Chapter 18 - Happy Reunion

Rochelle lead Gibbs and Trisha to the front of the house. As they passed a window, Gibbs saw his team standing on the front porch. Then, as if on cue, Kate turned and looked in. When she saw Gibbs, a giant smile spread across her face. Gibbs smiled back and gave her a little wave.

"Well, let them in," he told Rochelle. As she walked over to the front door, Gibbs took a hold of Trisha and put her in front of him.

"Hey!" Trisha said in surprise. "What do I look like, a rag doll? Geeze, Gibbs!"

"Sorry," Gibbs said as he patted her shoulder. "If I know anything about my team, then there are two ladies out there who are about to attack me. Any other time I'd say that's fine, but I'm too sore right now," he said.

Trisha tilted her head backwards and looked at Gibbs upside down. "So I have to play your shield? That's pretty low, man," she said with a smile.

"GIBBS!" Abby and Kate screamed in unison as the door was opened. Trisha's eyes got extremely wide, but she held her ground. As they made a mad dash for him, Gibbs and Trisha put up their hands in defense.

"Whoa, easy! Don't jump on me, my ribs are either broken or badly bruised!" Gibbs yelled.

At the same time, Trisha started yelling out random threats, "You touch one hair on this guy and I'll be forced to show you my mad skills!" She assumed a karate-type stance.

Between Gibbs yelling and Trisha making ninja moves, Kate and Abby had come to a complete stop. Both held very confused looks. Kate looked from Trisha up to Gibbs, then shook her head. "What?" she asked.

Gibbs smiled and put his hands on Trisha's shoulders. "Easy Killer," he said with a chuckle. He looked back at his team, who had now all come into the living room. "I was saying that I might have cracked ribs, and I just don't want you guys jumping on me, ok?" He let go of Trisha and walked to where Kate and Abby were standing.

Abby gently gave Gibbs a hug, then stepped back and looked up at him. "I thought you might have been a goner after I saw what your house looked like. We were really worried about you, boss-man."

Gibbs pulled Abby to him and lightly kissed the top of her head. He let her go, then walked towards Kate. He stopped and stood in front of her. Gibbs smiled, "Agent Todd," he said.

"Agent Gibbs," Kate replied. Her eyes welled with tears as she wrapped her arms around Gibbs. "I thought I'd never see you again. I thought you left me," she said into his chest as her tears began to flow more freely.

"Nah, just got a little sidetracked," he said softly. He lifted Kate's chin so he could look into her eyes. "I'd never leave you, Katie," he whispered as he wiped away her tears.

Gibbs and Kate stood like that; staring into each other's eyes. Gibbs' thumb was lightly caressing Kate's cheek as he held her close. Kate's left arm was wrapped around Gibbs, while her right hand rested on his chest.

Rochelle cleared her throat, "Uhhh, hey guys, are you gonna just start making out or what? Cuz if you are, just let me know. I don't wanna see that!"

Trisha rolled her eyes. "Chelle, you dork! You interrupted their moment!" she whined.

Gibbs smiled at Kate, then kissed her forehead. "I need to talk to you about something then. It's important," he told her.

Rochelle started making kissing noises, then turned to Trisha. "Sounds like our Special Agent wants a little alone time with his girlfriend, if you know what I mean!" Chelle exclaimed as she over-exaggerated a wink.

Trisha stared at her friend with her mouth open in disbelief. "I can't believe half the stuff that comes out of your mouth! You know what? I don't know you," she stated.

Rochelle laughed, "Yessssss. That means I'm doing my job!"

Everyone else laughed. Gibbs sat on the couch and Kate sat down next to him. Abby and McGee took the love sofa, and Tony and Ducky each sat in a Lay-Z Boy. Rochelle had plopped herself in the bean bag chair. Trisha walked over and sat on the other side of Gibbs, who put an arm around her. Kate leaned her head against Gibbs' shoulder.

Gibbs introduced the girls to his team, then went on to tell them everything that had happened and how he ended up at Trisha's house. Rochelle filled in some of the parts that Gibbs left out. She especially emphasized the time that Gibbs made Trisha take his boxers. That story lead into Gibbs informing everyone that Trish gave the best head rubs in the history of the world.

After Tony told Gibbs how they had found two of the guys that had broke into his house, Tony felt his stomach growl. "Ah, hey Boss. I don't mean to sound out of line here, but would it be ok if I just went and ransacked the kitchen? I haven't had anything to eat and I'm starving."

Trisha got up. "Yea, come on, Tony. I'm hungry too. Anyone else want something? We have a lot of food," she said.

Abby jumped up, "Hey, let's make a big dinner! Come on guys, everyone can help make something." After the girls, Tony, McGee, and Ducky went into the kitchen, Abby turned to Kate and Gibbs. "You guys just relax, we can take care of it!" That said, she skipped off towards the kitchen.

Kate lifted her head from Gibbs' shoulder. "So, what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?"