it was a side of Gibbs that she never knew existed and all she could do in response to such a statement was to show her mutual affection. She leaned in a kissed him more passionately that she had ever done with anyone else. Gibbs brought up his hand to brush a stray part of her fringe so that the next moment could be perfect.

He continued in a soft whisper, as a soft tear found its way down Kate's check, "I love you, Katie."

"I love you too…Jethro."

And there it was…total comfortable silence that had them in sync, one breath, one love.

However promptly shattered by the shrill of the alarm clock and the reality of the days fore coming events. The usual Gibbs returned and the clock was instantly silence with the help of a strong force propelled into the wall.

Kate grinned before reluctantly getting up and getting really for work.

NCIS HQ: Tuesday 0628

When they arrived at the bullpen, via separate cars of course, they were surprised to be greeted by Tony. Unusually early, but it was obvious that he had something on his mind and he wanted to get it off his chest.

Kate went in first and sat down at her desk as Gibbs came in with his cup of coffee, which detained him the appropriate amount of minutes. He took another swig of the coffee before placing it down on his desk and sifted through the files Morrow had dropped off for the operation brief that day.

Tony tentatively approached his bosses' desk.

"What is it Dinozzo?"

"Well Boss, it's this thing with Ari…I'm not exactly comfortable with him working on this case with us, after what he did to Gerald and all that… He's a terrorist boss, he should be cuffed and in jail!" Protested Tony, raising his voice a little in the process.

"He's an undercover 'terrorist' and he works for us. I know it's completely screwed up but there's nothing I can do about it but shoot him in the shoulder again when he gets out of line!" Gibbs said reluctantly.

Gibbs sighs, dropping his head and resting his palms on his desk before continuing,

"We just have to look at the bigger picture, we don't know what exactly is going on and the director thinks that this is the best way to approach the operation." Gibbs grits his teeth, it wasn't exactly something he would ever say, but he needed to reassure Tony so that this case could be wrapped up ASAP.

Morrow then swiftly entered the bullpen, closely followed by Ari.

Tbc……………..