hey guys! sorry about the delay...hides behind laptop to fend of any vegetables being thrown my way...heres the next chapter!
see earlier chapters for disclaimer.
Chapter 8
Kate entered the house and dropped her keys on the kitchen counter as she headed down the stairs to the basement.
"Gibbs?" The man in question looked up and smiled.
"Gracie let you in before she left?" Kate smiled and sat on the lower steps not knowing whether she should move further into his domain or not. She rested her chin on her hand that was leaning on the guard.
"Yeah, you weren't the one who taught her how to drive were you." Gibbs scowled.
"No, her grandparents thought that it would be wiser if she had a proper instructor. Don't let that fool you though; she's almost worse than me with shortcuts."
Kate grimaced at the memory of Gibbs' shortcuts in order to avoid the rush hour. One road raged Gibbs was enough. Gibbs looked at her reaction and asked, "I'm really that bad?"
"Course not, and Tony isn't a skirt chaser." Gibbs smirked at her response and gave the plank a final run over with the sander.
"Just let me tighten this and we'll go back upstairs." Kate just nodded, admiring Gibbs' physique as he worked his boat. Kate could feel herself melting at the sight of Gibbs' muscles flexing as he moved in his cargo pants and worn NIS t-shirt, wishing that it was her that those work roughened fingers were caressing rather than the boat. She shook the feeling of longing away.
"Gibbs, how exactly are you going to get the boat out of the basement?"
Gibbs put down thescrew driverand worked on removing his tool belt.
"I thought about raising the house, but Gracie almost threw a fit, so I'm thinking of knocking out the wall next to the garage."
Kate smirked at his nonchalance solution. Gibbs walked over, held out his hand to help her up from the stairs, and then followed her upstairs, both feeling the spark when they touched.
"Have you eaten lunch yet? I was going to order some Chinese."
Kate shook her head, "That'd be great, I only had a muesli bar on the way over I'm starved."
Gibbs nodded and grabbed the phone, rattling off some orders, remembering Kate's favorites - Mongolian Lamb, sweet and sour chicken and some egg rolls. Kate was shocked and her face must have shown it, because as Gibbs handed her a mug of coffee, he asked her, "What's wrong?"
"Huh?" Kate blinked
"You had this shocked look on your face."
Kate blushed, "It's nothing, I just… you're so different outside of the office."
"Why, because I ordered us Chinese for lunch?"
"No, well, yeah… you ordered my favorite. I didn't even know that you knew what I liked. And you're being – nice. It's just very different."
Gibbs took a gulp of his coffee and answered, "Kate, I've been an NCIS agent for 19 years, it's my job to notice little things like favorite foods. As for being nice, I can't be a bastard all the time now can I?"
Kate gave a small laugh, "I guess not."
They made small talk and watched a football game on the T.V while they waited for the food. Kate began to notice small things once they began to eat. She was surprised that it didn't bother her when Gibbs drank the rest of her water, or that he wasn't annoyed when she stole a bit of his pork from under his nose. She also noticed that the entire time that they had been eating, she was leaned up against him, and he didn't even seemed bothered about it. Kate quickly moved away, in the guise of getting another bottle of water, one for both of them this time. She cleared her throat,
"So Gibbs, you really don't mind coming to the wedding with me?"
"No, but I will if you keep asking me and if you don't give me back my soup." Kate quickly handed over the items and sat back down, a little farther away from him.
"Exactly how long are we going to be there, and what do you want me to do?" Kate leant back to reach for her purse that was on the table behind them, giving Gibbs a nice view of her tanned stomach, handing him the plane ticket and the itinerary.
"We have to leave for California Monday night. We will be in LA on the morning of the 28th, and Dad's organized for a company plane to fly us to Laguna Beach; we'll get there around 0900 ish. We'll be staying at my parent's place as well as my brothers and their brood. The wedding rehearsal is on the 31st, and the wedding on the 1st. I know that there will be a sort of BBQ get together, but I'm not sure what day, I'm also thinking of staying an extra couple of days since we have 10 days off, but you don't have to if you don't want to... All you'll have to do for the entire time is be my date." Gibbs looked at her when she said date.
"God, how sad do I sound. I'm asking my boss to come to my cousin's wedding, and pretend to be my date so that I don't get harassed by my mom and Aunt Anne."
The nerves that had been plaguing Kate all day finally got to her and the tears broke free. Gibbs was shocked, unsure of what to do. He wanted to pull her into his arms and hold her, but the Agent part in him was screaming 'NO'. He couldn't bear to see her cry, so he pulled her into his arms and rocked her until her tears subsided, murmuring words of comfort as he stroked her back. Kate finally lifted her head from his chest and looked into his eyes,
"I… I'm sorry Gibbs, I should just go, don't worry about this I'll just-" Gibbs put a finger to her lips and wiped away her tears.
"Katie, don't be sorry. I really don't mind helping you out, in fact I want to." With that Kate started to cry again. Gibbs just held her in his arms again and kissed her forehead,
"Shh… it's ok baby, don't cry babe."
Kate felt Gibbs tense as he realized the endearment that he had let slip. Kate lifted her head again to look in his eyes. He actually looked scared.
"Kate, I'm sorry, that was out of line-" This time it was Kate who put a finger to his lips. Their eyes locked, both seeing the same look of longing. She slowly leant forwards, Gibbs meeting her half way and their lips brushed. Pulling back, Gibbs let out a breath that he didn't even know that he was holding.
"Kate-"
"Gibbs, don't even. Do you know how long I have wanted to hear you say that to me? To kiss you?"
"Kate, we- you've wanted to kiss me?" Gibbs suddenly asked, as if that was so hard to believe. Kate slowly grinned.
"Yes, ever since you pulled me into the head on Air Force One and definitely since the emergency blow on that submarine."
Gibbs still looked stunned.
"Is it really that hard to believe?" Kate asked quietly.
Gibbs just kept staring at her as if she was insane.
"Wow, it looks like I've finally found a way to get you speechless, although I doubt Tony would like this techn-"
Gibbs pulled Kate back towards her and crushed his lips to hers. All thoughts of rationality flying out the window as Kate wrapped her arms around his neck, entwining her fingers in his hair, gasping as his hand crept under her shirt, to caress the skin on her back. Gibbs ran his tongue along the bottom of her lips seeking permission; Kate willingly opened her mouth, and allowed their tongues duel in an age old dance. There was a groan, but they didn't know who it came from, Gibbs tore his mouth away from hers to press kisses along her jaw, down her neck, Kate choosing to nibble on his ear. Their lips met again as Kate fell back on the couch pulling Gibbs down with her, her hands moving to remove his t-shirt, fingers caressing his toned stomach. Gibbs running his hand slowly up and down her denim clad legs.
"Mmm (kiss) as much as (kiss) I'd like to take this elsewhere (kiss) I think (kiss) it'd be best if we (kiss) stopped-" Kate pulled her lips from Gibbs' with a look of confusion. Gibbs just smiled and brushed the hair away from her face
"Don't get me wrong Katie, there's nothing I'd like to do nothing more than taking you to my room and slowly ravish you, but I don't think that now is the right time, and I'm getting kind of hungry."
Kate looked at her watch "Omygod, its 1800 already!"
"Yeah I know, you wanna stay for dinner, I was just going to grill some more steaks."
"Are you sure, I don't want to over stay my welcome." Gibbs rolled his eyes and kissed her again.
"Kate, we just spent the last 10 minutes necking on my couch, I think you can stay for dinner."
tbc...
wooo...LOL hope you liked that! decided to put you out of your misery! LOL
jtbwriter: grilled yes...looking forward to writing grilled! LOL team Abby and Grace...never leave the two of them in the same room alone for too long...oh wait..too late...
Emsta: hope you're still enjoying the ride...i could have dragged this chapter...and purposely would have...but i decided to be nice for a change!
orangeangel:i 'll get back to you on thepay back thing. not sure whati'm gonna do there yet. But ohboy...i'm not sure if you'd want Kate's family...well at least her brothers! oopsie...whatthat a clue? hmm... :)
Agent Mac: Thank you! i started reading your fic, but got distracted..will get back to it asap!well after i get some sleep!
Lyrio: Waves! heya! were youreading myHouse fic too? Thanks for replying! yay!as for Medical Emergency...ahh get the doctor! LOLi hope that you're still alive after memaking you all wait! LOL glad you're enjoying this!
Mellie Erdmann: Ooohh Gibbs has no idea what he's in for!LOL
99CDN: okay missy...i've updated...now its your turn...THATS RIGHT! LOL hey if you're a House fan...head over to my other fic...i'm desperate for reviews...they're not being as complient as you guys! LOL
prymtns: hmm. Gracie as chaperone..hadn't thought of that! but Kate and Gibbs wont be taking her...although you have sparked an idea for me though! thanks! and i'm glad you've joined the ride!
lillie: hows the edge of the seat! i'm betting your still there! LOL glad you're getting a kick out of this, i definately am writing it!
Snake666: thanks for joining the ride! LOL i'm glad you're liking the idea!
and thankyou to ALL the readers out there for reading!
:big jump...PURPLE:
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